Tombstone Tuesday–Jacob & Margaret (Huffman) Bollenbacher

Jacob & Margaret (Huffman) Bollenbacher, Kessler/Liberty Cemetery, Mercer County, Oiho. (2017 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Jacob and  Margaret (Huffman) Bollenbacher, located in row 8, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Jacob
1848-1929
Margaret
His Wife
1855-1921
BOLLENBACHER

Jacob Bollenbacher was born in Petersbach, Germany, on 28 October 1848, the son of Abraham Bollenbacher. [1] Some sources show that his mother’s name was Maria Katharine Kuhn. He immigrated to America in 1871. [2]

Jacob Bollenbacher married Margaretta “Margaret” Huffman 21 February 1878 in Mercer County, Ohio, married by Rev. CJ Bohnen. [3]

Margaret Huffman was born in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on 3 January 1855, the daughter of Ferdinand & Elizabeth (Herzog/Hartzog) Huffman. The name was spelled Hoffmann in some of the old records. Her parents were born in Germany. Margaret was confirmed at Zion Chatt on 1 April 1871.

Margaret Huffman lived south of Chatt in 1860, where the family had a Skeels Cross Roads Post Office address. Their household in 1860: Ferdinand, 30; Elizabeth, 26; George, 7; Margaret, 4; John, 2; Elizabeth, 8 months; and Philip, 8 months. [4]

After their marriage Jacob and Margaret Bollenbacher lived across the state line in Adams County, Indiana, where Jacob farmed. In their household in 1880: Jacob, 31; Margaret, 24; and Augustus, 1. [5]

In 1900 Jacob and Margaret and their five children lived in Jefferson Township, Adams County, Indiana. In their household: Jacob, 51; Margaret, 44; August William, 21; Dora C, 18; Jesse Charles, 16; Abraham, 16; and Rosa C, 13. This enumeration indicates that Jacob immigrated in 1871. Margaret had given birth to 8 children but only 5 were living. All of their children were reportedly born in Indiana and Jacob farmed for a living. [2]

Their household in 1910, Adams County: Jacob, 61; Margaret, 54; Jess, 27; Rosa, 23; and Wilber Anspaugh, 7 [grandson]. Wilbur Anspaugh was their daughter Dora’s son. Dora died in 1902 and now only 4 of the 8 Bollenbacher children survived. It appears son Jess had taken over the farming. Jacob reportedly did odd job on the farm while Jess farmed. [6] They lived very close to my relative Winfield Brewster.

Jacob and Margaret still resided in Adams County in 1920, where Jacob again farmed. Still living with them was their grandson Wilbert T Anspaugh, 17. [7]   

Margaret (Huffman) Bollenbacher died 7 July 1921 in Liberty Township, Mercer County, at the age of 66 years, 6 months, and 4 days. Her cause of death was rheumatic arthritis and nephritis with gastritis as a contributing factor, a condition which she had for 9 years. SS Egger was in charge of the funeral arrangements and she was buried on 9 July. [8]  

Jacob Bollenbacher died of pneumonia on 15 May 1929 in Decatur, Adams County, Indiana, at the age of 80 years, 6 months, and 3 days. His occupation reportedly was retired farmer. Egger & Ketcham were in charge of the funeral arrangements and Jacob was buried on the 3rd. His son GW [August William] Bollenbacher was the informant for information on Jacob’s death certificate, information that indicated Jacob was the son of Abe Bollenbacher, mother’s name unknown, and was born in Petersbach. [1]

Jacob and Margaret (Huffman) Bollenbacher had at least 8 children, three of whom died in infancy before 1900. Those children may also be buried in Kessler Cemetery. There are two two infant sons, children of J & M Bollenbacher, who died in 1888 and 1893, buried side by side there. The 5 Bollenbacher children who reached adulthood:

August William (1877-1966), married Maggie Bausser
Dora C (1881-1902), married James L. Anspaugh
Jess Charles (1882-1976), married Amelia Berger
Abraham (1884-1940), married Amanda M. Brush
Rosa C (1886/7-1962), married John Becher

 

[1] Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, database on-line, Ancestry.com, Jacob Bollenbacher, 15 May 1929; Indiana Death Certificates, 1929, roll 7, Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, IN.

[2] 1900 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams, Indiana, ED 4, p.6A, dwelling 104, household 104, Jacob Bullenbacher; Ancestry.com; FHL microfilm 1240357, NARA microfilm T623, roll 357.

[3] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013,” database with images, FamilySearch.org, Jacob Bollenbaugh and Margaretta Hoffman, 21 Feb 1878; Mercer County Marriages, Vol. 4, p.99, FHL microfilm 914956.

[4] 1860 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, p.358, dwelling 998, family 1003, Fred Hoofman; Ancestry.com; FHL microfilm 805009, NARA microfilm M653, roll 1009.

[5] 1880 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams, Indiana, ED 133, p.50A, dwelling & family 38, Jacob Bollenbau; Ancestry.com; FHL microfilm 1254263, NARA microfilm T9, roll 263.

[6] 1910 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams, Indiana, ED 4, p.2A, dwelling & family 29, Jacob Bollenbacher; Ancestry.com; FHL microfilm 1374351, NARA microfilm T624, roll 338.

[7] 1920 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams, Indiana, ED 4, p.6B, dwelling 119, family 129, Jacob Bollenbacher; Ancestry.com; NARA microfilm T625, roll 420.

[8] “Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953,” database with images, FamilySearch.org, Margaretta Bollenbacher, 7 Jul 1921; Liberty Twp, Mercer County death certificates, FHL microfilm 1991749.

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