Family:Leonard Oller and Mary Anderson (1)

Leonard Oller

Leonard Oller, the son of Nancy Tash and George Oller, Jr. was born in 1819 in Alexander County, Illinois.

In the 1818 Territorial Census of Illinois, the Allen (sic Oller) family is enumerated in XX County, Illinois, as: …

Leonard has been traced by researcher Betty Ollar Mozisek, via the 1820 US Census, XX County, Illinois as one of two males in the 0-10 years column and the 1830 US Census, XX County, Illinois as the only male in the 10-15 years column [AEH-MN—0798]. Leonard is enumerated in the 1840 US Census of Alexander County, Illinois [AEH-GED-009].

On August 1, 1838, Leonard Oller of Alexander County, Illinois, is recorded as the new owner of “the south East quarter of the North West Quarter of Section twenty-four in Township fifteen South of Range two West in the District of Lands subject to Sale of Alexandra Illinois, Containing forty Acres. This is certificate 4691 of US Government Land Records signed by President, Martin Van Burean.

Leonard Oller and Mary A. Anderson Marriage

Leonard Oller first married Mary A, Anderson in 1837 in Alexander County, Illinois. One researcher, Marcia Smith Clark, states that this should be Mary A. Holmes on December 13, 1839. The family is found on the 1840 US Census of Alexander County. Mary and Leonard had three known children: George W. Oller born c1836, a daughter born 1840, and Alfred Allen Oller born 1842. The birth year of George Oller is in conflict with either of these marriage dates.

(1) George W. Oller

George was born about 1836. Most likely he was born in Alexander County, Illinois George enlisted in 18th Illinois Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army on June 30, 1861 at Byrd's Point, Missouri. Byrd’s point, Missouri is just across the Mississippi River from Thebes and Goose Island, Alexander County, Illinois where his unit roster indicates he lived. A September/October 1861 muster roll, located by researcher Betty Ollar Mozisek, states he enlisted at Anna, Illinois and is 20 years old. In the 1840 census he is though to be the one male enumerated as 0-5 year old. If his stated age at enlistment is accurate, that would make is birth about 1840.

On July 4, 1870 US Census of Goose Island Precinct, Alexander County, Illinois, 24 year old George Oller born in Illinois is with his 31 year old wife (or sister) Rebecca. Also in the household is a 9 year old male named F.M. O’Mannville assumed to be a son of a first marriage of Rebecca. Two laborers are living in the household: Burnett Noble, 38 of Kentucky and G.W. Hiex, age 27 of Louisiana.

(2) Alfred Allen Oller

Alfred was born about 1843 in Illinois. He was most likely born in Alexander County. Alfred enlisted on January 15, 1862 in the Union Army. He served in Company E, 60th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. At this date he would have participated in the bitter siege of Corinth, Mississippi and then was joined by his step brother, John Oller, in July 1862, as Sherman’s Army came across Northern Alabama to attack Nashville, Tennessee in late September 1862. The Unit was in Nashville until July of 1863 when they moved toward Chattanooga and the infamous March to the Sea during 1864 finally spending Christmas in Savannah, Georgia. John would then be joined by his younger brother, Frank, in February 1865 as Sherman moved North through the Carolinas Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss.

It is thought that Alfred Allen Oller married Adelia A. Godwin on April 11, 1862, perhaps on leave from the Army?

Mary A. Anderson (or Holmes) Oller evidently died between 1842 and 1845. It is not known where she is buried.

The 1854 Tax List (Personal Property Tax), Alexander Co., Illinois [AEH-GED-018] indicates that Leonard Oller died during the year 1854. In the 4 July 1860 US Census of Alexander County, Illinois[AEH-LD-027].