Patoka Township

Patoka Township

On June 2, 1818, Eli Thomas entered the first land in the township. It lies immediately south of Fairmount cemetery, and is the northeast quarter of section nine, township three south, range five west.

Patoka township is estimated to be worth ^950,000, and the city of Huntingburg $925,000. In 1900, the township's population was placed at 1,165, and the city at 2,527. In 1850, Patoka township had a population of 1,400.

The two divisions of the Southern railroad, which adds materially to its wealth, cross this township. In 1903, the first rock roads were constructed in Patoka township, radiating out of the city of Huntingburg.

In Patoka township is the (Hl^son scctio)i, technically known as section twenty-one. It was acquired by William Gibson, November 17, 1818. Old pioneers say he received the land for services rendered in the surveying corps, doing government work. Up to 1900, it was the finest stretch of primeval forest in the county. On this land is the Bricrjie/d bridge across Patoka, on the road leading from Jasper to Huntingburg. Where the bridge now stands was an old Indian ford, and upon the high land southwest of the bridge the Indians had a small field in which they made rude attempts to raise corn. They frequently camped there, and many Indian relics have been found there. Turtles and other Indian totems were cut upon some of the forest trees. Though they were as silent as the foot of time, they conveyed a message. After the Indians went away, their truck patch became covered with wild briers, hence the name bricrficld. Topographically considered, it is just the kind of a place the Piankishaw Indians selected throughout Dubois county for village sites. Patoka river. Duck pond, and a high point of land would certainly prove attractive to the local Indians. It is quite likely that an Indian burying ground is somewhere near, and that some day an archaeologist ma}' make the discovery. It is known that Dr. Isaac Beeler, a successful pioneer physician of Huntingburg, gathered many of his roots and herbs near this Indian camping ground. It is a tradition that roots and herbs were plentiful there because the Indians always made it a point to protect the roots and herbs they did not immediately need. Thus the plants had a chance to multiply freely b}' the time Dr. Beeler needed them. Practically all pioneers had read their Psalms and knew that herbs grew for the services of man. (Ps. 104:14.)

Huntingburg. Huntingburg is the onl}' city in the county. The land upon which it is situated was entered by Col. Jacob Geiger, on Saturday, November ir, 1837. Previousl3^ he had entered the remaining part of section thirt5'-four, township two south, range five west. He then lived in Ivouisville. He came to Dubois county about 1836. He gave lots for schools, churches, and for the cemetery at the southeast corner of the cit}'. He also had five free wells dug for public use. Huntingburg, like all other towns or cities, has a large number of additions. As a town it was incorporated in March, 1866. It has several elegant churches, and a full quota of fine residences. It also has water-works, improved streets, electric lights, etc. The Dubois count}- fair grounds lie southeast of the city. This fair was established in 1887.

Huntingburg was laid out and platted in 1837. It is said to be so named because Col. Geiger was fond of hunting there. A re-survey of the town was made November 26, 1854, by Jacob Marendt, county surveyor; in August, 1866, by Surveyor Sandusky Williams ; and in 1874, by August

Col. Jacob Geiger, the founder, was born, August 14, 1779, in Washigton county, Maryland. He died January 2, 1857, and his remains are at rest in Fairmount cemetery, southwest of Huntingburg. He came to the site of Huntingburg about 1836. He was a son of Capt. Fred. Geiger, a hero of Tippecanoe.

Capt. John I,. Donne is said to have been the first merchant at Huntingburg. Col. Jacob Geiger and Col. Helfrich erected the first steam grist mill in Dubois county, in 1841, and materially, it In 1850, the population of Hunt-

The early postmasters were William G. Helfrich, Wm. Bretz, Sr., E. Pickhardt, Herman Rothert, Henry Dufendach, and John Brandenstein. Following Mr. Brandenstein, came Col. C. C. Schreeder, Capt. Morman Fisher, Frank Behrens, J. W. Lewis, and Frank Dufendach {1909.) J. C. Bayles was also an early citizen.

Peter Behrens is said to have been the first shoemaker; Mrs. Blemker, the first landlady; Wm. Wesseler and H. Behrens, the first tailors, and E. J. Blemker, the first tanner.

In 1866, Huntingburg contained 370 inhabitants, and it was incorporated. Its first officers were as follows: Treasurer, E. Pickhardt; Clerk, E. R. Brundick; Trustees, Capt. Morman Fisher, Herman Rothert, and E. J. Blemker.

At Huntingburg are manufactured a quality of building and fire bricks not surpassed, if equalled, in any other part of southern Indiana. It is the principal enterprise in the city utilizing natural resources.

About 1893, Huntingburg established a public water supply. The water is obtained from an artificial lake covering about forty-five acres. The stand pipe has a capacity of 125,000 gallons. About 166,664 gallons of water are used daily. The water is soft, and gathers from a watershed covering about five hundred acres.

Huntingburg's greatest and most disastrous fire took place May 17, 18S9. Seventeen buildings around 4th and Geiger streets were totally -destroyed, among them the large four story tobacco barn of Herman Roth- This started a movement for water works.

The Fisher House, on Geiger street, near Sixth street, is one of Huntingburg's most historic and best preserved landmarks. It was built in 1S62 by Col. Jacob Geiger, fifteen years after he founded the town. It is now occupied by his grand-daughter, Mrs. Fisher, and her son, Leo H. Fisher. It is known as "The Indiana Mansion."

The following men have served as mayors of Huntingburg: E. R. Brundick, from May, 1889, to May, 1891 : Capt. Morman Fisher, from May, 1S91, to September, 1894; E. R. Brundick, from September, 1894, to September, 1898; Joseph W. Schwartz, from September, 1898, to September, 1902; Dr. Chas. W. Schwartz, from September, 1902, to September, 1904; Philip Bamberger, from September, 1904, to January, 1910; Daniel W. Wiggs, from January 3, 1910.

Dujf. Robert Small is the founder of DufF, and the town plat bears date of April 9, 1883, though a postofl&ce had long been established before 1883. It is said to have been named in honor of Col. B. B. Edmonston, who when a boy was called "Col. Duff," by his companions.

The town is situated on the Southern railroad and is established as a trading point for the surrounding territory. Duff is 467 feet above the sea. J. F. Lichlyter is postmaster.