USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 88
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HARMEN H. WILLING is a native of Germany, born in Han- over Kingdom September 25, 1525. He, with one brother and two
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sisters, Frank, Mary and Mollie, was born to Guspa and Eltzbein Willing, both natives of Germany, and both died in Germany. His boyhood and youth were spent in his native country. He attended school from the time he was six until he was fourteen years of age, after which he worked at home most of the time until he came to this country. In 1853 he immigrated to America. Arriving in this country, he made his way to Indiana and to Logansport. He has been a resident of Cass County ever since, except six weeks spent in White County. In the spring of 1864 he located upon a farm in Section 27, Noble Township, where he has ever since resided. March 28, 1864, he was married to Catharine Loeber, also a native of Ger- many, born December 24, 1846. She was the daughter of John Loever, who immigrated to America in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Willing have had eight children: August, born March 18, 1865; Dora, born January 14, 1868; John, born January 1, 1870; Henry, born May 13, 1872; William, born January 10, 1874; Mary, born December 2, 1877; Frederick, born March 11, 1881, and Carl, born April 11, 1885, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Willing belong to the Lutheran Church. In politics he is independent.
HENRY P. WIPPERMAN, the oldest living person of Noble Township, and one among the oldest citizens of this county, is a na- tive of Prussia, born of German descent, February 21, 1797. He was the youngest in a family of seven children born to John H. and Mary (Wolfmier) Wipperman, both natives of Prussia. He received only a limited education, not being permitted to attend school after fourteen years of age. At this age he was confirmed in the Lu- theran Church, and has been a member of it ever since. His father was a baker by trade. At an early age he, himself, learned this trade. He worked at this in his native country until the year 1832, when he immigrated to America. The first five years of his Amer- ican citizenship were spent in the State of Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in canal-boating. In 1837 he came to this county, and in the fall of 1838 he located in the woods of Clinton Township. Here he cleared out a farm which he lived upon until the year 1881, when he went to live with his son, Charles, in Washington Town- ship. He remained here until April, 1886, when he went to live with his daughter, Mrs. Mary Kuns, in Noble Township. Septem- ber 26, 1823, he was married to Mary Klensek, a native of Prussia, born, of German descent, December 16, 1801. She was the dangh- ter of Charles and Mary (Wamier) Klensek. His first wife died April 5, 1849. On the 2d of February, 1854, he was married to Mrs. Eliza E. (Kello) De Bois, a native of Virginia, of Irish and English descent. She was the daughter of John and Betsey ( Atki- son ) Kello, natives of Ireland and England, respectively. By his first wife he had nine children: Charles, born May 30, 1825; Henry, born February 23, 1832; Joseph, deceased; Elizabeth, born
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
June 22, 1534; Mary, born April 12, 1>38; Matilda, born Decom- ber 24. 1539, died October 25, 1553: Caroline, born October 17. 1842; Amelia, born July 12, 1-44, and Nancy, born October 16, 1×16. His second wife died March 1. Iss1. If Mr. Wipperman lives until the 21st of next February, he will have reached his nine- tieth birthday, and at this nelvanced uge he is enjoying good health.
CHAPTER XIX.
TIPTON TOWNSHIP-NAMING AND ORGANIZATION-EARLY SETTLERS- MILLS-CHURCH HISTORY-ITEMS OF INTEREST-CIRCLEVILLE, WAL- TON, ONWARD, ETC .- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
FIMPTON TOWNSHIP was so named in honor of the Inte Gen. John Tipton, being set apart us a separate jurisdiction on the 3d of Mny, 1540. Geographically, it is situated immediately south of the Wabash River, bounded enst by Miami County, south by Jackson and Deer Creek Townships and west by Washington, and contains about forty square miles. It is generally well timbered and of good quality, consisting chiefly of walnut, poplar, sugar, ash. oak and elm. The soil is deep and fertile, producing abundant crops of corn, wheat. oats, etc. In the central and southern parts of the township the land is comparatively level. yet susceptible of good drainage, but along the borders of the Wabash River, Pipe and Deer Creeks it is generally more elevated, or gently undulating toward the margin of these several water courses. Pipe Creek. es- pecially, is more rapid and affords mill privileges, equal, if not su- perior to any other stream of like magnitude in the whole county. and within the past thirty or thirty-five years these privileges have been extensively utilized for manufacturing purposes.
Prof. E. T. Cox, State geologist, in his report for 1572 makes the following reference to the geological features of Tipton Town- ship: " At John Costenborder's mill, on Pipe Creek, one and a half miles south of Lewisburg, is a heavy bed of buff silico mag- hosja limestone. Precipitous outcrops confine the stream on each side, having a thickness of fifteen to twenty feet. The stone is compact, may be quarried in large blocks, and has been used for foundations and for piers in the Lewisburg bridge. It is more
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calcareous than at other localities, and seems to weather well, and contains pentamerous, bryozoans and silurian coral." It has also been stated, upon reputably good authority, that in or near the northwest corner of the township, a little south of the Wabash River, that an excellent quality of stone, resembling and possessing a mar- ble texture, susceptible of high polish, has been uncovered within the past few years, which, if the quarry were properly worked, might be made to yield a good percentage on the capital necessary to be in- vested in such an enterprise.
Early Settlers .- The first appearance of settlers in what is now Tipton Township dates from the year 1838, at which time John D. Forgy and James Cook pre-empted land and built cabins upon the farm now owned by Joseph Shaft. "In a short time, however, be- coming dissatisfied with the wild and uninviting location, they abandoned their respective claims and removed to Logansport. A little later in the same year Lewis Conner and Allen Wilson, actu- ated by a desire to secure homes, concluded to try their fortunes in the wilderness of what is now Tipton. Mr. Conner built his cabin on what is now the Gish farm, while Wilson made some improvements on the place owned at the present time by Mr. Shaft. They were both energetic men, and did much toward the subsequent develop- ment of their respective communities. William Vandeveer made a temporary settlement on the Henry Puterbaugh farm some time in 1838, but did little toward improving the country. He was a hunter rather than a settler, and spent the greater part of his time in quest of his favorite pursuit, by means of which he was enabled to sup- ply the few wants of his family.
In the fall of 1839 Col. William Scott came to the township and settled on what is known as the Leggett farm. Andrew Wilson, an early settler of Miami Township, came about the same time and lo- cated where he is still living. Mr. Wilson has lived to see the al- most unbroken wilderness of Tipton developed into one of the best and most highly favored communities of northern Indiana, and is the oldest settler of the township living at this time. William Wilson, brother of Andrew, came the same year, and chose for his home what is now known as the Blinn farm.
Jacob Richardson settled the farm, which still bears his name, in the fall of 1839, and about the same time Curtis Fiddler located on the Henry Ullery place. Other settlers of 1839 were Archibald McGrue, on the Humbert farm, and Moses Barnett, in Section 20.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
lu 1 >10 the population was increased by the arrival of Thomp. Ho Melirue, who settled the Lauthain form: William and Wesley Demoss, on the place owned by J. W. Miller, in Section 35: James Tucker. on the Levi Suyder farm: David Ripley, on the Roderick furin: Noah Vandeveer, on the Sharts place; William P. Louthain, on the Leggett land. Lewis Whittaker, on what is known as the Garmer farm: John Hahn, where his widow now lives, and John Larimer, on the farm owned by the Widow Hahn.
. In July, ISH. Samuel and David Puterbaugh came to the township and settled on the beautiful and well improved farms in the fertile Pike Creek Valley, where they are still living " Peter (' Berry enme the same year, and made the first improvements on what is now the Finley Reel farm. He subsequently located near Onward Village on land now owned by the Surface heirs.
Other settlers of 1911 were Vincent and Joseph Louthnin, on the Leggett farm, John Merritt, on laut belonging to William Stauffer: David Whitsell, near the present site of Anoka: John Lubl. where Granville Kessling lives. E. Harris, on the Peter Kessling farm: nud Christian Army, in the northeast corner of the township near the county line.
In Is 1 James Mays located the place where his son John Mays lives. D. K. Smith became a resident about the same time, as did also Joseph Kalb, the former settling the farm owned by his heirs. nud the latter the beautiful place, where he still resides, near the village of Onward.
Among those who became residents in 1543 were Joseph Ben- nett, in the southeastern part of the township; Jesse Carr, about one mile north of Walton: William D. Fields, in the eastern part, where William Hopper lives: David Baker, near Onward Station. Lane Anderson, Section 7, and others whose names could not be recalled.
During the years ISH 45 settlements were made by Charles Flanagan, near Walton: Henry Wilkinson, west of Walton on the Wendling farm: Jaunes lowery and his brothers, Samuel, John. William and Hiram, on the Owen Engle place: Daniel Bowyer in the southern part of the township. John Booher, father of William and John W. Booher, on the Elwood Bennett place: Henry P. Berry, where Mr. Thomas now lives: William Nelson, in Section 7: Gilbert Wall, near Walton Village; Hugh Morgan, on the John Kulb farm: Matthias Bechdoll and Conrad Minick, in the south- western and northwestern parts of the township, respectively.
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Prominent among the arrivals of 1846 was William P. Thomas, who settled upon the farm where he has since resided. Mr. Thomas has taken an active interest in the township's affairs, and is authority upon all matters pertaining to its history.
Anthony Hiller came in 1846, and settled in the southern part; and prior to 1847 James Louthain was living on the George Hel- vie farm. Others of that year were John C. Leffel, where William Helvie lives; John Ullery, in the western part of the township; Dudley Madden, near Walton; Julian Madden, on the Dollarhide farm; Joseph Heward, in the southern part; Thomas Plummer, where David Snyder now lives; Harrison Wilson, on the Levi Snyder place; Jesse Haas, in the vicinity of Walton; Samuel Low- man, in the northwest corner of the township; James Brockman, near the Howard County line, where he is still living; Oliver Waite and William Nicholes, the exact location of whose settlements were not learned.
The above list comprises a majority of the settlers of Tipton Township prior to the year 1848. There were others, no doubt, but their names and all facts concerning them were not given the writer.
Township Organization .- Tipton Township was formally organ- ized May 3, 1840. "The first election was held at the cabin of An- drew Wilson soon after perfecting said organization. At this
election Thompson MeGrue, an esteemed citizen, acted as inspector, a position he held for many years. The first justice of the peace was William Wilson." Other early justices were Moses Barnett and Noah Vandeveer. Among the early trustees were William P. Oliver Waite, Frank Bowyer, Alexander Benson and a Mr. Persinger. The office was filled later by Benjamin Heward, Samuel Alexan- der, Thomas J. Flynn, D. B. Enyart, John T. Bishop and P. O. Flynn. The present incumbent is Samuel Panabaker. The jus- tices at the present time are John Costenborder and William Liston.
Mills .- To Samuel and David Puterbaugh is due the honor of building the first mill in Tipton Township. This was a saw-mill, with corn-cracker attached, and stood near the eastern boundary of the township on Pipe Creek, from which it received its motor power. It was built as early, perhaps, as 1842-43, and was highly prized by the early pioneers. Samuel Oblinger operated it quite extensively for several years, and it subsequently fell into the hands of Lewis Little, who ran it until about the year 1882. It ceased
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
operation that year, and at the present time nothing but the frame work of the old structure remains.
In 1550 George Shorts and Jacob Ringer created a saw mill on Pipe Creek, which is still in operation, owned at the present time by John Costenborder, who purchased it in 1560. It stands opp- site Mr. Costenborder's flouring-mill. and has done an immense Amount of sawing.
In 1951 a third saw-mill was built on Little Deer Creek by Elihu and Thomas Plummer, who operated it very successfully for a num- ber of years. Lindol Smith ran it upon quite an extensive scale for some time. It is now owned and operated by David Snyder.
As early ns 1551 Thomas Hansberry built a suw-mill at the falls of Pike Creek, and three or four years later a large frame flouring- mill. the first of the kind in the township, was built nt the same place by James A. Lewis. This mill was subsequently destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt by Joseph Stewart, who operated it three or four years, after which it passed through the hands of various par- ties, none of whom did a very large business. The mill is now owned and operated by Charles Green.
The Costenborder flouring-mill, a three-story frame building on Pipe Creek, a short distance below the falls, was built in 1560 by John Costenborder. This was for many years one of the best mills in the township, and the grent demand for its tlour kept it in opera- tion almost constantly. . It was remodeled in 1556, and now manu- factures a superior grade of flour by the roller process.
There are at the present time several steamn saw-mills in active operation in various parts of the township, the largest of which is the one owned by Mr. Howe, of Logansport. It stands near Circle- ville, in the northern part of the township, and has been operated upon an extensive scale, manufacturing lumber for the shipment to Inrger cities.
Another large steam-mill. near the Wabash, was built since 1543 by Harry Bennett. It is now operated by Isaac Bumgarner and P. O. Flynn, who are doing a large business.
Church History .- So far as known the Methodists were the pio- neers of Christianity in Tipton Township. As early as 1542 Rev. Allen Skillman held religious services in a little cabin which stood on the Andrew Wilson farm, and the following year an organiza- tion was perfected nt the residence of David Baker, near the village
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of Onward, Rev. R. Calvert officiating. Among the early mem- bers of this society were David Baker and wife; Peter Berry and wife; Joseph Heward and wife; and William P. Thomas and wife. Services were regularly held at the dwellings of David Baker, Peter Berry, D. K. Smith, William P. Thomas, and the Mays School- house for a number of years, and the organization grew rapidly in numbers and influence. The meeting place was afterward changed to the Cross Roads Schoolhouse, which served as a place of worship until 1870. In that year a beautiful frame building, 30x45 feet in in size and costing the sum of $1,500, was erected on ground donated by William P. Thomas. The following list includes the names of nearly all the pastors of the society since its organization, i. e .: R. H. Calvert, Allen Skillman, Mr. Davis, James Ricketts, John Leach, R. A. Newton, E. A. Hazen, Jesse Hill, Joseph C. Reed, David Cothran, N. D. Shackleford, Charles Martindale, J. B. Boyce, James Black, C. E. Disbro, Mr. Wayman, James Martindale, - Ramsey, W. T. Smith, Charles Shackleford, W. K. Hoback, Joseph Shackleford, Samuel McElwee, James Leonard, R. J. Parrott, - Harrison, John W. Miller, Samuel Miller, William Peck, John Mc- Elwee, and the present incumbent, William H. Albertson.
The church is not so strong in numbers as formerly, having lost heavily by death and removals. The present membership is about thirty.
The second denomination to acquire a footing in the township was the Christians or Disciples, who held their meetings at the resi- dence of William Nelson as early as 1845. An organization was effected with a few members, Mr. Nelson doing the preaching. The society was finally disbanded.
The United Brethren organized a church about the year 1850, and held their first meetings in the Cross Roads Schoolhouse. The first preacher was Rev. Mr. Doolittle, and among the early mem- bers were George Sharts and wife; Adam Surface and family; Samuel Surface and wife; and Abraham Surface and wife, the Surfaces being local preachers. A hewed-log house of worship, the first in the township, was built in the year 1852, on the Henry Snell farm, and stood until 1871. It was replaced that year by a fine brick, which was destroyed by a wind storm in 1874. The society at one time was quite strong but gradually became weak, and finally disbanded altogether. The Seven Mill Church, of the same denom-
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
ination, was organized several years later and is still a progressive society. They have a neat frame house of worship, and the organi- zation is reported in prosperous condition.
Pipe Creek Christian Church was organized in 1571 by Elder D. W. Fowler. The society was the immediate outgrowth of a series of meetings held by Elder Fowler, during the progress of which nearly 100 persons professed conversion. Measures were im- merlintely taken toward the erection of a house of worship, and in 1572 the present commodions brick building, representing a capital of over $3,000, was built on ground donated for that purpose by Dr. .I. A. Adrian. The building is 40x60 feet in size, and will comfort- ably sent an audience of 350 persons. The pastors of the church have been the following, viz. : D. W. Fowler. Elder MeNeeley and K. E. West. The present pastor is D. W Fowler; membership about 100.
Hems of Interest .- In an early day, at what is known as Pipe Creek Falls, and other bluffs along the creek, were found extensive ‹lens of rattlesnakes. These, in the spring of the year, were shot by the early settlers, who devoted Sundays to the sport. The first just- office in the township was established in 1552, with William P. Thomas as postmaster. There are three postoffices at this time, viz : Walton, Dow and Onward.
The first marriage in the township was solemnizel in 1543, the contracting parties being Calvin Conner and Mary J. Wilson.
" In the year 1\40 a son. John, was born to Allen and Mary Wilson." This was probably the first birth of a white child in the township.
In 1853 Hugh Morgan, one of the pioneers, committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. He was under the influence of intoxicants at the time. Another case of supposed suicide was that of a Mr. Haynes, who early ran a saw-mill at the falls of Pipe ('reek. He attempted to cross the creek at a time when the banks were overflowed by a freshet, and when about half way across the stream, threw down his oars, and was immediately swept over the falls. His body was recovered ten days after the occurrence.
In 1ss4 Fred Crumber, of Walton, was accidentally killed by a revolver shot, and in 1885 one Jabish Phillips died from the effects of poison, administered by some unknown person.
The attempted arrest and death of the Knight brothers, during
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the war, is still fresh in the minds of the people who lived in the township at that time. George Knight, a soldier, and supposed by some to have been a deserter, visited his home in Tipton, and while there his arrest was ordered by the proper official at Logansport. Two brothers, George and Marion Lucas, were empowered to make the arrest, but when they went to take their prisoner, he firmly re- sisted. His brother, Byron Knight, was with him at the time, and the two made a determined fight against the would-be captors. George Knight was killed outright, and Byron subsequently died from the effects of the wounds received in the struggle. One of the Lucas brothers was severely injured, but finally recovered and is still living.
The first death in the township was Winfield Scott, son of Will- iam Scott, which occurred in 1844. Soon after this the father died. They both lie buried in the Little Deer Creek Grave-yard, near the village of Onward. Among others buried in the same place in an early day were Mrs. David Barker and the children of Joseph Kulb. The first person buried in the Pipe Creek Cemetery was Robert Wait, who departed this life about the year 1855.
Circleville, the first town laid out in Tipton Township, was sur- veyed in January, 1850, by A. E. Vanness, for Adam and A. J. Surface, proprietors. It is situated in the extreme northern part of the township, on the Wabash River, and the original plat shows thirty-five lots and three streets. Two additions were subsequently made by the Surfaces, but the village never became a place of any importance. Adam Surface and George Smith embarked in the mercantile business soon after the survey was made, and later John Surface sold goods for a short time. These ventures did not prove successful, however, and no further attempts were made to open stores in Circleville. Dr. J. A. Adrian located here, in the prac- tice of medicine, some time in the fifties, and for a number of years did a lucrative business in Cass and Miami Counties. He finally purchased all the lots, and was instrumental in having the plat va- cated. A cultivated farm is all that now remains of the village.
Walton .- This enterprising village is situated in the southeast corner of the township, and dates its history from the year 1852. In August of that year the original plat, consisting of about sixty or seventy lots, on the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 36, Town 26 north, Range 2 east, was surveyed for Gilbert Wall, who
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
laid out the town for the purpose of securing a station on the New Castle & Richmond Railroad. then in process of construction. The pint not giving satisfaction to the road, an additional survey of fifty - two lots, including ton seres for a depot, was made in January, 1553. by Gilbert Wall and William Booher, under the name of Wall & Booher's Addition, which really constitutes the town proper.
Among the earliest residents of the village was one Oscar Her- rell, who enme to the place shortly after the survey in 1553, and erected n hewed-log dwelling and store room on Lot No. 25. Wall & Booher's Addition. He kept a small stock of family groceries in the front room of the house, and carried on a fairly successful bus- iness for some time, his principal customers being the workmen on the railroad nud a neighboring saw-mill. The mill was the first industry of the town, and was erected by Isaiah Noel and James A Lewis in the summer of 1952. The second dwelling was a log structure also, built on Lot No. 26, of the above addition, by John Booher, who occupied it for several years. The first house on the original plat was built by Isninh Noel, and in 1553 Phinens Hutha- way erected the first frame residence between where Isane Bumgar- ner now lives and the railroad, the ground at that time not being in the town limits.
Mr. Hathaway erected this building for the accommodation of the mill hands, being at the time one of the proprietors of the mill. and largely interested in the lumber business. The second mer- chant was Abraham Kipp, who built a good storehouse on Lot 31. W'all & Booher's Addition, about the year 1554. He kept a general assortment of merchandise, and did a very successful business for about six or seven yenrs, disposing of his stock at the end of that time to John D. Ferguson and Charles Flanagan. Mr. Kipp took an active interest in the development of the village, and was instru- mental in securing the postoffice, of which he was appointed first postmaster. The building which he erected is still standing. being used for a grain house at the present time.
In about the year 1551 or 1555 Mr. Hathaway embarked in the mercantile business, and erected a store building on the lot now occupied by the wagon shop of dosiah Beall. He sold goals for a period of three or four years, and was one of the successful business men during the early history of the town.
In the year 1\56 George W. Bishop opened a general store out
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of which has since grown his present immense establishment, one of the largest and most successful mercantile houses in the county.
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