Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 84

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

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eight miles sonth of Mymonth, on' the lindriparadis, Pirn & Chicaga Rond, is a flourishing little piace, in which has Inlely been organized ane nf the strongest wood-nork manufacturing cungrmiry in the county. Commodious and sul stanliul bmiblings have bren preited in which tu eirzy on the luisi- ness of The curparution. The loun has a fine grmled school unit n neiy and expensive school building cumpletel during the summer of' 18ih. Argos is Suluey, in honor of Silney Williams one of the first settlers,

BOURBON.

ou the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne A Chicaga Rniliny, in the enstern parl, wns, for a long time, the second town in point of population, which, in ISTO, nceorihug to the crisis, uns 821 It is mois surjissed in population by Bremen, The town, for u unmher if years past, has been the sent of an extensive limber trade, and inmy workmen find employment m running mill: amil shipping the Iminbee priolneed The shipuchten feir years ago were n4 high os h0,000,0mm) feel of lumber per rear, fail the production is und non su greit. The Idurban Mumutheturing Compomy is a corpora- lion organizedl for producing all kinds of drseriplums of trooden-ivart, und docs an extensive business

Salem Collego was located in the wow'n and opened for the receptinu of pupuls in 1871 The college is a plsin ond roomy brirk huihling, north of The mailway depol, und nus built principally by contributions from the eiti- zens and surrounding formers, The institution uns chiefly noted for being The only college in the United States under The jutronoge of the Tuinkers, or Dunkurds, u sect of Gertanh origin, nid somen lril similur to the ifunkers. Salem College, under the ilirection of ils l'eesident, one Miller, made pro- fuse promises, nnd wns widely advertised, Notwithstanding this, it prared a failure in 1373, mol the college property lins snice reverted to the citizens of Bourhon, undee derisiony obtained in the conels. The name of the insti- Intien hus hyen changed te Bonrhon Cullege, uml is pow conducted os n private enterprise, hy .1. Il Reubeli.

Tyner, on the 1., P'. & C R. W. , Lt Paz uwl Teegirilen, on the It , I' & C. R. W., und Innood, ou the P., FL. W. & C. H. W, nre shipping points of more or less note. Donelsuo, on the lust nome road, his n number of Snedes in its viemily, of which untionality there nee nhont SO now in The county.

The remaining towns in Ihr county are Mocmont, Muxinknekee, Tippe- cinoe town, Linkiille mpl . feir of even less importance.

STARK COUNTY.

This is the second county from tho Michigan hne, amit the third frum the Illinois Sinte line, in the northirealern part of the State, It his un uren of three hundred und six square miles, ond, in 18io, and population of bul 3,89h, being the leust populous of nny conly in Indinnn.

The Kankakee Birer lluws nlung the northwestern boundary of the county, nndl the Tippecanoe Birer ilruins u soinll portion of the southeastern poet The princijinl strenin, unce the luo last nhined, is the Yellow Hiver, sa named fram the rolur ol ity sonly bed, This thurs through the centor of the county, and empties into the liankokee. In the county. Bogus Creek und l'edar l'eeek are the only other streams of uny size

There are several lakes of considerable size in the county, the largest of u high in l'eilne Lake, in The sonthenstern port bring Three miles in length, and n mile awl & lnlf in uplth. Round Lake in the next largest, besules u hich there are n feu others of lexsee nude. Enghsh Lake, which is merely un culargenial of thp Kimikokee liver, lies purely in de Pocte onil paelly in Stork Comny.

Wulf the queface af the ennnly is prettytorenly divulel brtiveen dry anil iret prairies, and the remainder is wondllunil and ouk openings. The wood- lauds on prairies ure interspersed all over the county, the formce lying nearer lhe Al resins. The nnlire Irres are usually ok, ugh, cotton wood, elm, hirkury und some wulnut

Nu stone erops out in the county, the gentagical formation of which youmy lo indicate that the surface, il'u comparatively recent ilule, wny the hed of a lubr. Bog iron ore is found all'oree the county in the marshes, nul formel un neliele of conitecer, as for linek ny 1865, when it ivas mined andl bikrn lo Cropker's furnace, in Marshal l'onnty, for smelling in durge quantities. This ore is still shipped frum Son Pierre, in the southwestern purt uf the county. The supply is very large, und interferes greatly with ihr ruhivation of the minishes in which it is foundl.

Tho Inndl is better nduplei lo grazing thou anything else, much uf it being lour and lerel. Numerous herds nf cattle are ilriren inin the county for pasimrage in summer, and large quantities of hay oru rul und pressed for abijunent, farming the principal sitiole nf export.

TIL YINST SETTLEMENT.

The region now comprised within tho county Innils, owing to the prova- lenco of The iret Jomla, mul its compralivu inneressibility, remained ungel- Iled fuir somo years after the region north nul east of it.

Edward Sunth, un Englishmunn by birth, u'ng the first settler in the county, omul lornted in the northeastern juurt of what is now Oregon Town. ship, in 1835, before the land in the county was subject to entry. Smith uns subsequently elected one of the brat Justices uf the lenee, John lind- sey Was the fral settlor in North Bend Township. John Tibbils uns the Dexl selller, und one of the first in the sont henstern yurl of the rounty lle loested on the north bank of the Tippecanoe River, not long after the advent of' Smith Nothon and Sammuel Koontz were also minong the first lo orrive. Samhel Koontz built the first sair- mill in the county, mu Oregon Township, und had it in running order in 1849, With this saw-mill, which was run by water gowor, obluined by n ilum neross the outlet of Wandworth's Luke, Knoutz snu ed onl lumber for the first grist-mill, which began oporntions in 1868.

Jacob Tilhunn was the first merchant in the county, mail opened a store on the south bank of Yellow River, in 1851. The Imilding used by hin und still standing in 1876, amil is situatedl nurth of the present rourt linnse,

The hrst huihling used for sehond purposes ing on n farm owned hy one Waguer, nene loontz's mill, in Oregon Township. his oceoption nas Inn Temporary, nil annther, the fiest regular sphool house, irus Imilt in 1942, nenr Konnte's mill, on the Winnie muil La Porte ennd.

Tho first church uns built by the Quiteil Brethren denomination, in 183. It was situated in Cohfornin Township, ou the forin of Joshun Ger- inau. l'rerious to Thut lime, meelings hod been hehl in school linnyes anil private ilu etlings. The next church irus That of the Methodists, built in the lou'n of Kuox, in 1861. The Christian denomination was organizedl nt an early ilato, bul erected no church. Eller Munson, of Ibe Metborlist Church, Elder Ross, of the United Brethren Church, nod the Rer. dumes l'eelle, of the Christian Church, were the first ministera in the county,

Dr Solomon Ward, Dr. Baldwin nml De. Charles Humphreys nere the bral physiciuns in the county. They came in 1861. The tuo first named located in California Tivoship, nad Humphreys in The loun of Knox,

Jndyr Willnlighby M. MePurmick, n motivo of Ohio, uns Ihn first attorney le locate in the county, establishing himself ul Knox in 1842. Ilo has hiven more or Less ennnected with the aitunnistration of county affairs ever since,

Tipton Limtsey, who first sow light in North Bendl Township in Ist ;. w'us the first mule white ebild horn within The present limits of the county. The first warringe heense issnel after the organization id the ennuty Has granteil to .Inimes Cannon nnil Naney Line, October 20, 1850. Thomas Robh was the first mun lutried in the cunhity. Ite fenze la ileath while hunting, and uns hurind in a canoe, which was made lo serre us & cihn, Fur many yenrs ufter the advent of The first settlers, immigenuts enme in slowly, und ns Intens 1850, there was hiut more than one family tu every two square miles uf Territory in the county.

OhQIN1% ATION OF THE COUNTI.

Sinrk County belonged To Morsholl County until early in 1850, In the u inter nf 1870, The Legisinlure passed on ael for the erection of what is unw Sinck Connly, into a separate und independent jurisdiction, uml heslourd iLion the new division the name of Stark, in honor of the gallant Reroln. lionory officer of the same name. The first Buted of Connity Commissioners itus elceled in April, Iron, with John W. 1' Hopkins, George Esty nul Will- inm I'urker as meinbers. Thr first meeting, as well ns those held for sereral years anceined, took place in the house of Mrs. Inchel A Tillunn, which is still sinnding on the south bank of Yellow River of this timo of writing. The first county officers were ns follow's , Jneuh S. Wompler, Sheciff, J. G Blnrk, . hunlitor, Stephen .Inekson, Sr , fleck , Jneab Bozarth, Heenybr. 1', S. Tilibits, County Agent , Jneoh Tillmun, County Treasurer.

The first Circuit Court was beld Muy 19, 18il, hy the Bon. C. M. Cham- berlin, Presiding Indge . Samuel Burk and George Milroy, Assouinte Judges. The court conrened nl lho honso of Mes. Tillman, mentioned nunre. The members of the first grand jury were na follows: Willimo Parker, Samuel Koontz, Jnines Justice, Nathon MeComber, Arza Cole, Tocol Bender, Horace Stow, Jneob Kibler, John W. Hopkins, Henry Poocman, Nathan Koontz, Lewis Short, Richard Myers, Joseph P Austin, Obsdinh Brown, Malthen Lorkridge, John Collins and Cli Brown

There was but one indiel ment found by the grand jury, being on a charge of hog slealing, and even in this tho solitary ilefendnnt uns nequilled. There irere bil four enyes in all upon the iluckel.

The first attorney+ admitted to the har in the county wece Carter I Hotlanny, William G. Pomeruy nad C. H. Reeve, The Inst numed nas ulso nppointed the first l'roscouting Allorney in the county.

THIE; COUNTY HUILMINGS-PRESENT OFFICERS,

The first conel hause was a small frame huibling, sitnutri npqosite tho northeast corner of the court house square. If uss nard until 1803, in which year the present court house iras completed. Thus court house is n nent looking and spocions Dump hnilding, standing in n roomny sharp, onil contnins offire rooms for the use of all the county olliciuls Tho cost of the building was nearly $20,000, owing purily, bowerer, to the failure of the first contruelor.

The poor form consists of 200 teres, and lies Honth of Knox.

The County Agrienfinral Sociely has been organized for len years, nul holds ils nnuunl exhibilions south of Knox, on its own grouuds. The Previ- ilent is C. C. Post : Sperelary, Josephus Perlie,

The following were the incumbents of the county offices of the eloge of the year 1814: W M. McCormick, Cleck, R. Il. Bender, AAuditor; A. II. Harmilerson, County Superintendent , R. W. Grisphnun, Elinrd Tucker Anıl Christinn Krirs, Commissioners ; Recorder, A 1. Dinl . W. II. II. Caffiu, frensurer ; George & Savery, Sheriff, Joseph N MeCurmrick, Surreyur. Israod Unenpher, Coroner.

The county hent was establishedl nt this pince April 1, 1850. Thero ins nu loin then, nod the Localing Comtuissioners, W 'C. Burnett, L. Chamberlin And W. W. I'niferson, miel at the time appointed in Their commissions, nl the house of Incoh Buzorth. The seat uf justico was established as ot present. The northeast quarter of Sretion 22, Township 3B, Rouge 2 west, on which it is located, uns in juorl donnted hy James Shields, who gave thirty neres in consideculiou nl' the establishment of the county scal on the smine, and the offer wus necepled hy the Lounting Commissioners.

Thie lown was Inul ont by Corter D Hothawny, Inne 12, 1850, for the county, which renpeil the kenehl from sules of lota.

The lown grew, but slowly, oud now ulnims u population of 400. Tho census of 14i0 places if wil 114. There are three church organizations in the pluce, the Metlundisl, United Beethren and Christinu. The first church was built by Lho Methodisty, in 1857, but solil for debt uml turned into a unloon. It is now occupied by stores. The Methodisty Inre since huill nnother church, which Is the only church edifice in town.

Kuox lins the only gendpil school in Stark County. The Superintendlunt is Jes40 W. Williams, who, with W. A. Nelherliui, constitutes Ibo entire corps of tenchers.

Knux wny incorporniedl in 1871. The Trialers, in 1876, irere Jonathan D. Kuffel alul Churles W Remus, the other members Inving resigurl, Clerk und Treasurer, Frank Malouy

277

COUNTY HISTORIES .- CONTINUED,

Tho firat poper publishuil in the county was the Stark County Press. The first mumbor wus printed in Muy, 1801, Joseph A. Berry, editor und proprietor. The puper was lemorrnlie in politics. James It. Allair wns The next editor. Napoleon Rogers, Williom Burns, Boyles & Gooil, nud Oliver Musselman, the present erlitor, hince enecessicrly had ohnrge of the papier, which is now known as the Stork County Ledger.

The North Juilson Courier, sinrteil in 187h, is the only other publication in the county. James L. Sureoney in its present editur.

Tho Louisville, New Albany & Chicoge Railway was completed, along the irestern line of the county, in 1858, omil was the fret nullel by mail for the few inhabitants who wore thon within its hurders. The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway was noxi built through the northern purt, ani] afterward what is now known ns the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Rail- wny was run through the southwestern portion. A new line, known as the Plymouth, finnkakee & Pacific, wrus gradeil, in u sonthurest course through the comity, in 1872. The rood wos to hovo min through Knox, but notbing further hus been done so far, except to confilete the grmle and n portion of the brillging.

North Indson, in Wayne Township, is n sintion on the Pittsburgh, Cin- cinneti & St. Louis Railway. It is the second town in the county, and the principnl shipping oml truling peint far the southern part of it. The nrigiunl proprietors were Lovi hightemp ntil David Adlair, who Inid oul the town in Isii]. The plnee liny nory about 300) inlinhilnuts. The Methedists mol Germnu Luthers have church buildings in the place. There is a large fobring-mill and The nsunt number of stores and shops. The principal business is pressing liny for shipment.

San l'ierre, on tho Lonisrille, New Albany & Chicago Railway, is tho principal shipping paint, on thul roail, in the county. Tho Catholic Church in the place is the only one belonging to thut denomiuntion in the county. Ilnmlet, on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicagu Hnilway, does n large Ansinews in shipping hay, uml is the nearest mitniny station lo the county sent. Davis and Grocestirn, on the same ruihrny, ure the sole remaining toirns of uny note in the conuty

WHITLEY COUNTY.

Whitley is one of the northenstern counties of Inilinna. Il bail u popu- Intion, in 1870, of 11,it,et.

The namo is ilerivel from Gen. Whitley, A politician of sote note in The carly history of the State.

The surface of the connty is diversified, with low grounds ant ivel prairies, in a few places ; but, ns a rule, ho land is well drained, und in munny piris plessolitly undulating. In The northern part, there are a onmler of somll lukes, the principal ef nhich oro Blue River Lake-the Inrgest in the county, uml about a mile in length by half o milo in width ; Iwo lakes known as the ledny Lakes; Crooked Lake, Ralusun's Lake, Loon Loke, Round Lake, Goose luke, Old Lake, New bake. Wilson's Lake und Shriner's Lake; besides these, ere sereral uf lesser uren. Robinson's Lnke is purily in Kosciusko, nmil Crooked and Loon Lakes ure purily in Notile County.

The principal strends ore Eel und Blue Rirers. The former heads in the irel prairies and swamps of Allen County, just cast of the northeastern corner of the county, onil flows in a southwesterly direction. In its irinding Taurse it is joined by inany smll tributaries. Blue River hends in Blue Kirer Lake, in the northeast, anil ruipties into Eel Rtirer, at Columbia City. Trareler, in passing through the county by rail, seeing only the very poorest portion of il-particularly niong the enstern part of the line of the Pitisinirgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Roml-nre prone to form a minch muore nofavorable opinion of Whitley thon it deserres. l'erlinps one-eighth of the nres of tho county is covered by onk openings and loir sirales or mumps ; The remaimler is fine, producelire land, rising into considerable hills onil rilges in some loculities, notably so in Thorn, Creek, Truy nuil Richiand Tornships. The elinracter of the soil mny be juilged from a henry growth of black walnut, which was found in great profusion by the first settlers. There is nlyn n hency growth of white ouk, with more or less ash, innple, heech, elni and other varieties of forest trees. All the staple productions nf this lolitade ore mosrd in profusion, nuil exported in large quantities. large quantities of naluut logs nul lumher, ns well ny nsh lumber and onk flores nuil Iminher, nru exporteil. The rerenno from walnul, to thinge who lune been so fartuuntr ns to hold their trees, hiny of Inte years been very lurralive, und it is estimated that, in portiens of the county, us much ns Salt and eurn mure has been renlized from the wralnul timber on one nere of Inud olone. Much of the horit-wood luiaber is shipped lo less fortunate localities in the West, ond the Immhot intorest brings in Inrge sims to the rounty yearly.

THIS IIII-T SETTLERS.

Whitley County was nttarhed to Huntington County, Until organized into I separato county. The first settlers ente into the county in 1834. The pioneer of those who enme for tho porpiso of making the then wrililerurss n permanent home iros Jesse Long. Ilv nrrived with his family from lireene County. Olno, in June, 1824, mil settled in what is now Smith Tunnship, and entered the Innl where his son, Juseph Long, still lireq. Francis Tulley iros tho next romer, mint loenteil in the same neighborhoell, on the north hank of l'el River, in Smith Tomuabip. Samuel Nickey, also hom Uhijo, and Samnel Smith joined these m the suunnor of 1874. Several ingigrunl» and their families enme the following winter, and in 1623 immi- grulich fluorid in, in increasing numbers, until n consilveulile bogmning nos made in the wilderness, which hind natil then cocerel tho territory now known as Whilley Conuty.

The next point wbont which settlers begau to loento was Springfehl. now South Whitley, in Cleveland Taunship. Among the first to nrrice were the l'arreti, Cleveland, Chaplin and Sunhurt families, ently in 1835. The immi- grants who selfleil in flil community were mostly from thio, New York und a tow from New I'nginud. John Collins and his fwuutle enme from Wayne County, Iuliaun, in September, 18:th, and othors arrived in increasing uum- Vers, in the ensuing aminmer, nul until the organization of the county.

The first settlers woro in many instances forerd lo ont and clear roads fur themselves, in order to reach Their Innils, The only runda iu The county Itre tho Fort Wayyr mil Nosheu rond, and nuothor known as the Yellowv Iticce road, which crosseit the Kel Ricer in the eastern part of the county. The next wagon cond of any importance ins locatel amil cut ont by the settlers thomselves, uml wns that from Huntington lo doshen. Afterwurd came tho rond Irum l'ort Wnyno to Warsnw, mul theu ulhers of local impor- Lico ouly. These wagon fracks wore engineered amt apened uniler inany difficultirs, and, though impertest, nusicuced their purpose for the time being.

L'unil they uvre allo to raise sufficient grain for Their home consumption, the settlers troro obliged to purebaso theie turn and wheat ou the kikhort I'mairie lo thu goetherest, or in The obfor sellleil regions southeast. The penceqt wills were al Fort Wayne, mul those who made the journey there and hwk in tuo days, umil without nreidlent through the swampe, consilvreil them. selves particularly formunte.

Tho first grief niul saw mill in the ennily was eccoleit hy Belund Umiglin, on completeil in 18.47. It was in the custern part of Thorn Creek Tawnshişı, on Dlue lliver, andl ans ma hy unter power, The colu ern was a rule ene, und the grinding part uus of the kind known by the settlers as the coru-orucker. It wns, however, u great vonronieuro, nud its wahililish- murat icas regardtoil us a gront joint gninedl hy the isotutul prouvers.

The Indiuns fonmil in the county in considerable numbers were of the Minmoi tribe, ichich wns, however, fast ilivimilling meny. The ahorigines wero of n roving ilispesition, Init made the licavily wooded pinrts of the country their home, na n general thing, in the winter sensoe. There uns an Indian village of perligge a linndrel anil fifty inhobilunts in Inion Town- ship, and n number of Indian finnilies had their cabins and corn patches un on Eel Ricer, along the Goshen road Thrco Iniliun reservations are still shoun on the county maps, oxtomiling in n southwestern direction across hulf the county, with n nidth of over tice miles. The principal is the Seek's Village Reservation ; next is tho Beaver Reservation, west of the first, and Chiapiene, enst of it.

One of tho most noteil of the rel men with nhoin the whites cuine in contact wny Coesse, whose name will be hamled ilown to other generations through the town in This counly onmet after him. flis Indian nome wos I'n- can-co-un-sub- quuh, nudl, at the time of the tulrent of the first settlers nnil for many years after, he wny the most influential of the Minmi tribe in lhot seetion. When The Miany were remured to Kangas, in 1842, he nent with them, in order to see them established in their new homes, hint refuseit lo cast his tot with them permanently, ond returned to his reservation, just south of Columbia City, where he died and was buried in 1851 He nequired n considerable fortune before his death. this widon is atill living, at this uriting, in Northern Wisconsin. Chosile wus the principal hunting chief of the Minmis in The rounly, nod was nhenys found honorable and trust- worthy hy the whites. Another of the red men, John Turkey, acquirel an unenviable uoloriety fur being the most vicious redskin in the county. He killed several members of Ins tribe, and wns a reprobate generally. Turkey was often to be foundl in Columbia City when it was still an infant town. He was a frequent iminate of the frel jnil, and, ou une memorable occasion, emne nene roasting himself hy firing the jail, in order in regain his freedom. Turkey was a noteil mark-man, and was ready mi all times in give exhibitions of his skill, in the town, for nilrink of fire.unter.

The olilest settleren Troy Township was Zehulon Burch, mbo irusulen one of the very liest to como into the minty. Aner him canie Stephon Murtin, Joel Rhine, G. W. Ehlor ant Carter MeDonald. Among The first lo Queale in Washington Toirnylup were the Trueys ; nik in Jefferson, the Croirells and Blees. Columbia Tounship, in which the county seat was fully lecated, utas nut weltled for some time after tho immigrants in other townships had localen Themselves. The first to nrrice camo in 1840 and 1911. One Reese settleil ut a place hut u ybort distance sonthnrest of the present toin site. Ite ITAS Colluweil soon by llomer Alexunder, the first gnrrefor; ] W Baker, .lohn Rhoiles, Daril Long, Benjamin Grable and Noah Tinkham.

THE. PRIMITICI SONOES ASN CRUNCHES.

The settlers in the northenstern part of the county, for the first few years, attended divine services in Allen County, not far from the Whitley County line. The first minialers icere of the Methoilist denomination. l'rice Gooil- rich and Anderson D. Purrett were the first Methodist prenchera. The for- mer lived in the southern part of the county. The first circuit prenthiers who ministereil to the infant settlement in Smith Township irere Elders Ball onil Reed. The frsl Methodist clasy organizeil in the county was nbout 1836, and ivay compposed of bot seven persons, as follows: Samuel Nickey and wife, Franris Tulley mul wife, William and Rebecca Gruleless and Calbesine Nickey.

The first church uns organized by the Methodists, 1848, at Conenrd Cor- ners, in the northeastern part of the county It was built of hein logs and had a scaling capacity et about 200.

The first regular services ut the eonnty seul ivere helil in priente honses, anil afterirard, for some time, in the brick school house erected in 1844 soutincest of the present court house.

The first church built in Columbia City was erected by the Methodlists, in 1&19, on Somh line street, unit is still standing.

The first school house built in The county m'as mude of logs laid together, in primitive style, in 1838. hi was on the farin now owned by Lemuel De- hull, in Smith Township. The pupils were forced to come long distances throughout The sparsely settled und senttered community or else deprive themselves of school privileges nltogether. The first teacher was Ausinh Brairn.

Tho tirei school house huilt of brick was ereeteil in Columbin tily, in 1819, Anıl is still sinnding.

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Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 84

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

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