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 48
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and natural ability, and at the time of his death at his old home in Ohio, in 1850, he owned over 700 acres of land in Defiance and Allen counties. By his wife, Elizabeth Gilbert, born in 1822, in Kentucky, and still living in Defiance county, he had seven children: a daughter unnamed, William, Robert B., Eliza, Alexander, Levisa and Sylvester. Robert B. is the only one living besides the mother. Robert B. Shirley was born October 24, 1842, and at seventeen years of age became a clerk in a dry goods store at Antwerp, Ohio, but three years later came to Maumee township and began to work on the farm which is now his home. In 1871 he was elected justice of Maumee township, and in 1874 re-elected by a largely increased majority. At the same time he served as deputy land appraiser, and subsequently served as assessor by appointment. In 1880 he was elected trustee, and again in 1888. Though he is a democrat, and a recognized leader in that party, these honors have been bestowed upon him in a township that frequently gives republican majorities. In the 1885 and 1889 sessions of the Indiana legislature, he served as chief engrossing clerk in the house. Mr. Shir- ley was married May 1, 1880, to Ladora, daughter of William and Catharine (Gray) Faulkner. She was born at Lima, Ohio, in 1856. Mr. Shirley's sister Eliza left at her death one son, Albert H. Little, and his brother William left four children: Della, Alice, Verseneth and Frank.
Horatio A. Little, a young man of good standing in Maumee town- ship, is an offspring of the Shirley family. He inherited II0 acres of land in Maumee township, as fine as there is in Allen county, from his grandfather through his mother, Eliza (Shirley) Little, and he is the only living representative of that noble pioneer lady. He also inherited from the Shirleys that industry and push which characterized the family, and promises to become one of Allen county's worthy and valuable citizens.
MILAN TOWNSHIP.
The early settlement here was mainly on the line of the ridge road which was surveyed in 1839. It passes over the best part of the town- ship, the remainder at that early day being swampy and unattractive. In 1836 Charles Shriner, a native of New Jersey, made his home on a half of section 4, which he purchased. He erected the first frame house two years later. In the same year, Nathan Lake, of Vermont, and his family, having come in 1835, settled on section 3. John Heath settled in this vicinity, in 1836, also, and Wilkes Gillett came from Ohio in 1837. Stephen Heath made an early settlement on the ridge road, and upon the first organization of the township in 1838, he chose for it the name of Milan in remembrance of his native town in Huron county, Ohio. He opened subsequently the pioneer store at his house. In 1833, came John Nuttle, from Huron county, Ohio, whose descendants are still resi- dents here. Alvin Hall, of Connecticut, settled on section 18 in Decem-
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ber, 1840, having previously visited the township. He became prominent in local affairs. His house was a favorite stopping place for travelers, and in 1856 he secured a postoffice for his neighborhood, called Cham- berlain; Lorenzo D. George became the postmaster. Subsequently the office was removed to St. Joseph township, and has lately been kept at the store of Edson Brooks. In 1837 the settlement at Fairport was begun by George Foxtater. During canal times his house was in use as a tavern by the travelers. Fairport was laid out in section 24, by eastern capitalists during this period, and an attempt made to build up there a town, but with the decay of canal traffic the town reverted to agricultural land. The first election was held here at the house of George Foxtater, in 1842, and Andrew Wakefield was elected justice and John Nuttle, constable. In 1843 a postoffice was established at Fairport, and John Irvin, then appointed postmaster, held until the office was abolished. John Irvin also kept a hotel in canal times. Among the settlers between 1840 and 1850 were William Fitzgerald, sr., Edward Nugent. Daniel B. Strong, Joseph Donner, William Tilbury, the Lynes family, William R. Herrick, Richard Beebe and Samuel Archer. In section 35 the town of Mosier was platted by Joseph Mosier, in 1854, but it did not develop.
·Ami D. Nuttle, a prominent citizen of Milan township, was born in that township July 2, 1844. His parents were one of the first three families settling in the township. His father was born in New York, November 8, 1803, and removed first to Ohio, thence to Milan town- ship about 1833, and died November 12, 1852. His mother was a first cousin of Hon. John Jay, one of the distinguished men of the early days of the republic. The mother, a native of Scotland, was born March 16, 1805, and came to America with her parents at the age of twelve and settled in Ohio. She died February 4, 1865. Mr. A. D. Nuttle was married August 27, 1865, to Harriet M. Platter, whose par- ents were also among the first settlers of the township. Her father, a native of Ohio, was born in 1810, and died August, 1852, in Milan township. The mother, a native of Ohio, was born in 1820. She is living and enjoying fair health. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nuttle: William D., born. January 21, 1867; Katie C., born March 4, 1867, died August 17, 1885; John F., born November 30, 1869, died September 7, 1876; Minnie M., born October 22, 1871; Edgar A., March 6, 1875; Walter C., June 9, 1880; Wesley H .; September 17, 1882; Toney A., February 21, 1887; Ima J., February 12, 1889. William was married to Miss Adeline Miller, July 16, 1887, and they have one child, Grover. Mr. Nuttle enlisted in the Union army July 16, 1862, in the Fifth Indiana cavalry, and was discharged June 15, 1865. He assisted in the raid that led to the capture of John Morgan, and was in numerous skirmishes. In the east Tennessee campaign he lost almost the entire use of one eye. He served also in the Georgia campaign, and was at the engagements at Resaca, Allatoona Pass, Rome and before Atlanta. He is a member of the G. A. R., Sion S. Bass post,
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No. 40, Fort Wayne. He has served his township as assessor for four years and as constable for two years. Mr. Nuttle took possession in 1865, of the farm of sixty-three acres on which he now has a handsome new house and barn and is prepared to enjoy the comforts of life.
Alvin Hall, the early settler referred to above, is a native of New London, Conn., born May II, 1810, son of George and Betsey Hall, who were natives of Connecticut, and residents of New London. In the defense of that city the father was killed during the war of 1812. Alvin left home at the age of sixteen, and went to Canandaigua county, N. Y., where he remained two years, and then worked at his trade of carpenter in Erie county, Ohio, twelve years. Coming then to Milan township with his wife and family, he bought land of the govern- ment and devoted himself to pioneer work. He was married in 1833 to Betsey, daughter of John and Anna Miller. She was born in Con- necticut in 1810, and died in 1847. They had seven children. January 7, 1848, Mr. Hall was married to Sylvia, daughter of Stephen and Hannah Heath, who was born in Ohio in 1828, and to them were born six children. Mr. Hall has served his township as a justice, assessor, treasurer, and was elected land appraiser of the county in 1876. Since he built the first frame school-house in 1857, he has been a leader in progress and good works. He made the trip to Allen county in Decem- ber, 1840, reaching Fort Wayne about Christmas, and built his log cabin upon the land he now occupies.
Curtis C. Lake, of Milan township, was born in 1820, in Chittenden county, Vt., one of a family of eight children, of Nathan and Jerusha Lake, natives of Connecticut. The father, who was a farmer and lum- berman by occupation, when a young man moved to Vermont and located at Shelburn, where he remained until 1835, when he and family emigrated west, and took possession of the land which C. C. Lake now occupies. He was one of the earliest settlers, and cut a road through the forest for about six miles to reach the tract of land on which he settled. When he first arrived in Allen county he rented a farm near Fort Wayne, where he could raise something to live on until he got a start in the woods. The family stored their grain at Rudisill's mill on the St. Joseph, and would get a grist as they needed it. Then they went to work to clear away the forest, and the parents lived until they and the children succeeded in creating a comfortable home. On the way here they had lost all the goods and clothing they possessed, which increased their hardships. The parents died on the homestead, the father in 1857, the mother in May, 1866. Mr. 'Lake helped to build, and was one of the students at the pioneer log school-house, and his children were educated in the same house. The lady who taught the second term of school became his wife. He has a relic of old "Johnny Appleseed " in the shape of an apple tree that measures ninety-three inches in cir- cumference, grown from the seed sown by that famous character, on the banks of the Maumee river. It was set out about 1837, and is still a thrifty tree. His first residence was burned down but he has now a fine
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home which has since been built upon one of the finest locations in the township. In 1850 he was wedded to Mary E., daughter of John and Asenath Chelles. She was born in 1833, in Rutland county, Vt. Her father was born in 1789, at Kingston, N. H. He moved to Vermont in 1830, and thirty-five years later moved to DeKalb county, near Spen- cerville. He remained there until 1864, when he made his home with his daughter, until his death in 1865. The mother was born in 1798, in Chester, N. H., and is still living at the age of ninety-one years and is well and active with hearing and sight but little impaired. Mr. and Mrs. Lake have had five children: John N., Alma A., Chauncey H., Hattie A., and Benjamin who died August 6, 1887. In politics Mr. Lake cast his first presidential vote for W. H. Harrison, and the last for Benjamin Harrison. He is one of the venerable and venerated old settlers.
George W. Willbur, a prosperous farmer of Milan township, was born in 1840 in De Kalb county, Ind., one of six children of Charles and · Catharine Willber. His father, a native of Vermont, born in 1792, at Windsor, when a small boy moved with his parents to New York, where he remained until he was forty-two years of age, when he came to DeKalb county, where he was one of the earliest settlers. He cleared a farm and erected substantial buildings, and having passed through the hardships of pioneer life, in the spring of 1851 he sold out and came to Milan township, locating on the ridge road, where his son now resides, and where the father died in 1877. The mother was born in 1807, at Watertown, N. Y., and died at the old homestead in the fall of 1856. George W. received the rudiments of his education in the pioneer log school-house. As a farmer, he has flourished, and is the owner of 300 acres of fertile soil, in one of the finest locations in the county, upon which he has handsome buildings. March 25, 1869, he was wedded to Mary, daughter of James and Rebecca Vandolah. She was born in Perry township in 1840 and died in 1880. Her only child, Catharine, died in infancy. In 1882 he was married to Ella, daughter of Solomon and Matilda Richards, by whom he had two children, Mary M. and Goldie M., both deceased. Mrs. Willbur was born in 1852 in Wayne county, Ohio. Mr. Willbur patriotically enlisted in Company D, Thir- tieth Indiana volunteer infantry for three years or during the war, and was engaged in the following leading battles of the war: Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, Murfreesboro, Kenesaw Mountain, Lovejoy, Gainesborough, and among many others. He is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Masonic order. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church.
Gottlieb Schafer, trustee of Milan township, was born in Germany, March 21, 1846, and at the age of eight years came with his parents to America in December, 1854. They made their home first in Wayne township one year, and then removed to St. Joseph township, where they resided nine years, finally settling in Milan township in the fall of 1864. Mr. Schafer's father was born in Germany, in June, 1806, and died Octo-
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ber 19, 1888; the mother was born October 11, 1815, and is still living, active and bright for her age. Mr. Schafer was educated during one year in Germany, and the remainder of his education he obtained in this country. He has been quite successful in life, and has a good farm of 155 acres which is handsomely improved and well under-drained. He was married August 1, 1872, to Rosina Federspiel, and they have had the following children: Caroline, Frederica, Christina, Louisa, William, Anna, Charles, Wilhelmina, Rosina and Margaret. Mr. Schafer is a popular and influential gentleman, and he and his family are highly esteemed.
Willis B. Brooks, of Milan township, was born in Erie county, Ohio, January 20, 1844. He came with his parents to the farm where he now resides, in 1860. His father was born in New York, January 8, 1817, and came with his parents to Ohio. He cleared the forests from his farm and died November 24, 1882. The mother, who was born in Maryland, October 25, 1819, is living at the home of her son and enjoy- ing excellent health. Mr. Brooks was married to Mary Ann Spindler, November 26, 1865, and eight children have blessed their union: Charles, born October 11, 1868; Mary E., May 20, 1869; John W. (deceased), October 3, 1870; Delbert W., born July 10, 1872; Walter A. (deceased), November 22, 1874; Emma D., born June 1, 1878; Clar- ence Paul (deceased), May 16, 1881; Grover C., born July 3, 1884. Mr. Brooks lives on an excellent 120-acre farm, where he has followed agriculture as an occupation. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church, and are highly esteemed by a wide circle of acquaintances.
William Ehle, the third child of his parents, was born in Saxony, August 4, 1849. He came with his parents to Fort Wayne in the fall of 1861, and then removed to Adams county, returning to Milan town- ship in 1881. The parents reside in Fort Wayne, the father at the age of seventy-two years, the mother sixty-nine. Mr. Ehle was married June 9, 1872, to Sarah Breiner, who was born in Schuylkill county, Penn., August 18, 1855. Her parents, natives of Pennsylvania, moved to Ohio and then to Adams county, Ind., in 1862. Her ancestors came over from Germany 200 years ago. Her mother's people came from the Palatinate, Germany, and the forefathers on both sides fought in the revolution. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ehle: August (deceased), December 12, 1873; John, January 4, 1874; Alfred September 12, 1876; Maggie, February 6, 1878; Ida, August 4, 1880, died September 13, 1881; Eddie, May 13, 1884; Emma, July 24, 1888. Mr. Ehle worked in a spoke factory in Fort Wayne for some time before he began farming. He is the most successful of the younger farmers of the township, liaving 280 acres, 200 of which are well under-drained. He has cleared by his own efforts 200 acres of land, and deserves to enjoy his comfortable surroundings.
A worthy and popular farmer of Milan township, William A. Spindler, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, June 25, 1846, and came with his parents to Milan township in April, 1864. He owns a good farm of eighty
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acres where he resides, and his farm is well improved. Mr. Spindler was married to Harriet Stofer, of German descent, whose parents were natives of Pennsylvania; her father died in 1857; her mother, who is living at the age of seventy-six, is a descendant of one of the Hessian soldiers who surrendered to Washington during the revolution. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Spindler: John W., born June 23,' 1872; David F., November 24, 1874; Elizabeth A., December 16, 1876; Samuel T., August 24, 1878; Catherine M., April 21, 1880; Jen- nie M., December 23, 1882; William W., November 4, 1883; Cornelius April 9, 1886; Christopher, November 5, 1888.
Wilson S. Spindler, an enterprising citizen of Milan township, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, October 23, 1843. He came to this township, in which he has been quite successful as a farmer, and ranks among the leading people, in April, 1864, and was accompanied by his parents. Mr. Spindler was married January 1, 1866, to Augusta Hobbs, whose parents were natives of Erie county, Ohio. Her father, who is living, was born January 19, 1821, and her mother was born February 27, 1829. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Spindler : Minnie R., May 23, 1867; Anna B., September 2, 1869, and George W., July 6, 1871. Minnie was married to R. Richart, July 11, 1886, and they have three children: Walter, born December 15, 1887; Sonora G., December 25, 1888, and an infant, June 20, 1889. Mr. Spindler cast his first presidential vote for Gen. McClellan.
Solomon Doty, a prominent citizen of Milan township, was born in Ohio, February 6, 1840, the oldest of a family of eight children. His father, born August 2, 1812, came to Ohio from the mountains near Wheeling, W. Va., the place of his nativity, in 1816, and is still living in Ashland county, the comforts of his old age shared by the wife of his youth, who was born November 6, 1819. Both parents are enjoy- ing excellent health and their families are noted for longevity. His grandfather Lambricht, was with Gen. Wayne in his memorable cam- paign. Mr. Doty was married December 31, 1865, to Sarah Gougwer, whose parents emigrated from Pennsylvania about 1820. Mrs. Doty, the eldest of eleven children, was born April 12, 1841. Her father died at the age of sixty-eight, the mother at the age of sixty-six. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Doty: Emma J., January 27, 1867; Joseph E., April 15, 1869; Philip, June 5, 1874; Estella J., May 6, 18So. Emma was married to E. A. Brooks, August 13, 1885, and they have two children, Guy E. and Orlo P. Mr. Doty has cleared a valuable farm of 133 acres, which was paid for in money earned by teaching. He taught eight terms, mainly in succession, in his home township and two in Indiana. Mr. Doty served one term as constable in Ohio, township clerk for three terms and justice of the peace three years; being re-elected he resigned to remove to Indiana. Settling here November 12, 1875, in ten months he was again elected justice and has served twelve years. These expressions of confidence witness his worth. Such men should be called higher to fill offices of trust in
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county and state. Mr. Doty and wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church, known as Barnett's chapel.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
A large portion of this township was entered on the government books as "condemned swamp lands," and an extensive marsh covering its northern portion, dissuaded home-seekers from settling in the region. This region was of the same character as the famous Black Swamp which extended far down toward Lake Erie on the south of the Mau- mee, and was the terror of pioneers. The soil was a deep muck, over- laying yellow and blue clays. The tract appeared level but gently slopes to the lake. Upon this basin grew a forest of greater density and loftiness than was to be found elsewhere in the interior valley of North America. These gigantic trees standing side by side, enclosed a vast and gloomy solitude, which the sun seldom penetrated to evaporate the water which in places stood to the depth of. two or three feet. In this Jackson and Maumee township marsh, known as the "bears' nest," hunting was an exciting pastime, long after large game had vanished elsewhere. Bears were hunted here by persons still living, and deer were found up to a recent period. The first cabin in this township was built by George Hollinger, who improved some land and also spent much time in the chase. David, John and Samuel Neff, from Dayton, Ohio, entered large tracts in the southern part, and deadened the timber, but did not settle. In 1840 Jacob Mooney became a permanent resident on Flat Rock creek, and his brother Robert, who settled at the same time, remained for a few years. In 1848 John Kline, Joshua Dickinson and Douglas Whittaker settled, but the two latter subsequently removed. Other per- manent settlers were Meads in 1850, and Peter Boody in 1859. In the fifties a number of French immigrants arrived, among whom may be named such prominent residents as Florant Voirol, Francis Parnin and Constant Pernot. John Cline was another settler before the war of 1861. The population even at this time is small, a considerable part of the lands being owned by capitalists who are non-residents.
The first village platted in this township is Edgerton, on sections IO and II, which was laid out in May, 1889.
Thomas Jones was born in Maryland in 1814. He emigrated to Harrison county, Ohio, in early life, and there married Susannah Edwards, April 12, 1836, who was born in that county June 6, 1820. They came to Monroe township in 1841, and located on the farm where the widow still lives. Mr. Jones was a true pioneer, being the twelfth voter in that township. He, with his few neighbors, endured all the hardships inci- dent to back-woods life. After rearing a large family, of which seven survive him, he died May 5, 1874. Jasper W. Jones, the oldest son living, was born on the old homestead, near Monroeville, April 10, 1852. He attended the district school during his youth, and at the age of nine- teen entered the Fort Wayne Methodist Episcopal college, where he
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remained two years. He was industrious and soon acquired a practical education, and also became a good teacher, a profession which he pur- sued for several years. He was married May 30, 1876, to Catharine A. Malley, who was born in Scotland, July 4, 1851. Five children have blessed this union: Thomas Andrew, born June 24, 1878; Mary Alice, December 22, 1879; Edward Conway, January 6, 1882; Jasper Burt, December 21, 1884, and George Lee, April 10, 1886, who died January 9, 1887. Mr. Jones has been honored by various positions of trust. In 1878 he was elected a justice of the peace of Monroe township; in 1883 he resigned and removed into Jack- son township, where, in 1884, he was elected township trustee and re-elected in 1886. In the campaign of 1888 he was elected county commissioner by a majority of nearly 4,000 over a strong competitor, and will assume the duties of the office in December, 1889. Mr. Jones is sociable, confiding and trustworthy, in his nature, never forgetting a friend.
Constant Pernot was born February 6, 1824, in France. He came to Allen county, Ind., December 24, 1852, and lived in Jefferson township until 1859, when he removed to his present location, in Jack- son township. His father, Jean Baptiste Pernot, was born in 1790, and died in 1878, and his mother, Frances, was born in 1800, and died March 14, 1835. Mr. Pernot was married February 9, 1847, in France, to Mary Munnier. Her father, Thomas, and mother, Mary Huguenard, were of French descent. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pernot: Mary, November 9, 1847; Francis, July 27, 1848; Robert, in 1850 (deceased); Marcelia, born in November of 1851; Peter, born March 1, 1858; Rosie, born in September of 1860, and Julie, born Octo- ber 8, 1863. Rosie married Louis A. Ressuche in August, 1884, and has four children: Clara, Marie, Julia and Charles. Mary was married to Emile Jabas in 1873, and has two children : Emma, deceased in 1887, and Emile. Mr. Pernot served in the French army three months, but France being at peace and he being a married man, he was released. He has been assessor of Jackson township for twenty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Pernot are members of the St. Louis Catholic church in Jefferson township.
Florant Voirol was born in Switzerland, October 16, 1839. He came with his parents to Fort Wayne, thence in June, 1852, to Jackson town- ship, Allen county, where he now resides. His father, Louis Voirol, was born in 1805 and died in 1867. The mother, Celestine, was born in 1813, and died February 10, 1883. Mr. Voirol was married to Miss Euphrasie Socie, February 11, 1873. Her father, Eugene, was born in 1823, and the mother, Frances, was born in 1822. Both are living in Ohio, and came to this country from Switzerland about 1840. To Mr. and Mrs. Voirol have been born ten children : Mary L., December 11, 1873, deceased August 9, 1874; Amelia J., November 15, 1874; Charles A., December 23, 1875; Jule S., October 31, 1877: Eugene L., March 13, 1879; Edward, February 18, 1881; Mary C., December 20, 1882 ; Joseph F., October 9,
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1884; Frances E., November 29, 1885, deceased May 19, 1886; Armin F., January 18, 1887. Mr. Voirol is a prominent citizen and has always been actively engaged in farming. He and wife are members of the St. Louis Catholic church.
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