Reuben Shindoller
Reuben Shindollar, whose handsome modern home stands within its neat iron fence and surrounded by a beautiful lawn, on a valuable piece of property just outside the corporation limits of Spencerville, where Mr. Shindoller owns a 20 acre farm. in section 11, Spencer township, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, May 25, 1839. His parents were Michael and Frederika (Yager) Shindoller.
The parents of Mr. Shindoller were quiet, farming people in Delaware County. The father died in 1846, leaving his widow to rear as best she could a family of 10 children. Her duty was nobly performed, and the seven who still survive unite in recalling her many virtues and the sacrifices she was willing to make in order to rear them to useful lives. She passed away on October 20, 1878. Our subject and seven of his brothers served in the army during the Civil War. Henry was a member of Company E, 66th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.; John, late a resident of Delaware, Ohio, was a member of the 83rd Regiment, Illinois Vol. Inf., and died January 13, 1906; Louis was a member of Company E, 66th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.; William was a member of Company H, Fourth Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf.; and Samuel was a member of the 171st, Regiment Ohio Vol. Inf. One sister, Mrs. Loren Miller, of Delaware, Ohio, still survives.
There are easier things in life than to be left fatherless at the age of 10 years and, with this, to be almost entirely dependent for life and fortune upon one's own efforts. This was the situation which faced our subject. Necessarily his education was a limited one, but he grew to young manhood strong and stalwart, a trained farmer. The opening of the Civil War turned the attention of our subject and his brothers from the peaceful pursuits which had hitherto claimed their energies. On May 25, 1861, Mr. Shindoller enlisted at Peoria, Illinois, as a provate in the 17th Regiment, Illinois Vol. Inf., anf bravely, cheerfully and honorably served until May 25, 1866. He was attached to the 17th Army Corps, Army of Mississippi, a part of the great force which did much of the strenuous fighting of the war. Mr. Shindoller participated in the battles of Fredericktown, (Maryland), Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg and Mobile, and in the miles of weary marching and counter- marching, skirmishing and guard duty which made up a soldier's life.
After his return from the army, in the spring of 1868, Mr. Shindoller moved to Auglaize County, where he secured 77 acres of Woodland on the old Ridge road, near the Allen County line. This land he cleared and engaged in farming until he removed, in 1891, to Spencer township. As mentioned above, he occupies a handsome home which he erected here. The substantial barn was already a feature, but the comfortable home was made after Mr. Shindoller's own ideas and is modern throughout. It attracts favorable notice, with its air of comfort and well kept-lawn.
In 1864 Mr. Shindoller was united in marriage with Catherine Webb. Although they have no children of their own, they have generously reared a boy and girl, the latter still being an inmate of their household. The former, William Webb, resides in Spencerville. Mr. and Mrs. Shindoller are members of the Christian Church, in which he is a trustee. He is a member of and takes much interest in Fair Post, No. 322, G. A. R., of Spencerville.