HERSHBERGER, Jeremiah - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Jeremiah Hershberger, the son of Jacob and Mary Hershberger, was born in Fountain county, Indiana, October 5th 1831. He was the youngest of a family of ten children, seven boys and three girls, all of whom have been claimed by death. His childhood and early life was spent on the farm, but in the year 1853, when the gold fever came on in California, he undertook to drive overland to that much talked of the setting sun, to seek his fortune. Some five months were spent on the road, as their only means of travel was with an ox team, but after the years had passed, the stories of the hardships of this weary journey proved a great source of enjoyment to him. Upon reaching California he engaged in gold mining for about three years and then settled in Sanama county, California, and engaged in the dairy business On the 2nd of July 1857, he was united in marriage with Rebecca J. Young. To this union four children were born, Miss Mary E., (Aug 16th 1858) now Mrs. W. W. Layton of this city ; Charles E. (July 11th 1860) and John F. (Aug 9th 1862) both of whom are now living in California and Miss Lizzie L., (May 16 1864) who died October 10 1875. After the death of his first wife, on May 9th 1867, Mr. Hershberger continued to keep up the home and in the year 1870 he came to Indiana for a visit of a few months, after which he returned to California, and in 1871 disposed of his property there and again returned to Fountain county, Indiana. On March 2nd 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Sara Jane Foster and about a year later they moved to Vermillion county, Illinois. During the six years spent in Illinois their home was blest by the birth of two daughters, Miss Edith, who was born November 8th 1872 and died on the same day, and Miss Bertha Gertrude, now Mrs. Ora Ludlow, of Veedersburg, Ind., (May 17 1874). At the end of six years Mr. Hershberger returned to Fountain county and located on a farm in Troy township, where he lived for about sixteen years. While living here a son, Otho D., was born (April 29th 1879) who is at present a resident of this city. After sixteen successful years on this farm he decided to move to town, and in 1893 came to Covington and since that time has lived as a retired farmer, proving himself to be not only one of the best citizens in not only Covington but in all of Fountain county. He was loved and honored by all who knew him. He was a good manager and dealt fairly with everybody. He was a very industrious man and was always busy with something, and everything about his place was kept in good order at all times, even when it was getting difficult for him to be about. As to Mr. Hershberger's religious life, it can truly be said that he was always a God fearing God loving man. Shortly after his first marriage he and his wife united with a Methodist Episcopal church in Sanama county, California, that being the only church in that part of the country, although his tendencies were for the Baptist denomination. When he returned to Indiana he became a member of the Bethel Baptist church, now commonly known as the Kentuck church, and while living in that community was an active worked in the church. As soon as he moved to town he put his membership in the Fifth street Baptist church and thus continued an active Christian life. he was for a period of about five years a member of the Board of Deacons of the church and later became one of the Trustees, in which capacity he was serving at the time of his death. He was always a regular attendant at every service and a great helper in the prayer meeting. One of his long to be remembered statements was, "I am trying to live so that I may meet those who have gone on before." The God has answered his prayer. He has heard his call and while we miss him greatly and our hearts feel sad at his departure, we need not be uneasy, for he has heard that welcome voice saying, "Well done thou good and faithful servant," and he has entered into the joy of a life eternal.