Hezekiah S. Kiger is a representative of one of Ohio's pioneer families. He was born October 18, 1830, in the town of Lancaster, Fairfield county, a son of William and Christna (Walduck) Kiger, who were natives of Germany. The father was a lifelong farmer. He left his native land when a mere boy, and his wife crossed the Atlantic at the age of eight years. They were married in Ohio, and located in Fairfield county, where, in Lancaster township, Mr. Kiger owned 340 acres of land, making his home thereon until his death. The children of his family were: Louis, who died at the age of fifteen; Henry, of Fairfield county; Margaret, deceased wife of John Bucher, of Millgrove; William, who died in Fairfield county; Josiah, who died in Millgrove; Mary, deceased wife of Harvey Harris; Elizabeth, wife of George Rigby; Jesse, of Lancaster, Ohio; Hezekiah S.; Susanna, wife of Silas Williamson, of Fairfield county; and Amos, also of Fairfield county.
Our subject acquired his education in the public schools near his home, and assisted in the cultivation of his father's farm until his marriage, which was celebrated in Fairfield county, November 27, 1860, Miss Samantha Jane Hunter becoming his wife. She was born in January, 1831. Their union was blessed with three children, viz.: Charles, who died in his twentieth year; William, who died in infancy; and Effie Belle, wife of Otto Myers, of Liberty township, by whom she has one child, Bessie. Mrs. Kiger is a daughter of Thomas R. and Abigail (Brumfield) Hunter. Her father was born in Hocking township, Fairfield county, April 27, 1801, and was the second male child born in that township. His father, James Hunter, a native of Philadelphia, married Margaret Reese, and followed school teaching in Ohio. Their son, Thomas, began to learn the blacksmith's trade, but was obliged to abandon this, on account of a disabled arm, and turned his attention to the operation of 160 acres of land, which his father gave him. He died May 11, 1882, and his wife, who was born in October, 1805, departed this life April 13, 1882. Their children were Amanda P., wife of Benjamin Franklin, of Boone county, Iowa; Margaret, who died September 1, 1854, at the age of twenty-four; Mrs. Kiger; James, who died at the age of six years; Hannah, wife of William Cochran; Solomon, who is living on the old homestead; Joseph and Mary, twins, both of whom died at the age of five years; John Wesley, who died in infancy; and Ann Maria, who died in childhood.
For a few years after their marriage our subject and his wife lived in Fairfield county, where Mr. Kiger owned 125 acres of land, that he inherited from his father. At length he sold this, and, in 1872, came to Wood county, purchasing eighty acres of land in Liberty township, of which thirty acres had been plowed. The improvements were very poor, but he had transformed this into a fine farm that to-day is a monument to his thrift and enterprise. Although his life has been a busy one, he always finds time to faithfully perform his duties of citizenship, and efficiently served as school director for six years. He takes quite an active part in politics, is well informed on the issues of the day, and is a stanch Republican.
Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio; J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1897