The following article about Vevay, Switzerland County, Indiana appeared in:
Vevay Reveille – 26 Feb 1876 – Page 4, Column 2
VEVAY.
The Pioneers—Manufacturing—Churches—Societies—Town Officers—Who Are Now in Business—Future Prospects—Its Wants, etc.
Vevay was laid out in 1813 by John Francis Dufour. Geographically the selection was a good one, the country near it being very rich, and the location beautiful and healthy. Nestled down at the foot of majestic hills, with a swift flowing river at its feet, and finely cultivated farms below and above it, the town and its surroundings present an attractive appearance. The most of the streets are wide, and well improved.
The original settlers were Swiss. They were a race who loved liberty and justice, were diligent and frugal, and by their industry rapidly conquered the forests, and soon made the “wilderness blossom as the rose.” The most of these old pioneers have long since gone to rest beneath the sod of their adopted country, but we who find our homes here and enjoy the fruits of their labors, should ever gratefully remember them.
We will not trace the history of Vevay during the sixty-two years of its existence, leaving that to one more competent than we, but will merely glance at it, as it is today:
CHURCHES.
The majority of the citizens of Vevay are a church-going, moral people, and there are few places of its size where there are as many religious organizations. The following is a list of the churches, and the names of Pastors:
- Methodist—R. D. Black.
- Baptist—T. Warn Beagle.
- Presbyterian—Thomas Whallon.
- Catholic—No resident Priest; one from North Madison once a month.
- Universalist—No regular Pastor; supplied by I. C. Smith, and others.
- United Brethren—No regular Pastor; supplied by L. N. Cole, John Osborn, and others.
SCHOOLS.
The public schools, composed of a number of Departments, are effective, and are all well sustained by the people. Two large brick buildings are occupied.
SOCIETIES.
Two Subordinate Lodges of Odd Fellows, and one Encampment, one Lodge each of Masons and Good Templars.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Trustees—1st Ward, C. G. Boerner; 2d, Isaac Stevens; 3d, B. Waldemier; 4th, John Chatelin; 5th, Wm. M. Patton; 6th, Wm. F. Goldenburg; 7th, Wm. Hall. Clerk, Graham Ormsby; Treasurer, Edwin E. Long; Assessor, Jos. M. Carter; Marshall, John M. Holdcraft; Superintendent of Cemetery, Wm. Smith.
MANUFACTORIES.
Under this head we have classed only such establishments as find a market for a portion of their products outside of the county. In order to give our readers some idea of the extent of manufacturing here we have personally visited the proprietors of the various manufactories, and obtained from them estimates as to their business.
Vevay Woolen Mills—J. Schofield & Son. Capital, $30,000; annual products, $40,000; persons employed, 25. Make cassimeres, satinets, flannels, jeans, tweeds, yarns, etc.—Sell goods in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. Some of their yarns are sold in Philadelphia. The senior Mr. Schofield is a native of Yorkshire, England, where he learned the manufacture of wool. He worked in Philadelphia, and has had factories in Rising Sun and Madison. He came to Vevay in 1868, and established the present factory. A few years since he took his son, J. T. Schofield, into partnership with him. He has been in the woolen business for about forty five years.
Vevay Furniture Factory.—Capital, $33,000; annual product, $50,000; number of persons employed, 45.—Established 1866. The proprietors are Wm. Duhlmeir, F. Finnup, C. Keisel and H. Finnup. F. Finnup is Superintendent, and George C. Patton, Secretary. The proprietors are all merchants. Much of their goods are sent to Texas, and other points South. Since they came to Vevay they have built many dwelling houses, and have made improvements in their factory.
Steam Carriage Factory—Capital, $5,000; annual product, $8,000; No. of persons employed, 6. Established 1873. The proprietor, George W. Murphy, carried on the business for twenty years at Fairview, in this county. His work has a good reputation.
Mayer’s Cigar Factory.—Capital, $8,000; annual product, $35,000; number of persons employed, 25. Established 1867. Adolph Mayer, proprietor; Warren Perry, Secretary.—Mr. M. Finds a ready market for his goods in Illinois, Ohio and Indiana. He commenced work himself, then gradually increased his business to its present large proportions.
Henry Schewe—at present has no hands employed in his Cigar Factory.
Union Furniture Factory.—Capital, $40,000; annual product, $53,500; person employed, 56. Established 1874. Occupy a large five story brick building. A Stock Company. U. P. Schenck, President; C. Deman, Treasurer and Superintendent; J. W. Faulkner, Secretary. Sell the most of their goods South.
Chair Factory.—Capital, $12,000; annual product, $45,000; persons employed, 20. Established 1872.—Charles and Wm. Norisez and W. L. Fisk, proprietors. Sell much of their goods in Louisville, Ky., and other parts of the country. They have machinery capable of employing 60 hands, but owing to depression in trade throughout the country have not been running it to its full capacity. They have been running steadily for several weeks and the indications are that they will soon increase the number of their hands.
SAW MILLS.
O’Neal & Shuff have a saw mill and shingle factory.
John Manford has a saw mill.
Both these factories saw a large amount of lumber, and employ many hands.
THE FLOURING MILL,
On Pike Street, is a large three story brick, with good machinery. The flour has a good reputation. John Gill, proprietor.
HOTELS.
Vevay is well supplied with good hotels. The LeClerc House is the largest and oldest. In 1833 Robert LeClerc (long since deceased) took charge of the Franklin House, corner Main and Ferry streets. In 1850 he tore away the frame house and built a large three-story brick building, calling it the “LeClerc House.” It fronts 85 feet on Ferry street, and 75 on Main, and contains 40 rooms. At present it is kept by his widow, Mrs. Julia LeClerc.
The Russell House, which John I. O’Neal recently took charge of, is a three-story brick on the corner of Ferry and Market streets. He is a clever gentleman, and no doubt will build up for a good business.
The Dalmazzo House is a new hotel, on Ferry street, kept by Gabriel Dalmazzo.
The Kyle House was formerly the Odd Fellows Hall, corner Main and Liberty streets. It is a large three-story brick building. Geo. H. Kyle is the proprietor.
At present the Henry House is not occupied.
BUSINESS HOUSES.
We would like to speak more particularly of the histories of the various business firms in town, but find we have not the room, and can only put on record the names of proprietors, and kinds of business in which they are engaged.
DRY GOODS, GROCERIES, ETC.
Z. I. Yonge & Co., Hall & Lewis (dry goods exclusively), R. F. Grisard & Bro., (hardware, dry goods and groceries), U. P. Schenck & Son (general merchandise), Ormsby & Green, Drake & Bro., John D. Harwood, Jas. Anderson, M. Medary.
GROCERIES, ETC.
Isaac Stevens, Levi B. Christie, S. B. Miller, W. & B. A. Stevenson, O. S. Waldo (groceries, hats, boots and shoes), George Grammer, Alexander Edgar, Geo. C. Protsman.
DRUG STORES.
J. L. Thiebaud, Golay & Stevens, C. O. Thiebaud.
MILLINERS AND DRESS MAKERS.
Mary Detraz, Elizabeth Burns, M. L. Roberts, Gordon & Cole, Maggie Dumont, Eliza Patton.
CLOTHING.
Julius Blach, Pleasants & Thiebaud.
TAILORS.
Wm. Daly, J. W. Gray, A. B. Moore.
BAKERIES AND CONFECTIONERS.
Joseph Jockell, Wm. Hart.
STOVES AND TINWARE.
Geo. McAdams, C. Goldenburg & Son, Mr. Lemons.
DENTISTS.
Dr. J. W. Baxter & Son, Dr. H. A. Barlow.
MARBLE WORKS.
John Melcher.
MEAT STORES.
Charles Grammer, Benj. Stoops (groceries, etc.), Northcott & Givens (groceries, etc.)
BARBERS.
Samuel Spencer, John Holler.
JEWELRY, WATCHES AND CLOCKS.
F. A. & C. G. Boerner.
LIVERY STABLES.
McMakin & Bro., Brown & Shull.
PICTURE GALLERY.
Joseph Walton.
UNDERTAKERS.
Josephus Hollcroft, W. M. Patton.
BRICK MANUFACTURER.
Joseph Peelman.
BLACKSMITHS.
John T. Bolton (wagons and buggies), M. D. Fuget, Josiah Jackman (machinist).
CARPENTERS.
Mullen & Moxley, G. W. Hathorn, Adam Worden, Wm. Archer.
PAINTERS.
John W. Moxley, Henry Weales, Harry Weales, Alfred Stow.
PLASTERERS.
Chas. Saberton & Sons, Jas. Torrance, Thomas Slater.
ICE HOUSE.
F. R. Detraz.
WHARF-BOAT.
J. M. Stratford.
ADAMS EXPRESS CO.
Geo. McAdams, Agent.
COAL MERCHANTS.
Bristow & Lock, John Chatelin.
ATTORNEYS.
Carter & Johnston, James B. McCrellis, Works & Works, Will M. Smith, Theodore Livings, John Orem, Lewis A. Clark, George W. Mendell, Adkinson & Ward, Downey & Schroeder.
PHYSICIANS.
F. B. O’Neal, L. J. Woolen, J. P. Butz, A. F. Darling, T. J. Griffith, J. W. Thompson (temporarily in Europe), T. M. Danglade (temporarily in California).
REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENTS.
Owens & Tague, Theodore Livings, L. A. Clark, George W. Mendell.
BOOT AND SHOE MANUFACTURERS.
Benjamin Smith, F. Braun, Thiebaud & Teats.
SADDLES AND HARNESS.
Frank J. Martin, Victor Kesler.
DAIRY.
F. P. Dupraz (17 cows; milk delivered).
FINANCIAL.
First National Bank of Vevay. Capital, $150,000. Established 1874. U. P. Schenck, President; Wm. Hall, Cashier; Dwight Smith, Clerk. The owners of the Stock are probably worth over $1,000,000.
A Loan and Building Association is now being organized. The capital stock has been fixed at $100,000. $30,000 of the amount has been subscribed.
FLORIST.
S. M. Dumont.
PRODUCE MERCHANTS.
Shaw, Turner & Shaw, J. K. Pleasants, W. B. Owens, Heady & Lewis, U. P. Schenck & Son.
POPULATION.
The growth of Vevay has not been rapid, but it has been on a sure foundation—the business generally being proportionately larger than the population. At present there is not less than two thousand persons in Vevay, and perhaps more.
THE FUTURE
Of Vevay is promising. Turnpikes are being built out into the country, factories are doing well, and more will probably soon be established; several houses are being built; an addition of land has been made to the town and laid out into town lots.
ITS WANTS.
A railroad, more turnpikes, a tan-yard, wood bucket factory, cooper shop, spoke and hub factory, and agricultural implement factory.