David Frederick Lehman was born at the Sous Le Rochet Farm on the Munsterberg, north of Souboz, Jura Mountains, Canton Bern, Switzerland, the sixth of fourteen known children of Abraham and Maria Anna Neukomm. David was among the early Mennonite pioneers of Berne, Indiana, emmigrating from Switzerland to the United States in 1883.

He would marry Emma Sprunger on October 16, 1892 in Berne, Adams County, Indiana and they would be the parents of these children:

Della Dora Lehman 1893 – 1966
Henry Elmer Lehman 1894 – 1895
Mary Aldine Lehman 1896 – 1961
Tillman Homer Lehman 1898 – 1962
Louise Lorena Lehman 1900 – 1996
Edna Viola Lehman 1902 – 1950
Huldah O Lehman 1905 – 1947

From Bern to Berne, by George D. McClain:

1894:

While working for A.A. Sprunger, a distant cousin who was elected Berne's first bank president in 1891, David has met the Sprungers' daughter Emma Sprunger and married her, their wedding taking place in October, 1892, in the First Mennonite Church, Berne, with cousin Rev. S.F. Sprunger officiating. He was 26 and she was 19 at the time. They have begun a family right away, with Della Dora Lehman arriving in 1893 and Henry Elmer Lehman being born this year, 1894. This year they move onto land next to schoolhouse number nine.

1910:

Each of the families in America has been earnestly involved in establishing themselves in their new land. David can serve as an example of their thrift and industriousness. In 1902 he purchased the 80-acre James Long farm north of Berne for $4,000, much of it swamp land. It had 20 acres of timber, a log cabin with grape vines growing up the south wall. The lane was flanked with walnut trees, and hollyhocks grew around the old well. The bitter cold of the winters also left an indelible memory which David's playing of Swiss tunes on his accordion did not erase. As the family remembers it, "The log house was so cold in winter that a drop of water would freeze to the floor and molasses could not be poured from a pitcher. Silverware was too cold to handle." But within six years David and Emma and their family have wrought quite a transformation. The farm is profitable and the $4,000 debt paid off. Then in 1908 a large new barn and a big, two-story brick house is erected at a cost of $3,000.

The following was provided by Find A Grave contributor, Karin King (47469179):

Adams County, Indiana Historical Museum "1941a Jan-Jun Scrapbook"
image 92
Transcribed by Janice Vasilovski

Handwritten-Mon. June 16, 1941

DAVID F. LEHMAN SUCCUMBS TO HEART ATTACK
Funeral Service for Prominent Farmer Here Tuesday Afternoon

David F. Lehman, 75, prominent and highly respected farmer of two and one-half miles north and one-half mile west of Berne, died unexpectedly from a heart attack at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. He had been enjoying his usual fair health until an hour before death occurred.

A native of Bern, Switzerland he came to this country in 1883 and lived in this community and on the farm where death took place for 39 years. He was a member of the Mennonite church since coming here.

He was the son of Abraham B. and Marie Newcomb Lehman and was born January 13, 1866. He married Emma Sprunger took place here on October 16, 1892.

The funeral will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Mennonite church following a brief service at the home at 1:30 o’clock. Dr. C. H. Suckau, pastor of the church, will officiate and interment will be made in the M.R.E. cemetery.

Surviving are the widow, two sons, Henry E. Lehman of Bluffton, Tilman H. Lehman of Hartford township; five daughters, Mrs. Della D. Sprunger, at home, Mrs. Mary Sprunger of Monroe township, Mrs. Louise Nussbaum and Mrs. Edna Moser of this place and Mrs. Hulda Brown of Aurora, Ill.

One brother, Carl, of near town and five sisters, Mrs. Leah Yoss, Mrs. Caroline (rest is missing)