JAMES VANDOLAH came to Indiana about 1835 and decided to build his mill here on Cedar Creek. They came from Green County, Ohio, and from Sugar Creek Township. He and Rebecca were married there as on the census we find that Benjamin was born in Ohio, as was the next son Thomas and the rest were born in Indiana.
He built the VanDolah Mill and worked on several others in the area. In 1839 he built a mill in Cedar Creek Township and was called a "famous mill builder".
We find both the VANDOLAHs and the TUCKERs at one time were in Sugar Creek Township, Greene County, Ohio. They came to Indiana from there. Both families were millers and millwrights.
From article in the newspaper: "When Allen County was opened up for settlement, James Vandolah came from Greene County, Ohio. The year was 1832. He found what he wanted in northeast Perry Township and purchased 520 acres direct from the government. The land lay on both sides of Cedar Creek and 100 acres of it straddled the creek bottom, connecting the high land on both sides. The price was $1.25 per acre. The officials with whom James dealt were amazed. Why, Mr. Vandolah, with such a good choice of available land, do you take so much wild creek bottom? He answered ‘ I am a millwright and I want the water rights!’ James went back to Greene County. Three years later he returned and dug the mill race. The following year, 1836 he brought his family to stay...................James chose well, building a house for the family on the south rim, and the mill down close to the creek. The creek curved south on his land and he had cut the mill race across the inside of the curve, and located the mill against the bluff of hill on the west side of the creek and south of what would later become the Auburn Road. James Vandolah was a genius at his trade and the mill was expertly engineered. The mill burr from French stone, was adjustable for fine and course grinding, and everything in the mill worked beautifully." Written by Forest J. McComb and published in the Journal Gazette, Sunday, February 8, 1970.
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From THE VALLEY OF THE UPPER MAUMEE and ANNALS OF THE TOWNSHIPS, 1887 edition, reprint by Brant and Fuller, Madison, Wisconsin, p.319
James Vandolah, one of the worthy pioneers of Allen County, came to Indiana in 1832, on a tour of inspection, looking for a situation for a water-mill. This he found in Perry Township and then returned to Ohio. In 1835 he came again and remained long enough to dig the race for his mill. In the fall of 1836, he emigrated with his family, and settled on the farm where Benjamin Vandolah now lives. He entered about 400 acres of wild land in Eel River township, 520 in Perry township, and 160 acres in DeKalb County. He was a mill-wright, and devoted much time to his trade, having worked in several mills throughout the country. He built the Shryock mill at Leo, the Dawson mill at Spencerville, the grist mill near Clarksville, his own mill and a number of others. About 1830 he was united in marriage with Rebecca Tucker. Of their eight children, five are still living, Benjamin, Thomas, Sarah J., Frances, and James. Mr. Vandolah served as one of the trustees of his township several terms. He was a leading citizen and was highly respected by all who knew him.
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From B. J. Griswold, THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA and THE STORY OF THE TOWNSHIPS OF ALLEN COUNTY by Mrs. Samuel R. Taylor, Chicago, Robert O. Law Company, 1917
JAMES VANDOLAH first visited Perry township vicinity in 1832, while searching for a desirable mill site with convenient water power. He located one on Cedar Creek, and having secured the land he returned to Ohio for 3 years, coming back in 1835 to dig a race for his mill. He then returned for his family, and in 1836, they settled on the farms where his sons afterward spent most of their lives. MR. VANDOLAH’S land holdings were extensive, including not only the 520 acres in Perry, but 400 acres in Eel River township, and a quarter section in DeKalb County. He was an expert mill-wright, and spent a great part of his time at his trade, having worked at many mills in the middle west. The Shryock mill at Leo, the Dawson mill at Spencerville, the grist mill near Clarksville, his own mill and a number of others were built by him. MR. VANDOLAH was township trustee several terms. The VANDOLAHS reared a family of 8 children, 5 of whom survived the parents, and achieved honor and prosperity in their own right, as well as worthily inheriting that of their parents. BENJAMIN VANDOLAH, who was but 3 years of age when brought to Indiana, has spent his whole after life on the same farm, one of the best which have been unearthed on its soil. THOMAS VANDOLAH, the 2nd son, was also prominent as a farmer and in the social life about him, but has always avoided office holding.
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Other information gathered about James Vandolah:
From the “Bellbrook Moon” of Bellbrook, Ohio.........Collection of 1893
As sent by Margaret Hawk.
“James learned the millwright trade, which he followed through his life. He and Samuel Lam built and owned the Washington Mills that burned down a few years ago. He built the Evans Mill below Spring Valley and owned it in partnership with Mr. Evans. John Duck of this place learned the millwright trade under him. He married REBECCA TUCKER, who was the daughter of REASON TUCKER. They were married at the bride's home at Washington Mills, Squire John James officiating, which event occurred in about the year 1832.
The Vandolah heirs sold their farm to Matthew Berryhill and moved to Clifton and lived a year or two, where Sarah was married and James and his father-in-law built a mill, after which they all moved to Indiana beyond Fort Wayne where James and Mr. Tucker built a mill (rest of line unreadable) -. At last account both James and Joseph were dead.”
From the notes of Margaret Hawk, a Hand descendant:
Article on Page 25, Vol. 1, Scrapbook of Clippings from the "Bellbrook Moon" said James was a millwright and had built and operated several mills in Greene County, Ohio, before moving to Indiana. On December 29, 1835, he and Rebecca and his siblings, Joseph, Benjamin, and Sarah Ann sold the land they inherited from their father (Greene County Deed Book 17, page 36). On August 22, 1842, James and Rebecca, then of Allen County, IN, sold land in Greene County, Ohio (Deed book 23, page 58). In 1860 his widow, Rebecca, was in Perry Township, Allen Co., IN.
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James is to be found on tax lists in Sugar Creek Twp., Greene County, Ohio in 1830, 1831
Found on the 1850 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN
Buried in Perry Township Cemetery near Huntertown, Allen Co., IN with many other members of the Vandolah family.
Children of James Vandolah and Rebecca (Tucker) Vandolah:
Benjamin H. Vandolah 1834-1916
Thomas J. Vandolah 1836-1912
Sarah Jane Vandolah 1839-1890
Mary Ann Vandolah 1840-1880
Frances Vandolah 1843-1923
Phebe Vandolah 1845-1877
James Charles Vandolah 1847-1927
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More from THE VALLEY OF THE UPPER MAUMEE……
His eldest son, BENJAMIN VANDOLAH, was born in Greene County, Ohio, April 14, 1834; he was brought to Indiana when 3 years of age, and on the farm where he now lives, he grew to manhood. On October 4, 1888, he married to CATHARINE AARON, daughter of MICHAEL and ELIZABETH (PIERCE) AARON. She is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a prosperous farmer, possessing 180 acres of fine land in Perry township, with substantial buildings. Mr. Vandolah has in his possession a very curious Indian relic, which he unearthed about 12 years ago.
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THOMAS VANDOLAH, the second son, was born in Greene county, Ohio, August 31, 1836. His life in Allen county began in the same year. He received such education as could be obtained in the pioneer log school-house. In 1871 he was united in marriage with ELIZABETH VANDOLAH, daughter of JOSEPH and DRUSILLA (NICKERSON) VANDOLAH. She was born in 1842. Though never seeking office, he has always taken an interest in politics, being one of the leading democrats of his township. He owns 285 acres of good farming land and is as prominent socially as he is as a land owner.
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DESCENDANTS OF JOSEPH VANDOLAH 1771-1814
1. JOSEPH VANDOLAH
born about 1771 in Hunterdon, New Jersey or Fayette Co., PA
died about 1814 in Greene Co., Ohio
burial in Zenia, Greene Co., Ohio
married about 1804 in Sugar Creek Twp., Greene Co., Ohio
+ MARY POLLY HAND
born about 1788 in Essex Co., New Jersey
still living at the time of the 1850 census
2. JOSEPH VANDOLAH
born June 14, 1805 in Greene Co., Ohio
died May 10, 1887 in Allen Co., IN
burial Perry Township Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
married March 14, 1839 in Allen Co., IN
+ DRUSCILLA NICKERSON
born June 19, 1820
died Nov. 10, 1886 in Allen Co., IN
burial Perry Township Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
3. LOUISA ANN VANDOLAH
born 1841
married Oct. 5, 1869 in Allen Co., IN
+ WILLIAM GOLDEN
4. NAOMINA GOLDEN, born abt. 1869
(William had been married previously and had several children
with his first wife, Martha A. Cutshall. Their children were
Lucy A. Golden, John W. Golden, Samuel J. Golden, and
David F. Golden. )
3. ELIZABETH VANDOLAH
born 1842 in Allen Co., IN
died Feb. 8, 1932 in Allen Co., IN
burial Perry Township Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
married Aug. 17, 1871
+ THOMAS J. VANDOLAH (son of James)
born Aug. 31, 1836 in Greene Co., Ohio
died Sept. 12, 1912 in Perry Twp., Allen Co., IN
burial Perry Township Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
3. HENRY FAIR VANDOLAH
born Jan. 19, 1847
died May 5, 1925
married Sept. 22, 1870 in Fort Wayne, Allen Co., IN
+ JULIA ANN VANDOLAH (dau. of Benjamin)
born March 5, 1852
died Oct. 6, 1920 in Rock Island Co., IL
burial Illinois City Cemetery, Rock Island, IL
4. NELLIE R. VANDOLAH, born 1871
4. CHAUNCEY VANDOLAH, 9-28-1873
4. BENJAMIN MARSHALL VANDOLAH
born 1-23-1875
4. VELVA A. VANDOLAH, 12-19-1876
4. WILLIAM HENRY VANDOLAH, 3-2-1878
4. DRUSCILLA VANDOLAH, 2-18-1883
4. SALOMA IZORA VANDOLAH, 3-8-1884
4. ELLA E. VANDOLAH, 9-1886
4. CHESTER MORTON VANDOLAH
born 3-21-1888
4. ARTHUR JAMES VANDOLAH, 1890
4. LEWIS F. VANDOLAH, 10-23-1890
4. ALFRED ALLEN VANDOLAH, 1-20-1893
3. MARY JANE VANDOLAH
born about 1849
married Aug. 10, 1872 in Allen Co., IN
+ THOMAS J. VANDUSEN
3. HUBBARD (HUBBERT) VANDOLAH
born March 10, 1850 in Allen Co., IN
died Sept. 5, 1918 in Cook Co., IL, Chicago train station
married Feb. 28, 1878 in Allen Co., IN
+ IRENE ERICKSON
born 1859
died 1932
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
4. FRANK C. VANDOLAH, born 1880
3. REBECCA VANDOLAH
born 1851
died 1913
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
married June 10, 1875 in Allen Co., IN
+ GEORGE B. HUTZEL
3. MARTHA VANDOLAH
born Dec. 18, 1859
died Aug. 16, 1877
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
+ GEORGE W. GREENWELL
3. JAMES B. VANDOLAH
born 1861 in Allen Co., IN
died May 25, 1939 in Allen Co., IN
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
+ ODELLA SNIDER
born 1865
died 1927
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
4. JAMES VANDOLAH, born 1886
4. DRUSCILLA VANDOLAH, 1-22-1887
4. HENRY W. VANDOLAH, born 1890
4. GLADYS VANDOLAH, 5-12-1897
4. FRANK BENJAMIN VANDOLAH
born 6-21-1903
2. JAMES VANDOLAH
born Jan. 22, 1807 in Sugar Creek Twp., Greene Co., Ohio
died Oct. 24, 1851 in Allen Co., IN
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
married May 12, 1832 in Greene Co., Ohio
+ REBECCA TUCKER
born May or June 1, 1812 in Jefferson Co., VA or WVA
died Feb. 16, 1881 in Perry Twp., Allen Co., IN
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
3. BENJAMIN H. VANDOLAH
born April 14, 1834 in S. C. Twp., Green Co., Ohio
died Jan. 10, 1916 in Allen Co., IN
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
married Dec. 1, 1865 in Allen Co., IN
+ MARY HARROD (prob. divorced)
born 1844
2nd wife of Benjamin Vandolah, married Oct. 4, 1888
+ CATHERINE AARON
born Dec. 25, 1852 in Alsace Lorraine
died Dec. 13, 1923 in Allen Co., IN
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
4. ELIZABETH VANDOLAH
born July 1, 1889 in Allen Co., IN
died Jan. 9, 1991
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery
married Oct. 25, 1911 in Allen Co., IN
+ CHARLES BYRON STELLHORN
born Jan. 27, 1888
died Oct. 31, 1959
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery
4. FRANCES AMELIA VANDOLAH
born Sept. 24, 1890 in Allen Co., IN
died Jan. 29, 1987
burial Leo Cemetery, Leo, IN
marriage Dec. 21, 1911 in Allen Co., IN
+ HARRISON CURRIE BAILEY
born July 14, 1889
died July 19, 1975
burial Leo Cemetery, Leo, IN
4. INFANT VANDOLAH
born Nov. 30, 1891
died Nov. 30, 1891
burial Salem Reformed Cemetery
Dutch Ridge, Allen Co., IN
4. JOHN BYRON VANDOLAH
born April 29, 1894 in Allen Co., IN
died June 7 or 17, 1902
burial Salem Reformed Cemetery
Dutch Ridge, Allen Co., IN
Elizabeth Vandolah Frances A. Vandolah
3. THOMAS J. VANDOLAH
born Aug. 31, 1836 in S. C. Twp., Greene Co., Ohio
died Sept. 15, 1912 in Perry Twp., Allen Co., IN
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
married Aug. 17, 1871 in Allen Co., IN
+ ELIZABETH VANDOLAH (dau. of Joseph)
born 1842 in Allen Co., IN
died Feb. 8, 1932 in Allen Co., IN
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
3. SARAH JANE VANDOLAH
born April 14, 1839
died Aug. 27, 1890
burial Cedar Chapel Cem., Butler Twp., DeKalb Co. IN
married Dec. 5, 1877 in Allen Co., IN
+ ALANSON C. GRIFFIN
born June 29, 1836 in East Hamburg, New York
died Jan. 19, 1936 in Ft. Wayne, IN at dau. home
burial Cedar Chapel Cem., DeKalb Co., IN
3. MARY ANN VANDOLAH
born Dec. 25, 1840 in Perry Twp., Allen Co., IN
died April 19, 1880 in Milan Twp., Allen Co., IN
burial at Old Mayesville Cem., Harlan, IN per Jn Rohde
married March 25, 1869 in Allen Co., IN
+ GEORGE W. WILBUR
born 1840
died April 29, 1915 in Springfield Twp., Allen Co
burial new Cemetery, Harlan, IN
3. FRANCES VANDOLAH
born Feb. 19, 1843 in Perry Twp., Allen Co., IN
died May 26, 1943 in Perry Twp., Allen Co., IN
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
married Dec. 1, 1867 in Allen Co., IN
+ MATHIAS FITCH
born Jan. 16, 1843 in Perry Twp., Allen Co., IN
died Dec. 10, 1923 in Perry Twp., Allen Co., IN
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery, Allen Co., IN
4. LUCY FITCH
born Sept. 15, 1868
died September 27, 1868
burial Perry Twp. Cemetery
4. SCHUYLER FITCH
born Dec. 24, 1869 in Allen Co., IN
died April 17, 1952 in Seattle, WA
married Jan. 5, 1893
+ LEAH L. PEPPLE
born April 3, 1871 in DeKalb Co.
4. JOHN BYRON FITCH
born June 23, 1872 in Allen Co., IN
died Feb. 20, 1947 in Allen Co., IN
burial Cedar Chapel Cem., DeKalb Co. IN
married March 17, 1898 in Allen Co., IN
+ ROSA BELLE HOLLOPETER
born May 29, 1874
died Jan. 15, 1953