Cass County, Indiana - Chapter 46: Deer Creek Township, 1913

Location - Creeks - Soil - Early History and Settlement - Organization - Industries - Roads - Churches - Cemeteries - ^Physicians - Schools - Trustees - Towns - ^Lodges and Orders - ^Miscellanous incidents; - ^biographies.

Deer Creek township is located in the extreme south part of the county, and comprises thirty-six square miles, situated in Congressional township No. 25, Ranges 1 and 2 East. It is bounded on the north by Washington and Tipton townships, on the east by Jackson township, on the south by Howard and on the west by Carroll county. It received its name from **Deer creek," the principal water course, running through the township. The latter derived its name from the fact that in early times, vast herds of wild deer frequented the banks of this creek. This is a good-sized creek, rising almost to the dignity of a river, which runs from east to west through the entire township near its center, flowing on through Carroll county into the Wabash river. Little Deer creek is a smaller stream running through the extreme southern part of the township, and Jordan's Run is a small creek between the two former.

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

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

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

Th^ next settlers were probably Johnson Reagan, who located on Section 19; Samuel Etter, brother-in-law of Fonts, in Section 13; Joshua Coshow, in the southwest quarter of Section 36, and Wm. Bu- chanan, in the same section. In 1841 Wm. Dunkin located on Section 25, where he resided until his death a few years ago. Daniel and Jacob Shelly, great hunters, located in Section 14, in 1841.

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

The next two or three years many permanent settlers located in various sections of the township, who became well Jmown and influential citizens, among whom were John Payton, James Logan, James Smith, Wm. Hall, Wm. Holland, Benjamin Hoover, Thomas Vaughn, David and Isaac Pemberton, James Stanley, Benjamin Dunkin, Henry Jones, Samuel Wallace, Lewis Isley, John Davis, Wm. Smith, George Wilson, John

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is the oldest religious society in the township, and was organized in 1845 at the cabin of John Elmore. Some of the charter members were: Dr. John Reeder and wife, Henry Doran and wife, John Elmore and wife, David Reeder and wife, Jonathan Reeder and wife, Elijah Bunnell and wife, George Campbell and wife. The beginnings of tills church had its origin in the efforts of Sisters Anna, Elmore and Phebe A. Reed, who held prayer meetings at different cabins in the neighborhood, awakened an interest that soon culminated in the organization of a class. Meetings were held at private residences for several years, conducted by these earnest women, an4 an occasional itinerant preacher, that wandered out into the wilderness, until about 1851 or 1852, when a log church was erected in the center of Section 10, on land donated by George Campbell. A burial ground was started here, and Ada M., wife of Daniel Dale, was buried December 7, 1851. This old Salem log church, the first church built in Deer Creek township, was occupied for many years, but finally abandoned and torn down about 1875, and the ground reverted to the adjoining farm, according to the provisions of the deed. The society held meetings in the Babb school house, northwest comer of Section 11, for a short time, when in 1876 a new frame church edifice was erected on the southwest comer of Section 4, a mile to the northwest of the old log church. The new church is a commodious building, constructed at a cost of $1,600.

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

Some of the early pastors were Reverends Skillman, Crotham, Newton, Pinnimore, Reed, Black, Waymire, Thos. J. Elkins, A. J. Carey, Wm. Peek, 0. D. Watkms, A. M. Patterson, J. S. McElwee.

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

The congregation occupied the log church until 1863, when it was abandoned, and a new frame house of worship was built on the southwest comer of Section 35, just across the road from the Howard county line. This building was replaced in 1890 by the present handsome brick edifice, at an expenditure of $2,000. A Sunday school was organized in 1867, and has been successfully maintained ever since. The church is prosperous and has an active membership of over eighty. The following preachers have sustained pastoral relations with the church

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Irregular meetings were held in the school house for a year or more, but in 1864 a commodious frame house of worship, 30x40 feet, was erected in the town of Young America, representing an outlay of $1,400. In 1893 this building was replaced with a handsome brick veneered church, completed in 1894.. Over $2,500 was expended in its construction. The society is doing a good work in the Master's cause, and has an active membership of 48. The pastors of the church at different times have been: Elders W. S. Winfield, 1886-93; Wm. Griggsby,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pouts, now known as the U. B. Church cemetery, is the oldest burial ground in the township, and was used for burial purposes long before any deeds were executed. November 4, 1856, Solomon Pouts deeded one acre of land in section 19 to the trustee of Deer Creek township, as a burial ground, but the land was donated and laid out by Noah Pouts many years before.

On July 20, 1886, H. N. Miller, as trustee of Deer Creek township, conveyed the above described grounds to the trustees of the United Brethren church. July 6, 1901, Jasper Pouts deeded to the trustees of the United Brethren church 27 feet by 39 rods adjoining the old Pouts burial ground, for a consideration of $100. July 16, 1901, Lewis Hyman deeded to the trustees of the Center United Brethren church a strip of ground 27 feet by 39 rods, adjoining the above, for a consideration of $75.

September 20, 1886, John Burrows, A. Ridenour, I. 6. Qish, 0. L. Logan and Lewis Hyman, as trustees, made a plat of the new part of this cemetery, and recorded the same. About this time a church was erected adjoining this burial ground. This is a large cemetery. The new part is well laid out and fairly well kept. The first interment in the old Pouts graveyard was Zadock Reagan, November 15, 1840, aged fifty-one. John Grist and his wife. Other early burials were Nancy Reagan, 1842 ; Noah Pouts, March 1, 1845, and his wife, 1846.

On April 11, 1868, Benjamin Hoover deeded one acre of land in the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter, section 20, to Deer Creek township, for a public burial ground, and to build a union meeting house. The meeting house, however, was never built. This burial ground is still in the name of Deer Creek township, but joins the Dunkard cemetery, and is controlled by that church. This is an old burial ground, finely located on the north bank of Deer creek, and interments were made here many years before deeds were executed. We copy some of the earliest burials from the grave markers: Samuel Miller, died October 11, 1845; Jacob, son of B. and M. Hoover, 1846.

William Snyder, Sr., on March 26, 1886, deeded one acre of land in the northwest quarter of section 20, to Deer Creek township, for a burial ground and when it ceases to be used for that purpose it reverts to the adjoining farm. May 11, 1889, H. N. Miller, as trustee, deeded the above tract of land to the German Baptist cemetery of Cass county. This burial ground is located on the west side of the Hoover cemetery and only separated from it by a driveway and hitch rack. It is beautifully situated, and nicely laid out, with lot markers.

The first burials as indicated by dates on the markers are : Franklin, son of A. and J. Smith, August 11, 1875; William Burrows, April 15, 1866; Amos Smith, February 28, 1879.

No soldiers are buried here at this date. The Hoover cemetery joining this on the east is also controlled by the German Baptist church, which is about two miles to the southeast on the south side of Deer creek.

John E. Miller, father of H. N. Miller, laid out a burial ground on his farm in the southwest quarter, section 5, Deer creek, township about 1853. It was managed by Mr. Miller until his death, and since by his son, H. N. Miller. In 1862 the ground was platted and managed as a private cemetery, but on January 10, 1905, H. N. Miller deeded 2.25 acres, including the cemetery, to three trustees, viz: D. C. Kitchell, L. F. Bird and Irwin Gard, for cemetery purposes. This cemetery is well located, on a beautiful knoll or elevation that rises out of the level farm land by which it is surrounded, and is an ideal burial place. It rises out of the level field like a New Mexico mesa, or like an elevation of the Mound Builders. It is surrounded by a row of trees with just enough evergreen trees within to make it attractive. It is quite a large cemetery, with some handsome monuments. It is. about forty rods west of the wagon road, running south through Deacon, with a - driveway leading to it. There is a chapel house surrounded by a large hitch rack to accommodate friends.

The first burial was Catherine, daughter of D. and N. Miller, April 3, 1853; Margaret, wife of George Boyer, 1854; Samuel Dickey, 1854; Alfred Guy, 1815-1892.

This is a neat little burial ground, enclosed with a wire fence and fairly well kept^ with a few good monuments. George W. Harness, Sr., donated the ground more than fifty years ago but never executed a deed of record until May 2, 1906, when George W. Harness, Sr., of Howard county, Indiana, deeded a piece of ground 108x147 feet on the north line of the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter, section 34, Deer Creek township, and west of the schoolhouse lot, to his sons, George W. Harness, Jr., and Bussel Harness and their heirs, to be maintained as a burial place for the dead now interred or to be hereafter interred therein. This conveyance was made with the restriction that no part of it shall be used for any other purpose than a burial ground.

This burial ground is located on the old John Davis farm in the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter, section 4, just east of Deacon. On this ground was buried a number of persons in the forties and fifties, some of whom were afterwards removed, others were left in their original resting places and the ground is now farmed over and all vestiges of a burial ground has disappeared, but the occupants of those unmarked graves rest as peacefully as though they had flaming monuments at their head or lay within the sound of great cathedral church bells.

Among those buried here were: Benjamin Moon, about 1850; Jane Davis, daughter of John Davis, about 1850 ; Hamilton Dorn, about 1851 ; Matilda Cornell, about 1852 ; infant of Mr. Etter, about 1853.

Salem Log church was the first meeting house built in the township, about 1852, on the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 10. Beside this primitive church a number of burials were made. The church was removed nearly forty years ago, but here in the comer of a field the writer, in 1907, found two marble slabs; one had the following inscription: Ada, wife of D. Hale, died December 7, 1851, age 48. On the other stone only the word ** Infant" could be deciphered, the remainder of the inscription was defaced by the ravages of time and the elements. The spirits, however, the eternal and indestructible, that once inhabited these shells of clay, are shining brighter and brighter as time progresses, unconscious, unmindful and not disturbed by the smoldering shell or the crumbling marker of their secluded and forgotten graves, covered over with weeds and rubbish. There were also a few other unmarked graves at this place.

Daniel Dale sold this tract of land to James Campbell and the latter on October 5, 1859, deeded the same to John D. De Haven and excepted or reserved a lot 8x15 rods, including the site of this burial ground and the old log Salem church, as long as used for such purposes, otherwise to revert to the adjoining farm.

Many a pioneer's grave's unmarked, as you can plainly see. But little he c^es for worldly show, when out on the unknown sea. To the brave pioneer of long ago, we bow with reverent head, AH hail to you that were so true, while living but now are dead.

March 19, 1887, the Masonic Lodge of Young America, for the sum of $200, purchased 2.67 acres of land from Samuel J. Beck, situated about a quarter of a mile south of Young America, in the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter, section 31. August 2, 1888, Samuel Beck and W. E. Lybrook, as trustees, file a plat of the above grounds.

First burials were: Charles D. Parker, 1889, and Metella V. Rice, 1889 ; William H., son of J. G. and M. P. Johnson, May 7, 1864, was evidently a removal ; James Becker, suicidal, 1907. Soldiers buried here are: Calvin McCracken, Company I, 118th Indiana, died 1903; James

Doctors are, as a rule, better and more widely known than any class of our people, and have helped to make history, at least they have to do with the beginning and end of man here below, and history would not be complete without reference to the physicians, and we will make brief mention of them in alphabetical order:

Dr. Albright lived and practiced medicine in Young America during the sixties, and in 1869 moved to Galveston and entered into a partnership with Dr. J. C. Loop, but in the following year left, and has been lost to our informant.

Dr. N. Brown was located in practice at Young America for some time, about 1885-6. He moved to Flora, Indiana, where it is reported he still lives.

Dr. John Cooper was the first physician to locate in Young America in 1867. He erected a business house on Main street and opened the first drugstore. He was a licentiate of the Cincinnati Eclectic Institute, 1867. In 1872 or 1873 he moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and later to Dakota. He married Laodiska Daggett, of Galveston, Indiana, and had one son, Butler.

Dr. I. A. Cooper practiced in Young America for a time prior to 1878. He moved to Kokomo and died there. He was married to Mary Jane Dunkin of Cass county, and had two children, Asa and Albert.

Dr. Wm. Cooper was a graduate of the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College, 1867, practiced medicine in Young America, during the seventies, and moved to Kokomo, where it is reported he still lives (1910).

Dr. Andrew J. Gray, bom in Cass county, in 1854, educated at Valparaiso Normal School, and graduated from the Indiana Medical College, 1897. Practiced at North Grove, Indiana, and in 1890 located in Young America, where he is now engaged in active practice. He served as trustee of Deer Creek township, 1900-04, and as county commissioner, 1909-12. He has been twice married.

Dr. Wm. E. Lybrook, bom in Union county, Indiana, February 15, 1850, came with his parents to Cass county in 1854, where he has continued to reside to the present time. He graduated from the Kentucky School of Medicine in 1879 and at once began the practice of his chosen profession at Young America, where he is still in active practice, having recently formed a partnership with his son.

Dr. Daniel £. Lybrook was bom in Young America in 1885, graduated from the Indiana Medical College in 1910, and at once engaged in practice with his father. Dr. Wm. E. Lybrook served as township trustee, and was postmaster under Cleveland's first administration, 1885.

Dr. Geo. D. Marshall is a native of Cass county, where he was born, 1872. He graduated from the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons, Indianapolis, 1904, and at once located in Young America, but in 1908, desiring a wider field, he moved to Kokomo, where he is now engjvged in practice.

Dr. Wm. Newlin practiced in Young America for a time during the 'seventies, then moved, and it is reported that he is now at New London, Indiana.

Dr. Charles D. Parks was born in Carroll county, Indiana, December 28, 1856, attended Hall's Business College in Logansport, and the Northern Indiana Normal School, read medicine with Dr. Powell, of Rockfield, Indiana, graduated from Rush Medical College, 1880, and practiced at Young America for many years. He is now dead. He was married to Sarah A. Henry, of Cass county, and left several children.

Dr. Wm. Scholes was engaged in practice in Young America {or several years during the 'eighties. He moved to Canada, where he ;s still engaged in professional work.

Dr. T. C. Tucker was located in Young America from about 1880 to 1885. He moved to Douglass, Kansas, where he died many years ago. He was married and had several children.

The following physicians have practiced at different times in Young America, showing that that town has great attractions for the doctors: Drs. Cyrus Pickett, John J. Pickett, Mac Burns, D. C. Bamett, Allen B. Strode and a Dr. Price.

Deer Creek was not opened up for settlement for ten years after some of the townships, and the schools were correspondingly late in being established. The first school house in this township was a primitive affair that stood in section 19, on what was known as the Hyman farm. This was the usual type of round log house, the cracks filled up with chinks and mud, clapboard roof, puncheon floor, and heated with a fireplace, with stick and mud chimney. This pioneer temple of learning was erected in the fall of 1840, and the first teacher therein was Josiah Brown, but of his characteristics we are unable to give any information, but no doubt he was master of the three Rs, ** Reading,*' ^*Riting" and ' ' Rithmetic,. " which constituted the curriculum of the primitive schools in all the townships. The second teacher was Milton Jarrett.

The second school building was more pretentious. It was made of hewed logs and stood in section 23, or near the edge of section 22, on the Holland place. This school house was occupied for many years, before it gave way to a modem building. While the schools of this township were late in opening, because the township was not thrown open to settlement, yet it very rapidly developed and schools were soon started in different neighborhoNods to accommodate the rapidly increasing population and when the new constitution of 1852 became effective, and under it, the public schools were fully established there were six schools in the township, and in later years there were ten schools, but in 1906 one school was- abandoned. ^ No. 8, situated on the southwest comer of section 28, and its pupils are hauled to No. 7, at a daily cost of $2.20 per day, and the results are reported to be eminently satisfactory, being both better and cheaper. There are now nine school buildings in the township, including the high school at Young America, all built of brick. No. 1, located on the northwest corner of section 11, was erected in 1903 ; No. 2, built in 1885, at Deacon ; No. 3, built in 1876, near Pleasant Valley Universalist church, in section 6; No. 4, situated on the southwest comer of section 18, erected in 1890 ; No. 5, or Center school, built in 1898 on the northwest corner of section 21 ; No. 6, erected in 1878, on the southwest comer of section 14; the Harness school house. No. 7, built in 1888, on the northeast comer of section 34, and the Young America school, erected in 1879, consisting of six assembly rooms, including the high school, which was established many years ago, where at this time 43 students are taking the high school course, taught by A. E. Bond as principal, with two assistants. The Young America high school building is crowded, and to accommodate the increasing numbers they are arranging to erect a new high school next year to cost $30,000. The present value of school property in Deer Creek township is about $26,000. I^umber of pupils, 349; number of teachers, fourteen.

Deer Creek is thus provided with a complete system of public schools, including all grades from the primary up to and through the high school. While the high school is not commissioned, yet the character of their work is equal to any commissioned school in the county, is a great convenience to the people, to have a high school near home, and Deer Creek citizens may feel justly proud of their excellent schools of today, in contrast with the first r6und log school house of seventy-three years ago.

Before the coming of the white man, there was an Indian village on Deer creek in the eastern part of the township. It was an ideal place for the rendezvous of the red man. The creek affording an abundant water supply; the dense forest, covering the land, gave protection to deer and other game and Deer creek was in reality a happy hunting ground of the Indian. Ther^. was also an Indian camping ground near Young America.

was simply a postofl&ce, established over thirty years ago, at the Christian church in the southeast corner of the township on the Howard county line, but was discontinued many years since.

This is a small village, never regularly laid out, consisting of a dozen residences, and a school house, a general store, blacksmith shop, etc., located in the northern part of the township. It received its name from William R. Deacon, its oldest and most prominent resident, who was its first postmaster and merchant, but now retired. There was a postoffice here for many years, but the free rural mail service has replaced the country postoffice in recent times.

This is an enterprising town, located in the southwest corner of the township, within half a mile of the Howard county line, and thirteen miles nearly due south of Logansport.

It had its beginning about 1855, when Thomas Henry came to this location, then a dense forest, cleared out a space of two acres on which to erect a saw mill. With log wagons and ox-teams, he hauled, from Logansport, an engine and boiler, over mud and corduroy roads, and set up the first steam saw mill south of Deer creek. It was a novelty to see a steam boiler in these dense woods, and some one in a spirit of a joke, with a piece of chalk, wrote on the boiler: ** Young America," indicating enterprise, and Mr. Henry named the place *' Young America.'* Around this saw mill grew up a settlement which developed into the present beautiful village. The first settlers on the town site were Thomas Henry, Laben Thomas, Randolph Coin, Robert Hunter, Dr. Johnson and James Roach. A plat of the town was first made by Laben Thomas, December 30, 1863, when he laid out ten lots and made an addition November 9, 1867. Other additions were platted as follows :

The first business man was S. R. Coin, who erected a store building on lot 2, original plat, in which he kept a general stock of good& for many years. He was succeeded by Cyrus Neff, who subsequently entered into a partnership with Laben Thomas which lasted for some years, when George W. Hunter bought them out, and continued the business until about 1867. The second business house was erected on lot 3, Main street, by James G. Johnson, about 1865, who continued in business for many years, and is still an honored citizen of the town, but retired from active duties, being now over eighty years of age. When the postoffice was first established at Young America, about 1870, Mr. Johnson was appointed its first postmaster and served in that capacity for many years.

Thomas Roush erected a two-story building on the corner of Main and Roush streets and J. G. Johnson erected the second two-story brick building on the opposite comer.

The first mechanics in the town were: Robert Hunter, carpenter, John Etter and Edward Marshall, blacksmiths, and Edward Montgomery, shoemaker. The first doctor and druggist was John Cooper. The first saw mill was operated by Thomas Henry before the town was laid out. The first steam grist-mill was opened in 1874, by B. P. Rhodes and Leander Bernard.

Adis Wirick and David A. Staly, general stores; Robert Hunter, harness and buggies; Jud Wernick, postmaster and deals in noti<ma; Reid Weikle, livery stable; John W. Cost, druggist and notions; Shank- lin Brothers, hardware and agricultural implements; Beid Tborman, restaurant; Cell. Williams, hotel keeper; Soren Jacobson, flour mill; John H. Bridge, saw and planing mill ; John Zook, meat market ; Jacob Heinmiller, undertaker, with barber shops, blacksmith and repair shops and all the necessary business interests of a city.

Drs. Andrew J. Gray, William E. Lybrook and his son, D. E. Lybrook, look after the health of the town. Its educational, spiritual and fraternal interests are conserved by a commodious high school, three churches and several lodges, all of which are noticed elsewhere. Young America has a population of about three hundred and fifty, and is the only town of any size in the county to which a railroad or interurban does not extend, and the only town not on a railroad that has a postofSce, all the other ofSlces have been superseded by rural mail delivery, and the mail to this office comes from Galveston, nine miles distant, by the rural mail carrier. It is to be hoped that in the near future, this prosperous little town, with its paved streets, cement sidewalks, in the midst of the finest farming district in the county, will be connected with the county seat by an interurban line. It has, however, a telephone exchange instituted about ten years ago, through which it can reach the outside world and by the numerous automobiles, time and space can be annihilated, so to speak.

This enterprising little village is not lagging behind and a company is now organized and arrangements are being made to erect a large canning factory this summer to put up and preserve the prolific crop of vegetables that grow on the fertile fields around the town.

Young America Free Mason Lodge No. 534 was organized March 4, 1876, with ten charter members. The first officers were: John L. Pickett, W. M.; Levi Campbell, S. M.; George W. Cantor, J. W.; William Kemp, secretary; E. J. Marshall, treasurer; S. J. Beck, S. D. ; Samuel G. Butcher, J. D.; Martin McCrackin, G. The present membership is one hundred and three. The chief officers at this time are :

Young America Chapter No. 191, Eastern Star, was organized in 1895, with twenty charter members. The chief officers at that time were : S. J. Beek, patron, and Mrs. May Gard, matron. Today the chief officers are: John M. Beek, W. P.; Many Hunter, W. M. ; and May Gard, secretary. Present membership seventy-four.

Helmet Lodge, No. 346, K. of P., was instituted June 8, 1892, with twenty-four charter members. The first chief officers were: Ross A. Montgomery, C. C. ; Carl Zook, V. C. C. ; and C. E. Mummert, K. B. & S. The present membership is one hundred and eighty-five.

Young America Lodge, No. 243, I. O. 0. P., was instituted August 25, 1865, Aid worked under a dispensation until March 20, 1873, at which time a charter was granted and the lodge fully organized with John Cooper, B. M. Dunkin, D. M. Butcher, W. H. Kessler, and F. Dagget as charter members.

The chief oflScers at present are : Ora Mack, N. G. ; William Barber, V. G.; and William Hubler, secretary and treasurer. Present membership seventy-five.

The K. of P. erected in 1900, a two-story brick building, representing a capital of over $3,000, the second story of which forms the Pythian Castle.

Grange Banner Lodge, No. 964, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized in a schoolhouse in the northern part of the township, February 4, 1874. We understand that a hall was erected at Deacon about 1886, and that meetings were regularly held to advance the interests of the rural population and for social intercourse. The order has long since suspended operations.

First white child bom in Deer Creek township was a daughter to Z. Reagan and wife, in 1841, and about the same time was bom Josiah Neflf, son of Joseph NeflE and wife.

Deer Creek has witnessed some exciting incidents in the shape of murders and attempted murders. In 1877 Abraham Johnson, while on business a short distance from Young America, his home, was accosted on the road by three men, who struck and knocked him down, and thinking he was dead concealed his body in a hollow log. When he regained consciousness, several hours thereafter, he extricated himself and crawled to a nearby house and was cared for and taken home, where he hovered between life and death for some time, but finally recovered. The culprits were evidently bent on robbery. They were never apprehended, and the mystery has remained unsolved.

During the year 1880, Young America was thrown into a state of intense excitement by the murder of Enos Brumbaugh by William Green. There was no cause for the murder, except intoxicating liquors, which filled the murderer and made an otherwise peaceable*man a foul criminal, who pursued his victim and shot him down. Green fled and was in hiding for several years. His brother, Amer Green, when under the influence of liquor, told Luella Mabbit, a young woman living over in Carroll county, where "William Green was living. When sober he regretted his exposure of his brother's whereabouts, and brutally murdered, the Mabbit girl, lest she should give the knowledge of his brother's abode to the oflScers.

He fled to his brother in Texas. Buck Stanley gained a knowledge of their hiding place in Texas, arrested them and brought them back to Delphi, where William Green was taken out of the jail and hung by a mob, and Amer was tried, convicted and sent to prison for life, but in 1912, being in failing health, (Jovemor Marshall pardoned him out, and he is now living a quiet and better life, it is said, free from the blighting influence of liquor.

The biographical sketches of the following well known and representative citizens of Deer Creek, who helped to develop and make the history of the township, many of whom have passed over the dark river, may be found in Helm's history, published in 1886, and will not be reproduced here, but simply a reference made where these sketches can be found: