USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 56
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ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
Lowman, Joel Martin, Richard Ferguson, George Lowman, Thomas Sheridan, Henry Lewis, Minor Alley, John Arnold, Elijah Cox, John Kelley and George Harland. Between the years 1835 and 1840 the following persons secured lands by entry, to wit: Calvin Taylor, William R. Davis, Samuel Harp, J. Lathrop, J. E. and J. Carney, Joseph Shamburg, William Stroud, James Payne, John Denny, John Euritt, Henry Conrad, Jesse McLean, Jonathan Wash- ington, C. W. Lawe, Wisley Craig, E. Morse, George H. Sherwood, Joel H. Davis, William Filley, Jacob Metz, William Bromenbach, John Simons, Joseph Lowman, Jesse Greathouse, Henry Alexander and Silas Wells, several of whom became settlers.
Township Organization .- " The township was organized May 6, 1835, and named in honor of John Quincy Adams. Soon after this an election was held at the house of Nathaniel Nichols. John Cox was chosen first justice of the peace. Nathaniel Nichols acted as inspector; he was also one of the early trustees."
Industries .- The first mill in the township was built by George Lowman as early as the year 1836 or 1838, and stood on Twelve Mile Creek, from which it received its motive power. It was a saw- mill and did a fair business during the early settlement of the coun- try. It ceased operations many years ago, and no vestige of the old frame building remains to mark the spot it occupied.
About the year 1840 a second saw-mill was erected on Twelve Mile Creek by James Reed. It stood on the Thomas Skinner land, and was in operation for a period of about twenty years.
The first flouring-mill in the township was erected by Matthew Obenchain about the year 1856, and stood on Twelve Mile Creek in Section 31, Town 28 north, Range 3 west. It was a frame building, manufactured both flour and lumber, and stood until 1876, when the entire structure was destroyed by fire. It was afterward rebuilt by David Myers, operated very successfully until 1883, at which time it was again burned to the ground, entailing a heavy loss on the proprietors. The present mill, which stands on the same spot, was built in the year 1885 by Noah Simons & Bro. at a cost of about $3,500. It is a frame structure, supplied with machinery for the manufacture of a superior grade of flour, and is doing as successful a business as any mill of its capacity in the county.
A saw-mill was erected on Twelve Mile Creek in an early day by Jacob Leffel, who operated it very successfully for a number of
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
years. It stood in the southern part of the township on land owned by Charles Crook, and was destroyed by a freshet in 1876.
One of the first industries of the township was a small distillery operated by Taswell Richardson on his farm near Eel River, prior to 1840. It was a primitive affair, but supplied an average article of "tangle leg" to the settlers in the vicinity, the majority of whom appear to have been lacking the concientious scruples of the modern prohibitionist.
In addition to the industries enumerated there have been a num- ber of steam saw-mills in operation at different times, the largest of which was located at Hoover Station, about the year 1874. This mill was operated on a very extensive scale, and for several years manufactured as much lumber as any other mill in northern In- diana.
Village of Newburg, a paper town, situated on the east branch of Twelve Mile Creek, Section 29, Town 28 north, Range 3 east, was surveyed in the year 1838 by B. Powell for Samuel Lowman and Joel Black, proprietors. The plat shows seventeen blocks, fifty- four lots and five streets, three of which, Main, North and Spring, run north and south, and two, Poplar and Mill Streets, cross them at right angles, running east and west. The principal cause which led to the platting of the village was the desire on the part of the pro- prietors for a handsome profit which they thought could be realized from the sale of lots, as the advantages of the location promised much for the welfare of the future city. These expectations, how- ever, were not realized to any great extent, and beyond a few rude dwellings and a couple of shops no improvements of any importance appear to have been attempted on the town. site. The plat was sub- sequently abandoned, and a cultivated field is all that now remains of the once imagined metropolis.
Twelve Mile .- This little hamlet is situated in Sections 17 and 20, Town 28 north, Range 3 east, and dates its history from about the year 1852. At that time, or, perhaps, a little earlier, a saw-mill was erected in the neighborhood by Daniel Brubaker, which soon became the nucleus of quite a settlement. A postoffice was after- ward established, and, some time prior to the war, one Hammond Ludders brought a stock of goods to the place and engaged in the mercantile business, which he carried on with fair success for several years. Another early merchant was Richard Ludders, and after him
alshnya
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ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
came John Walters, George Lowman, Frank Wait, J. L. Clouse, Noah Simons, Milton Enyart, Samuel Pence, James Wilson, J. S. Rannels, J. W. Eggman and T. P. Swigart. The present merchant is J. W. Eggman, who is doing a prosperous business with a gen- eral assortment of merchandise. The other business of the village is represented by a planing-mill, operated by Andrew and John Decker; wagon shop by R. J. Smith, and saw-mill by Daniel Fet- row. The following medical men have practiced their profession in the village at different times, viz. : J. C. Wait, A. H. Strode, Thomas Crook, James McKee and J. M. Morris. The present physician is Dr. H. D. Skinner, who enjoys a large and lucrative practice in the counties of Cass, Miami and Fulton.
Twelve Mile or " Hen Peck," as it is commonly called, is situ- ated in the midst of a rich agricultural district, and is the principal trading point for a large and populous community.
Hoover, a small station on the Detroit, Eel River & Illinois Railroad, is situated near the southwest corner of the township, in Section 4, Township 27 north, Range 3 east. It is the seat of a very large and prosperous lumber trade and dates its history proper from April, 1874, at which time a plat of fourteen lots was surveyed for Riley Hoover, proprietor. Some time prior to that date, however, the large steam saw-mill, already alluded to, was located at the place for the purpose of sawing the timber on what is known as the " big woods " or " seven sections." The firm operating this mill manu- factured lumber for the principal markets East and West, and did a very extensive business.
The present mill, which is one of the largest in northern Indi- ana, is the chief support of the village. Shortly after the comple- tion of the railroad, J. L. Clouse came to the place and erected a large store building, which he has since occupied with a general assortment of merchandise. William Obenchain was in the goods business a short time and Willard Place bought and shipped grain very extensively for several years. There are at the present time two stores, two blacksmith and repair shops, and about the usual number of "brick pressers " found in country villages.
Churches .- The introduction of Christianity into Adams was co- temporary with its first settlement, and the "voice in the wilderness" was among the pioneers, calling sinners to repentance long before any organization was in existence or house of worship erected. The
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
early ministers were God-fearing, good men, who preached without a salary or choir, and a bugle solo in church would have called up- on the rocks and mountains to crush them. They may not have been well versed in scholastic divinity, but fired with a holy zeal in the cause of their Master, they "smote his Satanic majesty hip and thigh" wherever they found him, and did much toward counteract- ing the prevalent evil of the times. Rev. William M. Rayburn, a pioneer minister of the Methodist Church, visited the sparse settle- ments as early as 1832, and held religious services at the residence of Logan Thomas. These meetings were well attended, and served to bring the settlers together in a social as well as religious capacity. Several years later, a class was organized in the northern part of the township, under the name of Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, and among the early members were the Enyart and McHenry fami- lies. A hewed-log meeting-house was erected in Section 5, near the Fulton County line, and the organization soon became quite strong in number and influence. It has maintained an existence to the present time, but is now in a feeble condition, having lost its most active members by death and removals. The present pastor is Rev. J. J. Cooper.
Twelve Mile Christian Church .- To Elder Thomas Whitman the credit is due of sowing the first seed which, under his careful cul- ture, germinated. and in due time developed into the Christian Church of Twelve Mile. On January 16, 1847, he brought about the organization with the following members: John Davis, Lucinda Davis, Thomas Skinner, Amelia Skinner, James Davis, Richard Skinner, Thomas Whitman and Jane Whitman. The first officers were Thomas Skinner and James Davis, deacons, and the same two, with John Johnson, trustees. The first meetings were held at the residences of Thomas Skinner and James Reed, and under the earn- est and effective preaching of Elder Whitman quite a number of the early settlers united with the organization. Among these can be named: Margaret Davis, Elizabeth Davis, Margaret Reed, Nancy Reed, Rebecca Stroud, Amelia Jones, Elizabeth Jones, John Johnson, Abra- ham Lowman, Mary Johnson, Elmore Simons, Joseph Venters, Hen- rietta Venters, Joseph Lowman, Eliza M. Beck and Samuel Skinner, all of whom became members prior to 1848. During the latter year, the following persons identified themselves with the congregation: Cynthia Bockover, Joel Black, Caroline Skinner, Rebecca Belew, O.
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P. Davis, Rebecca Reed, D. L. Davis, Wiley Johnson, Margaret Skinner, Sarah J. Davis, Susanna Lowman, Catherine E. Leavel and Isabell Ashworth.
Worship was conducted in private dwellings about one year, when a substantial log building was erected on land donated for the purpose by Thomas Skinner. The house stood in Section 22, and was used until 1870, when it was torn down and replaced by the present handsome frame structure. This temple of worship is 36x40 feet, has a seating capacity of 300, and represents a capital of about $1,100. Commencing with the year 1847, the following are the names of the ministers who have held the relation of pastor of this church: Thomas Whitman, Abraham Sneethen, Nicholas Myers, John Winters, William Winegardner, Benjamin Rapp, Buzzard, - Webster, Samuel McNeely and A. S. Culbertson.
The church has always been in a prosperous condition, and has never fallen into decay or lost its usefulness. It is on a solid basis, with a good membership, a spirit of harmony and an ability to ac- complish an unlimited amount of good in the community.
Twelve Mile Center Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1883, by Rev. R. J. Smith, with a membership of about forty per- sons. Mr. Smith began holding meetings prior to the above date, preaching with great acceptance in the schoolhouse near Twelve Mile Village, and sometimes in the village hall. Through his earn- est efforts the few Methodist families living in that vicinity were gathered into a class, and others joining soon led to the necessity of a permanent organization. This Mr. Smith accomplished, and has been serving them as pastor ever since. Worship is held in the schoolhouse, but steps 'are being taken toward erecting a building more in keeping with the needs of the increasing congregation. Joshua Howell is class-leader and Andrew Decker superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has a regular attendance of about fifty scholars.
Cemeteries .- "It is appointed unto all men to die," says Holy Writ, and pretty faithfully have the pioneers of Adams Township obeyed the summons.
The Skinner Grave-yard, in the eastern part of the township, was set aside for burial purposes in quite an early day, and the first per- son laid to rest beneath its sombre shades was Mrs. Mary Skinner, wife of Nathan Skinner. Daniel Bayless was buried here many years ago, as were also James Reed and Sallie Couch.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
The Grable Cemetery, in the northern part of the township, was laid out on the land of John Grable in the early history of the coun- try. Among the early burials in this grave-yard were Andrew Stoughton, Mrs. John Grable, and other members of the Grable fam- ily. The Dillman Cemetery, on the Dillman farm, in the southern part of the township, was used as a place of interment prior to 1545. It is now one of the principal burial places in the township, and within its precincts are sleeping many of the early pioneers of the country.
Miscellaneous Matters .- Probably the first marriage which oc- curred in Adams Township was that of Samuel Kelly to Sirena Cox, on the 5th of March, 1834, Rev. William M. Rayburn officiating ..
The first death was that of Nancy Thomas, which occurred some time in the year 1832.
Adams has always sustained the reputation of being a peaceable and law-abiding community; yet several occurrences of a sanguin- ary nature have, at different times, taken place within her borders.
A man by the name of Lewis, some time during the war, became involved in a difficulty with a neighbor lady, whom he tried to beat to death with a club. Thinking he had accomplished the bloody deed, he deliberately committed suicide, by shooting himself. The woman, who had been bruised in a most shocking manner, after- ward recovered.
A young man by the name of Webster committed suicide a num- ber of years ago, by hanging, and later another suicide was com- mitted by one John Hissong, who cut his throat with a razor.
The fatal shooting of Samuel T. Leffel by Emanuel Lowman, in the winter of 1883, is still fresh in the mind of the reader. This unfortunate deed, committed under many palliating circumstances, is the only dark spot of the kind on the fair fame of the township ..
A distressing accident occurred several years ago at one of the saw-mills of the township, in which Addis L. Thomas, a most esti- mable citizen, lost his life. He fell into the saw, which so mangled him that death came to his relief within a few days.
During the war partisan feeling in Adams rose to a high pitch, and as a result many unfortunate dissentions took place and much bitter feeling was engendered. At a camp-meeting in the southern part of the township an attempt was made, by some sol- diers and others, to hang an erratic citizen of Logansport, in at-
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tendance, who had given utterance to some treasonable sentiments. He was hurried off the ground behind a team of fast horses, and barely escaped the noose that had been gotten in readiness for him.
At a Democratic barbecue on Twelve Mile, a few years later, au episode of an entirely different nature took place. Several festive gentlemen, whose liberal use of the "oil of joy" had caused their patriotism to reach the boiling point, had a misunderstanding with the keeper of a refreshment stand, and during the melee that fol- lowed the stand and contents disappeared almost as suddenly as if the spot had been struck by a doubly loaded Kansas cyclone. For this little piece of amusement one of the participants was compelled to answer in a court of justice.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JACOB BARNHART is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Neff) Barnhart, both of whom were natives of Virginia and of German descent. Jacob Barnhart is a native of Franklin County, Va., where he was born September 25, 1823. He passed his youth in assisting his parents on the home-farm, and at the age of twenty began life on his own responsibility, and since then his principal occupation has been farming. His marriage with Miss Mary Fisher was solemnized January 7, 1849, she being a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Brower) Fisher, and was born April 18, 1826. Her early life was passed in Virginia, but later removed to Ohio; thence to Miami County, Ind., where she received a fair education by attending the common schools. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Barnhart are as follows; Levina A., born November 30, 1849, died April 4 ,1864; Elizabeth, born March 18, 1851; George, born April 14, 1852; Maria, born November 20, 1853; Susannah, born August 8, 1855, died November 6, 1856; Henry A., born Septem- ber 11, 1858; Harvey, born March 26, 1860, died June 10, 1861; an infant, born December 12, 1862, died unnamed; Emma A., born January 16, 1866, and Marvin E., born June 17, 1869. The par- ents belong to the German Baptist Church, of which denomination Mr. Barnhart has been a minister for twenty-four years, also an ordained elder for ten years. He has occupied various positions of trust, and has always been faithful and true to the trust imposed. He owns a good farm in Section 20, upon which he lives; he is widely known and universally liked and respected.
DANIEL BROWER, farmer, was born November 1, 1822, in Preble County, Ohio. His parents were Henry and Hannah (Dill- man) Brower, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively,
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
and of German extraction. Daniel Brower acquired a fair educa- tion at the common schools in his native State. At the age of sixteen he came with his parents to Cass County, where he contin- ued to remain under the parental roof until thirty-seven years of age, during which time he was principally engaged in farming. In 1852 he was elected treasurer of Miami County, Ind., creditably filling this office for one term, when he resumed farming. Novem- ber 13, 1859 he was united in marriage with Mary E. Thompson, a native of Virginia, and of English extraction. Five children are the fruits of this union, namely: Margaret A., born January 21, 1861; Viola A., born June 6, 1864; Frank W., born January 22, 1867; Irvin D., born November 20, 1869, and George L., born April 5, 1872, all of whom are now living. Mr. Brower is an en- terprising and industrious citizen, owns a good farm of 160 acres in Section 27, which he has acquired by industrious exertion and honest dealing. Politically he is a thorough Democrat.
J. L. CLOUSE, merchant at Hoover, is a native of Washington County, Penn .; was born March 1, 1831. His parents were Will- iam and Lydia (Leonard) Clouse, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and of German extraction. John L. passed his boy- hood days at home, receiving a common school education. At the age of eighteen he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, which occupation he followed for a period of thirty years. January, 1864. he enlisted in Company K, Forty-sixth Regiment Veteran Volun- teers, and served until the close of the war. Prior to the war he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza J. Richey, a daughter of An- drew and Martha (Thompson) Richey, who were natives of Penn- sylvania. Seven children were born to this union, namely: Mary E., born October 20, 1854, died September 26, 1864; Lucy B., born July 28, 1857; Ora I., born November 7, 1859; Rosa F., born November 5, 1862; Lydia B., born October 4, 1865, died August 5, 1867; John R., born February 28, 1868, and Charles W., born January 18, 1872. Mr. Clouse is among the enterprising men of Hoover, where he is engaged in general merchandising, and by strict attention to business has established a trade which requires his entire attention, and which he justly merits. He also fills the position of railway agent of the Eel River Railroad at Hoover, and holds the office of postmaster. He is a member of the G. A. R., and altogether is one of the substantial men of the county.
DAVID CONRAD, farmer, is a native of Washington County, Penn., and was born January 1, 1833. He is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Custer ) Conrad, natives of Pennsylvania, and who settled with their family in Adams Township in the year 1840. Our subject received a common school education in the schools of his time, and throughout life farming has been his chief occupation. Catherine Smith became his wife December 14, 1854. She is a native of
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Wayne County, Ohio, her birth occurring May 19, 1835, and a daughter of Jacob P. and Rebecca (Miller) Smith, who were natives of Ohio and Maryland, respectively, and who came to Cass County in 1852. To Mr. and Mrs. Conrad have been born nine children, namely: Theodore F., born February 24, 1856, died September 20, 1856; Frances A., born August 7, 1858; Sarah B., born October 14, 1861; George M., born February 19, 1864; Cyrus V., born January 16, 1866; Velma O., born September 24, 1868; Berdella M., born January 12, 1872; Ada P., born Janu- ary 26, 1881, and an infant unnamed. Mr. Conrad owns a fine farm in Section 20, well improved and cultivated. His politics are Demo- cratic, and he takes an active interest in public affairs and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Conrad is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are of the best people, and highly respected as citizens in the community where they live.
ANDREW J. COX, farmer, was born in Miami County, Ohio, November 7, 1837, son of John and Mary (Hoover) Cox, who were of German extraction. Andrew J., then a small boy, came with his parents to Cass County, locating in Adams Township. Here his early years were passed in assisting his parents on the home-farm, and attending the district school. January 11, 1852, he married Miss Susannah Loman, a native of Ohio, born March 8, 1834, and a daughter of Abraham and Jane (Hughel) Loman, natives of Ohio. Four children have been the fruits of their union, whose names are: Semantha E., born May 23, 1853; Eliza J., born November 25, 1855; Mary A., born April 3, 1858, and John R., born August 16, 1860, only two of whom are now living. Mr. Cox has followed farming through life, and with good success, as his farm of 172 acres, well improved and cultivated, amply testifies, and which he has acquired by hard and honest labor. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a Democrat in politics and an upright citizen, whom to know is to respect and esteem.
WILLIAM DALZELL was born on the farm he now owns, March 25, 1851, a son of Thomas and Mary (McMillen) Dalzell, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania. These parents immigrated to Cass County in 1835, locating on Sec- tion 29, Adams Township, where they resided until their death, liv- ing an honored and respected life. The father died December 25, 1884, the mother having preceded him February 8, 1881. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and are buried in the Bethlehem Grave-Yard. William was reared in his native county, receiving in youth a common school education, and at the age of twenty-four began life for himself. He selected farming as his vo- cation through life, as did his father before him, and is the present owner of 255 acres of good farming and grazing land. Miss Isabel Dillman became his wife May 30, 1875; she is a daughter of Daniel
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
and Elizabeth (Aukerman ) Dillman, and was born August 1, 1849. To their union four children have been born: John H., born Sep- tember 14, 1876, died October 31, 1885; Dudley T., born Septem- ber 15, 1880; Blanche E., born June 22, 1882, and one child which died in infancy. Mr. Dalzell is one of the county's self-made men, beginning life's battle a poor boy, and by upright dealings has acquired a competency. Mrs. Dalzell is a member of the Evangelist Church.
W. H. and S. F. DILLMAN, sons of Daniel and Elizabeth ( Au- kerman) Dillman, are among the most prosperous citizens of Adams Township, where they are pleasantly situated on the home-farm, which they own, and contains 160 acres of excellent land, and are engaged in farming. Daniel Dillman, the father, was born in Vir- ginia July 21, 1804. He was married in Preble County, Ohio, March 18, 1830, and where they continued to reside until 1840, in which year they removed to Cass County, and were the first to lo- cate in Adams Township, where they engaged in agricultural pur- suits, and resided until their respective deaths. He was twice mar- ried; his first wife, the mother of our subject, who died March 21, 1859; his second wife, who was Catherine Burrows, a native of Cass County, died February 23, 1870. The father was industrious, in- telligent, and highly respected, and was father of the following family: Mary M., born December 3, 1830; John H., born February 19, 1832; Aaron S., born October 5, 1834, died April 16, 1837; Elizabeth C., born July 16, 1837, died July 17, 1845; William H., born October 9, 1839; Maria V., born June 15, 1841; S. F., born February 20, 1843; Eliza L., born April 26, 1845; Lavina E., born May 20, 1847; Isabel H., born August 1, 1849, and Margaret A., born June 6, 1852. The two brothers, whose names form the sub- ject of this notice, live together on the home-farmn. S. F. is the only one married, his wife beiug Miss Martha J. Mitten. The brothers take an interest in all moral, educational or other enter- prises that go to build up the community in which they live or benefit the condition of their fellow-men.
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