Tombstone Tuesday–Mary Olga (Huffman) Bollenbacher

Mary Olga (Huffman) Bollenbacher, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Mary Olga (Huffman) Bollenbacher, located in row 7 of Kessler Cemetery [aka Liberty Cemetery], Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Mary O.
Wife of
William G.
Bollenbacher
Aug. 12, 1889
Nov. 16, 1920

Mary Olga Huffman was the daughter of George F. and Sarah Roseann (Dodge) Huffman, born in Adams County, Indiana, on 12 August 1889. Her baptism is recorded in Zion Lutheran Chatt’s records, which tell that she was baptized at home on 6 November 1892. Jacob Huffman and Maria Kessler served as her sponsors. Her sister Maggie Iona Huffman, born 18 Aug 1892, was baptized that same day, with Jacob Bollenbacher and his wife serving as her sponsors. Their surname was recorded as Hoffmann in their baptism records as well as some of the other entries.

In 1900 Mary Olga Huffman, reportedly 10 years old, lived with her family on their farm in Jefferson Township, Adams County, Indiana. They had moved there from Liberty Township, Mercer County, in about 1884. [1]

Mary Olga married William George Bollenbacher on 6 February 1907 in Adams County, Indiana. William was the son of Jacob and Lena (Distler) Bollenbacher. According to their marriage license William was a farmer and Mary’s occupation was farmer’s daughter. It was the first marriage for both. [2] They were married by John Ault, Justice of the Peace. [3]

Two Huffman sisters married Bollenbacher brothers. Mary Olga’s sister Maggie Iona Huffman married William’s brother Jacob Dewald Bollenbacher.

William and Mary (Huffman) Bollenbacher resided in Jefferson Township, Adams County, and in 1910 they had two children, Lulu I, 2; and Harold, 6 months. Lulu was reportedly born in Ohio, while Harold was born in Indiana. William Bollenbacher farmed. [4] Their son Harold would eventually own and operate Bollenbacher’s Grocery in Chatt.

By 1920 Mary and William had four children. Their family in 1920: William, 34; Mary O, 30; Lula I, 12; Harold A, 10; Gladys V, 6; and Alvin L, 3. William still farmed. [5]

Mary Olga (Huffman) Bollenbacher died of nephritis rheumatism and pyemia [blood poisoning/septicemia] on 16 November 1920, likely at their home in Jefferson Township. She had suffered with the condition for six months and was only 31 years, 3 months, and 5 days old. The informant of information on her death certificate was Maggie Huffman of Geneva, Indiana. The undertaker was Wells Brothers, Geneva, and Mary was buried on the 18th. [6]

William and Mary Olga (Huffman) Bollenbacher had the following children:
Lulu I Bollenbacher (1907-2001), married Gerald Farlow
Harold (1909-1992), married Martha White
Gladys (1913-2004), married Robert Stuber
Alvin L (1916-1985), married Pauline Rupert
Mary Helen (1920-2006), married Charles Baker

 

[1] 1900 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams, Indiana, ED 4, p.11A, dwelling & family 198, Geo F Huffman; Ancestry.com; FHL microfilm 1240357, NARA microfilm T623, roll 357.

[2] “Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007,” database with images, FamilySearch.org, William G Bollenbacher & Mary Olga Huffman; Adams County Marriage License Applications, Vol. 2, p.89; FHL microfilm 2321466.

[3] Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007,” database with images, FamilySearch.org, William G Bollenbacher & Mary Olga Huffman, 6 Feb 1907; Adams County Marriages, Vol. 1, p.179; FHL microfilm 2321629.

[4] 1910 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams, Indiana, ED 4, p.8B, dwelling & family 165, William G Bollenbacher; Ancestry.com; FHL microfilm 1374351, NARA microfilm T624, roll 338.

[5] 1920 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams, Indiana, ED 4, p.6B, dwelling 125, visited 135, William G. Bollenbacher; Ancestry.com; NARA microfilm T625, roll 420.

[6] Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Death Certificates, 1920, roll 19; Mary Olga Bollenbacher, 16 Nov 1920; Ancestry.com; Indiana State Board of Health Death Certificates, 1900-2011, Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Indiana.

2 comments

    • Deb Reichard on August 15, 2017 at 6:34 am
    • Reply

    Karen, thanks for all the info. Much more than what I have. Definitely will add to the Bollenbacher family info that I have.

    Deb Bollenbacher Reichard

    1. You are welcome! Glad that you got some additional information. Thanks for reading!

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