Posted on: Biographies of Van Arsdale & Related Families Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/VanArsdaleBios/127 Surname: McClellan, Vanarsdoll ------------------------- A Twentieth Century History of Delaware County Indiana, Volume I, by Gen. Wm. H. Kemper, M.D., editor, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908, pages 341-342. Cornelius VANARSDOLL, of German ancestry, was a soldier of the war of 1812 and of the Indian campaign; was born in the year 1789, probably in Montgomery county, Ohio. He entered the army from that state. There is no doubt about his military record, as he drew a pension and received a warrant for land. He was a dispatch bearer or courier and most of this duty was performed on foot. He was in the battle of Tippecanoe and also many skirmishes with the Indians. The scene of one of his struggles with the redmen was upon ground where, afterwards, he located and entered land for the home farm. He intended coming there at the close of the war, but the lndians were so bad he had to postpone it until 1820. He cut hls Initials in a rock near the camp as a mark to guide him upon his return. The early life of this rugged old pioneer and fighter was crowded with adventures and experience of a most exciting nature. At one period of his service the Indians, used great cunning in their operations. Many sentinels were shot at a certain outpost. VANARSDOLL made the rounds at night and assisted in setting on foot a movement to stop the shooting of pickets. One of the men agreed to take the post of duty if allowed to follow hls own plans. He was put on guard at the fatal spot. In the night the sound of his gun aroused the camp and when approached it was discovered he had shot an Indian, wearing a hogskin and small bell on his neck. He once took dispatches from near Dayton to some point on the Aurglaize [sic] river. When the former camp was reached the troops were gone and only some smoldering coals marked the site of the campfire. Being completely exhausted, he dropped beside them and soon fell into a deep slumber. He became unconscious from severe cold and weariness, and was nearly dead when discovered by some comrades sent to search, who found him at the abandoned camp. He married Jane McCLELLAN, by whom he had three sons and six daughters. This brave woman had some thrilling experience in her early married life. At one time the blockhouse was surrounded and attacked by Indians. She assisted in molding bullets. Her dress and apron caught fire and were nearly burned off her. When Mr. VANARSDOLL first settled on the land chosen by him he did not have the means to pay for it, even at the paltry price of $1.25 per acre. Finally he discovered that plans were on foot to displace him. In one day he walked to Wayne county and returned with the money. A neighbor then took the money, rode a swift horse all night, reached the land office at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and made payment in time to meet the party intending to do the old hero the great wrong just as he reached the door. This land was in section thirty-one, Liberty township, and was legally entered and paid for on the 25th day of October, 1830. HIs was the first white family from 1820 to 1823, when other settlers located near them. For the rest of his life the old warrior was farmer, blacksmith and preacher. He established the first society of the Christian church in his own home and spent much time from home holding services. No pay was received for this and none was expected. Wild game, honey, nuts and ginseng were abundant. Mr. Cornelius VANARSDOLL, a son of the soldier and subject of this sketch, was born in 1822. There were no whites here then. He was dressed the first time by Indian Sally, who saId, "My pappoose." The venerable patriot and pioneer preacher followed his calling for about forty years. He died April 24, 1868; aged seventy-nine years and two day. His wife survived until February 12, 1885, when she passed away at the age of ninety-six years, one month and eighteen days. They were both buried in Mount Tabor cemetery. Link: Daughter Martha (Van Arsdoll) Ribble URL: <http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/VanArsdaleBios/89>