USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 24
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Such was the interest taken in the enterprise hy the entire community, that it was made the occasion of a local, as well as a national, jubilee.
The following account of the ceremonies attendent, and copied from the Fort Wayne Daily Times of July 19, 1860, gives a fair exhibit, with a little preliminary history :
" The principal incident of the times was the progress of the Wahash & Erie Canal, the first letting whereof was a division of fifteen miks, including the surumit, and four miles of the feeder and ten miles west, which had been let in June, 1832; the St. Joe feeder dam and four more miles of the eanal, in the autumn of the same year-the next part of the first division, extending it to the forks of the Wabash, thirty-two miles, was let in May, 1833-and the whole thirty-two miles completed early in the summer of 1835. This event was the inei- dent of the times, and the 4th of July of that year was consecrated, also, to a cele- bration of the union of the waters of the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi. A canal-hoat, ealled 'Indiana,' commanded hy Capt. Asa Fairfield, loaded with a large number of people, passed through the canal to Huntington, where lived only a few persons-the Helvys, Capt. Elias Murray, George O. Fate, W. S. Edsall, Pat McCarty and Samuel Moore. To that date, the place was better known as the ' Flint Springs,' taking its name from some large and very valuable springs, which then, as now, gush from the north hank of Little River, at which many a pioneer slaked his thirst.
" The hotel of the place was the ' Flint Spring,' kept hy Joel and Champion Helvy, a long, double log, one-story house, on the bank near the springs. This was afterward raised another story, and was the place, and hard enough at that. This same house now stands, and is the venerable residence of Squire Lewis Hatfield, a German of large proportions, who dispenses justice a la ' Von Twdler' -we suppose.
" The incidents of this eanal celebration, en route, were dancing on the boat and drinking good whisky-even getting funny-a thing to which our venerable friends who yet live were no strangers, especially on great occasions. The oration was delivered hy Hugh McCulloch, Esq."
The estimated cost of the eanal from Fort Wayne to the State line, as shown hy the report of the engineer in charge, was an average of $7,952.17 per mile, or $154,113.13, for the whole distance of nineteen miles and thirty chains. This division was let and in process of construction early in the same year (1835), and was completed in 1843.
Mr. Williams, principal engineer, in his report of December 10, 1835, to the Board of Canal Commissioners, makes the following showing, as to the divis- ion first completed :
" The total cost of this division of the canal, ineluding all repairs up to the 30th of November last, and including, also, the sum of $2,000 for graveling the towing-path, and for other small items of work not yet completed, may be stated as follows, to-wit :
The St. Joseph's feeder, 6 miles and 34 chains, including dam ... $ 70,567 57 Main line from mouth of feeder to lower end of Section 50. near the mouth of Little River, 25 miles and 25 chains .... 142,419 27
Total, 31 miles and 50 chains. $212,786 84
Add superintendence and incidental expenses, as nearly ns can be separated from other charges 15,000 00
Total
$227,786 84
wbieh gives an average of $7,177.00, nearly, per mile, including all expenses."
On the 4th of July, 1843, the eanal having heen opened from Toledo to a point on the Wahash River, helow La Fayette, at which time the meeting of the waters of Lake Erie and of the Mississippi, anticipated hy the early projeetors of the enter- prise had been consummated, the event was appropriately eclebrated. On this occasion, Gen. Lewis Cass, one of the firm friends of the improvement, was the orator of the day. An extract from that address will not be out of place here :
" We come bere to join in another commemoration, to witness the union of the Lakes and of the Mississippi, to survey one of the noblest works of man in the improvement of that great highway of nature, extending from New York to New Orleans, whose full moral effeets it were vain to seek even to conjecture.
" And fitly chosen is the day of this celebration. This work is another ligament which binds together this great confederated republie. Providence has given us union and many motives to preserve it. Tho sun never shone upon a country ahounding more than ours does, in all the elements of prosperity. It were needless to enumerate the advantages we enjoy, which give us so distinguished a position among the nations of the world. I shall not enter into the comparison. * * *
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" Our railroads and eanals are penetrating every seetion of our territory. They are anuihilating time and space. They are embracing in their folds the Ocean and the Lake frontier, and the great region extending from the Alleghany to the Rocky Mountains, through which the mighty Mississippi and the countless tributaries find their way to the Gulf of Mexico. Onee Ict this work he com- pleted and we are hound together hy cords wbich no strength can sunder. * * *
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" But I have found the canal-hoat a more comfortable conveyance than the bak canoe; and this change is not the least improvement which bas aecom- panied the march of the white man. Your valley was 'then thinly occupied.
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
The stock of the county in this road having greatly depreciated, at a meet- ing of the Board, on the 25th of October, 1862, it was determined to sell such stock at the best price the same will command in market, and Byron D. Minor and William W. Carson were appointed Special Agents to execute the purpose of the Commissioners in said order prescribed, and for the hest interests of the county ; also to invest such proceeds of said sale in the bonds of the county then outstanding, issued in 1831 and falling due in 1866, if they could do so. On the 4th of March, 1863, Messrs. Minor and Carson, Agents as aforesaid, reported that they had sold 839,800 worth of railroad stock, in accordance with instrne- tions, for $24,830.75, leaving the county still the owner of 8100,000, which they did not feel themselves authorized to put on the market without further instrue- tions, the price ranging from 55 to 67 i per cent. Subsequently, on the 11th of March, 1863, on a proposition submitted by Mr. Hanna, the county sold to him the remaining $100,000 stack, and the proceeds of the interest.stock,in eonsider- ation of eighty-seven of the outstanding bonds of the county, calling for $87,000, leaving outstanding honds to the amount of $13,000.
CHAPTER XII.
SKETCH OF GEN. JOIIN TIPTON.
BY T. B. HELM.
Those marked individualisms of character which strikingly distinguished the carcer of personages whose nobility is acknowledged by the world of mind, are the features that, now and heretofore, have commanded and fixed the atten- tion of mankind ; hence it is that history only records the pencilings of genius, standing out in bold relief on the tablets of memory. Eccentricities of talent and character, endowed with a sufficiency of motive power to vitalize those talents and characteristics, never fail to leave behind distinct traces-landmarks-sneh as will not fail to secure recognition and he acknowledged by all. A striking illustration in proof of this is afforded in the life of him whose name stands at the head of this article. John Tipton was born in Servier County, East Tenn., on the 14th day of August, 1786. His father, Joshua Tipton, was a native of Maryland, and a man possessing great positiveness of character, with keen perception and uncommon executive power. These peculiarities indueed his early removal from his native State and settlement in a more Western home, where he was a leader in the defense of their frontier against the hostile Indians. In open warfare, the Indians feared his superiority in courage and tact. The consequence was that a band of Cherokees waylaid and murdered him on the 18th day of April, 1793.
Left thus early in life, in the midst of a frontier settlement, surrounded by the perils incident thereto, the son, inheriting the sagaeity and self-relianee of his father, soon hegan to develop that positive energy of character which distin- guished his after life.
Though young in years at the time of his father's death, he early became the chief support of the family.
In the fall of 1807, with his mother, two sisters and a half-brother, he removed to Indiana Territory, then just beginning to acquire notoriety. His place of settlement was near Brinley's Ferry, on the Ohio River. One of his first acts was to purchase a homestead for his mother, consisting of fifty acres, which he paid out of his seanty earnings, acquired hy chopping and splitting rails, at 50 eents a hundred, in addition to the maintenance of the family, of wbom he was now the responsible head. These early experiences laid the foun- dation of his future success in life. As early as June, 1809, upon the formation of a military company in the vieinity of his home-called the " Yellow Jackets," from the color of their uniforms-he enlisted and became an active member. This company was designed for active service, in case the exigency of the times demanded, and was placed under the command of Capt. Spear Spencer. The occasion soon presented itself, and the company was ordered to the frontier, for the protection of the settlements. On the 10th of September, 1811. the com- pany entered upon the campaign, which terminated in the battle of Tippecanoe. While on the march, he was chosen Ensign, and in that position he entered the battle-field. Early in the engagement. all his superior officers were killed, and he was promoted to the captaincy of the company by Gen. Harrison, when the eon- flict raged fiercest. Subsequently, he was promoted, by regular gradation, under the military regulations of the State, to the rank of Brigadier General.
At the first election under the State Constitution, he was the choice of the Twople of Harrison County for Sheriff, and continued iu that position until near the close of his second term. Meantime, he was elected to represent IIarrison County in the State Legislature at the session of 1819-20.
While a member of that hody, he was chosen as one of the committee to select the site for the location of the State Capital. The result of this commit- tee's action made Indianapolis the capital city of Indiana. The selection was made on the 7th day of June, 1820, and confirmed by legislative enactment, approved January 6, 1821.
In Angust, 1821, he was re-elected to represent his county, having acquired extensive popularity as a discreet aud active legislator. At the session following, he was chosen one of the Commissioners on the part of Indiana to aet with like Commissioners on the part of Illinois in locating the boundary line between the two States. The work was expeditiously and satisfactorily accomplished the sue- ceeding summer, and ratified by the Legislatures of the two States at the session of 1822-23.
Ile was appointed, in Mareh, 1823, by President Monroe, General Agent for the Pottawatomie and Miami Indians on the Upper Wabash and Tippecanoe Rivers, and immediately moved to Fort Wayne, the seat of the Ageney. IIis success in this field was no less marked than in the execution of other trusts before reposed in himu. At his instance, the Agency was removed from Fort Wayne to Logansport, in the spring of 1828, where he continued to discharge the funetious of his trust with fidelity and success.
Anterior to his removal of the Ageney, under appointment of President J. Q. Adams, in the fall of 1826, he was chiefly instrumental in seeuring the impor- tant provisions of several treaties with those tribes over which he had jurisdiction, whereby valuable land interests were opened to the public.
At the session of the Legislature in December, 1831, he was elected U. S. Senator from Indiana, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Hon. James Noble. Again, at the session of 1832-33, he was elected for a full term of six years. While there, he was distinguished for his sound judgment and independ- ent aetion upon all questions involving the interests of his State or the General Government. His views in reference to a re-charter of a United States Bank were strictly opposed to those of Gen. Jackson, favoring, in a most exhaustive speech on that question, the continuance of that institution as the best means of securing a standard eurrency of uniform value everywhere. He recognized no party in determining the line of duty, always acting from motives of publie right, his unbiased judgment controlling the effort.
As a civilian and citizen, he was alike successful in directing and executing, to the extent of his power, whatever purpose his couscience approved or his judg- ment dietated.
Having determined to make Logansport his home, and moved his family here, he directed his energies toward securing all advantages incident to cultivated society, and the development of natural resources. One of his first steps was to effect the organization of the Eel River Seminary Society ; the erection of a suit- able building for school purposes ; the ciuployment and support of teachers. This was accomplished in the fall and winter of 1829-29. For this purpose, also, he contributed largely of his means and influence. In after years, his numerous business cares did not detract from his efforts to secure the permanent prosperity of the sehools.
Uuder his direction, the settlement was supplied with grist and saw mills, simultaneously with the other enterprises inaugurated by him. In short, he was the instigator of, and the motive power that gave form and imparted energy to, every enterprise calculated to improve society and induce progress toward the unfoldment and utilization of all the natural advantages with which Cass County has been so bountifully supplied.
He was the proprietor, also, of four separate additions to the town of Logansport, and was interested with Mr. Carter in the plan and location of the original plat thereof. During the summer or fall of 1838, he was delegated with the discretionary powers necessary to the successful removal of the disaffected Indians, who, having disposed of their lands, were yet unwilling to remove peace- fully to their home beyond the Mississippi. The decisive measures adopted hy him permitted no delay. Difficulties seemingly insurmountable were promptly overcome by his superior taet and courage, and the work accomplished with satisfactory dispatch.
Mr. Tipton was twice married ; the first time, about the year 1818, to Miss - Shields, who died less than two years after their marriage. The second time was in April, 1825. to Matilda, daughter of Capt. Spear Spencer, who was killed at the battle of Tippecanoe. The second Mrs. Tipton died in the spring of 1839, about the close of her husband's Senatorial career.
The prestige of his name as a civilian and statesman, added to his fame as military leader, did not completely fill his measure of honor. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and occupied a distinguished position in the Order. He received the first degrees in Pisgah Lodge, No. 5, at Corydon, Ind., in the year 1817. He was soon after elected Master, and, as such, represented that Lodge at the first session of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, at which he was elected Senior Grand Warden, holding that position until 1820, when he became Grand Master. Having served one term, he was re-elected Grand Master in 1828. Iu 1822, he received the Chapter degrees at Louisville, Ky., at the hands of Com- panion Snow, of Ohio.
He subsequently filled many important positions in the Grand Lodge, and was chiefly instrumental in the institution of Tipton Lodge, No. 33, in 1828, and Logan Chapter, No. 2, in 1837. in both of which he achieved the highest honors. On the morning of April 5, 1839, after a few hours of uneonscions suffering, he died, in the meridian of life, and received the last sad honors of his Masonic brethren on Sunday, April 7, 1839.
MILITARY HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY.
BY COL. J. B. DODGE.
ALLEN COUNTY IN THE MEXICAN WAR.
It was only natural that a people situated as the people of Allen County were at an early day, should he not only patriotic in their feelings, but that they should be imbued with a military spirit. Many of those who, at the commencement of the Mexican war, in 1846, were in the prime of life, had been waked from their morning slumbers, during their early years, by the stirring notes of the reveille, and soothed to sleep at night by the musical strains of the evening tattoo, wafted on the air from the confines of the "Old Fort." The " pomp and circumstance" of war was before their youthful eyes continually, and that it produced a lasting effect upon their minds was evidenced in after years by the fact, that at the first call for volunteers for the Mexican war, two full companies were recruited in Fort Wayne, in a very few days, composed of citizens of Allen County, and their ser- vices tendered to and accepted by the Governor of the State.
Of Capt. D. W. Lewis' company, we have been able to get a copy of the muster-roll, through the kindness of Hon. F. P. Raudall, but it is impossible to get a copy of the muster-roll of Capt. John McLain's company. A list of the commissioned officers is all we are able to present,
The two companies were ordered to report at New Albany, in this State, and left Fort Wayne for their destination on the 16th of June, 1846, taking passage on canal-boats as far as Cincinnati, and fromu there by steamboat.
A long procession of parents, friends and sweethearts followed the boats to the " Lower Lock," as it was called, five miles east of Fort Wayne, when, almost despairing of ever seeing any of the " bold soldier boys " again, they returned, disconsolate, to their homes.
Upon their arrival at New Albany, the companies were mustered into the service of the United States, June 23, 1846, and assigned to the First Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, commanded by Col. James P. Drake. On the 2d of July, the regiment embarked for the seat of war. On arriving at New Orleans, it encamped for three days on that historic battle-field on which Gen. Jackson fought on the 8th of January, 1815; and again embarked, this time on a sailing vessel, the Sopbia Walker, and, after a rough and tempestuous voyage of four days, landed on the island of Brazos Santiago, near the mouth of the Rio Grande River -a low, sandy strip of laud, a sand-bar in faet, destitute of vegetation, and afford- ing only brackish water to drink.
A few days after, the regiment was ordered to the mouth of the Rio Grande, and performed gnard duty at that point for some time, until it became very mnonot- onous, when it was ordered to the front, which at that time was at Saltillo. After a tedious march of over one hundred miles, over a rough, mountainous country, passing through Camargo, Mier aud Ceralvo, the commuand was met at Burnt Ranche with orders to return to Matamoras, near their former location. With feelings that language was too feeble to express, the regiment obeyed orders, and returned to near its old camping-ground, where it remained until the latter part of February, 1847, when it was ordered to Monterey, an order which was gladly obeyed. Marching to within about five miles of that place, at Walnut Springs, the command met Gen. Taylor, with the entire army, and went into camp.
It remained at that place until the period of service for which the regiment had been mustered in, had nearly expired, when it was ordered to Camargo, where it embarked on a steamboat and went to the mouth of the Rio Grande, and marched tbence to Brazos Santiago, and there took passage on the Desdemona, a sailing vessel, for New Orleans, arriving at that place June 15, 1847. It there re-embarked on the steamboat Cincinnati, the same boat that had taken it down the river about a year before, and the two companies from Allen County were landed at Cincinnati, a few days after. They at once took passage for home, on canal-boats, and were greeted with warm manifestations of joy and welcome.
FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY-(ONE YEAR). COMPANY F.
Captain-David W. Lewis.
First Lieutenant-Brad B. Stevens.
Second Lieutenants-Samuel H. Chapman, William Hunter.
First Sergeant-David W. Magee.
Sergeants-John Keiser, Peter McGowan, Daniel Edgerly.
Corporals-William Truder, David Eades, Abijah A. Cox, Moses U. Ross.
Privates-Peter Bayles, John A. Bower, Simpkin Butt, Neely Benge, Michael Bixler, Thomas Cornelius, Charles Clinesmith, James L. Doddard, Joseph D. Evans. David Foley, Daniel Fox, Charles UInntingtou, Simon Ilamilton, Andrew Hollinger, Thomas Hurley,
Jolin R. Heaton, James B. Leach, Clinton Lefavour, John McMahon, Cornelius Martin, Watson Moore, Isaac R. Norman, Kennedy ()' Brien, William Rozell, Charles Rozell, Levi Ross, Perry Spratt, Laughlin Thomas, George A. Tingley. William Thompson, John Wire- man, George W. Williams, Gibson Watkins, Enos P. Wiley.
Second Lieutenant-John Russell, resigned September 22, 1846.
Sergeant-Jonathan Dewitt, discharged December 11, 1846, for disability. Corporal-Ebenezer R. Eastman, discharged November 8, 1846, for disability.
Privates-Thomas Benge, discharged September 5, 1846, for disability ; Joseph Din- kee, discharged August 23, 1846, for disability ; Simon II. Gillespie, dischargeil July G, 1846, for disability : John L. Gifford, discharged August 19, 1846, for disability ; Charles Hartman, discharged August 23, 1846; Joseph Kibble, discharged August 23, 1846 ; Michael Lear, discharged October 8, 1816; John Irvin, discharged September 7, 1846 ; Charles Moore, discharged October 9, 1846 ; Lemuel James, discharged September 20, 1846: Samuel Ninde, discharged September 9, 1846; Wallace M. Sutton, discharged October 9, 1846: David G. Warren, discharged December 22, 1846; Marshall Violet, discharged October 8, 1846; lohn Weller, discharged October 17, 1846; Albert F. Royce, died nt Point Isabel, Tex., October 12, 1846; Isaac B. Rozell, died at Camp Belknap August 23, 1846: John G. Greer, died at Monterey, Mexico, May 21, 1847: Dennis Keaton, died on the Mississippi River July 6. 1846; Alexander Kirkley, died at Brazos Santiago, July 27, 1846; Anson Lawrence, died at Matamoras, Mexico, October 8, 1840 : Francis Menelly, drowned in the Rio Grande River December 11, 1846; Ebenezer Rozell, died at mouth of Rio Grande October 23, 1846; George W. Frye, killed by Mexi- cans uear Monterey, Mexico, May 14, 1847.
COMPANY I.
Captain -- John MeLain. First Lieutenant-Thomas Lewis.
Second Lieutenants-Charles Colerick, George Humphries.
FIFTH REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
In October, 1847, after the muster-out and discbarge of the First Regiment, another call for volunteers having been made by the President, Capt. Lewis con- menced the organization of another company, which was soon completed, and it was muustered into the service of the United States at Madison, Ind., January 6, 1878, and was assigned to the Fifth Regiment, commanded by Col. Jas. H. Lane.
A few days afterward, the regiment departed for the seat of war, and, pass- ing down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and crossing the Gulf of Mexico, dis- embarked at Vera Cruz.
The war being practically ended, the only duty the regiment ever performed was that of garrison duty at different points, while the questions involved in mak- ing the treaty of peace were being settled by the two governments.
The questions in dispute having been satisfactorily disposed of. the troops of our Government were withdrawn, and they returned home, the Fifth Regiment being mustered out at Madison on the 28th of July, 1848, and the members of Capt. Lewis' company dispersed at that place, to reach their homes, as each saw fit.
COMPANY K.
Captain-David W. Lewis.
First Lieutenant-Thomas K. Lewis.
Second Lieutenants-John B. Sawtell, Ira G. Williamson.
First Sergeant-Joseph II. Weaks.
Sergeants-George A. Gorman, Albert U. West, Luther M. Swartwout.
Corporals-James Barter, David C. Coleman, John P. Bales, Israel Horner. Musicians-Alexander Allen, Jolin Coleman.
Privates-Oliver D. Avaline, Lewis Agincourt, William Ball, Joel P. Brooker, Curtis J. Brown, Evans Burgan, Patrick Casey, Thomas Cater, William Conway, John C. Clay- ton, Anthony Davitt, David T. Davis, William W. Day, William Draper, James Durden, Don France, Alexander Edwards, Patrick Flynn, Zenas Fuller, Minor T. Goodrich, John Hagan, Abbott Havens, Jacob Knoop, Nicholas Klein, William Lonsherry. Alexander Lechman, William Mayfield, Tyler Martin, Jacob Miller, John Markle John Ml. Marley, William McCarty, Cissna McCormick, Henry A. Moore, Abraham Nibling, Jolin Meurs- toff, John O'Riley. Kennedy O'Brien, Francis Parker, Isanc Privet, Martin Parr, Samuel M. Parsons, Edward Scheele, James Stewart, Ilonry Schultz, Newton Short, Samuel Tur- ner, George Tevault, John B. Vonsha, John Ward, William Wallace, Andrew White, John Q. A. Woodworth, Louis Tamron.
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