Civil War and the Move to Illinois

Johann Gottlieb Bolinger (originally Bollinger), Americanized his name to John G. Bolinger.  He brought his family from Sharpsburg, Maryland to Springfield, Illinois in August 1862.  See the page elsewhere on this website on the Sharpsburg period for further information.

A rare Bolinger family photo shows Johann Gottlieb (John G.) Bolinger with the tools of his trade.  The quality of his work is evident in the photos below.
Shown here is a tin storage box made by Johann Gottlieb (John G.) Bolinger, date unknown, now in the possession of his great-great grandchildren.  Judging from his date of death (1894) and his having had to retire five years earlier (1889), the box is at least 129 years old as of 2018, and could be considerably older.
With the lid open, the five separate storage compartments are visible.
The lid doubles as a convenient temporary shelf for documents.

The following news stories report his death in 1894.

The Herald and Torch Light, Hagerstown, MD, June 28, 1894

“Former Resident Dead”, Sharpsburg, June 21, 1894

“On Tuesday the news was received here of the death of Mr. John Bolinger, Sr., of Springfield, Ill., formerly from this town, aged 78 years.  He moved his family to Illinois in August 1862.  He was the father of Mr. J.C. Bolinger, of Hagerstown, and brother-in-law of Messrs. William M. and B. Franklin Cronise, of this place.  He was loved and respected by all who knew him, and his many friends regret to hear of his death.  Mr. Bolinger resided here many years and was a tinner by trade.”

Daily Illinois State Register (June 19, 1894, pg. 4) and Daily Illinois State Journal (June 19, 1894, pg. 5).  The following combines both articles:

John G. Bolinger died at his home, 638 North Fourth St., Springfield, at 1 p.m., Monday, June 18, 1894 of old age, aged 78 years, 3 months, and 20 days.  He was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, Feb. 28, 1816 and lived in this state for 50 years [actually 32 years].  He followed the occupation of tinner until ill health compelled him to retire about five years ago.  He has been an invalid ever since and his death was due to the infirmities of age.  His wife [Susan] and eight children–three daughters and five sons–survive him.  They are: George W. Bolinger of Shelbyville, Ill.; Mrs. Savilla Milligan of Springfield, Mo.; John Bolinger of Hagerstown, Md.; William Bolinger, of Longton, Kan.; and Annie Bolinger, Charles H. Bolinger, Theodore M. Bolinger, of this city, and Mrs. Ida Curtis, of Loami.  The funeral will occur at 3 p.m. today from Grace Lutheran Church.

He is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Ill.  His grave marker gives his dates of birth (Feb. 28, 1816) and death (June 18, 1894).  The marker shows that his wife, Susan, is buried along side of him.  According to the marker, she was born Nov. 8, 1827 and died Feb. 21, 1907.

The Illinois State Register of Feb. 22, 1907, pg. 6, reported Susan’s death as follows:

“Bolinger — Died, at her home, 1145 Peoria Rd. at 3:15 o’clock, Thursday morning, Feb. 21, 1907, after a three weeks’ illness.  Mrs. Susan Bolinger, widow of John Bolnger….  She was born in Maryland, but has resided in this country for the past forty-four years.  She has a large circle of friends and is well known among the membership of the Grace Lutheran Church.  (An article in the State Journal repeats that she was a resident of Springfield for 44 years and adds that she was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church the entire period.   She is survived by three sons, Charles, Theodore and William of Springfield; two step-sons, William Bolinger of Topeka, Kan. and John Bolinger of Maryland.  She is also survived by two daughters, Miss Annie Bolinger and Mrs. Ada (sic) Curtis of this city.”  An article in the State Journal adds that she was a resident of Springfield for 44 years and a member of the Grace Lutheran Church the entire period.  The Feb. 23 issue of the State Register mentions her funeral, Rev. J.M. Francis officiating, with interment to be made at the Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Further information will be added to this page.