USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 53
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
570
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
the year 1813, and settling in Fayette County. James Stanley was reared a farmer, and the advantages of school education, so essen- tial in the formation of the youthful character, were enjoyed by him in a very limited degree. He improved the opportunities he en- joyed, however, and thereby laid the foundation for an education which, aided by a long business experience, has developed into a fund of practical knowledge. January 2, 1845, he came to Cass County and settled in the Western Reserve (now Jackson Town- ship), where he purchased a tract of Government land and engaged in farming. He was appointed deputy sheriff, under Willard G. Nash, in 1861, and subsequently served in the same capacity under John Davis. He was elected sheriff in 1868, and, after discharging the duties of the position in a manner satisfactory to all concerned, resumed farming, which he carried on at intervals until 1884. In the latter year he was the Democratic nominee for sheriff, and, after a spirited contest against a very popular competitor, was elected by a handsome majority. He is the present incumbent of the office, and against his record no shade of suspicion has ever been uttered. Mr. Stanley enjoys great personal popularity, and is a gentleman of intelligence and of generous impulses. He is a representative Democrat of the old school, and has been alive to all the interests of his party in Cass County. Mr. Stanley was married, in 1841, to Miss Mary Salyer, of Fayette County, who has borne him ten chil- dren, the following of whom are living: James B., Martha J. (wife of Charles Graffis ), J. W., Belle, George W. and Lanra M. The deceased members of the family were Andrew J., Margaret E., Mary and Caroline. Mr. Stanley has been a member of the Masonic fra- ternity since about the year 1853, and belongs to Galveston Lodge, No. 244.
CHARLES H. STARR is a native of Middletown. Butler Co., Ohio, and the son of Charles and Patience (Stockton ) Starr, the father born in New York and the mother in New Jersey. The sub- ject was born September 5, 1838, and enjoyed such educational ad- vantages as the common' schools afforded, attending the same for only a limited period. Having early manifested decided tastes for mechanical pursuits, he, at the age of sixteen, began learning the carpenter's trade, and, after becoming proficient in the same, fol- lowed it with success for a number of years. He came to Logansport in 1864, and in 1868 engaged with the Pan Handle Railroad Company as mechanic in the car-shops, in which capacity he has since continued, holding a very responsible position at the present, being general foreman in the car department. Mr. Starr is a skillful mechanic, and has the unbounded confidence of the wealthy corporation which he represents. He is and always has been a liberal Republican in politics, and in August, 1886, was nominated by the Republican party joint representative for the
571
CITY OF LOGANSPORT.
counties of Cass and Miami. Mr. Starr was married, October 24, 1869, to Miss Mary E. Fisher, of Pulaski County, Ind .- a union blessed with the birth of one child: Minnie R., born April 12, 1878.
ELI STECKEL, merchant, is a native of Lehigh County, Penn., and the eldest son of Daniel and Sarah (Keck) Steckel; parents born in the same State. Mr. Steckel's ancestors came from Germany in colonial times, his great-grandfather purchasing land from Will- iam Penn shortly after the founding of the Philadelphia colony. His grandfather, John A. Steckel, was a native of Pennsylvania, in which State he died many years ago. Mr. Steckel was born April 24, 1822, and spent the first seventeen years of his life on the farm. He received a limited education, attending school but three months, and at the age of seventeen was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for a period of nineteen years. In 1844 he went to Butler County, Ohio, where he car- ried on the blacksmithing business fourteen years, and at the end of that time purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pur- suits, which he followed until 1865. In the latter year he came to Logansport, Ind., and engaged in the mercantile business, which he has since continued and in which he has been very successful. Mr. Steckel's place of business, on the corner of Sixth and North Streets, is one of the best known mercantile houses in the city. By strict attention to business he has succeeded in accumula- ting a handsome competence, including city property and a beauti- ful farm of 120 acres in Bethlehem Township. He was married first, in 1847, to Miss Henrietta Richter, of Alsace, Germany, by whom he had four children, only one of whom-Minnie, wife of Charles Green-is now living. The deceased members of the fam- ily were Laura, Sallie and Susan Steckel. Mrs. Steckel died in June, 1858, and the following November he was again married, to Mary J. Hart, a native of Butler County, Ohio. To this mar- riage have been born three children: Belle (deceased), Henrietta and Lucy. Mr. Steckel is a public-spirited citizen, and takes an active interest in all measures for the public good. He has at dif- ferent times served as member of the city council, but has never been an aspirant for official position. He is a Republican in politics.
JOSEPH E. STERRETT, M. D. Dr. Sterrett is a native of Juniata County, Penn., and son of Samuel and Isabella (Mout- gomery) Sterrett; both parents born in the same State. Dr. Ster- rett was born November 7, 1842, and at the age of ten came with his parents to Carroll County, Ind., where he made his home from 1852 till 1860. His rudimentary education was acquired in the common schools, supplemented by a course in the Waveland Col- legiate Institute, Montgomery County. He responded to the country's call for volunteers in 1861, enlisting in Company H,
572
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Thirty-eighth Indiana Infantry, with which he served until honora- bly discharged in July, 1865. He was with his regiment in many of the bloodiest battles of the war, including Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, the campaigns and battles around Atlanta, Sherman's celebrated march to the sea-in all of which he took an active part, having been twice wounded. On quit- ting the army he returned to Indiana, and in the fall of 1865 entered the Logansport Academy, where he pursued his literary studies for one year. At the end of that time he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. C. Thorpe, of Logansport, and in 1876 entered the Chicago Medical College, from which he graduated in March, 1869. After completing his course the Doctor engaged in the practice of his profession at the town of Burrows. Carroll County, Ind., where he continued with encouraging success until his removal to Logans- port in 1880. Since locating in the city Dr. Sterrett has worked into a good business and can be appropriately classed with the rep- resentative medical men of Cass County. He is a member of the County Medical Society, and belongs to the Presbyterian Church, having been identified with the same since 1866. He is a Republi- can in politics.
ANDREW J. SUTTON is a native of Fayette County, Ohio, horn there in 1826, the son of Ferdinand and Mary (Shellabarger) Sutton, natives of West Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively, and of Scotch-German ancestry. His early school experience em- braced the studies appertaining to the educational course prescribed by the usages of those days in Fayette and Clark Counties, Ohio, to the latter of which he moved with his parents when quite young. At the age of nineteen he began to teach in the common schools of Miami, Cass and Fulton Counties, in the State of Indiana, having come to the State in 1844. Including the experience just referred to, he taught during twenty successive winters, his success in that field fairly evidenced by his frequent employment in the same locality. A portion of this experience was in Cass County before he became a resident here, in 1849, continuing, however, to exercise his talent in that way until 1866. In 1869, he settled here permanently, and for a time, from 1871 to 1880, was engaged in mercantile pursuits, in the meantime buying and selling real estate, a business in which he is still engaged. While a resident of Fulton County he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, serving in that capacity one full term of four years, acceptably. Since his residence in Cass County, in 1882, he was elected a member of the board of commis- sioners of this county on the Democratic ticket, and served one term of three years, surrendering the trust in 1885. Mr. Sutton was mar- ried in May, 1850, to Miss Barbara Horn, a native of Fayette County, Penn., by whom he is the father of five children-three sons and two daughters-of whom the three following are now alive: Charles E.,
573
CITY OF LOGANSPORT.
engaged in teaching; John E., recently engaged as editor and pub- lisher of The Bon-Ton, and Hannah S. Sutton. In his religious con- nection Mr. Sutton and his family are Methodists; in his political affiliation a Democrat.
FRANK SWIGART. Prominent among the successful lawyers of the Cass County bar is the gentleman whose brief biography is herewith presented. Capt. Swigart was born in Clark County, Ohio. April 29, 1840, and is the oldest living son of Samuel and Jane (McPherson) Swigart; parents natives of the same State. Samuel Swigart came to Cass County in 1842 and settled on a farm in Clay Township, where he resided until his death, which occurred Novem- ber, 1882. He was widely and favorably known throughout the county, and for a number of years held the office of justice of the peace and trustee in Clay Township. Mrs. Swigart is still living, making her home at the present time with her daughter, Mrs. Carr, of Adamsboro. Capt. Swigart received the elements of an English education in the public schools of the county, and subsequently en- tered Kokomo Academy, where he pursued his studies until the breaking out of the war. He responded to his country's call in 1861, enlisting in Company B, Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry, with which he shared the vicissitudes of war until November 16, 1864; he was promoted captain of this company October 16, 1862, proving a brave and efficient officer on many bloody battle-fields of the Southwestern campaigns. He resigned his commission on account of a severe wound received at the battle of Sabine Cross Road, western Lou- isiana, and on his return to Logansport began the study of law under the able instruction of Lewis Chamberlain, Esq. He was admitted to the bar September, 1865, and at once engaged in the active prac- tice of his profession, which he has since successfully continued in the courts of Cass and adjoining counties. He has practiced with James M. Pratt, T. C. Annable and D. B. Anderson, but at the present time is not a member of any law firm. The legal career of Mr. Swigart presents a series of continued successes, and since his admission to the practice he has been an important factor in the Logansport bar, standing deservedly high in the profession. His record as a brave and gallant soldier is one of which any man might feel proud, and as a courteous gentleman he has the confidence and respect of the community around him. Mr. Swigart is an uncom- promising supporter of the Republican party, and has been all his life. He takes an active interest in political affairs and has been the nominee of his party for several important official positions. October 3, 1865, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Margaret Kline, of Miami Township, a union blessed with the birth of the following children: Charles E., William M., Jesse E., John F. and Peter D. Swigart.
CYRUS TABER. Mr. Taber was born at Tiverton, Newport
574
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Co., R. I., on the 19th day of January, 1800. When only three years old, his father left Tiverton, and settled temporarily in west- ern New York, subsequently removing thence to the State of Penn- sylvania. Having remained under the paternal roof until he had nearly attained his twenty-fourth year, he felt that he should thence- forth enter upon life's duties on his own account, and accordingly came westward, settling at Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Ind., then but recently organized. When he came to Fort Wayne he had with him about $400, and before he had any opportunity to secure em- ployment, he was taken sick with the ague, with which he suffered for a whole year. Thus all his money was spent, and he was about $30 in debt. As soon as he was able, he struck out, and went to work, building fences and log cabins for the Indians. Reuben Covert was his companion. The latter drove the oxen and hauled the rails, while Mr. Taber did the cutting and splitting. At the end of one year, he had saved $100, and with it, purchased the first eighty acres of land ever owned by him. He was richer then, he said, then ever afterward. He was independent, and willing to work. Afterward he cleared his land, raised corn, and, with the proceeds, purchased an adjoining lot. In this manner, the first three years of his residence in Allen County were devoted to the development of his farming interests, by which experience, also, he demonstrated the fact that he had qualifications for a more profitable investment of his talents. This was not so much his own discovery as that of his friends. Allen Hamilton, who, seeing that Mr. Taber was well adapted to the branch of trade in which he was himself engaged, invited him to take a share in his business. Thenceforward, he devoted his time and energies to the enlarge- ment of this business interest. In this way, the well-known firm of Hamilton & Taber was permanently estabished in the year 1827, and for many years was one of the leading business houses of north- ern Indiana. In the early history of Cass County, Mr. Taber is conspicuous, and every movement for the public good, found him as one of its promoters. He was one of those men that leave the im- press of their character upon everything with which they are iden- tified, and his was such that it always redounded to his honor. After locating in this county, he was one of its leading citizens un- til his death.
EDWARD N. TALBOTT is a native of Putnam County, Ind., born in the town of Greencastle on the 4th of March, 1837. His paternal ancestors were English people, and on the maternal side he is descended from Irish stock. His parents were Hiram E. and America Talbott, natives, respectively of Virginia and Maryland. Hiram E. Talbott was a physician, and was widely and favorably known throughout Indiana, and held the office of auditor of State from the year 1854 to 1856. E. N. Talbott was educated
575
CITY OF LOGANSPORT.
at Asbury University, which institution he entered at the age of fifteen. On account of ill health he did not complete the entire course. He subsequently attended Berea College, in Ohio, for one year, at which time he left school to engage in mercantile business at Indianapolis, which he pursued for some time in partnership with Trumbull G. Palmer. In 1861, he purchased Mr. Palmer's interest in the business, and moved the stock to Des Moines City, Iowa, where he continued in business until the winter of 1864, at which time lie abandoned the mercantile business to accept the position of trader for the Creek Nation of Indians, to which he was appointed by President Lincoln. He remained in the Indian Territory but a few months, when he was attacked with a severe hemorrhage and com- pelled by his condition of health to resign his position. In the spring of 1866 he came to Logansport, and, after a year of rest, pur- chased a large tract of land west of the city, and engaged in the manufacture and sale of lime, which he carried on extensively, in connection with agriculture, until 1879. In December, 1879, he was appointed postmaster at Logansport, and held the position until June, 1885, when he resigned the office, and resumed the real estate business in connection with farming, which he now carries on. Mr. Talbott has been an important factor in Cass County politics, and in 1878 was elected chairman of the Republican Central Committee. During the period of his service in that capacity, a full Republican ticket was elected over previous Democratic majorities, a fact which attests his ability as a politician. Mr. Talbott was married, Decem- ber 13, 1859, to Miss Emma M. Dunn, daughter of Maj. James W. Dunn. Mrs. Talbott deceased in 1873, leaving five children, one son and four daughters. In 1875, Mr. Talbott was again married, to Miss Fannie M. Sammis, of Brooklyn, N. Y. He is an active member of the Presbyterian Church, as is also his wife, both belonging to the First Presbyterian Church, of Logansport.
ALLEN E. TAYLOR was born in the city of Baltimore, Md., September 19, 1817, and is the son of Edmund and Abiah (Allen) Taylor, natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and Connecticut. While quite young he went with his parents to Saratoga County, N. Y., where, at a proper age, he was apprenticed to a merchant in Balston Spa, with whom he remained five years. In 1836 he went to Yates County, N. Y., and accepted a position as salesman in a mercantile establishment at the town of Starkey. He continued in this capacity one year, and at the end of that time removed to Lick- ing County, Ohio, where he was engaged as clerk until the fall of 1839. At that time he removed to Jeffersonville, Ind., where he again engaged in the mercantile business, clerking a part of the time in the city of Louisville, Ky. Two years later he removed to New Albany, Ind., and, with a change of location changed his business. Having a desire to see more of the world than could be seen within
21
576
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
the narrow sphere of a clerk's life, he accepted a position as clerk on a steam-boat, plying the waters of the lower Mississippi and its tributaries. From this position he worked his way to the office of captain, and pursued the life of a river man until 1846. He then returned to New Albany, and opened a retail grocery store. April 13, 1848, he was united in marriage with Miss Julia J. Tuley, of Louisville, Ky. Soon after his marriage he removed to Covington, Ind., and again embarked in the retail grocery enterprise. After a residence of one year in that place, during which time he was very successful in business, he again changed his location and removed to Terre Haute, Ind. In the spring of 1856 he was elected treas- urer of that city, and served one term in that capacity. He was in business in Terre Haute from 1850 to 1860, and in the latter year removed to Fulton County, and opened a general merchandise store at Rochester, where he continued to do business until 1864. Clos- ing out his establishment that year he came to Logansport and engaged in the livery and omnibus business, which he carried on for four years. In 1868 he again embarked in the mercantile enter- prise, and for a period of six years was thus engaged. In the year 1874 he determined to try the part of host, and accordingly pur- chased a half-interest in the Murdock Hotel, of Logansport. Becom- ing dissatisfied with this mode of life he disposed of his interest to his partner, Mr. Jones, and again assumed control of the omnibus line, which business he continued until December, 1885, when he sold out and opened a feed and sale stable, his present business. During his residence in Logansport his superior qualities have been repeatedly recognized by his fellow-citizens, by whom he was elected to the office of councilman from his ward, and later to the office of city treasurer, in which capacity he served two consecutive terms. Throughout his long and checkered life, during which he has passed through many vicissitudes, his energy and industry have been the ruling elements of his character, and these qualities have made themselves apparent to all with whom he has been associated, and now, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, he is still engaged in active life and enjoying the confidence and respect of all his friends and acquaintances.
JOSEPH L. TAYLOR, M. D. Dr. Taylor was born in the city of Toronto, Canada, August 7, 1839, and is the son of Joseph and Sallie (Laing) Taylor, natives, respectively, of Canada and New York State. He grew to manhood in Toronto, received a good lit- erary education in the schools of the city, and at the age of twenty- five began the study of medicine, to which he applied himself dili- gently for a period of five years. He entered the Eclectic Medical College, at Cincinnati, in 1871; graduated two years later, after which he came to Logansport, and practiced his profession with en- conraging success until 1881. In the latter year he went to Colo-
1
577
CITY OF LOGANSPORT.
rado, where he remained until 1884, at which time he returned to Logansport and resumed the practice, having now a large and lucra- tive business in the city and adjacent country. The Doctor is a dil- igent student and an enthusiastic lover of his profession, with the intricate details of which he is very familiar. He is a man of broad views, well acquainted with general literature, and has given much attention to scientific subjects, upon many of which be is an author- ity. He was married, September 1, 1875, to Miss Mattie Velsey, of New York, a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and culture.
DR. E. R. TAYLOR, dental surgeon, born in Toronto, Can- ada, April 6, 1852, is the youngest child of Joseph and Sarah (Laing) Taylor. Joseph Taylor was born in Canada, was a farmer and miller by occupation, and died September 14, 1885. Mrs. Tay- lor was a native of New York, and departed this life about the year 1862. E. R. Taylor grew to manhood in his native country, received his primary education in the schools of New Market, and subsequently took a two years' collegiate course at the city of Whitby. On quitting school he engaged in teaching for a limited period, and in March, 1876, came to Logansport, Ind., and began the study of dentistry under Dr. D. L. Overholser, with whom he remained about two years and three months. He began the prac- tice of his profession in 1878 with Dr. L. C. Velsey, and one year later took his partner's interest, and has since been by himself. The Doctor's office, at 312 Market Street, is one of the most ele- gantly arranged dental parlors in the city, and his business, which is constantly increasing, returns him a handsome income. He is not a politician in the usual acceptation of the term, but votes with the Republican party. September 20, 1883, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Clara Fox, of New Waverly, Ind. Dr. and Mrs. Taylor have two children: Edith C. and Joseph E.
GEN. JOHN TIPTON. Those marked individualisms of char- acter which strikingly distinguished the career of personages whose nobility is acknowledged by the world of mind, are the features that, now and heretofore, have commanded and fixed the attention of man- kind; hence it is, that history only records the pencilings of genius, standing out in bold relief, on the tablets of memory. Eccentrici- ties of talent and character, endowed with a sufficiency of motive power to vitalize those talents and characteristics, never fail to leave behind distinct traces-land-marks-such as will not fail to secure recognition and be acknowledged by all. A striking illustration in proof of this is afforded in the life of him whose name stands at the head of this sketch. John Tipton was born in Sevier County, East Tennessee, on the 14th of August, 1786. His father, Joshua Tip- ton, was a native of Maryland, and a man possessing great positive- ness of character, with keen perceptions and uncommon executive power. These peculiarities induced his early removal from his na-
578
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
tive State, and settlement in a more western home, where he was a leader in the defense of the frontier against the hostile Indians. In open warfare, the Indians feared his superiority in courage and tact. The consequence was, that a band of Cherokees waylaid and murdered him on the 18th of April, 1793. Left thus early in life, in the midst of a frontier settlement, surrounded by the perils incident thereto, the son, inheriting the sagacity and self-reliance of his father, soon began to develop that positive energy of character which distinguished his after life. Though young in years at the time of his father's death, he early became the chief support of the family. In the fall of 1807, with his mother, two sisters and a half- brother, he removed to Indiana Territory, then just beginning to acquire notoriety. His place of settlement was near Brinley's Ferry, on the Ohio River. One of his first acts was to purchase a homestead for his mother, consisting of fifty acres, which he paid for out of his scanty earnings, acquired by chopping and splitting rails at 50 cents a hundred, in addition to the maintenance of the family, of whom he was now the responsible head. These early experiences laid the foundation of his future successes in life. As early as June, 1809, upon the formation of military company in the vicinity of his home-called the " Yellow Jackets," from the color of their uni- forms -- he enlisted and became an active member. This company was designed for active service, in case the exigency of the times de- manded, and was placed under the command of Capt. Spier Spen- cer. The occasion soon presented itself, and the company was or- dered to the frontier for the protection of the settlements. On the 10th of September, 1811, the company entered upon the campaign, which terminated in the battle of Tippecanoe. While on the march he was chosen ensign, and in that position he entered the battle- field. Early in the engagement all his superior officers were killed, and he was promoted to the captaincy of the company, by Gen. Har- rison, when the conflict raged fiercest. Subsequently, he was pro- moted by regular gradation, under the military regulations of the State, to the rank of brigadier-general. At the first election under the State Constitution he was the choice of the people of Harrison County for sheriff, and continued in that position until near the close of his second term. Meantime he was elected torepresent Harrison County in the State Legislature at the session of 1819-20. While a member of that body he was chosen as one of the committee to se- lect the site for the location of the State capital. The result of this committee's action made Indianapolis the capital city of Indiana. The selection was made on the 7th day of June, 1820, and confirmed by legislative enactment, approved January 6, 1821. In August, 1821, he was re-elected to represent his county, having acquired ex- tensive popularity as a discreet and active legislator. At the session following, he was chosen one of the commissioners, on the part of
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.