History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 61

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Kingman Brothers
Number of Pages: 366

USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 61

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140

HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.

shoulder, of which to build a cahin. He lived in this cabin by himself for nearly three years, while he was engaged in the labor of clearing his farm, planting crops, etc. For a long time, the nearest white neighbor he had was three miles distant, and the country abounded with Indians, and with packs of ferocious wolves. On the 1st of January, 1837, he was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Trier, who was also a native of Germany. She was a help-mate worthy of such a man, and their labors were erowned with success. He added to his possessions, until he was the owner of 600 aeres, at one time, of splendid land. He has sinee divided up a portion of it with his children, providing each of them with a comfortable home, in his immediate vicinity ; hut has retained a splendid home for his deelining years. His married life was blessed with twelve children, nine of whom-six sons and three daughters-are now living. Mr. Trier has always been a Democrat in politics, but has never been active in pushing himself forward for position. Iu 1860, however, his party, without solicitation on his part, nominated and eleeted him as Representative in the State Legislature, and he served as such during the regular and special sessions of 1860 and 1861, to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, and with credit to himself. He has also served the people as Trustee of the township at different thues, and in various other minor positions, but never at his own suggestion, or in consequence of his own seeking.

Mr. Trier was brought up within the pale of the Lutheran Church, and from his earliest hoyhood has heeu a consistent memher of that organization. On the 4th day of April, 1879, his wife-the partner of his labors and trials, of his joys and sorrows-departed this life, leaving her husband and family, and a large circle of friends and acquaintances, to grieve the loss of one so faithful and so true.

Mr. Trier came to this country on one vessel, while, the same year, his father and three brothers came on another. They landed at New York-he, at Philadelphia. He at once commenced a search for them ; and, coming West to Richland County, Ohio, there found an uncle of his, who informed him that his father was in Pennsylvania. He retraced his steps to Bedford County, in that. State, and there found his father and two brothers; and, from there, he went to Philadelphia, and found his remaining brother. The next season, he came to Allen County, purchased his land, made a small improvement, and returned to Ohio, where he had left his father and brothers, and brought them to Fort Wayne. All tlus journeying, over two thousand miles in distance, was made on foot, and was prompted solely hy hilial affeetion and brotherly love.

CHRISTIAN ZOLLINGER

was born in Wiesbaden, Dukedom of Nassau, Germany, October 29, 1811. His father was also born and rcared at the same place, aud was, by occupation, a turner of wood.

Young Christian, having received a fair education at school, and having been taught the trade of his father, after reaching the age of twenty-one years, he employed himself. in his own interest, at said trade. In his twenty-third year, April, 1834, he took for a life partner Miss Elizabeth Kuhne, also a native of Wiesbaden. She was born November 7, 1812. Her father was a tinner hy trade. He was prosperous, and gave his daughter a good education. Of her father's family. a brother still living at Wiesbaden, in the old home, and herself, are all that. yet survive.

With family and effects, on March 20, 1848, Mr. Zollinger set sail for the United States, and landed in the city of New York on May 18 following, having endured a long. wearisome voyage. They at onee pushed on to Sandusky City, Ohio, arriving there on the 26th of the same month. Here they remained until the summer of 1819, when the prevalence of the cholera at this place caused them to proceed to Fort Wayne, where they arrived August 5. A short time intervening. he purchased a farm in Marion Township, selling the same to his son Frederick in 1871. They now reside on the farm of their son, Henry C., and close by his home, situated near Adams Station.

Preferring to wear out rather than rust out, Mr. Zollinger still industri- ously pursued the trade he acquired in his youth. Even in years so far advanced, his aetive nature prompts, purely from choice, this method of employing time; for, indeed, there is no necessity.

Mr. and Mrs. Zollinger were both reared within the fold of the Lutheran Church, and their continuous lives have been practical illustrations of true Christianity. They are, at this time, communicants of St. John's Church, in Marion Township.

The wedded life of this venerable pair-now sixty-eight and sixty-seven years, respectively-has been a long and happy one. Its fruits have been seven noble sons, all now having families, and residing in Allen County, viz .: Charles A., Mayor of the city of Fort Wayne; Frederick, Trustee of Marion Township, and Henry C., Trustee of Adams Township. The other four-Morris, Louis C., Valentine and August-although uot holding official positions, are honorable, industrious and prosperous. In the trying days of that cruel rebellion, this family stood by their adopted country, faithful and true. Four of the brothers, Charles A., Henry C., Morris and Louis C., in the army for the Union, fought long and valiantly.

Well may parents he proud of a family so eminently worthy. May they tarry many more years in the midst of this enjoyable filial circle.

HENRY C. ZOLLINGER,

son of Christian Zollinger, was horn in Wiesbaden, Germany-the native village of his father-on the 18th day of April, 1841. With his father, he came to this country when about seven years of age, reaching Allen County more than a year thereafter. Arriving at a suitable age, he learned the trade of wood-turner from his father.

Better than a year after the breaking-out of the rebellion found him still pursuing this vocation. But on August 12, 1862, he laid his trade aside, put off the citizen's vesture, and enlisted in the Eleventh Indiana Battery of Light Artil- lery. They went to the frout ; they took the active field ; while in the Sequatchie Valley, Tenn., during the month of August, 1863, while helping to guard an ammunition train, with 240 other Union soldiers, he was captured by the troops of rehel Gen. Wheeler. After holding them prisoners eight days, Wheeler- hard pressed by Union forees sent in his pursuit-paroled them. But instead of permitting them to make their way into the Federal lines at or near Chattanooga, as they could desire, he compelled them to pass northward aeross East Tennessee into Kentucky. They were twenty-four days making their way in squads to Bowling Green, traveling much of the way by night and hiding in the woods by day. This caution helped them to evade bands of guerrillas infesting the eountry through which they were passing. In their route, they subsisted on green eorn plucked from the helds, together with such provisions as they could obtain from the negroes. From Bowling Green Mr. Zollinger returned to his command, being detained about five weeks at Nashville, awaiting an exchange. He served faith- fully with his battery until it was mustered out, being then transferred to the Eighteenth Indiana Battery. He was finally discharged June 30, 1865. Thus he had rendered nearly three years of patriotic serviee to his adopted country. In the battle of Burnt Hickory, Ga., he was wounded in his left foot. This, from time to time, still causes him much inconvenienee and pain.

The war ended, Henry C. married Miss Mary Gratzinger of Huntington County, on April 9, 1866. Six children have blessed their union-three sons and one daughter yet survive. Soon after their marriage, Mr. Zollinger pur- chased a piece of land in Adams Township, upon which he resided until April, 1867. Selling that, he purchased the traet (120 aeres) whereon he still lives. Up to the present time, since his return from the army, he has been largely engaged in the manufacture of lumber, being the proprietor of a large steam saw- mill.

Although at the time a Republican in politics, and although the opposite party were largely in a majority in Adams Township, yet, in 1874, he was elected Township Trustce, and up to this time, hy re-election, has continuously held the office. Nor has the confidence of his constituents heen misplaced ; fine briek schoolhouses, in full quota, dotting his township-at the same time its treasury being in a healthful condition financially-attests the ahove fact heyond question. He also holds the office of Postmaster at Adams Station, on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad. Mr. Zollinger is a prompt, energetic, upright business man. Is now in the very vigor of manhood, still having years of usefulness and honor before him.

JOHN M. WILT, SURVEYOR.

BY COL. R. S. ROBERTSON.

John M. Wilt, one of the pioneers of Allen County, was horn November 30, 1800, at Mount Rock, Cumberland Co., Penn. Hie grandfather, John Wilt, emigrated from Germany ahout the middle of the last century, and died in 1823 or 1824, his wife eurviving him ahout a year. His son, Peter, father of the euhject of thie sketch, was horn January 8, 1775, and died in 1842; his wife was of Irish descent, and died hefore him, in 1831. All of them lived and died at the family home in Cumherland County. John M., their eon, was reared and lived on the farm until he was twenty-one, and was edu- cated in the private echoole of that county, there heing no public schools at that time, and taught school for five or eix yeare after he hecame of age. In 1832 and 1833, he made a trip of oheervation to the Far West, and purchased some land at Bull Rapide, in Allen County, and commenced chopping and removing the timher; hut returned to Cumberland County in the autumn of 1833. In the spring of 1835, he came hack to Allen County to permanently locate, and resumed his work of clearing. In the fall of that year, he entered the office of Col. John Spencer, Receiver of the Land Office at Fort Wayne, and remained with him as a clerk for three years. He then spent one year in the employment of Maj. Samuel Lewis, one of the Canal Commieeionere, after which he was appointed to take charge of the State Land Office at Peru, for the sale of the canal lands, remain- ing in that position five yeare, and until nearly all the oanal and Gov- ernment lands in his dietrict were sold, when he returned to Fort Wayne, in 1845.

Since that time, his principal occupation has heen that of eurvey- ing lands, and there are few land-ownere in the county who have not

availed themselves of his eervices Mathematics was always a favorite study with him, and he pureued it with much euccess, and it assieted him greatly in his profession, making him well known as an accurate surveyor. He was elected and eerved two terme as County Surveyor, during which period his time was almost constantly occupied, as the country was then filling rapidly with eettlere.

He was married, in 1841, to Sarah Ellen Brady, who, with an infant child, died in 1842. In 1843, he was again married to Rhohy Smith, who died in 1872, lamented hy all who knew her. She left five children living, one, Anna Mary, wife of Oecar Simons, Esy., having eince died, in 1875, she, too, heing sincerely lamented by a large circle of relatives and friende.

Mr. Wilt is a Preshyterian hy education and choice, and has long heen an active working member of the church, and is an Elder in the Third Presbyterian Church, of Fort Wayne.

Since 1854, as early as the party was horn, he has heen a Repub- lican, and is earnest and conscientioue in his opinions, and has earned the full respect of hie political opponents for the honesty of his con- victions.

When he first came to Fort Wayne, in 1833, it was a emall frontier village, in the woode. He hae lived to see " the hreak of the deer and. the rifle crack " give way to the rush and whistle of the locomotive, the city replacing the woods and the village, the forest give place to the farm, and the people change from a rude to a refined civilization. He ie one of the pioneere of the eection, of whom so few remain ; hut lie erect form and firm etep give promise that he will yet further witness the progress of the city he has seen rise from the small hackwoode village, and where he has eo long resided among the many- friends who honor his yeare and virtues.

MRS. EMELINE GRISWOLD FORMERLY MRS. A.PELTIER

LOUIS PELTIER

MRS. EMELINE GRISWOLD.

The eldest of the few remaining pioneer mothers of Fort Wayne, who came to this point at a very early day, ie the eubject of this eketch. She was of French ori- gin, and was born in Detroit, Mich., in 1792, as the reader will already have eeen. She came to Fort Wayne as early as 1807, with her grandfather and grandmother, Batis Malooh and wife, the former being attracted hither in the capacity of a trader, this then heing, as it had been for some years before, and so continned for many years after, a noted trading-post with the Indians.

At the time of her advent here, she was a sprightly girl of eixtecn. Rer maiden name was Sheptaun. It was not the intention of her friends to remain permanently here when they came ; hut the scenery and everything in the region, though wild and uncultivated, proved so agreeable to them, and the trade that had called them hither ao profitable, that they concluded to make their future home here, and at once located near the fort.

From an early period, aftor their settlement here, having some time subsequently been united to a Mr. James Peltier, long a trader with the Indiane of the North west. and much liked hy them, the eubject of this eketch became a great favorite with the Indians of thie looality, and their warm regard for her enabled her to wield & most potent influence over their actions during many years of frontier life in this section of the Northwest. Many of her narratives are indeed most thrilling and interesting.

Some time prior to the siege of 1812, some of the ocoupants of the garrison had received an invitation to join a pleasure party at the house of & French family, a short distance down the Maumee, and. being somewhat fearful of the Indians then lurking shont, and many of them by no means friendly toward the Americans, the young Miee Sheptann, the subject of this sketch, was placed in the lead to shield the party from harm should the Indians attempt to moleet them. Leaving the fort, the party had not proceeded far in the direction of their place of destination, when some of the unfriendly Indians caught sight of them, and rushed suddenly upon them, intending to kill them. The Americans at once began to huddle about their leader and proteotrees. Upon a near apposch to the party, the Indians suddenly recognized their friend and favorite, Medemoiselle Sheptaun, who at once ineisted that her friends must not be hurt or disturbed. The Indians now hegan to make some effort to seize and strike the Americans, saying to her in their tongue (for she could freely talk with them in their own language), that if it were not for her, they would kill the Americans. But che finally prevailed upon them to withdraw. and the party, much . rejoiced, coon proceeded again on their way down the Maumee, arriving safely at the house of the French family they had started to visit, and join in the, festivitiee in view, enjoying themselves for several hours, and returning in safety to the fort in the evening. Had the party thus ventured upon 'a pleasure excursion alone, or for any other purpose gone ont of the garrison at this period, it is not improbable that they weuld ell have been killed by the Indians. Such was the young Mice Sheptaun'e control over the savage men at Ke-ki-ong-a at the time. Some time subsequent to this event, come unfriendly Indiens made an attack upon the fort. At this time, she was alone in the hut occupied by herself and friends, the latter being then absent. Hav- ing made & sally upon the fort, & small party of Indians passed down the hill to the northwest of the garrison & short distance, where the hut in which the subject of our sketch then resided, and stepped into the cabin, when they nnexpectedly found their favorite alone. Instead of raising the tomahawk to kill her, as was then and formerly often the case when meeting a white male or female under similar circumstances, and would doubtless have been the result in thie inetance had any other than the family of their friend lived there-they simply asked her for something to eat, which she freely and pleasantly gave them. Having partaken of the food set hefore them, the Indians signified that they were sleepy and desired to lie down, and the savage party

at once stretched themeelves upon the floor of the cabin, where they soon fell sleep and continued to enore heavily for eome hours, when, fearing leet eome of the garri- son might come down and eee them thue quietly enjoying themselves in her presence, she awoke them and told them they had better go away, as some of the men from the fort might come down and shoot them, to which they willingly aseented, and eoon passed out of the cabin door and etrode away sorose the common and the St. Mary'e toward the northwest, leaving their heroic friend and favorite again alone and nnro- lested. Let the reader go back to those frontier timee for a moment and look about him. What a wild scene is presented about the point where now so much of life and oivilization are wont to be seen and enjoyed. What a contrast between the present and the Fort Wayne of that period. A lonely garrison, with a few indifferent huts near it, far removed from the confines of civilized life, surrounded by a wily foe daily seeking an opportunity to destroy the inmates of the post and make themselves mas- wers again of thie old rendezvous and ecene of their early associations. What a contrast do we hehold between the ecenes through which the subject of this sketch 00 long ago passed and the aspeots presented to-day in the same locality, and for miles around this old oenter of Indian life in the North weet.

The Indians had not long been gone from the cahin of our heroine before an offi- cer of the fort, seeing none of the Indians ahont, ventured down to the little cabin to Ascertain whether its inmates had heen killed or not. Finding her still safe, And hearing her story of the manner in which she got rid of the warriors, he at ouce insieted that she must go into the fort, where she would be more secure, whither she weut. and where, with her uncle, David Bourie, and other friends, ehe resided for some montbs prior to and during the famous siege of Fort Wayne in 1812.

Until the time of her death, which occurred in February, 1876, she being eighty five years old, her memory was quite acute, and, when in a talkative mood, she read- ily and frequently detailed to her friends and acquaintancee many interesting scenes and incidents of her early days at Fort Wayne

LOUIS PELTIER.

James Peltier, the father of Louie, was one of the earty French trad rs at Fort Wayne. Hie mother, whose maiden name was Emeline Sheptaun, was born at Detroit in 1792. She came to Fort Wayne in 1807, and subsequently became a great favorite with the Indians who resorted to Ke-ki-ong-a, the Indian name of their town, located at the junotion of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Rivere. They were married in 1814. Louie was born at Fort Wayne in 1815, and le now probably the oldest living person born here.

While yet a boy, he was a trader with the Miami Indians, learned their language, and epent most of his time with them until 1832. At that time, he hecome an apprentice to Jamee Wilcox, with whom he learned the trade of a cabinet-maker. After remaining with him four years, upon the death of Mr. Wilcox, he succeeded to the business, which he has succeeefully been engaged in ever eince, of late years devoting his attention to the manufacturing of coffins and the business of undertaker, in which capacity he has aeeieted in the burial of thousande of the dead of Allen Connty. In 1836, he was married to Laura Cuehing, who died in 1844. In 1845, he was again married, to Mise Mary Nettlehoret. Mr. Poltier, like all others raised on the frontiers. had no facilities for obtaining an education, but has made good ueo of his observation and experience, and has been very successful In his businees. He has eeen life among the Indians, and experienced the hardships and privatione of pioneer life. A man of etrict honesty and integrity, a kind and affectionate husband and fatber, a genial companion, he has the respeot and confidence of the community among whom he has lived for over half & century.

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History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 61

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Kingman Brothers Number of Pages: 366

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Kingman Brothers
Number of Pages: 366