Nathan Lust

As printed in 1902

NATHAN LUST.

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 A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.