Biography of Solomon Shilling, page 49, Atlas of DeKalb County, Indiana, J. H. 
Beers & Co., Chicago, Ill., 1880

Solomon Shilling. Among the leading farmers of DeKalb County few are known 
more extensively than Solomon Shilling. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, 
March 15, 1823, and is the son of Adam and Mary Shilling, natives of 
Pennsylvania, of German origin, who were among the early settlers of Stark 
County. Mr. Shilling’s youth was passed in that county on his father’s farm; and 
there he was married to Hester Blyler November 16, 1848; she is the daughter of 
Daniel and Elizabeth Blyer, native of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Mrs. 
Shilling was born in Summit County, Ohio, March 18, 1831, and has the 
following children-Daniel, J. R., William, Mary, Adam, Sarah, Frances, Hiram, 
John, Viena and Dora H. Shilling. In 1850, Mr. Shilling and family came to 
DeKalb County, Ind., and settled in Section 19, Concord Township, on 160 acres 
of wild land, but by industry and economy he has added to this until he is now the 
owner of 400 acres of highly improved land, on which he has a house second to 
none in his township; a view of which will be found in the Atlas. Politically, he 
belongs to the Republican party, and he and wife are members of the Methodist 
Church. He has been township trustee two consecutive terms; is the leading stock-
dealer of DeKalb County, and can safely be placed among the wealthy, self-made 
men of Northeastern Indiana. Mr. Shilling is slow to arrive at a conclusion, but 
firm in sticking to the result of his deliberations. In his home he is kind and 
hospitable, and has the good will of all who know him.



Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com