JOHN SURFUS FAMILY
Partially From the History of DeKalb County, IN
John Surface was one of the early pioneers to DeKalb County. They actually lived in Allen County for most of their married lives. But they were right on the county line. John came to DeKalb County about 1835 with his father and brother. He was born in Ohio and so was Ellen. He may have come to Indiana and built a cabin for his wife and then went back and either married her or brought her to Indiana. She was not alone as her sisters Christina Fair and Sarah Fitch were also pioneering here in the same place.
After reading over the story of John, which is under Ellen's name, he must have come and worked hard for a few years before marrying Ellen DeLong. John came here with his father Andrew and his brother, Jacob. Abraham Fair tells the story of the struggle of that first year. This is his coon story:
"After finding the bee trees, says he, Andrew Surface found a hollow tree with two coons in and cutting them out, he brought them home to our shanty. We took the hides off and hung the meat out in the frost overnight. In the morning, Charlie Crouse, who was our cook, prepared them for our breakfast. Being rather meat hungry we all ate heartily of them except John Surface, who declared he would starve first, though he ate some of the gravy. After breakfast we all went cutting and hewing logs for William Surface's cabin. John and I went to sawing a big oak for clapboards. John didn't pull the saw very strongly. Ah, I said to him, you didn't eat coon or you could have sawed better. Presently he thought the sawing was too hard and he needed an iron wedge from the shanty to drive in the kerf. My father, Peter Fair, was lying in the shanty, and John supposed he was asleep. So he went to the skillet where there was a quarter of a coon left from breakfast and taking off some of the meat, he smelled it a while, applied his teeth and stripped the bone in short meter. All this time my father lay pretending to be asleep, but struggling to keep from laughing. When John returned and took hold of the saw again, I remarked to him that he must have either been eating coon or smelling it as he pulled so much stronger. When Crouse went in to prepare dinner my father told the joke and it was some time before John heard the last of the coon story."
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Obituary from the Auburn Courier, April 9, 1891......Auburn, IN
John Surfus, one of the best known of the early settlers of the region along the south side of DeKalb and north side of Allen counties, died at his home on the Allen County side of the line, March 31, 1891. He was born in Warren county, Ohio, Oct. 7, 1812, and his age was therefore 78 years 5 months and 24 days. He was married to Ellen DeLong, June 19, 1843 in the little town of Ft. Wayne. He had already prepared a home and they moved to it at once, and began housekeeping on the farm where they have lived ever since. To them were born 12 children, 9 of whom, and his aged wife survive him.
They had been married 48 years and 10 months. Mr Surfus was always a careful business man, though always liberal. He early accumulated a competency, and was the owner of several fine farms in both counties, though his home was in Perry Township in Allen county. He was always a prominent man in his neighborhood and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Among the children now living is Mrs. Wm. Murphy of this place (Auburn). The family have many other relatives about here. Mrs. Fair, and Mrs. Perry Fitch (error, it is Nathaniel Fitch) being sisters to Mrs. Surfus. The funeral was largely attended and was held at Cedar Chapel in Butler township, Thursday, April 2, the interment being in the cemetery there. Rev. Zartman of Ft. Wayne conducted the services. Thus passed from earth another of those pioneers to whom northern Indiana owes so much. (Re: Auburn Courier, April 9, 1891)
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From the above obit we see that one of the daughters must have married a William Murphy and was living at Auburn at the time of John's death. Not sure which daughter that is at this time.
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From the Annals of the Townships of Allen Co., IN.......THE VALLEY OF THE UPPER MAUMEE, 1887 edition, page 319
JOHN SURFUS, an old and prominent farmer of Perry township, and a pioneer of Allen county, is a native of Ohio, born in 1812, son of ANDREW and BETSEY (HARLESS) SURFUS. He left his native state in 1833 and settled in Allen county, Ind. Mr. Surfus was denied the privilege of any education, his family being poor and in need of his work. In 1842 he was united in marriage with ELLEN DELONG, by whom he had twelve children, ten of whom are living:
STEPHEN, GEORGE, SAMUEL, ANDREW, JOHN E., HARRIET, MARY, ELLEN, CELINA and JULIA.
When Mr. Surfus landed in Allen county, he possessed a yoke of cattle, a table, chest, set of chairs and oven, and their first bed was made by boring holes in the logs of the house and putting in sticks, which he wrapped with bark. In such circum-stances Mr. Surfus began life in Indiana, surrounded by bands of Indians and wild beasts. He had no financial advantages and his success in life must be attributed to the energy and perseverance he has displayed in all his undertakings, and the unfailing assistance of his true wife. They accumulated considerable property and at one time owned over 1,000 acres of good land in Perry township. They have lived to see all their children comfortably situated. After giving his children all a good home, Mr. Surfus retains a residence elegantly surrounded with all the comforts of life. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Their 7th child, ANDREW SURFUS, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser, was born September 8, 1850. He received common school education and remained with his parents until 25 years of age, when his father gave him 140 acres of good farming land, which he now occupies and has well improved. In 1875 he was united in marriage with MARY, daughter of JACOB and SARAH SNYDER, born November 18, 1854, and they have 3 children; JERRY H., born October 16, 1786; ORVILLE, born July 11, 1878; EVA BLANCHE, born July 25, 1880. He and wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He makes a specialty of graded stock.
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SURFACE, SURFUS CENSUS:
1850 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN #2788-2800
John Surface 36 M Farmer born Ohio
Ellen Surface 32 F born Ohio
Henrietta Surface 8 F born IN
Stephen Surface 7 M born IN
George Surface 6 M born IN
Samuel Surface 5 M born IN
Harriet Surface 4 F born IN
Hueston Surface 2 M born IN
Cornelius 12 M born IN
1850 Census of Butler Township, DeKalb Co., IN Family 33 Dwelling 33
William Surface 45 M Farmer born VA
Sophia Surface 39 F born MD
Emanuel Surface 19 M Farmer born Ohio
Henry Surface 18 M Farmer born IN ??
Peter Surface 14 M born IN
Charles Surface No age given born IN
Abraham Surface 7 M born IN
Nathaniel Surface 5 M born IN
Calphenus Surface 4 M born IN
Sarah Elizabeth Surface 2 F born IN
1850 Census of Butler Township, DeKalb Co., IN Family 59 Dwelling 59
Andrew Surface 72 M Farmer born VA
Elizabeth Surface 72 M born VA
1850 Census of Butler Township, DeKalb Co., IN Family 60 Dwelling 60
Jacob Surface 30 M Farmer born Ohio
Lucinda Surface 29 F born Ohio
Henry Surface 2 M born IN
Minerva Surface 1 M born IN
Nancy Harless 50 F born VA
1800 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN…….page 185
John Surfus………….married…….male, 67, born Ohio……..farmer
Both parents born VA
Ellen Surfus………….wife…………female, 62, born Ohio……keeping house
Parents born VA (prob. an error, the sisters did not agree in this census)
Samuel Surfus……….son, single……….male, 28, born IN………..farm laborer
Selina Harner………..dau. married……female, 23, born IN………at home
Thomas Harner……...son-in-law……....male, 27, born MD……….farm laborer
John Surfus…………..son, single……....male, 18, born IN…………farm laborer
Julia A. Surfus……….dau, single……...female, 20, born IN……….at school
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1880 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN 185 C
(George, son of John Surface and Ellen DeLong)
George Surfus married male, 34 born IN Farmer
Both parents born Ohio
Angeline Surfus wife female, 27 born Ohio Keeps house
Both parents born PA
Clarence E. Surfus son male, 9 born IN
Lula Surfus daughter female, 4 born IN
Elsie Surfus son male, 1 born IN
John McGurt other, single male, 27 born PA Farm laborer
Both parents born PA
1880 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN 195 C (son of John and Ellen)
Andrew Surface married male, 29 born IN Farmer
Both parents born Ohio
Mollie E. Surface wife female, 25 born IN Keeps house
Both parents born Ohio
Jery Henry Surface son male, 4 born IN
Orville Surface son male, 2 born IN
Wilkes B. Snyder Brother-in-law male, 13 born IN Farm laborer
1880 Census of Wayne Township, Hamilton Co., IN 459 A (Jacob and Lucinda)
Lucinda Surface widow female, 56 born Ohio Keeps house
Both parents born VA
Minerva Surface dau., widow female, 33 born IN
Both parents born Ohio
Jacob Surface son, single male, 24 born IN Farm laborer
Samuel Surface son, single male, 21 born IN Farm laborer
Charles Faucett gr. son male, 1 born IN
1880 Census of Wayne Township, Hamilton Co., IN 460 D (son of Jacob & Lucinda)
Henry Surface married male, 34 born IN Farmer
Both parents born Ohio
Martha Surface wife female, 27 born IN Keeps house
Both parents born Ohio
Frank Surface son male, 9 born IN
Samuel Surface son male, 5 born IN
Jacob Surface son male, 3 born IN
Cora Surface daughter female, 1 born IN
1880 Census of Noble Township, Noble Co., IN 538 D (son of Wm. and Sophia)
Peter Surfus married male, 43 born IN Farmer
Father born VA, Mother born MD
Lorinda Surfus wife female, 45 born Ohio Keeps house
Father born Ohio, Mother born PA
William D. Surfus son, single male, 18 born IN Farm laborer
Alice J. Surfus daughter female, 16 born IN
Mirtie Surfus daughter female, 7 born IN
William Crawford other, single male, 25 born PA Farm laborer
1880 Census of West Point, Butler, Iowa 256 D (son of Wm. and Sophia)
Charles V. Surfus married male, 41 born IN Farmer
Father born VA, Mother born MD
Amanda A. Surfus wife female, 37 born Ohio Keeps house
Both parents born PA
Anthony L. Surfus son male, 11 born Iowa At school
William H. Surfus son male, 10 born Iowa At school
Estella E. Surfus daughter female, 8 born Iowa At school
Jesse E. Surfus nephew male, 21 born Iowa Farm laborer
Both parents born IN
D. Taquet other, widower male, 80 born France Farmer
Both parents born France
BURIALS AT PERRY TOWNSHIP CEMETERY, HUNTERTOWN, IN
OLD SECTION:
SURFUS, ANDREW J. 1850-1927 Eva and Mary
SURFUS, EVA BLANCHE 1880-1900 Andrew and Mary E.
SURFUS, INFANT DAU. 1902 J. and L.
SURFUS, INFANT DAU. 1903 J. and L.
SURFUS, JERRY 1876-1925
SURFUS, L. BLANCHE 1909-1913
SURFUS, LYDIA M. 1876-1933
SURFUS, MARY E. 1854-1933 Eva and Andrew
NEW SECTION:
SURFUS, CELIA G. No dates D. B. and S.
SURFUS, DAVID BRUCE 1927-1928 Celia and Samuel
SURFUS, SAMUEL E. 1875-1947 D. B. and C. G.
BURIALS AT CEDAR CHAPEL CEMETERY, BUTLER TWP., DEKALB CO., IN
CORNER RD. 68 AND 11A
STEVEN SURFACE b. March 26, 1844 d: Sept. 29, 1919
ELLEN W., his wife b: Feb. 25, 1849 d: July 4, 1899
RAY SURFACE 1888-1959
AMY L., his wife 1885-1920
NORA ARDELLA SURFES d: Dec. 26, 1885 8 Y 5 M 1 D
JESSIE FRANKLIN SURFES d. Jan. 28, 1886 2 Y 1 M 16 D
Children of S. and F. Surfes (prob. should be E. and not F)
ANDREW SURFUS d: Aug. 11, 1853 64 Y
ELIZABETH, wife of Andrew d: Aug. 13, 1853 67 Y
( note above that they are listed as 72 in the 1850 census)
CHARLES F. SURFUS 1881-1928 F.C.B.
ORPHA A. SURFUS 1881-19___
DELORES E. SURFUS d. 1916
ELSE SURFUS 1879-1938
HATTIE SURFUS 1882-1969
FRANCES, son of G.M. & A d: Sept. 4 ________
FRANCIS H. MARTIN SURFUS 1891-1912, his wife
FRANKLIN A. SURFUS 1934-1936
GEORGE W. SURFUS 1846-1901 father
ANJULINE HARTSEL, his wife 1851-1923 mother
HARRY SURFUS 1888-1968
MARY D. SURFUS, his wife 1895-1921
HAZEL SURFUS 1892-1921 his wife
INFANT SON SURFUS
JOHN SURFUS d: March 31, 1891 78 Y 5 M 24 D father
ELLEN DELONG d: Feb. 20, 1897 78 Y 8 M 25 D mother
JOHN B. SURFUS 1891-1958
ANNA M. SURFUS 1901-19___
JOHN E. SURFUS 1860-1941
MARTHA E. SURFUS 1863-1945
RICKIE SURFUS 1960-1960
SOPHA, wife of W. Surfus d: Aug. 15, 1854 43 Y 5 M
THOMAS H. SURFUS 1843-1944 (might this be 1844?)
WILLIAM SURFUS 1873-1953
ROSALIND E. SURFUS 1879-1955
DESCENDANTS OF JOHN ULRICK ZERFASS, SURFACE, SURFUS, SURFES
1. John Ulrick Zerfass b: 1735 in Coblentz, Germany d: Jan. 27, 1805 in Augusta Co, VA
m: 1754 in Forestville, Shenandoah, VA
+ Mary Sider
2. Mary Magdalene Surface b: Oct. 30, 1755 in Augusta Co., VA
d: Dec. 3, 1835 in Timberville, Rockingham Co., VA
+ George Cooper
+ John Bowman b: July 2, 1750 Berks Co., PA d: March 7, 1816 in
Timberville, Rockingham Co., VA
3. Elizabeth Bowman b: 1778 in Timberville, Rockingham
Co., VA married May 21, 1798 in Rockingham Co., VA
+ Casper Roller b: 1770 d: Oct. 11, 1842 Scott, VA
3. George Bowman b: Jan. 27, 1780 in Timberville, VA
d: April 29, 1850 in Rockingham Co., VA
married March 20, 1803 in Rockingham Co., VA
+ Margaret Miller
3. John Bowman b: Dec. 1, 1782 d: Nov. 16, 1871
3. Barbara Bowman b: Jan. 19, 1785 in Timberville
3. Catherine Bowman b: Abt. 1787 d: Bef. 1837
3. Mary Bowman b: May 5, 1789 d: Jan. 10, 1850 in
Roanoke, VA
2. John Surface b: 1757 in Shenandoah, VA d: 1808 in Miami Co., Ohio
married about 1777
+ Mary Shutters b: 1754 in Shenandoah, VA
(See descendants later)
2. Michael Surface b: Feb. 29, 1760 poss. Montgomery, VA d: Between 1812
and 1816 in Montgomery, VA
+ Catherine Nozler b: 1772
2. Martin Surface b: 1762 in Rockingham, VA d: Abt. 1830 in Miami Co.,
Ohio married: Jan. 21, 1783 in Shenandoah Co., VA
+ Catherine Kepfin
3. John Surface b: 1783
3. Catherine Surface b: 1784
3. Rosanna Surface b: 1786
3. Susanna Surface b: 1787
3. Mary Surface b: 1789
3. Sally Surface b: 1791
3. Elizabeth Surface b: 1793
3. Solomon Surface b: 1796
3. Anna Surface b: 1801
3. Anna Catherine Surface b: 1806 married: 1819 in
Montgomery Co., VA
+ Peter Davis
2. Jacob Surface b: April 8, 1765 in Forestville, Shenandoah, VA
d: Feb. 1831 in Warren Co., Ohio
+ Susanna Harpine b: 1772
2. George Surface b: July 13, 1767 in Lowhill, Northampton, PA
d: Bet. 1840-1850 in Johnson Co., IN married: 1794 in Augusta, VA
+ Christina Jane Long b: 1773 in PA d: 1835 in Johnson Co., IN
3. Adam Surface b: 1795 in Rockingham Co., VA d: 1823 in
Montgomery Co., VA
+ Mary Agnes Price b: 1788 in VA d: 1885 in Mercer
Co., West Virginia
4. George Washington Surface
married: May 16, 1832 in Montg. Co., VA
+ Sarah L. b: 1812 in Mercer Co. VA
5. Andrew M. Surface b: 1835
5. Susan Surface b: 1839
5. Catherine A. Surface
married: Dec. 28, 1864 in
Mercer Co., West VA
+ Alexander Shrader
5. Amanda E. Surface b: 1846
5. Lendema Jane Surface
b: 1847
5. Unknown Surface
2. Catherine Surface b: Abt. 1770 in Lowhill, Northampton, PA d: in
Warren , Ohio
+ Adam Miller
2. Adam Surface b: Nov. 22, 1774 in Lowhill, Northampton, PA d: Sept. 1,
1858 in Springboro, Warren Co., Ohio
+ Mary Magdaline Hrpine b: 1779 d: 1858
2. Christian Surface b: Abt. 1777 in Augusta Co., VA d: Sept. 7, 1840 (or
before Sept. 7, 1840) in Rockbridge Co., VA
+ Florence Crawford
2. Henry Surface b: 1781 in Shenandoah, VA d: 1826 in Preble County, OH
+ Catherine Long
Descendants of John Surface and Mary Shutters, cont.
3. Andrew Surface b: Abt. 1778 in VA d: Aug. 11, 1853 in Allen Co., IN (tombstone and
census dates for birth and age do not agree) Andrew is buried in Cedar Chapel Cemetery
in DeKalb Co., IN married Dec. 6, 1803 in Montgomery, VA
Allen Co., IN (tombstone and census dates do not agree)
+ Elizabeth Harless b: 1778 in VA d: Aug. 13, 1852 or 1853 did they die of cholera?
4. John Edward Surface b: Oct. 7, 1812 in Warren Co., Ohio (from obit)
d: March 31, 1891 in Allen Co., IN at his home married: June 19, 1843
in the “little town of Ft. Wayne”
+ Ellen DeLong b: May 25, 1818 in Bethel Twp., Miami Co., Ohio
d: Feb. 10, 1897 in Allen Co., IN
5. Henrietta Surface b: March 1844 d: May 18, 1876
married Dec. 31, 1865 in Perry Twp., Allen Co., IN
+ Alanson Chase Griffin b: June 29, 1836 in East
Hamburg, New York d: Jan. 19, 1936 in Fort
Wayne at the home of his daughter.
6. Effie M. Griffin b: May 6, 1867 d: 1949
+ Elmer P. Griffin (do not know his
parentage) b: 1869 d: 1936
6. Anna Griffin b: Sept. 13, 1869 in Perry
Twp., Allen Co., IN d: 1958
6. John E. Griffin b: Nov. 4, 1870 in Perry
Twp., Allen Co., IN d: 1965
+ Alda E. b: 1873 d: 1942
6. Celia S. Griffin b: Jan. 8, 1872 d: 1969
married: Nov. 27, 1895
+ Joseph Pepple, Jr. b: July 4, 1867
in Butler Twp., DeKalb Co., IN
6. Jesse Griffin b: May 14, 1876 in Allen Co.,
IN d: Abt. 1943 in DeKalb Co. at his
home in Garrett.
+ Blanche b: 1882 d: 1958
5. Stephen Surface b: March 30, 1844 in IN d: Sept. 29,
1919 in DeKalb Co., IN
+ Ellen V. Cornell b: Feb. 25, 1849 in MD
&nb