The Lust Family of Crawford County, Ohio

Among the settlers who came to Crawford county in pioneer days and were long identified with the upbuilding and development of this portion of the state, and none have been more highly respected or more worthy of high regard than the Rev. Frederick Lust, who not only gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, but also devoted much of his time through forty years to the work of preaching the gospel as a minister of the Pietist church. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 181 5, and with his father, John David Lust, he came to America in 1820, crossing the ocean on one of the old-time sailing vessels, which required weeks to make the passage. On reaching the shores of the new world the father brought his family to Ohio, and first located in Marion county, and ten years later coming to Crawford county. From that time forward until his death Frederick Lust was a resident of this county. He lived in Lykens township and there he purchased a tract of wild land, which he transformed into a productive farm.

As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Mr. Lust those Sophia Beak and unto them were born nine children: Samuel, now deceased; Lydia, the wife of Frederick Heiber, of Liberty township; Sophia, the wife of Martin Durr, by whom she had three children; Benjamin, deceased; Louisa, who married Charles Lindner, of Valparaiso, Indiana; Susan, deceased; Emanuel, who is living in Holmes township; Isaac, who has passed away; and Nathaniel, who resides at Sulphur Springs, Ohio. For his second wife Rev. Mr. Lust those Dorothy Gross.

Throughout his active business career he carried on farming, and at the time of his death was the owner of two hundred and fifty acres of valuable land, for as time passed he made judicious investments of his earnings and thus gained a valuable property. He was also1 the first minister of the Pietist church in this locality and for forty years gave much time, energy and consecrated thought to the work of helping his fellow men to walk in the path pointed out by the Savior. In politics he was a Democrat, and served as school director and trustee of his township. He took an active interest in educational affairs and in all movements tending to benefit the community. By precept and example he labored for the cause of the church, and his influence was very marked. His memory remains as a benediction to all who knew this worthy and upright pioneer.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Nathan Lust, who resides in Liberty township, was born in Lykens township, on the 30th of September, 1861. His father, Frederick Lust, was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born December 24, 1813, and during his childhood he came to America with his parents. After a short stay in Pennsylvania the family removed to Marion county, Ohio, where the grandparents took up their above, and as the sons, Caleb, Conrad and Frederick, attained sufficient age and strength, they secured work on the Columbus & Sandusky turnpike. In this way they earned the capital which they later invested in land, each securing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres early in the '30s. Caleb, who was married, and Frederick Lust came to Crawford county with their household effects loaded in a wagon, and on reaching Chatfield township, they located on a farm in the forest. Caleb there entered one hundred and sixty acres of land and erected a cabin as quickly and as cheaply as possible, while Frederick Lust, who was preparing for the ministry, boarded with his brother and sister-in-law. He adopted the ministry as his life work and for thirty years engaged in preaching the gospel. Although he was not a member of any- organized church, he gained many followers through his teachings, his wonderful personality and his clear presentation of the truths of Christianity, and erected what was known as the Lust church. In recent years the old house of worship was torn down and a substantial brick church was erected, which is still known by the old name. Rev. Lust was a man of wonderful memory, of strong mentality and of unquestioned fidelity to the principles in which he believed and which he taught. He labored among his fellow men for their own good and upbuilding of the cause and never sought remuneration for his work in the church. Some time after his arrival in Crawford county he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land of Robert Knott, who was the original settler of the place. The farm was located in Lykens township and there he resided up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1883. In his political views he was a Democrat and he gave his hearty cooperation to every movement or measure which he believed would prove of public benefit. In early manhood he married Miss Sophia Beal, who was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, June 1, 1821, a daughter of Michael and Sophia Beal, both of whom were natives of Germany, but became early settlers of Crawford county. Mrs. Lust passed away December 23, 1864, when our subject was only four years of age, and the father afterward married Miss Dorothy Gross, who still survives him, and is now the widow of Ernest Wilhelm. Unto the parents of Nathan Lust were born nine children, five of whom are yet living, namely: Lydia, the wife of Frederick Hieber, of Liberty township; Sophia, the widow of Martin Durr, of Chatfield township; Louisa, wife of Charles Lindner, of Valparaiso, Indiana; Emanuel, who is living in Holmes township; and Nathan.

In taking up the personal history of Nathan Lust we learn that his boyhood days were spent under the refining influences of a good Christian home and there was received the foundation for his upright character and his useful career. His literary education was obtained in the common schools. On the 25th of September. 1884, he married Miss Catherine S. Klopfenstein, a daughter of Isaac Klopfenstein, a prominent merchant and stock man of Sulphur Springs. The young couple began their domestic life upon his father's farm, which Mr. Lust rented until 1889. when he removed to Sulphur Springs, and. in partnership with his father-in-law, purchased the flouring mill at that place, carrying on the enterprise for three years, after which they exchanged the mill for one hundred and sixty acres of land, known as the "Old Fry" farm, just north of the town. To this place Mr. Lust removed, making it his home, and after the death of his father-in-law in 1898, he purchased it in partnership with the Keller brothers, cultivating the place for one year. On the expiration of that period he sold his interest in the farm and purchased his present home of forty-one acres in Liberty township. He also owns forty-eight acres in Sandusky township, which has been his property for the past ten years.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lust has been blessed with four children, of whom three are yet living, namely: Wilbert Lee, Frederick I. and Lloyd E. The daughter. Lulu L., who was the third in order of birth, is now deceased. Mr. Lust keeps well informed on the political issues of the day and votes with the Democracy, but he has never been a politician in the sense of an office-seeker, although he served for twelve years as school director. He belongs to the German Reformed church, in which he has held the office of deacon and elder for several years, and for five years he served as superintendent of the Sunday-school. By all who know him he is highly esteemed alone of the representative men of his community, honored for his sterling worth and respected for his social and friendly nature.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN LUST, a retired farmer and highly respected citizen of Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., where he owns T04 acres of very valuable land which is situated in section 1 5 and lies two miles southeast of New Washington. O.. was born in Chatfield township, Crawford county, June 5, 1 845. His parents were Conrad and Magdalena (Myer) Lust.

Conrad Lust was born in Germany but came to the United Stales when about live years old, his parents settling first in Pennsylvania and later coming to Ohio, where Conrad attended school m Marion county. He married Magdalena Myer, who was born in Pennsylvania, but was reared in Columbiana county, O. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Lust settled in Chatfield township, and continued to live there throughout life, the death of Conrad Lust occurring in his bath year, while his widow survived to the age of seventy-three. They were members of the Pietist church. Of their nine children, eight reside in Crawford county, Daniel and Solomon, together with John Beal, a son-in-law, residing on the old homestead of 433 acres.

John Lust has been engaged in farming all his mature life, first on the home place and later lor himself. For seven years he remained in Chatlleld township, but in 1873 moved to the present farm in Cranberry township, from which he moved to Liberty township in 1886 and remained for five and one-half years and then returned to his Cranberry township property.

Mr. Lust married Miss Susanna Pfleiderer, a daughter of Jacob Pfleiderer of Liberty township and two children were born to them: an infant son, deceased; and William, who lived to the age of eight months. Mr. and Mrs. Lust are members of the Pietist church. While Mr. Lust has never been active in politics, he has always been interested in the substantial progress made by his community and has lent his influence in the direction of temperance, education and religion.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

DAVID LUST, V. S. is one of the well-known residents of Dallas township, Crawford county, and the owner of 120 acres of land, 80 of which are located in Dallas township and the remaining 40 in Tod township. He was born in Crawford county, Nov. 17, 1847, being a son of Conrad and Magdalena (Myers) Lust.

Conrad Lust came to this country from Germany where he had been horn, being hut nine years of age at the time of his arrival here. His wife was born in Columbiana county, O. Both have passed aw'ay and their remains are buried in Chatfield township. They reared a family of children who bore the following names: Israel, Susannah, deceased, who was the wife of Christopher Klink; John; David; Catherine, the widow of William LI. Hunsicker; Sophia, the wife of Emanuel Yeiter; Solomon; Daniel; and Elizabeth, who is the wife of John Beal. Conrad Lust was a Democrat in politics.

Dr. David Lust, after completing his common school education, turned his attention to farm work but in connection therewith began the study of veterinary surgery. After three years spent with Dr. Keller he began practice for himself and has since continued to attend to his duties as a veterinary together with his farming. Dr. Lust has lived on his farm about 40 years, having inherited the 80 acres on which he resides from his father. The 40 acres located in Tod township he himself has bought. TIis land is well improved and he carries on general farming besides raising what stock he needs.

Dr. Lust married Miss Elizabeth Hunsicker in August, 1871. She was born in Stark county, her parents being Jacob and Otillia (Nearing) Hunsicker, whose other children were: Jacob, William, Catherine (Mrs. Henry While), Peter, and Mary (Mrs. Jacob Shearer). Mr. Hunsicker spent his life engaged in farming.

Dr. and Mrs. Lust are the parents of three children, namely: Noah L., who married Miss Emma Stiger; Ida, the wife of Philip Stiger; and Daniel C., who married Miss Bessie Murphy-

In politics Dr. Lust adheres to the Democratic party. Lie has served as land appraiser. He belongs to the Grange at Bucyrus and the Reformed church.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JACOB LUST, whose well improved farm of 150 acres lies in Holmes township, Crawford county, O., on the Oceola road, four miles w'est of Bucyrus, was born in Lykens township, Crawford county, March 17, 1855, and is a son of David and Catherine (Yeiter) Lust.

David Lust came of German ancestry but was born in Marion county, O., and in 1828 accompanied an uncle to Crawford county and resided in Chatfield township until after his marriage. He then moved to Lykens township and for many years carried on farming but is now retired, being in his bath year. He married Catherine Yeiter, who was born in New Jersey and was brought to Crawford county in youth. Ten children, six sons and four daughters were born to them and all survive except one daughter, Mrs. Lydia Stump, the next to the youngest born. The others are: Jacob; Mrs. Elizabeth ITeiber; Simon, of Liberty township; Noah, of Whetstone township; Mrs. Mary Cook, of Bucyrus; Wesley, of Holmes township; Mrs. Sarah Hayden, who resides with her father; Abraham, of Holmes township; and Amos, who is the home farmer.

Jacob Lust obtained his education in the district schools and afterward engaged in farming in Liberty and Bucyrus townships prior to coming to his present place, Aug. 17, 1893. He has greatly improved this property since it came into his possession and has a valuable and well stocked farm. Mr. Lust married Miss Amanda Brown, a daughter of John Browm, who was born in Germany. They have had six children, namely: Verne, who married Ora Benson and has two children: Florence and Eairv; an infant, deceased; Effie, who died at the age of fifteen years; Roy, who married Elsie Scbifer and has two children: Norma and b red; and I.corn and Raymond, who remain at home. Politically Mr. Lust is a stanch Democrat and lie has served in the office of township trustee and is a member of the school board, the District No. 9 school-house being on his farm. Mr. Lust and family attend the Lutheran church. They are all well known and highly respected people of this section.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ABRAHAM J. LUST, a well known citizen of Holmes township and a successful general farmer and stock raiser, resides on a valuable farm of eighty acres, which Hes one mile east of Brokensword, O. Mr. Lust belongs to one of the representative families of this section. He was born on the old Lust homestead, August 28, 1872, and is a son of David Lust.

Abraham J. Lust obtained a district school education and then those farming as his life business, following it first in Lykens township but retaining his residence always in Holmes township. His well cultivated and comfortably improved farm is numbered with the good properties of this part of the county.

Mr. Lust was married in 1894, to Miss Emma Haas, who is a daughter of Henry Hass, a blacksmith in business at Brokensword, and they have one daughter, Edith, who resides with her parents. Mr. Lust and family attend Emanuel church at Brokensword. He belongs to a Democratic family, he and his brothers having followed the example of their father in public matters.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

The career of no man in Crawford county, Ohio, more forcibly illustrates the value of industry and integrity than that of David Lust, of Lykens township. Mr. Lust is a native of Ohio, and was born in Marion county, October 26, 1828, a son of Jacob and Mary (Stoneman) Lust. Jacob Lust and his wife both died in 1829, and their son Jacob, their only other child except the subject of this sketch, is also dead. David was reared by his grandfather Lust and began active life by working on farms in Chatfield township, Crawlord county. After working by the month for four years he located on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He now owns another farm of one hundred and forty-two acres and another of eighty acres, his land aggregating three hundred and eighty-two acres.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.