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