Pleasant Township

Location And Boundary

Pleasa'nt is one of the tier of townships forming the southern boundary of Allen County. It is bounded on the north by Wayne Township, east by Marion Township, south by Wells County, west by La Fayette Township, and contains 33.62 square miles.

Natural Features

The surface is level, and the soil very fertile, and well adapted to raising all the varieties of farm produce common to this latitude. St. Mary's River flows through the northeast corner, and Little Rivet; flows from south to north through the entire length of the township. Lost Creek flows in a northerly direction through the western part. .

This was organized as a separate township by the Board of County Commis¬ sioners in June, 1842, and was described as Congressional Township 29 north, of Range 12 east.

Early Settlement

About the year 1S32, the first white family came to reside in this township. This was the family of a Mr. Cooper, who settled near the Bluffton road, at a place called " Green Camp." This spot, being in the vicinity of a fresh, cool spring, was frequently selected as a camping-ground by tiie Indians aud emi¬ grants, and from this fact received its name.

Homey Robinson, a native of Greene County, Ohio, came to the township in March, 1834. He came to Allen County with his parents in 1826, and settled first in Wayne Township, where his father, Thomas Robinson, died in the follow¬ ing spring. A return to Ohio was resolved upon by the family after this event, but, through the solicitations of a neighbor, the eldest son, Homey, finally decided to purchase au eighty-acre tract of land in Wayne Township. This he sold a few years later, and with tire money purchased the farm in Pleasant Township, on which he now resides. He cleared and improved his new purchase, and, in the years which followed, took a prominent part, in the development of the township.

Later in the spring of 1S34, Edward Kenark settled near the center of the township, on the form now owned and occupied by his widow. In the same sea¬ son, William Watson settled in the northwestern portion of the township, near Homey Robinson, who subsequently purchased a portion of his land.'' He cleared about ten acres, and, after a short time, removed north of Fort Wayne, where he remained until death.

John Whetton came in the same season (1834), and cleared and improved a farm, upon which he j'esided during the. remainder of his life. Thomas Bradbury came later in the year 1834, and settled near the site of Ferguson's Mill. He was identified with the history of the township until death ended bis labors. Mr. Fogarty settled near Mr. Bradbury in the same year, but died before his land was cleared. After 1834, a number of settlers came to join those whose names have been given. The most prominent among these were as follows: Christian Miller,

Early Events

The first hewed-log houses were erected by Edward Kenark and Thomas Bradbury, respectively, in 1849. This innovation upon the prevailing style' of round-log structures excited a spirit of emulation among their neighbors, who soon replaced their cabins with hewed-log houses.

The first road was surveyed several years prior to the settlement of the town¬ ship, and was known as the Indianapolis road. The Bluffton road, formerly known as the " Godfrey trace," was the second road surveyed through the town¬ ship.

The first marriage was solemnized at the residence of James Campbell, in the winter of 1840, Rev. Jacob Colclazer, of the M. E. Church, officiating. The principal parties in the ceremony were Dennis Dunn and Miss Rachel,

- lapsed before a similar ceremony again took place in the township. This occurred in 1852, in the southwest part of the township, when Andrew Aug and Miss Sarah Parker were united in marriage. Later in the same year,* Edwin Bart and Miss Amanda Orrin were married in the same neighborhood.

fhe first death was that, of Mrs. Mary Bay, wife of David Bay, and sister^ -»f Horney Robinson. She died in 1841, and was buried on the' farm of her brother. Several other interments were made on the same farip at a later date, but the place was not set apart, for a cemetery.

The first mill was erected by Horney Robinson in 1834. It was a saw-mill, and stood on the bank of Lost Creek, from which stream it received its motive power.

Mr. Robinson conducted a successful business for a number of years, and sawed the lumber for many of the principal buildings erected at Fort Wayne during the existence of the mill. His trade extended as far as the Salamonie River, in Huntington County, Ind. He continued as the proprietor of the mill until it was worn out and finally abandoned. There was no grist-mill nearer than that situated on St. Mary's River, in Wayne Township ; but the roads were good and the distance was not regarded as inconvenient.

The first religious meeting was held at the house of Horney Robinson, in 1834, by Rev. Stephen R. Ball, of the M. E. Church, who visited the township and held meetings on frequent occasions thereafter.

Methodist. Episcopal. - In 1835, the first Methodist class was organized iu this township by Rev. Stephen R. Ball. There were fifteen constituent members, and services were conducted every two- weeks, at the house of one of their num¬ ber. Meetings were held thus, from house to house, until 1844, when a log church was erected on land donated for the purpose by Horney Robinson. This served as a house of worship until 1866, when it was succeeded by a frame church, to which was given the name of " Bren ton Chapel." It is 30x40 feet, and was erected at a cost of 81,200. During the twenty-two years which had then elapsed since the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church in this township, its church register bad recorded the uames of a large number of the neighboring farmers and their families, and the little cemetery adjoining the church received the last remains of many who were instrumental in its organiza¬ tion and identified with its subsequent interests. Among those whose names were recorded as members of this Church, were many who came from a distance to enjoy its services ; and the founding of churches nearer their homes resulted in their withdrawal from this congregation. Others removed to distant places, and this combination of circumstances resulted in the disorganization of the Church to such au extent that services were discontinued. They now have no Pastor and but few surviving member's.

St. Aloysius Congregation (Catholic). - Iu 1S5S, Rev. Jacob Meyer, of Decatur, Ind., held the first services according to the rites of this Church, at the house of Fred Weaver. Sixteen families took part in the services, and were visited every third Friday of eacn month by Father Meyer, who continued as their Pastor for several years thereafter.

The Miller and Harber families took a deep interest and virtually founded the Church. Three acres of land on the east side of the Bluffton road were given for church property by Christian Miller in 1859, and, in the same year, a frame church, 29x36 feet, was erected on this tract. At the request of Mrs. Mary Magdalene Miller, it-was christened St. Aloysius' Church.

In 1875, it became necessary to enlarge the church, in view of the increased membership. The addition consisted of a sacristy, and, at the same time, a spire and new roof were added, these improvements involving an expense of §1,400. The church is now handsomely furnished and reflects credit upon Pastors and people.

The following are the Pastors from its organization to the present time: Revs. Jacob Meyer, Aloysius Meile, Martin Kink, Theodore Hibbelen, William Woeste, Joseph Nussbaum, Ferdinand Koerdt.

Father itoerdt, the present Pastor, was installed July 30, 1876. and shortly thereafter established St. Aloysius' School, where the children of the Church receive their education.

United Brethren. - In 1854, sixteen members of this denomination met at the house of John Miller, and, under the ministerial offices of Rev. Casey, organized a class. For a period of five years, the class-meetings were held at the homes of the various members, but, in 1859, they erected a log church, near the - site of their present house of worship. Rev. P. Landen was then the Pastor, and dedicated the- church. While he continued in charge, and after he was transferred and his successor appointed, the membership continued to increase ; but the little log church was still their house of worship until 1868. Iu that year, they erected their present church, " Liberty Chapel," in the southeast cor¬ ner of Section 7. The church now has a membership of 100, and is under the pastoral care of Rev. Mahon

Union Chapel. - In June, 1874. the citizens of Pleasant, and Wayne Town¬ ships met at " Prayer Grove Chapel," iu the latter township, to adopt measures for the erection of a church in Pleasant Township, which should be for the use of all religious denominations, and, in August of the same year, the building was begun. It is 28x42 feet, and was erected at a cost of $1,150. It is situated in the northwest corner of Section 3, on the east side of the Bluffton road. The dedicatory services were conducted in December, 1874, by Rev. Robinson of the M. E. Church, Fort Wayne, and the Rev. T. H. Bernau, of the Christian Church, Wells County. * Since that, time, services have been conducted regularly every two weeks. The present Trustees are Davi Grider, Chester Shive and John I Dalman.

The Village Of Sheldon

The land upon which Sheldon is located was originally owned by A. J. Taylor, who first divided it into town lots in 1868. The Fort Wayne, Mancie & Cincinnati Railroad passes through the central part of the town, affording an excellent outlet for the export of sawed lumber and carriages, which are the chief industries of the town. The mercantile and other business interests are repre¬ sented by the following firms: John A. Thicme, - Blakeman, dry goods und groceries; F. X. Shuler, boots and shoes; Calvin A. Seymour, M. D., physioiuu ; Charles Sutter, blacksmith; Donatus Bohnard, proprietor " Bohnard House."

Local Industries

Carriages and Buggies. - This enterprise was inaugurated at Sheldon by A J. Taylor, in October, 1868 ; but, during that year, his time was chiefly occupied in laying out the village of Sheldon, on his own farm, and the carriage interest did not receive all of his attention. In the succeeding year, ho erected several houses in the village, and, in 1871, built a saw-mill, which he conducted until disabled by the loss of his left hand, from the large saw of his mill. In 1873. *hc onlarged his carriage buildings, and increased his manufacturing facilities, at the same time building three tenement houses for men employed at his establish¬ ment. In the fall of 1873, he began the building of a number of carriages for sale at auction; on the 4th day of May, 1874, held the first public sale at his yard. Public opinion seemed opposed to auction work, and the entire day was consumed in disposing of fourteen carriages. lie held two more sales that year, and disposed of a larger number each time; and this was true of each sale there¬ after. In 1875, he sold from thirty to forty carriages and buggies in three or four hours. In 1876, he held four sales, ^disposing of about fifty vehicles at each; and, at several fairs in adjoining counties his work took the premium. In 1877 and 1873, lie found that he bad not the facilities for turning out work rapidly enough to supply the demind. He held lour sales each year, and the carriages were purchased as rapidly as they could be handled. The present year (1879), found him unable to supply more than half of the demand for his work. At the sales - held at intervals of sixty days, between April aud November - as many as a thousand peop'e assembled at his place to buy. During this year, he employed from thirty to forty men, and is now preparing 200 carriages for next year's trade.

The main building is 24x96 feet, two stories, and in this the wood-work and finishing. are done. The building where the ironing and blacksmith work is done is 26x46 feet.

John Dalman was born October 13, 1842, in Pleasant Township, Allen Co., Ind. His father, Edwin Dalman, was born in England in the year 1820, and emigrated to the United States, with his parents, at the age of twelve years. In 1833, he came to Allen County. Ind., and settled on the bank of Little lliver, in Wayne Township, where he remained until 1842. In that year, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary McNair, a native of Canada, who came with her parents to Allen County in 1837. Soon after marriage, he purchased a tract of land in Pleasant Township. Here he was surrounded by dense thickets, from which he was to develop a farm. Young, and full of ambition, he undertook the task, and as one year succeeded another it found his farm improving, and his worldly prosperity increasing. He came to be regarded as one of the foremost citizens of liis township, and every enterprise inaugurated for the advancement of its interests received his sanction and co-operation, but, while heartily interested in its welfare he never permitted his name to be used as a candidate for any of the township offices.

He was identified with no religious denomination, yet was a man of exem¬ plary habits and sound morality, and led a life which might well be emulated by others. He died in January, 1864.

His son - the subject of this sketch, passed the days of his childhood and youth amid all the uncouth scenes which mark a new settlement. Pleasant Townsltip numbered among its residents scarcely more than a dozen white families at the time of his birth. Situated thus, he was deprived of the privilege of attend¬ ing school, as there was not such an institution in the township until he had <:rown to be almost a young man. Aside from the instruction which ho received at home, in the art of reading and writing, his education was of that practical kind, which, in later years, developed the thorough farmer. He learned to follow the plow at an early age, and by constant association and^^ctiee, became familiar with all the details of the farmer's occupation. He nt^^^^La desire to follow any other pur¬ suit, but, regarding the field of agricultur^|^R native clement, adopted it as a life-work. After the establishment of schools in the township he entered upon a course of studies, which, when completed, qualified him to act intelligently in all business transactions.

He continued to work on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, when he was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Helle, daughter of Frederick and Charlotta Helle, who came to Allen County from Germany in 1843. He inher¬ ited one hundred and twenty acres, opposite the site of his present residence, and in 1872 added eighty acres by purchase. He had gained what might be denom¬ inated -lu good start," and by good management he accumulated a surplus in cash which he wisely invested in other land. In 1874, lie purchased one hundred and ten acres on the north side of the road, upon which, two years later, he erected his present handsome residence.

He has grown with the township and has borne a prominent part in many of the public improvements which have been made within its limits as well as in other piqj^ of the county ; religious and educational institutions have always met with encouragement and assistance at his hands, and no deserving charity appeals to him in vain. Throughout his life, he has been known as a man of pure charac¬ ter, and his native nobility has gained for him the admiration and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.

In April, 1868, he was elected Trustee of Pleasant Township, and served for a period of five years. His nomination and election to this responsible office was a fitting recognition of his merits, in view of the fact that he was then only twentyfive years of age. In 1873, he resigned the position,' but in 1876 was again induced to accept it and is now acting in that capacity.

Both himself and wife are consistent members of the Cbristian Church, and live their religion in their daily lives. Their many acts of kindness will long live in the memory of those to whom they have been offered, and their generous hospi¬ tality will be remembered by many a tired stager who has partaken of their bounty.

To bless their wedded life thero were seven children, viz.. Mary Charlotta, Louisa J., Merioa E., Edwin F.. John W., Mary Frances and Florence, of whom all are living, save Mary C. and Mary F.

Andrew Jackson Taylor was born upon a farm in Springfield Township, Columbiana Co., Ohio, on the 20th of October, 1824. His parents were Enoch and Barbara (Kcgoricc) Taylor.

On young Andrew's arriving at .the age of nine years, his father sold the farm in Columbiana County, and purchased another of 105 acres near Austiutown, then situated in the county of Trumbull, but since organized into Mahon¬ ing. To this new purchase the father at once moved his family, continuing his residence there while he lived. His death, from cholera, wis very sudden, occurring in the month of August, 1844. In this sad bereavement, the subject of our sketch, then in his twentieth year, was called to take charge of the homestead and to care for his widowed mother and seven younger brothers and sisters. Besides managing the farm, he also commenced the building of carriages. This he did without ever having served an apprenticeship.

He finally invested in a small property for himself. It was situated close .beside his mother's place, where he continued to give attention to her needs and those of her young family. The property, too, included the shop wherein.be had commenced- the carriage trade.

In the mean time, he had attained, to the head of domestic affairs of his own. He married Miss Susan W. Brooks, daughter of Hays and Charity Brooks, May .21, 1849. She was an amiable, worthy young lady, and has proved a genial, faithful companion. Her family, like his, were members of the Presbyterian Church ; but matrimonial relations caused no interruptions to business.

The wheel of mechanical energy, once started, continued to revolve, and success was the fruit of well-directed application. The handiwork of industry and skill found an ever increasing demand, and thus increasing a capacity to manufacture, was correspondingly enlarged. His magnitude of growth finally enabled him to much more than till the .local demand.

From 1851 to 1856, a favorable market for large shipments developed at Fort Wayne, Ind., and at other points still further west. To quite an extent, about this time, his manufacturing capacity was again strengthened - attaching, also, in 1857, a department for harness-making. For both harness and carriages, Mr. Taylor had previously sought and found a desirable market in the several States of Kentucky, Tennessee. Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana - New Orleans beiug the most distant point. In this direction, too, he found not only a ready market, but received very remunerative prices, including, with each sale of carriage, a full set of harness. »

In the spring of 1861; at the breaking-out of the rebellion, Mr. Taylor had §35,000 in outstanding claims against parties at the South, and in carriage works located at various points there, for sale. This property was wholly confiscated or lost. Himself, too, in Vicksburg, Miss., just at that critical time, by the help of friends, barely escaped being conscripted into the rebel service.

Thus escaping, with fortune sadly diminished, yet nothin" daunted, ho returned to his home in Ohio, where, with unyielding energy, he pursued his avocation up to December, 1363. Selling his entire property in Ohio, at this time, lie emigrated to Wells County, Ind., there purchasing a farm of 116 acres near the village of Ossian, and locating upon it.

In the spring of 1864, aside from farm duties, he contracted to b.uild a large flouring-mill at Ossian for Messrs. Brown & .Gorroll - completing the same, ready for use, about one year thereafter. During its construction, he was drafted into the United States military service; but, thinking it neither advisable nor desirable to give his service to the army, he supplied the call by a substitute, at a cost of $625.

Still situated upon his farm from 1865 to 186S, he renewed carriage¬ making. Then selling there, he soon bought a larger one (160 acres) in Pleasant Township, Allen County, and moved to the same.

Upon this tract lie has since continued to reside. The condition, at first, was uninviting, and a small portion only had been cultivated. \et now, how changed ! Mr. Taylor has erected a fine, full, new outfit of buildings, and has made many other substantial improvements. He has at this time an excellent farm, a delightful home - a view of which can bcTsecn in this history.

During the summer of 1868, he negotiated with the Fort W ayne, Muneie & Cincinnati Railroad Company, for a side track and depot upon his land. He then laid out 196 town lots, thus founding the original plat of the present thriving village of Sheldon. Its uamc was christened in honor of the Superintendent of said railroad.

Purposing again to renew the retail manufacture of carriages, by the spring of 1869 a shop was completed and in full operation. Retailing continued up to

1873, when a capacity for wholesaling was agniu established,, and this time, he instituted the plan of selling wholly at the shop. lie would thus secure economy by avoiding the expense of agencies and shipping.* Another important reduction in costs, he secured by buying his material in large quantities at wholesale, and, when practicable. " in the rough ! " Besides himself, too, there are five from his own family employed at manufacturing, thus dispensing with much of hired Inboy!

These facts explain sufficiently why Mr. Taylor can supply good workman¬ ship^ at prices so very low. Nor has Mr. Taylor bocu free from positions of pub¬ lic trust. In 1870, his fellow townsmen elected him to the office of Justice of the Peace, continuing him therein, by re-election, for eight consecutive years. He served thus with credit to himself, and with entire satisfaction to them. The fruits of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor's wedded life have been ten children, seven of whom are now living - four sons and three daughters, viz., Freeman B., Almira, Warren W.. Clark C.. MaryJ. I|pys E. and Clara May. Two of them, Freeman B. and Almira, are married and live near their parents. The others still live with their parents. Physically, Mr. Taylor, all his life nearly, has been strong and very enduring. Since the fall of 1870, however, this lias been true in a much less degree, having then barely recovered from a severe siege of typhoid fever. Besides, ou July 3, 1872, he received a serious injury, crippling him for life. His left hand was caught and mangled in a circular saw ; this in a large part dis¬ ables him from mechanical labor. Hence his time is now quite exclusively given to the financial and executive supervision of his business. A kind husband, an indulgent father, a most worthy citizen - ever showing due respect to others, he enjoys the pure affection of the home circle, and, by all who know him, is held in high regard.

Rev. Ferdinand Koerdt

Father Koerdt was born August 23, 1S53, at Oestinghausen, Province of Westphalia, Germany. His parents were farmers in easy circumstances, and decided to give their son a good education. In early childhood, he expressed a desire to become a priest in the church of his fathers, and in this was encouraged by his parents. He entered the public school at the age of seven years, remain¬ ing until he had entered the thirteenth year of his age, and then began a course of classical studies under private" instruction. Nine months later, in October, 1866, he went to the city of Beckum, where he continued his studies at a school taught by the Rector of the parish. Here he continned until October, 1869. He then entered the Gymnasium at Paderborn, where he completed his classical course, and subsequently began a course of theological, philosophical and philological studies at the Academy at Munster. This occupied a term of three years, and he graduated in 1874.

He had then reached the age of twenty-one years, and was still too young to receive holy orders. For awhile, he was at a loss to know how to employ his time and talents, but finally decided to take charge of a select school, which he con¬ ducted for a term of nearly a year.

On the 28th day of August, 1875. he bade adieu to his native land, and embarked for the United States. He landed at New York, but remained in that city but a short time. His destination was oue of Jhe Western States, and he soon took passage for Cincinnati. Arriving at that city, he entered the seminary at Mount St. Mary's, to acquire a better knowledge of the English language. In June, 1876, he arrived at Fort Wayne, and was ordained priest by lit. Rev. Joseph D wenger, D. D., Bishop of this Diocese. He took temporary charge of St. Mary's Church, in this city, during the absence of its Pastor, and, on July 30, 1876, was installed as Pastor of St. Aloysius' congregation, on the Bluffton road, and St. Joseph's congregation at Bluffton, Wells Co.. Ind.

He directed his attention at once to re-organizing and building up the con¬ gregation. He repaired the church, and erected a handsome brick parsonage, at an expense of $3,500, and on the 9th day of October, 1876, instituted St. Aloysius' School, for the education of children of the Church. This he conducted in person, in additiou to his pastoral duties, until quite recently, when he employed a teacher.

His work in this parish has not been free from disagreeable phases and hard labor, but he has worked with an energy purely unselfish, and his efforts have been blessed by a largely increased membership in the Church, and a -deeper interest in its offices on the part of the members. He has awakened a religious feeling, and the good he has accomplished only eternity can tell.

, Hunterto 'n Dealer in Groceries. Provisions, Liquors sad Linars. Hunterto 'n Dealer ia Drugs and Medicines. Physicians Precriptions carefully compounded.

Source changes here: from Valley of the Upper Maumee River, with Historical Account of Allen County and the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana, published 1889; 396 words in this source stream.

Pleasant Township

This region is traversed by both the St. Mary's and Little Wabash, and rivulets rising from springs close at hand, flow according as is the accidental arrangement of knoll and ravine, either to the sunny sands of the Mississippi delta or toward the icy shores of Labrador. Pleasant township was first settled in 1832, or about that year, by a Mr. Cooper and family, who made their home on the Godfrey trace or Bluffton road, at a place called "Green Camp," a favorite spot with Indians and emigrants, on account of a refreshing spring in that vicinity. Some years prior to this settlement the Bluffton road and the older Indianapolis road had been surveyed through the township. In 1832, Homey Robinson, who had settled with his father, Thomas Robinson, in Wayne township in 1826, came to Pleasant township, and afterward became prominent in its histor}'. The first white child born in this vicinity was his son Warren, in November, 1834, and the first death was of his sister, Mrs. Mary Bay, who died in 1841. The first saw-mill was built by him, on the bank of Lost creek, from which it obtained the power, and for man}' years he operated it successfully, supplj'ing lumber for many buildings in the cit}-. Lumber was hauled from here as far as the Salamonie river in Huntington county. At the home of this same pioneer, the first religious meeting was held by Rev. Ball, in 1834. In 1834 came Edward Kennark, a native of Ireland, who entered land in sections 4 and 10, aided in the building of the Wabash railway, and died in 1872; eight of his sixteen children survi^'e. William Bradbury also came in 1S34, and he and Kennark put up the first hewn-log houses. William Watson settled in the spring, but did not remain many years; John Whetton made a permanent settlement in this year. In 1841 Andrew Miller and his sons Christian, Joseph, John and Andrew, of Alsace, were the hrst settlers on the Indian reserves, and the family is now prominent. Thomas Greer and family settled in 1842. He was one of the fourteen settlers who organized the township and held the first election at the home of Abraham Lutz. These voters were, besides Greer and Lutz, David Hill, Samuel Fogwell, Jacob Kinwell, John Nicodemus, Thomas Bradbury, Edward Kennark, Cooper, Enos Mooney, Benjamin Swett, Hugh