Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 91

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

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7/1. FIRST MII.L.

The one au tied mud built by William Malthen's is thus described by Mr. S. W. Widnes, unthor of the " Pioneers of De Kalb County :" " It was IL swall affair truly. The slimes werr about tiro feel iu diameter, and were turned hy means of u 'futter w herl' on un upright post set in u tub, through ono side of trhich Ihn unter wuy made to pass. Tbe u hole ichinery nns scl ju n small, rirkety I'mman without u enther-bonsliug. The corn dropped, n grnin at u time, into n little hopper, so that in In enty-four hours, with good unter, eight bushels might be emucked. ] semember carrying n hulf bushel uf coru troin my brother's, at Neuville, to this null, a distance of four uriles, on my sbonller, waiting hudf n duy to get it ground, mil then carrying the micul burk in The site icol. My brother, James, in the full of' 1837, took a bushel of corn tu he ground at this mill, nail after it liml been grinling some time, mens belon In see hon much meal uos in the little store-box used for o meat chest, unul, In his ilismny, found a large yellow dog eating the meal as tn&I ns it came from the aprons !" Mour was al Que lime $14 per barrel, unil corn $1.i201 per hushel, both frequently of n poor quality. Sult was $2.25 rer busbel, aml ull of these hnul frequently to be brought from Fort Wayne hy queins of hoats, or murogies, 19 they were called. This voyage hy river tras ufleu nhe of great ilitheulty. Mr. Rhodes ninl Mr Wassou, tiro of the early settlers, pulled it londen pirogue Trom Fort Wayne to Spencerritir, nud u grent puet of the uny the work ofus performed by buying hohit of the bushes that greu ulong the bink, mul so pulling the bool ulong. This time the voy- age losteil u urek. Jolm 1'. Widuvy nud others come up with n bout loud of pmcisions in November, 1836, when the nicer was high nud full of plush ive. The hont tros propelled with judes, tunt the weather icas sn colil thul theso were constantly entered with ice. What added no little to the severity of this lahor nus the fact that ibe jules hud to be houdled with bare banda, as gloces or mittens enull not be used,

Julin N. Mifler tooh n juh of chopping at four or fire dollars per nere. This nos in the tenderut 1857. He took his pay iu provisions, oud one cold evening in March, tool. n bushel of polalors and serealcon or eighteen poubils of fort on his shoulder awl sturted for home. After Traveling through bush aud darkness lor ahons six miles, he came lo Buck Creek, orer ieluch he laust cross of it susall limber tree, Incumberedl with hits lotul, he fell into the streant. The uilei tens hugh, bus he succeeded in uwling out with bis lowil, wpl iner a long, henry trump, finally reached bis cabin wu anfely.

But little trouble wus ever bad with Indians ; bal a short time before he settled in this conuly, John loufton and three other men, irho tere putting up n mill u short distance enst of the Obro line, were visited hy n forge LILLtu- ber of Indiaus, nud ruhhnul of a considerable quuutity of pork nud four nud a barrel of whisky. But to ultempt was aindo upon theis lices, Houlton Telly a guoil story on lobn Fee, also une of the earliest settlers in I rouklin Township Feo hind frozen his feet, and got a lurge pair of moccasius to o enr, 85 lus leet were tno sore to wear boots. He went hunting mme luy, und after uuurdering orquud uwhile entre suddenly upou it luoubler mocensin track, the largest he lind ever seen. llis astonishment found ceut iu expres. sions like this " Whut an almighty big Judiau bus been ulong here! The d -- dest big ludian Ilund has erer beeu fu shese woods!" Op looking lack, bolt ever, he discovered il to be his own track.

After the phice of holling the court in Auburn ins retroced trom l'arke's hotel to the school house, The Judge bnd his seat erected ou ue platform of Toligh boards, a feuce of similar minterint being arrangeil for a bar. An old cracked blore itus need to beul the room, and its coplous clowils of smoke often roelted to tears hoth court and bar. Even the most burdened erwinnls did not disumin to wipe their eyes while umler the fulluenee uf its eloquent appels. The learned counsel in those days irere obliged sometimes, on grenl ocensions, to complete their outfit, in the matter of dress, with one boot nud one whoe ; ut least, so it is eniil.

ORGANIZATION.

This conuly wus orgouzeil by nu ucl ol the Legislature, in The winter of 1816-7, and three Commissionere, one from cach of the uiljoining counties, u ere uppointed to locate the county seal. Theso were Messrs. Lilleheld, uf La Grange County ; Gilmore, of Steuben, oud Work, of Alleu. Auhura, the sile chosen, is ulill The county scal. Wesley Park, who hid out The ton m was appointed by The Governor to act as Sherid until oue niws elected.

COUNTY HISTORIES .- CONTINUED.

TILL. 111ST FLLCTION

uns beld in July, 18;7. A. I .. Bercher, Peter Fair nhd Sutnuet Wulnoy were the Cominissioners chosen nt this election. John F. Colmrn u'ns clecled Clerk und Recorder; Arin! Wahlen and T. 1 .. Yales, Asspeinte Judges, Hon Charles Eaving herog, at that lime, the Presiding Juulge, The t'ouimissioners held their first session in the smine month.

THE: FIRST COURT

w'os held in Park'y linte), irhich ins eighteen by tirenty feel, mint one ond one-half stories high. The upper reone of the hotel was nseil as a juil. Prisoners were luken into the loft by means of a Indder thal serieil ny alairs. The Sheriff then secureil them by the simple nel of pulling auny the ludiler. When a school house w os bunlt, the court was helt there until the ercetion of a court bonse in 1813. The first Cirenit Court wns held in the spring of 1&ti. The following are the names of

LLLIST PETIT JURY, 1837.

William Monrie, Jesse Jackson, John P. Widney, F A Willmr, Jeremiah Theiles, Samuel Johnson, Willwin Matthews, Dudley Thorp, James luisell, lizra Dickinson, J. 1. Gunsenhunger, Henry Robinson, Homer Abel, Lenunrd Boice, Ehoore Froneh, l'eter Druggoo, Jusepb Miller, Joseph Vuudolet, Henry Bricker, Leri Lockwood, S. M. Hinckley, Jucob Miller, Samuel Hendtey und Chris. Hall.

Ainoog the first lou'yers in the county may be meulioneil the following: Judge Molt, who sellleil in Anburn in the year 1843; Judge Morris, who come lo The same place in 1841, und Hon. T. It. Diekinson, who came in 1847. All of These gained a successful practice, and lived to see the county of their ndoption une of the tnost prosperous in the Slate Dickinson has represented bis ilistriet in the State Senate.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

The first court bonse, a woollen une, uns built in 1849. The present one of brick was erected in 1864, and cost aboul $80,000. The first jnil was built in 1838, noul uns composed of squared logs, laid up in block house Inshion. It was ubout birenty feel square, and eight feet high to lbe eaves. This serred uuli! 1858, when the second jail, a frame building, was erecteil. The present jail was erecteil in 1875. It is a fine structure of brick, horing n basement of stone, with stoue cells, caps, etc., and iron corucees. It has all the improteil appliances belonging to such an establishment, and is con- sidered a model of its kindl. The total cost was about $29,000.

ASI LULI.

This is situated about three miles northwest of Auburn, sud has con- necied with il a form of iGO neres of good land, and Ins quiple accomoda- lions for the poor of the county. The farm and improvements cost about $14,000.

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The Northeastern Indiaun Agricultural Society is localed nt Waterloo, and is iu o dourishing coulition. The society was organized in 1872, with a capital of $10,000. 11 oirhs the land, thirly-one neres, on u hich ils fuirs are held, hns a good truck and good buildings, and competition is free to all the world for all articles asunlly exhibited ut fuire.

CILUACUES.

Quite u number of religious denominations ure represent eil in Ilus county. Of these may be mentioned the Methodiats, Presbyterians, Uuited Brethren, Baptista, Ihsciples, Lutherans, Reformed Duleh Church, Erungelieal, Cotb- olics and sune otbers hot so numerous. Many of these baro churches seal - lered over diflereul parts of Ibe counly, besides many fine buildings in the di ferent towns.

SALUATI SCHOOLS.

Most of the above named churches support flourishung Sabbath sebvols. And beside these, there is a County Sabbath School Association that bas been establisbeil for a number of years past, and tuects once n yeur af some poiul mast cont enient for those interested-usually at some of the more con- siderable Jou's. This society gives a great impetus to the work, und aniny, Sahball schools, in uo nay connecled with any church organization, are organized and saglained by its influence.

PILLNEST COUNTY OFFICERS.

The present Commissioners nre George H. Duncan, C. R. Wanncmonker aud Nelson Griffith ; Clerk, George H. K. Moss; Auilitor, Imune Hugue ; 'Treasurer, Nicholus Kinsley ; Recorder, D. 2. Ilofluunn ; Sherill, William L. Meczc; County Superintendeut of Schools, J. A. Barns; Surveyor, J. J. Van Auken ; Coroner, J. J. Latson.

TOLESS. AUBURN.

Aubuch, the county sens, is located in the touthuest part of Union forenslup, which is the center lownship of the county. The low'u was first laid out by Wesley l'ark, in 1836. It is situated on The Baltimore & Ohio, the Fort Wayne, Jackson A Saginaw, and the Eel River Railroads. All three of these roads eross at one point, a little to the southwest of the loin. They afford excellent facilities for Irade, and hare giren to the loon un impetus that will tend greatly to its future development. It huny, in com- mon with most other tnous similarly situated, quito a number of munufue- luring establishments, shops, stores, ele,, nad business of all kinds is Bourishing.

RAFFI100.

Waterloo is in the north part of Uniou Township, ahnul four and a half miles from the county seidl. It is situated at the crossing of the Air Line Dirision of the Michigan Southeru & Lake Shore Railroad with the Fort Wayne, Jacksoo & Sagionu' Railroad. The north porl of the town is known as Unionioun, and is much the older port. The first cabin uns built by Wesley Parks, in 1848, and the first town plot was laid out by o man named Boumtin. The south sule, or loten proper, dates from the completion of the Michiguu Southern Itailrood, in 1850. The first plat uns luid ont hy Miles Walermuy. The tonu nas incorporated in 1963. It is it n prosperous condition. The fair ground of the Northeastern Indiuua Agricullurnl Associ- ation is located at this place, just northeast of the lowie timnils, omil its annual fairs attract esbihitors frout ull parts of the country. It has a flourishing Literary and Library Association, and the MeClure Workingmen's Library is located nl this pluce.

BITIIR

Butler is ou the Michigan Southern & Lake Shore Itailrond, about ciglit miles cast of Wotcrloo, unil is The most eastern atulion in Indiana on this line, being about three miles from the Ohio line. It is ulso the eastern terminus of the L'el Itiver Railroad, which runs from lagunspori to this point, on the Lake Shore Road. Business is good, nud the town is im- proving.

This is the location of the ilivision shops of the Ballimore & Ohio Ruil. rond. It is on the line of thut romil, sholt four miles irest of Aummirn. The loin was loid oul when Iho shops were Joenleit thore, in the u inter of 1871-5. The tou'n plot is owned by a company, under whose management The place has heou built up with n mojudity hilberto unknown in this jarl of the country. Within len months frem the bral laying out of the town, the place ling two hotels, ono a fine brick structure ; stores of all kinds, one lou's- paper, shops, saloons, clo., nil seroral hundred inhabitants. An effort will be inudo al onee to huro the finin incorporated. They bare, ulso, n school, just established, und numbering nboul fifty pupils. The reunil hense, shops, ele., ure very extensive.

OTIILII TOLL NS.

Corunna is on the 1. 8. & M S. Railroad, aboul seren miles west of Waterloo; lins secerol stores, churches, and n good tuo-story brick school house. Sedan is nhout four miles irest of Waterloo, on the same rond. Spencerville is in the southeast part of the county, on the SI. Joseph River, and is a fine littlo tou'n, locafeil in an excellent conutry for business. 11 has some fine mills, stores, churches, ele , mil a good school house Neir. ville is on the same river, nbont seren miles ibore Spencerrille, being nbont The samo sizo nod buving nhaul The onme number of mills, ete,, uml about tho saute nittaber of business houses. One milo below. Newville, and on the santo side of the river, iy Orangeville, a small pince coutnining n fewv houses nud # Inrge fenring-mill. Spencerville, Newville nad Orongerille ore aming the oldest fou'ns in The county, most of The early sertlements having been mnde near them. St. Inseph, a station on the Baltimore & Ohio Rond, is un the river al the point where That runil crosses The streubi belneeu Spencer- ville und Newrilte. Sminmit is nt munll station on the Fort Wayne, Jnekson & Sagiuair Rond, nhout six miles north of Waterloo. De hulk anil Neu Era oro sintious oui the same roail, south of Auburu. Cedar Creek is A small station on The I'el River Rond, about six miles southirest of Anbirn. A small town is springing up at the junction of the three railroads, about n mile soulhuesi of Auburn. Altonn is a small place on the Baltimore & Chic Railroad, n mile west of Gorrell.

SP HOUL.S.

Tho couuly hos, at present, 115 school districts, and three incorporated lowns ivith graded schools. Corunna, Spencerrille and Newville also lint c graded schools. Most of the schools aro in good comililion, amul improving The finest school builling in the county is nt Waterloo. It is Imilt ef brick, with slone basement, aund cost $20,000. The noxt in rnlue ix in Butler. This is of brick, and cost about $11,000. Auburn hias ono goori brick binli- ing used ng a wurd school, huil the minin building was destroyed by fire, ia the fall of 1875. The number of briek school houses in the county is twenty-three; The rest are franc, there being none of tho leg ques remnin- ing. Toful caluc of school property, $114,385. Number of rolunes in the lorvuship school libraries, 2,486. Total number of pupils ndmitfeil in all the schooly in 1874, 4,399.

NEISIAPERS.

The county hay four newspapers. The Press, publishedl nt Waterloo, and the Republican, published al Auburn, are, in politics, Republican. The Courier, al Auburn, and the News, publisbed at Garrelt, ure Demaneratie. All seem to be receiving their share of patrounge.

POPULATION,

The population of the county, in 1800, was I,D68; in 1800, it was 8,201; in 1860, it was 13,880; mul in 1871%, The total population, ns shown by The United States census, why 17, 167.

JACKSON COUNTY.

Jackson County is situated in the southern part of the State, nul about The center, cost and u est. The last Fork of White River ehlers at the north+ east corner and Immerses it in a southwesterly direction, forming lun fri- angular abnped ihstricts, which are quite uulike in their surfaces. The south- eastern ia mustly rolling, with lou;, sandy hills 60 lo 100 feet high. An exceplion to this is seeu in a short range of knobs south of Brownstown, aud a range of saudy clay hills southeast of Seymour, calleil Chestunt Ridge. The knobs south of Brownstown hinco an eleratiou of ubout tuu feet above Wbito Rirer. The White River hoftonis are trude, and borderel by sand riilges oud terences. The northeast portion is broken muil Irm ersed in n bortleenstorly and southwesterly direction by ridges that hure un arerago cleration of 280 feet ahore the plains, and which, in places, spreud unt inte brond inble Ingus, The ralleys through which the small strenins fall their wray to White River ure generally uarrow. The area of The county is 490 square miles, or 313,600 neres. About three-fourths of the conuly is com. posed of table lauda and river bottoms, the renininiler of eluy hont und soudy Ioum, There are feu counties iu tho Stato that can boast of greater ngrienl- tural resources than Juckson. The clay and sandy loumu yiell large crops of corn, wheat atul other cereals, clover aud grass. This churacter of Inud, though best adupled In coru, is excellent fur n hent, while the elny laud is best for the latter, but produces good erops of coru. The study huid is largely devoted to growing unterinelube. A dry eenson is best adapted to their grouth. They commence lu ripen from July 15, und rou along In the middle of September, There are about 2,000 Bures deunteil la them, and they oloto bring in n rerenue of $40,000 per muuuu. Chestunt Ridge is peculinrly adapted to fruit , The elecation is above the usual tine of spring frosts, und The unetti, snuily loni soit git es tive finvor unil colur to the trnil. There ure orer 85,000 peach Irves ou this ridge, aud 76,000 nro bearing Orml. All kinds of small fruils do trell ou the ridge, and atleution is being given tu their cullicotion, especially strawberries, of which thero are now nyuurd nf fifteen ueres under cultivation ; also firo neres of Lotyluu nul liftuliuny bluck. berries. But no kinil of fruit does hetter thou grapes, of which there are orer 40,500 benring cines, comprising the following varieties: Concord, Ca- lawba, Clinton, Norton's Virgiuin and other varieties. Tho rines uro healthy, bear well, Quil the emp never fails. The fhvor of the frint is remarkably fine, and wine, mnile from Clinton or Ires' Seedling, in equal iu tuvor, color and body to the best Burgundy wines of France, to which They heor us close resemblance.

Prof. Cox's opinion is that the riilge louds of Jackson County furnish a soil and elimble ibut are not surpassed by any locality in Faarupe for the gruuth of grapes. Though the toauufneture of wine is in its infiney, 72% hurrels of il wero made during the fall of 1874, by only six growers. The other rbiges of the county aro ileyuteil to frint growing with grent muceess. Nuxt in size lo White Ricer, which has already been described, is tho Museutnluck Itiver, and ils largo tributary, Grabuma's Creek, which flows in a southwesterly direc- liou, aud nearly parallel to White Ricer, until it renebes the southern buunil- nry of the county, and I'rom Theneo in it westerly onurao to its junction will the latter strenin, at it posuit where ils course also turus nf it right angle to the west. All the worttiern tributnries of these two principal streams, in the east half of tho conuty, hace the same general ilirection. We Ting the hound waters of Salt Creek in the northenet part of the conlily

Jackson County was originally covered with us ilenso growth of forest trecs, such as are usually found in this latitude. Ou tho rher ballotus And terraces the principal trees are poplar, black waluut, seceral varie- ties uf onk, heech, sugur wuple, osh, hickory, eltu null syenduire ; on the

John Rose, Dann ) Rhodes, William Miller, John Watson, Irn Allen, Jneob Plutter, C. Woodeox, John Simth, Benjamin Alton, Jobu Houlton, Solomon Showers, Henry Miller, C. Itobinson, John Blair, N. Wyatt, Jomes Shmuley, .1. F Rhodes wnul Samuel Lakrighl.

285

COUNTY HISTORIES .- CONTINUED.

knobs nud high table lands, chestnut, whity nwsl red onka, sweet gum, hick. ory, popular, walund, beech aml sugar maple, the Intter mostly on the hill siles mil in tho ravines.

The principal minerals of this county ore Imilling slone, briek elnys and ochre. The heavy bedded buft und grny colored entilstone, wlujob is found chilly umiler the knobs, can ho yunvried in gooil sized blocks af severn] quarries in The county. This stono is cuwily worked, looks well, and may be usril in the construction of foundintions lo houses, but cannot be looked upon ns u very desirable stowe, since it is linhlo to crumble when exposeil to the nelion of frost. The onilitio linestone, which is fowmil of good Thickness in lho western juurt of the county, is n handsomo nad durable stone ; the color iu whitish gray ; it works easily under the hummer and tho chisel, aveil is sus- vojitible uf high ornamentation. Clay, suitiulo for cunmion bricks, is found in most parts of the county.

There are several antiquilies al interest connected with this county, nmong which ure stone axes, nrrow points, spear heads, knives, fleshers and vtlivr articles of stone, left by the prehistorio people who once inhabitent the valley of the East Fork of White River and is tributuries. There is also a lurge wowpil, situated about one-half amilo from Mahon's Ferry, on White Rever, ou a low riilge, a few feet nhiove overflow

FAILY 4ETTLEMENT.

The first settlements wade in this county were made by the French, in the eighteenth century, at a place called Vallonin ; but the bral permanent settlement was minile by men cotning frem the Falls of the Ohio, now Louis- villy, Kentucky, in the carly porl of this contury. At the time they came there was un ohil French trailer here, who stuteil thnl the Ivade with the lohans hund fallen off, unit soon after it entively eensed until after the wur ef 1812, when it was nguin renewed.

Among the oldest settlers of the county were : Owon Ourens, James and Jolin R. Ilminilion, Henry and Aquilln Rodgers, Abrush Miller, Jesse B. Durham, Janics Hutchinson, Thorns Ewing, John Kelcham, Willinm Grn. Immun, Abram Huff, Thomay Carr, Alex. Craig, James Sheivmaker ond innny others, all of whoin settled in various parts of the county.

When the war broke out, the Indians beentue troublesome, and several persous returned across the Ohio Itiver. Others sent their families ocross, but remained themselves.

Among the first mills that were built nas one erected by Joshua Lindsey, in 1812 It was known as n "tng mill," and was run hy one horse. The raqueity of this mill was but six bushels every twenty-four hours. This till wus afterward mored to llutl's Creek, nuove where Brownstowy was afterirnrd located, in 1818, and was then run hy water.

Robert Staley built the first water grisl-mill, in tho suutheastern part of tho countty, sometime in 1813, and about the same time he built an irou fur- unco near Vallonin.

The first ean.mill was creeteil hy William Congleton, in 1812, at Rock- ford, un Whilo Bliver.

The first school house was erected at Vallonia.

The first religious society formied was by the Baptists, in 1816, in Hamil- ton Township, and they mel for worship iy n schenl house,

The first tavern ond stores were ut Valloniu.

The first blacksmith wus Joshua Limlecy, who hind his chop on llugh A Findley's place, near Brownstown.

About the beginning of the war of 1812, hilock houses were erected in different parts of the county, mmong which was one at Vallonin. It is enid that this one probably saved a number of lives at the time of the " Pigeon atoost pinssucre," where tiventy-three families were killed by the Indinus, in Scoli County.

In the fall of 1813, Mr. Kelcham and a Mr. Buskirk wero hauling pump- kins from n field, Mr. K. driving aud Mr. B. walking behind the ingou. They were fired upon by the Indinny, killing Inskerk ineluutly ond wonnd- ing Ketelmw in the nrw. The horses look Iright and run home, thus saving The life of the lutter. Word was sont 10 Vollonin, and tho next iloy troops wore seul to hury Buskirk. A wan by the name of Stirgeon accompanied throw, who, in returning, got shend of tho vompany n short distance, and Why abnt und killed a few yards from his own door, nud within a bolf mile of Ilie fort.

The only battle fought during the war, in this county, was nt Tipton'y Jeloud, in 3814 A party of lulinus, fifty or sixty in number, bad been manronding through the county, and were pursued by about thirty whites mpler Capt. (afterward Gen. } Tipion, one of the most distinguished meu of huis iny, and United States Seustor from this State, from 1842 till 1830, when be ilies. The Indians concluded to ninko a stand at n ford on the river, and koncenled themselves where they would Inve every advantage. Tipton, belteving that they would fight hiw here, if naywhore, determined to dank them, amil crossed above on a drift, while a few of the men remained behind And hell the horses, The Inilians dil wot discover this fank tovewent until il was too late; and after a short skirmish, in which there way ono Indliny killed and several wounded, the redskins ran nurny.

We give helow a few words of honorable mvation lo sowo of The oldest und most prominent settlers, ns woll ns uto or tun of those who are, und linvo heen, ulentihed with the interests of the county mure recently :

Julin F. Corr, n nativo of this Slale, was boru in Clark County, on March 27, 180h, Ble moved to this county, with his Inther, in 1811. About 1826, he was appointed Captain of u company of the State militin, und held that oflive fur n Trw yvars. About the same time, hy went into the tanmug bugi- lyss with his brother Goorge. Ahem 1831, he married and settled ou a piece of land he had previously honght in Curr Township, aul engaged in firming. Ile was elected to the State Legislature as Representative in 1886, nad uftvrnord went to both hranchey several times. In 1830, he was a member of the Staty Constitutional Convention. He is a highly esteemed citizen.

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Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 91

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

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