STEUBEN REPUBLICAN, WEDNESDAY, 11 Apr 1888, p.5, c.3 JOHN HARPSTER, 18 Jul 1828 - 03 Apr 1888 John Harpster died in Salem township at the home of his son-in- law, George Conklin, April 3, 1888, aged 59 years, 8 months and 15 days. He was married about forty years ago, in Seneca county, Ohio, to Miss M. M. Sunday with whom he lived until her death in 1885. To them were born ten children, five of whom are yet living. When seventeen years of age, he served an apprenticeship at the trade of blacksmithing. In 1852 he moved with his family to Steuben county, Ind., and within a year settled on a tract of unimproved land in Salem township and by hard work cleared his land and built up a pleasant home. Twenty-three years ago he was converted and it was his delight to often refer to this happy period of his life. He united with the U. B. church, at Mt. Zion and assisted in building the commodious house at that place. He was nearly always found in the position of leader, steward or superintendent, and whatever his place he rendered the best of service. During his last illness much of his talk was on religious subjects. He evidently was ripe for heaven. In his last hours he was surrounded by all that could ameliorate the severity of his pains, and he greatly appreciated the many acts of kindness of neighbors and friends. A good man is gone and his absence is sadly felt. Notwithstanding the lowly weather a large congregation gathered to pay their last respects to the good man. Funeral services were conducted by Revs. W. H. Clay and J. Brown. His remains were buried in the Mt. Zion cemetery by the side of his wife. ADDITIONAL INFORMATIO N: John Harpster, 18 Jul 1828 - 03 Apr 1888, married Mary Margaret (Sunday) Harpster, a native of Pennsylvania, 11 Dec 1829 - 25 Nov 1885.They are buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Steuben County, IN. John was the son of David Harpster, 19 Jan 1788 - 28 Jan 1864, and Catherine (Lohr/Lehr) Harpster, 23 Mar 1794 - 25 Feb 1867. The parents died in Seneca County, Ohio. SOME OF THE CHILDREN OF JOHN AND MARY MARGARET LISTED IN THE CEMETERY BOOKS WRITTEN BY AUDREE SEIBEL LEWIS: SON: Infant son, 04 Mar 1848 is listed on page 843, Vol. 1; there is also Amos H. Harpster on page 842 who died 25 Oct 1856, ae 8 years, 5 months and 10 days which would make him born in 1848, also. Possibly this is the same child even though the month, days and years do not agree with the unnamed sons dates. Buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery. SON: Andrew D. Harpster, 03 Aug 1854 - 05 Jul 1856, buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery. DGTR: Lucinda (Harpster) Tubs, 09 Dec 1851 - 01 May 1915 who married Ira Tubbs, 06 Jul 1845 - 14 Apr 1911, son of LeRoy Tubbs, 14 Jul 1824 - 26 Aug 1883, and Rhoda J. (Hills) Tubbs, 18 Feb 1827 - 16 Feb 1914. They are buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery. DGTR: Mary Catherine (Harpster) Conklin, 03 Oct 1859 - 15 Jul 1938, who, on 05 Apr 1882, married George A. Conklin, 24 Mar 1855 - 30 Aug 1922, son of Ensign Conklin, 01 Mah 1826 - 12 Jan 1904, and Elizabeth/Betsy (Hollister) Conklin, 26 Jul 1830 - 16 Sep 1912, daughter of Artemus Hollister who died 04 Mar 1871, and Clarasa (spelling OK per Mrs. Lewis) (_______) Hollister, 19 Sep 1803 - died about 12 May 1879. Mary and George are buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery. Ensign, Elizabeth, Artemus and Clarasa are buried at Hollister Cemetery, Steuben Coounty, IN. DGTR: Emma Dell (Harpster) Deller, 1861 - 1940, married Thompson Deller, 1860 - 1938, son of Nicholas Thompson and 2nd wife, Mary Ann (Fetterhoff) Deller, 16 Oct 1822 - 20 Dec 1897. They are all buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery. SIBLINGS OF JOHN HARPSTER: SISTER: Maria/Mary (Harpster) Ritter, born 07 Jul 1811 in Penn., died 19 Sep 1900 in Indiana. On 25 Aug 1829 in Penn, she married Henry Ritter, 04/09 Apr 1803 - 12 Jul 1894, son of John Ritter Jr., born 12 Sep 1766 in Lancaster County, PA, and Anna Maria/Mary Susanna (Anderson) Ritter, born 12 Dec 1777 in PA. Another source "Miller-Kellogg-Bartholomew-Shipe family Pages" contact Myron 2, myron2@aol.com list Henry's father as Johannes Ritter, born 08 Aug 1771 in Northhampton County, PA, and Anna Herbster, born 07 Jul 1807, died 19 Sep 1900. Maria/Mary and Henry Ritter were buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery. BROTHER: Jacob Harpster, born 15 May 1813 in Union County, PA, died 01 Oct 1850. BROTHER: Peter Harpster, 15 Jan 1816 - 10 Feb 1916, born and died in Penn. BROTHER: William Harpster, 05 Jul 1817 - 07 Mar 1878. SISTER: Eve (Harpster) Benninghoff, 01 Jun 1818 - 25 Jul 1868, married about 1830 in Penn. to Reuben Benninghoff, born 30 Nov 1808, no date of death. Reuben was the son of Sebastian Benninghoff, born 31 Jan 1780 in Lyon Township, LeHigh County, PA and Magdalena (Daubenspeck) Benninghoff, born 18 Feb 1877 in PA. BROTHER: David Harpster, 01 Apr 1820 - 1907, married Rebecca (_____) Harpster, 1822 - 1907. They are buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery. SISTER: Elizabeth (Harpster) Benninghoff, born 14 Apr 1824, died about 1873 in Vandalia, Ill. On 14 Jan 1843 in LeHigh County, PA, she married Peter Benninghoff, born 15 Jun 1821. BROTHER: Anthony Harpster, 10 Jun 1826 - 12 Sep 1908. SOURCES: "Cemeteries of Steuben County, IN - 1990," by Audree Seibel Lewis, Vol. 1, pages 394, 395, 483, 485, 842, 843; vol. 2, pages 906, 1531, 1533, 1844. "Marriage Licenses of Steuben County, IN, 1837 - 1899" www.rootsweb/worldconnect.com, "Clark, Smith, Fisher, Jones" Contact Pat Clark, momstravel@hotmail.com. "Lahre Family History, Contact, Deanna, dhlahre@gmail.com. Submitted by Mona Hilden-Beckwith e-mail: hilbeck123@att.net