Name/Title
Covered Wagon BowsDescription
Set of 4 wooden wagon bows. A complete set from the original wagon. Believed to be made of White Oak wood.Use
Part of the covered wagon driven by Jacob and Mariah Rodeheffer to Shelby County in 1837. Would be used to hold the canvas "cover" of the covered wagon.Context
David Rothenheffer (name becomes Rodeheffer) emigrated from lower Palatine (Germany) to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania aboard the passenger ship, "Francis and Elizabeth" from Rotterdam arriving on September 21, 1742. He died in 1773 at his home near Woodstock in Shenandoah County, Virginia (now West Virginia). His son, Samuel is one of the children named in his will. This Samuel was the father of the Samuel who purchased the Shelby County land.
Samuel Rodeheffer (1787-1856) and his wife, Barbara (Ruby) migrated to Montgomery County, Ohio (near Dayton). They had eight children, including Jacob. Jacob was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia. Samuel Rodeheffer purchased the quarter ("167 acres and 79 one hundredths of an acre\") of land in Northwest Washington Township on September 30, 1835, site unseen. The Izor family also lived in Montgomery County, Ohio.
Jacob (Oct. 16, 1810-March 13, 1844) married Mariah Izor (Oct 8 1820-August 23, 1890) on Dec. 19, 1835. Jacob and Mariah travelled to Shelby County in a covered wagon in 1837. They lived in the covered wagon while building a log cabin. After arriving in Shelby County, Jacob paid his father, Samuel, the sum of $209.11 for the purchase of that parcel as recorded on September 8, 1837 in Shelby County record #G, page 549, Shelby County Court House. When Jacob arrived that autumn, the land had to be cleared and buildings had to be built to establish a farm.
Jacob died at age 33, seven years after arriving in Shelby County. His death was thought to be from appendicitis. Of note, Jacob is buried in the family plot on his land. His grave is in an area 7'x13' that is surrounded by a wrought iron fence. The grave can be seen from 600 South looking south on Washington Road which is one road west of Columbus Pike. It is believed that there is at least one infant buried in the "Rodeheffer Cemetery" with him.
Mariah remarried Shelby Stafford later in the year of 1844. They lived in a house still standing and occupied near what is now South State Road 9 and Progress Parkway. Mariah and Shelby did not have any children together. The Rodeheffer Washington Township land remained in Mariah's possession. It later become the property of daughter, Elizabeth, and husband, John Jackson. John and Elizabeth lived on the farm then their son Ezekiel and his wife, Eliza; then their son, Oral and his wife, Mae. Oral and Mae reared their daughter, Virginia Jackson, on the farm. She married Carl Craig. Carl and Virginia were our parents. Our family lived in the town of Shelbyville. The farm whose original "building" was a covered wagon was awarded the Hoosier Homestead Award on April 21, 1992.
Written by Daniel Craig and Carla Craig Black, 2026Collection
Carla BlackAcquisition
Accession
2026.088Source or Donor
Carla Black, Daniel CraigAcquisition Method
DonationDimensions
Depth
1-3/4 inDepth
1-3/4 inCreate Date
May 1, 2026Update Date
May 7, 2026
