USA > Indiana > Indiana : in relation to its geography, statistics, institutions, county topography, etc. : with a "reference index" to Colton's maps of Indiana > Part 4
USA > Indiana > Indiana: in relation to its geography, statistics, institutions, county topography, etc., with a "reference index" to Colton's maps of Indiana > Part 4
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ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS .- According to the census of 1850 there were in Indiana 1,892 churches of all sects, and the value of church property was set down at $1,499,713, which sum, of course, does not include the prin- cipal from which the salaries of the clergy are produced. The voluntary system of contributing according to one's means and inclination, is, in fact, the only source from which the temporalities of that class of the population are derived. There is here no state church, as in Europe, nor
47
ECCLESIASTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
are there churches endowed, as in some of the old cities, which date from the era of the colonies, and hence the minister of the gospel has to depend on his own talents or integrity, as also on individual liberality, for a " living."
The most numerous denomination is that of the Method- ist church. In 1850 it had two Conferences-those of Indi- ana and Northern Indiana. The Indiana Conference had 133 traveling, 4 superannuated, and 290 local preachers, and 35,481 church members; and connected with it were 340 Sabbath-schools, having 3,154 teachers, and 16,329 scholars. The Northern Indiana Conference had 122 traveling, 12 superannuated, and 269 local preachers, and 28,324 church members ; and connected therewith were 350 Sabbath-schools, with 2,974 teachers, and 16,667 scholars.
The Baptists rank next in point of numbers. In 1850 the Regular Baptists had 24 associations, 392 churches. 191 ordained ministers, 47 licensed ministers, and 18,311 church members. During the year last past they had 1,148 baptisms. The Anti-Mission Baptists had 7 associa- tions, 104 churches, 42 ordained ministers, 8 licensed ministers, and 3,870 members. The minor Baptist sects are also numerous.
The Presbyterians (O. S.) have 2 synods. The Indiana synod has 5 presbyteries, 64 ministers, 104 churches, and 5,288 members. The Northern Indiana synod has 4 presbyteries, 31 ministers, 55 churches, and 1,927 mem- bers.
The Presbyterians (N. S.) have 1 synod, 7 presbyteries, 101 churches, 66 ministers, and 4,400 members ; and there are churches belonging to the Cumberland, Associate, Associate Reformed, and other Presbyterian sects.
The Congregationalists have 9 parishes and 8 ministers, and the Unitarian Congregationalists a church at Can- nelton.
48
INDIANA.
The Universalists have a state convention, 10 associa- tions, 60 societies, 18 meeting houses, and 32 preachers. They support a high-school at Patriot, two periodicals de- voted to their religious views, and a missionary and tract society.
The Society of Friends and the Moravian Brethren have also several stations ; the former are pretty numerous ; and all the minor sectaries known to Christianity have more or less standing room in the state.
With regard to the Roman Catholic and Protestant Epis- copal Church, neither can be said to be numerous. The Roman Church is comprised within the diocese of Vin- cennes, and in 1850 had 77 church edifices, 38 priests in the ministry, 2 religious communities for females, a liter- ary institution for young men, 6 female academies, and 2 orphan asylums. The Catholic population is from 45,000 to 50,000. The Protestant Episcopalians are supervised by the Bishop of Indiana, the sce of whose diocese is La- fayette. This church comprises 21 clergy, 269 families, 549 communicants, and its population may be estimated at 3,400.
HISTORY .- The French from Canada were the first white men that invaded the wilderness of Indiana. The northern part of the state, as at present bounded, was visited by La Salle and Father Hennepin in 1690, and soon afterward mission stations and trading posts were established on the banks of the Wabash. Little is known of the history of these, but it is on record that the river here named was used by the French as one of the thoroughfares between their possessions in Canada and those in Louisiana. The downfall of Quebec sealed also the fate of the posts on the Wabash, and by the treaty of 1763 the whole country east of the Mississippi was ceded to England, and after the struggle of the Revolution it became a part of the United
GOVERNORS OF INDIANA. 49
States of America. The first settlers (except the French on the Wabash) were from Virginia, and located them- selves at Clarksville in 1786. At this period Indiana formed a part of the "Territory northwest of the Ohio." Its present limits were defined in 1809, when it was erected into a separate territory, and in 1816 it became an inde- pendent state of the Union.
GOVERNORS OF INDIANA.
Territorial Governors.
Arthur St. Clair (Governor of Territory N. W. of the Ohio) William H. Harrison. 1801
Thomas Posey 1812
Governors under the Constitution.
Jonathan Jennings, 1816
Jonathan Jennings, (2d term) 1819
William Hendricks. 1822
James B. Ray, (acting) Feb.1825
James B. Ray. 1825
James B. Ray, (2d term) 1828
Noah Noble. 1831
Noah Noble, (2d term)
1834
David Wallace 1837
Samuel Bigger. 1840
James Whitcomb. 1843
James Whitcomb, (2d term) 1846
Joseph A. Wright. 1849
5
COUNTY SEATS :
THEIR DISTANCES FROM INDIANAPOLIS.
County Seats.
Counties.
Miles.
County Seats.
Counties.
Miles.
Albion
Noble
125 NE
Levenw'rth
Crawford
126 S
Anderson ..
Madison
34 NE
Liberty ...
Union
68 E
Angola
Steuben
152 NE
Logansport
Cass.
70 N
Auburn.
De Kalb
134 NE
Madison
Jefferson
86 SE
Bedford
Lawrence
75 SW
Marion
Grant
68 NE
Bloomfield
Greene
80 SW
Martinsville
Morgan
31 SW
Bloomingtn
Monroe
51 S
Monticello .
White
82 NW
Bluffton
Wells
101 NE
Mt Vernon.
Posey
198 SW
Booneville
Warrick
170 SW
Munciet'wn
Delawar
58 NE
Bowling Gr
Clay
60 SW
Nashville
Brown
40 S
Brookville .
Franklin
70 SE
New Albany
Floyd.
86 S
Brownsto'n
.Jackson.
70 S
New Castle.
Henry
47 NE
Centerville
Wayne.
64 E
New Port . .
Vermilion
75 W
Charleston.
Clarke
106 SE
Noblesville.
Hamilton
21 NE
Columbia ..
Whitley
105 NE
Oxford
Benton.
95 NW
Columbus
Bartholomew
41 SE
Paoli
Orange
98 S
Connersv'le Fayette
62 E
Peru
Miami
68 N
Corydon ..
Harrison
120 S
Petersburg.
Pike
118 SW
Covington
Fountain
75 NW
Plymouth ..
Marshall
114 N
Crawfordsv
Montgomery
48 NW
Portland.
Jay
94 NE
Crown P'int
Lake
145 NW
Princeton ..
Gibson
146 SW
Danville
Hendricks ..
20 W
Rensselaer .
Jasper
106 NW
Decatur
Adams
110 NE
Rising Sun.
Ohio
96 SE
Delphi ...
Carroll
65 NW
Rochester ..
Fulton.
92 N
Dover Hill
Martin
106 SW
Rockport
Spencer
139 SW
Evansville
Vanderburg
180 SW
Rockville
Parke
60 W
Fort Wayne
Allen
112 NE
Rome
Perry
126 S
Frankfort.
Clinton
41 NW
Rushville
Rush
42 SE
Franklin .
Johnson
20 SE
Salem
Washington
90 S
Goshen .
Elkhart
132 N
Shelbyville.
Shelby
26 SE
Greencastle
Putnam
40 SW
South Bend St. Joseph .
141 N
Greenfield .
Hancock
20 E
Spencer
Owen
53 SW
Greensburg
Decatur.
55 SE
Sullivan
Sullivan
127 SW
Hartford ..
Blackford
75 NE
Terre Haute
Vigo
73 W
Huntington
Huntington
100 NE
Tipton.
Tipton
42 N
Valparaiso.
Porter
162 NW
LIS
Marion
Vernon .
Jennings
66 S
Jasper
Dubois
120 SW
Versailles.
Ripley
71 SE
Knox.
Starke
92 NW
Vevay
Switzerland.
96 SE
Kokomo
Howard
51 N
Vincennes
Knox
120 SW
Lafayette
Tippecanoe.
63 NW
Wabash
Wabash.
92 NE
La Grange
La Grange
101 N
Warsaw
Kosciusko.
109 NE
La Porte.
La Porte ..
148 NW
Washingt'n
Daviess
106 SW
Lawrenceb.
Dearborn
97 SE
Winchester
Warren
74 NW
Lebanon ...
Boone
28 NW
Williamsp't
Randolph ..
92 NE
Lexington
Scott
85 SE
Winnamac.|
Pulaski
98 NW
INDIANAPO-
X
COUNTY TOPOGRAPHY.
ADAMS county, organized 1836, contains 336 square miles, and is bounded north by Allen, east by the Ohio state line, south by Jay, and west by Wells. It is drained in the north by St. Mary's river, and in the south by the Wabash, both navigable for keel and flat boats, but now obstructed by mill dams. The surface is generally level, but near the rivers above named it is undulating. About thirty or forty sections are occupied by wet prairie, the source of numerous creeks and river bottoms ; the residue is upland, heavily timbered. The soil is a marly clay, and very fertile. Oak, hickory, buckeye, ash, beech, elm, linden, walnut, sycamore, poplar, cottonwood, etc., are the prevailing growths. Wheat, corn, and hay, form the sta- ple agricultural products, and horses, cattle, and hogs are raised in considerable numbers for export. In 1850 the county contained 1,002 dwellings and families, 5,797 in- habitants, 574 farms, and 11 productive establishments. DECATUR, on the west side of St. Mary's river, is the county seat.
ALLEN county, organized 1824, contains 672 square miles, and is bounded north by Noble and De Kalb, east by the Ohio state line, south by Adams and Wells, and west by Whitley and Huntington. The county is well water- ed, and has numerous fine mill streams. Little river and Aboite rise in the west, and, uniting near the county line, fall into the Wabash ; and the St. Joseph's and St. Mary's
X
52
INDIANA. D
from Ohio unite at Fort Wayne, and form the Maumee, which, after a northeasterly course, falls into Lake Erie. These were formerly navigable in high water, but are now used only for mill purposes. Bee creek, in the southwest, Crooked creek in the east, and Cedar creek in the north, afford also considerable power. The surface is level and well timbered; there are, however, some wet prairies, but these may be easily drained. The soils are excellent; near the streams they consist chiefly of a sandy loam, and in the interior of clay intermixed with marl, well adapted for cereal agriculture. In the northwest are numerous oak openings or barrens. The timber consists of oak, beech, walnut, buckeye, maple, ash, hickory, etc. In 1850 the county contained 3,097 dwellings, 3,109 families, 16,919 inhabitants, 1,300 farms, and 127 productive estab- lishments. FORT WAYNE is the county seat.
BARTHOLOMEW county, organized 1821, contains 405 square miles, and is bounded north by Johnson and Shel- by, east by Decatur and Jennings, south by Jennings and Jackson, and west by Brown. The principal streams are Driftwood, or the east fork of White river, Flat Rock creek, and Clifty creek, the bottom lands of which occupy one fourth part of the county. The surface, except in the west, where the country is hilly and broken, is generally level or undulating, and the growths are walnut, blue ash, sugar-maple, etc. In the bottoms and level lands the soil is a rich alluvion, mixed with disintegrated limestone aad gravel. The more hilly parts have a clay soil, and there the oak, hickory, beech, etc., grow luxuriantly. The agricultural capabilities of the county are not surpassed anywhere, and, with the exception of some small extent of bog, on the inner margins of the bottoms, there is no ir- reclaimable land within its limits. In the neighborhood of White river and its tributaries the country is a perfect
53
COUNTY TOPOGRAPHY.
paradise. The products of agriculture exported from Bartholomew annually exceed in value half a million dol- lars. In 1850 there were in the county 2,149 dwellings, 2,160 families, 12,428 inhabitants, 1,249 farms, and 49 productive establishments. COLUMBUS, on the east bank of the Driftwood, just below the mouth of Flat Rock creek, is the county seat.
BENTON county, organized 1840, contains 360 square miles, and is bounded north by Jasper, east by White and Tippecanoe, south by Warren, and west by the Illinois state line. The principal streams are Big and Little Pine creeks, which, after uniting, fall into the Wabash ; and Su- gar creek, which flows west into the Illinois, all of which have good motive-power. The surface is level or undu- lating, three fifths of the whole being prairie, and the resi- due timbered land and barrens nearly in equal proportion. The prairies are mostly dry and exceedingly rich. The principal growths in the timber region are oak, walnut, ash, sugar-tree, hackberry, pawpaw, etc. The staples of agriculture are corn, wheat, and oats, and the raising of cattle and hogs is much attended to. Mount Nebo and Mount Gilbo are noted mounds in the north part of the county. In 1850 the county contained 180 dwellings and families, 1,144 inhabitants, and 149 farms. OXFORD, on the Lafayette and Chicago road, 20 miles from the former place, is the county seat.
BLACKFORD county, organized 1837, contains 169 square miles, and is bounded north by Wells, east by Jay, south by Delaware, and west by Grant. The surface is generally level, but in some parts gently undulating, and the soils are excellent for farming purposes. It is water- ed by the Salamonie creek and Lick creek, the former a fine mill stream, and except a few wet prairies, the coun- try, in its natural state, was heavily timbered with oak,
54
INDIANA.
ash, beech, poplar, sugar-tree, walnut, hickory, and cher- ry. The surplus produce of the lands and a considerable number of horses, cattle, and hogs are annually exported. In 1850 the county contained 514 dwellings and families, 2,860 inhabitants, 306 farms, and 6 productive establish- ments. HARTFORD, on Lick creek, a branch of Missis- sinewa river, is the county seat.
BOONE county, organized 1830, contains 408 square miles, and is bounded north by Clinton, east by Hamilton, south by Marion and Hendricks, and west by Montgomery. The prevailing soil is a black loam, several feet deep, rest- ing on a stratum of clay, and in some places of sand or coarse gravel ; it is very fertile and productive. No part of the state is better timbered, and only a small portion is open prairie. The crops are very large, and a consider- able surplus is annually exported. Boone county is sit- uated on the ridge or dividing swamps between White river and the Wabash, and contains the sources of Eagle creek, White Lick, and Walnut Fork of Eel river, which empty into the former, and of Big Racoon and Sugar creeks, which empty into the latter. None of the streams within the county, however, are of much importance as mill seats, being sluggish, and in the dry season of in- sufficient volume. Game is very abundant, and in former times hunting was the chief employment of the inhab- itants. In 1850 the county contained 1,914 dwellings, 1,936 families, 11,631 inhabitants, 1,393 farms, and 28 productive establishments. LEBANON, on the state road from Indianapolis to Lafayette, is the county seat.
BROWN county, organized 1836, contains 320 square miles, and is bounded north by Morgan and Johnson, east by Bartholomew, south by Jackson, and west by Mon- roe. The surface generally is hilly, but about one third part of it consists of fertile valleys and rich bottoms. The
55
COUNTY TOPOGRAPHY.
timber on the hills is white and chestnut oak, hickory, etc., and in the bottoms walnut, poplar, sugar, hackberry, cherry, buckeye, elm, etc. Corn and hemp grow well in the bottoms; wheat, oats, and grass on the hills. Salt creek, the principal stream, and its tributaries, and Bear Blossom creek, carry off the surplus waters. In 1850 the county contained 790 dwellings, 805 families, 4,846 in- habitants, 535 farms, and 5 productive establishments NASHVILLE is the county seat.
CARROLL county, organized 1828, contains 376 square miles, and is bounded north by White and Cass, east by Cass and Howard, south by Clinton, and west by Tippe- canoe and White. The surface is generally level, but un- dulates considerably along the Wabash, Tippecanoe, and Wild Cat, which are its principal streams. Four fifths of the country was originally forest land, heavily timbered with oak, walnut, poplar, beech, and sugar-tree; the re- mainder is dry prairie. The soil is a rich loam, well adapted for the cereals, etc., and these, with horses, cattle, and hogs are largely exported. The Wabash river and the Wabash and Erie canal, which cross this county, fur- nish great facilities for trade, and the streams generally may be used as mill seats. With such facilities the county has prospered wonderfully. In 1850 it contained 1,909 dwellings and families, 11,015 inhabitants, 1,129 farms, and 79 productive establishments. DELPHI, on Deer creek, one mile from the Wabash, and on the Wabash and Erie canal, is the county seat.
CASS county, organized 1829, contains 420 square miles, and is bounded north by Pulaski and Fulton, east by Miami, south by Howard and Carroll, and west by Carroll and White. The borders of the Wabash and Eel rivers are hilly or undulating, the other parts of the country level. All the south part is heavily-timbered bottoms or
56
VIA INDIANA.
table-land, the center is mostly bottom or high bluff-land, and the north is principally prairie. The high timber- lands are exceedingly valuable, and suitable for every description of grain or grass, the prairie is most produc- tive of wheat crops, and the bottoms of those of corn. Considerable manufactures are carried on in the county, fostered by the valuable water-power afforded by the Wa- bash and Eel rivers, and also by Twelve Mile, Pipe, and Crooked creeks. Iron ore, building stone, etc., are abun- dant. In 1850 the county contained 1,863 dwellings, 1,881 familes, 11,021 inhabitants, 1,134 farms, and 108 produc- tive establishments. LOGANSPORT, at the junction of the Wabash and Eel rivers, and on the Wabash and Erie canal, is the county seat.
CLARK county, organized 1801, contains 400 square miles, and is bounded north by Scott and Jefferson, east and south by the Ohio river, and west by Floyd and Washington. The surface is usually rolling but not hilly, except the bluffs bordering on the Ohio and its tributaries, Silver creek and Fourteen Mile creek, with others less important, drain the lands. A singular chain of hills termed " Knobs," form the northwest and west boundary of the county-these are crowned with fine forest growths, and are the only portions which are out of the reach of cultivation. In the neighborhood of the Ohio the soil has a calcareous basis, and is equal to the best bottoms in productiveness ; in the back country the land is more in- clined to be wet, and the soils are better adapted to grasses than to cereal agriculture. The arts and manufactures have made good progress in this county. In 1850 the county contained 2,757 dwellings, 2,807 families, 15,822 inhabitants, 1,048 farms, and 88 productive establish- ments. CHARLESTOWN, situated two miles and a half from the Ohio river, thirteen miles above the falls, is the county
57
COUNTY TOPOGRAPHY.
seat. JEFFERSONVILLE, opposite Louisville, is the most important city, being the south terminus of the Jefferson- ville and Indianapolis railroad.
CLAY county, organized 1825, contains 360 square miles, and is bounded north by Parke, east by Putnam and Owen, south by Greene, and west by Sullivan and Vigo. Eel river and its branches, Birch, Otter, Cross, and Jordan creeks, are the only streams of consequence within its lim- its. The surface is generally level ; it has a fair portion of good land, mostly heavily timbered, and in the south- west are some beautiful prairies. Coal and iron ore are abundant and easy of access. The exports are wheat, cattle, and hogs. The Terre Haute and Indianapolis rail- road passes through this county. In 1850 the county contained 1,326 dwellings and families, 7,944 inhabitants, 829 farms, and 10 productive establishments. BOWLING- GREEN, on the east side of Eel river, is the county seat.
CLINTON county, organized 1830, contains 432 square miles, and is bounded north by Carroll, east by Tipton and Hamilton, south by Boone, and west by Tippecanoe. , The principal streams are the middle and south forks of the Wild-Cat river, Sugar creek, and some of lesser im- portance. The surface, except near and on the banks of the Wild-Cat, is level ; and the whole, with the exception of some small prairies, is heavily timbered. The soil is mostly alluvial, with a clay bottom. The pasturage is everywhere excellent, and the crops of wheat heavy. Horses, cattle, hogs, and wheat are largely exported. The Indianapolis and Lafayette railroad passes through the southwest part of the county. In 1850 there were in Clinton 2,001 dwellings, 2,091 families, 11,869 inhabitants, 1,411 farms, and 21 productive establishments. FRANK- FORT, on the west side of Prairie Branch, is the county seat.
58
INDIANA. 3
CRAWFORD county, organized 1818, contains 320 square miles, and is bounded north by Orange and Washington, east by Harrison, south by the Ohio river, southwest and west by Perry and Dubois. The surface is very uneven and broken, and the soil, except near the river, is of an indifferent character. Oak and poplar are the prevailing natural growths ; the agricultural productions are wheat, corn, potatoes, tobacco and grass. Lumber is the princi- pal export, but considerable quantities of pork and flour and some beef cattle are sent to the southern markets. Coal and iron abound in the western districts. The Great Blue river washes the eastern border of the county, and affords valuable water-power. Near this stream, four miles from Levenworth, is a large cave, which has been explored more than two miles, without reaching its termi- nation. The floor of this cave, as well as some others ex- isting in this county, was covered with crystallized salts when first discovered. Little Blue river and Oil creek also traverse this county. In 1850 Crawford county con- tained 1,027 dwellings and families, 6,524 inhabitants, 540 farms, and 33 productive establishments. LEVEN- WORTH, on the Ohio, at the Horse Shoe Bend, is the county seat.
DAVIESS county, organized 1817, contains 420 square miles, and is bounded north by Greene, east by Martin, south by the east fork of White river, which separates it from Dubois and Pike, and west by the west fork, which separates it from Knox. The northeast part of the county is rolling and heavily timbered; the northwest level, and interspersed with prairies and skirts of timber ; the cen- ter is generally level, and what is usually called barrens ; and the south and east undulating and heavily timbered. Interspersed with oak, hickory, gum, etc., are occasional districts, containing from 1,000 to 5,000 acres of walnut,
59
COUNTY TOPOGRAPHY.
hackberry, ash and sugar-tree, and others of beech growth generally, the soil varying, as is usual, among such tim- ber in this region. The county contains every variety of soil, from a sandy to a pure clay. The White river bottoms have a rich black loam, in some places partly sandy, and were originally timbered. The principal products are corn wheat, rye, oats, hay, and potatoes, and the stock raised of hogs, cattle, and horses. The county has immense water- power, and White river affords steamboat navigation for half the year. The whole county may be considered ex- cellent farming land. The Central canal passes north and south, and the railroad from Cincinnati to Vincennes crosses it in the north, affording, together with its navi- gable rivers, great facilities to commerce. In 1850 it con- tained 1,803 dwellings and families, 10,352 inhabitants, 1,221 farms, and 11 productive establishments. WASHING- TON, four miles east of White river, on the macadamized road from New Albany to Vincennes, twenty miles from the latter place, is the county seat.
DEARBORN county, organized 1821, contains 308 square miles, and is bounded north by Franklin, east by the Ohio State line and Ohio river, south by Ohio, and west by Ripley. The principal streams, besides the Ohio, are the Great Miami and White Water rivers, and Laughery, Tanner's, and Hogan's creeks. The bottoms of the Ohio, Miami, and White river, and the west and northwest parts of the county are level or slightly undulatory ; the resi- due is broken and hilly. In the hollows and on the hills the soil is a rich loam, and throughout the lands are very productive. Corn, wheat, and pork are the great staples, which are largely exported, and flour is extensively manu- factured for market. Manufactures of various kinds are also carried on. In 1850 the county contained 3,549 dwellings, 3,602 families, 20,166 inhabitants, 1,520 farms,
60
INDIANA.
and 72 productive establishments. White Water canal, also the Lawrenceburg and Indianapolis railroad and the Cincinnati and St. Louis railroad pass through this county. LAWRENCEBURG, on the Ohio, twenty-two miles below Cincinnati, and at the outlet of White Water canal, is the county seat.
DECATUR county, organized 1821, contains 380 square miles, and is bounded north by Rush, east by Franklin, south by Ripley and Jennings, and west by Bartholomew and Shelby. The surface is mostly level with gentle un- dulations, though on some of the streams it is hilly. The bottoms are rich though small; the soil of the upland is a rich black loam, and the timber consists of ash, poplar, walnut, sugar-tree, oak, and beech. In the east and south there is some flat wet land, but there is little surface that can be called waste land in the county. Considerable quantities of products are annually exported. Manufac- tures are rapidly progressing. Flat Rock, Clifty, and Sand creeks are the principal streams, all affording favor- able mill seats. The railroad from Lawrenceburg to In- dianapolis passes through the county in a northwest and southeast direction. In 1850 it contained 2,662 dwel- lings, 2,683 families, 15,107 inhabitants, 1,377 farms, and " 39 productive establishments. GREENSBURG, on the head waters of Sand creek and on the line of the Lawrenceburg and Indianapolis railroad, is the county seat.
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