Tippecanoe Township

Tippecanoe Town

TowN - DESCRIPTIVE REVIEW - FIRST SETTLERS - SvICIDE - First Scnoot - Justices - BeN-AK - ACCIDENTAL DEATAs - H C. MONTGOMERY - MURDEKR OF AN UNKNOWN MAN - D. F. Ray - TownsHip TRUSTEFS - FLOURING AND WOOLEN MILLS - INCENDIARY FIRE. IPPECANOE TOWNSHIP was organized March '), 1542, embracing seven miles square off of the south end of Bourbon Township. The petitioners for the organization of the township were A. H. Buckman, Thomas Irwin, William Wagoner, Israel Baker, William Sprout, William H. Rockhill, Samuel, Joseph, William and George Taylor, Samuel Rockhill, J. H. Cleaver, T. H. McKey, James Turner, Jacob Raber, G. H. and J. O. Parks, William Elder, Robert Milleny, H. Blakely, Solomon Linn, John Greer, Moses Greer, I. Reed, A. J. Cruzan. The petition was presented to the Board by Andrew J. Cruzan. on behalf of himself and the petitioners. TIPPECANOE TOWN. Is located on the Tippecanoe River, a short distance south of the center of the township. The original proprietors of the place were Joseph Hall, Daniel C. Martin and Joseph Serls. The town was platted and laid off into thirty lots, December 12, 1850. A writer for one pf the local county papers, in 1872, deseribed Tippecanoe Town as "a small village situated on the right bank of the Tippeeanoe River and contains about twenty-five families, mostly Yankees. It has one saw and lumbering mill, with turning lathe and hominy-mill attached; one woolen factory; one flouring-mill; one shoe shop; one blacksmith shop; one dry goods store; one family grocery; one physician and two in the vicinity. The town enjoys the reputation of being somewhat wicked, but it is no more, perhaps, in this respect, than many other places that might be mentioned possessing superior adyantages. Of all the inhabitants, there is not one man that makes any profession of religion. There has never yet been a house of worship erected in the place, or in the township, either, I am told. There are one or two schoolhouses where a few people rich and prodnetive, and there are many large farms and wealthy agriculturists in the township." While there was some truth in the writer's statements, yet his opinions were undoubtedly warped by personal feelings. The people of Tippecanoe Town and the inhabitants of the township generally, are as moral and upright, and as intelligent as are usually found in localities somewhat isolated from the benefits of an advanced civilization.

The first settlers of Tippecanoe Township were A. H. Buckman and family, and a man by the name of James Welch, and wife, who settled there in 1835. Welch was of the opinion that the future had no good in store for him, and committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor, and was buried in what is now the farm of Zachariah Senior, and was the first white person buried in the township. James Turner settled on the farm he now oceupies, the following summer, and is now the oldest settler in the township. The first school was taught in the summer of 1842, at what is now Schoolhouse No. 3, by Esther Birney, who taught there three successive terms. Among prominent early settlers were Thomas H. McKey, Samuel R. Koons, William Sprout. Thomas Ivens, Samuel Rockhill and Levi Holloway, none of whom remain except the latter. 'The Pottawatomie Chief, Benack, and many of his tribe, lived at this time on the banks of the Tippecanoe River, a short distance above Tippecanoe Town,

Deaths By Accident And Otherwise

This locality has been remarkably free from murders, suicides and aecidental deaths, so far as can be ascertained. James Welch, above noted, seems to have been the first one in this region who "shuffled off this mortal coil" of his own volition. No cause is known for his untimely taking off.

Henry C. Montgomery, on the 7th of June, 1$73, while engaged in fishing in the river some distance above the dam, in order to loosen his hook which had got fastened, dove into the water to get at it, but never rose. When found, he was laying face downward on the bottom.

An unknown man was found in an old residence house, formerly occupied by Michael Hisey, on September 30, 1873. Mr. Hisey went into the building where he had wheat stored. Almost the first thing he saw was a quantity of blood on a board on the floor, which he found, on examination, had dropped through the upper floor. He immediately went up stairs, when he was startled by the sight of a man lying on some clover hay, weltering in blood and in a dying condition. On examining the man carefully he found three or four ents or gashes on his skull, out of one of whieh his brain was oozing. Although still breathing, he was apparently unconscious and unable to speak. Medical aid was stmmoned, but the man shortly afterward died. Near his body an iron coulter was found stained with blood, it being, undonbtedly, the instrument with which he was killed. On Sunday afternoon about 4 o'elock, two men stopped at Mr. Hisey's house a short time while it was raining. Mrs. Hisey was sure the murdered man was one of them. He then had on a black cloth coat and pants, but when found in the loft, had on neither coat nor pants, nor could either be found. His suspenders had been unbuttoned, either by himself or his murderer, and his pants apparently slipped off after he had been stricken down. He was undoubtedly murdered by his comrade, but as to the cause that led to the murder, or who either one of them was, has never been

It has been impossible to obtain a correct list of those who have served as Trustees since the organization of the township. On the books and yarious instruments in the hands of the present Trustee are found the following names as Trustees in the early history of the township: A. H. Buckman, James Turner, C. Sarber. Thomas Grippis. David Jordan, Clayton Grant. Since the change of the law authorizing the eloction of only one Trustee in each township, the following have served in the order named: Lewis Erwin, David James, James Turner. Daniel R. Wood, Calvin R. Wood, Daniel R. Bearss, Patrick $. Mulligan, and Simeon Blue, the present incumbent.

Flouring And Woolen Mulls

Tippecanoe River, which meanders throngh this township, entering it on the eastern boundary, about the middle, running toward the center aud veering off to the south, furnishes an excellent water-power at Tippecanoe Town for milling purposes. The dam across the river at this point was originally built, it is said, by the original proprietors of the town. The flouring mill now in operation was built by N. B. & P. S. Alleman, of Plymouth, who operated it until within a few years past. During the war, the Messrs, Alleman erected a woolen factory close by, which they operated in connection with others until IS7S, when they disposed of it to J. F. Van Valkenburg, of Plymouth. On the night of October 25, IN7S, the woolen mills were fired by an incendiary, and, before assistance could reach them, were entirely destroyed. An attempt was made to set fire to the grist-mill the same night, but « watchman being in the mill, the attempt was unsuccessful. Detectives were put on track of the " fire-fiond," and in course of time a young man in the neighborhood was arrested on suspicion of having committed the deed. He was inearcerated in the County Jail, and soon after gave intimation

Before the meeting of the Grand Jury, however, he succeeded in making his escape from the jail. He concealed himself for some time. but finally concluded to return and give himself up to the authorities. This he cid, and afterward appeared before the Grand Jury and confessed that he fired the property, describing minutely how the act was accomplished. He also implicated a large number of old and respectable citizens of the neighborhood as being particeps criminis in the transaction. He alleged that the objeets sought to be attained was the removal of the mill dam, which it was averred overflowed a large section of country, produced stagnant water, causing malaria, resulting in sickness and death. He stated that meetings of those in the neighborhood affected by the dam had been beld at various times, at which the question was diseussed us to the most expeditious and safest way to get rid of what they termed an "intolerable nuisance." According to his statement, it was finally determined that if the mills were ont of the way, the dam would soon follow. He was selected, he stated, to do the work, the others agreeing to save him from arrest and punishment. dicted with him, and after many vexatious delays, the cases came had been guilty of the burning. The trial lasted several days, creating much excitement and ill-fecling among neighbors and parties interested, and finally resulted in the jury failing to agree. The yenue of the case was changed to another county, where it is still pending. The names of the parties to this unfortunate transaction are omitted for reasons which will be apparent to the reader.

Source changes here: from History of Indiana : Containing a History of Indiana and Biographical Sketches of Governors and Other Leading Men. Also a Statement of the Growth and Prosperity of Marshall County, Together with a Personal and Family Histry of Many of Its Citizens, by Brant, Fuller & Co, published 1890; 2,565 words in this source stream.

Tippecanoe Township

Martin A. Dilley, a successful mechanic of Ilion, was born in Fulton county, Ind., March 17, 1852. His father, John C. Dilley, and mother, Dorcas (Baty) Dilley, were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Maryland, and were married about the year 1847-8, in Fulton county, this state. The father was a mechanic, and for a number of years carried on the wagon maker's trade in Newcastle township, Fulton county, where he was widely and favorably known as a citizen, having been an influential democrat and a prominent member of the Baptist church. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dillev, nine sons and four daughters, of whom the following are living: W. H., a resident of Fulton county, and carpenter by occupation; Martha E., wife of David Bishop, of Wisconsin; Andrew J., a farmer of Pulaski county; John E., a farmer of the same county; Mrs. Amanda Copy, of Kosciusko county; Thomas A., Hugh N. and Frank E., all three of whom reside in Wisconsin. The immediate subject of this biography was reared upon the farm in Fulton county, and after his father's death was raised in the family of John Heimbaugh. On attaining his majority he began working at the carpenter's trade, which he has since carried on, having acquired great proficiency in his calling. He has built a number of residences and other buildings, in Fulton and Marshall counties, and has been a valuable addition to the population of Ilion, in which he has made some substantial improvements. He moved from Fulton county to Tippecanoe township, in 1888, and is the leading carpenter and builder in Ilion. In 1S76 he was married to Miss Minerva A. King, who died 'n 1881, leaving two children, Walter P. and Nellie E. His second marriage which was solemnized in 1885, with Miss Caroline Eherenman, has been blessed with the birth of three children: Homer A., John P., and Chloe G. Mr. Dilley is a democrat in politics, and as such w^ nominated in 1890 for the office of trustee, to which he was triumphantly elected, overcoming a large party majority, a fact which attests his popularity with the people.

L. D. Eley, M. D., a successful physician and surgeon was born in Fulton county, Ind., June 28, 1855, son of Sampson and Hannah (Kenner) Eley, who were both natives of Coshocton county, Ohio. The doctor's paternal ancestors were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, and his mother's family were also from that state. Sampson Eley was a man of prominence in the community where he resided, was an elder and deacon of the Christian church, and died in F"ulton county, this state, on the iQth day of October, 18S9. His widow still survives, living upon the homestead farm which Mr. Eley purchased from the government in 1842. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Eley, viz.: Frances, wife of Patrick Shoemaker; Jefferson; Olivia, wife of John Fluke; L. D., the subject of this sketch; Anna Belle, wife of Edward Mullenhour; Ninco C, and Lovina Jane, wife of G. W. Roberts. Dr. Eley grew to manhood in Fulton county, and received his literary education in the high schools of Rochester and Bourbon, and began his professional reading under the instruction of Dr. C. J. Loring of the former place. He subsequently entered the college of physicians and surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, in which he completed the prescribed course, graduating in 1887. He began the practice of his profession at Ilion, Marshall county, and is already recognized as one of the rising physicians and surgeons of this part of the state. He is a careful and painstaking practitioner, and has before him a career of great usefulness.

David Albert Gibbens, one of the successful farmers of Tippecanoe township, is a native of Kentucky, born in Barren county, that state, August 28, 1818. His parents were Francis and Susannah (Cox) Gibbens, also natives of Kentucky, in which state the father followed the occupation of blacksmithing, dying in 1 82 1. The death of the father and husband was a sad blow to the family, and in order to better their condition, the mother moved to Hendricks county, Ind., in 1826, and settled upon a piece of land which she and her children cleared and brought under cultivation. Mrs. Gibbens was a woman of many excellent traits of character, very industrious, and both by precept and example, taught her children those lessons of industry aud economy by which their subsequent lives have been characterized. She died in Hendricks county on the home place. Of her eight children, but two are now living, the subject of this mention, and Elizabeth, wife of James j. Jones, of Iowa. David A. Gibbens was reared principally in Hendricks county. Deprived of his father at a very early age, he was forced to take upon himself the responsibility of contributing toward the support of the famil3^ consequently his education so far as schools are concerned, was sadly neglected; but by intelligent observation and contact with his fellow men, he has since become the possessor of valuable practical knowledge. His life work has been principally farming, in addition to which he followed the carpenter's trade for about fifteen years in Plymouth. He settled in Tippecanoe township in 1862, purchasing a part of his present farm which he cleared, and to which he has since added and made valuable improvements. He was first married to Christina Ann Abrahams, daughter of Lot Abrahams, of Plymouth, who died leaving no children. His second wife whose maiden name was Sarah A. St. John, daughter of Asa St. John, of Walnut township, this county, has borne him eight children, six of whom are living, viz.: Prudy J., Alice E., Dovery A., Ida M., Etta F. and Myrtle B. Politically, Mr. Gibbens is a supporter of the democratic party, and fraternally belongs to the Masonic order.

Jacob and Mary (Overlander) Grass came from Germany a number of years ago, and settled in Stark county, Ohio, moving thence, in 1858, to Marshall county, Ind., settling upon the farm now owned by one of his descendants in Tippecanoe township, where their deaths occurred in the year 1889. The3' were members of the Lutheran church, and during the period of their residence in this county, earned the reputation of first-class citizens. They raised a family of seven children, whose names are as follows: Christian; Lydia, wife of William Vonters; Louisa, wife of William Horney; Joseph; Catherine, wife of John Fuller; Frances, wife of Alexander Boyland; Christina, wife of Abraham Eagalbarger. Joseph Grass, the principal of this biography, was born in Stark county, Ohio, November 22, 1852, and at the age of six years was brought by his parents to Marshall county, Ind., where he has since lived as an active farmer. In connection with agricultural pursuits he operates a threshing machine in different seasons of the year, a business which returns him a handsome income. He has been a life-long democrat, but enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens, irrespective of party affiliation. January 5, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Squibb, a native of Ohio, who has borne him four children, viz.: Mary Lucinda, William Franklin, Jacob Henry, Louisa Ann.

William Horn was born in Knox county, Ohio, July 25, 1823, the son of Hartman and Margaret (Welshammer) Horn, both parents natives of Pennsylvania. The mother died in Ohio, and subsequently, in 1S53, the father moved to Fulton county, Ind., where he cleared a farm and became a prominent and enterprising citizen. By his first marriage he had ten children, and by his second marriage with Sarah Hall, of Ohio, he reared a family of five children. He died in Fulton county, June 24, 1878, at the age of seventy-nine years. The following are the names of his children who are living at this time: William, Mrs. Mary Hurl, Christian, Delilah, Mrs. Ella Barkman, Columbus, Noah, and Mrs. Jane Boosenburg. The subject of this mention was reared and educated in Knox county, Ohio, and accompanied his parents to Fulton county, Ind., where, in 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Jewell, of Licking county, Ohio. He became a resident of Marshall county, in 1854, settling upon his present place in Tippecanoe township, where he has since followed farming with encouraging success. His first wife died in 1857, and the following year he was married to Miss Ann Rockhill, a union blessed with the birth of the following children: Amanda, wife of Jeremiah Fields; Washington; Ellen, wife of Morgan Ward; Emanuel, Granville, Rosa, Cora E., Pearl D. and Samantha J. Mr. Horn was a democrat up to 1878, since which time he has been in sympathy with the greenback party.

Among the enterprising business men of Marshall county is Joel W. Nifong, the present energetic merchant at Ilion, where he conducts a well-stocked drug and grocery house, which was established October g, 1889. He is a native of Marshall county, born in Center township, June i, 1852, and is the son of John and Lorenda (Watson) Nifong. He received a liberal education in the public schools of the county, and the Plymouth high school, and subsequently attended a normal school, at Plymouth, in which he prepared himself for the profession of teaching. He followed teaching for nearly twenty years, during which time he earned the reputation of an able and painstaking instructor. In 1874-75, he conducted a grocery business at Bourbon, and in 1882 took charge of a business house at Barron, Wis., for the Telke Bros., with which he was connected for a period of about three years. His business at Ilion is in a prosperous condition, and his patronage, which is already quite extensive, is constantly increasing. He was married in 1872, to Miss Catherine Elizabeth Abderfer, of Center township, the result of which union is six children, whose names are as follows: Lourenda, Dollie, Israel A., Martha, Pearl and Mearl. The last named two are twins.

Joseph Spencer, M. D., physician and surgeon at Tippecanoe, is a native of Perry county, Ohio, and dates his birth from the ist day of June, 1827. His parents were Jesse and Mary (Tate) Spencer, natives respectively of Virginia and Ireland, who reared a family of seven children, viz.: Steward, B. F., Joseph, Robert L., Mrs. Jane Bonham, Mrs. Dianna Withom, and Mrs. Nancy Arnold. By a subsequent marriage Mr. Spencer had a family, two members of which are still living, one in Jasper county, and the other near Bourbon in this county. Mr. Spencer was a farmer by occupation, and for some years carried on the mercantile business. His first wife died in Fairfield county, Ohio, and he subsequently moved to Indiana, locating in Porter county, where his death afterward occurred. Dr. Spencer spent his youthful years in Ohio, came to Indiana when eleven years of age, and received a practical English education in the country schools, which he attended during the winter seasons. His first business venture was in the dry goods and drug trade in Porter county, where he continued until 1865, at which time he came to Marshall county, and became a partner in the dry goods and grocery house at Bourbon, under the firm name of Monsel & Wolf, with which he was connected for a short time. In the above year he located at Tippecanoe, where he has since resided and where he has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine for some years. He received his professional education under the instruction of his brother, B. F. Spencer, and by diligent application has become one of the well-informed physicans of Marshall county. His first marriage was solemnized in 1850 with Miss Alice Stoddard, a native of Canada, who died in 1868 leaving the following children: Charles O., of Jasper county, W. F., of Wyoming; Jay, of Illinois; Lewis, of Black Hill; Hattie, wife of Joseph Clark, of Kankakee, 111., and Bell, who resides at home. The doctor was again married in 1869, to Barbara Smith, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Smith, of Germany, to which union one child, William B., has been born. The doctor was originally a republican in politics, but of recent years has been in sympathy with the greenback party.

Frank Vernett was born in France, June 23, 1843, and is a son of Louis and Eve Vernett. The parents emigrated to America in 1845, and settled in Stark county, Ohio, where they resided until their removal to Marshall county, Ind.. in 1872. Louis Vernett was a farmer by occupation, and followed his chosen calling in Ohio, and Tippecanoe township, this county, until his death in January, 1886. His wife followed him to the grave three years later, dying in 1889. They were highly respected citizens, and devoted members of the Catholic church. The following are the names of their five children: Frank, Augustus, Louis, Louisa and John. The subject of this sketch received his educational training in the pubHc schools of Stark county, Ohio; was raised on a farm, and in 1861 became a resident of Marshall county, locating on his present farm in Tippecanoe township, where he owns 326 acres of valuable land, the greater part of which is under a successful state of tillage. He is a progressive citizen, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances in Tippecanoe and other townships. Hannah Rice, daughter of William Rice, of Kosciusco county, became his wife in 1S67. They have six children, viz.: Mrs. Sarah Emeline Bybee, William L., Lettie, Eve, Viola and Bertha. William Yaiser, who is engaged in the mercantile business at Tippecanoe, is a native of Germany, born November, 1836, son of John and Rebecca (Erhart) Yaiser, both of whom died in the old country. The father was a soldier in the German army, served in the wars of Napoleon, and until his death, in 1873, held a position under the German government. He was born in 1790. His wife was born in 1779, and died in 1870. They raised a family of twelve children, eleven now living, but only one of whom, the subject of this sketch, ever left the old country. William Yaiser was reared and educated in Germany, and while young, learned the weaver's trade, at which he worked both in his native country and the United States. He came to America in 1853, and located in Somerset county, Penn., where he followed his trade nine years, and later, in 1865, he moved to Marshall county, Ind., settling in Tippecanoe, where he erected and operated a woolen mill. He continued this business with fair success until 1876, when he engaged in the mercantile trade with a partner, under the firm name of William Yaiser & Co. By strict attention to demands of the trade, Mr. Yaiser has built up a very successful business, and is one of the enterprising merchants of the county. He has served as postmaster at Tippecanoe, for thirteen years, and was trustee of the township for four years. Politically he is a republican, and in religion is identified with the Lutheran church. His wife, Cinderella, whom he married in 1859, and who died in 1SS5, bore him the following children: John, the present treasurer of Sargent county, Dak.; Mary, wife of J. L. Reed; Adelbert, of Dakota, and Maggie, who is still at home.