David Orrin Steinberger was an artist and professor who became known as the “Hermit of Mad River.” He resided at Zane Caverns from 1937 to 1941.
Steinberger was born in Clark County in 1857 to George and Elizabeth Funk Steinberger. He spent his childhood on his family’s farm in Mad River Township. He was educated at Wittenberg College, the National Academy of Design, and the Art League in New York. After completing his education, he became a book and magazine illustrator for Funk and Wagnalls, a company started by his uncle, Isaac Funk, and Adam Wagnalls in 1876. He drew illustrations for The Youth’s Companion, Farm and Fireside, the Literary Digest, as well as other publications.
In 1894, Steinberger returned to Springfield and accepted a job at Wittenberg College, teaching clay modeling and “Pen Drawing for Illustration”. The College was thrilled to have such a successful illustrator on their staff. However, he did not feel comfortable with the confinement of the classroom and went back to being an illustrator…