USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 81
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95
*835
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
Prominent among the arrivals of 1830, was Beaufort Banta, who settled in Section 24, on land to which one George Baum had laid claim the previous year. Baum had made a few improve- ments, but for a small consideration disposed of his claim and went further west in 1830. Mr. Banta moved to his new home from one of the Southern States, making the trip in an ox-cart, the journey re- quiring about two weeks. Mr. Banta is still living, being one of the oldest living settlers of the county at the present time. In 1831 immigration from some cause began to decline, and if any persons secured homes within the township in that year, such fact is not known to the writer. In 1832 several settlers were added to the little colony, among whom are remembered Moses Ran, who moved from Carroll County and located in Section 23; Moses Craig, who settled in Section 26; Robert Gray, in the southern part of the town- ship; Taylor Sturgeon, in Section 22, and John Kistler in Section 25, near the southeast corner of the township.
In 1833 Dr. James Gordon, still a citizen of the township, set- tled on the Coble farm, near Georgetown, and about the same time, came Aaron Renbarger, and located the land where his son, George Renbarger, is now living. George Renbarger, although a mere child when the family came to the township, is still an honored res- ident of the same, and has seen the country developed from a wil- derness to its present advanced state of civilization. Conspicuous among the settlers of 1834, was A. B. Hildebrandt, who located the place upon which he has since resided. The same year came David Weirick, who settled on the Walker farm; Benjamin Baxter, where the Widow Edgerly now lives; Joseph Day, on the present site of Georgetown, and Absalom Cruse, in Section 22, not far from Lake Cicott. Maj. Daniel Bell, proprietor of Georgetown village, came in 1835, as did also William Nethercutt, John Shaw, Israel Watts, Daniel Small, John Watt, and Alexander Scott. Andrew Veal came in an early day, and purchased land in Section 1 about the year 1835. Joshua Tam located in the same part of the township and entered land the same year. William Sturgeon settled in Section 2 many years ago, the patent for his land bearing the date of 1834. Wm. Smith came about the same time and purchased Government land in the same locality. An early settler in Section 22 was William Hughes, whose arrival antedated the year 1836. James Williams rented in Section 27 prior to 1836, and as early as 1834 Daniel L.
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
Devore was living in Section 20. John Hicks purchased land from the Government, in Section 4, in 1534, and moved to the same within a short time after that date. Thomas Martindale, George Houk, Levi Houk, and Adam Houk, all became residents as early as 1-36. as did also Larken Herman, Jacob Myers, Thomas Harless, Robert Gillam. S. M. Braden, John MeMillen, John W. Wilson and Thomas Pritchard.
Among the very early settlers, the date of whose arrival has been forgotten, were John Myers, in Section 27; Robert Donovan, near the Inke; William Craig, in Section 27; Thomas Patterson, Section 34 ; Robert Jellison, Section 9; Alexander Smith, who entered the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 11 in 1530; Michael Bruner, Section 13; Benjamin Baxter, Section 13, obtained east half of the southeast quarter October 5, 1530, and Jefferson Rhodes, Section 32.
Others who came in from time to time, as early settlers, were Alexander Senright, Timothy Calloway, William M. Rogers, James Burkett, John Crain, I. C .. Thompson, William Thompson, S. M. MeClure, James Hood, Silas Atchison, Wesley Johnson, Daniel Short, Jesse H. Short, John Winegardner, William Nethercutt, Jef- ferson Rhodes, John Miller, Lewis P. Donovan, Andrew Waymire, A. J. Small and Nininn S. Conchman, the majority of whom pur- chased land from the Government and became permanent citizens prior to the year 1535.
Early Land Entries. - Additional to the persons enumerated, Inuds were obtained by entry in an early dlay as follows: 1532 John W. Johnson, Section 13; Alexander Scott, James Rollings and John Hicks, Section 19. 1533-Robert McMillen, Section 3; H. and J. Taylor, Section 15: William Hicks, Section 20; John Watts, Section 21; Thomas Newmann, Section 26: Alexander Gray, Section 31. Entries were made in Section 36, in 1530, by James Rush, N Thompson and Isane T. Canby. William Day. Joseph Day and Barbara Lobach obtained patents for lands in Section 6 as early as 1-31. During the years 1835-36 entries were made by James Dann and William W. Chase in Section 1; Richard Briggs, James Wood, David Williamson, Samuel P. Binney, James Briggs, Robert Williamson and David Williamson, Section 3; Palmer Scott, Fran- eis 1.le and Joseph Belew, Section 4: John Williamson, Section 5; Martin Kee, Israel Watts and D. White, Section 9; John Nearhoof and John Kistler, Section 13; Andrew Buchannn, Section 14: An-
837
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
derson Davis, Section 17; John Crooks and John Stevens, Section 21; Nathaniel White, Section 23. Other early entries were made by Daniel Witten, Section 14, in 1831; Isaac Dill, Section 22, in 1833; George Brown, Section 24, in 1830; Joseph Galbreath and Wm. Hudson, Section 24, in 1834; David Craig, Section 26, in 1834; Jacob Kuns, Section 26, in 1836; William Rockhill and Samuel Tam, Section 26, in 1835; Philip Bawson and Mary Donovan, Sec- tion 28, in 1835; John W. Dodd, C. J. Hand and Samuel Grimes, Section 29, in 1836; James B. Elliott, Section 30, in 1835; Alex- ander Henderson, Section 31, in 1835; Levi Chatfield, Section 31, in 1836; Thomas Noel, Section 32, in 1836; Thomas Hays, Section 32, in 1835; Geo. Bowser, Section 33, in 1835, and Isaac T. Canby, Section 33, in 1835; a number of whom became residents of the township.
Organization .- The township was organized September 6, 1831, and named in honor of the illustrious statesman and President, Thomas Jefferson. The first election was held in the cabin of John Myers, Georgetown, Maj. Bell acting as inspector at this election; but six votes were cast. The first justice of the peace was Joseph Day. Robert Gray and Beaufort Banta were probably the first trustees. Among the trustees of later days were John Buchanan, George Renbarger and James Duffy. The present trustee is J. A. Humes.
Early Births .- On the 17th of March, 1831, was born to Beau- fort and Elizabeth Banta a daughter, Elizabeth Banta, probably the first birth in the township. Nancy J. Banta, daughter of the same parents, was born March 16, 1833. Another early birth was that of a child of Lucy Hildebrandt, born some time in the year 1834.
Deaths .- The first death in the township, of which there is any record, was that of Peter Price, who died in 1833. The same year a couple of children of Alexander Gray died and were buried in the old grave-yard near Georgetown. Several canal hands, names un- known, were buried in this place in an early day. The Pisgah Burying-ground, Section 23, was consecrated to the burial of the dead in 1852, and the Winegardner Grave-yard in the western part of the township was used previous to that date.
Industries .- The presence of abundant water power early gave to this part of the county superior manufacturing facilities, and within a short period after the first settlement several mills were in
37
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
operation at various points along Crooked Creek. The first of these was the saw-mill near the present site of Georgetown, erected hy George Cicott, to which reference has already been made. As early as 1533 John Myers built a small saw-mill on Crooked Creek, where Mrs. Vanatta now lives. It was operated several years, but disup- peared long ago, no vestige of the old building remaining at the present time.
The Garrett Mill, on Crooked Creek, a short distance above the Reed Mill, was erected as early, perhaps, as 1-34-35, and was in operation until about 1844. It was a combination mill, manufac- tured lumber and meal, did a fair local business, and was destroyed by a freshet some time during the your last mentioned.
Another early mill on Crooked Creek was erected some time in the thirties by Andrew Waymire, who subsequently sold to Pollard & Taber. It was afterward purchased by George Houk, and ceased operations a few years previous to the wur.
As early as 1535, Alexander Searight built a saw-inill on Crooked Creek, Section 26, on the spot afterward occupied by his large flour- ing-mill. It was in operation several years, and did a good business. The Searight Grist-mill was built in the year 1-42-43, and stood on the creek near the present site of Curveton. This was the larg- est and best flouring-mill ever erected in the township, the building being 45x50 feet in size, five stories high including the basement, and supplied with four run of buhrs. It was operated upon quite an extensive scale for several years, and, with the exception of the Forest mill in Logansport, manufactured more flour than any other mill in the county. It was destroyed by fire about the year 1847. The second saw-mill at Georgetown was erected in 1540 by James Gordon. He operated it quite extensively, and for a number of years carried on a successful lumber trade.
The Reed Mill on Crooked Creek, Section 14, was built prior to 1860 by John Fisher, who subsequently sold to Reed. Later D. L. Fisher purchased an interest, and after him it passed into the hands of various parties. It is owned at the present time by Beaufort Banta and operated by Amos Johnson. The mill is a large frame structure, supplied with good machinery, and has been operated with good success ever since its erection.
In about the year 1565-69. Jacob J. Ringer built a flouring- mill on Crooked Creek, one half mile west of Pisgah Church, Sec-
839
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
tion 23. It was a large frame building and did a good business un- til its destruction by fire in 1885; the last owners were Michaels & Michaels. A small woolen-mill was erected on Crooked Creek, in the northern part of the township, a number of years ago, by Tay- lor Sturgeon. It was a primitive affair, and did a good local busi- ness for about three years.
The present large frame flouring-mill at Georgetown was erected some time in the seventies by Mr. Coble. It is a good mill, and has done an extensive business.
The most prominent industry of the township at the present time is the large steam saw-mill at Lake Cicott operated by A. Hurd, who ships immense quantities of lumber to Chicago and other large cities. A large force of men are employed, and the enterprise is one of the most extensive of its kind in the county.
One of the early industries of Jefferson was a small distillery, operated by William Rector, on what is now the Ed Buchanan farm. Mr. Rector conducted the business upon a limited scale, but manu- factured a good article of "juice," the greater part of which found ready sale in the immediate neighborhood.
Religious .- "The citizens of Jefferson were, at an early date, enlisted in their spiritual welfare, and about the year 1835 a relig- ious meeting, the first in the township, was held at the cabin of Robert Gray, by the Christians or Disciples." William Hicks, John Scott and Alexander Scott were pioneer preachers of this de- nomination. They conducted religious worship at the cabins of the settlers for several years, but no organization of their faith seems to have been effected in the township. The Dunkards or German Baptists, were early represented in the settlements of Jef- ferson, and the cabin of David Wirrick was for some time their principal meeting place. Another early denomination was the Christian, or New Light Church, a number of members of which settled in various parts of the township when the county was new. Ministers of that faith began visiting the sparse settlements at quite an early period, and in time an organization was brought about, under the name of Crooked Creek Church, which still continues. This society was organized some time in the thirties and has main- tained an existence until the present time, being now one of the progressive congregations of the county. Among the early preach- ers was Rev. Abraham Sneethen, a man of great piety and a forci-
*
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
ble expounder of the word. Crooked Creek Church is situated in the northern part of the township, in Section 3. The society has a neat and commodious house of worship and is reported in prosper- ous condition.
Pisgah Presbyterian Church was organized September 24. 1536, in a grave near the residence of John Adair, in Noble Township, Rev. M. M. Post. of Logansport, officiating. The following persons were recognized as members at the time of organization, viz : John Adair. Sarah Adair. Rosannah Adair, W. M. Lemon. Catherine Lemon, Taylor Sturgeon, Eunice Sturgeon, Margaret Smith, Joseph Gibson, Benjamin Adnir. Anna Adair, George McMillen, Susan MeMillen, John Wilson, Margaret Wilson, Sarah Wilson, Jane Mc- Millen and Sarah McMillen. Of this number all have gone from the " church militant" to the " church triumphant " except one -- Mrs. Sarah Searight ( nee Wilson ). The first elders of the church were William M. Lemun, John Adair and Joseph Gilson. John Wilson and Benjamin Adnir were elected deacons. Meetings were held in schoolhouses, groves and private residences for a number of years, the congregation failing to unite on any particular place for a house of worship until 1552. In that year John Wilson offered the church a tract of ground in Section 23, Jefferson Township. provided that a building he at once erected thereon. Richard Pryor, a zealous member of the congregation, assumed the responsi- bility of promising that a house should be completed and ready for use within six months, in consequence of which the ground was im- mediately platted, and a deed for the same made to Mr. Pryor, there being no trustees of the church at that time. The deed states that the church is to be a Presbyterian Church, but that it is to be open to all orthodox denominations when not used by the Presbyterians. The ground immediately back of the building was laid off for burial purposes, being the first public cemetery in the township. Work on the house was prosecuted with great vigor, and in due time a neat frame structure was erected, and dedicated on the 12th of March. 1553. The first regular pastor of the church was Rer. James Gordon, who served two years, and after him came a num- her of others, among whom were Revs. M. M. Post. Amos Jones. and J. A. Veal. The pastor in charge at the present time is Rev. Gilbert Small. The society is not so strong in numbers as formerly. owing to deaths and removals and the withdrawal of several mem- bers to unite with the Center Church in the vicinity.
841
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
Center Church .- This society is an offshoot from the Pisgah Church, and dates its history from about the year 1852. The or- ganization was brought about by Revs. Levi Hughes and Edward Wright and Mr. Starr, and the first meetings were held at the Mar- tindale Schoolhouse, in Boone Township. The congregation met for worship at different places until 1857, at which time the present frame building in Section 9, Jefferson Township, was erected on ground donated for the purpose by John Watts. The house is a comfortable structure, 30x40 feet in size, and cost the sum of $800.
The following list comprises the pastors who have had charge of the church from time to time, viz .: Revs. Mr. Bell, Robert Irwin, William P. Crouch, McKnight Williamson, James Matthews, James T. Patterson, M. M. Post, Amos Jones, A. B. Bohannon and Gil- bert Small. The present membership is about thirty-five. The officers are M. T. Williamson, William Williamson, James A. Hume and J. W. Barr, elders; Andrew Williamson and George Renbar- ger, trustees.
The German Evangelical Association have a church in the north- west corner of the township. The society meet for worship in a neat frame building situated in Section 6, and is enjoying a reason- able degree of prosperity.
Temperance Society .- The prevailing sin of early times in Cass County was drunkenness; and in almost every cabin the "Little Brown Jug" and flowing bowl were familiar objects. The convivial habits of the pioneers frequently culminated in neighborhood "knock downs," faction against faction, especially in elections, mus- ters, or any public gathering. Jefferson Township appears to have been no exception to the general rule, and to counteract the prevail- ing evil among certain of her early citizens, a temperance move- ment was inaugurated as long ago as 1852. The movement was started by Richard Pryor and Amos Chilcott, the former president and the latter secretary of the organization, which required all de- siring to become members to subscribe to the following pledge, i. e .: " We, the undersigned, hereby agree to abstain from the use of all intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and to use our influence with others for the same purpose." Meetings were held in the different schoolhouses; addresses were made, after which the pledges were circulated among the audiences for signatures. The cause was ably championed by eloquent speakers from different places, and the so- ciety did much toward checking intemperance.
11 STORY OF CASO COUNTY
Village of Georg town. Georgetown was laid out in July, 1535, by Damel Bell, and is the rest of one of the oldest settlements in the townslap. It is situated on the Wabash River. Cicott'as Bener- vation, and the plat of the town shows tifty-seven lots and rix streets, to wit. Canal. Wabash, Market, Jackson, Washington and Bona- part .. the first two running east and west, and the others north and south. Prior to the platting of the village a number of dwellings Quel been erected on its site, and the place early became the nucleus around which a flourishing settlement sprang up. The surveys of the town gave the place new interest, and not long thereafter several residences were built and occupied, and a coupde of stores were in operation. It early became a prominent shipping point on the old canal, and for many years was the chief source of supplies for a large area of territory. Among the first settlers of the village war Silas Atchison, who came as early. perhaps, as 1530; and about the same time John Myers became a resident, and opened a small gro- cars and general goals store. He was a large land owner, and for some time operated the old Cicott saw mill, with which he did a very flourishing business. He subsequently sold his store to Simon Elsroth, who afterward went into partnership with a man by name of Berry. In connection with these pioneer industries of the village came the primitive inn kept by Mr. Atchison. It was scarcely to be distinguished from the simple home of the private citizen. and differed from the ordinary cabin principally in that its hospitality was dispensed at a fixed price. Its patronage was de- rived from prospectors and others who thronged the new land, the temporary character of whose stay rendered such an establishment necessary. Mr. Atchison kept a tavern, the first in the township. for several years, but afterward sold out and immigrated to Califor- nin. An early merchant of Georgetown was a man by name of Edl- wards, who kept a small general store for several years. In 1835 Dr. James Gordon came to the place and engaged in merchandising. in which he soon achieved great success. Ho carried on an exten- sive business from the above date until 1543. from which time until Isis he was not engaged in merchandising. In the latter year he again opened a store, and in 1952 built a large warehouse on the canal, and engaged in buying and shipping grain, in which branch of industry he for several years led the county. In connection with the above he also bought lumber. produce, building material of all
843
JEFFERSON. TOWNSHIP.
kinds, and in fact dealt in all kinds of merchandise, his business be- ing one of the most extensive in northern Indiana. His stock of merchandise averaged from $20,000 to $30,000, and from 1857 until 1864 the yearly sales amounted to over $80,000, the largest business, with the possible exception of the firm of Merriam & Rice, of Logansport, in the county during that time. With the going down of the canal Gordon's business began to decline, and several unfortunate investments about that time entailed upon him heavy losses, from which he never fully recovered. He is still a resident of the village, and keeps the only store in the place at the present time. .
A man by the name of Johnson sold goods as early as 1846, and about the year 1852-53 one Jacob Meace, a peculiar character, en- gaged in the grocery and liquor business, which he carried on for a short period. Matthew L. Kendrick had a general store from 1873 till 1879, and in 1880 Abraham Herman sold goods a short time.
The early mechanics of the village were John Dipbra, carpenter; John Long, William C. Kinney and William Couch, blacksmiths. In about the year 1840 Jos. Day engaged in the tannery business, an enterprise which yielded him a fair profit for several years. The present mechanics are Baker and Kinney, blacksmiths, and George W. Nethercutt, wagon-maker.
Georgetown, although at one time the leading business point in Cass County outside of Logansport, never had over 150 inhabitants, and upon the abandonment of the canal it began rapidly to decline. The population gradually drifted to other and more favorable local- ities, and at the present time a few dilapidated and time-stained buildings are all that remain of the once flourishing village. Like the ancient city of prophecy, "the spider weaves its web in her pal- aces, and the owl sings his watch song in her towers." Troja fuit.
Lakeville .- A small village on the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, situated in the northwest quarter of Section 28, was laid out July 9, 1868, by James Duffy, and consists of eight lots and three streets. The town lies at the east end of Lake Cicott, and is the prominent shipping point for lumber on the Peoria branch of above road. The business of the place is represented by a large steam saw-mill operated by A. Hurd, who does an extensive busi- ness; two general stores by S. P. Loutz and Daniel Watts, a small grocery store kept by M. M. Vernon, and a blacksmith shop oper-
$44
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
ated by Jacob M. Bee. L. E. Rogers is railroad agent and grain dealer, and E. Geer is the resident medical man of the village.
Curreton, a small hamlet on the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, of which it is an outgrowth, is situated in the north- east quarter of Section 26, and was surveyed February, 1575. for Williuma Turpie and William Collom, proprietors. The plat shows 96 lots, traversed by the following streets: Railrond, Logan, Main, Collom and Turpie the first two running east and west and the other three north and south. The village is a local trading point. and has one general store and blacksmith shop.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
BENJAMIN BANTA. a prominent citizen and native of this township, was born June 16. 1539. His paternal grandfather, Al- bert Banta, A native of Pennsylvania, removed to Kentucky and died in Bourbon County, that State; his wife and paternal grand- mother of our subject was Ruth Alexander. of Irish extraction, a native of Pennsylvania. His father, Beaufort Banta, a native of Bourbon County, Ky., was born February 3, 1508. He moved. to Delphi, Carroll Co., Ind., in 1-29, where he lived about one year, when he moved to Cass County, where he has since resided. His wife, mother of our subject, Elizabeth McNary, was also a native of Bourbon County, Ky., born. of German parents, March 7. 1509. She died November 20, 1960. The subject of this sketch was one of fourteen children-six now living. He lived with his parents on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age. His education was obtained in the common schools. He was married, March 12. 1567. to Elvira Wilson, a native of Cass County. Ind., born in 1940, of German-Irish parents. She died September 12. 1575, leaving one child. Everet, born October 21. 1567. Mr. Banta is a farmer of considerable wealth, owning 160 acres of good farming land and a third interest in a flouring-mill and fifty acres of land. Mr. Banta enlisted in the Seventy-third Indiana Infantry in 1562 and served six months, and was discharged for disability. After his discharge from active service he was appointed enrolling officer in Sub-dis. triet 131. He is a member of Logansport Post, No. 14. G. A. R., and is a Republican in politics.
FREDERICK C. FORD is a native of New Hampshire, born April 21. 1516. He is of English descent. His grandfather, John Ford, was born about 1740, and died November s. 1524. His father, John Ford, Jr., was a native of New Hampshire, born April 9, 1773, and died September 21, 1522. He served as captain in
845
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
the war of 1812. He was paymaster in the State militia after the close of the war. His mother, Polly Goodhue, was born March 5, 1776, died November 15, 1841. They were united in marriage January 12, 1876, and became the parents of ten chil- dren, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only one living. His father dying when he was but six years old, he commenced life's battle with the world at an early age. His education was obtained in the common schools. At the age of fifteen, he was apprenticed to learn the machinist's trade. He served four years, and then be- came engineer on the Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railroad. He ran on that road five years, when he was promoted to the position of master-mechanic, which position he held for six years. For the next ten years he acted in the same capacity on the road from San- dusky to Cincinnati. The two years following he was in the employ of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad. For the five years imme- diately succeeding he served the Atlantic & Great Western Rail- road, when he accepted a position on the Winona & St. Peter Rail- road, which he continued to fill for a period of eleven years. His next position was on the Western Division of the Northern Pacific. He worked there a little over three years. Since that time he has lived on his farm in this township. He was married, in 1840, to Minerva Symonds, a native of Rochester, N. Y., born June 22, 1820. They are the parents of four children: Sarah, born February 24, 1841; Mary I., born March 14, 1845, died April 25, 1847; Fred- erick J., February 4, 1849, died May 24, 1871, and William B., Oc- tober 30, 1857. Mr. Ford is an old member of the I. O. O. F., hav- ing been a member of that order nearly fifty years. He moved his family to this township in 1872. He owns 240 acres of well im- proved land. He is a genial old man and has many tales to tell of his life on the rails. He is a Republican in politics.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.