Person:Leonard Oller (4)

Leonard Oller

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

A year before Leonard's birth, in the 1818 Territorial Census of Illinois, the Allen (sic Oller) family is enumerated in Union County, Illinois, his father, George Oller, Jr., as the head of the household with two others, George's wife, Nancy Tash Oller and Leonard's oldest sister, who died later in her youth.

Leonard has been traced by researcher Betty Ollar Mozisek, via the 1820 US Census, Alexander County, Illinois as one of two males in the 0-10 years column and the 1830 US Census, Alexander 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.

Elizabeth Smith’s First Marriage

Elizabeth Catherine Smith was born about 1819 in North Carolina. Elizabeth Smith married Joseph Lutrell on February 2, 1837 in Fulton County, Illinois. A conflicting source indicates that they married on April 20, 1939 in Hamilton County, Illinois. Joseph had died in December 1844 in Union County, Illinois. The probate records for Joseph Lutrell are given in "Union County Illinois Probate Records, 1818-1855," compiled by Darrel Dexter" and are said to be Box L-188: Probate Book 3, pp 304-305 & Book 4 p.180 of the Union County probate records. They most likely also lived in Union County, Illinois which is just North of Alexander County.

Leonard Oller and Mary A. Anderson Marriage

Leonard Oller first married Mary A, Anderson on December 13, 1839 in Alexander County, Illinois. One researcher, Marcia Smith Clark, states that this should be Mary A. Holmes. 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.

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.

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.

Leonard Oller and the widow Catherine Smith Luttrell Marriage

Leonard Oller married Elizabeth Catherine Smith Luttrell on October 14, 1845 in Union County, Illinois. It was the second marriage for both. Elizabeth Catherine Smith was the widow of Joseph Luttrell. She was born about 1819 in North Carolina.

Elizabeth Catherine Smith and Leonard Oller Family

The October 17, 1850 US Census of Alexander County, Illinois AEH-GED-009 enumerated the young family. [Note: Check reference, Eliza and Francis should be listed]

The 1854 Tax List (Personal Property Tax), Alexander Co., Illinois AEH-GED-18 indicates that Leonard Oller died during the year 1854 in Alexander County, No information has been found on the exact date or where he was buried.

In the July, 4 1860 US Census of Alexander County, Illinois, AEH-LD-027 Catherine Oller is enumerated in the household of Washington Smith without Leonard and with their three children: daughter Eliza age 12, son Francis (Franklin) age 11, and daughter Jane age 8. All are enumerated as having been born in Illinois. Washington Smith, age 22, is assumed to be a younger brother of Catherine Oller, age 40. Catherine’s eldest son, John, would be 16, almost 17, and is not enumerated with his mother and siblings. [Note: look for John Oller in 1860 Census and check 1870 Census for Elizabeth and family.]

It is not known, at this time, when Elizabeth Catherine Smith Luttrell Oller died or where she is buried.

Elizabeth and Leonard Oller had 4 children: John born 1843, Eliza born c1845, James Franklin “Frank” born 1848, and Jane Oller born about 1852.

(1) John Oller

John was born October 1843 in Scott County, Missouri. John also enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War. He is found in Company I, 60th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, on July 12, 1862. At this date he would have missed the bitter siege of Corinth, Mississippi, joining his step brother Alfred Oller 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.

(2) Eliza Oller

Eliza Oller was born in Illinois about 1845-1846. Most likely Eliza was born in Alexander County. Eliza is enumerated in the 17 October 1850 US Census of Alexander County, Illinois and in the July 4, 1860 US Census of Alexander County, Illinois as a 12 year old daughter.

(3) James Franklin “Frank” Oller

Frank was born January 2, 1848 in Alexander County, Illinois. Frank enlisted, at age 17, in the Union Army during the Civil War. He is found in Company E, 60th Illinois Infantry, on February 7, 1865. Being younger, Frank was not able to join his brother, John and half-brother, Alfred, in Sherman’s Army until after they had swept through Georgia and wintered in Savannah for Christmas 1864. Frank joined the unit as they swept North through South Carolina.

Frank joined up with Sherman’s army during the Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. He was with the army during the following; Fayetteville, N.C., March 13. Averysboro, Taylor's Hole Creek, March 16. Battle of Bentonville March 19-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D. C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 19. Grand Review May 24. Moved to Louisville, Ky., June 12. Provost guard at headquarters 14th Army Corps till July 31. The 60th mustered out July 31, 1865.

Frank Oller died on March 15, 1891 and is buried in Twenty Cemetery, Alexander County, Illinois. A memorial page with a photo of his grave marker is found on the Find-A Grave website.

(4) Jane Oller

Jane Oller was born about 1852 in Illinois. Jane is enumerated on the July 4, 1860 US Census of Alexander County, Illinois. Jane is an 8 year old living with her mother in the household of Washington Smith, who is most likely her Uncle.