Michael Shiff
Michael Shiff, a native of Baden, Germany, was born April 23, 1799. He married Miss Mary Magdalene Ludrick, a native of Germany, born January 15, 1797. Mr. and Mrs. Shiff settled in their native county, remained until June 5, 1844, when they, with six children, viz., John M., Magdalene, Salamy, Jacob, Christian, and Barbara, in company with Mr. Shiff’s parents, Philip J. and Catharine Salamy Shiff, George Fogt and wife, with six children, Michael Harmon and wife, with six children, Michael Stengle, Jacob Pfaadt and wife, with two children, and Jacob Allermoot, comprised the party who, on the 5th day of June, 1844, left their native country for America. For three weeks they travelled in a wagon drawn by four horses, at the end of which time they reached Havre, thence they sailed on the vessel Albany, and, after being on the water forty days, they landed in New York City, where they remained two days, when they continued their journey to Albany, from Albany to Buffalo on a canal boat, from Buffalo to Cleveland on a steamer on Lake Erie, and thence to Winchester, Ohio, on a canal boat, where the different families separated. Mr. Fogt with his family and Mr. Harmon and family came on to Shelby County. Mr. Fogt settled in Franklin Township and Mr. Harmon settled in Clinton Township. Mr. Michael Shiff, with his family, all except his son, Philip Jacob, who remained in New York City, and Philip J. and Catharine S. Shiff remained in the neighborhood of Winchester three weeks, or until in the latter part of August, 1844, when they came to Shelby County and settled in Franklin Township, where they lived fourteen years, or until in 1858, when they sold their farm on section 12, and moved on the farm in section 11, same township, now owned and occupied by their son. John M. Shiff, where they passed the remainder of their days. Mrs. Catharine S. Shiff, wife of Philip J. Shiff. died at the residence of their son, Michael Shiff, in Franklin Township, on the 5th day of September, 1851, aged 71 years 3 months and 26 days. Philip J. Shiff died October 17, 1858, aged 85 years 5 months and 17 days. Mary Magdalene Shiff, wife of Michael Shiff, died May 3, 1858. Michael Shiff died September 2, 1839. They were members of the German Lutheran Church, and were buried in the burying ground belonging to that church, located two miles south of Anna, on the Sidney and Wapakoneta Pike.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883