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 40
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society. Like his worthy father, he occupies one of the first places in the estimation of his township. He has a fine farm of eighty acres, with a good two-story frame dwelling house and commodious barn.
Constant Delagrange, one of the prosperous farmers and stock- raisers of Perry township, is a native of France, born May 24, 1831. He is a son of Joseph and Mary (Shottan) Delagrange, natives of France, who emigrated to America, bringing Constant, then only twelve years of age. They settled in Ohio and bought twenty-five acres of land, where they remained eight years and then sold and bought eighty acres, which they improved and lived upon four years. Then they removed to Indiana and settled in Cedar Creek township. They first bought forty acres in the woods, and four years later sold this and bought sixty acres near Leo, where he remained three years, and in 1861 he bought and settled on the farm where he now lives. All of these farms he cleared to a considerable extent and built upon, and his present place is handsomely cared for. In June, 1861, he was united in marriage with Ann Margaret Greavy, by whom he had fourteen children, seven of whom are living: Joseph, Franklin, Constine, Josephine, August, Louis and Julian. Mrs. Delagrange was born in 1837 and died December 27, 18SI. She was a member of the Catholic church, to which he also belongs. His vocation has always been that of a farmer and he has succeeded well, now owning a farm of 200 acres which is equal to the best. In stock-raising he makes a specialty of Norman horses.
John B. Masson, a substantial farmer of Perry township, is a native of France, born December 21, 1826. He is the son of Peter and Mar- garet Masson, the former of whom died when John B. was five years old. He lived in his native country, being employed chiefly in a vine- yard until eighteen years old, when he accompanied his mother and step- father to America. Coming directly to Fort Wayne, they settled on a farm in Lake township, two miles from Arcola .. There he remained with his mother six years. December 4, 1850, he was married to Amelie Nicolas, also a native of France, born September 18, 1833, daughter of Nicolas and Mary Nicolas, the former of whom died when Mrs. Masson was two years old. She accompanied her mother and step-father to America when she was eleven years old, and they also settled in Lake township. About eighteen months after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Masson located on the farm they now occupy. Mr. Masson resides on his well improved farm of eighty acres, and also owns a farm of forty- eight acres in St. Joseph township. He and wife have six children: John N., Jane M., Mary J., Joseph A., Jule J. and Adel J. Mr. and Mrs. Masson and children are members of the Catholic church. In pol- itics Mr. Masson is a democrat.
Florentin Roy, of Perry township, is a native of France. He was born July 26, 1833, to Ferdinand and Josephine (Julliard) Roy, of French nativity, who on March 4, 1846, emigrated to America and reached Fort Wayne June 22. They purchased land in Washington township and remained until 1858, when they removed to St. Joseph
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township, where the mother died in 1872. The father lived with Flor- entin until his death in 1878. He reached this country poor in purse, but came to own a farm of eighty acres. He was a worthy man and well-liked by his neighbors. Florentin received his education mainly in this country. His vocation has always been that of farmer, but in connection with farming he was engaged in operating a saw and shingle mill about five years. April 5, 1853, he was united in marriage with Mary Lailliot, born April 24, 1824, and they had four children, three. now living: Louis F., Charles J., Philomine. February 15, 1865, Mr. Roy enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-second regiment, under Capt. M. W. Wines, and received an honorable discharge at Charleston, August 30, 1865. He served as deputy assessor three years and was elected constable but resigned to enlist in the war. In 1871 he removed to his present home in Perry township, where he owns a valuable farm of 178 acres. Having come here when quite young he and all of his father's family suffered all the privations of pioneer life. He is one of the leading citizens of his township and is well-known as a prominent politician in the democratic party. In 1888 he was elected township trustee. Mr. Roy makes a specialty of his vineyard, and also gives much attention to raising German carp, having a pond of about two acres. He and wife are members of the Catholic church.
George Gump, of Perry township, is a native of Miami county, Ohio, born August 14, 1825, son of Daniel and Margaret (Studebaker) Gump. In 1848 he emigrated west and settled in Perry township, and in 1856 removed to the farm where he now lives. He received the common school education of his day. His occupation has always been that of a . farmer. In 1849 he returned to Ohio and was united in marriage with Harriet Agenbroad, born June 1, 1830, and of their thirteen children nine are living: Franklin, Priscilla, Alice, Jane, Madison, Marion, Cal- vert, Effie and Cora. Mr. Gump served as township trustee four years, his term closing in 1888. He has also done considerable probate busi- ness in his township. Mr. Gump had only 60 cents in money when he settled in the woods and began to hew out a farm, but now he looks with satisfaction over a handsome farm of 184 acres. He and wife are members of the German Baptist church.
Martin V. Metcalf, a substantial farmer of Perry township, was born in Ashland county, Ohio, December 3, 1845. His father, Vachel Met- calf, an early settler of Perry, was born September 20, 1816, in Ashland county, Ohio, where his father, Edward Metcalf, was a pioneer. In 1842 Vachel married Amanda Otto, and in 1849 they emigrated to Perry township, settling upon land yet in the forest. When Martin V. was but four years old he accompanied his parents to Allen county, and located on the farm where his boyhood and youth were spent. In win- ter he went to the district school, receiving a very good education for that day. In early manhood he adopted the vocation of a farmer. January 26, 1870, he was married to Mary E. Duly, a native of Ashland county, Ohio, born September 7, 1845, to John and Elizabeth (Ely)
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Duly. From 1870 to 1877, Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf resided on the Met- calf homestead, in Perry township. In the latter year they removed to another farm in the same township. Besides this valuable farm of eighty acres, Mr. Metcalf owns a one-half interest in the old homestead of 140 acres. He and wife have had two children. The first was a son that died in infancy, unnamed. The other is William Edmund, who was born October 29, ISSI. Mr. Metcalf is one of his township's most worthy and respected citizens.
Solomon Duly, of Perry township, is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, born November 27, 1838. His father, John Duly, was born in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Ohio, and in 1849 settled in Perry town- ship on the farm where Solomon now lives. Here he died June 14, 1874. He began life in the Perry township, woods with about $900, and succeeded in becoming the owner of 240 acres of good land. He was one of the leading citizens, and he and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Ely, were highly esteemed. Their son, Solomon, received his education in the log school-houses, now passed away. On December 14, IS71, he was married to Lucinda, daughter of George and Margaret (Kairger) Bowser, early settlers who came from Ohio about 1836, and settled on land which they entered from the govern- ment. This union was blessed with two children: Harry E. and Edna I. Mrs. Duly was born July 14, 1842. She is a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Duly has a fertile and well improved farm of eighty acres.
Eugene Parnin, a successful farmer of Perry township, is a native of France, born January 18, 1844, son of Gabriel and Virginia (Everard) Parnin. He emigrated to America with his parents when only eight years of age, and settled in Lake township, where he grew to manhood and received an education such as could be obtained at that time. His vocation has always been that of a farmer. In the dark days of the rebellion he enlisted in Company I, Forty-sixth Illinois infantry, under Capt. D. S. Pride, and served two years when the war ended; he received his discharge as corporal at Baton Rouge, La., January 20, 1866. On February 28, 1870, he was married to Louisa Delagrange, born September 6, 1849, daughter of Justin and Theresa ( Bonot) Dela- grange. Of their eight children seven are living: Joseph, Louis, Emma, August, Edward, Mary and George. Mr. Parnin has prospered in his undertakings, and by good management and close economy now owns a valuable farm of 120 acres in Perry township. He gives much atten- tion to breeding Norman horses. He is one of the leading citizens of the township, and is well respected.
Solomon C. Chapman, of Perry township, is a native of Ashland county, Ohio, born May 18, 1838. His father, John Chapman, emi- grated from Ohio, October 4, 1852, and settled on the farm where his son now lives, where he remained until his death, July 12, 1861. By honest industry he was enabled to leave a good farm of eighty acres and an honorable name. Solomon Chapman coming to Indiana when
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about thirteen years of age, grew to manhood on the old homestead and received such schooling as the schools of that day afforded. Decem- ber 10, 1861, he was married to Hannah Honora, daughter of Patrick and Matilda (Baird) Horn, and they had seven children: Mary J., Syl- vester G., Minerva A., Hannah H., Eunice M., Catharine C. and Blanche H. Mrs. Chapman, who was born December 12, 1842, departed this life May 18, 1873. She was a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Chapman was deputy assessor of Perry township in 1873. He is a member of the Masonic order. His land-holdings in Perry township amount to 272 acres.
John W. Hursh, one of the prominent teachers of Allen county, is a native of Perry township, born July 15, 1855. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Hursh. Growing to manhood on the old homestead farm, he received a good common school education and afterward attended a term at the Center seminary and at the Fort Wayne college about two years. In 1875 he began teaching in the country schools and has been so engaged since, with the exception of about two years. In 18So he was united in marriage with Jennie, daughter of George and Harriet Gump, and they have four children: George, John, Donnie and Bertie. He and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He occupies the old homestead of 200 acres, of which he owns all but one share. He is recognized as one of the worthy and valuable citizens of his township.
Alexander Stirlen was born in Holmes county, Ohio, December 24, 1832. His parents, Samuel and Delilah (Praig) Stirlen, natives of Westmoreland county, Penn., came to Ohio about 1828, traveling in the once familiar emigrant wagons. In 1853 Alexander settled in Allen county, and was employed about four years as a day laborer. He then farmed on shares two years, after which he purchased land. His schooling was that of pioneer days. In 1858 he was united in marriage with Magdalena, daughter of George and Magdalena Kell, early settlers of Allen county. She was born February 6, 1829. This union gave them five children : Martha, John, William, George and Edgar. Mrs. Stirlen departed this life February 26, 1880. She was a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. Mr. Stirlen has always been an active worker for the democratic party, but has not held office except as a school director four years. When he first came to Allen county he was with- out resources, and had the usual wearisome experiences of early days. But his success has been remarkable, and he possesses 532 acres of ex- cellent land in Perry and Cedar Creek townships. His home place, in Perry, is handsomely improved.
James McCombs, of Perry township, was born in Ireland, April 4, 1828. His parents, Robert and Margaret McCombs, emigrated to America when James was about two years of age, and settled in Claremont county, Ohio. After landing in Cincinnati, his mother was taken sick and died, and he was bound out to Sampson Newbrough, with whom he remained until twenty-one years of age. In 1850 he was
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united in marriage with Margaret Simonton, and they have had eleven children: Robert S., Thomas C., John S., Mary C., wife of John Rey- nolds, Joseph (deceased), James I., Theoppolis M., Emma, wife of Samuel Davis, William S., Hiram E. and David O. Mrs. McComb was born July 21, 1833. She and husband are members of the United Brethren church. Mr. McCombs is a leading citizen and has served as trustee from 1880 to 1884. His landed possessions are 200 acres of fine farming land, which were heavily timbered when he first came here.
Henry A. Treace, an early settler of Perry township, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1823, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Treace. He was taken by his parents to Ohio when only two years of age, and there grew to manhood. He received a common school education in the pioneer log school-house. In 1844 he was married to Elizabeth Clay- ton, born in 1821, and had by this union nine children, eight of whom are living: Margaret, Rosa Ann, Lottie, Jane, William, Frank, George and Robert. He served six years as a school director. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. When Mr. Treace settled in Perry township he had but a shilling in money, but by hard, diligent industry he came to own 480 acres of good land out of which he cleared farms, and has given all to his children except 120 acres upon which he now lives. He is one of the leading citizens of his township, and is well respected by all.
Alanson C. Griffin, of Perry township, is a native of New York state. He was born June 29, 1836, the son of Jonathan and Huldah (Dudley) Griffin. The mother, who is in her eighty-first year, is still a resident of New York state. Mr. Griffin remained in his native state until 1864, when he settled in Allen county, and in March, 1866, occupied the farm where he now lives. He received a very limited education, his father having died when he was quite young, leaving much responsibility to him. He began with his brother, when seventeen years of age, the trade of a carpenter and joiner, which he engaged in after coming to Indiana. He and his brother went to Canada in 1857, and built a house for one of his uncles. December 22, 1858, he was married to Mary J., daughter of Charles B. and Rosette (Eddy). They had one child, Viola, born September 28, 1860. The mother of this child was born February 8, 1836, and departed this life August 8, 1863. December 31, 1865, he was married to Henriette, daughter of John and Ellen Surfus. By her he had five children: Effie M., born May 6, 1867; Anna, born September 13, 1869; John E., born November 14, 1870; Aclie S., born January 8, 1872, and Jesse, born May 14, 1876. The mother was born March 25, 1844, and died May 18, 1876. December 5, 1877, he was united in marriage with Sarah J., daughter of James and Rebecca Vandolah. She is a member of the German Baptist church. Mr. Griffin was a member of the Masonic lodge at Huntertown during its existence, and passed through the chairs. He has a fine farm of eighty acres, in Perry township, well improved with perfect arrangements for watering,
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and supplying water to his house, and 160 acres in Kingman county, Kansas. In connection with farming he also runs a repair shop for farmers.
Fisher C. West was born in 1827, at Syracuse, N. Y., son of Joseph and Joanna (Smith) West. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and served about one year. The grandparents on both sides were soldiers in the war for American independence, and the grandfather on the father's side served through the whole struggle and lost an eye in the first battle. Mr. West left his native state when about fifteen years of age, and settled in DeKalb county, where he remained with his parents about one year, and then began to learn the miller's trade, which he has followed more or less ever since. In 1849 he joined the great tide of emigration to the gold fields of California, where he was very successful in mining. He remained about four years, then returned to Indiana and purchased the farm in Perry township on which he now lives. He remained in Allen county about ten months and then began a series of travels, to New York city, then to the Cape Verde, Africa, then to the little island of St. Helena; thence to Rio Janeiro, Brazil; thence to Cape Town, Africa; thence to Fort Phillip, Australia; thence to the gold mines of Australia, where he remained about eight years; then from Melbourne to London, England, where he remained about three months and then returned home. In 1860 he was united in marriage with Col- . umbia Ann Wheeler. Of their eight children, three are living: Price D., Curtis S. and Lena E. The mother of these children was born in 1833, and departed this life in ISS8. Mr. West is an extensive land owner, having 937 acres of valuable land in Perry township, with brick dwell- ing and other substantial buildings. He also owns eighty acres in Noble county, about 300 in Missouri and 1,700 in Tennessee. He is an enter- prising man and is now boring for gas on his farm, the well being at this writing about 1,000 feet deep. His home farm is the very best land in Allen county, unsurpassed in its production of grain. Mr. West is a member of the F. & A. M.
CEDAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
The region about the confluence of Cedar creek and the St. Joseph river appears to have been the seat of villages both of those mysteri- ous people, the mound-builders, and of Indians, at a remote epoch, and here it is probable that missionaries erected the cross at a date never recorded in history. During the present era the first to make a per- manent home were Jacob Notestine and family, who in the spring of 1834, went up the St. Joseph in a flat-boat and settled near the mouth of Cedar creek. He found there a man named Wood, who had passed the winter, but eagerly availed himself of the boat to remove his posses- sions, and start for the east. The early settlers found here traces of former occupation, at least of the visits of the French. William Muller,
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in 1836, found upon a beech tree a French inscription and the date 1772, and in 1869, John Pring found two feet beneath the surface, in the vicinity of Cedarville, a cross, made of beech wood, fourteen feet in length, with the figures 1772 carved upon it. These facts have led to the belief that this was the site of a French mission, during the Indian occupation. Mr. Pring, some twenty years before, had found on the banks of the creek, buried beneath the surface, fragments of trace- chains, log-chains, etc., and a heap of cinders, which appear to show that a blacksmith's forge had been in operation there at some date previous to the settlement. The same gentleman, on April 28, 1850, found a sword imbedded in the wood of a linn tree, which had been blown down the previous night, and about the same time William Muller discovered a cannon ball on his farm, circumstances which seem to indi- cate that there had been military operations here which have escaped the cognizance of historians. The memory of these finds aided in causing a great deal of excitement at a subsequent date, when a party of strangers from the west came to Cedar Creek, and letting it be known that they were about to fish and trap, began digging instead, apparently in the search of some hidden treasure. It is said that they finally unearthed and bore away the contents of an old, rotten chest, but further the traditions do not satisfy curiosity, except that it is told by way of explanation that these men came to find treasures buried by Indians, whose descendants, removed to strange lands beyond the great river, had revealed the secret. The only neighbors which the Notestines had during the first year were John Manning and family, who settled on section 15. In IS36, William Muller, coming from Ohio, cut his way through the forest tangles from Beckett's branch to the spot he had selected as his home, and after building his cabin, went to Cincinnati and married the lady who assisted him in his pioneer life. In 1836, also, came Charles C. Nettelhorst and family, Peter Sullivan and John Rogers, two friends of Irish nativity, and John Baker and William Berry, who afterward went west. Moses Sivotts came up from St. Joseph township in 1838, and among the others who came between 1837 and 1840 were William and Joseph Shields, John Hackley, Aaron Poff, William Bowser, John Hagan, Henry Updyke, Abraham Fulkerson, Harmon Lydecker, Joseph Silvers and John B. Blue. The two latter were elected the first justices, and Thomas Wilson, the first constable, at the election in 1837, held at the house of Jacob Notestine. The total poll was twelve votes.
In 1835 the first road was surveyed through the township, which became known as the St. Joseph road. About 1839, James Vandolah built a saw-mill, and afterward arranged for grinding grain. About 1840 Stout Price established a blacksmith forge at the site of Hamilton. In 1847 the Leo postoffice was established near the center of the township, and John Manning was appointed postmaster. John B. Blue was the deputy and kept the office at his store. At this place grew up the village of Hamilton. This was a point on the mail route to northwestern
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Ohio and southern Michigan, on which Jeremiah Bowen was contractor and his sons, Mason and Marvin, the carriers.
Settlers becoming numerous about Cedar creek, the village of Cedar- ville was laid out in the forks of the creek and St. Joseph river, in May, 1838, by William G. Ewing, of Fort Wayne; George M. Ewing, of Cass county, and Messrs. Seymour, Robinson and Peck, of Connecticut; but soon after the platting of Hamilton, in February, 1849, the older town lost precedence. In 1880 the population was 113. One of its earliest traders was Asa Miller, who took a stock of goods there from Fort Wayne about 1839, and built a mill.
In 1852 John Dever established a wagon shop, and afterward a store at Hamilton, and managed the first regular boat line on the St. Joseph. The village, which now is generally known as Leo, had in 1880 a population of 166.
The village of Urbana was laid out May 10, 1867, by J. C. Hursch. Here the Urbana mills have been conducted by M. L. Moudy since 1879.
Jacob Notestine, who has been referred to as a prominent early set- tler of Allen county, was a native of Lehigh county, Penn., born in 1790, of parents who were natives of Germany. He received a good common school education in his native state, and became a skillful black- smith, so that after his settlement in Allen county he was called on to weld a collar on the spindle of the buhr of the second flouring mill in Allen county. Like all his work, it was a good job. He was married about 1812, to Barbara Gunder, who was born in York county, Penn., in 1788, and they had thirteen children, of whom six are living: Uriah, Peter, Daniel, Aaron, Isaiah, and Barbara Ann. Jacob Notestine, dur- ing the war of 1812, enlisted, but after his company had received their uniforms, they were notified that their services were not needed, so that he did not see actual service. He and his family reached Fort Wayne, July 14, 1830, and first settled near Fort Wayne, near the site of the old Rudisill mill, and there cleared eight or ten acres. In 1834, he entered forty-six acres where his son Daniel now lives, and in March, 1834, the residence of the family in Cedar Creek township began. Here they did a great work in opening and preparing land for cultivation, and no family among the old pioneers more deserves an honorable place in the annals of the county. Possessing the characteristics of true pion- eers they succeeded in their herculean tasks, and became well-to-do, and the survivors are now highly esteemed by the people. Jacob Notestine was a prominent citizen in his time, and was one of the board of trustees of his township for two or three terms. He died September 16, 1853, and his widow's decease followed on August 3, 1860. He was a mem- ber of the Lutheran and his wife of the Methodist church.
Peter Notestine, the sixth child of the above, was born April II, 1819, in Fairfield county, Ohio. Being a youth when they settled in Eel River township, he was an important help in the work of clearing and farming, and so busy was he at these duties, that he only obtained three months' schooling in the old log school-house before he was of age.
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