USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 66
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
culture and pisciculture. His interest in the latter has become quite extensive. He has three good ponds, well stocked with Ger- man carp, and contemplates building a fourth soon. One of these covers about one acre and a half of ground and is, perhaps, the best of its kind in the county.
JACOB W. MOREHART was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, June 27. 1840. He was the only son born to Adam and Elizabeth ( Dreisbach ) Morehart, both natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His father was born in November, 1779: immigrated with his parents to Fairfield County, Ohio, when fourteen years old; came to this county in November, 1844, and located upon a farm in Section 17, Clay Township. Here he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring September 19. 1878. His mother was born about 1805: was married to Adam Morehart, in Fairfield County, Ohio, about 1830; came with her husband to this county, and at present makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Booth, in the city of Logansport. Jacob's boyhood and early youth were spent upon his father's farm and attending the district school. At the age of sixteen years he began farming for himself. This was upon the home-place in Clay Township. He continued upon this place until March, 1875, when he was selected by the commissioners of Cass County to take charge of the County Infirmary, which position he assumed and has held ever since. He is a No. 1 farmer, a good manager, and is discharging his duties in a creditable manner. Mary A. Conrad, a native of Bethlehem Township, this county, born June 8, 1843, became his wife September 8, 1863. She was the daughter of David H. and Mary ( Custer) Conrad, both natives of Washington County, Penn. To this union eight children have been born, seven of whom are living: Burl, born August 1, 1865; Mary E., born January 28, 1866; Hannah C., born January 30, 1868; Adam J., born November 15, 1870, died March 18, 1875; David H., born August 2, 1872; Mark, born September 16, 1875; Niota Ma- bel. born May 18, 1877; and Louis Edgar, born July 15, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Morehart are members of the Christian Church. In polities -he is a Democrat.
THOMAS PLUMMER, a venerable old citizen of Clay Town- ship, was born in Fayette County, this State, July 12, 1815. He was the second son born to John and Nancy (Ladd) Plummer, the former a native of Maryland, of Welsh and English descent, and the latter, a native of North Carolina, of English descent. His fa- ther was born September 6, 1772; immigrated to Virginia about ยท the year 1800; afterward moved to Georgia; then to North Carolina, where he was married to Nancy Ladd, June, 1810; immigrated with her to Ohio in 1811; then to Fayette County, this State, in 1814. and finally to this county in 1833. He located upon a farm in Section 16, Clay Township, where he and his wife spent the rest
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CLAY TOWNSHIP.
of their lives, their respective deaths occurring July 4, 1855, and July 7, 1859. They are both interred at Bethel Church Cemetery, Clay Township. Subject was the third child in a family of eight children, five boys and three girls. Their names were Noble, born August 7, 1811; died February 20, 1881; Mary A., born June 22, 1813, died September 5, 1885; Thomas, born July 12, 1815; Elihu, born December 22, 1816; died September 21, 1877; Elizabeth, born November 14, 1818, died February 9, 1881; John, born No- vember 15, 1820, Nancy, born March 5, 1823, and Moses L., born August 2, 1825, died January 1, 1871. In 1850, subject moved to a farm in Tipton Township, where he was engaged in farming and saw-milling until 1878, when he returned to the old homstead in Clay Township, where he has ever since resided. Heis a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a Republican. He is one of Cass County's old pioneers and most highly respected citizens.
JOSEPH ROHRER, an old citizen of Clay Township, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., October 8, 1817. He was the son of John and Magdalena (Killheffer) Rohrer, both natives of Lancaster County, Penn. He received an ordinary common school education. In 1837 his parents immigrated to Wayne County, Ohio, where they located upon a farm. Here his parents spent the rest of their lives. In the spring of 1851, subject immigrated to this county and located upon a farm in Sections 3 and 4, Clay Township. Here he has ever since resided. February 8, 1844, he was married to Maria Kampf, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born December 2, 1819; she was the daughter of Anthony Kampf. To this marriage two children were born: John H., December 26, 1844, and Simon, June 8, 1846. The latter is a minister in the Disciples Church, and at present is located at Poestenkill, N. Y. As such he has been eminently successful. Mr. Rohrer lost his first wife April 4, 1853. June 25, 1854, he was married to Susan M. Tweed, a na- tive of Wayne County, Ohio, born March 15, 1834, she was the daughter of John Tweed, a native of Pennsylvania. To this latter union two children have been born, named Lee and Ella, both of whom are dead. Mr. Rohrer is a member of the Disciples Church.
JOHN H. ROHRER, one of the substantial citizens of Clay Township, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, December 26, 1844. He was the oldest of two children born to Joseph and Maria (Kampf) Rohrer. In the spring of 1851 he came with his parents to this county and located upon a farm in Clay Township. Here his boyhood and youth were spent, working upon the farm and at- tending the district school. By the time he was twenty years of age he had obtained sufficient education to teach school. He taught at this time for two years, the first of which was in Cass and the last in Pulaski County. He then became a teacher in the schools
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
of Delphi, this State, remaining one year. In the fall of 1867 he took charge of the graded schools at Burnettsville, White County, this position he held one year. In the spring of 1868, he entered Alliance College, at Alliance, Ohio; here he remained one year. He then entered Butler University, spending one year. Returning to this county he entered Smithson College, but owing to ill health he was compelled to abandon his studies. In June, 1873, he immi- grated to Minnesota. In the meantime he had become a minister in the Disciples Church, having begun to preach while teaching at Burnettsville. In April, 1876, he returned to this State. In Janu- ary, 1877 he took charge of a congregation of Disciples at Roll- ing Prairie, Laporte County. A year later, owing to ill-health, he was compelled to abandon the ministry altogether. He then returned to the old homestead in this county, where he has ever since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Cecelia M. Williamson, a native of Bethlehem Township, this county, born, of Scotch-Irish and Ger- man descent, October 1, 1850, became his wife October 12, 1880. She was the daughter of Samuel A. and Temperance ( Conrad ) Will- iamson, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. To this union, one child has been born, Clark, August 3, 1881. In politics Mr. Rohrer is an ardent Republican. In July, 1863. at the age of eighteen, he entered Company E, One Hundred and Eighteenth In- diana Volunteers, from which he was honorably discharged in March, 1864.
BENJAMIN D. SCOTT, of Clay Township, was born in the township in which he resides May 15, 1831. He was the third son born to John and Margaret ( Watt) Scott, natives of Kentucky and North Carolina respectively. His parents came to this county from Delaware County, this State, in the spring of 1828, and were the first white settlers of Clay Township. Here his parents spent the rest of their lives, their respective deaths occurring September 7, 1866, and March 26, 1878. The entire life of our subject has been spent upon a farm, and, owing to the almost absolute want of school privileges during his earlier life, his education was quite limited. In 1852 he began to learn the carpenter's trade. This was finished in due time, and the first schoolhouse built in his school district was his own workmanship. He worked at his trade until 1859, since which he has been engaged in agricultural pursnits. Belinda Carr, a native of Stark County, Ohio, born August 15, 1836, became his wife August 7, 1856. She was the daughter of John and Phebe (McCoy) Carr, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have had seven children, five of whom are living. The first was a girl, born in 1857, and who lived but a short time; then Horace C., born December 20, 1858, died September 7, 1859; Robert B., born November 27, 1859; Mary I, born September 22, 1861; Mattie G. born February 26, 1864; Vira A., born December
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16, 1866, and Jennie R., born April 19, 1869. Politically Mr. Scott is an ardent Republican. He has a comfortable home six miles northeast of Logansport, and at present enjoys the credit of having been a resident of Clay Township longer than any one else now liv- ing in the township.
WILLIAM A. SHACKELFORD, a native of Miami County. Ohio, was born July 18, 1827. He was the youngest and only living child born to James and Susan (Murray) Shackelford, the former a native of Virginia, born, of Irish descent, June 6, 1794; immi- grated with his parents to Kentucky when he was yet a child; thence to Miami County, Ohio, where his death occurred April 27, 1860. The latter was born May 7, 1797; immigrated with her parents to Miami County, Ohio, where she was married to James Shackelford December 21, 1818; she died in that county Septem- ber 22, 1840. The entire life of our subject has been spent upon a farm. In the fall of 1866 he came to this county and located in Clay Township. Here he remained until March, 1876, when he rented his farm and moved to North Manchester. In May, 1877, he returned to the farm again, in Clay Township. Here he re- mained until 1880, when he sold his farm, and in June of that year he took his family and went to Kansas. He had intended to locate in the West, if pleased with the country. In September, 1880, he returned, having made up his mind that Cass County was good enough for anybody. On returning to this county he located upon a farm in Section 10, Clay Township, where he has ever since resided. January 2, 1862, he was married to Harriet Robison, a native of Miami County, Ohio, born, of Scotch descent, July 28, 1839. She was the oldest daughter born to William and Susan ( Ross) Robi- son, both natives of Perry County, Penn. Her father was born October 15, 1802. He came with his parents to Fairfield County, Ohio; thence to Miami County, Ohio, where his parents died. In 1842 he came to this county, and at this writing is living in Lo- gansport. Her mother was born December 21, 1816. She was married to William Robison January 18, 1838; came with him to this county, where she died August 6, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Shackel- ford have had but one child, John A., born March 20, 1870. They are both members of the Protestant Church-the former of the Methodist and the latter of the Baptist. In politics Mr. Shackel- ford is a Republican.
SAMUEL D. SHILLING, one of the substantial citizens and farmers of Clay Township, was born in Stark County, Ohio, March 3, 1832. He was the third son born to Samuel and Sarah ( Weaver) Shilling, both natives of Franklin County, Penn., of German descent. The birth of the former occurred on the 3d of March, 1799, and that of the latter on the 22d of August, 1798. They were married in their native county April 13, 1820. Shortly after their marriage
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
they immigrated to Stark County, Ohio, and in October, 1848, came to this county and located upon a farm in Clay Township, where they spent the rest of their lives-their respective deaths occurring in September, 1871, and in February, 1870. Samuel's boyhood and early youth were spent upon his father's farm in his native county. He attended the district schools of his day, where he received an or- dinary common school education. In the spring of 1863 he immi- grated to California, where he worked upon a fruit ranch until the fall of 1865. He then returned to this county. His trip to Cali- fornia was made by the overland route, and the return trip+ was made by the Isthmus of Panama and New York City. After his re- turn he took up farming at the home place in Clay Township, and has ever since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In April, 1867. he located where he now lives, in Section 5. Harriet Lackey, a native of Champaign County, Ohio, born of English descent March 11, 1839, became his wife November 20, 1866. She was the fourth daughter born to Alexander and Osee B. (Enyart) Lackey, both natives of Hamilton County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Shilling are parents of six children: Nettie A., born August 27, 1867, died March 10, 1572; Elmer E., born November 28, 1868; Annie, born March 17, 1871, died December 9, 1872; Charlie, born June 24, 1872, died May 19, 1877; Edward L., born January 12, 1874, died May 22, 1877, and Osee, born April 10, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Shilling belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In politics he is an ar- dent Prohibitionist.
JOHN H. SIMPSON, one of the pioneers of Cass County, was born in Preble County, Ohio, February 1, 1818. He was the second son born to James and Rachel (Mills) Simpson, both tives of New Jersey, the former of Scotch and the latter of French descent. His boyhood and youth were spent upon a farm in his native county. In 1840 he came to this county and located upon a farm in the northeastern part of Clay Township. In 1867 he re- moved to the farm he now occupies in Section 16, same township. In April, 1879, he moved his family to Fowler, Benton County, this State, where for four years he was engaged in the grocery business. He returned again to the farm in November, 1883. August 24, 1843, he was married to Mary J. Kerlin, a native of New Jersey, and daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Kerlin, both natives of New Jersey. To this union four children were born: James, born November 9, 1844; Isaac, born August 6, 1849; Jay, born April 22, 1861, and John, born in January, 1867, died in infancy. His first wife died May 29, 1881. August 6, 1882, he was married to Elizabeth Mc- Henry, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Henry and Lydia (Cline) MeHenry, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson both belong to the church-the former to the Chris- tian and the latter to the Methodist. In politics he is a Republican.
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CLAY TOWNSHIP.
In 1876 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which he held until 1879. He has a comfortable home four miles north- east of Logansport.
THOMAS STEPHEN, an old and highly respected citizen of Clay Township, was born in Butler County, Ohio, June 8, 1819. He was the third son born to Thomas and Elizabeth (Gordon) Stephen, both natives of Bedford County, Penn. His boyhood and youth were spent working upon his father's farm. He attended the common school a portion of the time, but the advantages were poor, consequently his school training was quite limited. In 1845 he immigrated to this county, and located upon a farm in Clinton Town- ship. In 1864 he removed to Clay Township and located upon the farm where he now resides. His occupation has always been that of a farmer. March 14, 1849, he was married to Nancy Dodds, a native of Butler County, Ohio, who came with her parents to this county, and located upon a farm in Clinton Township about 1832. She was the daughter of John and Margaret Dodds, who were na- tives of Ireland. To them seven children have been born. Their names are Margaret J., born August 29, 1850; David, born May 9, 1853; Elizabeth E., born August 22, 1855; Rufus J., born February 15, 1858; Edmund T., born December 4, 1860; Nannie, born June 25, 1863; Irena, born October 19, 1866-all of whom are living. In politics Mr. Stephen formerly affiliated with the Whig party. His first vote for President was cast for Gen. Harrison. He is now an ardent Republican.
JESSE M. SWIGART, of Clay Township, was born in Ohio, September 13, 1841. He was the third son born to Samuel and Jane (McPherson ) Swigart, natives of Ohio. In 1842 his parents immigrated to this county and located upon a farm in Clay Township. His boyhood and youth were spent upon his father's farm. In Au- gust, 1863, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana Regiment, from which he was discharged in the following March. In the spring of 1865 he re-enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Indiana Regiment, from which he received his final discharge in the following August. At the close of the war he returned to this county and took up farming at the old home- stead in Clay Township. He farmed here about two years. He then farmed at different places in the township until 1873, when he took his family and immigrated to Oregon. Here he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for three years. He then returned to this county and located upon a farm owned by his father-in-law, Joshua LaRose. A year later he removed to a farm in Section 13, Clay Township. In September, 1878, he moved to Logansport, where for nearly three years he ran a meat market. He then returned to the farm he formerly occupied in Section 13, Clay Township, where he now resides. March 12, 1868, he married Alice LaRose, a na-
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
tive of Clay Township, this county, born October 8, 1848. To them have been born twelve children, among whom were three pairs of twins-all living: Grace, born February 3, 1869; Lillie May, born April 12, 1878; Annie, born March 30, 1872, died August 22, 1872; Earl, born November 20, 1870; Dora, born April 27, 1876, died September 3, 1879; the next was an infant daughter, born October 1, 1877, died November 12, 1877, unnamed; Blanche and Bertha (twins), born October 29, 1878; Noah and Frank (twins), born July 9, 1881; and Fannie and Ella (twins), born March 26, 1884. In politics Mr. Swigart is a Republican. He has a comfortable home in the town of Adamsboro. He is an upright man and an enterpris- ing citizen.
JOHN W. THOMAS, one of the substantial citizens of Clay Township, was born in Beaver County, Penn., January 18, 1826. He was the second son born to Mansfield and Sarah ( Wright ) Thomas, natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively. He came with his parents to Trumbull County, Ohio, when quite small. In 1844 they immigrated to this State and located at North Manchester, Wa- bash County, where his father, being a carder and clothier by trade, ran a woolen-mill for two years. He then went to Peru, where he continued that business about ten years. Here his death occurred in 1874. He had been a soldier in the war of 1812, and was an or- dained minister in the United Brethren Church. His mother died in September, 1844. His parents are both interred in the cemetery at North Manchester. Seven children in all were born to these par- ents, their names being Mansfield A., Sarah, Elizabeth, Clarinda, John W., Minerva, and Eliza Ann, all of whom are living ex- cept Mansfield A., who died at about forty-seven years of age. In 1855 subject came to this county and located in Clay Township, where he built and operated a woolen-mill until 1863. In this year he removed to a farm in Sections 14 and 15, same township, where he has ever since resided. In 1867 he built a large woolen-mill in Adamsboro, which he conducted for eight years. He has ever since given his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. Elizabeth Wil- son, a native of this county, born March 5, 1831, became his wife October 27, 1849. She was the daughter of Richard and Jane (Worl) Wilson, natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. To this union four children have been born: Sarah M., born May 28, 1851; Rozalia, born September 30, 1852; Eugene W., born March 12, 1855, and Alice Ann, born August 13, 1858-all ofwhom are liv- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Thomas is a member of the F. & A. M. lodge. Po- litically he is a Republican.
DUDLEY H. WELLS, a native of Connecticut, was the oldest son of Sluman and Charlotte ( Butler) Wells, both natives of Con- necticut, of English descent. He was born December 15, 1824.
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When he was yet a child his parents immigrated to Orleans County, N. Y. Here his parents spent the rest of their lives. In 1846 he immigrated to Fulton County, this State, where he located upon a farm. In 1865 he removed to this county and settled upon a farm in Section 7, Clay Township. In 1874 he removed to a farm in an- other part of the same section, where he has ever since resided. July 3, 1848, he was married to Mary S. Davis, a native of Albany, N. Y., born, of Irish and Dutch descent, August 2, 1829. She was the daughter of Joel H. and Mary ( Harvey ) Davis, both natives of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Wells have had four children: Francis D., born, October 5, 1849, died April 18, 1851; Harriet C., born July 4, 1853; William A., born February 14, 1856; Hubbard S., born May 21, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Wells belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Wells is a Republican. He has a farm of eighty acres of good land, about sixty-five of which is in cultivation. He is an enterprising and successful farmer and an influential citizen.
WILLIAM WILSON, one of the pioneers of this county, is the youngest child of Gen. Walter Wilson and Mary ( Williams) Wilson, formerly of this county. He was born in Gibson County, this State, January 28, 1818. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and at the battle of Tippecanoe held the rank of captain. He was afterward promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. About one year previous to the battle of Tippecanoe, his father and one Mr. Barron were sent from Vincennes to the site where the battle was afterward fought, for the purpose of arranging, if possible, terms of peace, which at this time, being exposed to the dangers of the wilderness and the red-man's arrows, was not an enviable mis- sion. Our subject had four brothers and two sisters, all of whom are dead. In the fall of 1830 he came with his parents to this county and located upon a tract of land which, two years before, his father had purchased from the Indians. This was on the right bank of Eel River, in Clay Township, and it is still principally owned by heirs of the family. In 1846 he moved to Logansport, where he engaged in the livery and stage business. This received his attention until 1861, when he was appointed postmaster of the city of Logansport. He held this position until 1865, when he engaged in the pork-packing business. In 1878 he engaged in the jewelry business. In 1881 he removed to a farm in Sections 15, 21 and 22, Clay Township, where he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. December 13, 1838, he was married to Sarah Wilson, a native of Maryland. She died January 31, 1844. In 1845 he was married to Amy Ann Henry, a native of Ohio, who died about two years later. May 24, 1849, he was married to Martha Ann Campbell, a native of Delaware, born May 16, 1830. She was the daughter of David and Thirza ( Meredith) Campbell, both na-
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
tives of Delaware. By his first wife was father of three children: Mary Eliza, born October 29, 1840, died October 1, 1861; David Walter, born March 15, 1842, died August 15, 1842, and Alexan- der, born January 5, 1844, served during the late war in the Seventy-third Indiana Regiment, and was drowned in attempting to swim a horse across Osage River, Kansas, May 22, 1866. To his second marriage one child was born, Freeman H., who lived about two months. His third wife bore him seven children. Their names are Byron, born August 3, 1850; Amy Ann, born July 24, 1852; William, born March 9, 1855: Carrie Theresa, born January 10, 1858, died August 22, 1859; Lincoln and Hamlin (twins), born November 16, 1860, the latter, Hamlin, died when a child, Edwin, born July 30, 1863, died in infancy. Politically Mr. Wilson is a Republican. While a citizen of Logansport he held the office of city marshal four years. He also served as councilman for Second Ward one year. He at present occupies a farm of 135 acres of good land, most of which is in a high state of cultivation. He is an influential citizen and highly respected in the community in which he resides. His parents are both interred in the family burying ground upon the old homestead in Clay Township.
JOHN WINGFIELD, of Clay Township, was born in Franklin County, Va., October 3, 1848. He was the third son born to Oliver P. and Delilah (Smith) Wingfield, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter a native of Virginia, of Dutch and Scotch-Irish descent. In the fall of 1864 he was drafted into the Confederate service, but was out but one month. In April, 1867, he located on a farm near Charleston, W. Va. In the following June he immigrated to this State, and located upon a farm in Jack- son County. In January, 1868, he removed to a farm in Miami County. In 1869 he took a trip to Kansas, but shortly afterward returned to southern Illinois. Two months later he returned to this State and worked for a while upon a farm in Wabash County. In April, 1870, he returned to Miami County. In the fall of 1871 he came to this county and located in Adams Township. In July, 1877, he located where he now resides, in Section 21, Clay Town- ship. Margaret A. Etnier, a native of this county, born March 29, 1851, became his wife August 8, 1877. She was the daughter of John and Eliza Etnier, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Wingfield is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, and a Democrat in politics. He has a comfortable home, three miles northeast of Logansport. He is an industrious farmer and a good citizen.
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