Adrew J Bollenbaugh

BOLLENBAUGH

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/12/2009 at 12:41:36

Andrew J Bollenbaugh, who is now living a retired life in the village of Moingona, was born in Van Wert county, Ohio, on January 19, 1831. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Stetler) Bollenbaugh, were both natives of Pennsylvania and thence removed to Ohio. Mr Bollenbaugh becoming one of the first settlers of Van Wert county. He took up his abode upon a farm there and throughout his remaining days devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, becoming one of the prosperous as well as enterprising farmers of the community. Both he and his wife died in Van Wert county, This worthy couple were the parents of eleven children, of whom six are yet living: Sallie who is now the widow of Ajilon Wright, and resides in Hamilton county, Nebraska, Abasalom who is engaged in farming in Van Wert county, Ohio, Betsey who is the widow of Garrison Alsbaugh and lives in Van Wert county, Mrs Catherine Dingman a widow living in Sydney, Ohio, Rachel the widow of John Howard and a resident of Nelson, Nebraska, Nancy the wife of Fred Hill of Van Wert county, Ohio and Andrew J.
Like the other members of the family Andrew J Bollenbaugh pursued his education in the public schools of his native state and assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until his marriage which occurred in the year 1850, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Stetler, whose birth occurred in Ohio on April 30, 1830. She is a daughter of Daniel Stetler, and early settler and farmer of Ohio, who died in that state. The marriage of Mr and Mrs Bollenbaugh has been blessed with seven children: Rachel born October 17, 1853, is with her parents Rhoda born January 20, 1858, is the wife of John Kester, a mason living in Moingona, Clara, born October 31, 1859, is the wife of George C Thompson who is a merchant of Ogden, Iowa. William born April 5, 1863 owns and operates a farm near Moingona, Iowa he was engaged in the restaurant business for one year in Ogden, but now lies at home. King Cyrus born July 31, 1865, married Helen Lawton and is living near Ogden upon is father’s farm, John born August 31, 1867, wedded Mary Timmons and is engaged in farming in Beaver township. Ida May, born December 17, 1874 is the wife of George Brooks a miner of Moingona.
After his marriage Mr Bollenbouagh resided upon the old home farm in Ohio for two years. Then removing to Grant county, Wisconsin, where he purchased a small tract of land, he continued its cultivation for thirteen years. On the expiration of that period he sold his property in the Badger state and came to Boone county, Iowa first settling in Ogden. There he built a house in which he lived for a year, after which he purchased a farm two miles south of Ogden, in Marcy township. This comprised 200 acres of land, and he there carried on agricultural pursuits until January 1900, when he removed to the village of Moingona where he has since lived retired, but he still owns his farm.
The first house which he built in Ogden was constructed of lumber which he hauled for fifteen miles through the swamps and over the rough roads of Boone county, but cultivation and training have wrought a transformation and the district is now fine farming land. Mr Bollenbaugh is yet the owner of 160 acres of rich land located on the northeast quarter of Sec 18, Marcy township, and this returns to him a good rental.
As the years have passed our subject has filled some minor political positions, but has never been an office seeker. In politics he has ever been a Democrat, giving his support to the men and measures of the party. His life has been one of unremitting toil until of recent years when he has put aside business cares in order to enjoy a well merited rest. He is well known as a respected and honored citizen of Moingona and of Boone county and his friends throughout the community are many.

1902 Boone County History Book