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 57
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On this lot is buried all soldiers who have no private lot or who request to be interred here. There are now about seventy old soldiers resting here and a grateful government places a marble marker at the head of each grave.
It would be of interest to copy the names of all the soldiers, business and professional men and old pioneers who rest in these cemeteries but space will not permit and will have to refer to the more extended history of the cemeteries to be found in the Historical Society.
MT. HOPE MONUMENTS
The monuments in Mt. Hope are as various and different as the occupants of the graves whose last resting place they mark. There are many beautifully designed monuments. The largest monument is that of James Cheny, a square shaft like an Egyptian obelisk, about thirty to forty feet high, made of grey granite.
The Manly manument is an octagonal column of grey granite. The Haney monument, nearby, is a handsome square column of red granite. The Kerns is a tall octagonal column with skull and crossbones cut in the base. Senator Pratt's monument is a massive octagonal column of grey granite while Rufus Magee has a beautiful column of black im- ported granite. Fashions in monuments, like everything else, change and the tendency now is to drop the tall columns of olden days and adopt the low massive forms of different designs and all recent. monu- ments are of this character, such as the Murdoch, Elliott, Uhl, Howe, Wright, Richardson, Myres, and others.
Special designs : Horace P. Biddle, 1811-1900, is carved on a block of marble, thirty inches square and one foot thick, resting on a base of native stone two feet high. This little plain marker stands in the center of the Biddle lot with no other evidence to show what rests be- VOL 1-29
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neath, but this is characteristic of the man, for Judge Biddle wrote the following stanza:
My tomb, let no grand mausoleum tell, Lay not a single stone to mark my bed, I would that none should know my narrow cell, When I am dead.
Capt. Palmer Dunn, who was killed at Chickamauga has a monu- ment erected by his company (Co. E, 29th Ind.) of Parian marble, with his sword and belt chiseled out of the solid marble, and in its day it was the finest monument in the cemetery.
To mark General Tipton's grave, stands an octagon marble column. ten feet high. He died in 1839, was buried on Spencer Square, later moved to the old cemetery and finally to Mt. Hope.
Cyrus Taber, one of the most influential pioneer merchants, has a tall column of Carrara marble. ' He died in 1855, was buried in Taber cemetery in Washington township, and recently moved to Mt. Hope.
William Richter has a life size statue which is a good representation of Mr. Richter with his long rain coat and hat as he used to wear them on the farm.
Soldiers buried in Mt. Hope cemetery : John F. Adair, d. 1865, Company C, 155th Indiana ; William M. Armstrong, d. 1905; Warren N. Anderson, d. 1887; Zadock P. Barnett, Company F, 116th Indiana ; John Bliler, d. 1889, Company H, 55th Indiana; Dr. J. T. Browne, surgeon, 12th Indiana Cavalry; Edward Browne, d. 1871, Company H, 56th Indiana; Morris H. Browne, d. 1904, United States navy; Joseph Browne, in Potter's Field; Bistner, in Potter's Field; Ferdinand G. Borges, Company G, 32nd Indiana; John T. Barger, Maryland Regi- ment; Warren Baldwin; John Baldwin, Company B, 142nd Indiana; Michael Burns, Company G, 100th Indiana; J. W. Bloom, Company F, 127th Indiana; Noble E. Boice, Company F, 12th Indiana Cavalry ; Robert Bryer, Company B, 46th Indiana, d. 1862; James T. Bryer, Mexican War; Fred. Baldwin, Company K, 9th Indiana; Sidney Bald- win, War of 1812; Joseph II. Brooks, Company G, 128th Indiana, d. 1865; Benj. F. Bates, Company F, 151st Indiana, d. 1906; Sylvanus Bishop, Company E, 29th Indiana, d. 1904; Thos. H. Bringhurst, colo- nel 46th Indiana and Mexican War, d. 1899; John S. Batchelor, Com- pany A, 185th Ohio, d. 1880; J. W. Briggs, Company E, 46th Indiana ; David E. Bentley, d. 1881; Edw. L. Bruington, Company B, 46th In- diana; Thos. J. Butterworth, Company K, 55th Indiana, d. 1905; Dud- ley H. Chase, captain 17th United States Infantry, d. 1902; M. M. Coul- son, Company K, 9th Indiana; M. V. Coulson; Arthur Coulson; Wm. Cassube, Company C, 155th Indiana, d. 1906; L. A. Cole, captain Com- pany K, 9th Indiana, d. 1891; John Conrad, Company B, 128th Indiana, d. 1900; Dr. A. M. Chord, Company K, 128th Indiana, d. 1892; S. H. Comingore; Newton Coin, 19th Veteran Reserves; Thos. Campbell, Com- pany F, 12th Indiana Cavalry; Geo. W. Campbell, Company K, 29th Indiana, d. 1903; Nelson Capron, Company A, 23d Michigan, d. 1866; Lewis Crim, Company K, 138th Indiana, d. 1895; Robt. J. Connelly, 73d Indiana, d. 1889; Robt. Denbo, Mexican War; H. Duckworth, 5th In- diana Cavalry. d. 1905; Newt. Donaldson, Company H, 10th Indiana, d. 1906; N. P. Dunn, captain Company E, 29th Indiana, killed at Chickamauga 1863; Leonard Dow, d. 1863; Lee H. Daggett, Company C, 46th Indiana, d. 1881; Geo. P. Dale, Company B, 46th Indiana ; Chas. Dunkle, Company K, 90th Indiana; Morris Davis, Company K, 9th Indiana, d. 1862; James Deboo, Company C, 155th Indiana, d. 1892;
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James Davis, Company D, 39th Indiana, d. 1861; Alex K. Ewing, cap- tain Company K, 128th Indiana, d. 1874; David A. Ewing, Company F, 9th Illinois Cavalry, d. 1863; Geo. W. Eikleburner, Company C, 155th Indiana, d. 1885; G. N. Fitch, colonel 46th Indiana, d. 1892; Fred. Fitch, Sr., War 1812, d. 1850; Fred Fitch, Jr., captain Company I, 46th Indiana, d. 1888; Leroy W. Fiteh, commander United States navy ; Andrew Fairman, Company F, 12th Indiana Cavalry, d. 1906; Dr. Wm. M. Gates; M. D. Graham, Company B, 46th Indiana, d. 1862; John B. Grover, Mexican War, d. 1905; Joseph Gibson, Company K, 5th In- diana Cavalry, d. 1901; Joseph Goldy, Company A, 2nd Pennsylvania, d. 1897; G. W. Growell, Company K, 9th Indiana, d. 1904; Henry Geb- hart, d. 1871; O. A. Gould, Company M, 160th Indiana, d. 1906; Har- vey S. Gurton; J. S. Hamaker, captain 205th Pennsylvania; Alvin M. Higgins, Black Hawk War, d. 1886; John A. Higgins, 128th Indiana; John Howard, Company H, 73d Indiana, d. 1863; H. C. Hammontree, Company K, 88th Indiana, d. 1894; S. D. Halstead, Company A, 155th Indiana; Bernard Haemel, d. 1895; Samuel Hutson, d. 1890; Wm. F. Hensley, Company D, 8th Indiana Cavalry, d. 1904; J. C. Hilton, Com- pany K, 9th Indiana, d. 1873; Samuel Houston; Jacob Hoffman, d. 1889; Geo. C. Horn, Company K, 46th Indiana, d. 1898; J. C. Hadley, Company K, 78th Indiana, d. 1907; Wm. Henry, 10th Indiana Battery; Chas. Hillhouse, Mexican War, d. 1906; Geo. W. Immel, Company E, 16th Indiana, d. 1898; James M. Justice, Company E, 118th Indiana; Thos. Jones, War 1812, d. 1847; Moses J. Klopp, Company F, 46th In- diana, d. 1904; Wm. B. Kelly, Mexican War, d. 1869; Henry H. Klopp, Company H, 73d Indiana, d. 1871; Joseph Kreider, Company K, 55th Indiana, d. 1906; G. W. Kahlo, lieutenant Company G, 163d Ohio; Chas. Kahlo, Company G, 163d Ohio, d. 1904; Robt. Larimore, Company G, 163d Ohio, d. 1892; Hugh P. Lytle, Company H, 32d Ohio, d. 1879; John H. Lytle; David Langton, Company G, 73d Indiana, d. 1865; Wm. Lehmur, d. 1888; David Laing, Company D, 12th Indiana, d. 1899; F. Lambert, Company K, 9th Indiana, d. 1862; John McDowell, Company K, 130th Indiana; Robt. McCandlass, Sr., War 1812; James A. Mc- Donald, War of 1812, d. 1846; A. H. McDonald, Company A, 26th In- diana, d. 1900; A. U. McAllister, Company I, 46th Indiana, d. 1897; Wm. McGinnis, Company B, 55th Indiana; Dixon McCoy, War 1812; Henry C. McMinn, Company A, 133d Indiana; Chas. M. McNitt, 136th Pennsylvania, d. 1892; Samuel C. McConnell, War 1812; Wm. Mar- shall, Pennsylvania Regiment, d. 1888; O. W. Miles, Company D, 9th Indiana, d. 1901; H. S. Miles, Company C, 19th Michigan, d. 1904; S. D. Myres, Company A, 46th Indiana, d. 1907; D. H. Mull, captain Company H, 73d Indiana, d. 1903; Geo. W. Mott, Indian War, d. 1869; Mason; Rudolph Markley, Company K, 189th Ohio, d. 1887; Stanley Mallot, Company G, 4th United States Cavalry, d. 1889; John T. Maiben, d. 1902; Oliver Mote; Daniel Mader, Company H, 73d Indiana, d. 1903; Wm. Mandy, d. 1885; Henry Morrell, Company K. 99th In- diana, lost 1862; Willard G. Nash, 46th Indiana, d. 1893; Henry Nel- son, Company H, 33d Illinois, d. 1903; G. W. Nelson, Company G, 76th Ill, d. 1892; Wm. Obermeyer, d. 1872; Joseph H. Oliphant, Company B, 128th Indiana; Wm. D. Purcell, Company B, 46th Indiana, d. 1873; Cyrus T. Purcell, Company B, 46th Indiana, d. 1873; Benj. W. Peters, Mexican War, d. 1857; J. E. Parker, Company B, 9th New York Ar- tillery, d. 1893; James P. Pratt, lieutenant 11th United States Infantry, killed 1864; S. B. Pratt, Company G, 73d Indiana; D. D. Pratt, Mor- gan Raid, d. 1877; D. E. Pryor, Company G, 73d Indiana, d. 1900; J. A. Paugh, Company H, 63d Indiana, d. 1890; Parish; John Quaint- ance, Company F, 127th Indiana, d. 1907; J. M. Richardson, Company
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B, 46th Indiana, d. 1864; Samuel Richardson, Mexican War, d. 1900; B. C. D. Reed, Company B, 132d Ohio, d. 1906; Sylvester Reed, d. 1900; Wm. Reed, Company F, 127th Indiana; Robt. Ranson, 107th Illinois, d. 1863; Wm. Robinson, d. 1865 in prison; Randolph; Peter Ritner, Mexi- can War, d. 1861; August Reinheimer, Company K, 130th Indiana; Jacob Reinheimer, Company C, 155th Indiana; Hiram Rice, 18th Mich- igan; Geo. W. Rowe, Company E, 63d Indiana; Joseph Rathfon, Com- pany B, 5th Indiana Cavalry; Daniel Redd, Company B, 128th In- diana; Seldon P. Stewart, lieutenant Company K, 99th Indiana, d. 1881; Wm. H. Spader, Company F, 127th Indiana, d. 1864; Eli B. Stalnaker; Chris Schaefer, Company I, 46th Indiana, d. 1905; Fred Smith, d. 1896; Ben H. Smith, Company A, 20th Indiana; N. D. Smith, Company B, 46th Indiana, d. at Vicksburg 1863; Abraham Sneadner, Company F, 20th Indiana; Joseph Seiter, Company K, 67th Indiana, d. 1892; Henry Stiver, d. 1906; A. N. Sears, Company G, 31st Ohio, d. 1897; Ervil Stalnaker, Company B, 128th Indiana, died in service; Luther Smith, died in service; Schrader; Chas E. Tucker, captain Company G, 114th New York, killed 1863; Joseph F. Turner, lieuten- ant Company K, 9th Indiana, d. 1862; Isaac N. Tousley, Company B, 55th Indiana, d. 1865; J. B. Toby, Company K, 12th Indiana, d. 1904; John Tipton, general War 1812, d. 1839; Geo. W. Taylor, Company H, 128th Indiana, d. 1864; James H. Torrence, Company F, 20th Indiana, d. 1864; Willis Tutt, Company B, 55th Indiana, d. 1884; Harry Torr, Company I, 6th Pennsylvania, d. 1896; James H. Vigus, Company E, 128th Indiana, d. 1886; Jabez D. Vigus, Company H, 55th Indiana; John H. Vigus, Company B, 128th Indiana; C. L. Vigus, Company E, 151st Indiana, d. 1893; James M. Warner, d. 1862; D. C. Weiner; John M. Wright; Irvin M. Wright, captain United States Infantry, d. 1905; Edw. M. Wright, captain, d. 1880; John W. Wright, d. 1885; John B. Wright; Robt. Wright, Company D, 99th Indiana, d. 1904; Wm. M. Wright; Wm. M. Walker, Company E, 156th Ohio, d. 1905; John L. Wood, 53d Illinois, d. 1883; Peter E. Weise, 4th United States Infantry, d. 1901; Albert Wimer, d. 1878; Jacob Wecht, Company M, 126th In- diana; Benj. O. Wilkinson, captain Company F, 127th Indiana; I. S. Wilkinson, Company A, 72d Indiana, d. 1863; Henry Works, Company B, 22d Maine; Alex Wilson, Company G, 73d Indiana; D. F. Young, Company K, 128th Indiana, d. 1864; twenty-seven graves with G. A. R. badges and no other data.
Soldiers buried on Monument grounds: Wm. Angus, Company A, 79th New York; Jerome Asbury, Company D, 31st Indiana, d. 1905; Arthur Alber, 160th Indiana, d. 1906; Isaac Baker, Company K, 5th Indiana, d. 1903; J. W. Benefiel, Company H, 46th Indiana, d. 1904; A. G. Butler, Company H, 120th Indiana, d. 1894; John Bloom, Com- pany F, 12th Indiana Cavalry; Pat Campbell, Company F, 20th In- diana, d. 1892; W. H. Crockett, lieutenant Company H, 128th Indiana, d. 1894; A. S. Chase, 24th Indiana Battery, d. 1897; Joseph Cantnes, Company H, 73d Indiana, d. 1899; Samuel P. Chetwood, Company A, 81st Ohio, d. 1903; James Dempsey, Company E, 56th Illinois, d. 1903; Jacob Easterdy, Company I, 20th Ohio, d. 1899; Pat Finagan, Company A, 16th United States Infantry, d. 1904; J. N. Galloway, Company G, 46th Indiana, d. 1905; D. T. Holly, Company H, 34th Indiana, d. 1899; Alex Hurrell, Company D, 154th Indiana; J. L. Herrand, Company K, 99th Indiana, d. 1888; John W. Johnson, 8th Indiana Cavalry, d. 1907; J. G. Kissler, captain Company A, 2d Indiana Cavalry; Michael Keiley, Company E, 35th Iowa, d. 1902; Wm. Keeling, Company K, United States colored, d. 1906; Cyrus Louthain, Company B, 51st Indiana, d. 1898; J. G. Lindsey, 16th Indiana Battery, d. 1903; John Maher, Com-
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pany D, 5th Indiana Cavalry, d. 1906; Robt. McDaniel, Company E, 83d United States G. T., d. 1895; Robt. Miller, Company F, 20th Indiana; G. T. Murphy, Company E, 5th Ohio Cavalry, d. 1900; James McLain, Company B, 48th Ohio, d. 1822; Geo. W. Peck, Com- pany A, 2nd Indiana Cavalry, d. 1904; Franklin Price, Company K, 51st Indiana, d. 1899; Maxwell Reese, Company D, 46th Indiana, d. 1896; James N. Reeder, Company B, 128th Indiana, d. 1894; Littleton Ream, Company A, 130th Indiana, d. 1893; Chris Rice, Company D, 87th Indiana, d. 1893; J. G. Rice, Company I, 122d Pennsylvania, d. 1892; John Smith, d. 1907; Wm. Smith, Company B, 128th Indiana; Alfred Smith, Company B, 128th Indiana; John Smeltzee, Company K, 128th Indiana, d. 1866; Geo. Starks, Company L, 1st Indiana Cavalry, d. 1894; Geo. W. Segnor, Company B, B. O. Indiana, d. 1886; Abram Tucker, Company B, 86th Indiana, d. 1888; John Tyre, Company D, 118th Indiana; J. W. Tippet, Company B, 46th Indiana, d. 1895; Pat Taffe, Company A, 9th Indiana, d. 1894; James Wilson, Company K, 130th Indiana, d. 1906; R. A. Weathers, Company A, 10th Indiana, d. 1893; J. W. Weaver, Company F, 27th Indiana; S. G. Willis, Company I, 13th Indiana Cavalry, d. 1888; D. W. Ward, Company B, 12th Kan- sas; Jasper N. Yates, Company K, 155th Indiana.
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REFERENCE BIOGRAPHIES
One object in compiling this history is to secure the biographies of the pioneers and those who have been instrumental in developing Cass county and making its history. Where these biographical sketches have already been written and preserved it is superfluous to repeat them here, and as a rule they will only be referred to. . The biographies of the fol- lowing persons may be found in Helm's History, published in 1886, filed in the public library and Cass County Historical Society :
Jacob Alber, died 1898; Rev. L. A. Alford, died 1883; C. L. Alford, died 1911; Geo. Ash; D. P. Baldwin, died 1908; Dr. J. W. Ballard, died 1911; John W. Barnes; John E. Barnes; Joseph Barron, Sr., died in 1843; J. C. Beatty; Maj. Daniel Bell, died 1874; Isom N. Bell; Wm. H. Bevan ; Horace P. Biddle, died 1900; Prof. J. C. Black ; J. N. Booth ; F. E. Borges; S. B. Boyer; Col. Thomas H. Bringhurst, died 1899; W. H. Bringhurst, died 1903; Chauncey Carter, died 1864; Chas. A. Clark; Emanuel A. Clem, died 1905; Dr. A. Coleman, died 1905; Daniel H. Conrad, died 1889; Samuel A. Custer, died 1901; John Davis, died 1897; John Day; Samuel F. Demoss; John F. Dodds, died 1893; Wm. Douglass, died 1909; Peter Dunkle, died 1883; Col. John B. Durett, died 1855; Job B. Eldridge, died 1880; J. T. Elliott; M. D. Fausler, died 1896; Dr. G. N. Fitch, died 1892; M. R. Frazee; Wm. Grace, died 1912; John B. Grover, died 1875; Wm. Hagenbuck; Samuel A. Hall, died 1870; Willard N. Hall; H. C. Hammontree, died 1894; W. W. Haney, died 1889; Henry Heiden; Thos. B. Helm, died 1889; Geo. C. Horne, died 1898; Robt. Humphreys; T. J. Immel, died 1898; Wm. H. Jacks, died 1908; Israel Johnson, died 1866; Wm. H. Johnson, died 1892; John D. Johnson; John McJohnston ; Dr. J. M. Justice, died 1894; D. C. Justice, died 1905; B. F. Keesling; Henry I. Keller; Theo. S. Kerns; Julius C. Kloenne, died -; Rev. H. Koehne, died 1906; Rev. Bernard Kroeger, died 1909; Dr. A. H. Landis, died 1896; Gen. Hyacinth Lasselle, died 1843; Chas. B. Lasselle, died 1908; B. F. Louthain; J. B. Lynas, died 1901; Samuel Jacobs, born 1821, died 1891; J. B. Messenger, born 1835. died 1911; Daniel Mader, died 1902; W. T. S. Manly, died 1879; S. T. McConnell; S. L. McFaddin, died 1902; John W. McGreevy; Samuel McGuire, died 1904; J. H. McMillen; Joe T. McNary ; H. J. McSheehy, died 1911; J. C. Merriam, died 1890; P. W. Moore, died -; Fred W. Munson; Dr. A. Myers, died 1887; Chas. R. O'Donald; Walter A. Osmer; Dr. D. L. Overholser, died 1907; W. D. Owen, gone; E. T. Parker; Amos Palmer ; Geo. W. Palmer; Theo. Parvin, died -; L. G. Patterson, died 1901; Jap. A. Paugh, died - -; Chas. S. Peckham, died 1902; Hon. D. D. Pratt, died 1877; Wm. D. Pratt ; Dr. J. Z. Powell; L. S. Purcell, died 1901; Henry Ramer; Wm. A. Rannells; Wm. Reed; S. B. Richardson, died 1900; Allen Richardson, died 1908; N. Ridinger, died 1904; Geo. W. Rodafer, died 1908; N. O. Ross, died ---; Geo. E. Ross; J. J. Rothermel ; John Roush ; O. B. Sargent ; Morris Sellers; D. B. Sharp, died -; Isaac Shideler; A. R. Shroyer, died 1901; J. B. Skinner, died 1906; Anthony F. Smith, died - ; Wm. H. Snyder; Wm. H. Standley, died 1878; James Stanley, died 1896; Chas. H. Starr, died - -; Eli Steckel, died 1888; Dr. J. E. Sterrett; A. J. Sutton, died 1907; Frank Swigart, died 1912; Cyrus Taber, died 1855; E. N. Talbott, died 1912; A. E. Taylor, died -; Dr. Joe L. Taylor, died 1910; Dr. E. R. Taylor; Gen. John Tipton, died 1839; D. W. Tomlinson, died 1900; H. S. Tousley, died 1913;
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.Chas. Uhl; Miller Uhl, died 1903; Capt. Cyrus Vigus, died -; James W. Viney ; Henry Wierick; Gen. Walter Wilson, died 1838; Thos. H. Wil- son, died 1877; James S. Wilson, died 1901; Wm. T. Wilson; Maurice Winfield; John B. Winters; Williamson Wright, died 1896; Rev. C. P. Wright, died 1884; Geo. W. Ewing, born 1803, died 1886; Wm. G. Ewing, born 1805, died 1854; Geo. B. Walker, born 1803; Allen Hamil- ton, born 1798, died 1864; C. H. Randall, born 1828, died -; John H. Peck, born 1835, died -; Geo. P. Washburn, born 1850. The last seven names are found only in Kingman's Atlas.
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CHAPTER XLI ADAMS TOWNSHIP
LOCATION-SOIL-FIRST SETTLERS-ORGANIZATION-FIRST MARRIAGE- ROADS-RAILROADS-OLD MILLS-TWELVE MILE-HOOVERS-MISCEL- LANEOUS HAPPENINGS - PHYSICIANS - CHURCHES - CEMETERIES - SCHOOLS-TRUSTEES-BIOGRAPHIES.
Adams township is situated in the northeast corner of Cass county and embraces an area of about thirty square miles. It is bounded on the north by Fulton county, on the east by Miami county, on the west by Bethlehem and Clay townships, and on the south by Eel river which separates it from Miami township. It is not a full congressional town- ship, is irregular in shape, being nearly eight miles in length from north to south, and five miles from the eastern to the western boundary and lies in congressional townships 27 and 28 north, range 3 east. In the northern part of the township the surface is level, with some marshy land, but in the southern portions it is undulating. It is well watered by Twelve Mile creek, which has two branches, eastern or upper, and western or lower, Twelve Mile, that begins in the northern part of the township, winding about in a southerly direction a distance of about twelve miles, hence the name Twelve Mile creek. The two branches unite about a mile north of Eel river and empty into that river a mile and a half west of the town of Hoovers. This was quite a large stream and afforded power for numerous mills in the early settlement of the township, but since the land has been ditched and tiled the water runs off rapidly and the water power is no longer available. The east- ern half of the township was originally covered with heavy timber of walnut, poplar, beech, etc., but the western part was what is termed "barrens," being covered mostly with scrubby oak. The timber, how- ever, has been largely cut and only enough remains for the farmers' private uses. The land adjacent to Eel river is a black loam and very fertile soil, except in the southwest corner, where the soil is lighter. The north and northwest part of the township, known as the "range," contains a light soil, not so well adapted to agriculture as the southern sections. Adams, however, is a fair average township, and under bet- ter and more careful methods of her farmers in recent years, is very productive of all the agricultural products adapted to a temperate climate.
PIONEERS
The early settlers of Adams township who first sought homes in the dense forests of this section, were not adventurers, but plain, matter- of-fact people, who were induced to locate here and endure the hard- ships and privations of pioneer life by the advantages that were afforded by cheap lands, which could then be obtained at congress prices, $1.25 per acre. To make a home in the dense woods was an undertaking
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attended with great trials. and difficulties, of which we, of today, can have no conception. The wild condition of the country, the absence of roads, mills, the long distances to be traversed to the nearest markets, together with the general poverty of the settlements and the immense amount of hard work and drudgery required to clear the land and make a living at the same time during the first few years, were obstacles well calculated to shake the determination of the most energetic and ·brave hearted pioneer. These were years attended with many dangers and constant struggle and the motives which animated and impelled them forward are certainly deserving of the highest praise of we, of today, who are profiting by the results of their labor and industry.
Prior to the year 1828 Adams township was in the undisputed sway of the Indians, unless the wild animals that infested the forests might be considered as disputing the Indians' supremacy.
Barring an occasional roving and daring hunter, the first perma- nent settler was Jackson Conner, who located about 1828 on the east half of section 4, township 27 north, range 3 east, about one mile east of the present town of Hoovers, on the north bank of Eel river. Here
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JACK CONNER'S TOMB
he established a trading post with the Indians and this was his occu- pation exclusively until the final removal of the Indians to their west- ern home in 1838-39.
Mr. Conner was a shrewd trader and carried on a successful busi- ness with the Indians and became known far and wide for his shrewd- ness in a trade and acquired a reputation of being a great lover of money. He was married and had a family of sons and daughters, all of whom are now dead, but many of his grandchildren are still living, one, Mrs. Cizzia Lunsford, is now a respected resident of Hoovers, in the neighborhood where her eccentric grandfather lived and died. Jack Conner, as he was generally called, was a unique and eccentric char- acter, who died on August 26, 1846. Prior to his death he gave direc- tions that his body should not be buried under ground, but the box containing his coffin should be filled with tar and placed on blocks eighteen inches high and thus left above ground. His directions were carried out and David Young, of Adams township, and Mrs. Harp, of Logansport, both still living, attended the funeral and verify the above
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account. Mr. Conner, it was said, was not the most religiously inclined and had an abhorrence of the devil and took this precaution, thinking the devil would not disturb him thus encased in pitch, but Mr. Conner would certainly receive little consolation, if the modern idea of the devil is correct, for in this progressive age it is generally . thought that his satanic majesty delights to revel in pitch. The coffin thus encased rested in the woods near his house for some months, but the neighbors objected and a stone vault was erected over the coffin, which stands there today, as shown in the illustration from a photograph taken by E. E. Worstell on Thanksgiving day, 1912. This tomb is located less than a mile east of Hoovers, on the south side of the railroad, on a beautiful knoll. Here also is buried his wife, Elizabeth Conner, who died June 5, 1848; also several other interments. Jack Conner's tomb is across a deep ravine from his hewed log cabin, which is still standing and the illus- tration shows this old cabin as it exists today, in a dilapidated condi- tion, as it has not been occupied for years, yet shows the primitive house and surroundings of the pioneers of 1828, when Adams township was first settled by this eccentric Indian trader.
The second white man to set foot on Adams township soil was Samuel Lowman, in 1830. He settled in the southwest quarter of sec- tion 28. The following year "Logan" Thomas occupied a part of section 29, township 28 north, range 3 east. The same year James McPherson and John Kelly also located in section 29 and to the north, and John Hoover in section 4. These, the very earliest settlers, were strong char- acters and did much toward the development of the community. About 1833 Miner Alley settled on the east half, section 28, and Philip Wood- house in the same neighborhood. In 1832 Isaac Young located in section 29 and his son, David Young, still occupies the old homestead. About the same time Richard Ferguson, Henry Daggy, John Gilleland and Nathaniel Nichols became honored residents of this new settlement.
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