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 50
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Monroeville .- This enterprising town has justified the expectations of its founders, Jacob and John Barnhart. They established the town in December, 1851, and though for a number of years only a mail sta- tion on the Pittsburgh road, it suddenly awakened to life and activity in the " flush " times of the war and the few years subsequent, and gained a start in prosperity which it has not retrograded from, being now an important trade center. Additions were made to the original plat by McGovern in 1865, by Samuel Pool in 1865, and by Alpheus Swift in 1866. Immediately following the war there was a remarkable growth in manufacturing. In 1864 John W. Rout embarked in the manufac- ture of oil barrel staves and heading, and in 1865 George'Webster and James Weiler were associated with him. They erected a building 40 by 60 feet, and added dressed lumber to their products. Mr. Rout retired from the business three years later and was engaged in manufacturing independently until 1872, when he removed to Decatur. Webster & Weiler increased their plant, and established a branch at Benton, Ohio, operating both factories until 1877. The manufacture of staves was also engaged in, in 1865, by Messrs. Hemphill & Ashworth, with a com- plete plant and a branch factory at Decatur. Mr. Ashworth dying in 1866, the business was continued by the other partner, who resided in
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Pennsylvania, and was represented by M. E. Argo. A large business was done, the shipments averaging one car load per day, and twenty- five men being employed. Upon the death of Mr. Hemphill and his widow two years later, the business was suspended in 1879. Rallya & Robertson established a factory in the same line in 1865, and did an ex- tensive business until 1874. In the same year, the Monroeville flouring- mill was established by C. H. Schick. It has subsequently passed through the hands of Alpheus Swift & Co., J. Dague & Bros., with whom Daniel Shank was for several years associated. D. S. Redels- heimer became the owner, and while in his possession, the mill burned in May, 1889. In 1867 the Empire stave company was formed at Mon- roeville with P. S. O'Rourke president, and Alexander Williamson, sec- retary and treasurer. Jacob Sweeny was appointed superintendent and supervised the construction of one of the most complete stave factories in Indiana. This was burned down in 1875, while owned by T. S. Heller and E. D. Dague. They had at Decatur a similar factory, and at both towns large general stores, and at Dixon a station for the pur- chase of timber. In July, 1878, D. S. Redelsheimer & Co. purchased the stave factory of J. B. Worden & Co., which was established by A. F. Beugnot and Daniel Monahan in 1875. This is still operated by Mr. Redelsheimer. A pump factory was established in 1877 by T. A. Long, which did business for several years, and the manufacture of car- riages and wagons was begun by Sears & Scherer in IS78. This branch of manufacture has since been discontinued.
The prominent business men of the town are: Dry goods, drugs, etc., D. S. Redelsheimer; general store, Corbaley & Freese; groceries, C. J. Breman, J. W. Edwards, Joseph Lewis; drugs, H. A. Shank; hardware, J. B. Niezer, J. Reuille; furniture, M. Strass, F. Edwards; furnishing goods, E. Finan; jewelry, M. B. Knouse; photographers, Engle & Bas- ter; harness shop, P. Krick; meat markets, Bryant & Meeks, John Cas- selman; millinery, Angie Somers; hotels, Central house, Charles East-' gate; Railroad house, Mrs. E. Baker; agricultural implements, J. B. Niezer, A. S. Robinson; creamery and fine stock, Martin E. Argo; shoe dealer, C. A. Nill; stock buyers, Krick & Hayes, Tillman & Casselman; saw- and planing-mills, D. C. Purman, Webster & Sons; tile and brick yard, Brandeberry & Myers, William Wright.
The present town officers are: Board of trustees, W. A. Waterman, J. W. Edwards, George Doctor, Henry Ehling, Jacob Colyer; Clerk, C. C. Myers; treasurer, H. A. Shank; marshal, John Rose; justices, John Sheehan, J. D. Alligear, H. E. Drake; notary publics, John Cor- baley, C. C. Myers, J. P. Nash. H. Stewart is the present postmaster.
The leading and most prosperous industry, of which the town may well be proud, is the Monroeville elevator, built in 1888, by J. B. Niezer. This is in dimensions, 40x76 feet, and its capacity is 20,000 bushels. The structure cost $5,500. There has lately been added a feed-mill and set of buhrs. The annual business of this important establishment is $65,000.
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The medical profession has been represented at Monroeville since an early day, some of the practitioners having arisen to eminence. Since 1880, the doctors have been: C. A. Leiter, W. A. Connelly, A. Engle, Wilder, and S. E. Mentzer. The first, now deceased, was a graduate of the university of Pennsylvania, and was a prominent physician. He was a son of ex-congressman Leiter, of Clinton, Ohio. The latter two named are now the only practitioners and both are able.
The legal fraternity at Monroeville is now represented by E. W. Meeks and Chester Holder. The former acts as assistant prosecuting attorney, and is a native of the vicinity.
In 1862 Monroeville lodge, No. 293, A. F.and A. M., was organized December 30, with the following charter members: Jabez Shaffer, James Weiler, Peter Eckley, J. G. Mariotte, M. E. Argo, J. W. Miller, . William B. Rabbit, S. T. Rice, John Shaffer, A. Engle, J. L. Robinson, Jacob Cassiday and J. L. Younker. The lodge is still prosperous.
The I. O. O. F. lodge, known as Monroeville, No. 283, was char- tered May 22, 1867, with five members: G. C. Nill, A. F. Brown, E. W. Erick, J. W. Rout and A. A. Baker. The growth was slow until 1872, when the hall was destroyed by fire. After moving to new quar- ters the lodge increased in numbers and wealth, the membership now being fifty-seven in good standing, and the net assets about $1,800. The following are past grands: M. Strass, J. R. Parker, M. B. Knouse, Henry Smith, J. W. Meeks, Henry Deiwert, V. L. Shaffer, W. A. Waterman, G. C. Hunsicker, C. C. Myers, J. A. Corbaley, J. E. Pillars, J. P. Nash, J. I. Shulte, J. T. Baker and L. E. Wright.
The Monroeville Breeze, owned and managed by J. D. Alligear, is one of the most flourishing village newspapers in Northern Indiana. Originally known as the Democrat, it was purchased by the present management January 1, 1884, from Frank P. Hardesty, and made inde- pendent in politics. It has had a steady growth in subscription from that time from 200 to 700, and has a good job patronage. Thomas J. Foster and Thomas Stephens were former owners.
David S. Redelsheimer, a prominent citizen and merchant of Mon- roeville, Ind., was born in Germany, May 22, 1836, and is a son of Sig- mund and Lena Redelsheimer. He was reared and educated in his native country, receiving a fair German education, and in 1850 came to America and joined his parents at Fort Wayne, they having settled in that city in 1839. After coming to Fort Wayne he attended English schools for two years, and subsequently learned the printer's trade at which he was engaged only a short time. In 1861 he enlisted in the Fifteenth Ohio regiment, and was in the volunteer service for about four months. Then he returned to Fort Wayne and engaged with his father in the wholesale grocery business, in which he remained until 1872. He continued in business at Fort Wayne until 1878, and then came to Mon- roeville and bought the stave factory that had been established here, and at present owns the only manufactory of the kind at Monroeville. He is also one of the firm of D. S. Redelsheimer & Co., manufacturers of
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overalls, at Fort Wayne. Soon after locating in Monroeville, Mr. Redels- heimer purchased the drug store of J. B. Worden, and subsequently added other lines of merchandise until he now carries a full stock of general merchandise, perhaps the most nearly complete assortment of any merchant in the county. He is a very successful merchant and does an annual business of about $50,000 at his store. December 22, 1862, Mr. Redelsheimer was married to Charlotte Strass, a native of Bohemia, and they have an interesting family. Mr. Redelsheimer is a staunch republican in politics, and made a very creditable canvass in 1876 as the republican candidate for county treasurer. He is not a member of any church, but was reared in the Jewish faith. He is one of the progres- sive citizens of the county; is a member of the council, F. & A. M., and the I. O. O. F., at Fort Wayne, and the G. A. R., at Monroeville.
Franklin Freese, a prosperous merchant of Monroeville, was born in Summit county, Ohio, September 8, 1840. His parents, Peter and Anna (Faust) Freese, were born in Lancaster county, Penn., and were there married. Of their eight sons and one daughter, all except one reached maturity. Soon after the parents' marriage, they removed from Pennsylvania, and located in Summit county, Ohio, and in 1846 they removed to Indiana, settling in Marshall county, where the mother died in 1856. The father married a second wife and by her had one son and a daughter. In 1871 he died in Marshall county. Franklin Freese was born and reared on a farm, receiving a common school educa- tion. At the outbreak of the civil war, he enlisted April 24, 1861, but his company was not accepted. Subsequently he re-enlisted in Company E, Seventeenth Indiana volunteer infantry, and was mustered into United States service in June, 1861, and in the same company served until June, 1864, when he was mustered out, but immediately went into the quartermaster service at Nashville, Tenn., and here remained until March, 1866. He was one of those gallant soldiers who composed Col. John T. Wilder's lightning brigade. Maj. J. J. Wiler was formerly captain of Mr. Freese's company. Among some of the important engagements in which Mr. Freese took a part were Greenbrier, W. Va., Shiloh, Tenn., Stone River, Chickamauga, and Lookout Mountain. In 1867 he joined the G. A. R. at Plymouth, Ind., and at present is a mem- ber of William H. Link post, No. 301, at Monroeville, of which he was the main organizer. In 1866 Mr. Freese returned to Marshall county, and February 8, 1867, was married to Miss Matilda Gilbert, a native of Pennsylvania. She died in 1871, leaving two children: Walter S. and Luella O. In 1874 in Stevenson county, Ill., Mr. Freese was married to Eliza Mishler, by whom he had the following children: Hattie, Freddie, Ida, Frankie, Fannie, and Bessie. In 1879 Mr. Freese formed a partnership with J. A. Corbaley, at Monroeville and Maples, and embarked in general merchandise. The store at Maples has been discontinued, and at present the firm is doing at Monroeville an annual business of about $35,000. Mr. Freese is a republican in politics, and is a member of lodge No. 283, I. O. O. F., of Monroeville.
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Jules H. Reuille was born in France, November 14, 1846, and is a son of John Claude and Margaret (Predin) Reuille. The parents were of French birth, were married in France, and their union blessed by eight children, of whom the following reached maturity: Adolphe, Jules H., Fannie and Melanie. John Claude Reuille visited America in 1851, decided upon bringing his family to the United States, and accord- ingly returned to France, and in 1853, brought his family to Indiana and settled in Jefferson township, Allen county. In 1866, the father returned to France on a business trip, and after returning to this country his health failed him, as did the health of his wife and son, Jules H. These three returned to France in 1873, purposing to plant their home again in their native country. Their hope of health was blasted by the death of the father within sixty days after reaching France. In the fall of 1874 the mother and Jules H. departed for America. On reaching here they located in Monroeville, Ind., and ten years later the mother was called away in death. In 1886, one year after the death of his mother, Jules H. wedded Lena Ehling, and they have two children: John C. H. and Louisa Eve. Mr. Reuille is a member of the Roman Catholic church. He is engaged in the hardware business in Monroeville, where he resides and enjoys the esteem of many friends.
John Hayes, of Monroeville, was born in Limerick county, Ireland, October 23, 1825. His parents, James and Elizabeth (Downey) Hayes, were natives of Limerick county, and their deaths occurred in their native country. Of their ten children, seven reached maturity. John Hayes, the second, was born and reared on the farm, and in the country schools of Ireland received his education. At the age of twenty-one years he secured the position of constable in Ireland, and remained in the service nearly four years. In April, 1851, he set sail at Queens- town, Ireland, and on the 28th of May landed at New York. Previously, August 15, 1850, he was married to Ann Cronen, who was born in the county of Kerry, February 22, 1830, one of six children of Daniel and Catherine (McElstrem) Cronen. Their marriage has been blessed by ten children, of whom James J., Daniel M., Michael L., Henry F., Catherine E., John J. and Anna, reached maturity. Immediately after reaching New York, Mr. Hayes settled at Reading, Hamilton county, Ohio, where he remained till 1854, when he came to Fort Wayne. He secured a position with the Pennsylvania Railway company, in whose employ he remained for the following twenty years and eight months. In April, 1874, the directors of the Indiana State Prison at Michigan City appointed him a prison guard, and he was engaged there two years, the last year serving as hospital steward. Since 1860 his home has been at Monroeville. He began in life a poor man, but by energy and integrity has gained a high station in life. He and family are members of the Roman Catholic church.
Henry F. Hayes, son of the above, was born in Fort Wayne, August 31, 1858. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. At the age of seventeen he went into the telegraph office at
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Monroeville, and was appointed operator in 1876, and in 1878 was appointed station agent. He is also the agent for the Adams Express company. In April, 1883, he was united in marriage with Olive, daugh- ter of John D. and Mary (Doren) Stephenson. Mrs. Hayes is a native of this township. They have two children: Edward L. and Henry F. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are members of the Catholic church of Monroeville.
David Martin was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, July 29, 1826. The father, John, was born in Little York county, Penn., of Irish par- ents, who immigrated in an early day. He married Margaret Messah- cup, a native of Maryland, of German descent, and they had four sons and four daughters, among whom was David. The father had pre- viously been married to Susa Ourie, by whom he had nine children. In an early day the parents removed from Pennsylvania to Muskingum county, Ohio, and subsequently became pioneers of Licking county, Ohio. The father died before David left home, but the mother lived to be nearly one hundred years old, and died in Licking county. David, after reaching his majority, attended school, paying his expenses with his own earnings by farm labor at $8 per month, half of which he had to take in merchandise. In the fall of 1851 he came to Van Wert county, where he resided for the following six years, teaching school each winter and working on a farm in summer. He settled on land in Monroe township, in the fall of 1858. January 29, 1853, he was mar- ried to Melinda, daughter of Samuel Clem, an early settler of Allen county. She was born in Champaign county, Ohio. By her marriage she has become the mother of thirteen children. Mr. Martin is now a prosperous and representative farmer. He is a zealous worker in the Methodist church, and for several years has acted as a preacher of the gospel, having been licensed by the Ohio Methodist Episcopal confer- ence in 1883. He is a man of great force of character, and wields a happy influence over all who know him. A. L. Martin, a son of the above, was born in Ohio, August 9, 1858. In 1879 he wedded Louisa Jane, daughter of Nathan and Martha Parker, of Allen county. Im- mediately after his marriage Mr. Martin settled on a farm in Monroe township. He followed farming till in 1884, when he took charge of the Indiana house, in Monroeville. This he managed for two years, and then, in 1886, went into the livery business. He owns and operates in Monroeville Martin's livery, feed and sale stable, and is an enterpris- ing young business man. His children are: Franklin, David and Melinda Ellen. In politics Mr. Martin is a republican.
David Gibson, trustee of Monroe township, was born in Lycoming county, Penn., in March, 1839. His father, David Gibson, was a native of the Keystone state, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Richard, was born in Maryland. Both were born in the year 1811, and they died in Allen county, the mother in 1870 and the father in 1855. To them eleven children were born, of whom five are living. Of the survivors the third born is David Gibson. He was reared on the farm of his parents in his native state, and there gained a good common school
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education. In 1863 he came to Allen county and during his first year here worked by the month on the farm of Andrew Growmann. In 1864 he began farming for himself, purchasing the land on which he has for twenty years made his home. He has a productive farm of seventy acres, which is well improved. Mr. Gibson is influential in township affairs and prominent as a democrat, and being generally recognized to be an able and upright man, he was in 1888 intrusted by the people with the responsibilities of the office of trustee of Monroe township, a trust which he is ably and conscientiously discharging. Mr. Gibson was mar- ried in February, 1865, to Lucy Farrell, who was born in Ohio, in IS33, and they have four children: Agnes and Edward (twins), Henry and Helena. He and wife are members of the Catholic church.
Morris Strass was born in Austria, May 29, 1838. His parents J. L. and Theresa (Pepperkorn) Strass, had eight sons and one daugh- ter. Four sons became emigrants to America, the first being Morris. He came to the United States in 1856, and settled at Albany, N. Y. Here he remained until August 12, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth New York volunteer infantry. He was transferred with his company from Louisiana, after the Red River campaign, to the valley of the Shenandoah, under Gen. Sheridan. Subsequently he joined Gen. Sherman in the march to the sea. July 12, 1865, at Savannah, Ga., he was, as a sergeant, discharged by reason of the close of the war. Mr. Strass returned to Albany, but in 1865 removed to Monroeville, where he has since resided, mainly en- gaged in general merchandise. He has, however, occasionally changed his lines of merchandise, and at present he is dealing in, and manufactur- ing, furniture, and acting as undertaker. In business he has accomplished more than ordinary success, being now prosperous and having an annual trade of about $6,000. In 1867 he was married to Anna Strass, a native of Austria, and they have had four children, of whom three are living: Carrie, Lena and Julius. Mr. Strass is one of the prominent citizens of the county. He was appointed postmaster for Monroeville in 1866, and held the office by reappointments until in 1885. In politics he is a staunch republican. He is a member of the William H. Link post, No. 301, G. A. R., at Monroeville; is a Mason of Monroeville lodge, No. 293; and is a past master of Monroeville lodge, No. 283, I. O. O. F.
John A. Corbaley, a merchant at Monroeville, was born at Plymouth, Ind., July 19, 1849, and is a son of Richard and Jane ( Croco) Corbaley. The father was born in Marion county, Ind., August 7, 1820, a son of Jeremiah Corbaley, a native of Maryland, of Irish descent, who being a farmer by occupation, became a pioneer settler within the present limits of Indianapolis, cutting his way through forests to the place of settle- ment. He occupied the grounds on which stands the Indiana state capi- tol, and there made maple sugar. His son Richard was the first white child born in Marion county. He was reared and educated on a farm, and in an early day settled in Marshall county, where he took up farm-
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ing. Subsequently, he was elected county clerk of Marshall county, and served two terms. In early life he became a convert to the belief of the Church of God, and in 1879 he and wife emigrated with their family to California, where he engaged in preaching for his church, and at present he and wife reside in Washington territory. Of his six children, John A. is the eldest. He remained under the parental roof till twenty years old. In early life he taught in the public schools, and then went to California, where he worked in divers callings for seven years. In 1872 he returned to Plymouth, Ind., and wedded Lou Miller, daughter of S. W. and Elizabeth Miller. Their children are: Clarence, Earl and Roy. In 1878, Mr. Corbaley returned from California to Indiana, and in 1879 formed a partnership with Franklin Freese, and since has been engaged in general merchandise, living for a time at Maples, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Corbaley hold a membership in the Church of God, at Plymouth, Ind. He is a member of I. O. O. F. lodge, No. 282. In politics he is a republican. He is a member of the school board in Monroeville. He made a close race for township trustee, cutting the adverse majority of 175 to 22.
William N. Parker, a pioneer of Allen county, was born in Onon- daga county, N. Y., son of an American-born citizen, of English line- age. He was reared on a farm, and about 1838 came west, settling in Allen county. In early life he taught school and practiced law, and sub- sequently settled on a farm in Marion township. He was one of more than ordinary education among the pioneers, and became a well res- pected man. He was regarded as a man of keen and shrewd judgment, honesty and integrity. He was married in 1838, in Allen county, to Sarah Yager, a native of Pennsylvania, her parents being born in Ger- many. She died in Fort Wayne, and her husband died in Allen county in 1887. Their only child, John Russell Parker, was reared on a farm. When eighteen years old he secured a position with the P., F. W. & C., Ry. Co., and since 1857 he has been in the employ of this company, excepting, perhaps, two years. In 1861, April 19, he enlisted as a pri- vate in Company E, Ninth Indiana volunteer infantry, and July 31, 1861, was discharged by reason of the expiration of time of service. He participated in three engagements: Phillippi, Laurel Hill, W. Va., and near Laurel Hill. After his discharge at Indianapolis he returned to Fort Wayne, and in 1862 he was united in marriage with Sophia, daughter of John and Margaret (Young) Hite. She was born near Youngstown, Ohio, and in 1854 came to Allen county with her parents, who were natives of Germany. To this marriage have been born four children: Lydia E., Alice, Margaret and Sophia. At present Mr. Par- ker is the pumper for the railway company at Monroeville, where he has resided since 1873. He is a member of the I. O. O. F, Monroe- ville lodge, No. 283, William H. Link post, No. 321, G. A. R. of Mon- roeville, and of the Methodist Episcopal church. In early life he was thrown on his own resources, but has been successful and has reared and educated a family of four children, one of whom, Alice, is a teacher in the Monroeville schools.
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Edward Finan, a prosperous citizen of Monroeville, was born in Ireland in 1845. His parents, John and Ellen ( Mourn ) Finan, were born and reared in Ireland, where they were married. Of their seven sons and one daughter, all are living but two. The parents with their family, emigrated to America in 1847, for a while lived in Canada, but subse- quently became early settlers in Benton township; Paulding county, Ohio, and at present, live in Painesville, Ohio. Their fourth child, Edward, was reared in Paulding county and received a common school education. At the age of seventeen years, he went to Day- ton, Ohio, where he enlisted in 1864, as a private in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio infantry, and was in the service for three months. He then remained at home until 1870, when he located at Monroeville, where he has since resided. He has for the greater part been engaged in the timber trade, but has also done more or less mer- chandising. He became postmaster at Monroeville and holds the position now. He has held several other positions of trust. He and his family are Catholics. In 1873 he wedded Elizabeth Jane, daughter of John D. and Mary Stephenson, and they have had the following children: John, Roger (deceased), Michael (deceased ), and Lewis.
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