Barnsback, Mary E.

Other Events:

• Census: 1850, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA
• Census: 1860, Madison County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Census:

     According to the 1850 U.S. enumeration, Mary E. Barnsback, age 5, lived with Julius L. Barnsback (age 50) and Mary Barnsback (age 42). There were three other children in the home: Mina C. Barnsback, age 16; Henry Clay Barnsback, age 12; and, Julius Barnsback, age 9. Also in the household were four male boarders, ages 20 to 42, from Switzerland, Germany and Pennsylvania.

Census:

According to the 1860 U.S. enumeration, Mary Barnsback, a 14 year old student was living with Mary Barnsback, a 53 year old housekeeper; Henry Barnsback, a 21 year old printer; and Julius Barnsback, a 19 year old law student.

Mary married Armstrong, John 30 Jun 1864. John died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Immigration: 1820, USA

Notes:

Birth:
Julius was the son of Ludwig Heinrich Julius Berensbach, who died in 1806.
     A biographical sketch of Julius's son, Henry C. Barnsback, published in 1887, contained this explanation of the change of the family name in the U.S.

     "During their residence in this country, the orthography of the family name has been slightly altered, owing to the difficulty which Americans found in giving it the correct pronunciation. The original name is Berensbach, and the history of their family was compiled by Maj. August Berensbach in Hoyershausen, in 1818, and was translated into English in 1842. When George Frederick Julius Berensbach [Julius's uncle] came to the United States he found it was very difficult for the people to pronounce the last syllable of his name properly, and rather than attempt it, the neighbors frequently called him Barns. Not wishing to lose his name entirely, he found himself compelled to alter the final letter of his name to "k," and the name finally became Barnsback, and he has since used that form of orthography, entering his land and executing his papers with that signature."

Immigration:
Julius purchased land in Illinois, where his uncle, George Frederick Julius Barnsback lived, and took up farming.

Died:
The place of death is not known at this time.

Julius married Gonterman, Mary Melinda Mar 1827. Mary was born 29 Mar 1807, Christian County, Kentucky, USA; died 7 Jan 1903, Madison County, Illinois, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Census: 1860, Madison County, Illinois, USA
• Census: 1870, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, USA
• Residence: 4 Jun 1896, Madison County, Illinois, USA

Notes:

Birth:
Mary was the daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Ball) Gonterman.

Census:

According to the 1860 U.S. enumeration, the household connected to the Edwardsville post office consisted of Mary Barnsback, a 53 year old housekeeper; Henry Barnsback, a 21 year old printer; Julius Barnsback, a 19 year old law student; and Mary Barnsback, a 14 year old student.

Census:

     According to the 1870 U.S. enumeration, the household consisted of Mary Barnsback, age 63 and keeping house; and, Henry C. Barnsback, a 31 year old merchant.
     Living in the same dwelling, but constituting a separate household were J. M. Armstrong, a 32 year old physician, and Mary E. Armstrong, age 24 and keeping house. Mary E. Armstrong was very likely Mary Barnsback's daughter and youngest child. Also in that household were Ethline and Mary E. Armstrong, both age 2; and, Fanny Tracy, age 10, and identified as a nurse.
     In the next dwelling listed in the enumeration was the household of J. G. Barnsback, a 29 year old merchant, and Mary O. Barnsback, age 24, keeping house. J. G. Barnsback was very likely one of the sons of his neighbor, Mary Barnsback. Living with J. G. and Mary O. was Sally F. Smith, age 18. This could very well be a relative (sister?) of Mary O., whose maiden name was Smith.

Residence:

     The following article was published in the Edwardsville Intelligencer (Edwardsville, Illinois) on Friday, 6 June 1896.

     "On Wednesday, 4 June 1896, the annual meeting of the Old Settlers Union of Madison County was held at St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church at Edwardsville, Illinois. In the afternoon session the organization honored its eldest members.
     "Three pairs of beautiful bouquets brought by Mrs. Eleanor Montgomery, Mrs. A. P. Barnett and Miss Jennie Barnett, were awarded to the ladies and gentlemen according to seniority. Mrs. Mary Barnsack, born in 1807, was the oldest lady, Mrs. Polly Jarvis came next, and Mrs. Emma Rice was third. John W. Coventry, born in 1809, was the oldest gentleman, John Weaver was second and Volney P. Richmond came next."

Died:
At the time of her death, Mrs. Mary Barnsack had been the oldest living resident of Madison County.

Notes:

Census (family):

     According to the 1850 U.S. enumeration, the household consisted of Julius L. Barnsback, a 50 year old merchant born in Germany, with real estate valued at $10,000; Mary Barnsback, age 42, born in Kentucky; and four children: Mina C. Barnsback, age 16; Henry Clay Barnsback, age 12; Julius Barnsback, age 9; and, Mary E. Barnsback, age 5. All of the children were born in Illinois; the three eldest had attended school within the year. Also in the household were four male boarders, ages 20 to 42, from Switzerland, Germany and Pennsylvania.