Wells
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. |