My Genealogy Hound

J. BONI. HEMSTEGER, editor Correspondent, Piqua; was born on the 3d day of September, 1858, in the city of Piqua, being the fifth child in the family. His father removed from West Alexandria, Preble Co., Ohio, to Piqua, about the year 1855, and has since then carried on one of the largest and most prosperous clothing establishments in the county. The subject of this sketch received his first education in the parish schools of Piqua, and then for several terms attended the St. Mary’s Institute, near Dayton, Ohio. In December, 1871, his studies were abruptly terminated by a very malignant attack of spinal meningitis, and brain fever, which rendered him utterly helpless for five months, and incapacitated him for any exertions for two years. This sickness also permanently deprived him of the power of hearing. In January, 1875, he accepted a position in a printing establishment of Piqua, where he learned the printing business. In October, 1877, went to Lima, Ohio, working at a German paper in that city; after six weeks spent in this position, he purchased an interest in the German Stern des Westlichen Ohio, at Minster, Auglaize Co., and assumed the publication of that journal. Finding the business a very unprofitable one, he sold out his share in the same to his partner, in March, 1878, and returned to Piqua, and immediately set about making preparations for the publication of a new German paper. On the 17th day of April, same year, the first number of Der Piqua Correspondent was issued by him, and since that date the paper has been a regular weekly visitor among the numerous German families of the city and neighborhood. Under his management the enterprise has proven a gratifying success. Mr. Hemsteger was married October 30, 1878, to Miss Minnie E. Brands, of Piqua, and has established for himself a very pleasant home in the southern part of the city.