Liberty Mills

History

On October 16, 1826, and October 23, 1826, in what is now Wabash, Indiana, the Potawatomi and Miami Indians respectively signed peace treaties with the United States government to open lands north of the Wabash River to white settlers. These negotiations, led by Michigan Governor Lewis Cass, resulted in the Paradise Springs Peace Treaty. The Potowatomi before that point were located on the Eel River, which they called the Kenapocomoco (KE-NA-PE-COM-A-QUA), in a series of villages named Pierrish's Village, located at present day North Manchester, three miles south of Liberty Mills. The land that is now Liberty Mills was purchased by James Abbott, who was involved with the treaty negotiations, sold to a Mr. McBride who intended to build a grist mill, and eventually purchased by New York state resident John Comstock. Comstock moved to the area in 1836, where he first built a saw mill, and later a grist mill, a distillery, store, carding mill, and flouring mill. "John Comstock in his day was easily the biggest and most influential business man and farmer in Northern Wabash county. He was a member of the State Legislature and a probate judge and was progressive in many ways and as stubborn as an ox in others. When the canal was built through Lagro he maintained a warehouse at Lagro and attracted business men to Liberty Mills faster than to North Manchester. However, he could not stand competition, and because of his buying power, could undersell those who dared compete with him. Some of the early business men came to North Manchester. In fact, it was not uncommon in telling the history of an early North Manchester business man to mention that he first located in Liberty Mills." Comstock, often known as Judge Comstock because of his role as Probate Judge (elected in…

Largest nearby schools

• Manchester Jr-Sr High School
  High · N Manchester · 672 students · 15.3:1 ratio
• Manchester Elementary School
  Elementary · N Manchester · 454 students · 15.7:1 ratio
• Manchester Intermediate School
  Middle · Laketon · 297 students · 14.8:1 ratio