USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 82
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ASA R. GIBSON is a native of Carroll County, Ind., born Sep- tember 19, 1830, of German and Irish parentage. His paternal grandfather, William Gibson, came from Germany to Highland County, Ohio, in an early day. His maternal grandfather, William McMillen, came to Highland County, Ohio, from Ireland. His father, Joseph Gibson, was a native of Highland County, Ohio, born April 19, 1799. He moved to Carroll County, Ind., in 1829, and lived there one year, when he removed to Cass County. He died in Jasper County, December 1, leaving a widow, Nancy (Irwin) Gib- son, and seven children to mourn him. His mother, Martha Mc- Millen, was a native of Highland County, Ohio, born in 1802. Her death occurred October 24, 1835. By her marriage to Joseph Gib- son she became the mother of seven children, of whom six were liv- ing at her death. The subject of this sketch was left an orphan at an early age and bound to John McMillen, with whom he lived nearly four years, when he went to work for himself, hiring by the
ItISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
month. His education was, of course, limited, the opportunities being very poor. He was married. April 3, 1552, to Louisa Wilson. o untive of Ohio, born April 9. 1524, of German parents. After his marriage he rented n farm in this township, and went to work in real earnest. By his industry nud economy he was enabled to purchase the place on which he lived. By his union with Miss Wilson he is the father of five children: Maria, born December 6, 1552: Robert and Melinda, born June 3, 1554; Milo, born December 10, 1556. and Schuyler, born August 31. 1961. . His wife died December 21. 1\$1. After her death he sold his home farm and moved to one joining it on the north. This he has so improved that it is one of the nextest and best in the township. Mr. Gibson was formerly a Whig, but a Republican since the organization of that party. He in a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a man whose influence is very great in his community, one whose example inny well be emulated.
ROBERT M. GIBSON, an enterprising farmer and a native of Jefferson Township, was born June 3, 1554. of German Irish descent. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Gibson, was n native of Highland County, Ohio, born April 19, 1799, and died December 1, 1545. His maternal grandfather. Abraham Banta, was of German descent. Asa R. Gibson, the father of subject. is a native of Carroll County. Ind .. born September 19. 1830. His wife( mother of Robert M.), Louisa ( Banta ) Wilson, was a native of Ohio, born April 9, 1524. and beenme the wife of Asa R. Gibson April 3, 1552. To them were born five children, of whom the second was Robert, who lived with his parents until he was twenty-five years old, when he moved on the farm where he now lives. His eduention was limited to the com- mon school of his township. He was married June 21. 1577, to Louisn Million, a native of this township, born September 27, 1557. daughter of William Million, a native of Ohio, born Angust 17, 1523. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson are the parents of two children: Harry E., born June 25, 157%, died February 7. 1-79; and Frankie, born December 15. 1579. Mr. Gibson has been very successful for a young man. He owns SO acres of well improved and stocked land. He is a man whom his neighbors love and respect, and one from whom the town- ship may expect much in the future. His political views are Re. publican.
JAMES A. HUME is a native of Pennsylvania, born November 11. 153%. He is of Dutch-Irish descent, his grandparents coming to America in an early day. His father. John Hume, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1500, and died in 1581. His mother. Elizabeth Searight, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1507. The subject of this sketch is the second of six children, born to John and Elizabeth Hume. He came to Marshall County, with his par- ents. in 1555, and remained there one year, when they removed to
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this township, where he has since resided. His education was ob- tained in the common schools of Pennsylvania. Mr. Hume was married to Margaret Gray in 1868. The result of this marriage is a family of four children, two boys and two girls. Mr. Hume owns a farm of 101 acres, which is under good cultivation. He was elect- ed assessor in 1855-56-57, and township trustee in 1886. He was a member of the Grange movement. He is a member of the Pres- byterian Church in good standing. Mr. Hume is a man of great political influence in his township, which is proven by his being elected to office in a Democratic township, he being a Republican.
SIMON P. LONTZ, a prominent citizen of Lake Cicott, was born in Wayne County, Ind., March 18, 1845, of German parentage. His father, Henry Lontz, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1821, and came to Indiana about 1840, and located near Centerville, Wayne County, Ind. He was married, in 1842, to Catharine Beaver, a na- tive of Virginia, born in 1819. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, all but one of whom are living. The subject of this sketch was the second child. He lived with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, when he went to farming for himself. He farmed for six years, and then engaged in teaching school. He taught for ten years with marked success, spending nearly all of the time at two schools. When he ceased teaching he embarked in the general mercantile business at Lake Cicott. He was married, in 1864, to Maria J. Hildebrand, a native of Carroll County, Ind., born in 1849. They were the parents of three children: Cora A., born in 1866; Lilly M., born in 1868; William H., born in 1870. His wife died in 1871. January 1, 1879, his marriage ceremony with Affie Wirick, a native of Carroll County, born in 1861, was celebrated. Mr. Lontz is a man of pronounced temperance views. He is a Democrat in politics, but does not allow himself to be con- trolled in voting by party prejudice. He is a member of the Chris- tian Church.
GEORGE RENBERGER is a native of Randolph County, Ind., born December 28, 1828, of German parentage. His paternal grandfather, Geo. Renberger, and his maternal grandfather, Chris- topher Miller, were natives of Pennsylvania. His father, Aaron Ren- berger, was a native of Licking County, Ky., born in 1801. He moved to Randolph County in 1817, where, in 1825, he married Eliza J. Miller, a native of Ohio, born in 1807. The result of this marriage was a family of ten children, of whom George, our sub- ject, is the third. His father died in 1879, his mother is still liv- ing. The subject of this sketch lived with his father on the farm until he was nineteen years old, when he went into the tannery busi- ness in Rochester, Fulton County, which he followed eighteen years. His chances for education were very limited, there being but two schools in the township at that time. Upon disposing of the tan-
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
nery, in 194, he moved to the farm where he now lives. He was married to Susan A. Gray, a native of Pennsylvania, in 1557. She died in March, 1503, leaving him with two children! Mary EL. born in 1961, and Ida Adilia, born in 1563. It Is65 he married his second wife, Naomi J. Price, a native of Indiann. She died in 15$1. leaving six children: Gertrude, George, Cyrus, May. Guy and Myrtle, three of whom are dead. He was elected township trustee in 197 and hold the office six years. He was elected county crm- missioner in 1577 und held that office six years. He is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a man who is respected by all of his neighbors, and is n successful farmer. owning a farm of 250 aeres, which is well stocked.
LEWIS E. ROGERS is a untive of Cass County. Ind, born in 1550. His paternal grandfather. Elton Rogers, a native of New Jersey, was born June 9, 17-1, died September 1. 1.66. His pa- ternal grandmother. Ruth Matlock, a native of New Jersey, was born November 9, 1790, died June 5. 1569. They were the par- ents of seven children four boys and three girls. The subject's father. William M. Rogers, a native of New Jersey, born November 29, 1\10, was the eldest child. He lived on the farm with his par ents until he was twenty years old. when he learned the carriage- maker's trade. He carried on an extensive Imusiness in Rancocas. N. J., from 1831 to 1536. He then sold his factory and came to Mishawaka, Ind., where he took a contract to make a number of iron threshing-machines. Becoming dissatisfied, he returned to New Jersey in 1537. Two years later he again came to Indiana and lo- ented in Jefferson Township, on the farm now owned by his family He was married, in 1836, to Lydia W. Wright, a native of New Jersey. To them were born eleven children, four of whom are yet living. He died March 9. 1.72; his widow still survives. Lewis E. was the sixth child. His boyhood was spent on the farm with his parents. He attended the neighboring schools, receiving an or- dinary education. He was elected to the assessor's office in 1972. although his party, the Democratic, was in the minority. He re- ceived the appointment of agent for the State Line Station of the Chicago, St. Louis & Pittsburgh Railrond. nt Lake Cicott, in 1953. He is also engaged in the grain business, having built a large grain warehouse in 1996. He was married. September 30, 1-73, to Jen- nie Berryman. a native of Indiana, born in 1557. They are the parents of three children: Elmer E., born October 20, 1574; Lydin. born October 2s. 1579, and William T .. born March 26. 1953.
ELI WATTS is a native of Cass County, born September 20. 1533. He is of Irish-English descent, and son of John Watts, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Cass County with his family in 1×20; he died in 1>14. The mother of our subject. Martha Wood- kirk, the second wife of John Watts, was a native of Kentucky and
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died at the age of sixty-seven. She was the mother of two children. The subject of this sketch and surviving child of that marriage re- ceived a very limited education-only such as the schools of his day could furnish. He was left an orphan at the age eleven years, and fought the battle of life alone from that time. He worked on the Wabash & Erie Canal three years, and several years in a saw-mill. In 1853 he went to California, where he remained, work- ing in a saw-mill, nearly three years. He was married, in 1858, to Indiana McCombs, a native of Cass County, born in 1840, of Scotch- German descent. By her he is the father of these children: Mar- tha J., born in 1859; Cassius M., born in 1862; Sarah M., born in 1864; Casabianca, born in 1866; Junins E., born in 1870; Aurora A., born in 1873, and David E., born in 1880. Mr. Watts owns 187 acres of good farm land, and is in easy circumstances. He is one of the oldest citizens in the county, being the second white child born in Noble Township. He is a man who is respected by his neighbors, and one whose influence is felt for good in his commu- nity. A Republican in his politics, but very fair in his views. He has traveled extensively in the States and Territories in his trip to California, crossing the Isthmus of Panama.
DANIEL M. WATTS is a native of Noble Township, born Jan- uary 2, 1856. His father, William P. Watts, is a native of Indiana, born about 1818. His mother, Elizabeth (Daily) Watts, is a native of Tennessee, born about 1813. She died in 1877. They were the parents of nine children, two of whom are dead. The subject of this sketch is the eighth. He lived with his parents until he was twenty years old, when he moved on a farm of his own, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for five years. He then em- barked in flour-milling, at Royal Center, in which he continued three years, when his mill was burned. For the year immediately subsequent he was engaged in the retail liquor business. He then located at Lake Cicott, where he established himself in the mercan- tile business, where he has since continued. He enjoys a good, re- munerative trade. He also keeps a boarding-house. His education is as good as could be obtained in the district schools. He was mar- ried, January 1, 1874, to Emma C. Schrock, a native of Ohio, born in 1855. To them have been born four children: Alice, born Jan- uary 20, 1875; William H. H., born August 27, 1878; Earnest, M., May 6, 1879, and Harry E., July 3, 1882. Mr. Watts is a young man of great energy, and will, in a few years, retrieve the loss he sustained in the burning of his mill. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is a Republican in politics.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
CHAPTER XVII.
MIAMI TOWNSHIP- BOUNDARY AND DRAINAGE-COMING OF THE PIONEERS -MILLS AND INDUSTRIES TOWNSHIP OFFICERS ITEMS OF INTEREST- RELIGION'S HISTORY - CASSVILLE - LEWISBURG - NEW WAVERLY - HOOVERVILLE, ETC .- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
rTHIS division of Cass County forms part of Townships 27 north, Ranges 2 and 3 east of the Congressional Survey, and is bound- ed as follows: Miami County on the east. Eel Township on the west, Eel and Wabash Rivers on the north and south, respectively. It is irregular in outline, and, next to Eel Township, the smallest divis- ion of the county. The surface of the country is pleasantly divers- ified, being gently undulating, with a few abrupt hills and deep ra- vines in certain localities. That part of the township bordering on the Wabash River is considerably broken, the bluffs in some places being from 60 to 100 feet high and of romantic boldness. From the summits of these majestic uplands, far above the water, a gen- oral view of the noble river and the beautiful scenery for many miles along its banks ean be obtained. Another beautiful and pic- turesque view can be obtained from the summits of the large hills lying south and southeast of the village of Hooverville. The soil of the township is mostly a black loam, sand-mixed in places, and very fertile. It is rich in tree food, and was originally clothed in a dense forest of walnut, hickory, ash, poplar, beech, maple and other large trees-beech and sugar predominating on the clay soils, and onk trees on the drift clays or sandy soils. Miami is an agricultural district, and there is scarcely a section of land that can not be ren- dered capable of almost unlimited production. All the fruits and cereals indigenous to thia latitude, are raised in abundance, the sta- ple crops, however, being corn, oats and wheat, for which the soil seems peculiarly adapted. Among the fertile portions of the town- ship, deserving of special mention, is the region of country border- ing on Eel River, and a section lying adjacent to the Wabash, east of the village of Lewisburg. The enstern and central parts of the township present large areas of fertile land. also; and the farms of the same are among the best improved in the county. The old Wa-
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bash & Erie Canal, running parallel with the Wabash River through the southern part of the township, was a potent factor in inducing immigration to the country in an early day, and the completion of the Wabash Railroad, later, served as an active stimulus to the de- velopment of the township.
Coming of the Pioneers .- The first recorded settlement within the present limits of Miami was made in the spring of 1831, by Peter Berry, who moved hither from Logansport, and located the farm now owned by Adam Cart, a short distance west of Waverly. Mr. Berry purchased this land the same year, and the house he built thereon was the first dwelling erected between the cities of Peru and Logansport. It stood about midway between those two places, hence was known as the half-way house, and many a passer- by found within its humble walls a generous hospitality, which Mr. and Mrs. Berry knew so well how to dispense. The building was a rude log structure with puncheon floor, stick chimney, and supplied with the indifferent household effects of pioneer times, yet the good taste of Mrs. Berry, who was one of the tidiest of housewives, dis- pensed such an air of comfort, that the house was a favorite stop- ping-place for several years. Mr. Berry had made no improvement worthy of mention previous to moving to his land, and a more unin- viting prospect than the new home presented on the day of the fam- ily's arrival, would be difficult to imagine. On every side were deep, gloomy forests, among the recesses of which but few white men had ever penetrated, and the whole scene was uncheered by the slightest presence of civilization. Mr. Berry at once went to work, and, with the assistance of his sons, a small " patch " of ground was cleared, which gradually extended its area until the term field could be appropriately applied. The field thus prepared for the plow was " broken up " by John H. Berry, who was always proud of the fact that he turned the first furrow in Miami Township.
Peter Berry resided upon his original purchase until about the year 1840, when he moved a couple of miles west and bought a farm in Section 24, where his death occurred in the year 1855. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and a man of more than ordinary energy and intelligence. His sons, Henry P., John H., Peter and Samuel Berry, figured prominently in the early history of Miami and Tip- ton Townships.
During the year 1831, the following men and their families came
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
to the township: John Fiddler, who settled near Lewisburg, on the farm yet owned by his heirs; William Conner, in Section 16, where W. C Galinhan now lives, and John Hoover, near Eel River, on the place belonging to his son-in-law, Gus Moore. These were all men of substantial worth nud did much, in a quiet way, toward the devel- opment of the country. Another early settler was Abraham Reed. who enme in the year, 1532, and opened a farm in the western part of the township, in Section 26, which Inud he purchased from the Government the following year. A son of Mr. Reed, now living. describes the journey to their new home us having been made in the face of many difficulties, chief among which was the almost impass- able condition of the rond, owing to the dense timber through which but few vehicles hud previously passed. Mr. Reed's first habitation was a rude affair, hastily constructed by the side of a large log, in which the family found shelter until a more convenient but very im- perfect log structure could be erected. Mr. Reed became the pros- sessor of a valuable tract of land, a part of which is still owned by his descendants. Prominent among those who came in an early day, were Christian Casebeer and his sons Joseph and David, who made settlements near the Wabash River, a short distance east of the vil- lage of Lewisburg. These were men of note in the community and their descendants are among the most substantial citizens of the township. In the year 1-32 came Nathaniel Williams and settled in Section 29, on the farm now owned by his son, John Williams, of Logansport. Mr. Williams moved here from Darke County, Ohio, and for many years was one of the leading citizens of Miami. His sons, Addis and John came at the same time, and can be appropri- ately termed early settlers. The former is dead, and the latter is now an esteemed citizen of Logansport. Another early settler Was Lewis Bowyer, who selected a home near the present site of Lewis- burg, of which village he was proprietor. His original homestead is How owned and occupied by his son, Clayton Bowyer. David Miller. Jr., son-in-law of Peter Berry, came as early as 1833, and chose for his home a tract of land lying in Section 20. He was a prominent resident of the township until his death, which occurred in the year I>>5. As early as 1532, Isaac S. Patton, father-in-law of John Williams, was living in the township, on a part of the farm still owned by his descendants. His sons, Abraham, Vincent, and Arthur were here at the same time, and passed the greater part of
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their lives in the township. Jesse, Curtis, Lewis and Henry Fid- dler, sons of John Fiddler, were among the first comers, as was also William P. Van Dorn, who made a settlement near the Wabash River, where the town of Cassville was afterward laid out. James Henry became a resident here about the year 1832-33, and settled in Section 19, where Levi Burnett now lives. William Guard, Sam- uel McPherson, and William Rucker were among the earliest set- tlers in the eastern part of the township, their arrival antedating the year 1834. Other early pioneers who came to the township when the country was a wilderness were. Andrew Wilson, George Rush, Thomas Craighead, Reuben Grimes, Peter Chidester, James McPherson, Stephen Clemens, Hiram Clemens, James Rush, John Fouts, Andrew Martin, Henry Martin, David Miller, Sr., the Truax family, Thomas Black, Isaac Parks, Frank Kelly, H. M. Eidson, Archibald Forgy, William Sweeney, Jacob Miller, William Pearson, Jacob Loser, Anthony Hiller, William Murphey, Solomon Hyer, Abraham Hyer, and others whose names have been forgotten.
Industries .- The presence of abundant water-power gave to Miami unusual advantages as a manufacturing district, and as early as 1834 a saw-mill and corn-cracker was erected on the present site of Hooverville by David Miller. It received its motive power from Eel River, and was extensively patronized by the early residents of Miami and other townships. A distillery was subsequently attached, and a two-story frame flouring-mill, with two run of buhrs, erected. It was operated a number of years by Conrad Martin, and in 1854 the entire structure was washed out by a freshet. Peter Cowdrey built a large saw-mill just south of the Burnett farm, in Section 18, as early as 1842-43. It received its motive power from a spring branch, and was operated by John P. Baker until about the year 1851. The construction of the railroad destroyed the race, and the old building gradually fell into decay.
A second flouring-mill was built by David Miller, near Lewis- burg, about the year 1845. It stood in Section 29, was a tall frame building, and did a fair business for a number of years. It ceased operations about the year 1860, but the building stood until within a comparatively recent date. The present large flouring-mill at Hooverville was erected in the year 1859 by S. L. Kendall & Co., of Logansport, by whom it was operated until 1864. It then fell into the hands of John Hoover, who ran it for some years. The'
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
present owners are Bennett & Wilson. This is one of the largest mill buildings in the county, and much to the regret of the neigh- borhood is standing idle nt the present time.
In about the year 1516 an iron furnace and forge was built in the western part of the township, four miles east of Logansport, by John P. Baker and Richard Green, who operated it with fnir success for several years. Iron ore was shipped from various parts of the country by the canal, and ut one time six furnaces were kept con- stantly going. Bog iron obtained from the Hyer farm near Waverly and from Clay Township was used, and the enterprise gave employment to quite a number of men. The large hammer used for forging was operated by water from the canal, and its loud pounding wns familiar music to the people for many miles around. The en- terprise was abandoned about the year 1555.
About the year 1542 a distillery was built on Eel River, where Madison Reed now lives, by John P. Baker und John Fonte. It was operated on an extensive scale, and produced a fair article of "fire water." much of which found n ready sale in the immediate neighborhood.
In addition to the manufacture of whisky the proprietors carried on quite a large business in live stock and produce, which they occasionally shipped by fut-boat to New Orleans. The presence of the distillery proved an eye-sore to the piously inclined of the com- munity, and the records of the old church in the vicinity show that a goodly number of the early members were "excommunicated" for too frequently haunting the lurking place of the "worm." The dis- tillery ceased operations about 1554-55.
One of the earliest industries of the township was a turning lathe operated by James Henry, on the farm now owned by Levi Burnett. Mr. Henry was a skillful mechanic, and with the aid of his machine. which was ingeniously operated by water-power, manufactured much of the furniture used by the early settlers.
Lime Kilns .- The presence of vast beds of limestone in various parts of the township early led to the manufacture of lime, and within a short period after the country's settlement several kilns were burned near the canal.
In 1565 David Keyport, of Pennsylvania, leased a large tract of land adjacent to the canal in the western part of the township, and erected the large kilns now in operation. Keyport & Donaldson
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carried on the business for several years, and later the firm was changed to that of D. Keyport & Son. The kilns are now operated by A. B. Keyport & Co., and have a capacity of from 1,000 to 1,200 bushels of lime per day.
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