USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 75
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*From minutes of the association
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membership, and has been a potent factor for good in the town and adjacent country.
Lincoln-The town of Lincoln is situated on both sides of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, and was laid out May, 1852, by Williamson Wright and Andrew Howard. The original plat lies on the east half of the northwest quarter and the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 17, Town 25 north, Range 3 east, and consists of ninety-seven lots and four streets, viz .: Walnut, Front, Poplar and Center. Like Galveston, it is an outgrowth of the railroad, and early became an important shipping point for live- stock, lumber, staves, etc.
The first industry of the place was a large steam saw-mill, built by Williamson Wright, which was operated quite extensively for several years. It was afterward burned down, but later, was re- built, and the village has never been without its milling interest. The first merchant was Abner Flint, who carried on a fair business for a period of six or eight years. The second store was brought to the place by Williamson Wright, and his goods were sold by John Ingram, and later by James Baker. Howard Shanks sold goods for a while, as did also Mahlon Bell, both of whom did fairly well with general assortments of merchandise. The Watkins Bros., in later years, carried on a very succesful business, and at the present time two stores are kept in the village by Bigger & Co. and Mr. Staggs.
The early mechanics of the place were P. Peters, carpenter, and A. B. Rule, blacksmith. Dr. Lester was an early physician. The pres- ent physician is Dr. J. B. Wills, who is also trustee of the township. The grain business is carried on quite extensively by A. Watkins, who is one of the largest shippers in the county. Bell & Son oper- erate a large steam saw-mill, and are doing a prosperous business.
Lincoln has one church organization-Methodist-Episcopal- which meets for worship in a beautiful frame building erected sev- eral years ago. Services are regularly held, and the society is re- ported in a prosperous condition. As a shipping point Lincoln is not excelled by any small station on the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, while as a grain market it is unsurpassed by any village in the connty.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WILLIAM ARMSTRONG, one of the enterprising farmers of Jackson Township, is a native of Preble County, Ohio, and was born December 3, 1934. He came to this county in 1572, and lo- cated upon a farm in Section 19, Jackson Township. He removed to the farm where he now resides, in Section 27. same township, in Angust, Iss5. His occupation up to 1550 was that of a farmer. fu that year he engaged in the manufacture of tile. In 1555 he again resumed farming, in which he is at present engaged. May 3, 1502. he was married to Susan Davisson, a native of Preble County, Ohio, born March 1, 1543, and daughter of JJonathan and Isabel ( Aduins Davisson, the former of whom was n native of Virginin. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong have had six children, as follows: George E, born February 1. 1963, died September 22. 1965: Mary J., born April 1, 1565; Idn I., born June 10, 1867; Jonathan W .. born August 22, 1-70; Lydia A., born October 26. 1575, and David W., horn June 1, 1552. In polities Mr. Armstrong is a Republican. He 18 the owner of 117 neres of good Innd, about 100 acres is in a high state of cultivation. He is an industrious farmer and a well re- spected citizen.
DR. THORNBURG BALDWIN, of Galveston, is a native of Champaign County, Ohio, and was born November 16, 1520. He was the third son in a family of eight children-four boys and four girls-born to Walter and Olive ( Hintt ) Baldwin, natives of Vir ginia and North Carolina, respectively, the former of Welsh and the Intter of German descent. When our subject was yet n child, his parents located upon a farm in Crawford County, Ohio, and when he was about ten years old they removed to Port Clinton. in Ottawa County. Ohio. Three years later, they located upon a farm upon Put-in-Bay Island, where they resided five years and were at that time the only occupants of the island except an old Frenchman and his wife. In 1536 our subject took up the avocation of a sailor. This was upon Lake Erie. During the winter of 1836 37. he at- tended school in Ashtabula, Ohio. In the following spring he returned home to Ottawa County, whence his parents, in the mean- time, had moved, and where his father had died a short time pre- vions to Thornburg's return. Here he farmed his mother's place for about three years, when he began to learn the blacksmith's trade This received his attention about two years. In 1945 he immigra- ted to this State and located first in Carroll County, where he worked at his trade a short time. In July of this year, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Thomas J. Raybell, of Lexington, Car- roll County. After reading medicine for thirteen months, he en- listed in Company H. First Indiana Regiment, and spent one year
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in the Mexican war. This was from June of 1846 until the follow- ing June. After receiving his discharge, he returned to this State and resumed the study of medicine under his old preceptor, who, in the meantime, had removed to the site of Miami Town, in Miami County. After taking a thorough course of training under Dr. Raybell, the two formed a partnership, and in the latter part of 1847 they went to Iowa, but in the February following they returned to Cole County, Ill., where they were actively engaged in the practice of medicine for about one year and a half. They then returned to Miami Town, this State. A year later the partnership was dis- solved; Dr. Raybell moved West and Dr. Baldwin remained at Miami Town, where he continued the practice of his profession. About 1850 he located upon a tract of woodland in Miami County, and immediately set about clearing up a farm. Here he was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until 1853, when he came to Cass County, and located at Galveston, where, excepting the time spent in the late war, he has ever since been actively and successfully en- gaged in the practice of medicine. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteers. He was first elected second lieutenant, but was soon promoted to a first lieuten- antcy, which position, on account of disability, he resigned in Feb- ruary, 1863. He then returned to Galveston and practiced his pro- fession until May, 1864, when he started out with an ox-team on a trip through the West. He went as far as Virginia City, M. T. After a stay of a few months, he returned to Galveston, having been absent just seven months. On his return he opened up the first drug store ever opened in Galveston, but a year later he retired from this to devote his entire attention to the practicing of his profession. In addition to the foregoing, he has also given some attention to the goods business, and to saw-milling and grist-milling. December 27, 1849, he married Elizabeth Van Devender, a native of Madison County, this State, born October 11, 1833. She was the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Ivins) Van Devender, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. Dr. and Mrs. Baldwin have had three chil- dren. Their names are Walter, born June 16, 1851, died Septem- ber 25, 1852; Warren, born February 20, 1854, and Frank, born January 26, 1869. Dr. Baldwin is a member of the F. & A. M. lodge, and a Republican in politics. He is a highly respected cit- izen and a successful practitioner. After locating at Galveston, he and David Thomas took a contract of furnishing the Pan Handle Railroad Company with 20,000 ties, which they fulfilled.
DR. JOHN S. BEAL, of Galveston, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and was born April 22, 1828. He was the fourth son of Thomas W. and Eliza (Ijams) Beal, both of whom were na- tives of Maryland. Our subject spent his boyhood and youth work- ing upon his father's farm in his native county and attending the
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
district schools. He afterward continued his studies in a select school at Finley, Hancock C'o., Ohio, nud nt the age of twenty-two he entered college, at Delaware, Ohio, where he remained one year. and during the following year he taught public school. At the he- ginning of the next school year he again entered college, where be remained for the period of one year. Having made up his mind to study medicine, he then went to Middletown. Butler Co., Ohio, where he began that study in the office of Dr. William Welter Here he pursued his studies diligently for about eighteen months, h part of which time he held n pawition as a teacher in the Middle- town schools. In the full of 1553 he entered the Eclectic Medical In- stitute, at Cincinnati, where he attended the course of lectures. During the summer of 1554, in order to secure means by which to finish his medical studies, he practiced medicine at Walton, this county, whither he came in the spring of 1554. He again entered the medical college in the fall following, where he attended another course of lectures, graduating in February, 1855. In the spring of this year he went to Lucon. Il., where he immediately entered upon the practice of his profession. In 1961, his health having become impaired, he quit practicing, and, in the hope of recovering this. he went South, but owing to the existing hatred at that time for any one from the North, he soon returned, and during the three years following he resided at Lancaster, Ohio, recruiting his health. In September, 1563, he again located nt Walton, this county, where he resumed the practice of medicine. In June, 1567, he removed to Galveston, where he has ever since resided, and where he was act- ively and successfully engaged in the practice of his profession until 1591, when, owing to the ill state of his health, he was com- pelled to abandon it altogether. October 16. 1554. he was married to Lizzie Zehring, daughter of Philip and Anna Zehring. both na- tives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. She was born in Warren County, Ohio, July 14, 1529, and died September 21. Isfs, leaving two children: Frank H., born February 24, 1559, and Sal- lie Z .. born November 19, 1561. Dr. Beal is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. the I. O. O. F. lodge, and an ardent Republican in politics. He is an intelligent and well informed man and a highly respected citizen. Our subject was possessed of a desire to secure a good education, and in view of this his father gave him his time at the age of eighteen. During the following vear he worked at wheel-wrighting. Four brothers: Josiah, Isaac I., William P. and Thomas H. C. Isaac I. (deceased ) was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church : Thomas H. C. is also a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church: Josiah and William P. are mechanics. Five sisters: Ann E., Armira R., Priscilla J., Mary and Emily C .. all of whom are dead except Ann E.
JAMES BELL, one of the old pioneers of this county, and one among the first settlers of Jackson Township, was born in Johnson
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County, this State, July 25, 1827. He was the third son born to James and Elizabeth (Rose) Bell. At the age of four years, his mother having died, he was placed in charge of his grand- father, with whom he remained until he was sixteen years of age, when he came to this county, and for a short time after- ward he made his home with his father upon a farm in Jack- son Township, where the latter had settled about one year pre- viously. A year or so later he took up his residence with his eldest brother, William, and the two lived together upon a farm in Section 9, Jackson Township, until James reached the age of twen- ty. At this age, or on the 2d of February, 1848, he was mar- ried to Elizabeth Bickell, daughter of Henry and Asenath ( Patter- son) Bickell, both natives of Licking County, Ohio. She, also, was born in that county August 29, 1830. Immediately after their marriage they located upon an eighty-acre tract of land in Section 10, of Jackson Township. Here they resided until 1861, when they removed to a farm which they had purchased, lying in Section 9 of the same township. Upon this place they have ever since re- sided. When Mr. Bell first located in that township what are now beautiful and well tilled farms was a vast wilderness, abounding with deer, wild cats, wolves, wild turkeys and Indians, and amid all of the hard work which the development of a new country necessi- tates, he found time to yield to his inclinations and participate in the hunt. There was, perhaps, no one of the early settlers of this county who embraced the privilege of participating in the hunt and chase more than he, and certainly none of them appreciated the sport any better. The pursuit of game in the wild woods has ever had a particular fascination for him, to which he has permitted his inclinations to yield, more or less, throughout his entire life. He takes a trip every year to the wilds of Wisconsin and Minnesota, where a number of weeks are spent in hunting deer, bear and other game. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have had eight children. Their names are Mahlon, born May 6, 1849; Michael, September 30, 1850; John W., January 4, 1853; James H., December 19, 1854, died in in- fancy; Milo O., born November 16, 1856; Malissa E., born Febru- ary 21, 1859, died in infancy; Sarah C., born June 6, 1860, and Perry M., September 25, 1863. Mr. Bell is the owner of 400 acres of good land, most of which is in a state of cultivation. Besides this he has a half interest in a saw-mill at Lincoln. He is also giv- ing considerable attention to pisciculture and to the raising of deer. He has a handsome fish pond, well stocked with German carp, and a park in which roam a herd of fifteen deer. Mr. and Mrs. Bell belong to the Baptist Church. Mr. Bell is a member of of the F. & A. M. lodge, in which he has held the rank of W. M. for a number of years. Politically he is a Republican. He has been an industrious and successful farmer and is one of Cass Coun- ty's most highly respected citizens.
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
MAHLON BELL, one of the enterprising young citizens of Jackson Township, was born in the township in which he resides May 6, 1549. He is the oldest son of James and Elizabeth ( Bick- ell) Bell, who are old residents of Jackson Township. His boy- hood and youth were spent at home with his parents, during which time he attended the district school in the winter and worked upon the farm in summer. At the age of eighteen he attended the pub- lie schools of Kokomo a short time, after which he took up the avo- ention of a teacher. After teaching three terms, with good success, he retired from the profession, and ever since he has given his at- tention to farming and saw-milling. He now owns a half interest in the large and well-equipped saw-mill at Lincoln, which he has operated for a number of vents. Martha J. Frush. also a native of Jackson Township, born April 16. 1550, became his wife June 26, 1 70. She is the daughter of William and Sarah ( Emry ) Frush. natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have hnd two children. They are Nellie, born March 20, 1572, and Daisy, born March 2, 1878. Mr. Bell and wife are both members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Bell is a member of the F. & A. M. lodge and a Republican in politics. In 1550 he was elected to the office of township trustee, and was . re-elected in 1552. In the fall of 1×54 he was the candidate of his party for State Representative, and the manner in which he reduced an opposing majority reflects very creditably upon his standing in the county. He is an intelli- gent, enterprising and industrious man and a good citizen. In his official capacity he discharged his duties with credit to him- self and satisfaction to his constituents.
JOHN CAMPBELL, one of the prominent farmers of Jackson Township, is a native of Franklin County, Penn., and was born Jan- uary 10, 1521. He was the oldest son born to William and Eliza- beth ( Robison ) Campbell, natives of Franklin and Perry Counties, Penn., respectively. JJohn spent his boyhood upon his father's farm, during which time he attended school in winter and worked upon the farm in summer. At the age of fourteen he had the mis- fortune to meet with an accident, which resulted in the breaking of his right leg. This proved to be a very important event in his life, as it necessitated his fitting himself for some vocation with which the lameness occasioned by that accident would not interfere. At the age of sixteen he beenme an apprentice to Samuel Laird, of Dry Run. Franklin Co., Penn., with whom three years were spent in learning the tailor's trade. In October. 1500, he located at Strasburg. Penn., where he worked at his trade as a journeyman until the following March. He then went to Chambersburg, and in the following July he went to Spring Run. Here he remained un- til in September. 1542, at which time he immigrated to New Lisbon. Columbiana Co., Ohio. In November of the same year he continued
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westward, and reached Logansport in the same month. He removed to Lafayette in the latter part of December, 1842, and in September, 1843, he located at Rossville, Clinton County. At all of these places he worked at his trade, and, through industry and economy, he had, by the year 1848, earned and saved enough money to purchase the 160 acres of land he now lives upon, in Section 15, Jackson Town- ship, which he did in November of that year. He located there in February, 1850, and has ever since given his attention to agricult- ural pursuits. March 4, 1847, he. was married to Elizabeth Smith, who died August 21, 1849. March 31, 1850, he was married to Rebecca J. Spence, a native of Erie County, Penn., born March 30, 1829. She was the daughter of John and Esther ( Moany) Spence, natives of Lancaster County, Penn. Mr. Campbell and his present wife have had six children, all of whom are living. Their names are Elizabeth, born January 1, 1851; George W. and William S. (twins), born April 5, 1854; Viola, born March 22, 1857; John, born December 1863, and Mary O., born November 20, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Campbell is a member of the F. & A. M. lodge, being one of the charter members of Galveston Lodge, No. 244. Politically he is a Republican. He was elected to the office of county commis- sioner in 1871, and served three years. He also served out the un- expired term of William Holland, who resigned the office of com- missioner in March, 1880. He has also held the office of assessor in Jackson Township a number of terms. He owns, in all, 660 acres of excellent land, most of which is situated in one of the best farming localities in Cass County. The farm he resides upon is fitted up with good buildings and fences, and is one of the most desirable locations in the county. He began life without a dollar, but, through industry, perseverance and economy, he has placed himself in good circumstances. He is an honest, upright man, an enterprising and successful farmer, and one of our county's most highly respected citizens.
ISAAC V. CANINE, one of the pioneers of this county and, at present, one of the old and highly respected citizens of Jackson Township, located where he now resides in 1848, having entered the land from the Government. He was born in Shelby County, Ky., May 8,, 1822. He was the fourth son born to Cornelius and Dortha (Van Hice) Canine, both natives of New Jersey, the former of Dutch and the latter of English descent. When Isaac was seven years old, his parents removed from Kentucky to this State and located in Montgomery County, where his boyhood and youth were spent working upon his father's farm. Here he resided until the year 1848, when he came to this county as aforesaid. Having located in a wilderness, and being without help, it became necessary for him to do a great deal of hard work in the develop-
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
went of his farm. He chopped, grabbed. rolled logs, plowed and. in fact, did all kinds of hard work which the development of a new country necessitates. When he located there, what is now a beauti- ful farming country was a dense forest abounding in wolves, wild turkeys and Indians. He settled down in a log cabin, which served Is shelter for himself and family, for two years. By this tune, through industry and economy, he had saved enough to build a bet- ter house, which he did, and which, with some additions, is the one he still occupies. His occupation has always been that of a farmer. . He owns n farm of 360 neres of good land, about half of which is in a high state of cultivation. September 4, 1550. he was married to Mary C. Graves, A native of Decatur County, this State, and daughter of Joseph und Sarah ( Howe ) Graves, formerly of Jack- son Township. She was born January 1, 1527. Ever since their marringe Mrs. Canine has stood by the side of her husband, sharing alike the trials of pioneer life and its fascinations. She is yet living, and both are spending their declining years in happiness. Mr. and Mrs. Canine are the parents of four children, two of whom are dead. They are JJoseph C., born July 25. 1551; died August 12, 1551; Sarah E., born September 17, 1552: James W. born No. vember 9. 1555, and Dorthn J., born May 24. 1555, died April 10. 1559. Mr. and Mrs. Canine are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Canine is a member of the F. & A. M. lodge nud a Democrat in politics. Away back in the fifties he held the office of township trustee three years. He has been an indus- trions and successful farmer nud is now one of Cass County's best citizens.
WILLIAM P. CHICK, one of the prominent farmers of Jack- son Township, was born in Gallia County, Ohio, March 16, 1825. He was the third son born to William and Nancy ( Skinner ) Chick. the former a native of England and the Intter a native of New York. When William was quite a small boy his parents removed to a farm in Scioto County, Ohio where he spent his boyhood and early youth working upon a farm. In 1542 he left home and went to Missouri. where he worked, by the day and month, for five years. In 1-47 he returned to his father's, in Scioto County, Ohio. He came to this county, and located in Walton, in 1554, and in the fall of 1563 he located where he now resides, in Section 1. Jackson Township. December 9, 1551. he was married to Mary Ann Shope, a native of Scioto County, Ohio, and daughter of James and Armina (Chatfield ) Shope, natives of Ohio and New York, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Chick have had three children: Nancy E. and James and a twin sister who died in infancy unnamed. James died at five years of age. In politics Mr. Chick is a Republican. He owns a nice farm of 160 acres, about half of which is in a high state of cultivation. His farm is fitted up with good fences and buildings, among which
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is a handsome new frame residence, erected at a cost of $2,200. Mr. Chick is an honest, upright man, an industrious and successful farmer and a good citizen.
MICHAEL COUK, an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Jackson Township, is a native of Preble County, Ohio, and was born December 29, 1837. He was the third son born to John M. and Cristena (Young) Couk, both natives of Wittenberg, Germany, of German descent. His parents were married in their native coun- try, and they immigrated to America about the year 1833. Michael grew up to manhood working on his father's farm in his native county. He came to this county, and located where he now resides, August 17, 1868. He has always been engaged in agricultural pur- suits. May 5, 1864, he entered the service of the Union Army, in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio Regiment, from which he was honorably discharged September 1, 1864. He par- ticipated in the battle of Cumberland, Md., and discharged his duties in a creditable manner. Eliza J. Davisson, also a native of Preble County, Ohio, born June 16, 1839, became his wife September 15, 1860. She was the daughter of Jonathan and Isabel ( Adams) Da- visson, natives of Virginia and New Jersey, respectively, To them have been born nine children, as follows: Mary B., born August 10, 1861; Martha I., born March 17, 1863; Charles A., born August 13, 1865, died January 28, 1871; Clara C., born May 4, 1868; Laura E., born September 23, 1872; John F. and Jonathan F. (twins), born April 23, 1875, the latter died upon his first birthday; David W., born September 11, 1878, and Lizzie P., born May 27, 1884. Politically Mr. Couk is a Republican. He owns 200 acres of good land, 80 in this county and 120 acres in Howard County. About 157 acres are in an excellent state of cultivation. In addition to farming, Mr. Couk also gives considerable attention to the breeding of fine stock. He is the owner of two fine horses, one of the Clydesdale and the other of Copper Bottom and Canadian stock. He also has a half interest in Canada Southern, a fine black, Mor- gan horse, imported from Canada April 20, 1886. The record of this horse is 2:35, and for form, symmetry and motion is absolutely without an equal in the county.
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