Tipton Township

Tipton Township

Under the above name we have to record a brief history of one of the largest, and, we may say, in some respects the best township in Cass County.

The name Tipton was given the township in memory of General John Tipton. Its dense, but fertile forests, covered with an abundant growth of sugar, poplar and walnut, all indicative of a deep, rich soil, were unbroken by the white man until the year 1838. In that year came John D. Forgy and James Cook.. They pre-empted the land and built cabins, the first in the township, upon the farm now owned by Joseph Shaft. In a short time, however, becoming dissat¬ isfied with their location, they removed to Logansport.

A little later in the same year, 1838, Lewis Conner and Allen Wilson, sturdy, energetic men, such as would in nowise be discour¬ aged by the beginning Forgy and Cook had made, concluded to try their fortunes in the woods of what was afterward Tipton Town¬ ship. Conner fixed his home on what is now the Gish farm, while Wilson settled on the farm belonging to Mr. Shaft.

The same year, 1838, "Bill" Vandeveer, as he was familiarly called, settled on the Henry Puterbaugh farm. He was fond of hunt¬ ing, to which he gave most of his time, making little attempt at im¬ provements of any kind.

In the Fall of 1839, Col. William Scott settled on what is known as the Leggett farm. The same Fall, Andrew Wilson, who had been a citizen of Miami Township since the year 1833, living upon the Henry M. Edson farm, sold his claim there, and moved into Tipton, locating on the farm where he is still living. He is the only survivor of those who had made a settlement up to that time. A little later in the same year, 1839, William Wilson settled on the Blinn farm ; Ja¬ cob Richardson, on the farm which still bears the same name; Curtis Fidler, on the farm belonging to Henry Ullery ; Archibald McGrue, on the Jacob Humbert farm ; and Moses Barnett, on the land owned by the heirs of John Fry. In 1840, came Thompson McGrue, who settled on what is now the Louthain farm ; William and Wesley De¬ mos, on the J. W. Miller farm ; James Tucker, on the land belong¬ ing to Levi Snider; Joseph Snell, on the farm of Samuel Snell; David Ripley, on the E. Roderick farm; Noah Vandeveer, on what is now the Sharts farm ; William Rowan, on what is known at present as the Philips farm ; William P. Louthain, on the Leggett tract of land ; Lewis Whittaker, on the Garmer farm ; John Halian, on the farm

Those of 1841 were as follows: Samuel and David Puterbaugh, who settled in July of that year, in the eastern part of the township, on the beautiful and well improved farms in the fertile valley of Pipe Creek, where they are still living; Peter C. Berry, on the Finley Reed farm; Vincent and Joseph Louthain, on the farm owned by Mr. Leggett; John Merritt, on the land belonging to William Stauf¬ fer; David Whitsell, on the widow Hahan farm ; John Ladd, on the farm the present property of George Kesling; I. Harris, on the Peter Kesling farm; and Christian C. Army, on what is now the Marion Young farm.

In 1842, James Mays settled upon the farm where he is now liv¬ ing. Others of the same year were D. K. Smith, who settled on the farm belonging to his heirs; Joseph Kulb, on the farm where he lives; and N. B. Knight,-on the George Kesling farm.

Among those who came in 1843, we name Joseph Bennett, the Olivers, Jesse Carr, Moses Bennett, William D. Fields, David Baker and Lane Anderson.

In 1846, William P. Thomas, a man who has manifested much interest in the affairs of the township, settled on the farm which he still owns. Others of the same year'were Anthony Hiller, James Lewis, James Louthain, John C. Leffel and John Ullery.

j After 1847, the population of the township began to increase i so rapidly that we shall be content with naming a few who came soon after that time, with some who were in the township, perhaps, at an earlier date; Dudley Madden, who had been a citizen of Clay Township for thirteen years previous; Harrison Wilson, Jesse Hass, Samuel Lowman, Oliver Waite and William Nicholes.

The first religious meeting in the township was in a little cabin on the Andrew Wilson farm, by the Methodists, in 1842. The preacher was Allen Skillman. The following year, 1843, the first church organization was perfected by this denomination at the house of David Baker - Rev. R. Calbert preaching. William Ricketts and John Leach were also early preachers of the same denomination.

The next denomination was the Christians, or Disciples, who held their meetings at William Nelson's about 1845. Mr. Nelson himself did their preaching.

The first church was a hewed log structure built by the United Brethren, in 1852, on the Henry Snell farm. The .next house of worship was by the same denomination, soon after, on the Tucker farm, and known as the "Seven-Mile Church." The next church was in Walton, by the Lutherans; the next was by the Methodists, in 1870, and another by the Universalists, a little later. In 1872, the Christians, or Disciples, built, near Lewisburg, a neat, substantial brick church.

The first school 4n the township was taught by a Mr. Heathener, in the Winter of 1842 and '43, in a cabin on the Allen Wilson farm. The Winter following, 1843 and '44, another school was taught on the Andrew Wilson farm, by L. F. Bowyer. In 1844, the first school house in the township was built on the Allen Wilson farm, Soon after this date, others were built in various parts of the township.

The township was organized May 3, 1840. The first election was held at the cabin of Andrew Wilson soon after the perfecting of said organization. At this election, Thomas McGrue, an esteemed citizen, acted as Inspector, a position he held for many years. The first Justice of the Peace was William Wilson. The first School Trustees were Oliver Waite, William P. Thomas, and William Nicholes.

The first mill in the township was built by Samuel and David Puterbaugh, in the Fall of 1841. This was a saw-mill, with corncracker attached. It commenced running in the Winter of 1841 and 1842. We need hardly say it was highly prized by the pioneer who, previous to this, was compelled to go to Logansport for his lumber and grinding.

In 1850, another saw-mill was built on the Costenborder farm, by George Sharts. The year following, 1851, a third saw-mill was built by Elihu Plummer. The first grist-mill was built by Thomas K. Hansberry. The next was by John Costenborder. In 1872, a steam grist-mill was started in Walton by D. P. Cromer. At present there are in the township seven saw, and three grist-mills.

Pipe Creek is the principal water course of the township. Along its entire course are found immense beds of limestone; some having the appearance of marble. Fossils of considerable value are also found near this stream.

In an early day, at whatis known as " Pipe Creek Falls," were found extensive dens of rattlesnakes. These, in the Spring of the year, as they came out to sun, were shot by the pioneers, who thought it fine sport.

At an early date in the history of the township, a few bears were found occasionally within her borders. In the Winter of 1842, one of these animals was killed by William Scott and William Wilson. It is said the former gentleman was so proud of his achievement he carried a paw of the bear in his pocket for some time, in order that doubting parties might be convinced.

The first death was Winfield, a son of William Scott, which occurred in 1844. Soon after this the father, William Scott, died. They were both buried in the " Little Deer Creek Cemetery."

Tipton Township, beyond a doubt, possesses a larger acreage of fertile land than any township in Cass County. As is known to all, it is from the soil we draw our wealth. Hence, many of her citizens have been prospered financially, and are able to make such improve¬ ments as their tastes may dictate. The township in nearly every respect is well-improved. Her churches number, at present, seven, viz.: two Methodist, two United Brethren, one Christian, one Universalist and one Lutheran. Her school houses are - ; enrolled school children, - ; population, 2,200.

This flourishing village is situated in the southwestern part of the township, on the line of the P., C. & St. L. R. R. Outside of Logansport, this is one of the largest and most enterprising towns in the county. It was laid out in 1852, by Gilbert W. Wall. Hatahway & Noel laid out an addition soon after. Three additions have since been made at different times by Messrs. Farris, Dollarhide and Davis.

The following is a list of its business men at present : C. T. Hur¬ ley, general merchant; Geo. W. Bishop, general merchant; J. Q. Kesling, druggist ; John Shaffer, restaurant;W. P. Bell, Postmaster; David Engler, hotel; Surface &r Morgan, grocery; D. P. Cromer, grist-mill; Bennett & Shaffer, tile factory; Adam A. Smith, tile factory; Hon. Isaac Baumgamer, planing-mill; Penrose & Reed, blacksmiths; Lee Green, blacksmith; Joseph Beall, wagon maker; D. Studer, carriage maker; Hurd & Curtis, saw-mill; G. W. Camp¬ bell, saw-mill; Penrose & Bro., pump factory; William Bishop, under¬ taker; D. W. Sumption, railroad agent; J. W. Benifee, shoemaker; law; Ministers, P. S. Snider, William Peck and Adam Surface; Churches are three, viz.: Methodist, Universalist and Lutheran; School houses two - in one of which is taught a graded school. The town is incorporated, and the following are its officers: 0. P. Darl¬ ing, President; James Davis, Clerk; C. T. Hurley, -Layton,

Board Of Education

The teachers' Scientific and Classical Departments are under the control and personal attention of Supt. H. G. Wilson and Professors J. H. Hays and J. H. Neff.

This school was opened for a course of ten weeks, on the 9th day of April, 1878, with a large number of pupils. With such a fair be¬ ginning, its future success appears flattering, and, under its present competent management, it cannot fail to become one of the leading educational institutions in Cass County.