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 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
358
VALLEY OF THE UPPER MAUMEE.
Lewis Reichelderfer, a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, was born October 9, 1820, son of John and Catherine (Spangler) Reichelderfer. In early boyhood he was remote from schools, but his physical training in the woods developed him well for the hardships of pioneer life in Allen county. In 1840 he came to Indiana on a prospecting tour and purchased a piece of land of 320 acres from his father. Like others of time he came hoping that here he might find a home where patient toil would yield greater results than in the older settlements. When a boy his father bought a clover huller, which furnished work during the winter for him and his brothers, hulling for neighbors when he should have been in school, and one day when the father was away he and brother concluded to break the machine and render it useless, which they did by feeding the same with a large. stone, and refusing to work any longer if it was repaired. After coming to Indiana he only made a short stay, but returned to Ohio, and remained two years. He then made another short trip to Indiana, and returned to Ohio, and in 1842 he married Miss Julia Ann Ranck, who was born April 20, 1822. Throughout her husband's pioneer life, she ever comforted and sustained him. To this union eleven children were born, of whom nine survive. Elihu, ex-representa- tive of Allen county; William, ex-trustee of Springfield township; Alden, John, Aaron, Lafayette, Sarah, Hanna and Selena. Mr. and Mrs. Reich- elderfer are members of the old Lutheran church. He now owns 195 acres of fine land well cultivated. Mr. Reichelderfer's life has been marked by the strictest integrity, and no one enjoys more fully the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen.
William A. Reichelderfer, a prominent citizen of Harlan, is a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, born July 19, 1848, son of Lewis and Julia A. Reichelderfer. He remained in his native state until sixteen years of age, when he came to Indiana with his parents and settled in Springfield ownship. After being here about one month he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-second Indiana volunteers, under Capt. Biglow, and was in the battle of Nashville. He served until the close of the war and received an honorable discharge at Indianapolis. When he returned home he had contracted a cold which disabled him for some time, and his education being limited up to this time, he began going to school at Harlan, and attended about one year. He then began teach- ing in the country school and taught three winter terms. In IS68 he married Jennie E. Stopher, who was born December 24, 1852, and they have had four children, three living: Charles, Elwood, Frank A., and Lola E. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In I875 he was elected justice of the peace of his township and served eight years. In April, 1884, he was elected trustee and re-elected in 1886, which is quite complimentary to him, as his township is republican by ahout forty votes at this time - when he first ran for trustee the republi- can majority on the state ticket was forty-eight, but he was elected by forty-four majority. He is one of the leading citizens of Harlan, and
359
ANNALS OF THE TOWNSHIPS.
highly respected by all. He has always been a democrat and is promi- nent in his party.
Charles Reichelderfer, an old settler of Springfield township, was born May 11, 1824, in Pickaway county, Ohio, son of John and Chris- tina (Spangler) Reichelderfer. In 1840 he came to Indiana with his family and settled in Maysville. He bought ninety acres in the woods and this he cleared into a farm. He was first married to Louie Allen, by whom he had one child, Maria. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Subsequent to her death he married Louie Kentner, still living, by whom he had four children: Frederick, William, Mary and Jay P. He and wife are both Lutherans. He is one of the leading citizens of Springfield township, and well respected by all who know him.
Ira I. Grubb, an industrious farmer and stock-raiser of Springfield township, was born June 3, 1838, in Wayne county, Ind., son of Nelson and Martha A. (Notestine) Grubb. He came with his parents to Indi- ana in 1841, who settled in Cedar Creek township, buying sixty acres of uncultivated land. In 1861 he was married to Elizabeth A., daughter of Henry and Anna (Bickhart) Oberholtzer. To this union six children were born, five now living: Charles C., Lochiel L., Herman H., Bern B. and Mary J. The mother was born August 27, 1840. He and wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church which was organized in his barn by Rev. Waltinan about 1852. He is a member of the Masonic order. He enlisted in the late war but was not accepted. In 1856 he went west on a prospecting tour, but not being satisfied with the west, he returned and settled at Harlan and embarked in blacksmithing and wagon-making, which business he continued until April, 1866, when he bought and settled on the farm where he now lives. He now has a handsome farm of 149 acres in Springfield township, within one and one- half miles of Harlan, with good buildings. He was the first man in the township to begin the breeding of Jersey cattle; he began in June, 1880. He is an ardent supporter of the democratic party, and on one occasion was nominated by his party for trustee, but was not able to overcome a large adverse majority. He is one of the leading citizens of his town- ship. Mr. Grubb's two oldest sons are graduates of the Valparaiso normal school.
William A. Moore, an old settler of Allen county, was born in New York, November 8, 1824. His parents, Priam and Lois (Calkins) Moore, were born in Genesee county, N. Y., the father in 1796, the mother in 1805. The father remained in New York and followed the shoemaker trade until 1830, when he removed to Erie county, Ohio, where he worked at his trade in connection with farming rented land. Since 1840 he has made his home with his son William A., and is now in his ninety-third year. The mother died at her son's home in 1884. William A. grew to manhood in Ohio, with slight opportunities for edu- cation. Being the oldest of a family of eight children it fell to him to help his father to support the others, and he has been the mainstay and
360
VALLEY OF THE UPPER MAUMEE.
support of the family ever since he was large enough to earn wages. He hired out previous to their coming to Indiana to obtain the money that brought them here. On November 15, 1840, they settled in Scipio township. He traded his team for thirty-one acres of wood-land, built his log cabin, and cleared and farmed until 1852 when he sold this place and bought eighty acres in Springfield township. In 1850 he embarked in the saw-mill business and lost all his hard earnings and incurred a judgment debt of $1,600. He had previously run the first thresher in Springfield, and continued in this business about thirty years, by this means arising from his embarrassed condition and paying for his farm of eighty acres. To this he has added eighty acres. June 19, 1842, he married Dorliska Bracy, born April 10, 1822, and they have had ten children, eight of whom are living: Angelia Sarah, Harriet E., Dor- liska L., William W., Charles W., Henrietta C., Hiram B. and Cora L. He and wife are members of the Protestant Methodist church. In 1854 he had the misfortune to lose by fire his dwelling house and all contents, and again in 1866 he was burnt out, losing nearly all he had in the house. He served as constable one term in Scipio township and two terms in Springfield township. The first winter he was here he had to go five miles on foot and draw a hand sled with his sack of corn to mill to be ground for bread. In spite of his many misfortunes he is now prosperous.
Frederick Omo, one of the pioneer settlers of Springfield township, was born October 24, 1819. His father, Simon Omo, was a Frenchman and a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte, being wounded five times. After coming to America he was drafted into the war of 1812, and served till its close. He lived to the good old age of ninety. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Mary Mer- cer, a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. Their fourth child, Frederick, in 1836, left his home in Pennsylvania, and settled in Ohio, where he hired out by the month as a farm hand. In 1836 he and his brother-in-law bought 160 acres of wild land in Springfield township, but did not make their home here until 1840. On division of this land he got sixty acres, but was compelled to hire out to get money enough with which to begin farming. In 1843 he was married to Elizabeth Shields, born July 3, 1825. They have had twelve children, seven now living: Mary, William H., John W., Louisa, Adaline, Joseph and Francis. He was a member of the board of trustees of his township in company with Estes Howe and Linas Cutts, and helped to make the first appraisement of school lands in the township. He was a supporter of William H. Harrison for the presidency in 1840, and has adhered to the republican party since its organization. He has prospered in a high degree, and now owns 140 acres in Springfield township, with substan- tial buildings. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was steward twenty years and class leader four years.
Richard Price, an industrious farmer of Springfield township, was born in 1841, in Allen county. His parents, John and Susan (Oliver)
-
361
ANNALS OF THE TOWNSHIPS.
Price, both died while he was a small child, and he was taken by one Wilson to raise, but after a time he was taken by Abraham Dingman, who married his step-sister. A few years later he found a home with Isaac Claxton, then with James Mills, and then with Henry Miller, with whom he remained seven years. He was living with Alex Baston in 1862, when he enlisted in Company D, Eighty-eighth Indiana regiment, and with the exception of about sixty days while sick and at home on a furlough, he participated in all the engagements of his regiment. He received an honorable discharge at Indianapolis in 1865. On November, of that year, he married Martha E. Hatch, and this union was blessed with one child, Minnie A., born November 5, 1875. He and wife are members of the United Brethren church. After marriage he worked at clearing one winter and then rented farms until 1868, when he bought forty acres of uncultivated lands in Springfield township, which he has converted into a valuable farm. For the last twelve years he has been running a threshing machine in connection with farming. He is a mem- ber of the G. A. R. at Mayville, and was a member of the Regulators.
DeGroff N. Herrick, of Springfield township, is a native Hoosier, born in Milan township, October 28, 1849, son of Aruna and Elizabeth (Parent) Herrick. The paternal grandfather was a native of Vermont, born June 26, 1797, who in 1819 married Susan Robbins of upper Canada. They seittled in Jefferson county, N. Y., where they raised a family of seven boys and three daughters. In 1842, they removed to Allen county. The wife died in 1848, and in the fall of the same year he married Mrs. Catharine Lloyd, with whom he lived until death. On coming to Maysville, he became one of the charter members of the Maysville class of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a devoted member of this church until his death, which occurred March 5, 1877. His wife sur- vived him to the good old age of ninety-three, and died in 1887. She was married at the age of eighty-three years, after her husband died, to Mr. Gothep, who is now living and is ninety-two years of age. Aruna Herrick was a native of Jefferson county, N. Y., where he grew to manhood, and then emigrated west, and settled in Allen county. He received a good common school education, and was a carpenter by trade. In 1847 he was married, and to this union four children were born: John Frank, who died in 1878; DeGroff N., Daniel M., and Clarence M. The mother died in 1854. In 1857, he was married to Mary Boger, by whom he had seven children: Andrew, Adelia A., Susan Ida., Phoebe C., David O., Hattie E., and William. In the dark days of the rebel- lion, he volunteered in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth regi- ment. He resided after the war in Springfield township, until his death January, 1875. DeGroff N. was raised in Milan township, and received a good common school education. November 12, 1871, he married Lydia A., daughter of John and Rachel Zeimmer, and this union was blessed with one child, Ella M., who died in 1876. He and wife are members of the United Brethren church, of which he is one of the trustees of the parson- age. In 1874, he bought and settled upon the farm he now occupies,
362
VALLEY OF THE UPPER MAUMEE.
which he has made one of the best of the township, and has a two-story brick dwelling, with a good barn.
Ephriam Markle, one of the old settlers of Springfield township, was born in Pennsylvania, August 6, 1813, son of Jacob and Catharine Markle. The family moved to Ohio when he was four years of age, and there he grew to manhood and learned the weaver's trade, which he followed about twelve years. In 1834 he married Elizabeth Reichel- derfer, and they have had six children, of whom five are living: Mar- garet, Mary, Henry, Jacob and Jerry. The mother, who was born in 1814, was a member of the Lutheran church, and died in 1846. In 1851 he married Catharine Reezer, by whom he had four children, of whom survive: Daniel, Samuel and Melinda. The mother, who was born April 25, 1817, is a member of the old Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Lutheran church. In 1842 he entered eighty acres of wild land in Springfield township, and built his log cabin, the only house between that vicinity and Maysville at that time, and here began his toilsome career, which has ended so well. He made considerable money in his time, and added to his first entry until he owns 240 acres of well improved land. He has always been one of Allen county's valuable citizens.
Henry Boulton, an early settler of Springfield township, is a native of England, born January 14, 1821. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Hamblett) Boulton, emigrated to America in 1837, and settled in Erie county, Ohio, and in 1849 removed to Scipio township, where the father died in 1863. Henry worked out and helped his father to pay for a piece of land, and in 1843 came to Indiana and bought eighty acres of land in Springfield township where he now lives. Being without money to clear it he returned to Ohio to work for the necessary means, and remained in Ohio until 1847. He then began to improve his land and built his log cabin. After clearing and cultivating about ten acres, he took to himself a wife, Helen Hatch. They have eight children: Louisa, Anna N., Emma, Flora, Mary, Oscar, Ida and Mina. Mrs. Boulton was born May 31, 1831; she and all their children are members of the United. Brethren church, while he has been a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church since 1850. He has given his children the benefit of all the schooling his township afforded, and then at Fort Wayne college. His son has attended two terms at Ann Arbor. His industry has been rewarded by the possession of 322 1/2 acres of good land in Allen county, and his home place is well improved. He has given each of his five daughters at their marriage $550.
John Zeimmer, one of the pioneer settlers of Allen county, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, July 27, 1814, son of Abram and Susannah (Chritenbaugh) Zeimmer. His grandfather came from Pennsylvania and settled in Pickaway county, remained five years and removed to Wooster, where he was killed by the Indians. John came to Indiana in 1836, on a prospecting tour, and entered 160 acres, and then returned to Ohio, where he hired out by the month to get money with which to
-
363
ANNALS OF THE TOWNSHIPS.
cultivate his new land. In 1843 he returned to Indiana, and after clear- ing about five acres, erected a cabin, and in 1843 was married to Rachel, daughter of Obediah and Lydia Ann (Markle) Boger. By this union he had eight children, six now living: Martin, Susannah, George, Lydia A., John W. and Mary. The mother, who was born October 31, 1825, was a member of the old Lutheran church. She died November 14, 1878. He and wife settled in their new home in the woods and being a poor man, he and wife had many privations. They were compelled to go to Fort Wayne, at that time but a small village, to mill, and there being no roads it took them about three days to make the trip and return. They would carry axes with them to cut their road. He suc- ceeded in his efforts and came to possess 400 acres of good land in Allen county, from which he has given to his children, but still holds his homestead of 160 acres. On this he has a comfortable two-story brick dwelling and good barn. Mr. Zeimmer served as school director five years, about thirty-five years ago.
Martin Zeimmer, a progressive farmer of Springfield township, son of the above, was born September 4, 1842. He was born and raised on the homestead farm, and being the oldest son, helped his father as soon as he was able. He began to plow when he had to reach up to the plow handles and was too small to release the plow when it became fast, so that he had to invent a mode of using a chain by which the oxen could do that for him. In 1868, he married Mahala A. Burrier, who was born in 1844. To this union two children were born, of whom one survives: Cora A., born May 13, 1871. After his marriage his father gave him forty acres of wood-land, which he has converted into a nice little farm, and has a two-story brick dwelling and good barn.
Isaac Dreisbach, an early settler of Springfield township, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, April 4, 1820, son of Samuel and Catharine (Bookwalter) Dreisbach. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, the mother of Berks county, Penn., and came to Ohio about ISII, and remained until death. The father was in the war of 1812. Isaac remained with his father until twenty-three years of age, when on April 13, 1843, he married Catharine Metzger, by whom he had six children : John, born September 21, 1847; Samuel, born December 1I, 1851; Joseph, December 5, 1857; Frank, March 16, 1861; Mary E., May 17, 1844 (oldest); Levi, March 24, 1854. The mother was born Novem- ber 7, 1819. He remained in Ohio three years after marriage, and then settled on the farm of 160 acres where he now lives. About thirty acres was cleared at that time, and there was a small cabin, which was the second built in the township. He served as constable one year in an early day. He and wife are charter members of the United Brethren church. He donated the ground on which the church stands, besides $500. He has always been liberal in his donation to churches and gave $50 to the United Brethren church in Fort Wayne, also a smaller dona- tion to a mission church in Nebraska. Through his kindness to rela- tives in becoming security for them, and his sacrifices in selling lands to
364
VALLEY OF THE UPPER MAUMEE.
liquidate those debts, he was the loser at one time of about $12,000; and about this time had the misfortune to lose his dwelling by fire, without insurance. But he withstood these calamities, and soon erected a beautiful two-story brick dwelling. He has 158 acres of fine land within one mile of Harlan, which is one of the best in Allen county.
Levi Dreisbach, son of the above, and an enterprising business man of Harlan, was born March 24, 1854. He was born and raised on the homestead farm in Springfield township, and remained on the farm until 1882, when he located in Harlan and embarked in the butcher business, which he continued until 1885. On December 27, 1874, he was mar- ried to Rachel A. Sapp, who was born April 17, 1852. This union was blessed with three children: Katie, born in 1875; Clyde, born in 1880; Cosie, born May 23, 1883.
Daniel Knisely, of Springfield township, was born May 31, 1826, in Columbiana county, Ohio. He was the fourth child of Solomon and Elizabeth (Rudy) Knisely, both of German descent and natives of Pennsylvania. At fourteen years of age he was bound out to a farmer and remained until twenty years of age. He had only six months' schooling, but through his own industry learned to read, write and figure. On March 2, 1853, he married Mahala Conway. Of their nine children, six are living: David, born December 13, 1856; Delilah, March 12, 1861; Luella, November 29, 1862; Rollin, May 21, 1866; Orlando, April 2, 1868; and Rosa, May 6, 1871. The mother, who was born November 11, 1833, departed this life February 19, 1880. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he first joined in 1853, and was a steward two years. In 1887 for con- venience he took a letter and placed it in the Protestant church. At twenty years of age he hired out on the farm at $10.50 the first sum- mer, and he saved enough to buy him a yoke of cattle and came to Indi- ana in 1846 to see the fifty acres of wood-land he received as his wages for the six years that he was bound out. The following year he built his log cabin and began to clear. He now owns eighty acres of well improved land and has a two-story brick dwelling. He has served as school director of his district about twelve years. .
George R. Snyder, a prominent farmer of Springfield township, was born in Washington county, Penn., August 15, IS36. His parents, Jacob and Margaret (Riggle) Snyder, moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1838, and settled in Ashland county, buying eighty acres of land which they partly cleared. Eight years later, they came to Allen county, Ind., and settled on the farm where George now lives, at that time in the woods. George remained with his parents and took care of them until their deaths. In 1862 he married Sarah Coles, and they have had six children, five living: Rosalie, Jennie, Hattie, William H. H. and Samuel. The mother was born May 12, 1844. She is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Snyder has a handsome farm embracing eighty acres of the old homestead. He and family are respected by all who know them.
365
ANNALS OF THE TOWNSHIPS.
Horace Herrick, a progressive farmer, is a native of New York, born in Lewis county, July 15, 1824, son of Daniel and Susan ( Rob- bins) Herrick. Mr. Herrick received a good common school education, and remained in his native state until 1847, when he came west and set- tled on a farm near Fort Wayne, but only remained about one year when he removed to Milan township. Three years later he returned to his birth-place for a short stay, but again located in Milan township, this time near Cuba. He remained here until 1854, when he sold his farm and in the following year removed to Wisconsin. A year later he returned to Hoosierdom and settled on the farm where he now lives. On October 12, 1851, he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Jedediah C. and Jane (Forsythe) Mills; she was born June 26, 1826. He and wife are both charter members of the Protestant Methodist church at Maysville, and devoted and consistent members since its organ- ization. He is also a member of the Masonic order at Maysville. Mr. Herrick came to Indiana with only enough money to enter forty acres of wild land, but by close economy, hard work and good management, he has prospered. He has a comfortable two-story brick dwelling with good barn, which is supplied with water from a natural fountain. He takes a great interest in fine stock, and since 1882 has been making a specialty of the Jersey cattle.
Adam Driver, an old settler of Allen county, was born in Maryland, May 2, 1819, son of Wesley and Ruth (Barns) Driver. At sixteen years of age he came to Ohio and settled in Erie county, where his father bought seventy-four acres of timber land. Here he got a foretaste of a pio- neer's life. After twenty-one years of age he worked out until 1847, when he had accumulated enough with which he came to Allen county and bought eighty acres of wild lands. In a short time he sold this and returned to Ohio, but two years later, he came in company with his brother, and bought 240 acres of wood-land in partnership. Here he began a real pioneer life. April 9, 1854, he was united in marriage with Almenia S. Bartholomew, who was born in 1834. This union was blessed with three children: Harriet, Adelia and John S. He has been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church for thirty-five years. He now owns 160 acres of well improved land and is one of the substantial citizens of his township.
Alexander Boston, a substantial farmer of Springfield township, was born in Ohio, December 25, 1827, son of George and Mary (Lytle) Boston, both natives of Pennsylvania. He was raised in Wayne county, Ohio, until fifteen years of age, when his father removed to Seneca county. After helping his father clear up a farm in Ohio, he came to Indiana in 1848, on a prospecting tour and in 1849, came again and bought eighty acres in the woods, and by clearing and selling he obtained the 160 where he now lives. This he has improved with a two-story brick dwelling and good barn. After his father's death he bought sixty acres of the homestead farm. In 1851 he married Phoebe J. Price, who was born in 1835. Of their seven children there are living :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.