Samuel Oscar Hashbarger

Samuel Oscar Hashbarger

"Oscar" Hashbarger was the only son of David H. and Anna (Simms) Hashberger. He was born on 19 November, 1865, in a log cabin built by his father on 160 acres of land which he entered and purchased from the Government. This was in Marion Township, Henry County, Ohio. (In the county known as the Great Black Swamp).

Oscar's mother died four weeks after his birth from what was called at that time child birth fever. It is told that his grandmother Ann Stevenson wrapped him in a shawl and carried him across the woods to the home where she and Samuel had taken up a homestead several years before -being the first settlement in Marion Township.

Oscar lived with his grandmother until his father was married to Susan Kneinfelter in 1868. In 1872 a son was born to this union, namely Henry Jerome.

Oscar attended the Hashbarger School and helped his father with the farm work. In winter the making of maple syrup and maple sugar was quite an event. The sugar camp was located in the east woods across the road from the old homestead. The trees were tapped in March or as soon as the big thaw started. It was part of Oscar's job to gather the sugar water and deliver it to the big vats or pans. This was done by pouring it in a barrel on a sled drawn by a horse. It was then boiled down to the proper consistency. This also proved entertainment for the young and old of the community. The cooking of the syrup was twenty-four hours around the clock and young folks would spend the evening there pulling taffy and having a general good time.

On Jan. 19, 1890, Oscar was married to Margaret Decko Packard. His father David H. built a house on forty acres of land just north of the old home and there he and his wife set up housekeeping. There were four children born to this union. Mann was born 31 Nov., 1890, (died in infancy); Gerna born 1 Aug., 1892; Geneva born 31 Oct., 1896; and Harold born 11 May, 1899.

With the help of his step-son Earl Packard, Oscar farmed this land and later bought twenty acres more. Yearslater he also farmed his father's farm (David H.) who had ninety acres. The crops were mainly wheat, corn, and oats, the stock hogs and cattle.

Oscar lived there until 1912 when he moved to Leipsic and lived for two years. He then bought a farm on Highway 109 and moved there and lived until the death of his wife Margaret in 1935. He then went to live with his son Harold and family who lived just a half mile east of his farm, where he spent the remainder of his days.

Oscar passed away on 20 Feb., 1952, and was buried in the graveyard that his grandfather started just west of the old home place.