Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 94

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

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The public schools of Anderson nre in charge of J. M. Sluily, A. M , a graduate of the Olno Wesleyay University Eleren fenyhers, beside him. self, are vindtnyyd. 'The enngieration of school children is fitxt, in round numbers. Fonr buildings ave required to accommodate the pispils None of these nro at present Billy sets the alandlund and efficiency shown by the Superintendent mil fenoliess, so that a new high school builling is a proba- bility of the near future.

The eily liny tleurishing congregationy belonging lo the "'reshylerina, Calliolie, Methoilist, Biplist and Christinn ilenominatiens. The Presbyte- rinus nnil Methodists lenut in the way uf fine church edifices. The house of worship ned by the Catholirs nl present is small and unpretentious, but they have laid the corner stone for n large church during Ista, which is to cost alumni $10,000 whieu complete.

"The enty hns Intyly beers supplieil with gas, and the airvels nre welt lighter. Sronrity ngajust fre hus been, to a greil extral, neglected, how. ever, all the apparatus for extinguishing hives is confined to n hoch and Imiller srngon. On the night of Mny 28, 1876, n firo broke ont on the west sile of the conyt Inmse squaro, which vousnmed property In the value of $40), DUE. September I:, following, another fire swept awny proporty to the value of $12,000 more. Thy cily mithorities nro stirring with a view of tucoting future contingencies.

There are three railway depot- in the place-those of the Bye Liny and l'an Unmilly Itondy, as well ns ene used by both compunies, east of town, al the crossing of tho rumls. Thisr Rues, together with the Cincinanti, Wabash

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& Michigan Railway, now completed to the southern boundary of the county, and the completion of which to Anderson is lookel for in the spring of 1876, give the town excellent railway facilities.

Not far east of Anilerson, and between that place noil Chysterfielil, are ancient mounils, which have furnished a fruitful theme for antiquarians. They ure on the land of Frederick Bronnenberg, and Inff a mile north of thy Bee Line Railway. The largest of thesy is o virele, nine hundred and thirty feet in circumference, with n wall fifteen fret in height.

There nre n number of amuller circles of earthwark, or mounds, as they sre vulled, sestiered over about fifteen acres. "The largest sized trees grow. ing upon the artificial banks prove a great antiquity for these strange evilencey of a long extinct nice.

A fine magnesian limestone is found in abundance on White River, about two miles irest of Anderson. This, with the sandstone and limestone quar- ried al Pendleton, is exported, to some exlenl, ond will, no doubt, form the basis for a considerable industry in the future. Oiber quarries of building stone have been opened in the northern part of the county, generally for local use.

The present cily officers nre : William Brown, Mayor ; Neil Daugherty, Marshal: Armstrong Taylor, Treasurer : and James .Inckson, Clerk.

ATIIIN TOWNS AND VH.LAGES.

Next to Anderson, the most important town is Pendleton, silgated in the southeastern part of the county. Il was named after Thomas l'endleton, an early settler. The population is nt preesot about eight hundred. The town is pleasantly sitnateil on the Bee Line Railway, and lies mostly on the south bunk of Full Creek, The falls of which stream furnish abundant water- pinrer for the mills near by.

Lewis Bordbirell, James Gray, William Silver atul Palmer Potrick were among the first merchants. The first named, Joun and Corydon Richmond, Word and John ff. Cook and T. N. Jones were the first physicians, Among The first ministers were .lotues Reader, Edwin Ray and Nathaniel Richmonil. The place contains four dry goods stores, a bank, hotel, and the usual stores nud shops to be found in o thriring town. Its manufactures ore prin- cipally the products of the mills near the falls. The place was incorporated in December, 183

Alexubdrin, with a population of six hundred, is the Ihin town of bote in the townty. It is eleven miles north of Andereob. It was laid out in 18.16, on Inni belonging to Comer and Stephenson.

The Lafayette, Muncie & Bloomington Railway, vompleled through the northern part of the county in the fall of 1915, and the CinyInomi, Wabash & Michigan line, completed shortly after, will tunlerfully ulvance the place. Perkinsville, near the Hlamilion County line, hus u population of three hundre1 nud eighty-five. It is one of the oldest settleil places in the hurt !- ern part of the county, and is supplied with atores, mills, and the usual adjuncts of a country village.

Chesterfield, six miles east of Anderson, was formerly a rival wf Aniter- son, but hus of Inte fallen into a decline.

Morkleville, New Columbus, Alfoul, Huntsville, Fishersburg, Franklon, Summitville, Independence and Florida complele The list of minor villages in the county.

The first newspaper in the county was the l'istern Telegraph, started in 1834, by C. D. Henderson. Thus was followed by the . Ithencum, edited by Thomas Sims, Three years after. The Anderson Caprit' was started by Mir Osborn, in 1850, and died in 18H, J. F. Henry condueinig it after Osborn's withdrawal. In 1848, J. Q. A. W. L. Hlowell began the Trur Democrat. Lemen & Ryan bought the paper in 1849, and il expireil on their hands in 1850. The Democrahe Stundord wus storied by T. W. took, in 1855. O. C. Willetis, F. T. Lice and F. M. Randall irere afterward colibecied with the Standard, which was iliscontinued in 1812. The Anderson Plau Draker was started in 1848, by W. E. Cook. Elwin Schlgler, G. D Furrer and W. C. Fleming were affermanl identified with the paper. nhich has ulso ceased publication. The Anderson Democrat was started in 18;0, by W. C. Flern- ing. The other editor of the paper was Charles Zabmn. Ii is now owned und edited by M. Y. Todisman The Anilerzon Herald was starteil by J. O. Hardesty, in 150d. Three years afterward, Stephen Meteulf became one of the owners, and is now sole proprietor and editor of the paper. The Pen- dleton Register, by T. B. Dyem, nt l'endlelon, stariel some years ugo, and completys The list.

WELLS COUNTY.

Thus county is sixteen miles from the Ohio lineaml ofty -eight miles from the Mielnyon line. Il contains /12 square miles, and had, i 1870, u population of 15,58; The surface is level ur gently rolling. There are a feir marshes anıl n number ef swnles in the county, as well as two sinnll Inkes. The lurgesl uf these, in ,Jackson Ton nslip, nus midently . rveral square miles in arwi nt one time, huit, by the vonslant growth nud vneranelnnent ef the sur- rouwling shures, it is now redneed In un nrea of forty neres.

The county was onmed in honor of Gen. Summuel Wells, of Keutneky, why enurbaniled the Fourth Ihrision of Kentucky militis ul enetimr. Gen. Wells mulunicered in the expedition under Hurrisou against Tecumseh and the Prophet, and hebl the rank of Major al The ballle of Tippecanve.

The Wnbash River flows chagunally Ibrough the cunnly from the north- eastern tu The southirestern part of it. The >alamonie in the south, and Rock Creek in the seuth and west, 1mm vray the county, toising iu ibe same general direction. Scuffle Creek, in the sonth, is the largest tributary of the Saln- wonje ly be found in the city. light-Mile Creek drains the most of the northern part. and extemly across the eonuty frein the northeast to the south- west. In general, the county is well ilrained by the streams named, und by Six-Mile, Jobn's, Itall's, Bill's und sinnller creeks.

The original growth of fimher uns heavy, und, owing to the late day in which railways penetraled thy eonly, much of this has been preserved, until n few years past, fair a reinneritsre market, and large yunulities of lumber and uther forest products are still worked up.

A fine quality of limestone, for building purposes. is found along the Wnikish awt Salusobie, particularly nt Binfon, un the first yumued stream. The manufacture of Rimy is carried on niso to . considemlde exsent.

The Fort Wayne, Muncie & thuenanti Railny, complvivd to Bintlton in Nyrimtvr, 18u!, dirides the vonnty iuto Iwi uearly equal parts, ns it runs from north lo sonth.

The first settlement in Wells County was sumle en the western bank of the Wabash, five miles below where Bluffion now stands. The adventurous borderer, who there bruved the dangers of wild nasmuts, half en ilized red men. thy solaris and ferer, wus Dr. Joseph Kavx. Ris calqw was erected ia 1829, mul stood solitary uwd nlone in the uubrukeu yxpause of Indian Imbling gromuls, on the Walsh, without a waty, from Fart Heemery to Unnhugtm. The stoni-hearted doctor was joined shortly by i wu nf bis sons+ in-Inw, Warner and Vantyces. These tonk up the Hubert nhd James Harrey forus, but breaming wenry ot frontier life, the trin soll their tarms, ur elear- ings rather, unl sought other lammes.

Jnywh Miller and his brother Henry come three years after Kunx . the first living sume distnueo helow and the lotler on the Knox openg.

Allen Nereruss began lo hen himself' a farm from nul the forest in ISil, n year before Kwrx len This hardy ars comer selected his ponce on the

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eastern hank of the Wabash, not fur from the Knox settlement About n year nfer his coming, ur in 1832, the Blackhairk war nas causing wide- aprenl commotion anil diamay munug the scattered immigrants of the boritir, und the fow rven so far rminored from the seat of hostilities ns were the tiro brothers and Nurcross shared in the general alarma. The enuniry iras full ol Indians further West, on the Wahash.

Norerosy thought it treat, under the cireninstances, the return to civilization until the danger iynanrer. The Millers minde the best preparations they conbl, and their fears were ullared in 1833 by The gens that the danger from Blackhawk and his men was trer. Norcross reinruil with the cessition of hostilities, and is now (15)6] living on the Bioe pinco originally entereil by him neuely half n century nga. lle is the oldest seliler in the county, which he selected for n home, it seems, mostly from w stryire to lire alone The miner, in his ud age, uf innnr hirond unil fertile seres on the Wabash, betycon Bluffou unnl Murray, he hus led n hiermit wort of life for years, nor dees he sertu be enjoy onything in life more keenly than a rirrus. harry Imreling meangerie and show is certain of a patron in him One of his proudest lionsts is, that there hus nerer bech 4 riren in the county u lich hne hus not attenteil.

In 1936, Willimin Bartun enne to Rock Crerk Township fromu Vermaat, nul tonk up his habitation in n hollow syenmoro irre. Here he lived as inte- jirivlenl na Dingenes in Ins tub. le temumed untit 1839, and ifus nu origi- nal rhumeter

Among the settlers ntriring letreen 1833 nad 1837 were Anlam Miller, 1.hnele4 HenDelt, Thoums W Van Horn, Darid Bennett, Salemon Jolinson, Salutimi Sparks, Musun Powell, N. C Bennett, Sr., Isone Coverl, W. M Canert, Allaah Hull, Thomas T. Smith, Bunou Itale, Inturs Scout, William 11. I'armutee, William MeDate, Abraham Mrthale, Willinm Pritiman, Solomon Kemp, .tuhn A. Heam, 12, Chalfant, Jnmies Guthrie, Gabriel nul Juhn Mark- ley, Daniel mel Michael Miller, Clun Hooker and Joseph Ingan. Junies Bur- nell rame, with his family, from l'airfell County, in 1847, and tu his son. the Itun. Newton Burirell, the writer is ittebieil for toany of the incidents mel dutry of the early settlement. Isolateil usirero the settlers irhin cumr hequeen 1629 ml the tende fullring, they find many hurdships to cantemil with. The trip to n thill often consumed a werk They urre frequently forced to far sivolley stremins, and incidents ury on record where lires isere lost in These inproc . Trips to mill nere made to os great a disInnee ns fireenville, Chin, atel oren further

ORGANIZATION.

"The legislature passed an url for the organization of Wells County, which Has approved I'chruary 2, 1837 This net provided for the orguunzutian of Wella ns u separate and independent county, from anil after May 1, 1837. Not long after this ility, the first election irns behl. R. C. Bennett, Sr., Sulo- mon -lolinson min Annies Scoff were elerir 1 the first Roanl of l'ounty Com- missjanur -. Itari Bennett uns the first Sheriff, by turine of his nppoint- ment from the General Assembly Bowen fiale, who, nt this time of writing 119751, 19 still u resident af Bhaffon, was the Gret Clerk, und priformeil the tutiey now dlitpled between the Awhtor and Recorder, ut the suino time In connection with the 1'lerkship. the was ulse the first inerchmit iu the county

The first meeting of the Colmuissioner's was held in the log cabin of R t' Bennett Their first official act Has to ilvelare thetbselves duly elected. Nest thuy elected Aduuh Hall County Treasurer, in which capacity ho con- tinupl to serve for more than ten years. Guvernment lauils were, ni that time, exempt from Inxatinn for five years after entry, und in consequence there were hint three Iraets nf lanil in the county subject to taxation. The first fox iluphcate was mude oft ou u single sheet of paper, and the rate of Insutioh was eighteen cents an the SIom, and fifty cents en each poll. Hall, for several years, carried the entire treasury department of the county abont with him in huis rest- pocket, hod his duties ns welt ns emoluments were lighl. Thr first County Surveyor imas Jidin Casebeer, uppuinled September 8, 1838. The county, at the Best meeting of the Commissioners, ins divided into the fannyhips, Harrison und Rock Creek. Jackson Township iras organized Sejdemler 1, 1837 ; Joffersou, March 3, 1841, and the uther buruships at entony Times since. Union Tounship, the neirest in point of organization in the county, comprises part of nu old Indian reservation which did unt cothe into market until absont 18ti, inring irluch year the township ins organized

The first Circuit Court was hell Octuber Ruth, in the solne year the county tras organized. Il convened at the house of R C. Bennett, the Hon. C. W. Tuing, presiding. The first cases triml rere mostly ou indietments for het- ling selling whisky to ludinus nad minar offenses of the same grarle.

INCIDENTH OF PIONEER LIVE.

The first Ini suit tried in the county was in the conil nf n'Sqwire" Thomas W Vuu llorn 11 grew out of the capture of a wolf, and served tu put the Justice on his mettle before he arrived nt n decision. Junies Scott, one of the Coutuly Commissioners, nud llenilersou Duvis sel a trap nenr Scol1's Prairie, and soon caught a wolf The animal managed to break Ino:c, Inking with it the trap After senrching for several duys, the owners fund the wolf, with the trajeuttached, in munther imp, which had been sel hy Abratu MoDule nhu Clintles Bennett, in the northienstern part of the eouuly. 'Squiro Van Hoin was entled upon to exercise hig leguil neumen as to the righi uf proporty in the captureit wolf. The trial altructed the attention of the settlers fur nul wide, but there were no muyers thru to either mystify or enlighten Ins Houor Afor reriemning the testmany, the .Justice wisely ilecited, that therewy the wolf hudl eridently endured Scott's Iruge, nud Reu- nell's frap hud afterward returned tho enmpliment, therefore Ibe iulf belonged tu the lutter

There is another nulf story growing out of an ineulent relating to the offer af one ilullar nude by the Commissioners for orory wolf seilp hrungh1 to thom. An old resident liring setne mules wrest of Bhetnon, if u ny obserred, drure n prafitable traffic iu scilps. Inquiry reresled the fnet that he hol partintiy domesticated n number of sho wolves, which he carefully abitamed I'rom killing. 11 was from the offspring of these that he drew his invome for -culus. The discorory lol in the repeal of the bounty on trolves.

letting, nifunding shooting 1matches nnd "' wood clippings ' nere the standard pastiines, when there uns but little communication with the rest of the irorld. The first grund juries, with a Brutus-like heroism, now seldom imitated, found indictments, ou more than one occasion, against their own mrsbers for the first hinted offense. 44 muny ir three or four separate bills were trinnd ngmust some members of the first grand juries ; nud it is snid Lint one member, presented on fire in hetevents, irus iucontinently " bounced," us bring unft or hold so high a position.

The hrst attorney to tiait BInlCom ins n youth who came West, bud, appreciating the situoliun al Bluthon, roueluded In guine up with the conn- 1Ty. This limh of the law, after resting a few . taya, wrele a number of cards, and meked them upon the trees about ins alice, which is in the room neeu- pied ty County Clerk, ttnle. The latter, happening to real one of the carits, anw that the word niturner on it was spelled) this . "elernet." Further investigation showed that all the cards enplained Ibe same error The joke was too good to kemp, and traveled all over toiru. In consequence of this trivinl error, the first Iniper left for Marian, where be beenme n useful and honored citizen, despite his orthography

As illustriling the spurseness of population in 1837, it may be related that rhen the County Commissioners prorendel to draw grand and petit jurors fer the first thue, they found that the requisite numher iros tien in excess of the euhire list of citizens avnimntde in the conidy, in the attempt iras thau- douel.

COUNTY HISTORIES .- CONTINUED,

COUNTY BUILDINGS ANT ATFIGLIO.

Wheu Wells County was organized by act of the Legislature, that body nomneil John D. Defrece, of Elkhart Conuly ; Peter Jobnson, of St. ,loseph; Franris E. Lasselle, uf Allen; Darid MeNight, of Adams, and William Widnp, of Wayne, to loente n scal uf justice. They failed to perform the duty, and in 1838 the Legislature appointed Zachariah Smith, of Ainmis County, Chora- pion llelvey, of Huntington ; Christopher Hanna, of my; William hiser, of Randolph, und ,lohn Roger, of Allen. They were directed to meet nt the hanse of R. C. Benuett, on the Ist of March, 1838. All irere present nt the lime sel, sare fchey. The trest 4 of the horUnvest } of Section 4, Town- ship 26, North Rungr 12, donated by Abraham Studlubnker, and also n juttt of the same section donated hy R. C Beuntil, was selected. The competit- ors fur the county seal isere the Bluffton land owures and those living in nud nround Murray, How Neu L'mensler. As for ns foilneemeuls in the wny of lund were roneerneil, Iho lust. nameil irere nhend, but the Bludlon folks car- ned the ilay hy mbling a cash gift of $210 to the real estate This, in case of the neerplaneo of the bat, would fornish n find for the payment of the Commissioners; whereas, if no cash uns fortheaming, they must conteul them- selves with county orders, then helow par Whiterer muny hore been the infinenee this had npon the Commissioners. cortain it is that some cause serreil to turn the seale.

The name of Bluffton, ns applicit to the county sent, is supposed to linve its derivation from the commanding bluff on the Wabash, where the string- gliog conuty seat was located The name first appears on the records in 18.18, and it is supposed to hinre been first suggested hy R. C. Bennett

The first recorded plat uf Blu mon is inted March 23d This irns plnffed by ,talin Casebeer, irho, uoder orders from the Commissioners, hind surreyed tho low'n site, and laid off the snur into lols. Tun of these were reserved by' Annhmu Studalinkir, onv of the origionl donots.

.Inne 1, 1935, the County Commissioners onlerrd the sale of lols in Bintion, beginning with No. 1. Every ullerhate lol uns ordered soll, with the exception of three or four reserved for Alton Case, in consideration of entertaining the visitors at the sale. The bidiling uns spirited. Some of the enthusiasm may possibly hare heen ouring to a liberal sujgdy of irhisky furnished hy the Commissioners to all comers free of charge. lu faet, there wns a regular real estate ferrer toward the close of the sile, by which litno the whisky hol ebbed quay in inverse ratio to the rise in prices. The soollung corn-extriet ivas handled nronad in a espacions bucket aud taken "straight" Eye witnesses of the sale say that all ivere more or less intoxi- entend. Almon Case uns granted an allowsure of fire dollars for the whisky furnishol, and the investment was, no doubt, a profitable one fur the county The first court hunse tens built in 1838. It iras on Main street, hetiveen Murkel and Wabash. Tho linilling ivas of heu'n Inga, square, nud tivo stories high. 4 juil, simular in runstruction, was creeled nt the same time, ou the sundbirest corner of the public square.

Both these primitive aIrnelures hinve been succeedled hy county hildings ef n more permanent kind. The roorl house is on the soullives1 corner of Mun and High streets The letting was made In Almon Case, in April, 1813, and the building completed and necepled October 4, 1845, being at That time out of the finest court houses in Northern Indiaan. It is flanked un the wrest und sonth by the connie affices Tho Sheriff's residence Jud Juil, a substantial brick structure, campletes the southern muge of buildings. The county library is well filled, and in object of prille to torers of literature.

The contily pour farm, af 100 nerrs, is situated four miles southeast of the rounty scot.

The present rounty ofbeers ure ns fulloirs. 1'lerk, William .t. Craig; Trensurer, Leminel Bachelor; Sheriff, William W. Wisivell, Corouer, B. F fumuins, Representatire, A. N Martin ; Recorder, James R. Bennell . Superintenilent, S finodin ; County Commissioners, Peter Studubnker, WTo. Kirkwood und Samuel L. Riddile ; Amlitor, George E Gardner

II.UFFTON.

the sent of justice of Wells County, is not fur from ils eruter on the south bank of the Wabash. The low'n site anil surrounding country are gently undulating and very fertile. It was one of the first prints to become n ourlens fur settlers in the county.

The brat school taught in the county was tiro miles up the river, Jesse B. McGrew being the teneher.

The first sermou preached in the conuly way on the form of David Ben- bell. ueross the river from irhere the lon'n soir is. This serrier was held it 1838, hy the Rer. Ehinh Sulton, nn old-school Baydist.

The first sermon preached within the limits of the foun nas delirered hy Rer. Mr. Borrors, of the Methodist Church, irlo, for wut of a suitable house of worship, addressed bis hearers beneath u sprepling unk, ou Wir river bank, near the fool of Johnsen sireel.

The first physician uns Dr. Felloirs. The west were Drs. Riddile und Melsheimer.

The first hotel was kept by Almon Case This uns succeededl by the Exchange llotel, opposite the court house, a noted stopping pince in the singing itny's Vader the present moungement, il still retains the most uf the business of entertaining travelers, and sustains its old-time reputation. .John Stwlubsker iras the first merchmut in Bluffton, though Inle ivus before him in the county, with his sture al Murray, further west.

Blutiton irny mucorporateil puder a special ebarter grauted by the Legis- Ininre, approved February 12, 181]. The Trustees onder the charler irere : Lewis S. Grove, Joseph .\. Williams, Engle Starr, William Stroile aud Nelsun liellogg The last anmed was elected President, auil Grovo was made Clerk

The first offeers eleeleil were : Darid Angel, Muyor, nad John Pleasinger, Murshal, Thomas L. Wisuer, Bourn Hale, John f'by and Charles T. Mel- sheimer were the fr 1 Couneitmen: Firstus K. Bagcon uns the first Treasurer, Theodore fortan the first Clerk. nud George MeDonell the brat Streel Con- missioner.

The officers of the town are at present . Leri Mock, Mayor ; Ismael First. Marshal ; Nanmau T Miller, Clerk ; Timothy Euright, Street Commissioner Binlion hos u flourishing grovled school. W. H Ernst is Superintendent. Bluffion enjoys an extensive uwel profitable reinil trade with the surroundl. ing conutry. The usual number of stores and shops ure to be found as in all prosperous esiinty seals. There is also n bank, the only one in the county The mununfueluring industries nre mniuly as follows: Three flonring mills, Que stm e and hrading factory, and a house engaged largely in the manufe . lure of agricultural implements.

There are five church buildings in the town, as follows . Methodist, Bali- tint, Fresbylrrinu, Christinu und Catholir. The two frat named hure fine brick church buildings. The Universalists have n congregation firmrd, but no huitding.

The first paper ivos the Republican Buyle, started by T Smith, in 1847 The Bluffton Banner writ, starteil in 1850, by Lewis S Grove and Sumuel Mplou. It afterirurd passed through the hands of J. G. Smith and Willinin J. Craig tuto the hands of the present proprietor and editor, E. A. K. Hackelt The People's Press was started in 1875. Its name was successirely changed to Standard and Chronicle. The lust named publication suspended in May, 1873; ins purchased, the July following, by James M. Ruekmun, the present elitor nul proprietor.

The first weeling uf the Wells County Agricutinrul Suciety wns helil in 1876 Three or four anunal exhibitions irere hehl, whon the organizntiou fer n time suspended. It was rerired in 1867, and has been successfully con. ducted ever since. The uofficers are: Abraham W. Johnson, Presulent, N. Greenfield, Treasurer; Nunman T. Miller, Secretary.

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Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 94

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

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