Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 129

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

USA > Indiana > Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana > Part 129

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

MINERAL HEALTIL.

But little inuufacturing is carried ou hero ; only aneb shops are found as are necessary lo supply the needs of an ngriculturul community.

Extensive heds of bng iron ore ocenr. The largest deposit is on Dre I'ruirie iu Vork Township, in the wesloru part. It lies in the edge of The manrsl nbout ane fool nboyu the saplace, is about Iwenly feel wide, and frem four to eight l'eel thick.

In 1843, Messrs. Freuch & Beers erected o Callin forge for reducing This ore, ut Rochester, on the klkhart River, in the northwest corner of the cougly. Ahoul Tho limu the forge was compteled, nud before il uns pul in operation, the original proprietors solt In W. F Lee, A. D. Wobslurund D. M. Beera, who plit the forge wu lilast, ouiploying nboul sixty men in the different ilepurlinenis of work. They monde nhoul Ion loos of Iar iron pier ireek, which was sold il SIDO per tou. This hrm continued in business till 18a0, when they sold to Woodl & Bromley, af In Grange, who entrieil il on a feu yenre nud abambuned The enterprise

Ou The lower lunds immense deposits of peal occur. In ruilrunit " fills" il has heeu joninh eighteen feel in Thickness.

" In the dhim, distant future," says the Sinte Geologist. " when the wauls of u dense population shell dlemand the cultivation of every availublo fool of this fortile sechinn of conniry, mil fuch shall hovo become The costlied ilem of household ceunumy, these doposils of peal will he sources of wealth lo the owners, nuil ubjects of practical interest to those who consider the she. eUN And well being of the communily "

Extensive beds of unrl are found in different parts of the couuly, and. before the introduction of raitroady, they were the chief ilependence of ibose who useil wartar iu the construction of buildings : bul, As morinr tuade nih burued muurl did not endure exposure to the weather, ils use uns alinndouel u heu railways carried there a superior nrlicle.

This is emineully an agricultural county, but little enpilal heing invested in minufueluring. The soil ix envily brought, frown " sinte of nature " It that of prodluelire cultivation, is very fortilo, and yieldly bountiful erops ul ull The grnius, gmeses unil fruits usually grown in this hdtitude und climale.

LAILLY SETTLEMENTH.

The enrliest seltled portion of Noble Couuly nas whint is now enlled Noble Towuship. Juel Bristol gelllel hore on the lib luy of April, 1827. His farm was nhinul three and one-half miles southeast of Wolf linke. [sine Tilboll came into the county with loel Bristol. Ito is now the ohlest selller

329

COUNTY HISTORIES .- CONTINUED.

in the county, nud residles nt Whunkn, in Elkhart Township. In 1833, Andrew Ilumphreys settled northeast af this lake, und in 1810, Melutire Seymour locuterI; Louis Hite in 1839. Klies and Samittel Iques tyere rery marly settlers. Others who came ivere Jalu Young and Abruhum Ott, in 1840; Thanins Gray Aud Francis R. Davis, in 1814 : Georgo Kitt and three sons, in 1846 ; William Quino the smina year, nud Frederick Stults in 1818

Stedouin Gray, now living nt Wolf Lake, elnilus to have mununfartureil the first four nud nienl in The county. Dr. Hlins Jones ulso arttled uvar Wulf Lake, und, until lutely, hnul ou his farm the oldest log hause west af Tho Inke.

Iu the present limits af York Tau nship, the seconil settlement ivas fornied. lobu Knight settled here about the year 182ft. He uns soon fallawed by Washington Heushalv, Josoph Boll nud John Bowyman.

G. M. Applegute euterel the first grunt of fuwul in this leenlity, in Octo- her, 1831.

These piersous wero soon fallowveil hy Jantes S. Henshaw, J. And D. Bradford, David Anderson, John Williams and others

41 Liganier, A criminal unmed .Jahu Lochuer nas executeil by a vigilauco roumittee ubout the year 1868, his hving the only execution over occurring in Noble Cauutr

lu 1831, u settlement was formed near the present town of Kendallville, by George Miner and Justiec C. Alvord.

In 1896, Ilenry Ildings and four sous lacoteil, algo Saniuol Weimer ; the Intter was pusisteil in " raising" his enhin by Elivin RandulI, theu looking fir a location. He settled in 18-11, und from 1812 to 1855 held the offire uf Associnto Juilge.

Herman Il Wheeler laeated in 1844, on Innd his father had entered three years previous. Forty acres of the eighty had hern " chopped," not cleared, nud o tog house built, with s boord fluor-theu quite a novelty-it being the only ano of The kind in The county. Thoro wns then hut one cabin betwcon thein nudl Lisbon, a distance of five miles. Furt Wayne ins the nearest market, and the trip thore unul returu acvupied three ilars

John Fillmore, o couun of Millard Fillmore ; It. P. Ilelman, Elihu Wads- north aud Abuer Rien ivers also early settlers in this locality.

Within the present limits of Jeffersan Township, David Harriman, Beu- jamiu Polis uud Jumes Skinner settled in 1836.

One yeur luler, Jehu Foster come, ulso James Thompson, JJalin Call and Abraham Carey ; F. A. Black nod Calvin Prouty, in 1849; Daniel W. Hines, iu 1854, and I'. B Speuver, in 1863. S. C. Spencer and his six sons came in 1837

Tha first olcetion in this township wros held in 1838, at which time seren Totes ivere cast.

The territory naw secupied as Oraugo Township wns settleil nbout 1835, by David S. Field, Luke Diggins, Darid and Charles Law, Timathy Gabey, T. MI. Watkins, Joseph Doolittle and others.

The olil Fort Wayne and Gashon raud passed through The presant limits of Sparta Township. This old wagon road is said to have been originally cut through hy direction of Gen. Anthany Wayue. If this is truo, it is of very early ilute, os Gen. Wayne died in 1795.

Abaut the year 1820, the United States Gavarniuent erected a brick hause fur the luduin Chief " Fint Belly." It was the oldest house in the county. The rarliest yetilar iu Sparta Thunship way Jahu L. Foivers, who locatel in 1831.

A few years after, Richard Bray, Richard Jeffrys, James Macht, Jahu Inhus, Jncab Baker and athers settleil.

In 1837, Achsalı Kent taught school, Rev. Jamies Latta prenched his first sorman in the county, und M M. Merrimuuu openeil a stare.

Elkhart Tawuship wns settled in 1834, by Samuel and Isano Tibbot. George Swank, Ralph Hardenbrook, the Gibsons amil Caldwells came soon after

The settlers here were abliged ta go to Fart Wayne, forty-tira miles diy- tani, to get their grinding douo.

The earliest presoher ivns tha Rov. Richard Rabiuson, of the Methodist Churob, wha preached his first sermon here in n log cabin bolougiug to Jahn Knight. In this same cabin, Thowus Pierson taught a select school.

Juno 11, 1891, Levi Perry ond Isninh Dangan entered Jowl in the present locality of Perry Township. Mr. Porry bnd settled one year prerious, aud ung the first nrlual settler hero.

August 18, 1831, Jacob Wolf settled where he still ourns a form. Ile, Abraham Paucake and Henry Engle each entered 160 ocres, ou which they or their families stith resido. Their titles bear tho signatury of President Andrew Jneksou.

Other early settlers were Adam Kingle, Ilenry Miller, John Davis, John Inthes aud llenry Hostetter.

Mr. Paneako served on the first Board of County Commissioners, ulso ns one of the first grund jurors, and uns ono of tho Judges at the first election ¡u the county, held ot Richard Jones' tarorn, three miles south uf Ligonier.

The earliest setttomeut In Wayno Township wny ninde ot tho present loen. tion of Kemilallville. The widow Diugutan and byr family were the first set- tlers here. As far as can be ascertainril, she cotae about the year 1535.

One year nftor, Hon. Willinmu Milehell, George T. Umer, Henry Hildings an'I sous, alul John Sanyer and four euns came. The latter nauivil geully- man wul family locoted some dista noe out from the others.

James DruquiInge lecated thut year, nud soon after, James Wright and John Longyear settled.

J. W. Leouard atul Alexander Sucet camo about the year 1537, and Geo. L Kimmoll the next year ; tho Infier atill Jires on the gorerninent Innd he

entoreil.

William Arkerman settled in 1844, uud Stufoley Whitford with four sons in 1861.

COUNTY ONGANIZATION.

Nuhly County wos organizeil in 1830, und amiueil in honor of Noob Noble, tvn Gororuor of tho Stale. At that time it contained n voting population of nboul tiro hundreil.

The first court met at the house of Adun Englo, in the town-then very smaD-of Ligonier, about April, 183T.

Tho earliest county business, outsuite of the Circuit and Probato Courts, uns porformed by a Bourd of Justices, two fromn ench lownshij.

Al the first elcetiou held, only Iho umues of the Sheriff and Coroner wrero reported to the Seerotary of Stato; theso were John Humphrey. Sheriff, and Nous Bournuru, Coroner.

The business in Noble County way similar to ibut in all other counties, no very special nets, or local luivy being passed, und but quo execution for turilor, already referred to, occurred. Tho people woro orderly ond peuce- nhlv, and lirtl in contout nud plenty.

The presvut county officers ore: John laughmunn, Kecordor, Joseph S. Cox, Clork, Jawes C. Steirnet, Audilor, Nathaniel P. Engtes, Sheriff; John D. Block, Treasurer ; Jolin A. Swogger, Coroner ; Jolin Guthrie, Surveyor.

ALBION,

the county seot, is near the geographical center of the county, and contains 4 population of ubuut 1,000 inhabitants.

It was mando the county sent In 1816, but up to the commuenocineut of the work on the Bultimore & Dhio Roilroud ils growth Wus slow. Sineo This romul wray completed, It lins Inken a rrutarkablo start. Tho place has been incorporated, suveral lurge additions Inve been laid out, andl grounds nul money donatoil for religious and school purposes, and a general disposition wanifested to build up a good towu.

Tha "eaunty seat question " is probalily settleil, aud u new and colmo- dious court hause will iloubliesy take the place of the present ill-adapted building.

The present gritwth af Albion exceeds thint of any town in the county. There Are Gre churrlies ; a good schaal building, and the prospect of a high

There are tiva hatels, a large number of stores of various descriptions, a stentu, fleuring aud custom till, firo stequi qus-mills, a steain planing-mill, n linsket fuetory, a tunnery, audl the usual variety of shops.

One of the largest "sinks" mreurs just west of town, requiring an immense amount of filling.

The tour'n is quite picturesquely locatedl, atul las as good a farming region uljacent ns any town in the county.

Albion supports a wide-uwako oud ohly conducted hvispaper, the News Era, by S. C. Alvard.

HITHER TOL'NY AND VILLAGE ..

KENDALLVIJ.J. F.,

iu the northeast purt, at the crossing of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and Grand Rapids & fudiana Railroads, is the largest town in the eaunty, containing a population of nearly, or quite, 11,000, and situstel in the com- merciul center of a fertile and highly cultirutedl district. Up to the advent of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railrond it was nothing mure thon n soinlt linelet. For many years Lisbon disputed the suprenincy of this part of the county.

The earliest settlers were the Widaw Dinguian-ivho kept o caveru here in 1835-and the next year Hou, William Mitebell and Henry Ildinge and BOLLE T'ante.

The first villuge plat-laid out by Mr. Mitchell nud sons-contuined twenty lots. He and his son John subsequently made runny additiony.

The railroads built Kendallville, ubich rapully became the most impor- tant toin in the county

The first regular store opened in the tou'n was by Samurl Minut, in 1840. It stood where the inarble shop of Gev. Aichicle now sinnits. The secund merchant was \ R. Evans.

A pust offive was established in 1830, with William Mitcheti as l'ost- master.

The first regular hotel was opened by Luke Diggins, in 1840. It stand north of the present Central Hatel.

Harrey Smith, still n citizen, urns lbe first inguerreau artist.

Dr. B. G. Cissel wus the earliest physician, soon followed by Dr O. J. Vincent.

The hatel kept by Mr. Diggins was called the " Calico Hause," an account of the fancy style in which 11 ivos printed. It was built by Henry Daris, the first blneksmitb in tawn.

The first school hause was built about 1839, or 1840. It stoad on the town line between Wayne quil Allen, a few rods west of the Ft. Wayne road. The city contains eight churches-same of them fine structures-three of brick and five frame.

The high school building is one of the best in the State. It is 60 hy 80 feet in size, and is Three staries in height.

There are two hotels, one bank, a large foundry, a fuctory for the man- ufacture af wagon and buggy circles, twa stem fouring and custam mills, nn extensive grail elevator and warehouse, soveral gash, door and blind factories aud planing-mills, and a large number of carriage and wugon fac- tories, Ilucksmith shaps, and the usual variely af mechanics and orlisans.

There are several fine residence, and business block", A new block was erected during the summer of 1>75, on the " burnt district," enst of Moin Street. Some of the business houses da a business of from $40,000 ta $100,- 000 annually.

The city is finely located at the crossing of the two railroads mentionedl, which furnish amplo facilities for transportation. It has a large number of professional and business men, and carries an air af thrift nud enterprise seeand to na town of its size in Indians

KemalIville and surrounding country sustain one of the liveliest and most enterprising provincial newspopers to bo found in the Northwest-tho Standard. It is couilueted with marked nbility, and in olways supplied with the best of local aud original matter, aud hay a very satisfactory circulation.

LIGONIER.

This town wny luid out by Isaac Carin, about the year 1835. Prior to this time, the Innd immediately ulineent to this plut hwl been settled hy Jocob Wolf, Gideon Schlotterback, Henry Eugle, John Hostetter and Adam Engle, about the year 1831.

The first settler in town was Ward Brulford, who built a house here in 1836. Tho plut was recorded at Lima, as Noble was then a part of La Grange County. Mr. BradfordI built the first bridge, where tho rovrred bridge now is. The principal business street was called Cuvin street, in honor of the founder

Iu curly days, the town of Rochester-sbout one milo above Ligouier, on the river-was the most important town in the county. The deotb uf Gen. Alexnudler McCouuoll, in 1854. Ieft mutters in such a shapo that the railroad conipauy could not get a satisfactory title, and The company located their station at Ligonier instead of Rochester, and the old town has consequently goue down, nud the new one risen to importanee and prosperity.

Frotu this time the growth ot Ligonier has heen constant. The railway company (it is the L. > & M. S. R R.) built here one of the lurgest grain elevators heticen Chirago ond Toledo.

The eurliest tierebants were Daniel Stukey and Henry Prior. The first ministor was the Rev. James Latta, o Methoilist.

There are four churches, two commodious school buildings, a lorge steam flouring aal custom quill, ono iron foundry . sererol stenm sau-mills, sash and bliud thetories, carringo shops, pruquy factories tud several other minor estub- lishments.

The towa is irell supplied with professioust and business meu, Very large omounts of dry goods, harness, hardware, groceries, marhle work, ele., are handled annunlly, and oxtensire exports of farm produev mode.

Tho city is pleasantly situatedl, on the Elkhart River, nud close on the borders of the celebrated " Hair Pulch," one of the best sections of Indiuno, and from which the towu derivry u very fino trwvle.

Among other rensous for the continued growth and prosperity of Ligonier is the fact that tho National Banner- an cutvrprising nouspaper-is located hore.

Ligonier is noted for the large number of Hebrews umong its business meu, sovernl of whom aro nwoug the wealthiest meu in the county.

ROME CITY.

This plaoo is beautifully loonted, ot the outlet of the " Reservoir," which Tros coustructed about 1897-8, by tho Stato, na n feeder to n projected canal from Miobigen City to Ft. Wayne. It oovery au area of 700 aores. The water-power is quite extensive, having a fall af twenty-seven feet. It abounds in fino fish and wild fowl in their season, ond bo hner plensure grounds can be found in the Stato.

Tho tourn contains about 104 iulinbitants, has n fino hotel, u number of stores, u gond school building, two churchvy, a woolen fuotory, a large flour- ing-wull], a sair- mill anil a clothes-riek monfactory.

In the vicinity of town are a greot number of mineral springs, said to haro curativo ponora cyunl to those of the famous Waukesha Springs, in Wisconsin.

The facilities for procuring, storing atul shipping ice fram Rome are very superior, omI misterial for the bugiaras is inexhaustible. Large quantities Arr shipped annually ta Indiaunpolis, Cincinnati and other points.

With Therat ninuagemeut the prospects of Rome City are very Isvarable.

SPRINGFIELD,

uu the Elkhart Itiver, was settled quite enrly, and did considerable business fur several years. A grist and saw mill were erected, and continue in op- eration until destrayed by fire, after which, the land awners in the vicinity purchased the arerflowed Innds, lore aut the dam, and vimaally destrayed the town.

A aliglit obstruction to this part of the river caused tuueh averflow, and consequent sickness, beside the loss af voluable land; hence the settlers determined that no dam should be built at Springfield.

The ariginal plat was laid out January 31, 1844, by William Pearson.

ROCHESTER.

Until the death of Gen. Alexander McConnell, in 1854, this was one of the most important lawns in the county For reasons ainted in the account

of Ligonier, the town soon after went down.

CROMS F.I.L ..

situated an the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, is impraving quite rapidly, and will, no daubt, become a point af considerable business. The people show n dispositian to make the most of their advantages.

The place hus two churches, several stores, a hotel nad a variety af shopB.

BBIM FIT I.D

is a small town, containing near 400 people, and having considerable trade and business. It is the puint for passengers and trathe for Albion, and is quito a thriving place.

The original tawn of Port Milchell was laid out May 17, 1838, by Sam- uel Hannah and W. F. Engle. It was located on the south fork of the Elk. hart River, in Aretian 35. For some years it improved quite mpidly, and was a prominent lawn, having been at ane period the county acat. Consid- ernbir portions af the placa have been vacated since the decline in business, and uro used as parts of farms. A grist-mill and woolen- mill are in opera- tion and doing quite an amount af business.

WFAWAKA

in Elkhart Township, was laid out in February, 1857. It awes its growth 10 the milroad, and is quite a business point. 11 contains tiva churches, a steam flouring and custam mill, s steam saw-mill, three or four stores, several wagon and blacksmith shops, tivo shoe shaps, ete., and n population of about 400

AVILLA,

one mile fraw the south lina af Allen Township, is a live little town, and contains a number af good business blocks and some good dwellings. Li is al the crossing af the G. R. & I. and the B & O. Railways. Additions are being tade, and it will eventually become an important tawn. Dr. Bicknell settled near this town in 1847. He was the youngest member af the Con- stitutional Convention held in 1850-51, hring 1weuly-six years of age. De died several year- since.

ELKHART COUNTY.

TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

This county joins the State of Michigan on the north, is bounded by La Grange and Noble Counties on the east, by Kosciusko on the south, and by Marshall and St. Joseph on the west. It is twenty-two and a half miles frum north to south, twenty-one from east to west, and has an area of 472.5 yquiere miles. It was named after Elkhart River, which receives its nome from an islund near the mouth, in the outline of which the Indions saw a funcied resemblance to the heart of an elk

A portion. perhaps one-third, of the surface was at the commencement of the first settlement covered with a growth of very lorge trees and a dense undergrowth of bushes und shrubs. the remainder is mostly " butr-oak openings" and prairie, while a small per cent. is covered with peat bogs, lakes nad tunrsbes.

The soil of the "openings" is a sandy loam with a clay subsoil, and highly esteemed for its Inrge yield of wheat and grass. After years of successive cropping this is promptly restored to its original produrtiveness hy turning uniler a crop of clover.

The strong elny soit of the woodland is very productive, especially for the corn and grasses. The block peaty loom of the prairies and drained swamps is famous for corn and grass, except during seasons of long drouib. The feasibility of draining this class of lands, especially the low, marshy lands in the southern part of the county, and those to the west, bordering on the Kankakee River, has been demonstrated by au organization of the citizens, and the construction of u diteb through o uarsh lying south of Fikhari. I was made five feet deep auil ten feet wide, at a cost of eleven hundred dollars per mile, or about nineteen cents per lineal foot. The Assessment on the adjoining lund for the cost of this ditch was hut little mere thun the value of the first erop of hay gathered from the reclaimed marslı.

Apples, grapes and other fruits are very generally cultivated, and, when not cut off by Inte froets, are n source of profit to tho grower.

Cranberries nre a natural production of some of the marshes, and though no attention has been paid to their cultivation, they constitute an important interest with somno classes of the community.

The timber has been lovishly sacrificed to the domsuds of trade, yer the following species are found in considerable quantities heech, white, burr nud black ask, miple, elt, hickory, ash, poplar, sycamore, cherry and black walnut. Tamaniek was abundant until tho draining anil drying of the sualups invited the pratrio hires to sweep over them and destroy the timber. The county onjoys excellent water privileges. Tho lurgest stream-the St Juseph River enters from the State of Michigan, about six iniles west from the northeast corner, and flows in a southwest enarse into St. Joseph County. Its principal affluents are Elkhurt, Little Elkhart and Christian Rivers, which, with their branches and numerous small streamy and lakes, water erery part. The drainage is wholly into the St. Joseph, except a small district in the southwest corner, from which the streams find their way into tho kankuken River This county has withiu its borders a few lakes, the laost important of which ore . Boot, Cooley, Ileaton, Mud and Simonton, in tho northwest corner, anil a number of sinaller ones in the southern part Liko those in the urighhoring enunties, they contain great numbers of nish nnd are tho pleasure resorts of pienie partirs and persoas in quest of pisca- toriul sports.

For transportation of the county prodaots, the Lako Shore & Michigan Southren Railroad erosses in au east and west direction, passiog into Michi- giul from the northeast corner of the county. The Air Line hesoch of the satur rond diverges froiu the main lino ot Elkhart running southeast through

330

COUNTY HISTORIES,-CONTINUED.

the county seal and thenee to Toledo, Ohio. The Cincinnati. Walsh & Mich. ignh Hailrond connects icith the Air Line al Roshen, and is running from flint point in a sontberly direction lo MIorion, Grant County, uitb n fuir prospret of being completed le Cincinnati, Ohio. The route of the proposed Chicago & Conadn Southern Inilrouil eresses the southern border in an cast-iveat course.

MINERAL WEALTII.

No coul or good heds of building stone are found here. Brick clay is abundant in casily necessihilo beds, of hoth wariches, for minking red indl luff-colored brick ; the lofter, known na " Milwaukee brick, " are shippel le ilifferent parts of the country, where they ure in demail for the ornamen- lation of public buildings, being allerunted with those af a red color, or utTinged lo form the ontlines of fanciful figures, affording n pleasant relief le the monotony of the proruibng color. Considerable beils of hog iron uro nre knout lo exist in some of the marshes but not in sufficient quantities lo jony for digging. Henry heds of murl wer common, the line from which is sn for below the standard required fe durulde masquey that theso deposits cannot be of any economie culny until, by long continued cultivation, the soil is reilneed for below its present ilegreo of prodnelireness, when the Jemanil for a fertilizer will find a corresponding supply in these calcareous ilejusits.

Extensive deposits of peal occur in the low landls, and where the bogs or marshes hinre bech drained and tho reelnimed Innil cultivated, the presence of this article ndils a ironderful degree of fertility to the soil. The great thickness af some of These deposits wall furnish nn mexhaustible fertility for ngos to come and be none the loss valuable lo supply the domund for fuel.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 129

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

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