John Hefflinger Family

John Hefflinger was born in Perry County, Ohio, on March 3, 1843. He was the oldest child. His brothers and sisters were: Alonzo (Bully) 1846; Isabelle, 1850; Fred, 1852; Sarah A., 1855; and Teller (I don't have that date).

John's father's name was Fred F. Hofflinger. He was born in Germany in 1820 and came to America as a young man. After getting to America,he changed his name from Hofflinger to Hefflinger. John's mother's name was Mary A. and she was born in 1818.

John met his wife, Columbia Riggs, born May 26, 1846, daughter of John and Mary Riggs, in Perry County and they were married there. The young couple came north in a wagon, bought a piece of timber land, and settled down to make a home and raise a family in 1868.

They first lived in a one room plank house with plank running up and down. Mary, John, Fred, Joseph, and William were born in it. Then they built a log house in 1874 and lived there, and the rest of the children were born in it. In about 1895 Grandfather had a new seven room house built which now stands just a little east and across from Franz Fruit Market on County Road 0, or old Route 6, or still older was called Elm Road, in Harrison Township.

There were thirteen children born in the family. The dates of birth are from the old family Bible: Mary, Sept. 2, 1868, died in infancy; John, August 12, 1869, died May 6, 1890; Fred, November 11, 1870, wife, Lou, family of 16; Joseph, November 11, 1871, wife, Iva, family of 3; William, December 1, 1873, wife, Margaret, family of 2; Manerva J., July 18, 1875, died while little; Charles France, May 7, 1887, wife, Carrie, wife, Martha, family of 3; Infant boy, 1878; Sarah Kathryn, April 17, 1879, husband Fred Lust, family of 2; Robert, November 7, 1881, wife, Erma, wife, Edith, family of 3; Mandy, June 26, 1883, died while small; Nellie, March 26, 1885, husband, Ray Duffy, family of 8; Jennie, May 21, 1887, age 2 years, died with whooping cough.

[Photo, p. 241a] John Hefflinger, Jr. first son of John and Columbia

The family attended Sunday School and church at the old Lemert Church which was of E.U.B. Denomination. It was about a half mile north and a half mile west across fields to the church. The Hefflingers were Grange members of Harrison Grange 151.

[Photo, p. 241b] Mr. and Mrs. John Hefflinger Family, 1900. Left to right: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hefflinger, Charlie and Dorie, Mr. and Mrs. Joesh Hefflinger and Floyd, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lust (Kathryn Hefflinger) and Florence, Nellie Hefflinger, Mr. and Mrs. Charle Hefflinger, John and Columbia Hefflinger, William Hefflinger, Robert Hefflinger; in front: grandchildren: Johnny, Leona, Walter, Donnie, Ola, and Guy.

They built themselves a nice farm home on 110 acres. They farmed all their life and their sons also farmed when they grew up.

Grandmother carded wool and spun it, then knitted the children mittens and socks. She also made all their clothing, and many comforts and quilts. She ironed straw and would weave the boys straw hats, besides making her bread, churning butter, and making her famous soda biscuits. Then she cared for a garden and a herb garden and made lye from wood ashes for her soap.

Grandfather farmed, cut wood, and hauled logs, cut wood for winter, and he also took his team and helped dig ditches which were needed in those days. I still have one of the oxen yokes.

[Photo, p. 242a] William and Margaret Hefflinger with daughters, Helen, Luella and Maisie Columbia.

Grandmother passed away on October 11, 1904, and Grandfather on March 28, 1911; and all the family are laid to rest in Hoy Cemetery on old State Route 109.

Submitted by: Maisie Columbia Corwin