1938 Wells County Retrospect
Based on "Indiana Review," published by the State Legislature
click and zoom to Our Neighbors MapWells County is an agricultural county and its fertile soil is excellently adapted to the raising of a variety of crops. Ample drainage is provided by the two main waterways, the Wabash and Salamonie Rivers. The southern part of Wells County was located in the gas and oil fields, which formerly were quite important.

The county is located in the northeastern section of Indiana, covering an area of 365 square miles, and is divided into nine townships. The incorporated city is Bluffton, population 5,074; towns: Ossain, 788; Markle, 621; Poneto, 237; Uniondale, 226, and Vera Cruz, 94. Wells County population in 1890 was 21,514; 1900, 23,449; 1910, 22,418; 1920, 20,509; 1930, 18,411.

Bluffton is located on the Wabash River about twenty-five miles south of Fort Wayne and is served by two railroads. Its important industrial interests are foundries, stone quarrying, planing and tile mills, and factories for manufacture of pianos and hardwood flooring.

Bluffton is the home of Charles C. Deam, one of the nation's outstanding research foresters and botanists. In 1904, L. A. and C. B. Williamson planted the tree, which is known as the Deam Oak. The tree is located three miles northwest of the city.

Deam's untiring research resulted in the establishment of a state Forestry and Conservation Department. For years he was the State Forester and is one of the state's foremost authorities on matters of conservation. Deam was the author of the Tax Reduction Act, considered one of the best forestry laws ever written. At present he is writing "Flowers of Indiana," to follow his other three books dealing with trees, grass, and shrubs. All were published by the state. Deam is officially connected with the state as Research Forester.

Wells County had fourteen manufacturing establishments, according to the figures of the 1935 federal census. A total of 156 wage earners were employed on pay rolls totaling $138,315. The value of the products was $822,817.

The county had 2,487 farms averaging 91.1 acres each. Their value was $11,770,433. A total of 85,161 head of livestock was reported.

The total county tax valuation for 1936 was $22,619,240.