Bodensteiner, Keith and Christine (Wander)

(Christine Bodensteiner)

Keith Bodensteiner son of Gregory and Agnes (Balk) Bodensteiner. Henry and Mary (Giesing) Bodensteiner purchased the family farm in 1913. Gregory and Agnes were married in 1935 and farmed there until they moved to Ossian in 1969. Their son Dale purchased the farm in 1978 and continues to live there. He makes the third generation of Bodensteiners on this farm. Keith and Christine purchased an acreage off this farm where they built the home where they now live. Gregory and Agnes Bodensteiner were the parents of 10 children: Clarinda, Cornell, Virgil, Jerry, Arlene, Dale, Robert, Leo, Lyle and Keith.

Keith attended school at South Winneshiek. He married Christine Wander in 1981.

Keith is owner operator of Bean's Tire Shop near Ossian. Christine is city clerk at Castalia, IA. They are the parents of 5 children.

Bolger Family History

(Edna Stromseth)

Samuel Bolger was born in Bedford Co., PA in 1819. He married Elizabeth “Betsy” Clauser who was born in 1820 in Bedford Co. They moved to Grant Co., Wl in 1852 and to Winneshiek Co., IA in 1855. The became the parents of 12 children but only 6 lived to adulthood.

John Bolger, brother of Samuel, was known to his relatives as “Old Uncle”. A cabinet maker, he was born in Blair Co., PA 15 Oct 1815 and lived in that state until 1853 when he came first to Wisconsin and then to Iowa where he lived the rest of his life with Samuel and family. “Old Uncle" never married. He died 6 Jun 1897 and is buried in Russell Cemetery.

The children of Samuel and Betsy were : Lovina, John, Andrew, Adam, David, and Araminta.

Lovina was born 2 Mar 1843 and married William McLain 25 Dec 1860. William was born 22 Mar 1837. Their children were: George, Clarence, Jeanette, William and Theodore. John was born 19 Sep 1945 and married Sarah Steinman Eret 24 Dec 1866. Their children were: Clinton, Franklin, Alice, Roy, and a boy who died at an early age. John Bolger died in 1903. Andrew was born in 1847 and married Martha Shelley. Their children were; Theodosia, Floyd, Musetta and Tusetta. Andrew died in 1876. Adam was born in 1849 and married Nancy Jane Brown. Their children were: Francis Alvin, Nellie Daisy, Laura Belle, Henry Merton and Clara Mabel. Nancy died in 1894. Adam married his brother David’s widow, Evelyn (Van Pelt Bolger) in 1896. Adam died in 1931. David was born in 1851. He married Evelyn “Eva" Van Pelt. They had one daughter Bessie. David died in 1891. Araminta was born in 1865. She married Louis Rastatter who died at a young age. She then married William Smith in 1896. They had one son Clyde.

Left to right: John Bolger and wife Sara Eret, Andrew Bolger and wife Martha, Adam Bolger and wife Jane Brown (Mabel G. parents). Middle row: William McLain and wife Lovina Bolger, Samuel Bolger and wife Elizabeth (Betsy). Bottom row: Araminta (Mint Bolger) Smith and David Bolger.

After moving to Winneshiek Co. Samuel and Betsy Bolger spent the remainder of their entire lives on a small farm in Canoe Twp. Samuel died in 1892 and Betsy died in 1900. Both are buried in Russell Cemetery.

The Bolger children received their educations in the rural school near their home. Several of the funeral services for the children were held in Canoe No. 2 brick school which was near their home and also near the Russell Cemetery. Church services and Sunday School were also held there from time to time.