John B. Augsburger
John B. Augsburger, one of the substantial farmers and representative citizens of Richland township, is a large land owner, residing on his well-improved homestead in section 10, several miles west of Bluffton, which embraces 80 acres of land; he also owns 135¾ acres in sections 3 and 4. He was born in a pioneer log cabin in Union township, Wayne County, Ohio, January 18, 1835, and is a son of John and Magdalena (Balmer) Augsburger.
John Augsburger was born in Neuensberg, Switzerland, where he was educated and lived until he was 35 years of age. At that time he married and he and his wife departed the following day for America. They took passage on a sailing vessel, which required three months to make the voyage, but were safely landed in the port of New York and made their way to Wayne County, Ohio, where it is probable that other friends had already settled. They lived for 12 years in Wayne County and then located in Allen County, where John Augsburger died, aged 65 years. The mother of our subject was also a native of Switzerland. She died a few years after coming to Allen County. The family consisted of five sons and two daughters, namely: Benjamin, who died in infancy; John B., of Richland township; Moses, of Richland township; Mrs. Elizabeth Amstutz, deceased; Alidia, widow of Mathias Badercher, of Richland township; Benjamin (2), of Riley township, Putnam County; and Aaron, of Bluffton.
John B. Augsburger can easily recall the journey from Wayne to Allen County, which took place in May, 1847, when he was 12 years of age. All the family possessions were taken along. The great white, covered wagon was drawn by two yoke of oxen, three cows followed peacefully behind, and even the family watch- dog was not forgotten. The long journey was mostly through the woods, and the route frequently led aross streams and over tracks but poorly broken. When the family arrived at the place where the father had brought land, they found their only shelter was a log stable, and they were obliged to occupy this until a log house could be built, which was fortunately completed before the winter snows set in. The beloved mother died in the following year, and the father became so discouraged that he broke up housekeeping, sold the household effects, and for two years boarded his children with the neighbors. Mr. Augsburger subsequently recalled the children and once more a family home was established. Our subjects remained there eights years and then worked in the neighborhood for a year and eight months. He learned to make shoes and for four winters before leaving home he busied himself at his trade, finding patrons in the neighborhood who were pleased with his work, his industry and his perseverance. When he was 21 years of age, one of his first purchases was an axe, with which he cleared timber land for other parties. He also learned the business of shingle making which at that time was entirely hand work. That Mr. Augsburger became a very expert workman may be imagined when it is stated that he, with a companion, made 70,000 shingles form a tree that grew where the Cratz Church now stands, the body of which was 70 feet high and seven in diameter. In the following fall he helped to cut timber to build the largest bank barn in this vicinity, which still stands and is 46 by 109 feet in dimensions.
During the following summer Mr. Augsburger worked until the latter part of August on this structure and then returned to Wayne County, where he was married September 3, 1857. He returned to Allen County, bringing his bride with him, and remained with his brother-in-law, C. U. Amstutz, until he had completed a comfortable hewed-log cabin on his present farm and in which the house-warming was held on December 24, 1857. During that winter he made 30 pounds of maple sugar and 60 gallons of maple molasses, and cleared 18 acres of his land. He continued the improvements of his property for 14 years and then built his first frame barn; previously he had built a log house, a log barn, horse stable, corn crib and wagon shed, all serving their purposes until he was prepared to make more modern improvements. In 1873, two years after building the barn, he erected his present convenient and attractive residence, and in 1876 he completed other substantial buildings on his place. In 1877 a convenient summer kitchen was built, adding greatly to the comfort of the inmates in hot weather; he completed his improvements by building, in 1880, a first-class workshop. Few mechanics have a better equipped shop than Mr. Augsburger, and it may be remarked, few know better the use of tools.
Mr. Augsburger has been generous in his support of the Swiss Mennonite Church. He gave an acre of land to the church and assisted in the constr4uction of the present church as well as the one that preceded it. The school- house of District No. 2 stands on his homestead tract of 80 acres, opposite the church.
At one time Mr. Augsburger had the best orchard in the vicinity, but a severe storm in 1895 partially destroyed it. He has a fine system of ditching and drainage, and has thus, in a marked degree, increased the productiveness of his land. He devotes his attention mainly to the growing of live-stock, and raises large crops of corn, wheat, hay and clover. He has a fine farm in which he takes a reasonable pride, for he has worked faithfully in its developing and literally brought it out of the woods.
On September 3, 1857, Mr. Augsburger was united in marriage with Barbara Neuenschwander, who was born in East Union township, Wayne County, Ohio, March 22, 1834, and died on the present farm of our subject, July 1900. She was a daughter of Ulrich and Elizabeth (Basinger) Neuenschwander, who were born in Germany near the Switzerland line. The children of our subject and wife were: Elizabeth, who is the wife of Daniel Moser, of Riley township, Putnam County; Leah, who died in infancy; Daniel, who died aged eight years; John, who died aged seven years; Sarah, who died in infancy; Mary, the wife of Peter J. Moser, of Richland township; Lydia, the wife of David Burkholder, her husband operating Mr. Augsburger's second farm; Magdalena, the wife of Amos Neiswander, of Richland township; Barbara, who died aged eight years; Susan, the wife of Amos Thut of Richland township; and Lavina, the wife of M. S. Burkholder, who manages our subject's home farm.
Mr. Augsburger has been a stanch and life- long Democrat, but has never accepted political office. He is a devoted member of the Mennonite Church and has assisted in the erection of three religious edifices, and has otherwise liberally contributed to the cause of religion.