Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 66

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co.
Number of Pages: 472

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In Ibin year, the neie Inun rereired the anine of Legnayporl. in honor of u Shannee chief of That unme, n firm friend of The whiley, although a nepheir of 'Tecumseh, their inrelerale for.

"The lmilding of houses began io erruest in 1828, and the following build- ings irere ereeled, viz : A log house near the " Point," by Hugh B. MeKern ; unol hor nene The corner of Sorkel and Wnlont alrecla, by Chauncey Carler, forn ilwelling, and one, useil hy The game for Iruling, on The merkel sunce, where Georgr M. leroloman offerward hitill his residence ; n douhle log house, on the side of the Barnell House, hy Gillis McBean, and used ne a hotel . a two- slory log house, on Lot 5, nevi the " Point," by Mex. Melis- ler, used for n Inilor shop; n log house on lol 32, occupied by Dr. Hiram Told, from Franklin, Ohio, the firal physician in the place or county ; n

drilling on Lol 71, hy Peter Jolinson, unit a single story brick house on Lol 56, long known as The " Olt Seminary ; " This stood on the corner of Fourth and Markol elreels, and was torn down Inny years ago, lo give pinco to the residence of A. M. Higgins. In this was langht one of the first school4, if nol The very liral, north of The Wahush. The lencher nos no Irishman, named MrKinney.

The nrrivals il Loginsport, in 1828, in addition lo Ilinso alrendy nameil, were : Amilrer Wngmire, Robert Hore, Inmey Wyman, Moses Ilandall, Fred- erick nast Inmes 11. Kintner, S D. Tohor, J. B. Ehlriilge, Harvoy Heth, Moses Thorpe, Piensanl firub, Francis Aroline, and Dariit Patrick ; of all these, only the last named ond Eldridge remnin residenty of the city in 1876. Of Those who sellled in the vicinity of the lown, in 1829. ivero Jolin A. Minion, who lired on what is now known ns Tho Grorgo Dinikle place; Bphrnim Dukes, ihn, in June, buill himself n honse near The eastern part of The lown, and Joshuin Binney, near The ireslern parl of the loin, anil John and Aloxander Scott, who lived tiro miles east af wrhnl was Then the enyl orn limit of Logansporl. The Three Insl nnmed enme in March. The Iwa Scotts beought trilt them a hand mill for grinding coru, which, though inexpensive and peimilire, was the first mill in the county.

Alexander Scoll iras on exhortce in the Christian Church, and John Scotl ins nn ordaineil minisler in The sme ilenominalion. As such ho prenrhed his first sermon, north of The Wubnsh, in The sntomer of 1828, al Tho honse of Joshuy Binney, tho solo professed Christian, il is snill, in the entico communily ut Thnl lime. Chorles B. Losselle, himself an old resident of The county, and well versed in ils history, overs, with a good show of probahilly, Ihal thia serinon iras The first erer peenched hy a Prolesinnl miuisler north of The Woh.ich. With, perhaps, nu exception in favor of Fort Wayne, The elnim is, no ilonhl, correel. Senll converteil four or five of Binney's family, nnil, npon the couplelion of the " Ohl Seminury" building, prenched There al ilifferenl limes, hnl without making any converls.

In 1829, the first smir-mill in thr present county limile iras rompleled. This stood on The south hank of The Eel Riror, and mus owned by Geb. Tiplon. A run of sinne was ollached, fur grinding grain, soon nftee The colupletion of the sunY. mill. The enterprise was a great convenience lo The selllement, and upon il the builders were forced to depend fur himbee In finish The ohl seminary building, and ollier structures begun ut the same lime. The Fareal mills, for grinding grnin, trero ereelod not long after the first snur mill, Androw Waymire, hnililer, und Gen. Tiplon, propriclor. Tho inills at the live of Theie completion were The largest in all Northern ludinna, ond, trilh cerlsin addilions, are will in use.

These industries irere nll dependent upon tho Eel River for power, of which Ihal dream furnished an abundant supply. lu 1Bis the same Walor- .poiver used to run the first manufacturing csinblishments in the conuts, wns solil lo the city for water tvocky pueposes.

The first millor was Samuel Wuril. Afterward, in 1830, the hills were lenser lo Henry Garrill.

The first eleelion erer hehl in The county irns on The 7th of June, 1828, al The honye of . Alexander ChamberInin. What is now Cass Connly, As ivell ns q laege exleul of additional lerriley, was then altached lo Curcoll County, nail known as Bet Township. The Commissioners ordered nu cleelion for chonsing n Juslice of The Peace on the duy named. Willium Scoll was the only enmilidole, au recened orery volo maal, Thece boing but lwruly in all. The next eleclion was fnr Slate officers, und for the choosing of incumbeuls for The county offres of Carroll. This elerlion wus held on the first Monday in Auguel, und bul sixly-seren roles trero ensl.

The firal presidential election held in the limits of the county was in Novempher, 1829. The opposing ennlidates were Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adnmy. The polls wece nl Ilir Indian Agency. Volers calne from us for eust ns Wulyish, and on the north from Plymouth, ond consider. ahle feching tras mnouferled, which, of course, lended lo bring onl a prelly full role. "Nolirithalamling ull thnt, bul nigely-six voles were cayl, of which Jackson got sixly.fre.

During This year many carne, especially in the fall nail siuler, to locale Innde in the county, and The prospects, nsthe winleceloseil in, were good for n large influx of nen velllers in the spring.

OILGAVI/ 1TION OF CANS FOUSTT-CIRST TOI.UT.

The Legislature passed the nel for The organizolien uf Cass County, Decomber 18, 1828. By the supplemental act of Jaunory 19, 1829, all The Tereilory now inelndel in The counties of Minmi, Wabash, Fallon, Morsholl, Kosciusko, Elkhinrl and SI, Joseph, ns well os ports of La l'orle, Starks nud Pulaski, was attachul lo Chas for civil anil judicial purposes.

The organization ivas compleled on the 13th dny of April, 1824, en rhich day an eleelion was held for the first county officers This resullel in The choice of Juunes 11 Kialner, for Sheriff; John B. Darel, for Clerk nud Recorder ; Inimes Smith, Chnuncry Curler and Meses Thorpe, far Com- inisationers; John Smith, Sen., and Ilirmm Todd, for Assueinle Judges, Jel R. Ellridge and Prier Johnson, for luslices of The Peace,

The Commissioners mel May 1, aml supplemented This list of officers hy nppointing Charlea Polke, Coustable of Fel Township, John Tiplon, Super- risoe of Rend Divl No. 1 ; Cyrus Taber, Treasurer. Hugh N. MeKesh Huy direcled to make oul n list of the tuxulilrs in the county

The only road then in The county muy parl of the one rslablished by the Legislainre to run from Terre IInnle lo Fort Wayne,

The first session of The Cireuil Court was held in the Old Seminary (mildjug, and losleil hul one day. There were present The Hon. Belhel F. Morris, Peeyiding Judge ; The Ino Associate Judgea, uml The Clerk, elevled al The recent connly election : also, Willint Scoll, seling ny Sheriff, hy the nppoiulment of the Gorcenoe. The altorneys in nllendanco were Alheel $ While and Androw Ingram, of Lafnyelle, mud Honey Cooper, of Fort Wayne. No enses were tried ; nnd, unter adopting a senl for The counly, of the pre- senl design, the conel nljourned.

The firel election for Sale and conuly officers, after The organizolion, why hell on The firal Monilny of This year. Daniel Worlh, of Randolph Counly was elected Seautor, and Anthony I. Davis, of Fort Wayne, Repre. senlalite.

The county sent iras fixed ot Lagonsport, August 10, 1829, al which lime Henry Risline, of Montgomery, Erauinus Powell, uf Shelby, and furni Tyner, uf Marion County, Three ef The fire Commissionera unmed hy Ihr Legislature, mel al MeBen's Iarern, oml selecled Logansport os the seal of juslice.

Three Townships were established by the Commissinners of The conlily nl Their frat mreling. Of these, Eel Township included all The Territory lying south of the Tippecanoe Rirer, oml weal of a line running Through The present tourn of Wnhish ; Wabash I'mirnship look The Territory east of thal line lo the Salamionie, and south of Hel Rirer lo the line ilividing Con. gressionul Townshipa Twenty-four ni Twenty- five ; St. Joseph Tonnship in4 tunde up of ull tho nlinehel Territory bel ween Ihr Tippeenaoo lliter all the northern porl of The Siale, This extensiir lerrilary iens Hoell reiluced lo a more limited nres, however, hy the errelion nf a mmiober nf indepenilrul connlirs, in 1836, ond in ollier zenes.

PRIMITIVE 40110014, CIUNULIES, AND GENERAL PIGONES".

An idea of tho alule of society in Ones County may he gained from the rerorla uf Eel River Suminnry, olready spoken of. Tin recaril mumde ef the list of patrons of The thelilution gives, nl the soon lite, The names, niso, uf those who were interested in the selfie of the communily, and had inter- esly here al Thal early doy. " Bring surrunnded," il any's, "by the forral, with neither chinreh, school or organized enciely, tho cilizons ilelermined en ercel, hy private rontrihntion, o seminary for the education of youth, and neeorlingly, in September, 1828, drew up o subscription paper for that mr- pose. The following ore The names of the contriunlors: John Tipton, Daniel

257

COUNTY HISTORIES .- CONTINUED.

Bell, Chauncey Carter, Inmes Foster, Hiram Todd, 11. B. Mr-Kenn, A. Me. Alister, William Scott, Jomrs G. Matthows, Gillis MeBean, John Maxwell, Ediuuml Soppington, J. It. Duros, Alex. Clunuterloin, Cyrus Taber. F. R Kantner, James Wyman, RoheIL Srott, I'dward McCartney, Anthony Gamelin, Richard Chnbert, Francis Lonisignunt, S. D. Tuber, Georgo Cicott, J. 11. Internw, John B'tsell, Joseph Bmron, George W. Hicks, Willim Newman, Thomas Robh, John Wall, William, G. W. mml W. G. Kiring, Joseph Holman, Samourl Mi:Grorgo, Jotues Smith aml dobu Wuril."

The society, under the name of Fel River Seminary, wos incorporated January 1, 1820. The seminary builling muy, for about ten years, used indiscriminately for olections, ilehatiug societies, public meetings, courts, exhibinons, schools and religious meetings ; being, in fuet, n surt of public hull, chiureb, comt house and sohool honse, ull umiler one roof. In 1843, the uume of the corporation nas changed to that of Cass County Srminury, and the huthling itself urns turn down and a new one completeil in 1849, the sito of which is now ocempirl hy the present splendid high school build. ing.

Tho efforts of John Scott unil the first gormon in the county have already been referred to. in 1829-30, it was thought that there was suthi- cient pupulution to justify stated preaching and church organizations. Casunl' ministers, it is true, bad risited tho pince, but without pintienlar Lieuofit. I'wy Mormons luboreil a short time for thoir peculiar faith, and milo que ronvort-Jereminh Dunham. Divino services wero occasionally conducted by the lier. Biram A. Hunter, a tencher in tho seminary, and n minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and by the llovs Hucka- liah Vredenberg, Arguyı Johnson amil - Arinstrong, of the Methodist Church. Thero was no stationed minister, however, until December, 1829, when the Itvv. Martin M. Post arrived, and enterel upon lho ilischarge of bis spiritunl ilnties. There was n general apnthy ns to religious mutters, so that l'ost was not able to establish a Presbyterian congregation hero until Inmory 22, 1831, Ibut being the first in the county.

Viemlenborg, of tho Methodist Church, organized n small number of theo denomination in January, 1830, and tho Rev. William Reese, of the Bajuist Church, organizeil the few Baptists in the place into un church in February of the same year.

The gini ormuent lands subject to salo and entry were offereil for sale al the usual minimum price of $1.23 per nere, in November, 1830, nt the Crow- fordsrilly Innil office.

"This Michigan rond, the building of which forms yo important ont opoch in the counties ulong its line, Inul been surrered in 1828, but the Legislature took no definite further action until January, 1830. It was opened from Mudison to Logansport lute in 1812 The sale of lunds granted for its con- struction-one mile it willth ulong the line of rond-was helit here on ilo third Momluy in Ortober, 184]. This celebrateil highway enjoyel a merited reputation far und near, for minny years, ns being the worst thoroughfare in the nuireeso.

Ten alternate sections of lund were granted for the construction of the Wabash A l'ric Cunnl through the county, March 2, 1827. The State Legis- lature took no effective netioit until 1827-30. A sale of these Innds was held at Logansport in October, 1830, which was Inrgely attended. The terms were one-fomith cash and the balance on sorenteen years' time, with G per cent interest. The long thiae given prerentet the Cunal Commissioners from realizing much from the sale wherewith to go un with the irork ; but, nover- theless, n lurge immigration Followed the transfer of so much Inmil to private olyuers

The bill passeil February 9, 1832, pleilging the faith and credit of the State in order to raise funds for the completion of the canal, was one of the most important measures effecting the local interests of Cass County nnd Lo- gausport which had been acted upon. The success of the bill way celebrated in Logansport by illuminations, bonfires and the firing of cannon improvised out of logs.

Wurk began post the enunl February 28, 1812, nt Fort Wayne, anil many citizens of this county were present at the erremonies attending the sonic. The canal nus opened, after a long und voxations ilelay; nor ilid Logansport und l'ass Connty fail to reip their fair share of profit resulting from the

There are but few, except lho earliest settlers of Cass County, who are antare that the Wubash, nithin its limits, ins it one time open to steamboat osrigtinn, und that crafts of this description not only canto np nu for os Logansport, lint passed on to the east, the eutiro length of the county. The dute of the first stemmer's arrirol is variously stated os being in 18:13 and 1 4. The earlier is no doubt the corrret date. The name of the liont was the flupublican, and, the water being at a low stage in the Wnlash, that pioneer eluft enme in puffing and creaking in the rear of nrelve good quirs af osen, impressed in help it over the unrs. The nih enturons Reputdieun never got back to ileoper waters, but rotted in the rirer, where the hulk might have been scen fur many years ufer its arrival. Other and birger bouts tourbird ni Logansport iu 1836 wml 1816. Thy Wnbush, before the completion of the eunul, was inneh used as n route fur transportation by kuel lemts and pirugure, but this trade wns in course of timo transferred to the enunl and mailiruya.

In the xteminbonting days at Logansport, n well. conducted gruseng factory Ins ronsilereil no siuull acquisition. That of Jnmes Binko, of Indianapolis, IFus rumored to this plnco in 1810, and in extensive buisness was curried on in blevelung the drug and shipping it for the Chinese market.

The leniling business in the conuty for sanny years ins tho fair trade. Ewing Walkor & Co. esmblisheil hero u large warehouse, where their furs wire iritmiueil anil pneked for the Eastern and European monrkets; while the American For Company, through John D. Skelton, Nathan Aldrich abil others, purchased largoly here, as did N. D. Grover, also. To tlu< point come furs from the mouutuins of Trunesco amit Kentucky-from ns fhr nurth os Minnesota and meat to the lovky Mountains AAs high ns $200,000, nud mio10, huy been paid oil here in uny yenr for furs hy single tirus.

The first Atrneinro erected for county juirpoves wns on the cororr af Fourth und North streets, near n bere the present court house tras nferworil built. 'IEns was used for the office of the Conuty Clork und other officers. Tho courts nere held in the Kel Mirer Suisinary building, and aftoriwird in the obl Presbyterian Church ni times, until a suitable pinco iras found in the stouc court house, work on which began in 1841. The building wns ready for use in 1841, und oost in ull $10,000. It is substantially built, liny one of the finest cont rroms in the northern part of the State, and at the time of its erection there were fen, if any, structures of this kindl in ludinun which Ture its suporiors.

The brat inil was constructed on n vory primitive plau juderil, onil ut B cost nf some $27. It stooil not far from the juil now iu nse, in tho rear of tho coint houso, und was nbont ten hy fourtern feet in anzy. The next jail, also of loga, iny bnilt nhont 1884, but now torn down to minko romy fuer tho court linnse. Aftor this, the Isement of tho conrt honse was useit for oella iu which prisoners irore confineil.

The jnil now in uso wyns cumpleted in 1870, ni n cost of $47,1km, and isn fin Imilding with n commodious Sheriff's residence in front. There has never been uny execution for u espital erimo in Onxy County. One Jere. Corrimou was fried in the first ilecute of the county's history, in 1837, for the murilor of n shoemaker numer Davil Seott, and comleumed tu expiate bin crime on the gallows, but he chented jitstioe hy committing anicide in his roll.

Misont.L.J NEOUS.

Cats County was represented in the Mexienn war by n fill company, which left nader the commmul of Spear $. Tiptou. Ifpou his promotion,

the captainey fell to Stanislaans Lasulle. The county was also well repre- sented in the recent wnr of the rebellion.

The Cass County Agricultural, Horticultural and Mechanical Association dates its existeneo back to [811. Tho first annual fair holdt uniler the au- spices of Tho association was quite samll, but the exhibitions nun rank tho equnl of any in the State. Tho hrst P'resident wos Hewitt L. Thomas; Sec- rotary, Dr. John bytlo. Tho officers during the fair in 1875 wero as fel- Inws : President, Ilorace M. Bliss , Sceretory, Daniol W Tomlinson ; Treos- nrer, A. M. Flory. Tho Directors for 1876-76 are na followe :

Buone Township-II. M. Bliss. llarrison Township-William lord.

Bethlehem Township- George Freshinur

Admins Township-Thornton Tyner.

Ciny Township-A. S. Cooke.

Noblo Townsltip-George Kinn.

Eel Township-L. G. Patterson.

Clinton Township-Abraham Shideler.

Washington Township-Robert K. Rhea

Tipton Township-John Costonborder.

Derr Creek Township-J. I]. Ward

Jncksou Township-Jobn Comphell.

At large-John G. Soybold, X. Ilunt, A. M. Flory, W. A. Black, Rufus Mugee, W. L. Ulrich nail l'. C. Sizor.

The fair groundy are finely situateil on the Ect River, cayt of Logansport. Thu nasacintion bas so far poid all its current expenses, unil a small surplus reinnins in its treasury

The Old Settlers' Society nf Cass County dotes ita organization, as at present constituted, back to February, 1870), in which month the first con- feronco for the formation of the society was held. The first meeting was beld .func 4, 1870. The last meeting, August 21, 1876. The first President was Daniel Bell ; Secretary, Charles B. Lasselle; Ilustorian, T. B. Ilelm. The President for 1876 wos N. B. Burron ; the Orator, Williamson Wright. To Messrs. Lasselle anil thelm, and especially the former, the author is in- debted for much valunblo aid and the use of original nunnuscripts of no small ratne in compiling his work.

The county officors for 1873-76 are as follows :

Commissioners -- Dennis Uhl, John Ilynes and Daniel Foglesong. Auditor-Geo. W. Blakemore. flerk-Nonh S. La Rose

Sherif-W. I'. Louthain.

Tremurer-Jacob Heliel.

Recorder-Simon P. Sheerin.

Surveyor-John C. Hrophy Coroner- Josoph II. Ivins. Superintendent of Schools-Henry ti Wilson.

Circuit Judge-ilon. Dudley It. Chnsc.

Cirenit Prosecuting Attorney-Frank Crookott.

LOGANSPORT.

The early history of the county is necessarily also a history of Logans- port, mu for some timo this place, ns for ns civilization ivos concerned, was the county or about all there was of it.

The first plot of the town was recorded in Carroll County before the sepn- rnie organization of Cass. The original plat was laid out April 10, 1828, in the shape of a triangle, and was moite up of one hundred and eleven tois The place was not yrlected for the county scat until August in the year fol- lowing.

As many bo imagined, Logansport, during the first years of its existence, was knowu chiefly ns n trading post, and As such it runkeil among the first on the Wabaslt. Tlto hisinras was almost entirely with the Indians, who onine here to exelinnge Murs for articles in demand among themselves. The exodus of the Indians in the following years diminished the fur trade to n great extent, but this was much more than equalized by the manufacturing and commercial interests, which nrose as the country became settled and sub- jeet to tillage. Until the building of tho railways, the shipment of grain on the count irns a large item in the business of the place, and this, with other commercial enterprises, played a muelt more important part in the city bis- tory thun did the wannfuetorios which were of a luter growth.

Loganspurt was incorporated us n city in 1838. The Erst election way behl on the first Tuesday of April in that sent, just ten years after the town luol been surveyed in the woods. The following wore the first officers under the city chartor : Muyor, Jordan Vigus ; Recorder, John & Patterson ; Treas. urer, llobert B. Stevenson ; Ablormen, Cyrus Taber, Phillip I.camy, Wm. Il. Wright, J. B. Eldridge und 8 8. Tipton. These officers met on the Tuesday following their election ut the office of Tipton & Patterson and entered upon theirilnties. Soon after, Henry Chase was elected City Attorney ; Jacob llull, lligb Constuble ; Do llart Boath and Burton R. Keep, Street Commissioners, unit the list of offirers was complete.

All the railways in the county center at Logansport, waking it n railway paint secomit to but for in the State. The first to reach the city iras the Richmond & Newcastle line, completod over tirenty yenrs ngo ; and uon, after minny ohauges in its management, a uimit of the Pau Handle systom of rouds. The next which entered came soon after in the shape of the Toledo, Wuhsh & St. Louis lino, non known ns tho Toledo, Wabash & Western. That part of what is now the Pan Handle Rond, from Logansport to Slate Line, was next coustructed ; then the route to Chicago known as the Cin- cinnati & Cineago .kir Line, Chicago & Great Eastern, and other corporate nume4, which were onally merged into the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Ilnilivny, or l'an Imidle, ns it is comoouly known. The Detroit, Eel Eiver & Ilinois Railroad iras the next to reach the city; nud, lastly, in 18Th, the Logansport, Crawforilsrillo & Southwestern, which lind been built to Clymot's in 1872. With tho exerption of the Wahash line, ull theso rondy buvo large repair shops in the city, which, in the aggregate, give employ- ment ta inore meu than any other singlu manufacturing industry in tho county The walls of the railway shops alone, according to a statement ulo in nu Indiana officinl report, execed four miles in length.

A large umonut of private capital is invested in manufneinring establish- ments. The principal uf these nro The flouring-mills, foundries and min- chiun shops, Box, nil und [oper-bills, hnb amt spoke works, mil other luni- ber and wood working establishments; iroolen-mills, Lile norks and other industries The splendiil water power ntfordel by dums nero's the Wubash and Eel Rivers is utilized by a number of the mauufnetories anil mitls, anil the milable power is estimated at nearly 500 borse-power. The Like Frie & Wabash Caunl, until anffered to fall into itisuse, in 1674, afforded consuler. uhle water power teur the locks, which is now being replen by stenm. Below the city there is nu immouse porrer allowed to run iille, which, by building a ilant arrowy tho Wubash, holon the junction of' the Fel, could he renilily utilized.

A Jurge retail Imsiness, in all the branches of trade, is carried m iu Logansport, and n ereditable start in wholesaling has been munde. The monvyrd interests conter in three banks, one of which is chartered under the Nationni banking law, tho remoiniler by tho Stato.

Enrly in the winter of 1875-76, n contract was let for tho construction of city inter works, to rust $170,000, mnil n large force of wurkmen nt ouco brgon operations for their completion.

The publio school system of the oity is well orgamzed. The present Superintendent 19 J. K. Wultz. Tho I'rincipnl of the Ihigh School is M. S. Coulter A new high school Imilding has been but lutely completed, at a cost of nemilr $60,000.

Logansport hns fourteen churches, distributeil among the Catholic and Furious Protestant denominations. There are also five Masonie organiza- tions, four of Chid Fellows, Loilges of the Knighty nf Pythias, Independent Order of Red Men, Gooil Templars, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, nuil other serret amil benevolent sucieties.

I"ITY HIFFICYES.

The city offerrs for the year 1875-76 are as follows :

Mayor-John B. Shultz. Clerk-Joseph G Barron. Treasurer- Joseph B. Mesauger.

Morabal-Urinh Shaeffer. City Engineer-Walter A. Osmer. Police Judge-Jahn C. McGregor.

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Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 66

Author: Publication date: 1876 Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co. Number of Pages: 472

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co.
Number of Pages: 472