Wells County, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Wells County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Indiana
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 27,636. The county seat
is Bluffton
.
, who was captured by Native Americans
as a young boy and adopted by the Miami
chief Little Turtle
. He eventually became a scout for Gen. "Mad Anthony" Wayne
. Capt. Wells was killed by Potawatomi
allied with the British at the Battle of Fort Dearborn at the outbreak of the War of 1812
. The Potawatomi ate Capt. Wells' heart to gain part of his courage.
There was also an accident that occurred at the Clock Tower
, known as the County courthouse. While either fixing or building the roof, a man fell to the grounds of Main Street. He landed on his legs, and he lived for about a week before dying. The force of the fall thrust his pelvis into his rib cage
. If he would have fallen any other way, he would have died on the spot.
, and by the Indiana Code
.
County Council: The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of an income and property tax that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes, and service taxes.
Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.
Court: The county maintains a small claims court
that can handle some civil cases. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judge is assisted by a constable who is also elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court
.
County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff
, coroner
, auditor, treasurer
, recorder
, surveyor
, and circuit court clerk
. Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party
affiliations and to be residents of the county.
of 2000, there were 27,600 people, 10,402 households, and 7,624 families residing in the county. The population density
was 75 people per square mile (29/km²). There were 10,970 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.32% White
, 0.16% Black
or African American
, 0.19% Native American
, 0.21% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 0.43% from other races
, and 0.65% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 38.7% were of German
, 16.0% American
, 9.0% English
, 7.5% Irish
and 5.1% Swiss ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 10,402 households out of which 35.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.90% were married couples
living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.30% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,934, and the median income for a family was $51,517. Males had a median income of $35,830 versus $22,442 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $19,158. About 4.20% of families and 5.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.00% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 27,636. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Bluffton
Bluffton, Indiana
Bluffton is a city in Harrison and Lancaster Townships, Wells County, Indiana, United States. The population was 9,897 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Wells County.-Geography:Bluffton is located at ....
.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 370.25 square miles (958.9 km²), of which 368.09 square miles (953.3 km²) (or 99.42%) is land and 2.16 square miles (5.6 km²) (or 0.58%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Allen CountyAllen County, IndianaAs of the census of 2000, there were 331,849 people, 128,745 households, and 86,259 families residing in the county. The population density was 505 people per square mile . There were 138,905 housing units at an average density of 211 per square mile...
(north) - Adams CountyAdams County, IndianaAdams County lies in northeastern Indiana in the United States and shares its eastern border with Ohio. It was officially established in 1836. The county seat is Decatur....
(east) - Jay CountyJay County, IndianaAs of the census of 2000, there were 21,806 people, 8,405 households, and 6,017 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile . There were 9,074 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile...
(southeast) - Blackford CountyBlackford County, IndianaBlackford County is located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Indiana. The county is named for Judge Isaac Blackford, who was the first speaker of the Indiana General Assembly and a long-time chief justice of the Indiana Supreme Court. Created in 1838, Blackford County is divided...
(south) - Grant CountyGrant County, IndianaGrant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 70,061. The county seat is Marion. Important paleontological discoveries dating from the Pliocene epoch have been made at Pipe Creek Sinkhole in Grant County.-Geography:According to the 2010...
(west) - Huntington CountyHuntington County, IndianaHuntington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. The county seat and lone city is Huntington. According to Census 2010, the population was 37,124.-Geography:...
(northwest)
Cities and towns
- BlufftonBluffton, IndianaBluffton is a city in Harrison and Lancaster Townships, Wells County, Indiana, United States. The population was 9,897 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Wells County.-Geography:Bluffton is located at ....
- MarkleMarkle, IndianaMarkle is a town in Huntington and Wells Counties in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 1,095 at the 2010 census. It lies along Interstate 69, U.S. Route 224, Indiana State Road 116 and Indiana State Road 3 .-Geography:...
- OssianOssian, IndianaOssian is a town in Jefferson Township, Wells County, Indiana, United States. The population was 3,289 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ossian is located at ....
- PonetoPoneto, IndianaPoneto is a town in Chester, Harrison and Liberty townships, Wells County, Indiana, United States. The population was 166 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Poneto is located at ....
- UniondaleUniondale, IndianaUniondale is a town in Union and Rockcreek Townships, Wells County, Indiana, United States. The population was 310 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Uniondale is located at ....
- Vera CruzVera Cruz, IndianaVera Cruz is a town in Harrison Township, Wells County, Indiana, United States. The population was 80 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Vera Cruz is located at ....
- ZanesvilleZanesville, IndianaZanesville is a town in Allen and Wells counties in the U.S. state of Indiana, southwest of Fort Wayne. The population was 602 at the 2000 census.Zanesville residents are ineligible for street mail delivery, and thus, must get their mail at the post office....
Unincorporated towns
|
Uniontown, Indiana Uniontown is an unincorporated town in Vernon Township, Jackson County, Indiana.-Geography:Uniontown is located at .Uniontown is known for its location on U.S. Highway 31 and State Highway 250 it is also an exit on Interstate 65.... Curryville, Indiana Curryville is an unincorporated town in Adams County and Wells County in Indiana.The town is located on the intersection of 700 W. and 300 N. in both counties.... Petroleum, Indiana Petroleum is an unincorporated town in Nottingham Township, Wells County, Indiana.... Reiffsburg, Indiana Reiffsburg is an unincorporated town in Harrison Township, Wells County, Indiana.... Rockford, Indiana Rockford is an unincorporated town in Rockcreek Township, Wells County, Indiana, United States.... Tocsin, Indiana Tocsin is an unincorporated town in Lancaster Township, Wells County, Indiana, USA.... |
Townships
|
Liberty Township, Wells County, Indiana Liberty Township is one of nine townships in Wells County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,177.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Liberty Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Liberty Center at *... Nottingham Township, Wells County, Indiana Nottingham Township is one of nine townships in Wells County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,065.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Nottingham Township covers an area of .-Unincorporated towns:... Rockcreek Township, Wells County, Indiana Rockcreek Township is one of nine townships in Wells County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,670.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Rockcreek Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Cities, towns, villages:* Markle * Uniondale... Union Township, Wells County, Indiana Union Township is one of nine townships in Wells County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,112.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Union Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Cities, towns, villages:* Markle * Uniondale *... |
Major highways
Interstate 69Interstate 69Interstate 69 is an Interstate Highway in the United States. It exists in two parts: a completed highway from Indianapolis, Indiana, northeast to the Canadian border in Port Huron, Michigan, and a mostly proposed extension southwest to the Mexican border in Texas...
U.S. Route 224U.S. Route 224U.S. Route 224 is a spur of U.S. Route 24. It currently runs for 289 miles from New Castle, Pennsylvania at Pennsylvania Route 18 to Huntington, Indiana at U.S. Route 24. It passes through the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana...
Indiana State Road 1Indiana State Road 1State Road 1 is a north–south state highway in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Indiana. Its southern terminus is at U.S. Highway 50 in east-central Dearborn County, just east of Lawrenceburg. Its northern terminus is at U.S...
Indiana State Road 3Indiana State Road 3State Road 3 in the U.S. State of Indiana is a discontinuous state road running through east central Indiana from near the Michigan state line to near the Ohio River...
Indiana State Road 116Indiana State Road 116State Road 116 in the U.S. state of Indiana is an east–west state highway that actually runs in a southeast-to-northwest direction.-Route description:...
Indiana State Road 124Indiana State Road 124State Road 124 in the U.S. state of Indiana is an east–west route in the northern part of the state. Its parent route is U.S. Route 24, but the two do not connect.-Route description:...
Indiana State Road 201Indiana State Road 201State Road 201 in the U.S. state of Indiana exists in Wells County. It connects Ouabache State Park with State Road 124 to the north, a distance of . It meets State Road 124 just east of Bluffton.-Route description:...
Indiana State Road 218Indiana State Road 218Indiana State Road 218 exists in two different sections in the central part of the U.S. state of Indiana, on either side of Mississinewa Lake. The road covers a total distance of about 91 miles; the ends of the two sections are separated by about 14 miles...
Indiana State Road 301Indiana State Road 301State Road 301 in the U.S. state of Indiana is a short north–south route in Wells County in the northeastern part of the state.-Route description:...
History
Wells County was formed in 1837. It was named for Capt. William A. WellsWilliam Wells (soldier)
William Wells , also known as Apekonit , was the son-in-law of Chief Little Turtle of the Miami. He fought for the Miami in the Northwest Indian War...
, who was captured by Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
as a young boy and adopted by the Miami
Miami tribe
The Miami are a Native American nation originally found in what is now Indiana, southwest Michigan, and western Ohio. The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is the only federally recognized tribe of Miami Indians in the United States...
chief Little Turtle
Michikinikwa
Little Turtle, or Mishikinakwa , was a chief of the Miami people, and one of the most famous Native American military leaders of his time. He led his followers in several major victories against United States forces in the 1790s during the Northwest Indian Wars, also called Little Turtle's War. In...
. He eventually became a scout for Gen. "Mad Anthony" Wayne
Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne was a United States Army general and statesman. Wayne adopted a military career at the outset of the American Revolutionary War, where his military exploits and fiery personality quickly earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and the sobriquet of Mad Anthony.-Early...
. Capt. Wells was killed by Potawatomi
Potawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
allied with the British at the Battle of Fort Dearborn at the outbreak of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. The Potawatomi ate Capt. Wells' heart to gain part of his courage.
There was also an accident that occurred at the Clock Tower
Clock tower
A clock tower is a tower specifically built with one or more clock faces. Clock towers can be either freestanding or part of a church or municipal building such as a town hall. Some clock towers are not true clock towers having had their clock faces added to an already existing building...
, known as the County courthouse. While either fixing or building the roof, a man fell to the grounds of Main Street. He landed on his legs, and he lived for about a week before dying. The force of the fall thrust his pelvis into his rib cage
Rib cage
The rib cage is an arrangement of bones in the thorax of animals. It is formed by the vertebral column, ribs and sternum and encloses the heart and lungs....
. If he would have fallen any other way, he would have died on the spot.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Bluffton have ranged from a low of 16 °F (-8.9 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (28.9 °C) in July, although a record low of -24 °F was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in July 1980. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.83 inches (4.6 cm) in February to 4.11 inches (10.4 cm) in May.Government
The county government is a constitutional body, and is granted specific powers by the Constitution of IndianaConstitution of Indiana
There have been two Constitutions of the State of Indiana. The first constitution was created when the Territory of Indiana sent forty-three delegates to a constitutional convention on June 10, 1816 to establish a constitution for the proposed State of Indiana after the United States Congress had...
, and by the Indiana Code
Indiana Code
The Indiana Code is the code of laws for the US State of Indiana. The contents are the codification of the all the laws currently in effect within Indiana...
.
County Council: The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of an income and property tax that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes, and service taxes.
Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.
Court: The county maintains a small claims court
Small claims court
Small-claims courts have limited jurisdiction to hear civil cases between private litigants. Courts authorized to try small claims may also have other judicial functions, and the name by which such a court is known varies by jurisdiction; it may be known as a county or magistrate's court...
that can handle some civil cases. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judge is assisted by a constable who is also elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court
Circuit court
Circuit court is the name of court systems in several common law jurisdictions.-History:King Henry II instituted the custom of having judges ride around the countryside each year to hear appeals, rather than forcing everyone to bring their appeals to London...
.
County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
, coroner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
, auditor, treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
, recorder
Recorder of deeds
Recorder of deeds is a government office tasked with maintaining public records and documents, especially records relating to real estate ownership that provide persons other than the owner of a property with real rights over that property.-Background:...
, surveyor
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
, and circuit court clerk
Court clerk
A court clerk is an officer of the court whose responsibilities include maintaining the records of a court. Another duty is to administer oaths to witnesses, jurors, and grand jurors...
. Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
affiliations and to be residents of the county.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 27,600 people, 10,402 households, and 7,624 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 75 people per square mile (29/km²). There were 10,970 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.32% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.16% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.19% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.21% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.43% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.65% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 38.7% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 16.0% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 9.0% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 7.5% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 5.1% Swiss ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 10,402 households out of which 35.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.90% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.30% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,934, and the median income for a family was $51,517. Males had a median income of $35,830 versus $22,442 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $19,158. About 4.20% of families and 5.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.00% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.