If my memory is correct South Bend became a major trade area, a stop along
the way between Ohio and Illinois for those going to Chicago. SOuthe Bend
also had access to Lake Michigan due to the St. Jospeh River. So goods and
crops were shipped up the river to ports on the lake.
Not sure when but the Oliver family developed the "chilled plow" which
allowed farmers to till the rocky soil of the west without breaking the old
wooden plows they were used to. It was promoted as the plow that "opened the
west". Of course the Studebaker Brothers started building wagons in South
Bend, and became especially large with the Conestoga style wagon that our
ancestors used to make their journeys westward.
This area was also abundant with Walnut trees, the Singers used this wood to
manufacture sewing machine cabinets, ect, and operated here until the natural
resources ran out.
Notre Dame employed many locals as it built the University. N.D. had its own
quarries, manufacuted "Notre Dame Brick" at its own plant, and used local
labor. Probably a good reason for the Irish and Polish to migrate.
So we were pretty industrialized even back them, as they say in the comercial
" There's more than corn in Indiana!"
Joe Walsh
Jwalsh7766(a)aol.com