The pictorial history of Fort Wayne, Indiana : a review of two centuries of occupation of the region about the head of the Maumee River, Vol. II, Part 30

Author: Griswold, B. J. (Bert Joseph), 1873-1927; Taylor, Samuel R., Mrs
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : Robert O. Law Co.
Number of Pages: 792


USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > The pictorial history of Fort Wayne, Indiana : a review of two centuries of occupation of the region about the head of the Maumee River, Vol. II > Part 30


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was solemnized the marriage of Doctor Gillie to Miss Grace Nannette Merion, who was born and reared in the city of Columbus, Ohio, where she was graduated in the state university on the day that her marriage occurred, she being a daughter of Charles and Emma (Kienzle) Merion. Doctor and Mrs. Gillie have two daughters, Jean M. and Charlotte M.


Claude F. Gladieux, of New Haven, is a representative of one of the honored and influential pioneer families of Allen county and was born on the old homestead farm of his father, in Jefferson township, February 6, 1866. He is a son of Francis and Mary (Lamont) Gladieux, both natives of the now stricken province of Alsace, France, which became a part of German territory after the close of the Franco-Prussian war and has become the stage of tragic military operations incidental to the present great European war. Francis Gladieux was but seven years old when he accompanied his parents to America and the family home was first established in Stark county, Ohio, whence, two years later, removal was made to Allen county, Indiana. Peter Gladieux, father of Francis, ob- tained a tract of land in Jefferson township and there instituted the de- velopment of a farm, both he and his wife having there passed the re- mainder of their lives, as sterling pioneers of the county. Francis Gladieux was reared to manhood on the home farm, received the ad- vantages of the common schools of the locality and period and finally became one of the most successful farmers of the county, his death having occurred on the old homestead, in December, 1916, and his widow still remaining on the place, which is endeared to her by the gracions memories of the past. Francis Gladieux wielded much influence in public affairs in Allen county, served nine years as county commissioner and was for one term a member of the Indiana legislature. On other pages of this publication is entered a specific tribute to his memory, and thus further review of his career is not required in the present article. Claude Francis Gladieux gained physical and mental vigor through his youthful association with the work of the home farm and through his studies in the public schools of his native township. He continued to assist in the affairs of his father's farm until he had attained to the age of twenty- nine years, and thereafter continued independent operations as a farmer until 1914. In August, 1915, he established his present business enterprise at New Haven. He gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, is a member of the French-American Society of Allen county, and he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church, in the faith of which they were carefully reared. On January 8, 1894, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Gladieux to Miss Jennie Giriodot, who likewise was born and reared in Jefferson township, a daughter of Jules and Mary (Borsnet) Giriodot, both natives of France. The father is now one of the honored retired farmers of Jefferson township and the devoted wife and mother has passed to the life eternal. Mr. and Mrs. Gladieux have six children : Ruth is the wife of Eugene Martin, of Indianapolis, and they have two children-Thelma and Ronald; Lottie is the wife of Nicholas Martin, of Fort Wayne; and Pearl, Aldine, Gladys and Lillian remain at the parental home.


Francis Gladieux .- The character and achievement of the late Fran- cis Gladieux marked him as one of the honored and influential citizens of Allen county and he was one of the county's oldest and most successful farmers at the time of his death, which occurred October 17, 1916, at his fine rural home in Jefferson township. That he held inviolable place


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in popular esteem needs no further voucher than the statement that he served three terms as county commissioner, 1874 to 1882, and that he represented Allen county in the lower house of the Indiana legislature. Mr. Gladieux was born in Alsace, France, on October 8, 1837, and thus was seventy-nine years of age when he was summoned to the life eternal. He was a lad of seven years when he accompanied his parents to America and the family home was established in Stark county, Ohio, whence removal was made to Allen county, Indiana, in 1853. The subject of this memoir thus gained experience in connection with the pioneer period in the history of this county and he passed the remainder of his long and useful life in Jefferson township, where he became one of the leading exponents of agricultural industry and where he achieved a high degree of material prosperity. In 1860 he wedded Miss Mary Lamont, who proved his devoted companion and helpmeet, and they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1910, the event having been one of notable order in the annals of Jefferson township. Mrs. Gladieux still survives the husband of her youth, as do also six of their nine children-Louis, Frank, Amiel C., Edward and Mesdames Emmett Ternet and Louis Rous- sel. He is survived also by thirty grandchildren and three great-grand- children. He was a devoted communicant of St. Louis' Catholic church at Besancon, as is also his venerable widow. A man of superabundant energy and fine mentality, Mr. Gladieux was well qualified for leadership in popular sentiment and action, and he was long one of the influential representatives of the Democratic party in Allen county. In addition to his effective service in the legislature and as a member of the board of county commissioners he was for twelve years trustee of Jefferson township and for four years township assessor. He had resided on his old homestead farm for the long period of fifty-six years and was the owner of some of the largest and best improved farms along the Lincoln highway, in which connection it should be observed that he was one of the first men to advocate and further the construction of good roads in the eastern part of the county. He lived a godly and righteous life and now that he rests from his labors his name is held in endearing veneration in the county that so long represented his home and was the stage of his successful endeavors as one of the world's constructive workers.


Frank P. Glazier, attorney-at-law and abstractor in Fort Wayne, was born at Mexico, Miami county, Indiana, January 2, 1867. His parents were Harlow and Eliza (Chapman) Glazier. After receiving his education in the public schools of his native place and at Wabash, Indiana, he began his active course in business as an employe in the factories of Mexico and Wabash, to the latter of which the family moved in 1882. Having quali- fied himself for the duties of deputy recorder of the county, he was ap- pointed to that place in 1900 and filled it satisfactorily for four years. In 1905 he came to Fort Wayne and became associated with the Dreibel- biss Abstract Company, where he has remained until the present time. Mr. Glazier has made a study of law as it relates to real estate and has been admitted to the bar of Allen county, his practice being confined to the branch of law in which he has specialized. He was married June 30, 1908, to Elizabeth T., daughter of Francis and Marion (Stirling) Burgess. They are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Glazier is a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities, in the former of which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.


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C. M. Glock, M. D .- The village of Arcola is favored in claiming as one of its most progressive and public-spirited citizens the able and repre- sentative physician whose name introduces this paragraph and who is signally dignifying the profession in which his honored father gained precedence and distinction in Allen county. Dr. Glock not only controls a substantial practice as a physician and surgeon but is also prominent in connection with business affairs in his home village, where he is presi- dent of the Arcola State Bank, in the organization of which he assisted, in 1912, and in the development of the business of which he has wielded much influence, especially through his inviolable place in popular confi- dence and esteem. Dr. Glock was born at Cedarville, Cedar Creek town- ship, this county, in the year 1876, the youngest in a family of four children, his mother having died within a few months after his birth. The other three children are Laurinda, Josephine and Otto. The Doctor is a son of Dr. Frederick Glock and Margaret (Watkins) Glock, the for- mer of whom was born in Wells county, Indiana, and the latter in the ancient fortified city of Ilyderbad, India, her parents having been Chris- tian missionaries in the Orient. Dr. Frederick Glock completed a thor- ough course in the Miami Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1868. Thereafter he continued in the active and successful practice of his profession, as one of the leading and honored physicians of Allen county, until the close of his life. In the earlier period of his professional service he resided at Cedarville, but later engaged in practice in the city of Fort Wayne, where his death occurred, October 25, 1886, his wife having passed away in 1877. Dr. C. M. Glock was an infant at the time of his mother's death and was only ten years of age when his father likewise passed from the stage of life's mortal endeavors. He was afforded the advantages of the excellent public schools of Allen county and thereafter completed a course in phar- macy at Purdue University, in the city of Lafayette. His experience as a pharmacist quickened his ambition for the discipline that would open to him a wider and more beneficent field of endeavor, and he finally entered the Fort Wayne Medical College, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1903 and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. There- after he gained valuable experience by serving eighteen months as an interne in the Indiana state school for feeble-minded children, at Fort Wayne, and then established his residence at Arcola, where his ability, earnest ministrations and personal popularity have conspired to develop for him a large and representative general practice. He is a liberal and progressive citizen and in politics gives unswerving allegiance to the Democratic party. In 1903 the Doctor wedded Miss Goldie Tilbury, who was born and reared in this county, as were also her parents, Scott and Dora (Parker) Tilbury, members of old and honored families of the county. Dr. and Mrs. Glock have one child-Margaret.


George Goeglein .- Fifty years of continuous and honored identifica- tion with the affairs of his community place George Goeglein indisputably among the foremost men of St. Joseph township. Representative of the finest type of Allen county pioneers, he has spent his life thus far in the conduct and operation of a general merchandise business, with some attention to farming in later years. He has been a leader in his home town through half a century of development, and much credit is due to him for his worthy efforts and accomplishments in his community. He has served in local offices on numerous occasions and was one of the


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organizers of the German Lutheran church of which he is a member, while other enterprises pertinent to the well-being of his community have never lacked his patronage and encouragement. He has, in short, been a leader in his township, and has enjoyed the confidence and honest esteem of his fellow citizens through all the years of his activities among them. Mr. Goeglein is a native Ohioan, born in Meigs county, June 21, 1840, a son of Daniel and Magdalene (Ryder) Goeglein, both natives of Oppenheim-on-the-Rhine, in Germany. They came to Ohio in the spring- time of 1838 and there, in Henry county, settled down to farm life, where they spent the remainder of their active careers. In later life they moved to St. Joseph township, in Allen county, Indiana, and took up their resi- dence in the home of their son, George, the subject of this review, where they spent their declining years. George was the youngest of their seven children, the others being Elizabeth, Margaret, Katherine, Jacob, John and Philip, all deceased. George Goeglein had his schooling in the com- mon schools of Meigs county, Ohio, and was twenty-five years of age when he came to Allen county and began an independent career. He thought he was destined for farm life and accordingly rented a farm and started a crop, but fortune had other plans for him, it seemed, for a long illness prevented him from giving his farm any attention after the crop was put in the ground, in consequence of which he was not especially busy at harvest time. He then turned his attention to the general mer- chandise business and started a general store in what has in later years come to be known as Goeglein. He began in a small way, carrying a general stock, and for the past fifty years has continued in that business in his community, realizing no small measure of prosperity, and in his position as merchant in the village coming to have an intimacy and under- standing with his fellows denied to many another in the community. Mr. Goeglein never quite relinquished his ambition to become a farmer and in later years acquired a farm, which he has developed to a splendid degree, so that it is one of the finest farms in the community, though its acreage is not Jarge. Mr. Goeglein, however, has emphasized a truth that many another successful farmer has demonstrated-that sixty-five acres, properly managed, is a more creditable possession than sixty-five acres farmed in a slip-shod manner. Modern buildings mark the place as the property of a successful farmer, and the fences are most creditable. The place is tiled and in every way brought up to the highest agricul- tural standards of a successful farming country. Mr. Goeglein married Katie Savage, a daughter of Conrad and Mary Savage, both native-born Germans and early settlers in the state of Ohio. The father died in Ohio and Mrs. Savage passed her declining years in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Goeglein. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Goeglein, and they reared two adopted daughters as well. The children, named in order of their birth, are: John, George A., Valentine C., Wil- liam G., Gottlieb, Frederick, Theodore, Katie, and Sophia. The adopted daughters are Kate and Carrie. Add to this goodly family his own par- ents and those of his wife, and it will be seen that Mr. Goeglein was a man who enjoyed family life and welcomed such responsibilities of a domestic nature as came his way. Mr. Goeglein is a Democrat in politics, active in a local way, but not a participant in the more far-reaching activities of his party.


John J. Goldsmith, the efficient and popular young proprietor of the Hoosier Garage, at Harlan, Springfield township, was born in Cedar Creek


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township, this county, March 30, 1890, a son of Christopher C. and Lydia (Zimmerman) Goldsmith. Christopher C. Goldsmith was born in Hart- ford township, Adams county, Indiana, June 10, 1856, a son of Jacob and Susanna (Egly) Goldsmith, both of whom were born in Germany and came to America when young. They became the parents of ten children, namely: Joseph, Henry, Susanna, Jacob, Katherine, Lena, Christopher C., Amos, Rachel and one who died in infancy. Jacob, Kath- erine and Amos are now deceased. Jacob Goldsmith learned in his youth the carpenter's trade, to which he devoted his attention for several years. He then engaged in farming in Butler county, Ohio, whence he finally came to Indiana and established himself as a farmer in Adams county. He later came with his family to Allen county, where he con- tinued his association with agricultural industry and where both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, both having been earnest members of the Mennonite church. Christopher C. Goldsmith gained his early education in the common schools of Adams and Allen counties and eventually became one of the substantial and representative farmers of Cedar Creek township, where he continued his active allegiance to the basic industry of agriculture until 1904, when he sold his farm and be- came essentially the first settler in the village of Grabill, Springfield township, where he engaged in the hardware business, his store having been the first building erected in the village. Three years later he re- moved to Harlan, where he engaged in the same line of business, a stock of general merchandise having been added four years later, and he was associated with John H. Zimmerman in the conducting of a substantial and prosperous hardware and general merchandise business under the firm name of J. H. Zimmerman & Co. He is a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Republican party and both he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They became the parents of five chil- dren-John J., David L., Frank, Benjamin and Rose- and of the number David and Benjamin are deceased. In February, 1889, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Goldsmith to Miss Lydia Zimmerman, who was born in Tippecanoe county, this state, a daughter of John and Lena (Slagel) Zimmerman, who were born and reared in Germany, where their mar- riage was solemnized. Upon coming to America they first settled in Mis- souri, whence they later came to Indiana and located in Tippecanoe county, where they passed the remainder of their lives, Mr. Zimmerman having there become a substantial farmer. They had the following chil- dren-Josephine, Nicholas, Lena, Mary, Joseph, Kate, John, Lydia, Rose, Elizabeth, Leah, Benjamin and Sarah. John J. Goldsmith continued his studies in the public schools until he had profited by the advantages of the Harlan High School, and thereafter completed a three months' course in the commercial department of Valparaiso University. In 1909 he assumed the position of bookkeeper in the bank at Grabill, and after serving in this capacity one year and eight months he removed to Harlan and assumed the responsible office of cashier of the Harlan State Bank, in which position he served from 1911 until January 1, 1917, and in which he did much to further the upbuilding of this substantial financial insti- tution. The Hoosier Garage, at Harlan, to which he now devotes his attention, is a modern garage building of cement-block construction, the same having been erected by him in the autumn of 1916. Mr. Goldsmith is one of the loyal and progressive young men of Harlan, is influential in community affairs, is a Democrat in his political adherency, and holds


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membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. On November 27, 1913, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Goldsmith to Miss Joy M. Shutt, who was born and reared in DeKalb county, Indiana, a daughter of William and Francis (Houck) Shutt, who were born in DeKalb county, this state, and both of whom are now deceased.


Joseph Grabill may be said to be the father of the little town that bears his name, for it was he who laid it out, in 1901, a part of his home place being in the original townsite. Mr. Grabill organized the bank and in other ways played a prominent part in making a prosperous village of the new community. He was born in Springfield township on January 16, 1886, son of Joseph and Magdalene (Gerig) Grabill, both of them natives of Germany who came to America after their marriage and settled in Allen county, almost immediately thereafter. They had seven sons and daughters. David is a resident of Grabill. Joseph was the second child. Anna married Jacob Conrad. Lydia is the wife of Peter Amstutz. Jacob lives in Springfield, Indiana. Noah is a Grabill resident and Samuel is located in Berne, Indiana. Joseph Grabill has been de- voted to farm life to a considerable extent and has been very successful in that enterprise, as well as along other lines to which he has given hy attention. He has a fine home in the community and is identified with some of the leading industrial and financial enterprises in the village, be- ing a stockholder and director in the Grabill Bank and the Grabill Grain Company. Ilis connection with the organization of the town in the earlier days has already been touched upon. Mr. Grabill was married first to Miss Emma Sanders, daughter of Christ Sanders, and one daughter, Lily, was born of this union, and she is the wife of Noah Roth, of Grabill. Mr. Grabill was married, second, on March 28, 1897, to Miss Katherine Naf- cigger, born in Henry county, Ohio. She died on September 8, 1911, the mother of three children-Priseilla, Wilma May and Clifford Louis- all of whom are at home. Mrs. Grabill was a devoted wife and mother and her passing was a great loss to the entire community as well as to the family she left. Mr. Grabill and his children have membership in the Grabill Mission church and he is a member of its board of directors.


Jeremiah B. Grabner conducts a prosperous general merchandise business in the village of Edgerton, Jackson township, and is serving also as trustee of the township, a fact that denotes unequivocally the high regard in which he is held in the community that has ever rep- resented his home. He was born in this township on July 10, 1872, son of Peter N. and Louisa (Hurtle) Grabner, both of whom were born in Germany, whence they came with their parents to the United States when they were young. Settlement was first made in the state of Ohio, and Peter N. Grabner was a youth when he came to Allen county and established his home in Fort Wayne. For more than a quarter of a century he served as a locomotive engineer in the employ of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company, and after retiring from this position established his home on a farm in Jackson township, where both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives-sterling citizens who commanded the high regard of all who knew them. Of their eleven children the first born, Emma, is deceased; Henry is engaged in the successful practice of law in Fort Wayne, as one of the representative members of the Allen county bar ; Jacob and John are deceased; Mrs. Louise Rood is the next in order of birth; Mrs. Susan Shiffman is a resident of the state of Okla- homa; Samuel is the next ; Jeremiah B. is the immediate subject of this


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sketch; Albert and Adeline are deceased; and Mrs. Minnie Smith is the youngest. Jeremiah B. Grabner acquired his early education in the schools of Jackson township and continued to be associated in the work and management of the home farm until he was twenty-four years of age, when he established his present mercantile business at Edgerton, the same having been made a prosperous enterprise under his effective man- agement. He is a stalwart in the local camp of the Democratic party, has been influential in public affairs of a local order, and in November, 1914, was elected trustee of Jackson township, for a term of four years. He had previously served nine years as township assessor and two years as constable. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Improved Order of Red Men. February 6, 1902, recorded the marriage of Mr. Grabner to Miss Jennie Stolder, daughter of Peter and Mary (Voroil) Stolder, both of whom were residents of Jackson township at the time of their death and were children when the respec- tive families established homes in Allen county. Mr. Stolder was born in Switzerland and his wife was a native of France. They are survived by five children-Julian, Louis, Mrs. Louisa Spieth, Mrs. Jennie Grabner, and Justine. Mr. and Mrs. Grabner have six children, all of whom re- main at the parental home-Edith, Carl, Ethel, Ruth, Daniel and Oliver.


Fred Graeber came from his German fatherland to America when he was a young man of about twenty-seven years, and after landing in New York city, in 1898, he came forthwith to Allen county, where he joined his brother William, who had established a home in Fort Wayne in the year 1882. He whose name introduces this sketch had the energy, ambition and resourcefulness that make for worthy achievement and definite success, and he has become known and honored as one of the progressive farmers and stock-growers of Maumee township, where he owns a well improved farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres, besides an additional tract of eighty acres in Milan township. On this extensive landed estate he is bringing forth the best results in both agricultural and live-stock enterprise, and he is giving special atention to the raising of fine Belgian horses, in connection with which department of enterprise he owns a Belgian stallion of the best type. He has identified himself most fully and loyally with community affairs and is deeply appreciative of the institutions and advantages of the land of his adoption. His political support is given to the cause of the Republican party and he and his wife are zealous communicants of the Lutheran church. Fred Graeber is the younger in a family of five children, and the eldest of the number is William, who came to Allen county in 1882, as noted above; Louisa and Henrietta remain in Germany; and Henry is deceased. Mr. Graeber was born in Dilingen, Germany, on February 25, 1871, and is a son of William and Romina (Hocker) Graeber, who passed their entire lives in that section of the great German empire, the father having been a farmer by vocation. Mr. Graeber has made the best of improve- ments on his farm property and in his varied operations represents the most progressive methods and policies involved in twentieth-century agri- culturism and stock-raising. On April 12, 1899, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Romina Bohnke, who is a daughter of Fred and Wil- helmina (Logaeman) Bohnke, who were born in Germany and whose marriage was solemnized in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1891 they came to Allen county, but they later removed to Adams county, where Mr. Bohnke passed the remainder of his life and where his widow still




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