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 89
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Schoolhouses were erected in different parts of the township to meet the demands of the settlers, each neighborhood having entire control over the schools. On taking effect of the new constitution in 1853 there were seven schoolhouses in the township, but these were located irregu- larly throughout the township, according to the whims of each locality, but after the new school laws became operative the trustee took full control of the schools, arranged them systematically to accommodate all parts of the township, and in 1900 there were nine schools in the town- ship, but in 1909 one house, No. 6, known as Bruner school, situated on the southwest corner of section 27, was abandoned and the scholars hauled to No. 7, and the trustee, W. P. Burkit, reports that the consoli- dation of the schools is satisfactory, both to the township and patrons.
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The township now has eight schools-No. 1, situated on the southwest corner of section 3, built in 1860; No. 2, Center school, situated on the southeast corner of section 7; No. 3, on the southeast corner of section 3; No. 4, on the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 24; No. 5 (Long's school), on the southwest corner of section 15; No. 6, abandoned; No. 7, erected in 1890 on the northeast quarter of section 29; No. 8, on the northwest quarter of section 31, and No. 9, in Anoka, a brick schoolhouse erected in 1885.
On October 24, 1859, the township purchased Lot No. 63 in Taber- ville, which was then a part of Washington township, and erected a frame schoolhouse upon it, where school was held for a number of years. This lot is now within the city limits of Logansport.
The last year's report shows 337 children of school age, who are classified and arranged into eight grades of the common school branches.
The total valuation of school property is reported at $13,000.
The following is a list of the trustees from 1865 to 1913, with dates of service :
Robert Rhea, 1865 to 1878; John Palmer, 1878 to 1882; O. P. Burkit, 1882 to 1886; Nathan McManus, 1886 to 1890; Jacob Nicodemus, 1890 to 1894; Silas Storer, 1894 to 1900; Herman E. Martin, 1900 to 1904; Charles I. Seybold, 1904 to 1908; William P. Burkit, 1908 to 1914.
CHURCHES
This township being situated so near Logansport, its people could easily attend the city churches, and no regular meetings were held in the township for several years after its settlement, although many of the early pioneers were pious members of different religious denominations.
The first religious meetings were held about 1845 in the Johnson schoolhouse, a short distance south of the city in the southeast quarter of section 2. These meetings were conducted at irregular intervals by min- isters of the Methodist and Baptist churches. No organization, however, was effected at this place, and it was not until 1853 that a religious society was established in the township.
UNION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
This is the oldest religious organization within the confines of Wash- ington township. Rev. M. M. Post, the first preacher to locate in Cass county, was the moving spirit in its organization. Mrs. Hanna and daughter having moved from Mr. Post's church in Logansport, nine miles into the almost impenetrable forests of Washington township, he was induced to go to the house of this saintly woman, a round log cabin, and hold religious meetings, at which were found a few of the faithful pioneers of that region.
Once a month this minister's voice could be heard in this rude and lonely cabin, crying in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." Surely the roads over which Rev. Post trav- eled to reach this country charge needed straightening and improving. He did not go in automobiles or on trolley cars, but on horseback, wind- ing along Indian trails and paths, around trees and stumps, struggling, often with much labor, through mud, water and frost, over beech roots, to reach this lonely cabin in the clearing, in the then dense forests of Washington township.
It was in the year 1849 when Father Post first began to meet this faithful band of Christians, in this primitive way, but it was not until September 5, 1852, that there were enough settlers in the neighborhood Vol. 1-45
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to form a society. On that day in Long's schoolhouse, situated on the southwest corner of section 15, an organization was effected with the following nine charter members:
Peter Martin, Rebecca Martin, Henry Ramer, Elizabeth Ramer, Henry Schwalm, Eva E. Schwalm, Francis Martin and Simon Martin.
This organization dragged along until June 20, 1853, when it was perfected and the following additional names added to the church roster : Henry Schwalm, Jr., Elizabeth Mench, Elizabeth Hanna, Lucinda Layer, Jesse Martin, thus starting Union church with fifteen members.
Peter Martin and Henry Ramer were ordained the first elders, and October 3, 1858, Francis S. Martin, Jesse Martin and Nicholas Small were added to the board of elders. Soon after the organization was perfected, measures were taken to build a house of worship, and in 1854 a handsome frame church was erected on land donated by Henry Ramer, situated in the southeast quarter of section 22, about nine miles south- east of Logansport, near the Tipton township line. The original cost of the church was nearly $1,500, but the furnishings were at first very crude, as the seats were made of rough boards resting on wooden blocks. The Sunday school preceded the church organization. The pioneer mothers, led by Mrs. Hanna, brought their children together every Sun- day in one of the neighbor's cabins, and instilled into their youthful minds the gospel truths, and since the erection of the church the Sun- day school has been a great means of promoting the interests of the church.
The first church building was replaced in 1905 by the present hand- some modern church at a total cost of $7,500.
A ladies' missionary society was organized November 20, 1875, by Mrs. Post, the pastor's wife, with a membership of ten, which has since increased to thirty.
The young people organized a Christian Endeavor Society in 1889, which has been helpful in promoting Christian principles among the young people of the community. During Father Post's twenty-six years' pastorate he baptized eighty-eight infants, four adults, and received one hundred and three members into the church.
The present membership is 135, and the church has been a great factor in developing the moral and Christian influences in the township.
Pastors who have served the congregation are: Rev. M. M. Post, 1849- 1876; Rev. Amos Jones, Rev. Bohannan, Rev. Gilbert Small, Rev. J. B. Porter, Rev. A. E. Cammeron, Rev. W. R. Shelt, Rev. W. C. F. Lippert, Rev. C. A. Keracofe, 1912.
METHODIST OLD LOG CHURCH
Soon after the settlement of Washington township itinerant Meth- odist preachers began to visit the pioneers and deliver messages of peace and goodwill to the scattered settlers in the wilderness. About 1853 the Methodist families in the center and southern part of the township held meetings in private residences, and in 1855 Rev. W. K. Hobak or- ganized a class in the Burkit log schoolhouse that stood on the northeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 29. This class was composed of fifteen members, among whom were: James Martin, father of William P. Martin, and wife Elizabeth ; Jerome McClain and wife, Lawrence Stal- naker and wife, Leonard Simon and wife, Christian Hipshire and wife.
Meetings were held at stated intervals at the residences of the mem- bers and occasionally in the above-named schoolhouse, until about 1863, when a hewed log church was erected on the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 29.
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This was a primitive building covered with clapboards and dedicated to the service of the Lord, January 23, 1864. This log structure con- tinued to be used by the neighborhood for religious meetings until "Blue Ball" church, a short distance to the south, was built in 1872, after which it was seldom occupied for religious purposes.
A Sunday school was established in the Burkit schoolhouse at the time of the church organization, with James Martin as superintendent, and continued teaching the Gospel of Christ until the church organiza- tion was abandoned or merged into the Christian society.
This class was never large, and with deaths, removals and political dissensions growing out of the Civil war of 1861-5, the membership was greatly reduced and finally disbanded and merged with the New Light congregation to the south, which was formed in 1872. For some years after the old log church was used as a lodge room for the "Farmers' Grange," which was active at that time, but was finally abandoned and . torn down in 1882 or 1883, and since that time the Methodists have had no church organization in Washington township until within the past year, when a society was organized at Anoka.
The following pastors have administered to the spiritual wants of this congregation :
Rev. W. K. Hobak, 1853-5; Rev. M. Wamin, Rev. Smith, Rev. Shackle- ford, Rev. Ramsey, Rev. Peck, Rev. A. J. Carey, Rev. Harrison.
ANOKA M. E. CHURCH ,
This church had its inception through the efforts of Rev. S. J. Mel- linger and wife, evangelists of Logansport, who in February, 1913, held a series of revival meetings in the lower room of the Odd Fellows' hall in Anoka. They awakened, a great religious interest in the community, and as a result a church organization was perfected with seventy-six charter members.
Steps were at once taken to erect a house of worship and a board of trustees was appointed, consisting of A. J. Sharts, president, with Wil- liam Hopper, H. G. Warrick, A. J. Hunter, P. K. Shaffer, Harry Got- shall, G. W. Washburn, W. R. Tousley and Charles E. Woodling.
The trustees at once purchased a building site east of the Odd Fel- lows' hall in Anoka, and have let the contract for the erection of an $8,000 brick church which is now (May 27, 1913), in process of con- struction. This, the latest church organization in Cass county, is starting out with bright prospects, and no doubt will be a tower of strength to the weak and wavering sons and daughters of Eve in the Anoka neighbor- hood.
The congregation has secured the services of Rev. Hall, a young and energetic minister, who is holding regular services in the Odd Fellows' building until their new church is completed.
ROCK CREEK VALLEY CHRISTIAN (NEW LIGHT) CHURCH "BLUE BALL" CHURCH
About 1855 Elder Daniel Witters began holding meetings in private residences and at the Burkit log schoolhouse in the south part of Wash- ington township. Mr. Witters was a magnetic man of more than ordi- nary ability, and by the forceful presentation of the doctrines of his church, succeeded in securing many communicants to accept the Bible alone as the standard of faith and practice. About twenty-six persons went into the organization which was effected in the Burkit school-
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house. Among this number were: David Burkit and wife, Painter West and wife, Alexander Smith and wife, Theodore Hipshire and wife, Al- fred Bunger and wife, Alfred Guy and wife, Jack Small and wife, Enslee Vernon and wife. Mr. Enslee Vernon is the only charter member now living (1913), and we are indebted to him for these notes.
Meetings were held in the Burkit and Bruner schoolhouses for a number of years, and later in the old log Methodist church in the neigh- borhood, which was built by the two societies jointly.
In 1872 the congregation, together with the aid of the Methodists, whose church organization had disbanded, was reorganized by Revs. Thomas Whitman and William Winegardner, and a commodious house of worship was erected on land donated by M. Rogers, situated on the southwest corner of section 28. The church was 36x50 feet in size and represented a capital of $2,800.
On the top of the steeple was placed a large blue ball or globe, em- blematic of the Christians' field of work, and from this fact the church has commonly been called "Blue Ball Church." This building con- tinued to be occupied until 1911, when it was replaced by the present handsome church, constructed of cement blocks. The expenditure of re- building was over $5,000.
A Sunday school was instituted in 1872 and with the Ladies' Aid Society are well attended and doing a noble work in elevating the moral and spiritual character of the community.
Painter West and Enslee Vernon were elders and mainstays of the church for many years.
The following ministers have had pastoral charge of the congregation :
Daniel Witters, 1855-8; John Marshall, William Winegardner, Abra- ham Snethen, Thomas Whitman, A. S. Culbertson, D. M. Fowler, 1886; James Uhlery, Al. Platt, John Cobb, Samuel McNeeley, Silas Mosteller, C. E. McCoy, 1909-13.
ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Ministers of this denomination occasionally visited this neighborhood and held meetings in private houses in the early fifties, and in the spring of 1856 Rev. David Smith held a series of meetings in Long's school- house, situated on the southwest corner of section 15, Washington town- ship.
As a result of these meetings an organization was effected on May 25, 1856, with the following membership: William Long and wife, Aaron Long and wife, Samuel Long, Eliza Stough, Catharine Beall and others.
A Sunday school was established soon after and this little flock of earnest Christians continued to hold Sunday school and occasional preach- ing services in Long's schoolhouse until 1877, when a reorganization, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Simon P. Smith, was effected on Janu- ary 14 of that year. This reorganization meeting was held in Center schoolhouse and the following persons were received into membership :
Oliver E. Baughman, Mary A. Baughman, James and Catherine Miller, W. S. and Sarah Smith, Robert Nicodemus, Amelia and Lucy Carney, David Woodling and wife, Aaron Long and family, John Long and family, Robert M. Carney.
The trustees, William Condon, Oliver Baughman and Robert Carney, were directed to erect a house of worship, and during the summer of 1877 the work progressed and the church was completed and dedicated on February 17, 1878, by Revs. Snyder and Wells.
This is a neat frame structure located on the southwest corner of section 8, on ground donated by William Condon, and cost the sum of $2,500.
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The first officers after reorganization were: Deacons, Aaron Long, Robert Carney, James Miller; elders, Peter D. Herr, William Long, Oliver E. Baughman.
The list of pastors are:
David Smith, 1856; J. N. Barnett, 1860-2; J. C. Jacoby, 1885; L. Rice, 1886-92; A. C. Fryberger, A. J. Douglas, J. A. Burkett, 1897-1901; H. D. Herald, 1895-7; George O. Ritter, 1902-6; C. Miller, 1907-12.
CEMETERIES
There are at least eleven different places in Washington township where the pioneers have been laid to rest after their earthly career was ended, each of which will be briefly noticed.
WEST-SMITH CEMETERY
This is the oldest burial ground in the township. Interments were made here in the forties, but no official records appear until February 12, 1861. Alexander Smith conveyed one-half acre of ground situated on the west side of the south fork of Big Rock creek, on the southwest quarter of section 28, to Painter West, Christ. Hipshire and Russel Crim, trustees appointed at a meeting, in consideration of affection for the dead. This is a small cemetery, enclosed with a fence and neatly kept. First burials, as indicated by dates on monuments are the fol- lowing, but we are informed there are early unmarked graves: Mary Crim, daughter of R. and J. Crim, September 17, 1853; Elizabeth, wife of J. W. Mitchell, 1855; Leonard N., son of L. and H. Simons, 1856.
Painter West has a large monument inscribed 1817-1898. Members of the White, Greaser, Weaver and other families are buried here. The only soldier is William West, Company K, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana, died 1863.
HAHN OR ANOKA CEMETERY
John Hahn donated the ground about 1843, but deeds were not exe- cuted until after the lands had passed into other hands, and on March 2, 1870, Martin G. Roderick, for the sum of $75, conveyed to Daniel Philips, Henry Gotshall and William H. H. Tucker, trustees of Anoka cemetery, and their successors, one acre of land in the east half of the southeast quarter of section 3, Washington township, with a twelve-foot driveway from the road to the east of the cemetery. This little cemetery is situated on raised ground a short distance east of Anoka, in the midst of farm land, with only the driveway leading to it from the, road on the east. The first person buried here was John Hahn (the donor of the ground). The ground is not platted or, if so, is not of record.
Soldiers : McBane, Mexican war, died 1878; William Fiddler, Com- pany F, One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana, died 1877; Perry Hudlow, Company F, One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana, died 1864; Lafayette Tyler, Company A, One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana, died 1893; Jacob Dunkle, Company K, Eighty-second Ohio, died 1903.
RAMER OR UNION PRESBYTERIAN CEMETERY
This burial ground was laid out by Henry Ramer, Sr., about 1850, but deeds were not executed until November 17, 1864, when he conveyed one-half acre of land in the southeast quarter of section 22 to David Woodling, Francis Martin and Nicholas Small, trustees, for a neighbor-
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hood burial ground, the east half to be used as a church site and the west half for a graveyard. The deed excepts the lot on which his wife Ellen is buried. The church is for the joint use of the Presbyterian (new school), the German Reformed and the Brethren denominations of Christians.
On February 6, 1904, John D. Ritter deeded an irregular tract of land adjoining the above on the west to John P. Martin, Edwin F. Martin and Louis Kaufman, trustees of the church, for $1, and his love of the church.
On December 13, 1905, the trustees platted the ground. A church was built here many years ago.
This cemetery is not large, but is neatly kept and has some modern monuments.
The first interments were a child of John Wool and Anna E. Ramer. From markers we note the following :
Infant son of W. and S. Long, 1843; Sarah E., wife of H. Shuman, 1848; Jacob Hildebrandt - 1850.
Soldiers : Henry Berry, Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Indiana ; John T. Martin, Company K, One Hundred and Eighteenth In- diana, died 1905; Henry Kaufman, Company F, One Hundred and Fifty- first Indiana, died 1906.
BRUNER CEMETERY
The ground for this cemetery was donated by Daniel Bruner in the forties but the farm adjoining changed hands and on March 2, 1861, John Small deeded to the trustees of the Christian church, one acre situated in the northwest corner of section 34, Washington township.
First burials: Nancy Small, February 16, 1850; William, son of D. and M. Small, 1852; Benjamin Sagesser, 1856.
The grounds are nicely located, enclosed with a substantial fence, but only a few dozen interments have been made. The church was not built on this ground but a mile to the west.
TABER PRIVATE BURIAL GROUND
is located on raised ground in the Taber prairie one-half mile south of the Eighteenth street bridge and forty rods east of the Morgan hill road. The Jand originally belonged to Cyrus Taber and is still owned by his descend- ants. This ground was early used for burial purposes but no deeds were ever made and it belongs to the adjoining farm.
The first burial was a child of Charles Lyon, in 1840. There may be burials antedating this one, as there are many unmarked graves: Wife of Almon Lyon, 1848; Almon Lyon, 1877. Other pioneer names found here are: McManus, Hahn, Morphet, Guy. Cyrus Taber was buried here in 1855, but a few years ago he was removed to Mt. Hope.
There are several dozen graves here and the ground is enclosed with a fence but it is practically abandoned as a burial ground.
TWELLS' PRIVATE BURIAL GROUND
is situated on the old James Twells' farm in the southeast quarter of sec- tion 7, Washington township, now owned by Gotlieb Schaffer. In the fifties several members of the Twells' family were buried here and a son of James Twells, who was killed by a tree falling on him in 1876, and in 1885 James Twells was laid to rest in this secluded place, but the remains of the Twells family were removed to Mt. Hope and no vestige remains to mark the place and it is now farm land.
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HUNTER FAMILY BURIAL PLACE
One-half mile west of Anoka in the corner of a field in the northwest corner of the east half of the northwest quarter of section 10, Washington township, are buried A. J. Hunter and two or three members of his family many years ago. There are no markers at the graves but a paling fence 8x16 feet enclose the graves. The farm still belongs to the Hunter heirs and the paling fence with its sacred enclosure is neatly kept (in 1907).
LEEDY FAMILY BURIAL GROUND
In the sixties Daniel Leedy owned and lived on a farm about one mile west of Anoka in the southwest quarter of section 3. Prior to 1868, six or seven members of his family, and in that year Daniel Leedy himself, was buried on his farm about sixty rods north of the schoolhouse No. 1. There were probably two or three other interments made here. The re- mains of the Leedy family were removed to Anoka cemetery and all evidence of a burial ground has disappeared except in the minds of a few old pioneers.
FOGLESONG PRIVATE BURIAL PLACE
is situated on the Uhl farm in the southwest quarter of fractional section 33, just south of the road running east along the south bank of the Wabash river and about forty rods east of the Uhl residence. Chris Fogle- song, a brother of Daniel Foglesong, ex-commissioner, now deceased, laid out a burial ground on this farm which he then owned, and buried three of his children here, about 1847 and later. Members of the Nelson, Fid- dler and other families to the number of fourteen in all were buried here. A small walnut tree, twelve feet high and a marble slab lying under it marks the place (in 1907). On this marble slab is inscribed: Wm. Fogle- song, died December 27, 1852, aged 23 years. All other proofs of this once hallowed ground have disappeared and the place is now in the mid- dle of a field, but the dead that lie peacefully here are oblivious to the tread of the plowman.
But, although our bodies are only clay, There's something sacred where they lay.
CRAIN FAMILY BURIAL PLACE
James H. Crain, father of Joseph E. Crain, the architect, was a pioneer of Washington township and lived on his farm in the southeast quarter of section 14; and like many another pioneer when death entered his home he laid his loved ones to rest on some knoll, under a giant forest tree on his own lands. On September 14, 1851, he buried his son, Horace Benjamin, aged three years, on this farm with only a forest tree for a marker. Two children of Mr. Harris and probably others were interred at this place. A fence once enclosed this little burial ground but during a forest fire it was burned down and never replaced; the land was cleared and is now in a cultivated field and no one can point out the exact spot once sacred to the pioneer dead.
BUTLER PRIVATE CEMETERY
Josiah Butler, some time in the forties, located on a farm in the south- west quarter of section 4, and several members of his family were buried
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on the south bank of Minnow Creek, about thirty rods west of the east line of section 4, which is at this date, 1907, a fine open woodland pasture. There are now two marble slabs lying on the ground, under the shade of a walnut tree, with the following inscriptions: Mary, daughter of W. S. and E. G. Butler, died February 13, 1864, aged 1 year, 8 months and 10 days. Infant son of W. S. and U. C. Butler, died November 30, 1860, aged 5 hours. It is said other interments were made at this place. This spot once sacred to mourning friends is beautifully located in a woods pasture, dotted here and there with walnut and other native forest trees, beside a winding brook and the gentle noise of the flowing waters make sweet music in this wooded vale; yet the ears of these little ones are deaf to all earthly surroundings and sleep the sleep that knows no waking until the morn of resurrection day.
On earth we tenderly lay thy dust, Under the branches of a forest tree, But in heaven we put our trust, Throughout all eternity.
CUBA-HERMAN CITY-ANOKA
Washington township is not distinguished for its towns or cities- yet two town sites have been laid out within its borders but the orginal title or name given to these town plats have long since been dropped and but few of this generation ever heard of the towns of Cuba and Herman City, yet such town sites are of record.
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