USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 24
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Mr. Clump was married in 1862 to Miss Mary Ruff, a daughter of Gotlieb Ruff, of Fairfield county, and seven children were born of their union : Amelia J., who resides at home: Edward, a farmer of Illinois ; Ben- jamin G., who is engaged in farming near the old home farm, adjoining his father's; Emanuel D., who assists his father in the management of the homestead; Clara C., who acts as her father's housekeeper; and
Reuben W., who is also at home. The wife and mother died on the 10th of August, 1898, in the faith of the Lutheran church, of which she had long been a consistent member. Mr. Clump is also identified with the same denomination and his life has ever been true to its teachings and its principles. Industry and integrity have ever been salient characteristics in his business career, and as the years have passed he has gained a com- fortable competence, which now supplies him with all the necessaries and many of the luxuries of life and enables him to enjoy a well-earned rest from labor's arduous cares.
JOSEPH P. HERSHBERGER, M. D.
Among the capable physicians and sur- geons of Lancaster is Dr. Joseph P. Hersh- berger. Since pioneer days the family name has been interwoven with the history of Fairfield county. His father. Lewis Hersh- berger, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany. on the 31st of December. 1809. In his na- tive country he was educated and on emi- grating to the United States took up his abode in Berne township, Fairfield county. Ohio, in the year 1830. Settling in the midst of the forest, he there hewed out a new farm, upon which he reared his family. Through the greater part of his active busi- ness life he remained a resident of Berne township. He was twice married, his first union being with Rachel Ream, of Fairfield
county, a daughter of Jacob Ream, who was an early settler of this portion of the state, removing to Fairfield county from Lancas- ter, county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hershi- berger died in 1854 and the father of our subject afterward married Catherine Stukey. a resident of Hocking township. By this union there were two children: Joseph P'. and Angeline. The latter is the wife of Philip Crist, a farmer. The father passed away in September, 1887.
Upon the old home farm Dr. Hersh- berger was born and there spent the first two years of his life. At that time his fa- ther retired from active labor and removed to Lancaster. Here our subject spent his boyhood days, developing a strong manhood,
J. C. HERSHBERGER, M. D.
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which has carried him through many a petual Building & Loan Association, which strain in the years of active .practice as a company was organized in 1881. representative of the medical fraternity. On the 17th of January, 1883, the Doc- tor was united in marriage to Miss Mary R. Donaldson, of Zanesville, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Adelia (Flowers) Donald- son. Three children have been born of this union, Carl, Joseph and Mary. Socially the Doctor is connected with the Lancaster Lodge, No. 57, F. & A. M. ; Lancaster Chap- ter, No. 1I, R. A. M .; Lancaster Command- ry, No. 2, K. T .; and Hock Hocking En- campment, No. 8, Alpine Lodge, No. 566, I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the State Homeopathic Association and of the American Institute of Homeopathy. There have been no exciting chapters in his ca- reer. His life has been devoted to the faith- ful performance of his professional duties and to the discharge of his duties of citizen- ship and of home life. There is in him, however, the weight of character and the strong individuality which commands re- spect. He has the regard of his professional brethren and of the public and well merits the success which has been accorded his ef- forts. During the summer months he worked in the fields of his father's farm, which place is now the property of the Doctor, and in the winter he attended the city schools of Lancaster. When he put aside his text books to enter business life he accepted a position as superintendent for Martin & Ewing, a coal firm, in the southern part of Perry county, where he remained for eight years, but the practice of medicine was attractive to him and he determined to devote his en- ergies to the alleviation of human suffer- ing. Accordingly he began reading under the direction of Dr. Flowers, of Lancaster, and in March, 1881, he was graduated in the Hahnemann Medical College of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania. Upon his return to Lancaster, he opened an office and began practice, since which time he has devoted his entire attention to his professional dut- ties, which have constantly increased as the years have passed. He was one of the orig- inal members of the Natural Gas Company and is a member and president of the Per-
ABRAHAM HANSBERGER.
Until 1902 Abraham Hansberger was extensive landed interests and his property has all been acquired since he entered upon his business career and has come to him as proprietor of the largest general store in this part of Ohio, conducting business in Baltimore for a long period. He now has a direct result of capable management, keen
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discrimination and unflagging industry. He was born in Amanda township. this coun- ty, on the 4th of December, 1848, and is a son of Joel and Elizabeth ( Loose) Hans- berger. His parents were both natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and about 1845 came to Fairfield county, Ohio, the father purchasing a farm in AAmanda township. upon which he lived until 1850, when he removed with his family to a farm about four and one-half miles west of Baltimore. There they remained until a few years prior to the death of Joel Hansberger, when they took up their abode in the village of Balti- more. He had purchased one hundred and twelve acres of land, which was largely cor- ered with timber. Soon the woodman's ax awakened the echoes of the forest and tree after tree fell before his sturdy strokes. . As the land was cleared he plowed and plante.l it, placing it under a high state of cultiva- tion as the years passed. He was quite sie- cessful in his farming operations and thus gained a comfortable living for himself and family. Both he and his wife were members of the Evangelical church, and in his poiit- ical views he was a pronounced Republican. In the family were eleven children : Daniel. who is living in Columbus, Ohio: John, a resident of Worthington, Minnesote: Joel. who makes his home in Baltimore, Ohio: Eli, of Michigan: Jacob, who was a soklier of the Civil war and died in the hospital in Washington, D. C .: AAbraham, of this re- view : Thomas, of Michigan : Henry, who is living in Millersport, Fairfickt county ; Charles, of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Lanah Ault. of Tiffin, Ohio; and Mrs. Alice John- som, of Baltimore. The mother of these
children passed away, and the father after- ward married Elizabeth Miller, by whom he had one child, who is now Mrs. Anna Kis- ler, a resident of Columbus, Ohio. Joel Hansberger died January 20, 1886, at Balti- more, and was laid to rest in the Basil cem- etery. He was an earnest, upright man, well liked by all who knew him.
Abraham Hansberger spent his life upon the old family homestead, and in the district schools of Liberty township acquired his ed- ucation, although his privileges in that di- rection were somewhat meager, for his services were needed in the work of the home farm. He assisted his father until he was twenty years of age, when in 1868 he went to the northern part of the state of Ohio, locating in Fremont. In that locality he worked as a farm hand for a number of years and through industry and economy ac- cumulated sufficient capital so that on his re- turn to Baltimore in 1880 he was able to enter into business as a general merchant in partnership with his brother Charles. They began operations on a small scale, but grad- ually increased their stock in order to meet the growing demands of their trade, and after eight years Abraham Hansberger pur- chased his brother's interest. continuing the business until 1902, when he sold out. He had a large department store, in which he carried a very complete stock, being one of the largest general stores of this section of the state. His patronage came from far and near and his careful control of his busi- ness and his reliable methods brought to him very gratifying prosperity. As the years passed he made extensive and judicious in- vestments in real estate. He now owns
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considerable amount of property, including three hundred and twenty-six acres of land in South Dakota, a fine farm of three liun- dred acres near Columbus, several lots and houses in the capital city and also residence property and vacant lots in Baltimore.
Mr. Hansberger has been twice mar- ried. He first wedded Nettie Krine, a na- tive of Michigan, who died a short time afterwards and was laid to rest in the family lot in the Basil cemetery. On the 5th of January, 1888, he wedded Miss Ida Bright. a daughter of Enoch Bright, of Baltimore,
and unto them were born two children : Beulah and Dolly. Mr. and Mrs. Hansber- ger are members of the United Evangelical church of Baltimore, in which he has served as steward for the past twenty years. In his political views he endorses Republican principles, but has never sought or desired office. Quiet and unassuming in manner, he is nevertheless held in the highest regard by all who know him, the esteem being probably all the greater by reason of the fact that he makes 110 demands for public regard.
DANIEL STUCKEY.
At an early epoch in the pioneer history of Fairfield county, the Stuckey family was established within its borders, and it was upon the old family homestead that the sub- ject of this review was born in the year 1826. The old house was erected by his grandfather, John Stuckey, in 1809. It was built of logs which had been hewed from four or five feet down to about seven inches. The old place is still standing, but two ells have been added to it. It is one of the ok! land marks which, through almost a cen- tury, has looked forth upon the surrounding country, witnessing the many changes which have occurred as this district was merged from frontier conditions to take its place among the leading counties of the common- wealth. John Stuckey, the buikler of this pioneer home, was a native of Switzerland
and on crossing the Atlantic to the new world, took up his abode at Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he reared his family. He afterward brought his four sons with him to Fairfield county, settling in Berne township upon the farm which is now the home of our subject. At that time he owned all of the land where the town of Sugar Grove is now located, comprising about four or five acres. The flats were at one time covered with sugar trees and thus the little town of Sugar Grove derived its name. The grandfather gave to each of his children one hundred and sixty acres of land and thus aided them in making a start in life. He was an active factor in the early develop- ment of the county but died in the year 1818.
Joseph Stuckey, the father of our subject,
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was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and acquired his early education there. He after- ward accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Fairfield county and assisted in the cultivation and development of the home farm. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ream and to them were born eleven children, of whom one died in in- fancy. Mr. Stuckey was a very prominent factor in public affairs and left the impress of his individuality upon the development and improvement of his county. For four- teen years he served as associate judge of the county court and his official career was blameless by reason of his ability and his marked loyalty to duty. He was a man of lit- erary tastes who read broadly and thought deeply. At one time he owned all of the land upon which the town of Sugar Grove was laid out. Both he and his wife were consistent and devout members of the Re- formed church and for many years he served as one of its elders. Generous in his support of the church, he did all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence and he builded the first house of worship in Sugar Grove. When he was called to his final rest his children gave three lots to the church in Sugar Grove as a memorial to their father. He passed away in 1858, respected by all who knew him, for his worth was widely acknowledged and his efforts in behalf of the county along material. social, intellectual and moral lines were very beneficial.
On the old family homestead Daniel Stuckey, of this review, spent his boyhood days, experiencing many of the hardships of frontier life but at the same time enjoying
pleasures which are unknown at this period in the world's civilization. He pursued his education in an old-time log school house. Light was admitted into the room through a long window of about eighteen feet, made by leaving out a log in one side of the build- ing and filling the aperture with glass. It was just above the desk which was formed of a slab all along one side of the room. There were slab benches, a puncheon floor and a huge fireplace. and methods of in- struction were almost as primitive as the furnishings, but experience, observation and reading have supplemented the early educa- tional privileges which Mr. Stuckey enjoyed, making him a well informed man. During his youth his time was largely occupied with the work of the farm, for he assisted his father in plowing, planting and harvesting.
In 1853 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stuckey and Miss Mary Ann Sharp. a native of Berne township. Fairfield county, and to them have been born seven children. six of whom are yet living: Edward St. Clare and Joseph Albert, both residents of Columbus, Ohio; William, who is residing in Mt. Sterling and is employed on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad: Charles Daniel, also a resident of Columbus: Robert Lee, who is living with his father: and Agnes, who married George Flowers and is residing near Lancaster.
The family home is a valuable farm of two hundred and seventy-one acres and upon it are five gas wells which materially add to the income of the owner. Mr. Stuckey entered the last piece of property in Fairfield county which was obtained from the government. This was in 1865. There
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is a story connected with the old farm to the effect that about sixty-five years ago there was a hidden treasure dug up by a man of the name of White, who then secretly left the neighborhood, never letting it be known just how much he had received. Another man of the name of Riser, who was one of the diggers on the farm at the time, told Mr. Stuckey on his death bed that the hidden treasure had been discovered. The old hole which was being dug at the time is still there and is called Spiritual Hole. It was sunk to a depth of one hundred and sixty feet and required three months to dig it. Through- out his active business career Mr. Stuckey
has carried on agricultural pursuits and his labors have brought to him desirable suc- cess, so that he is now the possessor of a comfortable competence. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Reformed church of Sugar Grove. His entire life has been passed in Fairfield county, so that his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive pres- ent. He has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey and can look back over the years that have passed with- out regret and forward to the future with- out fear, for his life has ever been char- acterized by honorable dealings with all.
CORNELIUS HUFFER.
Through three generations the Huffer family has been identified with agricultural interests of Fairfield county. Grandfather, father and son have been honored and re- spected farmers, whose labors have brought to them success and at the same time have contributed to the general prosperity of the county. Cornelius Huffer is now the owner of a very attractive and valuable farm, his being one of the model places in this por- tion of Ohio. He has made excellent im- provements there, and his home is a large frame residence, in the rear of which stand substantial barns and outbuildings, all sur- rounded by richly cultivated fields. He has one hundred and thirty-one and one-third
acres of arable land, and, in connection with the production of the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, he has extensively engaged in stock-raising.
Mr. Huffer was born in Amanda town- ship upon this place, his natal day being May 8, 1837. His paternal grandfather, Isaac Huffer, came from Pennsylvania to Ohio when Fairfield county was situated upon the extreme borders of civilization, be- ing a frontier district. He took up his abode in Amanda township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty-five acres of land in its primitive condition, the trees standing in their primneval strength of the years past. He not only placed his land under a high
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state of cultivation, but added to his original purchase a tract of one hundred and thirty- three and one-third acres and still another of one hundred and sixty-five acres, his last possessions adjoining made him a wealthy farmer of the community. It was all cov- cred with a dense growth of timber when it came into his possession, but with char- acteristic energy he began to clear it and soon the sound of the woodman's ax awak- ened the echoes of the forest and the sun- light shone upon open fields ready for cul- tivation. He fenced his place. erected good buildings, and in the course of time became the owner of a farm unsurpassed in im- provements in this portion of the state. His home was there until his death, which oc- curred when he was about eighty years of age. His wife also passed away there after having survived him for several years. In the family were four children, but none are now living.
Isaac Huffer, the father of our subject. was born upon the old home place in Aman- da township and became familiar with farm work under the direction of his father, and continued the cultivation of the land after his father's death. Hle, too. prospered. owing to his perseverance, his energy, his honorable business methods and personal worth. He supported the Baptist church during the latter part of his life, dying in that faith about 1860 when sixty-six years of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Wells and was born in Maryland, while her death occurred at the age of sev- enty-seven years. She was a devoted moth- er, a loving wife and a kind neighbor. She enjoyed to an unusual degree the love and
friendship of those with whom she was as- sociated. During the last nine years of her life she was afflicted with blindness, but she bore her suffering bravely and with Chris- tian fortitude. In their family were teu children, of whom Cornelius Huffer is the youngest and about the only survivor.
The subject of this review has known no other home than that upon which he is living. It was his playground in boyhood. the place of his early efforts in business, and has continued to be the field of his labor through all the years of his manhood. The large and attractive residence which stands here is a monument to his enterprise and progressive spirit, for it was erected by him. He has also built other buildings. which have made his place one of the model farms of the county. He thoroughly under- stands the best methods of producing crops and caring for stock, and in both branches of his business is meeting with creditable success.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Huffer chose Emeline Bell. their marriage occurring on the 14th of No- vember. 1872. The lady was born in Aman- da township. Fairfield county, and is the daughter of Charles Bell, a prominent farm- er of this locality, his home being near the Huffer farm. He was killed by a falling tree while engaged in chopping in the woods. Mr. and Mrs. Huffer became the parents of nine children, but the first born died unnamed. Nora E. is the wife of Harry Dorring, a resident farmer of Amanda township, and they have one child, Emory Cornelius. Emmet D. resides upon the home farm and assists his father in the cul-
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tivation of the fields. Kirby B. also works on the old homestead. Mertie E. and Wil- bert P. are yet under the parental roof, and Clinton C. completes the family, the others having died in infancy. The Democratic party receives the unwavering support of Mr. Huffer, who always casts his ballot for its men and measures, but he has never sought or desired public office as a reward
for party fealty. He is one of the men who have helped to make and hold Fairfield coun- ty to its present prosperous condition, and his life has been in harmony with the record of an honorable ancestry. His home is the visible evidence of his life of industry, and all who know him unite in speaking of him in terms of high praise and com- mendation.
WILLIAM L. CONRAD.
William L. Conrad, one of the old and respected citizens of Fairfield county, now residing in Clear Creek township, was born on the 15th of May, 1826, in the township which is still his home. His paternal grand- father. Daniel Conrad, married Esther Ruth. He was born in Maryland and came to Ohio in 1804, locating in Clear Creek township when the work of progress and improvement had scarcely been begun in this county. He secured a large tract of government land, which he cleared of the forest trees, there making a home for himself and family. Throughout his remaining days he carried on agricultural pursuits and at the age of seventy-eight years his life's labors ended in death. He was a very prosperous and progressive man and his energy and indus- try enabled him to overcome all difficulties in his path, to endure the hardships of a pioneer life and to steadily work his way up- ward to success.
John D. Conrad, the father of our sub-
ject, was also born in Maryland, and during the early days of his boyhood he was brought by his parents to Ohio, his youth being passed upon the farm his father had entered from the government. He too became a hard working and enterprising man and ac- cumulated considerable property. He held some of the minor offices of his township and gave his political support to the Repub- lican party, believing thoroughly in its prin- ciples. He held membership in the Luther- an church and his life was in consistent har- mony with its teachings. When he had ar- rived at years of maturity he wedded Eliza- beth Lape. They became the parents of five children: Hester, who died at the age of thirty years: Angeline, the wife of Ezra Valentine, of Madison township; John, who died in 1867, at the age of thirty-five; Dan- iel, who resides in Clear Creek township: and William L., of this review. The father of this family died on the old homestead at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife
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passed away in 1864 at the age of sixty- in Clear Creek township. Thirteen years eight. They were respected by all who knew them and in a large measure enjoyed the friendship of those with whom they came in contact.
William L. Conrad, the eldest of their family, remained upon the home farm until 1849. He has engaged in general farming and stock-raising throughout the years of his manhood. His education was acquired in the public schools, his lessons being pur- sued in an okl log school house, which he attended only through the winter months, for his labors were needed upon the home farm during the summer season. He early became familiar with the work of plowing, planting and harvesting, and after he had at- tained to man's estate he engaged in the operation of one hundred sixty-eight acres of land, his thorough understanding of farm work enabling him to annually secure a good return for his labors.
During the Civil war, however, Mr. Con- rad put aside the duties of field and meadow in order that he might aid his country, and on the 1st of May, 1864, he enlisted in Com- pany I, One Hundred Fifty-ninth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry for three months' service. He was stationed at Baltimore, Maryland and at the expiration of his term was dis- charged at Washington. He then returned to his home and family in Ohio.
Mr. Conrad had been married in 1849 to Miss Lucinda Conrad, whose birth occurred in Clear Creek township, Fairfield county, a daughter of Daniel D. Conrad, who came to Ohio from Maryland when he was four years of age and spent his remaining days
ago our subject was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died at the age of sixty years. She was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church and was most de- voted to her family, putting forth every ef- fort in her power to enhance the welfare and promote the happiness of her husband and children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Conrad were born, three sons and a daughter. Simon, the eldest, resides upon the home farm, where our subject is now living. He wedded Mary Brown, who died in March, 1901, leaving two children: Murray and Orrin. Nelson, a resident of Clear Creek township, married Emma Good. Wilson, who also carries on agricultural pursuits in Clear Creek township, married Catherine Oberderfer, by whom he has had two chil- dren : Alberta and Ross. Frances E., the only daughter of the family, is the wife of Thomas Roberts, a farmer and brick-mason of Clear Creek township, and they have five children : Carl, James, Mamie, Lotta and Ralph.
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