The following story came to my attention recently from Gerald Klingaman of Fayetteville, Arkansas. He is a descendent of Jacob Klingaman through Jacob's son, John born in 1802. The J. F. Klingaman who told the story to the newspaper is most likely Jesse Franklin Klingaman, son of John Klingaman Jr. born in 1835. Jesse was a great grandson of Jacob. Lois Eggers *See notes below

Taken from the Middlebury, Indiana Newspaper,Thursday, June 18, 1936 Middlebury Centennial "J. F. Klingaman, in an interview yesterday told of the capture of his great grandfather, Jacob Klingaman, by Indians in Pennsylvania in the year 1782. He was eight years old at the time, and was taken by the tribe into the territory of Ohio, where he was held until he escaped when twenty one years old. In giving account of the occurrence to his children, Jacob Klingaman said he was well treated, and was given special food, as the Indians believed he could not subsist on the rough fare to which they were accustomed. For several years he was given a sleeping place in a tent, surrounded by Indian boys, to prevent his escape. During his twenty first year of age, in the autumn, he was given a position with another Indian boy at a distance from other members of the tribe during a deer hunt. Early in the afternoon his companion fell asleep and Klingaman undertook to make his escape. He traveled rapidly during the afternoon and night, and before daybreak the following morning reached a small stream. He waded some distance to cover his trail and came upon a small cave in which he remained for three days. The Indians could be heard during that time, traversing the locality with their dogs, in an attempt to recapture him. At the end of that time he ventured on his way, and the following day, reached the cabin of a settler. Here he rested and obtained food and found that he was still in Ohio territory. Two weeks later he arrived at his parents home. By daily practice he had succeeded in retaining command of the Dutch language during his thirteen year captivity. What punishment was given his sleeping companion for permitting his escape was never learned. One son of Jacob Klingaman, John resided near Cass Lake, taking up a claim in that locale in 1842. He was one of eight sons of Jacob, and these boys built the first street at Barker Street (Middlebury). John Klingaman, grandfather to J. F. Klingaman and great grandfather of Mrs. George Carson, resided on the Cass Lake farm four years before filing a claim to the land. It came to his attention that a neighbor, knowing of his failure to file, had planned to do so, and John started for Goshen on foot to circumvent the neighbor. On arriving there he learned the land office had been transferred to Fort Wayne, so he set out on foot for that town. In the meantime, the neighbor had learned of Klingaman's plans, and at once started for Fort Wayne with a team and buckboard. As Klingaman was leaving after having filed his claim, he met the neighbor entering the office."

*(note 1) The Dutch language referred to in the story is actually German that most of the families still retained for a generation or two after arriving in America.

*(note 2) So far 12 children of Jacob Klingaman have been identified and six of them are sons which include Jacob, John, David, William, Solomon and Daniel.

 

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