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 41
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Afterward he attended but three months more, but his natural shrewd- ness has compensated him for the advantages he missed. After marriage he began for himself on wild lands that his father gave him to clear, with the right to take what he raised. He now has a good farm of seventy-four acres of the old homestead. June 29, 1843, he was married to Jane, daughter of John Blair, a pioneer of DeKalb county. This union was blessed with six children, of whom five are living: Benjamin F., Emily J., Margaret C., Joseph H. and Cordelia. Mrs. Notestine died February 10, 1860, and on July 27, 1862, he was married to Mary, a daughter of A. D. Rhinehart, an old settler of Knox county, Ohio. To this union have been born three boys: Clermont L., Charles M. and John P., of whom one is living. Mr. Notestine, politically, is a democrat, and was a delegate from his township that helped to organize the convention system in this county. His first presidential vote was for Martin Van Buren, in 1840, and he has never failed to vote at any pres- idential election since.
Daniel Notestine, the second of the surviving children of Jacob No- testine, was born August 6, 1822, in Fairfield county, Ohio. Since twelve years of age, his life has been spent in Cedar Creek township. February 15, 1843, he was married to Charlotte Lee, who died August 20, 1857, leaving eight children: George W., Andrew, Jackson, John, Elizabeth, Catherine, Sarah and Cordelia. He was married August 29, 1858, to Catherine Wagner, who gave to him six children: Henrietta, Jacob B., William, Nettie O., Annie R., and Daniel, before her death, December 25, 1871. September 8th, following, he was married to Susan McCrory. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church. His political adherence has always been with the democratic party. In early life, Mr. Notestine was a leader in the work of the day as well as in the manly sports, and was distinguished as a hunter of the large game of the olden time. In later life, he has been equally prominent in his in- fluence upon society and the advancement of his township, and he is generally esteemed as a worthy citizen and upright man.
George W. Henderson, one of the early settlers of Cedar Creek township, is a native of Ashland county, Ohio, born September 22, 1827. His father, Samuel Henderson, was born in 1801, in Westmoreland county, Penn., and removed with his parents to Ohio, while a small boy. They first settled in Jefferson county, remained a short time and then removed to Harrison county, where he grew to manhood. Moving to Ashland county he remained there until 1836, when he came to DeKalb county, and settled in Jackson township, where he entered a half section of timbered land, under Jackson's administration. He and one John Watson once had a dangerous experience on the St. Joseph river. Going to Fort Wayne in the winter with corn, and there being no roads con- venient, they attempted to drive down on the ice; but after going about five miles the ice began to break. They turned to the shore forty rods distant, the ice breaking at every jump of the horses, and reached land with no injury but wetting. Mr. Henderson's wife's maiden name was
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Letty Moody. Their son, George W., came with his parents to Indiana when only nine years of age. His education was of the pioneer sort. At the age of twenty-one he hired to his father and worked for him three years in payment of 153 acres of land on which he now lives. December 28, 1851, he was married to Magdalene Tarney, and they had four children, of whom but one is living: Matilda, born June 22, 1858, wife of Dr. K. K. Wheelock, of Fort Wayne. Mr. Henderson and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Robinson chapel, of which he has been trustee about twenty-five years. His farm is one of the best improved in the township and he is regarded as a leading man.
Louis Nettelhorst, one of the pioneers of Cedar Creek township, and prominent among the farmers of Allen county, is a native of Han- over, Germany, born October 5, 1826, son of Charles C. and Helena (Schulte) Nettelhorst. The father was born in Prussia, October 16, 1785, the mother, in Hanover, in 1794. The family emigrated to America in 1835, and first settled in Mercer county, Ohio. In the spring of 1836 they settled in Cedar Creek township, he coming down the St. Mary's to Fort Wayne by flat-boat; they found the river so full of driftwood that it took almost a week to make the trip of about sixty miles. As there were few houses along the St. Mary's river at that time, they would put up their tent. This they lighted by burning a piece of pork fastened in a split stick, the other end of which was stuck in the ground. The father entered eighty acres of land which his son now occupies. He erected a log cabin, and began to convert his wooded land into a farm; but not being used to such work, having been in busi- ness all his previous life, he soon fell a victim to the malaria of the new country, and died August 11, 1839. His widow survived until August 31, 1860. Thus orphaned, Louis Nettelhorst began a life of hard strug- gle; being the oldest son of the family the burden of support fell upon him. He had attended school in the old country, but had but three months' schooling in this country. Beginning with little money, with the assistance of his mother as financier, they succeeded well, and raised the family of three boys and three girls. In January, 1837, he was married to Marian, daughter of George and Maria (Bierly) Ziegler, born Sep- tember 24, 1834, and they had six children, five now living: Laura, wife of W. C. Howey; Charles C., Euphemia, Louis W. and Harriet. He is a member of the Catholic church. In 1873 he was elected trustee of his township, and served two years. As assessor he has served about four years. Mr. Nettelhorst has in his possession his father's memo- randum book which bears date October 25, 1810. He has also a violin, which belonged to his father, now over one hundred years of age.
William M. Muller, one of the old settlers of Cedar Creek town- ship, is a native of Germany, born April 29, 1805. He emigrated to America in 1832, and first settled in Mercer county, Ohio, where he remained four years, meanwhile seeking land in Indiana. He bought eighty acres of land where he began clearing and making rails. The
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first years he kept bachelor's hall, and the wolves at that time were so numerous he was compelled to carry a pitch-fork with him on his visits to neighbors as a weapon of defense. April 19, 1837, he was married to Mary Ann Kansen, born March 18, 1815, of German descent. She was then a resident of Cincinnati; her he brought to his new home in Allen county, a log hut IIX12 feet, so that her first experience in Allen county was attended with much privation. They had thirteen children of whom eight are now living: Herman, Frank, Henry, Victor, Clemen- tine, Mary, Englebert and William. When Mr. Muller came to Allen county it abounded with bears, wolves, deer, turkeys and snakes. On one occasion when he was returning from work, to his astonishment he was met by an angry bear, who stood up to receive him, and was very near him when he began to call for help, which fortunately frightened the animal away. At another time when returning from Fort Wayne, by an Indian trail which lessened the distance home, his horse suddenly refused to proceed, but being urged past a certain large hollow tree, to his surprise on looking up he beheld a large bear on the tree after wild honey. Mr. Muller has been a recognized leader among the Germans, and on July 4, 1844, made a German speech at Fort Wayne, the manuscript of which his youngest son living, William, now has in his possession. He began in this country with little money, and being a baker by trade, and knowing nothing about farming, it is to his credit that he did well and made a success of life. He is now, though in his eighty-fourth year, enjoying good health. Mr. Muller and wife are devout Catholics and he named the postoffice at Hamil- ton known as Leo, in honor of Pope Leo. He was one of the leaders in building the church at that village, and has been one of the main supporters of the organization.
John Douglass, of Cedar Creek township, is a native of Indiana, born March 8, 1842. His parents, Samuel and Diana (Edgington) Douglass, emigrated from Ohio to Indiana in 1837, and settled on the present homestead, entering 160 acres, which was at that time all heavily tim- bered. To reach this place they crossed the St. Joe river on a cake of floating ice. John Douglass now lives on this homestead, in the first brick dwelling of the township, and has on his farm the first frame barn built in the township. He was born and raised here and has had his home here all his life, except in the year 1873, when he resided with his family in Missouri. He received a common school education. In 1868 he was united in marriage with Almira, daughter of Davis and Belinda (Fulkerson) Lyons, natives of Ohio, who emigrated to Indiana in 1844, and settled in Cedar Creek township, where they remained until death. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass had four children, only one now living, Hattie, born January 1, 1875. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is now trustee of the church at Leo, also trustee of the circuit and steward. He is a member of the Sion S. Bass post, G. A. R. In 1862 he volunteered in Company C, Eighty-eighth Indiana regiment, as corporal, and was promoted sergeant in April, 1864. He
Robert. B. Shirley
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served gallantly three years, was with his company in all its engage- ments up to his discharge, yet was never wounded, though often grazed by bullets, and in his last battle had one side of his hat shot away. He was with Sherman in his famous march to the sea. He has prospered in agriculture, possessing a good farm of 160 acres in Cedar Creek township.
Albert Douglass (deceased), was one of Cedar Creek township's worthiest farmers. He was a native of Indiana, born June 19, 1848. He was born and raised on the old homestead of his parents, Samuel and Diana Douglass, and received a common school education. On Sep- tember 10, 1871, he was united in marriage with Jennie Osborn, born November 9, 1850, daughter of William and Emily Osborn, early settlers of Steuben county, Ind., and this union was blessed with three children, Mira A., born February 27, 1874, died February 20, 1877; Elmer A., born December 12, 1877; Harry, born February 8, 1880. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He had but little capital when he began life for himself, but was one of those enterprising and industrious men who worked hard and have done so much for the advancement of this region. He prospered and at his death he owned a valuable farm of 109 acres. Since his death his widow has erected a comfortable two-story frame dwelling. Mr. Douglass was a leading citizen and a man well respected.
Charles M. Gillett, of Cedar Creek township, is a native of Indiana, born September 3, 1841. The father, Wilkes Gillett, a native of New York, born March 21, 1811, came to Ohio with his parents when nine years of age, where he grew to manhood and married Sophia Jones, who was born May 1, 1809. They cleared a farm in Ohio and remained until 1837, when they removed to Milan township, Allen county. At the time of their settlement, their nearest neighbors were two miles dis- tant. In 1863, they removed to St. Joseph township, and in 1881, to Fort Wayne, but soon after died, he on June 15, and she in September, 188I. Wilkes Gillett came here a poor man, and he and family suffered all the hardships known to a pioneer life. The principal food at that time consisted of venison, wild honey and corn bread. He never had the advantages of education, and for the considerable success he had in life, had to depend upon hard work. His wife, however, was well educated, and was one of the early teachers in Ohio. He served as one of the board of trustees of his township, when the board consisted of three members, and was in short, one of the representative farmers of Allen county. Charles M. Gillett was raised on the old homestead, where he received a common school education. On April 26, 1871, he married Harriet, daughter of William and Eliza (Swift) Utter, natives of New York; she was born September 4, 1844. This union was blessed with two children: Wilkes, born June 3, 1877; Ray, born January 26, 1885. He was assessor and appraiser of St. Joseph township two years. On September 13, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-third Indiana battery, and served in all the battles in which his battery participated, and
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received an honorable discharge at Indianapolis, July 2, 1865. After farming with his father about fifteen years, he bought thirty acres in St. Joseph township, sold this and bought another sixty acres, which he sold and removed to Milan township, and a year later came to Cedar Creek township and settled on the farm where he now lives. In 1883, he made a prospecting tour to Washington territory, and in the following June, went with his family, intending to stay, but only remained eighteen months. Hehas eighty acres in Cedar Creek which are well improved with good buildings erected by himself. He and family are highly esteemed. He now has in his possession a silver watch which was presented to his father on his sixty-ninth birthday, by his friends at Fort Wayne.
Aaron Paff, lately deceased, one of the old settlers of Cedar Creek township, was born January 17, 1816, in Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood. In his nineteenth year he accompanied his parents, Jacob and Susan (Stinger) Paff, to Ohio, whence after a residence of about seven years, he removed to Indiana and settled on the farm where he now lives, which was then a forest. In 1838, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Reater, and this union was blessed with eleven children, of whom seven are now living: Moses, born November 21, 1839; Susanna, born May II, 1845; George W., born December 10, 1848; Mary, born November 27, 1851; Harriet, born March 6, 1856; Andrew J., born January 17, 1858, and Daniel E., born January 1, 1861. Mrs. Paff was born August 31, 1817, and died March 28, 1888. She was a member of the Baptist church before coming to Indiana, and he was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, but afterward they both united with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a class leader about twenty years, and was one of the trustees the same period. His first experiences in Allen county were attended with much struggle and privation, as he began without capital, but by hard work and skillful management he prospered, and owned at his death 120 acres of fertile land, and earned the good will of all who knew him. This worthy citizen passed away in August, 1889.
Simon Bair, a pioneer of Allen county, is a native of Ohio, born February 28, 1815. His father, Christopher Bair, a native of West- moreland county, Penn., married Barbara Simons, who was born in Washington county, Penn. After her death he came to Indiana and settled in Cedar Creek township, where he remained the rest of his life. Simon Bair at the age of twenty-two years left his native place and removed to Holmes county, where on July 3, 1843, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Croco, by whom he had nine children, four of whom are now living: Sarah, Adam, Christopher and John. She was born February 22, 1820, and departed this life March 30, 1880; she was a consistent member of the Lutheran church, of which he is also a member. He never had more than the pioneer schooling when there was no work to be done on the farm. When he came to Allen county, September 23, 1845, he had no money, and moving into his little log cabin, his household furniture consisting of one bed, one chest and two
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chairs, he made some stools and by boring holes in the logs of the walls, he put in some small poles around which he wound cord for his other bed. He remained here on first coming two years, but the country being so sickly at that time he was advised by doctors to return to Ohio. He remained there about nineteen years and then removed to Missouri for two years, returning afterward to his home in Allen county. His possessions are all the fruit of toil, and he has succeeded notably well. He now owns 166 acres of fine farming land in his his township, with good buildings. He has always supported the whig and republican par- ties, casting his first presidential vote for William H. Harrison.
John W. Hollopeter is one of the pioneers of Cedar Creek township. He is a native of York county, Penn., son of Abraham and Lydia (Myers) Hollopeter. He was taken by his parents to Ohio when two years of age; they settled in Wayne county and remained six years, then resided in Holmes county about four years, and then located in Sen- eca county where he grew to manhood. In 1845 he first came to Indi- ana on a prospecting tour. On December 11, 1845, he married Virginia Welch, born September 30, 1825, and they had three children: James A., Oscar E. and Hiram S. . This lady became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church while a young girl, and lived a devoted Christian until her death February 6, 1852. On October 6, 1852, he married Mary Zim- merman, who was born December 21, 1833. They have had ten chil- dren, of whom are living: Lydia V., Mary V , Brenton S., Clinton L., Samuel E., Luther S., Clarence H. and Levi L. He and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a member since 1840; he is also steward and trustee of church and parsonage. He is a member of the Masonic order, lodge No. 224, was master six years and is treasurer at the present time. He is a carpenter by trade, at which he worked several years. In 1847 or '48 he bought 150 acres, and after selling seventy acres was almost out of debt, but in 1852 the pro- longed sickness of his wife and other misfortunes, caused him to lose everything he had and begin life anew, but he now owns eighty acres of excellent farming land and enjoys the hearty esteem of all.
Matthias Hollopeter, of Cedar Creek township, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, November 18, 1833, but was taken by his parents to Seneca county, when two years of age, where he remained until thir- teen, then coming with his parents to Indiana. His father, Abraham Hollopeter, was born in Pennsylvania in 1800, and in that state grew to manhood and married Lydia Myers, two years his junior. They moved to Ohio and remained fifteen or sixteen years, then coming to Indiana and buying eighty acres of school land to which was afterward added forty acres. They came here poor but did well. He served as trustee in the days of township boards. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Matthias Hollopeter had his first ex- perience in Allen county in clearing and burning brush, and such pioneer work. He received a good common school education, and at the age of twenty-one began teaching in the country schools and taught five or six
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terms. He also worked at the carpenter's trade a number of years. In 1856, he married Susan Hannen, by whom he had six children, of whom but one is living: Charles. She was born in 1835, and departed this life in 1873. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1874 he was married to Mary E., daughter of Jacob Stevick, born in 1847, and they have five children: Milton, Bertram, Frank, Lester and Mabel. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, of which he is steward and trustee. In 1865 he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Infantry, and served until the close of the war, holding the rank of corporal. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic lodge at Leo, No. 224. In connection with farming he has also been running a saw-mill at Leo fifteen or sixteen years. He now owns 108 acres of fine land in good state of cultivation, with sub- stantial buildings. He has served as justice of the peace of his town- ship eight years, being elected through personal regard, as he is an ardent republican, and his township is strongly democratic.
David E. O. Herin is a native of Pennsylvania, born December 10, 1814. His parents, James and Mary (Smith) Herin, removed when he was thirteen years of age to Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He received a common school education, and at the age of nineteen years began the battle of life for himself without resources. He worked as a common laborer until twenty-five years of age, when he built a carding mill in Seneca county, Ohio. He remained in this business about seven years, and then came to Indiana and settled in Cedar Creek township on the farm where he now lives. He first bought eighty acres, and has since added forty acres. In 1839 he was married to Elizabeth Umsted, born in 1812, and they had twelve children, of whom seven are living: Mary E., Melinda J., Francis A., John R., James A., Rolla E. and Jen- nie E. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He served one term as justice of the peace of his township, and was the first trustee of his township after the institution of the present system, and afterward served two terms in the same capacity. He is one of the leading citizens, and he and family are well respected.
David L. Fulkerson, an early settler, was born in Ohio, September 23, 1820, son of Samuel and Lydia Fulkerson. He lived in his native state until 1842, when he came with his father to Indiana in search of land. In 1846 he bought eighty acres of wood-land, the site of their present comfortable home which his industry has created. He first built a log cabin, and moved in his furniture, one bedstead and two or three chairs. The money with which he bought land he earned by day's labor. In 1854 he was married to Mary Mosier, born in 1831, and they had six children, five now living: Adell, Samuel, Ella, Clara and Matilda. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was class leader about six years. He served two terms as one of the three township trustees in early days, was afterward elected trustee under the present system, and justice of the peace at different times, but declined both offices. He helped to cut the road through his farm
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known as the Fort Wayne & Leo road. He is a worthy and esteemed citizen.
Capt. William C. Hollopeter, of Cedar Creek township, is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, born August 24, 1833. Thirteen years later his parents, Andrew and Catharine (Edmonds) Hollopeter, both of German descent, came to Indiana and settled in Cedar Creek township. William C. attended the common schools of Ohio and Indiana, farming in the summer season, until he reached his majority, when he attended the Methodist Episcopal college at Fort Wayne. He previously taught one term of school and taught four terms after attending college. In 1858 he was married to Cynthia A. Moore, born April 22, 1839, of Irish descent, by whom he had nine children, of whom eight are living: C. M., Methodist Episcopal minister at Geneva, Adams county; W. M., a teacher and farmer; Ophelia M., Ellen G., a teacher; Rosa B., Her- bert S., Lloyd H. and Edith G. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer infantry, as a private; was appointed second corporal same month, and on December 26, 1862, was pro- moted fourth sergeant; April, 1863, was elected first lieutenant, and November 24, 1863, was promoted captain. He was honorably dis- charged June 7, 1865, at Indianapolis. He was with Sherman in his celebrated march to the sea; was wounded at Mission Ridge, and at Bentonville, N. C. When Capt. Hollopeter came to Indiana the family settled on the old homestead, where there was about five acres cleared. He is one of the prominent citizens of Allen county, and now owns 200 acres of valuable land.
John W. Moudy (deceased) was born in Pennsylvania, April 18, 1824, son of John and Elizabeth Moudy. At the age ten years, he set- tled in Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In 1847 he removed from Ohio and settled in Perry township, Allen county, where he remained until 1852. He then removed to Cedar Creek township and settled on the farm, where he remained until his death, May 26, 1888. On Janu- ary 19, 1843, he was married to Catharine Ann Marshall. Of their seven children, four are now living: Martin L., Elizabeth A., Ralph and William. Their mother died May 17, 1857, aged thirty-six years. On December 27, 1858, he was married to Elizabeth Boger, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Boger, born July 3, 1835, and they had five children, of whom are living : John R., Mary J. and Henry L. He was a member of the United Brethren church; his first wife was a member of the Protestant church and his widow is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He served as constable of Perry township one term. His early life in Allen county was one of great exertion and patience, but being a man of great will and courage, success crowned his efforts. He died possessed of a farm property of 160 acres of fertile land in Cedar Creek township and was regarded as one of the county's representative citizens.
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