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 18
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JAMES VERNON. Cass county is the home of some excellent citizens who have employed themselves in tilling the soil. Many of these have spent their entire lives on the property which they are now cultivating, and in this class stands James Vernon, of Washington township, who owns forty aeres and farms about eighty acres on the township road. A member of a family which has been connected with agricultural affairs for a number of generations, his whole training has been along this line, and as a result he has made a success of his operations, and is justly considered one of his community's most skilled agrieulturists. Mr. Vernon was born in the old home, which still stands on his present farm, August 12, 1850, and is a son of Pickering and Elizabeth (Burkit) Vernon. His father, a native of Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, came to Indiana in young manhood, and purchased land from the government in Cass county for $1.50 per acre, here spending the remainder of his life as a farmer, and dying advanced in years with the respect and esteem of the people of his community. He married Elizabeth Burkit, a member of an old and honored Cass county family, and they became the parents of nine children, as follows: William, who is deceased ; Ensley, John, James, Jane, Thomas and Margaret, who are deceased; Mary, and Daniel, who is deeeased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vernon were deeply religions people and reared their children to honest, God-fearing lives.
James Vernon was given only ordinary educational advantages during his youth, but elose observation and much reading and discus- sion of timely subjects have made him an exceedingly well-informed man. With his father and brothers, he spent his youthful days in elear- ing, grubbing and general farm labor, and when he reached the age of twenty-four years embarked upon a career of his own. For some
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years he rented land from his father, working faithfully and indus- triously and carefully saving his earnings until such time as he was able to invest in property, his first small purchase forming the nucleus for his present farm. Mr. Vernon is one of the most progressive of farmers, and is always ready to adopt new methods and to experiment with new inventions. As a result, his land is in a high state of cultiva- tion, and is considered one of the most valuable farms of its size in this part of the township. Although general farming has occupied the greater part of his attention, he has also devoted himself to some extent in raising stock, his success in this line having been commensurate with the labor he has expended upon it. Mr. Vernon has never cared to enter public life, his ambitions being satisfied in his farm and his home, but he is known as a public-spirited citizen, and any measure which com- mends itself to his judgment as one which promises to be of benefit to the community can depend upon his hearty support. He holds member- ship in the Christian church, which he attends consistently and sup- ports liberally.
Mr. Vernon was married September 25, 1873, to Miss Mahala F. West, daughter of Paynter and Catherine (Myers) West, and to this union there were born two children, namely: Rose, deceased, who was the wife of Alva Knapp, a Cass county farmer, and had one child, Ellis, who is also deceased; and Blanch, who married Emmett Small, and had two children-John and Zelma Olive: On September 7, 1909, Mr. Vernon was married to Mrs. Katie (Eberley) Honicker, and three children have been born to them-Frank, Walter and Car- rie. The pretty homestead of Mr. and Mrs. James Vernon is known as "Park Lawn."
ROLLIN T. MARTIN. It is a noticeable fact that the agriculturists of any section who have the best farms are those who take the most pride in the prosperity of their community and the most active part in the upbuilding and development of the section in which they reside. This holds true in Cass county as elsewhere, and one of these representative farmer-citizens is Rollin T. Martin, who has always been in the lead- ing ranks of any movement likely to prove of benefit to his locality. Mr. Martin has spent his entire career in this part of the state, and is thoroughly acquainted with soil and climatic conditions, as well as with the most minute detail of the vocation of farming. He was born May 9, 1862, on the old Martin homestead in Washington township, Cass county, Indiana, and is a son of Jesse and Christina (Mummey) Martin. Jesse Martin was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Cass county, and a full sketch of his career will be found in another part of this work.
Rollin T. Martin was reared in his native township, securing his education in the district schools, which he attended only when the weather was such that farm work could not be done. He continued to assist his father until he reached the age of twenty-two years, at which time he began farming on his own account. Later he bought his present property from his father, and this tract of eighty acres, situated on the Walton road has continued to be his home until the present time. Mr. Martin is an able agriculturist and an excellent judge of live stock.
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He has made numerous valuable improvements on his land, which is equipped with a comfortable home, a commodious barn, and outbuild- ings for the shelter of his stock, grain and implements, all substantial in character and of an attractive architectural design. Modern meth- ods and improved machinery are used exclusively, and the excellent crops that are raised justify the procedure.
On May 14, 1885, Mr. Martin was united in marriage with Miss Caroline M. Schwalm, of Cass county, a member of an old and honored family of this section, and to this union there have been born six chil- dren, namely: Earl G., who was educated in the schools of Logans- port, and now resides at home assisting his father in the management of the farm; Ethel L., who also resides with her parents; Eunice P. and Helen M., who are teachers in the public schools of Cass county ; Ruby G., who is attending the Walton high school; and Lois E., a graded school pupil. The family is connected with the Presbyterian church, of which Jesse Martin was a charter member, while Rollin T. is now acting in the capacity of deacon. Mr. Martin bears the reputation of being a man who has always attended strictly to his own business, and has not been desirous of entering public affairs. However, he takes an interest in all that affects his community, and his hearty co-operation and support are given to those measures which he feels will be of benefit to his community. The Martin farm is noted for its Short-horn cattle, which bring top-notch prices in the markets. The homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Martin is known as "Maple Lawn Farm," and is the abode of hospitality.
MANASSEH M. MARTIN. One of the old and honored families of Cass county is that of Martin, whose members have been identified with the agricultural interests of this section for many years, and whose activi- ties have served in material manner to promote the growth and develop- ment of the community and its interests. Styles and methods of farm- ing have changed during the past half a century, but the family con- tributes to the new school of practical, scientific farming just as it did to the old style. A worthy representative of the name is found in Manasseh M. Martin, of Washington township, who is cultivating an excellent tract of sixty acres, located on the Walton road, about nine miles southeast of Logansport. Mr. Martin has been a life-long resi- dent of this section, and years of experience have given'him a practical knowledge of conditions in this vicinity, where he is known as an in- dustrious agriculturist and exemplary citizen. He was born on the old Martin homestead, located in Washington township, Cass county, Indiana, January 11, 1871, and is a son of Jesse and Christina (Mummey) Martin. Jesse Martin was for many years one of the leading farmers of his part of the county. A complete review of his life and labors will be found on another page of this work.
Manasseh M. Martin secured his education in the same manner as most farmers' sons of his day, being a student in the district schools when he could be spared from the work of the home farm, principally during the winter months. He was thus fitted mentally while secur- ing a strong constitution and a knowledge of the principles of his chosen vocation, for even in his youth he had decided to follow in the
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footsteps of his forefathers and to continue a tiller of the soil. He re- mained on the old homestead, assisting his father until he reached his majority, at which time he left the parental roof and started to make his own way in the world. Not long thereafter he located on his pres- ent property, which then had but few improvements and was far from being fully productive. With youthful energy he settled down to develop his land, determined that he would one day be the owner of one of the best farms of its size in the township. That he has snc- ceeded in his efforts, is shown by the general appearance of the prop- erty, every detail of which gives evidence of a wise and capable manage- ment. General farming has been given the greater part of his atten- tion, although he has also devoted some time to the raising of stock, and is known as a good judge of cattle and horses. Like other success- ful men of his locality, he has realized that one of the surest ways to advance one's private interests is to advance the interest of the com- munity, and has acted acordingly, lending his hearty support to every movement that is calculated to advance public progress. He has been identified with Republican politics for some time, and was chairman of the precinct committee although his identification with public life has been rather as a director than as an active participant in search of honors. With his family, he attends the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Martin was married May 14, 1895, to Laura E. Schwalm, the estimable daughter of Henry and Helena (Haemel) Schwalm, a sketch of whose careers will be found in another part of this work under the caption of George Schwalm. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have had one son: Roy E., who graduated from the public schools in the class of 1911, and who is a practical agriculturist, being associated with his parents. Mrs. Martin is a native of Cass county, born September 16, 1871, and edu- cated in the common schools. She has been treasurer of the Missionary Society for ten years and is in the office yet. She has been one of the efficient Sunday school teachers for twenty-two years-of girls-and some of these girls are now married. Mrs. Martin and her class put in two stained or art glass windows in the Presbyterian church in Wash- ington township. She has been one of the most active ladies in the county in all work pertaining to the advancement of her home com- munity. She has been an able factor in the establishment of her beau- tiful home known as "Shady Nook." She is a member of the Home Makers' Club of Cass county, which was organized February, 1913.
WILLARD E. SHANTEAU, proprietor of the Twin Beeches Farm, a tract in Washington township that has been developed from its virgin state to its present excellence by its owner, was born March 28, 1870, in a house at the corner of Twelfth and Broadway, Logansport, Indiana, and is a son of Sylvester and Lydia (Rogers) Shantean.
Sylvester Shantean was born near the city of Toledo, in Lucas county, Ohio, where as a lad he drove horses on the canal. Subse- quently, he worked his way to Logansport, Indiana, where he learned the trade of blacksmith, an occupation which he followed during the remainder of his life in Cass county in connection with farming. He became one of his community's best known citizens, and at the time of his death was in comfortable circumstances, and had a wide circle of
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4
warm friends. Mr. Shanteau married Miss Lydia Rogers. and they became the parents of seven children, namely: Willard E .; Marcus: Frank, who resides in Logansport; Charles, of Cincinnati, Ohio: and three who died young.
Willard E. Shanteau was still a lad when brought to Washington township by his father, and here he secured his education in the public schools during such time as he could be spared from the work of the farm. He was an ambitious, industrious lad, making the most of his opportunities and thoroughly training himself in every detail of farm work, and by the time he was twenty years of age was able to make his first payment on his present farm, a tract of forty acres of land. This property was in rather poor condition. but Mr. Shanteau's intelli- gent treatment of the soil, his untiring perseverance and his patient in- dustry have worked wonders, and the land is now considered one of the valuable tracts of the township. General farming and stock rais- ing have received his attention, and his ventures have proved success- ful because of his close application to his work. He has not entered public life. and cares but little for politics except as a voter, but has interested himself to some extent in fraternal work, and is a popular member of the local lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America at Walton.
M. Shanteau was married November 25, 1890, to Miss Fannie L. Jenness. daughter of Perry and Margaret ( Walters) Jenness, residents of Logansport, and to this union there have been born three children, two sons and one daughter: Owen, now eighteen years of age and who resides with his parents, assists in the cultivation of the home farm, and spends the winter terms in teaching school in Washington township. The members of the family are affiliated with the Christian church, in which all have many warm friends.
JOHN J. HUMMEL. Some of Cass county's best agriculturists are men who originally engaged in other pursuits, but who, coming of families whose members had for generations been tillers of the soil, eventually found the call of the land too strong. and returned to the occupation of their forefathers, finding therein the medium in which they have worked their way to success and independence. In this category is found John J. Hummel, who is carrying on operations on a well-cultivated tract of 188 acres, situated on the Hummel road, about six and one-half miles from Logansport. Mr. Hummel is one of his section's good, practical farmers, and his large erops testify to his ability to cultivate his property under the most modern methods. He was born on the old Hummel place, in Washington township, Cass county, Indiana, September 3, 1871, and is a son of George A. and Elizabeth (Deitz) Hummel. His father, a native of Hummelstown, Danphin county, Pennsylvania, came to Madison county, Indiana. in 1862, as a young man, but after a short stay there made removal to Cass county, and here he was engaged in farming up to the time of his death, in August, 1908. He and his wife were the parents of five children, namely: Anna, who is deceased: John J., of this review ; William G., living on the old home place; Mrs. Minnie E. Cripe; and Mayme M., who also lives on the Hummel homestead.
"PLEASANT VIEW STOCK FARM," RESIDENCE OF MR. AND MRS. REUBEN G. BALL
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John J. Hummel secured his education in the district schools in the vicinity of his father's farm, in the meantime being trained to the occupation of agriculturist. He also devoted himself to learning the carpenter's trade, became a skilled mechanic, and for some years was so engaged, erecting many houses, barns and other structures in this section. In 1892, Mr. Hummel returned to farming, purchasing his present property, then a poorly cultivated tract which boasted of but minor improvements and was considered of only nominal value. Twenty years of intelligent treatment has worked wonders with this soil, and Mr. Hummel may now lay claim to being the owner of one of the handsome properties of his county. He is always quick to take advantage of new innovations, realizing that modern methods bring better results than the hit-or-miss operations of former years, and the appearance of his farm testifies mutely, but eloquently, to the pres- ence of good management. His stock are sleek and well fed, and Mr. IIummel bears the reputation among his neighbors as being an excellent judge of cattle.
In March, 1897, Mr. Hummel was united in marriage with Miss Nora B. Shanks, danghter of Henry and Mary (Blue) Shanks, and to this union there have been born two children: Forest J., who is now in his third year of high school, a member of class 1914; and Ide Lorea. who is attending the Young America school in the seventh grade. Mr. Hummel has interested himself to some extent in fraternal work, and is a popular member of the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 477, and Moose lodge. His religious belief is that of the Lutheran church and Mrs. Hummel's of the Baptist. .
REUBEN GEORGE BALL. Among the pioneer families of Cass county whose long connection with the agricultural interests have made their names well known in this section of the state, none have attained greater prestige, perhaps, than that of Ball. Coming to the then wilderness of Indiana at an early day, representatives of this name bore their full share in the early development of the locality, and their descendants have ably carried on the work which they started. Located in Clay township, on Rural Free Delivery Route No. 5. is the handsome property belonging to William B. Ball, a tract that is now being intelligently operated by Mr. Ball's son, Reuben G. Ball, a young man of industry and enterprise who has inherited the sterling traits of character which have gained the bearers of the name the esteem and respect of their fel- low-citizens in years past. Reuben G. Ball was born Angust 28, 1886, on the old Ball homestead, which he now operates, and is a son of Wil- liam B. and Jennie (Coons) Ball. The family was founded in Cass county by his grandfather, David Ball, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1811, and came to Indiana in young manhood. Here William B. Ball was born in a little log house, the original pioneer home of the family, and grew to manhood in the woods, being trained to agricultural pursuits. He still survives and is one of his township's leading citizens. William B. Ball was married (first) to Jennie Coons. the daughter of George Coons, also an early settler, and she died on November 11, 1892. In 1905, Mr. Ball married (second) Mrs. Etta (Granel) Metzger, the widow of Dave Metzger.
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Reuben G. Ball received his education in the district schools of Clay township, and was reared to the work of the farm. As a young man he also learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for five years, and spent another year in the west, working in Montana. On his re- turn, he resumed farming, and on the day following his marriage located on the present property, which he has since been conducting for his father. This tract consists of 100 acres, and is in a high state of cultiva- tion, the land being fertile, with an abundant water supply, and sup- plied with all modern appliances and improvements. A fine set of buildings enhance the value of this farm, the residence, built in 1898, and the barn, erected in 1900, having been put up by Mr. Ball and his father. Mr. Ball is a man of progressive ideas, and has demonstrated that he is fully capable of obtaining a full measure of success from his operations.
On March 6, 1912. Mr. Ball was married to Miss Agnes B. Wilson, who was born in Benton county, Indiana, daughter of Robert and Jane (Henderson) Wilson. natives of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Ball are the parents of one little daughter, Catharine Irene, born Jannary 16, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Ball are members of the Baptist church, and have been active in its work. In his political views Mr. Ball is a Republican, but so far he has found no time to devote other than a good citizen's interest in matters of a public nature. However, his support and cooperation are given to movements calculated to be of a beneficial nature to his community or its people. He is a member of the Eel River Lodge, I. O. O. F., corner of Fifth and North streets, Logansport. A young man of pleasing personality. he has a wide acquaintance in Clay township, and is highly regarded by a wide circle of personal friends. The homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Renben Ball is known in Clay township as "The Pleasant View Stock Farm."
HARRY N. LITTLE. Some of the most enterprising agriculturists of Cass county belong to the younger generation who bring to their work the enthusiasm and ambition of youth, while they profit by the expe- riences of those who have preceded them. A large proportion of the farmers of this class come of old agricultural families, whose members have for generations been tillers of the soil, and thus they contribute to their labors a natural inclination that is helpful in solving the many problems that arise to try the abilities of the agriculturist. Harry Lit- tle, an energetic and successful young farmer and stock raiser, may be said to belong to this class. For about five years he has been operating his father's property. a tract of 172 acres of well-cultivated land, lo- cated abont two miles northwest of Onward, and the satisfactory results he is securing from his labor stamps him as one of his section's able young farmers. Mr. Little was born on the old Little homestead, in Miami county, Indiana, March 17, 1886, and is a son of Lewis and Alice (Sullivan) Little. His father, one of the leading farmers of Miami county, has been engaged in tilling the soil all his life, and is still en- gaged in extensive farming and stock raising operations there. He and his wife have had five children, namely : Susan, who became the wife of John Williams; Minnie, who married Arthur Mays; Laura, who is the wife of Homer Reed; Charles and Harry.
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Harry Little was reared on his father's homestead place in Miami county, and there commenced his schooling which was finished after he came to Cass county. He was thoroughly trained in the multitude of duties with which the modern agriculturist must be familiar to obtain a full measure of success, and continued to work in association with his father until he reached the age of twenty-two years. At that time, having demonstrated his ability, he was placed by his father in the management of the farm on which he is now carrying on operations, and which, in the short space of five years, he has made one of the finest in his part of Tipton township. The greater part of his attention has been given to general farming, although stock raising has also come in for a share of his activities, and in all departments of farm work he has shown him- self possessed of ability, good judgment and farsightedness. Numerous improvements on this land have been made under his supervision, and substantial buildings have been erected, the latest being a modern home, equipped with all comforts and conveniences, substantial in character, and of architectural beauty.
On Angust 26, 1908, Mr. Little was united in marriage with Miss Olive E. Mays, the daughter of Edward and Florence (Mackey ) Mays, of Cass county, and to this union there has been born two sons, Gordon M. and Nelson L. With his wife, Mr. Little attends the Christian church, in the work of which they have been active, and in which they have numerous friends. He has not taken other than a good citizen's interest in matters of a political nature.
CHARLES B. WILSON. Belonging to a family which has resided in Cass county for more than eighty years and has taken an important part in the advancement and development of the agricultural interests of the county, Charles B. Wilson, of Tipton township, holds prestige as a worthy representative of his section's best farming citizenship. He is now the owner of 176 acres of excellent land, in addition to cultivat- ing which he is serving capably as a member of the township board of trustees. Mr. Wilson was born in a log cabin located just across the road from his present farm, on the Marion road, about seven miles from Logansport, and is a son of Andrew and Eleanor D. (Tucker) Wilson.
Andrew Wilson was born in Virginia, April 7, 1812, and when six months old was taken by his parents to Greenbrier county, in that state, where he was reared to manhood. About the year 1829 he left the Old Dominion, journeyed overland by team, and settled near New Waverly, and in 1839 came to Tipton township and took up a government claim. Here he purchased two hundred and ten acres of land at a dollar and a quarter per acre, built a little log cabin, and at once began the difficult task of developing a farm from the heavily timbered land. As the years passed he continued to add to the improvements of his property, and when he died, December 22, 1892, he was one of the substantial men of his community. He was a member of the United Brethren church, and in his political affiliations was a Republican. On November 10, 1842, he was married to Miss Eleanor D. Tucker, who was born in Clark county, Ohio, daughter of James and Charlotte (Dnnn) Tucker. To this union there were born the following children: William H., born December 4, 1843, and now deceased ; Harry G., born in 1845, a resident
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