David was one of 13 children born to Jacob Lehman and Anna Kreider. Like most of his siblings, David was born in the Stouffville Village of Ontario, Canada.

David's was 13 years old when his mother died in 1851. David's father remarried a year or two later. David's step-mom was named Sarah. She too died, and Jacob (David's father) remarried again, this time to Barbara Wideman. Barbara was a widow from her first marriage to Jacob Henry Stover and had children from that marriage. So in addition to step parents, step-siblings were brought into the family.

David and Sarah met while they were both living in Canada and were married in 1863 in Stouffville. Although the rest of David's family remained in Canada, David and Sarah immigrated to the United States shortly after their marriage.

David and Sarah had 11 kids of their own, all born in Ohio. David worked as a Miller in a Flour Mill. While head miller, David suffered a near fatal accident a couple of weeks before Christmas in 1893. About 9 o'clock in the morning, David found his legs caught in the main belt of the elevator which pulled him into the chute up to his waist, at which time the belt came off the pulley (which most likely saved his life). Once the belt was forced off the pulley, David was able to release himself from the machinery. Co-workers rushed David to his home where the doctor met him and treated him for injuries. Internal injuries were a concern as well as the obvious external ones. David was laid up a while from his life-threatening injuries, but did recover.

David and Sarah were devout Christians and active members of the Central Christian Church in Marion. They raised their children to be faithful members too, and the entire family was active in the church leadership. David was an elder in the church and was even elected Elder Emeritus …. special recognition given to people who have contributed greatly to the life of the church while faithfully serving Christ.

David and Sarah's home was always open to entertain guests, visiting relatives, and various church groups. They were well loved and respected by all who knew them.

About 7 months after his wife's death, David contracted pneumonia and died on a Sunday morning in his son Medwin's home. Medwin's wife, Cora was caring for David while he was sick. All but two of David's children were by his bedside when he died.