Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



Allyn S. Deeter

The record of an honorable, upright life is always read with interest, and it better perpetuates the name and fame of the subject than does a monument, seen by few and soon crumbling into dust beneath the relentless hand of time. Those who have fought and suffered for the state and country in which their lot is cast are especially deserving of an honored place in all its annals, and their posterity will turn with just pride to these records of the founders and preservers of a prosperous, united nation.

Born in Miami county, Ohio, September 11, 1843, Allyn S. Deeter, of Jefferson township, Wayne county, is a son of John and Mary Deeter. The father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, accompanied his parents to Ohio when he was about five years of age, and there grew to manhood. He died on Christmas day, 1893, in Delaware county, Indiana, having survived our subject's mother some forty-five years.

The most important event in the life of our subject prior to the nineteenth anniversary of his birth occurred when, on the 4th of August, 1862, he enlisted, at Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States Navy. He was assigned to the gunboat Tyler, under Commodore Porter, and in the following November took part in the siege of Haines' Bluff, on the Yazoo river. The gunboat, which did effective service at many important points along the Mississippi river and tributaries, was one of the Union fleet to whose timely appearance our army was indebted on many an occasion to preservation from almost certain destruction by the superior forces of the enemy. In the great siege of Vicksburg the Tyler took an active part and shares in the honor of victory, and at the siege of Helena, Arkansas, she was called upon and nobly did her part in securing the important triumph there of the federal forces, who might have been worsted without the aid of the gunboats, as the Confederate army, under General Price, largely outnumbered them. In honor of the victory which they had been so largely instrumental in gaining, all on board the Tyler were allowed to land and spend a few hours on shore, this being regarded as a great event, as only once before, in the almost twelve months of their service on the gunboat, had the men been permitted to leave its narrow limits. Their term of service having nearly expired, the Tyler was then ordered to Cairo, where Mr. Deeter and his comrades were received on the ship Clara Dolsen and mustered out August 9, 1863. The fleet which maneuvered on the Mississippi encountered many dangers peculiarly local, for it is a well known fact that the channel of the mighty "father of waters" is continually changing, and the most experienced pilots are liable, at the most inopportune moment, perhaps at a time when a gunboat is in hot pursuit, to run his craft upon a recently formed sand-bar, or ground her upon sunken logs and driftwood, which were not there a week before. In the midst of the enemies' country, with hostile gunboats and forts at near range, and sharpshooters ready to pick off any men on the decks, it may be clearly seen that our inland fleet had an unusually difficult place to fill, but its importance cannot be overestimated.

Prior to his enlistment in the service of the Union Mr. Deeter had commenced learning the trade of a miller, and after his return home he continued along this line. June 6, 1864, he came to Jefferson township, Wayne county, and for thirty years was interested in the operation of what was formerly known as the Protection mill, which was built and owned by Daniel Teeter. For years Mr. Teeter was employed to manage the mill, but finally became a partner in the enterprise, and now resides upon the old homestead which was the property of his wife's father. In his political views he is a stanch Republican.

On the 29th of July, 1864, Allyn S. Deeter married Christina, eldest daughter of Daniel Teeter. They have four living children, namely: Cora Lee, Clara May, Sarah Catherine and Raymond Allyn. Laura Ellen died when in her twelfth year; Addison Tennel died aged five months; Daniel Clinton, when seven months old; and another infant son and daughter died before receiving names. The family are identified with the German Baptist church, and are held in high regard by a large circle of friends and neighbors.

Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899