Montpelier

    Beautiful for situation is Montpelier. It is on the south bluff of Salamonia River, the highest point of land within many miles. The ground slopes away in every direction from the business center of the place, in a manner that attracts attention for its loveliness. This delightful spot was once owned by Abel Baldwin, from Vermont, who in 1839 laid out the town and named it after the Capital of his native State; and it is far more appropriately named than many of the "Monts" and "Mounts" we find elsewhere, located on low ground.

    The first settlers here were mainly from Vermont, and gave a "Green Mountain" character to the place for intelligence and enterprise. It is about nine miles north by northeast from Hartford City. The original plat contained forty acres, but several additions have since been made. The population is now (1887) about 900.

    The vicinity of Montpelier has been famous form earliest times for its many quarries of good lime and building stone along the river.

    Montpelier was first incorporated under the law as a town, many years ago. The corporation was re-organized September 24, 1870, since which time the presidents and clerks have been: Presidents -W. T. Shull, 1870-1871; Frank Spease, 1871-1872; (records are missing from this to the next date); J. T. Arnold, 1880-1881; Frank Spease, 1881-1882; George Saunders, 1883-1884; O. F. Hall, 1884-1885; I. G. Arnold, 1886-1887. Clerks -Eli Arnold, 1870-1871; H. H. Bennett, 1871-1872; C. Q. Shull (also treasurer), 1880-1881; H. H. Bennett, 1881-1882; J. P. McGeath, 1883; George Rollf, 1884-1885; Daniel Arnold, 1886-1887.

    The first marshal was Lyman Bonham; treasurer, C. Q. Shull; and trustees, W. T. Shull, C. F. Arnold. J. I. McGrew, John A. Griffith and Thomas Slater.

    Under the administration of the trustees, the streets and sidewalks have been macadamized.

    The school trustees are Dr. C. Q. Shull, Thomas Shull and L. S. Nail. The school-house, brick, two stories high, with four rooms, besides a hall and a recitation room, cost $3,500. Children of school age, 252; enrolled, 245; school generally about seven and a half months per year. C. C. Sherrard has been principal for the last three years.

    Dr. C. Q. Shull is the oldest physician in the place, the second to commence practice here, in the neighborhood of 1852. J. C. Maddox has been a practicing attorney here ever since 1857. G. A. Mason, now in partnership with him, was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court in April, 1886, and to that of this county in May following. Thomas Slater was admitted to the bar about 1870, and is still practicing some. He has been justice of the peace for a time.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887.