Miami
County Indiana
History
This county is situated in the center of the northern half
of the State. About one fourth of the county is bottom lands, one sixth
" openings " and prairie, and the balance was originally very heavily
timbered uplands. The timber is of the very best varieties and quality,
consisting principally of walnut, poplar, white and burr oak, beech,
sugar, hickory and cherry. The soil throughout the whole county, is of
the very best quality, and well adapted to the production of all the
articles common to the climate. The rich bottom lands on the Wabash,
Mississinewa and Eel rivers, are not surpassed by any other locality in
the State. The fine and wonderfully productive farms in these bottoms
are known and sought after far and near. In the vicinity of the above
named streams there is some hilly country, but not so broken as to
preclude cultivation; the balance of the county may be called level.
The county contains 384 square miles, or 245,760 acres. The Wabash,
Mississinewa, and Eel rivers, with their tributaries, namely, Big and
Little Pipe creeks, Deer creek, Wesau, and Paw Paw, render this county
a well watered district.
The county was
organized in 1832, and bears the name of the well known confederacy of
Indians which inhabited this portion of the State in an early day. In
1860 it possessed a population of 16,851; in 1870, 21,052, and in 1875
it contains not far from 25,000.
Peru, the county seat, with a population of 7,500, situated on the
right bank of the "Wabash river, near the center of the county, is one
of the handsomest, most thriving, and wide-awake towns in the State.
Its location is superior, being on a strip of land about three quarters
of a mile in width, lying parallel with the river, with a gently and
very uniform slope to its bank, thus giving the whole town a
magnificent drainage. The town is handsomely laid out, the streets
being wide? and lots large and roomy. Broadway, the principal business
street, is 100 feet wide, and is probably one of the best graded
streets in the country. Nearly all of the streets are bordered with
large full grown locusts, elms, and maples, adding much beauty and
comfort, and enhancing values of property. The county possesses a
commodious and handsome court house, surrounded by a beautifully shaded
court square. There are two large and improved graded schools, under
efficient management, and which afford to the youth of the town and
vicinity most excellent educational facilities. The balance of the
county is well supplied with excellent schools. Six large church
edifices adorn the city, and show to the stranger that the citizens
have not forgotten their religious duties. There is a steam fire engine
here, and the streets are lighted by gas.
Peru stands eminent as a manufacturing town. Among the establishments
located here may be mentioned the "Peru Woolen Mills," H. E. & 0.
F. Sterne, proprietors. This mill manufactures the highest and best
grades of woolen goods, which have justly earned an enviable name,
throughout the whole country. About 150 people are employed at this
mill. This is considered to be the finest woolen mill west of the
Alleghanies. The western manufactory of the Howe sewing machine is
located here; the works cover an area of 15 acres, and give employment
to about 300 skilled mechanics. A spoke factory, doing an extensive
business, has been in operation here for some years. Also a large
basket factory, with facilities for turning out 3,000 baskets weekly.
The shops of the I. P. and G. railroad are located here, which furnish
employment to a large force.
The county is not wanting in transportation facilities; five railroads
pass through it, viz.: The Toledo, Wabash and Western; Indianapolis,
Peru and Chicago; Columbus, Chicago and
Indiana Central;
Logansport, Eel River and Detroit; and the Chicago, Cincinnati and
Louisville railroads; also the Wabash and Erie canal. These roads
furnish communication with twelve out of the thirteen townships of the
county.
Mexico, five miles north of Peru, on Eel river, and the L. E.E. and D.
Road, and in the midst of the finest farming lands in the State, is a
thriving and go-ahead town. Chili, five miles east of Mexico, on the
same river, is another place of importance. Bunkerhill, seven miles
south of Peru, and at the junction of the I. P. and C. and C. C. and I.
C. roads, is a proud little city of metropolitan pretentions. Xenia,
situated in the extreme southeastern corner of the county, on the C. C.
and I. C. railroad, is a smart, wide-awake town, which bids fair to
assume some proportions in the near future. It has already aspired to
the forming of another county out of Miami, Howard, Grant and Wabash
counties, with itself as the seat of government. Peoria, located on the
Mississinewa river, seven miles southeast of Peru, is a pleasant little
town, surrounded by the most picturesque scenery to be found in the
county.
