USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95
Logan Council, No. 21, of the Order of Chosen Friends, was organized in the city of Logansport on the 25th of June, 1881, under a charter granted by the Grand Council of the order for the State of Indiana. After an existence here of a little more than five years, Logan Council has now forty members. During that time four members have died-one of them a social member only ; two of them had policies calling for $2,000 each, and another held a policy calling for $3,000. The order enjoys a fair degree of prosperity, and is likely to be of permanent value to its members. The present officers are: Samuel Cow, Past Councilor; H. H. De Wolf, Councilor; Mrs. Daniel Traver, Vice-Councilor; Joseph Henkee, Secretary; D. V. Welch, Treasurer; Samuel Caw, James Smith and B. F. Henkee, Trustees; W. D. Owen, Orator; Drs. J. E. Sterrett and Eleanor V. Ralshausen, Medical Examiners.
Briefly, the objects of the order are: "1-To unite in bonds of fraternity, aid and protection all acceptable white persons of good character, steady habits, sound bodily health, reputable calling, and who believes in a Supreme Intelligent Being, the Creator and Pre- server of the Universe. 2-To improve the condition of its mem- bership, morally, socially and materially, by timely council and instructive lessons, by encouragement in business, and by assistance
449
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
to obtain employment when in need. 3-To establish a relief fund, from which members of this organization, who have complied with all its rules and regulations, may receive the benefit of a sum not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000), which shall be paid as hereafter provided, upon either of the following conditions, viz. :- When a member becomes disabled by the infirmities of old age; provided he or she have reached the age of seventy-five years; when by reason of disease or accident, a member becomes perma- nently disabled from following his or her usual or some other occu- pation; when a member has died."
Logan Lodge, No. 1246, Knights of Honor, was instituted on the 7th of November, 1878, at Logansport, Ind., by M. A. Leonard, D. G. D., with the following charter members: John Shannon, Henry Bruner, J. H. Ivins, Granville Lowther, W. F. Dwight, Joseph Henkee, James Tolan, R. H. Ivins, John Klinck, J. W. Benefiel, Lewis Stralham, B. C. Stevens, A. C. Smith, B. F. Henkee, W. J. Potter, John W. Briggs, James Lyon, Alex. Copeland, A. Sturgeon, Frank Hutchins, Solomon Smith, John Stoll, John Choen, John L. Jacobs and John Myers.
The objects of the order are: "1-To unite fraternally all acceptable white men of every profession, business and occupation. 2-To give all possible moral and material aid in its power to its members, 'and those depending on its members, by holding moral, instructive, and scientific lectures, by encouraging each other in business, and by assisting each other to obtain employment. 3- To promote benevolence and charity by establishing a Widows' and Orphans' Benefit Fund, from which, on the satisfactory evidence of the death of a member of the order who has complied with all its lawful requirements, a sum not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000) shall be paid to such member or members of his family, or person or persons dependent on him, as he may direct or designate by name, to be paid as provided by general law. Provided, how- ever, any member desiring to have after-born children participate as beneficiaries in his certificate, may so designate without doing so by name."
The following are the officers for the year 1886: C. L. Jacobs, Dictator; O. W. Miles, Vice-Dictator; Frank Stoll, Assistant Dictator; Nelson Irvine, Reporter; Harry Frank, Financial Reporter; L. Rozen- berg, Treasurer; A. J. Neff, Chaplain; B. F. Keesling, Guide; M.
450
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Michael, Guardian; P. J. Linquist, Sentinel; J. E. Parker, Past dictator. Present membership, seventy-one.
Wabash Lodge, No. 1831, Knights of Honor, was instituted at Logansport, Ind., on the 24th of October, 1879, with thirty-two charter members. The following were the first officers: W. F. Cullen, Dictator; G. W. French, Past Dictator; Joel H. Davis, Treas- urer; Joseph Geier, Financial Reporter; Thad. C. Barnet, Reporter. Subsequently the lodge increased to 117 members, of whom seven have died, and their widows and orphans have received $13,000. By death, withdrawal, and suspension, the membership has been reduced to sixty-five. The membership has paid to the Widows' and Orphans' Benefit Fund, in the year 1882, $1,163.50; in 1883, $1.475.45; in 1884, $1,235.60; in 1885, $1,546.15, and in six months of 1886, 8731.25, making a total in the four and a half years of $6.152.55; and received from the Supreme Lodge Widows' and Orphans' Fund, $13,000.
The present officers are: Joseph A. Campbell, Dictator; Adam Snyder, Vice-Dictator; G. W. Hunter, Assistant Dictator; J. H. Scherdman, Reporter; C. L. Alford, Financial Reporter; W. F. Cul- len, Treasurer, and Frank Wilkerson, Guide.
Indiana Council, No. 511, A. L. of H., was instituted July 8, 1886, by Theodore R. Sewell, D. G. C., with thirty-five charter members. This organization is based upon principles similar to those of the K. of H., and with like regulations for its government. Its present membership is thirty-five. The officers for the year 1886 are F. W. Munson, Commander; O. B. Sargeant, Vice-Com- mander; Harry Frank, Orator; W. H. Anderson, Past Commander; J. B. Winters, Secretary; N. A. Irvine, Collector; B. F. Keesling, Treasurer; I. N. Crawford, Chaplain; G. C. Graves, Guide; B. F. Butler. Warden; E. A. Beal, Secretary ; C. E. Hale, B. F. Louthain and H. S. Tousley, Trustees.
Logan Lodge, No. 185, U. O. of H., was instituted April 23 1886, in Logansport, by Harry J. Smith, Dist. Dep. Sup. Grand Lodge. The charter members were J. A. Downey, A. J. Neff, S. J. Neff, John Stoll, Frank Stoll, Mrs. John Stoll, Mr. and Mrs. John Hitesman, Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Williams. The present member- ship is sixteen. In principle and purpose the U. O. of H. is not dissimilar to those of the K. and L. of H. For the year 1886 the officers are J. A. Downey, Presiding President; A. J. Neff, President;
451
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
John Stoll, Vice-President; F. A. Stoll, Recording Secretary; S. G. Neff, Financial Secretary; Mrs. John Stoll, Treasurer; Mrs. John Hitesman, Chaplain; John Hitesman, Guide; Mrs. Williams, Guar- dian.
Cass Council, No. 104, N. U., was instituted October 6, 1884, at Logansport, with the following charter members: John W. Bal- lard, Chas. N. Ballard, T. C. Barnes, G. N. Berry, J. C. Bridge, W. C. Custer, H. Frank, L. W. French, C. L. Woll, E. J. Hamilton, Andrew W. Hawkins, Elias A. Heffner, Andrew Hubler, J. J. Legg, John L. Leonard, J. A. McLean, E. E. Neal, A. J. Neff, S. G. Neff, D. L. Overholser, W. F. Overholser, John R. O'Conner, W. J. Pot- ter, Schuyler Powell, W. W. Ross, J. F. Richard, A. R. Shroyer, C. A. Smith, Sol. Smith, C. H. Stevens, E. N. Talbott, J. B. Toole, J. M. Troutman, J. K. Walts, R. W. Weaver, Val. Weisenberger, H. R. Winklebleck, And. Winklebleck, J. B. Winters, H. R. Yolton, F. M. Barnard, B. F. Barnett, W. F. May, W. A. Osmer.
The first officers were J. B. Winters, President; D. L. Overhol- ser, ex-President; R. W. Weaver, Vice-President; Herman Frank, Speaker; J. R. O'Connor, Secretary; A. J. Neff, Financial Secretary ; W. W. Ross, Treasurer; A. W. Hawkins, Chap .; J. B. Toole, Usher; C. H. Stevens, S. at A .; E. A. Heffner, D. K .; Dr. J. W. Ballard, Med. Ex.
The present officers are John B. Winters, President; John R. O'Connor, Secretary; C. H. Stevens, Financial Secretary; William W. Ross, Treasurer; Dr. John W. Ballard, Med. Ex. The present membership is sixty.
Father Mathew T. A. & B. Society .- Among the numerous organizations that have been formed in this community, designed to promote the cause of temperance, none have operated in a more extensive field, and none have wrought a mightier change for good in the sphere of its operations, than the Father Mathew T. A. & B. Society. While others have risen and flourished for a time, and then passed away for the want of an interest sufficiently vitalizing to keep it alive, this society, after an existence of nearly sixteen · years, still moves forward, conquering and to conquer, as if its mis- sion were but just commenced.
The society was organized in this city November 9, 1870, under the inspiration of the following motto: "Shield us from the evils of Intemperance." The number of members at the date of organiza- tion was eighteen.
452
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
The purposes set forth in the preamble to the regulations adopt- ed for the government of the society are the following: "To form a more perfect organization, to facilitate the transaction of business, to insure concord and harmony, promote the cause of temperance, encourage benevolence, provide for the common wants of the broth- erhood, and secure all the blessings this fraternity can afford." The pledge is no less significant and appropriate: "I promise, with Divine assistance, to abstain from all intoxicating liquors, and pre- vent, as much as possible, by advice and example, intemperance in others."
Division No. 1, A. O. H .- This branch of the order was organ- ized at Logansport, Ind., October 12, 1883, by State Delegate John O'Reley, with ten charter members. The following were the first officers chosen: John W. McGreevy, County Delegate; Michael Mc- Taggart, President: Thomas P. Waters, Vice-President; J. C. Fitz- gerald, Recording Secretary; M. D. Fansler, Financial Secretary; Martin Heenan, Treasurer.
The present officers are M. D. Fansler, County Delegate; Michael McTaggart, President; M. J. Gallagher, Vice-President; Martin Mc- Hale, Recording Secretary; Thomas Mckeever, Financial Secretary; Patrick H. McGreevy, Treasurer.
There are now sixty enrolled members in good standing in the order. Meetings are held in their hall on the south side of Market Street, between Third and Fourth, at 2 o'clock, on the second Sun- day in each month.
Richmond Division, No. 20, B. of L. E., meets on every alter- nate Sunday, at 10:30 o'clock, A. M., in their hall at the northwest corner of Twelfth and Spear Streets.
Good-Will Lodge, No. 52, B. of L. F., meets at their hall on the southwest corner of Twelfth and Spear Streets, every Sunday, at 2 o'clock P. M.
Logansport Division, No. 110, O. of R. C., meets every Sun- day, at 2:30 P. M., in the hall of the K. of P., on the northeast cor- ner of Market and Fourth Streets.
Newspapers .- The first newspaper in Cass County was the Pot- tawattomie and Miami Times, edited and published by John Scott, then recently from Centerville, Wayne Co., Ind., the size of which was about 18x24 inches. The paper was printed on an old Ramage press, and the first number was issued on Saturday, August 15,
453
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
1829. The printing office was situated on the south side of Market Street, immediately west of the alley between Fourth and Fifth Streets, in Logansport. Mr. Scott was one of the pioneer printers of Indiana, having commenced the publication of the Inquirer, the first paper printed in Brookville, Franklin Co., Ind., in the year 1815. He continued the publication until the beginning of the year 1820, when, having sold out the establishment, he moved to Rich- mond, Wayne County, and commenced the publication of the Weekly Intelligencer. After four years' experience he left Rich- mond, and settled in Centerville, also in Wayne County, where he published the Western Emporium until his removal to Logansport in June, 1829. The paper here was the first one printed in north- ern Indiana. James B. Scott, now the veteran editor of the Delphi Journal, received the first copy and set the first type for this paper. At the close of its first volume the name of the paper was changed to the Cass County Times, the new volume commencing on the 16th of November, 1831, the first volume requiring twenty-six months to. complete its fifty-two issues. The paper was published under the same control, Mr. Scott, Sr., continuing his connection with it until May 30, 1833. From that date James B. Scott, his son, and Will- iam J. Burns, his son-in-law, continued the publication, again changing the name to the Logansport Republican and Indiana Herald, until October 17, 1833, when Mr. Scott retired, Mr. Burns continuing the publication alone until December 19 of the same year, when its publication ceased.
The Canal Telegraph, edited and published by Stanislaus Las- selle, commencing on the 2d of January, 1834, was the immediate successor of the Herald. On the 16th of August, of the same year, John B. Dillon became associate editor and publisher. November 22, 1834, the name Canal Telegraph was changed to the Logans- port Canal Telegraph. Mr. Stanislaus Lasselle sold his interest in the paper July 9, 1836, to his brother, Hyacinth Lasselle, Jr., who, with Mr. Dillon, continued the publication, but changed the name to the Logansport Telegraph. Mr. Dillon severed his connection with the paper on the 22d of January, 1842, Mr. Lasselle succeed- ing to the exclusive management. Under his control the Telegraph was published until March 24, 1849, when it was finally discontin- ued. Subsequently the office and fixtures of the Telegraph were sold to Thomas H. Bringhurst and Thomas Douglass, who issued a
454
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
new paper under the name of the Logansport Journal April 20, 1849. The management of the Journal continued in the hands of Mr. Bringhurst, as editor and proprietor, from that time forward until 1861, when, going into the army, he transferred the manage- ment to other hands. Mr. Bringhurst held the exclusive interest in the Journal until January 1, 1863, when he sold a half interest to Mr. Joseph Dague, when the firm name was known as Bringhurst & Dague, who, jointly, continued the publication until January 1, 1870, Mr. James T. Bryer being the chief editorial writer during the absence of Mr. Bringhurst, the latter resuming his position after the close of the war. Mr. Bryer, however, continued as a general contributor to its columns. In January, 1870, Messrs. Z. & W. C. Hunt purchased the entire office, and continued to publish the paper during the succeeding two years, when Mr. Dague re- purchased a half interest in the establishment, and assumed in part the business control. A year later Daniel P. Baldwin purchased a one-third interest, in 1874 another third, and on the 1st of April, 1875, the remaining interest, and took the entire control, the busi- ness being under the firm name of Pratt & Co. The Journal con- tinued under the same management until September 1, 1882, when William D. Pratt became sole proprietor, Mr. Bryer, in the mean- time, having almost the entire editorial control of the paper, which took high rank among the newspapers of the State. Up to January 1, 1876, the Journal was issued as a weekly paper only. Upon that date the publication of the Logansport Daily Journal was com- menced. Since that time daily and weekly editions have been reg- ularly published. The Journal, under its present name, is well ad- vanced in its thirty-eighth year, but, considered in its succession, has just passed its fifty-seventh year as a weekly visitor to the peo- ple of Cass County.
The Logansport Herald was commenced on the 1st of Au- gust, 1837, by Jesse C. and David Douglass, the publication of which continned under the same management until July 20, 1841.
Following the Herald, Moses Scott commenced the publication of the Wabash Gazette, on the 10th of November, 1842, with Hor- ace P. Biddle as editor-in-chief. The publication of the Gazette was continued until the 27th of April, 1844.
Next in order was the Democratic Pharos, which made its first appearance, under the management of Samuel A. Hall, sole owner
455
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
and proprietor, on the 24th of July, 1844. The Pharos was issued regularly under the same management, until January 6, 1869, when . Rufus Magee became proprietor. Under his control as editor and proprietor the Pharos was issued weekly until August 10, 1874, when the issue of a daily paper was commenced in connection with the weekly, the latter previously having taken the name of the Logansport Pharos. From that time the two editions have been issued regularly.
On July 1, 1875, Mr. Magee sold his interest in the paper to the Pharos Company, under which management it continued -except for a short interim under the charge of Mr. Collins, of Crawfordsville,-until the 28th of November, 1877, when M. Y. Todisman and B. F. Louthain became the proprietors. Afterward, on the 20th of May, 1885, Mr. Todisman's interest (the interest of Jerry Collins having been purchased in June, 1881) was sold out and transferred to John W. Barnes, who, with Mr. Louthain, under the firm name of Louthain & Barnes, still owns and publishes the paper.
On the 20th of February, 1845, Messrs. Murphy & Keeler com- menced the publication of the Logan Chief, with N. L. Stout as editor. The paper had ouly a transitory existence and ceased to be published October 11 of the same year.
The Sun, under the management of the Democratic Printing and Publishing Company, began to be published on the 4th of January, 1872. With the forty-ninth number the publication was tempora- rily suspended, but it was revived again ou the 18th of November, 1873. Some time in the spring of 1875 the office and paper were sold, and removed to 'the State of Illinois.
The first number of the Logansport Daily Star was issued on the 27th of February, 1873, by Ransom & Gordon, as an advertis- ing sheet. Soon afterward it came under the control of J. Harris Hall, who continued its publication in the same form and on the same basis until August 11, 1873, when Smith & Hall became the publishers, and the paper was enlarged. In the course of its publication it was twice enlarged. On the 20th of September, 1876, the daily list and good-will were transferred to the Journal. Sub- sequently, however, the daily was resumed, but its publication fi- · nally ceased with the issue of April 9, 1878. About the 1st of Jan- uary, 1874, the same proprietors commenced the publication of a
456
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
weekly edition, under the same management. Both editions were under the editorial control of William H. Smith, a ready and tren- chant writer, and had a liberal patronage. The weekly edition was discontinued at the same time with the daily.
The Logansport Chronicle began to be published on the 7th of April, 1875, by H. J. McSheehy as editor and proprietor, first as a Sunday paper, but afterward, in consequence of a large proportion of the subscribers living in the country, the publication day was changed to Saturday. In its make-up it was designed to vibrate with the public pulse and to be a reflex of the current thoughts of the age. The Chronicle has a good paying circulation and enjoys a large measure of popularity. It is now well advanced in its twelfth volume, and is still under the control of Mr. McSheehy, who has proved himself to be one of the most successful newspaper manag- ers in northern Indiana.
The Daily Advertiser came into existence on the 5th of January, 1881, with Williams & Longwell as editors and proprietors. Under the management of this firm the paper was conducted with fair ability for two or three years, when Mr. Williams sold out his inter- est to John M. Burrow, who, with Mr. Longwell, published the Advertiser until January 12, 1885, when it was discontinued from want of sufficient patronage.
The Sunday Critic, a literary and family paper, commenced its weekly visits on Sunday, May 4, 1884. It is published under the editorial management of Mrs. Sarah S. Pratt, and during its career has continued to grow in popular favor until at this time it has a lib- eral patronage, not wholly local, and has reached the eighteenth number of its third volume with a fair prospect of permanent pros- perity.
The Bon Ton was commenced as a weekly newspaper devoted to the cultivation of home literary talent, by constituting itself a me- dium through which the productions of our local writers might be given publicity. It was under the editorial management of Mr. J. E. Sutton, a young man of some newspaper experience and fair ability. The paper was unusually neat in its mechanical appear- ance, and with sufficient patronage might have grown into popular favor. After the issue of about thirteen weekly numbers the pub- lication ceased, in that form, but was soon after revived and published . as a monthly, in magazine form. It was finally discontinued with the number for May. 1886.
457
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
The Times, a six-column quarto, published weekly, with Friday for its issue day, was established in March, 1886, in Logansport, by I. N. Bell, its editor and proprietor, who purchased the office and equipments, which were then located at Galveston, of J. W. O'Harra. As an independent Democratic organ it occupies no neutral grounds regarding any national or local political question, but fearlessly advocates its honest convictions. In its mechanical make-up a model of neatness, with a present circulation of 900, we bespeak for it a large increase in the number of its patrons. While Mr. Bell has had a short journalistic experience, his first venture being with the Galveston Times, he is a vigorous and terse writer that gives promise of eminence in his profession.
The Christian Call, is a religious publication under the auspices of a board of local ministers, representing the various churches of the city, but is under the editorial control of Rev. W. E. Loucks, of the First Presbyterian Church. The first number was issued in May, 1886, appears monthly, and has now reached its fifth num- ber. So far it has met with fair encouragement.
The German Press .- During the past twelve or fourteen years numerous efforts have been made to establish a German newspaper in this city for the convenience of our local German population in having the opportunity to read the current news of the day in their own native language. First, a paper was printed in Fort Wayne, but prepared for Logansport readers. The enterprise, however, proving to be a failure, was soon abandoned. Subsequently, Mr. Julius C. Kloenne, our fellow-townsman, and a newspaper writer of considerable experience, procured an office outfit, and commenced the publication of a German newspaper, the outgrowth of home en- terprise, but as in the case of the paper just referred to, failing to receive the necessary pecuniary encouragement, was soon abandoned.
On the 7th of October, 1882, John Day issued the first number of the Logansport Deutsche Zeitung, with little previous experience and not very extensive patronage. By dint of perserverance, however, coupled with great energy and tact, he has from that time to the present continued to issue his paper regularly, and has now, as the result of discreet management, a regular circulation of from 900 to 1,000. From the indications at this time the future existence of the Zeitung is likely to be permanent.
Early Merchants .- The first mercantile firm doing business in
458
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Logansport, was Walker, Carter & Co., composed of George B. Walker, Chauncey Carter, Joseph Holman, Mr. Carter's father-in-law, and Anthony L. Davis. This firm commenced business in the early summer of 1828, and so prospered that, in the fall of the same year, they opened a branch house in Attica, Fountain County, under the managing control of George B. Walker, and another at Fort Wayne, under the direction of Messrs. Holman & Davis, the principal branch being at Logansport, under the personal supervision of Mr. Carter. A crisis coming on, their trade was crippled, and they wound up their general firm business in 1832, Mr. Carter continu- ing to operate his branch at Logansport, in his own name, with good success for some years afterward. The site of this ancient business house was, for a few years before his death, occupied by the late Joseph Culbertson, on the north side of " Market Space," immedi- ately east of the alley between Second and Third Streets.
About the same time Hamilton & Taber began a general trading and mercantile business near the northeast corner of Market and Second Streets, and succeeded rapidly in the accumulation of wealth, The site of their store is now occupied by the " New Barnett Hotel." This firm continued in business at the same place until 1835, when, being changed, the business was conducted for many years by Mr. Taber and succeeding partners. The old firm of Merriam & Rice, were the successors in direct line of the first firm of Hamilton & Taber, Taber & Pollard, and Taber & Chase.
Hiram Todd commenced business, not far from the same period, in a small frame building adjacent to his residence, on the south side of Market Space, west of the alley. Afterward, about the year 1830, Jordan Vigus became a partner, and the firm was changed to Todd & Vigus, and their place of business was the brick building on the northeast corner of Broadway and Bridge Streets. Subse- quently Dr. Todd retired, when John Tipton succeeded to an inter- est, and the firm became Tipton & Vigus. After Gen. Tipton's death Mr. Vigus conducted the business alone.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.