Photos of the Eli Bach Family

Martha Ellen Rodrick Bach, 54, daughter of John and Elizabeth Roderick, was born near Chauncey October 9, 1865, and died February 25, 1920. She married Eli Bach, December 28, 1880, and four children were born to the marriage. She died February 25, 1920, in Lawrence County, Illinois.  Interment was in the Chauncey Cemetery.

Mary Elizabeth Bach, mother of Eli Bach.

Eli and Martha Ellen Bach with their daughter, Alta Jane

Eli and Martha Ellen Bach with Alta Jane and George--- circa 1900s.

Alta Jane and George Bach

Frank Gosnell and Alta Jane Bach on their wedding day in 1910 Alta Jane Bach Gosnell

Alta Jane Bach was born at Chauncey Lawrence County Illinois August 15, 1890, the daughter of Eli Ellsworth and Martha Ellen Rodrick Bach. She attended school at Chauncey and at age sixteen was able to pass her examination required for a teacher’s certificate.  To further her education, she attended Normal School sessions held in Lawrenceville Illinois.  She taught school at Rich Valley just east of Chauncey and at Pinkstaff. While teaching at Pinkstaff she met Frank B Gosnell, and on March 2, 1910, was married to him.

After a short stay in Sumner, she and her husband moved to Lawrenceville in the latter part of the year 1910, where they made their home. From their marriage four children were born, namely Marice Ellsworth, Melba Evelyn, Frank Marion and Marjorie Ellen (Mrs Clarence Miller Miller of Palestine, Illinois). 

Alta Jane Rodrick Gosnell died June 13, 1951 in Lawrence County Illinois. All of her children survived her except Melba Evelyn who died as an infant shortly after her birth.  George Bach survived his sister.

(Thanks to Wanda Bach and Martha Ellen Roy for the photographs.)