NESHKORO--First Settlement in 1848--Status of the Village in 1876 Neshkoro, June 12, 1876 Messrs. Editors: Not being one of ye Old Settlers, I cannot go into all the details of the first settlement of this town, but hve made some inquiries in regard thereto, and give you such information as I could obtain. Some time in the year 1848, Eben DAKIN, a mill man, came into what is called the Indian Land to look for a location. He came to this town, saw the water-power and liked its looks, but found it was claimed by another party; so he bought his right of pre-emption and went on to make improvements. The first fall he threw a few logs across the stream, in order to hold good his claim, the land not being surveyed at that time. [The village is situated on Section 8, Town 17, Range 11 East.] In the year 1851, Mr. DAKIN began to make substantial improvements and to get out timbers to build his mill. At that time people began to come in quite plenty, looking for locations, and Neshkoro had a fair prospect of rising; but Mr. DAKIN was too avaricious in business, not caring to let a man have a lot unless he could have a finger in the pie, which was the means of driving some of the best men away to find other locations. But with all this, Neshkoro made a start and went on swimmingly for a few years, and with a distillery running in full blast, and the proprietor being very liberal in that line, with almost free whiskey for all. That checked the growth of the village some, but to vover the whole, through some old business affairs of Mr. DAKIN, there was a judgement from the United States court placed upon the property, and ever since that time, until lately, it has been in a mixed mess. The present proprietor, Mr. WEISNER, has got the title all right. He seems to be a man of energy, and intends to make his mill first-class. He is to shut down on the 1st of July for repairs, and will put in another run of stone. The mill now contains three run, and does a large custom business. As regards the settlement of the other parts of the town, I can tell very little about it. S. J. JOHNSTON, an old settler, came in 1850, and located just north of the village. He found a Mr. BARNES living in a little log house on section 5, and a Mr. KNIGHT on the same section. These, with Mr. DAKIN, were about the only settlers in the town in 1848. The mercantile branch of business has been carried on by a number of different individuals, with various success. The first store was opened by William CLAY, in October, 1852. It is carried on at the present time by Peter STEVENSON, who keeps a general assortment of patent medicines, groceries and dry goods. He also carries on a custom boot and shoe shop. James SEXTON also has a well-filled store of dry goods and groceries. Both are doing a good business. There is only one hotel in the place, kept by Martin HAYES. Report sayeth he keeps a good house. He is doing a fair business. The foundry and plow shop was first established by Craig & Childs, in 1855. For the first two years they bought their castings. The business was not very extensive for some years, although they made quite a number of breaking plows, of which they continue to make a number yearly, and which have a wide spread reputation. The name of the firm has changed several times. It is now carrie don under the name of CRAIG & SCOBIE, and does quite an extensive business, getitng out from 800 to 1,000 plows annually. Their plows are first-class, both cast and steel, and have taken the preference at several of the county fairs. The proprietors are stirring fellows, and keep up with the improvements to suit the times. The woolen factory, which is a small affair, was first started in the summer of 1868, by WELLS & SCOBIE. They get out between 4,000 and 5,000 yards of cloths and flannels yearly; but they depend mostly on custom work, and their steadily increasing business shows that they do their work well, and that it is appreciated by their customers. Their flannels would be a credit to any establishment, and their cloths, for service, are as good as the best. The village contains twenty private dwellings; one school house, as good as any in the county; and one church; besides stores, shops and other buildings. And we have plenty of room for more. Our water power, on the White River, is one of the best in the county, and for those wishing locations and water power we still have about 1,000 inches of water to spare. The number of inhabitants, at the present time, is about 80, and we expect to see it doubled before long. The centennial will be remembered as the year the potato bugs left, at least so far there are few to be found.
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