USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 84
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C. G. COX was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, May 19, 1827, son of Elijah and Barbara (Brannaman) Cox, the father a na- tive of Tennessee, born in March, 1795, and the mother a native of Virginia, born in December, 1775. Elijah Cox, at the age of ten, removed with his parents, Richard and Fannie Cox, to Montgomery County, Ohio. Here the father was married in about 1818, and in 1834 removed to Miami County, Ind., and his occupation was that of a farmer. He died in 1854, followed by his widow in 1866. They were worthy members of the Christian Church, and the parents of eight children. Our subject, after securing the education obtain- able in the common schools, commenced his career in life as a farmer. In 1852 he purchased and removed to his present farm in Miami Township, which consists of 210 acres of excellent land, which is under a good state of cultivation and with good improvements there- on. He was married, January 1, 1852, to Elizabeth Furguson, by whom he is the father of two children, Anzonetta and Charles, the latter having died at the age of twenty years. Mrs. Cox died in 1859, and, January 3, 1861, Mr. Cox was again married, choosing for his second wife Caroline Shortridge. Seven children were born to this union, these six now living: Effie E., Arnold W., Nellie A., Lemuel F., Sylvia A. and Carrie M. Mr. Cox has held positions of honor and trust, and is the present nominee of the Democratic party
HISTORY OF CARS COUNTY
for joint representative of Cass and Miami Counties. He and wife are members of the Christian Church and highly esteemed citizens of Miami Township.
C. P FORGY, one of the leading men of Waverly. Ind .. 15 a native of Clark County, Ohio, and was born January 27. 1-35. His father, John D. Forgy, was also a native of Clark County, Ohio. born February 12, 1811. He married, in his native State. Febru- nry 26, 1-31. Miss Catherine Voorhis, and in June, 1936, removed to Logansport, Ind. He he was among the first to engage in the mercantile business, in which he continued until about 1539. In the latter yeur he returned to Ohiu, and followed farming outil his death, which occurred September 14. 15H4; his widow surviving until March 4, 1555. Jahin Forgy, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of South Carolina, and removed to Ohio in about 1500, nad engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death in 1>13. Our subject remained with his mother until sixteen years of age, acquiring in the meantime a good common school educa- tion. He then went to Princeton, N. J., where he learned the printer's trade, and in 1558 went to Indianapolis, Ind., where for a time he was engaged on the Sentinel. In the fall of 1556 he came Cass County and engaged in his present business of general mer- chandising and buying grain and produce. He is a live business man and is doing a large and profitable trade. His marriage with Miss Louisa M. Quick occurred in 1559. Mr. Forgy is a member of the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. fraternities and a Republican in politics.
DICKINSON J. FORGY, merchant, was born in Clark County. Ohio, November 13, 1841. He received his education from the common schools, and at an academy in New Carlisle, Ohio. When about sixteen years old he was apprenticed to the printer's trade on the Sentinel of Peru, Ind. For two years he was employed on the mechanical part of this periodical. He then, in company with J. T. Conover, went to Harrisburg. HIL, where they founded and began the publication of the Harrisburg Chronicle, in which he continued until the breaking out of the civil war. In 1561 he enlisted as a private in Company B, Forty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; served through the engagements of New Madrid, Fort Pillow and others, receiving an honorable discharge, by reason of sickness. about a year after his enlistment The fall of 1862 he came to New Waverly, where he became a partner of his brother, C. P. Forgy, in the mercantile business. Possessing all the require. ments of a successful merchant, Mr. Forgy has made their business A success in every particular, their success being due to a courteous treatment and honorable dealings with all people, regardless of age and social position. He was married. in 1870. to Miss Emma .J. Chidester, of Cass County, by whom he is the father of one son.
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Oly K. Mr. Forgy was elected township trustee in 1882, and in 1884 re-elected, proving an honest and efficient official. He is a Republican, a member of the F. & A. M. and G. A. R.
W. C. GALLAHAN. Conspicuous among the representative citizens of Miami Township is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. Mr. Gallahan was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, on the 30th of June, 1830, and is the son of William and Jane (Cox) Gallahan, both parents natives of the same State. At the age of seven years he accompanied his parents to Miami County, Ind., where his father died about the year 1840. The father's death left him, in a great measure, to rely upon his own resources, and from that time until his twenty-third year he was the main support of the family. The responsibility thus placed upon him qualified him for the act- ive duties of later years, but the advantages of school education, so essential in the formation of the youthful character, were enjoyed by him in a very limited degree. He grew to manhood amid the rug- ged duties of the farm, and early chose agriculture for his life work. He came to Cass County in 1849, and at the present time owns a fine farm of 175 acres of land, upon which are some of the most substantial improvements in the township. Mr. Gallahan is a model farmer, and as an honorable and upright citizen none stands higher in the community than he. He is an active member of the Christian Church, to which he has belonged for many years, and in politics supports the principles of the Democratic party. On the 25th of November, 1852, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Arnout, daughter of Alexander and Polly (McPherson) Arnout, of Pennsylvania. Alexander McPherson was a farmer and blacksmith by occupation. He removed to Cass County, Ind., in 1849, and resided here until his death, which occurred in the year 1865. Mrs. Gallahan was born in Clarke County, Ohio, on the 9th of August, 1832. She was a lady of intelligence and refinement, a consistent member of the Christian Church, and departed this life on the 8th of July, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Gallahan raised a family of six children whose names are as follows: May R., wife of Jacob Snyder, Mary E., John E., Schuyler C. and Jesse G. Gallahan.
SEBASTIAN C. MOORE. Prominent among the successful business men and representative farmers of Cass County is the gentleman whose biographical sketch is herewith presented. Mr. Moore is a native of Franklin County, Va., and the eldest son of Peter and Elizabeth (Payne) Moore, the father born in New Jersey and the mother in Virginia. Mr. Moore's paternal ancestors were natives of Germany, his grandfather, Joseph Moore, emigrating from that country to the United States about the time of the war of independence, and settling in New Jersey. He subsequently moved to Virginia, and died in the latter State many years ago. Peter Moore removed with his parents to Virginia, where he resided until
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
1.20. He then enme to Cass County, Ind, settled a short distance east of Lasgansport, and died the following year. His widow die about the year 1536. She was the daughter of James Payne, whose Ancestors came from England in colonial times and settled in Vir- ginn. Peter and Elizabeth Moore raised a family of five children, whose names are as follows: Sebastian C., Sarah, Crusen (deceased ). Augustavus and Hours (deceased). Sebastian Moore was five years of age when his parents moved to this county. His early life was spent amid the stirring scenes of pioneer timon, and in the rugged school of experience he obtained that practical education which enabled him to so successfully overcome the many obstacles by which his youthful days were beset. He was early left an orphan, and at the age of twelve years began life for himself as a common laborer, working for a mere pittance per month; but. actuated by that energy characteristic of the man, he succeeded in saving a small portion of his hard earned wages, thus laying the foundation for a fortune which but few in his sphere have been Able to realize. He purchased his first land in Miami Township. and developed a good farm uenr Eel River, where he lived until within a very recent period. He added to his original purchase from time to time, bought real estate in various parts of the country. and is now the possessor of 500 acres of fine land, the greater part of which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He has been more than ordinarily successful in all his undertak- ings, and the ample competence he has succeeded in accumulating. shows him to be a man of rare ability as a financier and manager. He has voted the Republican ticket since the organization of that party, but has never sought political honors at the hands of his fellow-citizens. In the year 1553 was solemnized his marriage with Miss Martha Hoover, daughter of John and Rachel Hoover. who were among the pioneers of Cass County. The children born to this marriage were four in number: Mary E., wife of Cornelius Kinsey; John H. ; George, who was accidently killed by a revolver shot in 1>>3, and William R. Moore.
WILLIAM PEARSON, retired farmer, was born in Mont- gomery County, Ohio, January 30, 1-14. and is a son of William, Sr., and Martha ( Martindale ) Pearson. The father was a native of South Carolina, and came to Ohio in the year IS(M). He was a pot- ter and stone-mason by trade, and in 1520 removed to Wayne County, Ind., where he lived three years. He then returned to Montgomery County, Ohio, remaining until 1535, in which year he came to Cass County and lived until his death in 1857. Mrs. Pear- son having preceded him in 1555. Our subject was reared upon a farm nod attended the common schools. In 1539 he came to Cass Connty and settled in Miami Township, which at that time was a wild and unsettled country. Although he began life a poor boy, by
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industry and economy he has acquired a good farm, comprising 117 acres. He is a Republican in politics, and held the office of trustee for six years with the best of satisfaction. In 1843 his marriage with Miss Mary Fentes, of Miami County, Ohio, was solemnized. She was born August 4, 1815, and died in 1849. Two living chil- dren by this marriage: Nancy and Naomi. One son, Joseph, en- listed in the Seventy-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and died while serving his country near Nashville, Tenn., in 1862. In 1851 Mr. Pearson was united in marriage with Mrs. Hannah (Scott) Patton, by whom he is the father of one child-Sarah A. Mr. Pearson is a member of the Christian Church, having belonged to that denomination for over forty-one years, and is one of the town- ship's well-known and useful citizens.
SAMUEL N. PENNEL, merchant, was born January 6, 1840, in Jefferson County, Ohio, the oldest son of Hugh and Rachel ( Ab- dill) Pennel, the former a native of Lancaster County, Penn., born February 18, 1797, and the latter a native of Harrison County, Ohio, born October 16, 1808. They were married October 16, 1828. The father was for a time engaged in general merchandising in Lit- tle York, Jefferson Co., Ohio, and in 1843 removed to Lewisburg, Ind., where he followed farming two years. He was then engaged in keeping hotel and also held the position of postmaster. In 1849 he removed to Mexico, Ind., where he conducted a hotel until 1853, in which year he removed to Peru, where he was engaged in the hotel business, also clerked. In 1858 he came to Waverly and en- gaged in the mercantile and hotel business. He died December 17, 1878, his widow dying July 12, 1881. Hugh Pennel, Sr., the pa- ternal grandfather of Samuel N., was a native of Ireland. He was a farmer by occupation, and died in Ohio in 1841. Connell Abdill, the maternal grandfather, was a native of Wales, born December 25, 1778, and died in Cass County, Ind., December 13, 1842. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife, Elizabeth (Bowman) Abdill, was born May 1, 1789, in the State of Pennsylvania, and died in the year of 1856 in Fountain County, Ind. Our subject came to Cass County with his parents, received his education at the common schools and clerked in his father's store. September 27, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Forty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until September 14, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge. He then became his father's partner in general merchandising at Waverly, in which he continued until the death of the latter, since which time he has been the sole proprietor, owning a large stock and controlling a fine trade. He also holds the position of postmaster. He was united in marriage, September 14, 1875, to Martha A. Hancock, a native of Butler County, Ohio, who died July 7, 1877, after bearing one child, Riley H., born June 29, 1877. Mr. Pennel is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the G. A. R. and the I. O. O. F. 39
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
JOHN W. RUDOLPH, farmer, was born in Fairfield County. Ohio. December 27, 1835, being the seventh of nine children born to Peter and Mary ( Woolun ) Rudolph. The former was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, born in 1501, and the latter a native of Vir- ginia, also born in 1501. The futher, when three years old, re- mnoved with his parents to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and followed farming until his death, which event oc- curred in 1951, his wife having departed this life in about the year 1841. Peter Rudolph, Sr., the paternal grandfather of John W .. Was a native of Pennsylvania, and was a cooper by trade, also fol- lowed farming. He participated in the war of 1512, and died in Fairfield County, Ohio. Benjamin Woohnan, the maternal grand- father, was a native of Virginia and one of the first settlers of Fair- field County, Ohio, where he followed farming until his death. John W. Rudolph was reared and educated in his native county. and in October, 1557, enme to Cass County and engaged in farming and has ever since resided. On March S. 1863, Miss Harriet Miller became his wife. Mrs. Rudolph is a native Cass County. born April 25. 1535, and a daughter of David and Catherine ( Ber- ry) Miller. The father was a native of New Jersey, born Sept-m- ber 11, 1807. and the mother a native of Ohio, born October 16. 1810. To Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph four children have been born: Estelle M., Mary O., Catherine and James E. Mr. Rudolph has served Miami Township two terms as trustee, and was re-elected to that office in 1556, and has also served one term as assessor. Ho is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities, and is a Democrat in politics.
HENRY M. VOORHIS. The subject of this biographical sketch is a native of Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, and is descended from an old and highly honorable Dutch family, which figured prominently in Holland as long ago as the sixteenth century. One of the remote ancestors, Steven C. Van Voor Hees, as the name was originally spelled, immigrated to America in the year 1600, and purchased a tract of land on Long Island. N. Y. His descendants were among the early residents of New York, New Jersey and other Eastern States. Among the names in the direct 'line of descent from Steven Van Voor Hees are Albert Stevense Van Voorhis, Pe- trus Albert Van Voorhees, Daniel Van Voorhees and Cornelius Voorhis, the last named, the grandfather of subject. Cornelius Voorhis was an early settler of Licking County. Ky., and also fig- ured in the early history of Ohio. He was a farmer by occupation. and died in Warren County of the above State many years ago. His wife, Peggy Voorhis, died in Cass County, Ind., at quite an early day. Jacob Voorhis. the father of subject, was born in Kon- tucky August 18, 1759. He was married in Hamilton County. Ohio. March 25. 1813, to Miss Nancy Tucker, who was born August 24.
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MIAMI TOWNSHIP.
1792. Jacob Voorhis was a soldier in the war of 1812, and for a number of years worked at the carpenter's trade in Ohio and Indi- ana. He removed to Wapakoneta, Ohio, in 1833, thence to Piqua, and later came to Cass County, Ind., where his death occurred March 28, 1859. His wife survived him a number of years, dying November 4, 1877. Jacob and Nancy Voorhis were the parents of eleven children, the subject of this sketch being the second in num- ber. Henry M. Voorhis was born January 1, 1816. He early learned the carpenter's trade, and at the age of nineteen left home, in company with his brother, to make a living at that vocation. He worked at various places in his native State, and in June, 1848, came to Cass County, Ind., and located upon the farm where he now lives, a short distance northeast of the village of Waverly. January 1, 1838, he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Bennett, who was born in the State of Vermont April 4, 1821. Her parents were David S. and Pernetha (Hoolcomb) Bennett, natives, respectively, of Vermont and New Jersey; the former born June 16, 1789, and the latter in the year 1791. They immigrated to Ohio in an early day, and later came to Indiana, where Mr. Bennett died March 6, 1869, and Mrs. Bennett May 9, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Voorhis are the par- ents of fourteen children, the following of whom are living: Mary F. (wife of Nathan Gallahan) Aurelius L., Manlius N., Percina R. (wife of E. S. Bruington ), Albinus H., Hartly W., Wilbur E. and Olive M. (wife of Mr. Kinsey). Mr. and Mrs. Voorhis have been active members of the Methodist Church since the year 1840, and are hon- ored and respected by all who know them. Mr. Voorhis was orig- inally a Whig in politics, and cast his first vote for Gen. Harrison. On the dissolution of that party he identified himself with the Re- publican party, of which he has since been an earnest supporter. He is a commendable example of what may be accomplished by per- severance and prudent management, and is now one of the well-to- do farmers of Cass County.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
CHAPTER XVIII.
NOMLE TOWNSHIPS-GENERAL. FEATURES-FIRST SETTLERS-TOWNSHIP OH- GANIZATION-INDUSTRIES-MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS-CHURCHES, ETC. -BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
THIS township, named in honor of Noah Noble, governor of In- diana, lies near the central part of the county, and dates its history as a separate division from the year 1536. It is bounded on the north by Harrison Township, on the east by Clay, on the south by the city of Logansport and Wabash River, on the west by Jefferson Township, and embraces a geographical area of about twenty-eight square miles, all of which lies in Township 27 north, Range 1 east, of the Congressional Survey. The face of the coun- try presents many varied features, the southern and southwestern portions being considerably broken, and abounding in limestone bluffs, while the central and northern sections are distinguished by a gently rolling surface and a black loam of unsurpassed fertility. Many places of romantic beauty abound along the southern border, chief among which is Fitch's Glen, one of the most picturesque spots in northern Indiana. The glen is formed by two large thickly-wooded hills, between which flows a stream of the purest water, the banks on either side rising to the height of over 100 feet. The scenery within the glen is wild and beautiful beyond de- scription, and the place is a favorite resort for sight-seers all over the country. The timber of the township is similar to that of other divisions of the county, and the agricultural productions consist of all the grains and fruits indigenous to the northern part of the State. The country is watered and drained by a number of streams, which traverse it in various directions, chief among which are Cot- tonwood Creek, and the tributaries of Crooked Creek, in the south- western and northern parts of the township. Horney Creek, in the southeastern part of the township, affords ample drainage for a large area of territory, while a number of smaller water-courses not designated by any particular names, flow throughout the country
* From Information furnished by C A Brandt
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NOBLE TOWNSHIP.
in different directions. Numerous springs of the purest water abound, and, taken all in all, the township is as well watered as any other division of the county.
In point of material prosperity, Noble takes a high rank among her sister townships. Her farms and buildings are models in their way, and on every hand are to be seen the evidences of thrift and prosperity which bespeak an intelligent and contented community.
Historically, Noble occupies a prominent place among the town- ships of Cass County. Nearly sixty years have dissolved in the mists of the past since the echoes of the woodman's ax first rang among the lofty forests, as he felled the trees for his solitary cabin or cleared away the timber for his garden and diminutive grain field. The dense woodlands have long since given place to fertile areas dotted with prosperous homes, while but few of the pioneers who first saw the country in its native solitude, and joined hands to change it from a wilderness to its present advanced state of civiliza- tion, remain to weave the historical fabric of facts with the thread of personal incident. The lapse of more than half a century has not only swept from the theater of life most of the heroes of the old and perilous times, but has dimmed the memories of those who re- main, so that some have forgotten the exact time when many events pertaining to the township's history transpired. However, by a care- ful comparison of the different statements and dates, we think they have been given with sufficient accuracy for general utility, even in instances where there is a lack of coincidence.
The settlement of the township dates back to 1829, at which time one George Richardson, who came to the county the previous year, built a cabin and cleared a small field a short distance west of where George Hardy now lives, on the southwest quarter of Section 16. Mr. Richardson's improvements were made on unsurveyed Gov- ernment land, and it does not appear that he ever obtained a patent for the tract to which he laid claim. He was what might be termed a " squatter," or transient settler, and belonged to the large class of comers and goers that generally lead the van of civilization in all new countries. He was, however, a man of great industry, as is attested by the fact that in 1830 he had six acres of land in cultiva- tion, from which, in the fall of that year, was gathered the first crop of corn ever raised in the township. After remaining a few years, Mr. Richardson left for other parts, and the field, thus abandoned, soon
HISTORY OF CASH COUNTY
grew up with shrubs and briers, and in time Incame a noted black- berry patch. The place is now thickly covered with a forest growth, und, from the size of the trees, no one would suppose that the ground had ever been in cultivation. In the spring of 1529 Henry Carr tt. accompanied by his son. Joshua Garrett, and two sons-in-law. WARGam and læunder Dixon, moved to the township and settled a short distance west of Logansport, choosing for their homes what ure now known as the Kuus and Trapp farms, Mr. Garrett im- provol the west eighty neres of the former place, and was a promi- neut resident of the county for a number of yours. William Dixon uupr wed the Trapp farm and did much toward the development of the community in which he resided. He was the first aud ouly « Ammissioner that over represented Noble Township on the county har l. and his name appears on the tablet over the court house door, In ring date of 1>41.
In October, 1-30. John Watts, Sr., father of Israel and William P' Watts, came to the township, and male a settlement where the Intter now lives. Mr. Watts hand made no improvements on his lun 1 previous to moving to the same, and a more uninviting pros- tweet than the future home presented on the day of the family's ar- rival would be difficult to imagine. In close proximity to their stop- ping-place was un encampment of about 200 Indians, and no sooner lind a rude shed been constructed than the family was visited by a great many of the red men, who seemed to manifest the liveliest in- torest in the new-comers. Mr. Watts' first habitation was a very primitive utfmir, hastily built by the side of a large black walnut log. and the shelter thus improvised served as a dwelling until a more substantial cabin could be erected. Soon after settling in the new country Mr. Watts was visited by Robert McMillen, who came to the township in the fall of 1530 for the purpose of securing a home for himself and widowed mother, Jane McMillen. He boarded with the Watts family while cutting logs for a cabin, and, after complet- ing the task. returned to Carroll County for his mother, who in due Ume was safely domiciled in her new home in the wilds of Noble, Mr. McMillen came to Indiana from Highland County, Ohio, and as been one of Cass County's most highly esteemed citizens, for a 1w.rienl of fifty-five years. Mr. Watts was a leading citizen of Noble for many years, and his sons, Israel and William P. Watts, are among the substantial men of Cass County at the present time.
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