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 39
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The early education of James A. Nelson was secured in the schools of Lybrook, Union county, and he was still a lad when he was brought to Cass county, here completing his studies in the common schools. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and remained with his mother until he was twenty-one years of age, at which time he embarked on a career of his own, taking up a tract of land in Deer Creek township. As the years have passed and his finances have permitted, he has added to his land from time to time, and now has about 403 acres, over 200 acres of which have been cleared by himself.
He carries on general farming and stock raising, using the most ap- proved methods, and has taken advantage of modern machinery in cul- tivating his land. Progressive along all lines, he has recognized that the successful farmer best helps himself who helps the community, and accordingly has done all in his power to advance the interests of Deer Creek township. His reputation in business circles has ever been that of a man of integrity and honorable principles and he justly merits the high esteem in which he is universally held.
Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Ella Barnhart, and they have been the parents of six children, namely : Roy, who married Esther Peters, and has one daughter-Geneva I .; Bertha, who married a Mr. Babb,
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and has two children-James and Esther; Edna, single and residing at home with her parents, and Everett and Emmett, who are attending school. The oldest child, May, died at the age of sixteen years. With his wife and children Mr. Nelson attends the New Light church. He is a Democrat politically.
MARTIN VAN BUREN BURROWS. Among the residents of Deer Creek township who are successfully carrying on the work of breeding and dealing in live stock and developing the fields according to modern methods of farming, is numbered Martin Van Buren Burrows, whose home is on Galveston rural free delivery route No. 13. Here he has a farm of seventy-one acres, on which he has carried on operations for many years, during which he has gained a widespread reputation for integrity, probity and good citizenship. He was born November 15, 1837, in Greene county, Ohio, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Stottler) Burrows. His father, a native of Maryland, migrated west to Ohio in young manhood, settling in Greene county, where he was engaged in farming until he bronght the family to Cass county in 1865. In addition to carrying on farming he followed the trade of blacksmith for a long period, and accumulated a large tract of land. He became widely known in his part of the county and was accounted one of Deer Creek township's best citizens. He and his wife were the parents of three children, namely : Martin Van Buren, William Jackson and Mrs. Mary Founda, both of whom are now deceased.
After completing his education in the common schools of Greene county, Ohio, Martin V. Burrows started upon his career as an agricul- turist. His early training was secured in his native county, for, being his father's youngest son, he was put to work in the fields almost as soon as he was large enough to grasp the plow-handles. Reared carefully, by Christian parents, he was taught the value of industry and honesty, being trained under the teachings that success in life was only to be obtained through the medium of constant application and tireless per- severance.
Mr. Burrows was about twenty-eight years of age when he accom- panied his parents to Cass county, Indiana, and here his first farm con- sisted of rented land. It was not long, however, until he purchased a property of his own, although it was some time before he had it entirely clear of indebtedness. Laboring faithfully and intelligently along well- defined lines, as the years passed he was able to make improvements on his land, to add thereto from time to time, and as his means would permit to erect substantial buildings to take the place of those originally built. His labors have borne fruit, and today he finds himself in pos- session of a handsome property which compares favorably with any of its size in the township. He always has been known for his integrity in matters of business, is accounted a good neighbor, and his numerous friends testify to his general popularity.
On June 16, 1859, Mr. Burrows was united in marriage with Miss Mary Campbell, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Braun) Campbell. The Campbells were from Indiana, while the Braun family migrated to this state from Pennsylvania. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Burrows, as follows: Anna, who passed away at the age of fifteen years ;
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Warren L., who married a Miss Wolf, and has two children-Otis W. and Etta M .; Frank, the wife of Jacob Cripe, who has four children-Lee and Mae, twins, Fern and Geneva; Albert, who married (first) Ella Vernon, by whom he had one child-Blanch, and married (second) Elsie Hart, and has two children-Grace and Ross; Mary, the wife of Ira Smith, who has two children-Edna and Earl, and Walter, who married Mattie Bruner. Mr. and Mrs. Burrows belong to the Dunkard church.
OTHA A. DAVIS. Residing in a pleasant home on his 120-acre farm, located on Walton route 16, about ten miles south of Logansport, Otha A. Davis is numbered among his community's successful agriculturists. A man of strong individuality and indubitable probity, he has gained position through the exercise of industry and perseverance, and has at the same time promoted the general welfare while enhancing individual prosperity. Today he ranks among the most progressive and enter- prising agriculturists of Deer Creek township and has gained a position of distinctive prominence by reason of his superior ability, close appli- cation and sound judgment. He has also maintained a lively interest in the industrial and popular activities of the community and has con- tributed materially to the general progress and upbuilding.
Otha A. Davis was born August 3, 1869, in Washington township, Cass county, Indiana, on the old Anthaner farm, and is a son of N. M. and Mary (Deacon) Davis. His father came from near Eaton, Preble county, Ohio, to Cass county, and here continued to be engaged in agri- cultural pursuits during the remainder of his life, accumulating a com- rortable competency in worldly goods and gaining and retaining the re- spect and esteem of his business associates and neighbors.
He and his wife had a family of four children, as follows: Elmer E., a farmer of Deer Creek township; Otha A., of this review; Eliza- beth, who is deceased; and John W., who is engaged in business in Chicago, Illinois.
The educational training of Otha A. Davis was secured in Deer Creek township, where he attended Deacon School District No. 2 during the winter months, while in the summers he assisted his father in plowing, cultivating, planting and harvesting, and in the multi- tudinous duties that form a part of the life of the busy Indiana farmer. When he was nineteen years of age, he began farming on his own account, first renting small tracts of land, later increasing his tracts, and eventually buying from his earnings a property of his own. This he brought to a high state of cultivation and disposed of at a profit, and at that time bought his present farm, a tract of 120 acres, which he is devoting to general farming and stock raising, in both of which lines he has met with success. The general appearance of his farm at once stamps the owner as a man of intelligence and good management as well as one of untiring energy, the buildings being substantially built and of modern architecture, the fields being well laid out and neatly fenced, and the cattle healthy, sleek and well fed. He takes an inter- est in political matters, especially those of a local nature, but merely as an onlooker, having never had any aspirations for public office. He has been interested to some extent in fraternal work, being a valued
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member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, being senior warden in the last named and popular in all, while Mrs. Davis belongs to the Daugh- ters of Rebekah.
On December 26, 1888, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Miss Luella Jane Crockett, daughter of John Crockett, a review of whose career will be found on another page of this work. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis, namely: One who died in infaney ; Emmett, a Logansport business man, who married Esther Hyman ; Homer E., who assists his father in the work of the home farm; and Janet, Lowell, Wilmer and Joseph, all residing with their parents. The family attends the Universalist church, and its members have ever been liberal in their support of religious and charitable movements.
THOMAS MCELHENY. A native son of Logansport, widely known and highly regarded by all classes, Thomas McElheny, elerk of the eonrt of Cass county, has spent his entire career in this eity, and has won recog- nition in business and publie life through the medium of his own efforts and abilities. Since the time when he completed his schooling, as a small lad, he has made his own way in the world, directing his ambitions aetiv- ities along well-defined paths and characterizing his operations with a high regard for the rights of others and an earnest desire to assist his city and its people that has won him friends everywhere. Thomas McElheny, or "Tom," as he is more familiarly known, was born in Logansport, Indiana, October 20, 1878, a son of Robert and Ida (Mason) McElheny.
The MeElheny family was founded in the United States by the great-grandfather of our subject, who came to this country from Ire- land. The grandfather, Thomas R. McElheny, was born in Dayton, Ohio, from whence he came to Cass county, Indiana, in pioneer days, locating in Logansport, Indiana, where, with his son, Robert, he was engaged in the groeery business for many years. Contrary to what might be expected from their nationality the members of this family were Protestants. Robert MeElheny was a member of Company B. Forty-sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving one year during the Civil war, after the close of which he returned to the pur- suits of peace, spending the rest of his life in merchandising, and pass- ing away February 29, 1898. His widow survives, living in Logansport, and has been the mother of nine children, Thomas, the fourth in order of birth, being one of three survivors.
Tom MeElheny was reared to manhood and has always resided in Logansport. His education was secured in the common sehools, and when still a small lad he began to make his own way in the world, accepting whatever honorable occupations presented themselves. Being of a thrifty and industrious nature, he carefully saved his earnings, and when twenty-four years of age established himself in a general insurance business. Four years later he added a real estate depart- ment to his enterprise, and in both lines he has met with well-deserved success. The companies represented by Mr. McElheny & Company organized in 1902, are as follows: Home Insurance Company, In- suranee Company of North America, North British and Mercantile,
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Fireman's Fund, Fire Association, Franklin, Royal, Standard Fire, Globe Indemnity, Ocean Accident Guaranty Corporation, New York Plate Glass, Hartford Steam Boiler, International Live Stock, Standard Accident, National Surety Company, National Life of Vermont.
While he has supported the Republican party as a rule in national af- fairs, he has been broad-minded enough to criticise what he deems wrong in his party's policies, and probably could be better termed an independent Republican. In 1910 he entered the public arena as a candidate for the office of clerk of the Cass county court, was elected by a handsome majority, and has continued to capably fill that office to the present time. Mr. McElheny has been prominent fraternally as a member of the Masons, in which he holds membership in the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council. He is also a Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner, a member of Murat Temple, Indianapolis. He holds member- ship also with the Knights of Pythias and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. With his family he attends the Methodist Episcopal churchi. On June 7, 1904, Mr. McElheny was married to Miss Mabel Pitman, of LaFayette, Indiana, and they have three sons: Tom, Jr., Joseph and Richard.
EDGAR D. ROBINSON. From the Old Dominion state have come many of Cass county's best agriculturists, men reared to the soil who have brought with them many of the sterling, sturdy traits of their fore- fathers. In this class stands Edgar D. Robinson, of Deer Creek town- ship, who migrated to Indiana in young manhood with no capital save a laudable ambition, an energetic spirit and a persistent nature, which. however, constituted a sufficient foundation upon which to erect a structure of success. Today, Mr. Robinson is the owner of eighty acres of excellent land, and has a recognized place among the substantial men of his community. He was born in Virginia on the 3d of May, 1865, and is a son of Alexander and Caroline (Cather) Robinson. natives of that state, where they spent their entire lives in farming, and both have now passed away and are buried in their beloved Virginia.
Edgar D. Robinson received his educational training in the schools of his native vicinity, and from earliest boyhood was trained by his father in the duties of the farm. He continued to assist his father until he was twenty-two years old, at which time he left the parental roof and came to Cass county, which has since been the scene of his labors. On his advent here, he first located at Walton, where he secured employment working on the farm of the Wendlings, situated near that place. He was thrifty, industrious and enterprising, carefully saving his earnings, and was eventually able to secure his present property, a farm of eighty acres. This land had but few improvements when Mr. Robinson became its owner, but since that time it has been converted into one of the most valuable tracts of its size in the township. As time has passed and his resources have permitted, he has added to his buildings and equipment, making necessary improvements in a modern way and keeping his implements and buildings in the best of repair. Although the greater part of his attention has been given to general farming, he has also met with some success as a stock raiser, his sleek, well-fed herds of cattle giving evidence of his ability in this line. In
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business matters he has always displayed the strictest integrity. thus winning and retaining the confidence and respect of those with whom he has had transactions.
Mr. Robinson was united in marriage with Miss Ursula DeHaven, and to this union there has been born one child: Clarence. Mrs. Robinson is a consistent member of Salem Methodist Episcopal church, and they are liberal in their support of church and charity. He has shown some interest in fraternal matters, being a member of the Masonic order, but aside from this has given his entire attention to his farm and his home, which have satisfied his ambitions. He has not cared for public life, and is no politician, taking merely a good citizen's interest in matters that affect his community. It is such men that form the bone and sinew of any section, and to them must be given the credit for the great advance enjoyed hy Cass county along agricultural lines.
JOHN HYNES. The pioneers of Cass county have done their work, and the result of their efforts is shown today in the magnificently de- veloped farms, the flourishing towns and cities, the splendidly kept roads and the perfectly equipped schools. All this was not brought about in a day, but is the result of years of unceasing endeavor, coupled with constant faith in the locality and appreciation of its possibilities. One of the representative farmers of this locality, who belongs to an old and honored family, and who has himself been identified with the agricul- tural history of his part of the county, is John Hynes, the owner of 318 acres of well cultivated land in section 11, Clinton township. Mr. Hynes was born on the farm which he now occupies, August 18, 1849, and is a son of John and Nancy (Coble) Hynes.
John Hynes, the elder, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, in December, 1811, and in, 1828 came to Cass county and entered land. Returning to Montgomery county, Ohio, he was married to Nancy Coble, who was born near Dayton, Ohio, in December, 1811, and in 1832 they returned to Cass county, where they spent the remainder of their lives in agricultural pursuits, Mr. Hynes dying in 1890 and his wife in 1881. They were the parents of fourteen children, of whom four are living at this date: Nancy J., who is the widow of Hugh Fitzer; Mar- garet, who is the widow of W. K. Canada; Ella, the wife of William H. Tyner, and John, of this review.
John Hynes was reared on the homestead place, and attended the district schools during the winter terms until he was twenty-one years of age, in the meantime spending his summer months on the farm. He was first married to Miss Ella Parks, who died without issue, as did also his second wife, who bore the maiden name of Alice Hilderbrand. His third wife was Ella Loesh. On November 19, 1885, Mr. Hynes was mar- ried (fourth) to Jennie Gasaway, who was born in Clinton township and educated in the district schools here, and they became the parents of two children: Alda, who resides at home, was given an excellent edu- cation in music and is now a teacher ; and Rachel, also single and at home, a graduate of the district and high schools and Purdue University, in which institution she took the short course.
Mr. and Mrs. Hynes and their children are members of the Christian church at Pleasant Hill, where Mr. Hynes is acting as an elder. He is
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a member of Burrows Lodge No. 495, I. O. O. F., and of the Grand Lodge, and is past grand therein; and of Logansport Lodge of the Tribe of Ben Hur. He is a Democrat in his political views, served as assessor of Cass county for four years, and at this time is superintendent of the Hynes & Porter gravel road.
Mr. Hynes has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, and at this time is the owner of 318 acres of good land. Farming, as con- ducted today, is an enterprise requiring close calculation and scientific management, a technical trade full of demands for exact information and the deft touch, and to win the full measure of success the modern farmer must be a man of sobriety, industry and energetic nature. A glance at Mr. Hynes' well-regulated property will assure the visitor that he is possessed of all of these faculties, while his sleek cattle, well-fed hogs and standard bred horses testify to his ability as a stockman. Per- sonally he is a man of pleasing address, and his many admirable quali- ties of mind and heart have won him hosts of friends and admirers. He has invested his means judiciously and intelligently, and is a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Logansport.
HON. WILLARD C. FITZER. The unusual and versatile talents that go to make for success in diversified fields of endeavor are seldom pos- sessed in full degree by any one individual, but in the case of the Hon. Willard C. Fitzer, of Clinton township, it would seem that nature had been prodigal in her gifts. The brilliant professional man seldom proves the successful agriculturist, or vice versa, and while it is not unusual for either to become the influential legislator, it is not so frequent that one man combines all the qualities of the three. Mr. Fitzer is an excellent example of an exception to this rule, as he has proven his ability and has made a distinct success of his farming operations, and in the legis- lative halls is a recognized power. He is a native son of Cass county, having been born in Clinton township, a son of Hugh and Nancy J. (Haynes) Fitzer.
Hugh Fitzer was born in the state of Ohio, and as a young man, in 1831, migrated to Indiana, settling on the farm in Clinton township on which his son Willard C. now resides. He became a large owner of land, one of his community's public-spirited citizens, and his death, which occurred in 1906, was sincerely mourned by a wide circle of friends. Although a modest and unassuming man, who never allowed his name to be used in connection with public office, he took a keen and intelligent interest in politics, and always worked energetically in the interests of the Democratic party. With his wife, he attended the Methodist Episcopal church, and everywhere was known as an honest, industrious and law-abiding citizen. Mr. Fitzer was married in Clinton township to Nancy J. Haynes, a native of Indiana, and they became the parents of two children : Hon. Willard C. and Harry J.
Willard C. Fitzer was reared on his father's farm, and in boyhood entered the district schools of Clinton township, which he continued to attend until he was seventeen years of age. At that time he took up his studies in the preparatory department of Purdue University, and one year later entered upon a regular course of four years in that institu- tion, being graduated therefrom with the degree of Bachelor of Sciences,
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J
in 1890. At that time he became a student in the law department of the University of Michigan, where he received the degree of LL.B. in 1893, and almost immediately thereafter opened a law office in Logansport, which was the scene of his professional endeavors during the next ten years. During this time he acted in the capacity of prosecuting attorney .of the twenty-ninth judicial circuit of Cass county, to which office he was elected on the Democratic ticket, having inherited his father's po- litical proclivities. Subsequently he was sent as a representative to the sixty-seventh general assembly from Cass county, his services in which were given their appreciation when he received the re-election in the sixty-eighth general assembly, of which he is now a member.
Mr. Fitzer returned to the Clinton township farm in 1904, and since that time has given the greater part of his attention to the raising of pure-bred Angus cattle and high grade sheep and hogs. A capable, practical farmer and stockman, taking advantage of modern ideas and methods, his success has been due to intelligent effort, directed along well-defined lines and at all times characterized by the highest degree of integrity. The home farm, a tract of 620 acres, has been brought to a high state of cultivation, and its entire appearance denotes the presence of able management, thrift and industry. Although his farming opera- tions and the duties of his public office leave Mr. Fitzer little time for outside affairs, he has not been insensible to the social amenities, and is popular with the members of Tipton Lodge No. 33, A. F. & A M .; Bridge City Lodge No. 305, Knights of Pythias, and B. P. O. E. Lodge No. 66.
JEROME JUSTICE. Many of the leading agriculturists of Cass county have spent their entire lives within its limits, a number having been born on the land which they are now cultivating. In this class is Jerome Justice, a farmer of section 11, Clinton township, who was born on the farm he is now cultivating, January 4, 1856, a son of James M. and Mary (Shortridge) Justice.
The Justice family is one of the old and honored ones of the county, and can be traced back to the year 1610, when Mr. Justice's forefathers were driven out of Ireland, taking refuge in Holland, from which country the progenitor of the family in this country came in 1743. Six brothers of the name were living in the American colonies at the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, all enlisted in the colonial army, and three died while wearing the uniform, one of the others, the great-grandfather of Jerome Justice, being with General Washington during the memorable winter at Valley Forge, and afterward living to the remarkable age of one hundred and four years. The grandfather of Jerome Justice, John Justice, was a Pennsylvania school teacher, and married Rosa Hood, a native of Ireland, their children being: Joseph, who was a paymaster in the Army of the Cumberland during the War of the Rebellion; John, who was an auctioneer and peddler in Cass county prior to the advent of railroads here; Frank, a clerk and trader; William, who passed his life in Winchester, Kentucky; Clarissa, who became the wife of Benjamin Porter; Rosie, who married William Porter, a pioneer of Cass county of 1832; and James M.
James M. Justice, the father of Jerome Justice, was born in Lan-
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caster county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and upon coming west in early manhood located in Fayette county, where he was married (first) to Malinda Porter, daughter of William Porter. Soon thereafter they made removal to Cass county, and October 8, 1837, became residents of Clinton township, their home being located three miles west of what is Clymer station. Mr. Justice entered a quarter section of land from the government, developed a fine farm, and made his home thereon for fifty-six years. He was a very successful farmer, managing his interests with that ability, foresight and energy that seldom fail to bring the de- sired financial returns. In addition to his agricultural pursuits he also practiced veterinary surgery. In his political views he was a stalwart Republican and on that ticket was several times elected to the office of township trustee. He belonged to the Christian church, was a man of exemplary habits, and his many excellencies of character won him the regard of all with whom he came in contact. In his death, which oc- curred July 17, 1894, his community lost one of its best citizens. Mr. Justice's first wife died, leaving seven children, as follows: Elizabeth, the wife of Warren Millard, of Carroll county, Indiana; Rosanna, de- ceased, who was the wife of Isaac N. Myers; William; Joseph, who is deceased ; James, who belonged to the One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war, rising to the rank of brigade quartermaster; Clara, the wife of A. C. Chapman, of Sacramento, California ; and Caroline, who became the wife of Robert Houston. Mr. Justice was married (second) to Mary Shortridge, who was born in Fayette county, Indiana, and they became the parents of seven children, of whom five are living: Jerome; Lorinda, the wife of William Shaffer, of Carroll county, Indiana; Frank, a contractor living in Logansport ; Parker, a veterinary surgeon of Winnipeg, Canada; and Millory, a retired farmer of Burroughs, Carroll county, Indiana.
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