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 20
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Aaron Flory has by skilfull work and careful attention to business come to be the owner of a nice place in Miami township of eighty acres and ninety acres in Clay township, both places being in a fine state of improvement, and in appearance indicating something of the care and labor that their owner has expended upon them. Mr. Flory is recog- nized among the substantial farming men of the community, where he enjoys the friendship and esteem of the best people. He is a member of the Christian church, with his family, and is a Democrat. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias.
On August 19, 1892, Mr. Flory was married and he and his wife became the parents of three children: Evan L., born May 28, 1892; Wilmer B., born December 23, 1895; and Marselles N., born May 18, 1902.
SCHUYLER FLORY. Another of the younger generation of Cass county farming men who have ably demonstrated their fitness to carry on the worthy work inaugurated by their fathers in the taming of the wilderness sections and the settling of the waste places is Schuyler Flory, who has passed all the years of his life on the farm he now occupies. He was born there on April 20, 1886, and his parents, who reside in Logansport, Indiana, and operate the farm in partnership with their son, Schuyler Flory of this review, are David M. and Marguerite (Kelly) Flory. The father is a son of another David M. Flory, and the mother is a daughter of Nelson Kelly.
Schuyler Flory was educated in the district schools of his native com- munity, and received an excellent training in farm lore at the hands of his father, who has long been known for one of the most practical and successful farmers and horticulturists in the township of Miami. The . farm, which comprises seventy-four acres, is operated on shares by father
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and son, and the arrangement has continued to prove itself a most satis- factory one. The principal business of the place is the cultivation of small fruits, in which they have experienced a pleasing success and gained considerable prominence as producers of that variety of fruit.
The Flory farm, as it stands today, represents many hours and weeks of unremitting toil on the part of the father and son and to the former must be given the credit for having erected every building that stands on the farm today. The place is well kept, wisely cultivated and is a source of pleasure and profit to its owners, to whom it is endeared through long years of constant association. The family are members of the United Brethren church, and Mr. Flory and his son are adherents to the faith of the Democratic party, though not active beyond the de- mands of good citizenship.
JOHN S. CROCKETT. It is difficult for those of the present generation to realize the numerous difficulties and hardships with which the pioneers of Cass county were forced to contend. First were those of getting here from homes far distant. Many of these early residents endured weeks of wearisome travel, literally passing through fire and flood to reach their destination. Then, after a habitation was secured, it often was a very meager protection against the elements and wild beasts. Subsequently came the clearing and subduing of the virgin soil, and the cost of the first plowing was often three times the cost of the land if purchased from the government. Other difficulties were appearing, but through them all these sturdy, courageous, self-reliant men battled bravely and steadfastly, valiant soldiers in the strife of peace. Without them, this section would still be the haunt of the wild beast; the prosperous, luxuriant farming land would not know the plow. Among the citizens who have assisted materially in the growth and development of Cass county, none stands in higher regard than John S. Crockett, of Washington township. This venerable citizen is the owner of a fine tract of land one mile east of the Kokomo road, about seven miles south of Logansport, of which he has himself cleared every acre of the eighty. Mr. Crockett was born April 19, 1837, in Carroll county, Indiana. six miles from his present home, and is a son of William and Mary Ann (Stanley) Crockett, natives of Ohio and Kentucky respectively. William Crockett moved to Carroll county in young manhood, and he and his wife were the first couple to be married in Washington township, that county, the ceremony being
performed in 1835. Jolm S. was the oldest of their ten children, also the oldest living descendant of either the Crockett or Stanley families.
John S. Crockett is a self-made man in all that the term implies. His education was secured in the little time that could be spared from his duties on the home farm, for like other farmers' sons of his day and locality, and especially the older sons, he was expected to be his father's assistant, and to share with him the hard work pertaining to the subduing of a practical wilderness. Mr. Crockett came to his present farm in 1848, embarking upon his career with but little capital, his early home being a little log cabin. By degrees he managed to clear and cultivate his land, gradually adding improvements as his means would permit. He has continued to reside on this property, and although he has reached an age when most men are content to transfer their duties to younger
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shoulders he is still actively engaged in the management of his affairs, unimpaired in faculties or energies. Mr. Crockett is not a politician, but the confidence in which he is held by his fellow-citizens has resulted in his election to a number of township offices, in which he has shown himself capable and conscientious. He is regarded as one of the pillars of the Universalist church.
Mr. Crockett was married in 1859 to Miss Mary J. Circle, of Ohio, who is now deceased, and they had a family of eight children, namely : Frank H., Clara C., Leroy M., Ella J., Mattie, Rebecca, Charles and Mary Elizabeth, the last-named deceased. The family further consists of twenty-six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
THOMAS L. EAST. About seven miles from Logansport, on the Anoka road, is situated the farm of Thomas L. East, a tract of seventy-seven and one-half acres of well-cultivated land that represents the result of a life of industry and well-applied energy. Mr. East embarked upon his career with but a meager capital of cash, nor was he possessed of infinen- tial friends who could start him on the road to independence and posi- tion, but his possessions as expressed in ambition, determination and perseverance were large, and today he finds himself one of the success- ful farmers and stock raisers of his township, with a full appreciation of his success because it has been self gained. He is a native of Kentucky, born September 15, 1857, in Garrard county, a son of James and Eliza- beth (Land) East. His father was born in the same county, where the grandfather, also named James East, founded the family at an early day. The father grew to manhood in the Blue Grass state, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits, in which he continued to be engaged throughout his life, meeting with a fair measure of success. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, of whom five grew to maturity : Thomas L., Calvin, Owen, Daniel and Sallie, all born and reared in Garrard county.
On completing his education in the district schools, which he at- tended during the winter terms while working on the home farmn in the summer months, Thomas L. East came to Indiana to live with an uncle, Owen Land, who was the owner of an extensive farm in Brown county. There he grew to manhood, and on leaving his uncle's home came to Cass county and began working as a farm hand. He was industrious and ambitious, and carefully saved his earnings, having determined to become the owner of a farm of his own, and eventually he was able to make his first payment on his present farm in Tipton township, this section having been his home ever since. He is now the owner of seventy-seven and one-half acres, all in a high state of cultivation, on which many fine improvements are to be found. The buildings are of substantial char- acter, including a modern residence, good barns and appropriate out- buildings, and the entire appearance of the property bespeaks the thrift and good management of its owner. Essentially an agriculturist, Mr. East has not entered the political arena, nor has he identified himself with organizations of a social or fraternal nature, but has applied himself assiduously to the work which he chose in his youth as the medium through which to attain success. He has succeeded in a monetary way,
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and has also gained the esteem of his fellow-citizens and the warm re- gard of a wide circle of friends.
On April 6, 1880, Mr. East was married to Miss Martha Wilson, who was born in Cass county, a daughter of Andrew and Eleanor D. (Tucker) Wilson. Her father, a native of Virginia, came to Tipton township in 1839 and took up government land, on which he spent the remainder of his life, passing away December 22, 1892, one of the substantial men of his community. His wife was a native of Clark county, Ohio, and they had children as follows: William H., Harry G., Marcellus T., Alice, Carrie, Linnie J., Mary L., James A., Jennie, Charles B., Martha and Laura. Mr. and Mrs. East have had two children: Calvin and Edith, both residing at home with their parents. Edith graduated in the public schools and then from the commercial course in Marion, Indiana. She is a member of the North Baptist church. Calvin was educated in the common schools and at home. The homestead of Mr. and Mrs. East is called "Cedar Lawn."
CLARENCE A. ARCHEY. At an early period of our American history, representatives of the Archey family located in the Old Dominion. Energy, honesty and industry have been some of the marked character- istics of the family, and the elemental strength of character in Clarence Archey, of Tipton township, shows that these qualities are predominant in his nature. Mr. Archey is one of Cass county's examples of self-made manhood, for he has been self-supporting since his twelfth year, and at this time is known as one of his township's enterprising and progres- sive young farmers, and one who is rapidly forging his way to the front. Mr. Archey was born in Shelby county, Indiana, August 12, 1874, and is a son of Thomas and Belle (Lacy) Archey. His grandparents, Peter and Abbey Archey, were F. F. V.'s in the Old Dominion, from which state they migrated to Shelby county at an early day, and there spent the remainder of their lives in the peaceful occupation of farming. Thomas Archey was born in Breckenridge county, Virginia, and was a small lad when he accompanied his parents in their migration to the Hoosier state. He was reared in Shelby county, became a farmer on reaching his majority, and passed the entire period of his active career in tilling the soil. For some years he has been living a retired life, and now makes his home in Lafayette, Indiana, his wife having passed away many years ago.
Clarence Archey was the only child born to his parents and lost his mother when he was but ten months old. When about two years of age he was taken to Tippecanoe county, and there spent his boyhood in farm work, attending school during the short periods when he could be spared from the work of the farm. His opportunities for an education were not great, but he was an ambitious and intelligent youth and made the most of his chances, thus securing a somewhat better schooling than many who were given greater benefits. He was only twelve years of age when he embarked upon a career of his own, but had been thor- oughly trained in all the subjects with which a good farmer and stock raiser must be conversant, and his subsequent rise has been steady and continuous. At the present time he is renting the old Louthian farm, where he carries on general farming and stock raising, in addition to
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which he devotes some time to working on shares. His private interests have always demanded his entire time and attention, and through careful management, sound judgment and unflagging industry he has been able to overcome many obstacles and discouragements and to gain a place for himself in the esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens.
On August 27, 1902, Mr. Archey was united in marriage with Miss Edna Layman, the estimable daughter of Benjamin Layman, and to this union there have been born four children: Robert L., who is at- tending school ; Madeline M., residing at home; and Mildred and Thomas, who are deceased. Mr. Archey holds membership in the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Anoka, Indiana, in which he has many warm friends. With his wife, he attends the Seven Mile United Brethren church, where he acts in the capacity of superintendent of the Sunday school.
REV. CHARLES E. McCOY. The ministry of the Christian church has held the chief interest and activity of Charles E. McCoy for the past fifteen years, but he has of late found time to give some little attention to the business of farming, and at the present time he is busily occupied in the work of building on his farm. He has been pastor of a number of churches, among them pulpits at Independence, Kokomo and Win- amac, and lastly he was located at New Waverly, where in addition to his duties as pastor he had charge of the postoffice. His life has been a busy one from his earliest time, and he has proven his worth as a live citizen in whatever community he has lived since he reached man's estate.
Born on April 7, 1874, in Monroe township, Howard county, this state, Charles E. McCoy is the son of Sampson and Jane (Vernon) McCoy. Sampson McCoy was born in the state of Ohio, and his father was a native of the state of Maine, coming from that state to Ohio, and his son drifting into Indiana in young manhood. The McCoy family is one of pure Irish ancestry, the first American ancestors having come to these shores from Ireland at an early date. Sampson and Jane (Vernon) McCoy became the parents of thirteen sons and daughters, the most of whom lived to assume places of responsibility in their various communities.
Up to the age of twenty-one years, Charles McCoy lived on the home farm, and from then until he had reached the quarter century mark he was employed variously in the community. At that age he married, and he established his first independent home in Winamac, Indiana, where he took charge of the church of the Christian denomination, and discharged the duties of a pastor with all satisfaction. He then moved to Howard county, where he was occupied in the ministry for a few years, when he moved to Kokomo, Indiana, and once more resuming the pastorate of the Winamac church. From there he moved to Miami township, in Cass county, and took charge of the Christian church at New Waverly, at which point he has also been occupied as postmaster. In later years he has done some farming, as well as his ministry.
Rev. McCoy's primary educational training was begun in the public schools. Then he entered the New London, Indiana, high school and spent two and a half years there, after which he entered the Frankfort,
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Indiana, high school, and there finished the third year of the high school work. Next he took the full normal course of instructions, and then entered the theological department of the DePauw University in 1894, and completed part of the course there. Then he entered and com- pleted the full four-year course in the Northwestern Indiana Chris- tian Conference, and has been chairman of the educational executive board and is the present incumbent. Rev. MeCoy is a man who is well qualified for the profession or calling of the ministry, since he is a logical and cultured gentleman of pleasing personality, and has been an able factor in the affairs of his home township. He is ever ready to lend his aid to all measures for the advancement and elevation of the moral, spiritual and intellectual development of his county and state.
Rev. Mr. McCoy is a member of the Masonic order at New Waverly, Indiana, and has been a trustee of Miami township for the past four years.
On July 23, 1899, Rev. Mr. McCoy was united in marriage with Miss Blanche Griffith, the daughter of Tatman and Irene (Adams) Griffith, the father of Dutch ancestry, born in Jennings county, and the mother was born in Cass county, Indiana. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McCoy: Ursela Irene, born April 22, 1901; Leland D., born February 13, 1902; Panl G., born February 27, 1904; and Chelsa E., born February 5. 1907. Politically Rev. McCoy was a Republican, but now gives his allegiance to the Progressive party.
FRANZ S. MARTIN. The pioneers of this great middle west were those who blazed the way to civilization, and made the wilderness to bloom and blossom like the rose. Mr. Martin, the subject of this sketch, was the founder of a family of most worthy descendants who have aided very materially in building up the great common- wealth of Cass county, Indiana. He was a direct descendant of the Ger- man, as his grandfather, Peter Martin, emigrated to America in 1780, and settled in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia.
Mr. Franz S. Martin was born October 22, 1830, and died April 30, 1907, in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the primi- tive schools of that state and was more than an ordinary mathematician. He was mostly self educated and was a teacher. He with his parents in 1849 came to Cass county and the trip from the Keystone state over- land was made in one of the old fashioned wagons, crossing swollen streams and over mountains, and finally reached Cass county. The fam- ily settled on section 27, in Washington township, and the first habi- tation they lived in was a log cabin with a puncheon floor and after- wards the largest frame honse in the township.
Mr. Martin wedded Miss Caroline Sine November 29, 1853, and cleven children, three sons and eight daughters. were born, and all are living but one. Charles H. married and is a resident of Logansport ; he was an agriculturist, and is a Democrat politically. Mary H., widow of Rev. Amos Jones, is a resident of Zion City, Illinois; Rev. Jones was a Presbyterian. Herman E. is represented elsewhere in this work. Re- becca is the wife of Dr. M. J. LaRose, a resident of Zion City, Illinois, and a health officer. Ilarriet is a resident of Zion City, Illinois. George W. is a resident of Memphis, Tennessee, employed in the lumber interests ;
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he married Miss Anna Gregg. Ellen V. is a resident of Zion City, Illi- nois; she was educated in Logansport, Indiana, and at Hanover Col- lege in Indiana, and was a successful teacher for fifteen or eighteen years in Cass county, Indiana. Lucy D. is the wife of Rev. Mahlon Krauss, a resident of Richmond, Indiana, and he is a member of the Methodist church. Carrie V. is the wife of Cyrus B. Carleton, a resi- dent of Rochester, Indiana, and a dealer in grain. Elsie J. is the wife of Dr. F. M. Kistler, a resident of Royal Center, Indiana, and a practicing physician.
Mrs. Martin was born in Maryland January 8, 1834, and died May 8. 1910. She was but a child when her parents left Maryland for Penn- sylvania, and there they resided for years and from Pennsylvania the Sine family came to Cass county overland by wagon. She was educated in the common schools and was a devout Christian of the Presbyterian faith. She was a mother and friend to the poor and needy and the hungry never went from her door in need.
When Mr. Martin was about twenty-two years of age he went to Iowa and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land but sold it and came to Cass county and here he remained during his life and was a suc- cessful man and accumulated five hundred and twenty-five acres, all in Washington township, so it is readily seen that he had been a man who had been careful and had taught his children the lessons of economy and integrity. Politically he was a Jacksonian Democrat and he ad- hered to those principles till late in life and then advocated the Prohi- bition principles. Officially he was assessor of Washington township eight years. He was a man who was appealed to by the citizens to take an active part in the affairs of the community and in the adjusting of estates. He was ofttimes selected as delegate to the county and state conventions at various times. In 1876 he attended the Centennial at Philadelphia and the scenes of his childhood. Religiously he was an ar- dent supporter of the Presbyterian doctrines, and was one of the char- ter members of the Union Presbyterian church of Washington township, which is now, in 1913, one of the most prosperous religious societies in Cass county. He was one of the trustees of the official board and was elder of the church a number of years, and was one of the leading fac- tors in the Sunday school, being superintendent.
It was in March, 1887, when Mr. and Mrs. Martin vacated the old homestead on the farm and located at 1408 North street, Logansport, but he had several properties in the city. Both Mr. and Mrs. Franz S. Mar- tin were citizens of Cass county who as shining lights to the younger generation show that honesty of character as well as true integrity present to a finished earthly existence. They were well known for their deeds of benevolence and good will, and no needy one would have left their hospitable door empty handed. Both are interred in Mt. Hope cemetery, where beautiful stones stand sacred to their memory.
WILLIAM KEISER. Practical scientific farming has taken the place of the old hit-or-miss style, and as a result land that at one time could be purchased for almost nothing, is today worth hundreds of dollars an acre. Much of this has been brought about by the use of improved machinery and the application of scientific methods, as well as by gen-
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eral progress and the increase in population. One of the practical farm- ers of Tipton township, whose activities have been of such a nature as to firmly establish him in a position among the representative men of liis community, is William Keiser, the owner of ninety-two acres of land located on the Keiser road. Mr. Keiser has been an eye-witness to and an active participant in the wonderful change that has transformed this part of Cass county from a practical wilderness into a veritable flower garden. Mr. Keiser was born on the old Hilderbrandt farm in Tipton township, Cass county, August 15, 1856, and is a son of Eckhart and Anna Catharina (Dorn) Keiser, natives of Germany. Eckhart Keiser was an industrious, hard-working citizen, but in his native land lacked the opportunities to achieve success. Accordingly, when about forty years of age, he gathered his little family together and brought them to the United States, settling in Cass county, Indiana. He had only a small capital, and was entirely lacking in influential friends, and consequently his progress was slow. Faithful labor and commendable perseverance, however, paved the way to snecess, and at the time of his death he was the owner of a snug little farm, on which he raised good crops. He and his wife were the parents of four children, namely: Martha, who is deceased ; Henrietta ; Minnie, the widow of Harvey Schuman, now liv- ing in Walton; and William.
William Keiser's boyhood was spent in his little log cabin home, on his father's farm, and in the district schools. The greater part of his education was secured in the school of hard work, as he was his father's only son and it was necessary that he give all of his time possible to the work of the fields. Thus he was reared to habits of industry, fru- gality and thrift, and given a thorough training in all the details of farm work. At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Keiser commenced farming on shares, and a short time thereafter he had accumulated enough capi- tal to warrant his embarking in business on his own account. He there- fore purchased a small tract of land, to which he has since added from time to time, and now has ninety-two acres, all in a state of cultivation. He is known among his neighbors as a man of integrity, who can be depended upon to support movements that make for progress and de- velopment. An excellent farmer, he is also a good judge of livestock, as his herd of sleek, well-fed animals proves. He has made a number of modern improvements to his place, and the most approved methods find in him a willing disciple.
On November 11, 1885, Mr. Keiser was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda Smith, daughter of Alexander and Mary (Burkit) Smith, of an old family of Cass county, and three children have been born to this union, namely : Roswell Melroy, Charles G., and William L. Roswell M. received his diploma in 1905 at the public schools and from the Wal- ton high school in 1909, and he spent four summers in the Valparaiso University, and he also taught two years in the common schools and two years in the former high school. He is a Democrat and is a member of the Presbyterian church. Charles C. received his diploma from the common schools in 1907, and graduated in Walton high school in 1911. He is a student at Winona, Indiana, and a member of the Presbyterian church. William Leslie received his diploma from the common schools in 1908, and graduated in Walton high school in 1912. He is a member
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