Michael Haudenschild
Michael Haudenschild (deceased) The Haudenschild family is one of the prominent and influential ones of Washington Township. Michael was born in Alsace, Germany, and was there educated and lived till manhood. In 1843 he came to America, and settled first in New York city, where he worked at the tailor's trade,which he had learned in his native country. He remained in New York six years, and in 1849 removed to Holmes County, Ohio, where he bought eighty acres of land in Washington Township. He made a success of farming, and added to his first purchase until he owned 240 acres, all well improved and under cultivation. He was a poor young man when he came to America, but by economy and good management he saved his earnings, thus bought his first land, and then by industry made a success of agriculture. He died in 1874, aged fifty-seven years. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. His political affiliations were with the Democratic party. Mr. Haudenschild was married, in 1843, to Barbara Gassman, a native of Germany, daugther of Michael and Margaret Gassman, and to them were born seven children: George W., William, Elizabeth, Jacob, Margaret, Anna and John. Of this family we mention more at length the careers of George W. and John, the eldest and youngest, respectively.
George W. Haudenschild was born in the State of New York, in 1844, but was reared and educated in Washington Township, where, since manhood, he has followed agricultural pursuits. In 1879 he settled on his present farm, a part of his father-in-laws's, which contains 113 acres of valuable land. Mr. Haudenschild was married December 5, 1872, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Martha ( Wilson) Jefferies, and to them have been born eight children: Harry, Willis, Roy, Cleo, Helen, Herbert, Grace and Guy.
John H. Haudenschild was born in Holmes County, September 22, 1857, and was reared on the homestead, where he was born, a part of which he now owns. He has been energetic and industrious, and is one of the prominent young men of the township. His farm contains 160 acres of land, eighty being his share of his father's estate. Mr. Haudenschild was married in February, 1883, to Sarah, daughter of George and Mary Arnhold, and they have two children: Ralph and Leo. The sons, like their father, are Democratic in their political affiliations, and are members of the German Lutheran Church.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889