Francis W. Chase
The men of this generation cannot realize the situation which faced their father, when fresh from the excitement and stir of the battlefields of the Civil war, they returned to the quiet farm life, and were required to settle down to what must have been not only a hard life but a commonplace one. That many of them could not endure it is evidenced by the great emigrations to the west at this time, but that it is evidenced by the great emigration to the west at this time, but that many did settle down our prosperous arms of the middle west bear evidence. Among the latter was Francis W. Chase, now one of the most successful farmers of Grant County, Indiana. He is not only successful but he has own the honor and respect of all who know him and is one of the most popular and influential men of this section.
Francis W. Chase was born at Eckford, Calhoun County, Michigan, on the twenty-fourth of September, 1843, a son of Eli T. and Margaret (Whitcomb) Chase. Eli T. Chase, a son of Daniel T. and Huldah (Youngs) Chase, was born in Rensselaer County, New York, near Troy, in 1815. His youth and early manhood were spent in the western part of New York in Genesee County, and at the age of sixteen he began to work for an uncle, with whom he made his home until he was twenty-one . Then after a mid-winter journey of twenty-two days, he accompanied a party from western New York to Southern Michigan. He arrived in Calhoun County, February 12, 1835, and lived there until his death on January 19, 1897. He was one of the influential pioneers and helped to develop the prosperous and fertile land of Calhoun County. After paying for his first eighty acres, he had only three dollars left, with which to continue his improvements and provide for the necessities of life. Eli T. Chase during his active career had a very prominent place in Calhoun County, Michigan, and in view of his long and honorable career it seems appropriate to quote several paragraphs concerning his life as published in a Michigan paper at the time of his death.
"Mr. Chase was a public spirited citizen, and took a deep interest and an active part in political, educational and religious affairs during this long life. He was active in the organization of the township of Eckford, and was the last survivor of those who voted at the first township meeting in 1836, after its organization. While a young man he took a bold stand against the institution of slavery, and voted for the Liberty party candidates in 1844, and advocated the principles of that party until slavery was abolished. In those days it required strong convictions and manly courage to espouse the unpopular cause of the slaves. he was one of the three representatives from the town of Eckford in the historic convention of 1854, "under the Oaks" at Jackson, and assisted in the organization of the Republican party, and during his active years took a prominent part in its council and conventions.
While residing in western New York, Mr. Chase became a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and upon settling in Michigan Territory labored to establish a branch of his chosen denomination at his home. He was one of the thirteen charter members, and the last survivor of those devout pioneers who united together and organized the Free-Will Baptist Church of Cook's Prairie, March 12, 1836. He was one of the members who procured the legal incorporation of the church and society and served on the building committee in erecting the church edifice, and served as trustee for many years and was chairman of the executive committee of the Semi-Centennial Anniversary of the organization of the church, March 12, 1886. Mr. Chase was often sent as a delegate from his church to quarterly meetings and other conventions of his denomination and for more than sixty years was one of the most reliable and influential members of the Prairie Church.
In the educational movement, which, as an element in the church policy of the Free Will Baptist Denomination was a prominent question fifty years ago. Mr. Chase took advance position for progress. Long before the mass of communicants realized its importance, he was laboring to establish a denominational school in Michigan. He was one of the founders and liberal contributors to Michigan Central College at Spring Arbor, and served on its board of trustees. Being one of the first to perceive tat the location of the school was unfortunate, he voted for its removal, and was on the committee which selected Hillsdale as the new location and which gave HiIlsdale College to the denomination and the world. In this crisis of the school, Mr. Chase assumed heavy responsibilities, and for months held the title of the property until legislation could be procured and Hillsdale College incorporated and the title transferred.
His cheerful and genial nature and ready wit made him a welcome guest at every gathering. As a kind neighbor, devoted husband and father, useful citizen and a Christian gentleman, he reflected cheerfulness and happiness all along the pathway, and he will long be remembered by his neighbors and friends. As a man of deeds, not words, Mr. Chase has taken an active part in the religious and secular questions in his church and community, and has participated in the educational and political affairs of his township, county and State. He has lived to see his educational reforms triumph, his educational enterprises succeed, and not only to see the institution of slavery wiped out, but to see the slave an enfranchised citizen. He helped make his history, and it was justly a source of great satisfaction to him in his declining years to feel that his life work had contributed to make his country men freer, wiser and better."
In the fall of 1838 Eli T. Chase married Miss Margaret Ann Whitcomb, who died October 7, 1894, at the age of seventy-six years. Her father Rev. Samuel Whitcomb was one of the pioneers in southern Michigan, and very influential in the organization of the Free Will Baptist church at Cook's Prairie, being its first pastor. Eli and Margaret Chase were the parents of nine children, five of whom are now living: F. W. Chase; John E. Chase, who lives in Benton Harbor, Michigan; Melville, of Oklahoma; Charles S., who lives in Michigan on the old home place; and Dora E., who is the widow of J. H. Graham, the founder of the Graham-Morton Transportation Company.
Francis W. Chase was reared on the old farm in Michigan and was early located in school. After finishing the work of the public school, he entered Hillsdale College, and it was his father's intention to give his son the best education possible, but he Civil War made an end of all his plans. Aflame with patriotism, the young collegian enlisted in Company A of the Twenty-Fifth Michigan Infantry on August 5, 1862. He served until the close of the war, being in the twenty-Third army corps. His first engagement was in the battle of Tibs Bend, on July 4, 1863, and then came the Atlanta campaign, which he passed through unscathed. He served as a corporal during part of this campaign. Later he was a participant in the Battle of Nashville, and his last fight was a little skirmish at Wilmington, North Carolina. After this his corps joined Sherman's command at Greensboro, and he was mustered out on June 30, 1865, at Salisbury, North Carolina.
After the war was at an end, he returned to Calhoun County, Michigan, and at first determined to complete his uninterrupted studies. He therefore entered the University of Michigan, and took a course in the medical department, but he has never graduated. However, for one year he practiced medicine, and then married Janet Robertson of Allegan County, Michigan.
With the responsibilities of a family he moved west to Kansas where he and his wife lived for seven years. In 1878 they returned to the middle west and settled in Grant County, Indiana. This has been his home ever since, and Mr. Chase has a farm in Franklin Township on Section five near Sweetser. Here he has attained prosperity, both as a farmer and as a crop raiser.
Mr. Chase is affiliated with the Masonic Order, with Samaritan Lodge No. 105, A. F. & A. M. He is also a member of Sweetser Lodge No. 433 of he Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past Noble Grand, and a member of the Grand Lodge. In politics he is a member of the Republican party, and has been active in the affairs of that organization. While a resident of Kansas he served as trustee for a year, and had on term as commissioner of Sedgwick, Kansas. Since coming to Grant county, he has served as commissioner of the county, his term lasting from the fall of 1892 until 1898. Mr. Chase owns one hundred and eighty acres of land, and his farming operations are conducted along general lines.
Mr. and Mrs. Chase have become the parents of five children. The eldest, Margaret, after graduating from the public schools, entered the teaching profession in which she has been engaged since 1892, now being located on the Island of Porto Rico. Frank is a resident of the State of California, being connected with the Standard Oil Company. Mary A. graduated from the Kindergarten department of the normal school at Benton Harbor, Michigan, and is now the wife of Edward Daniels of North Marion, Indiana. Harriette, who is a graduate of Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, is now a teacher in Idaho. Paul E., who is a graduate of the Electrical Engineering Department of Purdue University, is now located in Porto Rico, being employed by the Electric Power Company of San Juan in that Island, but also spent four years in the Philippine Islands.
Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914.