Tombstone Tuesday–Victor F. & I. Chloe (Douglas) Bollenbacher

Victor & Chloe Bollenbacher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Victor and Chloe (Douglas) Bollenbacher, located in row 5 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

BOLLENBACHER

I Chloe
1905-1998

Victor F.
1903-1985

Victor F. Bollenbacher was born in Adams County, Indiana, on 8 September 1903, the son of John Martin and Emma (Bollenbacher) Bollenbacher.

In 1910 the John Martin Bollenbacher family lived in Jefferson Township, Adams County, Indiana: John, 30; Emma, 31; Victor, 6; Helen, 4; Lucille, 2; Esther, 0; and Hulda Barron, 16, adopted daughter. Victor’s father John farmed. This enumeration reports that Emma had given birth to 5 children but only 4 of them were living. [1]

In the 1920 census Victor’s name is shown as Victor F.J. Bollenbacher. Victor was 16 years old and his father still farmed. The John Bollenbacher household in 1920: John, 40; Emma, 41; Victor, 16; Helen, 13; Lucile, 11; Esther, 9; and Ralph, 7. [2]

Victor Bollenbacher married Ina Chloe Douglas on 8 September 1926 at Zion Chatt.  Witnesses to their marriage were Audy Linn and Velma Linn.

Ina “Chloe” Douglas Bollenbacher was born 5 May 1905 in Adams County, Indiana, the daughter of Augustus “August” D. and Nettie E. (Sipe) Douglas. Zion’s records indicate that she was baptized on 24 June 1917 by Rev. Ezra Glenndening and her baptism record is listed with Zion’s confirmation records. I do not recognize the name Glenndining as being one of Zion’s ministers so she may have been baptized at another church. [3]

The August Douglas family in 1910, Blue Creek Township, Adams County: Augustus D, 37; Nettie, 34; Ethel, 9; Velma, 6; Chloe, 4; Beulah, 3; Herman, 1; and Elsie Thomas, 63, widowed mother. Chloe’s father August was also a farmer. [4]

The August Douglas family in 1920: August, 47; Nettie, 43; Ethel, 20; Velma, 16; Chloe, 14; Beulah, 12; Herman, 10; Thurman, 8; Russell, 5; and Martha, 2. [5]

Victor’s mother Emma died in 1934. His father John married Martha Gertrude “Minnie” Slusser (1896-1963) in 1936. [6] John died in 1958 and he and Emma are also buried in Zion Chatt’s cemetery.

I remember Victor and Chloe, such a nice couple who attended Zion Chatt. They were so pleasant and Chloe always had a smile on her face. I also remember going Christmas caroling at their home years ago. Once, in an effort to make it easier for the older members to come to church and take communion, we offered a special service one Saturday evening. Victor and Chloe were the only ones that attended besides the pastor, Joe, and I, but we still provided them with a complete worship service. I remember this because I played the organ for the service.

Victor & Chloe (Douglas) Bollenbacher, 1979.

Victor Bollenbacher died of a heart attack in Adams County, Indiana, on 4 February 1985, at the age of 81. He was a retired farmer and trucker. Victor was buried on the 7th and Yager-Kirchhofer, Berne, was in charge of the funeral arrangements. [7]

Chloe (Douglas) Bollenbacher died of congestive heart failure at Chalet Village Health Care Center, Berne, on 29 June 1998, at the age of 93. She was buried on 2 July and Downing Funeral Home, Geneva, was in charge of the arrangements. [8]

Victor and Chloe had three children:
Roger Wayne (1929-1929)
Alethea Mae
Olen Eugene

 

[1] 1910 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams, Indiana, ED 4, p.2B, dwelling & family 35, John Bollenbacher; Ancestry.com; FHL microfilm 1374351, NARA microfilm T624, roll 338.

[2] 1920 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams, Indiana, ED 4, p.7B, dwelling 141, family 51, John M. Bollenbacher; Ancestry.com; NARA microfilm T625, roll 420.

[3] Ezra James Glenndening was the pastor of the Ceylon church. The church burned down 1 April 1923 and was not rebuilt. He was the father of Phyllis Heller, Berne. [Thanks to Brian B for providing that information.]

[4] 1910 U.S. Census, Blue Creek, Adams, Indiana, ED 1, p.11A, dwelling & family 213, Augustus D Douglas; Ancestry.com; FHL microfilm 1374351, NARA microfilm T624, roll 338.

[5] 1920 U.S. Census, Blue Creek, Adams, Indiana, ED 1, p.1B, dwelling 19, family 20, Augustus Douglas; Ancestry.com; NARA microfilm T625, roll 420.

[6] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013,” database with images, FamilySearh.org, John M Bollenbacher and Minnie M Slusser, 12 May 1938; Mercer County Marriages, Vol. 15, p.119; FHL microfilm 2366956.

[7] Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, database on-line, Ancestry.com, Victor Bollenbacher; Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Death Certificates, 1985, roll 2.

[8] Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, database on-line, Ancestry.com, Ina Chloe Bollenbacher 29 Jun 1998; Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Death Certificates, 1998, roll 9.

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