USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 72
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PETER TOLAN, one of the oldest residents of Deer Creek Township, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., about 1800, being the eldest in a family of four children born to Daniel and Jane Tolan, who were natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania, respec- tively. Peter grew to manhood in Huntingdon County, receiving a fair education for the day. When quite young he was thrown upon the world to make his way; he worked at any thing that he could get to do, and has toiled many a long day for 25 cents. On Janu- ary 27, 1829, he was united in marriage with Nancy Welch, in Huntingdon County. He had purchased a small farm, to which they immediately moved, where they remained until 1837, when
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
they removed to Preble County, Ohio, and rented a farm. After i residence there of a few years he moved to U'nion County. Ind., living there until September, 1947, when he moved to this town- ship and settled upon the Innd where he has ever since resided. He first purchased >0 acres of timbered land. This was then a low timbered country, and considered the poorest part of the town hip. but, by ditching and good husbandry, what was then n muddy wilder- ness is transformed into beautiful furms. Mr. Tolan is one among the few yet living who remembers distinctly those days of pioner life, and who was an actual participant in hardships and trials which were incidental to those times. Mr. and Mrs. Tolan had born to them eleven children, namely: James, born November 4. 1-20, Sa- rnh J., April 3, 1931: Elizabeth A., January S. 1533: Mary E .. February 21. 1>35: Cathrine, October 21, 1536; Thomas, March 25, 153%; John. August 15, 1839, died February 2, 1955; Margaret. April 10, 1811; Daniel. December 25, 1542; Nancy. July 8. 1-46: Caroline, March 9, 1549. Mrs. Tolan died March 26. 1951. a member of the Lutheran Church and a true, consistent Christian, be- loved by all who knew her. January 5, 155s. Mr. Tolan's marriage with Mary Morrow was solemnized: she is a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Morrow, who were untives of Pennsylvania, of Scotch- Irish descent. Mrs. Tolan was born July 16, 1-20, in Huntingdon County, Penn., where she grew to womanhood. When she was twenty-one years old her parents removed to Preble County. Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Tolan are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Tolun is a stanch Republican, casting his first presidential vote for John Quincy Adams, and has voted during every presidential elec- tion since. He was honored with an election to the office of trustee of his township, serving in a creditable manner. He has been success- ful in his vocation of farming, owning a fine farm in Sections 5 and S.
WILLIAM S. TONEY. a prominent and respected resident of Deer Creek Township, is the subject of this sketch. He was born in U'nion County, this State, August 19, 1837. He was the youngest of a family of ten children born to James and Sarah (Lybrook ) Toney, natives of Virginia. The former was born October 29, 1795. and of English descent; the latter born May 6, 1502, and of Ger- man descent. They were married October 28, 1520, and began life together in Union County, this State, where they resided until 1564. when they immigrated to this county and settled on the farm with their son, our subject, Here they lived until their death, which oc- cured as follows: Sarah died February 24, 1874, and James died December 13, 1554. W. S., our subject, was reared in Union County, working on a farm, attending the schools of the day, as well as Smith's Commercial College, at Decatur, IIL, until he received suf- ficient education to enable him to teach, which vocation he followed for some years in the public schools of the State. He remained at
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home until he attained his majority, when he engaged in farming and teaching; this was his occupation until the spring of 1864, when he moved upon the farm where he now resides. In 1871, he was married to Mary Moss, daughter of Edmund and Susannah (Rinehart) Moss, natives of Ohio and of German descent. Mary was born October 6, 1842, in Carroll County, Ind., but raised in Preble County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Toney had born to them six children: Frank H., born February 29, 1872; Elma O., born August 20, 1873; Effie M., born August 12, 1877; Charles E., born October 28, 1879; Ida S., born December 31, 1881; and Wilmer E., born February 23, 1884; all of whom are now living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Toney are members of the German Baptist Church. Mr. Toney has been a minister of the church about eleven years. He began life in fair circumstances, and now owns a fine farm of 315 acres in Section 2. A visit to his home will convince one that Mr. Toney is a man of judgment and believes in substan- tial improvements. His residence is one of the finest in the town- ship, and other improvements are modern. He was appointed to fill the unexpired term of office of his deceased brother as trustee of this township, and filled the office in a creditable manner.
CHAPTER XIV.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP-THE PIONEERS-EARLY OFFICERS~INDUSTRIES- CHURCHES-ALTONER, ETC .- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCIIES.
H ARRISON is Township 28 north, Range 1 east, of the Govern- ment Survey, and was named in honor of the illustrious soldier, President William Henry Harrison. It lies in the northern part of the county and is bounded by Bethlehem Township on the east, Noble Township on the south, Boone Township on the west, and the county of Fulton on the north. The physical and topographical features of the township are similar in many respects to those of the surrounding divisions, the general surface of the country being level, and characterized by a black loam soil of great fertility. A vast amount of fine timber originally grew in this township, much of which was ruthlessly destroyed in clearing up the country and much sold for shipment.
The leading varieties of timber were walnut, poplar, ash, maple, beech, elm, hickory, oak, with smaller growth in the forests skirting
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
the water-courses. Big Indian Creek, in the northern part of the township, atfords drainage for a large area of territory, while the southern part is drained principally by Crooked Creek and its tribu- taries. Harrison is pre-eminently an agricultural township, and on every hand can be seen the evidences of material' prosperity in the shape of commodious barns, elegant residences, well stocked fields, ete .: while the presence of numerous schoolhouses and churches. show that the intelligence and spiritual welfare of the people have not been neglected.
Pioneers. The first white man to locate within the present lim- its of Harrison Township was one John Fletcher, who came in the year 1532, and laid claim to the place now known as the Skinner farm. Several land-buyers had an eye on this piece of land, the quality of which was accepted as " first rate." and each was making his own calculations to get to the land office ahead of the others. Mr. Fletcher, determined not to be outdone, put himself quietly in pursuit of " the game afoot." The land office for this district at that time was at Laporte, and to get there within a reasonable time required some exceedingly brisk traveling. Mr. Fletcher, not be- ing overstocked with money. "went on the cheaps," and, traveling by night and day, withont halting, reached the office first, and se- cured the prize. The excitement of the race buoyed him up, and for the time being he was unconscious of his exhaustion until, hav- ing gained his point, his mind was relieved of the strain upon it. In this condition he regaled himself with a generous supply of fire- water, and started homeward, the weather being stinging cold. That night he " laid out," and there was snow upon the ground. The result was his feet and legs were so badly frozen that they had to be taken off above the knee joint, making him a cripple the bal- ance of his days.
He was afterward often seen in Logansport, in its early days. " stumping it" around at a gait that would do credit to modern pe- destrians. He got his land, however, and that is what he went for.
Probably the second man to seek a home in the wilderness of Harrison, was Robert Barnett, who laid claim to what is now known as the Shideler farm. Mr. Barnett was a man of considerable note. and resided in the township a number of years. His son, Asbury Barne ::. is now one of the influential citizens of Clay Township. Dur- ing the year 1533 a number of settlers located in the township.
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among whom were James Blackburn, on the Warfield farm; Har- rison Barnett, on the Skinner place; Lewis Crane, on land belong- ing to Mr. Freshour; Richard Howard, on the farm belonging to the heirs of Senator Pratt; Mr. Ross, on the Reams' place; Joseph Dunham, on the Freshour farm, and others who made improvements in different parts of the township.
The following two years' settlements were made by William Kline, on the southwest quarter of Section 15; James Piercy, in Section 30; James Corbit, Section 35; Peter Michaels, Section 23; William Grant, Section 32; James Gates, Section 30; John Calvin, Section 32; Wm. Michaels, Section 22; Richard Brown, Section 21; and Samuel Sharp where he is still living. Others who came about the same time were James Sharp, Chas. Riley, James Montgomery, Noah Castle, Tobias Castle, John Overlesse, George Foglesong, Dan- iel Foglesong, Abraham Skinner, Mercer Brown, Benjamin Powell, Leander Dixon, James Denning, Stebbins Powell, Isaac Smith, A. A. Mehaffie, J. R. Johnson, Richard Brown, George Allhands, John Callahan and Henry Esterbrook.
Among the arrivals of 1836 was James B. Rogers, who settled in Section 22, where he lived until his removal to Logansport, in 1886. Others of the same year were James Stevens, Michener Tuck- er, Michael Burk, James Butler, Daniel Morrison, David Pinker- ton, Christopher Long, Mr. Hammerly, Owen Hart, James Noland, "Conn" Noland, William Noland, Henry Garrett, William Dono- van, Jesse Kilgore and Joseph Gibson.
Others who came from time to time, when the country was new, were Edward Whalen, Jacob Ramley, Daniel Ramley, Wm. Wha- len, Newton Clary, Morris Landriggen, Reuben Bachelder, John Cal- lahan, Samuel Crawford, John Barrett, John McCawley, Rev. Rob- ert Rankin, Christian Long, Martin McGowan, John Clary, Noah Martin, Patrick Martin, William T. Murdock, Hiram Knowles, Reu- ben St. Clair, Henry Barnett, James Butler, Patrick McNary, An- drew Michaels, Jos. Meredith, Simon Kenton, Joshua Binney, John Pierce, Isaac Louderback and William Mitchell.
Organization .- Harrison Township was organized March 7, 1836. The first election was held at the residence of Benjamin Powell, and the first justice of the peace was James Scott; the first constable was James Corbitt; the first board of trustees was composed of James M. Stevens, John A. Calvin and J. B. Rogers. Michener
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Tucker and David Pinkerton served as justices of the peace in an early day. Among the early trustees were Abraham Skinner nud Samuel Black. Those who filled the office in later years have been John Hall, John H. Long. Michael Burk, Joel C. Wickard, Samuel Black. Chas. Troutman and John Hurd. The present trustee is Richard Winn. J. P. Foglesong is justice of the peace.
The only county officers from Harrison were James Butler, rep- resentative, and Daniel Foglesong, commissioner
Industries. In the year 1545 James N. Stevens built # AnW - mill on his farm in Section 16. "It neither ran by the power of stenm nor water, as do modern mills, but by the power of a strong yoke of oxen." Mr. Stevens operated his mill very successfully for some time, and manufactured much of the lumber used by the early settlers of Harrison and adjoining townships. He had the sad misfortune to be erushed to death between some of the machinery. after which the mill fell into the hands of other parties. It was moved to another part of the county a number of years ago, and ceased operations with the building of better mills in the country.
The second mill was built in about the year 1-51 by AAbraham Coppick, and stood in Section 23, near the present site of Altoner. This was a saw-mill also operated by steam power, and for a num- ber of years did a good business. It was worked some time hy Messrs. Wilson & Matthews, but finally fell into disuse and decay.
J. R. Johnson engaged in the saw-milling business about the year 1552, where the village of Altoner now stands, in Section 22. His mill was run by steam power, and was conducted on quite an ex- tensive scale. Among the proprietors of the mill was Mr. McCon- nell, who ran it for some time.
A saw mill was subsequently built in Section 25 by Menare. Thrush & Pearson, who owned it a few years before the war. It is now owned and operated by Samuel Metsker.
A large steam saw-mill in Section 2 was built a number of years ago by Daniel Foglesong, who operated it on quite an exten- sive scale. The present proprietors are John P. Foglesong and John Reeder.
The present large steam saw and planing-mill at Altoner was erected by William Stevens, who is doing a large and lucrative business.
Churches .- No better enlogium can be pronounced upon a com-
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munity or upon its individual members than to point to the moral work they have accomplished. Theories look fine on paper, or sound well when proclaimed from the platform, but it is the plain work which tells in society. Many of the pioneers of Harrison were God-fearing people, and as a consequence religious training was not neglected in the early days of the township. The early religious services were conducted by ministers of the Presbyterian Church, and about the year 1837 an organization of that sect was ef- fected at the residence of Christian Long, in the northern part of the township, Rev. Mr. Wright, father of Hon. Williamson Wright, of Logansport, officiating. This society was known as the Indian Creek Church, and numbered originally about twenty members, among whom were Joseph Gibson and wife, Robert Montgomery and wife, Samuel Sharp and wife, James Sharp and wife, David Pinkerton and wife, Daniel Morrison and wife and J. B. Rogers and wife. A log house of worship was erected in 1838, on land donated by Mr. Long, in Section 9. This building was subsequently replaced by a frame edifice, which is still standing. It has been thoroughly remodeled and is now used principally for funeral purposes, the organization having been disbanded about the year 1865 or 1866. Among the pastors of the church are remembered Revs. M. M. Post, James Buchanan, Robert Rankin, and later Robert Irwin and McKnight Williamson. A division occurred in the congregation some time prior to the date mentioned, a portion of the members withdrawing and forming the Concord Church, near the southern part of the township, in Section 34. The original membership of this society numbered about thirteen or fourteen, and shortly after the organization the present frame house of worship was erected on land donated by Samuel Sharp. Among the pastors were Revs. M. M. Post, Andrew Jacks, J. A. Veal, Aaron Thompson, Mr. Gordon, John Branch, Mr. Long, Robert Adams, Mr. McNutt and others. The society enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity for a number of years, but was finally disbanded, a portion of the members unit- ing with a congregation at Royal Centre and a portion identifying themselves with the Logansport churches. A reorganization was effected in 1879 by Rev. A. L. Adams, with a membership of nine- teen. Since that time there have been forty-six additions, and in these seven years of its history there have been seventeen removed by letter, eight have been called away, leaving now forty members,
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
six of whom went in at the reorganization. The church is under the pastoral care of Rev. E. E. Scott, of Logansport, whose work is highly appreciated by all. The officers are Ira Stoughton, David Metinughey and J. B. Rogers, elders; David MeGnughy, superin- tendent of Sunday-school.
Zion Methodist Episcopal Church. - It is claimed by some that the Methodists were the first religious people of Harrison, and the information is that as early as 1833 services were held at the residence of Robert Barnett by Rev. Burroughs Westlake. The Zion Church was organized about the year 1535 by Rev. Jacob C'ulelazer, and among the early members were George All- hands and wife, Michener Tucker and wife, J. R. Johnson and wife, Mrs. Peter Michaels, and others. The first house of worship was a log structure erected on the land of George Allhands some time prior to 1540. It was replaced by the present frame edifice about the year 1550. The organization is one of the aggressive societies of the county, and is ministered to at the present time by Rev. M. Brindle, assisted by Rev. Johnson.
The Crooked Creek Baptist Church, in the western part of the township, is an old organization, and among its early members were n number of the first settlers of the county. The present house of worship, a substantial frame building, stands in Section 32, and is the second one used by the congregation. The society hns enjoyed a fnir degree of prosperity during the years of its history, and is in u prosperous condition at the present time. The pastor is Rev. H. F. McDonald.
The Indian Creek Christian Church was organized a number of years ago in the northwestern part of the township. This society has accomplished much good in the community, and is still main- tained, having at the present time an active membership and a sub- stantial house of worship in Section 17.
As enrly ns 1845 the Universalists had an organization in the township, and for a number of years thereafter meetings were held nt regular intervals. A house of worship was erected, and for some time the society enjoyed a reasonable degree of success, but it was finally disbanded.
St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church was organized about the year 1555 or 1559, by Rev. Father Hamilton of Logansport. A frame house of worship was subsequently built in Section 23. on land do.
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nated by John Newbaugh. The society is ministered to at the present time by Father Kelley, and is reported in good condition.
Village of Altoner .- This village is an outgrowth of the Van- dalia Railroad, situated on the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 15, and part of the northeast quarter of the north- west quarter of Section 22, Township 28 north, Range 1 east. It was laid out in September, 1883, by Edward Freshour, and consisted of twenty-four lots and four streets, three of which, Hill, Freshour and Fitch, run east and west, and one, Osmer Street, north and south. The village is admirably located in the midst of a rich agricultural region, and its importance as a trading point is fully appreciated by the citizens of a large area of country. The first business man of the place was Amos Swigart, who bought a stock of goods and erected a building soon after the survey of lots was made. He is still in business, with a general assortment of merchandise. The other merchant is William Freshour, who handles a general stock and reports his trade good. William Kirtland oper- ates a blacksmith shop, and Samuel Swigart carries on the carpen- ter trade. The health of the community is well looked after by Dr. N. J. LaRose, one of the rising young medical men of Cass County. The large saw and planing-mill, to which reference has already been made, is the only manufacturing establishment of the village.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
THOMAS BACKUS is a native of Yorkshire England, and was born December 13, 1832. He was one of ten children of William and Alice (Harrison ) Backus, viz .: John, William, Joseph, Mary, Richard, Thomas, James, Robert, Jane and Elizabeth. He immi- grated to the United States in 1856, landing in Philadelphia, Penn., in November of that year. From there he went to New York City, where he resided until June, 1857, at which time he came to Cass County, Ind., and in 1862 purchased the farm on which he now re- sides, in Section 9, Harrison Township, and on October 27, 1868, took to himself a wife, Miss Nancy Herd, who was born in York- shire, England, September 21, 1834, and was the daughter of John and Agnes Herd. Mr. Backus owns a fine farm of 120 acres of land, which he has improved himself. Has had born to him three children, viz .: Lizzie A., born June 21, 1870; John W., born Au- gust 29, 1872; and George T. H., born February 10, 1876.
HISTORY DE CASS COUNTY.
GEORGE W. BLACKBURN is one of nine children born to .Inmes 1 .. And Susanna (St. Clair ) Blackburn. viz. . William J .. Reuben S. Joseph, Ruth A., John, Eleanor, George W., Noah ( anl Duvil W. He was married in Harrison Township, Cass Coun- ty_ December 1, 1575, to Phobe, daughter of Levi and Malindn Clark | Foglesong. She was born in Harrison Township, this county, June 6, 157. After our subject's marriage, be settled on huis pr ent farm, in Harrison Township, Section 20, where he has resided since. He owns at present 111 acres of fine and well im- provel land. Hus bad born to him four children, viz: Florence L., born July 24. 1577: Clara D., born June 12, ISSO; Goldie M .. born October 6. 1552! and Bessie, born May 16, 1995.
F G. BUCK. M. D. ( Rosedale. Ind., P. O. Onk ]. is a native of Pulaski County, Ind., and was born January 6. 154. He was reisel on o farm, und at the age of fourteen set out for himself In February, 1564, he enhsted in Company E. Twenty-ninth Indiana i duntoer Infantry, served two years, and was mustered out with his regiment. After n common school course he attended high school. then served an apprenticeshipat the watch-making and jeweler trade. and in 1570 engaged in business ut Roval Center. Ind., and iu August of that year married Emma Brook, who love him one child. who died in May. 1572. Shortly after this, he removed to Wina mne. Ind., where his wife died in April, 1573. He then completed lu- medical course, which had been commenced on leaving high school, Drs. W. H & G. W. Thompson, of Winamne. Ind., being his preceptors. In Isit he entered the Indiana Medical College, where he attended a full course of lectures, and in the winter of 1-75 76 ne attende In second term, after which he began the practice of med- meine at Rosedale. Ind., which he has since pursued with success. June 1. 1575, he married Miss Annie M. Jones, who was born in Pulaski County. Ind., May 11. 1960. The Doctor is a wide-awake. intelligent, and enterprising man, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He is a thorough medical scholar. as well as a success- ful and eminent physician and surgeon. In March, 1ss2. he re- ceived the degree of M. A. from the St. Louis School of Anthropol- ogy, and a year later they conferred on him the degree of M. D. He is a member of the Pulaski County Medical Society and also a member of the Indiana State Medical Association. He is also a member of the Masonic order and the Odd Fellow's.
LEVI BURTON, son of Leonard and Emma ( Medcalf ; Burton, was born in Rush County, Ind .. September 26. 1526. He was mar- ried in Cass County, Ind., in August. 1.19, to Martha J . daughter of Robert Murray, and immediately afterward settled upon the same fari on which he now resides, in Section 4. Harrison Township. which he has improved, and upon which he has resided since His wife died in November. 1550, having borne him one child,
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Emma A. He was again married in July, 1851, to Ann Elgin, by whom he has had born to him seven children: Jane, Eleanor, Phebe, Sarah S., John E., Pegy and Mary. This wife died in March, 1872. Mr. Burton is a fine man and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He is a member of the Christian Church. He owns at pres- ent 240 acres of fine and well-improved land.
HEZEKIAH CAST is a native of Clinton County, Ohio, and was born February 17, 1825. His parents, Horatio and Jane (Mount ) Cast, were natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, re- spectively. The former, Horatio Cast, was born in North Carolina July 16, 1795; and his parents, Ezekiel and Mary ( Johnson ) Cast, emigrated from North Carolina to Clinton County, Ohio, in a very early day, and there resided until death. Horatio Cast, the father of our subject, and Miss Jane Mount were married in Clinton County, Ohio. She was born in Tennessee, in August, 1798. In 1843 Mr. Horatio Cast and family moved to Clinton County, Ind., where they afterward resided until death, which occurred as follows: The mother died February 1, 1864, and the father died November 16, 1874. They were the parents of eleven children, viz .: Amos J., Ezekiel W., Hezekiah, Thomas, Alvin, George W., John M., Mary E., Elizabeth J., James R., and one son who died in infancy and not named. In 1848 Mr. Hezekiah Cast, our subject, came to Rush County, Ind., and was there united in marriage, February 8, 1851, to Phebe J., daughter of Leonard and Emma Burton. She was born in Rush County, Ind., February 6, 1830. In the follow- ing March, after out subject's marriage, he moved to Cass County, Ind., and settled upon the same farm on which he now resides, in Section 8, Harrison Township, owning, in all, 320 acres of fine and well improved land. He had born to him five children, viz .: John W., born January 24, 1852; Emma J., born August 29, 1855, and died October 16, 1860; Leonard H., born January 12, 1859; James T., born May 18, 1861, and Cary C., born September 23, 1865. Mr. Cast and wife are members of the Christian Church.
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