History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present, Part 57

Author: Helm, Thomas B., 1822-1889, ed; Brant and Fuller, Chicago (Ill.), pub
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Brant and Fuller
Number of Pages: 984


USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 57


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STEPHEN EURIT, an early settler and leading citizen of Cass County, Ind., was born April 22, 1821, in Lewis County, Va. His parents are John and Mary A. (Martin) Eurit, natives of Vir- ginia, and were respectively of Irish and German descent. They were married in Virginia in 1819, and resided in Lewis County un- til 1829, in which year they immigrated to Vigo County, Ind., where they remained until 1833. During the fall of this year they re- moved to Cass County, where they entered 200 acres of land in Bethlehem Township, which they subsequently improved, and de- voted their time and energies to farming. Our subject was raised upon his father's farm, secured a fair education, and for a number of years was engaged in teaching school in Cass and the adjoining


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counties. June 19, 1847, he was married to Ellen J. Dalzell, who was born March 12, 1822, in Washington County, Penn. She is a daughter of John and Lucy ( Crooks) Dalzell, and a grand-daughter of Gen. Crooks, who took a prominent part in the war of 1812. He commanded 4,000 men, organized in 1811, in western Pennsylvania; came west and built Fort Meigs, in Ohio, which was afterward at- tacked by Procter and gallantly defended by Maj. Croghan. Mrs. Eurit passed her early life at home, and came with her parents, in 1833, to Cass County, where she engaged for some time in teaching school. Mr. and Mrs. Eurit have been blessed by the following children: Martha, born August 25, 1848; Mary A., born November 26, 1849; Emma, born November 26, 1851, died November 5, 1854; William A., born August 5, 1853, died October 13, 1854; Fannie, born September 10, 1855, died January 4, 1879; Ida M., born Au- gust 14, 1857; Alice, born March 16, 1859, died October 3, 1872; and Charles M., born December 20, 1861. Mr. Eurit is the owner of 260 acres of well improved land, upon which are good substantial buildings. He is the architect of his own fortune, which he has accumulated by his own industry. He held the office of township trustee for a number of years with the best of satisfaction. He is a Republican in politics, and himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1854 Mr. Eurit moved to Iowa, but, owing to the death of two of his children in their new home, he returned to Cass County in October of the same year.


JAMES EVANS is a native of Clinton County, Ohio, born Sep- tember 7, 1834, the fourth child in a family of twelve children born to James and Nancy (West) Evans, natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. They moved to Wabash County, Ind., in 1851; thence a year later to Cass County, settling in Adams Township. James, our subject, received but an ordinary education, being engaged from childhood at work upon the farm, and has followed farming all his life. In the fall of 1857 he went to Henry County, Ind., where, on April 1, 1858, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Current, a native of Taylor County, Va., born June 8, 1836, and a daughter of Abraham J. and Elizabeth (Lake) Current, natives of Virginia, and who came to Henry County in 1837. Seven children have blessed this union, whose names are: Isabel, born April 27, 1860; Abraham J., born October 29, 1862; Benson W., born May 22, 1865; Lizzie J., born February 6, 1867; Isam E., born October 16, 1873, and Alfred, born October 6, 1875, all of whom are now living. In April, 1879, Mr. Evans removed from Henry County, Ind., to Adams Township, and settled where he now lives, and where he owns a fine farm, well improved and under good cultivation, which he has earned by hard work, self-denial and judicious management. He held the office of justice of the peace four years. Politically he is a strong Democrat, and is an A. F. & A. M.


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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.


EDWARD FAHL, farmer, was born in Pennsylvania in 1829, eldest of a family of nine children born to George and Mary Fahl, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German extraction. Our subject was reared by his parents, with whom he came, at the age of thir- teen, to Huntington County, Ind. Here, in January, 1860, he was united in marriage with Catherine Kusmal, a native of Germany, born in 1841. They began life together on a farm in Huntington County, where they lived until 1868, when they removed to Miami, Ind., and continued to live until 1877, in which year they removed to Cass County and purchased their present farm of 160 acres, which is well improved, and where he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Fahl are members of the German Reformed Church, and the par- ents of the following living children: Sarah, born February 24, 1862; Mary, born January 7, 1866; John, born June 26, 1869; Susan, born December 6, 1875; William, born May 27, 1879; Amanda, born August 19, 1872; George F., born November 8, 1882. Mr. Fahl in politics affiliates with the Democratic party, and is known as an industrious and upright citizen.


JAMES P. FERGUSON was born in the township where he now lives, January 1, 1838. He is one of ten children, namely: Thomas, Mary, Sarah, Richard W., Elizabeth, John M., James P., Sebastian C. and two dying in infancy, born to Richard and Phoebe A. (Payne) Ferguson, both natives of Franklin County, Va., and of English descent. They came to Cass County in 1833, and located near Logansport, where they resided for a number of years, and then removed to Adams Township. James P. was reared on his father's farm, and acquired a fair education in youth by making most of his opportunities. After attending the Logansport Semi- nary two terms, he began teaching in his native township, which he continued for several terms with more than ordinary success. On November 26, 1863, he was united in marriage with Miss Maria V. Dillman, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Ankerman) Dillman, appropriate mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. She was born in Adams Township June 15, 1841, and presented her husband with six children: Oscar B., born December 13, 1865; Lu- man W., born March 4, 1868; Henry D., born November 24, 1869; Sylvia M., born February 1, 1872; Cora D., born December 24, 1874, and Ella M., born Angust 21, 1876, all of whom are now living. Mr. Ferguson has been principally engaged in farming through- out life, and now owns a good farm in Section 32, upon which is one of the best residences of the township. He began life poor, and attributes his success in life to proper economy and industry. He is a member of the Masonic order and a firm advocate of the prin- ciples of the Republican party.


JOHN GRABLE, one of the old and prominent citizens of Cass County, is a native of Washington County, Penn., where he


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ADAMS TOWNSHIP.


was born October 18, 1804. He is the fourth son of a family of eleven children born to Jonathan and Catherine (Barkhammer) Grable, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject was reared by his parents; his education is only an ordinary one, being acquired in the primitive schools of his times. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the tanner's trade, and followed the same for four years. In 1827 he removed to Jefferson County, Ohio, where he lived until 1836, in which year he removed to Car- roll County; thence to Summit County; subsequently, in 1846, to Cass County, Ind., and located on the farm where he now lives, and shared in the toils and hardships and privations of a pioneer life. December 24, 1824, he was joined in marriage with Miss Anna Carson, a native of Washington County, Penn., born July 22, 1807, and a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Gibson) Carson, natives of Pennsylvania. Twelve children blessed this union, whose names are: Joram, born August 9, 1825, died June 28, 1859; Maria, born November 9, 1826, died May 28, 1864; Jonathan, born March 2, 1829, died October 15, 1831; John C., born November 11, 1830; Julia A., born October 24, 1832, was married to S. G. Conrad, February 26, 1857, and died February 13, 1863; Mandane, born August 12, 1835, was married to W. C. Bennett October 15, 1858; Samantha, born December 12, 1838, died January 10, 1841; Mary, borń April 29, 1841, died April 1, 1842; Salome, born January 14, 1843, was married to F. M. Lunsford April 18, 1867, and died Jan- uary 14, 1874; Isabel F., born August 23, 1845, was married, No- vember 19, 1868, to Charles T. Lunsford, and died August 11, 1871; Luzarba, born November 23, 1847, died August 5, 1864; and Maude M., born November 1, 1850, was married to John O. Wine- gardner August 26, 1869. Mrs. Grable was a true wife and mother, and departed this life November 17, 1866. Mr. Grable began life in an humble way, and by his industry, economy and good manage- ment has acquired a valuable farm of 236 acres, located in Sections 7 and 8, Adams Township, where he is now enjoying the evening of life, and bids fair to live many years, and thus fulfill the wishes of his many friends. Politically he is a Republican. His farm is now successfully managed by his son John, with whom he lives, and who was married ou June 12, 1862, to Miss Jane Dalzell, a native of Cass County, born July 30, 1842. To their union four children have been born, viz .: Nora E., born September 6, 1863; Schuyler C., born September 24, 1867; John E., born July 22, 1870; and Joram, born October 6, 1872.


LEVI H. HOSLER, lumber dealer at Hoover, was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 2, 1840. He was reared in his native State, attending the common schools, from which he obtained a fair education. At the age of twenty he enlisted for the late war in Company F, One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Regiment Ohio Vol-


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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.


unteer Infantry, where he served until the close of the war, receiv- ing an honorable discharge. Returning from the war he removed to Noble County, Ind., where he was engaged in the lumber busi- ness until 1884, since which time he has been located at Hoover, where he formed a partnership and is doing a good business. Their saw-mill is one of the largest in the county, and they have estab- lished an extensive lumber-yard, manufacturing principally railroad lumber. Mr. Hosler began life with little or no capital, but has worked his way, by his own efforts, to his present prominent position as a business man. He chose for his wife Miss Abigail Bachelder, a native of Ohio, and born of Scotch descent. Four children have blessed this union: Ellen, Daniel E., William E. and George L. Mr. Hosler is a member of the G. A. R. and a first-class citizen.


WILLIAM B. KINNAMAN, farmer, was born in Cass County, Ind., May 9, 1832, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Bennett) Kinna- man, who were natives of North Carolina and Pennsylvania, res- pectively. Thomas Kinnaman was a pioneer of the Hoosier State, he having settled in Clinton Township, Cass County, in the fall of 1829. William B. was raised on his parents' farm, receiving but a common schooling in his youth. On attaining his majority he began to do for himself, and at the age of twenty-three he went to Kansas, re- maining four years, at the end of which time he returned to his native county. December 24, 1862, he married Lucy A. Short, a native of Indiana, born May 4, 1844, and a daughter of Jacob and . Anna ( Pride) Short, natives of Delaware. Their union has been fruitful in the birth of five children: Charles E., born January 28, 1863; Frances E., born May 2, 1864, died February 22, 1865; John G., born October 20, 1868; William L., born November 28, 1870, and Anna B., born June 1, 1882. Mr. Kinnaman began life poor, but, by his own efforts, he has secured a good farm and has established a reputation as an honorable and upright citizen. Politically he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Kin- naman is an honored member of the Christian Church.


MRS. SARAH A. LEFFEL, a native of Brown County, Ohio, was born December 13, 1837; is a daughter of Joseph and James . (Veal) Burdsall, natives of New Jersey. When quite young she came to Miami County, Ind., where she received a common educa- tion. April 28, 1855, she was united in marriage with Jesse Reece, by whom she is the mother of the following children: Scott, born January 21, 1856; Matilda J., born December 14, 1857: Joseph F., born January 7, 1860; Mary E., born July 31, 1862, now deceased. Mr. Reece departed this life in October, 1864. On December 2, 1869, Mrs. Reece was married to William Leffel, a native of Frank- lin County, Va., born October 29, 1810, and a son of Samuel and Dorothy (Miller) Leffel, natives of Virginia. One child was born to this marriage, Harry G., born April 18, 1876. Mr. Leffel came to


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Cass County in the year of 1833. He was an honorable and upright citizen, a man respected and admired for his many sterling qualities of both heart and mind, and his death, which occurred May 24, 1856, was a cause for great regret among his neighbors and friends. Since his death Mrs. Leffel has continued to reside on the home- farm, which is regarded as one of the best in the township.


DAVID MOSS, an old and respected citizen of Cass County, and a resident of Adams Township, was born in Union County, Ind., November 23, 1817. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Librook) Moss, both natives of Franklin County, Va., and of En- glish and German descent, respectively. They removed to Union County, Ind., in the early part of the present century and engaged in farming. Our subject was reared to manhood's estate on his father's farm, receiving only such education in youth as the common schools of that early day afforded. August 31, 1840, he was wedded to Miss Mary Brown, by whom he is the father of six children: Sarah, born October 7, 1842; Elizabeth, born June 10, 1844 (de- ceased) ; Louis, born August 8, 1846; Aaron, born July 5, 1848; William, born July 20, 1851, and Lavina, born January 5, 1854. August 21, 1854, the wife and mother died, and June 21, 1855, Mr. Moss was united in marriage with Margaret Shidler, a daughter of David and Rebecca (Landis ) Shidler. This union has been blessed with four children: Abraham, born November 29, 1856; John, born . May 24, 1859; Alfred, born July 11, 1861, and Rebecca, born Jan- uary 5, 1868. Mr. Moss has been a successful farmer all his life, now owning a fine farm of well improved land, located on Section 33. Throughout life he has been an industrious and upright citi- zen and enjoys the high regard of all who know him. Politically he is a Democrat. Mrs. Moss is a member of the German Baptist Church.


ALLEN OBENCHAIN, an old and respected resident of Adams Township, is a native of Botetourt County, Va., born Sep- tember 17, 1821, one of fourteen children born to John and Eliza- beth (Stair) Obenchain, natives of Virginia, where they lived until they came to Indiana in 1837, settling in Tippecanoe County. Our subject was reared on a farm in his native county, receiving a common school education, and at the age of seventeen came with his parents to this State. In 1841 he came to Cass County, where he was engaged in threshing wheat and operated the first threshing machine that was introduced in the county. August 1, 1848, he married Eliza Obenchain, a native of Clark County, Ohio, born September 25, 1828, and a daughter of Thomas and Susan (Chap- man) Obenchain, natives of Virginia. By this union he is the father of twelve children: An infant, which died unnamed; Thomas E., born July 13, 1850, died September 21, 1857; Mar- tha J., born August 10, 1852; Charles P., born June 16, 1854,


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died May 15, 1856; William A., born October 30, 1856; Allen B., born June 28, 1858, died March 29, 1860; George W., born Janu- ary 22, 1860; John E., born May 28, 1862, died June 3, 1872; Henry G., born May 14, 1864, died November 17, 1865; Elder F., born February 12, 1867; Ginevra I., born September 29, 1869, and Elmer F., born July 13, 1872, died March 11, 1873. Mr. Oben- chain has passed the greater portion of his life thus far engaged in agricultural pursuits, in which he has been successful, now owning two good farms in Adams Township, which have been secured entirely by himself and wife, and. what is far more desirable and commendable, an honest name and unblemished reputation. Him- self and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is a Democrat in politics.


JOHN B. RUSH is a native of Preble County, Ohio, and was born August 11, 1846. His parents, Cornelius and Barbara (Brower) Rush, were natives of Ohio, and came to Cass County in 1848. John B. was reared upon the farm by his parents, receiving the advantages of a good education, and was most successfully engaged in teaching school for a period of eight years. May 19, 1570, he married Frances A. Tanquary, a native of Ohio, born December 7, 1846, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Shackel- ford ) Tanquary, natives of Ohio. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Although Mr. Rush started in life a poor boy, he now owns an excellent farm in Section 6, and is looked upon as one of the substantial citizens of Adams Township. He is a Republican in politics, taking an active interest for his party.


JOHN C. SKINNER, farmer, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, August 13, 1821. His parents, Thomas and Amelia (Cox) Skinner, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respec- tively, were among the early settlers of the Buckeye State. In the year of 1837 they removed from Ohio to Cass County, locating in Adams Township, and engaged in farming. John C. passed his youth and early manhood assisting his father upon the farm, his education being such as he could get by attending the common schools of that early day. At the age of twenty-two he began to do for himself, and for a time was engaged in saw-milling. He was married, at the age of twenty-five, to Miss Hannah Crooks, who died in the year of 1862. In 1869 he was united in marriage with Sarah Han, who departed this life July 11, 1876, and on March 20, 1878, he was married to Fannie Bell, a daughter of Robert and Alice (Hance) Bell. Mrs. Skinner was born September 15, 1847. To Mr. Skinner's first marriage were born three children: Fannie E., born October 29, 1850, died September 1, 1876; Richard T., born September 8, 1852, died November 1, 1876, and Wesley J., born October 10, 1858. died March 6, 1877. By his second marriage two children were born: Walter M., born December 1, 1869, and Edith


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P., born August 18, 1873, and died May 13, 1875. Mr. Skinner began life a poor man, but, by diligence, economy and good man- agement, he now owns one of the best farms in Adams Township, upon which are many valuable improvements. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and are universally respected.


THOMAS H. SKINNER, farmer, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, November 21, 1836, and is a son of Thomas and Amelia (Cox) Skinner, pioneers of Cass County. Thomas H. is one of the leading men of Adams Township. He was raised to hard work upon his father's farm, secured a fair education from the com- mon schools, and at the age of twenty-four years began life for him- self as a farmer. March 21, 1861, he was married to Sarah A. Bockover. She is a native of Cass County, born August 24, 1842, and a daughter of John and Harriet (Simmons) Bockover, natives of Ohio, coming to Cass County in 1838. The children born to their union are Olive A., born April 26, 1862; Albert W., born Jan- uary 21, 1864; Ida M., born December 13, 1865; Florence M., born December 24, 1867; Amanda E., born February 18, 1870; Fred H., born November 28, 1873; Eva M., born November 4, 1878, and Jes- sie V., born August 29, 1881, three of whom are now deceased. Mr. Skinner owns a good farm, well improved, and devotes his attention to agricultural pursuits. He is a Republican, but has never aspired to any political prominence. He and wife are connected with the Christian Church.


H. D. SKINNER, M. D., was born in Cass County, Ind., Nov- ember 21, 1854, son of Richard C. and Elizabeth (Conrad) Skinner, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively, and of German de- scent. Subject was reared on a farm, and attended the district school until sixteen years old, when he began teaching during the winter and attending the school at Logansport in the summer. At the age of twenty-four, in accordance with his desire, he began the study of medicine under Drs. Fitch and Coleman, continuing three years, at the expiration of which time he entered the Indiana Medi- cal College, at Indianapolis, Ind., and graduated March 31, 1881. He returned to Twelve Mile, where he engaged in the practice of his profession, and has remained there ever since. September 15, 1882, he married Miss Sarah A. Williams, a daughter of John and Christenia (Keplinger) Williams, both of whom were natives of Indiana. To their union two children have been born: Roscoe, born in June, 1883, and Daniel Otto, born in September, 1884. The Doctor started in life without any financial assistance, but through his energy and ability has secured a large practice and a good home. He is a member of the fraternity of Odd Fellows, and is now serving his second term as township trustee. In politics he is a Republican, and is a man of thorough and energetic business qual- ifications, and is held in high esteem by all.


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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.


ESAU WOODHOUSE, farmer, was born in Cass County, Ind., June 27, 1835, eldest of six children born to Philip and Sarah (Hoover ) Woodhouse, who were among the early settlers of Cass County, they coming from Ohio. Esau Woodhouse was raised on the farm of his parents, received a fair education when a boy, and when twenty-one years old engaged in farming on his own respon- sibility. He is an enterprising and industrious citizen, owns a good well improved farm, located in Section 27, Adams Township, and is a stanch Democrat in politics. He was united in marriage with Susan J. Kingry March 2, 1859. Mrs. Woodhouse is a native of Franklin County, Va., born October 1, 1838. Six children have re- sulted from this union: Minerva F., born January 28, 1860; Henry T., born August 21, 1862; Laura B., born December 22, 1865, died September 8, 1866; Sarah E., born March 4, 1868; Urilla A., born April 17, 1872, and Mirttie I., born April 12, 1876. The parents are members of the Christian Church, and are respected by all who know them.


HENRY WOODHOUSE, farmer, was born in Adams Town- ship, Cass Co., Ind., December 29, 1836. He is a son of Philip and Sarah (Hoover) Woodhouse, natives of Ohio, but removed to to Cass County in the fall of 1834. Our subject received only a common schooling, and, until twenty years old, assisted his parents on the home-farm. September 4, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Cox, a daughter of William Cox, of Cass County. To this union one child was born, Mary E., born October 11, 1858, and died July, 1860. September 8, 1861, his wife, Sarah, died, and again, October 15, 1863, he married Lydia Abbott, a native of Cass County, born July 7, 1839. Two children were born to this mar- riage: Huldah M., born September 18, 1864, died December 18, 1875, and Arthur D., born June 13, 1866, and died the following December. Mr. Woodhouse is one of the substantial men of Adams Township; beginning life in very moderate circumstances, by good management and industry has accumulated a fine farm, located in Section 27, and where known he is highly respected.


I.E. Ross


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BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP.


CHAPTER IX.


BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP -LOCATION-FIRST SETTLERS - LAND ENTRIES - PIONEER LIFE-WILD GAME - IMPROVEMENTS-RELIGIOUS HISTORY, ETC .- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


B ETHLEHEM lies in the northern part of Cass County and embraces all of Congressional Township 28 north, Range 2 west. Its boundaries are Fulton County on the north, Adams Town- ship on the east, and the townships of Clay and Harrison on the south and west, respectively. The general surface of the county is level, and the greater part was originally covered with dense for- ests of the finest timber, walnut, poplar, maple, beech, elm and the different species of oak predominating. A portion of the township was at one time quite low and marshy, but by a successful system of drainage all the waste lands have been reclaimed, and Bethlehem now presents as fine and as well developed agricultural region as is to be found in Cass County. The soil is a black loam, sand-mixed in some localities, and of great depth and fertility. It rests on an impervious clay subsoil and is rich in plant food, as is attested by the fact that all the fruits and cereals indigenous to this latitude are sure of certain growth and large returns.


The only water course of any importance is the west branch of the Twelve Mile Creek, which rises near the central part of the township and flows a southeasterly direction through Sections 15, 16, 22, 23 and 25, crossing the eastern boundary about one mile and a quarter north of the Clay Township line. This stream affords a natural drainage for a large area of territory and it was on lands adjacent to the same that many of the early settlers located their homes.




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