History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present, Part 61

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 61


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are mostly descendants of the original settlers, who were drawn hither from older communities. As a class they are intelligent and thrifty, while their broad charity and public spirit find them fore- most in every enterprise conducive to the general welfare.


Pioneer Settlement .- Sixty years ago the present area of Boone Township was a wilderness unbroken by the innovation of white men. Predatory savage tribes were the sole possessors of the soil, and wild beasts, both numerous and ferocious, lurked amid the dense forests, which afforded them natural hiding places. Occasion- ally a few adventurous hunters and trappers, lured by the presence of abundant game, came to the country and erected temporary hab- itations, but made no further improvements, spending their time in the enjoyment of their favorite pursuit. They were sojourners rather than settlers-the spume that crested the tide of advancing civilization-and having a large region wherein to choose, soon drifted to other localities. In the year 1834 appeared the first act- ual settler in the person of Andrew Kline, who selected for his home what is now known as the Fultz farm. He was joined the same year by the following men and their families: John Henry, James Den- ton, Vincent Calvin and George D. Washburn, all of whom made permanent improvements and took an active part in the development of the country. During the year 1835 the little colony was increased by the following persons: Jolin Beckley, Sr., Thomas Martindale, David Beckley, Robert Bernetha, John Reeder, Henry Long and J. Beede.


Prominent among the arrivals of 1836 was John Beckley, Jr., who has for fifty years been a prominent resident of the township. Jolin Weyand, a brother-in-law of Beckley, came the same year, and is still living. Others who secured homes prior to 1837, were Jonas Kistler, Jacob Kistler and James McAwley.


Martin Key came to the township as early as 1833, and settled on the Klinger farm, where he lived a short time. William and Moses Williamson located in the southwestern part of the township at about the year 1836. Matthew Ralston, Moses Washburn and William W. Washburn, Bryant Button, Thomas Powell, Solomon Bernetha, David McCombs, Jacob Kistler, Jr., M. T. Harvey, Will- iam Guthrie, Joseph Ballou, Solomon Berkshire. William and Jonas Kistler, and several others, became residents as early as 1837. In 1538 there were living in the township, in addition to those enumer-


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ated, the following settlers: Henry Esterbrook, E. B. Waterhouse, James McMillen, Henry Wood, Emanuel Growell, Henry Conn, Elias McCawley, Aaron Dawson, Henry Kistler, George M. Fickle, Elijah Booth, Hugh Mahaffy, William Dale, and others whose names can not be recalled.


Among those who came in from time to time, and shared the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life, can be named the following: Israel Bickle, Philip Shaffer, John Nolan, George M. Fickle, Amos Wisley, N. Minthorn, James Thompson, Isaac V. Thompson, Andrew Wirwhan, Samuel Spencer, George Caldwell, David Caldwell, Richard Gaston and Laban Gaston, the majority of whom purchased land from the Government and became residents prior to 1840. Other settlers deserving of special mention were doubtless here in an early day, but their names were not given to the writer.


Land Entries .- In the year 1838 the following non-residents secured land in the township by entry, viz .: Samuel Black, William Guthrie and James McMillen, in Section 1; John Long, G. W. Will- iamson, John Henderson. John Buston and John Thompson; in Sec- tion 2; Joseph Hawkins and James Johnson, in Section 3; Jer- emiah Woods, Hampton Wood, William McCleary, Christian Long, Thomas Vernon, Amos Bishop and Francis Dale, in different sec- tions.


Township Organization .- "The township was organized May 8, 1836. Soon after this, an election was held in the cabin of David Beckley, situated in Section -. At this election eleven votes were cast. John Beckley acted as inspector and George Caldwell was chosen first justice of the peace. The first trustees were Jacob Kistler, Jr., Daniel Weyand and John Beckley."


Roads .- One of the first essentials of civilization is a well-de- fined system of roadways. The first roads through this section were mere trails, or Indian traces, which wound among the woods in every and all directions. The early settlers cut roads with a view to bene- fit the greatest number with the smallest possible inconvenience, and no attention whatever was paid to section lines. The first highway of any importance was the Logansport & Chicago State Road, sur- veyed and established in the year 1838. The route through Boone was viewed by John W. Wright and Daniel Dale, and the survey made by Abner E. Vanness, county engineer. The original route


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has been modified of late years, but the general direction is the same, and it continues to be one of the principal highways of the county.


A county road was located through the eastern part of the town- ship as early as 1838 or 1839, and is still traveled.


The township was early divided into road districts, and high- ways petitioned for and established from time to time. Much of the work put upon them was, in the nature of things, productive of only temporary benefit. During the wet seasons they were almost impassable for any kind of conveyance or vehicle, on account of the muddy condition of the country. Corduroys were constructed in many localities, and traces of them may yet be seen. As the popu- lation increased roads improved, and many of them were changed to the proper section lines and regularly established. The township at the present time is well supplied with highways intersecting each other at proper intervals, all of which are in fair condition.


Early Events .- On November 14, 1835, was solemnized the first marriage in Boone Township, the contracting parties being Elijah Booth and Sallie Beckley. The ceremony was performed by Robert Edwards, assistant judge, and the occasion was one of much rejoicing in the neighborhood.


The first persons born of white parents within the present limits of the township was Clarinda, daughter of Andrew and Haunah Kline, and wife of Clark Minthorn. Her birth occurred in the year 1834. The name of the first person who died in the township is not definitely known. Deaths occurred in the families of the earliest settlers shortly after their arrival in the country, but so many years have elapsed since then' that few facts can be distinctly recalled. Among the early deaths was that of Mrs. John Henry, "who died very suddenly from heart disease in 1834." Another early death was that of a daughter of George Hamilton, who departed this life about the year 1840 or 1841. Hers was the first burial in the Weyand & Kline Cemetery, which was laid ont in an early day in Sec- tion 24. Mrs. Jacob Kline and Caroline Wisley were laid to rest in the same place many years ago, as were other early settlers whose names can not be recalled. The Thompson Grave-yard, in the west- ern part of the township, was consecrated to the burial of the dead in an early day, and first used by the Thompsons and neighbors in the vicinity.


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Industries .- Boone is essentially an agricultural township, and but little attention has been given by its citizens to manufacturing enterprises. Saw-mills were located at different points after the completion of the railroad, and the lumber business at one time be- came quite an important industry. Vast quantities of black wal- nut, poplar, and oak lumber have been shipped from Royal Center, and the trade in staves, hoop-poles, etc., is still a source of a hand- some revenue to those who follow it. The first saw-mill in the township was erected by George Conn and George Hendee as early as 1845 or 1846, and stood in Section 1. It was a tread-mill and re- ceived its motive power from a good yoke of oxen, and manufactured much of the lumber used by the early settlers. It was afterward remodeled and supplied with an engine, and for a number of years did a very prosperous business.


A steam saw-mill was erected in Section 14 as early as 1846, by Messrs. Goodrich & Minthorn, who operated it quite extensively for several years. The last owners were Corbett & Thrush, who ran it until its destruction by fire, a number of years ago.


Another early industry was a tannery, established by Emanuel Growell, in Section 24, about the year 1840. Mr. Growell manu- factured a fair article of leather and did a good business for a period of ten or fifteen years. All traces of this enterprise have disap- peared, and no vestige remains to mark the spot it occupied.


Religious .- The religious history of Boone dates from its first settlement, many of the pioneers having been active members of different churches in the country from which they emigrated. In the new country, with its sparse population, there were few if any stationary ministers; yet representatives from several denomina- tions early traversed this region conducting religious exercises in the settlers' cabins. Unsustained by the rigid precepts of law in any privileges, perquisites, fixed revenue, or authority, except such as is voluntarily acknowledged by the clergy, those early preachers found their success depended upon their own efforts, and with an untiring zeal in the great cause, went forth to their work, traveling from month to month, and enduring manifold hard- ships for the good of humanity. Living remote from each other, and spending much of their time in domestic solitude in vast forests, the settlers looked upon these appointments as pleasing changes, which enabled them to meet for the interchange of social congratu-


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lations as well as for religious worship. The first of these meetings were held by ministers of the Baptist Church at Martin Key's resi- dence, as early as 1835. The Methodists followed in the wake of the Baptists, and visited the different settlements from time to time, conducting public worship in groves and private residences. Later came the United Brethren, who organized the first church in the township, of which mention will be made in the sketch of Royal Center. At the present time there is but one religious organization in the township, outside of Royal Center. This is the Emanuel Evangelical Church, which dates its history from the year 1859. The organization was brought about by the labors of Rev. Mr. Withaupt, and the original membership numbered about twenty persons, all of whom were Germans. Meetings were held for two years at the residence of Jacob Kennell, and at the end of that time a schoolhouse was secured for church purposes and used until the erection of the present beautiful temple of worship in 1868. This building stands about two miles from Royal Center; is a frame structure, 34x46 feet, and cost the sum of $1,200. The following preachers have ministered to the congregation from time to time, viz .: Revs. Oaks, Wales, Dustman, Grounmiller, Kiplinger, Pon- tius, Akerman, Klipfer, Schuh and Overmeyer, the last named be- ing the pastor in charge at the present time. The present officers are Emanuel Lusher, class-leader; Joseph Powlen, exhorter, and D. R. Heil, superintendent of the Sunday-school. The church is in a prosperous condition and has upon the records the names of about sixty-three active members.


Royal Center .- The history of this enterprising town dates from April, 1846, at which time the original plat, consisting of +1 lots, situated in Section 23, was surveyed and placed on record. The proprietor, Elisee Andrews, actuated by a motive of speculation, was led to lay out the village in order to get rid of a portion of his farm, which at the time was too wet and marshy for cultivation. From the fact that it was an inland town, remote from any navigable stream or railroad, it was destined to remain for some time in com- parative obscurity, and for the first eight or ten years there were not to exceed two dozen families in the place. The first house in the town was a dwelling erected on Lot 8 by C. W. Anderson, who came to the place soon after the sale of lots, and engaged in the blacksmithing business. William Krider came at the same time, and


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entered into partnership with Anderson, and the two built a shop on Lot 11. Another early resident was George W. Strode, a plane- maker, who worked at his trade in the village a number of years. The first store was opened by G. B. Moore, in a small frame build- ing on Lot 8, which is still standing, being used at the present time for a kitchen. Mr. Moore handled a general stock of goods, and for several years did a thriving business. The second merchant was Thomas Kendrick, who sold goods in an old school building that stood a short distance east of the original town plat. He handles a general assortment of merchandise, but after remaining a short time in the village moved his stock to Georgetown. Dennis Brown sold goods from 1856 till 1858, and after him came A. P. Philips, who carried on a fair business until 1860. As time passed and the population of the country increased, the importance of the village as a trading point became established, and since about the year 1860 its growth has been steady and substantial. The completion of the Logansport & Chicago Railroad through the town gave new impetus to its business interests, and since that time it has earned and sus- tained the reputation of being one of the most important shipping points between those two cities. Since 1860 the mercantile interests of the town have been represented by the following business men: James Mehaffy came in 1860, and sold goods until 1884. Mr. Wade opened a store in 1860, and remained until 1872, when he sold his stock to C. W. Anderson, who has since been one of the leading business men of the place. Jerry Falvy erected a business house in 1861, where the Sweet Bros.' store now stands, and a little later John J. Smith put up a building on the opposite corner, and carried on a fair business for some years. Fred Shrader occupied the Falvy building several years, and sold out to James Wilson, who was afterward succeeded by the Sweet Bros., the leading mer- chants at the present time. A Mr. Forbes was in business a short time also. Drs. D. Rea and James Thomas, opened the first drug store, which they carried on successfully a number of years.


Mechanics .- The first mechanics were C. W. Anderson and Will- iam Krider, blacksmiths; G. W. Strode, manufacturer of carpenters' planes, and John Beckley, carpenter and builder.


Hotels .- In 1855 Nathaniel Minthorn opened a hotel and board- ing house in the Kendrick building, and continued the same for a period of about six years. John Smith erected the large building


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opposite the Sweet corner for store and hotel purposes, and later came Jacob Kline, who kept a public house for some time.


Physicians .- The early medical men of Royal Center were Drs. William N. Townsend, who came to the township before the survey of the village; H. H. Cohee; Dr. McConnell, father of D. B. and S. T. McConnell, of Logansport; Daniel Rea, who is still in the town, and James Thomas, who has been in the active practice since 1854. Other physicians who have been here at different times were Drs. Cowgill, Benjamin Peters and Nafe. The physicians at the present time are D. N. Fouts, James Thomas, John J. Burton and David Million.


Industries .- The first industry of any importance in Royal Cen- ter was the large cooper shop of Michael O'Brien, established short- ly after the completion of the railroad. Mr. O'Brien carried on a very extensive business for a period of about twenty years, employ- ing an average of twenty-five men, and manufacturing barrels for the Chicago market. He also shipped immense quantities of cooperage stuff, and was one of the active business men of the town. In 1881 a large flouring-mill was erected by Messrs. William Davidson, Kel- log Dill and Daniel Watts. It was a frame building, supplied with good machinery, and did a prosperous business for about three years. It was destroyed by fire in 1884, since which time there has been no mill in the village.


School Buildings .- The first schoolhouse in Royal Center was a log building erected about the time the town was laid out, and was in use about ten years. It was replaced in 1850 by a frame build- ing, which stood on Lot 27, and which served its purpose until 1863. The third house stood a short distance north of the present one, and was used for educational purposes only a few years. The fourth house was a two-story frame structure, erected in the northern part of the town in 1865 or 1866. It was a comfortable building, con- tained three school-rooms, and stood until 1874, at which time it was burned to the ground. The present beautiful building was erected in 1875. It is a brick structure, two stories high, has four large school-rooms, and represents a capital of $6,000. It is the finest school building in the county outside of Logansport, and is a credit to the town and township.


Additions to the Town .- Several additions have been made to Royal Center at different times, and its present area is sufficient for


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a much larger population than live in the town. An addition of fifty-nine lots was made in 1859 by Hugh Wooley and John Beck- ley, and one year later Beckley and McComb's addition of thirty- five lots was surveyed and recorded. In March, 1863, Henry Wise- ley platted an addition of twenty-eight lots, and in 1886 the last ad- dition, consisting of fifteen lots, was made by C. W. Anderson.


Incorporation .- In 1880 the citizens of Royal Center decided by ballot to incorporate the town, and the village was divided into wards and an election held. The following are the names of the trustees that composed the first board: Jacob H. Walters, William Hanselman and Lewis Washburn. The officers at the present time are John Ubelhauser, Isaac Grant and Thomas Wildermooth, trus- tees; Charles Boetner, clerk; George Rea, treasurer; and George Schlints, marshal.


Fire Department .- Royal Center boasts of one of the most effi- cient and well organized fire companies in northern Indiana, and those who have witnessed their effective work will not call in ques- tion the justness of the claim. The department was organized Feb- ruary 19, 1883, with sixteen members. The following were the first officers elected: T. W. Hamilton, president; G. W. Walters, vice- . president; G. W. Boetner, secretary; Noah Kline, treasurer; J. J. Burton, foreman; and Wesley Fosket, assistant foreman. The first year the company operated with hook and ladder only, but in 1884 a fine hand-engine was purchased, and in the fall of 1885 a well fur- nished house for the same was built. The following are the officers at the present time: J. J. Burton, president; James Watson, vice- president; C. M. Anderson, secretary; N. Tousley, treasurer; J. W. Kistler, foreman; C. M. Anderson, assistant foreman; and Robert Conn, captain of hose.


Myrtle Lodge, No. 567, I. O. O. F., was instituted February 9, 1879, with the following charter members, viz .: G. W. Clinger, C. A. Davis, Henry Shrock, Daniel Vannaman and George Methard. The organization was brought about by Dr. J. J. Burton, and at the first meeting ten persons were initiated and received into member- ship. First officers were G. W. Clinger, N. G .; Henry Shrock, V. G .; C. A. Davis, Secretary, and T. P. Sweet, Treasurer. The lodge enjoyed a reasonable degree of prosperity during the first three or four years of its history, but it has recently declined, numbering at the present time only about fifteen members.


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Churches .- The religious history of Royal Center dates from its first settlement. The first religious society was organized by the United Brethren, who subsequently built the frame house of wor- ship now used by the Methodists. This organization flourished for several years, but was finally disbanded and the property disposed of.


A society of the Presbyterian Church was afterward organized in the town, and kept up for several years. It was an offshoot of the Concord Church, in Harrison Township, and was kept up with fair success for some time.


Methodist Church .- An organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church was in existence in Royal Center shortly after the laying out of the town, but of its early history nothing definite could be learned. The present society was established in 1874, by Rev. Mr. Wood, with a membership of ten persons, whose names are as fol- lows: Lewis Kramer and wife, C. W. Hall and wife, Dr. D. N. Fouts, Mrs. Chas. Davis, Robert Torrence and wife, and John McCawley and wife. Shortly after the organization the United Brethren Church house was purchased, and has since been used for a meeting place. The following preachers have ministered to the church in the capacity of pastor, viz .: S. L. Langley, Rev. Mr. Wood, T. S. Vincell, T. H. McKee, Francis Cox, Mr. Brindle, and the present incumbent, Rev. Mr. Johnson. The organization is in a prosperous condition at the present time, and has an active membership of forty-six.


Christian Church .- In the year 1874 Elder H. Z. Leonard, of Logansport, began a series of meetings in Royal Center, which re- sulted in the organization of a society of about eighty members. Others came in from time to time, and before Mr. Leonard discou- tinued the meeting fully 100 persons made the good confession, and identified themselves with the congregation. The Methodist Church was used as a place of worship, and Elder Leonard labored very earnestly for a period of two and a half years. He ceased preach- ing at the end of that time, and the congregation, taking no steps to secure a successor, soon began to diminish, and finally discontinued meeting altogether. No public worship has been held for some time, and the once flourishing organization is now a thing of the past.


Church of the Sacred Heart, Roman Catholic, was organized in 1880, by Rev. George Flesh, of Winamac, with a membership of


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fifteen families, a number which has neither increased nor decreased since then. A comfortable frame house of worship was erected the year of the organization, in which meetings are held at regular in- tervals. The pastor in charge at the present time is Rev. Dominic Shunk, of Winamac.


This brings us to the end of our sketch of Royal Center. Forty years, laden with sorrows and joys, bright anticipations and van- ished hopes, have added both age and dignity to the little city. Many of the old citizens who were wont to indulge in what the town would some day become, are quietly sleeping in their last resting- places and the children of those early days are children no longer, but have taken their places in the ranks of men and women and are doing the work assigned them.


During all these years, the village has sustained its business im- portance and financial strength, and at the present time is the sec- ond town in the county.


Its business is shown by the following register: Sweet Bros., dry goods and general stock (this is one of the most substantial firms in the county, and is doing a very extensive business) ; N. Towsley, general store; C. W. Anderson, general stock; Paynter Thompson, dry goods, groceries, etc .; Henry Kramer makes grocer- ies a specialty ; J. B. Runkle, hardware, harness, and agricultural implements; Vernon & Hamilton, dealers in agricultural implements ; Solomon Clovis, undertaker; Ed Weisley, restaurant; S. S. Hopkin- son, restaurant and hotel; Plattner & Bro., saw and planing-mill; C. W. Anderson, saw-mill; R. W. Anderson, wagon-maker; C. W. Boet- ner and C. C. Weirwahn, blacksmiths; L. S. Fultz, butcher; Dr. D. Rea & Son, druggists; G. S. Kistler, druggist; -- Gotschall, sil- versmith; Sweet Bros., warehouse; Tousley & Harvey, grain dealers; Charles Robbins and Jerry Sullivan, barbers; John Ubelhauser, A. J. Coon and Mrs. McGovern, saloons; Mollie Dalzell, milliner; Thomas Hamilton, hotel.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


C. W. ANDERSON, dealer in general merchandise, Royal Centre, Ind., is a native of Butler County, Penn., where he was born June 19, 1822. The parents from whom he descended were Alex- ander and Jane (McQuiston) Anderson, who were natives of Scot- land and Ireland, respectively, where they were born as follows: The


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father in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 1794, and the mother in the County Down, Ireland, in the year 1798. They immigrated to the United States in an early day, and were united in marriage in Butler County, Penn., in the year 1818. From thence they subsequently moved to Trumbull County, Ohio, and from there to Hardin County, Ohio, and from thence, in 1836, to Marion County, Ohio, where they resided until their death, which oc- curred as follows: The mother died in 1843, and the father in 1849. They were the parents of nine children: James M., Thomas N., Charles W., Alexander, Isabelle, Mary, Jane, Emily and Nancy. C. W., our subject, began, when about twelve years of age, at the blacksmith trade, which he completed, and engaged in the same for some time afterward. He was married, at Caledonia, Marion Co., Ohio, June 17, 1845, to Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh and Hannah (Debow ) Wooley. She was born in New York State March 4, 1827. In 1846 Mr. C. W. Anderson and wife moved to Pulaski County, Ind., and in 1847 to Cass County, Ind., settling at Royal Centre, where he formed a partnership with William Krider in the blacksmith trade. In 1848 Mr. Anderson purchased Mr. Krider's interest in the shop, and carried on business himself until 1852, at which time he went to California, where he engaged in mining until 1854, when he returned to Royal Centre and resumed his trade, which he continued until the spring of 1861, at which time he began the mercantile business, which he continued some time; after which he subsequently engaged in saw-milling, and in December, 1884, he again engaged in the mercantile business, which he has since con- tinned. His wife died in October, 1876, and he was again married. in December, 1879, to Mrs. Lucinda Tustison. Mr. Anderson has had born to him seven children: Loretta, Rollin W., Joseph A., George B. M. (deceased), Sarah C., Emily and Charles M. Mr. Anderson was one of the three trustees of Boone Township in 1855, held the office of justice of the peace for some time, and in 1872 was elected to the Legislature. Mr. Anderson is a fine man, highly esteemed by all who know him.




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