Noah Calvin Hirschy
Noah Calvin Hirschy, A. B., D. B., president of the Central Mennonite College, at Bluffton, where he also fills the chair of Greek and Biblical languages and literatures, is one of the distinguished ministers nd educators of the Mennonite Church in Ohio. Mr. Hirschy was born February 25, 1867, on a farm in the environs of Berne, Adams County, Indiana, and is a son of Philip and Maria (Richer) Hirschy.
Philip Hirschy was born in Canton Neuenberg, Switzerland, in 1824, and was brought to America, when 11 years old, by his mother and stepfather. He lived a number of years in Stark and Wayne counties, Ohio, prior to locating in Indiana, where he engaged in farming in Adams County until the close of his life, his death occurring in October 1899. He owned a half section of land in that county and was one of its most substantial as well as highly esteemed men. Although he had had but 45 days of schooling in his life, he was well informed and liberal-minded man. He was a devoted member of the Mennonite Church. In 1848, in Indiana, he married Maria Richer, who was born near the village of Erikur, France, in 1826, and came to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1837. Her death took place in 1893. The family consisted of eight sons and one daughter. Of the sons, Noah Calvin is the second youngest, the whole family still surviving; most of its members are engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Noah Calvin Hirschy remained on his father's farm until 18 years of age, but as he grew to youth and early manhood the advantages afforded by the country schools in no way satisfied his expanding mind. He secured a certificate to teach, and as a school teacher during the five succeeding years earned the means with which to pursue higher branches of study. He attended to Tri-State Normal College at Angola, Indiana, from 1889 to 1891. During 1891-92 he was principal of the village schools at Berne, Indiana, and in the latter year became pastor of the Mennonite Church at Wadsworth, Ohio. From 1893 to 1898 he attended and graduated from Oberlin College and Theological Seminary. He became fist president of the Central Mennonite College at Bluffton in 1901. A historical sketch of this college appears elsewhere in this book. He has been a student in the University of Chicago at different times from 1900 to 1905. On May 6, 1894, Mr. Hirschy was ordained to the full ministry of the Mennonite Church by Rev. Ephraim Hunsberger. In 1896 he was chosen a member of the home mission committee of the General Church Conference, which position he still holds.
Mr. Hirschy was married at Wadsworth, Ohio, September 5, 1895, to Augusta Hunsberger, daughter of Rev. Ephraim Hunsberger, pastor of the church there and an eminent man in the Mennonite body. She was born at Wadsworth, Ohio, April 22, 1867. They have two children, viz: Hermon Delos, Born June 11, 1898, and Lois Elizabeth, born June 12, 1904.
From History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Edited by Charles C. Miller. Richmond & Arnold, Publishers, Chicago, 1906