Frederick Huber (1864-1946) "52 Ancestors"

Week 8 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge and I am still writing. Not bad if I do say so myself, and I do. This week has been pretty busy with a lot of public activities including judging the Regional Science Fair and talking to a middle school for their Career Day. It is fun to work with the kids and help them learn more about the world around them. Using the theme of learning, I decided to write about Frederick Huber (1864-1946) for this week's blog. Frederick was a dedicated teacher, farmer and State Legislator. He was also my great-grand uncle.

Frederick Huber

Frederick Huber was born 10 October 1864 in Baden, Germany. His parents were Maxmillian and Pauline Derbelt Huber. According to census records, the Huber family immigrated to the United States in 1869-1870 and Frederick was naturalized in 1875. I have not yet found the 1870 or 1880 census record for the family so I am not exactly sure of the location where the family lived after immigrating. The Manual of Legislative Practice in the General Assembly (1920) states that Frederick was educated in the public schools of Cassella, Ohio and attended Ada University, which became Ohio Northern University, and the Normal School and Business Institute at Valparaiso, which later became Valparaiso University.

Frederick married Elizabeth Mescher (1871-1961) on 17 May 1893 in St. Rose, Mercer County, Ohio. Elizabeth Mescher was the daughter of my great-great grandparents, Johan Heinrick Mescher (1838-1871) and Maria Catherine Leugers (1842-1890). Elizabeth had previously been  married to Clemens Herman Garmann (1864-1891) who was the son of my great-great grandparents Johann Clemens Van Lay (1824-1900) and Anna Maria Theresia Garmann (1830-1886). Elizabeth had one child, a daughter, by her first marriage. Her daughter was Cecilia Garman (1890-1890), who died at the age of 4 months.

In 1900, Fred (age 35), his wife Elizabeth (age 28) , their children Rosie (age 6), Joseph (age 2) and Mary (age 7 months) are living near Celina in Montezuma, Mercer County, Ohio. Fred is listed as a farmer in this census. Additionally, there is a boarder in the home, Ben Gehle (age 23), who is employed as a laborer on the farm.

In 1910 Fred is listed as a teacher in a public school. During this time he also served for several years as the clerk on the local board of education. His family consisted of himself (age 46), his wife Elizabeth (age 37), and their children Rosina (age 16), Joseph (age 12), Maria (age 10), Gregor (age 8), Frederick (age 6), Herbert (age 4), Oliva (age 3) and Charles (age 1 year 6 months). The census states that Elizabeth had 10 children, 2 of which died. The deaths would have been her daughter Cecilia (1890-1890) and a son Henry (1896-1898).

Frederick was elected as the representative of Mercer County to the Ohio House of Representatives during the 82nd and 83rd General Assemblies. He was a member of the Democratic Party and served on several committees, including: Codes, Courts, and Procedures; Common Schools; Public Parks and Works; State and Economic Betterment; and Agriculture. After leaving government service Frederick returned to farming at his home in Franklin Township in Mercer County, Ohio.

In 1920 Fred is farming. His family consists of himself (age 55), his wife Elizabeth (age 48), and their children Joseph (age 22), Mary (age 20), Gregor (age 18), Frederick (age 16), Urban (age 14), Oliva (age 12), Charles (age 11) and Paulina (age 8). Joseph is listed as a farm laborer. Urban, Oliva, Charles and Paulina are attending school.

In 1930 Fred is still farming. His family consisted of himself (age 65), his wife Elizabeth (age 59), and their children Fred (age 26), Urban (age 24) and Pauline (age 19). Fred and Urban are listed as farm laborers but Urban is listed as unemployed for the last 4 months. By 1935, Fred and Elizabeth, were living with their son Joseph and his family. In 1940 Joseph's family consisted of himself (age 42), his wife Anna Burbrink (age 43), their children Mary (age 15), Agnes (age 13), Esther (age 11), and his parents Fred (age 75) and Elizabeth (age 69), both listed as retired.

Frederick Huber died at his home on 27 September 1946 after a lengthy illness. He was 81 years old and had been married 53 years. His cause of death was listed as arteriosclerosis. He was buried in St. Aloysius Cemetery in Carthagena, Mercer County, Ohio on 1 October 1946.