Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-03-21
OM Pioneer Gone to Rest.

cause Of his death was rupture
from which he had suffered for 40
years.
George Struble, and his wife Mary,
the father and mother OF the subject
of this sketch, were both of German
decent and moved from New Jersey
to Trumbull Co., o., in 1912, where
George. the subject of this memoir
andnm, was born June 18th, 1917.
His early boyhood days were spent
on the farm, with limited education
al advantages, until about 16 years
old when he commenced work at the
carpenter and joiners trade, which
he followed for about 50 years, and
many buildings yet remain through
out the country attesting his indus
try and mechanical skill.
In 1887, Nov. Cd, he was united in
marriage to Miss Lucinda Lindlv,
also of Trumbull county, soon after
which they removed to Stark county,
and from thence to Columbiana Co.
In October, 1842, with the primitive
OK team and covered wagon, contain
ing his wife and two children, and all
his household goods, he began to
wend his way northwesterly, pass
ing through the Black Swamp, of
Wood county, through the huckle-
berry brush of southern Lucas coun-
ty, and penetrating the more dense
ly wooded country of northern Hen
ry county, cutting his own road
Through the timber to a point two
miles south of Pettisville, where he
came to halt, unhitched his OK
team from the wagon, chained them
to tree and said to his companion,
mother, this is our home.n The 80
acres of wild land on which he then
settled is now known as the Fink
Farm. The wagon in which they
moved served themas q residence un-
til their log cabin was built, sur
rounded by a dense wilderness. The
monsters of the forest gave way
to the sturdy woodman's ak, and the
forest shade which fora time fingered
about their cabin soon began to
recede until the sunlight shone
cheerily in upon a snug little farm,
and the little cabin gave way to a
more pretentious residence.
Selling this farm in 1854, he pur
chased 160 acres of unimproved,
heavily timbered land situated on
the Ridge, in Ridgeville township,
Henry county, o., removing his fami-
ly to the new home, where with the
help of his faithful wife and child
rem, he carved out a pleasant home,
where he remained until death over
took him.
While it took no small degree of
courage and pluck, to launch out
into the wilderness as this country
then was, yet this is but the minor
chapter in the history of Rev. Geo.
Strubble.
In the winter of 1887 and 1888, he
was converted, and united with the
church of the United Brethren in
Christ, a. also did his companion.
Soon after this he began to be an ac-
tive laborer in the vineyard of his
Lord and Master, serving as an itin-
Grant minister, taking up labor laid
down by other ministers because of
| poor pay. He, often travelled on
foot. long distances through the for
est to his different appointments in
the Maumee Valley, then being a
pathfinder for the church, with
which he was identified. The follow
ing was one of his fields of labor and
will illustrate the magnitude of the
work of pioneer preacher. On, this
field we shall have to follow him from
his home through the woods and
swamps of Henry county to Texas ON
the Maumee; thence to Delta in Fulton
county, thence north into southern
! Michigan, thence south to West
/ Unity in Williams county, thence
east to Burlington in Fulton county,
and then home. This circuit had IS
/ appointments, each to be filled every
4 three weeks. This was only one of
many similar fields. During his min
istry he preached between 900 and
i 1000 funeral sermons, scattered over
Henry, Fulton, Williams, Defiance
and Paulding counties, and also
Joined in matrimony nearly as many
couples.
Mr.. Struble was the father of eight
children, seven of whom, together
with their aged mother still live, with
a host of friends all over this section
sIiof country to mourn the loss of 8
iI true husband, a kind christian faith
er, true patriotic citizen, a warm
4 friend and counsellor in time o1
A trouble and sorrow. He was mem
4 ber of the U. B. Church during
about all his married life, a period o.
81 years.
The following items will be of in
terest: Father Struble, at timei
preached 13 funerals in one week
three In one day, and married thret
couples in one day. He once worked
all night to make coffin for q de
ceased person whose funeral sermon
he preached the next day.
1t is safe to say of this good man
that his whole life was benediction
d verify,
4 when a truly good man dies,
For years beyond our ken,
The light he leave behind him, lie
Along the paths of men,
| Confucius says: When the right
eous die, it is the earth that loses
The lost jewel will always be a Jewel
but the possessor who has lost it may
well weep.
The funeral services Of the deceas
ed were held on Wednesday, March
18th, at thA Ridge Chapel, in Free
dom township, under the direction b
Rev. Wager, of Wauseon, and wer,
attended by a vast concourse Of citi
zens.i ~
About two years since Father
Struble, dictated to Mr. s.. A. Miller
of German township, the more i'm
portant eventssof his life, to! whom
we are largly indebted for most Of
the items of the foregoing memoran
dun. w. TIC.
i Ridgeville Corners, o., Mch. IS, '95