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Allen County, Indiana Genealogy
Allen County, Indiana Places
Log Cabins
1910 - Heritage of the Log Cabin - Thomas R. Marshall Governor of Indiana
Article from Mar 6, 1910 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1910, Log cabin, Thomas marshall, Governor of indiana1910 - Heritage of the Log Cabin - Thomas R. Marshall Governor of Indiana The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, March 6, 1910, Page 21.
By Courtesy of the- Indianapolis Sunday Star
The HERITAGE of the LOG CABIN BY THOMAS R. MARSHALL GOVERNOR OF I INDIANA.
AT sight of an old log cabin fifty years slip from my shoulders like a worn-out vesture. I see a sweetfaced old lady. She tells me how, in the early twenties of the last century, she rode horseback, with a baby in her arms, from old Virginia to the wilds of Indiana, and how at the end of six weeks she dismounted and entered a log cabin, built in the primeval forest. I hear her tell of the wide fireplace, the swaying crane and a boy laboriously striving by the flickering firelight to get a little knowledge. Over and over she tells me the trials, the struggles and the triumphs of the pioneer day. She speaks with pleasure of the progress which the state has made; and yet, boy though I was when this vision was a reality, I thought I heard an undertone of sadness as she told me of passing through the morning-glory bedecked door of the old log cabin to their new brick home. She had a sweet and happy ending for her life, rounded out as it was by love and contentment. She did not sneer at the new ways nor feel that the world was awry, but I could tell that young life, young love and a large hope in a log cabin were to her far preferable to listlessness with luxury, hopelessness with plenty and love-lack with prosperity. A rounded life is a pleasant past, a contented present and a hopeful future. Such a life this gray-haired lady, my grandmother, lived. The log cabin has almost disappeared. Let us hope the pioneer still lives, for when he passes, civilization decays. In cabin or in palace, he is always a pioneer who looks upon himself as part of a world-wide, age-old plan; who feels that he may make or mar all time; who looks with unabashed eye on life's struggles; who works toward the accomplishment of good purposes with unflagging zeal; and who sits at eventide at home, content, with wife and love. Dear old log cabin of the days agone. From out your dismantled door may there come to us the spirit of the early pioneer, breathing courage, enthusiasm, patriotism, loyalty to God and man, upon the newer frocked and better dressed pioneers of today, And as we breathe these blessings may our hearts thrill, our muscles stiffen and our ears hear the trumpet call of duty and endeavor.
1910 - A Pioneer School House Of Allen County Built In 1893 And Still Stands
Article from Jan 29, 1910 The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1910, Log school house1910 - A Pioneer School House Of Allen County Built In 1893 And Still Stands The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saturday, January 29, 1910, Page 19. [ Photo is from a full page newspaper article shown on the Early Schools page ]
A PIONEER SCHOOL HOUSE OF ALLEN COUNTY, BUILT IN 1839 AND STILL STANDING.
The group of persons shown in the picture as children attended school in this ancient and primitive structure of early days,
Upper Row, (Left to Right) -John Sunderland, R. Ashley Griswold, Luther C. Pratt, Joseph Sunderland, Joseph D. Griswold, August Racine, Samuel Karriger.
Lower Row- Mrs. John Schuler, Mrs. Rebecca Ervin, Mrs. David Petit, Mrs. Christian F. Hostman, Frederick Racine, Celia Racine, Mrs. Sophia Boeshet, Mrs. John Cook.Mrs. Ann E. Maring, Ida Racine.
The story of the Walker Sisters is pretty incredible. They were among some of the last residents of the park. Their...
Posted by Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Sunday, March 28, 2021
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1915 - Log Cabin Girl Some of Her Work - last in Allen County
Article from Dec 26, 1915 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1915, Log cabin1915 - Log Cabin Girl Some of Her Work - last in Allen County The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, December 26, 1915, Page 25.
"THE LOG CABIN GIRL" AND SOME OF HER WORK
(F. P. H.)
One of the most valuable and interesting collections of photographs in the city is that of Miss Estelle Owen, who set out to get a picture and something of the history of every log house in Allen county. Starting last August, she has made remarkable proress and now has sixty views, a few which are shown in the accompanying illustration. [ What happened to the sixty views? There are 31 photographs in the Log Cabins in Allen County, Indianacollection at the The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. but only 3 of these 9 photographs in the newspaper article are in the collection of 31. No. 3, No. 8, and No. 9]
"The Log Cabin Girl," as Miss Owen has become known, is a member the freshman class of the Fort Wayne high school and is a daughter Mr. and Mrs. Fred B. Owen, 3907 Fairfield avenue. The idea is original with her and she is working it out with the assistance of her mother, who is an enthusiastic aide.
Miss Owen is covering the county in sections and thus far she has thoroughly traversed only the northeast, east and southeast portions. She has the advantage of her father's automobile in the work and each Sunday during the summer and fall was able to scour a large amount of territory.
The public library officials have heard of the collection and a request has been sent to Miss Owen that she give a print of each picture to be placed on display at that institution. [ The library has 31 log cabin photographs online in the Log Cabins in Allen County, Indianacollection at the The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. ]
Fort Wayne people have no idea of how many of these relics of the early days exist in Allen county. Ask any motorist how many he can remember seeing in his trips over the last summer, and it is safe to say that he cannot recall and tell the location of more than half a dozen. But Miss Owen has found sixty and has only covered half of the county. In her quest she has taken the little-traveled mud roads as well as the main highways and is confident that no log cabin in the district she has visited has escaped the eye of her camera.
Thus far Miss Owen knows but very little of the history of the houses of which she has taken pictures, as she has not had time to hunt up the oldest of each community and question him. Some of the houses have outlived the memory of "the oldest inhabitant" even. She will go back over the territory again next summer and gather all the data possible about the antique buildings. It is tremendous task she has taken up, one that will require an enormous amount of work, and it may be a year before she has it completed. She is anxious to find out everything she can about the houses and if anyone knows the history of house shown in the collection she would appreciate the information.
Key to Illustrations.
Picture No. 1 is of a cabin on the Edgerton road, two miles east of New Haven. It was built in 1820 by a man named Wolfe, and is occupied by Clarence Maine and family. Four generations of Maines have made this dwelling their home. Mr. Maine told Miss Owen that his father had played with Indian children during his youth and had learned their language.
No. 2.--On the Leo road, where the Robison park car line turns east. It is owned by Dr. G. W. McCaskey, who has a summer residence nearby. He knows nothing of the history of the house.
No. 3.- On side road between Wayne trace and Maples. The house is occupied but the family was absent when the photograph was taken and nothing was learned of its past.
No. 4.-Between Wayne trace and Maples on a side road and owned and occupied by a man named Rose. He was not at home when Miss Owen called, but his wife said that he remembered how his father rolled the logs to erect the building.
No. 5.-Miss Estella Owen, The Log Cabin Girl."
No. 6.-On the Madden road.
No. 7.-On the Auburn road, near Sacred Heart academy, built in 1860 by a Frenchman, whose name no one in the community remembers. The present owner is J. Paigh.
No. 8.-Near Hesse Cassel, Belongs to Louis Gerke, who lives nearby. Built by a shoemaker, who used it as his workshop. Tumble-down house in the rear was his residence.
No. 9.-Log barn on Dupont road, between Auburn and Leo. One of the two barns of log construction found by Miss Owen.
No. 10.--The best known log cabin in the county, located on the upper Huntington road about half way between Fort Wayne, and Devil's Hollow.
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1915 - Log Cabin # 1 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, December 26, 1915, Page 25.
Picture No. 1 is of a cabin on the Edgerton road, two miles east of New Haven. It was built in 1820 by a man named Wolfe, and is occupied by Clarence Maine and family. Four generations of Maines have made this dwelling their home. Mr. Maine told Miss Owen that his father had played with Indian children during his youth and had learned their language.
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1915 - Log Cabin # 2 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, December 26, 1915, Page 25.
No. 2.--On the Leo road, where the Robison park car line turns east. It is owned by Dr. G. W. McCaskey, who has a summer residence nearby. He knows nothing of the history of the house.
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1915 - Log Cabin #3 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, December 26, 1915, Page 25.
No. 3.- On side road between Wayne trace and Maples. The house is occupied but the family was absent when the photograph was taken and nothing was learned of its past.
Near Tillman Road photograph in the Log Cabins in Allen County, Indianain the The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
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1915 - Log Cabin #4The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, December 26, 1915, Page 25.
No. 4.-Between Wayne trace and Maples on a side road and owned and occupied by a man named Rose. He was not at home when Miss Owen called, but his wife said that he remembered how his father rolled the logs to erect the building.
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1915 - Miss Estella Owen - Log Cabin Girl # 5
Article from Dec 26, 1915 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1915, Log cabin girl1915 - Miss Estella Owen - Log Cabin Girl # 5 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, December 26, 1915, Page 25.
No. 5.-Miss Estella Owen, The Log Cabin Girl."
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1915 - Log Cabin #6 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, December 26, 1915, Page 25.
No. 6.-On the Madden road.
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1915 - Log Cabin # 7The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, December 26, 1915, Page 25.
No. 7.-On the Auburn road, near Sacred Heart academy, built in 1860 by a Frenchman, whose name no one in the community remembers. The present owner is J. Paigh.
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1915 - Log Cabin # 8The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, December 26, 1915, Page 25.
No. 8.-Near Hesse Cassel, Belongs to Louis Gerke, who lives nearby. Built by a shoemaker, who used it as his workshop. Tumble-down house in the rear was his residence.
Hessen Cassel Road; Near Tillman Road; Shoemaker Shop in the Log Cabins in Allen County, Indianain the The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
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1915 - Log Cabin # 9The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, December 26, 1915, Page 25.
No. 9.-Log barn on Dupont road, between Auburn and Leo. One of the two barns of log construction found by Miss Owen.
Dupont Road log barn photo in the Log Cabins in Allen County, Indiana in the The Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
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1915 - Log Cabin # 10 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, December 26, 1915, Page 25.
No. 10.--The best known log cabin in the county, located on the upper Huntington road about half way between Fort Wayne, and Devil's Hollow.
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1917 - Indianapolis - State Library Association - Estella Owens log cabin pictures to local library
Article from Oct 19, 1917 Fort Wayne Daily News (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1917, Estella owens, Log cabin1917 - Indianapolis - State Library Association - Estella Owens log cabin pictures to local library Fort Wayne Daily News, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Friday, October 19, 1917, Page 31.
The delegates who attended the meeting here were loud in their praise of Fort Wayne and the manner in which the convention was managed. The collection of pictures sent from a number of cities in Indiana were interesting, were pictures of every log cabin still standing in Allen county, taken by Miss Estella Owen and, presented to the local library.
There are 31 log cabin photographs in this online collection from the 1915 Estella Owens "Log Cabin Girl" collection. The newspaper article said she had 60 views!
December 13, 2016 post by the Genealogy Center on Facebook:
The Genealogy Center just added "Log Cabins in Allen County, Indiana" collection into our digital library!
Pictured: The 1849 Log Cabin on the grounds of the Swinney House (listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981). The Log Cabin on the property is much like the one the Swinney family lived in before the stately house was built in 1845. It was laboriously moved, piece by piece, from Huntington County, and is used for historical activities and presentations.
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Log Cabins by Sears, Roebuck and Co. 1931-1932 on Archive.org.
- Demise of an Old Log Cabin torn down August 31, 2012 by Sue Downey, page 106, published in the Allen County Lines June 2013 issue in the Members Only section on ACGSI.org is one of over 100 "hits" when searching for "log cabin" on the site.
- The House that Nathan Coleman Built by Patricia Prascsak. Nathan Coleman is one of Allen County’s early settlers arriving about the year 1827, coming from Shelby County, Ohio mentions a log cabin built on his property on page 52 of Allen County Lines December 2014 issue in the Members Only section on ACGSI.org is one of over 100 "hits" when searching for "log cabin" on the site.
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May 14, 2015 post by the original Great Memories and History of Fort Wayne, Indiana page on Facebook:
Students and teachers reunion who attended this log cabin school house in 1850-1860. The schoolhouse is located 1 1/2 miles from Wallen on the corner of Wallen Rd and Fritz Rd. The picture was taken in around 1900 but was part of a newspaper article in 1910. Fort Wayne Weekly Sentinel article: Allen County District Schools and Some Pioneer Teachers. Article included picture of former students of "A Pioneer School House of Allen County, built in 1839". Joseph D. Griswold is last row; third from right. His brother, R. Ashley Griswold is in back row; second from left. Rebecca Ann Opliger-Ervin in in front row; second from left............Upper Row ( left to right.............John Sunderland, R. Ashley Griswold, Luther C. Pratt, Joseph Sunderland, Joseph D. Griswold, August Racine, Samuel Karriger.......Lower Row ( left to right ).....Mrs. John Schuler ( Martha Zern ), Mrs. Rebecca Ervin ( Rebecca Ann Opliger ) Mrs. David Petit ( Lena A Racine ), Mrs. Christian F. Hostman (Cecilia M. Racine), Frederick Racine, Celia Racine, Mrs. Sophia Boschet, Mrs. John Cook ( Mary Malinda Moore ), Mrs. Ann E. Maring ( Ann Elizabeth Griswold Petit Maring ) Ida Racine.
Black and white version of this same photo is titled: Washington Township Log School on the Allen County Public Library Digital Collections at the Allen County Public Library.
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September 21, 2019 post of the News-Sentinel Guest Column: Allen County courts history dates back 195 years by Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana on Facebook. The first line from article that is no longer online says: Our first Allen County court was held in a primitive log cabin tavern at the corner of Superior and Barr streets.
The Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society historic marker: Barr And Columbia Where Allen County Began states:
The first meetings and elections were all held in Alexander Ewing's log tavern, known as “Washington Hall,” located on the corner of the muddy intersection of Barr and Columbia streets. Ewing's Tavern was the first to be built in Fort Wayne, with a rival tavern being constructed shortly thereafter by William Suttenfield on the opposite corner. The first circuit courts in the county sat alternately in each tavern until a courthouse could be built. The first grand jury sat at Ewing's Tavern in August, followed by the first session of the circuit court and the first election of justices of the peace.
- History of Besancon France & Besancon, Indiana Researched & Written by Michael R. Morow Presented by Mary Jane Novosel to the Rosary Sodality Feb.23 2019 in Besancon Historical Society The Chronicles ISSUE 69 Volume 2 Winter 2019.
- Log cabins are mentioned on page 5 of the Our One Hundredth Anniversary 1849-1949 History of Wayne Street Methodist Church on ACGSI.org and in the Church History of First Wayne Street United Methodist Church website.
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January 20, 2016 post by the DAR Museum on Facebook:
On a cold winter night in the 18th century, the bed warmer must have been a welcome tool. This bed warmer propped against the wall has a brass chamber, which held hot coals. The long, wooden handle allowed the filled warmer to be placed between the sheets and moved back and forth across the bed. It provided the comfort of slipping into a warm bed in the days before there was central heating.
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February 22, 2022 post by The History Center on Facebook:
Jesse Craig
Oil on Canvas
1919
Childhood home of John H. Craig, husband of the artist, originally located in what is now Kirkwood Park. -
December 15, 2022 post by Preble County [Ohio] Historical Society and Nature Reserve on Facebook:
Object: rope bed
Location: 1813 Lewisburg Log House [ Ohio ]
Time Period: est. 1800-1860 (if you are able to help us narrow this time frame, please leave a comment below!)Today Helga and Anastasia are checking out our handmade rope bed! “Rope beds were invented in the 16th century and fell out of fashion quickly after the invention of the coil spring mattress in 1865” (Sleep Tight, Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite – A Myth Debunked Libraries Indiana University Bloomington shows a similar rope bed ). After reading the attached article from IU Bloomington, the collections team came to realize that “good night, sleep tight” — a common phrase attributed to tightening ropes on rope beds — is actually a myth! We apologize to everyone we told this to! Everyday we come to learn more and more phrases attributed to various objects and practices which aren’t true! History is constantly being revised, and it’s okay to make mistakes in your research!
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January 17, 2024 post by Friends of Wyneken on Facebook:
Today's "What's It Wednesday" post is a two-for-one, since I apparently messed up and didn't schedule last week's draft post to be published. The first picture is a rope bed from the 1830s–1840s, with the mattress pulled back to show the ropes. The other two photos show some of the books from Henry and Gustave Wyneken's personal libraries (F. C. D. Wyneken's son and grandson, respectively).
See our Friedrich Conrad Dietrich Wyneken section.