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OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
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WELCOME TO
Fairfield County, Ohio
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BIOGRAPHIES
REV. GEORGE W. HALDERMAN.
The stamp designating true nobility of character must
ever find its ineffable tracery on the brow of one who sets
himself apart from the "madding crowd's ignoble strife" and
dedicates his life to the uplifting of his fellow men. More
than superficial investigation is demanded when one essays
to determine the .mental struggle and the spirit of
unselfish devotion that must animate the man who gives all
that he has and all that he hopes to be to service in the
great vineyard of life, seeking reward only in that realm
"where moth and rust do not corrupt and where thieves do not
break through and steal.'' Preparations for labors in the
priesthood are perforce exacting, demanding an ever ready
sympathy, a broad intellectuality and an unswerving
fidelity. Scoffing synicism and careless irreverance would
often be silenced if only the inner life of those who
ministered in holy places might be laid open for inspection.
Honor is due and honor will be paid when once there comes a
deeper understanding of the truth
We are led to this train of thought through reflecting
upon the life record of the Rev. George W. Halderman,
D. D., who for twenty-two years was pastor of the First
English Lutheran church of Lancaster, and whose influence
was of no restricted order, for he was one of the most
distinguished representatives of his denomination in this
part of the country. His birth occurred in Center county,
Pennsylvania, March 1, 1833, his parents being Samuel
and Margaret (Kollmever) Halderman,
both of whom were natives of Germany. The Doctor acquired
his early education in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, but he had to
depend largely upon his own resources in order to secure
more than a common school training. He taught school in
Germantown, Kentucky for two years, being principal of the
Boys' Preparatory School there. He afterward continued his
studies and was graduated in Wittenberg College of
Springfield, Ohio, as one of the honored men of his class.
He then served for a short time under General J. Warren
Keifer, in the Civil war, and aided in the capture of
the noted rebel leader Morgan. He then again took up his
college work and was graduated in the theological department
of Wittenberg College, after which he was assigned to his
pastorate at Van Wert, Ohio.. Subsequently he went to
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1870 he came
to Lancaster as pastor of the First English Lutheran church,
remaining in charge for ten years, during which time he also
preached every Sunday afternoon in the Boys' Industrial
School from the time of its establishment. He labored
untiringly and won the respect and esteem of all people of
all denominations as well as those of his own congregation.
Perhaps there has been no more popular minister in this
city than was the Rev. George W. Halderman.
His scholarly attainments, his deep understanding of the
wellsprings of conduct and of human action as well as his
comprehensive knowledge of Christianity and his oratorical
ability made him a most eloquent, pleasant and entertaining
preacher. In 1879, however, he resigned his pastorate at
Lancaster, and accepted a call from the Lutheran church at
Polo, Illinois, wherein he remained for three years. He
afterward spent one year in Europe, and in the Holy Land,
both for the benefit of his health and for the purpose of
further study and research. On his return he accepted a
pastorate in Washington, Illinois, where he remained four
years, but at the end of that period he again accepted a
call from the First English Lutheran church of Lancaster,
continuing as its pastor until up to the time of his death.
Dr. Haldermjan was
married on the 26th of April, 1864, to Miss Mary
Dallas Crothers, who died October 29, 1866,
and on the 16th of July, 1873, he was again united in the
holy bonds of matrimony, the lady of his choice being
Miss Philecta Griswold, daughter of
Sanuuel A. and Ethelyn (Kelley)
Griswold, a sketch of whom appears on another page of
this work. Unto Dr. Halderman and his wife was
born one son, John Crothers Halderman,
who is now a. banker of Pawnee City, Nebraska.
In 1887 our subject purchased a fine country home on
the Cedar Hill Pike, about; two miles west of the city, and
the place is. known as "Hallelujah Heights." The residence
is a most beautiful one, with tasteful surroundings and is
now occupied by Mrs. Halderman. The Doctor was
only ill for a few days, holding communion in the church
just six days before his death. His usefulness therefore
continued until the last, and this was as he would have it.
He passed away July 17, 1899, and his remains were interred
in the Forest Rose cemetery. Nature bestowed upon him many
of her rarest gifts. He possessed a mind of extraordinary
compass, an industry that brought forth every spark of
talent with which nature had endowed him. He was in every
way a most superior man, and moreover he used his ability
for the benefit of his race, for his town, his state and his
nation. |
JEROME D. HUMMELL.
Jerome D. Hummell is a self-educated and self-made
man, who has steadily progressed in life because of his
strong character, his indomitable will and his laudable
ambition. He is now owner of one of the best farms in
Fairfield county and well does he merit his success. Mr.
Hummell was born December 3, 1839, on the farm where he
now resides and near the spot on which the house now stands.
His parents were John and Mary (Dove) Hummell and the
family is of German lineage, the great-grandfather of our
subject having been born in Germany, whence he crossed the
Atlantic to the new world, taking up his abode in
Pennsylvania, where he probably spent his remaining days.
His son, Frederick Hummell, the grandfather of
our subject, removed to Fairfield county after his son,
John, had located here and took up his abode in Bloom
township, where he carried' on agricultural pursuits and
spent the remainder of his life. In his family were ten
children, of whom the following are remembered: Hannah,
Elizabeth, Isaac. David, John
and Leah, the last named being the widow of Daniel
Allspaugh and a resident of Bloom township.
John Hummell, the father of our subject, was
born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and in his youth lived
in a wild district of the Keystone state. At one time he
encountered a panther and on account of the unsettled
condition of the locality he endured many hardships and
privations. In the year 1827 he first came to Fairfield
county, making the entire distance on foot. He did not make
a permanent location but in 1832 returned to this county. He
was a carpenter by occupation and at first took up his abode
in Lithopolis, where he followed his trade. Later, however,
he turned his attention to farming and purchased land, upon
which our subject now resides. This was in 1837. He paid
eleven hundred dollars for the tract, securing the farm from
the Widow Rickits. He borrowed fifty dollars, which
he added to the one hundred dollars he already possessed,
and thus was able to make his first payment of one hundred
and fifty dollars. Subsequently he became an extensive land
owner for as his financial resources increased' he invested
in property until his possessions were very valuable. As a
companion and helpmate for the journey of life he chose
Mary Dove, a daughter of Henry Dove, who
came from Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1803, and entered
land in Bloom; township. The tract is still in
possession of representatives of the name. He lived to the
advanced age of ninety-one years, three months and eight
days, passing away in 1856. Mrs. Doves
daughter was born in Bloom township and was one of seven
children: Peggy, who became Mrs. Orwig; Ruben;
Jacob; Sallie; Elizabeth, who became
the wife of Solomon Kistler and died in Kosciusko
county, Indiana; Elijah, who owned the old homestead,
which for ninety-nine years has been in the family and is
now. owned by his son, Edward, who lives in Kansas;
Mary, now Mrs. Hummell; and Mrs. Laney
Montgomery, of Fremont, Sandusky county, Ohio. Of this
family Mary Dove Hummell was born in 1815 and by her
marriage became the mother of twelve children, ten of whom
reached years of maturity, while eight are yet living. The
record is as follows: H. I., a skilled physician, now
practicing in Baltimore, Ohio; Sarah, the wife of
William Jacobs, who resides on the old homestead;
Martin Luther, of Shelby county, Illinois; Jerome
D.; Saluda, the deceased wife of Frederick
Borchers; Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Philemon
Barr; Margaret M. and Nancy, who live on the old
homestead: and Mary and Solomon, who died in
infancy. The father of this family was a man of strict
integrity and sterling worth. He was a good mechanic and
possessed many sterling qualities. He opened the first mine
in Summitt Hill, Pennsylvania, and helped to run the first
car and lay the first T track, being an employe of
Stephen Girard, for whom he was also engaged in
building boats. His first trip to Bloom township was made on
foot and the second time he came by stage, but while enroute
had to assist in getting the stage out of the mud. As
the years passed, however, he prospered and a comfortable
competence rewarded his labors died December 17, 1870, at
the age of sixty-five years and his wife passed away August
14, 1899, at the age of eighty-four years. She possessed a
most remarkable memory and was often called upon to settle
disputes in the neighborhood concerning lines, surveys, etc.
Jerome Hummell, whose name introduces this
review, was reared upon the old home farm and acquired his
education under considerable difficulty. He first attended
the common schools and afterward the Pleasant Township
Seminary, which he entered in August, 1860, spending three
months there. He afterward became a student in the Union
schools of Baltimore, Ohio. Having no money he had to make
his own way but his strong determination and laudable
ambition enabled him eventually to secure a good education.
He afterward engaged in teaching school at "Bunker Hill," in
Liberty township, and for seventeen years continued to
follow that profession with excellent success through the
winter months and in the meantime accumulated about four
thousand dollars. The only-money which he received from his
father to assist him in securing his own education was
eleven dollars and fifty cents. When thirty-eight years of
age he had two hundred dollars and a horse and buggy. At
that time he began saving his money and today he is the
owner of a very valuable property of three hundred acres,
comprising some of the best land in Bloom township. In fact,
the farm is hardly equaled in Fairfield county. In addition
to fanning he has carried on operations in the grain trade,
being the first man to ship a car load of grain down the
valley. In 1862 he became a representative of mercantile
interests in Baltimore, as a partner of his brother, H.
I. Hummell, under the firm name of J. D.
Hummell & Brother. This connection was maintained for
one year when our subject sold his interest to Edwin
Ellis. In all his business undertakings he has
manifested keen discrimination, enterprise and unflagging
perseverance and these qualities have been important
elements in winning him success.
Mr. Hummell was married July
4, 1878, to Miss Rosa A. Bounds, a daughter of
David and Sarah (Millhouse) Bounds. They have one child,
Edmund Ray, who graduated from the law department of
the Ohio University in June, 1902, and expects soon to enter
Yale college. In politics Mr. Hummell has always
supported the Democratic party. He has been called upon to
fill a number of local offices. He has served as a member of
the board of education; has filled many positions of trust;
and several times has been called upon to administer
estates. In the fall of 1899 he was appointed by Governor
Bushnell as a delegate from the Twelfth District of
Ohio as a representative to the Farmers' National Congress,
which was held in Boston in October, 1899. Through his
personal work the route of the electric road from Columbus
to Lancaster was changed for two miles to take in the town
of Carroll. But for his hard and persistent efforts
the road would have passed one-half mile west of the town
limits. Both he and his wife are devoted and faithful
members of the Greenfield Presbyterian church in which
he-has served as trustee and is now leading elder. Few men
have manifested a deeper or more helpful interest in the
public welfare than has Mr. Hummell. With keen
foresight he has seen the possibilities of the country and
has done his best to improve these. As a citizen he is both
public spirited and progressive and all who knew him
entertain for him the highest regard. |
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