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 5
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The subject attended the public schools of Logansport after the removal of the family to this place, and in 1903 was graduated from the city high school. The succeeding three years were spent in Lake Forest University, but he did not graduate owing to the fact that the failing health of his parents made it seem best that he return home and assist in the care of the home place. After the death of his parents, in 1908, Mr. Dunn entered into a partnership with Harry Case, previously men- tioned, and established a garage at 320-22 Fifth street, in Logansport. They were successful, but the partnership was short lived, and soon Mr. Dunn purchased the interest of his partner and continued the business at the original location until 1910, when he moved to No. 617-623 Broad- way, his present location. Here he maintains one of the modern and up-to-date garages of the city, the property being his own, and re- modeled and arranged on its purchase to meet his own requirements and ideas of general service. He carries on a general garage business, in- cluding repairing and the sale of auto accessories, and is building up a solid and substantial trade in the city.
Mr. Dunn is a member of the Country Club and of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is married, Coad Herrington, of Pana, Illinois, becoming his bride on June 11, 1908.
WILLIAM W. HANEY. Many lives have entered into the foundation of the state of Indiana, and none of them more worthy to be considered in a history of pioneer personalities than the late William W. Haney. Those who have come and enjoyed the splendid prosperity of the later era, however important their own contributions, have all owed a great debt to the pioneers who first tested the capabilities of soil and climate, who faced the hardship of existence when only the strong and the brave could remain, and who laid the foundation of a greater civilization and permanent prosperity.
The career of the late Mr. Haney was not typical of the early settlers in the Wabash valley, for he was one of those remarkable men with great initiative and enterprise whose activities lie in a plane above that of the average citizen. He was a leader where others followed, he founded enterprises upon which they built and enjoyed the fruits thereof, he planned and supervised the execution of undertakings which required the services of hundreds of subordinates. His career is prominently associated with several of the epochal movements of early Indiana his- tory. The late Mr. Haney belonged to the era of water transportation in northern Indiana, and was one of the builders of the old Wabash canal, which was the chief artery of commerce during the thirties and forties and the indistinct remains of which may be seen in Cass and adjoining counties to the present day. He was also associated with the old Indiana State Bank, and his name and enterprise are linked with many of the notable events and affairs of the last century.
As a succinct summary of this notable career which belongs in the annals of Cass county, nothing better has been written than the follow- ing quotation from an address by Judge D. P. Baldwin, delivered at the time of the death of Mr. Haney-"The late Mr. Haney was a remark- Vol. II-3
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able man in many respects. This is proved by the grand fortune he accumulated in this little city where money is scarce and riches the ex- ception. I do not hesitate to say that Mr. Haney had the best financial brain of any man that, at least in my time, ever lived in Logansport. At seventy-nine years, and until his last sickness his mind was as clear and quick as that of any man in mid-life. Mr. Haney's honesty was very remarkable. No scandal was ever connected with his great fortune. His word was sacred; he took no undue advantages; he was a remark- ably friendly man; he was as kind and sociable with a tramp as with a millioniare. He did not know what pride was any more than he knew what deceit and double-dealing were. He was always clean-mouthed. No one ever heard him retailing scandal or speaking unkindly. Mr. Haney's great wealth brought upon him, as wealth or exceptional suc- cess always does, a great weight of envy or raillery, but he took it good humoredly. No one ever knew him to get angry or excited, much less, vindictive or sullen. No one knew better of good and ill of life and humanity. Mr. Haney did not pretend to be anything else than a business man, and never sought office or promotion of any kind. He did not set up to be a charitable man any more than a talented man; and yet his kindly voice, friendly ways, and unquestionable honesty gave him a happy and honored old age and made him a general favorite with all classes.'
William W. Haney was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 25, 1809, and his death occurred in Logansport April 20, 1889. His parents Joseph and Mary (Weaver) Haney were people of small means and for that reason, and also because of the times in which he lived, were unable to provide their son with any education except that of the primitive local schools. Though not a well educated man in the mod- ern sense of the term, Mr. Haney had those powers of keen perception and fine memory, and so excelled in his judgment of men and his prac- tical ability in affairs that he was never at disadvantage in his competi- tion with the world of men. His boyhood days were spent on the farm where his most useful training was probably in the acquirement of a sound physique and a practical industry. After leaving the farm he worked in a hotel, then was clerk in a store, and at the age of seventeen, without capital, began his independent career. He joined the engineer- ing corps engaged in the construction of the Delaware division of the Pennsylvania canal, between Easton and Bristol, being on that work for a year. His next enterprise was boating coal along the river and he was also employed in a hotel at Easton. With his growing ability he was next made superintendent of a division of the Pennsylvania canal, and continued in that capacity for a year, after which he returned to his former enterprise of boating coal. For another two years he had supervision on a branch of the Pennsylvania canal, and then took a contract for the construction of the Delaware and Raritan canal feeder. After completing this work he acted as superintendent of the feeder.
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With this varied experience in constructive enterprise and general business, Mr. Haney turned his attention to the west. By steamboat, flatboat and pirogue he arrived in the state of Indiana, and on the fourth of July, 1835, made his advent into the frontier village of Peru. The Wabash valley throughout this region was then almost an unbroken
W. E. Haney
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wilderness, although there were stirrings of the great activity which the plans for the building of the Wabash canal had set in motion. Soon after reaching Peru, Mr. Haney took charge of a force of men and the construction work of this canal. They opened a stone quarry below Peru for the contractor of the Peru dam, and a little later he, himself took a contract for the construction of a section of the canal at Lewis- . burg. When this contract was finished the following year he formed a partnership with Alexander Wilson and established a merchandising business in Lewisburg, also conducting a large trade with the Indian population which had not yet been removed from Indiana. Three years later he bought his partner's interest in the store, and up to the summer . of 1851 was engaged in business at Lewisburg in real estate, canal script and other securities.
The late Mr. Haney dated his residence in Logansport from the fifteenth of July, 1851. In this city he established a general store, but soon retired from the mercantile field. His business from that time until his death was in real estate and as a private banker. During several years of this time he was president of the Logansport branch of the old Bank of the State of Indiana. During the intervals of his business career he had also managed to acquire a substantial knowledge of the law, and soon after locating at Logansport was admitted to the bar, al- though he never practiced in the courts, confining his business in this profession to a limited office practice. The estimate delivered by one of his friends and old time associates upon his business career needs no further extension. Whether as a contractor, merchant, banker or real estate man, his transactions were always marked by a high sense of honor and strictest integrity, and notwithstanding his thoroughly busi- ness character and high regard for the rigid principles of business pro- cedure, he had the kindly nature and the genial personality which made him popular among a great body of the citizenship. At the time of his death, the late Wmn. W. Haney was regarded as one of the richest men in the state, as wealth was then estimated, his estate being valued at more than half a million dollars.
Wm. W. Haney married, December 13, 1836, Miss Louisiana Fidler, who survived him and also attained to a good old age. Of two chil- dren, the daughter, Maria Emma, is now deceased and the only survivor is Mr. William E. Haney of Logansport, a sketch of whose career fol- lows. In the affection of his family and associates, the late Mr. Haney made a secure place. It is said that he was known either personally or through his kindly deeds to every man, woman and child in the city of Logansport. He was a member and a liberal supporter of the Broad- way Methodist church in this city. Among the names of the older citi- zenship in Cass county none deserves higher rank or more permanent place on the rolls of honor and sincere admiration than the late William W. Haney.
WILLIAM E. HANEY. The son of the late William W. Haney is him- self deservedly classed among the old settlers of Logansport, by reason of a residence in that city for more than sixty years. William E. Haney's career has been one of exemplary citizenship. Like many other successful men of his day, his early advantages were limited, but he
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had all the qualities of native ability and character which make sure success. At this time, although he has passed the age when most men feel fit for the struggles of active business, he still ably conducts the management of his extensive interests, and is a man of large and bene- ficent influence throughout his home city and vicinity.
William E. Haney, a son of William W. and Louisiana (Fidler) Haney was born at Lewisburg, Indiana, December 28, 1837. His edu- cation was confined to the advantages afforded by the common schools of his day, very limited when it is remembered that free public educa- tion had not yet been established throughout Indiana during the boy- hood of Mr. Haney. After the removal of the family to Logansport in 1851, he had some further schooling and in better schools. In 1859 associated with his father, he started in the produce business, but after abont one year moved to a farm in Eel township, where he was engaged in farming for about twelve years. Returning to Logansport at the end of that time, he was for six months a boot and shoe merchant, but after the death of his partner sold out, and then for some years con- ducted a brokerage business on a small scale. He was also during this time becoming more and more associated with his father, in the latter's extended business enterprise. Since the death of his father his entire attention has been taken up in managing the affairs of the estate, and in handling real estate and a general brokerage business.
William E. Haney has inherited the best of his father's sterling qualities of character and business ability. He has an unassuming nature which throughout the many years of his active business career has kept him in the quieter channels of life, and he has never aspired to a place of mark in public affairs.
On April 5, 1859, Mr. Haney married Miss Christina Conrad, daugh- ter of William Conrad, one of the pioneer settlers of Cass county. Mrs. Haney died in the spring of 1871. She was the mother of eight chil- dren, six of whom died in infancy and early childhood, while the sur- vivors are Carrie E. and Jessie M., the latter being the widow of Miller Uhl. Mr. Haney has voted the Republican ticket throughout nearly all the years of the existence of that great party, although beyond his vote and a practical interest in home affairs and good government has never participated in politics. His fraternal association is with the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks.
HARRY E. BURKIT. Like many others of the county officials of Cass county, Harry E. Burkit, county recorder, was born in the locality which he now represents and has passed his entire career within its borders. A product of the farm, and a member of a family that has for generations produced tillers of the soil, he has also held up the family reputation for prominence in the educational field, and for years was known as one of Washington township's most popular and efficient educators. In his official capacity he is rendering his community signal service, and his work has served to extend an already large acquaintance and to gain him many sincere friends. Mr. Burkit was born on a farm in Washington township, Cass county, Indiana, near Walton, October 26, 1879, and is a son of William H. and Sarah B. (Robinson) Burkit. His grandfather, David P. Burkit, founded the family in Cass county,
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whence he came from Pennsylvania. He is of Irish-Scotch ancestry. William H. Burkit was born in Cass county, and here divided his at- tention between agricultural pursuits and teaching school, having passed nineteen years in the school room in Cass county. IIis wife, also a native of the county, taught one term here, and four of their six chil- dren were teaching in the county schools at the same time. Mr. Burkit passed away January 26, 1902, and was buried in Mount Hope cemetery, Logansport, while his widow survives, and with her children resides on the old home place.
Harry E. Burkit attended the district schools of Cass county, and subsequently spent two years in the Marion Normal College, and four terms in the graded and high schools at Walton. Thus equipped, in 1900, he began his career as a teacher in the Long school in Washington township, and during the three succeeding terms was at the head of the district school which he had attended as a boy. In all, he taught for seven winter terms, in the meantime spending his summers in the work of the farm, on which he had always resided until coming to Logansport. Mr. Burkit entered Democratic politics when he was appointed deputy county recorder, and after serving four years in that office was clected, in 1911, to the office of county recorder, entering upon the duties thereof January 1, 1912. His administration has been marked by efficiency and faithful performance of duty, and the citizens of Cass county have had no reason to regret of their choice. Mr. Burkit has a high regard for the responsibilities of public office, and is doing his utmost to give his community clean, able service. He is not a politician in the generally accepted use of the term, but has at all times supported Democratic policies and candidates, and is known as one of the wheel-horses of the party in his section. Mr. Burkit has interested himself to some extent in the fraternal work of the Knights of Pythias, in which he has attained to the uniformed rank, and in which he has many friends. He is un- married.
GEORGE W. CANN. Probably no better example of accomplishment in spite of handicaps and misfortunes could be found than the career of George W. Cann, of Logansport, contractor in electric supplies. Left an orphan at the age of five years, his boyhood was one of hard and unceasing struggles, made all the more so by a serious injury, the loss of the left arm in a flouring mill, which left him to fight against still greater odds. That he has risen to a high place in the business world, and has been able to overcome the obstacles placed in his path, speaks volumes for his determination, courage and ability, and his business record is replete with earnest endeavor and well-won battles. Mr. Cann was born July 7, 1870, at Idaville, White county, Indiana, a son of George W. and Mary (Hastings) Cann.
George W. Cann was but a year old when his father died. He was about five years of age at the time of his mother's death, and for one year lived with an uncle, a miller at Hoovers, in Cass county, in whose mill Mr. Cann met with an accident that cost his left arm. Shortly thereafter he was placed in the Orphans Home, where he resided until thirteen years of age, succeeding which he spent three years in the home of Dr. W. H. Thompson, for whom he acted as office boy. In the mean-
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time he had acquired a good common school education and managed to secure a teacher's certificate. While teaching country school in the winter months, he attended two summer terms at Ladoga Normal School, and continued teaching four years. At that time he came to Logansport and took a clerical position in the general offices of the Pennsylvania Railroad, where he was so employed for eight years. After failing to secure the nomination for the office of city clerk, he secured a position as clerk of the city electric light department, and after two years in this connection, resigned his position and established himself in business at No. 324 Broadway, where he was engaged in contracting and handling electrical supplies until April, 1911. At that time he came to his present establishment, a modern, well-equipped building at Nos. 312-14 Broad- way.
In 1906, Mr. Cann received his nomination on the Democratic ticket for clerk of the courts of Cass county, and as such served four years. He is a Cumberland Presbyterian in religion, and is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Knights of Pythias, and several fraternal insurance bodies.
On September 20, 1903, Mr. Cann was married to Miss Euphemia Farnsley, of Medaryville, Indiana, and to this union there have been born three children, namely: Marguerite Ellen, Mildred C. and Mary Josephine. The family is well known in Logansport, where its members have numerous appreciative friends.
WILLIAM H. REIGHTER. A life of quiet effectiveness, marked by a record of many duties well done and many responsibilities faithfully fulfilled, was that of the late William Harrison Reighter, of Cass county. He was one of the men who developed and made Cass county what it is. He was never in the conspicuous activities of abnormal events of the world, but in the round of commonplace accomplishments and in the faithful and intelligent performance of every task that was allotted to him during his long life, he left a record which may well be envied and admired by the generations that follow him.
William Harrison Reighter was born at Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and his death occurred at his farm in Carroll county, April 8, 1893. His parents were George and Salome (McFeely) Reighter. His father was a farmer and spent part of his life at Carlisle. He owns large tracts of land in Cumberland county. There were two other sons in the family, named John McF., and George Wash- ington Reighter.
The late Mr. Reighter was one of the pioneer settlers of Cass county. He attained a very meagre education by private schooling and by a term or two in the common schools, and on May 14, 1839, he arrived in Cass county. His first work in this county was the building of a mill in Jefferson township, and he subsequently bought eighty acres of land in Noble township. Throughout his career he was one of the substantial developers of the agricultural resources of this county, and at the time of his death was owner of an estate of three hundred and twenty acres of land in Cass and Carroll counties. The late Mr. Reighter was in politics a Democrat. He was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian
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church, though during his active lifetime was not a member of any church organization. Neither did he have membership in any societies, but as a citizen was always public spirited, had a broad-minded view of government both national and local and was always ready to lend his aid in the promotion of any enterprise which would more effectively express the ideals of good government and a better community. He was a great student both of men and books. History was an absorbing study with him, and few among his contemporaries were better informed on the larger questions and topics of the past as well as the present. Personally he was of a jovial disposition and he was a delightful companion. He bestowed all the riches of a noble character upon his own family circle, and they appreciated his many kindnesses and noble qualities.
Mr. Reighter first married Miss Agnes Houk, and the three children of that union are all now deceased. On December 7, 1854, he married Miss Cassie Graham, who was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and subsequently moved to Ohio. Her father was Israel Graham, who was a native of Delaware, and who came to Cass county at an early day. There are two children by the second marriage of Mr. Reighter, namely : Maggie, who is the wife of Samuel A. Michael; and Harry T., a farmer on the old Reighter homestead in Cass county. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel A. Michael, namely: W. H. Lulah M., who is now Mrs. H. D. Smith; and Ethyl W., who is now Mrs. Wil- liam R. Reel. The house in which Mrs. Michael and family now reside was built by her father about 1855, and it has been remodeled several times, though in its associations it possesses the charms and memories of one of the oldest homesteads in this county. Mrs. Michael and her brother Harry have erected a beautiful monument to their father, but even in more enduring manner does his name and character exist in the minds and affections of all people who came within the radius of his acquaintance and friendship during his life.
JOHN M. ETNIRE was born in Logansport, Indiana, on February 24, 1865, and is one of seven children born to Isaac and Cynthia (Baldwin) Etnire, of which number six are now living. Isaac Etnire was a son of Martin, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Cass county in pioneer times, as did also two brothers, John and Abraham.
Martin Etnire settled in the heart of the woods in the cabin home which he built with his own hands, and there gave himself up. to the rearing of his family and the cultivation of his wilderness farm. In later life, when he was ready to retire from the activities of the farm, he moved to Deer Creek township, and there he passed the closing years of his life. His son, Isaac, the father of the subject, was reared to hard work on the farm and was early inured to the hardships of pioneer life. He only secured the most meagre educational advantages, the schools of the day affording but slight reward for attendance thereupon, and he lived all his days in Cass county. He served in the Civil war, or, more correctly speaking, he enlisted, but after a stay of some time in Indianapolis, he and others who accompanied him, were returned to their homes, owing to some technicality which existed. He was a Repub- lican, and his religious leanings were toward the Baptist denomination.
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His wife is a devout member of that church. On May 5, 1912, this worthy couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, and they are now living retired in Logansport.
Cass county has been the home of John M. Etnire since his birth. He attended the district schools in his boyhood, and when he was twenty-one years old began farming on his own responsibility, that being the work in which he was reared in his father's home. He con- tinned for two years, but in October, 1887, gave up the life and came to Logansport, where he launched a retail furniture enterprise. Success attended his efforts from the beginning, which was of a most humble order, and thus for twenty-five years he has continued in that field of activity. He is the oldest furniture dealer, in point of continued service in the business, to be found in Logansport, and enjoys an excellent reputation for business veracity and integrity.
Mr. Etnire is a Republican in his political faith, though not an active politician, and he is fraternally affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. With his wife, he is a member of the Presbyterian church.
On July 25, 1886, Mr. Etnire was united in marriage with Lottie Hogentogler, and two children have been born to them: Ethel M., now the wife of Arthur W. Routh, and Cecil L. Etnirc.
JOSEPH TAYLOR. Among the men whose upright lives, sterling char- acters and high business abilities have added to Logansport's commercial and social prestige, the late Joseph Taylor is worthy of more than passing mention. Coming to this city in 1870, he here founded the firm of Joseph Taylor & Sons, which still endures and is one of the city's leading enterprises. Mr. Taylor was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, March 18, 1822, and was a son of John and Hester Taylor. When he was yet a boy his parents removed to a farm near Dayton, Ohio, and he there grew to manhood, attending the district schools, assisting in the work of the home farm, and later attending the public schools of Dayton. Prior to attaining his majority, he began clerking in a dry goods store at Dayton, but about 1845 moved to Greenville, Ohio, and embarked in business upon his own responsibility. He lived at Greenville many years and became closely identified with the welfare and progress of the community. On March 25, 1850, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Miss Josephine C. Dawes, a daughter of Elisha Dawes, a tanner, and a man well known throughout that section of the country, and with him there, for a time, Mr. Taylor was associated in business. During the fall of 1859, he moved to a farm near Monticello, White county, Indiana, but in 1870 came to Logansport, which was his home throughout the balance of his life.
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