David Steinberger (1800 - 1883)

Born 9 Sep 1800 in Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Died 3 Apr 1883 at age 82 in Champaign, Ohio, United States

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Biography

Entry in The History of Champaign County (Beers), 1881, pgs. 727-728:

DAVID STEINBERGER, farmer; P. O. Urbana. Mr. Steinberger is one of our oldest men, and is now in his 81st year ; his grandparents came from Germany and settled in Shenandoah County, Va. David's parents - John and Elizabeth Steinberger - were married in Virginia, and came to this country in 1804, and settled on Nettle Creek, near where Millerstown is now. This was at the time an Indian village, and was occupied by the Miami tribe. Indians were plenty at that day but were peacable. The heavy timber was almost unbroken at that time, and wild game was plenty ; racoons destroyed much corn, and they had to watch their fields at night to save it ; squirrels were almost as destructive during the day as the coons were at night. Everybody helped their neighbors raise their log houses, roll and burn their logs, and a general feeling of good-fellowship prevailed. John Steinberger was a prominent man in his day, and was an enterprising one, having no money when he came here. When he left the county for Indiana in 1819 or 1820, he owned 240 acres of land. His children were named George, John, Henry, Frederick, David, and Gideon. Elizabeth and Catherine were the daughters. Only our subject and Gideon, who lives in Iowa, are living. David was born in Virginia Sept 9, 1800, and was married in 1821, to Elizabeth Pence. Their name figures extensively in this history. David and his wife were parents of seven children, only three - Louisa M., Mary A., and George S. - are living. Mrs. S. died in 1833, and in 1835 David married Lucy Gaines, of Virginia, where she was born Feb. 22, 1813. By her he had eight children, five of whom are living - Caroline, Elizabeth, Amanda, John and Gideon. David started in life with $50, which was spent in trying to regain his health, which was very poor in his younger days. He went bravely to work, married a wife, and commenced life in earnest. This reminds us of a story which David relates: " A man (name forgotten) with whom David stayed all night, on Little Flat Rock, Indiana, married his wife when she was only 15 years of age. They had been married fifteen years and had fifteen children, whose mother was only 30 years of age. When they were married, they had not a dollar and were then engaged in building a mill." After sixty years of toil, commencing without any capital, except a pair of willing hands, Mr. Steinberger is now the owner of 952 acres of land, worth $75,000, not counting personal property, etc., and and also a residence in Urbana. All this was gained by honest toil and economy. Both himself and wife are of the Baptist faith and are now living at their ease on the farm, near the mills that bear his name. Politically, he is Democratic, one of the substantial kind, and his honored and respected by the best citizens of Champaign County.

Married Elizabeth Pence on January 28, 1822 in Bartholomew County, Indiana. Children: Louisa, Mary Ann, and George Smith. Married Lucy Gaines on April 12, 1835 in Champaign County, Ohio. Children: Angeline, Caroline, Elizabeth, John Francis, Laura A., Gideon, Amanda, and Charles.

Sources

• The History of Champaign County (Beers), 1881, pgs. 727-728
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39861247