Althaus photo
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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.
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, October 30, 2026
- October 30 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- What Kind of Paradise author joins book club by Zoom, Nov. 4
- Check out November 2026 events at Bluffton Public Library
- Scarecrow voting ends at midnight, Oct. 31
- Annual meeting and dinner for Senior Center members, November 9
- November 2026 Community Meals at the Senior Center
- Pirate girls soccer edged in shootout by Big Green in district final
Thursday, October 29, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 29
- Bluffton chamber welcomes six new members in October 2026
- Scam talk with Chief Ryan Burkholder
- Apollo Career Center honored as Gold Star Institution
- Peanut brittle time at the Senior Center begins Nov. 9
- Bluffton University Forum explores faith, hope and care for creation
- Business Collective networking night, Nov. 5
- Radio play staging of It's a Wonderful Life on Nov. 29
- Test-to-Treat not Trick-or-Treat
- If only we could put these fall days on pause
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Monday, October 26, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, October 19-25
- Ada Icon headlines, October 26
- November 13 fish fry at Emmanuel UCC
- Citizens National Bank customer appreciation day, October 30
- Bluffton University offers free agricultural and environmental field trips
- Trinity Trunk or Treat, October 31
- Public invited to Bluffton Lions program with President Sider