Biography/Notes

Nicholas Huss was born August 6, 1809 in Niederkorn, Differdange, Luxembourg to Mathias Hoss and Catherine Adam. Nicholas Huss' name was spelled Hoss on his baptismal certificate, and it was eventually changed. The name has also been spelled Hoos, Hooss, Hosse, and Hoosse. On January 12, 1837, Nicholas married Catherine Humer. In 1846, Nicholas sold his farm and his family sailed to America, and most arrived before 1850. Their reasons for leaving their homeland may have included the following:
Niederkorn/Oberkorn Parish church,
Differdange, Luxembourg.  D From 1750 to 1845, the population rose and there was a shortage of land. Farmers no longer had enough land to help their children get started. In 1841, there was a poor harvest, and the potato crop failed in 1842. A harsh winter in 1844 caused food prices to rise dramatically. Again, in 1845, the grain crop failed and prices rose again. Fortunately, some Luxembourgers were able to sell their farms and property so they were financially able to start anew in the U.S.

In the spring of 1846, Nicholas and Catherine Huss and their four children along with Peter (Pierre) and Margaret Hummer and their four children made their way to LeHarve, France and sailed for America on the American sailing ship "Ark." The captain's name was P. Johnson. The "Ark" was a two masted sailing ship built in 1833.

The families arrived in New York on June 7, 1846. In August 1846, Nicholas Huss purchased a 30 acre farm in Seneca County, Big Spring Township, Ohio, Section 18, just three farms north of the Humer farm. There was a lot of social and family interaction between the Huss and the Humer families since they lived so closely in the same community. The Huss family moved into their farm southwest of New Riegel and later bought a larger farm two miles north of town. Nicholas Huss was a stonemason by trade.

The Huss family soon changed the spelling of their last name. At that time, all of the family mail and legal documents, which were all handwritten, began coming in with the name spelled Huss, as the "o" was left open. Eventually, the family just accepted this and began spelling the name Huss instead of Hoss.

The Nicholas Huss family was Catholic and attended St. Boniface Church. The original church was a log building built in 1836, after a subscription drive netted $225.50. The community at that time was known as Wolfscreek. The parish was named St. Boniface later when the first church was dedicated. A school was opened in 1839. Eventually, a larger church was needed and construction began in 1847 and was completed in 1849. It was a brick structure one hundred foot long and 45 foot wide and cost $6,000.00 to build. The Nicholas Huss family worshiped in both churches.

Nicholas Huss as well as Peter (Pierre) Hummer's names appeared as the signers of the "Constitution of the
Stained glass window donated
by Nicholas Huss. Close-up  D Community Association of Catholic Families in Wolfscreek." It was signed December 19, 1848. This agreement dealt with the financing and construction of the new church building and operation of the parish. In 1873, it was decided that the church was no longer safe. The bricks used were felt to have been improperly fired. It was decided to build a new church, but there was a lot of discussion. Most of the disagreement was over where to put the church. The bishop came to New Riegel to settle the dispute. Another priest was called in to handle a vote on the matter, but there was still trouble. Father Alphons Laux, the pastor, once became so upset he quit preaching sermons and hearing confessions. Construction finally began in May 1875, and the new church was dedicated on May 12, 1878. It cost about $30,000.00. There were seventeen stained glass windows funded by voluntary contributions of the parishoners. The total cost of these windows was $987.75. A stained glass window located in the choir loft was donated by Nicholas Huss.

On February 5, 1883, Nicholas Huss, Sr. executed his will. It stated that he had previously given his son John $1,178.00. Therefore, the other children each received $1,178.00. If his estate exceeded that amount, the rest should be divided equally. He named Paul Huss as executor of his estate. This was a large estate for the time. A newspaper article referred to Nicholas Huss as one of the wealthiest residents in the area because of his thrift and hard work.

On April 22, 1887 Nicholas Huss, Sr. died while staying at the home of his sister and brother-in-law Mary and Casper Stark. He was buried next to Catherine in St. Boniface Cemetery.

Obituary from Seneca Advertiser, April 28, 1887:

Nicholas Huss, an uncle of Marshal Hummer of this city, died of consumption and [unreadable] at New Riegel last evening, aged seventy-eight years. Funeral at the St. Boniface Catholic Church at New Riegel at 9 o'clock Sunday morning.

Obituary from Tiffin Weekly Tribune, April 28, 1887, page 2, column 7.

Died Huss--At his late residence in New Riegel, on Friday, April 22, 1887, Nicholas Huss, aged 78 years. The funeral took place on Sunday at 9 o'clock a.m.

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Nicholas' inscription		Grave of Nicholas and Catherine Huss, St. Boniface Cemetery		Catherine's inscription