Elkhart Township (part 4 of 5)

Reiiben WIntmer was born in IMorthumberland county, I'a., in 1833. Lie is the son of Benjamin Whitraer, and his mother's maiden name was Lydia Michael. Both parents were of German descent. About a year after Reuben first saw the light the family removed to Juniata valley. They remained there 10 or 15 years. "When Mr. Whitmer was IS years of age he began an apprenticeship to the wood-worker's trade in Lewistown, Pa. His education then consisted of what he had been able to acquire in the common schools. In 1861 he came to this State and landed in Bristol. At last he settled in Goshen, and soon after he was married to Miss Mary Hackenberg and they have had 5 sons. He embarked in the sash, blind and door business in 1866. He afterward took in a partner, Albert Yates, and still later "W". H. Yenamon boneht out the share owned b}' Mr. Yates, and Whitmer & Yenamon have since carried on the business. Their factory is the only one of the kind in Goshen, and they consequently have a thriving trade. They have a iine brick factory building on the hydraulic canal, tilled with excellent machinery. Mr. Whitmer is a Presbvterian, a Mason, and adheres to the Republican political faith.

Dr. William W. Wiclcham is one of the veteran physicians of Goshen. He was born at Onondaga Hill, Onondaga Co., E". Y., Auo-. 16, 1S20. His father's name was Allen Reynolds Wickham, and his mother's maiden name was Susan Starkweather. His father's ancestors were English, and his mother was of Scotch descent. His paternal grandfather was one of the Mayflower pilgrims, and therefore the Doctor can glory in being a scion of the Plymouth Eock stock. He seemed to be an enterprising boy at a tender age, for he was only nine when he left his father's house to seek his fortune in the wide and unfriendly world. He then was unable to read, not even knowing the letters of the alphabet. His first venture was at work on a farm in jSTiles township, Cayuga Co., IST. Y. At 16 years of age he apprenticed himself to the carpenter and joiner's trade, and thus labored for three years, studying medical books in the evenings. After he began to work at his trade on his own account, he continued to study medicine. In 1843 we find liim in Ohio, where he continued to work at his trade. He practiced medicine for a period in Ohio under the direction of his preceptors, Drs. Johnson and Price, of jSfew Haven, Huron Co. He finally moved to Goshen, Indiana, and began medical practice here in 1847. He has continued to practice here since that time, a period of 33 years.

Dr. Wickham has been married to four wives. The wife of his youth was Miss Lydia A. Rogers, by whom he had 2 daughters, both of whom are now living. The younger is married to Dr. Wm. B. Krider, of Goshen; the elder is" still single. The first wife died of consumption, after living with her husband seven years. After his bereavement the Doctor remained single for three years, when he was married to Miss Anna Reiley, wh'^) died of dropsy, after about eiglit years of wedded life. Two children were born of this union; the first a daughter, Mary Eliza; the second a son, William Allen Reynolds. The son began reading medicine with his father at the age of 15, and graduated at the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College at the age of 19. He practiced a short tiDie, and is now in Chicago. After the death of his second wife Dr. Wickham married Miss Amanda E. Wood worth, daughter of IraB. Woodworth, of Middlebury, Elkhart Co. The ceremony was performed while the lady was enduring her last illness; she, seeing that her days were drawing to a close, with touching constancy and devotion requesting of her affianced that the contract of marriage be ratiiied on the appointed day, so that she might die the wife of Dr. Wickham. Her disease finally terminated in a brain fever, which was the cause of her death. After a lapse of time the Doctor was again married, to Miss Emma L. Kendall, which was in 1S65.

The fruit of this last union was a daughter, who has developed a wonderful genius for music; in fact, she is a musical prodigv. At three years of age she astonished her parents by stepping to the piano and playing a tune without the slightest instruction. That was the initiative of a remarkable unfolding of musical proficiency. About three years ago she clamored for a violin, and at length her father procured one for her. She seized it with eager hands and immediately displayed wonderful facility in performing- upon it. She was instructed by Prof. J. B. Henry Van der Velpen, and after three months' tuition she played the overture "William Tell " to very near perfection. After taking lessons a year of the Professor she was taken to Cincinnati by her parents, and was interviewed by Theodore Thomas and Yacobson, both of whom were astonished at the manifestation of her musical genius. They urged her parents to place her under tuition in Cincinnati, but the Doctor informed them that, as he was then situated, he could not possibly afford the money to defray the necessary expense. So enthusiastic were the two great musical instructors that they offered to give her tuition gratuitously. The offer was accepted and the young prodigy entered upon a course at the conservatory. She has remained there one year, and has made wonderful progress. Pemenyi has seen her, and, after witnessing one of her performances on the violin, declared that, considering her age, only 12 years, her equal could not be found in Europe or America. She even now plays in the best orchestras of Cincinnati, with the oldest musicians. The world will soon have a new musical sensation in the performances of Miss Wickham.

Dr. Wickham's present wife was a daughter of Emanuel Kendall, of Mansfield, Ohio. Her parents died wlien she was only 1:^ years of age; she at that age was placed in " College Hill Seminary, " was there six 3'ears and graduated at IS years. She is a fine pianist. Mrs. Wickham's grandparents on both sides were natives of Germany.

The Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Master Mason. Politically, he is a Greenbacker. In 1863 he was called by Gov. Morton to go to Stone river to act as a surgeon for the relief of those who suft'ered from the battle there. He had charge of hospital No. 14 during that service. Of late years the

Doctor's life course has been eveu, bis time being devoted to his lara;e practice. Latterl}' he lias associated with himself Dr. Albert J. Irwin, a yonng physician of ability and reputation, and only thus is Dr. AVickham able to manage his large practice.

Susan Wogoinan is the earliest representative now living among the pioneer settlers of Elkhart county. She was born Sept. 9, 1S06, in Adams county, Ohio. She, with her first husband, John ifickeson. left Nobleville, Hamilton Co., Ind., JSTov. 12, 1827, and reached Pleasant Plain Dec. 1. They came with an ox team and wagon bearing their household goods, one barrel of flour, two bushels of corn-meal, tea, cotfee, etc., to last one and a half years. There was snow on the ground, which obscured the wagon track of the five families that had previously gone through from Ft. Wayne, but they traced their way by the blazed trees. Though undisturbed by Indians and other mishaps that often befall pioneer travelers, yet the}' experienced the hardships of emigrant fare. They were obliged to build fires, gather boughs, and scrape away the snow for their night camping, and once, when five miles in the wilderness, the king-bolt of the wagon broke and Mr. Nickeson was obliged to go back that distance and get it mended, while his wife built a fire, and with babe and cows for company spent the long hours of the day. For iO miles she walked and drove three cows, and much of the time carried the baby. They settled on the east side of Pleasant Plain, on nice prairie land, built a comfortable cabin, plowed the land and raised vegetables. Wild game was plentiful. Other settlers began to come in, and the prospect was a pleasant home, after the usual pioneer hardships. In 1829 Col. Brown was surveying in the county, and they paid hiiii §S to run the section lines, which, when completed, divided all the land they had taken between the Indian reservation and the school section. After this they were allowed to remain only by paying rent, thus losing all their labor in breaking the land.

They then removed to Kosciusko county, to get where there was prairie, and taking up a claim, lived there about two years, when a man appeared and swore that he had cultivated one corner of the section, and again they were thrown out of two years' hard labor and, what is so dear to every heart, a permanent home. They then went on to Iowa, remaining a few years, but affairs did not prosper and they returned to Elkhart county to an SO-acre lot they had purchased before going to Kosciusko county.

The early settlers in these days enjoyed life, felt less of want and more of satisfaction than came to some of them in their latter days. There was no written law or preached gospel, but in many cases they lived more peacefully and religiously than now when court-houses and churches dot the county like trees in an orchard. Religious meetings were held from cabin to cabin occasionally, and in 1830 two preachers of the Christian denomination held a service, and ultimately a Church of that faith was established. For a year or more Mrs. Nickeson meditated on the duty of professing a belief in God Almighty and joining liis visible Church. Many hindrances were in the way, but Feb. 12, 1832, she rode on horseback nine miles, forded a river filled with floating ice, and on the next day was immersed and became connected with the Church of which she has ever since been a consistent member.

In 18il John ]Nickeson died, leaving her a widow with several small children. In 1842 she married Jacob Wogoman, and had by him 2 children. In these early days Indians were plentiful, but they suifered no loss save once: One day an Indian and two squaws came to her when husking corn, traded muslin and calico for corn, wishing to sit by her cabin fire to shell it. When they left she thought their bags too fall, and on examining the house she found they had been to the pork barrel, taken a shoulder and side meat, some meal, and linen thread which she had spun and bleached ready for use. They were pursued, but an Indian encampment being within a few miles, further chase was deemed unsafe.

Like a thrifty pioneer that she was, she had a small iiock of sheep, but they must be confined in a rail pen for fear of the wolves, and often she chased tlie hungry pack away from the pen where they were gnawing and scratching for a taste of mutton. Tlie hog and nine pigs were missing one day, when she followed and found wolf tracks and six pigs gone; the remainder she succeeded in driving home again.

Mrs. Wogoman enjoyed no advantages of education, but her mother wit was such that rarely any designing person got the better of a bargain. One instance we will give, though many might be recorded. While a widow, a neighboring man hired her horse for 25 cents a day and kept him till he owed her $6. He died, and his son, a lawyer, settled the estate and paid her $3 in merchandise. She often asked him for the remainder, and at last he came to pay it. He demanded a receipt. She said, " Write it and I will sign it." It was so done, and he handed her $2, and then triumphantly carried oft' the receipt for $3! After this he avoided her. Time passed, she needed the money, yet could not collect it. She wrote a plain, concise statement of fact, and to which she could give oath, handed it to Dr. Ellis, then editor of the Democrat, saying if a man would serve a poor widow like that he deserved to have the story carried as far as the papers went. The Doctor said if the man did not pay he would publish it; but the delinquent soon appeared and found his creditor digging potatoes in the field. He rode up by the fence and called out, Here's your money." She replied, without moving, " You can keep it," and he again said, " Come and get your money," while she answered, -' If you can live and keep it I can live without it. You are a big lawyer in fine clothes and I am a poor widow with a baby and small children to support. I was not raised in the woods to be scared by an owl, and if you cheat me out of much you must get up before daylight." He passed her seven shillings, and the remainder is unpaid to this day.

The hardships of pioneers are of a peculiar kind and develop hard}', rugged virtues. They beget kindly feelings and hearty sympathy with one another, for which the more complicated customs of civilized society and an abundance of wealth sometimes fail to furnish an equivalent.

Hon. William Allan Woods was born near Farmington, Marshall Co., Tenu., May 16. 1837. June 16, 1837, his father, Allan Newton Woods, was buried, who was a student in theology, preparing for the Presbyterian ministry. His mother {uee Ewing), left without dower or estate, was compelled for several years to support herself and children (two daughters, besides an older son than our subject) by the use of needle and loom. The ancestry on both sides (including in the various branches the names of Blair, Caldwell, Dawson, Donaldson, Leeper and McCleary) was of Scotch- Irish extraction, the tirst of them in this country having conre over from Ireland about 1760, and settled in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

In 181r± the mother of our subject married Capt. John J. Miller, who in the spring of 181:7 removed with his family to Iowa, and settled on a farm near Troy, Davis Co. In the fall of the next year Mr. Miller died, leaving Allan (so he was called at home) the only reliance of his mother, to condnct and work the farm, which he did with fair success for two years or more. At the age of 14, his mother having married again, and not to his liking, he left home, to make his own way in the world. For a year and a half he had employment with a steam saw and grisj; mill company, driving ox-team, haulino- logs, and doing all kinds of work in and about the mill, at $12 per month, one half of which went for board, washing and mending, and yet he saved money, never using tobacco or intoxicating liquor. Next for a few months, he "clerked in a store," being entrusted with the conduct of a branch store. Always identifying himself with tlie interests of his employers, his judgment was often consulted and followed.

In his earlier years he had attended a few terras of common school, and had made nnusual, but necessarily limited, progress. He developed an early taste, a passion, indeed, for reading, but had the use of very few books.* At li he read Shakspeare with great delight, and about the same time the ''Wandering Jew,'^ which was his tirst novel. In 1853 the Troy Academ.y was founded, and he became one of its first pupils. He subscribed a small sum ($5) toward the erection of the Academic building, and, unable to spare the money, '' worked it out" by carrying hod for the plasterers. Promised by a friend the loan of the money to pay his way through college, he entered vigorously upon his preparatory studies, paying his way in the academy bj' services as assistant teacher. During this time he was the Chief of the Lodge of Good Templars, at Troy, and in the winter of 1854-'5 went as delegate from that lodge to Iowa City, and there helped organize the Grand Lodge of that order for the State, and was elected one of the officers of that body.

In September, 1855, he was matriculated as a Freshman in Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Iiid., and at once was recognized as one of the most laborions and promising- students. He very soon achieved leadership in his debating society. Easily mastering the regular course of study and taking besides such optional studies as were allowed, he gave much time to reading, especially in history and metaphysics. Graduating with his class in 1859, he was employed for the next year as tutor in the college and received from the examining committee special commendation of his class in history. In the fall of 1860 he was employed to teach in a collegiate school in Marion, Ind., and continued in that work until the news of the battle of Bull Kun broke up the school.

He then enlisted and made preparations to go into the army, but, by an accidental fall into a stone quarry (on the farm of Sterns Fisher, near Wabash, Ind. ), received such an injury of foot and ankle as to disable him for the service.

Before graduating from college he had read Blackstone, with reference to his choice of professions; and having chosen the law, had pursued, while teaching, a course of legal studies, and Feb. 30, 1S61, had been admitted to the Bar of the Grant Circuit Court, then presided over by Judge Biddle, now one of the Snpreme Judges. Continuing his legal studies, he served as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at the Febrnary term, 1S62, of said court, and then removed to Goshen, arriving March 17, 1862. He came an entire stranger, having neither kindred nor acquaintance in the county. The war had prostrated business and, still burdened with the debt of money borrowed while in school, his prospects were not encouraging; but his abundant time was improved to advantage by hard study. Confidence was soon won and with it helpful friendship. On the recommendation of Dr. E. W. H. Ellis, he was appointed Provost Marshal for the county to conduct the draft of 1862, and as such had the collection, without giving bond or security, of near !p20,000 from the "conscientious exempts" from the draft; and afterward had the refunding of this money to those of whom it had been exacted. The faithful execution of this trust established his reputation for integrity.

Within half a dozen years he had reached the front rank of lawyers in ITorthern Indiana and held his place with increasing success and reputation until raised to the Bench of the 34th Judicial Circuit. In 1866 he was elected Representative in the Legislature and was known as "a working member," originating many, and securing the passage of several measures, - among them a bill to regulate railway freight charsres, perhaps the first measure to pass in any Legislature in the direction of what was afterward known as the Granger movement. (This bill was defeated by a veto.) He was practically the leader of the opposition to schemes of legislative jobbery and corruption.

Since Oct. 22, 1873, he has served upon the Circuit Bench with eminent success and acceptability. In 1878 he was nominated and re-elected without opposition, and having but fairly entered on his second term as Circuit Judge, June ] 7, 1S80, received the nomination of the Kepublican party of the State for a place on the Supreme Bench as the successor of Judge Biddle, and his nomination having been ratiiied by an election, he will, if spared in life and health, be entitled to take his seat on that Bench on the first Monday in January, 1S81.

From boyhood he has been intensely opposed to the institution of human slavery, as indeed was his father before him, and his stepfather, Capt. Miller, and on this account was disinherited by his Grandfather Woods, who died Oct. 28, 1851, leaving his estate and negroes to those who, or whose parents, had not antagonized his pro-slavery views and prejudices. While borrowing money to pay his way in college, he insisted upon and accomplished the manumission and bringing to the free North of a negro boy to whom he and his sisters had become heirs, declaring his readiness and purpose to leave college and abandon hope of a professional career rather than go on by the aid of the price of a human being sold as a slave. His share of the sum offered for the boy would have paid well nigh a year's expenses in school.

In his youth Judge Woods became a member of the Presbytei"ian Church at Troy, and has always maintained an attendance upon the services of that denomination.

He was married Dec. 6, 1S70, to Miss Mata A. Newton, daughter of lion. A. Newton, ex-Mayor of DesMoines, Iowa, and gi-anddaughter on her mother's side of Gen. Wm. B. Mitchell, a wellknown pioneer of this county, and who was the Government agent for the removal of the Indians from this vicinity, and represented the county in the State Senate. They have 2 children, Alice Newton, born "Nov. 22, 1871, and Floyd Allan, born Sept. 11, 1875.

Rev. Wm. H. Ziegler, Pastor of First Reformed Church, Goshen, was born in Cumberland county, Pa., Oct. 3, 1852. He was the son of Jonathan Ziegler, his mother's maiden name being Elizabeth Jacobs. His father was a farmer, and William was reared on the farm until the age of 17, and attended common school and thus fitted himself for teaching, a vocation which he began at the age of 17. He taught three terms, employing the time interveuing by attending the Normal School at Newberg, Pa. In the spring of 1873 he went to Chirke county, Ohio, and near Springfield taught another term. After this he went to the Theological school of Tiffin, Ohio, where he reuiained three years and completed his course of study. He was ordained to the ministry in 1876, and received a call soon after from the Goshen Reformed Congregation to become their Pastor. He accepted it and soon entered upon his labors. He has remained in this relation ever since. When he became Pastor of the Goshen Church it was a mission, and had but 12 members; now there are 75 members and a comfortable and commodious church. Mr. Ziegler is a Royal and Select Master Mason,a member of Bashor Council, No. 12,Goshen, and is a Republican in politics. He is also a member of a Good Templar Lodge. He is a man of excellent native quality, and has proved himself to be a very accep'table minister of the gosptd.

Source changes here: from A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Elkhart County, Indiana, by Deahl, Anthony, published 1905; 16,129 words in this source stream.

Elkhart Township

In contrast to her sister city of (ioslien, Elkhart mves its location more definitely to geographical position than to the fiat of a body 'A commissioners. The confluence of the St. Joseph an.d the I-llkhai-t rivers was the very kind of spot which would appeal to ])ioneers during the twenties and tliirties as an ideal site for a future metr<ipolis. Different considerations moved the men of that dav than would apjieal with especial force to the town-makers of the j^resent day. In truth, many towns founded befure the davs of railroads have since provetl so disadvantageousl)- located for the con\-enient approach of railrcjads that they have remained practicallv isolated from the main course of commerce, whose stream has found easier channels and left the old-time town to one side. But it has been the happy lot of Elkhart to be well situated both for the primitive times and for the progressive ])resent. and its history shows stable growth and prosperity throughout the seventy-five years of its existence.

Many facts concerning the early settlement of Elkhart ami \icinity have been set forth in an earlier chajjter, and- here we shall describe merely the chain of circumstance and event which led up to the substantial greatness of the Cit\- of the Forks. Chester Sage, at whose house it will be remembered was held the first court in Elkhart countw made settlement on the banks of the St. Joseph and erected a log caliin where for so many years has been the Beardsley place.

To Dr. Havilah Beardsley, of Ohio, belongs the title of " Father of Elkhart." From the Buckeye state he came some time alx)ut 1830, and with an eye for the useful and beautiful was captivated by the delightful region about the junction of the two rivers. In the way of his immediate occupation of the coveted land stood the Indian titles. for the Pottawottomies still sojourned in this vicinity and by rights of aboriginal possession as well as government guarantee claimed all this part of the state. After considerable negotiation Dr. Beardsley gained what he supposed was a vaHd title to tlie land on wliich has since grown up the city of Elkhart, although certain defects in the transaction caused a long series of litigations which were only settled in the supreme court of the United States. Without entering into these details, it will be mteresting to record the deed of sale l>y which Pierre Moran, or Peerish. a Pottawottomie chief, transferred to Dr. Beardsley the site of a future city. Thus runs the instrument in question : " This indenture made this twenty-first day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, between Pierre Moran, of the first part, and Havilah Beardsley, of the county of Elkhart and state of Indiana, of the second part. Witnesseth that whereas by the provisions of the thirtl article of a treaty made and crmcluded between commissioners of the United States and the Ottawas, Chippewas, and Pottawottomies, at Chicago, on the 29th day of August, 1821, one section of land to be located under the direction of the president of the United States was granted to the said Pierre jMoran at the mouth of Elkhart river, which land was not to be sold or conveyed without the consent of the president, and by the direction of the president section No. 5 in township 37 north, of range 5 east of the second principal meridian of the state of Indiana, was selected for, and has this day been sold by Pierre Moran to the abo\'e named Havilah Beardsley, for the sum of fifteen hundred dollars lawful money of the LTnited States, to him in hand paid, the recei]it whereof is hereby acknowledged.

" This indenture therefore witnesseth that in consiileration of the payment aforesaid and in conformity with the foregoing stipulations and approbation, the said Pierre Moran has given grant, Ijargained end sold and 1>y these presents doth give, grant, bargain and sell unto the said Havilah Beardslev, i)arty of the second part, the above described tract of land, to have and to hold the same with all his rights, privileges and immunities thereunto belonging, to the said Havilah Beardsley, his heirs and assigns forever."

This is duly signed, and in the course of the following year the presidential approbation of the transaction, signed with the hand of Andrew Jackson, arrived at Elkhart. It later came to light, however, that the Pottawottomie chief had been guilty of some double-dealing, having deeded the same section of land to Richard Godfrey of Michigan. After much litigation a compromise was effected, and Dr. Beardsley gave to Mr. Godfrey a large tract of land on the east side of the Elkhart,

At this point of our narrative we quote, as bearing directly upon the matters under immediate consideration and also as furnishing the reader a more intimate portrait of the man of wonderful energy and iron will who founded Elkhart, a life sketch of Mr. Beardsley, written a number of years ago and from close personal knowledge t>f the man and his work.

Havilah Beardsley was born at New Fairfield, Connecticut, April I' 1795- While a child, his parents moved to Ohio, then the western verge of civilization. He was one in a family of fourteen children, twelve boys and two girls, all healthy and vigorous. Times were hard, the family poor; so at an early age they voluntarily left home and sought self support by engaging in such industries as the country afforded, and were rewarded by eventually attaining good and honorable positions in life, a rare record containing no "black sheep." Beardsley's Prairie, Michigan, was named after Ezra, the oldest of the sons.

Havilah left iiis home when twehx years old and, with close application, rigid economy and self denial, managed to acquire a common school education, and in 1816 under the instruction of Professor Hill of Urbana, he commenced the study of medicine and in 1825 graduated from the Medical Department of the Transylvania University of Lexington, Ky.

After a few years of profitable practice at Leesburg-, Ohio, he was attracted by glowing reports of the natural beauty and inducements of the St. Joseph River valley in northern Indiana, where it was claimed the "Big Strawberry grew;" and in 1830 on horseback, following Indian trails, he explored that and much of the unsettled country in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois, going as far west as Chicagri. and returning by the way of Lafayette, where be came near locating but finally decided in favor of the St. Jose]3h \-alley.

The fertile soil, beauty and location of the valley, untouched by the hand of man, its primeval forests dotted with verdured i>]ains, glimmering lakes and meandered with flowing brooks, its groves and glades, presented a nicture of rarest beauty and formed an ideal home for the Indian whose simple wants were easily supplied by the countless game which surrounded his wigwam ; but the white man saw more thaiT all these ; he saw the miracle of cultivation.

The beauty of the country appealed to the Doctor's esthetic taste, but in the waters of its rivers he could see greater powers than those of the soil, greater even than those of the fabled Geni of the Lamp.

In iheir tinwing tiiles he beheld shmibering furces whicli in his practical niir.d could he harnessed to the factory's tireless wheels, and in imagination he saw their fabrics transported upon the bosom of the ri\-er to Lake ^^lichigan and onward to the markets of the world.

.\t the contluence of the St. J<iseph, Christiana and Elkhart rivers, he bought Section 5, an Indian reser\'ation owned by Moran, a Pottawottomie chief, and in 1832 employed George Crawford, a government sur\e}dr and relati\T hv marriage, to survey and plat the town of Llkhart on that section.

Thi> was in the time of the stage co;ich and the prairie schooner, before the lime of railroads; it was when the rivers and lakes were the onl\- routes nf transportation, and no industrial communit}- could exist unless upon tlie banks of rivers or great lakes, hence the all-importance of the rivers on Section 5, from the evolutions of whose potentials would spring, a Cabin, a Town, a Commerce, a City.

To-day we ha\e but faint conception of the obstacles to business which beset the pioneer nor of his courage and energy in facing them. Merchants bought and sold their goods on a credit of six and twelve months, their customers were consumers, not producers; the imports of the country largely exceeded the exports, causing money to be exceedingly scarce, so much so that the circulating medium was not inaptly said to consist of hoop poles and coon skins. Returns from shipments to Xew York recjuired from three to four mouths, and an answer by mail from three to four weeks.

But braving these and many other obstacles the Doctor bent his energies to the production of the most necessary wants of the immigrants and in 1831 built at the mouth of the Christiana a mill for grinding- corn, its burrs were fashioned from native boulders and the corn was ground without bolting. Much of the meal was sold to the Indians and the writer witnessed their wonder and delight when a sifter was added and they first saw bolted meal.

In the following year he placed a rope ferry across the St. Joseph river just below the mouth of the Christiana, and near the corn mill built a These were the first mills of the kind in the country. The next year he dammed the Elkhart, and erected a sawmill near \'oicnets douring mill, then one on Yellow Creek and another on the Baubaugo at Jim Town. At these mills the liest grades of ash, jjoplar and black ^valnut lumlier were sold for three to four dollars per thousand feet.

During" tlie years 33-34 and 35 most of the public lands were sold to settlers; town lots were in demand, buildings were erected and population rapidly increased ; all demanding an increase of manufactured products. So the Doctor impro\-ed his corn mill by the addition of machiner\- to grind wheat and. at a point where the highway crosses the Christiana on Cassopolis street, he built an oil mill and a w oolen factory and public carding machines and. at the foot of Alain street, he established another rope ferry across the St. Josqjh river.

But in 1835 all the activities of the town were suddenly paralyzed by Godfrey, a Frenchman of Detroit, who claimed to be the rightful owner of Section 5, by right of a deed dated earlier than the Doctor's.

Being" wards of the goxernment. Indians could n(jt themselves execute titles, but must apply to the Indian department at Washington. Godfrey's deed was issued by the department with Commissioner Gen. Tipton's approval, but was not approved by the then President Jackson as required by law. Aloran had timely presented the facts of the transaction to the president, begging his non-approval of the sale on the charge of fraud, claiming that Godfrey had induced him to drink excessively and while drunk obtained consent to the transfer for the consideration of one old wornout horse and cart valued at twenty-five dollars.

Although the Doctor had paid a fair price and had a clear title, while Godfrey's defecti\-e one was obtained by fraud and repudiated by Moran as soon as he became sober, yet the case was contested in court by Godfrey for six or seven years so stubbornly that, in the interest of property holders as well as his own, the Doctor effected a compromise by deeding to Godfrey all, or a part of all that part of Sec. 5 lying .south of the St. Joseph river and east of the Elkhart river.

During the time of the litigation the town stood still, no lots were sold, a few demanded the purchase money returned to them, w hich was done, and all the titles were considered worthless, while many speculated anxiouslv ujion the possibility (^f recovering damages from the Doctor.

But the Doctor's zeal ne\"er relaxed, he continued building mills and personally attended to the management of his extensive business. He. opened up a farm in the heavy timber three miles south of Elkhart, he ministered to the sick, was active in urging the locating and opening of highways and building of needed bridges and in the interest of his suit for title made two trips to Wa.shington and several journeys on horseback to Indianapolis. His attorneys were Jesse D. Bright of cen-

About the year 1840, he canalled the waters of the Christiana across to the blufif of the St. Joseph, obtaining a fall of twenty-six feet : here he built a flouring mill which, until 1904, has done a large and constant business and about the year 1846, ^ built a paper mill, using power drawn from the same canal. With the exception of one at Peru, Ind., this was the first one built in the state.

In 1850 he was active in securing the location of the Michigan Southern Railway Company, and, being a director in that company, his influence and liberal donation to the company of land secured for Elkhart the location of the company's machine shops, which have added largely in the development of the town.

From the fact that he prospered in all his various enterprises it will be seen that he was a man of ability, energy and sagacity: his energy was such that during the sickly seasons he rode day and night on horseback, sleeping as he rode, attending upon the sick, covering a distance of iifteen or more miles in each direction. His ability as a physician and surgeon was recognized as the best in the countiy ; and yet with all these duties he served the county one term as associate judge and was talked of as a Candidate for governor on the Whig ticket.

He was broad, liberal and conservative in opinion, benevolent in spirit. Whig in politics, and Swedenborgian in religion, and as founder (!f the city of Elkhart is held in the highest respect by its citizens.

At Greenfield, Ohio, in 1823. he married Rachel E. Calhoun, first cousin to the statesman. John C. Calhoun, which proved a union of the most perfect harmony of mind and spirit. She sympathized with him in his enterprises and willingly shared in the hardships attending those who lead in the van of civilization. Their son, J. R. Beardsley, gave Island Park to Elkhart; two sons. Charles and J. R. Beardsley and a son-in-law, B. L. Davenport, served two sessions each as state senators, and Richard Beardsley, the youngest son, became distinguished in pul)- lic life. He served in the L'nited States army as pay master nn the gunboat Owasco during the Rebellion and participated in the capture of New Orleans and the siege of Vicksbin-g. and for bra\erv was recommended for promotii>n by Commodore Porter, was ajiiiointed by President Lincoln United States consul to Jerusalem and subsec|uently was promoted to consul general for the United States at Cairo, Egypt. Secretarv Seward, in his book of tra\el around the world, .savs he found

History Of Elkhart Couxty 157

Mr. Beardslev (Jiie uf the lirighttst diplomats in the sers'ice. He died at Cairo in January. 1876, and \)\ re(|uest <if the people of that city was buried there and in e\idence n\ their esteem they erected a tine monument to his memory.

Dr. Beardsley died in 1856 at Elkhart, his wife sur\i\ino- him until 1890. Theirs was the strenuous life and thev huilded better than they knew.

The main business section of the jiresent city of Elkhart and all of the town as originally laid out is on the .south side of the St. Joseph river. But Elkhart as thus constituted cannot claim the honor of lieing the oldest center of population in this region. Elkhart once had an immediate rival, and its ultimate absorption of the older settlement is a case of the " survival of the fittest." Comparatively few of the present generation know that, when thev cross to the north side of the river. they are standing on the site of what was once known in the otlicial postoi¥ice guide and to the people of this part of the country as Pulaski. But such was the case. On the north side of the river Avas the house of Chester Sage mentioned above, also where Jesse Rush and a man by the name of Notfinger located at least two j-ears before Dr. Beardsley came to this vicinity. Where Christiana creek empties its purling waters into the river. Cjeorge Crawford and jNIr. Huntsman built, in 1829, the first grist mill, and in the same vear the postoffice authorities established there the first postoffice. with Mr. Crawford as its postmaster. It is said that the duties of this pioneer employe of Uncle Sam were not onerous, since his only duty was to examine the mails as the courier passed his residence north of the river on his way hack and forth between Fort Wayne and Niles.

But beyond its grist mill and its postoffice and its name, Pulaski had very little claim to be distinguished as a center of ]ropulation ; it w.-.s never ])latted, never had streets, and its large and flourishing neighbo/ on the south has long since spread over its site and arrogated to itseb" all the ancient marks of a village.

But Dr. Beardsley had no sooner come into possession of his tract of land to the south of the St. Joseph than he proceeded with all the energy and progressiveness so characteristic of his nature to laAthe foundation for the town which his judgment dictated as a future metropolis. To lay out the town he engaged the services of his neighbor, George Crawford, a civil engineer, who also platted Goshen. The original plat of Elkhart included fifty-four lots, and was bounded on the north Ijy the present Washington street, on the east In- the Elkhart river, on the south by Pigeon street, and on the west hy the ahey west of Second street. By an extension of tlie hmits, made on January 3, 1835, the boundaries were extended to Higli and Vistula streets and the St, Joseph river. To this site Dr. Beardsley gave the name of Elkhart, which name came into general use in 1832, Three years later the Pulaski ]jostoffice was moved to the south side of the river, some time later renamed Elkhart, and since this act of expansion there has been no Pulaski, only an ever increasing and growing Elkhart.

Of Elkhart, the Express of ^larch 4, 1837, said: " It is pleasantly situated at the junction of the Elkhart with the St. Joseph river. Since it was laid out, a few years ago, its growth has been very rapid, and is now a flourishing village, containing four stores, two groceries, one pubHc house and a due portion of mechanics, etc. A bridge across the St, Joseph has just been completed. The day is not far distant when its immense (water) power will be brought into recjuisition to propel flouring mills and machinerv of ex'erv descripti(jn," a prophecy entirely fulfilled.

Upon the original plat of the town Horace Root was tlie first to erect a building, a dwelling, and Samuel P. Beebe put up the second at the northw est corner of Main and Jackson streets. Across the street from the present site of Hotel Bucklen ]\Ir. Beebe erected a store building, antl he is accredited with the honor of being the first merchant within the old village limits, although a store had been opened prior to that time on the north side of the St. Joseph by Renssaler Harris. Among the early merchants and business men were Elijah Beardsley, N. F. Broderick, John Davenport, J, S, and A, Defrees, George Crawford was in many ways a prominent man ; not only the first postmaster in this vicinity, but also remained in charge of the postoiifice after it was moved to the south side of the river, his term of service being from 1829 to 1837.

An early pioneer visiting Elkhart in April, 1838, gives the following impressions of the village: "The only manufactory was a small flouring mill, with perhaps a sawmill on Christiana creek, near the mouth. The principal citizens were Doctor Beardsley, his nephew, Elijah Beardsley, George Crawford, Samuel P. Beebe, N. F. Broderick, Col. Downing, John Davenport, Hiram Morgan, James Defrees, Dr. P, S, Kenyon, Lorenzo Scoville, Wm, Beaumont, Gen. W, B. Mitchell. Jacob Frush, John Compton, Dr. Wm. R. Ellis and Henry Crampton.

The only liotel was kept by Col. Downing- (wlu) tlied that \earj, on the present site of the Bucklen. He was a good man ; Ijut from the hungT)- look of the eagle on his sign, was dubbed by Judge Beebe as Col. Buzzard." The Judge resided on the corner, northwest from the hotel, a \ery lumible frame dwelling embowered in a shady grove, while a rough pole fence surrounded his lot. Morgan and Defrees kept the red store, and Davenport and Broderick had a store farther south. Elijah Beardsley- dispensed justice to the people, as did also our venerable friend N. F. Broderick. The constables were Hiram ^Morgan and Joseph Dome. (ien. Mitcliell was engaged as chief engineer in the surve}- of the Northern canal, and completed his labors alxDut that period. George Crawford was serving his county in the State Senate, and was interested in one of the mercantile establishments. Real estate was at a low ebb : lots ranging from $50 to $300.

The southern and eastern portions of the town were covered with a thrift}- forest, worth jirobably $15 an acre. The town had been christened ' Pulaski,' and its postoffice still bore that name. There was no church in the place; but occasional meetings were held bv the Meth- . odists and United Brethren in the schoolhouse. Sabbath school was an unknown institution. There was no regular whiskey shop in the town ; but the merchants dispensed the needful by the cjuart when rec[uired for medicinal or other purposes : but drunkenness had no existence in the community. During this xear several new families arri\ed. ^\mong- them were the Shuey and Irwin families, Robert Sanford and the McKelveys. Judge Beebe was the character of the place. He had seen t!iis beautiful spot as earlv as the \-ear 1S27 but did not locate here until after the town bad lieen started. He was a man of intelligence and at that time had just been elected probate judge liv three votes. He was a free thinker in religion and a practical joker."

At a little log cabin schoolhouse, situated on the banks of the Elkhart ri\er, N. F. Broderick wielded the birch and taught the voui-ig Elkhartians the three " R's." He was the first school master in the village. In 1837 the second school building was erected on Second street. The renowned " Tammany Hall " was built in 183^) aufl here for many years all classes of entertainments were given, from the temperance lecture to the amateur theatricals and occasionally some strolling player would excite the wonder of the inhabitants by his performance. This hall stood at the corner of Main and Jefferson streets. Mrs. Beebe opened a Sabbath school at her home and also gave instructioi-) in luiglish U_> the older boys and girls. Between 1837 and 1840 Ur. Beardsley commenced the Iniilding of several mills. He erected a corn mill and a woolen and oil mill on the banks of the Elkhart. A little later when boats commenced to ascend the St. Joseph, warehouses were built along the Elkhart and there trading in farm produce and merchandise was conducted. Fifty-six dwellings constituted the total in the village in 1844. At that time there were sixty-seven voters.

As has been referred to often in these pages, Elkhart's commanding position in the industrial world has been due in large degree to its situation on the banks of two large streams and the possibilities of immense water-power development consequent thereto. Xine of the progressive business men of Elkhart were responsible for the proper development of the immense water power of the St. Joseph river that for years had lain d(.irmant. It was this movement that proved a strongfoundation for the upbuilding of the cit}' and added materially to its present greatness. After the hydraulics were constructed a demand was at once created for the cheap water jxiwer and factories began to seek Elkhart. Two years were required in the construction of the tlam antl the various races. The building was done during the years 1867 and 1868 and was under the direct supervision of Silas DeCamp. Nearly $100,000 was expended by the compau}- in the harnessing of this great water power. The men who comprised the companv were : John Davenport, president: John AIcNaughton. vice presiflent and treasurer ; Samuel Hoke, secretary : J. R. Beardsley, B. L. Davenport, William Proctor, Dr. A. S. Davenport, A. P. Simonton, S. S. Strong.

As early as 1832 a dam was constructed across the Elkhart river. Abner Simonton, a brother of D. S. Simonton, w^as the builder of this first dam. A lock was also built at one side for the accommodation of the IxDats that then went up as far as Goshen. Several times within the succeeding years \-arious <!ams were washed awav bv the spring floods and it was not until 1875 ^''''l^ ^ permanent dam was constructed. Mr. Clark Lane had lived near water powers all of his life and when he gazed upon the Elkhart a\ inding around the Ixjttoms to the south of Jackson street, he knew that a large tract of land could be reclaimed and at the same time the water power strengthened. Accordingly he purchased the land and cut ofif 1,800 feet of winding ri\er by a channel only 180 feet in length. A dam of stone and cement was then constructed near the site of the Indiana Buggv Co.'s plant and all of the bottom land reclaimed bv the building of dvkes.

The first white cliild linrn in the original \'inage of Elkhart is said to- be John H. Broderick. who came into the world in October. i83'5. The old Beardsley flouring mill, one of the most interesting landmarks of pioneer days, was built by R. D. Braden. the first millwright in the town. Dr. Beardsley erected the first brick residence in 1848. on the site of the present Beardsley home. The ^Morehouse block, (jii I\Iain street, v.as the first brick business block. The business district grew rapidly during these years, and at the same time social institutions, schools, churches and other factors of cix'ilization kept pace with the other phases of the city's development.

Shortly after the incorporation of Elkhart as a village the Elkhart Weekly Rcz'icz^' was established, and in the first number of that well known journal, issued February 5, 1859. with J. S. W^eller as publisher, there appears a " business directory '" which is \ery interesting and instructive in the light it thnnvs on the business personnel of that day. Ihis list, which is not supposed to be inclusive, comprises the following: Clifton House. Xewcr)mb & Pierce; Elk House, C. Vanderhoot : Bank of Elkhart, P. Moorehouse, president: B. D. & G. Sherwood, dr)- goods and general store: J. ^P Hackerthorn. general store: L. A. .Vlford & Son. general store; J. & A. S. Davenport, general store; C. Beardsley. manufacturer and dealer in paper; A. AI. Tucker, diy goods, etc.; S. S. Strong, dry goods, etc.: C. North, hardware; j. J. Keely. merchant tailor: H. Brett, boot and shoe manufacturer; E. J. King, dentist; G. F. Jones, general dealer; A. Heath & J. \\'. Shafer.' lawyers: Dr. W. ^^^ Chambers, physician and dentist; M. F. Shuey, lawyer : S. D. Harris, furniture and undertaker ; S. C. Conn, " daguerrean artist;"' J. H. Rerick. physician and surgeon; Moorehouse & Babb, general store: W. E. Bonta, jeweler: Geo. Dean, barber: Thos. Hay. manufacturer and dealer in cabinet ware. In a later issue of the same paper are the following additional names; Clark House. J. R. Clark, proprietor; O. H. Main, lawyer; Drs. W'inans & Lawrence; ¥. W. Burns, drugs; S. Shelly, hardware: H. Crampton. justice of the peace.

Elkhart, as a corporate part of the body politic, has had an existence of nearly half a century. In 1858 a petition, signed by many of the electors in the \illage, was presented to- the county commissioners, and in response thereto the board ordered an election for voting upon the question of incorporating Elkhart. The vote was taken on June 29. and out of 216 ballets a majority of fifty- four was reported in fa,vor of incorporation. Accordingly the commissioners declared, at their September session, tliat the xillage lie incorporated and be known as the " Town of Elkhart."' The names of the tirst trustees are P. Morehouse, Virgil Young- and A. P. Simonton.

Elkhart remained in the list of towns for seventeen years. In this period the population, the manufacturing and commercial interests and the territorial area had expanded rapidly, and the old-fashioned form of go\-ernment was felt to be an incubus to the continued prosperity of the town. Therefore, on .\pril 28, ^S/^. the issue of city or town government was placed liefrire the citizens. That the lines l>etween the conser\-ative and liberal element were closely rlrawn and that the wisdom of incorporation as a citv was h\ no means universally acknowledged, may be inferred from the vote, which stood 575 for incorporation and 561 for continuance of the town system. By the small majority of fourteen ballots, therefore, the first election of municipal otficers was ordered, and on May 11, 1875, tlie following officials were voted into control : Mayor, Henry C. Wright ; clerk. Ben Brown and J. D. Wood; treasurer, Henry Bearuii : marshal, C. J. (iillette; assessor, B, O. Alanchester; ci\il engineer. C. Af. Pnictor: chief fire department, E. A. Campbell : attornew O. '!'. Chamberlain. Councilmen - Eirst ward, diaries Walley and John Cook ; Second ward, C. W. Green and S. S. Strong: Third ward, D. S. Simonton and \\'i]liam Cravit ; Eourth ward. Jolm Salkeld and Frank Jauriett : b'ifth \\ard, Jacob Arisman and T- S. Kinse\': .Sixth ward, Tavlor Arisman and Da\'id Kegereis.

1876. ]\Iayiir. J. R. Reardsley : clerk, James H. State: treasurer, A. R. Beardsley: marshal. C. J. Gillette; attorney, J. M. Vanfleet; civil engineer, C. ]\I. Procttjr; chief fire department, E. A. Campbell; assessor, J. 'S\. Hughes. Councilmen - Eirst ward, John Cook and J. R. Randall ; Second ward, C. W. Green and R. D. Braden : Third ward, ¥. L. Collins and J- W- Ellis: Fourth ward. Cyrus Seiler and J. Jacobson; Fifth ward, B. O. Alanchester and H. J. Kremer; Sixth ward, J. R. Mather and A. C. Manning.

1877. Mayor, J. R. Beardsley: clerk. J. H. State: treasurer, A. R. Beardsley: marshal, C. J. Gillette: attorney, J. ^I. Vanfleet : civil engineer, C. M. Proctor; chief fire department, F. G. Shaw. Councilmen - Eirst ward, John Cook and J. R. Randall: Second ward, C. W. Green and R. D. Braden : Third w;ird, J. W. Ellis and Joseph Hollis ; Fourth ward, Cyrus Seiler and J. Jacobson ; Fifth ward. H. J. Kremer and B. O. Alanchester; Sixth ward. .\. C. Manning and 'SI. M. KaufYman.

Beardsley; marshal. A. B. Miller; attorney, J. M. Vanfleet; civil engineer, C. Beardsley ; chief fire department, F. G. Shaw. Councilmen - First ward, Stephen .\. Burrows and John Cook; Second ward, John McNaughton and C. W. Green ; Third ward, Daniel Weaver and Joseph Hollis; Fourth ward. J. P. Primley and Cyrus Seiler; Fifth ward, C. H. Watson and B. O. ^Manchester ; Sixth ward, J. R. Mather and A. C. ^Manning.

1879. Mayor, A. M. Tucker; clerk, J. H. State; treasurer, A. R. Beardsley; marshal, A. B. Miller; attorney, J. M. Vanfleet; civil eng-ineer, C. M. Proctor: chief fire department, Thomas Tumock and Clark Delo. Councilmen - First ward. J. R. Beardsley and S. A. Burrows; Second ward, C. W. Green and John McNaughton; Third ward, Joseph Hollis and Daniel Weaver; Fourth ward, George W. Stevens and J. P. Primley; Fifth ward. Heniy Kremer and C. H. W^atson ; Sixth ward, ^^'m. Isenbice and J. R. Mather.

1880. Mayor. C. G. Conn; clerk. B. O. Alanchester and J. H. .State: treasurer. S. D. Devor; marshal, A. B. Miller; attorney, J. M. Vanfleet ; civil engineer. Henry Cook ; chief fire department, F. G. Shaw. Councilmen - First ward. James Bigelow and J. R. Beardsley; .Second ward, John Minnich and C. \V. Green ; third ward. Daniel Weaver and Joseph Hollis ; Fourth ward. John McNaughton and George W. Stevens; Fifth ward. C. H. Watson and Henry Kremer; Sixth ward, John Kemberling and Wm. Isenbice.

1882. Maj-or, C. G. Conn; clerk. W. D. Middleton: treasurer. J. D. Devnr; marshal. .\. B. Miller: attorney. O. T. Chamberlain; civil engineer, Henry Cnok ; chief fire department, David Carpenter. Councilmen - b'irst ward, (ieorge Harker and Erasmus Farley; Second ward, C. \\'. Green and H. B. Sherwood: Third ward. Daniel Weaver and S. X. Jackman: Fourth ward, James Grififin and D. C. Ouimby; Fifth ward, H. J. Kremer and J H. Roswell ; Sixth ward. Conrad Ziesel and Thomas Charles.

dleton : treasurer, J. L). Devon marshal. A. B. Miller: attorney, O. T. Chamberlain; civil engineer, Henry Cook; chief tire department, J. D. Shultz. Councilmen - First ward, J- C. Erwin and William Barger; Second ward, E. R. Kerstetter and C. W. Green: Third ward, S. N. Jackman and Daniel \\'eaver ; Fourth ward, D. C. Ouimby and James Grififin; iMtth ward, W. A. Shaffer and Chas. H. Watson; Sixth ward, Thos. Charles.

1884. Mavdr, Xorman Beckley: clerk, W. D. Middleton; treasurer, J. D. Devor; marshal, Elliott CruU : attorney, P. L. Turner: civil engineer, Henry Cook ; chief fire department. J. D. Schultz. Councilmen - First ward, J. C. Erwin and H. McLachlan : Second ward, John W. Eieldhouse and E. R. Kerstetter; Third ward, S. X. Jackman and John Linderman; Fourth ward, J. J. Hoffman and D. C. Ouimby: Fifth ward, W. A. Shaffer and C. H. Watson: Si.xth ward. S. Bertch and E. Goldthwait.

D. Middleton: treasurer, J. D. Devor; marsiial, Elliott Cruil; attorney, P, L. Turner: civil engineer, Flenry Cook; chief fire department, Leonard Jones. Councilmen - First ward, Samuel Dotson and H. McLachlan: Second ward. P. J. Parmater and J. W. Eieldhouse: Third ward, A. Mitchell and John Linderman: Fom-th ward. F. G. Shaw and J. J. Hoffman: Fifth ward, W. H. Wagner .and J.Foltz; Sixth ward. S. Bertch and E. Goldthwait.

18S6. Mayor. Dame! Weaver: clerk, Harry S. Chester and Andrew Schofield; treasurer, J. D. Devor and E. A. Campbell; marshal, Elliott Crull ; attorney. Perry L. Turner: c\x\] engineer, Henry Cook; chief fire department, David Carpentei. Councilmen - First ward, Samuel Dotson and C. T. Green ; Second a\ ard. Peltire Hill aitd J. W. Fieldhouse: Third \\ard, E. A. Carjjenter and Charles Walley : Fourth ward, F. G. Shaw and A. U]))); Fifth ward. C. H. Wagner and \V. A. Shaffer; Sixth ward. E. Goldthwait and S. Bertch.

E. A. Campbell: marshal, Elliott Crull; attorney. Perry L. Turner: civil engineer, Henry Cook ; chief fire department, David Carpenter. Councilmen - b'irst ward. C. T. Green and J. J. Newman: Second ward, J. W. Eieldhouse and W. J. Aleader; Third ward. Guy C. Johnson and Chas. Walley: Fourth ward. F. G. Shaw and A. Upp; Fifth ward. C. H. Wagner and W. A. Shaft'er: Sixth ward. C. C. Needham antl E. Goldthwait

1888. Mayor, Everett Goldthwait ; clerk, Harry S. Cliester; treasurer, E. A. Campbell : marshal, C. C. Xeedham : attorney, P. L. Turner : ci\'il engineer. Henry Cook: chief fire (le])artment, Frank Winegarchier. Councilmen - First ward, J. J. Newman and J. \\'. Slear: Second ward, W. J. Meader and L. B. Cooke: Third ward. (1. C. Johnson and A. R. Beardsley: Fourth ward, F. G. Shaw and John Rinehart : Fifth ward. C. H. Wagner and W. A. Shaffer: Sixth ward, David Moyer and Arthur Evans.

1889. Mayor. F. Goldthwait: clerk. Harry S. Chester; treasurer. E. A. Campbell: marshal, C. C. Needham : attorney. P. L. Turner: civil engineer, Henry Cook: chief fire department, Ira Hummel. Councilmen - First \\ard, ¥. W. Miller and J. W. Slear: Second ward. L. B. Cooke and J. J. Newman: Third ward. Guy C. Johnson and A. R. Beardsley: Fourth ward. John Rinehart and C. H. Clark: Fifth ward. W. Shaffer and [Mentor J. Hill; Sixth ward, .\rthur Evans and David Moyer.

i8go. AIa}'or. Strafford Maxon ; clerk. George H. h'ister ; treasurer. E. A. Campbell: marshal, Cornelius Coleman; attorney. Perry L. Turner: civil engineer. Henry Cook: chief fire department. Ira Hummel. Councilmen - First ward, 1^~. ^^^ Miller and J. W'. Slear; Second ward, Philip Christman and J. J. Newman : Third ward. Albert Karnell and Guy C. Johnson ; Fourth ward, John Rinehart and C. H. Clark : Fifth ward. George W. Kuhn and ^lentor J. Hill ; Sixth ward. Charles Miller and David Moyer.

1891. Mayor, Straft"ord Maxon: clerk, George H. Fister; treasurer, Edward A. Campbell; marshal, Cornelius Coleman; attorney. Perry L. Turner: civil engineer. Henry Cook: chief fire department. Jake Hummel. Councilmen - First ward, J. W. Slear and W. S. Pan-

1894. ^Nlayor, Henry B. Sykes; clerk. Kit !\IcKean: treasurer. Philetus P. Abel: city judge, Joseph D. Arnold: attorney. Perry L. Turner : civil engineer. Charles L. Kinney. Councilmen - First ward. Frederick W. Miller and Roljert S. Chamberlin : Second ward, John J. Newman and Isaac Nadel : Third ward, Melvin I'. Demarest and A. R. Beardsley: Fourth ward. Charles F. Jacobson and Jedadiah M. Hughes: Fifth ward, ^^'illiam J. Morrow and George N. Sweitzer: Sixth ward, Julius J. Shaw and George C. Stuck.

i8g6. Mayor. Henry B. Sykes: cleik. Kit McKean : treasurer. Philetus P. Abel: city judge, Joseph D. Arnold: attorney. Perry L. Turner: civil engineer, Charles L. Kinney. Councilmen - First ward. Chas. H. Murray and R. S. Chamberlin: .Second ward. Herman Borneman and John J. Newman: Third ward. Geo. \^innedge and ^L U. Demarest; Fourth ward. \\'. L. Collins and C. F. Jacobson: Fifth ward. Wm. Ecker and A\'. J. IXIorrow: Sixth \vard, R. M. Stewart and J. J. Shaw.

1898. ]\layor. Porter Turner: clerk, Kit McKean: treasurer, F'. P. Abel; city judge, Collins Blake: attorney, P. L. Turner: civil engineer. Chas. L. Kinney and D. F. Cordrey: chief fire department, Chas. A. .Sanford. Councilmen - First ward, Benj. S. Monger and Chas. A. ^lurrav: Second ward, Wm. Krau. ^^'m. Lloyd and Herman Borneman; Third ward, John Jones and Geo. Vinne<lge: l*"ourth ward. ^^^ H. Winship and W. L. Collins: Fifth wru-d. A. M. Smith and Wm. Ecker; Sixth ward. J. J. Shaw and R. M. Stewart.

1900. ^layor. Porter Turner: cleric Kit McKean: treasurer. P. P. Abel: citv judge. Collins Blake: attorney. Perry L. Turner: civil engineer, D. F. Cordrey and L. F. Hitchcock: chief fire department, Chas. A. Sanford. Councilmen - First ward. H. T. Douglass and Benj.

S. Monger ; Second ward, A. L. Burns and \\"m. E. Llu_\(l ; Third ward, Herman Borneman and John Jone.s; I'onrth ward, Guy C. Lemon, \V. H. Winship and L. Helfrick: Fiftli ward, .\. M. Smith and G. A. Kuhn ; Sixth ward, J. J. Shaw and R. J. Chester.

City Officials I9O5

The following newspaper item bearing U]xin the citv court of Elkhart is of historical interest : " The fact that Governor Hanly is called upon, under the new law. to appoint city judges in manj' of the larger cities, emphasizes the fact that Elkhart has had a city court since 1876. It was organized by the city council under the law obtained in 1875. '^X the Hon. M. F. Shuey of that city in response to a demand by lawyers that the necessity of going to (joshen every time when litigation was required be dispensed with. Between 1881 and 1891 the court was of little consequence. The legislature in accepting an amendment, inadvertei.tly inserted a word which, by inference, rendered the judgeship of no more consequence than a notary public. This was rectified in i8cji by amendment by the Hon. O. Z. Hubbell, and since then the jurisdiction of the court remained rmaffected until the new municipal code went into effect. "

Elkhart is now constituted along the lines of a metropolitan city. It has a well organized and thoroughly efficient jwlice department. There was a time when a solitary individual wore a star of ofifice and took care of the reckless and criminal minded and otherwise protected his fellow citizens. For some years a marshal was elected by the people and a proper number of policemen appointed by the council. Now all this is changed, and the Elkhart police system is being operated under the state law. the commissioners being appointed by the governor. The Elkhart board of metropolitan police commissioners was organized under the state law. May 20. 1893. The police force now numliers twelve, inclusive 'of superintendent and the humane officer.

Like all cities of its class, the present municipal fire department is the outgrowth of the " bucket brigade " and the old hand pump. In the early days whenever the cry of " Fire " was heard all work was instantly stopped, a line was formed, stretching from the river to the scene of the conflagration and buckets were passed to and fro. until the fire was out or the building destroyed. The first fire of importance is recorded as occuring October 9. 1848, at which time the Penwell Tavern, John Davenport's general store and the office of a weekly newspaper were destroyed. The " bucket brigade " was present at this fire.

The present paid fire department was organized in 1894. The first company comprised Mac. Dotson, chief; Charles \Vilcox, assistant chief: E. LaBelle. second assistant chief: Frank Little, pipeman : .Vlgie Darling, hydrant: Charles .\. Sanford, driver hose carriage: W. H. Filer, driver hook and ladder; John Ulrich, ladder man.

The present Elkhart fire department is a matter of just pride to die citizens. There are two fire stations, one at the city hall, and two others are at this writing in process of construction (in the west side. Well trained and uniformed firemen are alwavs a strong source of confidence to business men and prospective investors in industrial enterprises, and no forward ste]) in municipal improvement of recent years has been more profitable than the establishment of this paid fire department. The number of paid firemen at present consists of seventeen, soon to be increased to twenty-three. Twelve horses are constantly in their stalls awaiting the signals to dash to duty, pulling behind them three hose carts, one combined hose wagon and chemical engine, and one hook and ladder truck. For most purposes the pressure in the mains is sufficient, liut engine power is always availah'le.

Elkh.-Vrt Postoffice

The Elkhart postofifice has a record for magnitude of business and efficiency of service which places it among the foremost postoffices of the state; in point of net receipts it ranks next to Indianapolis. The historical progress noted between the old Pula.ski office, on the north side of the river in 1830, with its weekly mail, to the present fine office with its immense \'oIumes of hourly in and out going mail, its gross receipts of over one hundred thousand dollars annually, with its large force of employes, is in itself a striking resume of the histoiy of Elkhart city. At this writing W. H. Anderson is postmaster. He is soon to be succeeded by Dr. Charles Eisenbeiss. J. M. Hughes is assistant postmaster. There are ten clerks in the office, with one substitute, and eleven regular carriers with two substitutes.

Elkhart has been fortunate in the additions to her public architecture of the past few years, and any justifiable criticisms in the past must soon resolve into absolute praise of the character of pennanent buildings which are being constructed either for public or business purposes. A beautiful library and several splendid business blocks have marked \v(jnderful progress in this regard, and just at the time this history is heing written tlie record culminates in the federal building, where during the month of Xovember, 1905, the l-llkhart postoffice, whose (|uarters ha\e heen outgrown by the rapidly increased business, will be installed in a permanent and modern home.

In March, 1903, Congress appropriated eighty-five thousand dollars for a new postijffice building at Elkhart. The grounds for the structure, whose value is estimated at twel\-e thousand dollars, are situated on Main street near the Century Club. The contract for the general c(.>nstruction of the building called for $62,400, which does not co\er the cost of luck boxes, light fixtures, safes, etc. The contract, dated July j6, 1904, called for completion by December i, 1905, and at the time of this writing the work had so far progressed that November 1 was set as the date of completion.

The postoffice is splendidly situated. Built in the bjnic style of classic architecture, with two Ionic columns at the east facade, the base and steps of granite and the upper walls and cornices of light Bedford stone, the brick, stone and steel construction is as nearly fireproof as any building can be. The ground dimensions are 63 by 103 feet, the height over all is 32 feet, while the main storv is 21 feet high, and the liasement 9 feet and to inches. The pulilic entrances are from the east and the south, and the ]>ublic lobljv and all the departments are finished in quartered white oak with marble base. The front vestibule is entirel)- of moss-figured Vermont marble. The dimensions of the main room are 39 by 51 feet, lighted from overhead by a large skylight, in addition to the many stained-glass windows at the south and north. The money order and registry division occupies the southwest corner in a room 22 by 23 feet, while the postmaster's office, on the east side, is 14 \\\ if). In the basement are the carriers' room, fitted up with ])ri\ate lockers, toilet rooms and shower bath, and the heating plant. One of the provisions showing the modern safeguards thrown about government work are two mezzanine stories, each reached by secret passageways, from which a lookout window gives an inspecting official full view of all the proceedings in the tlifferent departments, though the official himself cannot be observed. The superintendent of construction, in charge of the erection of this building, is O. H. Dirham.

Soldiers' Monument Silas Baldwin

With a population conservatively estimated at twenty thousand, Elkhart has all the other features of a modern industrial and residential center. Situated in tlie two civil townships of Concord and Osolo, with an approximate area of nine square miles, splendidly advantaged hy its water power and railroad situation, the city's resources are nowincreasing at a rate never before equaled. The total assessed valuation of property, real and personal, shows the following" figures : Elkhart city in Osolo township, $158,395, of which $25,690 is personal; and of Elkhart city in Concord township, the total is $4,307,440, the personal assessment being $1,362,335 of the total. In 1904 the total amount turned into the cit_\- treasur} b}- taxation amounted to $76,- 887.49. The railroads furnish a large quota of this total. The Lake Shore paid taxes of $4,439.10 for the past year, the Indiana Transportation Company contributes $974.35, and the Big Eour about $600. In 1904 the total tax levy upon each hundred dollars of assessed valuation was $1.30, distributed as follows:

Elkhart pays out a goodly sum for its chief utilities, water and light, the water bill for the first half year of 1905 being $7,387.50, and for the month of July it cost $1,093.90 to light the city.

In this chapter may fitly be recorded the life history of Silas BaldwiNj who was for forty-five years one of the most conspicuous figures in the business and civic life of Elkhart. Dying in Elkhart May 22, 1889, he had passed the age of seventy-seven years, and his career from I)oyhood till death w'as filled with usefulness in every department of life to which he turned his attention.

Born in East Bloomfield, New Jersey, Sqjtember jt,. iSii, beingone of the nine children of Daniel S. and Elizaljeth (Kent) Baldwin, when ten years old he accompanied the family to near Pittsburg, Pennsyhania, thence two years later moved to Warren county, Ohio, and in .\pril, 1828, settled on Beardsley Prairie, St. Joseph county, Indiana.

He was therefore one of the pioneers of northern Indiana, and in order to reach the spot selected for settlement they had to practically hew their way through the dense forests, Indian trails heing at that time the nearest approach to a highway.

Silas Baldwin began to meet the responsibilities and hardships of life at an early age. and attended the log-cabin school. He had begun working on a farm when ten years old, and at the age of twenty-one, in 1832, volunteered his services for the Black Hawk war. He was a lieutenant in a company commanded by Captain Isaac Butler, and was stationed in Chicago until relieved by Major Whistler of the regular army. In 1836 he began speculating in government land and finally engaged in the mercantile business at Edwardsburg, Michigan, where he remained until he located permanently in Elkhart in 1843. At the time of his coming the village contained a sawmill, grist mill, a distillery, two hotels, stores, and atout three hundred inhabitants. For a n.umber of years he was connected with the commercial life of the city, and though twice liurned out he e\'ery time rose superior to and master of circumstances and li\'ed to see a satisfactory culmination of his ambitions.

Mr. Baldwin was identified with a number (if enterprises which ha\e frinned the very foundation of the material prosperity of Elkhart. In 1850 he tiiok an active part in the movements which finally brought the Michigan Southern Railroad through Elkhart. He acted as agent for the company in securing the right of way from Baugo to Bristol, and on the completion of the road he was installed as first station agent at Elkhart. He held the office of postmaster of Elkhart from 1844 to 1848. In 1850 he became interested in the Elkhart Bank, and later he and his associates organized the First National Bank, which is now the nldest l)ank in the city. He was the first cashier of the institution, which ])osition he resigned in 1867 on account of 111 health, ;md thereafter till his death was ^-ice president and a director. In early life he was a Democrat, being twice nominated for the legislature b\- that party, but changed his political \ lews when Fort Sumter was fired upon and thereafter was a consistent Republican.

Clarissa W. Ellis

the Jeffersonville Soldiers' Hospital, as a result of the disease contracted in that service she died July 24, 1865. The patriotic record of the family during the Civil war culminated in the gallant young Frank Baldwin, who was killed at the battle of Stone River. Only a short time previous to this engagement he had been promoted to lieutenant in recognition of his personal bravery on the field of battle. He was only eighteen years old at the time of his death.

Through his love for the Union cause in general and from a sense of his own great personal loss in connection with the great tragedy of the rebellion, Mr. Silas Baldwin caused to be erected and dedicated to the soldiers and sailors of the Civil war the splendid monument which stands on Main street near the Lake Shore tracks. Mr. Baldwin did not live to sec the completion of this memorial shaft, which was not readv for dedication until the .\ugust following his death.

Another pioneer famil}- (jf Elkhart is represented by J. W. Ellis, who proliably deserves to rank as the oldest living pioneer of the city of Elkhart. A pioneer he should be named, although he was but a lad of some six summers when he arrix'ed in this county, hor very nearly .sevent}-five years since that time he has witnessed and participated in the great activity which has transformed this county from a wilderness into a region of jircsperity and modern civilization. The mere statement cannot picture to us the kaleidoscope of changing conditions through which he has passed. On the day of his arrival in this county in 183 1 his boyish eyes looked upon a country whose primeval forests rolled away in e\-ery direction, scarred only here and there by the earliest settlers ; the St. Joseph river poured its floods along, un- ])ollute(l by f.'ictory or cUy, the wild denizens of the land, whether animals (ir red men, were so commonplace as to cause little more than ])assing notice on the jiart of this lad. and altogether Elkhart county was \'ery nnich as it had been for centuries preceding the ad\'ent of white men. When Mr. Ellis came here the present city of Elkhart contained three or four log cabins, the postoffice was officially called Pulaski, at which the ])ostman stopped and delixered mail just once a month, the seat of justice for the newly organized county of Elkhart was still loc;'.ted tliere, and, instead of a great trunk line of railroad, the only means of communication with the outside world was either by the river which flowed by the settlement or by team and wagon across the country over new and rough highways. In the presence of a man whose memory connects this state of affairs with the wonderfully transfdrmed present, the true Elkhart county citizen feels that historical re\erence which ever attaches to the men and institutions surviving" fn im the earliest vears of this county.

Born in Oswego county. New York, August 12, 1825. Mr. Ellis at this writing is in the shadow of his eightieth birthday. Himself a pioneer, he is also connected with a family of pioneers. Of Welsh descent, the first member of the family settled in this country during the colonial epoch of our country's history. Mr. Ellis's great-grandfather was Dr. David Ellis, a resident of New Hampshire; the grandfather, Jacn]) VAWs. was a soldier in the Revolutionarv war, one of the patriots who endured the sufferings of Valley Forge, and who. after the war, pioneered his way into the wilderness of New York, settling on and improving a farm in Oneida county, where he followed farming until his life came to its peaceful close at the age of seventytwo years. Longevity is another characteristic of the familv, nearlv all of them living to advanced age.

The father of Mr. Ellis was also named Jacob, whose portrait appears herewith. Born in New Hampshire, where he was also reared and educated, he eniigrated to Onondaga county, New York, when it was a wilderness. He was one of his fathei-'s four children. After his marriage, at Saratoga, New York, he located in Oswego county and reared his family of seven children until he made his next great move and migrated to Elkhart county. Arriving in this county in 1831, he located on government land just east of the present city of Elkhart, and became one of the large landholders in this part of the county. The early development and commercial prosperity of Elkhart owed much to his enterprise and public spirit. He erected the first big warehouse on the St. Joseph river at this point, and for a long time did the largest storage and forwarding business in the county. He depended entirely on team and wagon and boats to transport merchandise and commodities out of and into the county, and these methods were not superseded until the advent of the railroad in 185 1.

In his early life a stanch upholder of Whig principles, Jacob Ellis in the fifties became one of the organizers of the Republican party in this county. He held some minor offices but his public spirit and effective co-operation were felt in e\erything that made for the true welfare and progress of the county. Se^-enty-three years old at the time of his death, he had heen identified with the Congregational church practically all his life, and had been the principal factor in the erection of the first church in Elkhart.

Through his mother's family also Mr. J. W. Ellis is connected with Revolutionary ancestors. Before her marriage his mother was Catherine Birch, a native of New York state and a daughter of Thomas Birch, also of Welsh origin, who served through all the years of the war for independence. Mr. Ellis was the fifth of his parents" seven children, four daughters and three sons, who were all born in New York state and one of whom died young. Only two survive, Fannie Loomis, the living daughter, being a resident of California, whither she went in 1852.

Mr. Ellis, who is thus the only one of his father's famil)- yet living in this coimty, gained his early education in the log schools which onhthe very oldest residents remember as having stood in Elkhart during the early days. It is stated that his oldest sister, Maria, who was well educated, taught the first school in the village of Elkhart. Mr. Ellis lived with and assisted his father up to the age of eighteen, after which he clerked in a store two years, had charge of his father's warehouse a like period, and in 1847 established himself in the mercantile business at Elkhart, having a general store. Two )'ears later. Ikuvever, he moved his business to Wakegan, Illinois. In a career of such varied experiences as that of Mr. Ellis presents, it is natural to find the spirit of argonautic enterprise which, in the spring of 1850, indticed him to sell his business in the east and cross the plains to California in search of his fortune on the golden slopes of the Pacific. Crossing the ^lissouri river at Council Bluffs, at a time when there was scarcely a permanent white settler west of that river and north of the Platte. he followed along the course of the latter river to Fort Laramie, crossed the Rocky Mountains and took the short cut by which he passed Salt Lake one hundred miles on the south ; down Bear River \alley, through Thousand Springs valley, to the headwaters of the Humboldt, following the same to the Humboldt Sink, thence across the Great American desert, overcame the crest of the Sierra Nevadas, and finallv, as the concluding stage of an ever memorable journey, descended into the valleys of California and arrived at Placerville. Mr. Ellis was unusually successful as a gold miner, although failing health compelled him to relinquish the occupation at the end of a year. On the last day of his mining he took out one hundred and twenty-eight dollars of gold, but the six nionths following were spent on a sick iied and he was obhged to leave the west and by Panama and New York returned to Waukegan. Resuming the mercantile business at that point, he remained only a year or so, when he sold out and in 1854 returned to Elkhart, with which citv he has been identified through all the subsequent half century.

For the first seven years he was located on a farm adjoining the city on the west, then conducted a grocery and crockery establishment for two years, after which he became interested in the building of the Excelsior Starch works, being secretary and an acti^'e member of the firm for twent\--three vears. Since 1880 he has also been interested in the Elkhart Paper Compan\'. as president nf the concern for twentyfi\e )-ears. He was a prominent factor in the formerly well known Mitten and Hosiery factory, and was one of the promoters and builders of the first street raihvay in Ibis city. Elkhart has profited in many ways by the enterprise and liberality of Mr. Ellis, and his name will always be found among those of the men who formed the solid and substantial foundation of Elkhart's development and prosperity during the first century of its existence. Since 1899 he has lived retired from the main activities of his life, spending much of his time in visiting friends and relatives in California.

Mr. Ellis is one of the oldest members of the Masonic order in this county, having passed through the initiatory rites in 1862 and taking all the degrees including the Knight Templar's. He has been one of the prijminent factors in the Congregational church, and has been deacon since 1872. Originally a Free-soiler. he identified himself with the Republican party at its organization and has voted for all the candidates from Lincoln down. He held the office of assessor of Concord towiishi]) from \H()0-iHjj. His associatii;)ns with the life and affairs of this county C(ner nearly all the important annals of the county, and in Elkhart he is now the only man living whose memory goes back to the three log cabins which formed the nucleus of the Cit}- of the Forks. His father built the first large frame house in the count)-, and during the early days this house formed the stage station and hotel or " tavern." as it was then called.

Mr. I-lllis married, in 1849, Miss Clarissa \V. Green, a daughter of Isaiah and Mary (Gage) Green, who came from the Green Mountain state. Fi\-e children were Ixjrn of their marriage: Marv is the wife of Roswell I-". McGregor and resides with her father. Dr. J. Bartlett

Ellis is a prominent physician of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Dr. C. I'"., also a physician, is located at Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Lulu B. is the wife of W. A. Billows, of Elkhart. James S., the youngest, died at the age of twenty-two years.

bridge at Main street was readied, a halt had to 1)e made as the smoke stack could not go under tiie britlge. A consultation of war was held and the next morning the timbers in the middle span were removed and the boat moved through and up to the warehouses. Later the stacks were made with hinges so that they could be drcipped at the cry of 'low bridge."

"These river steamers were built somewhat on the ])lan oi the lumber carriers on the lakes. Thev were clear amidships and low, and the engine room was in the stern. Paddle wheels were built on either side. on some boats they were covered and nn others exposed. A few of the larger lx>ats could not come this far up the river. The steamers, and keel boats, also, drew rmly alxnit eighteen inches of water when loaded. The JMalilda Barne_\- was one of the first steamers txj push her nose up the river tn this ])()rt. although it is proljable that the Indiana was the boat that arrived on that eventful Sunday morning. Pioneers will remember the Pocahontas, John Stryker, South Bend, Michigan. Gem, Ruby, Niles and many other of the river craft. These steamers would tow from three to four keel boats, and the running- of the riffles was accomplished by means of the windlasses with which ever\' boat was provided. With fair luck the trip could be made down the river in three days, and from fnur to five days consumed on the up trip. Air. Eben J. Davis says that the most exciting trip that he ever made down the river was earlv in April of 1848. A man at Three Rivers had built an ark eighty feet long and was carrying a colonv of young men and women to the settlement at New Buffalo. They had succeeded in reaching Elkhart, where the ark grounded on a sand bar. Mr. Davis was called to pilot them to St. Joe. The ciu'rent was running sw'ift and four days w'ere consumed in reaching the mouth of the river. Many narrow escapes from sand bars and riffles occurred during that voyage."

To-day only an occasional pleasure craft or small boats may be seen on these streams once thought so necessani^ to the development of a great civilization in northern Indiana. The days of river navigation and steamboating and "arking"" have a^ completely passed away as the stage coach or the Pottawottomie Indian. The text of the old negro preacher that "The world do move." is proved on every hand when we begin to examine into the history of a county like Elkhart. The rivers and the steamlxiats played a worthy part in the historical drama, but they were soon shifted off the stage to make way for the one greatest factor in the world develoiiment during the last century. The

Elkhart county happily lay in the path of railixiad construction by which the east and the middle west were tied together with bands of steel. Its railroad history is one of the most interesting phases of its historical existence. In the various sections of the middle west the advent of the railroad era marks the close of the pioneer period and the beginning of modern prosperity, and not only the material condition of the country but the very life and customs of the people are sharply dififerentiated in the two epochs. For this reason too much stress cannot be placed upon the railroad era, and happily for our purpose a great abundance of historical material is at hand for the proper treatment of this part of Elkhart county history.

William Henry Smith, in, his history of Indiana, gives some of the points of view which should be kept in mind for the proper understanding of early railroad making through northern Indiana, and we venture to quote here two paragraphs which will throw considerable light on what follows. Says Mr. Smith : "The F.rie canal had been completed and the fever of railroad building had taken possession of the pul)lic mind, 'i'here was an abundance of idle capital, both in this country and in England, all seeking" investment, and the Ohio \alley presented the most enticing inducements. It was then that Indiana lost her opportunity. It was )>rojected to unite Take Erie and Lake Michigan by a great double track railroad, and then to extend the road on southwesterly to the head of steamboat na\igation on the Illinois ri\er. It was a grand project. The road was to start from a point on Lake Erie at the head of Maumee Bay and connect with Lake Michigan at Michigan City. In 1835 the Buffalo & Mississippi Railroad Company was granted a charter by the legislature of Indiana and the route surveyed.

"Among those interested in the j^roject was Daniel Webster, the great senator of [Massachusetts. He came out to Indiana when the work of building the ix)ad was begun with great ceremonies, he delivering an address (in the occasion to a large concourse of people, gathered from al! parts, and throwing up the first sho\el of dirt. So confident were he ami his fellow projectors that the work would be completed and Michigan City become a great city on the lake, that they purchased a great deal of property, and thus the little town experienced its first boom. There were three things they did not count on : The first --tumblini'- block was the Illinois legislature. Unfortunatelv for the

Buffalo & Mississippi Railroad, in those days it was necessary to get a charter in every state through which the road was to operate. Chicago was a Httle town in tlie swamps, hut her citizens were active and farseeing. They could readily see that if the projected railroad was constructed Michigan City would be the great lake port, and they would be left to enjoy the swamps. They organized a lobby and prevented the Illinois legislature from granting the charter asked for. The second obstacle was the apathy on the part of the citizens of Indiana. They seemed to take but little interest in it and made nO' effort to overcome the opposition of Chicago. The projectors nor the people of Indiana, it seems, did not deem it possible to reach the Mississippi by any other route. Or, if they did. they must have thought the hills along the Ohio and in southern Indiana could not \x overcome by a railroad, for no effort was made to reach the Oliin wholly through Indiana territory. The third obstacle was the great panic of 1837. That put an end. for the time being, to all railroad and canal building."

The Xorthern Canal, whose proposed route lay through Fort Wayne, via Goshen, to Lake Michigan, is a subject of almost weekly mention in the county papers during the thirties. Hope seemed to spring eternal that this great \\ater way, and also the Buft'alo and Michigan Railroad, would be completed in the course of a few years.

The history of railroad construction in this county has been exhaustively and authoritatively investigated and treated liy ^Ir. \\'ilber L. Stonex, of Goshen, who himself has Ijeen oinnected \\ith some of the important railroad enterprises in the county and thus speaks from knowledge born of long experience and observation. As an acti\e and enthusiastic member of the Elkhart County Historical Society, and for some time its president. Mr. Stonex compiled and wrote for delivery before the society a historical paper describing the development of railroad transportation in the county ; this article, read before the society January 4, 1899, without doubt constitutes the best historv of this subject, and is given in its practical entirety in the followingparagraphs.

The question which was of the most vital importance to the earlv settlers of Indiana was the question of transportation. The slow and expensive modes of travel made the development of the resources of the state almost impossible. How fully this was realized can be seen in reading the messages which from time to time the governors submitted to the legislatures.

From niau}- special references to the subject 1 select only a few. In 1815 (Jo\-ernor Posey recommended their careful attention to the improvement of the state roads and highways. In 1818 Governor Jennings urged the adoption of measures for the construction of highways and canals and the improvement of the navigation of the rivers of the state. In 1S26 Governor Ray declared the construction of roads and canals necessary to place the state of Indiana on an ecjual tinancial footing with the older states. And again, in 1829, he said: " This subject can ne\er grow irksome, since it must lie the source of the blessings of ci\ilized life. To secure its benefits is a dut}' enjoined upon the legislature b.\- the obligations of the social compact."

L'p to this time no other means were considered tlian roads, canals and navigable rivers. But in 1834 railroads were being built and Governor Noble, in speaking of these public improvements undertaken by the state, said : " No work should be commenced but such as would be of acknowledged public utility, and when completed would form a branch of some general system." And he called favorable attention in the same message to the Lawrenceburg & Indianapolis Railroad, for which a charter had already been granted. Along the lines thus proposed the state steadily pushed, and the construction by it of state roads. vWer improvements, canals and railroads was undertaken on a vast scale. This was forced upon the state by the rivalry of the various parts of the state, each of whicli demanded its own recognition and ncjne of which was willing to wait. The result was that \'ery soon the state became so heavil}- in\ol\-ed in debt that its credit failed, and by the year 1839 all work was practically suspended.