Peter Shaddle was born in New York City in 1799. Shaddle is probably German (Shaddle or Shadel) or Dutch (Van Schadel) as suggested by Bill Shaddle. On his site, www.shaddle.com, he states "A geneological record written up by one of my Dad's cousins, Ruth Robinson states that he (or his father) emigrated from Holland, and Americanized his name from "van Schoedel" or "van Schadel" to "Shaddle."(1)

From the Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University - Shadle: Americanized spelling of the German word Schadel. Schadel: South German (Schädel): nickname for someone with some peculiarity of the head, from Middle High German schedel ‘skull’.

He married Eleanor Cadmus March 8, 1821 in Bloomfield, New Jersey. She was born April 5, 1803 in Bloomfield, New Jersey, the daughter of Henry Cadmus and Letitia (or Letty) Keen. Peter and Helen lived in New Jersey and New York until they came west to Illinois. She used Eleanor in New Jersey and used Helen in all the records in Illinois after 1840.I have found a few Shaddles living in New York City from the 1757 - 1850s and from 1712 for Shadwell, but have found little about Peter and Eleanor Shaddle yet.

I found land records that show that Peter and Elenor Shaddle, of New York City, bought land in the township of Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey from William Holt in 1829. They sold about three acres of land off to Abraham Cadmus in 1825. It shows that the land was inherited from Elenor's father, Henry Cadmus, after his death. They also sold off the rest of their land in Essex County, New Jersey in 1835 and 1836.

The older children list New Jersey as where they were born, but I found the baptism of three of his oldest children in New York Methodist Episcopal Baptisms; Eleanor (later called Ellen) in 1822, Martha in 1824, and Peter Jr. in 1828. It could be that they were actually born in New Jersey and brought to his favorite church in New York City for baptism.

Peter came to Lake County, Illinois (north of Chicago) in the 1830's and built a log cabin.

In the booklet, Memories of Mundelein it says "First to settle in this part of the territory was Peter Shaddle, who came to Chicago from New Jersey in 1834. The following year, he came to what is now the grounds of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary and built a log cabin. A trail that went westward from the Des Plaines River went past this cabin. Later the trail was moved to the south a bit, and corduroy roads made of logs were built over the swampy lowlands. That trail is now Route 176. In 1836, Shaddle sold his claim to Soloman Norton, who moved here from New York." (2)

In the booklet History of Mundelein, page one has this paragraph; "The first settler of what is now Mundelein was Peter Shaddle who came to Chicago from new Jersey, sometime in 1834. Shaddle came to this area in 1835 and built a log cabin on his claim in the spring. To show his ownership of the land, Shaddle had to live on it for at least one year. In 1836, Shaddle sold his claim to Soloman Norton. The cabin was situated on the site of the west building of the Sheldon School, now within the grounds of the St. Mary's of the lake Seminary. The deed describes the land as being between that claimed by Elisha Clark on the west and Lewis Shank on the east." (3)

There is a street named Shaddle Ave in Mundelein, IL. It is the main street running through a subdivision, probably built in the 1960's. View the street sign here - View of Shaddle Ave.

I have found 10 children

Ellen, born May 1, 1822 and baptized Aug 11, 1822 at the Methodist Episcopal Church in New York City. She married H. Cordees, died Apr 21 1889 in Evanston, IL. She is 26 years old in 1850 Federal Census, Chicago, Cook County, IL. She is living with her parents in 1880 at Evanston, Cook, IL and listed as Ellen C. Cordees, 56 years old, born in NY. She is buried in Rosehill Cemetery, Cook County, Illinois. Her obituary from the Evanston Index of May 4, 1889 reads:

• " Mrs. Ellen C. Cordies, age 66 years, died April 21 at the Women's Hospital in Chicago. The funeral services were held at Rosehill Chapel Wednesday of last week at 2 p.m. Dr. Rigaway preached the sermon, and referred beautifully to Easter Sunday as a pleasant day to die and a pleasant day to begin to live a resurrection life beyond the tomb. Mrs. Cordies had been a resident of Evanston for a quarter of a century, and had won the sympathy of many friends in her protracted affliction. She desired to thank kindly every one. She went to the hospital for treatment, expecting to remain about two weeks, and then had all arrangements made for a comfortable home as long as she lived. Dr. Byford pronounced her trouble as of the most serious nature, and she could not rally from the shock of the surgeon's knife. Yet she lived three days, was comfortable and conscious, dictated letters, received fruit, flowers and messages from friends, and arranged for her death. She said in case of life or death she was in the Lords hands, and her prayer was, "Thy will be done." (4).

I haven't found any evidence of her having any children. A little looking around the internet, I find little on Cordees and a some on Cordies in Indiana, being a German name.

Martha, born July 25, 1824 and baptized Sept 25, 1824 at the Methodist Episcopal Church in New York City. She married Riley V. Wightman. She died Jan 10 1887 in Evanston, IL. They are both buried in Rosehill Cemetery, Cook County, IL in the Peter Shaddle family plot. (5). I found their 1860 census for Chicago, IL. view 1860 census Wightman. I found an 1870 Federal census for Evanston, IL for the family. Riley is 50, Martha is 45, son William is 25, daughter Belle is 18 and Ansie is 7. view 1870 Census Wightman. On Ancestry.com, I found a family submission of a Riley Valleir Vranken Wightman, born 1820 in Rushville, NY married to a Martha Van Shaddle.

Letty, (or maybe Letitia) born March 4 1826 in New Jersey or New York. She is not baptized at the same church her older sisters were. She married Andrew Lyon (1) and had one child I know of, James. James Lyon, age 8 born in Pennsylvania, is listed on the 1860 census with grandparents Peter and Helen Shaddle, but no mother.

Peter Jr. was born Apr 10 1828 and baptized Dec 2 1828 in the Methodist Episcopal Church records of New York City. It is reported he must have died young in New Jersey. (1)

Elizabeth, was born Nov 20, 1829 in New Jersey. She married George Reynolds (1). She is listed as Eliza on the 1850 Federal Census, Chicago. The 1860 Evanston IL Census had George W. Reynolds age 40 born in NY, a Beef Packer with his wife Elizabeth age 29 born NJ with two children, Carrie age 7 and Georgia age 7/12. View 1860 Census. I found an 1888 Chicago Voters Registration that shows a Geo. W. Reynolds as living at 282 Bissell St., born NY, lived in the state 9 years.

Henrietta Justin, born April 1, 1832 in New Jersey. She married Darius Addison Elwell. They had one child, Caroline Addis Elwell, born May 12 1857 and was always know as Kittie.

I have found that Darius Elwell was listed in the 1856 Chicago City Directory, living at 389 State St, from Ohio, in the state 2 years. In 1857, D. A. Elwell is a grocer listed in the 1857 Chicago City Directory at 400 State St. This makes a lot of sense that Darius was living in Chicago and met Henrietta there. Clark Street, where Peter Shaddle had his upholstery business, is two blocks west of State Street. Darius died Oct 5, 1858 and is buried in Port Clinton, Ohio. View headstone.

Henrietta remarried Jesse Elwell Woodford, Sr., son of Amos Woodford, born 1788 and Electa Elwell. Darius Addison Elwell had an aunt Electa Elwell (born between 1784 and 1812), so it looks like Henrietta remarried a widowed cousin of Darius. Henrietta is listed on the 1850 Federal Census in Chicago, Cook County, IL, age 18. She is remarried in the 1870 Federal Census for Kelley's Island, Erie, OH and she is listed as H.J. Woodford, age 37, with two of Jesse Elwell Woodfords' two children from a first marriage, and Kittie E(lwell) Woodford is 13. Henrietta and Jesse have 3 sons listed: Frank, Ferris and A(ddison). The 1880 Federal Census for Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA lists H.J. Woodford as head of household, age 48, with 4 sons: Frank, Ferris, Addison and Rollin. They are living next to Henrietta's brother Cornelius Shaddle, and also Henrietta's oldest daughter Cary (Kittie), age 23, and her first husband Henry Brandon age 34. Kittie and Henry Brandon have one son John, age 11/12. 1850 Census - 1860 Census - 1870 Census - 1880 Census

Charles Wesley, born April 16 1834 in Illinois. He married Mary Crowell Studley. He is listed in the 1850 Federal Census in Chicago, age 16 as Charles W. Shaddle. He is listed in the 1860 Federal Census as Charles W. Shaddle, age 25, born New Jersey. They lived in Palatine, Illinois until his death in 1922. He was probably named for the Charles Wesley that was the co-founder of Methodism and a great hymnwriter (1707-1788).

Cornelius, born Jan 1837 in Illinois was married to Mary Black. They are listed in the 1880 Federal Census, Pittsburgh, PA as: Cornelius Shaddle, age 43, born Illinois, wife Mary is 40 years old, born in Penn. The children are Helen age 17 born 1863 in Penn, and William age 13 born 1867 in Penn. Living with them is a niece, Ida J. Black, age 18, born in Penn. They live next door to H.J. (Henrietta) Woodford and next to them is Henry Brandon with wife Carrie (Caroline or Kittie Elwell), my great grandmother. View

Permellie, born July 13 1839 in Illinois and died Oct 29, 1846, aged 7 years, 3 months and 16 days. She is buried in the Peter Shaddle plot of Rosehill Cemetery.

A.M. (Ann Margaret) or Hannah was born July 26 1844 in Illinois. The 1850 Federal Census lists a male, age 6 by the name of A.M. Shaddle. Hannah Shaddle is listed on the 1860 Federal census lists a 16 year old female born in Illinois. Bill Shaddle on www.shaddle.com lists this person as Ann Margaret Shaddle and that she married a Rev. James Davidson. I found a listing on www.Rootsweb.com for Anna Margurite Shaddle married to a James McNaughton Davidson, Sr. Their son, James McNaughton, Jr. was born June 3 1871 in Washington, DC.

View the Family Group Sheet here.

By 1840, Peter had moved his family to Chicago where he had an upholstery shop making hair mattresses and paper-hanging on Clark St. between Lake and Randolph Streets, in downtown Chicago (1). current map of location

In the 1860 census, Peter and Helen lived in Northfield, Cook County, Illinois with three of their children, Ellen, Charles W., and Hannah, and two grandchildren, Caroline Elwell and James Lyon. Peter is listed as a farmer.

Peter and Helen moved to Evanston, IL in 1867 and lived there until his death in 1883 (1). His stone says "Peter Shaddle, died Feb. 1, 1883, aged 84 years." Her section of the stone reads "Helen Shaddle, died Oct 7, 1886, aged 83 years." His obituary, below, says they lived on Sherman Street and the 1883 city directory for Evanston lists: Shaddle, Helen, wid(ow) Peter, house, 512 Sherman St. I drove past it and took photo of the house. I have taken pictures of the stone in Rosehill Cemetery (between Chicago and Evanston). They are buried next to the oldest daughter, Ellen C. Cordees, died April 21, 1889, aged 66 years." The second oldest daughter Martha (died in Jan 10, 1887 at 62 years old) and her husband Riley V. Wightman, both stones have fallen and are mostly burried (info is taken from the Rosehill records). Also is the unreadable headstone for Permellie Shaddle, transcribed in the Rosehill records as died Oct 29, 1846 at 7 years, 3 months and 16 days. This the first internment record for this family plot, so I would guess the plot was purchased when this child died. (5) View stones

I found his obituary in the Evanston Index, on Sat. Feb. 3rd, 1883. View obituary image here. It reads;

"Peter Shaddle - The Index is this week called to record the death of one of the early settlers of this vicinity. On Thursday morning last, a little past 2 o'clock, Mr. Peter Shaddle breathed his last, having lived to the ripe old age of eighty-four years. "Uncle Peter," as he was familiarly called, was born in New York City in 1799. He came to Chicago in 1835, and engaged in the upholstery and paper-hanging business. When quite young he joined the Duane St. M.E. (Methodist Episcopal) Church, New York, and was connected with that denomination ever since. He removed to Evanston in 1867, and has lived quietly in this village since then. Mr. Shaddle was an honest, industrious, unobstructive man, and was well beloved by all who knew him. The funeral services will be held from his late home on Sherman Avenue, at 2 o'clock this afternoon; the remains will be taken by cars to Rose Hill."

A little more checking finds the Duane Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Manhattan, NY was organized in 1797, so some more research is needed.

I found her obituary in the Evanston Index, on Oct 16, 1886. It was obviously written by one of her friends at church and knew little of her full life. It reads:

"Mrs. Helen C. Shaddle, died, in great peace, at 4 o'clock on the morning of Oct 7, Mrs. H. C. Shaddle, aged 83 years six months and two days. It is certainly proper that a passing tribute be paid to the memory of this ancient saint, who has for many years been a resident of Evanston, and since the year 1835 a resident of Chicago and vicinity, and was well known to many of the oldest inhabitants of these places. Truly none knew her but to love and respect her, for in the midst of the adverse circumstances of her later years the Christian graces in her character seemed to shine forth more brightly as the years of her trail went on, and sorrow after sorrow came to her, and loss upon loss. She was not embittered as many are by these experiences. She walked as serenely and cheerfully, and lovingly through the vale of obscurity, and poverty of worldly circumstances and more so than she had ever walked along the smooth and sunny pathway of prosperity, recognizing the fact of her Heavenly Father's love in all her life experiences, and feeling that after all perhaps these were her best days, because of what they had shown her of her own needs and of her Father's love. We often say of people in adversity that "they have seen better days," when in regard to the highest good the present may be, and often are, their very best days.

Mother Shaddle, as she was lovingly called, had a simple and undoubting faith in the eternal truths of the gospel, and lamented that there so often came in these days an uncertain sound from the pulpit. She had ever an unshaken trust in her Savior. Her heart was earnestly in every good cause, and she was ever anxious to aid by the giving of her mite either in money or effort. Amid the stress of want and the feebleness of age, she was a cheerful Christian, loving and charitable toward all, and patient in the extreme through her long illness, always expressing gratitude for every little service rendered her and wonder at the great goodness of God in giving her so many friends and providing for all her needs, she daily felt that the promises were verified to her. She truly exemplified what grace can do to make old age beautiful and serene under adverse circumstances, and its night holy with stars. Having naturally a quick temper, she had fought hard battles with herself and come off conqueror, until at last she could peacefully give back her life to its author; having been faithful to the few things, she has been made ruler over many. A faithful wife and mother, loving and kind always at home and among neighbors, and irreproachable as a member of Christ's church here, she did what she could, and in her quiet work of tract distributor and her gentle personal appeals, she has doubtless done more good than many a one better known to the world. Her name was written in Heaven, and so the bright, peaceful old face, with its crown of silver hairs, is hidden from out sight here, but we can seem to see it up where the angels are, radiant in the joy of Heaven."

1830 Federal Census for Caldwell, Essex County, New Jersey, Peter Shaddle: One male 30-40 (Peter), one female 20-30 (Helen), one female 5-10 (Ellen), and three females under 5 (Martha, Letty, and Elizabeth). Since there are no male children, I assume that Peter Jr. died between 1828 and 1830. View

1840 Federal Census, Chicago, Cook County, IL: Peter Shaddle, one male 40-50 (Peter), one male 5-10 (Charles), one male under 5 (Cornelius), one female 30-40 (Helen), two female 15-20 (Ellen, Martha), two female 10-15 (Letty, Elizabeth), one female 5-10 (Henrietta), and one female under 5 (Ann/Hanna). View

1850 Federal Census, 3rd Ward, Chicago, IL has Peter Shadle, Mrs. Shadle, Ellen, Eliza, Charles W., Cornelius, Henrietta, A.M., missing since the 1840 census is Letty. View

1860 Federal Census, Town of Northfield, Cook County, IL has Peter Shaddle (61, farmer), Helen (57), Helen (38), Charles W. (25), Hannah (16), James Lyon (8), Caroline Elwell (2), Fredrick Russell (19, f. laborer). View . In 1860, Martha and R. V. Wightman are living in Cook County, Illinois. View

1870 Federal Census, have not found Peter and Helen. I did find Henrietta in 1870 remarried as H.J. Woodford in Pittsburgh, PA. View

1880 Federal Census, Village of Evanston, Lake County, IL has Peter Shaddle (81), Helen C., Ellen C. Cordees. View

Other evidence of early Shaddle:

Ancestry.com has 5 Shaddle families listed for 1840; Cornelius, Henry and Jno, all of New York City; Thomas of Newburg, Orange Co., NY; and Peter in Chicago, IL.

In 1880, there are Shaddle listed in Algona, Kossuth Co., Iowa (how curious, my hometown) and Sheridan, Poweshiek Co., Iowa; Peter is in Evanston, IL and his son Charles Wesley is in Palantine, Cook Co., IL; Cornelius and his wife Mary are in Plainfield, Union Co., NJ.

By 1920, there are Shaddle families in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Iowa, Colorado and California

Sources

1. www.shaddle.com

2. Memories of Mundelein, p 7, published for the 75th anniversary of Mundelein, 1909-1984. Fremont Public Library in Mundelein, IL.

3. History of Mundelein, page 1, Fremont Public Library in Mundelein, IL.

4. Evanston Index, Evanston, Cook County, Illinois, Evanston Public Library.

5. Rosehill Cemetery Records, Cook County, Illinois of Peter Shaddle plot, Section H, Lot 23, no. 6 & 7.