Allen County, Indiana Genealogy

Over the course of the nineteenth century, German immigration brought the highest numbers of foreign settlers to the...

Posted by The History Center on Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 post by The History Center on Facebook:

Over the course of the nineteenth century, German immigration brought the highest numbers of foreign settlers to the United States. Attracted by economic opportunities in agriculture, business and an open labor market, as well as political and religious freedom, Germans settled throughout the United States in staggering numbers. By 1910, residents of German heritage comprised thirty percent of Fort Wayne’s population. Peter Kiser (1810–1890) was a first generation American born in Ohio to German immigrant parents. Though he traded in Fort Wayne as early as 1822, he didn’t settle here permanently until 1832. He was the town’s first butcher, first Barr Street Market Master, served on the City Council, was elected to the state legislature and from 1828 a member of the local Wayne Lodge of Masons. Kiser was also noted as being a contributor to local celebrations, by firing his cannons in honor of the occasion. All of his accomplishments are impressive feats because he never learned to read or write. Perhaps that is why he was also very active in the push to establish a free public school system. Kiser was well known for the large scrapbook he carried around with him and displayed in his shop. He used this scrapbook, originally a ledger for the Wabash and Erie canal, as evidence for his political and social arguments so he could readily produce the source information to support his views. #sociallyhistory

1. Peter Kiser 10 Aug 1810 - 4 Oct 1890 (aged 80) and wife Rebecca Snyder Kiser 27 Aug 1820 - 14 Feb 1893 (aged 72) Memorials at Find A Grave, Plot J-94 at Lindenwood Cemetery.

2. 1867 - Hon. Peter Kizer lengthy speech Indiana House of Representatives on expenditures

   Article from Jan 31, 1867 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1867, Peter kizer

   1867 - Hon. Peter Kizer lengthy speech Indiana House of Representatives on expendituresThe Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Thursday, January 31, 1867, Page 2.

   HON. PETER KIZER, made a lengthy speech yesterday forenoon in the Indiana House of Representatives, on his resolution inquire into the expenditures of the Administration, in which he discussed the state of the country in general, the history of the " Saxine" race in particular.

3. 1873 - Baxter's Bill - Large Meeting - Uncle Peter Kiser Makes One of His Incomparable Speeches

   Article from Feb 18, 1873 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1873, Peter kizer

   1873 - Baxter's Bill - Large Meeting - Uncle Peter Kiser Makes One of His Incomparable Speeches The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Tuesday, February 18, 1873, Page 4.

4. 1875 - Peter Kizer has the American flag out, in honor of 100th Anniversary American revolution

   Article from Apr 19, 1875 Fort Wayne Daily News (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1875, Peter kizer

   1875 - Peter Kizer has the American flag out, in honor of 100th Anniversary American revolution Fort Wayne Daily News, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Monday, April 19, 1875, Page 1.

   Peter Kizer has the American flag out, in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the American revolution.

5. 1880 - Peter Kiser fired his cannon, on yesterday morning, if it was Sunday.

   Article from Feb 23, 1880 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) Peter kiser, 1880

   1880 - Peter Kiser fired his cannon, on yesterday morning, if it was Sunday. The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Monday, February 23, 1880, Page 4.

   Peter Kiser fired his cannon, on yesterday morning, if it was Sunday.

6. 1884 - Peter Kiser - Applies for a Divorce After Forty-two Years of Wedlock

   Article from May 28, 1884 Fort Wayne Daily News (Fort Wayne, Indiana) Peter kiser, 1884

   1884 - Peter Kiser - Applies for a Divorce After Forty-two Years of Wedlock Fort Wayne Daily News, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Wednesday, May 28, 1884, Page 1 .

   PETER KISER

   Applies for a Divorce After Fortytwo Years of Wedlock.

   This morning Hon. Peter Kiser, known to every man, woman and child in Allen county, surprised his friends by applying for a divorce from his wife, Rebecca Kiser, whom he married in 1842, and who is the mother of his grown-up family of six sons.

   The attorneys for Mr. Kiser are Hon. Franklin P. Randall and Messrs. Sinclair & Hanna. The complaint is drawn by Judge Sinclair. Its main charges are cruel treatment, and instances are cited by way of proof that it in said the sons will testify to. It is claimed that Mrs Kiser has made his home an inhospitable one; for the past eight or nine years the old couple have quarrelled, and for the last two years Mr. Kiser has never been inside his own house, but has lived instead at his Calboun street store, sleeping on a cot and eating his meals in various places, but chiefly in the store.

   Three weeks ago, at his suggestion, Mr. Randall drew up deeds making an equitable division of all of his property among his family. To his wife was willed the residence, corner of Wayne and Webster streets, and to the sons were deeded all of his other property, valued at $25,000, reserving only for himself a single lot in Rockhill's addition. But his wife and sons refused to accept the deeds, and Mrs. Kiser refused to sign any of the conveyances. Not being able to dispose of his proporty as he saw fit, he now seeks legal separation from his wife, and will thereafter divide his estate, less whatever dower the court may award the defendant.

   Few people in Indiana or elsewhere are as well known for their eccentricities as Peter Kiser. His "scrap book' has been the talk of two generations. His age is 78. He is one of the pioneer settlers of Fort Wayne, and holds the oldest tax-receipt in the city. He aplies for a divorce at the mature age of 78.

7. 1890 - Death of Peter Kiser - Oldest Pioneer Citizen Fort Wayne Drops Dead 1:30 O'clock To-day

   Article from Oct 4, 1890 The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1890, Peter kizer

   1890 - Death of Peter Kiser - Oldest Pioneer Citizen Fort Wayne Drops Dead 1:30 O'clock To-day The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saturday, October 4, 1890, Page 1.

   DEATH OF PETER KISER.

   The Oldest Pioneer Citizen of Fort Wayne Drops Dead at 1:30 O'clock To-day.

   The venerable Peter Kiser, among the earliest settlers of Allen county, dropped dead at 1:30 o'olook this afternoon. Mr. Kiser had been living of late with the family of ex-Justice John Dolan, southwest of the city. He came to the city this morning with Mr. Dolan and while the latter attended to some business affairs, the old gentleman was left to his own desires.

   He was seen in the Fruit House about 12 o'clock and again on East Columbia street half an hour later. That was the last intelligence that can be gained of his whereabouts alive. About 1:30 o'olook a hostler for Dr. G. P. Barnum, the East Columbia stret liveryman, discovered the dead body of a man lying at the rear of the stable near the Nickel Plate railroad track.

   It was the corpse of Peter Kiser, lying in a position to indicate that the old man had sat down and being exhausted from too much exertion for his feeble condition, the heart refused longer to perform its functions and the spark of life went out.

   The remains were conveyed by Sohone & Wellman to their West Berry street undertaking rooms and later to J. C. Peltier's, on West Wayne street.

   Since Mr. Kiser's retirement from business some years ago, the infirmities of advancing age caused him to be inactive with the affairs of men.

   During the last year, and more especially during the last few months, he led a secluded life. While the inevitable end was expected to come to him soon, yet it was hoped it might come to him peacefully in the sanctity of his own family circle.

   The widow and six sons survive him as follows: Charles, Byron, Wayne and Ellis, of this city; Russell, of Nebraska, and Frank, of Muncie, Ind.

   Mr. Kiser at the time of his death was the oldest pioneer citizen in the city.

   Peter Kiser was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in August, 1805, In 1822 the family removed to Shane's Prairrie, in Mercer county, Ohio, then a frontier settlement.

   Having no schools to attend the youthful Peter engaged as hand on the flat boats, which at that time conveyed products of the northwest to New Orleans. In 1825, Mr. Kiser was employed by General Tipton, then Indian agent at Fort Wayne, to furnish the meat rations for the Indians during treaties and other councils with them, which employment was continued by other agents until 1846.

   In the early years of the emigrants, Indian mission at Niles, in the territory of Michigan, Mr. Kiser assisted in conveying provisions to that station. For several years subsequent to 1838 he was associated with Francis Comparet, and then, having work in the pork and provision business, he erected the first market house here in 1835, and was the only butcher in the town. When he slaughtered an animal they had fresh meat, and failing to do so bacon was in demand.

   Mr. Kiser was married in January, 1842, to Miss Rebecca, Snyder, of Wells county, Ind., the result of which was eight children, a11 boys. In 1844, he commenced mercantile business on Calhoun street, where he remained in business many years.

   In 1828 he became a member of Wayne lodge of Masons, and has been member ever since. He represented Allen county twice in the state legislature.

   He was a man of stric honesty and integrity; in business affairs his word was as good as his bond; at heart one of the kindest of men; his charity and benevolence at an early day will long be remembered by many poor and needy of this county, who have received food and cothing from his liberal hands and now that he has been called away, few men will be more kindly remembered than Peter Kiser.

8. 1890 - Obsequies of Peter Kiser - Arrangements for the Late Pioneer's Funeral Wayne Lodge Charge

   Article from Oct 6, 1890 The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) Peter kiser, 1890

   1890 - Obsequies of Peter Kiser - Arrangements for the Late Pioneer's Funeral Wayne Lodge Charge The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Monday, October 6, 1890, Page 2.

   OBSEQUIES OF PETER KINER.

   Arrangements for the Late Pioneer's Funeral -- Wayne Lodge Has Charge.

   Judge Edward O'Rourke has called a meeting of Wayne lodge, F. & A. M., for this evening to make arrangements for the members of that body to attend the funeral of their late fraternal brother, Peter Kiser. The deceased was for fifty-two years a member of the Masonic order, having received the blue lodge degrees in 1888, and was therefore the oldest master mason in this city.

   The funeral will take place to-morrow, (Tuesday) from the homestead, corner of Wayne and Webster street, at 2 p. m. The remains were conveyed from undertaking rooms to the house. The body rests in a plain, though rich black cloth covered casket, and on the cover is a silver plate bearing a masonic emblem and this inscription: "Peter Kiser, aged eighty years, one month and twenty-eight days."

   The deceased leaves a widow, Rebecon Kiser, aged seventy ;years, was born in Stark county, Ohio, on August 27, 1820. Eight sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kiser, namely: Benjamin Franklin, who died, August 12, 1844; Charles Sturgis, of this city; Peter M., who died May 22, 1866, Ellis W., of this city; Alexander Byron, of this city; Franois E., of Muncie, Ind., and John Russell, sheriff of Keith county, Neb., who can not come to attend the funeral.

9. 1890 - Peter Kiser's Funeral

   Article from Oct 7, 1890 The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) Peter kiser, 1890

   1890 - Peter Kiser's FuneralThe Fort Wayne News And Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Tuesday, October 7, 1890, Page 4.

   Peter Kiser's Funeral.

   The funeral of Peter Kiser took place this afternoon and was largely attended. Many persons came in from the country in wagons to see the last solemn offices performed over one who was considered one of the most loyal pioneer friends in the early days of Fort Wayne.

   Out of respect to the memory of the deceased Wayne lodge, F. & A. M., and Masons of other lodges turned out in a body to attend the funeral, and the Masonic ritual was carried out at the grave.

   The funeral service at the house was conducted by Rev. D, W. Moffat, pastor of the First Presbyterian church. The pall-bearers were all masons, as follows: G. W. Pixley, A. G. Barnett, S. Redelsheimer, John Dolan, George K. Torrence, John Seaton.

10. 1890 - Hon. Peter Kiser! - Venerable Pioneer Citizen Drops Dead Near the Old Fort

    Article from Oct 9, 1890 Fort Wayne Weekly Journal (Fort Wayne, Indiana) Peter kiser, 1890

    1890 - Hon. Peter Kiser! - Venerable Pioneer Citizen Drops Dead Near the Old FortFort Wayne Weekly Journal, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Thursday, October 9, 1890, Page 1.

    HON. PETER KISER!

    The Venerable Pioneer Citizen Drops Dead Near the Old Fort.

    He Saw a Great City Grow Up and was a Central Figure in the Stirring Events of Early Days A Remarkable Man.

     

    NEED TO CLEAN UP OCR

    Hon. Peter Kiser la dead. He has been familiar figure in Fort Wayne for sixty -five years. With no educational advantages his natural genius and adaptability gave him leading place among the men of his de a enconntered all the hardships of pioneer life, witnessed the rise and of Indian chieftains and knew Intimately all the prominent men. that lived in Fort Wayne and northern -Indiana for sixty years At an early day he engaged in the general mercantile business and held his trade until age prevented him from glving it attention, and accordingly sold out, the business finally going to Flem"Gifted with natural wit and being smooth talker, Uncle Peter, he was miliarly known, was the life of every store room talk. He formed his own ideas of affairs and never hesitated to express them. When the democrats nominated him for the legal islature be was easily elected and many good story la told of his legislative ca- In a scrap book, familiar to most. poos, ple, the old pioneer collected the curious things of life time and on public parades he was always present when his health was good. Voul after his seventieth year Mr. Kiser never tasted liquor, but the Ills chai hose to grew on him and to relieve h's sutferings he fett to using in in his closing years: He did not, of late, live happily with his wife and has made his home• with friends and relatives. Having mutated conside: able propersy he nor his family never wanted for dollar and had all of the world's goods they desired. Or late Mr. Kiser hee -been Squire.. Dolan and came to town with bim. Saturday. He in the east end and came down along Lsfavetté street towards the aid fort, the sense to him of many. pleasant days. He was very weak and was seen to rest at intervals. Reaching the Nickel Plate road be proceeded west along its tracks until he reached a point exactly jo" the rear of the French- Hanna woolen mills. He sat down on the end of a tie and soon toppled over dead. His remains were taken in charge by Sc & Wellman, and finally removed to the Peltier morgue, where they can be seen until the hour' of the funeral- -bet vet announced. Mr. Ktser was eighty yours, one month and twenty days old. him was born Chas. 8., Ents, Byron, Anthony Wayne, Francis E. and J. R. K. The body will be held until absent sons arrive, and the public can view it at Mr Peltiet's mortuary, parlors. This sketch of his life appear tor the Allen county Atlas NON. PATER KIRKR. (By Hon. F. I'. Randall. | Richard Kiser, the father of Peter Kiser, was born in Rockingham county. Va. Rebecca Mossland, Kia mother," was from Cape May. N. J. They emigrated to Montgomery county, Ohio, where they were married in the year 1800. Their Peter, was born in that county August, 1805, or in 1810, as stated by some of his relatives; -the family record. having been destroyed by fire at an early day. Richard was a soldier to the war of. 1812, and was at Detroit at the sutrender of General Holla that place. in August of that year. In 1822 the family removed to Shane's Prairie, in Mercer county, Ohio, then frontier settlement. Having no schools to attend, the youthful Peter engaged as hand op the tintbots, which At Thur* time cot the products of the north west to New Orleans. As early 1825 Mr. Kiser was employed by General Tipton, then Indian agent at fort Wayne, to furnish the meat rations for the Indians during treaties and other councils with them, which employment was continued by other ur 1846. fu thy early of the Indian Niles, in the territory of Michigan, Mr. Kiser assisted In conveying provisions to the* station. For several years. subsequent to 1838 he. -associated -with. Francis Compare: and then, having worked in the pork and provision business, he erected. one Arst market house in 1835, and was the only butcher in the town. When he slaughanimal .we had fresh meat, and failing to do so. bacon was in Mr. Kiser Was married in January, 1842, to. Rebecca Snyder, then of Wells county, lad., the result of which -was all In 1844 he comthe: place. on Calhoun street, and has not changed his location since bae became member of Wayne lodge of Masons, and has been a worthy and ac cepted member to this day Kiser a twice. represented- Allen county in the state legislature. By a close attention to business he had secured competency for himself (and family. A man of strict honesty and integrity: in business affairs his word was. good as bis bond; at heart one of the kindest of men: his charity and benevolence will be long remembered by many. of the poor and needy of the county, who have received- food and clothing from his liberal hands, and when called from us to go up higher few men will be more kindly remembered than Peter Kiser. I. 

11. He appears on page 35 in the book Valley of the Upper Maumee Riveras an attendee for the burial of Judge Archer in an early graveyard where the county jail of that time was located so his body was moved to Broadway Cemetery that was eventually mostly moved to Lindenwood Cemetery.
12. A 1906 speech by Son of Hon. Peter Kiser, Deceased was posted January 22, 2022 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook.
13. Peter Kiser Scrapbook at 200 @ 200 2016 Bicentennial items at The History Center.
14. A first generation German-American, illiterate butcher, city councilman and state legislator. His old ledger turned scrapbook is at The History Center in How a scrapbook helped an illiterate politician WANE Staff Reports published: March 5, 2016.

15. 200 @ 200: Peter Kiser's scrapbook posted March 5, 2016 by WANE 15 Newson YouTube
    The Fort Wayne History Center shared the scrapbook Kiser carried with him everywhere as evidence for his political views.

Back to top