Adam D. Lugibihl
Adam D. Lugibihl, who conducts the leading hardware store at Bluffton, was born about six miles north of Bluffton, August 24, 1848. His parents were Christian and Barbara (Hilty) Lugibihl, both of whom were natives of Alsace, France. The father was born November 21, 1809, and came to the United States in 1824 with his father, Christian Lugibihl, Sr. Later he came to Ohio, where in 1835 he entered a quarter section of land in Riley township, Putnam County, which he farmed until his death. On February 1, 1838, he was married to Barbara Hilty, who was born April 5, 1814, and died October 3, 1853, just two years before her husband, who passed away on October 3, 1855. Nine children were born to them and eight of this number grew to adult years.
Adam D. Lugibihl was a child of five years when his mother was taken from him; when his father died two years later he came to Allen County and made his home with his uncle, David Lugibihl, for five years. The following four years he lived with a sister, then one year was spent with a cousin and one withbrother at the home. He had by this time reached the age of 18 and was ready to do for himself. He secured employment with a carpenter in order to learn the trade, which he followed in various places until he entered his present business. In this manner he managed to see considerable of the Western country and at the same time to keep constantly at work. The summer of 1867 was spent in St. Clair County, Illinois, and the two years following that in Kansas City. In 1870 he was employed on the construction of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, and during 15 months he was with the company the principal meat provided him was buffalo meat. Two months were spent in Denver and then in December, 1871, tired of the life of a rover he returned to Ohio. In June, 1872, Mr. Lugibihl and Peter Diller purchased the small stock of hardware at Bluffton, which had been carried by Ransom Bartlett, and opened the store under the firm name of Diller & Lugibihl. At that time the railroad had not yet reached Bluffton, but under the excellent management of the new firm the business grew and prospered until it was necessary to have additional room for the stock. Having erected a handsome brick building in 1873, they purchased the adjoining building in 1885, thus securing one of the best locations in the city and enabling them to make a much better showing of their goods in the large double store thus acquired. For 26 years these gentlemen conducted this large hardware business together, until November, 1898, when Mr. Diller retired and Mr. Lugibihl purchased the entire business, which he has since conducted very successfully by himself. It would be almost impossible to call for any article in the hardware line which is not to be found in his stock, from a tin cup to agricultural implements and builders' materials. About five years ago he became associated with H. D. Zerbach in manufacturing the "Boss' cream separator, the latter gentleman being manager of the plant, which is known as the Bluffton Cream Separator Company. Mr. Lugibihl is also a stockholder in the Bluffton Cement Block Company, and is not afraid of showing his confidence in Bluffton enterprise by investing his money in her industries.
In 1874 Mr. Lugibihl was married to Emma Reed, who was born in Hancock County, Ohio, November 18, 1855. Her parents were James and Susan K. (Lapham) Reed, the former from State of Pennsylvania and the latter of New England birth. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lugibihl, namely: Edith, born in 1876, who is the wife of Bert Mann, a resident of Bowerston, Ohio; Pearl, born August 21, 1878, who died April 26, 1883l Harley, born January 4, 1882l Myron, born March 3, 1887. Mr. Lugibihl is a Republican, but has devoted little time to politics. He was a member of the Bluffton Council for three terms and gave the same energy to the transaction of the city affairs that he does to the conduct of his own business.