USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 69
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Upper Deer Creek German Baptist ( Dunker) Church was or- ganized about the year 1855 or 1856 with a good membership. The first preachers were H. Hamilton, David Wise and Henry Metsker. Meetings were held at private residences and schoolhouses until about the year 1862, at which time the present large frame house of worship was erected. The building is frame, 40x60 feet in size, and has a larger seating capacity than any other church edifice in the township. The society is in a prosperous condition and has a mem- bership of about eighty persons. The preachers at the present time are Jacob Cripe and William Toney.
Bethel Methodist Episcopal Class, an offshoot of Salem Church was organized at the Thomas Schoolhouse in 1880, with a member- ship of twelve persons, a number which has since increased to seven- teen. The schoolhouse has been used for a meeting place ever since, and services are held regularly. George Shelley is class-leader and Rev. J. S. MeElwee pastor.
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A society of the Missionary Baptist Church was organized at the same place some time prior to 1880. It is a branch of the Jud- son Church, Howard County, and numbers at the present time about fifteen communicants. Rev. P. Odell is pastor. The Mount Pleasant Union Sunday-school, at Thomas Schoolhouse, under the efficient superintendency of G. W. Shelley, is largely attended, and is doing a good work in the community.
The United Brethren have a good society near the central part of the township, organized April, 1885, by Rev. J. T. Keesey, with a membership of thirty persons. A frame house of worship, 33x47 feet, costing $3,000, was erected in June, of the above year, and dedi- cated to the Master's service the following August. The building stands on land formerly owned by Lewis Hymen and Mr. Fouts, and is the neatest church edifice in the township. The society is in a properous condition, with an active membership of forty-five. Rev. Keesey sustains the relation of pastor, and is doing a good work in the community.
Grange Banner Lodge, No. 964, P. of H., was organized in the northern part of the township February 4, 1874, with sixteen char- ter members. The organization is still kept up, and at the present time a beautiful hall is in process of construction, at the little vil- lage of Deacon.
Cemeteries .- The oldest burial ground in Deer Creek Township is the Fouts Grave-yard in Section 19, laid out by Noah Fouts a few years after his coming to the county. Among the first persons buried here were a Mr. Reagan, John Grist, Mrs. John Grist, and a man by the name of Butler. The Miller Grave-yard, in the northern part of the township, was consecrated to the burial of the dead in 1845, and the first person buried therein was Catherine Miller, who departed this life some time in that year. The Hoover Cemetery, on Deer Creek, was set aside for burial purposes in an early day, and therein lie the bodies of many of the pioneers of the township.
Young America .- This enterprising little village is situated in the southwest corner of the township, and dates its history from about the year 1856. The proprietors of the original plat were Laban Thomas and Mrs. Morgan, and additions were subsequently made by John Roush, [Lewis Hymen, Robert Hinton and S. J. Beck. The village is the outgrowth of the neighborhood's demands for a trading point, and it early became the nucleus of a very prosperous
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
and thriving settlement. Among the first residents of the place were James Ginn, who built a dwelling on Main Street; J. H. Whiteside, who erected a house on the corner now occupied by the Gard store building; J. H. Johnson and J. P. Roach, both of whom purchased lots and made substantial improvements. The first busi- ness man was S. R. Coin, who erected a store building on Lot 2, in which he kept a general stock of goods for several years. He was succeeded by Cyrus Neff, who subsequently effected a partnership with Laban Thomas, which lasted some time. Thomas afterward purchased the entire stock, and was in turn succeeded by George W. Hunter, who did a fair business from about 1865 till 1867. The sec- ond business house was erected on Lot 3, Main Street, in 1865 by J. G. Johnson, who sold goods in the same for some years. Mr. John- son, was identified with the business interests of the village for a period of seventeen years, and is still one of its most active and properous citizens. A man by name of Lafuse sold goods in the Thomas building a short time, as did also Eli Shoemaker, M. B. Morris and John Turley. This building was destroyed by fire in 1881.
The first druggist was Dr. John Cooper, who built a business house on Main Street, and carried on a successful business for sev- eral years. Others who sold goods from time to time were Henry Turley, O. P. Butcher and the Brown Bros.
The first mechanics of the place were Robert Hunter, carpenter and builder; John Etter and Edward Marshall, blacksmiths; and Edward Montgomery, shoemaker.
Among the first industries of the place was a steam saw-mill, built about 1856 by John Henry, who operated very successfully for some years.
The large steam grist-mill was built in 1874 or 1875, by B. F. Rhodes and Leander Barnard. It has passed through a number of lands, and is owned and operated at the present time by Mr. Hol- ingsworth.
The first hotel was opened by Hiram Pickett, who erected the brick building occupied at the present time by Mrs. Cummins. Others who kept the same house were Benjamin Kirkpatrick and A. P. Butcher.
Physicians .- The first physician to practice his profession in Young America was Dr. John Cooper, who located in the village
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about 1868. Since then the following medical men have practiced the healing art in the town, viz .: Drs. William Johnson, Cyrus Pickett, John J. Pickett, William Cooper, Dr. Albright, " Mac" Burns, T. C. Tucker, William Scholes, D. C. Barnett, Strode and I. A. Cooper. The present physicians are N. Brown, W. E. Lybrook and C. D. Parks, all of whom have diplomas from first-class col- leges.
Churches .- The oldest religious organization in Young America is the Christian (Disciples ) Church, organized 1864 by Elder Will- iam S. Winfield. About seventeen persons went into the organiza- tion, and the schoolhouse was used as a meeting place until the present frame house of worship was erected. This building is a commodious structure, 30x40 feet in size, and cost the sum of $1,400.
The pastors of the church from time to time have been Elders Winfield, E. R. Edmondson, William Grigsby, Mr. Wickard, David Hodson, William Ireland, Mr. Britton, Simon Rohrer, L. C. Warren and W. R. Lowe. The pastor in charge at the present time is El- der Winfield. The church is not so strong as formerly, num- bering at the present time only fourteen communicants. The offi- cers are John Hampshire, elder; Calvin McCracken, Hezekiah Fisher and Andrew Fife, deacons. The Union Sunday-school is superintended by John Jones.
Young America Christian (New Light) Church was organized December, 1870, by Elders George Hubbard, Jonathan Dipboye and A. Williams, with a membership of about twenty, a number which has since increased to sixty-five. The following preachers have ministered to the society since its organization, viz .: Jonathan Dipboye, A. Williams, Dr. John Puckett and W. G. Parker, the last named being pastor in charge at the present time. Public wor- ship has been held in the Disciples Church, but at the present time a handsome brick building, 36x54 feet, is being erected in Beck's addition to the village. This building, when completed, will repre- sent a capital of $2,800. The present officers of the church are A. J. Forgy and Ezra Kahl, deacons; and S. J. Beck, clerk.
A society of the Missionary Baptist Church was organized in the village in 1883, by Rev. H. R. Todd, who preached regularly for two years. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Ward, the present pas- tor. The organization is a wing of the Sharon Church in Carroll
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County, and numbers at the present time about twenty-five mem- bers.
. Lodges .- Young America Lodge, No. 243, I. O. O. F., was in- stituted August 25, 1865, and worked under dispensation until March 20, 1873, at which time, upon the application of John Cooper, B. M. Dunkin, D. M. Butcher, W. H. Kestler and William Daggett, a charter was obtained.
The first officers were John Cooper, N. G .; B. M. Dunkin, V. G .: D. M. Butcher, Secretary; and the first person initiated was John W. Bridge. The first meeting place was a hall on Lot 2, which was burned in 1881. The present hall was erected in 1872. It is a brick building, and, with other lodge property, represents a capital of $1,200.
Present officers, Samuel McCain, N. G .; D. M. Rice, V. G .; Ben- jamin Dunkin, Rec. Sec .; Theodore Kessene, Per. Sec .; Member- ship, 35.
Cooper Encampment, No. 90, was instituted in 1870, with a mem- bership of about twenty-six. It was kept up for a period of seven years, but no meetings have been held since about 1878.
Young America Lodge, No. 534, F. & A. M., was organized May 22, 1877. The first officers were William Kemp, W. M .; Levi Campbell, S. W., and George W. Canter, J. W.
The hall in which the lodge meets was built in 1881, and cost about $1,000. The organization is in a prosperous condition and ' has the names of forty-one members on the records. The officers at the present time are as follows: D. L. Gard, W. M. ; Addison Sence, S. W .; George Baldwin, J. W .; W. W. Hopkins, Sec .; S. J. Beck, S. D .; A. J. Forgy, J. D .; G. H. Barnett, Tyler, and O. C. Gard, Treasurer.
Murder .- In 1880 the village of Young America and surround- ing country were thrown into a state of intense excitement on ac- count of the cruel murder of Enos Brumbaugh by William Green. The murder was entirely unprovoked, as no trouble of any kind had been known to exist between the victim and his dastardly slayer. Green made good his escape, and is still a fugitive from justice.
Accidental Death .- A distressing accident occurred near the village in 1882, in which young "Lafe " Etter lost his life. He was gathering hickory nuts from the top of a tree, when the limb upon which he was standing broke, letting him fall to the ground.
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His neck and both legs were broken, resulting in almost instant death.
Population .- The best growth of Young America dates from the year 1875, since which time its population has been constantly in- creasing, numbering at the present time about 350.
Present Business .- O. C. Gard, general merchandise and drugs ; Kemp & Kahl, general store; D. A. Staley, dealer in general mer- chandise; John W. Cost, drugs; William Hunter, boots, shoes and harness; John H. Bridge, planing-mill; T. E. Brumbaugh, saw- mill; T. Holingsworth, grist-mill; R. Kerr, wagon-maker; T. Kress- ner and William Nolan, blacksmiths; Daniel Beck, William Mc- Manama and Abraham Johnson, carpenters; Mr. Beamer, restau- rant; Mr. Barnett, dealer in agricultural implements, and Mrs. Cum- mins, hotel.
Deacon village, in the northern part of the township, is a small hamlet of a few houses, but was never regularly laid out. It has a grange hall, blacksmith shop, postoffice, and one small general store.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ANDREW CALDWELL, an enterprising and progressive farmer, is a native of Ireland, where he was born in February, 1827. His parents were William and Margaret Caldwell, natives of Ire- land; the former of Irish, and the latter of Scotch descent. They lived and died in Ireland. Andrew resided in Ireland until he was twenty-five years of age, attending the schools and receiving a fair education. In April, 1852, he sailed for America and landed in Philadelphia, and began work on a farm in Pennsylvania; here he remained three years, when he immigrated to Preble County, Ohio, in 1855, and engaged in farm work; here, March 9, 1865, he was united in marriage with Lizzie Garner, daughter of John and Fanny Garner, of Union County, this State. Lizzie was born August 29, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell had born to them five children: James, Fanny M., Annie, Sarah E. and Henry V .- Annie and Sarah E. deceased. Mr. Caldwell now owns a fine improved farm of 80 acres, in Section 8, upon which he has resided since the spring of 1869.
BENJAMIN F. BIRD is a native of Decatur County, Ind .; was born July 14, 1828. His parents were William and Maria (Dent) Bird, natives, respectively, of Kentucky and Virginia; former of Scotch and the latter of German descent. They were married in Kentucky. Benjamin was reared on a farm; his education, for the
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
day, was fair. At the age of twenty-two he began life on his own responsibility. October 18, 1849, his marriage with Harriet Small, daughter of John and Nancy Small, old and respected residents of Decatur County, was solemnized. Mrs. Bird was born October 12, 1832, in Decatur County, Ind. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bird three children have been born: Ansbery, born October 8, 1850; John W .. January 19, 1854: Leroy F., December 13, 1857-all of whom are now living: the two oldest being married and living in this township. Mr. Bird is a stanch Republican. He had some aid at his start in life, and by hard work has added considerable to his fortune; he now owns two fine farms, one in Section 5 and the other in Section 6, in all 395 acres of the finest land in the county. He settled on the farm where he now resides in 1854, when there was but 10 acres in cultivation. He makes a specialty of raising fine hogs of the Poland-China breed.
JOHN H. BRIDGE, an enterprising citizen of the village of Young America, was born September 27, 1860, in Carroll County, this State. His parents were John W. and Margaret A. (Gates) Bridge, both natives of Ohio, the former of German and the latter of English descent. John was reared in Howard County, attend- ing the district schools, receiving a good education. At the age of seventeen he began life on his own responsibility by engaging in farm work. August 3, 1882, he took for his wife Miss Ettie John- son, daughter of Abram and Delphina ( Wickersham) Johnson, residents of this township. Mrs. Bridge was born May 22, 1866, in Howard County. Mr. Bridge is a member of the I. O. O. F., in good standing. Politically he is a Republican. He located in Young America in 1881, taking charge of the flouring-mills, in which he continued for a period of one year, when he dis- posed of the mill and purchased the Young America Planing-mill, which he has since continued to operate with success. It is equipped in modern and improved machinery, and he enjoys a pat- ronage sufficient to tax the mill to its fullest capacity. He also owns a fine residence property, and is one of Deer Creek's prom- ising young business men.
THEODORE E. BRUMBAUGH, saw-miller and brick manu- facturer at Young America, was born in Elkhart County, Ind., November 21, 1863, the son of David J. and Teracy J. (Stewart) Brumbaugh, both of whom were natives of Ohio, the former of German and the latter of Irish descent. They were married in December, 1854, near Dayton, Ohio. They immigrated to Indiana in 1857, settling in Elkhart County, where they lived until their deaths, which occurred in the years of 1866 and 1867, respectively. Theodore spent his young days in this county. He came to Deer Creek Township to reside with his uncle, Samuel Sence, in 1867, and has ever since made it his home. His early education was
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good; after completing the common branches he, in the years of 1882-83, attended the National and the Northern Indiana Normal Colleges. He taught, at intervals, several terms in the public schools of the county. July 25, 1883, he was united in marriage with Minnie McMeans, daughter of T. A. E. and Susan (Toney) McMeans. Minnie was born November 2, 1865, in this county, near Walton. To their union one child, Ethel, has been born. Mrs. Brumbaugh is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Brumbaugh belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He takes an active part in politics, and always votes the Democratic ticket. He now holds the position of central committeeman for Deer Creek Town- ship. He is the proprietor of a large saw-mill, also owns a brick- yard.
JOSEPH BURROUS, an early settler of Cass County, emi- grated from Greene County, Ohio, in 1847, where he was born Jan- uary 28, 1822. His parents were Wm. and Priscilla Burrous, na- tives of Maryland, the former of Irish and the latter of English de- scent. Joseph spent his young life on a farm, receiving a fair ed- ucation for that day. When twenty-one he began to do for himself by engaging in farm work. July 28, 1845, he was united in mar- riage with Mary Custenborder, daughter of Geo. and Elizabeth Cus- tenborder, the former a native of Germany and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, both of German descent. Mary was born March 14, 1825, in Pennsylvania. When eight years of age her parents immigrated to Ohio, where she spent her early life. They had born to them six children: Sarah E., Priscilla J., Mary C., Amanda E., Wm. O. and John E., all of whom are now grown and living. Mr. and Mrs. Burrous are worthy members of the German Baptist Church, Mr. Burrous holding the position of deacon. When Mr. and Mrs. Burrous began life together they were in stringent cir- cumstances. He purchased eighty acres of land in Section 22 and began to make a home. By careful management and good hus- bandry he has accumulated considerable of property. He now owns two fine farms, one in Section 16 and the other in Section 22. He expects to end his days where he has spent the best part of his life in making a comfortable home.
SAMUEL R. COIN, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Tennessee; was born near Knoxville, on July 10, 1824. His par- ents were Alexander F. and Cassinda (Giddens) Coin, natives of Tennessee; the former of Irish and the latter of English descent. When six years of age, his parents immigrated to Carroll County, this State, and engaged in farming, and here Samuel spent his boy- hood and youth. His early education was limited. In about 1840 he settled in this township and has ever since made this his home. On May 15, 1851, he married Eleanor Rhine, daughter of John and Margaret ( Willbarger) Rhine, both natives of Virginia and
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of German descent. Eleanor was born in Gallia County, Ohio, on February 10, 1826. Her parents immigrated to Tippecanoe County, this State, in 1829, and in 1840 they came to Howard County. Mr. and Mrs. Coin had born to them twelve children, namely: Leona- deth, born February 14, 1852; Martin W., May 1, 1853; Margaret, C., September 9, 1855; John A., January 12, 1856; Martha J., De- cember 12, 1857, died Feburary 11, 1861; Sarah E., July 11, 1859, died December 18, 1862; an infant daughter, born and and died March 17, 1861; Loreta and Marietta, born May 7, 1862; Elizabeth Ann, February 22, 1864, died August 31, 1881; Samuel R. and an infant daughter, who died at birth, born September 16, 1866. All those who are deceased are interred in what is known as the Fouts Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Coin have also raised James and Arabelle Rhine, a nephew and niece of Mrs. Coin. Mr. and Mrs. Coin are members of the Dunkard Church. He is no politician, but generally votes the Democratic ticket. He began life a poor boy, but, by dint of industry and frugality, he now owns two fine farms under a high state of cultivation, one in Section 19, the other in Section 24. His is a pleasant home; he is surrounded with the comforts of this life and is situated now so that he can enjoy a happy old age. His home is in the edge of the thriving little village of Young America.
DANIEL CLINGENPEEL is one of the pioneers of this county. He was the fifth of a family of nine children born to Joseph and Margaret Clingenpeel, natives of Chester County, Penn., of German extraction .. He was born March 4, 1823, in Franklin County, Va. When he was three years of age his parents immi- grated to Preble County, Ohio. Here Daniel spent his boyhood and youth attending the schools of that day, and received a fair education. At the age of twenty he began to do for himself by en- gaging in farming. November 17, 1842, he was married to Lu- cinda Wolf, daughter of Samuel and Mary Wolf, the former a native of Culpeper County. Va., born August 20, 1801, the latter a native of Stark County, Ohio, born in 1799, both being of Ger- man descent. Lucinda was born in Stark County, Ohio, March 4, 1824. Her parents, who resided in Stark, Richland and Preble Counties, Ohio, immigrated to Huntington County, this State, where Mrs. Wolf died November 22, 1850. After this Mr. Wolf made his home principally with our subject. He was called away June 21, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Clingenpeel had born to them eleven children: Maria, born April 1, 1844, died May 21, 1844; Mary A., March 19, 1845; Margaret J., April 3, 1847; Benjamin F., Novem- ber 26, 1848, died July 30, 1849; Samuel P., June 13, 1850; Naomi E., January 12, 1853; Sarah C., May 13, 1855; Josephine C., No- vember 21, 1857; John E., September 21, 1859, died October 5, 1860; Henry A., February 16, 1862; Ida A., December 24, 1864,
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died March 25, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Clingenpeel are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He began life on his own responsibility a poor boy. When he was married he had 37 cents in his pocket. Every dollar he is now worth he has earned hon- estly and by hard work and good management. He now owns a fine improved farm of 125 acres in Section 4, where he expects to live and enjoy a happy old age. Our subject refers with pride to his ancestry. His grandfather, Clingenpeel, and his great-grand- father, Conrad Betz, both having served with distinction in the Revolutionary war, the latter receiving a severe wound. Mrs. Clingenpeel can trace her lineage back to Germany, her progenitors having immigrated to Virginia about 1756.
JOSEPH B. CORNELL is one of the pioneers of this county. He was born in Butler County, Ohio, November 22, 1807 ; his parents were Jolin and Nancy Cornell, natives of Maryland, of French descent. Joseph spent his early life in Butler County on a farm, attending the log-cabin schools of that day, receiving a fair education. When he was about sixteen years of age he went out into the world, to do for himself by engaging in any kind of labor that offered itself. August 5, 1832, he was married to Catha- rine Shaw, a native of Ohio, They have had born to them six chil- dren: Caroline, Phebe A., William, Lydia M., Wesley and Ellen - of whom Caroline and Phebe A. are deceased. Mrs. Cornell was called away in 1858. November 25, 1866, his marriage with Amy Williams, daughter of John and Catharine Myers, natives of Virginia, was celebrated. Amy was born June 3, 1814, in Montgomery County, Ohio. When she was fifteen years old, or in 1829, her parents immigrated to this county, and settled in Jefferson Township. By her former marriage Mrs. Cornell was the mother of two children: Sarah and Jerome, both of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Cornell are members of the Universalist Church. Politi- cally Mr. Cornell is a Democrat, and voted for Gen. Jackson. For 24 years he voted the Republican ticket, but of late years he has voted the Democratic ticket. He began life a poor boy, and proba- bly did not possess $50 at the time of his marriage. He now owns a farm of 230 acres of fine land in Sections 8 and 9. He came here at an early day, and has lived to see a wonderful change -the forests have been transformed into beautiful homes. He ex- pects to spend the rest of his days where he has spent the best part of his life in making a home.
BENJAMIN D. CORNELL is a native of Butler County, Ohio, where he was born February 24, 1833. His parents were William and Nancy A. (Davis) Cornell, natives of Ohio, the former of English descent and the latter of Irish descent. They were united in marriage May 22, 1832. They began housekeeping in Hamilton, Ohio, and resided here until 1838; when they removed to
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Preble County, where they resided until the fall of 1847; when they immigrated to this township, and settled on the farm now owned by John Hendrixson, in Section 9, where Mrs. Cornell died February 28. 1859. After her death Mr. Cornell moved to Jackson Township. and thence to Galveston, where he died June 23, 1874. When they came here the country was heavily timbered. They put up a log cabin and commenced to clear up a home. They lived to an advanced age. Benjamin spent his boyhood and youth in Butler and Preble Counties, Ohio. At the age of fourteen his parents came to this township. He attended the schools of the day, receiv- ing an education sufficient to enable him to teach for a number of years in the public schools of this county. At the age of twenty- three (March 20, 1856) he was married to Sarah Bunnell, daughter of Elijah and Rachel ( Vankirk) Bunnell; the former a native of Kentucky, of Irish descent; the latter was a native of New Jersey. and of English descent. Sarah was born July 25, 1835, in Mont- gomery County, this State. In March, 1844, her parents came to this county and settled in Section 10. Mr. and Mrs. Cornell had born to them two children: Charles, born September 15, 1857, died April 21, 1862; Frank, February 9, 1870. Mrs. Cornell is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Cornell is a Republican. He served one term as assessor of this township, and filled the office with credit to himself and constituents. In 1882 his party honored him with the nomination for county commissioner. but the party being in the minority he was of course defeated.
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