Portage Township (part 1 of 2)

Portage Township

This is 37 north, 2 east, bounded on the north by German and Clay townships, on the east bj' Penn, on the soiitli by Green and Centre, and on the west by "Warren, and contains 28 square miles, being four miles north and south by seven east and west. The middle of the south side is near the geographical center of the county. It is one of the first townships organized in the county, and as its history is the same as that of South Bend, the capital of the county, we proceed immediately to give a full account of this enterprising city.

South Bexd

When Alexis Cocjuillard established a trading post at the south bend of the St. Joseph Kiver in 1824, for the purpose of traffic with the Pottawatomie Indians, little did he think that around this post would grow up a thriving, bustling city, with manufactories affording employment to thousands of men, and whose articles of manufacture would be shipped to every part of the civilized world. But all this was accomplished in less than 50 years. The Indian, the sole occupant of this land at that time, was sent farther west, and where the wigwams of the braves were erected, now stand the stately mansions of the whites. Change is written upon ever}' hand. The location of the town was well chosen, and was appreciated by the traveler and others as early as 1830. Saj's a correspondent of the Indianapolis Journal under date November 30, of that year:

" Having lately traveled through the north part of Indiana. I am of the opinion that a description of it will not be without interest to 3'our readers. Traveling west, I passed the southern bend of the St. Joseph river, at the intersection of the Michigan road, where it is supposed the seat of justice of St. Joseph county will ere long be established. This town, I have no doubt, will in a very few years become one of the most important towns north of Indianapolis, and it is a misfortune that the law of the last session authorizing the partial opening of the Michigan road, did not cause it to be opened to the St. Joseph at this bend, where salt manufactured at Canandaigua, New York, of a quality far superior to any manufactured on the Ohio, is now selling for $3.50 per barrel of five bushels. I am pleased to learn that a large number of wagons fi'om distant settlements have come to this place, through the prairie without a road, for loads of this indispensable article." (843)

The early history of South Bend is closely identified with the history of the connty, and the history of one is the history of the other, therefore more attention will be given to a later period in what follows.

South Bend was so named in consequence of the town being located upon the south bend of the St. Joseph river, and therefore only expresses locality. Several attempts have been made to change its name; column after column of newspaper articles have been written in favor of and against the proposed change. The name St. Joseph's City was once proposed and found many advocates, but was rejected by the people, and so the name remains as originally bestowed upon it by Alexis Coquillard and his associates in the beginning.

The lirst commissioners appointed by the Legislature of the State for the location of the county seat selected a place about two miles down the river from South Bend. This did not please the people, and a petition was circulated, and the signature of nearly every voter in the county obtained, changing it to this place. The proprietors of the place ofl:ered very favorable inducements to secure its location and the change was made.

When it was settled that South Bend should be the county seat, confidence was instilled in the minds of the settlers and those who desired to locate here, and improvements were at once commenced. The town was laid out, lots sold at a fair price, buildings were erected, and South Bend at once began to reach out. Its growth was slow for some years, but it has never once taken a backward step. A steady growth has always been kept up, which has in the last few years been quickened by the introduction and enlargement of its manufactories, but never exhibiting a mushroom growth.

Reminiscences Of South Bend

A writer in the St. Josej>h Valley Begister, in 1S76, when the minds of men were being drawn to historical events, thus writes of the early days of South Bend:

" South ]3end was quite a prominent point in the Indian country long before any town was laid out. Niles and Mottville were the first laid-out towns on the St. Joseph river, but long before they were first settled the American Fur Company had a trading post at South Bend, for the sale of Indian goods and the collection of furs, which drew around it quite a little settlement of white people, directly or indirectly engaged in trading with or living ofl' the Indians. Then as far back as 1S27, Col. Taylor opened an Indian store at this place, so that when the county was first organized,

History Of St. Joseph County

South Bend bad two dry-goods stores. These two establishments, and the few people who collected around them, made it, before it had a name, more attractive to emigration than either Niles or Mottville.

" In 1S31 the new town began to put on the airs of a village, though standing trees were not cut out of Michigan street until the next year, except as needed for tire- wood or fence rails. The Michigan road was cut out in 1832. This cleared the standing timber from Michigan and Water streets, and gave us all the room we needed for street purposes. All that part of the table-land between the river and what we call the blutf, was covered with a beautiful growth of oak and hickory - mostly burr oak from 40 to 50 feet high. By proper thinning out and careful preservation of the rest. South Bend might have made one of the most delightfully shaded towns in the United States.

"Among the leading men of 1S30-'31 were Alexis Coquillard and Lathrop M. Taylor. They were the Indian traders. Coquillard at that time had charge of an Indian store owned by himself and Comparet, of Fort Wayne. It was successor to the American Fur Company's store. Taylor had charge of one owned by himself and Judge Hanna, of Fort Wayne.

-' Samuel L. Cottrell moved into the St. Joseph valley as early as 1827. He was the first elective sheriff in the county. He was a large and powerful man and rather combative in his younger days. He served as sheriff two terms afterward. He was always regarded as an honest man, and faithfully and promptly discharged his official duties. St. Joseph county never had a better sheriff' than Samuel L. Cottrell.

"There was considerable building in the new town in 1831, though the houses were small - mostly log cabins. Peter Johnson built a storj'-and-a-half frame house on the corner where Coonley's drug store now stands, in which he kept hotel for many years. Benjamin Coquillard also kept a house of entertainment at the junction of Pearl and Wasliington streets, and so did Calvin Lilley, on the ground where E. P. Taylor now resides, at the corner of St. Joseph and Pearl streets. Alexis Coquillard also commenced the erection of his new dwelling-house, the same now owned by Joseph Miller on Michigan street.

" In the spring of this year Peter Johnson built the first regular keel-boat for general freighting on the St. Joseph river. I do not remember her name, but I remember well seeing her launched. It was done with due ceremony. A man stood on the bow with an uplifted bottle of whisky, and as she sailed into the water, broke it over the bow, therebj' insuring the boats future success. This boat did the freighting on the river that year and its share of business for many years afterwai'd. The venerable Madore Crate, still living in our midst, was her captain. From that time until railroads were built into the St. Joseph valley, the river was the great highway over which the merchandise into and out of the county

" Horatio Chapin also, at this time located in our midst. He started his goods from Detroit by way of the lakes as early in the spring as he could, but they did not reach here until July, when he opened the first general dry-goods store not connected with the Indian trade. He commenced business in a hewed-log cabin on St. Joseph street, on the lot where Mrs. Masse}' now lives. He was about twenty-eight j'ears old, and as strict a Presbyterian then as when he died. I remember his goods came up the river on Saturday afternoon, and were immediately piled out on the bank of the river, but there were no teams to be had to haul them up to the store that afternoon. Next morning tliere were plenty, but next morning was Sunday, and no man or beast could work for him on that day. So the goods had to lie there, exposed to the weather, with nobody to look after them until Monday morning. He was one of that kind of men that if he said the horse was 16 feet high he would stick to it; at least he never would be argued out of it. If he changed his opinion it would be of his own volition, not from what any one else would say. For the first year or two he did quite a thriving business, and then he was unfortunate in losing two stocks of goods on the lakes. lie was the first county school commissioner, and as such had charge of the sale of the sixteenth section of school lands. This oflice was held by him for several years, and as long as he would keep it, always discharging his duties up to the spirit of the law; as iiedid everything else.

"To effect tlie removal of the county-seat from St. Joseph to South Bend, a donation of lots was made to the county by the proprietors of the latter place, to enable it to build county buildings, but there was a reservation of ten per cent, of the proceeds arising from the sale of the lots to be appropriated for a count}' library. This fund with some other was collected together, and Mr. Chapin appointed to select and ])urchase the books. He accepted the trust and faithfully executed it, and acted as librarian for many years without compensation. Many of those old books are now in the McClure Library. I had never seen a historical book before, except Weem's Life of Washington, and Horry's Life of Gen. Marion. Rollins, Gibbon, Plutarch, Josephus, and such works opened a new world to me. Though Kollins, Plutarch and Josephus may be full of fabulous stories, still I think they are capital good books for boys to read as well as men. After Mr. Chapin quit the mercantile business he was for a short time engaged in warehousing and buying produce. When the branch of the first State Bank was established here he was made its cashier, and continued in that ofiice until its charter expired. He was a peculiar and remarkable character, very intelligent and thoughtful, always trying to live a strictly Christian life; yet liis temper was so quick, and when excited so stubborn and self-willed, that one might as well attempt to reason with a statue as witli him under such circumstances; but when undisturbed by conflict he was remarkably polite, kind and accommodating. He died a few years ago enjoying the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.

" It was in this year that John D. Defrees and Dr. Jacob Hardman came and settled among ns. The doctor soon commenced the practice of his profession. The connti-v was remarkably healthy for tlie first few years, but as the Doctor was the only physician within a range of thirty or forty miles he found enough to do. He is still living and looking about as young and frisky as ever, always ready to enjoy a good dinner, and takes a lively interest in the reminiscences of the past.

" In the fall of 1S31 John D. Defrees and his brother Joseph established the first weekly newspaper published in jSTorthern Indiana, called i\\e Northivestern Pioneer. I think it was before any paper was published in Chicago or anywhere in Southwestern Michigan. They were practicnl printers, did their own type-setting and wrote their own editorials. The paper was regarded as ably conducted and popular with the people, yet it was a premature venture. There were not people or business enough to support it. After a struggle of a year or so its publication was suspended, and we were without a newspaper until 1836, when the free Press was started by William Milligan, from which the Register is a lineal descendant.

" After the suspension of the paper, John D. Defrees stndied law, and in connection Thomas D. Baird got into quite a lucrative practice. But his strong inclination to mix in politics drew him from the Bar to the State Senate. After the expiration of his term he became editor of the Indiana Journal, and a noted politician throughout the State. Under the administration of President Lincoln he was elected Government printer at "Washington. After filling that office with great credit to himself and advantage to the public service, he retired to private life.

" When it was found that the paper would not pay, Joseph H. Defrees struck out for Goshen, where the county seatof that county had just been located. About all his worldly estate was then invested in a printing press and a small quantity of type, - not a ver}' flattering investment to raise money on, but ' Joe ' had a capital within himself which he did not then comprehend, but Col. Taylor did. The Colonel proposed to furnish him with a small stock of goods to start as a merchant in the new town. He took them without being able to pay a cent down, or to secure any part of it. With this small beginning, he soon became the leading merchant in that county, and has ever since been regarded as one of its best and most respectable business men. lie has represented his county in both branches of the State Legislature, and his district in Congress, witli credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituency. He is still living, enjoying a well-spent life, and surrounded by a prospering and highly respectable family.

" James P. and Daniel Antrim were among the settlers in the fall of 1831. They started the next dry-goods store after Mr. Chapin. James P. Antriin was the first Probate Judge of the county. He was commissioned in January, 1833, and held the office until it was eonferred upon Judge Egbert in 1834. He was considered a sensible, straiglitforward man. He was Justice of the Peace for several years afterward. To show how careful and faithful he was as a public officer, and as a lesson to justices of the peace at this day, I will mention that whenever a witness fee was paid in, he notified the witness of the fact or paid him the money as soon as he saw him. If it was not more than a quarter of a dollar he was sure to get it. It was not done for display, but it was his way of doing business. He moved away from here a great many years ago, and settled in Hamilton county, in this State, and was still living a few years ago. Daniel Antrim was quite a business man . He laid out the town of North Liberty, and built a sawmill and grist-mill there, and by his energy gave his new town a brisk start in the world, but the hard times of 1838 struck him, spread out all his new enterprises, and before he could gather himself up he fell into the bankrupt stream, and soon floated off and out of sight, in company with other wrecks.

" John S. McClelland settled here in the latter part of 1831. He shortly afterward opened a store. He was a quiet kind of a man; did not talk much, but was enterprising and regarded as a man of good practical sense. At one time he was part owner and principal manager of what was called tiie new furnace at Mishawaka. In 1838, in connection with Joim Brownfield, he undertook to build glass works in South Bend. The buildings were erected out in the woods, about thirty or forty rods from where St. Patrick's church now stands. After the buildings were all ready for occupancy, the man who was to be their manufacturer of glass whimsically left them. The hard times and Mr. McClelland's death, soon afterward, put an end to the enterprise. It was said then, and I have no doubt it is true, that we have an abundance of the best quality of sand for making glass.

-'' The late Captain Anthony Defrees was also a settler of 1831. At that time there was quite a considerable stream of water starting out of the side of the bluff, a few rods up the river above the stand-pipe, and springs came out of the bank all along the bluff at about the same elevation to where the bluff runs into the river below. It was one continual spirt of water, in all forming a constant and quite considerable stream at the foot of the bluff. The Captain concluded there was water enough, under a head of 16 or 18 feet, to run a woolen factor}^ if it could be collected together in a race on the side-hill below, where the water issued from the bluff. He went to work at it in the spring of 1832, and cut his race and soon had the water flowing tlirough a flume at the expected elevation, but he soon discovered liis race was filling up with sand. It was found impossible to keep the quick-sand back, and he was compelled to abandon the work at considerable loss. No one thought at that time of tackling the river and building a dam across it; so when tiie Captain's hydraulic project failed, the prospects of South Bend as a manufacturing center went down below zero.

The 22d of February, 1832, being Washington's centennial birth-day, the South-Benders held a meeting at the log schoolhoufe, and were gratified with a very fine address for the occasion from Captain Defrees. In the fall of that year he moved out on his farm near town, where he lived for many years as an industrious and successful farmer. Occasionally he amused himself writing for the newspapers. He was an intelligent and thinking man, positive and oecided in his character, never catering to any set of men or party, or in any way seeking popular applause. If anybody wanted his opinion they could have it, and if they did not like it they could let it alone and no harm done. He worried the storms of life until after he was SO years old, and then was gathered to his fathers, bearing with him the esteem of all his acquaintances.

" Peter Johnson was another permanent settler of 1S31. As I have before stated, he built and owned the first keel-boat used on the St. Joseph river for general freighting, and also one of the earliest in the hotel business, which he continued for many years, and while engaged in this business he kept his boat running on the river and acted as one of the Justices of the Peace of the township, and during the same time was engaged as a carpenter, building the best houses that were being then built in the town. He built and owned the first steam saw-mill that was ever put up in the county. He was tlie architect who erected the old court-house, the walls of which were put np in 1S32. He served one term of seven years as an Associate Judge of the Circuit Court. He was a good neighbor, a kind-hearted and peaceable man. After arriving at the age of nearly 80 years he departed this life, without leaving an enemy beliind him.

" Samuel Studebaker ought not to be forgotten. He was no relation to the present family' that I know of, but he had a good deal of their enterprise in him. He came here prior to 1831, and the first I knew of him he was residing on a farm now occupied by Mr. Wenger. He built one of the first saw-mills in the county. It was situated at the mouth of Bowman's creek, on the St. Joseph river. I think John Wedner got his mill at the mouth of Ullery creek before Studebaker. Along in 1835 or 1836 he got up a twoand-a-half story mill-house about a mile this side of Mishawaka, on the river bank, intending it for a grist-mill. He expected to get his power from the collection of the waters of the big marsh back of Mishawaka into a race carrying it to his mill, but he died before he got anything more done to it, and the mill-house was allowed to rot down. He was among the first to build in South Bend. He put up a house on the northwest corner of Michigan and Jefferson streets, before the county-seat was located here. He was a hardworking, plain and sensible man, and a very worthy citizen.

"John Massey settled iiere in the fall of 1831. He, in company with his brother-in-law, Samuel Eaton, started the first regular blacksmith shop. They were both industrious men and got plenty to do at good prices. The shop was on St. Joseph street, near Chapin's store. In a few years, by hard work, they acquired considerable property. Mr. Massey was afterward Tax Collector for the county, a duty which is now discharged by the County Treasurer. He was a quiet man, a good citizen, and above the average in business capacity.

" Neliemiah B. Griffith established the first licensed ferry across the St. Joseph river at this point. It was in 1831. He was a retired Methodist preacher, a man of a good deal of ability, and could preach a good sermon. Some people thought he was a little too sharp a business man for a good Methodist preacher.

" Simeon Mason was the first tanner. He built a tan-yard here as early as the spring of 1S31, and I do not know but he commenced it in tlie fall of 1830^ The water- works building is where his tannery stood. But tanning at that early day and in this county seemed to be an impossible business; at least he could not make it go very well. He quit the business and left a great many years ago.

" Edmond P. Taylor is one of our oldest residents. He came here prior to 1830, and assisted his brother, L. M. Taylor, in the management of his Indian store. After L. M. Taylor went out of the dry-goods business, Pitts continued the same on his own account for several years at the old stand. He then wound up the business , and commenced packing pork. He was the pioneer pork-packer, and devoted himself exclusively to that business for several j'ears; then he went down on the race in the lumber business.

"Christian Wolf was the first hatter. He commenced business in the spring of 1831. His shop was a log cabin on Michigan street, about where John Klingel's store now stands. He was a goodhearted but very peculiar kind of a man. Old Judge Wade used to say to him that he had seen many a wolf, but that was the first Christian'WoMhe ever saw. We generallj^ called him "Governor," after the then Gov. Wolf, of Pennsylvania. He was a most obstinate Democrat. The Washington Olohe, then the leading Democratic paper in the United States, was his political bible. The National Intelligencer occupied about the same position in the Whig party. The two papers were of the same size and form, with very much the same typographical appearance. For the pui-pose of testing the Governor's political candor, the heads of the two papers were cut off and that of the Olole nicely put upon the Intelligencer and iianded out of the postoffice to the Governor as his paper. He sat down and Commenced to read it. A triad of friends were casting furtive glances at him without his knowing it. He read along a little while and would then look up to the head of the paper and assure himself that it was the Glohe, and read again, but still look more confused and mystified than ever; then look up again at the head of the paper, and say to himself: ' Yes, it is the Glohe; can it be that it, too, has turned traitor?' About that time there was a general explosion all around. The Governor rolled up the whites of his eyes, casting a glance around upon his spectators, and drawing his mouth up into a kind of doggish grin, squeaked out: ' You think you are smart, don't you?' The Governor went to California many years ago, and was a few years since residing near Sacramento, in comfortable circumstances.

"Samuel Martin was another one of the earliest settlers. In 1831 he laid off the first addition to South Bend, known as Martin's addition. He served as a Justice of the Peace for several years, and all the time that he lived here he was regarded by everybody as one of the best of men. He died some years since in California.

"William Stanfleld was one of the settlers of 1831. He built himself a log cabin on Michigan street, on the lot now occupied by the Masonic Temple; also a log shop where lie did general jobbing work, such as repairing wagons, stocking plows, and what other work he could do to make a living. He was a kind-hearted man, liberal to a fault. His house was the home of all the itinerant Methodist preachers in the country, and everybody was welcome to his table whether there was much on it or not. He moved to California in 1851 and died there. I think if there are any two men in Heaven from that State it is he and Samuel Martin.

" 1 have been under the impression that Tyra W. Bray came here in 1832, but I am now satisfied it was in the year 1831. He was a native of North Carolina, and about as poor when he arrived hei-e as a healthy, vigorous young man could be, with a wife and one child. He was stirring, energetic and public-spirited, and soon became well known throughout the county - alwa^'s ready to take hold of and help every public enterprise without regard to any particular profit to himself. He was emphatically what people call 'a whole-souled, generous man.' His generous and benevolent disposition frequently led him into embarrassing engagements from which he otten suffered pecuniary loss, but he was not the man to whine over it or complain about it, or to make it an excuse for abstaining from other enterprises looking to the public welfare. It would cure almost any croaker or grumbler to be in the company of Tyra W. Bray for one day. He was our first County Surveyor and held the ofllce until 1 837, when he was elected County Clerk over as good and well-known a man as Col. L. M. Taylor. In 1843 he was re-elected to the same ofiice. In the fall of that year he and his wife started on a journey to North Carolina to make a visit to their friends - expecting to be absent three months - traveling all the way there and back in a two-horse carriage. Who would think of taking such a trip now, for such a purpose? Railroads were then unknown in any of the countrj' through which he had to travel. What a wonderful change in the facilities of travel has taken place since that time! He started oif in the prime of life, healthy, hopeful and expecting a warm greeting from the friends of his youth; but on the third or fourth day of his journey he was seized with a violent attack of erysipelas, which ended his life in three or four days. He now lies buried at the little town of Burlington, on the Michigan road twenty miles south of Logansport. .

" I find that I have made the same mistake in the date of the settlement of Robert Wade. He settled here in the year 1831 instead of the year 1832. I believe he was a native of Kentucky, but emigrated here from Wayne county, in this State, where he had for some years been a prominent citizen, holding the office of either Probate Judge or Associate Judge of the Circuit Court, and was therefore generally known as Judge Wade.

" It was understood when he came he had considerable money. The word '' considerable" may be definitely understood by stating that we in those days considered one worth three or four thousand dollars and out of debt a rich man. At any rate he was regarded as a valuable acquisition to the people of the town. He soon began to buy lots ami build houses. One amongst the first frame houses built in the town was put up by him on what is now known as the Odd Fellows' corner. He also put a row of one-story log houses on Michigan street along where Hanon's stores are now situated, which were used for a variety of shops. He built several other buildings iu difierent parts of the town; and at one time, perhaps, owned as many houses and lots as any other man in the place; but while under the influence of an unfortunate habit a good deal of his property slipped away from him. He was a warm-hearted, generous man, kind and indulgent to every one, and universally recognized as an honest man. At an early period of the California excitement he emigrated to that country and I think he died there in 1852.

" Capt. Lot Day settled in this county iu the fall of 1831 or spring of 1832. He also emigrated to this county from the southern part of this State, ' in yander on Whitewater.' His worldly possessions consisted principally in a large family of robust, healthy children, about equally divided as to gender. At first he engaged in farming. After a year or two he moved into town and went to brick-making and contracting for such job work as he could get to do. He was a man of more than an ordinary share of good common sense, public-spirited and patriotic. The Whigs of that day thought him a little slippery in politics, but in every other relation be was always regarded as an honest and upright man, a kind and good neighbor, ever ready at any moment to respond to the call of charity. By his kindness and shrewdness he soon gained popular favor, and in 1833 he was elected one of the Board of County Com- missioners, and ^held the ofiice by repeated elections until 1842, -when he was elected Sherifl" of the county. This office he held for two terms. lu 1847 he was elected from this senatorial district, then composed of St. Joseph, Marshall, and Fulton counties, to the State Senate. He served out his term of three years, and shortly afterward moved to Oregon, where he lived for many years, following his old trade of brick-maker. Two or three years ago, after he had arrived at the age of eighty years, while on a visit to one of his sons in Nevada, he departed this life.

were other people living in South Bend in 1831 besides those I have mentioned. 1 can now remember only John D. Lastley, William Creviston, James DeGrote, Hiram Dayton, Joseph Hane}', Levi Antrim, Louis Sancomb, William Wood, John Becroft, Peter Neddo, John A. Caiue, Mr. Algo, Mr. Bobein, Andrew Mack, Mr. Cushman, Oliver Bennett, Calvin Lille}', Mr. Roof, and Solomon Barcdall."

Additions To The City

As originally laid out by Alexis Coquillard and Lathrop M. Taylor, South Bend comprised twenty-six whole and twenty fractional blocks. The plat was recorded on the 28th day of March, 1831. According to the plat the town was located on the west and south bank of the "Big St. Josef" river. Since that time a large number of additions have been made, until it covers an extent of territory several times as great as originally made. The most important addition made to the town was that of the village of Lowell, which was annexed in 1868.

Increase In Population Organization Of The Town

The town was laid out and platted the 28th of March, 1831, but was not organized under town government until 1835, the first charter election being held October 3 of that year, at which time William P. Howe, Horatio Chapin, Peter Johnson, John Massey and James A. Mann were elected trustees. In 1837, E. P. Taylor was elected President of the Board and F. E. Tutt, Clerk. The organization was subsequently abandoned, and not revived until 1845. About a year previous a special charter was secured from the Legislature. The tirst meeting of the Board was held January 31, 1845, all the trustees being present. John Brownfield was chosen President, and William H. Patteson, Clerk.

The first ordinance passed by the Board was to divide the town into five wards. The second appointed Drs. William A. Brown, Daniel Dayton, E. S. Sheffield, A. B. Merritt, Louis Humphreys and Mr. A. M. Lapierre and B. F. Miller, a Board of Health. This Board was appointed in consequence of the town being afllicted with the small-pox to such an extent that unusual sanitary precautions and police regulations became imperative. Their term of ofiice was to continue so long as 'the epidemic prevailed in the town. The third, fourth, fiftli, sixth and seventh ordinances were to empower the Board of Health to enforce all sanitary measures they deemed necessary to stay the epidemic.

John Hooper was appointed Marshal at this meeting, but only served four days, when Evan C. Johnson was appointed until the first Monday in March following.

The first annual election was held Monday, March 3, 18i5, resulting in the election of John Brownfield, B. F. Price, William H. Patteson, Ricketson Burroughs and Joseph Andre, as Trustees. At this election 108 votes were polled.

The following is a list of elected and appointed officers of the town from 1845 to 1865, inclusive, with the exception of the years 1852 to 1857, the i-ecords of which are either lost or destroyed:

About the tirst of May, 1865, a large petition was presented to the Board of Trustees, asking that a special election be called to vote upon the question as to whether an organization should be eflected under a general charter for the incorporation of cities. The prayer of the petitioners was granted and an election ordered to be held May 22, 1865, for or against incorporation. The election was accordingly held, resulting in a large majority for incorporation.

The tirst ward to embrace all that portion of said city lying north of the center line of Market street, and extending to the western boundary of the city."

The second ward to embrace all that portion of said city lying south of the first ward, and north of the center line of Wayne street, extending to the western boundary of the city.

The last meeting of the Board was held June 9, 1865. The last order passed was as follows: " Ordered, that all oflicers of the corporation of the town of South Bend deliver to the proper oflicers of the city of South Bend all moneys and personal property belonging to said town now in their possession, for the use and benefit of said city.

Organization Of The City

According to tlie order of the Town Board, an election for city officers was held June 5, at which election 542 votes were cast. W. G. George Avas elected Mayor, together with a full Board of Councilraen and the various officers as provided by law.

The first meeting of the council -was held June 12, 1865. All the Board were present. The first business transacted was the selection of stated times for meeting of the council. William Miller moved the adoption of a seal for the city as follows: Around the margin the words "Tlie City of South Bend, Indiana", and in the center the National flag surmounted with the Liberty Cap, the sun rising out of a cloud ; above it the word " Peace," and underneath it the figures "18G5."

The council elected Charles "W". Guthrie Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, and Dr. I. IST. Green, Clement Studebaker and Norman Eddy, members of the Board of Health.

Be it ordained ly the Common Council of the City of SotUh Bend: That the words " City " or " Corporation " wherever it may occur in this or any other ordinance hereafter ordained or established by said council, shall be construed to extend and apply to all that part of Portage township, St. Joseph countj^ State of Indiana, which -was included within the limits of the town ot South Bend, as defined by an ordinance of said town of South Bend passed August 26, 1859.

1867. - Councilmen - 1st ward, S. F. Myers ; 2d ward, Thomas S. Stanfield ; 3d ward, T. W. Defrees; -ith ward, Andrew Eusswurm, Samuel Perry.

Histokt Of St. Joseph County

At the regular election this year a vote was taken as to the division of the third ward, resulting in a majority for the division. The City Council then divided the ward making Lafayette street the dividing line, all territory upon the west side of that street constituting the third ward, and all territory upon the east side constituting the fifth ward. In the division it was found one of the aldermen already elected resided in the newly organized third ward, and the other in the fifth. A special election was then called for the election of an additional alderman in each ward, when T. W. Defrees was elected in the third ward and J. M. Asire in the fifth ward.

1877. - Councilmen - 1st ward, Ricketson Burroughs; 2d ward, George F. Kevins; 3d ward, Henry C. Crawford; 4th ward, Jonas Lantz; 5th ward, Solomon W. Palmer.

1S79. - Councilmen - 1st ward, Sorden Liston; 2d ward, Joseph Henderson; 3d ward, W. "W. Giddings; 4th ward, John A. Neuperth; 5th ward, William S Weaver.

1S80. - Mayor, Levi J. Ham; Clerk, Frederick B. Williams; Treasui-er, DeWitt C. Rush; Marshal, George Bernhard; Assessor, William L. Farr; Trustees Water-works - J. M. Studebaker, one year; Alex. C. Staley, two years; Jacob Strayer, three years; "Councilmen - 1st ward, Irwin Skinner; 2d ward, David Stover; 3d ward, James Butler; 4th ward, Timothy E. Howard; 5th ward, George W. La ugh man.

The Situation Of South Bend

South Bend was originally situated on a commanding bluff on the west bank of the St. Joseph river at its most southern point, and distant from Chicago eighty-five miles east, and west of Toledo one hundred and forty-three miles. Its site is elevated, being located on the water-shed between waters flowing northward to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and south into the Gulf of Mexico. The soil of the city is a sandy loam, and its surface level, making, with its height above the river, the best drainage and the finest natural streets found anywhere. The city is laid out with wide streets, and the enterprise of its first inhabitants have lined its spacious avenues with forest trees indigenous to the country, the maple, oak and walnut. The city has ever had a Jiigh character for health, and the purity and salubrity of the atmosphere, together with the romantic scenery in its vicinity, makes it a desirable locality in which to reside or to spend a few months.

The city is surrounded by a rich and highly cultivated agricultural region. The beautiful prairies of Terre Coupee, Portage, Harris, Palmer and Sumption are within the county, covered with productive farms, and celebrated for their large yield of all kinds of grain. South and southeast of the city are large tracts of heavily timbered lands, furnishing an abundance of the best walnut, cherry, poplar and oak lumber. The '' barrens," as they are termed, in the immediate vicinity of the city, are well adapted to the raising of grain, and especially to the cultivation of fruits and berries. The deserved reputation of the fruits raised here, and the nearness to the great Western markets, make it a profitable business. With the variety of soil, the tine climate, the nearness to market, the quantity of timber, the great educational advantages of the city, this country is far superior in advantages for botli the agriculturist and the artisan, to the wide prairies of the farther West.

Annexation Of Lowell

When the company, spoken of farther on in this work, purchased the land upon tlie east side of the river for the purpose of improving the water-power and tlie erection of buildings for manufacturini^ purposes, they laid out in 1837 a town opposite South Bend, to which was given the name of Dennison. In course of time the name of the place was changed to Lowell. Quite a thriving town was built up, and for some years the question of its annexation to South Bend was agitated, its interests being closely identified with the latter place. In December, 1866, the City Council of South Bend passed a resolution of annexation and Lowell became a part of the cit}' of South Bend and formed the fourth ward.

Water Works

In 1872 the question of water works for the city was agitated, and the local papers of the city were filled with discussions of the various systems proposed. One party was a strong advocate of the Holly system and another of the stand-pipe system. On the 20th day of March, 1873, the committee appointed and known as the Water Works Committee entered into a contract with certain parties for the Holly system, the works to be completed and in operation by SeDtember 15, 1873, the whole to be completed at a cost of $20,000.

Immediately after this contract was made a large meeting of citizens was held at Good's Opera House to protest against the action of the committee. Speeches were made by various parties, and resolutions passed in conformity with the views of those assembled. The election for city oflicers was soon to take place and citizens divided upon the question of the Holly versus the standpipe system of water works. The majority of the Board of Conncilmen were in favor of the latter, and a contract was made in the summer following for the erection of the stand-pipe, and for laying of mains throughout the city. The whole work was placed under the supervision of John Birkinbine, who was assisted by his brother Harry. The contract made with representatives of the Holly system was ignored, and the work proceeded with. On Monday, November 17, 1873, the iron pipe was raised under the direction of Alex Staples, of South Bend.

The stand-pipe is erected upon a foundation prepared for it near the water works. The length of tube is 204 feet, diameter five feet, weight 43,382 pounds, and capacity 29, .500 gallons. It is made of 108 plates of iron, fastened by 9,856 rivets, and has 1,300 feet of calked seams. The weight of the base casting is 10,920 pounds. With one exception, it is the highest stand-pipe in the world. The whole is encased with brick. Water is taken from above the dam by means of head gates and carried by a flume under ground to three wheel pits, in eacli of which is placed a sixtysix-tnch " American " turbine wheel. The tail water is carried by means of a tunnel under the head race of the dam company discharging into the river below the dam.

The pumping machinery consists of three sets known as the Flanders ])ump8, manufactured by the Vergennes Machine Company, of Vergennes, Vermont, and are each capable of raising one million gallons to a height of 230 feet per day. Each set consists of two pumps working at quarter centers. Water is taken from the flume and discharged into a 12-inch pipe. The gearing from the wheels to the pumps consists of a pair of 30-inch bevel gears, one of them morticed, and a 20-inch spur pinion, driving a 60-incli morticed wheel.

The first test of the works was on Christmas day, 1873, and was perfectly satisfactory to the entire community. An amusing circumstance occurred in connection with the test, J. M. Studebaker had wagered Leighton Pine a cow that a stream of water could not be thrown so as to reach him in the cupola of the Studebaker Wagon Works. At the proper time Mr. Studebaker took his position, accompanied by Schuyler Colfax, when the signal was given and the water shot upward from the nozzle, and the oecupants of the belfry beat a hasty retreat, to avoid getting a complete drenching. As it was. they looked as if they had been in a hard shower. The water was thrown far above the belfry and the judges there could see all the other streams, so Mr. Studebaker gracefully acknowledged that he had lost the wager and transferred an animated dairy to Mr. Pine. The cow was gail}' decorated with ribbons, and, preceded by the band and a number of carriages filled with prominent citizens, marched down the street to Mr. Pine's residence.

While leading the cow down near Cushing & Co's corner, she made a lunge for the side- walk, and some ofticious individual seized her by the tail to help her oft'. To the astonishment and indignation of the crowd, he pulled so hard that her tail came ofl", but indignation soon gave way to laughter when it was ascertained that the cow had an abbreviated narrative, and had been decorated with a false tail for the occasion. The cow was afterward put up at auction to be sold for the benefit of the poor. The purchaser donated it back for the same purpose, and it was sold a number of times, realizing a handsome sum of money for a worthy object.

Until the spring of 1S79 the works were under the control of the City Council, but now they are controlled by a Board of Trustees, consisting at the present time of J. if. Studebaker, A. C. Staley and Jacob Strayer. Everett L. Abbott, on thq completion of the works, was appointed Superintendent and has been i-e-appointed each year. The original cost of the works was $150,000; present value, $200,000. The stand-pipe is visited daily by from 50 to 150 persons, who obtain from the top a magnificent view of the city and surrounding country.

Pctblic Schools

A comparison of the old log scliool-lionse erected in 1831, with the fine buildings now in every ward of the city, will show a wonderful improvement. Compare also the methods of teaching of the teachers of that early day with those of the present, and likewise a wonderful change will be seen. The advantages of the present generation are hardly to be compared with those of the past. But the citizens of South Bend were never content to stand still in any enterprise, much less that which pertains to the cause of educa"- tion.

The free-school system of this State began in 1853, since which time it has continued to grow more and more efficient. For many years the old county seminary and two or three private academies, in operation at difterent times, served the purpose of our present high school. In 1867 the graded school system was adopted, under the superintendency of Prof. Daniel Eyres. The high school comprises a course of four years' study, as follows:

Junior year: 1st term - Geometry, astronomy, German or Latin (Caesar) and bookkeeping; 2d term - Geometry, natural philosophy, German or Latin (Caesar and Virgil) and zoology.

Senior year: 1st term - English literature, mental philosophy, geology, botany and Latin or German; 2d term - English literature, civil government, chemistry, botany, and Latin or German.

The first class graduated was in 1872, the second in 187-1:, since which time there has been a class graduated each year, the entire number of graduates being 57. There are two literary societies connected with the school. The following compi-ises th,e names of the graduating class each year, and the present occupation and address of each as could be obtained:

The Hioh-School Building

The high-school building was erected in 1872, and is situated on Washington street. It is one of the handsomest structures of the kind in the State. It has a frontage of 90 feet and an extreme depth of 116 feet, with wings having a depth of 40 feet. It is four stories in height, including the mansard roof. The height of the deck of the tower is 100 feet, and affords one of the finest views in the city. The building is of white brick and Athens stone trimmings, the roof of slate, and the deck tinned. The inside finish is of a character to corres])ond with the outside, and the rooms are all heated by steam. The basement extends under the whole building and is eight feet deep. It is partitioned off into playrooms, wood rooms, two reservoirs holding 400 barrels each, and apartments for the steam heating apparatus. The first story has one room, 60x38; two. 36x29; two, 18x16^; main hall, 49x12 feet, and two side halls, 20x8 feet. The height of the ceiling is 16 feet. The second stoi'V is laid off precisely as the first, with 16 feet ceilings. The third story has 12 feet ceilings, with an exliibition room 86^x44 feet, and two toilet rooms 22x18 feet. The fourth story also has 12 feet ceilings, and has one room 24x15 feet, one 13x12, and one 9x8.

Three neat and commodious rooms are occupied by the students of the high school, the study hall, and the east and west rooms. The remaining apartments used by the high school are the library, the philosophical roojn, the laboratory, the two society rooms, and the main hall. The superintendent's room is on the first floor. The stndj' hall and the east and west rooms are furnished with 258 single desks of the most approved pattern. The rooms are well lighted, the windows being furnished with inside blinds. The high school has the advantage of being centrally located; its grounds are ample and well kept; and, in short, nothing has been overlooked which could contribute to the healtli, comfort and enjoyment of the students. An upright piano lends additional interest to the chapel and literary exercises.

There are two societies connected with the high school - the Euglossian and the Cleosophic. They have become indispensable aids in the culture offered by this school.

A good story is told on one of the foregoing named superintendents. This superintendent was a just and lenient man; forbearing toward a scholar who failed doing his best, but a terror to those evilly inclined. lie had a way of looking a crowd of boys over keenly for a moment and picking out the liard cases, and his judgment was rarely at fault. He would quietly find out the names of those boys, and he never forgot their names or their faces. These boys knew him, too, and any of them would much rather skate or slide down hill than to be sent to him for correction with a line from their teacher. His look was enough to make a bad boy tremble, and when he used the rod, which he always abstained from doing when possible, the culprit got a " bulldoze " which lasted him for the term, if not the entire year. One afternoon three boys came to his room bearing a missive from their teacher. A glance at the subdued countenances before him and the note in their hands was enough. He was writing and concluded to finish his task before attending to the matter of punishment. " Sit down there," said he to the foremost boy, pointing to a spot on the floor close to the stove. " And you, and you," remarked lie sternly, indicating places beside the first boy. They dropped down on the carpet and the writing went on, the pen oi' the superintendent sti-iking off chirography beautiful as copper-plate, and with lightning-like rapidity. Presently he got up and put some fine hickory wood in the stove and opened wide the draft. One of the boys here undertook to speak. " Not a word out of you! " was the the quick rejoinder; " I'll attend to your cases directh'." Silence again reigned in the room, unbroken except by the dancing of the superintendent's pen over his paper. The sheet-iron stove poured out the heat furiously. The boys were close to it and next to the wall. There was no escape. They began to pant. Then they opened their vests. Then they brought their hats in play to fan themselves, while the perspiration poured down their faces in streams. Finally they could stand it no longer and one of them broke out with -

The superintendent dropped his pen and took their note. It ran thus: ^^ Please send sotae chalk; loe are entirely out." The haste with which the draft of that red-hot stove was closed, and the boys were got off from the floor and seated on comfortable chairs, was a caution. The superintendent gave them a big apple apiece, and laughed the thing off with them as a good' joke as best he could, but he was ever after a little distrustful of his abilitj' to determine the exact contents of a note before seeing the inside of it.

Histoey Of St. Joseph County Ward Schools

In addition to tlie liigli school, there are six school buildings in various parts of the cit}'. Tiie Jefferson school building was erected in 1S66; has four main and two recitation rooms, and is valued at $10,000. The Madison building was erected in lS6i, and has the same number of rooms and valued at $10,000. The Lafayette was originally built in 1S54; was burned down and rebuilt in 1872. It has four rooms, and valued at $S,000. Laurel building, in 1871. This building has four main and two recitation rooms. The Coquillard was built in 1863; remodeled in 1871, and has four rooms. The South building was built in 1878, and has four rooms. The value of the Laurel is $8,000, and Coquillard and South, $6,000 each. Each of these buildings are of brick.

Enumeration And Enrollment

A superficial observer might be struck by the disparity between the enrollment and enumeration; 1,036 enrolled, 4,267 enumerated! It might look to him as though over half the school-going population were in the streets. But such is not the case. A great number.of them attend private and denominational schools, and in the factories and manufacturing establishments are to be found many more The bulk of the population of a manufacturing city is necessarily composed of laboring people whose energies are absorbed by the struggle for subsistence. The children of such are by circumstances debarred from higher educational culture. They have to be content with the merest rudiments of learning. It is therefore not a matter of wonder that the per cent, of children in the schools is not so great as, for example, in commercial or college towns. But thougli this is to be greatly regretted, it nevertiieless gives such places a larger tuition fund in proportion to the children in actual attendance, and it should enable those who are privileged to attend the schools to enjoy even better advantages than where the tuition fund has to be eked out by direct taxation.

Efficiency Of The Schools

Under the management of Prof. Du Shane, with the assistance and hearty co-operation of a Board of Trustees alive to the importance of the work, the public schools have become very efficient, reflecting honor upon the superintendent, the trustees and citizens. At the present time 35 teachers are employedat an expense of $14,- 705 for the year; while the total expense for all purposes amounts to $22,000. The rate of taxation for school purposes has never been over 17 cents on the hundred dollars, ranging all the way down to 9 cents. There is at present a surplus in the treasury of over $20,- 000. John Klingel has been a member of the School Board since 1867, and is deserving of special mention in this connection.

Board Of Eddcation

The Board of Education is composed of the following named persons: G. F. Nevins, President; Elliot Tutt, Secretary; John Klingel, Treasurer; James Du Shane, Superintendent.

South Bend As A Manufacturing Point

The first building erected for manufacturing purposes was that known for years afterward as the "old glass house." It was a frame, erected in the year 1S36, and was about 60 by SO feet, with a wing. A company was formed for the manufacture of glass, consisting of John Brownfield, John T. McClelland and Johnson Horrell. ThejMvere induced to engage in this enterprise i)}- the persuasion of S. Johnson, who was a practical glass-blower, and who had just arrived from the East. He found an excellent sand here, some of which he successfully experimented with, and he became enthusiastic on the subject, and succeeded in imparting enough of his enthusiasm to the gentlemen named to induce them to furnish the necessai-y capital; but after the building was erected it was found that the clay, such as is used in glass-making, could not be obtained, except at a price so high, including transportation, that the business would be unprofitable, and the enterprise was consequently abandoned. The Iniilding remained unused, except for public meetings, and by the boys for Sunday ball-playing, until the winter of 1S37, when the roof fell in from excessive weight of snow. The ground was afterward laid out into lots, and is to-day covered with residence buildings, so that it is hard to tell the precise location of the first building for raannfacturing purposes, but it was near the crossing of Division and Gen. Taylor streets.

" A bad beginning sometimes has a good ending" is fully exemplified by I'eference to the manufacturing interests of South Bend, which now flourish upon every hand.

Utilizing The Watee-Powek

The first determined eftbrt at utilizing the great water-power aftorded by the St. Joseph river, was made by Joseph Fellows, Garrett V. Denuison, Thomas W. Alcott, James McKower, William J. "Worth, and John Van Buren, all of the State of New York. They purchased in 1835, from Alexis Coquillard, and in 1837 commenced digging a race. They had a large quantity of timber in readiness for building head-gates, locks, and other purposes, when the scheme suddenly collapsed in consequence of the hard times, which prevailed at that time, especially in the East. One of the conditions of the sale which Mr. Coquillard made to the company named was that they should build a dam, dig a race, and make certain other improvements. The conditions not being complied with, Mr. Coquillard sued for the recovery of the property. Judgment was obtained by him in the lower court, but an appeal was taken by the company to the Supreme Court. After dragging along in that court for several years, a decision was finally reached, and the judgment of the lower court sustained. Mr. Coquillard, when he obtained possession of the propertj^, made large improvements on the race. This property was afterward purchased by Samuel L. Cottrell and others, and finally, in 1867, it was purchased by the South Bend Hydraulic Company, representing a capital of $100,000. This company was organized in 1SG7, and in the spring of 1868 completed and improved the race, and began letting the power to those who would use it for manufacturing purposes.

A charter was obtained in December, 1812, from the Legislature of the State, for the organization of the South Bend Manufacturing Company, and in February, 1813, the first election of ofiicers was held, resulting in the election of Thomas W. Bray, President; George W. Matthews, Secretary; Abraham R. Harper, Treasurer.

Ill the spring of 1843 this company began the construction of a dam across the river, and also of a race upon the east side. The dam and race were both completed the following year. The first persons to avail themselves of the power were Abram R. and John H. Harper, who built upon the race a saw-mill. The second use made of the power was also for running a saw-mill. This latter was built by William Stanfield, and is yet in successful operation, and now owned by E. P. Taylor. Finley & Brown came next and established a factory for the manufacture of tubs and buckets. Just after getting the factory in operation it burned down and was never rebuilt. The first grist-mill erected and run by this power was also owned by A. R. & J. H. Harper. This is now known as the Keedy Mill, and owned by the Phcenix Milling Company, composed of Landon, Corbin & Foote. A woolen mill was also erected at an early day on the same ground now occupied by the Variety Bracket Works, but did not prove a successful business venture. Other factories sprung up one after another and lined both the east and west race; and not alone in this section, but in various parts of the city were works erected, machinery set in motion, and articles of manufacturing skill turned out and sent into eveiy part of the civilized world.

In 1S52 dates the real beginning of what is now known as the greatest wagon and carriage manufactory in the world, the success of which is indeed marvelous. The man who laid the foundation tor this grand success was John Studebakee. He was a native of Pennsylvania. He served, as the custom there was, a six-year apprenticeship at wagon-making in Gettysburg, where in 181S he made his " first genuine Studebaker wagon." Eighteen years after, in 1836, he came to the then " Far West" into Ashland county, Ohio, and here, joining to what he had by closest economy laid up by his own labor, the inheritance he had received from his father's estate and that from marriage, he purchased quite a large tract or farm. He began the work of improving it with great interest, and promised to himself and family, doubtless, much pleasure for his future home and comfort there. But his pleasurable anticipations of coming ease and good fortune were of short indulgence. He had, just before leaving Pennsylvania, been led, in the sympathy and kindness of his heart, to lend the nse of his name to some of his neighl)ors in the day of their pecuniary trouble. The panic of '37, the following year, swept over the State, and among those who failed were those for whom he had endorsed notes. The consequence, which speedily followed him to his new home, was the attachment and sale by the sheriff" of his new home and all his personal effects, thus by one blow sweeping all his earthly possessions, leaving him quite penniless to begin again life's labor and trials anew. The years of toil and poverty which followed these

But John Studebaker knew too well how his fortune had come to be found sitting down idly, and groaning and brooding over his sad lot, and, therefore, we are told he at once opened a wagon repair and blacksmith shop, and toiled at the bench and the forge from four o'clock in the morning until nine at night, "I tell you," said the youngest of these brothers, "there was no ten or eight hour system then; it was work, work, for as many hours each day as thews of iron could stand the strain. And such a thing as money was almost unknown. It came in what was called ' store pay,' and it was my duty, while the older brothers worked at the forge or-bench, learning the trade, to ride around the country in a home-made wagon and gather the ' store paj',' that consisted of butter, eggs, and other country productions."

John Studebaker was one of those old-fashioned dealing men and generous to a fault. One of his most marked traits was his unbounded hospitality, which was only limited by his means to grant it. With a family of ten children, five boys and five daughters, his long days of hard labor were no more than sufficient to keep up their support. In those days emigrants passed West in wagons, and so great was his hospitality to these strangers that he has been known to fill his beds and cover his floor with them - take them in until he could take no more - and sit up all night to keep up fii'es to make them comfortable. He became so popular that the little inn at the four corners had to close on this account.

The First Partnership

Not long after the father's struggles with poverty had begun anew, a successful German farmer whom his father-in-law had befriended in paying his passage from the old countiy, learning of the sad reverses, invited him to send his sons over to lielp him in his harvesting, for which they should receive good wages. They went 60 miles, and, after three weeks, returned home with about $75. "And that," said one of them, " suggested the partnership enterprises that have followed, and to which we owe whatever of success we have achieved." From this, and from the beginnings of, perhaps, a very large minority of the builders of great fortunes,, we could peruse and write a homilj' on the text, '- Despise not the day of small things."

With the wearying, exhausting labors of years following this failure of 1837 came no cheer and hope for a better condition, and therefore in ISiS he concluded to come farther West on horseback, in order to examine the country. He returned, and at once made preparation to move out hereto South Bend, then a village of 1,200 inhabitants. Two wagons, made by himself and boys, brought all his worldly goo3s, among which and of greatest value, were two sets of tools for wagon-making. He bought a shop for S50, but after carrying on the work fur four years,being worn out by many years of excessive labor, lie relinquished the active business of wagon-making to his eldest sons, Henry and Clement.

C. and H. Studebaker, both good mechanics, formed the first partnership for manufacturing, and hj doing much of the mechanical work themselves, under the oversight of their father, who also acted as their agent lapon his annual journeys to the great meetings of the Dunkards ( of wliicli he was an influential member), they turned out, beside their repair work, five wagons. The business developed gradually larger until in 1857 the partnership was estimated at !?10,000, At this time Henry withdrew, and made purchase Ofa200-acre farm, upon which he still lives satisfied with his comfortable competency and freedom from the great business cares by which his brothers have amassed great wealth. As the business grew the other brothers were drawn into it, and Peter, having been a merchant and trader, seemed to infuse a speculative spirit his brother did not possess, and began at once planning to branch out and widen the field of their operations. One of the first things he did was to open a branch oflice at St. Joseph, Mo., "then the outfitting station for parties crossing the plains." And from here Peter sent in almost innumerable orders for Studebaker wagons.

The contracted, ill-fitted wooden building gave way to fine, large brick structures. From this time on, business and buildings alike ra|>idly grew apace until immense two, three, four and five-story buildings covered several squares. But still cramped for room they found that they must extend the wagon-making department beyond the town limits " that no pent-up Utica might contract its powers." It is near the depot, and upon the line of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad, from whicii side tracks run into the grounds, delivering iron, coal, lumber, right at the doors of the fa-iories, and taking the finished work from the warerooms. In lb 74 these buildings and a great amount of finished stock was burned. Chicago, Cincinnati and many other cities made large bids to attract the firm to locate the new buildings, but their social and business ties and large property interests, together with all the memories of their business career and successes here, respectfully declined all the tempting ofi^ers from abroad.

The Extent Of The New Works

The works were rebuilt upon even a more extensive scale than before. Upon entering South Bend the traveler will notice a great number of very large and really beautiful buildings, bearing the immense sign, "Studebaker Brothers' Manufacturing Company - Established 1852 - Labor omnia vincit.'''' These buildings, with an average height of three stories, cover, together witli lumbersheds, stacks, etc., 27 acres. It takes three miles of belting to run the vast combination of machinery. The two main driving belts, on two Brown engines of -iOO-horse power each, are of double leather thirty-six inches wide, and contain the hides of forty-four oxen. Last year there were 20,000 vehicles built in these works, thus averaging one turned out every nine minutes, calculating ten hours for each day's work. For these, 12,500,000 feet of lumber has been used, loading 2,0S3 cars, to haul which would require fifty locomotives with over forty cars each; 3,000 tons - 300 car-loads - of iron; and in varnish 15,000 gallons alone were used. Seventy-five different styles of vehicles are built here, and there is a finished assortment equal to two thousand complete wagons kept in stock, with a capacity to turn out 100 wagons in a single day. It is claimed that already has the Studebaker Company made enough wagons "to stretch with their teams across the continent and back again - from New York to San Francisco." Taey have repositories in the leading cities of the West, and agents in every city and town in the land. As one has well said, "There appears to be no limit to their production, and no end to the demand."

In no way can be given a briefer or more comprehensive view ot the gradual and steady development and growth of this great house than by presenting the following table, showing the production of farm and freight waajons from 1868 to 1879 inclusive:

Coqijillaed S Wagon Woeks

In 1865 A. Coquillard established here a factory of modest pretensions, with a capacity for manufacturing one hundred wagons per year. He had at the outset to meet with competition from houses longestablislied and with agencies scattered throughout the country. In the face of competition and in spite of the gradually increasing stringency of the times, the business has been successfully prosecuted, and by degrees the annual production has swelled until now the capacity of the works is not less tlian 3.500 vehicles per year, employing in their construction 125 hands. Tlie product of the factory now goes throughout the whole country. North, South, East and West. In 1875 Mr. Coquillard completed one of the finest factories in the city. The building is of wood, four stories high, strong and convenient, with an attractive exterior. It has a frontage of 78 feet on Market and 66 feet on Mil! street. It is devoted entirely to the manufacture of the wooden portions of the wagons and

Other vehicles. The motive power here used is an American tnrbine water-wheel, 66 inclies in diameter, and of 110-horse power. On the corner of Water and Lafajette streets, Mr. Coquillard occupies tliree quarters of an acre, on whicli are located smith, paint and finishing shops, offices, repository, storerooms and sheds. The main structure is of brick, with a frontage GG feet on Lafayette and 78 feet on Water street. A sketch of Mr. Coquillard is found elsewhere in this work.

South Bend Chilled-Plow Company

Tlie St. Joseph Reaper and Machine Company of South Bend commenced the manufacture of the South Bend chilled plow in 1876, and in that year distributed only 650, which were considered little more than specimens to advertise among farmers their merits. The business of the second year, notwithstanding they suffered the disaster of a fire, was quite large, the company selling 4,672 plows, an increase of over 700 per cent., and leaving manj' orders unfilled. On the first day of July, 1878, the company was re-organized under the name of the South Bend Cliilled-Plow Com pan}', with Adam S. Baker, President; J. C. Knoblocir, Treasurer; George W. Bakei-, Secretary. This year the sales of the company were over 10,000. In 1879 there were sold 35,000. In ISSO will be manufactured 50,000. The works of this company are located on Washington street, one mile west of the court-house, on the site of the old Northern Indiana College. One hundred and fifty men are now in the employ of this company.

Oliver Chilled-Plow Works

" I was born on the 2Sth day of August, 1823, at the familyhomestead 'of Whitehaugh, Lidisdale Parish, Roxburgshire, Scotland. While yet a mere boy ray parents decided to try their fortunes in the New World, and the year 1835 found us located in Seneca counly. New York. I found employment with a neigliboring farmer, at the wages of fifty cents a week, and I remained with him until the fall of 1836, when the family came West, and I with them, and settled at Mishawaka. I soon found work as a chore boy for Mr. Philo Hurd, besides sawing wood for him and two other families, and earned that winter $15. In the summer of 1838 r became an apprentice to Mr. A. Sandiland, who was building Fox threshing-machines. From there I went to work in a blast foundry in Mishawaka, owned by the South Bend Iron Works of that day, and superintended by Mr. Richard Inwood, who is now a resident of this city. This company wound up its affairs in 1840, and now, at the age of 17, I was once more thrown upon my own resources. That tall I took a job of ditchiiif^ to lay water pipes for a distillery, then building by the Lee Brothers, of Mishawaka, and I continned witli them at $15 a mouth (boarding myself) until I could see a better opening, raeantiuie learning tiie cooper's trade."

But even here Mr. Oliver had to stop and pay a tribute to his wife, whom he alluded to as "the noble little woman who has sj-mpathized with and cheered me in my troubles, and rejoice^ with me in my successes. I can truly say, that choice was the crowning success of my life. All honor to my wife. After marrying, my own house being rented, I paid $12 to a fellow workman for a small shanty which he had built on the bank of the river on some land belonging to Eastern parties. I spent $18 in improvements. My wife borrowed a loom and made a rag-carpet for our new home. Although I have lived in better houses since then, I often look back to that time as the happiest of my life."

Owing to the dullness of the coopering business, Mr. Oliver determined to learn the trade of a molder, and accordingly went to work for the St. Joseph Iron Company. In 1853 he was given a difficult contract for making cast chairs for the Michigan Central Eoad, and carried it through successfully. In 1855 he began the manufacture of plows on a small scale at South Bend. The success of this enterprise is better described in his own words :

" We were now fairly launched in business and I had accomplished a part of my long-cherished idea, yet very soon found out it was not all glory doing business for one's self. True, we did all ot our owi; work, but at the best, that was not much. Our casts ran but three heats a week, and only amounted to from 1,500 pounds to one ton. Our money was soon exhausted, and our surroundings not being of that inviting character to induce capitalists to invest, we were truly in a most unenviable state of affairs, when to crown all our misfortunes, a tremendous freshet swept the dam away and flooded the furnace."

But he managed to weather this misfortune, and soon afterward bought a horse and wagon, that he might sell and deliver plows outside of South Bend. Of this Mr. Oliver said: " I found it uphill work delivering all ray plows and repairs personally; still I kept at it, and by dint of hard labor very soon had eighty agencies established within a radius of fifty miles. We worked hard, and did all in our power to make it pay, yet the cost of delivery and the commission paid to agents left our margin of profits very small indeed."

But years rolled on, and the plow business increased, and during the whole of this time Mr. Oliver had never ceased thinking and studying over the one great object of his life - the production of a complete chilled plow, an implement to produce which fortunes had been unsuccessfully spentduring the twenty-five years previous. In alluding to this period of liis life, the inventor said: " jSTothing daunted, I determined to solve the mystery. When I announced my determination people held up their hands in admonitory horror and regarded me with feelings of astonishment not unmixed with contempt, which latter they were free to express. Plowmen who had sjjent years in experimenting and abandoned the project of a complete chilled plow as impossible, advised me not to undertake it. Those who had aided me with money and influence forsook me, and I was classed with the fools who pursue the fallacy of perpetual motion. Although feeling keenly the cuts of former friends, I determined to succeed. Day and night, for years, I thought of nothing else, and made everything bend to this one great object of my life. My hrst success was attained when I adopted the plan of using hot water in the chills which dried the moisture in the flasks and prevented " blow holes." My next was a method of ventilating the chills " by grooves along the face of the mold, which allowed the escape of the gases that form within the flasks when melted iron is poured in, and thus permitted the liquid metal to come in direct contact with the face of the chill and all its surface, thus removing all the soft spots in the moldboards and leaving the surface smooth and perfect. But my crowning success was the discovery of the annealing process, which deprived the metal of its brittleness. Wlien I made that I could justly claim that for the tirst time a full, perfect and complete ' chilled plow ' had been made."

Extent Of The Great Factory

Tiie foundry as used at present is 500 feet in lengtii by 160 feet in width. The new addition to the foundry, upon which the brick work was proceeding when we were there ten days ago, and which will be completed and occupied within 30 days, is 500 feet long by 60 feet wide. This will make the foundry 500 by 220 feet in size. They are now running daily three cupolas, with a melting capacity of 50 tons of iron. In 30 days another 20-toncupola will be added, making a melting capacity of 70 tons daily. The help employed in the foundry is 150 molders, and 50 helpers and laborers. The total capacity for production daily is 500 plows completed, and 4,000 points.

The grinding room is 300 feet in length by 60 feet wide. Help employed here. 100 men. Grindstones running, 89. Capacity of this department is 500 plows and ijOOO points daily. The machine and forge shops are 200 by 60 feet, and employ 75 men. The dry grinding room is 200 by 60 feet, with 25 men. The polishing room is 200 by 50 feet, and employs 25 men. The wood shop is 200 by 50 feet, and here 50 men are employed. The daily capacity of the wood-working shops are 500 plows. Bending room, 200 by 50 feet, and same capacity daily. Paint room 300 by 60 feet, divided by brick fire walls into three sections of 100 feet each. Men employed here, 25.

Lake Shore & Micliio;an Southern railroad, and that of the Northwestern and Grand Trunk railroad, raakinj^ splendid shippinn; facilities. The storage capacity here is 50,000 plows and half a million points. Here 20 men are constantly employed. The four beam sheds are each -iSO by 30 leet, and each capable of holding 125,000 plow beams. The engine room is 2-i by 56 feet, and supplied with a Corliss engine, the finest in the West, of 700-horse power. Boiler room, 50 by 75 feet, furnished with the latest improved sectional boilers.

The great factory has 1,704 feet of line shafting. There is one continuous section of shafting 1:67 feet in length,which is probably the longest in the West. There are 60 counter shafts, and 671 bearings to be oiled daily. The immense establishment occupies 5,31-1,600 square feet of ground. There are 520 operatives on the pay rolls, besides clerks, salesmen and other employees, - a total of 600 men.

Biedsell Manufacturing Company

In 1S56, in the small town of West Henrietta, New York, J. C. Birdsell began the manufacture of a clover separator and thresher. Remaining at West Henrietta until 1864, the works were removed to South Bend, the cheaper freights and abundance of timber being the considerations, and in 1866 J. B., V. O. and B. A. Birdsell became co-partners under the style of J. J. C. Birdsell & Sons. In 1870 the co-partnership was merged into a joint-stock concern, under the name of the Birdsell Mannfacturing Company, with a capital of $50,000. In 1871 the capital was increased to '$100,000, and in 1872 to $150,000. George V. Glover became connected with the company in 1873. The works are located at the corner of Division and Columbia streets, and were erected in 1872 at a cost of $118,000. The main building is 165 x 65 feet, five floors; the foundry is 40 x 60 feet, and blacksmith shop the same size, besides which there are ofiices, sheds, etc.

South Bend Gas-Light Company

In January, 1868, a company was organized with a capital of $50,000, for the purpose of supplying the city with gas. The works were located on lots 105 and 106, at the foot of Jeff'erson street, near the river. John A. Ilenricks, Thomas S. Stanfield, Clem Studebaker, H. Baker and O. S. Witlierell composed the first Board of Directors. T. G. Turner was elected Secretary and Treasurer. On the first day of December, 1868, the works were completed and the city was lit up with gas. The company started in with four miles of main, 84 consumers and 30 public lamps. This has been increased until now there are seven miles of main, with 371 consumers and lilt public lamps. The gas furnished is 16candle power and made from the second pool Youghiogheny coal. An average of 28,000 feet of gas is consumed per day. The officers in 1880 are C. Stadebaker, President; J. M. Studebaker, Secretary and Treasurer; John Drew, Superintendent.

Other Manufactories

Since the completion of the dam across the St. Joseph river, as well as the east and west race, various manufactories have been established, some of which have lived and flourished, while others, from some cause, have existed but a short time; but where one failed another has quickly taken its place, and notwithstanding the depression of the times from 1873 to 1879, the number and value of their products constantly increased. Furniture factories, iron foundries, bracket works, woolen mills, flouring mills, croquet works, paper mills, file works, and other manufacturing interests have sprung up until nearly every branch ot industry is now represented and 2,500 men find constant employment at remunerative wages. In 1865, when all manufactured articles were valued at double what they now bring, the sales of the manufacturers of the city reached $565,000. The products now annually made will reach $5,000,000.

The first organized eifort at protection from fire was in 1853. A small hand-engine was purchased and a company was organized as "St. Joseph, Ko. 1," with E. P. Taylor, Foreman; John Caldwell, Assistant. This company had a very large membership; many who are now staid and dignified men were then proud to " run with the machine." Yery soon after the organization of this company another was formed with Lot Day, Jr., as Foreman. In 1857 another engine was purchased and " Union Hose Company, No. 3" was organized. These engines did duty until 1865 when a steam engine was purchased, which was given the name of " Young Hoosier." In 1873 the Citj' Council organized a regular fire department and appointed Edward Nicar as Chief Engineer. Captain Nicar occupied the position of Chief for three years, when Joseph Turnock received the appointment from the council, and served one year. O. H. Brusie was his successor, and served three years, and was succeeded by A. B. Culver. The department at present is composed of the following companies: Delta Hose Company, No. 1, Eagle, No. 2, Union, No. 3, Young Iloosier, No. 4, Mazeppa, No. .*), Stand-Pipe, No. 6, and Relief Hook and Ladder Company.

Religious

A few Catholic priests had previously been here and a mission started in the neighborhood of Notre Darae, but no effort had been made to i;nfurl tlie banner of the cross in tlie town of South Bend. A class of earnest and devoted Methodist brethren was formed in April, 1831, and a few Protestants of other denominations united with them, and thus began an eflbrt for the salvation of men in this community. As the county became settled, and the town increased in population, other religious bodies were formed, until to-day there are seventeen organizations represented in the city, nearly all of whom have commodious houses in which to meet for worship.

First Methodist Episcopal Church

The first religious exercises held by the Methodist Episcopal denomination was on the evening of Januar}' 30, 1S31. Early in April Eev. !N. B. Griffith organized a class, consisting of Samuel Martin and wife, Benjamin Potter and wife, Benjamin Ross and wife, Pebecca Stull,and Simeon Mason, of which class Martin and Boss were appointed leaders. In June, 1831, William Stanfield and wife came to South Bend and were added to the class by certificate and Stanfield was soon afterward ap])ointed leader. About the same time Samuel Newman and wife were also added by letter. In August, 1831, Dr. Jacob Ilardman, and a few months later Samuel Good were also added. The first report of this mission made to the Conference was in 1832, Avheu it was reported as having 180 members, few of whom resided in South Bend, the district being a large one. South Bend still remained as part of a circuit until 1814, and had as pastors during that time Revs. N. B. Griffith, R. S. Robinson, George M. Beswick, Boyd Phelps, T. P. McCool, S. R. Ball, J. Wolf, James S. Harrison, David Stiver, William M. Foley, W. Griffith, Zachariah Gaines, William T. HuflPman, E. Ilolstrick and S. B. F. Crane. In 1844 it was made a station, since which time there have served as pastor, Revs. John H. Bruce, John B. DeMott, Milton Mahon, John P. Jones, T. C. Hackney, Henry C. Benson, E. S. Preston, James Johnson, James C. Read, A. A. Gee, C. S. Burgner, William Wilson, Joseph C. Reed, G. Morgan, S. T. Cooper, Clark Skinner, C. A. Brooke, John Thrush, J. H. Swope, G. M. Boyd, H. A. Gobin, J. C. Stevens and S. P. Town.

In 1835 a house of worship was erected, but being badly constructed, was not accepted from the conti-actors. Previous to this time meetings were held in the old log school-house and in private houses. The second stoiy of a house on the corner of Pearl and St. Joseph streets was now fitted up as a school room, and there the the Methodists held their meetings. On the 5th of March the trustees met and resolved to erect a frame churcii 35x45 feet, and 14 feet ceiling. In June a lot was purchased, and on the 6th of July a contract for building and plastering was let. In February following it was discovered that the church was built on the wrong lot, which caused considerable trouble, but finally an exchange was eflectei and the building permitted to stand, and early in the fall of 1836 it was finished and occupied.

In 1S50-'51 a brick church, 48x72 feet, was built on the corner of Main and Jefi'erson streets, and was dedicated by Dr. Berry and John L. Smith on the 17th of August, 1851, the basement having previously been occupied for several months. In 186l)-'70 the church edifice was enlarged, remodeled and modernized. The basement was finished and occupied Dec. 25, 1869, and the main audience room some montlis afterward.

The Christian Church, of South Bend, was first organized in the summer of 184-1, four miles north of the city, with a membership of twelve. W. Mcllvaine was appointed elder, and meetings were held ever}' Lord's Day, the Church enjoj'ing occasionally preaching by John Martindale, Reuben Wilson and others. In the spring of 1851, through the efforts of Elder Mcllvaine, the old South Bend Seminary was obtained, and worship commenced with weekly meetings. Gideon Drapierwas chosen elder, -and E. A. Drapier and R. Wilson, deacons. The total membership now numbered 15. These few members, though meeting with man}' trials and difliculties, continued to struggle for an existence, and by their untiring, industry and zeal succeeded in procuring the necessary means with which to purchase a lot on Main street, where they built a brick church edifice, which was formally opened in the spring of 1852, Elder John O'Kane, of Indianapolis, ofiiciating. The Church now began to prosper, receiving frequent accessions to its membership. About the year 1854 several brethren from New Jersey united, among them Frederick J. Thomas, who was chosen elder, and labored during the fall and winter of 1855-'56. The church also enjoyed the ministrations of W. J. Homer, under whose supervision a successful protracted meeting was held. Elders Thomas and Mcllvaine officiated during the succeeding two years. J. Belton was called to the pastorate in 1S65, serving about three years. He was succeeded for a short period by H. N. Lord and W. B. Hendrix. In 1870, William P. Ailsworth was called and ofiiciated one year, followed by J. Belton, who again assumed chaj-ge. J. Hurd next became the pastor. In the winter of 1877-'78 Rev. George W. Sweeney and Rev. J. H. Stover held a protracted meeting with this Church, resulting in 125 additions to its membership. Mr. Stover was at once called to the pastorate and assumed charge in April, and has since continued to serve in an acceptable manner. Before the revival meeting was held the Church numbered but about 70. Its present membership is 340. The old church building was torn down and a new edifice erected at a cost of $3,500. The eldership is composed of A. N. Thomas, Nathaniel Frame, Robert Myler,

Charles Hartman. The deacons are Henry F. Clipfell, "William D. Bulla, Abram Huston, David A. Ireland, James Savidge, Joseph F. Pearson and "W. J. Masters.

The Reformed Church of South Bend, connected with the General Synod of the Eeformed Church in America, and organized in 1849 by Kev. David McNiesh, and the brick church on tlie S. W. corner of Lafayette and Market streets, was erected that year. The Church continued under' the ministry of Revs. F. Beidler, C. A. Evans, \V. T. Van Doren and G. H. Treke until 1861, when it ceased an active existence.

It was re-organized March 31, 1870, by Rev. W.J. Skillman. A commodious frame chapel was built on the ^. W. corner of Lafayette and Sample streets, in 1873, in which a mission Sunday-school is held each Sabbath at 3 p. m. _ In the church building which has been remodeled and a lecture room added in 1880, preaching services are held each Sabbath morning and evening, and Sundayschool at 9 A. M., besides a week evening prayer service and a young people's meeting. The present pastor. Rev. x^. D. "Williamson, took charge of the Church July, 1872.

Evangelical Association

The first church edifice erected by this denomination in South Bend was in 1854, and the second, in 1871. Those who have labored here since the organization of the body are Rev. G. C. Platz, "W. Kolb, C. Glaus, "W. Ficht, A. B. Shaeffer, George Messner, H. "Welty, C. Augenstein, S. Dickover, B. Uphaus, J. J. Esher, S. Wolf, F. "\Veithaup, Mr. Ragatz, J. Fisher, B. Ruh, J. Keiper, W. W. Steffey, H. Strickler, P. Goetz, G. Eckhart, J. Fuchs, A. Nicolai, E. L.Kiplinger, C. Kohlmeyer, R. Reigel, M. Hoeher, M. Speck, W. Bockman, C. Ude. J. M. Gomer, E. Evans, P. Roth, C. Ade, J. Kaufman, G. A. Ilartel, M. Krueger, C. Heim, B. Hofi'man, J. Berger, S. Kiplinger, J. K. Troyer, D. S. Oakes. In September, 1876, the Church decided to tear tlie old building down and erect a larger church edifice, A building was accordingly erected 42.\68 feet, with two towers in front. This was dedicated Dec. 10, 1876.

Michigan Street Methodist Episcopal

This charge was organized in 1869, with 137 members and 16 probationers, resulting from the missionary labors of Rev. T. C. Hackney. Rev. AVilliam R. Nickels was appointed pastor Sept. 13, 1869, and served two years. During his ministration the church edifice and parsonage were built. Rev. Clark Skinner was the next appointed and served one year. Rev. John H. Cissell was appointed September, 1872, and served three years. Rev. J. L. Boyd was appointed to succeed Mr. Cissell.

First Presbyterian

This religious body is well represented and has a neat and commodious house of worship on the corner of Washington and Lafayette streets, erected in 1S66, and dedicated April 3, of that year, Rev. T. II. Nixon preaching the sermon on that occasion. The audience room is SOxiS feet, and the entire length of the building 95 feet. The height of the tower and spire is 145 feet. Eev. George T. Keller is the present pastor.

Other Religious Bodies

The Roman Catholics are represented by three churches - St. Joseph's, fourth ward. Rev. Father Venniard, pastor; St. Patrick's, Division street, near Chapin, Rev. P. Lauth, pastor; St. Joseph's (Polish), Monroe street, near Chaiiin, Rev. V. Czyzewski, pastor. The African Methodist Episcopal, Monroe street, near Lafayette, Rev. J. W. Harper, pastor. Baptist, southeast corner Jefferson and Main streets. Rev. T. E. Egbert, pastor. Episcopal, Lafayette, near Jefferson, Rev. Walter Scott, Rector. German Methodist Episcopal, Division street, near Lafayette, Rev. William Keller, pastor. Second Presbyterian, corner Market and St. Peter streets. Reformed Mission, corner Lafayette and Sample streets. St. Peter's Evangelical, corner Water and Michigan avenue. Rev. Philip Wagner, pastor. St. Paul's Lutheran, corner William and Jefferson streets, Rev. Henry Stock, pastor.