USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > Valley of the upper Maumee River, with historical account of Allen County and the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Volume I > Part 39
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superintendent of a portion of the construction work on the Wabash & Erie canal. In 1835 he returned to Ohio, and was married Septem- ber 19, to Madeline Mittler, by whom he had nine children, of whom eight are now living: Jerome D., Lewis, Sarah E., William S., Mary M., Edwin G., Celia A., Verdenia (deceased), and George B. After his return to Indiana he took contracts on various railroads, and at the time of his death was engaged on the Saginaw railroad. He amassed a compe- tency and became one of the leading citizens of his township. His widow, who was born June 3, 1816, yet survives. The children of these worthy parents are now prominent citizens of Perry township, es- teemed and honored by a wide circle of friends. Jerome D. Gloyd, the eldest, was born in Perry township, July 12, 1841. In 1875 he was married to Fidelia, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah Fitch, born in April, 1851. They have four children, Estella, Madella, Otis F., and Norma A. Mr. Gloyd served his township as trustee four years, and evinced such ability in this direction that he was elected county commis- sioner in 1882, and re-elected in 1884, and served six years. He has a fine farm of 160 acres.
William S. Gloyd was born September 8, 1852, on the homestead, and was there raised to manhood, receiving a common school education. October II, 1888, he was married to Mary Gunger. He is a highly respected citizen, owns a fine farm of eighty acres, and has just com- pleted a handsome and commodious residence.
Edwin G. Gloyd was born February 19, 1850. He early inani- fested a natural adaptation to the trade of miller, and though he never served an apprenticeship, he became an expert, and is now proprietor of the Gloyd water-mill. His land possessions are 100 acres, which he cultivates. Mr. Gloyd was married April 4, 1872, to Priscilla Myers, who was born April 20, 1852. Of their seven children but three are living: Charles, Silvia and Gertrude.
George B. Gloyd, the youngest son, was born May 21, 1858, and brought up on the old homestead. He has a fine farm of eighty acres of the original land entered by his father, and is one of the influen- tial young men of the township. In 1885 he was married to Emily, daughter of Edward B. and Lavinia Harwood, and they have one child, Ethel May. Mrs. Gloyd who was born in 1867, is a member of the Reformed Lutheran church, while he belongs to the regular Baptist church.
Solomon Simon, an early settler of Allen county, was born in 1825, in Columbiana county, Ohio. His father, George Simon, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was carried across the mountain in a pack saddle when only six months old, to Washington county, Penn., where he was raised to manhood. About 1809 he removed to Ohio and settled in Columbiana county. He served in the war of IS12 about six months. In the fall of 1836 he removed to Allen county with his wife, Elizabeth Hewitt, and children, and settled in Perry township, where he lived until his death in 1872. In 1852 Solomon Simon was united in marriage with
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Mary A., daughter of Daniel and Mary (Carble) Rhoads, who settled in DeKalb county, when there were only six other families in the county. This union was blessed with eight children, seven of whom are now living: Joseph, Etta, James S., George L., Ella, Benjamin A. and Perry B. Mrs. Simon was born about 1830. She and her husband are members of the old Lutheran church, Mr. Simon being now elder. Mr. Simon began life in this country without any money, and made his start by traffic in coon skins and other furs. He is now prosperous, having a handsome property of 225 acres in Perry township, and 120 acres in De Kalb county, also a half interest in four lots in Laotto.
James Vandolah, one of the worthy pioneers of Allen county, came to Indiana in 1832, on a tour of inspection, looking for a situation for a water-mill. This he found in Perry township, and then returned to Ohio. In 1835 he came again, and remained long enough to dig the race for his mill. In the fall of 1836, he emigrated with his family, and set- tled on the farm where Benjamin Vandolah now lives. He entered about 400 acres of wild land in Eel River township, 520 in Perry town- ship, and 160 acres in DeKalb county. He was a mill-wright, and de- voted much time to his trade, having worked in several mills throughout the country. He built the Shryock mill, at Leo; the Dauson mill, at Spencerville; the grist-mill, near Clarksville; his own mill, and a number of others. About 1830 he was united in marriage with Rebecca Tucker. Of their eight children, five are now living : Benjamin, Thomas, Sarah J., Francis and James. Mr. Vandolah served as one of the trus- tees of his township several terms. He was a leading citizen, and was highly respected by all who knew him. His eldest son, Benjamin Van- dolah, was born in Greene county, Ohio, April 14, 1834; he was brought to Indiana when three years of age, and on the farm where he now lives he grew to manhood. On October 4, 1888, he was married to Catharine Aaron, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Pierce) Aaron. She isa mem- ber of the Lutheran church. He is a prosperous farmer, possessing 180 acres of fine land in Perry township, with substantial buildings. Mr. Van- dolah has in his possession a very curious Indian relic, which he un- earthed about twelve years ago. Thomas Vandolah, the second son, was born in Greene county, August 31, 1836. His life in Allen county began in the same year. He received such education as could be ob- tained in the pioneer log school-house. In 1871 he was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth Vandolah, daughter of Joseph and Drusilla (Nickerson) Vandolah. She was born in 1842. Though never seek- ing office, he has always taken an interest in politics, being one of the leading democrats of his township. He owns 285 acres of good farm- ing land, and is as prominent socially as he is as a land-owner.
John Surfus, an old and prominent farmer of Perry township, and a pioneer of Allen county, is a native of Ohio, born in 1812, son of Andrew and Betsy (Harless) Surfus. He left his native state in 1833 and settled in Allen county, Ind. Mr. Surfus was denied the privilege of any education, his family being poor and in need of his work. In 1842
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he was united in marriage with Ellen Delong, by whom he had twelve children, ten of whom are living: Stephen, George, Samuel, Andrew, John E., Harriet, Mary, Ellen, Celina and Julia. When Mr. Surfus landed in Allen county he possessed a yoke of cattle, table, chest, set of chairs and oven, and their first bed was made by boring holes in the logs of the house and putting in sticks, which he wrapped with bark. In such circumstances Mr. Surfus began life in Indiana, surrounded by bands of Indians and wild beasts. He had no financial advantages and his success in life must be attributed to the energy and perseverance he has displayed in all his undertakings, and the unfailing assistance of his true wife. They accumulated considerable property and at one time owned over 1,000 acres of good land in Perry township. They have lived to see all their children comfortably situated. After giving his children all a good home Mr. Surfus retains a residence elegantly surrounded with all the comforts of life. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their seventh child, Andrew Surfus, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser, was born September 8, 1850. He received a common school education and remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, when his father gave him 140 acres of good farming land, which he now occupies and has well improved. In 1875 he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Snyder, born November IS, 1854, and they have three children: Jerry H., born October 16, 1876; Orville, born July 11, 1878; Eva Blanche, born July 25, 1880. He and wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He makes a specialty of graded stock.
Schuyler Wheeler (deceased) was one of the pioneers of Allen county. He was born July 22, 1802, in Massachusetts, but was taken to New York by his parents when only six months of age. He remained in Oswego county until fourteen years of age, when he removed to Orangeville, N. Y., where he remained until 1836, when he settled in Allen county, entering 400 acres, in April. Returning to New York he brought his family during the summer of 1836. In 1828 he had been united in marriage with Lydia, daughter of Perry G. and Sophia Smith. This union was blessed with four children, three of whom are living: Julia, Commodore P., now a resident of Missouri; Columbia, the wife of F. C. West, who died April 19, 1888, and Almina, wife of Cyrus Krumlauf. Mrs. Wheeler was born in Berkshire county, Mass., in IS01. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church from sixteen years of age. He served an apprenticeship at the tanner's trade, at the age of nine years, and after he became twenty-one he formed a partner- ship with his father and Luther Briggs, and in connection with the tan- nery they also ran a boot and shoe store. He had strong elements of character that commanded the respect and confidence of his neighbors and associates. He succeeded financially, leaving 940 acres of good land here, and 1,800 in Missouri, and in public life was honored by the position of representative of Allen county, in the legislature of 1859.
Rapin Andrews, above named as an early settler, came to Perry town-
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ship with his wife, Mary Brimmer, and their children, from New York in 1839, and began to take a hand in the township's development. He was one of its most valued citizens. He was a Mason, while in New York, during the period of the Morgan excitement, and was a charter member of the first Royal Arch lodge of Allen county. He was one of the eleven voters at the first presidential election in Perry township, in 1840. In 1849 he died 'at the age of sixty-seven, but his widow sur- vived until 1884, reaching the age of eighty-five years.
Theron M. Andrews, son of the worthy old settlers, Rapin and Mary Andrews, was born March, 1822, in New York state. Theron M. received his early education in the log school-house, and assisted in the poineer work of the family. December 20, 1849, he was united in mar- riage with Helen L., daughter of Oliver and Clarissa Potter, born October, 1830. To this union were born three children, Mary D., Sidney D., and Ida J. Mr. Andrews is one of the prominent citizens of the county, and during his more active days was among the foremost in its affairs. He served as assessor of his township from 1856 to 1857, and was elected township trustee, an office he resigned in 1857, to accept a higher one to which he was called by the people of the county, that of inember of the board of county commissioners, and he held this important position until 1860. He has served since then as one of the drainage commis- sioners of the county, and has been a member of the board of equaliza- tion since that body was created. He is a member of the Masonic order and occupies a high position socially. One of the leading people, he is widely known and he and family are highly respected. Mr. Andrews has a beautiful farm in Perry township of 220 acres, thoroughly culti- vated, and provided with substantial buildings.
Dexter B. Andrews, a well-known citizen of Perry township, was born in New York, July, 1825, another son of Rapin and Mary (Brimmer) Andrews. In 1839 Dexter B. emigrated with his parents and settled in Perry township. In 1848 he entered the shops at Fort Wayne to serve an apprenticeship as millwright, but never completed it. Being a natural mechanic, he stood at the head wherever he worked. He followed this trade through life In 1849 he was united to Celeste A. Sauers, born at Watertown, N. Y., October 3, 1832, daughter of Samuel and Mercy Gibson (Parsons) Sauers, early settlers of Allen county. The father cast the first democratic vote in Washington township. He was proprietor of the Washington hotel in Fort Wayne about five years. This union was blessed by four children, three now living: Amelia, wife of J. N. Bassett; Cora M., wife of L. C. Hunter, and Clara G. Mr. Andrews worked a number of years as a daguerreotyper, which art he learned from books alone. He has in his possession pictures he took in 1853, which are as bright apparently as the day they were taken. He continued at this business in connection with his trade until 1865. In 1866, he entered the pension office with S. D. Bayless, where he remained until 1869. In March, 1852, he started on the overland route to the gold fields of California, arriving August 10, 1852. He entered
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the mining region at the, mouth of Nelson Creek, and remained until November, when he removed to Santa Clara, and returned to Indiana in the spring of 1853. He is a member of the Masonic order, of Wayne lodge, No. 25. Mr. Andrews is one of the leading citizens of his town- ship, and a man respected by all. He owns ten and one-half acres of land in Perry, and 140 acres in Eel River township.
David M. Shoaff, one of the pioneer settlers of Allen county, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, December 16, 1814, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Musselman) Shoaff. He received a good common school education, and served an apprenticeship at the tailor's trade, which he followed about twenty years. In 1836 he was united in marriage with Mary Mendenhall. This union was blessed with five children. Four of his children are now living: . Peter, Samuel H., John P. and Emma. Mrs. Shoaff, who was born in 1819, departed this life in 1888. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Shoaff and wife came to this country in 1839, with no money, and very little goods. Being poor, he was compelled to work out, and in the winter worked in the snow and storm for 50 cents per day, enough to buy two pounds of coffee of old Squire Jones. His wife's experience in the early days was typical of what the helpmeet of the pioneer had to endure. She would go to the clearing with her two little babes and place them on the ground while she would help pick and burn brush. Mr. Shoaff now has a nice little farm of eighty-four acres, which is under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Shoaff was one of the eleven who voted at the presi- dential election in Perry township in 1840, and cast his vote for Harrison. In March, 1840, salt sold at $9.00 per barrel in Fort Wayne, and Mr. Shoaff being in need of some, his brother furnished the money, and he and F. C. Freeman made the trip in March, taking twelve days to reach Maumee City. He returned by Fort Defiance on the ice, having very narrow escapes from drowning. When Mr. Shoaff built J. P. Shoaff's and Squire Jones' houses in the fall of IS36, they were the first houses on the road on which he now lives between his home and Heller's Cor- ners, a distance of six miles. Six men helped to build these houses, out of whom two are now living: D. M. Shoaff and Harrison Jones.
Phanuel W. Jackson, a prominent farmer of Perry township, was born in Butterfield township, Oxford county, Me., May 19, 1827. His parents, Lemuel and Mercy (White) Jackson, were also natives of Maine. When he was six years old his parents emigrated to Ohio, and located in a part of Richland county, now a portion of Crawford, where the father died six years later. Here Mr. Jackson passed his boyhood and received his schooling. The advantages for an education were very poor, but he has since, however, acquired a broad knowledge and general information. At the age of fourteen he accompanied his sister and her husband, Eleazer Cummings, to Allen county, and located with them on the farm Mr. Jackson now occupies in Perry township. In December, IS41, he returned to the home of his mother in Richland county. At the age of twenty he accompanied his mother to Whitley
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county, Ind., and from 1847 until 1850, gave his attention to the well business. May 16, 1850, he was married to Catharine Kell, who was born in France, of German descent, June 29, 1824. She came to America with her parents, George and Magdalena Kell, when she was four years old. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Jackson located on the farm he has occupied nearly forty years. In his chief occupation, farming, he has been successful. He owns a well-improved farm of 120 acres, and has given more or less to his children. Besides being known as a first-class farmer, Mr. Jackson has acquired an extensive reputation as an oculist. It was twenty-five years ago that his at- tention was especially directed to his ability in this line, when his wife had a very severe disease of the eyes, which had been pronounced in- curable by a recognized oculist. He began a systematic study of the subject, determining thoroughly to acquaint himself with it, and the case above mentioned and others with which he was equally successful soon attracted the attention of the public. For the past twenty years he has practiced quite extensively, and has performed a number of difficult cures. He has also devoted much attention to the study of medicine in general, and he is now one of the licensed physicians of Allen county. Mr. Jackson and wife had four children that lived to maturity : Mercy M., Cordelia M., Margaret D. and Melia N., of whom Cordelia M. died in her twenty-fourth year. The wife of Mr. Jackson died January 23, 1887. She was a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Jackson is a member of the same church and in politics is a democrat. He is now serving as justice of the peace, having been elected in the spring of 1886.
Joseph Warner (deceased), one of the pioneer settlers of Perry township, was born in Adams county, Penn., September 1, 1796. He remained in Pennsylvania until 1831, when he emigrated to Ohio and settled in Richland county. In the fall of 1842 he removed to Indiana. He bargained to clear twenty acres for forty acres, and completed the work that winter, and settled the next year on the forty acres. His edu- cation was limited, and he had to depend upon his labor for support of his family, and what he made was by honest work and good manage- ment. At twenty-five years of age he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ebley, by whom he had nine children: John (died in the service of the Union at Nashville), Samuel, Joseph, George, Mary, Amos, James, Alexander and Sophia. He and wife were both mem- bers of the Catholic church. He served as township treasurer one term, and as supervisor several years during the time of opening new roads. He opened all the roads in his district and proved to be an efficient officer. He resided in Perry township on his original farm until his death, which occurred in 1871. He became a prosperous as well as popular citizen, and at the time of his death owned 303 acres of valu- able land. Samuel Warner, his eldest son, is a native of Cumberland county, Penn., born November 21, 1824. He came with his parents to Indiana in 1842, and had the usual pioneer experience. After receiving a common school education he worked at the carpenter's trade about
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eighteen years, and though he never served an apprenticeship at any trade, he became one of the leading carpenters of his day. On June 4, 1849, he was united in marriage with Julia A., daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Robinson) Spencer. Of their eight children, seven are living: Benjamin F., Elizabeth A., Addie, Charles H .. Lovisa S., William M. and Julia A. Mrs. Warner was born in Alleghany county, N. Y., April 7, 1833. She is a member of the Close Communion Bap- tist church. Mr. Warner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a member of the Regulators. He has a home farm of 131 acres in Perry township, which is well improved, with a two-story dwelling house, and thirty-five and one-half acres in Cedar Creek township.
Among the notable families of Allen county are Jacob Hillegass and wife, pioneers of Perry township, and their descendants. His father Michael Hillegass, was a farmer and a native of Pennsylvania. He was married to Anna Yeakel, and they had thirteen children. Jacob, the youngest of five brothers, was born February 7, 1818, after the removal of the family to Montgomery county, Ohio. There he was raised, and there he received the education which could be obtained in the early school-houses in the woods. May 26, 1841, in Butler county, Ohio, he was united in marriage with Lucy A. Powell, daughter of John and Barbara Shaffer, both natives of Pennsylvania. This union was blessed with seven children: Josiah D., Jerry, Hezekiah, Isaiah J., Sarah J., Mary M. and Lucy I. Mrs. Hillegass was born July 28, 1822, in Butler county, Ohio. She and husband have for many years been members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Hillegass is a man in whom the people have always had implicit confidence, and. in an early day when the township board consisted of treasurer, clerk and one director, he served as clerk about six years, afterward being elected trustee, a position he held nine years. He has also served as assessor of his township. During his terms in these smaller offices, he became noted among his constituents as a man of energy and much decision of charac- ter, and this reputation led to his election as county commissioner in October, 1870. He was re-elected three years later. In this position he acquitted himself with honor. Mr. Hillegass came to Allen county, April 14, 1843, and settled on the farm where he now lives. It com- prises 320 acres of very fine farming land, well improved, with a two- . story brick dwelling. He has always been a supporter of churches, . schools and all laudable enterprises. Though in his seventy-first year the is fully able to enjoy the comforts with which he is so amply sur- rounded. His manly qualities and honest dealing have gained for him the respect of all who know him. Having been deprived of school advantages in his early years, he bestowed those privileges upon his children liberally. His sons, J. D., Jerry and Isaiah, were graduated at the University of Michigan. The first and third became lawyers, and the second was for several years superintendent of schools of Allen
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county. Josiah D. died April 2, 1875, and his law partner, John Stahl, husband of Sarah J. Hillegass, died August 16, 1878.
Jacob Kell, an old and successful farmer of Perry township, is a native of France, born July 10, 1818, son of George and Magdalene Kell, both of German descent. At ten years of age he emigrated with. his parents to America, and first settled in Wayne county, Ohio. In. October, 1843, he removed to Indiana and settled on the farm where he now lives, buying eighty acres of land, and afterward entering forty acres, all timbered land. He began work for Mr. Newhouse, making rails for 75 cents per hundred, and furnished the timber and boarded. himself. By this labor he bought his house furniture. He cleared and fenced ten acres, and in the summer following he raised some corn and potatoes. In a few years he had a beautiful farm. In 1841 he was. united in marriage with Catharine Weimer, and they had five children, three of whom are living: Solomon, George V. and Amelia E. This wife was born March 27, 1824, and departed this life November 2, 1852 .. She was a member of the Cedar Creek Presbyterian church. On July 7, 1855, he was married to Catherine M., daughter of John and Mary- (Crous) Foner, and they had the following children: Mary Magdalene, John (died at the age of seventeen), Emma, Hiram A. (died aged twenty-one), Edna Viola (died aged five), Bertha May and Frederick Jacob. Mrs. Kell was born in Pennsylvania April 19, 1828. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Huntertown. Mr. Kell was a member of the Regulators for the protection of property in Allen county. He has served his township as trustee four years. He makes a specialty of the best grades of all kinds of stock. He has prospered in life, and now own's about 1,000 acres of fine farming land in Allen county, and his home place, being the old homestead, consisting of about Soo acres, is handsomely improved, with good buildings. His accumu- lations have been by industry, not through speculation, and he is esteemed as one of the prominent citizens and representative farmers of his township.
Solomon Kell, of Perry township, was born August 23, 1842, son of the above named Jacob and Catharine Kell. He was raised in Allen county, and received a good education, attending the Perry Center sem- inary four or five years, and studying all the higher branches, after which he followed the vocation of teacher for five years. Part of this period, subsequent to 1868, he was a resident of Iowa. He was there elected trustee of his township, but after being in office two years, returned to Perry township. In 1865 he was united in marriage with Emeline, a daughter of John and Eliza Krider, born in 1845. Her parents were pioneers of Allen county. This union was blessed with five children: Alice May, Eliza M., Mabel Ellen, Charles E. and Grace Gertrude. Mr. Kell is a constable, or one of the riders of the " Regu- lators" who have done much in the past to rid Allen county of outlaws. Being a resolute man, he is very earnest in his work, and does his full share in helping to bring to punishment these enemies of law and good
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