USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana > Part 10
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The first actual settler in this township, as at first organized, was Maj. Daniel Bell, a brother-in-law of Gen. John Tipton, who came remotely from Harrison, but immediately from Putnam County, in this State, and settled in the township on the 27th day of March, 1827. lowed by the family of Mr. Joseph Barron, who settled half a mile below He was soon after fol- the " Point," on the north side of the Wabash, about the 1st of July of the same year. Hugh B. McKeen, afterward a son in-law of Mr. Barron, came soon after, and erected a trading house on the " Point," at the southern extremity of McKeen street, in the city of Logansport. From that time forward, settlements increased rapidly and the development of natural resources proceeded in about the same ratio. But, inasmuch as the separate history of this townwhip is, in fact, the separate history of Logansport, the reader is directed to that source for details.
CITY OF LOGANSPORT.
The seat of justice of Cass County, as originally laid out, was a small, unpretentious plat, in the shape of a right-angled triangle, its base being of the length of five, and its perpendicular of four squares, embracing one hundred and eleven lots and fractions, the standard lots being five by ten rods in size; alleys, parallel with the base (Canal street), being sixteen and a half feet in width, and those at right angles therewith only ten feet in width ; streets all sixty-six feet, except Broadway, which was eighty-two and a half feet wide.
The lots contained an area of fifty square rods, and those occupying a position on the corner of a square were offered and sold for seventy-five dollars; the others, fifty dollars. Many of the lots first offered were sold on the condition that the purchaser should erect thereon, within a prescribed period. a house not less than eighteen by twenty feet and one story high.
This city, in embryo, now known as the " original plat," was laid out by the proprietor, Chauncey Carter, on the 10th day of April, 1828, the plat of which was recorded in Carroll County, to whose jurisdiction this territory then belonged. In connection with the name by which it is now known, the following characteristic incident is related :
The survey had just been completed and it only remained to give to the new plat a name, which would be at once significant and attractive. The employes, the proprietor and others immediately or remotely interested, with a few lookers on, who were present. began anxiously to cogitate upon the question, having assembled under one of those big elm trees which in those days bordered the shores of the Wabash, in the vicinity of the " Point," for that purpose. Gen. Tipton, who entertained a reverence for the classic significance of Roman and Greek etymologies. suggested the use of a Latin compound which would be a synonym for " The Mouth of Eel," of historic fame or otherwise, commemorative of the location. Another submitted an In- dian name. by which the locality had before been known. Meanwhile, numer- ous propositions had been made and canvassed. Then, Mr. McKeen, who had formerly resided on the Maumee River, in the vicinity of which Capt. Logan & Shawanee chief, lost his life while attesting his fidelity to the whites, in the month of November 1812, proposed that the memory of this Indian hero be perpetuated in the name of the new town. Col. Duret agreed with the idea, and thought the addition of port to the chief's name would be appro- priate and euphonious. Others thought similarly, except that one proposed that town should be so appended, and another that ville was the proper word to follow. Each had its advocates, so there was no agreement.
In this emergency, some one said, " Let's shoot for it-four best out of seven wins." This was unanimously assented to, and a black spot made with moistened powder on a distant tree was the target improvised for the occasion. The shooting commenced, and, in a brief period, when the pre- scribed number of shots had been fired, the umpire announced : " Col. Duret has won "-hence the name-LOGANS-port.
On the 12th of August, 1829, by the action of the Commissioners appointed for the purpose, Logansport was selected as the seat of justice of Cass County, pursuant to the provisions of the act authorizing the organization of the County.
At the time it was laid out and for several years subsequently, its im- portance was chiefly recognized in the light of a central ". trading post" for a large extent of Indian territory surrounding, and as such it acquired a well-merited fame. The consequence was that, as soon as the course of trade began to be diverted from this point, the producing population outside the town being inadequate to the demands of consumption, the growth of the town was greatly retarded for several years, until, indeed, the products of the country equaled, overbalanced the consumption account of the non-pro- ducers in town, and the avenues of trade were opened with other markets.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
The increase in population and facilities for business for several years following the season of greatest depression, in 1836-7, when every thing was at a stand-still, was gradual, uniform and certain. Prior to 1860-65, the spirit of improvement and enterprise was scarcely developed. At a later period, however, new life and vigor began to be infused into the elements of progress, and more rapid advances in the prospects of trade were fore- shadowed. Activity in every department of industry was the rule rather than the exception ; and capital, before withheld from profitable invest- ments, as if a dollar out of sight was forever lost, began to seek investment in public and private enterprises which have since yielded liberal profits.
From that time the character of the improvements were no longer uncer- tain, continuing to assume a more healthy and permanent character than was ever before known, and the population increasing. in the last decade, nearly three hundred per cent .- a ratio of advancement seldom surpassed. At this time, the railroad facilities of Logansport are equal to those of almost any other Western city, giving it direct communication with the great points of trade East, West, North and South ; while it has a less number of radiat- ing lines than some other railroad centers, such as have a landing here, tap the great commercial points of the West in their route.
GAS WORKS.
Logansport has at this time a complete system of gas works extending over the greater part of the city, having about twelve miles of pipe laid, furnishing an abundant supply of light.
These works, in the beginning, were of small pretensions, but fully equal to the demands of the times. They owe their establishment here to J. W. Baine & Co., who, having purchased the grounds now covered by the old works, came here in the Summer of 1862, and commenced the erection of the necessary buildings thereon without much delay in the preliminary arrangements.
By an ordinance passed August 21, 1862, the city granted to the Logans- port Gas Light & Coke Company, nominally composed of Thomas Harvey and Alfred H. Knowles, under the firm name of Thomas Harvey & Co., of the town of Marion, Marion County, Ohio, and their associates and success- -ors, heirs and assignees, acting under the company name aforesaid, the ex- clusive privilege, for the term of twenty-five years from that date, of using the streets and alleys of the city, as then or thereafter laid out, for the pur- pose of laying down in said streets and alleys the necessary pipes for the conveyance of gas for the use of the city and its inhabitants. The company
was also exempted from the payment of city taxes for a period of five years from the 1st of January. 1864.
In consideration of the foregoing and other privileges, the company was required, on or before the 1st of October, 1863, to complete the apparatus for generating gas, and lay down in connection therewith, at least one mile of main pipes, and thereafter extend the same as the demands for gas should justify.
The works were accordingly put in operation, and the company, from time to time, extended their mains and increased the capacity for manufac- turing gas in quantity and quality as required by the public demand. The original stock of the company having changed hands, the management and control of the works changed also.
A few years since, the capacity of the company for manufacturing both quantity and quality of gas has greatly increased, the avenues of supply being increased in a like ratio. Now, instead of two and a fourth miles of main and branch pipes, the maximum fifteen years ago, the company sup- plies gas through more than fourteen miles of pipe, which is hardly equal to the demand, notwithstanding the improved facilities for its manufacture. All the principal streets, public buildings and business houses, as well as a large proportion of the private residences of the city, are lighted from the supply of these works.
WATER WORKS.
Perhaps no city in the West is better provided with the means of protec- tion against fire than Logansport, notwithstanding her experience with dis- astrous fires have not been such as to induce extraordinary efforts to secure a perfect system.
However this may have been, after very extensive agitation of the sub- ject of water works, the City Council, in December. 1875, having determined upon a system of water works adapted to the wants of the city, awarded the contract therefor to Messrs. H. R. Smith & Co., of Columbus, Ohio, to furnish the pipes and special castings, placing them in position, testing, etc., and Cope & Maxwell, Hamilton, Ohio, furnishing the pumping house, machinery and fixtures, the entire works to be completed and placed in per- fect working order for $175,000. This sum including the purchase of the Forest Mill property. The mains extend through nine miles of streets, passing under the bed of Eel River to the West Division, at Broadway, thus furnishing that part of the city, as well as the business section, with an abundant supply of good water. The works were fully completed and in working order, in September, 1876.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIPS OF CASS COUNTY.
BOONE TOWNSHIP.
Until the year 1834, no permanent settlement was made within the borders of this township which bears the above name. In that year, several worthy men, as if guided by some unscen hand, deter- mined to try their fortunes in her deep forests. F. remost among these was Andrew Kline, father of Henry Kline, now a citizen of Royal Center. Mr. K. select d for his future home what is now known as the Amos Fultz farm. From the most reliable authority at our command, before the close of the year 1834, the following men had become citizens of the township : John Henry, who settled - on the Shaffer farm ; James Denton on the farm belonging to Mr. Brown; Vincent Calvin, on the Mrs. David Foutz farm, and George D. Washburn, on the farm owned by Thomas Beckley and Joshua Kistler.
In 1835, an opening being made in the woods, the following men were induced to join the little colony: John Beckley, Sr., who located on the Randolph Funk and H. M. Bliss farm ; Joseph Belew, on the farm owned by Daniel Martindale; Thomas Martindale, also upon the Daniel Martindale farm ; John Reeder, on the farm owned by Shaffer; David Beckley, on the Funk farm (afterward owned by Huffman and Po . ell); Robert Bernetha, on the farm owned by David Beck- lep ; Henry Long, on the farm belonging to Henry Dot, and J. Beede, on what is known as the Antrum farm.
In 1836, John Beckley Jr., yet a resident of the township, settled on the Goodrich farm ; Daniel Weyand, also still a citizen of the town- ship, on the farm owned by Huffman. Others of the same year were Jonas Kistler, Samuel Black, Jacob Kistler, Jr., James McCawley and Henry Powell.
Among those of 1837, with others who came soon after that date, we name Solomon Berkshire, David McCombs, Jacob Kistler, Sr., George Caldwell, Elias B. Waterhouse, Morris T. Harvey, William Guthrie, Martin Key, Philip Shaffer, William and Jonas Kistler, - Burtin, George, Richard and Laban Gasten, and George M. Fickle and John Noland.
Doubtless to this list justly belong many other names-names which we would have recorded gladly had they been furnished us by our informants.
At an early date in the history of the township, the citizens of Boone began to feel an interest in their spiritual welfare, which re- sulted in the holding of religious meetings at the residence of Martin Key, by the denomination known as Baptists. Soon after came the Methodists, and still later the United Brethren. The first church in the township was built by the United Brethren in Royal Center, in 1862. The next was by the German Lutheran, known as the " Albright Chapel."
The first school in the township was taught in the Winter of 1835-36, by Thomas Harvey. In the Winter of 1838-39, another school was taught in Royal Center, by Mary Washburn.
The township was organized May 8, 1838. Soon after this, an election was held in the cabin of David Beckley, which is at present the Charles Huffman farm. At this election, eleven votes were cast. John Beckley acted as Inspector. George Caldwell was chosen first Justice of the Peace. The first Trustees were Jacob Kistler, Jr., Daniel Weyand and John Beckley.
The first marriage which occurred was that of Elijah Booth to Sarah Beckley, in 1836.
In 1835, Minerva A. Kline was born to Andrew and Hannah Kline, which was probably the first birth in the township.
The first death which occurred was the wife of John Henry, who died very suddenly from heart disease, in 1834.
The first mill in the township was built by Conn & Hendee. It was similar, in one respect, to that built by Mr. Stevens, in Harri-
son Township, namely, the power being generated by a good yoke of oxen.
Boone is situated in the extreme northwest corner of the county. Of course she does not claim to have made the same progress in the way of improvements as have those townships situated near the county seat. In certain localities her lands are in a good state of cultivation, while in others the hand of the husbandman is needed to render it more attractive and productive.
The name and location of churches will be seen by reference to the township map.
Her school houses are eight ; enrolled school children, -.
ROYAL CENTER
is a village of much life and enterprise, situated near the central part of the township, on the line of the P., C. & St. L. Railroad. It was laid out about 1845, by Elisses Andrus. Its first merchant was Mr. G. B. Moore, still a citizen of the town, who established his store soon after the village was laid off. Its business men at present are as follows: Sweet & Bro., general merchants; Hamilton & Bro., dry goods and notions; Robert Mahaffie, general store; Christian Close, shoe shop ; Valentine Fox, shoe shop; William Hanselman, planing and saw mill; Robert Mahaffie, cooper shop and manufac- turer of furniture; Henry Grant, blacksmith and wagon shop ; Joshua Cramer, blacksmith shop; Dr. D. Ray, druggist; Sweet & Bro., warehouse ; physicians are N. C. Gowgle, - Hoover, James Thomas and D. N. Foutz ; Painter Thompson, restaurant; G. W. Cummins, dealer in pumps and agricultural implements; Hiser & Cummins, restaurant; Charles Wolley, hotel; Henry Kline, hotel ; S. Minthorn, boarding house; Mrs. Julian, boarding house; one church, Methodist.
At present (November, 1877), a large two-story brick school house, with four rooms, is being built. The taste and comfort displayed in the arrangement of the building show that the citizens are interested in the cause of education.
Population of the village between 500 and 600.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
This township was so-called, thus assisting to commemorate the name of the illustrious warrior, statesman and President, William H. Harrison.
Its first white inhabitant was John Fletcher, who came in the . Winter of 1832 and entered the land now known as the Skinner farm. The Government Land Office for this district at that time was at La Porte, Ind. Thither Mr. Fletcher was compelled to go in order to enter his land. While on this trip, being obliged to camp out at night, he had the sad misfortune to freeze his feet and legs, from the effects of which both his feet were amputated.
Probably the first man to join Mr. Fletcher in his forest home was Robert Barnett, father of Asbury Barnett, now an honored and influ- ential citizen of Clay Township. Mr. Barnett chose for his future home the land now owned by Mr. Shidler.
From the best authority at our command we are unable to learn the names of any others who entered the township during the year 1832.
In 1833, however, being stimulated by the example of deter- mined leaders, a number of men were induced to take up their abode in the dense woods of what soon became Harrison Township. They were James Blackburn, who settled on the Warfield farm ; a Mr. Ross, on the farm now owned by James Reams; Harrison Barnett, on what is now the Skinner farm; Lewis Crane, on the land belong- ing to Mr. Reams and Freshour; Joseph Dunham, on the Freshour
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
farm ; John Carnell, on the farm where he is living; Richard How- ard, on the farm owned by Jameson ; and Joshua Garrett, on the farm owned by the heirs of Senator Pratt.
In 1834, came the following: William and Peter Michaels, who settled on the Umphenhour farm; James Piercy, on the farm belong- ing to Mr. Maroney; James Corbit, on the Bell farm ; James Gates, on the farm where he is still living; John Calvin, on the farm belonging to his heirs ; William Grant, who is the oldest man in the township, being in his 89th year, on the farm where he still lives ; and John Calvin, on the land owned by his widow.
In 1835, Samuel Sharp and James Rogers settled on the farm where they are living at present. Others of the same year were James and Elder Sharp, Charles Riley, Michael Burk, James Mont- gomery, Noah and Tobias Castle, John Overlesse, George Foglesong, Daniel Foglesong, Abraham Skinner, Mercer Brown, Benjamin Powell, George Brown, James Denning, Leander Dixon, Stibbens Powell, Isaac Smith, A. A. Mahaffie, J. R. Johnson, James Scott, Ester Brooks and John Callahan.
Among those who came in 1836 we name James Stevens, Mich- ner Tucker, William Mahaffie, James Butler, George Allhands, Daniel Morrison, David Pinkerton, Christopher Long, - Hamerly, Owen Hart, James, William and Conn Noland, Henry Garrett, Will- iam Donnovan, Jesse Kilgore and Joseph Gibson.
Among those who came soon after 1836, and shared in the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life, and are, therefore, worthy of honorable mention, we name Edward Whalen, Jacob and Daniel Ramley, William Whalen, Newton Clary, Morris Landrigens and Reuben Bachelder.
The first religious meeting in the township was held at the res- idence of Robert Barnett in 1833 or '34, by the Methodists, Rev. Burroughs Westlake preaching. Mr. Burns was also an early preacher for this denomintion.
The first church was built on the Long farm, by the Presby- terians, in 1836 and '37. In 1837 and '38, the Methodists built what is known as the " Zion Church." The next house of worship was built by the Universalists about 1845.
The first school house was built on the Robinson farm in 1834. The first school held in the new house was taught by William Mitchell. The next school house was built soon after, in the Fogle- song neighborhood. Also, at an early date, school houses were built near the " Zion Church," and in Section 16, on the James Stevens farm.
The township was organized March 7, 1836. Soon after perfect- ing the organization, the first election of the township was held at Benjamin Powell's. James Scott was chosen first Justice of the Peace; James Corbitt, first Constable.
In the year 1845, James Stevens built a saw-mill on his farm. It neither ran by the power of steam or water, as do modern mills, but by the power of a strong yoke of oxen. This mill ran success- fully for a time, being highly prized by the pioneer, when Mr. Stevens had the sad misfortune to be crushed to death between some of the machinery. The next to engage in the milling business was Abraham Coppie, about the year 1851. Soon after him, J. R. Johnson en- gaged in a similar enterpise.
Probably the first marriage celebrated in the township was that of James Blackburn to Susannah St. Clair.
In the year 1834, there was born to Peter Michaels a son, Uriah, who was, perhaps, the first white child born in the township.
The first death which occurred was that of Mr. Ross, in 1833. There are townships in Cass County that, in the way of improve- ments, excel Harrison, yet the latter has no reason to be ashamed of the progress she has made. She justly boasts of a large body of fertile land, which her enterprising citizens are rapidly bringing into an excellent state of cultivation.
The name and location of churches will be found correctly given in the township map, found on another page of the Atlas. Her - school houses are -; enrolled school children
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
The above name would convey to the mind of the reader the idea that at the time of the organization of their township there were within her limits some ardent admirers of the statesman and Presi- dent, Thomas Jefferson. Hence the township was so named as a means of perpetuating his memory.
Jefferson is properly classed among the largest townships of Cass County. It is situated in the western part, its extreme western
border being White County, the southern portion bordering upon the Wabash River. The land along this stream, even by the Indian, was highly prized. Hence, when the white man made his appearance he was desirous of choosing for his future home land not far removed from its fertile valleys.
As early as the year 1828, according to the best authority at our command, William Price settled on the farm now owned by the heirs of Peter Elsroth. For the period of one year, Mr. Price held undis- puted sway of the forest, his only companions being the Indians and wild beasts.
The year following, however, 1829, he was joined in his seeming solitary retreat by John Myers, who fixed his home on what is known as the Gordon farm.
In the year 1830, four more men came who were in no wise daunted by the dreary prospects presented by a home in an almost unbroken wilderness, but with stout hearts, whether so from nature or necessity, they came and entered upon the arduous task of bringing the forests into a state of cultivation. They were Peter Elsroth, who located on the farm belonging to his heirs ; Major Smith, on the Gray farm; James Williams, on the farm now owned by Mr. Lynas; and Andrew McMillen, who settled on the farm belonging to Mr. Sander- son
In the year 1831, emigration from some cause seemed to decline, and we were unable to learn the names of any who entered the town- ship during that period. In 1832 (possibly some named here may have come a year earlier), emigration again revived and a number were added to the little colony. They were as follows: Robert Gray, who settled on the farm owned by his son John ; Taylor Stur- geon, on the Barr farm, and John Kistler, on the farm owned by Wm. H. Standley.
In the year 1833, Dr. James Gordon, still a citizen of the town- ship, settled on the Coble farm and Beauford Banta, on the farm where he is now living. Others of the same year were Alexander Gray, on the farm owned by his son Harrison ; and Aaron Renbarger, on the farm where his son is living at present.
In 1834, A. B. Hildebrand settled on the farm where he is still living. The same year came David Wirrick, father of Washington Wirrick, of Cicott, who settled on the George Walker farm ; Joseph Day, on the lot in the little village of Georgetown ; and Absalom Cruse, on the farm owned by the Rogers heirs.
Among those who came in 1835, we name Major Daniel Bell, William Neithercut, John Shaw, Israel Watts, Daniel Small, John Watt and Alexander Scott.
In 1836 came Larken Herman, Jacob Myers, Thomas Rogers, John Scott and Thomas Harless.
Soon after the year 1836, were the following: Alexander Sea- right, David L. Devore, Timothy Calloway and William M. Rogers, with a long list of others equally deserving, which, owing to the miny changes which occurred about that time, must necessarily be omitted.
The citizens of Jefferson were, at an early date, enlisted in their spiritual welfare ; accordingly, as early as the year 1835, a religious meeting, the first in the township, was held at the cabin of Robert Gray, by the Christians or Disciples. William Hicks and the Scott brothers were pioneer preachers of this denomination. The next denomination to hold worship in the township was the Dunkards or German Baptists, who held their meeting at the cabin of David Wir- rick. The first church in the township was built by the Presbyterians, on the John Wilson farm, about the year 1845.
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