USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana, from its earliest settlement to the present time; with Biographical Sketches and Reference to Biographies, Volume I > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
ORIGIN OF THE WORD HOOSIER
Jacob P. Dunn, in his historical publications, gives a number of reputed origins to the word Hoosier but finally traces it back to an Anglo-Saxon root, "Hoste," "Hooze," and "Hoozer," a dialect of Cumberland, England. Before the days of slavery, many of the rougher classes of Cumberland came to America and located in the mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky. The term Hoosier has been traced to the South and was used there long before it was known in Indiana. After slaves were introduced, these rough, uncouth but sturdy people migrated to southern Indiana and were called Hoosiers, to designate a rather uncultured people. The term was in use many years in southern Indiana but first appeared in print in John Find- ley's poem, the "Hoosiers Nest," published in the Indianapolis Journal, January 1, 1833. The so-called Hoosier dialect had its origin from these ignorant, poor white people from Virginia and Kentucky, with Penn- sylvania Dutch who came over the Allegheny mountains. These peo- ple were hospitable, but in letters, they had three generations of poverty
227
Digitized by
228
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
of learning, and murdered the king's English, and produced what has been called the Hoosier dialect as is so well represented in the poems of Eggleston and Riley.
LOGANSPORT'S LIBRARIES
The first library in Logansport was a very small affair, consisting of a few of the old standard works, kept in a log building on the north side of Market street, east of the Barnett Hotel, by C. Carter and others. This was about the year 1837. A few years later, and as late as 1847, there was a one story frame building in front of the old Presbyterian church at 521 Broadway, in which a small library was kept-known as McClure's Library. In the fifties this library was transferred to the
PUBLIC LIBRARY, LOGANSPORT
North street engine house, where it was kept for some years and later merged into the Township Library.
After the promulgation of the revised constitution in 1852-3 educa- tion and literature was greatly revised all over the state and libraries were provided for all the townships, in which were kept many of the standard works of history, science and philosophy and but few works of fiction, as our forbears were too deeply engaged in the realities of life to expend much time on unreal or fictitious matters. The remnants of these old township libraries are still to be found in the several town- ships but are little used in this age of cheap book-making.
LOGANSPORT'S PUBLIC LIBRARY
Under the auspices of the W. C. T. U. a free reading room was opened in a store room at 321 Pearl street, June 28, 1890, with Mrs. Phebe Campbell in charge. Elizabeth Mccullough succeeded her as custodian. In 1893 the free reading room was moved to the old Judge Stuart house, at 618 Broadway, which had been purchased by the city school trustees, and the latter assumed control October 1, 1893. Books were purchased by the trustees and the public library was opened November 1, 1894. In 1901 the school board purchased the Judge Bid- dle library, consisting of eight thousand volumes of rare books, paying
Digitized by Google
229 °
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
therefor $5,500. In 1902, Andrew Carnegie donated $35,000 to erect a public library. The following year the school board, consisting of J. D. McNitt, J. T. Elliott and Q. A. Myers, let the contract to John E. Barns for the erection of the present handsome stone library building, which was completed and occupied September 20, 1894. The library now contains about seventeen thousand volumes. A free reading room is maintained, where all the leading papers and magazines may be found, in this commodious and beautiful public library made possible by the munificence of Andrew Carnegie.
CITY DIRECTORIES
The first city directory of Logansport was published in 1859 by J. G. Talbott of Indianapolis. At that time there were no street numbers and the residences were designated by streets only. From 1859 to 1871, we can find none others published, but from that date, directories were published every two to four years-Longwell & Cummings having issued a city directory quite regularly for over twenty years.
NO PROFESSIONAL LITERATI
Very few, if any, of Cass county's authors have made literature a profession. Most of our writers have had other and varied employ- ment and their occupations have been as varied as their writings.
They have written at intervals of leisure for amusement and pas- time. In later years, as the county developed, educational standards became higher and the people more independent financially, more time was given to letters and higher standards of intellectual activity pre- vail since the days of Enion Kendall, Cass county's pioneer poet, who could neither read nor write.
-
The literature of a county consists of all the writings on all sub- jects of all the writers. There is, however, an unwritten literature, con- sisting of orations, speeches, addresses, debates, in early times, that were able and valuable, and exerted a great influence for good on our people. In pioneer days, before the advent of the daily newspaper, there were many able addresses and discourses on a variety of topics, in the old seminary, or primitive churches. These old halls resounded with the eloquence of many a pioneer, but their verbal thoughts and ideas are buried with the orator and forever lost.
These orations and discussions exerted a wholesome literary influ- ence in early times and Cass county has been prominent in oratorical literature.
Whether we have fallen on evil days or barren times, a time of low standards, and merely commercial amusements, instead of true litera- ture, may be a question difficult to decide, but whatever may be the decision, it is beyond the purview of this article to discuss.
All branches of literature are represented in Cass county. In science by Coulter; art, by Winter; history, by Dillon; poetry, by Biddle; theology, by Post; law, by Thornton; medicine, by Hessler; civics by Baldwin; philosophy, by Alford; the drama, by Whitesides; music, by Giffe and fiction by Henderson and a host of others. Cass county pre- sents a list of about one hundred writers which will be taken up in alphabetical order but necessarily very briefly.
L. A. Alford, born in Vermont 1814, died in Logansport 1883, was a doctor of divinity as well as a physician. He moved to Logansport in 1864 and spent the remainder of his life in Cass county. He was a mem- ber of a number of scientific societies in Europe and America, and has
Digitized by Google
1
230
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
written much on religious and semi-scientific subjects published in scien- tific journals of both continents besides the following books :
"The Masonic Gem," a poem on the temple of King Solomon; "Mys- tic Numbers of the Bible," a book of four hundred pages published in 1870; "The Atonement Illustrated," a poem of one hundred and sixty pages ; "Biblical Chart of Man;" "A Trip to the Skies," a book of one hundred and twenty-two pages, comprising a popular religious astron- omy; "The War in Heaven; Why? When? Where?"; "A Poem on Eclecticism," etc.
Albert J. Allen, born of slave parents in Tennessee in 1856, but for many years past a resident of Logansport, is the author of a very read- able poem consisting of a brochure of thirty-five pages entitled "John's Message to Christ." Published in 1906.
Rt. Rev. Herman Joseph Alerding, Bishop of Ft. Wayne, and for- merly a familiar figure in Logansport, has written a book of five hundred and forty-one pages, portraying the history of the Ft. Wayne diocese, including the Catholic churches of Cass county, and naming every priest who has resided in Logansport. A very valuable addition to the history of our county. The book was published at Ft. Wayne in 1907. Bishop Alerding was born in Westphalia, Germany, 1845, and is now a resident of Ft. Wayne.
Daniel P. Baldwin, born in New York state 1837, came to Cass county 1860, died in Logansport 1908. Mr. Baldwin is acknowledged to be one of the most erudite and polished literary men in Indiana and his lectures and writings on law, civics, moral and religious topics are con- sidered gems of literature. He is the author of many published lectures and writings. "A Lawyer's Readings in Evidence of Christianity;" "How States Grow;" "Manners;" "Personality;" "The Waters of Life;" "Christ's Limitations;" "The Seeing Eye;" "Oratory and Ora- tors;" "Defects of Our Political System;" "Indiana's Growth and Needs;" and many other subjects which have been published in pamph- let form. Judge Baldwin has traveled around the world in all lands, was a close student, spent his leisure time not at the club house, but in his library reading solid literature. His letters portraying his travels in many lands and on varied subjects are a valuable asset to the county's literature.
Emerson E. Ballard, born in Putnam county, Indiana, 1865, lived in Logansport from 1898 to 1901, but now a resident of Crawfordsville, is the author of a series of law books, entitled "Real Estate Statutes of In- diana," comprising ten or twelve volumes. He is editor of "Ballard's Law and Real Property," a national serial published by T. H. Flood & Co., of Chicago.
Tilghman E. Ballard resided in Cass county from 1872 to 1876, was connected with Smithson College, taught school in Walton. He pub- lished The Key to the Truth, a weekly paper in Logansport, in 1874, wrote and delivered many lectures and published religious tracts. He is now a Methodist minister.
Henry A. Barnhart, born in Cass county 1858, educated in the public schools and taught district school. At present he resides in Rochester and is a congressman from that district. For many years he has been editor of the Rochester Sentinel and has contributed many articles of literary merit to his own paper and other publications and may be ap- propriately assigned to the literature of our county.
G. N. Berry, a son of John H. Berry, a pioneer of Miami township, where he was born in 1848, a school teacher for many years, but now retired, has written many histories, among which may be mentioned: "History of the Maumee Basin;" "History of the Kankakee Valley;"
Digitized by Google
231
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
"The Panhandle of West Virginia;" "Jackson's Purchase in Kentucky and Tennessee;" "Catholic Church in Indiana" and "Biographies of Eminent Men," and has contributed to over fifty county histories. He is a contributor to various religious publications.
Horace P. Biddle is probably the most prolific writer Cass county has produced. He was born in Lancaster, Ohio, March 24, 1811, died in Logansport, May 13, 1900, and lies at rest in Mount Hope cemetery. He was educated in the public schools, studied law with Thos. Ewing, Sr., of Lancaster, Ohio, and came to Logansport October 18, 1839. He was judge of the circuit court and supreme court of Indiana for many years, a member of the constitutional convention 1851, a member of a number of scientific and literary societies both in Europe and America, and con- tributor to papers and magazines at home and abroad. His writings cover a wide range of topics, politics, religion, science, music, literature, poetry, art.
Judge Biddle may well be considered Cass county's most fluent and polished writer both in prose and poetry. His fame as a writer extends beyond the limits of his own county and state and has become not only national, but international. The following list of books is credited to Judge Biddle's pen: "A Few Poems," published in 1840; "Biddle's Poems," published in 1858; "Musical Scale," published in 1860; "Glances at the World," poems, published 1864; "American Boyhood," poems, published 1876; "Volume for Friends" (scrap book), published 1873; "Amatories by an Amateur (ten copies only), published 1873; "Lover's Excuse," prose, published 1873; "Prose Miscellany," pub- lished 1881; "Last Poems," published 1882; "Elements of Knowledge," published 1881. The following pamphlets: "Discourse on Art;" "Defi- nitions of Poetry;" "Review of Tindales Work on Sound;" "Analysis of Rhyme;" "Essay on Russian Literature;" "Analysis of Harmony;" "Bellina to Goethe;" "The Eureka, a Musical Instrument;" "The Tetrachord;" "My Three Homes," poetry ; "Notes on John B. Dillon;" "Temperament of Musical Scale;" "Biographical Sketches of State Officers;" "Biographical Sketches of Distinguished Americans;" "Por- traits and Addresses on Art;" "Centennial Address, 1876."
The Biddle Miscellany, consisting of one hundred and two bound volumes, now in the public library, contains magazines, both foreign and domestic, from 1832, covering every conceivable subject together with addresses, local write-ups of Logansport, also local programs, an- nouncements of schools, colleges, etc., with many of Mr. Biddle's own writings and poems not found elsewhere. Judge Biddle was married, but was separated from his wife and never had any children.
Chas. E. Bickmore, born in the state of Maine, was a Union soldier, came to Logansport about 1875, and was principal of the West Side schools. He possessed a bright intellect and wrote much for newspapers. One clever poem entitled "Glorious News from Maine," and published in the Logansport Journal 1880 or 1882, of a political nature, was gen- erally believed to be the cause of his resignation as principal of the school, as the local school board was of the opposite political faith. Mr. Bickmore went to Hamilton, Ohio, where it is reported he was killed by falling from an apple tree. He had no family.
Rev. Wm. E. Biederwolf, born in Monticello, Indiana, 1867, pastor of the Broadway Presbyterian church 1898 to 1901, and now in evange- listic work and editor of the Family Altar, is author of the following publications : "History of 161st Indiana Regiment," a book of 450 pages, published 1899: "How Can God Answer Prayer;" "Help to the Study of the Holy Spirit;" "The Growing Christianity;" "The White Life;" "Christian Science, So-Called;" "Philosophy, Medicine and
Digitized by Google
232
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
Revelation ;" "Hell, Why, What and How Long;" "The Christian and Amusements."
Rev. B. B. Bigler, pastor of the First Presbyterian church from 1905 to 1910, was born in Angola, Indiana, 1865. He was a teacher in the American Normal School on the North Side in 1878 and while there wrote a valuable compend of United States history, a copy of which he presented to the Historical Society. "Youthful Aspirations," published in the College News, and many other monographs on moral, religious and temperance subjects that have been published in different papers and magazines.
Dr. Albert Gallion Brackett was born in Otsego county, New York, in 1829, died in Washington, D. C., 1896. He practiced medicine in Logansport, 1853-54, but soon after entered the regular army and be- came a colonel of cavalry and wrote and published books, entitled : "His- tory of United States Cavalry;" "Lane's Brigade in Central Mexico" (the latter was published by Derby & Co., of Cincinnati, in 1854). Dr. Brackett was twice married and left several sons, still living.
Thomas H. Bringhurst, born in Philadelphia 1819, died in Logans- port in 1899, came to Logansport in 1845; established the Logansport Journal in 1849 and was its editorial writer for many years. He was a terse and vigorous writer and his editorials are models of laconic Eng- lish. Mr. Bringhurst with Frank Swigart is the author of the "History of the 46th Indiana Regiment," of which he was colonel during the Civil war. Mr. Bringhurst served three terms as mayor of the city and as United States postoffice inspector for many years. Mr. Bringhurst was twice married, his widow and two daughters are still living, but his son Robert died in Philadelphia, August, 1912.
Mrs. Anna Torr Bringhurst, widow of W. H. Bringhurst and sister of Harry Torr, for many years resided at 730 Market street, but is now living in St. Louis. Mrs. Bringhurst has been a liberal contributor to the local papers and magazines over her initials A. T. B. The fol- lowing are of especial merit: "The Carriers' Address," Logansport Journal, January 1, 1861 and 1862; "Abraham Lincoln," published in Logansport Journal, May 6, 1865; "Our Burial Place," a poem.
Rev .. S. W. Brown was the pastor of the Christian church, 1887 to 1890, was for some years editor of the Mountain Christian, a church paper. He is author of a religious novel not yet published, and has writ- ten a number of very beautiful short poems, to-wit: "Whither;" "Baby Dreams;" "Only a Ringlet;" "Mother Love;" "Transition;" all of which are filed in the archives of the Historical Society.
James T. Bryer was born in Fountain county, Indiana, August 4, 1828, came with his parents, Robert and Dorcas Bryer, to Logansport, in 1833, and resided here until his death March 11, 1895. Mr. Bryer was married to Sarah E. Hensley of Logansport, May 15, 1852. To this union were born seven girls and two boys. Mr. Bryer was a soldier in the Mexican war, deputy postmaster under Wm. Wilson during the Civil war, and held various county, state and government appointive offices. From 1861 until his death he was editor or contributor to the Logansport Journal, and there was no more able writer in northern In- diana. He was a versatile writer on all subjects of public interest and contributed to the columns of outside papers and magazines. He wrote a number of pamphlets on local history: "Fifty Years," with a list of pioneers of Cass county, published by Longwell & Cummings in 1892; History of Logansport, 1889. The first is in the Historical Society collection, the latter may be found in Biddle Miscellany, Vol. 97.
David E. Bryer is the son of Robert H. and Dorcas Miller Bryer. Robert H. Bryer was born in Pennsylvania, March 3, 1801, married
Digitized by Google
.
233
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
Dorcas Miller in Ohio, moved to Fountain county, Indiana, where David E. was born January 12, 1831, moved to Logansport in 1833 and fol- lowed contracting and building. He was an influential member of the Presbyterian church. He died at his residence, 614 Market street, in 1839. His third son, Robert, Jr., was born, 1842, enlisted in the 46th Indiana Regiment and died in the service. David E. came with his parents to Logansport and resided here until his death, June 19, 1904. He was united in marriage to Susanne Obenshain of Cass county, May 16, 1855, and was blessed with eight children, four of whom with the widow sur- vive. Mr. Bryer was a member of the city council, 1857-9, internal rev- enne collector, 1876 to 1884. He possessed a rare poetical and musical faculty and a large number of political songs for every campaign from 1856 to 1896 came from his pen. Many of these have been published in pamphlet form. He also composed church and Sunday school hymns and set the same to music. These were never collected and published, except an occasional one in a Sunday school paper. The following hymn was composed by Mr. Bryer some years prior to his death and directed to be sung at his funeral, which was done by the G. A. R. quartette with whom he had so often sung, and when the strains of the music, composed by the silent sleeper in the casket, filled the room in solemn tones, every eye was dimmed with tears. There were four verses. We reproduce the first and the last :
TRUSTING IN THEE
Trusting dear Lord in Thee, Trusting in Thee ; And in the atonement made On Calvary ; Jesus, with love divine, Fill, fill this heart of mine, Trusting dear Lord, in Thee, Trusting in Thee.
Trusting dear Lord in Thee, Savior in Thee, For Thou has paid the price, That ransomed me, Let faith, hope and charity, Fit us to dwell with Thee, Trusting, dear Lord, in Thee, Father in Thee.
Prof. John Merle Coulter was born in Kingpo, China, November 20, 1851, his parents being missionaries at this time. Professor Coulter was a resident of Logansport and taught science in the Presbyterian Academy in 1871-2. His mother was also a teacher in the same institu- tion. Professor Coulter was botanist to the government survey, 1873-4; professor of natural sciences in Hanover College, 1874-9; professor of biology in Wabash College, 1879-91; professor of botany in Indiana Uni- versity, 1891-3; vice-president of the American Association for the Ad- vancement of Science, 1891; president of Lake Forest University, 1893-6; professor and head of department of botany, Chicago University, since 1896, and editor of the Botanical Gazette since 1875. Professor Coulter is the author of the following books: "Plant Relations;" "Plant Studies;" "Manual of Rocky Mountain Botany ;" "Botany of Western Texas;" "Text Book of Botany;" "Morphology of Gymnosperms;" "Morphology of Angiosperms;" in addition to these Professor Coulter
.
Digitized by Google
234
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
has written scores of papers and addresses for societies and scientific journals, and his scientific attainments are known in all lands.
Prof. Stanley Coulter is a brother of John M. Coulter. His parents were missionaries and he was born in Kingpo, China, June 2, 1855. He was educated in Hanover College. He practiced law and was principal of the Logansport high school from 1873 to 1885. Married Lucy Post, daughter of Rev. M. M. Post, of Logansport, June 21, 1877, and they have one daughter, married. Professor Coulter is a member of a num- her of scientific and literary societies and has been professor of biology in Purdue University for many years, and is the author of lectures and papers published in various periodicals and the following publications: "Forest Trees of Indiana," 1892; "Flora of Indiana," 500 pages, 1899; eleven pamphlets on nature study; forty-five pamphlets of scientific studies and reports, also seventy other titles, book reviews, biological sketches, etc.
Geo. A. Custer is a Logansport production, born August 11, 1873, educated in the public schools and Indiana University. Was married November 12, 1903, to Julia McReynolds of Kokomo. Mr. Custer has served two terms as prosecuting attorney, 1906 to 1910. He has con- tributed to the Legal Counselor and Form Book, two additions. He is also credited with writing short stories for several magazines and periodicals.
Charles D. Denby. Colonel Denby was a lawyer in Evansville, but born in Virginia, 1830, and died in Evansville, 1903. He was not a permanent resident of Logansport, but spent much time here and mar- ried a local girl, Martha Fitch, daughter of Dr. Fitch, in 1858. They were blessed with eight children, five sons and one daughter still living. Mr. Denby was a member of the legislature, colonel of the Forty-second and later of the Eightieth Indiana Regiment in the Civil war, and for thirteen years United States minister to China. While in China he wrote a most excellent work in two volumes depicting the habits and customs of the Chinese, with personal reminiscences of life in the Orient. These books may be found in the public library.
John B. Dillon, printer, author, historian, was born in West Vir- ginia in 1808 and learned the printer's trade in Wheeling, went to Cin- cinnati and worked in a printing office where he wrote several poems. "The Burial of the Beautiful" and "Orphan's Harp," published in the Cincinnati Gazette in 1826 made him famous as a writer of verse. In 1834 Mr. Dillon came to Logansport and studied law, but never prac- ticed and with Hyacinth Lasselle became editor and proprietor of the Canal Telegraph. In 1843 he published his "Historical Notes on the Northwest Territory." In 1845 he was elected state librarian and moved to Indianapolis. "The Orphan's Lament," a short poem, was published in 1829. In 1859 he published his "History of Indiana," a very concise and accurate work of 637 pages. In 1871 he published "Evidences of Origin of United States Government," of 141 pages. "Oddities of Colonial Legislation," consisting of 784 pages, was not published until after his death. This book is a wonderful collection of peculiar and odd legislation of Colonial times. Mr. Dillon was a care- ful and accurate writer, spent his time with his books and died a poor man, but left an imperishable name. His death occurred in 1879. We quote Mr. Dillon's finest poem, which is said to have been prompted by the death of his intended bride. He was never married.
BURIAL OF THE BEAUTIFUL
Where shall the dead and the beautiful sleep ? In the vale where the willow and the cypress weep,
Digitized by Google
235
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
Where the wind of the west breathes its softest sigh, Where the silvery stream is flowing by, And the pure clear drops of the rising sprays Glitter like gems in the bright moon's rays,
Where the sun's warm smile may never dispel Night's tears o'er the form we love so well; In the vale where the sparkling waters flow, Where the fairest, earliest, violets grow, Where the sky and the earth are softly fair, Bury her there-bury her there!
Where shall the dead and the beautiful sleep ? Where wild flowers grow in the valley deep, Where the sweet robes of spring may softly rest, In purity, over the sleeper's breast, Where is heard the voice of the sinless dove, Breathing notes of deep and undying love, Where no column proud in the sun may glow, To mock the heart that is resting below, Where pure hearts are sleeping forever blest,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.