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Clark county lies in the southeastern border of the State, and has an area of 510
square miles. It is one of the older counties, having been organized
in 1819. Among the pioneers of the region were John Bartlett,
Abraham Washburn, James Whitlock, James B. Anderson,
Stephen Archer and Uri Manly. The first death recorded
is that of James Mathews.
Marshall, the county seat, is located on a beautiful swell of land
127 foot higher than Terre Haute, Ind., 10 miles distant, and is the
highest spot between that place and Vandalia. the site was, in 1833,
purchased from the government by Gov. Joseph Duncan and Col.
William B. Archer. The latter, two years later, secured the
whole interest and laid out the town, the first log cabin being erected in
the fall of that year. The location is the gateway of the far-famed
valley of the Wabash, and has pure air and excellent water. In early
days, large quantities of wheat, apples and peaches were wagoned through
the town to the Chicago market. The original county seat was on the
site of Darwin, Marshall being selected in 1849, after a vigorous contest.
The latter place is on the Vandalia & Terre Haute Railroad, and
had, in 1870, a population of 2,541. It has two grist mills, one large
woolen factory, and a wagon-felloe factory.
Darwin lies on the Wabash
River, and Cumberland on the western border.
Westfield, in the
northwest portion of the county, is in the center of a rich agricultural
district. It is noted for its University. the other towns of
importance are Casey,
Martinsville,
Auburn and
York. The county has a
population of 18,719, of whom 9,723 are natives of the State, 2,800 of
Ohio, 2,534 of Indiana, and 919 of foreign lands. Corn is the great
staple of Clark County. There are also produced large quantities of
oats, winter wheat, potatoes, butter, sorghum, honey, maple sugar, orchard
products, wool and pork. The manufacturing interests are not large.
Flouring, lumber and woolen-mills and carriage and furniture manufactories
are carried on, but they are not numerous or extensive. The
railroads recently completed through the county will tend to develop these
and other manufacturing interests, and, in connection with the rich soil,
should make Clark County one of the richest in the State. The
principle church organizations are the Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian,
United brethren, Romish, Christian, Congregational and Lutheran |
