USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
The township being situated in the extreme southeastern part of the county and being wholly in the " Great" or " Miami Reserva- tion," did not come into market until other parts of Cass County (especially in the vicinity of Logansport) were being rapidly brought into a state of cultivation.
In November, 1841, Richard R. Howard (who had been a citi- zen of Harrison Township since 1833, and still, the year previous, a citizen of Noble Township) moved into what is now Jackson Town-
ship. Howard was a great hunter and fisher, and as the deep forests were advantageous to his calling, he hesitated not to sell his claims in the older township and settle in the new. Despite the hardships undergone in those early years, Mr. H., by reason of strength, is yet spared and is making his home; at present, with his son, Nelson, who is living upon the farm where Mr. Howard first settled.
Mr. H. informs us that at the time he moved, there was but one family living within the borders of what is now Jackson. That was the family of James Dixon, who lived upon the farm now owned by Samuel B. Sprinkle. Mr. Dixon had moved the April previous (1841), and hence has the honor of being the first white man in the township.
A settlement now being commenced, the following year, 1842, a number of well-to-do men were added to the little colony. They were Israel Bickell, who came early in the year and settled on the the land owned, at present, by Robert Williams and I. V. Canine; Daniel Flinn, who came a little later the same year, and fixed his home on the Ramsey farm ; Hezekiah Frush, on the land belonging to Canine; Jacob Myers, on the Fickle farm ; David Kemp, on the farm owned by bis widow ; John Flinn, on the George Staffer farm ; Thomas Morgan, on the I. V. Canine tract of land ; Freeman Dag- gett, on the Fickle farm ; David Bickell, on the farm belonging to Thomas Morgan ; Henry Bickell, on what is now the Williamson Wright farm, and William Frush on the Joseph Graves land.
In 1843, came the following: David McCalley, who settled on the present site of Galveston ; Elisha Garrett, on the Joshua Garrett farm ; William Stanley, on the Bickell farm; Isaac Windom, on what is now the Lewis Wample farm; David Bell, on the farm belonging to Mr. Adams; a gentleman by the name of Thomas, on the Emrick farm ; James Bell, on the farm owned by his son William ; William Dale, on the Joseph Graves farm ; Daniel Fickle, on the Daggett farm ; Christian Howdyshell, on the farm belonging to Mr. Stauffer; William Murphy, on the Joseph Gray farm, and James Wind, on what is now the Absalom Boring farm.
Prominent among those of 1844 were the following : Absalom Boring, Daniel Bell, John Kemp, Abraham Widner and Charles Townsend.
After 1844, the township began to be rapidly settled. Among those who came soon after that time with others, whose exact date and place of settlement are to us unknown, we name James Hayworth (probably came as early as 1842); the Grays, Samuel B. Sprinkle, Joseph Parks, William Tracy, Robert Williams, James Graves, N. Jump, I. V. Canine, Joseph Graves, Dr. J. C. Loop, Dr. T. Bald- win, R. S. McWilliams and Joshua Barnett. The latter is one of the oldest men of the county.
The first religious meeting in the township was held at Richard Howard's in 1842 by the Disciples, or Christians, a Mr. George Smith preaching. The next denomination was the United Brethren, who held meeting the year following (1843) in private families, Mr. Doolittle being their preacher. The next denomination was the Methodists.
The first church was built by the Methodists in 1849 or '50, and known as the "Sprinkle Chapel." The next church was by the United Brethren, in Galveston, soon after.
The first school house was built on the William Stanley farm, where Bickell now lives, about the year 1843. Mr. John M. Jackson taught the first school held in the new house.
The next school house was built near Galveston about 1845. Other early teachers were Samuel Lambert and Daniel Kemp.
The township was organized June 6, 1847. The first election was held soon after at the cabin of William Frush, now the Canine farm. At this election, Thomas, who is still a citizen of the township, acted as Inspector. The first Justice of the Peace was Daniel Kemp. Thomas Patterson also held this office at an early date. Richard Howard was one of the first Township Trustees; the names of the other township officers have been forgotten.
The first person to engage in the milling business was John Sprinkle, who built a saw mill on the south prong of Deer Creek, about 1846 or '47. A man by the name of Hiatt also built a saw-mill on the same stream at an early date.
The first death was that of William Dale, caused from cutting his foot, which occurred in the year 1843 or '44. The first marriages and births are not remembered by our informants.
In the way of improvements, considering the late date at which the white man began to fell her forests, Jackson has indeed made rapid progress. Her farms are generally well improved, with a goodly number of substantial dwellings. Her churches, with name
Digitized by Google
42
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
and location, may be seen by reference to the township map found on another page of the Atlas. Her schoolhouses are -; enrolled school children, -.
LINCOLN
is situated in the north-central part, and was laid out by Theodore Lincoln, about the year 1855. It contains at present the following business houses : Howard Shanks, general merchant ; Bell & Son, saw- mill; William Tracy, cooper shop ; J. H. Doyle, miller ; Dr. Lester, physician and surgeon; Albert Rhea, blacksmith ; on church- Methodist; one school house and a post office, H. Shanks, Postmaster. The town is a station on the line of the P., C. & St. L. Railroad.
GALVESTON,
a thriving village and a town of much enterprise, is situated in the southeastern part of the township, on the line of the P., C. & St L. Railroad. It was laid out in 1854 by James Carter. Its first mer- chants were B. O. Spencer and Mr. Hay. The business men at present are as follows: M. H. Thomas & Sons, dry goods, etc. ; John Turley, dry goods, etc .; Z. W. Loop, druggist ; G. W. William, druggist ; A. J. Shirley, stoves and tinware; Thomas McGovern, groceries; M. H. Thomas & Sons, grist-mill; B. L. King, saw-mill and pump factory ; J. H. Eisenbrey, harness and shoe shop ; Thomas Flinn, shoe shop ; William Russ, carpenter and joiner; A. B. Rule, blacksmith ; George Page, blacksmith; John Crisler, meat market; Noah Ault, cooper shop; John Keever, broom factory ; William Koup, cabinet maker.
The ministers are J. C. Loop, T. Baldwin, S. F. Landry, J. S. Beall and H. C. Gemmill ..
Ministers are R. T. Lung and J. B. Cook, of the Methodist Church, and Rev. Debolt, of the Baptist.
Churches are two-Methodist and Baptist. One graded school, R. T. Lung, Principal.
Mollie Lytle, millinery; G. M. Shaffer, hotel; Jacob Collins, wagon maker; B. M. Arnell, sign painter; Croft & Smith, gallery ; Geo. Davis, railroad agent.
TIPTON TOWNSHIP.
Under the above name we have to record a brief history of one of the largest, and, we may say, in some respects the best township in Cass County.
The name Tipton was given the township in memory of General John Tipton. Its dense, but fertile forests, covered with an abundant growth of sugar, poplar and walnut, all indicative of a deep, rich soil, were unbroken by the white man until the year 1838. In that year came John D. Forgy and James Cook .. They pre-empted the land and built cabins, the first in the township, upon the farm now owned by Joseph Shaft. In a short time, however, becoming dissat- isfied with their location, they removed to Logansport.
A little later in the same year, 1838, Lewis Conner and Allen Wilson, sturdy, energetic men, such as would in nowise be discour- aged by the beginning Forgy and Cook had made, concluded to try their fortunes in the woods of what was afterward Tipton Town- ship. Conner fixed his home on what is now the Gish farm, while Wilson settled on the farm belonging to Mr. Shaft.
The same year, 1838, "Bill" Vandeveer, as he was familiarly called, settled on the Henry Puterbaugh farm. He was fond of hunt- ing, to which he gave most of his time, making little attempt at im- provements of any kind.
In the Fall of 1839, Col. William Scott settled on what is known as the Leggett farm. The same Fall, Andrew Wilson, who had been a citizen of Miami Township since the year 1833, living upon the Henry M. Edson farm, sold his claim there, and moved into Tipton, locating on the farm where he is still living. He is the only survivor of those who had made a settlement up to that time. A little later in the same year, 1839, William Wilson settled on the Blinn farm ; Ja- cob Richardson, on the farm which still bears the same name; Curtis Fidler, on the farm belonging to Henry Ullery ; Archibald McGrue, on the Jacob Humbert farm ; and Moses Barnett, on the land owned by the heirs of John Fry. In 1840, came Thompson McGrue, who settled on what is now the Louthain farm ; William and Wesley De- mos, on the J. W. Miller farm ; James Tucker, on the land belong- ing to Levi Snider; Joseph Snell, on the farm of Samuel Snell ; David Ripley, on the E. Roderick farm; Noah Vandeveer, on what is now the Sharts farm ; William Rowan, on what is known at present as the Philips farm ; William P. Louthain, on the Leggett tract of land ; Lewis Whittaker, on the Garmer farm; John Hahan, on the farm
owned by his widow; and John Larimer, on the farm owned by the widow Hahan.
Those of 1841 were as follows : Samuel and David Puterbaugh, who settled in July of that year, in the eastern part of the township, on the beautiful and well improved farms in the fertile valley of Pipe Creek, where they are still living ; Peter C. Berry, on the Finley Reed farm; Vincent and Joseph Louthain, on the farm owned by Mr. Leggett ; John Merritt, on the land belonging to William Stauf- fer ; David Whitsell, on the widow Hahan farm ; John Ladd, on the farm the present property of George Kesling; I. Harris, on the Peter Kesling farm; and Christian C. Army, on what is now the Marion Young farm.
In 1842, James Mays settled upon the farm where he is now liv- ing. Others of the same year were D. K. Smith, who settled on the farm belonging to his heirs; Joseph Kulb, on the farm where he lives; and N. B. Knight, on the George Kesling farm.
Among those who came in 1843, we name Joseph Bennett, the Olivers, Jesse Carr, Moses Bennett, William D. Fields, David Baker and Lane Anderson.
Prominent among those of 1844 and '45, were the following : -Charles Flanagan, Henry Wilkinson, Mathias Bechdol, Gilbert Wall, Conrad Minick, Hugh Morgan, Henry P. Berry and William Nelson.
In 1846, William P. Thomas, a man who has manifested much interest in the affairs of the township, settled on the farm which he still owns. Others of the same year'were Anthony Hiller, James Lewis, James Louthain, John C. Leffel and John Ullery.
In 1847, came Joseph Howard, Thomas Plummer, and his brother, Elihu Plummer.
After 1847, the population of the township began to increase so rapidly that we shall be content with naming a few who came soon after that time, with some who were in the township, perhaps, at an earlier date; Dudley Madden, who had been a citizen of Clay Township for thirteen years previous; Harrison Wilson, Jesse Hass, Samuel Lowman, Oliver Waite and William Nicholes.
The first religious meeting in the township was in a little cabin on the Andrew Wilson farm, by the Methodists, in 1842. The preacher was Allen Skillman. The following year, 1843, the first church organization was perfected by this denomination at the house of David Baker-Rev. R. Calbert preaching. William Ricketts and John Leach were also early preachers of the same denomination.
The next denomination was the Christians, or Disciples, who held their meetings at William Nelson's about 1845. Mr. Nelson himself did their preaching.
The first church was a hewed log structure built by the United Brethren, in 1852, on the Henry Snell farm. The next house of worship was by the same denomination, soon after, on the Tucker farm, and known as the "Seven-Mile Church." The next church was in Walton, by the Lutherans; the next was by the Methodists, in 1870, and another by the Universalists, a little later. In 1872, the Christians, or Disciples, built, near Lewisburg, a neat, substantial brick church.
The first school in the township was taught by a Mr. Heathener, in the Winter of 1842 and '43, in a cabin on the Allen Wilson farm. The Winter following, 1843 and '44, another school was taught on the Andrew Wilson farm, by L. F. Bowyer. In 1844, the first school house in the township was built on the Allen Wilson farm, Soon after this date, others were built in various parts of the township.
The township was organized May 3, 1840. The first election was held at the cabin of Andrew Wilson soon after the perfecting of said organization. At this election, Thomas McGrue, an esteemed citizen, acted as Inspector, a position he held for many years. The first Justice of the Peace was William Wilson. The first School Trustees were Oliver Waite, William P. Thomas, and William Nicholes.
The first mill in the township was built by Samuel and David Puterbaugh, in the Fall of 1841. This was a saw-mill, with corn- cracker attached. It commenced running in the Winter of 1841 and 1842. We need hardly say it was highly prized by the pioneer who, previous to this, was compelled to go to Logansport for his lumber and grinding.
In 1850, another saw-mill was built on the Costenborder farm, by George Sharts. The year following, 1851, a third saw-mill was built by Elihu Plummer. The first grist-mill was built by Thomas K. Hansberry. The next was by John Costenborder. In 1872, a steam grist-mill was started in Walton by D. P. Cromer. At present there are in the township seven saw, and three grist-mills.
Digitized by
-
1 1 1 !
----
/
1
43
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Pipe Creek is the principal water course of the township. Along its entire course are found immense beds of limestone; some having the appearance of marble. Fossils of considerable value are also found near this stream.
In an early day, at whatis known as "Pipe Creek Falls," were found extensive dens of rattlesnakes. These, in the Spring of the year, as they came out to sun, were shot by the pioneers, who thought it fine sport.
In 1852, the first Post Office in the township was established, Mr. William P. Thomas acting as Postmaster.
Among casualties we have to note the killing of three Miami. squaws by Pi-ash-wa, a Pottawatomie.
At an early date in the history of the township, a few bears were found occasionally within her borders. In the Winter of 1842, one of these animals was killed by William Scott and William Wilson. It is said the former gentleman was so proud of his achievement he carried a paw of the bear in his pocket for some time, in order that doubting parties might be convinced.
The first marriage which occurred was that of Calvin Conner to Mary J. Wilson, in 1843.
In the year 1840, a son John was born to Allen and Mary Wilson. This was probably the first birth of a white child in the township.
The first death was Winfield, a son of William Scott, which occurred in 1844. Soon after this the father, William Scott, died. They were both buried in the " Little Deer Creek Cemetery."
Tipton Township, beyond a doubt, possesses a larger acreage of fertile land than any township in Cass County. As is known to all, it is from the soil we draw our wealth. Hence, many of her citizens have been prospered financially and are able to make such improve- ments as their tastes may dictate. The township in nearly every respect is well-improved. Her churches number, at present, seven, viz .: two Methodist, two United Brethren, one Christian, one Univer- salist and one Lutheran. Her school houses are -; enrolled school children, -; population, 2,200.
WALLTON.
This flourishing village is situated in the southwestern part of the township, on the line of the P., C. & St. L. R. R. Outside of Logans- port, this is one of the largest and most enterprising towns in the county. It was laid out in 1852, by Gilbert W. Wall. Hatahway & Noel laid out an addition soon after. Three additions have since been made at different times by Messrs. Farris, Dollarhide and Davis.
The following is a list of its business men at present: C. T. Hur- ley, general merchant; Geo. W. Bishop, general merchant; J. Q. Kesling, druggist; John Shaffer, restaurant; W. P. Bell, Postmaster; David Engler, hotel; Surface & Morgan, grocery; D. P. Cromer, grist-mill; Bennett & Shaffer, tile factory; Adam A. Smith, tile factory; Hon. Isaac Baumgarner, planing-mill; Penrose & Reed, blacksmiths; Lee Green, blacksmith; Joseph Beall, wagon maker; D. Studer, carriage maker; Hurd & Curtis, saw-mill; G. W. Camp- bell, saw-mill; Penrose & Bro., pump factory; William Bishop, under- taker; D. W. Sumption, railroad agent; J. W. Benifee, shoemaker; - Layton, stoves, tinware and hardware; Physicians are J. N. Neff, - Alford and C. P. Dutchess; J. N. Farqueson, attorney at law; Ministers, P. S. Snider, William Peck and Adam Surface; Churches are three, viz .: Methodist, Universalist and Lutheran ; School houses two-in one of which is taught a graded school. The town is incorporated, and the following are its officers: O. P. Darl- ing, President; James Davis, Clerk; C. T. Hurley, - Layton, Owen Hurd and Thomas Chappelear, Trustees; William Booher, Justice of the Peace; J. D. Farqueran, Marshal.
Population, between 600 and 800.
THE CASS COUNTY NORMAL SCHOOL.
This institution has been recently organized at Walton, Indiana, with the following
BOARD OF EDUCATION:
Harry G. Wilson, County Superintendent, in special charge of the primary department and penmanship.
The teachers' Scientific and Classical Departments are under the control and personal attention of Supt. H. G. Wilson and Professors J. H. Hays and J. H. Neff.
Mrs. Phosa Wells Layton, instructor in instrumental music.
The branches constituting the teachers' course are those required by the State for the common schools.
The Scientific and Classical Departments are ably conducted by competent instructors.
This school was opened for a course of ten weeks, on the 9th day of April, 1878, with a large number of pupils. With such a fair be- ginning, its future success appears flattering, and, under its present competent management, it cannot fail to become one of the leading educational institutions in Cass County.
BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP.
Previous to the Spring of 1830, the Indian was the sole inhab- itant of this township, the deep solitude of which was broken only by the plaintive cry of the deer or some other wild animal, suffering from mortal wounds, inflicted by the deadly arrow of the savage. But a change came. The white man makes his appearance upon the scene. Mr. Shore, acting as scout and Indian trader, but taking no step toward improvements, led the advance at the date above given, 1830.
To apply the axe, however, to begin felling the forest, and to be guiding stars in the march of civilization in Bethlehem Township was reserved for other and nobler spirits.
Naming them, as near as can be learned, in the order of their coming, we have first Mr. John R. Hinton, from Putnam County, of this State, who fixed his abode upon the southeast quarter of Sec. 23, during the Summer of 1830. He was not able to make an entry of his land until October, 1833, the surveys not being run until about that time. The next year, 1831, followed that distinguished citizen, Gen. Richard Crooks, who settled, in part, the farms now owned by Book walter and Leffel. Gen. C. had emigrated from Washington County, Pa. He was an energetic, brave man, and a man of more than ordinary intellect. Serving under William Henry Harrison, during the war of 1812, he won the rank of Brigadier General. His abilities and experience, coupled with the privations and hardships while a soldier, combined to create him a fit leader, as he virtually was, in the settlement, organization and development of such a town- ship. For another entire year, perhaps, Gen. Crooks and family and and Mr. Hinton and family constituted the aggregate white popula- tion of their congressional township. Before the close of 1832, however, they were joined by William Foy and Joel Martin; the former choosing the present site of Mr. Samuel Metzker, and the lat- ter that of Mr. Arthur Leffel.
Early in 1833, John Dalzell, son-in-law of Gen. Crooks, and also, from Washington Co., Pa., settled on the farm now owned and occupied by his son, John A. Dalzell.
A settlement now actually begun, before the close of 1833, three other fearless men and their families came, willing and anxious to help transform the forest to farms of fertility, viz .: John Eurit, from Lewis County, Va., who laid claim to the farm now belonging to the heirs of the late Mr. Abshire ; a Mr. Noah Martin, who located on the farm owned, at this time, by Mr. Samuel Williamson, and a gen- tleman by the name of Bailey, who established himself on the farm now the property of Mr. S. Conkling.
In 1834 came Josiah Skelton on the Bookwalter farm; Jerry Skelton, on the Keider farm ; Eli and Peter Demos, on the farms owned by Joseph Penrose and J. M. Buchanan; Josiah Powell, on the farm now owned by Lemuel Powell and John Conn, soon there- after starting a chair and spinning factory.
In 1835 came Joseph and William Studebaker, Geo. M. Smith, W. Carter and William Steward.
Those of 1836 were Thos. and James McMillan and William Reed.
Among those appearing soon after 1836, and deserving to be enumerated among the carly settlers, we present the following, viz. : David Williamson, Reuben Perry, Maj. David H. Conrad, John Fur- geson, John Yund, James Kenley, Dr. A. B. and James M. Buchanan-the latter being a son of James Buchanan, who, in 1839, settled on the farm, now the home and estate of James M. Doubt- less many other worthy names are omitted, having been overlooked by our informant.
The first religious meeting in this township was probably held at the cabin of Joel Martin, in 1832, under Methodist auspices, by Rev. Samuel Cooper. The Presbyterians were the next denomination to put in an appearance ; holding their meetings in a log school house, situated upon the Hinton farm. Their early preachers were John Houston, Robert Erwin, Henry Bacon and James Buchanan, Sr. The Methodist society erected the first church in the township. This occurred, probably, about 1844, and was located on the Joel Martin farm, occupying the lot where stood the first school house. Its name was " Bethlehem Chapel." Soon following this, the Presby-
Digitized by Google
44
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
terians, also, built a church, and next in succession the Baptist denomination.
The first regular school house was built of logs, about the Fall of 1835, on the E. } of the S. W. } of Sec. 24. This was probably the first school house, also, built in Cass County, to the north of Logans- port. Nathaniel D. Nichols, an emigrant of very small stature, from the State of Ohio, and now a resident of Miami County, this State, had the honor of teaching the first school in this structure. He was considered in that day a successful teacher, using the rod of reproof as the source of discipline. Scholars from quite a distance attended, even from the town of Rochester. Five only of his pupils are known to survive at this time, viz .: Stephen Eurit, Alfred and James Guy, Robert Dalzell and Mrs. M. A. Irwin. In 1840, this first school house was superseded by a better one, built on the Hinton farm, and still another soon followed, upon the McMillan farm.
This township was organized March 7, 1836. The name " Beth- lehem " was suggested for the township, by Mr. Dalzell, in memory of a village or township of that name, in Pennsylvania, his native State. The organization effected, the first election of the township was held at a cabin on the Williamson farm. Mr. John R. Hinton
was chosen first Justice of the Peace. The other township officials, by name, have been forgotten. The first person to engage in milling of any kind was John R. Hinton, who, in 1838, built a mill for saw- ing lumber. The first marriage celebrated in Bethlehem was that of Jacob R. Hall, to Miss Rachael Martin, in 1834 or '35. The first burial in what is now known as the Presbyterian graveyard was Martha J. Buchanan. In the way of improvements, Bethlehem holds a good rank among the northern townships of the county. Much of her land is in a good state of cultivation, showing the indus- trious habits of her citizens. Churches, with name and location, will be found correctly given by the township map, on another page of this Atlas. Her school houses are ten ; enrolled school chil- dren, -
NEW HAMILTON,
the only village of the township, was laid out in 1853 or '54, by George Allen. Its business men at present are as follows : Jephtha Powell, general merchant; Joseph MeCabe, shoe shop; Virgil Powell, blacksmith. Post Office-J. Powell, Postmaster. Physicians are A. M. Buchanan and M. S. Newton.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.