HUNTINGTON COUNTY, INDIANA

            Leaving Allen county by the route mentioned in the foregoing chapter, we soon reach Huntington County, now rich in agriculture and commerce, and minerals, but once a dense forest. The county was named in honor of Samuel Huntington, a delegate in the Continental Congress from Connecticut, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. A small portion of the county is hilly, but for the most part it is level, or only sufficiently undulating to constitute a natural drain. The soil is a mixture of sand and clay, is very deep and fertile, and well adapted to all the products indigenous to the climate and country. At an early day the county was heavily timbered throughout, with the exception of a few small prairies.

            The first settlement, as near as we can learn, was made in Huntington County in 1829. Messrs. Artimedee Woodworth and Elias Murray were the first settlers. They came in 1829. Mr. Woodward settled north of Silver creek, on the Wabash. Here he built a log house and began pioneer life in earnest. Mr. Murray settled a mile east on the opposite side of the river, where he also built a cabin. In 1832-3, a settlement was made on the Salamony River, near the present town of Warren. Samuel Jones erected a log house at this place about the same time. James Morrison settled at the same place about the same time, and in the following winter Lewis Purviance, Lewis Richards, and George Helm, located with them.

            The first settlers of the present prosperous city of Huntington were C. and J. Helvey, who came from the White river section, originally from Clinton County, Ohio, to Huntington, in 1830, with their sisters. They built a hewed log tavern, which is known in history as the ‘Flint Springs Hotel.’ It remained a tavern until 1857, and was for a long time a favorite stopping place on the old ‘Fort Wayne and Lafayette trace.’ A few now living in Huntington County remember this trace. It was nearly the same pathway over which the bold Robert de La Salle traveled with his military escort in 1680, and the same trace upon which many a zealous French priest journeyed alone, before Americans explored the head waters of the Wabash.

            There was another log tavern erected near the cabin of Mr. Woodworth in 1832, but that region remained unsettled until 1847. Clear Creek, two and a half miles north from Huntington, was first settled by Michael Doyle, in 1834. In that year he erected the pioneer log cabin of that section, and moved into it with his family.

            The Helveys, who first settled at Huntington, sold their lands to General Tipton and Captain Murray, soon after they were located, and the latter gentlemen laid out the town in 1832. Mr. Murray moved to Huntington to reside, with his family, about one year previous. The Wabash and Erie Canal was commenced in 1832, which may be regarded as the immediate cause that led to the settlement of Huntington. The work on this important state internal improvement prospered, and the new town of Huntington shared int eh prosperity. In 1835 the permanent population of Huntington was probably two hundred and fifty, although previous to that time gangs of canal men frequently visited the place, swelling its population temporarily to four and five hundred.

            Huntington County was organized in 1834, previous to which it formed a part of Grant county. The first county election was held in the fall of 1834, as also the first court. The latter was held in the well known ‘Flint Springs Hotel.’ From this the court was soon after taken to the school house, which shows that Huntington, now so justly celebrated for her excellent schools, began the good work of education in her youth.

            The first school teacher in Huntington was a Mr. Sergant. They called him a ‘down east Yankee,’ but he had considerable influence, probably because he was the son of a Presbyterian clergyman. He ‘boarded round,’ and being a little on the particular order, it is not a wonder that the old settlers of Huntington, tell some funny stories of his experience of this phase of his residence in their town. It is very probable, however, that he had enough to contend with, both in the schoolroom and in society. But we shall not tax the reader with every step in the growth of Huntington County. Such was its social and political beginning. Let us look at results its present condition.

            The Huntington of to-day has a population of three thousand five hundred, and is surrounded by well settled, well cultivated agricultural lands, in every direction. It is the county seat, and a smart, thriving city. The streets have been admirably laid off, and the general appearance of the buildings favors the substantial. The new courthouse is a fine building, located in the center of a spacious square enclosed by a substantial iron fence. The churches are, for the most part, fine buildings, erected in a modern style of architecture, and present striking evidence of the high moral taste of the people. The city schools are, at present, in a flourishing condition. For many years they lagged for want of the proper management, but within the last few years a splendid three story brick building has been erected, in which the city graded schools are now located, excellent teachers are provided, and the public schools of Huntington to-day are a credit to the State.

            There is probably no other city in Indiana of equal population that can boast as much success in manufacturing as Huntington. The manufacture from wood has increased until the city is now supplying many of the towns in northern Indiana with staves, headings, plow handles, etc. In this particular industry Huntington possesses many advantages. Wood of nearly all kinds exists in large quantities in many parts of the county. Labor is cheap, and the surrounding country affords an ample and remunerative market. However, the manufacture of lime is perhaps the largest industrial interest of Huntington. During the present year there were over thirty kilns in successful operation, employing a capital of over one hundred thousand dollars, and giving employment to an army of men either in immediate connection with the kilns or in chopping wood to supply them with fuel. Over ten thousand cords of wood were consumed during the year just closed, for which over twenty-five thousand dollars have been disbursed throughout the county. The product of the Huntington lime kilns is unsurpassed in quality. ‘Huntington white lime,’ has become a favorite brand in the northwest, and is sought after even to the full extent of the supply. The lime business of Huntington shows a steady and healthy increase, and is capable of great extension. The total product in 1874 was over four hundred thousand bushels.

            Huntington County is rich in agricultural wealth, and most of the farmers have become wealthy. Old-time log houses have, for the most part, disappeared, and new and elegant rural residences are scattered over the entire county. Villages have sprung up, and in every quarter there are indications of thrift and prosperity. With the increase of wealth have come all the other desirable acquisitions. Education, once so sadly neglected in the county, has now its full share of attention, and the youths are as far advanced in the usual course of study, as in any other rural section of the State.

Source: An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana by DeWitt C. Goodrich and Charles R. Tuttle, 1875.