Related Web Page: Eiklor Genealogy, by Carol A. Haagensen.

Related Research:282 In the process of researching her ancestor Frederick Agler, the late noted genealogist Mary Keysor Meyer published "The Eckler Family of Maryland and Kentucky" in Kentucky Genealogist detailing Ulrich or Ulli Eggler, the immigrant ancestor of an unrelated family. While this may prove helpful to those researching the Ulrich Eggler line, Meyer came up empty handed in her research into the origins of Frederick Agler.

Family Remembrance:1865 "We have found several of the Agler grave stones in Riverside Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio (George, Hannah, Frederick, and Margaret). All four of these stones have poems in script on them. Most are four lines by George Agler’s is twelve line. We are trying to decipher them."

Biographical Sketch (1880):70, p. [484]. "Frederick Agler was another of the early pioneers. He, like Read, settled on Alum Creek, but about three miles farther north. He bought a large amount of land, made many improvements, and remained in the township until his death in 1824. Margaret, his wife, also died at an early date. They raised quite a large family of children, of whom Samuel, Louis, Elizabeth (Mrs. Peter Horlocker), and Margaret (Mrs. James Park), are residents of the township. The Aglers came as early as 1806 or 1807."

Biographical Sketch (1972):623 "Frederick Agler was probably born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania where he resided in 1797. He migrated to Ohio in 1806, settling in Mifflin Township, Franklin County, Ohio, where he died on December 9, 1824."

Biographical Sketch (1985):69, p. 71-76. "Frederick Agler was one of the first settlers in Mifflin Township, Franklin County, Ohio. He arrived there in 1799.74, p. 78. As stated previously, we do not know where he lived prior to his arrival in Ohio. Evidently he had money, for shortly after his arrival he purchased 908 acres of land along Alum Creek. One descendant has stated that he purchased this land in 1808 at the rate of $2.00 per acre.

The land which Frederick Agler purchased was in the United States Military Lands, Range 17, Township 1, Section 2. His land was part of 4,000 acres which John Coates registered on 19 February 1800. Coates obtained the land with warrants issued to ten different veterans of the Revolutionary War. Four of these ten were named ‘John Coates,’ but each one held a different military rank. John Coates received a patent of the land on 12 March 1800. There is no record of John Coates in the history of Franklin County, so it is probable that he never lived there.710, v. 2, p. 209 (Coates patent, 4000 acres)

That Agler bought good farm land seems to be born out by this quotation:

‘The land in this township is level, or slightly undulating, except along the two principal streams--Alum and Walnut creeks, which flow through its territory from north to south, the former in the western, and the latter in the eastern part. The beds of these streams are quite deeply sunken, and in many places they have precipitous banks of a shaly slate formation. Along Alum Creek, the greatest unevenness is exhibited. The bottom lands of this stream and the Big Walnut, contain the richest soil in the township. The uplands are also fertile, and produce fine wheat, being composed of what is generally known as ‘yellow oak soil’, which originally bore a heavy forest, in which that variety of timber prevailed.'70, p. [484].

Although we do not know why Frederick Agler came or from where he came, we can assume that he was part of that movement of people to move westward for land. One author has explained the movement thus:

‘There was a great movement about that time by the enterprising people and by the restless roving class to go west . . . and take up lands in the fertile forest lands. The farmers, the home builders, were satisfied with the conditions. Those who loved to hunt and fish found this a place of delight. Men of other ambitions, business dealers, sought this as a place for business. The shrewd politicians located here and came even as early as 1798 and 1800. There was a strife for leadership.'249, p. 49.

The article quoted above listed several of the early men who came to Franklin County and Frederick Agler’s name was one. Which classification he was, if not all classifications, we can only conjecture. He farmed, he was successful in what he undertook, and he was a Justice of the Peace in 1811. Whether he like to hunt and fish, I do not know.

The house pictured at the right is the one which Frederick Agler built. It is still standing on Sunbury Road in Franklin County. It is being restored by Mr. LaFollette who purchased the house recently. Louise and I were privileged to have a personal tour of the home in October 1983. Mr. LaFollette has applied to have the house placed on the National Historic Register. The Statement of Significance submitted by Mr. LaFollette was as follows:

The Agler-LaFollette House is an excellent example of rural Federal architecture in Franklin County. It was built ca. 1824 by Frederick Agler, a prominent early settler in Mifflin Township.

Settlement along Alum Creek began as early as 1800 and Frederick Agler moved his family to this area in 1806. When the township was established in 1811, Mr. Agler was elected the first Justice of the Peace. It is believed that the Agler-LaFollette House was under construction at the time of his death in 1824.

At the time it was built the Agler-LaFollette House was undoubtedly one of the finest in the area. Although presenting a simple, restrained appearance, the proportions and attention to details such as the frieze, entrance and interior woodwork indicate work of accomplished craftsmen.

During the nineteenth century, the Agler family continued to accumulate land in the area. The house remained in the Agler family until recently. During the past several years the house has suffered from neglect. It was recently purchased by a person who intends to restore and preserve it.

The Description sent in the with application read:

The Agler-LaFollette House, located in Mifflin Township, was constructed during the 1820’s in the Federal style. It is constructed in brick on a stone foundation with a composition gable roof. The house is basically rectangular in plan, measuring 5 by 2 bays and rises 2 stories in height. A 1 story brick wing with frame addition is located to the rear of the house. Brick chimneys are located at the north and south ends of the house and the west wall of the wing.

The symmetrical 5 bay facade possesses some notable features such as the Flemish bond brick, fanlight entrance, the jackarches above the windows and the decorated frieze. The entrance which is located in the central bay, has the original six panel door and semi-elliptical fanlight. A rosette decorated frieze separates the door from the fanlight. The original multi-paned windows have been replaced with 1 over 1 sashes throughout. Simple architraves surround the door and windows. Although the cornice is quite simple, the frieze is embellished with triglyphs and rosettes.

The north, south, and west elevations are rather simple consisting of brick laid in 5 course American bond with 1 over 1 windows and jackarches. A one story brick wing with gable roof is located perpendicular to main block of the house. It appears to be original. A porch is located on the south side of the wing. Two small frame additions were built later.

The interior woodwork of the Agler-LaFollette House is very fine and intact. A variety of architectural details such as swags, rosettes, fans and fluting decorate the window and door architraves and mantels. The woodwork is composed mainly of cherry, walnut and butternut, frequently used in combination.

The Agler-LaFollette House is situated close to the road with no landscaping. New construction in the area is changing the once rural environment.

At the age of fifty-five Frederick Agler died on 25 November 1824. He is buried in the Riverside Cemetery. His cemetery lot is described as ‘12 feet of south half Lot 4, Sec. 14, Sub-Division 1.' This lot is just south of the gateway into the cemetery. On the lot where he is buried are two small brown stones, one for him and one for his wife, Margaret. Although they are weather-beaten, they can still be read with difficulty. Their son, Samuel, who was a bachelor erected a large monument on a different lot. Inscriptions for Frederick and Margaret are also on this large stone.

In Order Book 3, Franklin County, is the statement dated 7 December 1824 that Frederick Agler died intestate and letters of administration were issued to Margaret Agler, his wife, and John Agler, his oldest son. They acknowledged a bond with Peter Putnam and Samuel Baughman as their securities. The bond was for one thousand five hundred dollars.715

On 4 September 1827 in Order Book 5, John and Margaret Agler filed the accounts for settlement of the estate. Both of these Order books are on file in the Franklin County Genealogical Society Library in Columbus, Ohio.

However, I discovered in a Chancery Book of Franklin County that Margaret had gone to the Court of Common Pleas to get an order from that Court allowing her dower right of one-third of the property. This was necessary since Frederick had died intestate. In the document prepared after the April 1827 term of the Court of Common Pleas, the children of the Aglers and the spouses of the daughters were named as defendants.

They were listed as: Peter Putnam and Susan his wife, late Susan Eagler; Henry Baughman and Mary his wife, late Mary Eagler; Henry Zinn and Sarah his wife, late Catherine Eagler; John Eagler and Peter Eagler all of age; Samuel Eagler, William Eager, Peggy Eagler, Luke Eagler, Frederick Eagler, and Betsey Eagler infants under the age of twenty one years, his children and legal heirs.

Note that the Clerk of Court spelled the name ‘Eagler’ and that the name, Baughman, was misspelled. From this document it is possible to know which children were over twenty-one and which children were still under twenty-one.

Although the petition quoted above was filed for April 1827 term of Court, it was revealed in the petition that in December of 1826 all of the children had agreed that Margaret should have her dower rights. Evidently they suit was a friendly suit to satisfy the law. I thought it remarkable that all twelve children agreed to let their mother have one-third of the property. It would be sixteen more years before she would die and they would inherit her share."

1792 Deed of Sale:882 From Frederick Agler of Buffalo Township, Northumberland County, for his quarter interest in his father’s (Jacob Agler, dec.) estate to his brother Jacob Agler of Heidelberg Township, Dauphin County: Deed Roll, Frederick Agler to Jacob Agler. "Know all men by these presents that I, Frederick Agler of Buffalo Township, Northumberland County, farmer, for and in consideration of the sum of Four Pounds, Ten Shillings lawful money of Pennsylvania to me in hand paid by my Brother Jacob Agler of Heidelberg Township, Dauphin County, yeoman, at and before the Sealing and Delivery hereof the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, and assign unto the said Jacob Agler and to his heirs and assigns all that my share or fourth part of and to a certain house and lott of ground, situate in Bethel Township in the County of Dauphin and in the Town or Village known by the name of "Stumps Town" bounded by land of John Camppel and others, which said house and lott of ground was left to us by our Father Jacob Agler, now dec. together with all and singular the appurtenances whatsoever unto my said fourth part belonging or in any wise appertaining to have and to hold the said fourth part of and in the aforesaid house and lott of ground unto the said Jacob Agler to his heirs and assigns to his and their only proper use and behold of forever subject of the payment of the proportional part of the yearly ground rent due and hereafter to become due thereon. In Witness whereof the said Frederick Agler has hereunto set my hand and seal, this Seventh day of April Anno Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Two."

1799 Resident of Mifflin:74, p. 78. Frederick Agler listed as a settler of Mifflin Township in 1799 on the marble tablets in the walls of the memorial room of the Franklin County, Ohio, Soldiers', Sailors', and Pioneers Memorial Building in Columbus Ohio.

1799/1800 Neighbors:50, p. 3. "Next, after the settlement at Franklinton, was a few families on Darby, near where Mr. Sullivant laid out his town of North Liberty, and a scattering settlement along Alum Creek. This was probably about the summer of 1799. Among the first settlers on Alum Creek, were Mssrs. Turner, Nelson, Hamilton, Agler and Reed."

1799/1800 Neighbors:50, p. 226. "The first settlement of what is now Mifflin Township was commenced about the year 1799 or 1800, by emigrants from Pennsylvania. Amongst the first settlers, were William Read, afterward Judge Read), William Simmons, Frederick Agler, George Baughman, Daniel Turney, Matthias Ridenour, then Ebenezer Butler, and others."

1799/1800 Neighbors:48, v. 1, p. 508. "The first settler in Mifflin is believed to have been William Read, who arrived on the ground in the last year of the eighteenth century. He was quite prominent, being a member of the Legislature and afterward a judge of the Common Pleas court. Ebenezer Dean followed him and soon built a mill. He and his family took up a thousand acres in the western part of the township. It is told that on this land there stood a sycamore tree so large that, after it was cut down, a horse and rider passed through the hollow trunk. Other early settlers were Frederick Agler, Daniel Turney, George Baughman . . ."

1799/1800 Neighbors:45, p. 18. "The territory which now comprises Mifflin township was first settled about 1799 or 1800, by emigrants from Pennsylvania. William Read is believed to have been the first settler, but among the other early pioneers were Frederick Agler, Daniel and John Turney, George Baughman . . ."

1810 Tax List, Sharon Township, Franklin County, Ohio:1396 Frederick Agler listed on the 1810 tax list for Sharon Township, Franklin County, Ohio.

1807/08 Barn Raising:70, p. 413. Frederick Agler, and son John, from Mifflin Township attended raising of first barn in Plain Township, owned by George Baughman.

1811 Justice of the Peace:50, p. 228. Frederick Agler and John Scott, elected Justice of the Peace.

1815 Township Elections:70, p. [484]. "[Mifflin] Township was organized and established within its present limits in 1811, previous to that time having been in common with Blendon and Jefferson, attached for civil and judicial purposes to Plain. The first justices of the peace were Frederick Agler and John Scott. In 1815 John Scott was re-elected, and Stephen Harris was chosen in Agler's place.

The first fall election of officers shown by the records is that which occurred in 1815. At that time the election was held at Frederick Agler's house; William Read, John Turney, and Agler acting as judged, and James Shannon and Henry Hawken as clerks. Following is the full list of officers elected: William Read, John Turney, and James Price, trustees; Geo. Baughman and Asa Roberson, supervisors; Hugh Price and Asa Roberson, constables; James Shannon and Jacob Isenheart, overseers of the poor; John Agler and Geo. Ridenour, fence viewers; Henry Hawken, clerk; Stephen Harris, treasurer; James Shannon, lister; Stephen Harris, house appraiser."

1823 Estate Appraiser:45, p. 182. Frederick and John Agler named as appraisers of the estate of John Turney.

1824 Will:72, p .1. "Will of Frederick Agler, Dec’d. No. 0504, 9 Dec 1824. Mifflin Twp. Adm.; widow Margaret. Wits: John Agler, Peter Putnam, Samuel Baughman. Complete record, vol. 29, p. 203, dated 9 Feb. 1825, names children: Samuel, John, Lewis, Elizabeth, Margaret, Frederick Jr., Catherine, Mary, Susan, William, and Peter Agler."

1824 Tombstone:69, p. 71.,1876 Riverside Cemetery, Mifflin Township, Franklin County, Ohio.
Frederick Agler
Why lovely friend indulge that tear;
Why trembling view my dark above.
Though you with me must moulder here,
Yet Faith can wing the soul to God.

1826 Children’s Guardianship Petition:72, p. 1.,45, p. 192. "On April 15, 1826, Wm. Shaw, Arthur O’Hara, and Frances G. Olmstead were chosen to be guardians of William Agler, age 20 years; Margaret Agler, age 18 years; Lewis Agler, age 15 years; Elizabeth Agler, age 12 years; and Frederick Agler, Jr., age 8 years."