Howat, William Frederick, M.D., editor. A Standard History of Lake County, Indiana and the Calumet Region. 2 vols. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1915. p. 136.
M. A. HALSTED, FOUNDER OF LOWELL
In 1848 A.R. Nichols and others were found by Melvin A. Halstead as holders of the locality. Mr. Halstead secured an interest in the site and water privileges, a dam was built, and by the winter of that year
Haskins & Halstead had a sawmill in operation.
In 1849 bricks were made and Mr. Halstead erected a house of that material, into which he and his family moved in 1850. This man is acknowledged to be the founder of Lowell. After seeing his family
comfortably settled in their brick house, he started for California and returned in 1852 with some capital to invest; at all events, he purchased the interest of 0.E. Haskins in the mill-seat and property, erected a flour
mill, and in 1853 platted the town of Lowell. He also encouraged and aided the early churches and schools, held numerous local offices and remained at Lowell until his death, easily its first citizen in ability and public esteem.
