Irena Harbaugh

Irena Harbaugh was born in 1854 and grew up in Lafayette, IN where her father worked as a boiler maker. (1) He owned his own business for awhile but after the flood of 1858 the family fell on hard times. Irena's father died in 1867 when she was about 13 and her mother probably died a few years later. They both died of consumption. Her mother, Phoebe Harbaugh, was listed in the city directories for Lafayette until 1871 and then she disappeared. In 1870 Febe Harbaugh had been listed in the census as a widow with no assets. Irena was not living with her. Irena's older sister, Ellenor, had married in 1866 to Joseph P. Davis and was living in Terre Haute, Vigo Co., IN in 1870. Listed with her in the census record was an "Arnia Harbaugh age 18" who was most likely her sister, Irena. At some point Irena went to work as a seamstress at the Star Store in Indianapolis (which later became LS Ayers). The other women are not known. See photo below. (2)
Irena met Henry Zimmerly and married him 17 Dec 1874 when she was 21. (3) They lived in Evansville, Vanderbugh, IN the first year of their marriage when their daughter Laura was born on 31 Jul 1875. They had moved back to Olney, IL to be closer to Henry's parents by the time Cora was born on 18 May 1878.
Henry's parents did not approve of Irena since she was neither Lutheran nor German. Family lore had it that she was Catholic and born in Scotland. She was definitely not born in Scotland; her religion is unknown. (4) However, they lived on Cherry Street in Olney where Henry worked as a cigar maker according to the 1880 census. Then in 1883 they moved back to Evansville. Henry was listed as a cigar maker, in the city directories for Evansville, living at 13 W High St., from 1883-1886. He died in 1885 from consumption at the age of 34 leaving Irena a widow with three young children: Laura was 10, Cora 8 and J Earl Zimmerly 5 years old. She was also sick with consumption, but all were hopeful she would recover. She moved back to Olney to be closer to Henry's family. She died 8 years later of TB. She entrusted Cora, aged 15, and J Earl Zimmerly, aged 13, to his sister Margaret. Irena died in 1893 at the age of 39. (5)
When, Cora Zimmerly, received her inheritance in 1897, Charles J. Harbaugh and Lula R. Harbaugh witnessed the guardian's final receipt. Cora and J Earl Zimmerly were living with Charles J Harbaugh and his wife Luella in the 1900 census for Indianapolis. Cora then came down with consumption and in 1904 went to Alva, Oklahoma with Luella, the widow of her uncle, Charles Harbaugh, to live with Luella's brother. (6) They had hoped she would recover, but Cora died a month later of consumption. The other two children, Laura Zimmerly and J Earl Zimmerly did not contact consumption and lived longer lives.

Sources

(1) Irena was 7 years old in the 1860 census and her tombstone reads that she was born in 1854.

(2) Irena worked at the Star Store in Indianapolis before she married. She is seated right in white skirt

(3) Marriage Record Henry Zimmerly to Irena Harbaugh
Both are listed as "of Richland" Irena's age is 21

(4) Her sister, Rose Eleanor Harbaugh, married to Joseph P Davis, died on23 July 1921. Her death certificate was filled out by a her daughter, May Davis. It states that her mother, Rose Eleanor Harbaugh, was born in Madison, IN to parents both born in Scotland.

(5) Buried: Haven Hill Cemetery, Olney, Richland Col, IL

(6) Alva Weekly Pioneer 25 Nov 1904 page 8

"Died, at the home of C. J. Grube, last night, Miss Cora Zimmerly, aged 22 years, of consumption. She came here a month ago with her niece Mrs. Lee, a sister of Mr. Grube, but was in such feeble health that the change did her no good. The body was embalmed by undertaker Louis Miller, and shipped by the morning train to Olney, Ill., for burial, accompanied by Mrs. Lee. The heartfelt sympathies of many friends are extended to the relatives in this their hour of affliction."