Taberville was the first addition to Logansport located
south of the Wabash River. Taberville was the official name, but it wasn’t long before people
also started calling it “Tabertown”.
The original plat only included part of the south side lying
east of Burlington Avenue south of the old race to Clay Street; as far east as
Coles Street. As the section west of Burlington Avenue filled up, that entire
region became known as Taberville or Tabertown to everyone.
Logansport began as not much more than a great location between two rivers to trade with the native Americans. But, by 1828 it had grown into a town as one can see from the original plat above. This was the year that Cyrus Taber came to live in Logansport.
Biddle's Island is a "blob" drawn in the Wabash River.
In 1838 Logansport was incorporated as a city.
In 1853 Cyrus Taber and Allen Hamilton decided to offer a nice suburb on the south bank of the Wabash.
Taberville was platted July 11, 1853.
In this 1861 view of Logansport (hot air balloon map maker) - it is evident that Logansport was a pretty sizable city already. Biddle's Island is pictured here in the Wabash, complete with wagon bridges and railroad trestles. Also the Wabash & Erie Canal is the blue strip coming in at the top, right of the map - it flowed down what is now Erie Avenue then turned north on what is now Fifth Street, flowed up to the aqueduct to cross the Eel River, then on to what is now Water Street.
South of Biddle's Island a few houses of Taberville can be seen. (map above)
The 1894 map (above) shows Taberville. The name stuck for decades, but more or less simply a way of describing an area of town. People knew that if you were from Taberville that meant you lived on Logansport's south side. Later other neighborhood names would surface, such as "Shultztown"...but that story is for another time.
Humphrey Street, the second street east of Burlington Ave.,
was named for Humphrey Taber, son of Cyrus. Coles street was named in honor of
Stephen Taber’s wife whose name was Deborah Coles.
CYRUS TABER
Cyrus (1800-1855) and his brother Samuel came to Logansport from Fort
Wayne in 1828. About a year later Samuel moved north to Plymouth, but Cyrus
remained. Taber family members were present in Logansport until the last of
them, Jesse Taber died in 1956.
All of the Tabers had one marked trait: they acquired land.
At one time they owned a total of 16,300 acres from Logansport’s north, south,
east and west.
Logansport Memorial Hospital stands on ground that, very early on, belonged to the Taber family. That property was known as Taber Grove; a wooded area which was used for picnics, 4th of July events. family gatherings and etc.
ALLEN HAMILTON
Montgomery Street was named after a son of Allen Hamilton.
The Cass County Historical Society sells copies of the maps used in this blog. Proceeds from any sales benefit the Society and its museum.
My 4x great grandmother, Margaret Thompson, was "indentured" to Taber in 1835 at about 2 years of age- although the documents say four-years-old. Her father may have been a Niel Thompson, but it is not confirmed. I am looking for any information to determine more about Margaret's origins. Her siblings John B., Neil M., and Susan were also "indentured out" to people in Logansport. Perhaps there is a manuscript collection of Taber's papers she may appear in?
ReplyDeleteIndenture: "Cass County, IN, Joseph Sellers & George Julian oversee of the poor to Cyrus Taber. This indenture made this 7th day of December in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty-five between Joseph Sellers and George Julian overseers of the poor of Clay Township in the County of Cass and State of Indiana of the one part and Cyrus Taber of the county a aforseaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the said overseas of the poor have put plant bound and do by these presents put place and bind one Margaret Thompson a poor girl aged about four years of age as apprentice to the said Cyrus Taber for to live with him the said Taber from this date, that is today until the said Margaret Thompson shall arrive to eighteen years of age of the said Cyrus Taber for to live with him the said Taber from this date that is today, until the said Margaret Thompson shall arrive to eighteen years of age of the said Cyrus Taber shall so long live, and the said overseers do by these presents give to the said Cyrus Taber all the right power and authority over the said Margaret Thompson and her services during the said term of which by the laws of this state another? Has in and over a lawfully indentured apprentice and the said Cyrus Taber on consideration thereof doth on his part covenant and agree to and with the said overseer of the poor and their successors in office and each and every of them, and with the said Margaret Thompson as his apprentice can ? her to be with and sufficiently taught and instructed in the English school to read and write and to train her to habits of industry and morality and during the term of her apprenticeship to provide and allow to her sufficient meat, drink, washing lodging and apparel and all t hose things necessary for an apprentice during the said term of apprenticeship and the said Cyrus Tabor further covenants and agrees to furnish and give to the said apprentice at the expiration of her aforesaid term of service one freedom suit, and twenty dollars in cash. In witness whereof the said parties have hereunto set their hands and seal the day and year first above written. Joseph Sellers, George Julian, Cyrus Tabor.. Signed sealed and delivered the of Z. J. Matlock. Recorded Dec. 11 1835"