Tombstone Tuesday–Margaretha Biberstein

Margaretha Biberstein, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio.

This is the tombstone of Margaretha Biberstein, located in row 14 of Kessler Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed Margaretha, tochter of A. & F. Biberstein, geb. 26 Nov 1866, gest. 26 Oct 1867, Alter 11 mo. Translation: Margaretha, daughter of A. & F. Biberstein, born 26 November 1866, died 26 October 1867, aged 11 months.  

This may be the only record of Margaretha’s birth and death.  She was not enumerated in a census because she was born and she died between census enumerations. There is no record of Margaretha’s birth, baptism, death or burial in the records of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, or in the probate court death records of Mercer County. Mercer County began recording deaths in July 1867.

A lamb is carved on her tombstone. A lamb icon was often used to indicate an infant or child’s tombstone and represents purity and innocence.

Five Biberstein/Beberstein family tombstones are in a row in Kessler Cemetery. Margaretha’s tombstone is between the tombstones of her brother Abraham and her father Abraham. Her mother Friedricka’s tombstone is on the end. This surname was spelled several different ways in the various records and on their tombstones.

Beberstein tombstones, Kessler Cemetery. Abraham [son], Margaretha, Abraham [father], Caroline, Friedricka [mother].

2 comments

  1. I often find it sad when researching people that all that remains of them is a tombstone and maybe a birth or death entry.

    Margaretha’s stone really stands out against those of her family members.

    Great post

    1. And it is sad when the tombstone, the only remembrance of that person, is in bad condition. None of those stones are weathering well. And as you can see, Abraham’s stone (the father) is broken. Some marble stones seem to weather much more than others. At least we now have digital photos, websites and cemetery books to record the stones and cemeteries.

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