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]
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.
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.
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.
SOURCES:
- Online memorial for Levi Illges, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44521237/levi-illges
- Online memorial for Eliza Russell Illges, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44521240/eliza-illges
- Profile for Levi Illges, ‘Osborn‘ family tree, Ancestry.com; https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/13493206/person/-46601119/facts
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Profile for Eliza Russell Illges, ‘Osborn‘ family tree, Ancestry.com; https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/13493206/person/-46601114/facts
- Fairview Cemetery online memorials at Find a Grave, access online: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/84973/
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