USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 83
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Township Organization .- Miami Township was organized Jan- uary 3, 1831. Under this organization the first election was held soon after, at the residence of Peter Berry. The first justice of the peace was William Conner, and the first board of trustees was com- posed of Peter Berry, Nathaniel Williams and Thomas Craighead. Other early trustees were Lewis Bowyer, Paul Burk, Joseph Cot- trell, a Mr. Elliot, Henry Eidson and Peter Chidester. Among the early justices of the peace were Isaac Patton, Lewis Bowyer and Henry Eidson. The trustees of the township since 1865 have been G. W. Arnott, E. W. Rush, Henry Lattourette, William Pearson, Samuel Smoot, John Williams, Charles G. Cox, John Rudolph and R. J. Forgy. The present trustee is Mr. Rudolph.
Items of Interest .- The first store in the township was kept by David Miller, in a little house that stood a short distance east of Cass Station, near the Wabash Railroad. Mr. Miller brought a small general stock of goods here as early as 1836, and did a fair business for a period of about four years. His house was a double log building, and answered the two-fold purpose of a store and tavern.
One of the first frame houses in the township was built by Peter Berry, on his farm, in Section 24. He and his son, Henry Berry, were the first blacksmiths in the township, having run shops as early as 1833 or 1834.
Early orchards were set out by William Conner, Nathaniel Will- iams, Abraham Reed and James Rush.
The first death which occurred was that of Mrs. Vandorn, who de- parted this life about the year 1833. Hers was the first interment in the Williams Grave-yard, which was set apart for burial pur- poses by Nathaniel Williams, about the year 1832.
The Miami Grave-yard, on the Berry farm, was consecrated to the burial of the dead a few years later, and beneath its sombre shades are sleeping many of the early pioneers of the township. The . Reed Grave-yard, near Eel River, on the Madison Reed farm, was set aside for burial purposes as early as 1835, at which time Mrs. Nancy Reed, wife of Abraham Reed, was laid to rest. There are two
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
other cemeteries in the township the Dunkard Grave-yard, near Hooverville, and a burying-ground recently laid out a short distance north of Waverly
The death of Erasmus Chidester, by drowning, in the year 1996. was in event which cast a shade of gloom over the entire country He with three others DE MeAlister, Allen Bowyer and Stephen Williams attempted to cross the Wabash, at Lewisburg, at a time when the river was overflowing its banks, cnused by a spring freshet. The current ran very rapidly, and when about two-thirds across the stream, the boat capsized, precipitating the entire party into the chilly waters. Chidester and McAlister were drowned, and the body of the former was recovered, many miles down the river. four months after the sad disaster occurred.
Another man, by the name of Miller, was drowned in the Wa- bash several years prior to the above event.
A citizen of Waverly, unme forgotten, was killed by the cars near the Burnett form about 1561. He was put off the cars after night nud crushed to death by n following train.
" Bloody Hollow," a low, wild ravine, between the railroad and canal south of the Burnett farm, was the scene of a small engage- inent between a detachment of American troops and Indians several years before the beginning of the present century. The troops were supposed to have been a part of the army sent against "Old Town." and their camping place was on the " bald " hill east of the ravine. They were fired upon while in camp, so says the legend, and several of them wounded. The Indians were chased into the Hollow, where three or four of them were killed.
In March, 1537. Joseph, a son of Thomas Black, then residing in the eastern part of the township, at that time about ten years old, was kidnaped by the Indians. "Missing the child soon after. the mother, terror-stricken at not finding him, gave the alarm to the neighbors residing near by, who immediately made search for the lost little one." The country was scoured in every direction. brush heaps were overturned and hollow logs examined, but no trace of the missing child could be found.
"The received opinion was that he had been taken by a small band of Pottawattomies, who were passing that way en route for the . Pottawattamie Mills, adjacent to the treaty ground on the Tippe. e noe River. Whether this theory is true or not. it bears the marks
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of plausibility, since it is known that such Indians had been seen in that locality, and not long after they were removed westward beyond the Missouri River." A man claiming to be the long lost son of Mr. Black, made his appearance at the latter's home in 1866. His arrival occasioned no little sensation in the neighborhood, but whether or not he was the lost son or an imposter will probably remain forever a mystery.
Religious History .- The first religious services held in Miami Township were conducted by Rev. William Rayburn, at the resi- dence of Peter Berry, as early as 1833. Other Methodist ministers visited the neighborhood in an early day, but no class was organ- ized for several years after the above date. Religious services were held by Rev. M. M. Post, of the Presbyterian Church, many years ago, but no society of that denomination was ever organized in the township.
* Miami Baptist Church .- Prior to 1842 the Baptist residents of Miami and adjoining townships were members of the first Bap- tist Church of Logansport. At that time, feeling themselves suffi- ciently strong to maintain an independent organization, they resolved, with the consent of the Logansport church, to constitute themselves an arm or branch of said church.
Accordingly, on the 25th of July, 1842, a business meeting was held at the schoolhouse situated in Section 25, to prepare for a council to be held the next day. The record reads: "Agreeable to an understanding of the brethren and sisters of the Logansport Baptist Church in the neighborhood of 'Union Mills,' Miami Town- ship, Elder William Pratt was chosen moderator and John P. Baker clerk. After mutual consultation it was resolved that we request the brethren that shall meet with us to constitute us as a branch of the church held at Logansport, to the end that we may have our regular monthly meetings and discipline the members within the bounds of this branch and transact such other business as may be local in its character."
The council acted agreeable to the wishes of the brethren and sisters, and the church commenced its work as a semi-independent organization on the 26th of July, 1842. Meetings had been main- tained in the neighborhood for a number of months previous. to the organization. Rev. William M. Pratt was the regular preacher.
*Contributed by 1. J. Berry.
HISTORY OF CISS COUNTY
He was then a young man, in his prime, and his preaching caused a great religious awakening. The people left their cabins, clearings and erops to attend the Divine services. During the summer. on special cessions, no building large enough to contain the congre. gations could be procured. The meetings were held in the words. and every path and road seemed to lead to the meeting place Numbers came from a distance, and the woods surrounding the congregation presented the appearance of a camping ground. rather than any thing pertaining to n religions gathering.
Among those who constituted the church we find the names of Ira S. Sellers. Nancy SeHers, Rachel Coons. Samuel Coons. Paul Burk. Nathaniel Williams, Samuel Berry, Win. R. Coons, Mary Coons, Mary Rush, H. P. Berry, Mary Berry. Elizabeth Berry. . A. 1 .. Williams, Andrew Rush, Catherine Miller, Elias Williams, J. C More, Stephen Chappell, Moses Comuns, Martha Coons, Eliza Prouts. Elizabeth Baker, E. G. Chidester. Elizabeth Patton, George Clow- ver, George Bush, J. P. Baker, Sarah Ann Williams, Peter Berry und Jane Chidester. On the day of the organization a building committee was appointed to look after the " speedy building " of a house of worship on the land of Father Berry. This house was erected in due time ( 1814), and was the first building for church purposes in Miami Township.
The organization increased in numbers and influence, and ere long the majority of the citizens of the community identified them- selves with the congregation. The first trustees were Nathaniel Williams, E. G. Chidester and Wm. R. Coons. Ira S. Sellers was elected clerk, and in 1543 E. G. Chidester and John Williams were ordained dencons. During the year 1542 Eller Pratt acted as pas- tor. but in 1543 Elder J. H Dunlap supplied the church a part of the time.
Revs. S. G. Minor, William JJ. Greenleaf. - Thomas and De- inas Robertson preached at intervals prior to Is48. The pastors since then have been the following, to wit Manning, Samuel Dewese. L. E. Layne, S. V. R. Coon. J. B. Allyn, John Dunham. Silas Tucker, 14. A. Alford. E. J. Delp. E. M. MeGraw. J. M. Max- well. - Wolfe and J. G. Tedford.
The present temple of worship at Hooverville was built in the year 1$70. and represents a capital of about $1,500. It is a brick building well-finished and furnished, and is one of the neatest ( urch mlifices in the county
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The German Baptists or Dunkards have a society in the western part of the township, near Hooverville, established about the year 1881. A large frame house of worship, capable of seating 400 per- sons, was erected in 1882. The preachers of this society have been Revs. Barnhart, Fisher, Myers and others. The organization is an offshoot of the Mexico Church, Miami County, and is not very strong as to members.
* Methodism in Miami .- The history of Methodism in Miami dates back prior to the year 1848, at which time there were two small societies, or classes, in the township. One of these was at Lewisburg, and another met for worship at the residence of Henry Voorhis, a short distance northeast of Waverly. At Lewisburg they held services in a little frame schoolhouse near Jesse Fiddler's resi- dence, Lewis Bowyer being class-leader. Among the early mem- bers were Lewis Bowyer, Malinda Bowyer, Virginia Bowyer, Eliza A. Bowyer, Naomi Bowyer, William Meeks, Harriet Meeks, Mrs. Blankenship, Rachel Pennel, Clarinda Casebeer, Maria Casebeer, . Phoebe Dayton, Catherine Eaton, C. R. Fields, Unity Fields, John Conkling, Mary Conkling and Elizabeth Chrisman. The names of those meeting in the eastern part of the township were H. M. Voorhis, Louisa Voorhis, David S. Bennett, Jane Bennett, Horace Bennett, Panthea Bennett, Father and Mother McNamara, H. M. Eidson, Henry Canfield and Nathaniel Williams. The same pastor, Rev. J. S. Donaldson, ministered to both societies, and their meet- ing places were at that time points on the old Peru circuit. In 1849, Peru was struck off, and the name of the circuit was changed to that of Paw-Paw. Brinton Webster was appointed pastor in 1850, and after him came Henry Badly, who was instrumental in build- ing a house of worship at Lewisburg. The house was completed in 1851, and dedicated by Rev. W. L. Huffman. The next pastor was Rev. James Black. Meeting continued to be held north of the prairie, and in the year 1857 the organization was moved to the town of Waverly, which had been laid out years before. The Lew- isburg class continued to decrease from time to time, and the two societies were finally merged into one. A reorganization was ef- fected at New Waverly in the spring of 1858, with the following members: Dr. C. R. Quick, Lucinda Quick, H. M. Voorhis, Louisa Voorhis, A. Voorhis, John Passage, Mary Passage, H. M. Eidson
*By Henry Lattourette.
.
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
and wife. D. 14. Bennett, Pantha Bennett. H. Bennett, Indiana Ben- nett. -- Fox and wife, Josiah Fox and wife, Hannah Fox, Hezekiah Fax, Julin A. Fox, A J. Huffman, Huldah Huffman, Clarinda Case. beer, Marin Smith, Henry Lattourette, Maria :Lattourette, Frances Place and Augusta Williams. There were perhaps others whone unmes have been overlooked. The house of worship in New Wa- verly was erected in 1566, and dedicated January, 1567. by V. M. Beamer and H. N. Barnes. The number of presiding elders that have served the work since 1549 are fourteen. The pastors, since 1551, have been the following: William Anderson, J. W. Bradshaw. Jacob White, William Bradford. R. H. Calvert. Philip Stevens, Charles Martindale. C. Boyce, William Vigus. A. S. Lakin, W. R. Edmonson, A Greenman, W. R. Hoback, F. T. Simpson, J. T. Shackleford, S. J. MeElwee, James Leonard, R. T. Lung, R. J. Parrot, O. S. Harrison, Samuel Miller, J. W. Miller. E. S. Prestou. William Peck. Joseph Couk, T. J. Elkin, J. S. MeElwee and E. F. Albertson. The present membership of the church numbers thirty. eight; present number of probationers nineteen.
Cassrille-a paper town situated on the Wabash River a short distance west of Lewisburg, was laid out August, 1-35, by William G. Vandorn, who settled in the vicinity a short time previous to that date. Mr. Vandoru built a large frame hotel on the town site, which he opened for the necommodation of laborers on the canal and such travelers as saw fit to accept his hospitalities. He also kept a small stock of goods, which was the ouly business of any impor- tance ever brought to the place. At one time there were several small board shanties in the town, occupied by canal hands; but with the growth of Lewisburg in the vicinity, the village soon fell in- to decay, and nothing but a cultivated field remains to mark its for- mer site. The plut shows fifty-four lots and six streets, four of which -Mill, Market, Walnut and Washington-run north and south. and two-Main and Bridge Streets-run east and west.
Lewisburg, on the Wabash & Erie Canal, of which it is an out- growth. was laid out September. 1536, by Lewis Bowyer. The vil- lage is situated in Section 32. Town 27 north, Range 3 east, and the original plat contains 11 lots, with several streets and alleys. The place acquired considerable prominence during the days of the Canal, and early became an important trading and shipping point for a large area of territory. The first merchant was a Mr. Cole,
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who kept a small stock of groceries and whisky; and soon after the completion of the canal, W. W. Haney, now of Logansport, opened a general store, which he carried on very successfully for a number of years. Several "gin shops" were in full operation in an early day, and the village soon became the resort of a class of people who gave it the unsavory reputation, from which it has never entirely recovered. John Kelsey kept an early hotel, and Jonathan Pauley, John Wilson and a Mr. Meeks were among the first mechan- ics, the two former operating blacksmith shops and the latter a cabinet shop. Drs. Loder and Hogle were early physicians. A leading merchant and grain dealer in later years was Samuel Smoot, who for some time carried on a very extensive and prosper- ous business. With the decline of the canal the fortunes of the town began to wane, and at the present time the skeleton of an old warehouse, a few dismantled dwellings and other ancient buildings, upon which a general decay has fastened, are all that remain of this once flourishing metropolis of the Wabash Valley.
New Waverly .- The town of New Waverly is situated in the eastern part of the township, on the Wabash Railroad, and dates its history from December, 1855, at which time the original plat of 71 lots was laid out by the proprietor, John A. Forgy. The village is an outgrowth of the railroad; and, in a short time after the sur- vey was made, a stock of goods was brought to the place by Mr. Forgy, who carried on a successful business in a small building which stood near the lot now occupied by Mr. Black's meat shop. Mr. Forgy's clerks were I. S. Smith and Dr. C. R. Quick, both of whom became prominently identified with the growth and develop- ment of the village. The first residence was built by John A. Forgy and the second by Dr. Quick, the latter building still stand- ing. Mr. Forgy subsequently erected a large business house, 45x70 feet in size and two stories high, in which he kept a large general assortment of merchandise and also a hotel. This building was put up in the year 1856, and destroyed by fire in 1867. George Arnott and C. P. Forgy, succeeded John A. Forgy, and sold goods as partners for several years. The firm was afterward changed to Forgy & Morse, and later to Temple, Forgy & Arnott .- Finley and Wilson Reed erected 'a store building in 1857, on part of the lot now occupied by the Pennel Building, and sold goods for some time. This house was burned in the conflagration of 1867.
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
An early business firm was that of Arnott & Smith, who handled groceries, boots and shoes, and operated a warehouse for a period of about three years. Hugh Pennel came to the village in an early day, and engaged in the hotel business, using for the purpose the building previously erected by John A. Forgy, He afterward built a hotel of his own, and carried on the business until within a short time of his death. He was the first postmaster of the town and also one of its early merchants.
In addition to the merchants enumerated. the following men have been identified with the business interests of the village from time to time: J. B. Wallace, Hiram Parsons, Enton Forgy. R. J. Forgy, Samuel McCoy, James Wilson, R. N. Floyd and D. C. Jenkins,
The first physician to locate in the town wns Dr. C. R. Quick. who practiced his profession from 1856 till his death in 1876. He was n man of considerable prominence, a local minister of the Methodist Church, and was widely nud favorably known throughout the county. His sons, Drs. L. L. and R. H. Quick, are resident physicians at the present time.
The early mechanics were Johnson Reed, blacksmith: I. S. Smith, shop-maker: William Murphey, carpenter and wheel-wright; R. M. P. Sutton, wagon-maker, and John Griffin, carpenter and general workman.
One of the first industries of the town was a large steam saw- mill erected by George Bennett, who did a successful lumber busi- ness for n number of years. Mills have been operated in the town, at different times, by the Davidson Bros .. Daniel Haney. James Gazaway. John and Joseph MeNary, - Kinzie, and others.
The first school was taught in the Forgy Hotel, in the winter of Is56, by a man name ] MeSherry. The first schoolhouse was built a short time afterward, and is still standing in the east end of the village, being used nt the present time for a residence. The present beautiful two-story brick schoolhouse was completed and first used about the year 1572.
Present Business. - The business of Waverly at the present time is represented by the following register: C. P. Forgy & Bro., large general store, and grain dealers and general shippers. This is one of the most successful firms in the county, and has a reputation much more than local. Samuel Pennell. dealer in gen- eral groceries, has a large stock, and is doing a successful business.
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Mr. Liger, dealer in boots and shoes; A. E. Graves, druggist; Black & Sebring, meat market; Mr. Griffin, butcher; Peter Castle and Joseph Hogentogler, blacksmiths.
The Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities have prosperous lodges in the villages, and the G. A. R. Post, No. 19, is in a flourishing condition, with a membership of forty.
Hooverville, a small neighborhood village in the western part of the township, on Eel River, is the site of a very early settlement, and the place where the first mill in Miami was built. It was early known as Union Mills, and did not take the name of Hoover- ville until about the time that John Hoover purchased the present mill property of the place. The village was never regularly platted, and is simply the outgrowth of the mills that have been in opera- tion from time to time.
The first merchant was P. A. Fair, who began selling goods about the year 1863. He afterward erected a large two-story build- ing, in which, besides himself, the following men sold goods: Harrison, Dr. Gross, George Reed and Samuel McCoy. The present store building was first used by Mr. Dubois, and subsequently by Amos Fortney, J. M. Maxwell, Samuel McCoy and Emanuel Loser, the last named being the present merchant. I. J. Berry and Nelson Scott sold goods at one time in the building now occupied as a resi- dence by Mrs. McLucas. An early industry of the place was a fanning-mill factory, which for several years did a prosperous busi-
ness. Among the mechanics of the village have been David Flory, Jacob Scherer, Benjamin Reed, Samuel McCoy, William Reed, Henry Flory, Hiram Armstrong, Mr. Armantrout, Elijah Gwinn, Frank Flory, George Friend and Mr. Chestnut. The medical men have been Drs. Gross, Orr, Crook, Peters, Benj. Peters, Burns, Jackson, Conner, Black and Waite. The present business is repre- sented by one general store, one blacksmith shop and a grist-mill. There are also two churches-Dunkard and Baptist-and one schoolhouse.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
THE BERRY FAMILY. Peter Berry, the first settler of Miami Township, was a native of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, born about the year 1787. He was descended from German-French ancestry, his father coming from Germany in Colonial times and
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
settling in Pennsylvanm. He early learned the blacksmith's trade in which he nequired greut proficency, mnking the manufuet. ure of edged tous a specialty. He was married in his native State to Miss Elizabeth Lutz, the daughter of a German physician and florist, nud a lady of much more than ordinary intelligence and re- finement. Mr. Berry, some time between the years 1\12 and 1>1s immigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, and subsequently moved to Butler County, that State, locating near the city of Middletown, where he resided until 1529. In that year he moved to Logansport, lud .. where for one year he worked at his trude, and, at the end of that time, mnde n settlement in the wilderness of what is now Miami Township, making his first improvements near the present site of New Waverly. He afterward moved about two miles west of his original purchase, to the farm, still owned by his descendants, where his death occurred on the 5th of October. 1-55. Elizabeth Berry was born in the year 1756, and departed this life April 6, 1-71. The following are the names of the children born to Peter and Elizabeth Berry, viz. : Henry P .: Catherine, wife of David Miller. John H., Peter C., Samuel, and Elizabeth, wife of Crusen Moore. Of the above Peter C. and Mrs. Moore, only are living. John H. Berry, the second son, and for many years a prominent citizen of Mimmi Township, was born in Pennsylvania, October 31. 1512. He accompanied his parents to Indiana and followed agricultural pursuits the greater part of his life, and was a man widely and favorably know throughout the county, On the 9th of April, 153s. was solemnized his marriage with Miss Harriet Reed, a daughter of Abraham and Nancy ( Cox ) Reed, natives, respectively, of New York and Ohio. Abraham Reed was born near the city of Pough- keepsie. N. Y., October 12, 1700, and was the son of Brewster Road who came from Scotland to the United States in an early day. Abraham Reed settled near Dayton, Ohio, many years ago, moving thence to Tippecanoe County. Ind., about the year 1526, and in 1532 made a settlement five miles east of Logansport, in Miami Township. Cuss County, locating the place where his daughter. Mrs. Mary J. Bliler, now lives. His death occurred September 1, 1518. Nancy Reed was born June 4, 1800, and died in Miami Township October 5. 1535. Harriet Berry, second child of Abraham and Nancy Reed was born May 27. 1523, and departed this life on the 23d of January, 1972. John H. and Harriet Berry hind n family of thirteen children, namely: Israel J., born June 1. 1-39; Peter A .. born JJanuary 23. 1512: Edwin R., born January 23, 1544, died January 30, 1565; James P. born January 19, 1516, died April 2. 152: Marin, born October 20. 1847. died November. 1×17: Graham N., born November 14, 15: Wilson R., born April 22. 1551: Eliza, born October 11. 1-53: Elizabeth, wife of William Oben- chain, born June 6. 1556: John M., born March 31. 195>; Harvey
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H., born March 18, 1861, died September 27, 1873; Harriet, born March 12, 1863, died March 21, 1880; and Martha J., born Decem- ber, 1865.
JOSEPH CASSBEER (deceased) was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1810, and is a son of Christian and Elizabeth Cassbeer, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Joseph was mar- ried in Ohio to Miss Clarinda Abdill, and in 1833 removed to Cass County, Ind., and settled in Miami Township, where, by his honor- able conduct and neighborly ways, he acquired many warm and steadfast friends. He was a hard-working and economical citizen and a credit to the township. He died November 7, 1867, followed by his widow in 1876. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living: Nancy, Maria, Emma and Irad. Of these, Irad, the youngest child in the family, was born on the old home- stead, in Miami Township, August 20, 1845. He worked on his father's farm and acquired his education from the common schools. He selected farming as his employment through life, and has pur- sued this occupation with success. He now owns 123 acres of land, all under a good state of cultivation. On December 30, 1880, he was wedded to Miss Mary Benson, a native of Cass County, born in 1852, and a daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Benson. To their union four children have been born: Mary, Alexander, Clarinda and Josephine. Mr. Cassbeer is a Democrat, and takes an active inter- est in all public matters.
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