ELIAS D. BOMBERGER-- One of the oldest living farmers of Ogle County, Ill., and of late years a resident of the village of Stratford, where he is a leading citizen, and holds the office of Postmaster, was born in Washington County, Md., on September 28, 1839, a son of John M. and Mary M. (SNYDER) BOMBERGER, natives of that State and County, and who came to Ogle Co., in 1857, settling in Pine Creek Township where they lived for many years. Ultimately, they moved to Woosung Township, in the same county, which was their home until a short time before their death. The father died April 17, 1900, when nearly eighty-three years old, the mother passing away Nov. 20 of that year, when more than eighty years of age. Their family numbered five children, of whom the subject of this personal record was the second in order of birth. He accompanied his parents on the journey from Maryland, in March, 1857, and made his home with them until he was twenty-four years old. Up to 1888 he was engaged in farming, also operated a threshing machine, wood-saw and corn sheller, and in July, of that year lost his left arm while running the last named machine. He is the owner of 135 acres of land in Buffalo and Pine Creek Townships, which is well improved. For Seven years he acted in the capacity of tourist agent for a railroad company. On Dec. 12, 1863, Mr. BOMBERGER was united in marriage, in Pine Creek Township, with Miss Elizabeth HAYES, born in that Township, Nov. 8, 1844, a daughter of William and Mary (WILSON) HAYES, old settlers in that locality. The father of Mrs. BOMBERGER died in the same Township, in his seventy-fifth year. He and his wife reared a family of twelve children, of whom Mrs. BOMBERGER is the eldest. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. BOMBERGER located in Buffalo Township, where he continued to live until the spring of 1892, when he took up his residence in Stratford, Ogle County, having withdrawn from active business pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. BOMBERGER are the parents of five living children, namely: Viola, who is the wife of Charles W. HAYS, of Buffalo Township; Charles W.; Frank J.; Grace; and Harvey. One of their daughters, Lulu, died when nearly seven years of age. In politics, Mr. BOMBERGER has always acted with the Republican party. He served as Tax Collector for one year, and has officiated as Postmaster of Stratford continuously, since 1892.

Taken from 1909 Encyclopedia of Illinois and the History of Ogle County, Volume 2, Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill.

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