Frederick married Anna Agnes Shoudel on 29 Jan 1895 in Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, USA. Anna (daughter of Michael L. Schaudel Shoudel and Johanna Reinig) was born in 0Jul 1874 in Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, USA; died on 11 Nov 1936 in Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Biography of Frederick Gfeller, Jr., pages 880.881/882. History of
DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis,
1914.



Frederick Gfeller, Jr.



In every community some men are known for their upright lives,
strong common sense and industry, rather than for their wealth or
political standing. Their neighbors and acquaintances respect them, and
when they ?wrap the drapery of their couches about them and lie down to
pleasant dreams? posterity listens with reverence to the story of their
quiet and useful lives. Among such men of a past generation in DeKalb
county was the late Frederick Gfeller, Jr., who was not only a
progressive man of affairs, successful in material pursuits, but a man
of modest and unassuming demeanor, a fine type of the reliable, self-
made American, a friend to the poor, charitable to the faults of his
neighbors and who always stood ready to unite with them in very good
work and active in the support of laudable public enterprises, a man
who in every respect merited the high esteem in which he was held.

Frederick Gfeller, Jr., was born in the canton of Berne,
Switzerland, on May 15, 1850, and was the son of Frederick, Sr., and
Katherine Elizabeth (Schiba) Gfeller. When the subject was but two
years old the family came to the United States, locating in Stark
county, Ohio, where they lived for several years. They then came to
Smithfield township, DeKalb county, Indiana, locating just west of the
catholic church. A year later they moved to the Hoffelder farm,
remaining there two years. For a short time they then lived east of
Waterloo, eventually returning to Smithfield township, where for eleven
years the father engaged in farming. They then returned to the
vicinity of Waterloo, the parents spending their last years in
Uniontown. They were the parents of four children, three sons and a
daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, Frederick, Gottfried and Samuel.

Frederick Gfeller, Jr., remained with his parents until his
marriage, in 1872, when he engaged in farming on his own account,
leasing land from George Wolfe just east of the catholic church. Where
he remained eleven years. While on the land, he bought thirteen acres
of land adjoining, though he did not live on it. He next bought forty
acres a short distance northeast of where he was renting, and four or
five years later bought forty acres more just north of where he was
farming, to which he moved two years later, making it his permanent
home. In all, he accumulated two hundred and twelve acres of good land
and was considered a very capable and successful business man.

Mr. Gfeller took a large interest in the welfare of the community
in, which he lived and was one of the original members of the St.
Michael?s Catholic church. He served as road supervisor and as
constable, and was twice elected trustee of Smithfield township, being
nominated for a third term, but dying before election day. He enjoyed
a well-deserved popularity throughout the section of the county in
which he lived, enjoying a wide acquaintance, among whom were many warm
personal friends.

In October, 1872, Mr. Gfeller married Mary A. Mehr, who was born
in Germany in1854, the daughter of Johannes and Dora (Schoudel) Mehr.
In August 1871, Mary and her fifteen-year-old sister, Katherine, now
Mrs. Frank P. Miller, came to the United States, and came at once to
DeKalb county, Indiana, making their home in Smithfield township. Mary
Mehr was seventeen years old and could talk no English. She secured
work in private families, with whom she was employed for a number of
years, and during this period acquired a thorough command of the
English language. By her marriage with Frederick Gfeller she became
the mother of four children, namely: Frederick, who lives near St.
Michael?s Catholic church, married Annie Shoudel, the daughter of M. L.
Shoudel, and they have nine children, Fred, Dora, Matthias, Mary,
Celia, Joseph, Herman, and Christian. Mary is the wife of Thomas
Smith, of Kosciusko county, Indiana, and they have one child,
Genevieve. Frank, who lives on the old home place, married Anna
Schiffli and the them were born four children, Olivia, who died at he
age of ten weeks, Lauretta, Clarence and Raymond. Dora is the wife of
Frank Walker, of Smithfield township, this county. The father of
these children died on November 24, 1895, and two years afterward his
widow became the wife of John Hoffelder, also a resident of Smithfield
township. However, she still spend much of her time with her children,
but whom she is held in the most affectionate regard. Frederick
Gfeller was a man of steady, industrious habits, his success in life
being due sosely to his own efforts and he never violated in the
slightest degree the confidence which his fellows reposed in him. A
faithful husband, loving and affectionate father, faithful friend and
loyal citizen, his death was considered a distinct loss to the
community, which had been honored by his citizenship.



Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com

Friedrich married Maria Anna Mehr in Oct 1872. Maria (daughter of Johannes Leopold Mehr and Dorothea Schaudel) was born on 30 Mar 1853 in Bundenthal, Pfalz, Bayern; died in 1942 in Indiana, USA; was buried in Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery, Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY:
Biography of Michael L. Shoudel, pages 865/866/867/868.History of DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company,Inc., Indianapolis, 1914.No other people that go to make up our cosmopolitancivilization have better habits of life than those who comeoriginally for the great German empire. These people aredistinguished for their thrift and honesty, and these twoqualities alone in the inhabitants of any county will inthe end make that county great. When with these twoqualities is coupled the other quality of sound sense, astrong German characteristic, there are afforded suchqualities as will enrich any land and place it at the topof the countries of the world in the scale of elevatedhumanity. Of this excellent people came Michael L. Shoudel,who for many years has been one of the well known farmersof DeKalb county, Indiana. He comes of a race that producedthe famous "Iron Chancellor," the greatest statesman, allthings considered, that ever walked this terrestrialsphere. He comes of a race that is famous for its originalinvestigations in the problems of civilized life, such menas Goethe and Heckel, to say nothing of the coterie of thegreatest musicians of all lands, and climes. The Germanicblood is found in the veins of the greatest men and womenof this and former generations and the Shoudel family maywell be proud of their descent from such a race. Thesubject of this brief sketch is easily the peer of any ofhis fellow citizens in all that constitutes right livingand correct citizenship. He is a close and intelligentobserver, has read much, and takes pains to keep himselfwell informed upon current events. He is quiet indemeanor, a thinker, and a man of deeds rather than word.He is essentially a man of the people because he has largefaith in humanity and is optimistic in his views. MichaelL. Shoudel, who for many years has been one of the bestknown and influential citizens of Smithfield township,DeKalb county, Indiana, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in1844. He is a son of Matthias and Magdalena (Miller)Shoudel, whose personal sketch appears elsewhere in thiswork, therefore further mention of the subject'santecedents will not be made at this point. Michael L.Shoudel was about eleven years of age when the familyemigrated to the United States, locating in Chicago, in1865. Two years later they came to the little patch of wildland in Smithfield township, DeKalb county, Indiana, wherethey made a start in their struggle for financialindependence in a strange land. Here the subject of thissketch performed his full share of the strenuous toilincident to the clearing of the land and putting it inshape for cultivation, and he distinctly recalls havingplowed a six-acres field which required ten days' work witha yoke of oxen, for the ground was full of roots and stumpsand progress was exceedingly slow and wearing on both menand beasts. Soon after his marriage in 1872, Mr. Shoudelcommenced farming on his own account on forty acres ofland which he had received from his father, and as he wasprospered in his undertaking he bought more land from timeto time, until he now owns two hundred and eighty acres ofas fine land as can be found in DeKalb county. He is up-to-date and progressive in his methods of work and hasachieved a distinctive success in his vocation. He has beena hard worker continually from his first initiation intothe pioneer struggle and indeed in that early day at onetime they would have returned to Chicago if they couldhave done so, but they had not been able to make the trip,so they struggled on and the struggle became a triumph. Mr.Shoudel, although about seventy years old, is still activephysically and is able to perform a good day's labor on thefarm. He has never been sick much and has always beenactive in anything to which he has applied his efforts. Hehas been an eye-witness and a participant in the wonderfulgrowth which has characterized this section of the stateand remembers well when Waterloo consisted of but threestores, a saloon, a hardware store, and dry goods store,and a few buildings, and when the court house at Auburn wasa very primitive and poorly furnished affair. Mr. Shoudelhad but limited educational opportunities, never havingattended school a day until after sixteen years of age. Hethan started in the primer and in fifty-eight days was inthe third reader. The second winter he again attendedschool and worked hard to gain knowledge and has been acontinual reader throughout his life and is todayconsidered a man of wide and unusual information on manysubjects. One of his leading qualities is his persistencyin his application to any task to which he applies himselfand this has enabled him to conquer where many others wouldhave failed. In the public and civic life of the communityMr. Shoudel has for many years been an influential factorand has always exerted his influence in favor of suchmovements as had tended to advance the best interest of thecommunity. In 1872 Mr. Shoudel married Joanna Reinig, whowas born in Bavaria, Germany, the daughter of Frank andJoanna (LaFroise) Reinig. She came to America late in 1872with her mother, her father having already emigrated tothis country. Here they applied themselves to agriculturaloperation, as had their fellow citizens, the Shoudels,Millers and Smiths. To Mr. and Mrs. Shoudel have been borneleven children, six boys and five girls, namely: John, wholives on the Hezekiah Leas farm, married Margherita Hoff,and they have four children, Albert, Clara, Michael andEsther; Annie is the wife of Frederick Gfeller, who livessouth of the Catholic church, and they have eight children,Freddie, Dora, Matthias, Mary, Celia, Joseph, Herman and ababy girl; George, who married Marie Hoff, lives on one ofhis father's farms near Summit, and has two children, Agnesand a baby boy; Michael is unmarried and helps his fatherrun the farm and also operates a threshing machine;Matthias, who is also unmarried, is at home; Kate is thewife of Andrew Shiffli, who lives two and one half mileseast of his father on the Shoner farm, and is the father oftwo children, Agnes and Wilford; Lena, Mary, Caroline,Joseph and Frank are all unmarried and at home with theirparents. The subject and his wife also reared Fred Elliott,who was born November 26, 1880, the son of George andCaroline (Rennig) Elliott, the latter having given up herlife at birth of her son. Fred Elliott died on September 8,1910. Mr. Shoudel and members of his family are allconnected with the Catholic church, in the prosperity ofwhich they are deeply interested and to the support ofwhich they contribute liberally. Mr. Shoudel is a man whomto know is to respect and admire, for, having started in alowly capacity, he gradually forged to the front and byfaithful effort and prompt discharge of every dutydevolving upon him he finally acquired a comfortablecompetency and has won and retains the good will and regardof all who know him. He has ever tried to do the right ashe has seen and understood the right and as arepresentative citizen of his community he is eminentlyentitled to representation in a work of the character ofthe one at hand.Submitted by:Arlene GoodwinAuburn, IndianaAgoodwin@ctlnet.com

Michael married Johanna Reinig on 29 Jan 1872 in Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, USA. Johanna (daughter of Franz Anton Reinig and Johanna Lefrois) was born on 14 Nov 1855 in Bundenthal, Pfalz, Bayern; died on 8 Mar 1919 in Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, USA; was buried in Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery, Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Johannes married Dorothea Schaudel on 24 Jun 1844 in Bundenthal, Pfalz, Bayern. Dorothea (daughter of Johannes Franz Schaudel and Magdalena Schmitt) was born on 28 Feb 1823 in Bundenthal, Pfalz, Bayern; died on 2 Apr 1865 in Bundenthal, Pfalz, Bayern. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY:
Biography of John Matthias Shoudel, pages 862/863. Historyof DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.,Indianapolis, 1914.In placing the name of John Matthias Shoudel before thereader as one who stood for many years in the front rank ofthe enterprising men of affairs and a leader inagricultural circles of DeKalb county, Indiana, whoseinfluence tended to the upbuilding of the locality of hisresidence and the advancement of the affairs of his county,simple justice is done a biographical fact, recognizedthroughout the community by those at all familiar with hishistory and cognizant of the important part he acted in thecircles with which he was identified. His career presents anotable example of those qualities of mind and characterwhich overcome obstacles and win success, and he waseminently deserving of the high place he held in the heartsof those with whom he was associated. John MatthiasShoudel was born in 1814 in Bavaria, Germany, and was theson of John Shoudel. He was reared and educated in hisnative land, and there, on reaching mature years, hemarried Magdalena Miller, a native of the same locality anda daughter of John Miller. Mr. Shoudel learned the trade ofa weaver in his native land and also gave some attention tofarming. In 1854, desiring larger opportunities foradvancement, he came to the United States. After spendinga few months in New York he went to Chicago, and whileliving there, in 1855, he sent for his family, who hadremained in the fatherland. He was employed on the docks inChicago, but in 1857 he joined, with four others, FrankMiller, John Miller, Xavier Schmidt and Frederick Schmidt,and they brought their families to DeKalb county, wherethey bought forty acres of land, for which they paid threehundred dollars, and then they divided the land betweenthen, eight acres each. This land was located in section15, Smithfield township, and had not been disturbed byhuman hand since the red man left it. Mr. Shoudel at oncecleared a spot on which he erected a log cabin, and appliedhimself to the strenuous task of felling the timber andgetting the land in shape for cultivation. His firstwinter's efforts amounted to two acres of cleared land, andduring the season the main diet of the family consisted ofcorn bread and wild game, of which latter there was anabundance. Eventually Mr. Shoudel was able to buy a yoke ofsteers, and after a while he secured a second yoke, whichgreatly facilitated this labors. He managed well, waswisely economical and at length was able to buy forty acresmore land, and with this as a nucleus his affairs assumed apromising aspect. Industry, persistence and good managementwere the essential qualities which contributed to hissuccess and he was able to buy more land from time to timeuntil at the time of his death he was the owner of twohundred acres of splendidly improved farm land. JohnMatthias Shoudel died in 1880, and was survived a few yearsby his widow, whose death occurred in 1886. In the affairsof the community Mr. Shoudel took a leading part and nomovement of any moment was launched without his assistanceand co-operation. When St. Michael's Catholic church wasinstituted here during the eighties, Mr. Shoudel was one ofthe thirteen persons who requested the bishop of thediocese to establish the church, and for many years he wasone of the leading members of the parish. He was one of theoldest men in the community, and to him many looked foradvice and counsel in their temporal affairs, and he everproved worthy of their confidence. His integrity andfidelity were manifested in every relation of life, and hisplain, rugged honesty, his open-hearted manner, undisguisedand unaffected, is to his descendants a sweet and lastingmemory. To John Matthias and Magdalena Shoudel were bornthe following children: Baltzer, Michael L., Matthias,Agnes and John, the latter dying at the age of twenty-twoyears.Submitted by:Arlene GoodwinAuburn, IndianaAgoodwin@ctlnet.com

Johannes married Maria Magdalena Müller on 9 Feb 1839 in Bundenthal, Pfalz, Bayern. Maria (daughter of Johannes Müller and Anna Maria Trapp) was born on 21 May 1815 in Bundenthal, Pfalz; died on 15 Feb 1888 in Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, USA; was buried in Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery, Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Franz married Johanna Lefrois on 30 Aug 1837 in Bundenthal, Pfalz, Bayern. Johanna (daughter of Peter Lefrois and Magdalena Deiß) was born on 27 Jul 1815 in Bundenthal, Pfalz; died on 2 Oct 1881 in Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]