Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 95

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

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wine miles north of Mitnicio, is the secomil town, in point of business, in the county.

is n live and graning tourn on the railuny, south of the county seal. Worthington, Nowy lancaster, Borkford amt Zonesrille, the last of which is partly in .Allen County, are the remaining toin*

BLACKFORD COUNTY

is one of the central dirisions in the rastern part of the State. 11 is named after Juilge Blackford, n leuiling jurist m the early history of the Sinte. This coputy is, with the exception of Ohio County, the smallest, ny lo area, in the State, containing but 180 square miles, The population, in 1870, was 6,276, anıl there lins beon a maderalo increase sinre. Tho surfneo is diversified with plnins nud pleasnut rolling lunds, originally corereit, with the exception of n few square unles, with heary liuher. The soil is fertile. The principal products are the stamilnel coreils, noal and live stork The foresis, which ivore of compartirely little profit lo the owners ontil within the Inst len yeits, are now being mmle lo yield large returns, in the way of hard wood lomber, klares and coopernge. For the handling of these, especially tho Ino Inst namiil, there are sereral flourishing establishnin1s in The counly.

The conuly is draineil principally hy tho Salomonie River, which runs dingonally through the northern portion. Limicslone crops ont or comes near the surface nlong its course, nnil, near Montpelier, is used in the piro- duelion of line, which is shipped in some quanlities lo ofher markets. Tho gunrries along the river also furnidi ahout all the boibling slone used in The county, with the exception of that coming from the Mississinein, The next Jorgesl strenmn in the county is Big Lick Creek, which, sinrling in the south- enstern part, Bows neur Hartford and empties into the Mississineira nul for from Wheeling, in Delaware County. The other streams are not large, Lit. ile Lick and Praicio Creeka being noug tho number. The mursb Inml in ibo county has been nearly all reelsimed by ilmninnge, aud is noir among the most prodnetire farining lanils within ils limils.

The limber is moslly onk, after which come heech, ash, maple and olher ilecidnous Trees. There were, nt un enrly day, large numbers of fine walnut and poplar trees, but, nwing lo the demand for these wrocils, they aro now nearly all used up far lumber. Ilener shipments of onk stares nud coaperuge are still boing mudr.

ELILLY HISTORY.

The history of Blackford as n enunly is comparatively brief, horiag lieen erceleil inia a separate jurisilietion al n mnuch Inter dule Ihnn most of Ibe politienl divisions of the State It hegan u sepinrair existence in 1839, the territory being until then mueluded in Jny County. At the time of the organization, arring to the ulter Inek of railways aud the almost entire ab- sence of good ingon ronds, n compartirely isulated region like Blackford County could expect but few immigrants. The settlements were mudr, therefore, several years after ne find'n considerable nueteus of pioneers in Delniare unil ulher conuties lo the sunth and rast, from which ilireetien lhe first settlers generally came. These were foreeil in cul the souls lo Their new hotues through deusr wouds nud undergrowth, atul the construction of county romily in any number dates from as recently 19 18311, This year may be set ileiro as the lithe u hen immigratiun first usynthed some import- ance, and the openings of the farmers began 1" make sime showy upon the generat landscape.

William Tivibell was uming the first perinnnenl settlers, near Trenton, and the Boggs family, near Itartford. John Beath, who is still holding the offee of Justice of tho Peace al Unrlfard, and Joseph Atkinson, settled nest by about the saine time. Ju the northeast, Seeley Hurens, Judge John Beall, Josinh Twribel!, lohy Andrews aml ,lohu Bloot were nunug the first lo come mul slay. The last nameil is anid to have been the first Settler in tho county, nud came in 1835. [u tho noritrest, or Washington Township, among the first lo locale were Isano Spalding, Willinm Hadden sud Abel Baldwin. lu lockson Township were Jucob Empsluriller, Joseph Creek, Jaunes Rousom ; brudd in 1bis region, The last named and Willint Cortright were the helt Justices of the Peaco. The Lonning family niny also found sinoug the first in Ilus region. The names of others are lo he feuml in the recorils of the courta, helow.

The first mills iu tho conuty were primilire in ennetruelion, as may be soppused. The proprielors possessedl neither the money in purchasu ex- pensire machinery nor the ability to transport The same over the primitive Trails and wagon roads of the period. Jaines Rensner lind n small mill for grinding grain, shout four miles southwest nf Hartford, and Fli Rigton, a cousin of The well known Moruou lender af the same nnmy, was the owner of nuotber, umed bull for grain nnd sowing lumber. A mill run by horse power, and owned by John Brugh, wyny localeil, for some years, in Hartford, mul nl that ently duy irng regarded is quite nu enterprise.

The first re.il estale sale eulered npou the records of the eunuty is nt sale of land for n consideration of $2001, which sale was tuado hy Peler Olom and wife lo Amuzia Brason, in 1839,

ORGANIZATION, COURTA, ETC.

Blucklord County was organized from territory included, unlil 18JP, in .Iny fnunty.

The first meeting of the Commissioners was held in May of That yinr. One of the first entries is the grauling of a license to vend meroliomilise, Joseph K. H1nbron being the applicant.

The first Commissioners were Eli Rigilon, Josephus Streeler and Jacob Shrayer. .tohu Irrin was appointed Treasurer of the county

.tacob Brugh was the first Clerk, which office, at thuuit lime, ivas niso mwle to nhswer for the business now giren lo the Arulilor nul Rrrorder.

Frederick Benll was the first Sheriff, oud Abrahnin Castlo thr first County Surveyor.

The first meeting pluce uf the Commissioners, of which any meatien is tomle, was nt the List of Incol Emopylorillor.

The first recoril on the oriler book of The Binekfor Civil Cirenit Court beurs the ilntr of Muy ti, 1839. The case was brought by a transcript from Fayette County, Willium Wondl el al. being the plaintiffs nud John Hore defendant, in an netinn for debl.

The first session of the court was held September 28, 1839, hy .hulge David Kilgore, of Delaware County, who pruuluced his commission from Gov. Ihm id Wallneo, and opened courl ut the house of Audrew Boggy, who, will llenry Stewvarl, acled as Associale Juulges. Jeremiah Hanley ins nppotted Badilf of the court.

The firat grand jury was ns follon 4: Imuno Spaulding, when was appointed foremnu; JJohn Watson, Lewis Kirkpatrick, Jncoh Omvult, Kilward MeCrun ley, fohn Blunt, Jos. K. Hobson, Adam Cunningham, Inmea Runsom, Michel Gear, Joseph Gellyn, John Beall, lurch Gear, Benjamin Reagoer. 'Flununs Itulet uud JJuseph Blunt.

John Brownlee was the fitel Proyeenting Attorney.

.1. T. Jilllolt, A. Kennedy, John Marshall, J. B Julian, J. Anthony and M Jenkison were wlmitted la pruelive before the court as ullarneys.

289

COUNTY HISTORIES .- CONTINUED.

The first cove tried ivas That of the Stato r's Jacoh Birer, indicted for het- ling. He was fined hirenty-firr ernis nuon making a plea of "guilty." Duif a dexen or more inlielments for The guine ullense, and one or two for nssaul and ballery, was the extent of the criminal business for the Sep- lumber lerin, 1839.

The courts were held in such pluces in Hartford na could be prorareil, imlil The completion of tho prevent enurl house, upon which work began in 181. The county officers Iranmauled business with their constituents in their own housey or shops, and an light wos the dlemanil upon them in this rupert, thul but lillle ineomvience ivas experienced.

While primitiro justive could be dispensed in nlund any kind of n linh- ilution, there seemed To have been more Trouble in providing for juries sent Il In mnko up venliels. A dense plum thickel, nol Inr from where the present colli house now stitels, nos ande to serve the purpose of an airy Int inexpensive jury room. Tu un opening in the midst of this the juror4 wero conduried hy the Bailiff, and There, upon u fallen tree Trunk, some of Ili first verdiets were made up. The Burbiff in the mennwhile, it is said, uns in the habit of filling his cont puckels with ronrenient- sized boul ders, wherenith lo keep off intruders, as he made his raunils whout the "iwelre Inen, goodl and Inu ful citizens," etc.

The present county buildings atr silinteil in A square, surrounded hy the principal business Houses ond offices of the loin.

The court house was errefeil umler the otdors of Willing F. Jones. I contains & courl room on the first floor, and the county officey aro leeoled thirty und forly years age. It is n parallelogram in shape, tisu stories in Imight, with tho usual belfry arising from The center of the roof. The cost of construction urns nearly $6,000

The juil ig o low buildling, some dislager lo one side nt thr court honso, unil, In the eredit of the conuly, is but selilam fiul to use.

The conuly poor furm is south of Hurtfard, and the fen unforinnales among the population of the county thore rupoire Their sustenance und i home at The publie expeuse.

The county ofheers al present are Richoril G. aleele, Clerk, ,Joseph Ful- tell, Auditor; William Twibell, Representative, W H. Spence, Coroner; Mr Noonan, Regarder.

WATFORD

the county seal, nas luid out and n plat of thr tivu filed by the County Cum- wisgiunves during the May turin, 1839. The lots were laid out for The benefit of the county, and were parl uf forly neres set aside for ibal purpose. Dur- ing the saine lerm, The Commissioners gare the Inin the name of Hartford. Julin J. Cook uros ordered lo surrey thy forly neres, nnif it was delerinined Ilit the public square shouht he gne nere, including half the streets. The Innin AIrrel passing the public square irus urilered Inid off serenty feet wide, the brick strerls fifly feel iride, und the alleys bleen feel utile.

The loin ing incorporaled uwler the general low in September, 1847 Bulit ilini (Inte, the gron th of Hartford iras gleis ; situated al a distance from um ruthray, it was in a mensuro cut off from the world. The constructieu id the line of railirny from Union Cily lo Lagonspurl, noir operale I by the Tillshurgh, t'ineinnnii & $1. Louis Company, Ungerer, infused new life iula the village, umil since then it has enjoyed n healthy growth. The population 1 ubuil 1,200. The Fort Wayne & Muncie Itnihvay has for sereral years bien in operation, nud besides giving the county sent competition for irffie, har dime much lo develop the section of the county ibrough which it

Along thy' 6rd inerchants in the early years of the lown were Willinin iful .Incoli Paylun nud Willinin B. Mekny, Drs. N. D Clouser ail Ligy were nilong the first physicinny. E. G. Curroll nind George S. Howell were unong the first permanent lingers. Willinin Rusavy kopl the first regular holel. Jolin M Marley wor thy Aral buck smith. Blijub Spangler was the final linger.

T'Imt fiel Mir in the county was het in 187;, .t. J. Melilox beiug l'rrgi- dent of the society.

Ihr' find churches nere organized by the Baptists, Methodists und Presley- Irrinns. Dne of the first preachers lo visit The county reguintly was the Methodist minister in elinrge of the Muneie circuit. This drnowination ivit- The first In ereel a house of worship, their building being a ride house of hemu logy, wurth uf the public square on High street. The l're-bylerinns epeeleil Their first church edifice in 1914 The building, in a tilspilled continu, nos still standing, hut nunsed, in 1970. The Church of the Mission Iuplisty, as the uld congregalion was kuonu in the conuly, was kept np for 'Our years, but has not muntuluined itself by the ble of other denaminntivus. Annug those knowu os close communion Buplists, Ehler Abraham Buckles an- Que if The first preachers. The present churches in the lowu ure the Withochist, I've bylerinn nul Lutlivrau.

The principal industries are a largo Ilux-inill, nu extensi y hub and spade wurke, n healing nud slavy factory and a funring-mill. There are no banks, wird the usual uninher of reluil stores mind profesmmol men in be found in Towns if ils size.

HOVIPEHIER

in the northern parl of the conuly, irny Inid out by Abel Baldwin, whe, with n munher of others, came to the place from Verujout, nud uawed the lown ufer Ihvir untivo capital. It has a stare forlory und Heuring-mill, besules ilmug a fair business in line and building slone

THINTON. 022 LAROVE, PUNDIT AND MATAMORAS

mle slunll lowns.

"The sale paper published in the county is the Hurtford City Neves, by Juhu M Rnekmun It is independent in politirs, writh n Republican lend- I uns preceded by the Hurtford City Deinperot, published by Charles F Jackson for pboul len years until it wns morgul in the Newra.

STEUBEN COUNTY.

Thus cenaly uns unined nfter Baron Freilerirk Do Sleuben, a soldier, who, inter serving unilor tho grent Freilerick al' I'russin, enmo to Ameries, and gne bis services to the colouists during the Ruroluliou, He fell in the ballly of Caurden, S. C, in IT&u.

It is situated in the extremo northeastern corner of the Stale, aud is bonndel hy Ohio on the east, und Michigan on the north The county con. laius Three hundred and thirty-firo squnry miles of territory. The popula- finn, in 1870, was 19,84]. It is premiucully the county of the beautiful Inkes, being dolled with orer fifty, thirty- fire of which bove becu nnmed. Some of these nro of considerable exleut, tho Inrgest of Iliom boing from n quarter lo five miles long, andl from a few neres lo three square miles in ex. lent. Lnko Eminrs, north of Angola, is the most extpusive of these beautiful bodies of urnier. Next in size comes Clear Lake, in the northeast. After that, Croukrd, Fish and Onge Lakes ory uvxl ny lo diversions. The ather hikes that are nunmal are as follows: Ball, Dass, Belle, Cola, Howard, Island, Jiunion, fimo, Limekilu, Silver, Thionraok, Walker, Turkey, Little Turkey, Contor, Cross, Fox, Golden, Goose, Iloghijek, Long, Luou, Mush, Mill, Mud, Iller, Ilog. George, Pigeou anil Pleasant Linkes Flensmul Inke, Hog Lakr und Lake fieorge are partly in Michigan, und lang Laky partly in Ohio.

The unters of these lakes ore pulire and very clear. They are well stocked with hass and other fresh water fishes, which furnish an abundance of sporl lo auglers, and yield nu small supply of whenp nad delicious food tu thusr living pent them. The lakes nre ulno tho rosorl of immense numbers of wild gerse, ducks and other unter fowl, iluring the seasons of migration, aunl ntford fne spert to the hublors. Shine of the lakes are surrounded by o gradually declining bearh, others hy ohrupl nod well wooded hunks.

Soine orr rrry ileep, while others, known ns .. gras4 Inkes," are gradu- ully lilliog up, and have decreased risihly in bize since the urent of the first selilers.

I'rut and marl ore found in large quantilies on the shores or in the vicinity of muny of Thise lakes, nod the former hiss licen used for a long time no A substitute fur lime by local builders. The marl has been used to hul a limited extent, as yel, for a fertilizer, bul will. no iloubi, prore of greal value as Ihy lands become exhausted hy lillage. Bog iron ore has been found in a number of places in the county, hill not in sufficient quantities for working.

The principal stream in The county is Pigcon Crerk, which drains Cedor Lake in the north, whence it flows in n southerly course, und thence to the tresl line of the count}". Crooked Creek drains most of the north western part of The county, ond starts in frenked amit Jatury Lakes. Fish Creek L'1|119 froin north lo south, along the cusletn line of the county.

Struheu County is well wooded, oud obeundy in Inrgr quanlities of oak, while and Wark iralont, ush, beech and muply, with a sprinkling of syen- buire und laminrack. The surfuce, with Ili exception of the lakes, is pretty erroly divided brliveen limherrd lonils, oak openings nud prairies, will salue minrahrs. The Ilter, when draineil, ore of inexhanstible fertility', while all the land is u ell adapled to whirut, oals, eoru aud the studard pro. ductions of this latitude. The county is poled for its fine apples, which seldoto fail, and are exported, especially from the northern puri, in large quanlities,

The surfuer of the county gradually rises front the southern lo the cen- tinI nnd worthern parts, andI ia higher generally than That of De Enlb County ou The south. There are numerous hills, the highest of which is Bald Eagle Ilin, ucur Hogback Loke, which has an altitude of about one hundred and fifty feel nhove the level of the lake. There are minuy ridges and small hills in the county, which, while not interfering with the cultivation of the soil, assist in the drainage of the land-

ST.TTI EJIENT.

The juhabitants of Steuben County ure unlul for their Ibrifi, intelligence abil enterprise. Churches and schuuls akouudl. The statistics of intelb- goure und cilucoliou, collected during the tan crisis, prove Ilint Sleuben is, in this respect, one of The foremust counties in Iudinus.

In necordlance with the law of emigration, which makes people, as a rule, DioLe In the same fines of Intitude, we find Steuben lo hure been populaled principally by New Englander-, New Yorkers und Ohiogbs,

Oning to The want of rouls leading from the ofiler seltled regions inlo Tho cumity, funny of the sellers, in coming from the east, were forced lo proceed further trest than Steuben, nout Ilien, turinng, they came iulo Ibe cumuity from La Grange Colloty on the wrest, and by way of The older sell led regions of Michigan lo the northnesl.

Il u'as upon the adjoining settlements in Ia Grange County, and Ibose in Michigan to the northwist, that The pioneers u ere forced to depend for Their doclors in lite of sickness. They also patronized the mills and stores in the saine region, until they became sufficiently numerous in Steuben County lo support establishments of this class in their own ricinily.

The sunke from the first pertinurni selller's cabin first arese within Ibe present limits of Steuben County, in the spring of 184]. Thil sritler wils Gidl- ein Langlou. His rir cahin was iu for southwest quarter of Section >, Inckann Trornshijo, wiern ord known as the Town form. Langdon, on The 17th of Sepdenber, in the year falluring, umde the first entry of Inud recorded in Ili conmy, living the east luulf of the gunsier humned. If irns in wbol is our .Eneksun Tannship that the first settlers wmostly lociled The county was then purl off La Grange, nud nas pol erreied inte a separate nrganization nul 1991. Jnekson Township enntains consideribte prairie lund, aud the hra mumigmills, al n time when their choice ins nurestricted, naturally selected The rich, fertile soil There because of the comprimire ease with which it was brought minder cuhiration.

The next selllers wero Johu and Joenh Stayner, nud their families-twelve permis in all. The Styners came from Dhio, nud nerired in Jackson Town. Elup Muy In, 2841. Juhu built on tho nurth sule of the prairie, and entered the wrest linlf af the southorest quarter of pretion à, September 27, 1852, be- iug len dluy's after Langilon's entry, oud the second wide in The fireseut limils of the cannly. The live Inothers had been soldiers under Jackson in the wrar uf 1812, und nery both strong au hearty wiru. Jolin Stayner lived upon the Zanil entered by bit until his death, in 1970. Ife mas seul to the Legislature, and the township in which he lived uns, nt his insinnce, named .bucksom in honor id his old military chietinin.

"Elle hrst arhite ebild born within the present limits of the conuly was Zeplinninh Stayner. Ho is still a resident of the lon uship iu which he first Ani The light

The hest death uns thut of Mrs. Ghlenn Langdon, in 1532. The remains Drere milerred in the prairie burring ground, ou Inud which Is silice passed the passion af D. H. Roberts.

The first mumringe mas contracted between James Huntsman und Innash Paris, in IKI. before the organization of the county.

The fra selnul house erected in the county uns on the north sile of Jackson l'mairie. Innunk Davis, the first bride in the little communily, was The first lunehier. The first sebool house was n rude tamnrock cibin, ereeled ul il cust of about $50, by John Stayner aud Adol phus Town. Eliza Estou pros Ili nest frueher, nud received $2 for each pupil, that being The tax leried ou those sending their children in the sehael.

Fumes MeConnell was the first physiciun.

The first Vostimuster nas Adolphu- Town.

The first Methodidl ministers uvre Androw H. Yunng niul thu Rov, Mussre. Smith ond Nynell. The first Baptist uunister wus Khler JJohn Bull ; bo preached The trial sermou in the county, in 1834. Eller Stenly nas nuother pinuver of the saine deuomiunlion.

Israel Moddunt nus the first Justice of the l'eser. His opponent was Adolpilnie Tain. The election wris hell in John Siny ure's dont-yard, who, with Daiil Mius wu! John Kiles, were the Judges.

When Laugilon And the Stayuers cmmur, in 1832, to this, the nucleus seltlement of Steuben County, ir was a perfeel wilderness-they and their litmilies tho sule white inhabitants-nor did they have u neighbor of their onu nice in all the region between Fort Wotuy nud Bushy Prairie. Inn lillo unte Hun forty years, that region, afferand created into Steuben Contly, bas increased in wealth and population until it uun contains a pres. perons rommunity of over 19,000 souls.

Thero nas an abundance of gout in The woods, and the muurrous lakes urre lillyel nith fish, so that The pioneers hned but little Irmuble in securing the quenus of susininiug life, while The proceeds ut the pelis of deer and furs of other nnitunes trapped by them unahled thrin la secure mich supplies from atirond ns ennlil nul he producedl nt house.

Thu firal bridge built in the county nas near the lugback Ifills, ou tho Deliauce Itoad The first snur mill in ilov county uns ul Flint, and the firel grist- mulls patronized by the settlers were al White Vigron, Michigan, and The Huinn milly, in Un Grango Couuly. The first grist-mill in the county was also il Flint, in Inekson Township, aud uns in eineclien with the sair- mill Imill by Que fillylle. The mill iris n primithe affair with homur-

made stones, auil was uyel mostly fur cracking corn. The bolling-clolb wos lurneit by hand

Jackson I'mairie, for years after the fr-t selllement, from ily productive- ness, was n point frum which the leas fortnunle sulllers drew corn until they were ulle lo raise enough to supply their own wants.

Millgrove Township was The next place in the conuity into which imati- gralien began lo llow. The first comers were from the loin of Jamaica, Winilham County, Vermont, and, in course of time, n considerable colony from thal region hecame established in the counly. When John Stocker clime iulo The lowaship to prospeet for land, in April, 1811, there iras not a cabin within its limits. In June, 1814, Ahel Blancharit, S. A. and G. D. Fahneoler, with their families, came, and erected chins in whal is called The Vermont velilement, where Orland anw stands. Slocker returned in Oclohier of the same year, anil joined his forlunes with the new comers. In 1835. these were joined by others from Vermont, and a considerable num. ber fron Oliw In 1811, Jeremiah and Demury Tillotson sellled where

Fremont now is. The first named Inid oul the town of Fremont, and his firel calin was very near the sile of his lale residence, In the village.

The first welller in Steuben Township tens Teuse Glover, who came from Huron Connty, Obio, in 1835. He built the 6rst log house in the township, anil uns the founder of the village of Steubenville, once a candidate for the seul of justice, bul now defunel. The first farm house in this tonnship WYILy huilt by Abner Winsor, who came from Neir York, in 1856.

Olsego Township was first seilled by Julin Fre, u ho came from Ohio, in 1885. The first avltler in Clear Lake Township was Jalin Russell, who came in 183G Ele also came from Ohio.

THE FIRST COURTS.

The first session of The Steuben County Circuit Court was held al the Imuse of Carbelius Gilmore, and ndjournel lo Thal of Thomas Gale, in Angoln. The Hon. Charles W. Ewing was the Presiding Judge, and opened his courl on Ihr 12th of April, 1838. Samuel Tullle and Thomne Gnle were Associate Judges.

The organizaliun of the county may be coparlered as dating from June IG, 1837, At which lime the Commissioners hield their first meeting. Al the session of Ibe Commissioners held March, 1838, the following citizens were drawn, from which list ivas made up the first grand jury . James Johnson, Daniel Roberis, Timothy Kimball, Hunnibal Frink, John Carter, Abner Davis, Alenzo P. Clark, John Barnard, William Wilder, Ass Murphy, John Wilson, David Robinson, Samuel Bangs, Whiting P. Squires, Eraslus Farn- ham, Theron Storrs, Jnmes Perfect and John Wrlib.

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Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 95

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

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