Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 111

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co.
Number of Pages: 472

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While tho ludiaas held the northern part of the county exclusively, they also, unlil their departure for Kansas, in 1845, used the entire territory how in tho county as a hunting ground. They were well disposed toward Ibeir fow white neighbors, and sellom give them any' cause for uneasiness.

There were a few dry prairies in the county, which, of course, ivere eagerly takvu up by the first comers os presenting fewer diffiruhies in being brought under cultirition. As a rule, however, the settlers were forced to first clear off tho heavy growth of timber which covered the county almost without any exceptions. As there was no market whatever in those days for the products of the forest, all tho fino timber which encumbered the clear- inga was rullilessly sacrificed, and upon every ten acres cleared in this way there stood enough limber which, if armilable new, wouldl pay for ten limes the value of the land brought uniler enltivalien. There was, however, no remedy for the wholesale destruction, As land must be bad for the purpose of raising omps

The pioneers in the early days of Tipton County were men of more than ordinary courage, for there were not only the common difficulties to be met with in a now and heavily timbered couutry, hut in addition the lands. Though rich, were nearly all coverel more or less with water. Those who secured hyouwsteads on the little kyolls and ridges were therefure regarded as boing nwusually lucky.

The frei warkets for what little produce was raised were not nearer than Brookvillo, unil grain way sometimes hunsled as far as Cincinnati. The ship- ments wero, of course, made in ivagons, and this could ouly be done in the ilry yessou us for linlf the year, or oren more, the roads were impassable.

After tho cumpletion of the Wabash & Frie Canal through the towns north of Tipton, in 1887, trade naturally flowed in that ilirectiun until a homo market grew up consequent upon the construction of railu ays in the county.

Tho Erst mills for griniling grain were ilriven by horse power, and, as way be imagmed, were simple in construction andl inoxpreuswe as 10 cust. One of these mills was owned by Daniel Stevens, near Normuwia, and another ins located weas Tipton, and was kwwn as the Bailey mill. Tho first water

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maill ereeled in the county was ouned by Samuel King, and stood ou Cicero Creek, n short distance southeast of Tijdon, und uns completeil ahont 1840. li wns usrd hoth for sawing lumber und griniling grain. There was no stenm mill in the county until 1816, or perhaps later, when one ung ereeled near Tipion.

The first preachers In visit The counly nere the Methodist erreuil riders These hell services at The houses of the settlers. The pioneer nmeng these missionaries in the wilderness irny Miles Hutlaere. The next elmirch lo organize n congregalion iros the Presbyterian denomination. There was no permanent house of u arship in the county uulit the erection of the present Methodist Church edifice in Tipton.

ORIIANIZATION OF THE CHUNTY

The northern and larger purlion uf what is now Tipton County was n port of the great Minmi Indian Reserve, Tho southern half, containing ahoul one-third of the area, and the obilest sellled portion of the ronuty, wos, unfit 184-1, n parl of llamilton Conuly.

The county uns organized, necording la un acl upprorril Innnary 16, 1814, and the Commissioners-elect met al The hindar of Jesse Brown, that being the placo designalen lor Tho transaction of county Imsiness unlil suitable necom- modations canlıl be houil nl lha county seal.

William llerrington, by ririno uf au appointment from The Goreront, neleil ns organizing Sheriff of the county until Iln' first gaueral eleeliou. This election resulted in the choire of the following nlhcers, being tho first to fill the positions nomel in the euunty : Alexoniler Young, Sherif ; Jacob Wishiler, Treasurer ; Newlun JJ Jockyun, Amhlor und Clerk ; Sylvester Tur- pen, Recorder ; Thomas ,Inckyon, Haberi C. Datisou and Jolin D. Smith, Commissioners.

The firel inecling of The Commissioners uns held Inue B, 1814. Tho honrd mppointed Jesse Bravo Assessor of the county. His iluties were nat arduous, us but In alve ilays and a half uere cousumed in assessing the entire county tho first year, oud lor Ilus Brown reecired $18.76. William 11. Nel. son was, al n subsequent meeting of the Commissioners, appointel County Agenl.

COURTY.

The first ferin of the Tiplon County Cireml Court began on the 12th of May, 1814, of the house of lesse Brown, southeast af Tipton about Iwo miles, n here is pour the Recob farin There ivas no I'residing Judge present, aud the court wns, in consequence, bild by the livo Associate Judges, Silas Mount anıl Joseph Goar. The courl une openeit by Alexantler Young, then Sheriff of the county, nho returned the fullon ing citizens as members of the firel grand jury, nainely : Hobert Armstrong, Benjonun Lerel, James Shau', Alleu Pitmmo, Mexauiter Mills, David G. Wilkes, George Smith, Andren Eruns, Jocksno llill, Joseph Henderson, Grorge Lemon, Edward Good, Koh- erl Davison, Haries Gooilkonulz und Jesse Brown. The last named was appointed foreman, nud the jury hegou ils work. As no return of any midietments appeur, il is fuir to presume timi each member of the little cont- munily had enough la do in fighting for his subsistrore, so Int uo lime wos left for Inu - breaking.

The Gral attorneys silunited to the bar irere William Garver, Marens bindsry, William Sten art, Jmines Forany, Earl S Stond ond Amasa P. Caster The first Term of raurt ut ielurh & P'residing Judge was present uns held in the month of Xoxemher following, Jobu W Wright ou tha beuch.

The first lerin of The Tiplon County Court of Common Plens was held Juno G, 1863, Judge Curl S. Stony on the bench.

The first erirt house ereeiro in The county uns built of how'n Ings, and uns ready for use in 1815, I vermeil the sile where Thomas Smith's residenco cloud in I87h, and uns an invxprusiro structure, It was de- stroyril by firr in Ihr winter of 1857-8, phil it is generally supposed 1hal Tho desire ul the ritizrus la hasten the nation of the Commissioners in build. ing n nou temple of justice fully nrcounts for the condugrulino, Courts uere helt for o shurt fitur in the Mrtbudist Church, until the completion of the brick conel houry nou in upr. This glande in the center of the court lionso square, and is n very creditble structure Ha cost w's over $12,000. The first juil in the county stood near the site of the present court house, olid arus built of logs In 18na, il ius replorrd hy u substantial builling. Il al expenso of $7,1X10.

The county owns, ulga, a large poor furia, which is situated just south of Tiplou.

The progress of Tiplon Conuly mitlane the dechile froni 1813 to 1875 las hern quite toarked, Frame or brick larm houses have been taking the places of the ride calone of the settlers, ond Inrge barns und a ell filled homestrads are lo by seen in every baud. In uo uny is the new spirit of enterprise beller exempdified thun by the construction of long and, in Inany luisinuces, exprusine fromus For this purpose draining associations hare Waru lormed in all parts of the county. Awong the principal ones is the Cieern Draining Association, forqued iu 1941, length of drains construetid, nboul Bixfreu tuiles ; cost. $7,000. The Union Draining Association, organ. ized in 1868; length of drains constructed, thirty tuiles : estimated cost, orer 818,000, The Ariliv Driving Association, organized in lanī ; maiu ditrh, sia miles in length, with uminerons Irilginries. Since August, IST0, a number of hru asseriotious huve been formed, oud drains with un nggregate leugthi of eighty. fiir imiles linie bien projetrd, al an calimaled cost, when completed, of $40,cudi or more,

The litsl county fuir uus held cast of Tijdou, in 1806. No exhibitions uvre hell the neal your, just in 1837 the soriely nas rrorganizeil, ond fairs u ere held until the outbreak of the late uur. Winlo that lasted, there urns uont her cessation in holding fairs, but since Then exbihitions buvo been held phimully. The County Soviely virus n hne our ground bear Tiptou,

Tho county ollicers for 1876-6 are as follows: Clerk, Joseph A. Moore; Sheriff, Willinin It. Albright ; Anditor, Hobert W. Wright ; Treasurer, H. P. Knuberlin ; Recorder, Arrh E. Small; Surrvyor, dehu Van Buskirk ; Cor- ouer, Audrey Snope ; County Connaisyjouers, Dorid Kemp, Charles Meyer omul Greru Lilly.

The first paper published in Tiptan County wroy known as the Tipton County Denoerot, Tho firel uumber wos issued in the fall of 1856. Dr. A. M. Vickiey wux thy editur, assisteil, for n short time, by Dr. Ruller. The Arch Ramsey, nho, in lho irinter of 1857-8, lonh iu O. I'. Daird us n part- ner, onil elnuged the umno to That of The Western Domoion, the onan, in fner, being the lorgen puuirl of the paper. In ING!, the paper was soll to G. W. Fisher and B. Gelluer, nho adopted the name of Tipiton County Irgus for their publication They were succeeded hy .\ Clark, in less than a year, and @ lurk gove nay, in INDU, to Rumsny , The farwier proprielor, u ho milopted The name of Tiptop County Thides. There were n number of changes which lonk jonce about this fine, and the joiper uus suspewled for six mouths, Cox x Drerminu thyu Inok nu tulerest iu il, and John W Chambers was fur u while editar. As soon ny muallers guin became sellird, W. , Turgen, in Ihol, look The paper, which for a winle had been known as the Democratie Untu. Be placed tbe oldl lille, Tiptuy County Ames, at the bead, and con- dueled the paper until 1864, { J. Brudy, in that yeur, succeeded Turpen, uwel keul tho paper nolil letober, IS71, nheu he was sucereded by N. R. & E. \ Urermuuu.

On the Ist of January, 1876, Willintu Hair look charge of the puper os elifor nud propriefor

The Mpton County Republican was started in 1860, by S. T. Montgomery. Ii hrd iu 1801, iu the liumly of G. W Tonley. His successor ivas the Tiplun Enterprise, started in 1871. It irus discontinued in 1871.

COUNTY HISTORIES,-CONTINUED.

The Tipton .Idraner, the Autr remaining juper in the county, besides the Times, ins started in Isi4, hy W. J. Turpen Il is Independent . Democratic in politics, while the Tom's is the representalire parly organ.

TIPTON,

thu naine of the county and county seat, is lerired frum Gen. John Tiplon, at one time United States Senaler from Indiana. The foun was laid oul in 1839, by Samuel King, who mined The ploce Kingston.

In April, 1844, the Commissioners namwl in the nel organizing the county acleeled the place ns the seul of justice on conilition think Samuel King, the proprietor, danale HIHI neres of land to the county. The name iens changed la Caulon, nud sburily ofter la Tiplen.

The Localing Commissioners lind no uthority lo gu oulside of the county lo select n aile for ils future enpital. They were, Therefore, not al fault for selreling so leret n spel. This oril is oggmorntoil by the eulire absouce of grivel or other material for building good rouls. Nobirithslanding this, Tiplon tunst necessarily be the principal low'n in the county, and, backrd, as il is, by a wide extent of frrlile country, its gran th will no doubl ho steady. The population, at the clear of 1875, iras estimnied nt 1,600.

There are four churebes in the place, numely, the Methodist, Presbyle- Finn, Chrislinn nod Catholio.

There is also au expensive noion school building, the erection of which began in 1867, and complried uf a root of nenrly $15,000.

A large three-story business hiloek nul Oild Fellund' hall way erceled in 1875, and sprernl ofher fine billings wrero ellher coupleled or projected in the same year.

There are two banks, and the mercoutile establishwcuts, though nol ex- lensiry, will no doubt become of inerensing imporinnee, siner the L , M. & B. R. R. has been consirnricit.

The pinnufacturing currieil on is mostly of n loenl nnture, for the lionie denimuid. 11 haan fine opening for espausion.

The lown was first incorporated in 1816, hul in a few years the charter was forfeited. H was reorganizeil in 1873.

The present town gor ernment consists of .I. A Wrbb, John Lerel, Harvey Fear, C. C. Richarilsen nud Rupharl Charles, Trustees; Robert Porler, Clerk ; William Berryman, Marshal, and .] V Banla, Treasurer.

WINDIA1.1.

in the eastern part of the county, on the P. C & SI, L. R. W, was ploiled in 1813, and is now the second fuirn in size amt importance in the county. 11 is An nelire business ploer, has good society nud nent school aut church buildings

KEMPTON,

in the western parl of the county, nod ou the line of the L., M & B. R. W., is a lou'n of mueli promise.

NORMANDA, TI TERSBERG AND CIRLISTILLE

are lowns of some local importance. The two first named are old towns, as is also

which is wore noted for age than size.

is finely localed, Ino miles south of Ineksont Station, ou tho I., P. & C R. W Excepting the loins already mentioned, there are no others of impor- Isuce, except

in Prairie Township.

VERMILLION COUNTY.

This county adjoins the linois line, und is near the middle of the Sinte, from north lo south. The Wubosh Hiver furnis ils castern boundary ; on ibe south is Vigo County, and on the north Warren. The county is oue of the longest and morrowest in the Sinle, it being bul from fire lo ten miles in breadth, and thirty-six miles in length. Tho nrea is 219 square miles, The population, in 1870, was 10,79.4.

The principal Tributaries of the Wabash in the county are Big and Little Vermillion Rivers und Bronillett's Creek, all of which bend iu Ilinois, Along These strenms are found large areas of bollom and Terrace lands of inexbustible fertility, mint corering nearly a third of the eonuty. About one-third of the surface nat originally prairie, the greater portion of which belonged 14 the Grand Fruirie of Illinois, nhich rxleuds into The county on the western border, except along the auter courses.

Noliceuble among the forest growth in the enuuty nre the large quanlities of sugar trees, walnut, onk and hirkory, and in The south a considerable pruportion of beech.

Numerous bluff's are found rising from the terraces to as altitude of from 120 10 130 feel shore the river. Tho siles of these are generally loo steep for profitable eulfirution, onil many of thein ary still covered with a fine growth of Trees.

The oulerop of rork in Verwilling Conuty helougs to the coal measures. The bollotu Inyer found in the cebuly is the conglomerate soudstono near Perrysville, and, gorug down the river, seren suunis af cont are foundl, the lost huuring its oulerop in the vicinity of Clinton.

Numerous live fossile are found in the rorks nud shales of the county, anil ils local geology hus bren enrefully investigated by I'rof. John Collett, William Gibson oud others.

Coal is found in four-fifths of the conuly in workable quantities. This oren begins u little south of Ferrysville, auf extouils beyund the county lo The south. The Thickest coul scanis nre from five to seren feel, anil tho arer- age of the workuble reins in four [cet in thickness. The coul is moslly ef the frer.buruing, bituminous rariely, and in ul lens] oue buuk, blook coal is found, the loner benches of u hich field u prodluel equol to that of the Brazil moines. The principal unning points ore in the vicinity of Clinton, Newporl nud lhorse shoe Beud. Large quantities of cual ure bauled lo Illinois, irhero il is used ns fuel by Giruiers ou the firunil Prairie.

Iron ore is founil selillered orer thr rouuty, but not in sufficient quanti- lies to pay for mining nul exporting, of the prices obtained in 1816.

Before The era of railroads, u chmi coul furunce was constructed on Bronil. dell's Creek, which may kend in lilast with are oblnineil in the vicinity. The enterprise prin us long as foreign iron did not enter into strong competition with The product of The furuare. The uurky bare long sinco been abun- Joned, and the buildings hare fallen Io deeny.

Material for ordinary brink is pleutiful. Fire brirk ure muwie east of Highland, on the # , T. H & C. R. B., ilnch are used throughout the Sinte and exported lo disluni poluls. The ledy of eloy ure uearly pure a hite, and hare a depth of from Iwo In six fert, Terra colla ware is made from ilis mul rrint,

The county is well supplied with building stone, which is found near Ferryarille, and a fine flag sione is found a little over a mile from Newport. There are also quarries of builling slone al various other places in the routily Thr lime burnel in the counly is sudalle only for walls,

The Mounil Builders haro left Irnees ef their neenpation in the abnpe nh mounile exteriling froma the extreine northern part of the county Through ils enlire length. Theso slrouge rolirs ef an exlinet race aro found ulong the terrace lands. They average from lour lo len frel in height, with a cor- responding u ilth al the base, Stone oves nnil other implements are Found near the mouth of Spring Creek, al Daris' Ferry, and in nlher loralilies. Al the placea nomed there are two genuine shell mounils, in which large quanlities of tunssel shells, bones ef quimints mul hummu remning have been found, as well as numerous sono implements.

In order lo more fully exploro tho rich field open for scientific anil archa. ological iurestigalion in this part of the Sinte, a unnher of gentlemen, resid- ing in Vermillion County, hinvo formel the Western Inudlinna Historical und Scientific Association. The officers in 18Th nro ns follons : President, John Collelt ; Vico President, M. G. Rhomils ; Treasurer, W. L. Lilllo; Recoriling Secrelory, M. L. Hull ; Labratinn nnil Curator of Musemm, William Gibson ; Corresponding Secretary, H. Il. Conley.

Tho northern parl of the county irus orenpiel until 1821, by the Kiekn. poo and Pollawallonie Indians, auil the sonthorn purl by the Pinnkeshaw band of tho Minmis ; but lho Inst lwo irvre remorrd nl un enrhier itny. The red men in early days were to be fonnil within the present Himils of the county in large numbers. They wore alineked here, in 1791, by Majur Hamirnok, who led on expelition from Vincennes, and cuconnfored ilio ludiaos at their rilloge, standing ou what ins nfforward known na the Shelby farm, nenr Engene. Most of tho ludinus were killed, and the rilluge was destroyed. Of those who escapri, many, logether with some of their descendants, look parl in the battle of Tippeennoe anil ofher engagementy with the whiles.

French trading pests were established in the Verinilhon County region nl an carly dny, by i frader named Laserllo, irho loenteil on the south bank nf Vertuillion River, onil south of where now is the rillago of Kugene If irse opposite This post, and across the river, that laumtramck gained his victory orer lhe Indians Gen. Hurrison, in The expedition which resulted in the victory al the battle ground of Tippecanoe, morohed through what is now Vermillion County, enlering its territory nol fur north of Montezuma, theace he passed north and rust of the site of Newport, his boats following the river until the bar at Coal Creek uns rencheil This slopped the further progress of the fleet, and the supplies were unloaded, placed in n stockade, ond a Sergeant and Ien men were left behind lo guard them. The sile of This is on The old John W Porter farm, betu een Engene and Neu porl, und Traces of the game are still visible. Thence the army marched in the direc- tion of State Lino City, onil remnants of log briilges are still to be seen along the roule laken.

TILA FAILLI SETTI LILL.NT.

Evidence has beeu willneed in a singular manner, which prores That white nten were in the Vermillion County early in the eighteenth century. This was demonstraled by filling on oxo, evidently of Puropenn manufue- Ture, in the heart of on oak cut down in 1837, wear Engene. Outside the implement one hundred onl Irenly-firo consentire onnunl growilis of nood had formed, showing that the oxe hud been struck into the free in lill, probably by early French inissionuries.

Among the early Traders in this region, in aditition tu Lasselle already pored, were .lames Blair, Isano Coleumu ood on I'nglishoinh named Jones, all localeil nol far from the present site of Eugene. The line of Harrison's purchase rutis through the county dingolinlly from the soullienst to the north- west. North of this line the Indiaus reumined in possession long after the soullern part of the county way thrown open to selfleinont, onil wo conse. quently finil the first sefilers in the last ummed portion of The counly.

Among the first to arrive in tho county, ny n permanent resident, uns John Vanuest. The lunds south of the northern hounilary of Horrison's purchase were sold at Vincennes in 1816, unil ut these salea Vannest pur- chased a quarler section in Clinton Township, upon trhich he mored in 1816. Tho Indians were NO OnmyTous and hestile in Their demonstrations 1hnl ho was forced lo remore his wife lo Fort Hurrisen for greater safely. His son, Jolus Vannest, iens the first while child born in The county. William Inmil- fon ivas another early sellier, hunt emmo in 1818 In the sminu year, John Hell and sereral families of the amne nome selfleil further up the river, oml gare their name lo llelt Township, Augustus Ford oud John Skidmore com- ing with them.

Among tho selllers still further worth aPre Jutl Dicken, one of the first residents in ibo vicinity of lho low'n of Neu port, muil John Gronenilyke, who came to the county in 1819, and, selling near where Eugene new is, built thereon the " Big Vermillion," the first quill on That part of the Wabash, and to which selilera enme will their grain for griniling, somelines as far as fifty miles. Many of these early ploneers were men of marked charueler unil sterling worth, and bare left thvir impress upon their descendants aml the communities of which they laiil the foundation. "Mixed with them, however, were, at an early day, o vile erow of renegades and rufhans, who here, as well as iu other localities, ninde themselves u terror lo all pencenbly disposed citizens. A pretty effectual clearance tros minde in the southern part of tho county by the formation of o vigilance commilive, oud a lynching or I wu, after which There was less erime and ilisorder.

POLITICAL HISTORII -TILL FIRST COUNTS.

Vermillion was organized is ou rutleprudent county in 1821 l'rerions lo that time, it had been allachrd lo l'arko County 'fho first meeting of tho Board of County Commissioners uns held rurly in March, al Jumes Blir's hongo. Present-John Haines, Thowas Durhnio und Issae Chomibere, Will- inm W. Kennedy irns oppuinted Clerk of the Board of Connnissinners, und Caleb Bales, County Assessor. Jolin Collett way nppoiulvil Couuly Agent for the purpose of lying oul n county seal, nuil srlling surh lots os were Jounted by Johui Justice aud Georgo Miuer lo tho conuly. Alexander Bailey uns appointed Collector of Inxes, Quil Jones Illuir, Agent for The founty Library. The name of Newport uns giren lo thy embly svat ul the Muy session of Ilie Commissioners, following.

The first term of the Circuit Court begou May 11, 1824, at the house of Jmues Blair. The Presiding fudge nos Jurob Call ; The first Clerk of tho Courl was Willinui S. Kenneily ; The Gral Sheriff, William Fulton ; tho fral Prosecuting Allorney, George It. C. Sullivan.

A large number of criminal indiel mouts for minor offenses were returned, bul none of theen were disposed of by the court, which continued in session bul que duy.

The first ciril enit on The dockel was mu nelion for diruree begun by Mark Inys against his wife, on The grouml thut shs himl refused lu follow him in his mnigrolion into tho State.

The first morvinge ceremony preformed after Ihr organization of tho county iras solemuized by the Rev. MeGeo. The first bridle une Elizabeth Mardie.

The first naturalization popers isqueil lo n fareiguer weru granted la Henry Mmer, n unitive of Ozrnherg, Germany .

The Breoud fermo of the Curenil Cunrl uns held by Judge John R Foder, for ninny years u resident in the county nul ou of the frel lauyers Judge Porter's circuit, hy sereral changes which nere mule, Inok hun ull mer Western ludiann, from the Ohin Hiver to lake Michigan.

COUNTY OFFLORRE

The county officere iu 1876-6; are as follows: Auilitor, Thomas Cush- man : Clerk, Willum Gilson ; Sheriff, Lowis Brykinu ; Treasurer, James Osborn ; Recarder, J. A. Souders ; Superintendent, W 1 .. Lilllo: Commis sioners, 11, A, Sexton, B. W. Riggs muul .. Binney-

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The hrat court house was erecteil not laug ufter the location of the seat of justice ut Newport. Il truy built after whut ivne known as the " peil auger" style, riz., A square brick with n spire projecting froin the center of the roof, aui urns wore useful thun ornamental in appearnuce. This was de. atroyeil by fire in 18 Hi, und n second court house, built to replace it, shared the samo fate, u few years after The court house in use, in 1876, was com- pleteil in 1842, at n cost of over $110,000.

The juil now in use stanils n yhort ilistance cast of the court house square, anil ivas erceted in 1868, nt n cost of $10,000.

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Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 111

Author: Publication date: 1876 Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co. Number of Pages: 472

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co.
Number of Pages: 472