USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County Indiana : From its earliest settlement to the present time with biographical sketches and reference to biographies previously compiled, Volume II > Part 1
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I
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02299 7552
Gc 977.201 C27p v.2
1137038
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
INDIANA
From its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time; with Bio- graphical Sketches and Reference to Biographies Previously Compiled
Edited by DR. JEHU Z. POWELL President of the Cass County, Indiana, Historical Society
ADVISORY EDITORS : HON. WILLIAM T. WILSON HON. BENJAMIN F. LOUTHAIN PROF. A. H. DOUGLASS
VOLUME II
977.201 C 27 p 1.2
1
ILLUSTRATED
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 1913
.
1137038
1
GEN. JOHN TIPTON
History of Cass County
GEN. JOHN TIPTON. It is an acknowledged fact that Gen. John Tip- ton was the most influential and distinguished pioneer citizen of Cass county, and had more to do with its early history and development than any other one man, and no history of the county would be complete without a brief sketch of him.
The Tipton family is of Irish lineage. Joshua Tipton, the father of this sketch, was born in Maryland but in early manhood moved to Sevier county, East Tennessee, where he married Jeannette Shields. Joshua Tipton was an Indian fighter and was killed by them April 16, 1793, but it is unwritten history that his assassination was instigated by the Seviers, who held an old-time grudge against the Tiptons.
It was under such conditions and surroundings that our subject was born August 14, 1786, and was only seven years of age at his father's death. In the fall of 1807, he, with his mother, two sisters and a half brother, moved to Brinley's Ferry on the Ohio river, in Harrison county, Indiana territory. He was the main support of the family and one of his first acts was to purchase a home for his mother, consisting of fifty acres, which he paid for by splitting rails at 50 cents a hundred. These early experiences laid the foundation of his future success in life. His mother died in 1827 at Seymour, Indiana.
In 1809 the sheriff of Harrison county formed a company of mounted riflemen, known as "Yellow Jackets," from the color of their uniforms, and John Tipton became an active member. This company, under the command of Capt. Spier Spencer, saw active service in the Indian wars, terminating at the battle of Tippecanoe, November 7, 1811. Spencer's company was in the thickest of the fight and the commissioned officers were all killed, but there stood the brave ensign, John Tipton, at the head of the remnant of the company when General Harrison came riding up and asked:
"Where is the captain of this company ?"
To which John Tipton answered :. "Dead, sir."
"Where are the lieutenants ?"
"Both have been killed, sir."
"Where is the ensign ?"
"I am here," answered Tipton.
"Take command of your company," said Harrison, "and I will get relief for you in a few minutes."
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General Harrison always spoke of Ensign Tipton as the coolest and bravest officer in his command. Subsequently he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general.
At the first election held under the state constitution he was elected sheriff of Harrison county and was sent to the legislature from that county in 1819-20, and was chosen as one of the committee to select a site for the location of the state capital, and this committee, on June 7, 1820, selected the present site of Indianapolis, then in the woods, and on January 6, 1821, the legislature approved the action of the com- mittee. In August, 1821, he was re-elected to the legislature and the following year the governor appointed him a commissioner to locate the boundary line between Illinois and Indiana. In 1823 he was appointed by President Monroe general agent of the Pottawattamie and Miami Indians on the upper Wabash and at once moved to Ft. Wayne, the seat of the agency, and he performed his duties with credit to him- self and the government. In the spring of 1828, at his suggestion, the agency was moved to Logansport, where he continued to reside until his death.
In 1826 President John Quincy Adams appointed him a commis- sioner on the part of the United States to treat with the Indians for cession of their lands and his familiarity with the Indians greatly facili- tated the opening up of valuable lands in this section of the country.
In 1831 he was elected United States senator from Indiana to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Hon. James Noble and in 1832-33 was re-elected for a full term of six years. While in the senate he was the chairman of the committee on Indian affairs, in those days a very im- portant committee, for which he was eminently qualified. He recog- nized no party in determining his line of duty, always acting from motives of right and public duty. As a civilian and citizen he was alike successful in directing and executing, to the extent of his power, what- ever purpose his conscience approved or his judgment dictated. Having made Logansport his home in the spring of 1828, he acquired title to the land upon which the town was built and, with Chauncey Carter, made the original plat of the town and later made four of its princi- pal additions. He was awake to the true interests of the town and gave a lot for the erection of the first school and public building ever built in Cass county, the "Old Eel River Seminary," and was largely instru- mental in its construction in 1828-29. He also donated the square where the present Lincoln school building stands. Under his direction the first saw and grist mills in the county were erected on Eel river, east of Sixth street, in the summer of 1828. In short, he was the instigator and moving spirit, that gave form, and imparted energy, to every enter- prise calenlated to improve society and stimulate progress, and the un- foldment and utilization of all the natural advantages with which Cass county has been so bountifully supplied.
In 1838 Governor Wallace directed him to raise a company of sol- diers to superintend the removal of the last of the Pottawattomie Indians to their western home beyond the Mississippi, which he promptly, yet kindly, did, satisfactorily to all parties.
General Tipton was a member of the Masonic fraternity, having received his first degree in Pisgah Lodge No. 5, at Corydon, Indiana,
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in 1817, and later was grand master of the state. He was instrumental in the organization of the first Masonic lodge in Logansport, which was named in his honor, "Tipton Lodge No. 33," in 1828, and donated the ground for a building, the present site of the Masonic temple.
General Tipton was of medium height, rather long face but round head, low wrinkled forehead, sunken gray eyes, stern countenance, large chest, stiff, sandy hair, standing erect from his forehead. He was twice married. His first wife was his cousin, Miss Jennie Shields, daughter of John Shields, who became famous in the Lewis and Clark expedition. She was the mother of two children, Spier S. Tipton, who became a graduate of West Point, settled in Logansport, raised a company and as its captain fought and died in the Mexican war; and Matilda, who died while at school in her eighteenth year. His second wife was Matilda Spencer, daughter of his old commander who fell in the battle of Tip- pecanoe. Three children were born to this last marriage: Harriet B., who married Thomas S. Dunn of Logansport and died in the West in the later sixties, leaving descendants in California; John Tipton, who married Nenah Lamb, was a captain in the regular army, moved to California, where he died many years ago; George T. Tipton, who was born in Corydon, Indiana, in 1825, married Sarah M. Purveyance in Logansport, and followed farming near the city. He died in 1873, leav- ing five children : John, Frank M., Matilda, and Bessie B., all living in Logansport, and Fannie, who married W. S. Newhall and lives in Cleveland, Ohio.
On February 14, 1839, Mrs. Tipton died and on April 4, following, the general died after a brief illness caused by exposure to inclement weather and was buried on Sunday, April 7, 1839, by the Masonic lodge, which he had organized. He was buried on Spencer square, where the Lutheran church now stands, later was removed to the old cemetery and still later to Mt. Hope cemetery, where a neat marble shaft about six feet high marks the last resting place of Cass county's most illustrious pioneer.
HON. DAVID D. FICKLE. Probably the law has been the main high- way by which more men of merit have advanced to prominence and posi- tion in the United States than any other road, and it is not unusual therefore to find among the leading citizens of a community members of the legal fraternity. Among those citizens of Cass county whose connection with law and jurisprudence have led them to eminence in public life may be mentioned the Hon. David D. Fickle, mayor of Logansport, whose high attainments as a legist are aiding him in giving his city an excellent administration. Mr. Fickle was born August 17, 1853, in Jackson township, Cass county, Indiana, the seventh in order of birth of the nine children of David T. and Rebeca ( Engler) Fickle, natives of Ohio, of German descent.
David T. Fickle, who was a farmer by occupation, came to Cass county in 1844 and settled in Jackson township, at a time when that section was still in a primitive condition. He lived on the old home- stead place until about 1883, at that time moving to Galveston, and there his death occurred December 22, 1894, being followed by that of his widow several years later. Beyond being thoroughly honest and
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upright, and believing in and acting upon the principles of the Golden Rule, the life of Mr. Fickle was uneventful. He was an active factor in the development of the county during its formative period, and will be remembered as one of its honored pioneers.
Like so many of the farmers' sons of his day and locality, David D. Fickle divided his boyhood between work on the home farm and attendance in the public schools, and when he was nineteen years of age was sent to the high school at Edinburg, where he spent two years. In the fall of 1875, he entered Mount Union College, in eastern Ohio, from which he was graduated three years later with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, and succceding this taught school until 1882, in the meantime sedulously prosecuting his legal studies. On March 17, 1882, he left the law offices of McConnell, Magee & McConnell and embarked in the practice of law in Logansport, but in June, 1883, was elected county superintendent of schools, to the duties of which position he devoted the following six years. He resumed his law practice in 1889, but June 22, 1895, was appointed receiver for the Logansport Railway Company, and for about seven years was devoted to the work of that office, at the end of that time again taking up the practice of law. In 1909, Mr. Fickle became the candidate of the Democratic party for the office of mayor, to which he was subsequently elected, and to the manifold duties of which he has since given his entire attention. He has given the same conscientious service to this executive office that has been characteristic of his activities in his private interests, and the citizens of Logansport have had no cause to regret of their choice. Mr. Fickle is a member of the B. P. O. E., and also holds membership in the college fraternity of Delta Tau Delta.
On September 28, 1887, occurred the union of Mr. Fickle and Miss Carrie Larway, and they have four children : Florence Frances, Harold L., Helen J. and Robert D. The family attend the Episcopal church, all except Mr. Fickle being members thereof.
HON. RUFUS MAGEE. Among Cass county's native sons, few have attained to greater eminence than that secured by Hon. Rufus Magee, whose versatile talents brought him prominently before the public in various fields of endeavor, and whose long and active career was given to the advancement of his state and his country no less than to his per- sonal benefit. It is all the more remarkable, in that he was practically self-educated, having entered upon his battle with life when a lad of only nine years, and his subsequent struggles were marked with steady ad- vancement and eventually crowned with well-deserved success. At this time, living in quiet retirement, he is able to look back over a useful and well-spent life, content in the knowledge that his efforts have not been fruitless, and that no stain or blemish mars an honorable record of accomplishment.
Rufus Magee was born October 17, 1845, in Logansport, Indiana. His father, Empire A. Magee, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and of Covenanter religion. His father, Daniel Magee, was a soldier in the War of Independence. Empire A. Magee was a millwright by trade, and came to Logansport in that capacity in 1836, here erecting the forge at what was known as Four-mile Locks, in Miami township, a struc-
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ture built of what (or was) known as "kidney iron," Later he built the Aubeenaubee forge in Fulton county, on the Tippecanoe river, and then went to Lockport, in Carroll county, and operated a grist mill, on selling which he moved to Monticello, where he built the mills of the Monticello Hydraulic Sompany, and died at that place about 1873.
Rufus Magee resided with his parents until nine years of age, at which time he accepted a position as printer's "devil" with the White County Jeffersonian, and following his experience with that newspaper engaged in printing and publishing. It was largely in this school that Mr. Magee secured his education, although he has continued a student all of his life, and has never lost his love of literary work. For a num- ber of years he was connected with various publications, at Indian- apolis, Logansport, and other cities, and eventually, in December, 1868, purchased the Logansport Pharos. In August, 1874, he established a daily in connection with the weekly publication, but later sold both papers. For many years Mr. Magee was known as one of Cass county's most prominent and influential Democrats. From 1872 to 1878 he was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee, of which he was secretary for two years, and in 1882 was elected state senator, receiving the re-election in 1900, and serving in all eight years. In March, 1885, he was honored by the appointment to the position of United States minister to Sweden and Norway, by President Cleveland, and served as such four years and three months. In 1896 he was a member of the State Central Committee, but resigned therefrom because of the silver plank in the Democratic platform. On his return from abroad, Mr. Magee occupied himself in the practice of law, but in 1902 retired from activ- ities, and since that time has devoted himself to the demands of his business interests.
In 1868 Mr. Magee was married to Miss Jennie Musselman, and they became the parents of two daughters.
JOHN C. NELSON. The legists of the first several decades of the life of Logansport have passed away. Of those who came to the bar during the 'sixties, most have long since laid down their briefs. Some survive in retirement, enjoying the ease and dignity which lives of intellectual activity have earned, while fewer still continue to participate in the struggles which the competition of younger and more vigorous men make more severe and exacting. Judge John C. Nelson is one of the oldest in point of length of practice at the Logansport bar. Since the spring of 1870, now more than forty-three years, he has been in active practice, and still keeps an open office.
Judge Nelson was born February 27, 1841, in Adams county, Ohio, his parents being natives of that state, while his grandparents, on his father's side English, and on the maternal side Scotch, came from New Jersey and Virginia, respectively. His home, from the time he was six years of age until he was twenty, was in the small hamlet of Eckmans- ville, where he attended the common schools and what was then known as the high school until he was sixteen years of age. At that time he received a certificate qualifying him to teach in the public schools of that county, his first experience as an educator being in one of the most rural parts of the county, in 1857, and his wages being $20.00 per month. He
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followed the profession of teacher during the fall and winter months, and attended a seminary during the summer seasons until the fall of 1861, on October 18 of which year he enlisted as a private in Company A, Seventieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Upon the organiza- tion of the company, he was appointed second sergeant, and when the regiment was completed he became sergeant major, in which capacity he served until December, 1861, when he was commissioned second lieu- tenant of Company G. The regiment, during the winter, rendezvoused at Ripley, Ohio, and in February, 1862, was ordered to the front and as- signed to the Second Brigade of Sherman's Division, then being organ- ized at Paducah, Kentucky. Upon the organization of the brigade, Colonel Buckland commanding, Mr. Nelson was detailed to act as aid upon his staff.
The division was sent up the Tennessee river on transports to Pitts- burgh Landing, and was encamped about two and one-half miles from the river, the right of the regiment being near Shiloh church. During the battle of Shiloh, Judge Nelson served as aid on the colonel's staff, and on the second day of the battle was placed in command of his com- pany, and from that time until December, 1862, did duty with it, tak- ing part in the advance on Corinth, Grant's advance towards Vicksburg as far as Oxford, Mississippi, and the subsequent return to the line of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, the regiment then being stationed at Grand Junction. During the month of March, 1863, he was detailed and served as ordnance officer on the staff of General Denver, commanding the division until the general was relieved from the command of the division by Gen. William S. Smith, when he was relieved as ordnance officer and detailed as aide on the staff of General Smith. He continued to serve in that capacity until the summer of the same year, when he was relieved from duty at division headquarters because he declined to receive and receipt for old ordnance that was ordered to be turned over to the ordnance officer, assigning for his reason the fact that he was not the ordnance officer of the division. Upon reporting to Colonel Cockerel, who commanded the brigade, he was immediately detailed as aide on his staff, and served in that capacity until January, 1864, when he re-enlisted and was promoted to the rank of captain of Company C. While on Colonel Cockerel's staff, he was a member of the Army of Observation during the siege of Vicksburg, and after the surrender was at the siege of Jackson, Mississippi. Returning from Jackson, the division to which the brigade belonged camped on the banks of the Black river, in Mississippi, and remained there until October of that year, when it was sent, under Sherman, with the other divisions of his corps, and took part under Grant at the battle of Missionary Ridge, in November, 1863. After the regiment had re-enlisted and Sherman's army entered upon the Atlanta campaign, Judge Nelson commanded Company C, of the Seventieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, taking part in all the battles in which the division was engaged, among which were Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, the battle of Atlanta, July 22nd, and the battle of Ezra Church, July 27th, in the last-named of which he was severely wounded while on the skirmish line, being shot through the body. After a leave of absence of sixty days, he returned to his regiment, in October, 1864, and was shortly afterward
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detailed as commissary of musters of the Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, Gen. W. B. Hazen, commanding. He was with Sherman on his memorable "March to the Sea," and with the division at the battle of Fort McAllister. On the march from Savannah to Goldsboro, and at the battle of Bentonville, and then moved on to Raleigh, where the division was stationed at the time of the surrender of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. Judge Nelson also participated in the grand review, at Wash- ington, D. C., and afterward went West with the division, to Little Rock, Arkansas, where, August 18, 1865, he was mustered out of the service.
With the establishment of peace, Judge Nelson exchanged the pon- derous enginery of war for the implements of civil life, and, recognizing the need of further education attended a commercial school at Cincinnati, Ohio, until the spring of 1866. He then spent a short time as a traveling salesman for a boot and shoe house, and in July of the same year, with a friend of his, came to Logansport, and in August opened a boot and shoe store. This business was conducted successfully until 1868, when he disposed of his interests to his partner, and entered upon the study of law in the offices of McConnell & Winfield, and in the fall and winter of 1869-70 attended the Law school, at Albany, New York. Receiving his diploma in the spring of 1870, he returned to Logansport and formed a professional partnership with Dudley H. Chase, who, in 1872, was elected judge of the circuit court of Cass county. In that year Mr. Nel- son became the partner of Dyer B. McConnell, a connection which con- tinued until Mr. Nelson was elected judge of the superior court of Cass county, which office he filled during the existence of the court. In 1881 he returned to the practice of law, and in the following year formed a partnership with Quincy A. Myers, now judge of the supreme court of Indiana, the connection continuing for a period of twenty-five years, or practically until Judge Myers was elected to his present office.
During the years 1881, 1882, 1883 and 1884, Judge Nelson served as city attorney of Logansport, was mayor of the city in 1887 and 1888, and in 1910 was again chosen to serve as city attorney, continuing as such in 1911, 1912 and 1913. Many men are honored for their ability to confer benefits,-for the wealth, or influence, or power they control. Judge Nelson is reverenced for what he is. A hero in war; a man of kindly spirit, and rectitude and fidelity that no temptation has been able to swerve; who has taken office only that he might serve; he has drawn about him a wide circle of admiring friends, and the veneration of all who know him.
Judge Nelson was married in November, 1871, to Mary C., daughter of James Cheney, whose sketch appears elsewhere. Their children are Alice C., (Mrs. Carl Keller) Dr. James V. Nelson, Allen E. Nelson, of Logansport, and Helen, (Mrs. R. C. Barnard) and Coleman C. Nel- son, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
ORLANDO POWELL was born in Wabash county, Indiana, on January 17, 1845, and is the third in a family of four children. whose parents were Jacob and Martha (Troutman) Powell. The father was a native of Washington county. Pennsylvania, and of Welsh descent. Orlando Powell was reared on the farm where he now resides, and he was edu- cated in the district schools, such learning as he acquired there being
.
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supplemented by several terms in the Logansport (Ind.) high school. In the summer of 1862 he joined Company K, Ninety-ninth Indiana Infantry, with Captain George W. Julian in command of his company, and he served faithfully until the close of the war. His regiment partic- ipated in all the important engagements in the Atlanta campaign, includ- ing Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro, and marched with Sherman to the sea and up through the Carolinas.
Upon his return from the war he was successfully engaged in school teaching for several years, later turning his attention to farming. He is a man of no little enterprise and energy, and he today owns a valna- ble farm of two hundred acres. He has been prominent in the political life of his community and has held the office of township trustee for several terms. He is a Republican of solid conviction, and frequently comes to the aid of the party in his district by making speeches through- out the county, having a reputation as an impromptu speaker. He is a member of the G. A. R., and with his wife is a member of the Pres- byterian church in their home community.
On October 2, 1871. Mr. Powell was united in marriage with Miss Sarah S. McElheny, daughter of Moses and Philene (Treen) McElheny. Five children have been born, of their union, concerning whom the fol- lowing brief mention is made: Ada F .. born August 14, 1872, died November 17, 1889 : Tacy C., born July 31, 1874; Dyer J., born Decem- ber 8, 1878; Martha P., born July 6, 1881 : and Emma B., born March 6, 1883. The four last named are married. and Orlando Powell has five grandchildren at this writing.
WARREN J. BUTLER. Prominent among those officials whose services have added to Cass county's reputation as one of the best-governed see- tions of the state, Warren J. Butler, sheriff, is entitled to more than passing mention. Since the time he attained to man's estate, he has been almost continuously the occupant of one public office or another, and in each capacity has shown himself a conscientious, faithful official, effi- ciently discharging the duties and holding them in the light of sacred trusts. His career has been marked by constant industry and integrity since earliest vonth, and his present high position has come as a result of earnest youth, and his present high position has come as a result of earnest effort and determination, directed along well-defined channels. Mr. Butler was born in Fulton county, Indiana, April 19, 1863, and is a son of William T. and Catherine (Phillips) Butler.
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