Wayne Township (part 1 of 3)

Wayne Township

The original plat of the city of Fort Wayne was laid out by John T. Barr and John McCorkle in August, 1822, and recorded in the office of the Recorder of Randolph County, of Winchester, and subsequently in Recorder's Record A, page 316, of the records of Allen County, containing 118 lots, with three streets running north and south on a variation of 3°, 30' west of magnetic north, namely, Calhoun, Clinton and Barr ; five streets running at right angles to same variation, namely, Wayne, Berry, Main, Columbia and Water streets" The public square was laid off iu this plat, with Court street on the east side of the same. This plat, which was recorded on the 16th day of August, 1833, was' surveyed by Robert Young, of Piqua, Ohio.

County Addition

This addition was laid out by the Commissioners and recorded in Recorder's Record A, page 315, containing seventy lots and fractional lots. Its position is immediately east of and adjoining the original plat. The lots were laid oft' on either side of La Fayette street, between Berry street and St. Mary's River, con¬ taining Water, Columbia, Main and Berry streets from the original plat. Recorded August 16, 1833.

This addition was laid out by Cyrus Taber, and recorded in Recorder's -Record A, page 452, and contains forty lots including all of the military tract **lyi ng between the south bouudary of said tract and the canal. Main and Berry struts were continued through from the County Addition.

This addition was lain off by G. W. & W. G. Ewing, and recorded in Recorder's Record B, page 1 D 9 . : The addition, however, contains thirty-four blocks or fractional blocks, 278 lots, including all fractional lots.

Cass, Ewing and Fulton streets were laid out to run north on a magnetic bearing of 15° 30' west. Jefferson, Washington, Wayne, Berry, Main and Pearl streets continued west from the original plat. Lewis street was laid out south of Jefferson and parallel with Lewis street.

Hanna's first addition was laid out by Samuel Hanna, and recorded in Recorder's Record B, page 447; and contains 299 lots, including the fractional lots. Clinton, Barr, Clay, Monroe and Hanna, with a continuation of La Fay¬ ette street, were laid out on a magnetic bearing of north 15° 30' west. Wayne, Washington and Jefferson streets were continued west from the original plat. A street named. Madison was laid out north of and parallel with Jefferson street, running from Barr street west.

This addition was laid oft' by William Rockhill, and recorded in Recorder's Record C, page 464, containing 182 lots, including fractional lots.

Rockhill, Jackson, Van Buren and Market (now Broadway) streets, were laid out to run north 15° 33' wc>t of magnetic north. Washington, Wayne, Berry, Main and Pearl streets were continued west from Ewing's Addition. The lots were laid oft' to the berme bank of the canal ; a space on either side of Mar¬ ket, between Main and Berry, was left for a market space.

In September, 1829, when Fort Wayne had made considerable" progress in improvements, and the accumulations, incident to a new town eligibly situated, possessed of many of the elements of prosperous growth, and, withal, well to do in the self-respect of her citizens, had been developed, the provident people of the locality bethought themselves of the propriety, at least, if not the advantages of incorporation. Hence, pursuaut to a notice to that effect, an election was held on the 7th of September, 1829, to determine whether Fort Wayne should then and there be incorporated. The result of that election is set forth in the following certificate :

I do hereby certify that, at a meeting of the citizens of the town of Fort Wayne, on Monday, the 7th day of September, Anno Domini eighteen hundred and twenty-nine, there was a majority of two-thirds of the persons present in favor of incorporating said town of Fort Wayne, in the county of Allen, and State of Indiana.

In furtherance of the object contemplated, an election for town officers was held on the 14th of the same month, which resulted in the choice of the follow¬ ing, ns set forth in the accompanying certificate :

At an election held in the town of Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana, at the house of Abner Gerard, Esq., in said town, on Monday, the 14th day of September, Anno Domini eighteen hundred and twenty-nine, we, the President and Clerk of said election, do hereby certify that Hugh Hanna, John S. Archer, William G. Ewing, Lewis G. Thomp¬ son and John I'. Hedges, were duly elected said Trustees for one year ensuing, and until their successors are elected and qualified.

This organization took effect from and after the election and qualification of the officers chosen pursuant to the law governing such incorporations. Fort Wayne, under this sj'stem of government, succeeded, as most other towns simi¬ larly situated, increasing in area and in population, in a measure satisfactory to the governors and the governed, except, perchance, the few who were little dis¬ posed to regard the rights of others, and, in consequence, were subject to the penalties of violated laws. For many years, the status of public improvement was not the most commendable. Of public buildings there were few, and the streets were little better than the ordinary thoroughfares of the country. Not¬ withstanding this apparent drawback, there was a fair show of prosperity, as shown by the following review of the prospects and probable future of Fort Wayne in 1838:

'' About the 6th of March, 1838, as we neared the town of Fort Wayne and, rounding the turn of the Piqua road at a risej^he ground about 160 rods south of the present crossing at the Union Railroad^ropot, we beheld the steeple of the old brick Court House, which stood on the spot where now is dug the founda¬ tion of a new and spacious one on the public square, our feelings were delight¬ ful. Friends were to be greeted, and we were to enter on the highway of life, and do for ourself, though early in our eighteenth year, and with only $10 and a horse to begin with ; yet, better than all, a thorough English rudimental educa¬ tion. We could not see the town, but a few fields near by, the state of the road, the spire, were evidences of a settlement. Indeed, the town was not visible until we reached the high ground at the curve in the Piqua road, just west of Allen Hamilton s residence, in front of the residence of the late Col. Spencer, a few rods south of where the Catholic Cathedral now stands. There was nothing seen except the old and unfinished Catholic Church and parsonage hard by, which stood where the Cathedral is, and which is yet standing near by, a relic of the past, and iu whose walls is some of the munificence of Francis Comparct and John B. Bourie, both long since deceased, and who, though' Frenchmen, were as pure patriots as the city ever afforded. The latter we knew intimately for many years, a candid friend, a hospitable and enterprising citizen.

" Looking to the right of Calhoun street from the Catholic Church, we could see a large plat of ground, just laid off by Judge Hanna, the shrub oak of which then had been but recently a large quantity, and just cut down, leaving multi¬ tudes of stumps, so thick as to make horseback riding unsafe through the plat. The first house to the left was what Dr. C. S. Smith now lives in, on Lewis street, west of Calhoun, south side, occupied then by Zenas Henderson, but, in two or three days thereafter, as the residence of Col. Spencer, who, with R. J. Dawson, both now deceased, had purchased it. Just south of the residence of Capt. Rob¬ ert Brackenridge, now also deceased, and in which he lived from and including that year, until he died, in May, 1859. The whole space north and to the left of Col. Spencer's new home was a field with fence standing around it, but just for the first time turned into a common, and leaving Col. S.'s residence far in the country.

" The first house on the east of Calhoun street was a low, black frame, exactly north and on the corner across Wayne street from where the Mayer House now stands. The first on the left was a like frame, just opposite and next where Sully's store now stands [northwest corner of Wayne and Calhoun streets], and no house between either of these and the respective corners north.

" On the southeast corner of Berry and Calhoun streets stood a low frame occupied by a Frenchwoman, Mrs. Minnie, and west across the street, where Lessman's grocery just burned down [1860] stood a large two-story log, occupied by John P. Hedges. Where the Recorder's office now is, the southwest corner of the public square, was the county jail, a small, insecure structure, inclosed with a high board fence, and a jailer's house attached, in which Joseph Berkley, Sheriff, lived. At the northeast corner of the public square lived Col. Spencer on a leasehold, and in a pretty good frame house, attached to which was his Receiver's office, he then being Receiver of Public Moneys at this place. But this house Col. S. in a few days vacated, and removed to his country residence above alluded to, and his old house was at once turned into a tavern, and kept by Amos Compton, from Willshire.

" To the right of the public square, on the lot now occupied by Reed's liv¬ ery stable [present site of Foster Brothers' store], and that north of it, now owned by the Odd Fellows [the post office], were two old frame buildings, both ten¬ anted, and at the old well now lately honored with a pump, was the old-fashioned well-sweep, used to draw water from the earth, and then gave as pure a beverage

. " On the corner of Berry and Calhoun, where Miller's brick is [McDougal's Block], was a row of shed-roofed yellow shanties, 51 1 feet on Calhoun and 170 on Berry; these were built by Henry Work, now of Plymouth, Ind. [deceased in 1879], and rented to obscure families, and who often made the neighborhood offensive by their quarrels and uncleanliness. * * * On the southeast corner of Main and Calhoun stood a low frame, used then as a blacksmith-shop by Philip C. Cook. At the alley south, where Kiser's store stands, was a butcher-shop, kept by Peter Kiser, then, as now, a plain, blunt man, but of much liberality. Across the alley was a blacksmith-shop, kept by Louis Wolkie, now Maj. Wolkie. On the corner of Columbia and Calhoun (the south¬ east corner), where Moehring's store is, stood a low frame, in which was a large grocery, kept by Benjamin Smith, now deceased. Next and east of Smith, was a log house, in which Tom Moore, the barber, kept. Where Jacobs' shoe-store is now (the southwest corner of Columbia and Calhoun), stood the same building, and in it Taylor, Freeman & Co. kept a very large dry-goods store ; the firm was composed of Philo Taylor, now deceased, Samuel C. Freeman and Royal W. Taylor. On the corner where Reed's drug store is (northwest corner of Colum¬ bia and Calhoun streets), stood a two-story brick store, the best in the place/ in which Capt. John B. Bourie and John Peltier kept a large store. To the West of this were some small frames, and where Gray's leather-store is, stood a large frame, lately before occupied by Col. Hugh Hanna, now of Wabash, Ind. And to the west, where Hill & Orbison's warehouse is (now Smick's agricultural depot), stood the Masonic Hall, a two-story brick, in which was kept the Sentinel office, and in which lived a family or two. Opposite stood, as now stands, the old brick, then a tavern, called the Franklin House, kept by Mills & Taylor; to the west, a leather-shop, belonging to the tannery then carried on by Paige & Fry. This tannery was located on the southeast corner of Columbia and Harrison. To the east stood the present frame occupied as a part of the American House, then the residence of Francis Comparet. To the east stood a cabinet-shop, kept by Freeborn Tinkham. Between the southwest corner of Columbia and Calhoun and where Evans' corner is, were no buildings, except an old frame, where the Sentinel office is, opposite where P. Kiser is now, the lower story used as a warehouse and the upper for a summer school, and in which we spent a term that summer, under a Mr. A. Campbell and Alexander MeJunkin.

" Passing east along Columbia street, on the northeast corner, where Townley's Block now is (northeast corner of ' Columbia and Calhoun), stood the old brick ' Mansion House,' then kept as a hotel by Col. J. II. McMaken, now deceased ; next and east, and where Sharp's hatter-shop is, stood a little frame¬ building, we think, kept either by Lafliu & Webster as a grocery, or by Carter & Porter as a hat-shop. East of this stood a large brick, covering the front ground now occupied by Meyer & Bro.'s drug store, Falk's liquor store and Lauferty's clothing store, north side of Columbia, between Calhoun and Clinton ; this was occupied by James Post, an old citizen, and was long known and still remem¬ bered, as the 'Post House.' Across the alley and east of the ' Post House,' was a frame store, occupied by John E. Hill & Co., and in which the County Becorder's Office was kept. And where now A. D. Brandriff keeps store, on the next lot, standing a few feet back from the street* was a low frame, in which the post office was kept for many years, by Capt, Henry Rudisill, and as forming a part of that venerable spot, we associate the name of Capt. Oliver Fairfield, whose industry and accommodation were proverbial among all our people. Next and adjoining was another low frame, in which Dr. Haxford kept an excellent drug store. On the east of this were some inferior buildings, among which were several groceries, one kept by Oliver & Ainsworth. Near the corner (northwest corner of Columbia and Clinton), stood a business house, a store, owned by Ham¬ ilton, Taber & Co., the firm being Allen Hamilton, Cyrus Taber and Thomas Hamilton. On the corner opposite (the northeast corner of Columbia and Clin¬ ton), was erecting Barnett & Hanna's Block, afterward known as the Times Building, since burned down, the most spacious house, then, in all the Northwest. In the little old brick now standing east of the then new block, lived W. H. Coombs, attorney at law. A small tinshop was kept next by Lewis & Marsh, and then a drug store. On the spot where Cottrel's saloon is, the proprietor of this store was Dr. Lewis Beecher, now dead, a learned medical practitioner, a blunt man, but carrying a big heart, which never grew obdurate. His widow and family yet survive him. On the next lot east was a low frame, in which Lyman A. Bellamy kept a shoe store. Where Colerick's Hall is, was a frame, where the Stapleford's kept store. Next east was a log house, once the residence of Gen. Jonathan McCarty, but then occupied by John Jamison as a clock-shop. Near this, on the east, G. F. Wright and John B. Dubois kept a dry-goods store, and on the corner. Barnett and Hanna (perhaps Barnett & Sinclair). On the northwest corner of Barr and Columbia, across Barr street, or on the northeast corner, was Wines & Farrand, who kept a store in a log house, then and before called the ' Suttenfiekl House.' Passing up to where the canal basin is now, was a boatyard, kept by James W. Deneal, and among the noted men who worked there was Capt. John Whitaker, now Governor of Oregon, and we imagine him now in the boatyard sawing on his old fiddle the ' Arkansas Traveler.' On the west side of Columbia, close to the canal then being dug, was a dwelling, occupied by James W. Deneal. Crossing to the southwest corner of Columbia and La Fayette, we found the beginning of a row of low shanties, which extended west to the east corner of Barr, where was a log house in which Lane & Stevens kept store, and where Hedekin's store now is. The shanties were poor indeed, and in most of them lived a hard crowd ; iu one of them, Michel Hedekin kept a grocery and provision store, and in another was kept the Canal Land Office, M. F. Barber, Clerk. On the southeast corner of Columbia and Barr, was the Washington Hall, the distinguished hotel of all the North, then kept by Samuel Sowers, and kept well, too. It was at these corners where the principal busines was then done, and where it continued for many years. Passing west, we found a row of frame shanties in which were tailer-shops, whisky-shops, etc. ; and back of where Mongeot's brick is now was the old ballroom, to reach which was not a pleasant task in the night. It stood alone, and when the company had reached it, it answered a most excellent purpose. Next to and east of the Wells Build¬ ing, which lately burned down, on the south side of Columbia, between Barr and Clinton about midway, and which was then being built, stood a low storeroom in which Thomas Pritchard kept a grocery. Pritchard was an Englishman of refinement and benevolence, and now a princely merchant of Portland, Oregon. The Wells Building was that year put up, and was a most capacious affair, and well kept as capacious. A ballroom was prepared in the upper story thereof, which at once supplanted the old one. This house was called the ' Saloon,' a name which, at that time and at that place, attained use in the town of Fort Wayne, the proprietors of which were Thomas J. Lewis and John Embry. Across the alley and to the west, stood a small office, in which Lucien P. Ferry had a law office. And next stood a large frame, -the property of the Hon. C. W. 'Ewing, now deceased. This was marked by being shaded by a very large appletree which stood on its east side. This building was burned in August, 1845, and with it our law library and effects, and by which fire the apple-tree was killed. In the building lately burned down, and west of that now owned by Mr. Waggoner, S. & W. S. Edsall kept a large dry-goods store; and on the west lot stood the log house recently burned down, which was W. G. Ewing's residence ; and on the corner west stood a large frame store, recently occupied by D. Lanceford as a saddler's shop, but theu as a store, kept by (southeast corner of C'linton and Columbia) Madison Sweetzer. On the opposite corner west (southwest corner of Clinton and Columbia), was a low frame, iu which Anthony Lintz lived and kept a small shoe-shop. West of this, were some groceries and shops carried on by ' T. Hoagland, Draper and Taylor,' as the sign read. Next to it, and where Maier's new brick and Nachtreib's hat store are, was kept a billiard-room and grocery, by D. Lasselle. From that west to the alley was, first, the tradinghouse of Francis Comparet, generally overrun with Indians, and a small law office occupied by Thomas Johnson, attorney. Back of Comparers store, was his fur-room, where, in the summer of 1838, Indian ' Bob' stabbed White Raccoon, the best-looking Indian we ever saw. It was in this illness that we saw in Raccoon's squaw (wife) an affection and devotion which would do credit to humanity in the most refined society and in the best ages of the world. It was womanly ; it was done as angels it seemed only could do it. ' Lo, the poor Indian ! ' Next this, and between that and the alley, was a low brick at the time (March, 183S-), spoken of, used as the rooms of the Branch of the State Bank. Across the alley was a bake shop, kept by Daniel McGinnis ; and next west, a large frame, iu which Dr. Lewis G. Thompson and 0. W. Jeffords kept a drug store, and which was afterward burned down. Dr. Thompson died in 1844 or 1845, one of the most lamented men.. * * * His residence then stood back of the drug store, in a small brick. Some other buildings, but unim¬ portant, stood between that and the southeast corner of Calhoun and Columbia streets, and on this street it was that the Magistrate dealt out justice (J. B. Dubois, J. P.), and from which derived the phrase ' Columbia Street Courts.' _

" On the north side- of the canal, where the gas-works are, stood a brewery, owned and carried on by George Fallo, a French German, whose beer got a repu¬ tation from the peculiar manner in which old George set the fermentation to work ; this, however, was hearsay, but it was often told aud never denied ; let those who drank his beer tell the rest. Along the canal east, to where Rudisill's woolen-factorv now stands, were many log cabins, mostly occupied by 1> reach people, and, indeed, it was no unimportant part of the town, as it was at the landins, which was where the St. Mary's bridge strikes the shore; here, in the spring of the year, were arriving and unloading cargoes of whisky, flour, bacon, pota¬ toes, etc., shipped from St. Mary's, and which had been hauled there from Dayton, Piqua and other places. We do not think that any arrivals took place after that the bank of the slough, through which now is discharged the water which pro¬ pels the City Mills. If we remember aright, Henry Sharp lived about where he does now, north of Townley's Block, and Capt. John B. Bourie at the north end of the Calhoun street bridge, then a high bridge with approaches extending half a square each way, where Dr. Brooks now lives, southwest corner of Calhoun and Water. These, we believe, constituted all who lived thereabout, and the names of whom we now remember. ,

" The main road north led out of Calhoun street, and crossed the St. Mary s River on the only bridge in the county, a part of the trestle-work of which may be now seen in. the river at that spot. * This was owned by a company, was a tollbridge, and was kept by an Americanized Irishman, John Simonton, father of Hiram Simonton, our worthy but eccentric fellow-citizen, who, iir his youth, col¬ lected the tolls, at the rate of 3 cents for each footman, 6 cents for each horse¬ back rider, 12 cents for a horse and wagon, and 15 cents for a double team. A few rods beyond the bridge, the road divided, the Mongoquinong, now Lima, road leading to the right, crossing Spy Run southwest of Rudisill's Mill, intersecting the other road at the mill. The Goshen or Wolf Lake road, bearing to the north¬ west, crossed the feeder at Hinton's, where the present bridge is, at the end of Wells street in Blonmingdale. at which place a hospitable Englishman named Hin¬ ton kept the ' Bull's Head Inn,' taking its name from the picture of a bull s head on his huge sign-board, an idea doubtless conceived in the 1 old country.'

" The Maumee River was crossed at a rocky ford just below the junction of the two rivers ; the going-in place being now plainly seen from the bridge, being indentations in the west bank, the going-out place being under the east end of the bridge, and now entirely obscured by the action of the water. In this connection, it. is well to say that the ferd is now covered up by the rise caused by a mill-dam one mile below, which then did not obstruct the crossing.

-- Coming back to town, we found on the corner of Calhoun and Main (south¬ west corner ). the yellow frame building seen yet back of Merget's beer-shop, and then owned and occupied by F. D. Lasselle. * The next south was a cabinet-shop, built in 1833, by Gardner Wilcox, and which stands on the same spot, being the same lately occupied by Louis Peltier as a coffin-shop, on the present site of Root A Co.'s store. On the west end of the same lot. facing the alley, was a large car¬ penter and joiner shop, occupied by Henry Williams and Ely Q. Davis. Mr. Williams is' now the senior member of the firm of Williams & Huestis, now Huestis & Hamilton. On the spot where we now write, and where our present office is ( Sidel's Block), stood a nice frame house, then the residence of John E. Hill ; across and south of the alley were the remains of a building, which had then but recently been burned, presenting the same appearance that it does now.

It win on this lot that Col. Spencer, in 1839, began to build the American House, afterward called the Spem cr House, which he finished in 1S40. South of the American House lot, stood a frame house owned and occupied by Capt. William Stewart, since torn away and a splendid brick erected in its stead. We add that the brick is torn away, and B. Trentman's store erected on the site. Next south was a frame house occupied as a residence and bakery by one Joshua Housman, a German ; and then Work's Row, before described.

" Turning now at Miller's, northwest corner of Calhoun and Berry, we go to the west along Berry street, and, at that day, might have seen a large car¬ penter-shop, owned by John Rinehart, where Dr. Daily's residence is, the present site and the building of the Anderson House; and then across the street, a little east, an old frame occupied by James Barnett, 1 Uncle Jimmy,' who was as hos¬ pitable and honest a man as the country afforded, and whose swear-word ' by Hedges Molly,' was the nearest we ever knew him to come to profanity. A few years afterward, he built west of the alley, a few feet from his old place, and after¬ ward ended a long life therein ; this building is still standing (1879). The next thing of note west was Shawnee Run, which is now barely visible on the west side of Harrison street, to the west of the Berry Street Methodist Church, and which is now confined to a ditch through town, and through which but little wafer now passes. This ditch is now confined to a brick sewer. Owing to a ditch which is opened south of the free schoolhouse, at the southwest side of the citv, this ditch discharges itself into a small creek to the southeast of the grave¬ yard.

"Shawnee Run was once quite a branch, or creek, full of deep holes, and from which large fish were taken, before the year in which we write, and even then some were known to be taken therefrom. This run crosses Main street, cast side of Harrison, and under Columbia street, south of the canal basin, and discharges .under the basin through a culvert, and into the St. Mary's just above the new iron bridge. An iron bridge was, at the time this article was penned, across the river on the road to Bloomingdale.

" West of Shawnee Run, on Berry street, we recollect but two houses ; one was owned and occupied by Benjamin Smith, and stood where P. Hoagland now lives, a little east ; and the other by Dr. Lewis Beecher, just across the street, and amid tKo hazel-brush ; this house is still standing. The traveled road left Berry street immediately on the west of Shawnee Run, and bore southwest along the high ground or bank of the run, through a vast thicket, leaving .where the new free schoolhouse is to the right, about which place commenced a race-track, which nded at where the south side of the graveyard is. This road, in the spring of the year, afforded a most pleasant walk, and we recollect of often meeting innocent lovers, hand in hand measuring the distance out, and, we suspect, sighing that it was so short between town and what was then considered out of town. Along this road from where the free school is (Jefferson Street School), and including a large scope up and about the round-house (Wabash Round-House), and from that to and including the graveyard and a part of what is now Hanna's Addition. West of the Bluffton Plank Road (Broadway) was a pigeonroost. In the fall of that year, the noise of the pigeons flying each night sounded like the approach of a violent storm, and the frequent report of musketry of sportsmen gave one strange feelings. Our friend, John Hamilton, will recollect this. , XT

" All west of the old plat was then called ' Ewingtown. Near the present residence of W. S. Edsall, southwest corner of Main and Cass streets, stood the frame of an inclosed building called the Methodist Church, and which, for want of funds, was not completed, and, from its great distance out of town, was deemed an ineligible site. Hon. William Rockhill hid a small residence just opposite his present residence, on the south bank of the canal. Mr. Villiam Rockhill resided for many years in a yellow brick house which still stands on the corner of Greeley and Van Buren streets, Lot. 7, Reed's Addition, and all south and west of this was a cultivated field - that is, so much as is Rockhill's Addition. The old frame house on the south bank of the canal, just west of the foot-bridge ; this foot¬ bridge was a high bridge across the canal on Ewing street, and had steps at either end. The house referred to was on Lot 1, Block 8, Ewing s Addition, the present site of August Reiling's shop, belonged to the Ewing family, and a little to the southeast of this house, and in the common, stood the paling which inclosed the grave of Col. Alexander Ewing, the father of G. W. Ewing, W. G. Ewing and Charles W. P)wing.

" We bring the reader back to the southeast corner of Calhoun and Berry, and proceed eastward. The first house on the corner, we said, was occupied by a Frenchwoman ; the next then is the next now, and was then occupied by Moses Yearin, the town gunsmith. Mr. Yearin subsequently moved his shop to a small brick on the east side of Maiden Lane, immediately south of Main street, where he continued in business for many years afterward. John Majors lived then, as he does now, next east, in a state of celibacy and as one. of the unsophisti¬ cated members of the ' Bachelor's Club.' Mr. Majors location was on the pres¬ ent site of Evans' wholesale house. The house next and east was on the southwest corner of Clinton and Berry. This lot is now owned by the Baptist Church. On this corner lived, in a log house, the widow of Abner Gerrard, who yet survives (as she does yet, 1879); having struggled hard with a large family and raised all to respectability, etc., she finally moved far West, leaving behind a large circle ot well-wishing friends.

" On the opposite corner, the southeast corner of Berry and Clinton, also stood a log house, which was afterward removed to give place to the First Presbyterian Church. The next stands yet, and was occupied by Mrs. Brown, a Frenchwoman, well remembered by many. The next was a small frame on the lot now noted by a large willow-tree. On this spot lived Robert Hood, a man as well known as any in this region, at that time ; in his nature were combined good sense and hos¬ pitality, and as large a vein of dry humor as ever we saw in one man ; the anec¬ dotes concerning him and his eccentricities are most numerous, and when told by one qualified to do it, never fail to call out a hearty laugh.

" On Market Square, where the new Market House is, stood the old frame which now stands to the south on the square. This old market house was used for some time after as an engine-house. Maj. Edsall lived on the next lot east, where D. H. Colerick now lives, and next, where he lives now was Capt. 0. Fairfield. Then came the old First Presbyterian Church, now the Lutheran, since torn away, of which the Rev. A. T. Rankin was the Pastor. In the basement of this church was kept a select school by Rev. W. W. Stevens, now Squire Stevens, and Alexander McJunkin, now deceased, in which school we spent the spring months of that year. East of this stood the present residence of N. B. Freeman, then occupied by Rev. Hoover, a Lutheran minister. Distant east of this stood the hotel now called the Kime House - then the Dahman House, just rendered celebrated for having been the scene of a serious conflict, between the Irish then laboring on the canah and the Germans, who held a dance there on a certain occasion. In this conflict one German was killed, and Dahman had his nose nearly severed from his face, the mark of which he carried to his grave.

" The onlv house, as we now remember, which stood east of this, was one that stood about where John Burt now lives, on the east end of Wayne street, then occupied by W. L. Moon, a location which was considered ' clear out of town Going back west, on the north side of Berry street, the first building we found was exactly north of the Presbyterian Church, now Lutheran Church, which was made of logs from the old fort, and raised to the square of the second story, and which was'finished early that spring by Daniel Reed, who had just removed here from Richmond, and taken charge of the Register's Office under appointment of President Van Buren. This li^iuse is now the residence of Benjamin Saunders, Esq., then a clerk for his' cousin, Thomas Pritchard. Mr. Siunders was after¬ ward in the bakery business, and subsequently a Justice of the Peace.

" Between that and the alley west were two small frames, and across the alley lived - in a house now occupied by the Rev. Ruthrauf - Henry Cooper, Esq., attorney at law, a self-made man. a profound lawyer, a good citizen and an honest man. Our friend, whose memory we cherish, and with whom we for several years traveled this judicial circuit in the practice of law. _

» West of Mr. Cooper's, in a red house, now on the third lot east of the northeast corner of Berry and Barr, lived John B. Dubois, now called the 0 Squire," then a magistrate and a merchant. On the opposite corner west lived Judge Hanna, in the finest house in all the region, which house is now standing at the west end of the same lot, a specimen of palatial grandeur of other days. That square, or rather that part now occupied by Miller's board-yard, immediately opposite the First Presbyterian Church, and east along Berry street, was a willow swamp, standing deep under the water the whole year, and totally impassable, except when frozeu over. Indeed, fish were found in it, and wild ducks made it a frequent resort, and a few years before the period of which we write (18(30), it was so deep as to float canoes, and two deer were killed therein by five hunters. In the lumber-yard, Madden, Keefer and Romine murdered a man by the name of Dunbar. It originally discharged across south of where the post office is now, corner of the alley, on the west side of Clinton, south of Columbia street, and out very near the southeast corner of Columbia and Calhoun, and into the Shawnee Run about where Columbia crosses that run.

" Allen Hamilton lived then in a large frame just across the street north from the present branch of the Bank of the State, now Fort Wayne National, then the branch of the State Bank, which was that spring -completed and occu¬ pied. Hugh McCulloch, Cashier; M. W. Hubble, Teller.

" Benjamin H. Tower and Johnson Miller then carried on a cabinet shop in a frame stand where John M. Miller's large factory is, in the same building which now stands to the west of the factory, about where Hattersly is now. East, on the next lot, lived L. G. Bellamy, and beside him on the east, where the large apples may now be seen, in a little, old log house, lived Judith Shores. * * On the corner next - the southwest corner of Main and Barr - in the old, yellow frame still standing there, lived Stearns Fisher, then Engineer-in-Chief of the W. & E. .Canal, and now of Wabash County, Ind., since deceased. On the opposite corner north was a little, low, log huuse. Thomas Johnson, Esq., now deceased, lived in the old frame which still stands on the third lot from the corner, on the north side, and the large locust-trees in front are those which Mr. J. brought from La Grange County in 1836, and which were then so small that he tied them on the pad of his saddle, and brought them home. On the spot where Mr. Hedekin now lives was the old Council House. Where Henry Baker now lives, southeast corner of Main and La Fayette, was a shop, we think built by John Brown, the blacksmith. That which is now the ' Old Fort House,' on the north¬ east corner, was then the late residence of Capt. Robert Brackenridge. Between that and the ' Old Fort' was a solitary small frame, occupied by a family, name now forgotten, and then the 1 Old Fort,' or rather one building of it, tenanted by some Irish family. The pickets were mostly taken up, the lines were, however, vis¬ ible, and the uld well then in use. The flagstaff stood in the center, but it was broken off about half-way up. The canal was then being dug at that point, and eastward, aud when the season for labor began, hundreds of Irishmen, and horses and carts, could be -seen at one view.

" Nothing of great interest transpired that year, except the breaking of the aqueduct over the St. Mary's River - where the ' stone mills ' are - caused by a flood, and the rebuilding of the same, and the trial of Asa Crapo for killing a man at Bull Rapids.

<l The social aspect of the place was good. It did not fall to the lot of any Western town to be favored with a better society, although much evil prevailed, owing to the unscrupulousness resulting from Indian trading, rum drinking, etc. Society was a mixture of French, Indians and Americans, with but a single negro, Burrell Reed, a boot-black, a factotum, whose usefulness was generally appreciated, whose goodness of heart was proverbial, and whose laugh, loud as a young artillery. And, notwithstanding this mixture, it was a most agreeable place to live in, for true hospitality was a marked feature in society, and which we are proud to say has its living representatives still here to distinguish the place."

§uch is a sketch of Fort Wayne as it appeared over forty years ago. And, as we close, we draw the curtain over it, and present the same place as it is now, a city with thirty, or thirty-five thousand souls; with its magnificent churches, with spires towering up hundreds of feet; its several spacious and commodious schoolhouses ; its almost innumerable homes and palatial residences, with inviting lawns; its immense manufactories, with millions of capital; its solid fronts of busi¬ ness houses; its railroads stretching out in every direction; its banks with busy capital ; its streets and sidewalks graded and paved ; its beautiful shade-trees arching over its streets from side to side, making in all a delightful as well as a metropolitan city.

With Fort Wayne as Mr. Dawson saw it in 1838, it would not be presump¬ tuous to suppose there existed, at that date, elements of growth and prosperity warranting the enlargement of its corporate domain, and the utilization of the abundant facilities for business to be developed in the near future. At that date, even, a city charter and the corporate powers therein guaranteed were subjects of frequent converse among the good people of this, then, embryo city. These expressions were expressions of a manifest want in the community, and were not slow in assuming form and proportions. Hence, at the session of 1839-40, of the Legislature of Indiana, a script draft of such a charter as was demanded by the people, drawn by Hon. F. P. Randall, was presented for the consideration of that body. On the 22d of February, 1840, having, been previously passed, it was approved by the Governor, aod became a law unto the people for whose advan¬ tage it was prepared, and who were ready to be governed by its provisions. This charter provided for the election, by the people, of a President (or Mayor) and six members of the Board of Trustees (or Common Council), and the election of subordinate officers of the Board or Council. The following were the first officers chosen: Mayor, George W. Wood ; Recorder, F. P. Randall ; Attorney, F. P. Randall; Treasurer, George F. Wright; High Constable, Samuel S. Morss ; Collector, Samuel S. Morss; Assessor, Robert E. Fleming; Market Master, James Post; Street Commissioner, Joseph McMeken ; Chief Engineer, Samuel Edsall ; Lumber Measurer, John B. Cocanour ; Aldermen - William Rockhill, Thomas Hamilton, Madison Sweetzer, Samuel Edsall, William S. Edsall and William L. Moon.

Since that time, the city government has continued, changing and modifying the provisions of the organic luw accordingly, as the Legislature or the interests of society made necessary. An idea of the growth of Fort Wayne, from the period of its incorporation as a city to the present, may be fairly gleaned from the population of the city in 1850, which is shown by the census report to have been 4,282. In I860, ten years later, a population of 10,319 is shown, and in 187(1 it is stated at 19,480. With a like ratio of increase, the census of 1880 will show little short of 50,000. Indeed, the indications are favorable to the expecta¬ tion of a much larger showing.

The present condition of Fort Wayne, however, is best ascertained from an actual showing of its elements of enterprise, its business agencies and facilities, its public buildings, newspapers, churches and their congregations, its public schools and other educational facilities, its manufacturing establishments, their capacity and what they bring forth; its business houses, its railroad accommodations, etc. Let the following presentation best exhibit what Fort Wayne has accomplished :

Our Common Schools

Private Schools. - The first school, of which any account appears, was a mis¬ sion school, taught by Mr. McCoy, in the old fort, about the year 1821. He was assisted by Mr. Montgomery, and by Mr. and Mrs. Potts. Mr. McCoy was sent out as a missionary to teach the Indians, but he also made it his duty to instruct such while children as chose to apply to him. Mr. and Mrs. Potts afterward taught in a house situated on the banks of the St. Mary's River, just below the present gite of French, Hanna & Co.'s woolen factory. The village at that time consisted of but eight or ten families, hence the school must have been small. Hugh B. McKeen, then recently from Detroit, succeeded Rev. McCoy, and taught a small school in the old fort during part of the years 1823 and 1824, but just how long cannot now be ascertained. He subsequently removed to Logansport and engaged in the Indian trade.

The first schoolhousc ever erected in Fort Wayne stood on a lot adjoining the old graveyard, in the rear of the site of the present jail. The house was built in 1825, and was known as the County Seminary. Here, for many years, were the young of the place taught to make them wise, and thrashed," may be, to make them sweet tempered. Mr. John P. Hedges taught in this building as early as 1826. and was, perhaps, the first teacher ever employed to take charge of the school. About this time, Mr. Henry Cooper, who afterward became a lawyer of considerable reputation, taught a school in the upper story of a log jail, which stood in the southwest corner of the public square. Light and air were admitted through the iron grates of the two small openings called windows. The floor and walks were of hewn logs, and the seats were of the rudest description. There are, probably, but few persons now in Fort Wayne who attended this school. Mr. Hedges was followed by Mr. Boggs and others, but the exact length of their respective reigns cannot now be accurately ascertained.

Mr. Aughinbaugh, who had, for a short time, been teaching in the old Masonic Hall, taught in the Seminary in 1832-33. He was followed by Small¬ wood Noel, in 1834, and by James Requa in 1834-35. In 1833 or 1834, Mr. Boggs taught a small school in a building that stood on Columbia street. Myron F. Barbour taught in the Seminary in 1835-36, and Mr. John C. Sivey, now of Wabash, Ind., in 1836. Mr. Barbour was a popular and successful teacher, and from him some of our leading business men received their earlier instruction in wisdom's ways.

It is related that, about this time, a certain person wished to teach in the Seminary. It was necessary that the teacher should hold a certificate of qualifi¬ cation from the Board of Examiners, to one of whom, Ii. E. Ference, can now be referred for the authenticity of the story. The Board, believing that the candidate was not quite as correct in his habits as he ought to be, determined to submit him to a very severe examination, and thus subject him to a failure. They accordingly brought into requisition all the old spellers, arithmetics, etc., that could be found, and proceeded to polish their wit on the grindstone of letters in preparing for the onset. The fight commenced, and in about forty minutes the doughty schoolmaster had " floored " the committee, books and all, and the license was issued.

In the spring of 1836, Miss Mann, now Mrs. Secretary McCulloch, and Miss Hubbell, now Mrs. R. W. Taylor, came to Fort Wayne to teach school. They found no schoolhouse in which to commence operations, and they concluded to open a school in a room in the old Court House. After teaching here a short time, they were employed to assist Rev. Jesse Hoover, who opened a school August 2, 1836, in the basement of the Presbyterian Church, near the corner of La Fayette and Barr streets - the first church edifice erected in the city. Miss Hubbell subsequently taught a school in a house now standing on the southwest corner of Barr and Main streets, and afterward in the old Treasurer's office, which stood on the northeast corner of the public square. Mr. Hoover was succeeded, in 1838, by Rev. W. W. Stevens, as Principal, and Alexander McJunkin as Assistant. Mr. Stevens afterward built a house ou Washington street, in which, assisted by his wife, ne taught for several years.

Mr. McJunkin was, .for many years, the prominent teacher of the city. He built a house, now standing on La Fayette street, between Berry and Wayne streets, in which he taught, almost uninterruptedly, until 1852. at which time he became connected with the Pittsburgh Railroad Company. He was the best known of any of the teachers of the times, and is remembered with feelings of gratitude by many of our citizens whom he interested in study, and Tor whom he labored so faithfully and so successfully. He was a fine scholar, a good' instructor and a strict disciplinarian.

In the fall of 1845, Mrs. Lydia Sykes came here, under the auspices of the Presbyterian Society, to open a seminary for young ladies. It was intended to make this school a permanent institution, but the failing health of Mrs. Sykes obliged her to abandon the school, after it had been in successful operation a year and a half. Mrs. Sykes was succeeded by Rev. James Green, who came to the

1Q46 Mr Green taught, at first, in the building on the corner of La Fay- S and Berry streets; afterward, in a briek bouse on Wash.ng.on street, now occupied bv Mr. Rupert, and subsequently, until 1851, in u house on the of Barr and Washington streets, now occupied by mis. itowan.

Many other small schools were taught during these years by various persons, among whom may be mentioned Miss Susan Clark, now M^Morss, Muss Waugh, Miss Sophia Henderson, afterward Mrs. Lassalle, and Miss Lota, no

M,a' ThTSlethodist College was opened in 1849, under the charge of ProL A. C. Huestis, and has been continued, with some interruptions, to the present fctime.

The Presbyterian Academy, now used for tile Harniar Street School, was opened in August, 1853, and was in charge of Henry McCormick, Pnnjjjj . mi- Jacob Laniers, Assistant, The school was kept open most of the time untd 187.

Larue and well organized church schools, under Roman Catholic and German Lutheran auspices, have been established at various times, and are now in success-

1 fS. Schools. - Hugh McCulloch, Charles Case and William Stewart the first Trustees appointed under the law of 1852, found themselves in a en ty of over four thousand people, with 1,2011 school children, a tuition fund of 8300 no buildino uor school appliances and not a dollar to buy them. Renting Mr. McJ unkin's house in the east, and one from Mr. HurlbuAn the^t end town they employed Mr. Mnhurin and Ins staler and Mr. and Mis. Hurlbuul asteachers ? This was the beginning of the public school system of Fort \\ ay ne.

In 1853, a vote, taken in compliance with a petition of the citizens, to raise a special fund by taxation, was lost. In 1855, the Trustees determined to butld a seboolhouse east aud west. In 1856, the sites of the present Clay end Jefferson buildings were purchased and the contract for the east budding let in portions, from time to time, as persons were found willing to take the risks, and on Februarv 9 1857, their efforts were crowned with success in the completion ant dedication of the Clay building. The Rev. George A. Irwin was appomte Superintendent and at once proceeded to organize and grade the schools as far as possible. In September of this year, the Trustees, with the aid of several citizens, who for this purpose voluntarily mortgaged their private property, proceeded to the erection of a building in the west end of town, which was finished and occu¬ pied in the winter of 1 858-59. For eight years, these were the only public school buildings in the city. . . n, , . . ,

In 1863 Mr. Irwin resigned his position and became a Chaplain in the. army He was succeeded by S. S. Green, who remained two years. At the end of his term of office, the first class was graduated from the High School. It was a class of marked ability, and two of its members are among our present corps ot

Council in 1863. selected James H. Smart, of the Toledo schools, to succeed Mr. Green, resigned June 13. He had already created a reputation for ability in teaching and organization, and immediately entered upon a thorough and systematic effort toward the accurate and practical grading of the schools, bringing the j work within a reasonable number of years, and, at the same time, elevating the j standard to the highest possible level. In this he was eminently successful. From this time, the growth of the public schools, both in numbers and popu¬ larity, was steady and rapid. The high esteem in which this system is now held is largely due to the wise administration of Mr. Smart, and it is with pleasure that tile present Superintendent, his immediate successor, at that time one of the Trustees, avails himself of this opportunity to put upou record his high appreciation of those labors. ,

In 1866, lots were purchased south of the railroad, and a plain frame, threeroom building erected. Two rooms were opened at first, but it soon became necessary to use the third. , , ,

The following year, lots were purchased in the west, central and southeast portion of the city ; the Washington and Central Schools, two substantial brick buildings, erected and opened in September, 1868.

The Hanna School, after the plan of the Washington, followed in 1869; also the enlargement of the Hoagland building to twice its original size. The villages of Bowserville and Bloomingdale were soon after added to the city, the latter having a one-roomed school building to which, in 1872, two rooms were added.

During- the same year, the German Reformed School was transferred to the charge "of the Board, their building rented, and, soon after, a second story added thereto.

In 1874, districts were added to the city on the north, east and south, each containing a small schoolhouse, and an additional building rented on the north side for a German school. The Hoagland School was again enlarged, the threeroom building of 1866 now becoming one of twelve rooms, and the Hanna School changed from a one to a three room building.

In 1875, saw the erection of a substantial and convenient eight-room brick building in Bloomingdale, consolidating all the North Side schools.

Mr. Smart, having been elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction, left to assume the duties of his new office in the early spring of this year, and the present incumbent was elected the June following.

In 1876, the crowded condition of the Hanna School compelled the erection of a building similar to the Bloomingdale, and a like cause, in 187/, necessitated the remodeling of the Hanna and Washington Schools into eight-room buildings. A large addition was also made to the Central School, and the interior arrange¬ ments^ changed so that the third story in now a hall capable of seating 1,400 persons and readily convertible into four recitation-rooms.

In 1867, Mr. Smart, seeing the necessity of training teachers with special reference to the wants of our schools, opened a school therefor, the success of which was soon evident. In 1877, the instruction in this school was limited to primary teachers, and a second school ms opened for those m the intermediate Sdes Of the one hundred and one teachers in our present corps, fifty-three have been educated in these schools, a large proportion of the others being graduates from our High School; and the character of their work gives the best evidence of the advantages derived from such training schools.

Much of our success is doubtless due to the pleasant relations at all times existing between the Trustees, Superintendent and teachers, and to the infrequent changes, both in the Board of Trustees and corps of teachers. The former has been practically unchanged for many years, Mr. Edgerton having served tor six, Mr. Hoagland for eleven, Mr. Morgan for sixteen, and the present Superintendent for ten years; while many of the teachers have an almost equally long record ot

The "colored" question has been satisfactorily settled by incorporating the children in the districts and grades for which their advancement fits them.

As regards the employment of special teachers for the studies of music, drawing reading and writing, after an experience of several years, it. is found that not only in these studies themselves, but still more in their influence on the other branches, the improved results secured more than compensation for the

In March, ^1878, moved by various considerations, the Trustees abolished the name of High School, as exciting opposition and carrying no strength, and divided the course into primary, intermediate and grammar grades. It is not intended either to lower the standard or reduce the extent of the work The course of study pursued, while by no means faultless, has yet proved itself a valuable one by the success which our graduates have obtained, both in the higher institutions of learning and in the professional and business walks of life.

It is the constant endeavor of those in charge to make such use ol the means and appliances in their power as will be productive of the greatest stood to the

" The condition of our schools at the opening of the years 1878-1 J is as follows Buildings, 9; teachers, including pupil-teachers, 101; rooms occupied for study and recitation, 82. Course of study: 4 primary 4 interniedtate, 4 grammar - 12 years. Number of pupils enrolled for year 18/ /-78, excludn g transfers and re-enrollment: 2,315 primary; 854 intermediates 187 grammartotal 3 356. Graduates : High School, 156 ; Training School, 9 1 , tota , -03.

Total number of pupils admitted to the schools withtn the year: white, male 5 604- white, female, 5,341 ; total white, 10,945; colored, male, 13; col¬ ored.' female, 17 ; total colored, 30; grand total, 10 975; average daily attendance 7 431 number of districts in which school is taught, 180 ; total number graded schools, 5 ; number of township graded schools-, 2; average length of school, 1(4 davs; number of teachers employed, males, 134, females, 184 ; total, 320 , avei age compensation per day of teachers in townships, males, $1.63 ; female, |1.4i in towns, male, $3.19 ; female, 81.90 ; in cities, male, 84.94; females, 8-48 general average, male, 83.25; female, 81.95.

General statistics : number of schoolhouses, brick, 50 ; frame, loo , total, 188; estimated value of schoolhouses, including grounds, seats, etc., 8348 275 ; estimated value of school apparatus, including maps, globes, etc., 88 530 ; total estimated value of school property, 8356,805 ; total estimated special school tax, 815,847.72 ; number of volumes in township libraries, 3,b8< ; number of volumes taken out during the year, 1,091 ; amount paid Trustees for manarin" educational matters, 81.970 ; number of schoolhouses erected during the year" 13 ; value of the same, 813,498 ; number of township institutes during the year. 82.

Catholic Church

The old Jesuit missionaries that may have visited Fort Wayne when it was a mere trading-post have left here no record of their labors, i lie few Catholic8 that resided here were visited, for the first time on record, on the 3d of June, 1830, by Very Reverend Stephen Theodore Badin, the first ordained priest in the United States. He was then Vicar General of the Dioceses of Bardstown, Ivy., and Cincinnati, Ohio. At that time (1830), the State of Indiana was within the limits of the Diocese of Bardstown, the Bishop of which was the Rt. l\ev. Benedict Joseph Flaget, consecrated November 4, 1810. Mis first coadjutor was Rt Rev John B. David, consecrated Bishop of Mauricastro August 15, 1819 ; and his second coadjutor was Rt. Rev. Guy Ignatius Chabert, consecrated Bishop of Bolivia July 20, 1834, whilst his third coadjutor was Rt. Rev. Martin John Spalding, consecrated September 10, 1848, Bishop of Langonc, after the See ot Bardstown had been transferred to the city of Louisville, in the same State ot Kentucky. _ ... ....

The same Very Reverend Steven Theodore Badin repeated his visits to Fort Wayne in 1831, offered the holy sacrifice of the mass and preached in the residence of Francis Comparet, Esq., and, in 1832, when he performed the func¬ tions of his ministry in the residence of John B. Bequette, Esq., whose wife is still living in Fort Wayne at the present day.

The next priest who visited this city was Rev. Picot, then 1 astor ot the Catholics of Vincennes, Knox Co., Ind., September 25, 1832. Then Very Rev¬ erend Steven Theodore Badin was again in Fort Wayne December 2o, loo^

1833 and 1834. Rev. Simon P. Lalumiere, who died when Pastor of the Cath¬ olics of Terre Haute, visited this place in 1835. Rev. Felix Matthew Ruff, in 1835. Rev. I. F. Terrooren, in 1835. Rev. Father Francis, stationed at Logansport, visited the Catholics of Fort Wayne in January, February. May, June, July and August, 1836.

The first priest permanently appointed Pastor of the Catholic congregation of Fort Wayne was Rev. Louis Muller, who took possession in August, 1836, and remained until the 16th of April, 1840.

In 1838, Fort Wayne was visited by the Rt. Rev. Saintly Simon Gabriel Brute, first Bishop of Vincennes. In the beginning of 1840, Bishop Guynemere de la Hailanidiere, second Bishop of Vincennes, appointed Rev. Julien Benoit Pastor of St. Augustine's Church, Fort Wayne, having to attend La Gro, Huntington, Columbia City, Warsaw, Goshen, Avilla, New France, New Haven, Besancon, Hesse- Castle and Decatur. His first assistant was Rev. Joseph Hamison, a saintly young priest, who died at Logansport in the early part of 1842. His second assistant was Rev. Joseph Rudolf, who died in Olden¬ burg, Franklin County, after many years of hard missionary labors. His third assistant was A. Carius, who remained but a short time, and is now Pastor of Junction City, Kan. The fourth was Alphonse Munschina, who is Pastor of Lanesvillef Vincennes Diocese. The fifth was Rev. Edward Faller, who is now in Tell City, Vincennes Diocese. Under Father Faller the German speaking part of St. Augustine's congregation built a church and a schoolhouse, and that formed the first German-speaking congregation in Fort Wayne. Rev. Edward Faller was the first Pastor of the new church, placed under the patronage of the Mother of God and called St. Mary's. The division took place in 1849.

In 1865, St. Paul's Church (German) was built, on West Washington street, and formed another congregation, under the rectorship of Rev. Edward Koenig, the present incumbent.

In 1871, the Germans living on South Hanna street builtSt. Peter's Church, and formed a third German congregation, having for its Pastor Rev. John Well mh off.

The first undertaking of the Pastor of St. Augustine's Church was the fin¬ ishing of the church which had been begun by his predecessor. He very soon after erected schoolhouses for girls and for boys, and obtained the Sisters of Prov¬ idence and the Brothers of the Holy Cross to direct those schools. They have been in a flourishing condition from the very beginning, and both schools educate now more than seven hundred pupils, when the Bishops of the Province of Cin¬ cinnati considered that the Diocese of Vincennes was too large, and a division should take place.

Fort Wayne was selected as the See of the new diocese. Rt. Rev. John John H. Luers was appointed first Bishop of Fort Wayne, and was consecrated January 10, 1858. He governed the diocese until June 29, 1871, when he died suddenly, in the city of Cleveland, Ohio.

The Paslor of the Cathedral (placed under the patronage of the " Immacu¬ late Conception," and not any longer under the invocation of " St. Augustine ") is the Rt. Rev. Joseph Dwenger, Bishop of Fort Wayne, and he has for Assistant Pastors Very Reverend J. Benoit, Vicar General; Rev. Joseph Henry Brammar and Rev. James Hartnett.

The first Pastor of St. Mary's (German church) was Rev. Edward Faller; the second, Rev. Joseph Wentz, and the third, the present incumbent, Rev. Joseph Rademacher, who has for Assistant Rev. Charles Steurer.

The church property, be it worth §1,000,000 or §1,000 only, is all the same for us, and we leave the valuation of it to better judges than clergymen generally are.

All the church property in the Diocese of Fort Wayne (and in all the dioceses of the United States) belongs to the Bishop, who has a deed of trust for the same.

The Diocese of Fort Wayne, established in 1S57, comprises and includes all north of, and including, Fountain, Montgomery, Boone, Hamilton, Delaware, Randolph and Warren Counties, Indiana.

Officers of the Diocese of Fort Wayne: Rt. Rev. Joseph Dwenger, D. D., Bishop; Very Reverend Julien Benoit, Vicar General; Rev. Joseph Rademacher, Chancellor.

Total number of priests in the diocese, 97 ; clerical students, 16; number of churches, 108 ; number of chapels, 20 ; churches now being erected, 4 ; hos¬ pitals, 3 ; religious institutions, 15 ; university, 1 ; orphan asylums, 2 ; female literary institutions, 17 ; parish schools, 54 ; Catholic population, 80,000.

Catholics of different nationalities worshiped in the old frame church located on the property now occupied by the Cathedral. In 1849, the German Catholics formed themselves into a separate congregation and built a small brick church near the corner of Jefferson and La Fayotte streets, now enlarged and used as a Sisters' House and Parochial School for girls. The large brick church now in use was built 1858, boys' school in 1866. The first Pastor was Rev Edward Faller; recent Pastor, Rev. Joseph Rahemacher; Assistant, Rev. Charles Steurer Membership, 1,500. Children in school, 330.

Cathedral Societies

The Young Gentlemens' Sodality was organized January 14 1875 at Catli olio Library I-Iall, by the Rt. Rev. Joseph Dwinger, D. and Rev. Joseph Brammer, I . P. The following officers were elected for one year 1875 - Frank V. Cour Prefect; George A Fry, First Assistant; William 'nosey! Second Assistant ; John H. Fitzgerald, Treasurer ; William Reed, Sacristan - Peter I Fallon, Secretary.

Rev. Joseph H. Brammer filled the office of Spiritual Director and exofficio President for the years of 1875-7(1 and '77 ; the Rev. James Hartnett filled the same office for 1878-79. The Society is in a flourishing condition, numberin', in memberships 200, all unmarried young men. Amount of property and money on baud, 3400. Its object is to receive both spiritual and charitable benefit.

St. Vincent De Paul Society was organized December 15, 1878 -it. the Catholic Library Hah, by the Rev. Joseph H. Brammer. The above Darned Society was organized solely to relieve the poor of the city, irrespective of re!i»- ion, nationality or party. The Society paid out, during tile winter of 1879 3950, leaving a balance in the treasury of §125.

The following officers were elected for one year : President, John H. Brannan ; Vice President, Killian Baker ; Recording Secretary, John G. Noll - Cor responding Secretory, John Mohr, Jr.; Treasurer, Henry G. Grafl'o. Number of members, 160.

The La Fayette Benevolent Society, organized for the mutual benefit of its members and the widows and orphans of deceased members, was chartered Feb¬ ruary 16, 1861. Its charter members were the following : MM. Augustine H. Carier, Claude F. Erne, Xavier Valroff, Francois Hereof, Louis T Bourret Francois S. Aveline, Francois D. Lasselle, Jean Baptiste Chauvc-y et Jules Albert. J

The Society occupied F. D. Lasselle's hall, on Calhoun street east side south of Main, on Lot No. 79 [O. P], until April. 1864, when Mr. Lasselle died. Afterward, the meetings were held in Anten Fisher's hall, on East Main street, on Lot No. 88 [O. P.], UDtil May, 1871, when they moved to John Tay¬ lor's hall, west side of Barr street, south of Main, on Lot 91. Lhis was the place of meeting until January, 1876. From that time unto the proseDt, the hall has been in Foster's Block, on Court street, and is one of the largest and best furnished halls in the city, having a well-selected library of French works, by authors of known merit. It is one of the oldest institutions of the kind in Fort Wayne. A. H. Carier has been its President from the date Of organiza¬ tion. The Society is now independent, hut was formerly owned by the futon Generals. The membership is fifty-six.

The Fort Wayne Catholic Library Association was established July 14 1871, and incorporated August 4,1874. The Association is controlled by a Board of Directors, namely, Rev. Joseph Brammer, John Ring, John G. Noll George A. Littot and Philip J. Singleton, who are also the charter members' The officers are : President, George A. Fry ; Treasurer, George A. Littot ; Sec¬ retary, John G, Noll ; Librarian, Philip J. Singleton.

St. Joseph Benevolent Society is one of the Cathedral societies. It was organized May 2, 1874, and pays its sick or disabled members §5 per week. The charter members were Frank H. Wolke, P. S. O'Rourke, Marlin A. Noll, James Fore, Thomas Morgan, William B. Walters, A. F. Schoenbein, George A. Littot, Charles A. Blee, Jerome G. Stuter, Louis Gocquel, George A. Fay and William Connair.

Methodist Episcopal Church

The first services of this denomination held in Allen County, of which there is any account, were conducted by the Rev. James Holman - a local minister of that Church, who came to this county in 1824, and owned a farm in what is now known as " Nebraska," or that part of the city of Fort Wayne on the north side of the St. Mary's River, between the aqueduct and Lindenwood Cemetery - in his dwelling-house, a log cabin. Rev. James Hargraves, who was i traveling missionary in Northwestern Ohio and Northern Indiana, was the first egularly ordained Methodist Episcopal minister that preached in Allen County,

Visitin.' Port Wayne probably about 1827 or. 1328 the first time, and continuing his visits until 1831. Services were conducted by him. wherever a convenient place could he found, sometimes in the old brick schoolhuuso that stood near the corner of Harrison and Witter streets, sometimes in carpenter shops, at times in the dwellings of members, and occasionally in what was known as the ' McJunkin Schoolhouse," that stood on the east side of La Fayette street, between Berry and Wayne streets. Under his ministrations a class was formed here, and a Church was organized. In 1832, when Miss Eliza Hamilton came to Fort Wayne, the class consisted of six members, as follows: Judge Robert Brackenrid"'o and wife, Jnmes Holman, wife and daughter, and Miss - Alderman, now Mrs Simon Edsall. Miss Hamilton illustrates the difficulty which the little Church experienced in finding a place in which to huld worship, by the state¬ ment that one Sabbath the entire congregation visited four different places before they found one suitable. Mr. Hargraves was succeeded by Rev. - Griffin, who preached here in 1832. In 1833, Fort Wayne was included in a ciroult, and the Rev. Aimisa Johnson, with some one else, whose name cannot be ascertained from the material at hand, was assigned to the charge of it. They preached here alternately, once a month, during 1833-34. The Church gradually increased in numbers and strength, and in 1840 erected a house of worship, a frame buildin" tbnt was located on the same ground the present Berry Street Church stands on. Rev. Stephen R. Ball, who was the regular Pastor of the Church here in 1830-37, retired from the active labors of the ministry soon after, and located in Fort Wayne, was a very zealous worker for the Church, and to his labors at that time the Church was largely indebted for its prosperity.

The first Presiding Elder that ever visited Fort Wayne in an official capacity was Rev. James Armstrong. His district comprised all of this State north of the Wabash, and lie was succeeded by Rev. James Hargraves. The Church grew and prospered, and in 1849 a sufficient number withdrew to organize another Church, known ns Wayne Street Church, and built a beautiful church still another Church was organized, to meet, the growing demands of the residents of that part of the city known as South Wayne, known as "Centenary" Church, was organized June 21, 1866, A. J. Wells, Pastor. Service held in the enginehouse. Contract let and church building commenced December 31, 1866. Cost, $990.90. Frame building, 25x40. Of that amount, Berry Street Church members paid $350.

Third Street Church The African Methodist Episcopal Church

THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized on the 12th of December, 1872, by Rev. Jason Bundy. The original members were W. L. Steward, Mary Steward, William Herdle and John Hall. Trustees - John Hall, William Hurdle and W. L. Steward. Treasurer, George Fisher. Names of Pastors - Rev. Jason Bundy, 1872 ; M. Patterson, 1873 ; H. Russell, 1874 ; Daniel Burden, 1875 ; A. H. Knight, 1876; G. O. Curtis, 1877 ; Robert McDaniel, 1878-79. Present membership - Full mem¬ bers, 20 ; on probation, 10. They have a church edifice of 40x50 feet dimensions.

First Presbyterian

Hon. Jesse L. Williams, in his admirable sketch of the early history of this Church in Fort Wayne, in speaking of the efforts of those friendly to this branch of the Church, in advance of a regular organization, alludes to the missionary work performed by Rev. Father Ross, who, fVbm 1822 to 1826, preached five times in this place, and spoke of a society here at those times as especially unpromising. By this father, however, good seed was sown, which ere¬ long germinated and produced fruit.

In December, 1828, Allen Hamilton, then Postmaster, feeling an anxiety to enjoy chureh privileges, was instrumental in securing the services of Rev. Charles E. Furman for missionary work in Fort Wayne. Mr. Furman arrived here on the 13th of November, 1829, and, in a communication to the Missionary Rooms in New York, dated February 20, 1830, he says: " From this place 100 miles in every direction it is a perfect wilderness. * * * This county only contains seven or eight hundred inhabitants, between three and four hundred of whom live in town. I never knew, for the same number of inhab¬ itants, in any place, so many attendants upon the preaching of the Gos¬ pel. * * * There are about seven or eight who have been professors of religion in our Church before, and I think a church might now be formed of at least a dozen members. * * * The people are all hospitable, and have more intelligence and liberality of feeling than any similar town I have found in the country." Mr. Furman remained here only six or eight months, but left a good impression. Rev. James Chute came here in June, 1831, "and, on the 1st of July following, at the request of the few Presbyterians then residing here, organized the 1 First Presbyterian Church of Fort Wayne,' con¬ sisting of eleven members. On the 4th of October, 1831, the Church was received under the care of the Miami Presbytery, whose place of meeting was some one hundred and twenty miles distant.

"Of the first members of this Church, two were half Indians, who had before, in 1820, joiued the Baptist Church under the labors of Rev. Mr. McCoy, missionary to the Indians at this post. They were nieces of 1 Little Turtle,' the celebrated war chief of the Miamis. * * * They were daughters

" The want of a place of worship affording reasonable comfort was here a chief hindrance of church progress for the first six years. Six or eight different rooms were occupied successively within this period. The religious services connected with the organization were held in the open air under a rude shelter of boards, ntfar the junction of Columbia and Harrison streets, on ground now occupied by the canal basin. For a time, the little brick schoolroom, about 20x25 feet, then standing some two hundred feet southwest of the present county jail, in a cluster of sumac shrubbery, was the place of worship. Then the Masonic Hall, on the site of the Hill & Orbison warehouse, a room perhaps 20x40 feet, was occupied until driven out in June, 1833, by the advent of the first printing press. Next, a carpenter-shop on the north side of Columbia street, where 11. W. Taylor's storeroom now stands, was for some length of time the sanctuary. At the close of each week's work, the shop was hastily transformed in its adapta¬ tion from material to sacred use by removing the shavings and adjusting the benches, minus their backs, with the work -bench for a pulpit desk. A small room on the opposite side of the street was for a short time used, as was liki wise a room in the old brick tavern on the same street. * * * Such were the wanderings and sojouruings of the little congregation until, in 1837, they found a home and a resting-place ir their own church building, the small frame forty feet square, near the east end of Berry street, since occupied by the English Lutherans. * * * In this little frame church were organ¬

The corner-stone of the present edifice was laid with appropriate ceremonies in October, 1845, and the building formally dedicated in November, 1S52. The Pastors have been Rev. James Chute, from the organization to the 28th of December, 1835; then Rev. Daniel Jones filled the pulpit from April, 1836, to August, 1837 ; Rev. Alexander T. Rankin from October, 1837, to September, 1843; Rev. William C. Anderson, temporarily, from the spring of 1844, about six months ; Rev. H. S. Dickson from November, 1844, until the fall of 1847 ; Rev. Lowman Hawes supplied for the ensuing six months, when, in August, 1848, Rev. J. G. Richeldeffer became Pastor and remained until 1851 ; Rev. Jonathan Edwards until July, 1855, when he was succeeded by Rev. John M. Lowrie.

The Rev. John M. Lowrie, D. D., continued Pastqr of the Church from November, 1856, until his death, September 26, 1867. During a period of declining health preceding his death, he was assisted in his pastoral duties by the Rev. H. M. Morey. The pastorate of Dr. Lowrie extending to nearly eleven years, covered a time of rapid growth for the city, and, under his able and faithfill leadership, aided by wise counselors and efficient helpers in the session and membership, the Church grew from 171 to 318 members. During the time, in 1863, the church building was enlarged by an addition, which doubled its former capacity ; and, subsequently, a mission was established on Holman street, and initiatory steps taken for the organization of another Church, to be called the Third Presbyterian. In December, 1867, a colony of thirty-seven members of the First Church, with others, was organized into the Third Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Nathan S. Smith, who had managed the mission, as Pastor. The First Church people - one of them, Mrs. Allen Hamilton, having already contrib¬ uted the lot, valued at $2,000 - immediately proceeded to erect the present Third Church building, which stands at the corner of Calhoun and Holman streets, and completed it, fully equipped with all the conveniences of rooms, at a cost of $15,000. In the mean time, the Rev. Thomas H. Skinner, D. D., had been called to succeed Dr. Lowrie in the pastorate, and had entered upon its duties. Dr. Skinner's pastorate began in April, 1868, and ended in October, 1871, when he resigned to accept a call to the Second Presbyterian Church of Cincinnati. He was followed by the Rev. David W. Moffat, who was called from the West Street Church, Georgetown, D. C., and whose pastorate of the First Church began May 1, 1872, and continues at the present time, October, 1879. In the fall of 1872, the First Church established the mission in Bloomingdale, Fort Wayne, the lot and building erected upon it costing $2,500. Besides giving to miscellaneous causes, aiding local enterprises and continuing, in times of need, to help the Third Church, the contributions of the First Church to the general benevolent objects of the denomination have been, for many years, among the largest of the Presby¬ terian Churches of the State, and, indeed, of the West. The present number of members is 390. The church edifice, during the past summer, has been renovated and improved, and, outside and inside, presents a very neat and tasteful appear-

The Second Presbyterian Church

This Church (situated on West Berry street) was organized May 5, 1844, by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, and consisted of twelve members. It was known as the New School Presbyterian Church until after the union of the Old and

New School Churches. On June 4, Rev. Charles Beecher was invited to become stated supply for one year. He remained as stated supply until April 28, 1850, when he was installed as Pastor. He went East the same summer for rest and for the benefit of his own health and that of his family, having suffered much from the malarious diseases of the place, and, through the importunity of his friends, was persuaded to dissolve his relation with the Church and remain in the East. He resigned August 30 of the same year. Mr. Beecher was a zealous worker in the Redeemer's cause. This being his first charge, he confined himself very closely to his studies and gave the congregation much food for thought and investigation ; and his peculiar manner of presenting Gospel truths invariably elicited the attention of his audience, so that much of the seed of truth that was dropped yielded fruit in the salvation of souls. The six years of his labor showed a result of an increase from twelve to one hundred and two members. The house we now worship in was built the first years of his ministry and much of the financial help was obtained through his exertion. After Mr. Beecher's resignation, Rev. Isaac Taylor, David C. Bloose and Rev. Mr. Ray preached for brief periods - about six months each. In June, 1852, Rev. Amzi W. Freeman was called as stated supply and remained two years. The time intervening between Mr. Beecher's resignation and the acceptance of the call by Mr. Freeman were years of great spiritual dearth in the Church, and Mr. Freeman, not having the peculiar gift needed for the condition in which lie found the Church, did not succeed in uniting the hearty interest and sympathy of its membership in the work of the Lord.

In November, 1854, Rev. E. Curtis was called as stated supply, and remained as such until May 3, 1856, when he was installed as Pastor, and remained as such till October, 1860, when he was dismissed at his own request. Mr. Curtis commenced his work with the Church after having many years' experi¬ ence in the Master's service ; and by his faithful teachings and his genial Chris¬ tian influence while ministering with the people of his charge were many hearts in sympathy with him in the service of the Lord ; and the bond of union in that service was very reluctantly dissolved between Pastor and people. But, believing his work done here and willing to follow wherever the Master indicated, he accepted another field of labor, leaving this Church much benefited by his six years' faithful service. Sixty-six were added to its membership while he was with us.

In 1861, Rev. W. R. Palmer was called as stated supply, and remained two years. Mr. Palmer was a very earnest worker in the cause of the Redeemer, and availed himself of every opportunity (not always wisely) to present the demands of the Gospel. Sixty-six were added to the membership of the Church the short time he remained as supply.

In May. 1866, Rev. George 0. Little was called as stated supply, and remained as such until May 3, 1868, when he was installed as Pastor, and resigned August 18, 1870. Mr. Little commenced his ministry with this Church under very favorable circumstances, having the congregation harmoniously united with him, and with an ambition to excel, he infused a great deal of vitality into the mem¬ bership, so that in the first few years of his work it became necessary to enlarge the church building, and at the same time the parsonage was bought, which added much to the value of the church property. During the second year of his work the Church was so blessed of the Spirit that a revival of great magni¬ tude took place, and resulted in a large increase to the membership. But unfor¬ tunately for the Church, Mr. Little's demands from the congregation increased more than it was practicable to respond to, and necessarily resulted in having the relation us Pastor dissolved, and also causing a division of the congregation, which led to an organization of a Congregational Church.

Rev. T. W. Erdman was called as stated supply, November, 1870, and remained as such until June, 1874. When Mr. Erdman took charge of this Church he found it v< ry much distui'bed, from the effects of the division caused by the Congregational element going out, and some members calling for letters to unite with other churches. It seemed as a providential interposition of the Lord in sending Mr. Erdman at that time to restore quiet and order, he knowing and preaching Christ only as the Crucified One for all the maladies of sin, pre¬ senting the revealed Word of Truth in its simplest and most practical need for saint and sinner, so that the Church was much blessed through the manner as well as the matter of truth taught. The members were much revived, and many were added to its numbers during the short period uf his ministry. The Glenwood Chapel was dedicated by him, to be used as a Sabbath-school mission, and the work done there had much of his sympathy and help, and from its numbers many were brought into fellowship with the Church. But believing that the Lord had a more important work for him, he resigned, and entered upon another field of labor.

Rev. Joseph Hughes was called as stated supply, July, 1874, and remained as such for two years, and resigned to go to Europe. This being Mr. Hughes' first charge, he had to labor under some disadvantage in following so able an expounder of the Scriptures, but having the sympathy and co-operation of the membership of the Church, his work was blessed in a great measure, to the increasing of its numbers.

The present Pastor, Rev. W. H. McFarland, had a unanimous call from the Church and congregation in June, 1876, and was installed as its Pastor in October following, and has since then given his devoted services to the Church, with entire satisfaction to its membership, and with the blessing of the Great Head of the Church there have been many added on profession of faith in Christ, and there has also been a large increase from those uniting by letters of recommenda¬ tion from other Churches. This Church has a membership of about two hundred. The Sunday school connected with this Church is in a very prosper¬ ous and harmonious condition. The number of pupils enrolled aggregate about t wo hundred and forty, including the two Mission Chapels (Glenwood and St. Joe), which are connected with this Church. Mr. Thomas C. Caldwell is prin¬ cipal Superintendent.

First Baptist Church

The First Baptist Church in Fort Wayne was organized in 1837, six or seven men and ten or twelve earnest Christian women covenanting together for God's worship and service, upon the basis of New Testament truth. John Fairfield, Mrs. Jane Fairfield, his wife, Richard Worth and his brothers William and David and their wives, Mrs. Anne Gerard, who is still living ; Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan, James Emboy, Sr., and several members of his family; Jeremiah Mason, U. S. Armstrong, E. M. Ferris, and their respective wives, were among the earlier members of this Church.

Previous to this - indeed, as early as 1820 - Rev. Isaac McCoy, a mission¬ ary among the Indian tribes of this State, appointed and sustained by the American Baptist Missionary Union, came to Fort Wayne and preached the Gos¬ pel, as he had opportunity, to all that he could reach, and taught such children as would come to a school that he opened, as well for white people as Indians. Mr. McCoy's preaching was blessed to not a few ; so that, in the course of that sum¬ mer, five persons were " buried with Christ in baptism," in the Maumee. In con¬ sequence of serious prevalent illness, the mission family and their associates were transferred to another position, in November, 1822, and no other Baptist minister seems to have been accustomed to preach here regularly for more than a dozen years, till Rev. Messrs. J. W. Tisdale, J. L. Moore, and one or two others, came to have regular appointments, that resulted, after awhile, in the organization already mentioned. Mr. Tisdale was the first Pastor of the little flock, and his ministry was both effective and successful.

The Church has had many ministers, who are remembered with grateful affection ; among them, Rev. Messrs. Tisdale, Gildersleeve, J. H. Dunlap. H. D. Mason, J. D. Meeson, U. B. Miller, G. S. Stevens, and the present Pastor, Rev. J. R. Stone, who has been with them now nearly eleven years.

As might have been expected, the Church has had varied experiences and fortunes - seasons and epochs of prosperity and enlargement, with intermediate times of trial, adversity and reverses - that have all served to give strength and firmness, maturity and power, trust in God and confidence in His covenant, promises and gracious purposes. They have now an eligible house of worship on West Jefferson street, worth S20,000, free from debt, a membership of 250, a Sunday school of 150 upon its register, and a congregation that will compare favorably with others in intelligence, social position, moral and Christian charac¬ ter and personal worth. Their Pastor is Rev. J. R. Stone ; their Sunday-school Superintendent, Mr. H. N. Goodwin ; their Deacons arc William Carter, Nathan Sibray and A. S. Prescott, and their Trustees, John M. Wort, W. Carter and P. A. Randall, Esq. Their prospects are good, their position, their zeal and their hopefulness encouraging and full of promise.

Episcopal Church

The Protestant Episcopal Church was organized May 27, 1839, when the following named gentlemen were elected Vestrymen: Thomas Brown, William L. Moon, James Hutchinson. Samuel Stophlet, Dr. Merchant and W. Huxford. The organization was effected through the instrumentality of Rev. B. Hutchins, a missionary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, who came here about that time, and was installed as the first Rector but owing to some difficulty arising between him and the Vestrymen, the organization was discontinued.

On May 25, 1844, the Church was resuscitated under the name of Trinity Church, with the following officers : Jacob Hull, Senior Warden ; Peter P. Bailey, Junior Warden; Lucien P. Ferry and R. M. Lyon, Vestrymen; Elias Worth¬ ington, Clerk, and I. D. G. Nelson, Treasurer. Rev. Benjamin Halsted was elected and took pastoral charge of the Church.

June 3, 1844, P. P. Bailey was elected a lay delegate to attend the Episcopal Convention to be held at Richmond June 7, 1844. August 13, 1844, Russelus P. Jones was elected delegate to attend the Episcopal Convention at Indianapo¬ lis September 5, 1844, for the purpose of electing a Bishop of the Diocese. He, however, resigned and Elias Worthington was elected to the position August 31. April 7, 1845, the following officers were elected: Peter P. Bailey, Senior

In November, 1846, William Roekhill offered to donate a lot upon which to build a cburch, with the understanding that 81,000 should be subscribed to build it. Failing, however, to raise the money at that time, a lot was afterward bought for $85 on the northwest corner of Berry and Harrison streets, where the first church was built.

Rev. Mr. Halsted resigned as Rector and was succeeded by Rev. H. P. Powers, of Ypsilanti, Mich., April 6, 1848. He soon resigned, and an invitation was sent to the Rev. J. S. Large of the Diocese of Michigan. The following is an extract from the letter sent to him :

"Our parish is small, but we have the hopes of a respectable-sized congrega¬ tion when we shall be favored with one to administer to us in holy things. We have a small church, finished and paid for. We have just placed in the church a fine-toned organ of four stops, which is also paid for. We have no embarrass¬ ments - being out of debt. The population of our city is almost five thousand and constantly increasing. We cannot doubt of the rapid growth of the church under the efforts of an active and zealous missionary of the Church. * * We

The invitation was accepted, and Mr. Large took charge November 21, 184b. A large addition was soon made to the church, largely increasing its capacity, and it was formally consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Upfold May 23, 1850. Mr. Large continued with the Church until the summer of 185 1, when he was suer ceeded by the Rev. E. C. Pattison, who remained, however, but a short time, and was succeeded by the Rev. Stephen H. Battin, of Cooperstown, N. Y. Mr.

Battin remained with the Church until October, 1883, when Joeeph S. Large was unanimously elected as Rector, he accepting at once at a salary of hi, 000.

nE the year 1883. a site for a new church was purchased at the south¬ west corner of Berry and Fulton streets, at a cost of 83,000, and a new church was erected upon it, being completed August 1, 1888, at a cost of *21,0a0.

Mr Lar'-e served as Rector until 1873, when he resigned an 1 the Rev. Colin C.' Tate was unanimously elected Rector at a salary of S-5, 001), whtch lie accepted, nod continued until September, ISiO.

The first burial of the church took place December A lhn.l. lh'sw.^ sinned by the death of Thomas, infant son of Thomas and Catherine Tight, aged three veal's two weeks and two days. Services were performed by the Rev. Benjamin Hutchins The first Communion was administered May 26, 1839. by the same Rector, the following pemons receiving it: Mr. and Mrs. Bonnet Ur. Howard ,n,i Mrs Mary H. Hutchins. The first Communion in Trinity Church was administered by the Rev. Halsted on the Fifth Sund ly after Trinity (July 7),

W H Walker and Peter P. Bailey, was presented to the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen asking that the organization of another parish, within the jurisdiction of this parish, be established, in order to accommodate the people residing east of Calhoun street. It was unanimously granted, and the Church of the Good bheplicrd was organized. It is in a state of quiescence at present and has had no regular Pastor for some time.

German Lutheran

The first Lutheran congregation iu this county was organized in the year 1834, and was composed of about twenty German families, who had settled in this city and immediate vicinity. The Rev. Mr. Huber who was the first gegular Pastor, lab >red here successfully until the year 1839, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Wyneken, who remained until 1845, the latter being assistel by the Rev. Mr. Jenners, during one year of that time. . ..