USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 93
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ANDREW WILSON, one of the pioneers of Cass County, and one among the first settlers uf Tipton Township, was born in Kana- wha County. W. Va., April 7. 1\12. He was the son of Andrew and Lois (Guinn ) Wilson, the former a native of Rockbridge, and the latter a native of Monroe County, Va., both of Scotch-Irish descent. When or subject was six months old his parents removed to Green- brier County. W. Va. Here his hoyhood and early youth were spent npon his father's farm. He had not the advantage of a good school- ing. consequently his early e Ineation was quite limited. When he was eighteen years of age he immigrated with his parents to Gallia
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TIPTON TOWNSHIP.
County, Ohio. A year later they came to this State and located first in Tippecanoe County. In 1835 our subject came to this county and located on a farm in Miami Township. He removed to Tipton Township and located where he now resides in 1839, and is perhaps the oldest living citizen of that township. His attention during his entire life has been given to agricultural pursuits. November 10, 1842, he was married to Eleanor D. Tucker, a native of Clarke County, Ohio, born, of English and Dutch descent, December 17, 1824. She was the daughter of James and and Charlotte (Purcell) Tucker, natives of Ohio and Virginia, respectively. This marriage has resulted in the birth of twelve children, eleven of whom lived to be grown. Their names are William H., born December 4, 1843; Harry G., born June 2, 1845; Marcellus T., born March 21, 1847; Ellen A., born December 26, 1848; Charlotte C., born May 4, 1851; Malindah J., born August 8, 1853; Mary L., born June 22, 1855, died June 22, 1876; James A., born October 5, 1857, died March 31, 1858; Jennie A., born February 24, 1859; Charles B., born July 26, 1861; Martha E., born November 1, 1863, and Laura, born October 12, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson belong to the United Brethren Church. In politics Mr. Wilson is a Republican. He owns a fine farm of 183 acres of good land, most of which is in a high state of cultivation. He began life poor, but by dint of in- dustry and perseverance, he has placed himself in good circum- stances. He is a good citizen, and has the respect of the entire community in which he resides.
STEPHEN P. YOUNGLOVE, an industrious and energetic young farmer of Tipton Township, was born in Miami County, this State, February 3, 1847. He is the only living son of Charles C. and Elizabeth (Hoyt) Younglove; the former, a native of Canan- daigua, Ontario Co., N. Y., was born January 10, 1814; immigrated with an uncle, when he was ten years old, to Conneaut, Ohio. At the age of thirteen he became a sailor on the Great Lakes. His first work was that of a cook, and he was afterward promoted to first mate, and finally to the rank of captain. In 1843 he ( the father ) located upon a farm in Miami County, Ind. In 1849 he immigrated, via Straits of Magellan, to California. Two years later he returned to this State and located upon a farm in Tipton Township, whither his family had come in 1850. Here he spent the rest of his life, his death oc- curring February 6, 1879. The latter, the mother of our subject, was born in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., May 8, 1819. She immi- grated with her parents to Conneaut, Ohio, in 1835. Here she was married to Charles C. Younglove June 15, 1836; came with her husband to this State, and at present makes her home with her two children: Mrs. Harriet A. Small, of Walton, and Stephen P. Younglove, the subject of this sketch. The latter spent his boy- hood and youth working upon his father's farm and attending the
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
district schools. In September, 1567. he entered the public schools of logansport, where he remained a short time. He then attended the public school taught by John C. Brophy (attended that school five terms ), who at that time was the county examiner. In 1969 he took up the avocation of a teacher, and the six years following were spent in that capacity. He then turned his sole attention to farm- ing, having purchased thirty acres of land in Tipton Township with his earnings in the school room. Here he located in 1575. In Iss1 he removed to Onward Station, where he engaged in the tile business, but again returned to his farm in the spring of 1994. Azelia D. Moore, a native of Tipton Township, this county, burn December 5, 1556, became his wife September Is, 1973. She Was the daughter of Henry D. and Elizabeth ( Berry ) Moore, both In- tives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Younglove have had five chil- dren, three of whom are living. Their names are Dessie, born Feh- ruary 20, 1875; Ethel, born September 25. 1577: Challie, born January 27. 1550, died July 27. 1955: the next was an infant sou ( still-born ), born November 23. 1852: and the youngest is Charles H., born June 11, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Younglove belong to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Younglove is a member of the F. & A. MI. and K. of H. hodges, and a Democrat in politics. He at present holds the office of assessor in Tipton Township, having been elected in the spring of 1986. In the nominating convention he received the largest majority that has ever been given in the township. He began poor, having nothing but the clothes upon his back at twenty- one years of age. By dint of industry and perseverance he has. though young, already placed himself in easy circumstances. To his first little farm he has added fifty acres more, making eighty in all. His farm is fitted up with good fences and buildings, and more than half of it is in cultivation. He is pushing and enterpris- ing and a successful farmer, and shows what can be done by per- severance, energy and pluck.
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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XX.
WASHINGTON TOWNSILIP -AREA AND SITUATION - FIRST SETTLERS-IN- DUSTRIES - CHURCHES-MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS, ETC .- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
W ASHINGTON TOWNSHIP lies south of the city of Logans- port and embraces an area of about thirty-eight or forty square miles of territory, with the following boundaries, to wit: Tipton Township on the east, Deer Creek on the south, Clinton Township and Carroll County on the west, and Wabash River and a part of the city on the north. Big Rock Creek and the north fork of the same are the principal water courses. The former flows a westerly course through the southern part of the township, and receives in its course a number of smaller creeks and branches, none of which are designated by any particular names. North Fork flows a westerly direction also, entering the township in Section 15, Town 27 north, Range 2 east, and crossing the western boundary from Section 24, Town 27 north, Range 1 west. The northern part of the township is undulating, and abounds in some stony land near the city. The greater part of the country, however, is com- paratively level, and was originally covered with dense forests of the finest timber. The soil is a black loam of great depth and fertility, and where properly cultivated yields abundant crops of all the grains and cereals indigenous to this latitude. A portion of the township was originally wet and comparatively worthless, but of late years a successful system of artificial drainage has been inaugurated, by means of which much valuable land has been reclaimed and put in cultivation. The leading occupation of the citizens of Washington is agriculture, although considerable attention is given to stock raising, and in the near future the latter industry promises to be- come quite extensive, as the county seems peculiarly adapted to it, there being plenty of rich pasturage and an abundance of stock water.
Early Settlers .- " Within the borders of this township was made the first settlement in Cass County outside the city of Logansport. As early as August, 1826, while almost the entire county was an
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
unbroken wilderness, n man by name of Alexander Chamberlain fixed his home just across the Wabash from Logansport, where he kept a hotel or place of entertainment for travelers. The prospects presented to Mr. Chamberlain were gloomy and uninviting. The Indinn, with his stealthy trend, the hiss of the serpent and the dis- unnl howling of wild beasts added to the drenriness of the wilderness solitude. The motive which prompted him to leave a home of com- parative comfort and plenty for one of loneliness and want is, per- hups, illustrative of the restless spirit of man, the constant longing for change. Guided by this spirit the name of Mr. Chamberlin will go down in history as the leader of the march of civilization in Washington Township." He located on the enst half of Section 33, Township 27 north, Range 1 east, having purchased the land on which his primitive buildings were erected on the 25th of May, 1>25. He had previously, on the 23d of December, 1524, pur- chased the west half of the fractional east half of the same section. upon which, after the sale of the first truet to Gen. Tipton, he erected another double log cabin, the counterpart of the first, and there kept tavern also.
" Emigration toward Washington for some years was very slow Accordingly. for some time, Mr. Chamberlain held undisputed sway. his neighbors being just across the line in Logansport and Eel Township. However, in the spring of 1528, Gen. John Tipton, In- dian agent, located in the township on the land first occupied by Chamberlain, but now forming part of the city of Logansport" The following year William Lewis came to the county and made an im- provement on what is now the Biddle farm. On the 7th of October, 1-30. Andrew Johnson became a resident of the township, settling in Section 2, a short distance south of Logansport, and two years later Cyrus Vigus located on land now within the corporate limits of the city."
A little later came Jacob Sine, who improved a farm not far from the river: and in the same neighborhood there settled as early IN 1533 one Francis Murphy, whose land was subsequently laid out in town lots. In 1934 and 1835 there were living in the township. additional to those enumerated, Samuel and Thomas Kinneman. Jesse Julian and William C. Richardson, all of whom made im- provements within a few miles of Logansport.
" From this time up to 1535 very few made permanent settle-
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 953
ments within the borders of the township. In that year (1838) the greater part of the township, which was originally included within the Miami Reservation, was purchased by the Government from the Indians. It will be remembered that at this time only a strip, seven miles wide along the western border of the reservation, in what is now Cass, Howard and Clinton Counties, was purchased by the United States. In the fall of 1843 the entire reservation included in Washington Township was relinquished by the Indians, and the land they secured at once came into market. It so readily found purchasers that it would be a difficult undertaking to name or locate all who came about that time or soon thereafter." The following. however, are some of the principal settlers in different parts of the township: David Ripley settled near Anoka Junction on what is known as the Roderick farm, where he built and operated the first mill in the township. Henry Wipperman came in an early day and improved the place occupied at the present time by his son, Charles Wipperman. He is still living, being one of the oldest residents of the township at the present time. His sons, Charles and Henry Wipperman, Sr., are residents of Washington, and among the sub- stantial citizens of Cass County. A man by name of Bishop made a settlement on Taber's prairie, south of Logansport, as early as 1840 or 1841, as did also John Morgan and a Mr. Cobert, none of whom are now residents of the township.
As early as 1841 there was living on the Mierstadt farm a tran- sient settler by name of Stanley, who made his livelihood by hunt- ing. He was a true type of the pioneer adventurer and spent the greater part of his time in the pursuit of game, which at that early day was very plentiful and easily procured. He remained about one year and then left for other parts, the land being taken posses- sion of about the year 1844 by James Burkit, who became one of the leading citizens of the township.
In 1842, one year prior to the land sale, Heury Ramer moved to the reservation and settled where his son-in-law, J. D. Ritter, now lives, in Section 22, near the Tipton Township line. He was ac- companied by Maj. Long, who chose for his home the farm now owned by John Giffen, in Section 15. Messrs. Ramer and Long were both prominent citizens and did much toward the development of the township.
Josiah Butler became a resident of the township as early as 1841
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HISTORY OF CASS TOUSTY
and settle ! in Section 4. John Leffel located in the same neighbor- luxxl in Ett early day, as did several others, whose names were not leBrind. Prominent among the first settlers in the southern part of the township was the Gay family, consisting of the following brothers. Jos ph. Hiram. Alfred and James, the last two still living. They care about the year 1513 and musde substantial improvements. Jums Ciny lives at the present time in Section 34, and is one of the leuling citizens of Washington. William Road came to the country ts early as 1> 11 and made a few improvements on the Martin Innd m Section 2. Township 27 north, Range 2 east. He afterward sold h - claim to John Woll, who entered the land and who in turn sold to Peter Martin in 1819. Mr. Martin moved here from Pennsylva- mit. and was n man of influence and sterling worth. His sons. Frank und Jesse Martin, came at the same time, and for thirty-five years have been among the leading farmers and substantial business in n of the township.
Sompson Berryman settled in Section 21 in an early day, and in 1 .11 there was living on the Samuel Deil place one Thomas Coop- er, who soll his elnim and moved from the neighborhood a short time afterward.
Other early settlers, who came in from time to time, were Freder- ick Ozenbeck, Barton R. Keep, Charles and Almond Lyons. James Carney. William Sturgeon, Josiah Jones, Benjamin Spader. Michael Ward. William Deford. Alexander Smith, John Spitznagle. Daniel Small. Michael Bruner. David Burkitt, Daniel Brown, Gideon Ver- non. Pickering Vernon. John Catterman. Painter West, Thomas Nonl. Williard White. A. B. Knowlton. Robert Belew. James Helton. John Morgan, W. J. Sagesser. James Hanna, Conrad Mench, Jacob Myers, John Neff. Leonard Simons, Robert Rhen, Matthew Jack. Christian Foglesong. Mr. Ronth, John De Behl, Clemens Gransing- er. - Ruckman.
Organization. The township was formally organized on the 7th of September, 1-12, and mused in honor of George Washington. The first election after perfecting the organization was held at the residence of Barton R. Keep; and the first justice of the peace elected was Jesse Julian. Among the later trustees were Robert Rhea, John Palmer and Mr. Carney.
Industries. The first mill in Washington was built by David Ripley as early as 1513, and stood in the northeast corner of the
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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
township on Minnow Creek, from which it received its motor power. It was a saw-mill and did a fair business for a number of years, but ceased operations prior to 1849. On the same water course, in 1854 or 1855, was built by Joseph Uhl, a flouring-mill, which is still in operation. The millhouse is a frame structure two stories high and supplied with very good machinery. It did a fair business for a number of years, but at the present time is not being operated on a very extensive scale. The present proprietor is Will- iam Like. Thomas Neal built the first steam saw-mill in the town- ship, as early as 1850 or 1851, and operated it with good success for a number of years. It has been remodeled at different times, and is still in operation, being run at the present time by Henry Herr, who is doing a good business. One of the first mills in the township was erected as early as 1851 or 1852, by Alexander Smith and Pickering Vernon. It was a primitive affair operated by horse- power, but did a fair business for several years, manufacturing much of the lumber used by the early settlers' in the vicinity. In 1855 or 1856 Nicholas Small built a steam saw-mill, which was in opera- tion until 1871. A corn buhr was attached, and on certain days of each week grinding was done for the neighbors, who found the mill a very great convenience. The entire structure was de- stroyed by fire in 1871. Messrs. Freed & Bruner operated a large steam saw-mill in the southern part of the township about the year 1865. They manufactured an immense amount of lumber and did a lucrative business for three or four years. At the present time there are two mills in successful operation, run by Henry Herr and George Burkhart.
Churches .- " The township being situated so near Logansport, the citizens had an opportunity of attending church at that place." No regular religious meetings were held in the township for several years after its settlement, although many of the early pioneers were pious members of the several denominations. The first meetings of which there is any definite account were held in a schoolhouse near the Johnson settlement, a short distance south of the city, and conducted at irregular intervals [by ministers of the Methodist and Baptist Churches. No organization, however, was effected at this place, and it was not until the year 1853 that a religious society of any kind was established in the township. The oldest organiza- tion is the Union Presbyterian Church, of which the following,
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
taken from a historical sermon preached by the Rev. M. M. Post, is A brief sketch. It was some time during the years 1549 and 1550 that Rev. Mr. Post began to preach on the field occupied by the present church: " A widowed mother ( Mrs. Hannn ) and daughter. having moved from the flock at Logansport to the neighborhood, their pastor was particularly drawn to visit them in their wilder- ness home. Once a month the minister, after preaching in the morning to his congregation in town, went on his horse, struggling often with much labor, through mud, water. frost and beech roots to reach the widow's dwelling or schoolhouse, to fill his appointment nt 4 o'clock. For more than fifteen years this monthly afternoon service, with added service two or three times a year was continued In the year 1>52. September 5. one Sabbath afternoon, at the school- house near Maj. Long's, the following nine persons, after not a lit- tle deliberation, came out from the congregation to organize into a church, to wit: Peter Martin, Rebecca Martin, Henry Ramer, Eliza- beth Ramer, Henry Schwalm, Eva Elizabeth Schwalm. Francis Martin and Simon Martin. The organization was not completed till June 20. 1-53, when Henry Schwalm, Jr., Elizabeth Mench, Eliza- beth Hannn. Lucinda Layer und Jesse Martin -the latter two on con- fession of faith-were added, forming the Union Church of fifteen members. Peter Martin and Henry Ramer were ordained ruling elders. Mr. Ramer, a few years later declining further to serve, Francis S. Martin, Nichols Small and Jesse Martin were added to the band; again, in 1957, there were added Simon Martin and Hen- ry Schwalm."
Immediately after the church was organized, measures were taken to build a house of worship. It was promptly built in 1954 55 on land donated by Henry Ramer, Sr., and cost the sum of about $1.500. It is a beautiful frame structure, 35x45 feet, and will com- fortably sent 300 persons. The Sabbath-school was earlier than the church. The emigrant women proved Christian missionaries, and gathered the children that were necessible, and in a short time help- ers enme. The Sunday-school has been, since the organization. a marked institution, conducted with punctuality and much interest. and with a liberal use of means to promote its usefulness.
Rev. M. M. Post served with great acceptance as pastor until the year 1876, at which time, owing to the infirmities of age, he Was compelled to resign the charge.
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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
For the last ten years the church has been ministered to by Revs. Amos Jones and Gilbert Small. The organization is in a flourish- ing condition at the present time, and numbers about ninety mem- bers, among whom are many of the leading citizens of the township. The Sabbath-school, under the efficient superintendency of Jesse Mar- tin, is doing a noble work, and has a regular attendance of sev- enty scholars.
Soon after first settlements were made in Washington Township, itinerans of the Methodist denomination visited the country, "deliver- ing the messages of peace and good will to audiences consisting of a few of the scattered settlers, brought together by the patient searching out and earnest solicitation of the messengers themselves." As early as 1853-54 the few Methodist families living in the central and south- ern parts of the township began meeting for public worship at pri- vate dwellings, and about the year 1855 a class of fifteen members was organized into a church by Rev. W. K. Hoback. Meetings were held at regular intervals at the residences of James Martin, Leonard Simons, Painter West and L. Stalanaker, and later a house of worship was erected, which served the organization as long as it had an existence. The class was well sustained until 1860, at which time, owing to internal dissensions, caused by political differences, it began to decline, and it was not until after the close of the war that a spirit of harmony was restored. At no time, however, did the membership number more than twenty-five persons, and owing to death and removals the organization was finally abandoned in 1883. The following were among the ministers who sustained the relation of pastors to the class, to wit: Revs. Wamin, Smith, Shack- leford, Ramsey, Peck and Harrison.
The aggressive organization of the Rock Creek Valley Christian Church dates its history from about the year 1855, at which time Elder Daniel Witters visited the settlement and labored successfully for some time, preaching in the schoolhouses and private residences. Mr. Witters was a preacher of good ability, and by his forcible pres- entation of the doctrines peculiar to that branch of the church, succeeded in calling many to communion with him, and to accept the Bible alone as their standard of faith and practice. About twenty-six persons went into the organization, which was brought about at what was known as the Burkit Schoolhouse, and for one year and a half Elder Witters preached for the congregation, which
11STORY OF CASS COUNTY
contunted constantly to increase both in numbers and influence. Meetings were held in the Barkit and Bruner Schoolhouses for a number of years, und a part of the time in the Methodist Church, which was erected by the two congregations jointly. The present temple of worship built in 1-12 on land donated by M. Rogers, is one of the most commondions country church buildings in the county. HI- Boxon foot in size, Is a renting capacity of about HIM, and rep- tesents n enpital of $2.500. The regular pastors of the church. sluice the expiration of Eller Willett's term of service, have been the following John Marshall. William Winegardner. Abraham Suce- then. Thomas Whitman, A. S. Culbertson and D. W. Fowler. the Last named being preacher in charge at the present time. The pres- et membership is about seventy, and the church is reported in good condition. Painter West and Easley Vernon are elders, and Is Sinall. clerk.
The St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in Washington Township under the pastoral labors of Rev. Simon P. Snyder, who afterward continued to Inbor for its upholding with an Interested zend in the propagation of its principles and the necom- plishment of its mission for several years. The formal organiza- tion took place nt the Center Schoolhouse on the H4th of January. 1-77 at which time the following thirteen persons were received into membership: O. O. Baughman, Mrs. M. A. Baughinan, James Miller. Catherine Miller. William Long. John Long. W. S. Smith, Sarah A. Smith. Robert Nicodemus. Amelia Carney. Lucy A. Car- nev. David Woodling and Mrs. David Woodling. The first officers elected were Peter D. Herr. William Long and Oliver E. Baugh- man, elders; Aaron Long. Robert M. Carney and James Miller. decons. Soon after the organization, steps were taken to ereet a house of worship, and, with an energy characteristic of the society, this undertaking was promptly carried out, and on the 17th of Feb. ruary, Isis, the present handsome building was completed und formally dedicated, Revs. Snyder and Wells conducting the services on that occasion. The building, which is one of the best finished nudl furnished church edifices in the county, stands in the south west quarter of Section >, and represents a value of about $2,50). At the close of Mr. Snyder's term of service Rev J. C. Jacoby was called, and he sustained the pastoral relation with distinguished ability until 1 75, since which time there has been no regular
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