52 Ancestors,
in 52 Weeks
Week 21:
Tombstone
Family Finds Charter Oak

The Illges Tombstone

My great, great grandparents, Levi and Eliza (Russell) Illges, were farmers in Tipton County, IN during the 2nd half of the 19th century. They were parents of eight children, six survived to adulthood. They were successful, but not wealthy. Levi and Eliza are buried in Fairview Cemetery in Tipton, IN. A few years ago, I visited their grave site and was surprised, and perplexed, by their tombstone. It is not the simple tombstone of a simple farming couple, but a monument unlike anything found at the graves of my other ancestors. [1,2]

Levi Illges 1828 – 1891

Levi was born to Paul and Elizabeth (Kready) Illges in Manor Township, Lancaster County, PA in 1828. Both his parents were of German descent, maternally and paternally. In addition to working on the family farm, Levi was a carpenter. On October 13, 1853, Levi married Elizabeth Russell in the Luthern Church officiated by Rev. Joseph J. Strine. Their first child, William, was born in 1854. Sadly, by 1856, little William had died, as had both of Levi’s parents. It was at this time that Levi and Eliza decided to follow her father and move to Indiana. Levi and Eliza settle in Cicero Township of Tipton County and become successful farmers. It is here that Levi dies in 1891. [3]

Eliza Russell Illges 1837 – 1909

Eliza was born to William and Mary (Hebble) Russell in Lancaster County, PA in 1837. Sometime after Eliza’s youngest sibling was born in 1847, her family suffered a crisis. In the 1850 census, Eliza’s mother Mary is living with her parents and listed as insane. [4] Also from the 1850 census, Eliza, and her other siblings are living apart, as is their father William. [5, 6] Mary Hebble Russell and her parents are all deceased by early 1853. These facts may have contributed to Eliza marrying at the age of 16 in October 1853. For reasons I am not yet certain of, Eliza’s father William Russell along with her younger siblings, move to Wayne County, IN in 1857. Eliza and Levi join them, but soon relocate to Tipton County, IN, along with her younger sister Sarah Russell. Five of Eliza’s six surviving children were born in Tipton County. Eliza died in March 1909. [7]

Levi and Eliza Illges Monument Tombstone
Tree
Illges family 1882

L to R seated: Levi Illges, Otto N. Illges, Elizabeth Russell Illges, George Illges. Standing L to R: Minnie Illges, Alfred Illges, Charles Illges, Elnora Illges.

Levi Illges obit
Eliza Russell Illges w/ grandchildren 1895

Eliza Russell Illges surrounded by many of her grandchildren in 1895. My grandfather is the blonde haired boy standing on the right, Earl LaFara 1888-1928.

Eliza Russell Illges Obit

Conclusion

I do not know why my great, great grandparents have a monumental tombstone. I imagine it was quite expensive. Of the over 11,000 grave sites in Fairview Cemetery, there are a few other monuments of similar proportion to the Illges’. [8] I estimate the large monuments represent less than 2% of the tombstones, and they are mostly from the early 20th century. So, perhaps it was once the style or maybe the stone cutter simply up-sold the family.

Headstones of My Ancestors

Here are more tombstones of my ancestors. Note that most are rather plain, and of modest proportion.

Osborn

God’s Acre
Scotch Plains Baptist Church
Union Co, NJ

Jonathan Osborn 1722 – 1799

Osborn

Connecticut Farms Presbyterian Churchyard
Union Co, NJ

Martha Baldwin Osborn 1724 – 1754

Osborn

God’s Acre
Scotch Plains Baptist Church
Union Co, NJ

John B. Osborn 1754 – 1848

Osborn

God’s Acre
Scotch Plains Baptist Church
Union Co, NJ

Mary Darby Osborn 1756 – 1848

McCash

Gard Burying Ground (defunct)
Hamilton Co, OH

Richard Hankins 1749 – 1823

McCash

Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Hamilton Co, OH

James McCash 1788 – 1871

Osborn

Highland Cemetery
Sedgwick Co, KS

Harriet McCash Osborn Hoel
1817 – 1885

Osborn

Old Rossburg Church
Decatur Co, IN

William Darby Osborn 1810 – 1895

Osborne

Center Ridge Cemetery
Sullivan Co, IN

Rollin Osborne 1880 – 1964

Warbington

Glen Cemetery, Shelby Co, OH

Samuel Warbington 1828 – 1893
Martha Fuson Warbington 1832 – 1898

Osborne

Crown Hill Cemetery,
Marion Co, IN

Marzella ‘Jennie’ Warbington Osborne
1857 – 1918

Osborne

Crown Hill Cemetery,
Marion Co, IN

Sadie Osborne 1888 – 1940

Flucawa

South Mound Cemetery,
Henry Co, IN

Grace Osborne Flucawa 1887 – 1954

Flucawa

South Mound Cemetery,
Henry Co, IN

Frank Takeo Flucawa 1883 – 1974

Flucawa

South Mound Cemetery,
Henry Co, IN

Kisaburo Shibusawa 1881 – 1964

LaFara

Anderson Cemetery,
Marion Co, IN

Pearl Osborne LaFara 1893 – 1972

LaFara

Crown Hill Cemetery,
Marion Co, IN

Earl Lincoln LaFara 1888 – 1928

LaFara

Washington Park Cemetery,
Marion Co, IN

John LaFara 1864 – 1945
Minnie Illges LaFara 1867 – 1947

LaFara

Vinson Memorial Park,
Madison Co, IN

Kate Landon Lafary Sanders
1844 – 1920

LaFara

Unity Cemetery,
Brown Co, OH

George W Landon 1790 – 1863

LaFara

Vinson Memorial Park,
Madison Co, IN

Jesse E Lafara 1888 – 1969

LaFara

Vinson Memorial Park,
Madison Co, IN

William H Lafara 1911 – 1918
Sarah M Lafara 1918 – 1918

LaFara

Vinson Memorial Park,
Madison Co, IN

Uva Lafara Ratchford 1913 – 1991

LaFara

Arcadia Cemetery,
Hamilton Co, IN

Francis Marion Lafara 1840 – 1909

LaFara

Mud Pike Church Cemetery
RipleyCo, IN

Peter Lafary 1826 – 1901

King

Cramer-King Cemetery
Somerset Co, PA

Philip King 1748 – 1818

King

Ridge Slater Cemetery
Van Wert Co, OH

Mary Wright King 1782 – 1852

King

King Family Cemetery
Mercer Co, OH

Jesse King 1805 – 1868

King

King Family Cemetery
Mercer Co, OH

Henry Harrison King 1842 – 1904

King

Meridian Cemetery
Ada Co, ID

Soloman King 1834 – 1908

King

King Family Cemetery
Mercer Co, OH

Catherine Sivey King 1816 – 1878

King

Prairie Grove Cemetery
Allen Co, IN

Eliza Hammond King Springer Kuhns 1844 – 1928

Rumple

Wright CemeteryVan Wert Co, OH

Mary E Harting Rumple 1803 – 1893

Rumple

Wright Cemetery
Van Wert Co, OH

Hannah Gilbert Rumple 1844 – 1874

Rumple

Wright Cemetery
Van Wert Co, OH

Ida Rumple 1879 – 1879

King

King Family Cemetery
Mercer Co, OH

Philip King 1840 – 1864

Rumple

Forest Hill Cemetery
Henry Co, OH

Samuel Gilbert 1812 – 1894

Rumple

Willshire Cemetery
Van Wert Co, OH

Sarah Rumple Stetler 1867 – 1938

Rumple

Pleasant Grove Cemetery
Van Wert Co, OH

Edward T Rumple 1872 – 1947

Rumple

Riverside Cemetery
Mercer Co, OH

William T Rumple 1839 – 1912
Mary Ann Shock Rumple 1845 – 1922

Rumple

Riverside Cemetery
Mercer Co, OH

Alma Rumple Brunstetter 1879 – 1968

Rumple

Riverside Cemetery
Mercer Co, OH

Lester Rumple 1881 – 1933

Rumple

Pineview Memorial Park
Trumbull Co, OH

Emma Rumple Butler 1874 – 1938

Rumple

Riverside Cemetery
Mercer Co, OH

Burel Rumple 1885 – 1975

Rumple

Riverside Cemetery
Mercer Co, OH

Vada Rumple Brunstetter 1883 – 1966

Rumple

Riverside Cemetery
Mercer Co, OH

Maggie Rumple Morrow 1890 – 1965

King

Riverside Cemetery
Mercer Co, OH

Ella Rumple King 1869 – 1962
Homer King 1864 – 1932

King

Riverside Cemetery
Mercer Co, OH

Roxie King 1895 – 1911

King

Riverside Cemetery
Mercer Co, OH

LeeRoy King 1902 – 1922

King

White Chapel Memorial Park
Oakland Co, MI

Warren King 1908 – 1968

King

Leo Memorial Cemetery
Allen Co, IN

Ray King 1899 – 1989

King

Oakwood Cemetery
Kosciusko Co, IN

Elsie King Boroff Olmstead 1890 – 1984

King

Oakwood Cemetery
Kosciusko Co, IN

Zue Boroff Rhodes Schubert 1911 – 1995

King

Plainview Cemetery
Miam Co, IN

Edith King Enyart 1903 – 1991
LeRoy Enyart 1907 – 1974

Dyer

Estates of Serenity
Grant Co, IN

Major Graves Dyer 1901 – 1973

Dyer

Clear Branch Baptist Church Cemetery Cemetery
Union Co, TN

Rev John A Dyer 1867 – 1923
Pauline Elizabeth Koontz Dyer 1874 – 1952

Koontz

Milan Cemetery
Union Co, TN

James E Koontz 1840 – 1919

Dyer

Kelly Cemetery
Union Co, TN

Mary Shaver Dyer 1849 – 1911

Dyer

Clear Branch Baptist Church Cemetery
Union Co, TN

James Andrew Dyer 1845 – 1915

Dyer

Dyer Cemetery
Union Co, TN

Anderson T Dyer 1814 – 1844

Dyer

Damewood-Fergerson Cemetery
Union Co, TN

Rachel Hubbs Dyer Damewood 1821 – 1900

Dyer

Dyer Cemetery
Union Co, TN

William Hubbs 1793 – 1879
Phoebe Woolsey Hubbs 1797 – 1891

Major

Milan Cemetery
Union Co, TN

Parnick George 1797 – 1866

Major

Milan Cemetery
Union Co, TN

MaryAnn McPheron George 1799 – 1877

Major

Milan Cemetery
Union Co, TN

Eliza Jane George Major 1823 – 1897

Major

Milan Cemetery
Union Co, TN

Calvin M Major 1819 – 1898

SOURCES:

  1. Online memorial for Levi Illges, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44521237/levi-illges
  2. Online memorial for Eliza Russell Illges, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44521240/eliza-illges
  3. Profile for Levi Illges, ‘Osborn‘ family tree, Ancestry.com; https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/13493206/person/-46601119/facts
  4. Entry for Mary Russel, Year: 1850; Census Place: Martic, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_787; Page: 111B; Image: 228; National Archives Microfilm Publication M432; Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.
  5. Entry for Eliza Russel, Year: 1850; Census Place: Drumore, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_787; Page: 103A; Image: 211; National Archives Microfilm Publication M432; Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.
  6. Entry for William Russel, Year: 1850; Census Place: Strasburg, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_789; Page: 66B; Image: 137; National Archives Microfilm Publication M432; Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.
  7. Profile for Eliza Russell Illges, ‘Osborn‘ family tree, Ancestry.com; https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/13493206/person/-46601114/facts
  8. Fairview Cemetery online memorials at Find a Grave, access online: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/84973/

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Remember Me and I Will Live

Frank Takeo Flucawa

Born Takeo Furukawa on 15 March 1883 in Tottori-Ken, Tokyo, Japan, little is documented of his early childhood. Family oral history stories say that the young Takeo experienced hunger, poverty and the loss of his family. Additionally, the stories tell of friendship, spiritual learning and scholarship.

David L. Osborne: His Indianapolis Homes

My great grandfather, David Louis Osborne, lived at over 20 addresses around Indianapolis between 1876 and 1942. I thought it would be interesting to see all the old buildings and homes where he lived in my hometown of Indianapolis.

The Marriage of David and Jennie Osborne

My great grandfather, David Louis Osborne (1848-1942), was a widower with two young sons in 1886 when he married Jennie Warbington (1857-1918) in Minneapolis on the 27th of May. I decided it was time to put sources to the story.

Do You See A Resemblance?

While working on a family photo project I decided it would be fun to compare side-by-side my father and his parents, at similar ages, to try and discover a family resemblance.

Probate of Jesse King 1868

Jesse King was born in Ohio (probably in the vicinity of Chillicothe) in 1805, he was a son of Philip King and Mary Leah Wright, both of Pennsylvania. Philip King was a farmer, he married Leah Wright in 1801 in Somerset, PA, they had six children, of whom Jesse was the third.

Letter from Sarah Tucker Lafary

A handwritten letter from Sarah Tucker Lafary to the then president of the United States, Grover Cleveland. It was her last appeal for a War of 1812 pension, sadly the pension was denied. The letter gives a glimpse of a woman who had no formal education, a poor farmers wife, then widow, mother of nine, she probably just wanted some independence through an income of her own.

Sarah Smith: Challenge

52 Ancestors, in 52 Weeks – Week 2: Challenge
So much about genealogy research is a challenge, perhaps the most common challenge is the ‘brick wall,’ meet Sarah Smith. 18?? – 1846

Laferre to LaFara: Unusual Name

The surnames in my tree are typical of common western European names. However, the name that is unusual among these names is MY surname: LaFara.

Luella Pressell: Surprise!

52 Ancestors, in 52 Weeks – Week 6: Surprise!
Just when you think you know everything about an ancestor, surprise! I thought I knew most everything about my paternal great grandfather David L. Osborne, 1848-1942.

Rumple Family Photo 1895

For all of us who are procrastinating about labeling photos I have one thing to say, “Be considerate of the genealogist of the future!” My maternal grandmother was very good about labeling old family photos, and there is one, in particular, I found very informative.

Conrad Rumple: Bachelor Uncle

52 Ancestors, in 52 Weeks – Week 10: Bachelor Uncle
My uncles are the marrying kind, sometimes more than once!
I had to go back four generations for a bachelor uncle, my great-great-great uncle Conrad Rumple, 1833-1911.
Conrad was an older brother to my great-great grandfather on my matrilineal line, William Rumple, 1839-1912.

George Lafary and Catherine Landon: Large Family

My great-great grandparents, George Lafary and Catherine Landon, had a relatively small family, three of their six children survived to adulthood. However, they both came from large families of nine siblings and nearly all survived to marry and have children.

In The Paper

52 Ancestors, in 52 Weeks – Week 13: In The Paper
It’s fun to find articles in the paper mentioning one of my relatives. Mostly they are birth, marriage, divorce and death events. But, it’s the oddball articles in the papers I like the most.

Genealogy Brick Walls

52 Ancestors, in 52 Weeks – Week 14: Brick Wall
We all have a brick wall, that one ancestor who defies all research. I decided I would work at my brick walls by generation, I broke through the last of my 3rd great grandparent brick walls, now I am working on 4th great grandparents.

Catherine Landon: Out of Place

I realized I did not have a date of death for my great, great grandmother, Catherine Landon Lafary. A fresh search uncovered the date and much more. Out of place, but once discovered, everything fell into place.

Immigrant Ancestors, Fresh Start

52 Ancestors, in 52 Weeks – Week1: Fresh Start.
The varied reasons my European ancestors immigrated to North America for a fresh start.

William and Uva Lafara: Favorite Photo

I have many favorite photos among my collection of family artifacts. Currently, my favorite photo is of two little children from 1916 who were a complete mystery to me until last spring.

Close to Home

My grandparents. Earl and Pearl, met at church, close to home, in 1914,

So Far Away

My great-uncle Frank immigrated to the United States from Japan in 1905 to further his education, so far away

Same Name

I get excited when I discover an ancestor with the same name as a friend, or co-worker, or neighbor. Maybe we are related!