Clay Township

Clay Township

This township was so named in memory of the distinguished patriot and statesman, Henry Clay, the illustrious son of Kentucky. It is situated a little northeast of the county seat, bordering upon Logansport, a part of that city being taken from her limits, and which at an early date was the center of the early settlement. Her lands accordingly came early into market.

Mr. Arnet Shields, now an honored citizen of Noble Township, informs us that on the 9th day of November, 1829, his father, Joshua Shields, settled in Clay Township, on the farm now belonging to the county. He tells us that at the time of their coming, there were but three families living within the boundaries of what is now Clay Township. They were Samuel Ward, Daniel Fuller and George Richardson. They had all located, and were living upon Seciion 16. From the improvements they had made, Mr. Shields thinks they had come the year previous, 1828, probably all about the same time.

The four men named above having led the way into the dense forests of Clay, others were soon induced to follow their example. Before the close of the year 1829, the following men were enrolled as citizens of the township: John Alexander and William Scott, both on the farm now owned by John Davis; "Jack" Smith, on what is now the Adam Moorehart farm; Henry Miller, on the Humphrey farm; Reuben Covert, on the farm belonging to Mr. Cooke; and Joseph Sellers, on what is now the John White farm.

In 1830 came a number of worthy men, who were in no wise dismayed by the gloomy prospects presented by a home in the wilder¬ ness, but who sought with their sinewy arms to aid in the noble work of bringing the forest into a state of cultivation. They were: Joseph Douglass, who settled on the same farm where he is yet living; Will¬ iam Fallis, now a feeble old man, also on the farm where he lives ; Peter Miller, on the farm belonging to He-iry Orwin ; John Hamil¬ ton, on the Flory farm; James Tucker, on the farm owned by the Carter heirs ; Leonard Sutherland, on the farm the present property of Mr. Aley ; Gen. Walter Wilsen, on the farm now owned by T. J. Wilson's heirs; George Smith, on what is now the Puterbaugh farm ; Solomon Kelley, on the farm belonging to Mr. Thomas; Zera Suther¬ land, on the Robinson farm; John Hill, on the farm now owned by Mr. Wells; Gillis McBean, on the farm now in possession of the Widow Skelton, and Charles Demos, on what is now the Cooke farm.

The list of names as given us, is scarcely so large during the year 1831 as the year previous (1830). At first thought, one would have supposed it much larger, and yet, it is often the case that emigration to a new country without any apparent cause often declines. Then it is possible for our informants to be mistaken slightly in their state¬ ments. Some credited to 1830 may have come early in 1831. Our readers must ever bear in mind the difficulty under which we labor to arrive at accuracy where memory alone is the authority for events that transpired almost a half a century ago. We are told that in 1831, there entered the township the following men : William Demos, who settled on the Horn farm; George Julian, on the farm of William Douglass ; Moses Barnett, on the land owned by the Carter heirs ; Wills Buzan, on the Flory farm ; Noah Vandeveer, on the present property of the Skelton heirs; James McClung, on the farm belonging to the heirs of Jesse Julian, and Archibald MeGrue, on what is now the Deleplane farm.

Among those of 1832, were the following: John Sutton, on the farm belonging to Mr. Campbell; Abraham Surber, on the farm which his heirs still own ; William Murphy, on the La Rose farm; John Murphy on the farm of Mr. Simpson, and John Shields, on what is now a part of the County Farm.

Prominent among those of 1833 were John Plummer, Jacob and Joseph Hall, William Sutherland, John L. Smith, Benjamin Engart and Henry Layton.

Soon after 1834, many changes began to occur, so that it would be difficult to continue the list of early settlers farther. However, we may name as coming soon after and consequently sharing in the hardship of pioneer life: Jesse and Jacob Julian, N. Castle and Edward Johnson. The last named gentleman had been a citizen of Logansport several years previous to moving to Clay.

The first religious meeting in the township was held at the cabin of John Scott, by the Christians or Disciples, in 1830. John Scott himself and his brother Alexander were early preachers of that de¬ nomination.

1834, the first camp meeting of the township was held by the Meth¬ odists, on the George Julian farm. Doubtless there are many who re¬ gard this spot almost as holy ground, remembering that there they laid aside the old man sin and adorned themselves in the shining robes of righteousness. The camp meetings in those early days were instrumental of great good, being similar to the protracted meet¬ ings of modern days. The first church built in the township was by the Christians (or Disciples), on the Miller farm, in the year 183^. The next was by the Methodists, on the Nathan Julian farm. Among the pioneer preachers, we name B. Westlake, Perry Buckingham, Wm. Boyden and Ephraim Bates. '

The first school in the township was taught on the Charles Demos farm, in the Winter of 1831 and '32. Shortly after this, a school house; was built on the Wells farm. The next was in the Sutherland neighborhood, about the year 1833. Among the pioneer teachers we name Messrs. Cozat, Sumwalt, McLaughlin and Moore.

The township was organized May 5, 1832. A short time after the organization was perfected, the first election was held at the cabin of Samuel Ward. The first Justice of the Peace was Joseph Sellers. The next was John Ward, the son of Samuel Ward. Among those who served at an early date as Trustees we name Messrs. Julian (Nathan) Cooke, Swigart, Terrell and Black. After the law changed, requiring but one, Asberry Barnett, whose name is recorded among the early settlers of Harrison Township, was chosen to fill this office. So well and honorably has he discharged its duties, that he has been steadily continued in that position.

The first mill in the township was built by Jonathan Washington, in 1832, on the farm owned by the heirs of Mr. Carr. This, although simply a corn cracker, was highly prized by the pioneers. The next to engage in this enterprise was Charles Demos and his son John, who built a saw-mill on the present site of the County Poor Farm.

Being situated near the county seat, and being settled at an early date, Clay Township has indeed made praiseworthy progress. The traveler through this part of Cass County is pleased with the well improved farms and the neat, substantial dwellings which greet his vision. The name and location of churches may be had by reference to the township map, found on another page of the Atlas. Her school houses are six ; enrolled children,-.

Being so near Logansport, no villages have ever been laid off within her borders. That part of the town of Logansport found within her limits will be described in another place.

All great men in dying leave behind them ardent admirers, those who desire to perpetuate the memory of their ideal men. Hence, frequently do we find our civil townships bearing the names of our nation's honored men. The above-named township was so called in memory of the illustrious statesman and President, John Quincy Adams.

Previous to the year 1828, the land embraced now within the borders of Adams knew not the tread of the white man. The Indian held undisputed sway. In that year, however (1828), a white man by the name of Jackson Conner established an Indian trading-post on the farm now owned by the heirs of John Hoover. The occupation of Mr. Conner was that of trader exclusively. Accordingly, he made little attempt at improvements of any kind.

Not until the year 1830 did a white man enter her borders with the fixed purpose of bringing at least a portion of her lands into a state of cultivation. This gentleman was Samuel Lowman. He chose for his future home the farm now owned by the heirs of Daniel Dillman.

The next man who had sufficient nerve and energy to cast his for¬ tunes in an unbroken wilderness, trusting alone to his strong right arm to clear away the forests and prepare the ground whereon should grow the necessaries of life, was Henry L. Thomas. He came in the year 1831, and fixed his home on what is now the widow Fjirgeson farm. Despite the hardships borne as a pioneer, by reason of strength, Mr. Thomas' life is yet spared. He is now 72 years of age, and is the only one who settled previous to 1831 left to tell the story of life in the woods.

Before the close of the year 1831, two other men took up their abode in the township. They were James McPherson, who settled on the Tilghman Woodhouse farm, and John Kelley, who located on what is now the Thomas Dalzell farm.

In 1833, came Richard Ferguson, ye* an esteemed citizen of the township; Henry Daggy, who settled on the Woodhouse farm; John Gillen, on the farm belonging to Mr. Eurit, and Nathaniel Nichols, - on the land owned by Tilghman Woodhouse.

Prominent among those who came soon after 1833, and shared in the hardships incident to pioneer life, we name Joel 'Black, who is probably the oldest man of the township; Thomas Dalzcll, Thomas Kinnear, James Reed, Nathan Jones and Isaac Newman.

The first religious meeting in the township was held at the cabin of Henry L. Thomas, in 1832, by the Methodists - William M. Ray¬ burn preaching.

The first school was taught in a cabin on the Dalzell farm, in the year 1836, by William Davidson. The first school house was built on the Joel Black farm the year, following, 1837. The same year, another was built on the Thomas farm.

The township was organized May 6, 1835. Soon after this, an election was held at the house of Nathaniel Nichols. John Cox was chosen first Justice of the Peace. Nathaniel Nichols acted as Inspect¬ or. He was also one of the early Trustees.

In the year 1835, George Lowman built a saw-mill, the first ot the township, on the land owned by Messsrs. Furgeson & Young. To this was attached- a corn cnicker.

In the year 1832, there was born to Henry and Mary Thomas a daughter, Nancy, who was probably the first child of white parentage born in the township.

In improvements Adams does not claim to be foremost. Situated in the extreme northeastern part of the county, until recently far from railroads, she has not had the stimulus for improvements with those townships bordering upon the county seat. In certian localities the advancement she has made is highly commendable. The names and location of churches will be found on another page of the Atlas. Her school houses are 7 ; enrolled school children,-.

Twelve Mile

is a small village in the north central part of the township. It perhaps was never regularly laid off. Jacob Reynolds is located there at present, as general merchant; Mr. Wilson as druggist and Dr. J. M. Morris as physician and surgeon.

is a station on the line of the Detroit & Eel River Railroad. It was laid out about 1872, by Riley Hoover. John Clouse is at present located there as general merchant. Mr. Clouse also serves in the capacity of Postmaster. Hamilton & Co. are running a saw-mill.