I'm looking for someone with knowledge of the early canals and associated business in
the Fort Wayne area.
I have a ggg grandfather, Alexander Hamilton BARTHOLD (b. 1798 in Easton, PA, d. 1866,
Fort Wayne), who moved to Fort Wayne from Easton in 1836 aboard his canal boat. So says
the family history. I think this is physically possible via the Erie Canal, which
opened in the mid 1820's. Alexander was accompanied on the trip by his wife Hannah
KILL
PATRICK, and Iroquois Indian (b.1801 New Jersey, d. 1849, Fort Wayne). Their tombstone
indicates that they were "canal boat builders." A street in Fort Wayne is names
Barthold St.
I suspect that they may have had some visibility in the early community, but haven't
been able to find sources regarding canal-related businesses or canal transport to
investigate that assumption. Can anyone help me learn more about these people or their
business?
Don McKay