USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 77
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The first death was that of Mrs. Mary Bay, wife of David Bay, and sister - of Ilorney Robinson. She died in 1841, and was buried on the farm of her brother. Several other interments were made on the same farm at a later date, but the place was not set apart for a cemetery.
The first mill was creeted by llorney Robinson in 1834. It was a saw-will, and stood on the bank of Lost Creek, from which stream it received its motive power.
Mr. Robinson conducted a successful business for a number of years, and sawed the lumber for many of the principal buildings crected at Fort Wayne during the existence of the mill. His trade extended as far as the Salamonie River, in Huntington County, Ind. He continued as the proprietor of the mill until it was worn out and finally abandoned. There was no grist-mill nearer than that situated on St. Mary's River, in Wayne Township; but the roads were good and the distance was not regarded as inconvenient.
The first religious meeting was held at the house of Horney Robinson, in 1834, by Rev. Stephen R. Ball, of the M. E. Church, who visited the township and held meetings on frequeut occasions thereafter.
CHURCHES,
Methodist Episcopal .- In 1835, the first Methodist class was organized in this township hy Rev. Stephen R. Ball. There were fifteen constituent members, and serviees were conducted every two weeks, at the house of one of their num- her. Meetings were held thus, from house to house, until 1844, when a log church was erected on land donated for the purpose hy Horney Robinson. This served as a house of worship until 1866, when it was succeeded by a frame church, to which was given the name of " Brenton Chapel." It is 30x40 feet, and was erected at a cost of $1,200. During the twenty-two years which had then elapsed since the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this township, its church register had recorded the unues of a large number of the neighboring farmers and their families, and the little cemetery adjoining the church received the last remains of many who were instrumental in its organiza- tiou and identified with its subsequent interests. Among those whose names were recorded as members of this Church, were wany who came from a distance to enjoy its services ; and the founding of churches nearer their homes resulted in their withdrawal from this congregation. Others removed to distant places, and this combination of circumstances resulted in the disorganization of the Church to such an extent that services were discontinned. They now have no Pastor and hut few surviving members.
St. Aloysius Congregation ( Catholic) .- Iu 1858, Rev. Jacob Meyer, of Deeatur, Ind., held the first services according to the rites of this Church, at the house of Fred Weaver. Sixteen families took part in the services, and were visited every third Friday of each month hy Father Meyer, who continued as their Pastor for several years thereafter.
The Miller and Harber families took a deep interest and virtually founded the Church. Three acres of land on the east side of the Bluffton road were given for church property hy Christian Miller in 1859, and, in the same year, a frame church, 29x36 fect, was erccted on this tract. At the request of Mrs. Mary Magdalene Miller, it was christened St. Aloysius' Church.
In 1875, it hecame necessary to enlarge the church, in view of the inereased membership. The addition consisted of a sieristy, and, at the same time, a spire and new roof were added, these improvements involving an expense of $1,400. The church is now handsomely furnished and refleets eredit upon Pastors and people.
The l'ollowing are the Pastors from its organization to the present time: Revs. Jacob Meyer. Aloysius Meile, Martin Kink, Theodore Hihhelen, William Woeste, Joseph Nussbaum, Ferdinand Koerdt.
Father Koerdt, the present Pastor, was installed July 30, 1876. and shortly thereafter established St. Aloysius' School, where the children of the Church receive their education.
From sixteen, the membership of the Church has increased to seventy fami- lies -- about four hundred souls.
United Brethren .-- In 1854, sixteen members of this denomination met at the house of John Miller, and, under the ministerial offices of Rev. Casey, organized a class. For a period of five years, the class-meetings were held at the homes of the various members, hut, in 1859, they erected a log church, near the site of their present house of worship. Rev. P. Landen was then the Pastor, and dedicated the church. While he continued in charge, and after he was transferred and his successor appointed, the membership continued to inercase ; but the little log church was still their house of worship until 1868. In that year, they erected their present church, " Liberty Chapel," in the southeast eor- ner of Section 7. The church now has a membership of 100, aud is under the pastoral care of Rev. Mahon
Union Chapel .- In June, 1874. tho citizens of Pleasant and Wayne Town- ships met at " Prayer Grove Chapel," in the latter township, to adopt measures for the erection of a church in Pleasant Township, which should he for the use of all religions denominations, and, in August of the same year, the building was begun. It is 28x42 l'et, aud was erected at a cost of $1,150. It is situated in the northwest corner of Section 3, on the east side of the Bluffton road. The dedieatory services were conducted in December, 1874, by Rev. Robinson of the M. E. Church, Fort Wayne, and the Rev. T. H. Bernau, of the Christian Church, Wells County. #Since that time, services have heen conducted regularly every two weeks. The present Trustees are Davi Grider, Chester Shive and John Dalman.
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THE VILLAGE OF SHELDON.
The land upon which Sheldon is located was originally owned by A. J. Taylor, who first divided it into town lots in 1868. The Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad passes through the central part of the town, affording an excellent outlet for the export of sawed lumber and carriages, which are the chief' industries of the town. The mercantile and other business interests are repre- sented by the following firms: John A. Thieme, - Blakeman, dry goods and groceries : F. X. Shuler, boots and shoes ; Calvin A. Seymour, M. D., physician ; Charles Sutter, blacksmith; Donatus Bohnard, proprietor " Bohnard House."
LOCAL INDUSTRIES.
Carriages and Buggies .- This enterprise was inaugurated at Sheldon by A J. Taylor, in October, 1868; but, during that year, his time was chiefly ocenpied in laying out the village of Sheldon, on his own farm, and the carriage interest did not receive all of his attention. In the succeeding year, he erceted several houses in the village, and, in 1871, built a saw-mill, which he conducted until disabled by the loss of his left hand, from the large saw of his mill. In 1873. The onlarged his carriage buildings, and increased his manufacturing facilities, at the same time building three tenement houses for men employed at bis establish- ment. In the fall of 1873, he began the building of a number of carriages for sale at anetion ; on the 4th day of May, 1874, held the best publie sale at his yard. Public opinion seemed opposed to auction work, and the entire day was consumed in disposing of fourteen carriages. He held two more sales that year, and disposed of a larger number each time; and this was true of each sale there- after. In 1875, he sold from thirty to forty carriages and buggies in three or
four hours. In 1876, he held four sales, disposing of about fifty vehicles at enel ; and, at several fairs in adjoining counties, his work took the premium. In 1877 and 1878, he found that he had not the facilities for turning out work rapidly enough to supply the dem ind. Ile held four sales each year, an I the carriages wero purchased as rapidly as they could be handled. The present year (1879), found him unable to supply more than half of the demand for his work. At the sales-held at intervals of sixty diy-, between April aud November-as many as a thousand people assembled at his place to buy. During this year, he employed from thirty to forty men, and is now preparing 200 carriages for next year's trade.
The main building is 24x96 feet, two stories, and in this the wood- work and finishing are done. The building where the ironing and blacksmith work is done is 26x46 feet.
JOHN DALMAN.
John Dalman was born October 13, 1842, in Pleasant Township, Allen Co., Ind. His father, Edwin Dalman, was born in England in the year 1820, and emigrated to the United States, with his parents, at the age of twelve years. In 1833, he came to Allen County. Ind., and settled on the bank of Little River, in Wayne Township. where he remained until 1842. Io that year, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary McNair, a native of Canada, who came with her parents to Allen County in 1837. Soon after marriage, he purchased a tract of land in Pleasant Township. Here he was sorrounded by dense thiekets, from which he was to develop a farm. Young, and full of ambition be undertook the task, and as one year succeeded another it found his farm improving, and his worldly prosperity increasing. He came to be regarded as one of the foremost citizens of his township, and every enterprise inaugurated for the advancement of its interests received his sanction and co-operation, but, while beartily interested in its welfare he never permitted his name to be used as a candidate for any of the township offices.
He was identified with no religious denominatiou, yet was a man of exem- plary habits and sound morality, and led a life which might well be emulated by others. He died in January, 1864.
His son-the subject of this sketch, passed the days of his childhood and youth amid all the uneouth scenes which mark a new settlement. Pleasant Township numbered among its residents scarcely more than a dozen white families at the time of his birth. Situated thus, he was deprived of the privilege of attend- ing school, as there was not such an institution in the township until he had grown to be almost a young man. Aside from the instruction which he received at home, in the art of reading and writing, his education was of that practical kind, which, in later years, developed the thorough farmer. Ile learned to follow the plow at an early age, and by constant association and rictice, became familiar with all the details of the farmer's occupation. He ne a desire to follow any other pur- suit, but, regarding the field of agriculture is native element. adopted it as a life-work. After the establishment of schools in the township he entered upon a course of studies, which, when completed, qualified him to act intelligently in all business transactions.
He continued to work on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, when he was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Helle, daughter of Frederick and Charlotta Helle, who came to Allen County from Germany in 1843. Ile inher- ited one hundred and twenty aeres, opposite the site of his present residence, and in 1872 added eighty acres by purchas.s. Ile had gained what might be denom- inated "a good start," and by good management he accumulated a surplus in ensh which he wisely invested in other land. In 1874, be purchased one hundred and ten acres on the north side of the road, upon which, two years later, he erected his present handsome residence.
He has grown with the township and has borne a prominent part in many of the public improvements which have been made within its limits as well as in other parts of the county ; religious and educational institutions have always met
with encouragement and assistance at his hands, aud no deserving charity appeals to him in vain. Throughout his life, he has been known as a man of pure charac- ter, and his native nobility has gained for him the admiration and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
In April, 1868, he was elected Trustee of Pleasant Township, and served for a period of five years. His nomination and election to this responsible office was a fitting recognition of his merits, in view of the fact that he was then only twenty- five years of age. In 1873, he resigned the position, but in 1876 was again induced to accept it and is now neting in that capacity.
Both himself and wife are consistent members of the Christian Church, and live their religion in their daily lives. Their many acts of kindness will long live in the memory of those to whom they have been offered, and their generous hospi- tality will be remembered by many a tired stranger who has partaken of their bounty.
To bless their wedded life there were seven children, viz .. Mary Charlotta, Louisa J., Merica E., Edwin F., John W., Mary Frances and Florence, of whom all are living, save Mary C. and Mary F.
A. J. TAYLOR, EsQ.
Andrew Jackson Taylor was born upon a farm in Springfield Township. Columbiana Co., Ohio, on the 20th of October, 1824. His parents Were Enoch and Barbara ( Kegoriee) Taylor.
On young Andrew's arriving at the age of nine years, his father sold the farm in Columbiana County, and purchased another of 105 acres near Austiu- town, then situated in the county of Trumhull, but since organized into Mahon- ing. To this new purchase the father at once moved his family, continuing his residence there while he lived. His death, from cholera, was very sudden, occurring in the month of August, 1844. In this sad bereavement, the subject of our sketch. then in his twentieth year, was called to take charge of the homestead and to eare for his widowed mother and seven younger brothers and sisters. Besides managing the farm, he also commeneed the building of carriages. This he did without ever having served an apprenticeship.
He finally invested in a small property for himself. It was situated elose beside his mother's place, where he continued to give attention to her needs and those of her young family. The property, too, included the shop wherein be had commeneed. the carriage trade.
In the mean time, he had attained to the head of domestic affairs of his own. He married Miss Susan W. Brooks, daughter of Ilays and Charity Brooks, May 21, 1849. She was an amiable, worthy young lady, and has proved a genial, faithful companion. Her family, like bis, were members of the Presbyterian Church ; but matrimonial relations caused no interruptions to business.
The wheel of mechanical energy, once started. continued to revolve, and success was the fruit of well-directed application. The handiwork of industry and skill found an ever increasing demand, and thus increasing a capacity to manufacture, was correspondingly cularged. His magnitude of growth finally enabled him to much more than bll the local detuand.
From 1851 to 1856, a favorable market for large shipments developed at Fort Wayne, Ind., and at other points still further west. To quite an extent, about this time, his manufacturing capacity was again strengthened-attaching, also, in 1857, a department for harness-making. For both harness aud carriages, Mr. Taylor had previously sought and found a desirable market in the several States of Kentucky, Tennessee. Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana-New Orleans being the most distant point. In this direction, too, he found not only a ready market, but received very remunerative prices, including, with cach sale of carriage, a full set of harness.
In the spring of 1861, at the breaking out of the rebellion, Mr. Taylor had $35,000 in outstanding claims against parties at the South, and in carriage works located at various points there, for sale. This property was wholly confiscated or lost. Himself, too, in Vicksburg, Miss., just at that critical time, by the help of friends, barely escaped being conscripted into the rebel service.
Thus escaping, with fortune sadly diminished, yet nothing daunted, he returned to his home in Ohio, where, with unyielding euergy, he pursued his avocation up to December, 1863. Selling his entire property in Ohio, at this tique, he emigrated to Wells County, Ind., there purchasing a farm of 116 neres near the village of Ossiau, and locating upon it.
In the spring of 1864, aside from farmu duties, he contracted to build a large flouring-quill at Ossian for Messrs. Brown & Gorroll-completing the same, ready for use, about one year thereafter. During its construction, he was drafted into the United States military service; but, thinking it neither advisable nor desirable t» give his service to the army, he supplied the call by a substitute. at a cost of $625.
Still situated upon his farm from 1865 to 1868, he renewed enrriage- making. Then selling there, he soon bought a larger one (160 acres) in Pleasaut Township, Allen County, and moved to the sanic.
Upon this tract he has since continued to reside. The condition, at first, was uninviting, and a small portion only had been cultivated. Yet now, how changed ! Mr. Taylor has erected a fine, full, new outfit of buildings, and has made many other substantial improvements. He has at this time an excellent farin, a delightful house-a view of which can be seen in this history.
During the summer of 1868, he negotiated with the Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Railroad Company, for a side track and depot upon his landl. Ile then laid out 196 town lots, thus founding the original plat of the present thriving villazo of' Sheldon. Its name was christened in honor of the Superintendeut of said railroad.
Purposing again to renew the retail manufacture of carringes, by the spring of 1869 a shop was completed and in full operation. Retailiug continued up to
172
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY, INDIANA.
1873, when a capacity for wholesaling was agaiu established, and this time, he instituted the plan of selling wholly at the shop. Ile would thus seeure economy by avoiding the expense of agencies and shipping. Another important reduction in costs, he secured by buying his material in large quantities at wholesale, and. when practicable. " in the rough !" Besides himself, too, there are five from his own family eurployed at manufacturing. thus dispensing with much of hired labor!
These facts explain sufficiently why Mr. Taylor can supply good workman- ship, at prices so very low. Nor has Mr. Taylor beeu free from positions of pub- lie trust. In 1870, his fellow townsmen elected him to the office of Justice of the Peace, continuing hiu therein, by re-election, for eight consecutive years. He served thus with credit to himself, aud with entire satisfaction to them. The fruits of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor's wedded life have becu ten children, seven of whow are now living-four sons and three daughters, viz, Freemuan B., Almira. Warren W .. Clark C., Mary J., Mays E. and Clara May. Two of them, Freeman B. and Almira, are married and live near their parents. The others still live with their parents. Physically, Mr. Taylor, all his life nearly, has been strong and very enduring. Since the fall of 1876, however, this has been true in a mueb less degree, having then harcly recovered from a severe siege of typhoid fever. Besides, ou July 3. 1872. he received a serious injury, erippling him for life. His left hand was caught and mangled in a circular saw ; this in a large part dis- ables him from mechanical labor. Hence his time is now quite exclusively given to the financial and executive supervision of his business. A kind husband, an indulgent father, a most worthy eitizen -- ever showing due respect to others, he enjoys tbe pure affeetion of the home eircle, and, by all who know him, is held in higb regard.
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