Abraham Zurfluh
Abraham Zurfluh, one of the venerable and valued citizens of Richland township, was born in Canton Bern, Switzerland, near the village of Souboz, September 3, 1833, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Ne Wahly) Zurfluh.
The parents were natives of Switzerland, where the mother died when our subject was but 12 days old. The family consisted of four children, viz.: Mary Ann, born in 1825; Katherine, born in 1827; John, born in 1830, who still lives in Switzerland; Abraham. The sisters accompained our subject and family to Ohio and both died here.
Abraham Zurfluh remained on the home farm until about 18 years of age, in the meantime devoted himself as closely as possible to his books, with the result that he later became a successful teacher, and at present has three languages at command French, English and German, the latter being the medium of communication at home. This is somewhat remarkable as the only training Mr. Zurfluh ever enjoyed was what he obtained in three winters in a French school. In the month following his marriage, he and his wife joined a party of some 80 members of the Mennonite Church, who had decided to seek homes and religious freedom in America. They left their home in Switzerland on March 8, 1852, for Havre, where they took passage on a sailing ship, one of the old-class vessels, 122 feet long, with few accommodations provided for the comfort of the voyagers. They arrived safely in New York on April 28th and reached Wayne County, Ohio, May 7, 1852. Mr. Zurfluh and wife remained there until the first of the following July, when they removed to Putnam County and, in what of other accommodations, lived in a church building until October 28, 1852.
In the meantime Mr. Zurfluh had been looking about for a suitable place to locate permanently and had secured his present farm of 80 acres at a public sale of school lands, at Lima. The country all about the new home was a dense wilderness, when on October 28, 1852, the little family moved into a little log-cabin before either windows or door had made it a very adequate shelter from the elements or from wild animals, which were still plentiful. The little cabin of 18 by 22 feet, was however, a home and we can well believe that happiness dwelt upon its broad hearthstone. He was obliged to borrow in order to make his first payment, on his first purchase, which comprised 40 acres; but he had faith in what his industry and frugality could accomplish, and later results demonstrated that his self-confidence was justifiable. Not one foot of his land had yet been cleared and his nearest neighbor was beyond sight and hearing. Through his persevering industry he cleared the first body of land and subsequently added another tract of 40 acres. He has now one of the best cultivated farms in Richland township and one which is valued at a high price in comparison with adjacent properties.
This farm is situated in section 16, Richland township and is on the rural mail route, No. 2, from Bluffton, the carrier coming to his door over well-graded highways, where Mr. Zurfluh can remember first wandered a blazed trail, which he helped to widen into a good road. There are a number of substantial buildings on this farm, including five dwellings and a huge barn, 38 by 86 feet in dimensions. The main products of Mr. Zurfluh's farm have been grain and stock.
On February 7, 1852, in his native land, Mr. Zurfluh was married to Mary Ann Ranseiar, who was born in Canton Bern, Switzerland, January 18, 1832, and was a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Bartschy) Ranseiar. Mrs. Zurfluh died on August 15, 1887. The children of this union were nine in number, viz: Mary, Jacob, Anna, David, Elizabeth, Christian, Katherine, Fannie, and Sarah. Mary married Benjamin Basinger and they live near Pandora and have 12 children. Jacob, unmarried, remains at home and operates the farm. Anna, who is the wife of Herman Kindle, keeps house for her father. David lives at Lima. Elizabeth died aged 29 years and Christian died aged 25 years. Katherine is the wife of Ferdinand Loney, of Bluffton. Fannie married Alfred Hochstettler. She died of comsumtion. Her husband was accidentally killed while out hunting quail. They are survived by a daughter Ella. Sarah is the wife of Amos Luginbihl; and they reside with their five children on the homestead. The biographer has been favored with a view of a most enteresting group picture which was photographed at the home of our esteemed subject on the 72nd anniversary of his birth September 3, 1905. It shows four generations of the family, the most prominent being Mr. Zurfluh himself. By his side is seated his eldest daughter, Mary (Mrs. Benjamin Basinger), who was born June 28, 1853. By her side is her daughter, Josephine, (Mrs. John Moser), who was born April 7, 1882, while in the grand-grandfather's arms rests little Mary Elizabeth Moser, infant daughter of Mrs. John Moser, who was born April 4, 1905. As we have noted above, Mr. Zurfluh is an educated man. He taught school in his own country in 1851 and up to the time of his coming to America, in 1852. He taught five winters in the public schools of Allen County and has taught in parochial and German schools. For many years he has served as a school officer and his clerical ability has been frequently recognized.
In religious life Mr. Zurfluh has always been identified with the Mennonite Church, and he has always been a very active part in its affairs here. For 12 years he was church secretary and for 28 years he served as a teacher in the Sunday-school. It is said that he is more conversant with dates and history of the Mennonite bodies than any other instructor in his locality, and can trace its interesting history back to its beginning in 1492. As he is able to read and converse in French, English and German his services are frequently in demand as an interpreter.
In his political convictions, Mr. Zurfluh is a Democrat. His first presidential vote was cast for Stephen A. Douglas. From choice as well as from religious motives, he has never consented to accept any public office, except in the line of education. He is one of the best-known and most highly esteemed representatives of the German-Swiss element in Allen County, from which class has come so many of the State's most reliable citizens.