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Do you know this location in Bluffton? It's at the corner of Elm and Lawn. The photo was taken circa 1886. In the photo are, from left, Bertha Althaus and her parents, Barbara Amstutz Althaus and Rudolf Althaus. Bertha is the grandmother of Fred Steiner, of The Icon. Two of the pine trees in the front yard stand today on that property.
Rudolf was born in Switzerland. He came to Bluffton in the 1840s and was one of the signers of the petition to change the name of Shannon to Bluffton. He was also a charter member of what is today the St. John's United Church of Christ.
Barbara was born in Wayne County. She grew up on a farm north of Beaverdam, and attended Ebenezer Mennonite. She was a charter member of First Mennonite Church.
