History of Cass County, Indiana, from its earliest settlement to the present time; with Biographical Sketches and Reference to Biographies, Volume I, Part 70

Author: Powell, Jehu Z., 1848- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago and New York. The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 763


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 70


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).


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Numerous other small branches emptying into Deer creek thoroughly drain the township and afford abundant stock water, and Deer creek furnished water power to run numerous mills that lined its banks in the early days. Along the banks of the creeks the surface is undulating and hilly, but back from the water courses the land is quite level, and originally covered with dense forest of heavy timber, the leading varie- ties being oak, ash, poplar, walnut, beech, maple and elm. The land along the creeks abounds in a black loam, which for fertility is not sur- passed by any other part of the county.


EARLY HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT


This township was included within the great Miami Indian reserva- tion, which was not purchased from the Indians for many years after other portions of the county were settled, hence it was not opened to settlement until about 1839, when Noah Fouts built the first cabin in the township on Section 19, and became one of the leading citizens of the community, where he continued to reside until his death, leaving descendants who still occupy the first improved farm in Deer creek.


The same year, Joseph Neff, who came from Wayne county, settled, just east of Mr. Fouts, in section 20. He also became a permanent resi- dent and his sons, J. H. Neff, Drs. J. N. and Jacob Neff, are prominent citizens of Logansport.


The next settlers were probably Johnson Reagan, who located on Section 19; Samuel Etter, brother-in-law of Fouts, in Section 13; Joshua Coshow, in the southwest quarter of Section 36, and Wm. Bu-


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chanan, in the same section. In 1841 Wm. Dunkin located on Section 25, where he resided until his death a few years ago. Daniel and Jacob Shelly, great hunters, located in Section 14, in 1841.


John McIlwain and his brother, Oliver, settled on Section 23 in 1841 or 1842. In 1843 a number of pioneers came, locating in different parts of the township; John N. Poundstone in Section 31; Robert Coat in Section 30, on land since owned by the notorious William and Amer Green; James Roach in Section 32; Alexander Murphy in Seetion 34; A. F. Coin in Section 31; Daniel and Lewis Hyman, south of Deer creek; David Lee in Section 17; George W. and Jackson Harness in Sections 33 and 34; Barrett Wilson near Young America, and J. W. Burrows in Section 15.


The next two or three years many permanent settlers located in various sections of the township, who became well known and influential citizens, among whom were John Payton, James Logan, James Smith, Wm. Hall, Wm. Holland, Benjamin Hoover, Thomas Vaughn, David and Isaac Pemberton, James Stanley, Benjamin Dunkin, Henry Jones, Sam- uel Wallace, Lewis Isley, John Davis, Wm. Smith, George Wilson, John Jones, Benjamin Jones, Joseph Cornell, -Simmons, S. B. Morrow, Simeon Wilsee, Henry Doran, Robert Campbell, Jacob Elder, George Campbell, Elijah Burnett, Geo. Mowdy, John Hampshire, John E. Miller, Geo. Ewing, Peter Sence and Robert Miller.


ORGANIZATION


The township was organized July 26, 1842, and derived its name from Deer Creek, which flows through it. The first election was held at the cabin of William Holland. John McIlwain was elected township trustee and John Grist, justice of the peace.


INDUSTRIES


This is pre-eminently an agricultural district, and nowhere in the county or state can more fertile or better agricultural lands be found, yet in clearing the forests, numerous mills were built, and the water power of its creeks was harnessed to saw the timber and grind the grain of the pioneer. The first mill in the township was erected by David Fisher in 1844. It stood on Deer creek in Section 21. It was a saw- mill, with an old-fashioned undershot water wheel, did a big business, and was a great convenience to the early settlers, because of the long distance from Logansport and the impassable condition of the roads at that time. In 1854 John Studebaker purchased this mill. In 1865 Geiser and Clay bought it and later fell into the hands of Joseph Bow- man, who ran it until 1878, when it was abandoned.


Soon after the erection of the saw mill, a flouring mill was built adjoining it. This was a three-story frame structure, and supplied the farmers with flour and meal, in all that region for many years, but, as the country became drained, the water ran off quickly, the power was not constant, this, with the newer processes and centralization of effort, made possible also by improved roads, caused all the little water power mills to be abandoned.


A distillery was built in a round log cabin on Deer creek about 1844, consisting of one small copper coil, and operated by James Roach. It turned out a fair article of "red eye," which was eagerly sought by some of the pioneers, but the demand was not great, and Mr. Roach soon turned his attention to other pursuits, more profitable as well as more respectable.


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In 1850 a Mr. Wallace started a small distillery about a mile south of the Studebaker mill, but the demand for "tangle foot" was not great, and he soon closed up his still house.


About this time Johnson Reagan started a tannery near Young America to make leather for the pioneers, and did a fair business for a few years, but finally ceased operations and all vestiges of this in- dustry has long since disappeared.


After roads were improved and railroads constructed, steam saw mills made their appearance in different parts of the township. The largest of these was that of John Sprinkle, in Section 2, which was operated for many years and until the timber was about all gone, when the saw mills were closed for want of material.


Perhaps the first steam saw mill in the township was erected at Young America by Thomas Henry, in 1855, and there has been a steam saw mill at this place ever since, operated by different parties.


The first tile factory in the township was built by Lewis Turner in the seventies. Robert Burket and James Umbarger were also engaged in the manufacture of tile many years ago, but have all ceased operations.


ROADS


Deer Creek is the only township in the county through which a railroad does not extend. Probably this fact had something to do with the improving of the wagon roads to give an outlet for the products of the farm to the railroads. The first regularly established road through the township was the Delphi and Marion, which was surveyed before the land was opened to settlement, in the early 'forties. It passes through the center of the township from east to. west just south of Deer creek. It was in the early settlement of the country an important thoroughfare, and is still quite extensively traveled. From the old Indian trail, along which the pioneers gained access to Deer creek, to the modern graveled and stone road, there is quite a contrast.


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Then you wound your way around trees, through marshes, and across bridgeless creeks and rivers, in mud and water. Today there is a highway on nearly every section line, with three lines of gravel roads extending both north and south, and east and west, through the town- ship, and a stone road along the entire north line, with many other minor cross roads graveled. The hills and bluffs along the creek con- tain an abundant supply of gravel, easy of access, with which to im- prove the roads, and as the township has no railroads, gravel largely supplants stone as a road material. Walton, Lincoln and Galveston on the east are the nearest railroad stations, which, however, give a con- venient and ready market to the large yield of all kinds of agricultural products. Over these smooth, solid roads the automobile or carriage can travel at a rapid gait every day in the year.


A drive over the graveled or stone roads of Deer Creek township, one sees today the finest improved farms, large modern houses and barns, neatly painted, instead of round log buildings of pioneer days. The smooth, well cultivated fields enclosed with woven wire fence and cement posts in contrast with fields covered with beech stumps and old rail fence of seventy-five years ago. The farmer of today harnesses the wind to do his work, or a gasoline engine pumps his water, churns his butter and performs many other laborious duties, in salient con- trast with the methods of the early settlers of Deer Creek township.


Again, the farmer of today can sit in his home, ten miles from town, telephone to the city for a doctor, or order goods from grocer or other merchant, and have it delivered at his door the next day by parcel


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post and free rural mail delivery, instead of spending a whole day to make the trip over mud and corduroy roads of eighty years ago.


CHURCHES


The first religious meeting in the township was held by a Cumber- land Presbyterian preacher, Rev. John Hay, at the cabin of Noah Fouts in the year 1840. The following year the Baptists conducted services at private houses, but neither of the above-named churches perfected organizations, at least not for many years, and the Methodists were the first to form a society.


SALEM M. E. CHURCH


This is the oldest religious society in the township, and was organ- ized in 1845 at the cabin of John Elmore. Some of the charter mem- bers were: Dr. John Reeder and wife, Henry Doran and wife, John Elmore and wife, David Reeder and wife, Jonathan Reeder and wife, Elijah Bunnell and wife, George Campbell and wife. The beginnings of this church had its origin in the efforts of Sisters Anna, Elmore and Phebe A. Reed, who held prayer meetings at different cabins in the neighborhood, awakened an interest that soon culminated in the organization of a class. Meetings were held at private residences for several years, conducted by these earnest women, and an occasional itinerant preacher, that wandered out into the wilderness, until about 1851 or 1852, when a log church was erected in the center of Section 10, on land donated by George Campbell. A burial ground was started here, and Ada M., wife of Daniel Dale, was buried December 7, 1851. This old Salem log church, the first church built in Deer Creek town- ship, was occupied for many years, but finally abandoned and torn down about 1875, and the ground reverted to the adjoining farm, ac- cording to the provisions of the deed. The society held meetings in the Babb school house, northwest corner of Section 11, for a short time, when in 1876 a new frame church edifice was erected on the southwest corner of Section 4, a mile to the northwest of the old log church. The new church is a commodious building, constructed at a cost of $1,600.


In 1910 this frame structure was replaced by the present modern brick house of worship, with an outlay of $9,000. The church is heated by a furnace, has a basement fitted up with kitchen, etc.


Present trustees-W. S. Munson, E. R. Munson, O. A. Ward, T. M. Elkins, Marian Babb, A. O. De Haven.


Some of the early pastors were Reverends Skillman, Crotham, New- ton, Finnimore, Reed, Black, Waymire, Thos. J. Elkins, A. J. Carey, Wm. Peek, O. D. Watkins, A. M. Patterson, J. S. McElwee.


UPPER DEER CREEK CHRISTIAN CHURCH


This congregation was organized at the residence of Mr. Turley in November, 1848, by Elders Shoemaker and Hubbard. Some of the early members were: James Roach and wife, Mr. Bowman and wife. Meetings were held in the cabins of the members and later in the school house, until about 1852 or 1853, when a reorganization was had, and a hewed-log church was built in Section 34, Deer Creek township, on land donated by Alex Murphy. The following names appear on the charter roll, and the date of reorganization, as reported, was July 5, 1855; Isaac and Ellen Goldsberry, Enos and Lucinda Scott, S. B. and Anna Morrow, Margaret Simmons, Elizabeth Turley, Louisa, Evaline


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and Drusilla Harness, Margaret and Rebecca Quinn, Geo. W. Harness, Andrew J. and Susan Forgy, Benjamin and Rachel Crites.


The congregation occupied the log church until 1863, when it was abandoned, and a new frame house of worship was built on the south- west corner of Section 35, just across the road from the Howard county line. This building was replaced in 1890 by the present handsome brick edifice, at an expenditure of $2,000. A Sunday school was or- ganized in 1867, and has been successfully maintained ever since. The church is prosperous and has an active membership of over eighty. The following preachers have sustained pastoral relations with the church from time to time: Elders Shoemaker, Isaac Johnson, - Cook, Geo. Hubbard, Thomas Hubbard, Jonathan Dipboye, S. T. Van Ness, John R. Kob, D. S. Boswell, John L. Puckett, B. Anderson, 1886, and Mrs. Anderson, W. G. Parker, Elder Simmons, Wm. Heflin, Bruce Monnecy, R. H. Gott, Silas Mostetler, W. P. Newhouse, Joseph W Dipboye, D. A. Cook.


HONEY CREEK CHURCH (QUAKERS OR FRIENDS)


About 1848 or 1849 a society of Friends or Quakers was organized in the neighborhood of Young America, with the following charter members: Robert Coat and family, Henry Jones and family, John Jones and family, David Pemberton and family, Smead Thomas, Enos George and Jonathan Hayworth. On July 5, 1851, Isaac Pemberton deeds to Smead Thomas, Enos George, and Jonathan Hayworth, trustees of Honey Creek Church of Friends, 14x17 rods in the southwest corner of the south half of the southeast quarter of section 20, a half mile north of Young America. The same year a log church was erected on this lot. Prior to the building of this house of worship "Quaker meet- ings" were held in private residences. The first and only expounder of the gospel was John Jones. This organization was maintained for a number of years, but death and removals thinned their ranks and the church was finally disbanded. A few of the remaining members joined a society at Poplar Grove, Howard county, where an organization was kept up a few years longer, but finally disbanded, since which time there has been no Quaker society in Cass county.


UPPER DEER CREEK CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, GERMAN BAPTISTS OR DUNKARDS


This church was organized September 1, 1854, by David Wise and Henry Metzger, in the barn of Jacob Smith, in Deer Creek township, with the following charter members: Jacob Smith and Lydia, his wife; John Mummert and Mary, his wife; Isaac Cripe and Sarah, his wife; Samuel Cripe and wife; Geo. Countreyman, John Studebaker and wife. Services were held in private residences, barns and school houses until 1870, when the congregation erected a frame church 40x60 feet on the southeast quarter section 21, Deer Creek township, and at that time the largest public building in the township. Prior to 1854 the members of this church belonged to the Lower Deer Creek church, in Carroll county. In the year 1892 the old church edifice was replaced by the present commodious temple of worship, at a cost of over $1,400. The building is a frame structure of modern design.


A Sunday school and aid society have been maintained since 1876. This is the largest and most prosperous church of this denomination in the county, with a membership of over eighty.


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Prior to 1908 this denomination was known by the name of "Ger- man Baptist Brethren." At the national conference at Des Moines, Iowa, in 1908, the name was changed to "Church of the Brethren." The appellation of "Dunkard" that is often applied to this denomina- tion is only a nick-name.


Ministers who have served this congregation are: John S. Stude- baker, 1854; Isaac Cripe, 1855-8; Abram Rinehart, 1859-70; Daniel Cripe, 1870-2; David Cripe, 1872; Jacob Cripe, 1872; W. S. Tony, 1875, died 1911; Boyd Bechtelheimer, 1906-9; Jacob Cripe, elder in charge, 1911. This congregation now controls the Hoover cemetery, on the north bank of Deer creek.


PLEASANT VALLEY UNIVERSALIST CHURCH


Through the efforts of Rev. W. S. Pope, Pleasant Valley church was organized in school house No. 3, Deer Creek township, in the year 1891, with the following charter members: A. A. Seagraves and wife, Samuel Downham and wife, A. F. Bird, Alice Bird, Daniel, Polly and Mary Lybrook. Meetings were held in the school house until 1893, when the present brick church was erected on the southwest quarter, Section 6, with an expenditure of over $2,500. Daniel Lybrook donated the ground on which the church was built, conveying the same to the trus- tees of the church August 10, 1893. A Sunday school was instituted at the time of the church organization, and has been successfully con- ducted ever since. There was, however, a union Sunday school in oper. ation, in the school house, some years before the organization of the Universalist Sunday school, and it was merged into the latter.


The Ladies' Aid Society is also maintained by the women of the church.


The following ministers have had pastoral charge of the church; Rev. M. L. Pope, 1891-4; Rev. D. A. Patrick, 1894-9; Rev .. Bal. lard, 1899-1901; Rev. Thomas Guthrie, 1901-2; Rev. George Crum, 1902-3; Rev. D. A. Patrick, 1903-5; Rev. H. C. Becket, 1905-13, the present pastor, resides at Galveston, and has charge of the church at that place. The present membership is about fifty.


YOUNG AMERICA CHRISTIAN (DISCIPLE) CHURCH


This is the oldest religious organization in Young America, and was organized September 15, 1863, by the Rev. Wm. S. Winfield, in a school house on Little Deer creek, with the following seventeen charter members: David Brown and wife, Wm. Butcher and wife, Washington Ewing and wife, Rebecca Custer, Fred Fouts, John Hampshire and wife, Rosanna McManama, John and Martha Roush, Joseph and Mar- tha Tucker, Mary Thatcher.


Irregular meetings were held in the school house for a year or more, but in 1864 a commodious frame house of worship, 30x40 feet, was erected in the town of Young America, representing an outlay of $1,400. In 1893 this building was replaced with a handsome brick veneered church, completed in 1894 .. Over $2,500 was expended in its construc- tion. The society is doing a good work in the Master's cause, and has an active membership of 48. The pastors of the church at different times have been: Elders W. S. Winfield, 1886-93; Wm. Griggsby, -Wickard, David Hudson, Wm. Ireland, -Britton, Simon Roh- rer, L. C. Warren, W. R. Lowe, E. R. Edmonson, O. P. McCracken, the present pastor, 1912.


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YOUNG AMERICA CHRISTIAN (NEW LIGHT) CHURCH


This church was organized in Young America, December, 1870, through the efforts of Elders George Hubbard, Jonathan Dipboye and A. C. Williams, with the following charter members: Hannah Dunkin, Lucinda Laid, Mary Ewing, Mary Fisher, Elizabeth Roach, Ezra Kahl, Rebecca Lewis, Mary A. Johnson, Clarissa Johnson, Nathaniel Y. Buck, Elizabeth Buck, Andrew J. Forgy, Susan Forgy, Julia Wilson, Sarah C. Wilson, Krilla Wilson, Julia Harness, Margaret Harrison, Alonzo McGriff, Phebe McGriff.


The congregation held their meetings in the Disciples church until 1886, when they erected a house of worship of their own. This is a brick structure, 36x54 feet, and represents a capital of $2,800.


A union Sunday school with other denominations was maintained from 1870 to 1886; when the congregation built their church, they or ganized an independent Sunday school, occupying their new church edifice, and it has been in active operation since that time. A Ladies' Aid and Christian Endeavor Societies are also maintained and greatly advance the influence of the church. The active membership of the church is 103.


The following is a list of the pastors: Elders A. C. Williams, 1870-1; Jonathan Dipboye, 1871-5; George Abbott, 1876; George H. Hubbard, 1876-7; John L. Pucket, 1877-8; Wm. Heflin, 1879-81; D. W. Fowler, 1881-2; W. G. Parker, 1882-4; W. H. McClurg, 1884-6; John Puckett, 1886-8; Kendall West, 1888-93; Samuel McNeely, 1893-7; Geo. E. Hicks, 1899-1900; C. V. Strickland, 1900-02; M. M. Wiles, 1902-03; Silas Mosteller, 1903-05; I. J. Bicknell, 1905-06; C. B. Kershner, 1906- 10; John T. Agama, 1910-13.


MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF YOUNG AMERICA


A society of Missionary Baptists was organized at Young America, February 18, 1882, by the Rev. H. R. Todd, with the following charter members: Daniel C. and Susanna Rife; Michael and Elsie Beekner, Mary A. and Sarah E. Beekner, John E., Elizabeth and Ada H. Hop- kins, Sarah E. McCrackin, Harriet Biggs, Mary E. Henry, Rebecca Dillman, Delilah Kerr, Luella Gilman, Hettie E. Marshall, Nancy Poundstone, Virginia Barnett. This society was an offshoot of the Sharon church in Carroll county. The society occupied the school- house and occasionally the Disciple church for several years. In 1887 steps were taken to build a church, and on May 18 of that year Wm. Hol- lingworth deeded lot No. 15 in the town of Young America to the trus- tees, and early in the following year a handsome brick church was completed. This building was enlarged and rebuilt in 1904, of the same material, at an expenditure of $5,500.


A Sunday school was organized October 6, 1888, and has been con- tinuously in operation since that date, also a Ladies' Aid Society and B. Y. P. Union.


The church is in a flourishing condition and has a membership of 152.


Preachers who have administered to the congregation, with dates of service, are : Rev. H. R. Todd, 1883; Rev. B. R. Ward, 1884-1890; Rev. - -Carson, 1891-93 .; Rev. J. B. Morgan, 1893-1905; Rev. - Rake, 1906; Rev. W. P. Tedford, 1906-09; Rev. - Reese, 1909-10; Rev. J. H. Mitchell, 1910-13.


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UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH


Center United Brethren church was organized in Center school house, Deer Creek township, August 23, 1885, by the Rev. T. J. Keesey, and the following names appear on the charter roll: Wm. Hubler, Geo. Butts and wife, C. F. Butts and wife, J. G. Gish and wife, Asberry Ridenouse and wife, G. E. Beck and wife, John Burrows and wife, Sarah Henry, Richard Wills and wife, Mary (Blue) McClosky, Josie (Plank) Hess, Percilla Cripe, Newton Ridenour, Chas. Logan, Amos Studebaker and wife, Perry Bern and wife, Nancy Plank, Chas. Butts and wife, Geo. Beck and wife, Griffith Gish and wife, Ellen Bowman, Florence Hyatt.


The same year a commodious frame church edifice, 33x47 feet in dimensions, was erected on the northeast corner of the southwest quarter, section 19, Deer Creek township, representing a capital of $2,000. The ground was donated by Mr. Fouts and Lewis Hyman.


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A Sunday school was organized in 1888, which with the Ladies' Aid Society and Young People's Christian Union, are maintained and have proven great aids to the prosperity of the church, which has a member- ship of 140. The following pastors have administered to the spiritual wants of the congregation : Rev. T. J. Keesey, 1885-7; Rev. H. Clark, 1887-91; Rev. H. Butler, 1891-3; Rev. M. V. Hibbs, 1893-4; Rev. F. P. Overmeyer, 1894-8; Rev. I. W. Kimbrough, 1898-1900; Rev. H. W. Brown, 1900-01; Rev. O. F. Landis, 1901-05; Rev. W. H. Fetro, 1905- 06; Rev. C. A. Sickafoose, 1906-10; Rev. S. O. Goodrich, 1910-12; Rev. D. W. Zartman, 1912-13.


BETHEL M. E. CHURCH


Bethel M. E. class, an offshoot of Salem church, was organized at the Thomas school house, Deer Creek township, in 1880, with a charter roll of twelve members. Geo. Shelly was class leader and Rev. J. S. McElwee pastor for some years.


Meetings continued to be held in the schoool house at regular in- tervals until in the 'nineties, when a new school house was erected a quarter of a mile to the north, and the congregation bought the old school house, remodeled it, and converted it into a house of worship.


Bethel congregation was never large, but were a determined band of earnest Christian workers. Bethel belonged to the Walton charge, composed of Walton, Lincoln and Salem, and the same minister sup- plied the several pulpits. The congregation prospered for a season, but deaths, removals and other causes thinned their ranks, and they finally disbanded about 1909, and E. R. Munson was appointed to dis- pose of the church property and the members scattered, going to the surrounding churches.


MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH


A society of Missionary Baptists was organized in the Thomas school about 1879, and assumed the name of "Antioch Church." It was a branch of the Judson church in Howard county, and had a char- ter membership of about fifteen. Prior to the organization of this con- gregation there had been a union Sunday school successfully managed under the superintendency of Geo. W. Shelly, and Antioch church af- filiated with Bethel in the same school house in Sunday school work. Rev. Price Odell was the pastor of the faithful little flock for many years, and until it finally disbanded some years ago, and the members associated with the Young America church.


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Rev. Price Odell was an upright citizen, a devout Christian and a faithful minister of the gospel of Christ. He was born in Carroll county, Indiana, 1822, moved to Deer Creek township in 1847, settling in the midst of the forest, and was largely instrumental in developing both the material and spiritual growth of the township where he re- sided until his death in 1913, at the advanced age of ninety-one, fifty- four years of which was spent in the ministry. He believed in works as well as faith, and with his own hands, aided in getting out the tim- ber and constructing the Old Deer Creek Baptist church in 1852, and first became a member of that church.




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