USA > Indiana > Allen County > History of Allen County, Indiana, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 78
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REV. FERDINAND KOERDT.
Father Koerdt was born August 23, 1853, at. Oestinghausen, Province of Westphalia, thermany. His parents were farmers in ensy circumstances, nod decided to give their son a good education. In early childhood, he expressed n desire to become a priest in the church of his fathers, aud in this was encouraged by bis parents. He entered the public school at the age of seven years, remain-
ing until be had entered the thirteenth year of his age, and then began a course of classical studies under private instruction. Nine months later, in October, 1866, he went to the eity of Beckum, where he continued his studies at a sebool taught by the Reetor of the parish. Here he continned until October, 1869. He then entered the Gymnasium nt Paderborn, where he completed his classical eouisc, and subsequently began a course of theological, philosophical and philologieal studies at the Academy at Munster. This oeeupied a term of three years, and he graduated in 1874.
He had then reached the age of twenty-one years, and was still too young to receive holy orders. For awhile, he was at a loss to know how to employ his time and taleuts, but finally decided to take charge of a seleet school, which he con- ducted for a term of nearly a year.
On the 28th day of August, 1875, he bade adieu to his native land, and embarked for the United States. He landed at New York, but remained in that city but a sbort time. His destination was one of the Western States, and he soon took passage for Cincinnati. Arriving at that city, he entered the seminary at Mount St. Mary's, to acquire a better knowledge of the English language. In June, 1876, he arrived at Fort Wayne, and was ordained priest hy Rt. Rev. Joseph Dwenger, D. D., Bishop of this Diveese He took temporary ebarge of St. Mary's Church, in this city, during the absence of its Pastor, and, on July 30, 1876, was installed as Pastor of St. Aloysius' congregation, on the Bluffton road, and St. Joseph's congregation at Bluffton. Wells Co., Ind.
He directed his attention at once to re-organizing and building up the eon- gregation. He repaired the chureli, and erceted a bandsome brick parsonage, at an expense of $3,500. and on the 9th day of October, 1876, instituted St. Aloy- sius' School, for the education of children of the Chureb. This he conducted in person, in addition to his pastoral duties, until quite recently, when be employed a teacher.
His work in this parish has not been free from disagreeable phases and hard labor, hut he has worked with an energy purely unselfish, and his efforts have been blessed by a largely increased membership in the Church, and a deeper interest in its offices on the part of the members. He bas awakened a religious feeling, and the good he bas accomplished only eternity can tell.
ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP.
BY L. H. NEWTON.
St. Joseph was formed in January. 1828. by the Board of County Commis- sioners, with the following boundaries : " Beginning at a point on the line divid- ing the States of Ohio and Indiana, forty-five miles north ast of Fort Wayne; thence west to the westren extremity of the jurisdiction of Allen County ; thence north to the bonhilary line between the State of Indiana and Michi- gan Territory, and to inein 1. all the territory in sud. boundaries attached to Allen ('n ity for jurisdiction." It will be see ). by reference to a map of the State, that the counties of De Kalb and Steuben were embraced within the territory thus described. In later years, these counties, as well as townships in Allen County. were organized and the boundaries of St. Joseph gradually contracted.
At the session of the Board in September. 1834, it was ordered that all the territory cast ol Washington Township from the line dividing Ranges 12 and 13 and north of Adams Township, from the line dividing Town- ships 300 und 31. be constituted a township, to be known as St. Joseph. At this session of the Board. Isane Klinger was appointed Inspector of Elections Six years later . September, 1840), the township was reduced to its present houndaries, by order of the Board, and now cuibraces Congressional 'Township 31 north, Range 13 east.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Jeremiah Hudson, a native of Delaware, settled in the township in the fall of 1828. It is conceded by these familiar with the early history of the township, that he was the first white residen. within its present boundary. lle was a man of enterprising disposition, and cleared and improved a farm on the land known as " the Ogle half-section."
Charles II. De Rome, a native of Canada, camir to the township in 1829. At Vincennes, he married an Indian maiden of the Miami tribe, and lived on the reserve bearing his name, until death. Several of his descendants still reside in this county. De Rome was well educated, and for many years was connected with the business houses of Fort Wayne in a clerical capacity. His knowledge of three languages made him a valuable assistant to his employers.
Later in 1829. Jesse Klinger settled on Richardville Reserve. He was n native of Pennsylvania, but moved to Ohio when quite young, with his parents. At the time of his arrival in the township, he was a strong man, just in the prime of life, and bade fairly to link his name inseparably with the future bistory of the township. He at once began the improvement of his land, and cleared a large portion of it, which he cultivated successfully from year to year ; but, in 1835, he fell ill. and his labors lound a rest in death. He was a kind- hearted man, and contributed his labor in various portions of the county, wherever his neighbors had a house to raise or a log heap to dispose of, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.
Thomas Grilhs came to the township in 1829, and purebased a traet of land on the De Rome Reserve, where he started a small tannery. Here bis wife fell
ill and died. and after having eleared a portion of his land and instituted improve- ments upon it. it was found that his title was invalid, from the fact that he had purchased land of De Rome, who was not authorized to sell any portion of the reserve, as it had been conveyed by the Government to his children. Thus Grif: fis was forced to relinquish his title, and received no compensation for the labor expended in the improvement of the land. Discouraged, he removed to Kos- ciusko County, Ind., since which nothing is known of him.
Near the close of 1829, Martin Weeks settled in the southeast part of the township, on land through which the Hicksville, or Ridge road, was afterward located. IIe was more favorably impressed with the sport of following the game, then so abundant in the township, than with the labor necessary in preparing his farmu for cultivation ; and thus allowed several valuable years to slip away unim- proved. He was of a quarrelsome disposition, and more than a match for bis neighbors in a fight. They left him " severely alone," and he wade few if any friends during the first years of his residence in the township. Later, how- ever, he embraced the Christian religion and became a minister of the Baptist Church, as well as one of the best of neighbors. Hc removed to Liberty Mills, Ind., in 1840 or 1841. where he died.
William Sturms came from Shelby. Ohio, late in 1829, and like his neighbor Weeks, was fond of the chase, yet he did not give himself wholly to the sport, but passed the greater portion of his time at home, improving his land. He remained in ibe township until his deceast, keeping paee with the march . of improvement.
Moses Sivotts eame to the township in 1829, and settled opposite De Rome, on the west side of St. Joseph River. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and . received a liberal education in that State. He was a good- natured. kind gentleman and gained many friends. Cedar Creek Township, where he He rem ned but a few years, and then removed to fter improving a farm.
. John Klinger settled in the
mip late in 1829, and purchased a tract of land in De Rome's Reserve. After making some improvements, he too was forced to relinquish his title on account of De Rome's inability to sell land belorg- ing to his minor children. This way of having land cleared for nothing finally hecame notorious, and settlers thereafter shunned the reserve. Klinger subse- quently settled on the west side of the river, where he improved a faun.
Abraham Dingman and William Butt came to the township in 1830. They were natives of Ohio, and were remarkable l'or their industry among n community whose chief stock in trade was their energy. Dingman and Bott appeared oblivi- ous to all that was passing around them, and seemed actuated by a determination to take no rest until their farms were made, at least their actions warranted such a supposition. They succeeded in their efforts, and after cultivating their respect- .ive forms for a number of years, both removed to Miami County, Ind .: where Mr. Butt still resides.
John Tillbury settled in the southeast part of the township in 1832; eame from Shelby County, Ohio. He was n man of great energy, and elcared a large
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HON. CHRISTIAN PARKER.
MRS. CHRISTIAN PARKER. (DECEASED.)
HON. CHRISTIAN PARKER, ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP.
Is a native of Preble County, Ohio, where he was horn September 11, 1807. His ancestors were English. Amariah Parker, his grandfather, fled from Cornwall to escape heing pressed into the English Army, landing and locating at Boston, Mass., in 1861. Prior to the Revolution, aleo, followed three of his brothers, each, too, settling at or near Boston. Dissensions arising hetween the feeble, young Colonies which had given them refuge, and the strong, tyran- nical Mother Country, it was no hardship for them to determine the part they would take. With true sympathy for those who were wronged and with spirits hungeriug for personal and politieal freedom, they fearlessly and at once espoused the cause of the Colonies. They first helped to constitute that ever- memorable company who threw the cargo of tea into the Boston Harhor.
Amariah Parker fought hravely at Bunker Hill, and one of his hrothers, a Lieutenant Colonel in a Massachusetts regiment, was killed in that same fierce battle. Subsequently, Amariah removed to Morristown, N. J., where he married Miss Tamer Munson. By occupation, he was hoth farmer and mechame; he was industrious and prosperous. But failing health eventually caueed him to sell his farm, and, unfortunately, he received " Continental money" in payment, which, hecoming uncurrent, left him in penury, from which he never recovered.
At the death of onr Revolutionary hero, his son, Jacob Parker, father to the subject of our sketch, was left an orphan of thirteen yeare, without a home and withont means of support. To he tanght a trade he was bound out to a blacksmith in the city of New York. Here, receiving ill usage heyond forhearance, the proper authorities remonstrated and eecured his release from the situation, wherenpon, fearing he might again he placed in the hands of an aggressive master, he made prompt escape to the far Western frontier. He brought up, finally, at Fort Washington, Ohio, where he enlisted as a eoldier under Capt. Kihhy. He served under Gen. Anthony Wayne, in his campaign against the Northwestern Indians, and was wounded in the fight near Fort Miami, op the 20th of August, 1794. He continued in the service until 1795, when the treaty of Greenville for a time terminated hostilities. After his discharge, he settled near Middletown (now Butler County), Ohin, where he married Miss Mary Loy, who hecame mother of the subject of our nar- rative. In 1801, they removed to the adjoining connty of Prehle (since organized as eueh), where they hecame among the earliest of pioneers. Mr. Jacoh Parker afterward ecrved his country in the war of 1812. Still a resident of Preble County, he died, honored hy all who knew him, in the seventy-first year of his age.
During Christian's early hoyhood, eituated as they were, remote from schools and churches, his attendance at the same was necessarily limited ;
out the mental and moral rudiments thus acquired, proved, in after years, the foundation for a grander development. They magnified into a noble manhood, possessing a rich fund of knowledge, the fruits, indeed of patient years of home-culture. Constant manual labor, too, in the woods of his native county, developed the physical man, fitting him well for the hardships of pioneer life in Allen County.
He out his way into the wilds of St. Joseph Township, in the month of Octoher, 1833, and there fixed his abode, selecting and purchasing a piece of land on Section 20, duriog the ensuing winter, and, hefore the month of February, he had hewn the logs and completed a comfortable cahin, ready for its oceupants. Like others of his time, he came, hoping that among its cheap lands he might find a home whereon patient toil would yield greater results than in the older settlements. And this motive was well founded. Each year witnessed new improvements and new purchases. Thus he hought and sold, while inerease in value was fast gaining him wealth ; and thus he provided for the deelining years of' life, and for his children who might survive him.
Time passed on; he reared a family. That dreadful war of 1861 came, when three of his sons, with valor which had characterized their fore- fathers, volunteered their eervices in the army for the Union; and they were immediately followed hy his two sons-in-law and six nephews. One eon, one son-in-law and the six nephews, fell in their devotion to the flag of their country, the honor of which they sought to maintain. Mr. Parker, although disqualified hy age for the duties of a soldier, yet was an active friend to the Union cauee, using his time, influenee and money to encourage enlistment. The sueeeseful termination of the war was joyously hailed, and yet it left a void at his hearthstone and an aching in his heart, which even the healing influences of time have heen unable to aesuage.
He has always heen a prominent menuher of the community in which he cast hie lot. In 1834, he was chosen to fill the office of Justice of the Peace for his township, continuing in the same four years. In 1844, he was elected to eerve as County Commissioner, and, in the same year, as the Whig candidate, was elected Representative to the State Legislature, heing re-elected to the eame four succeseive terms, up to 1849.
Prior to his remnval to Allen County, on June 18, 1829, he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Cassell, daughter of Henry Cassell, Esq., a pioneer farmer, also of Prehle County, Ohio. She was horn August 1, 1807, in Wythe County, Va., her parents having emigrated to Prehle County when she was a girl of ahout seven years. Her religioue faith, from ehildhood, was in a world'e ealvation. Througheut her hushand's pioneer life, and, during his painful sacrificee from the war, she, the wife of hie youth, ever com- forted and suetained him. But, alas ! to earth ehe is no more. The tie that hound two loving hearts was severed on the 14th day of February, 1879, when faithful companion and loving mother crossed to those hrighter shores i Ever social and amiahle; deeply mourned hy all who knew her; a loss irre- parahle to hushand and family, and wanting hut a few short months of her golden marriage anniversary, her lamp of life went peacefully out.
Mr. Parker has reached the age of eeventy-two years; his life has been marked hy the stricteet integrity, hoth in public and private affairs, and no one enjoys more fully the estecm and confidence nf hie follow-men.
1
RES, OF JACOB GOEGLEIN, ST JOSEPH TP, ALLEN CO, IND.
RES. OF JACOB COOK. ST JOSEPH TP ALLEN CO. IND.
173
ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP.
farm, which he cultivated successfully during his life. He died in the township. and the farm which he cleared is still owned by his heirs.
James A. Royce, a native of New York, settled in the township in 1833. He was an industrious man and a universal favorite. Having acquired a good education in his native State, he was engaged as a teacher after his arrival in this township, and was prominently associated with the early schools. He remained in the township until his decease. His daughter still resides in this county, and is the wife of Uriah Notestine. His son died in the Union army during the late war.
James Porter came in 1833 and settled near the line dividing St. Joseph and Washington Townships. He leased a farmu in St. Joseph, which he cleared and improved, cultivating it until 1838. In that year, he purchased n fartu in Washington Townsbip, where he now resides. He was accompanied by a former neighbor, Isaac Null, wbo remained in the townsbip but a short time, returning to his home in Ohio.
Christian Parker came from Ohio, and settled on Seetion 20, in October. 1833. He hewed logs for a cabin, which he completed during the winter ot that year, and brought his wife and family to the new home on the 8th day of January, 1834. He cleared and improved a tract of 160 acres, upon which he still resides. His name is promincutly associated with the history of his town- ship, and he has always been one of the leaders in measures inaugurated for its improvement. He served as Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner for a number of years, and represented this district in the State Legislature for four consecutive terms.
Job Lee settled on Section 1 in 1836. He came from Wayne County, Ohia, bringing his family with him. He was a man of quiet habits and of' pious nature, and gained many wari friends. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was stationed at Norfolk, Va. He had passed the prime of life when he came to the township, but worked with au energy creditable to a young man. He cleared and improved a farm, upon which he resided until death ended his labors.
Trew Pattee came to the township in 1836, locating on Section 24. 1Ic was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and held religious meetings at various points on the St. Joseph River. He was also a skillful farmer, and cleared and cultivated a farm, upon which he resided until his death.
James Mayhew came to the township in 1836, and settled near Mr. Pattee. He died within a few years after his arrival, but, during his life, was a man of great energy, and left a fine farm to his heirs.
John Harver, Silas, Charles and John La Vanway, Zebulon, Dorner and Jefferson Goodale, all settled in the township in 1836.
Among the carly settlers may be mentioned Uriah J. Rock, - C'aster, Jeremiah Whitesides, Jedediab Halladay, William Matibews, Benjamin Colemau and Peter Parker.
EARLY EVENTS.
The First White Child .- Samuel. sou of Jesse Klinger, was born in 18:30 and was the first white child born in the township. He died in Ohio, to which State his mother removed after the decease of her husband.
The First Marriage .- Isaac Bush and Sarah Madden were married at the house of Christian Parker, Esq., in 1835. This was the first marriage solemnized in the township.
The First Death .- In 1830, Williamu Matthews died and was buried in the cemetery near the Maumee settlement. There was then no cemetery in St. Joseph Township, and for four years thereafter the remains of deceased residents of this "township were taken to some of the neighboring burying grounds.
In 1834, Jesse Klinger donated a small tract of land on the St. Joseph River, to be used as a township ceructery. It fell into disuse in later years, but its graves have never been disturbed. Peter Parker donated two acres of ground in 1846. The latter is now used as a huriul place for the townsbip. It is tastefully laid out and well eared for.
The First Mills .- In 1835, Klinger & Comparet built the first saw mill in the township. It was built on Beckett's Run, and received its motive power from that stream. In 1841, Henry Rudisill erected a steam saw-mill ou St. Joseph River. and subsequently added on story to its height, in which he conducted a carding-mill. At his death, the mill became the property of his son-in-law, N. B. Freeman, by whom it was conducted ou the old plan until 1866. when Mr. Freeman formed other business relations, as will be seen by the following:
The Paper- Mill .- In 1866, Messrs. Dobilinski, Freeman & Bard erected a mill on St. Joseph River, at a point about four miles northeast of Fort Wayne. The building was a frame, and the mill had a capacity of 1,800 pounds of news paper per day. In June, 1867, Mr. Dobilinski retired from the hrm, and Messrs. Freeman & Bard continued the business, subsequently associating Mr. Barnett with them. In October, 1871, the mill was destroyed by fire, entailing a heavy loss, but y suspending operations a short time. It was at once rebuilt and enlarged. The present building is 36x60 feet, two stories and basement, with an " L " 25x80 feet. The machinery consists of one sixty-two-inch cylinder machine, three rag-engines with a capacity of 500 pounds cach, and all other appliances required by the business. A sixty-horse-power engine is in place, and the mill can be operated either by steam or water power, as desired. The goods find a ready sale throughout this State, as well as at St. Louis, Chicago and other markets.
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