Eliza Jane Rossman Bock

Eliza Jane Rossman Bock

The Bock household as it appears in the 1880 Federal Census.

Eliza Jane Rossman was born on November 7, 1835. Her Parents were Bartholomew and Margaret Rossman. Eliza had at least four sisters: Eve, Rachel, Catherine, and Marietta. At this point, we know very little about Eliza, her sisters, and her parents. At the time of the 1850 census, the Rossmans lived in Dublin Township in newly formed Fulton County. In 1860, the family lived in Quincy Township, Franklin County. 

The next twenty years of Eliza's life are even foggier. We know that her daughter, Ida Catherine Rossman, was born in 1865. But Eliza has not yet been found in the 1870 census. Ida, however, has been found living with her grandparents in Metal Township, Franklin County. It should be noted that David Taylor Bock, Eliza's husband also does not appear in the Metal Township count. The entire John Andrew Irvin family of Willow Hill, however, is also missing from the count and we know that their permanent homestead was purchased in 1864 and not sold until 1895. Perhaps these absences could be attributed to a careless census taker. Casting ever more doubt, Ida's last name is given as Rossman, her mother's maiden name. Where were Eliza and David at this time? Is David Ida's father? If not, who is Ida's father? Why wasn't Ida living with her mother? Unfortunately, the 1870 census generates more questions than answers.

The 1880 census is only a bit much more helpful. The household, shown above, included David Taylor Bock, his wife Eliza, his son John, his step-daughter Ida Irvin, his son-in-law James Irvin, and his mother-in-law Margaret. Interestingly, Ida was identified as a step-daughter. This would seem to corroborate with the 1870 census listing of Ida's last name as Rossman rather than Bock. I'm not sure that this would explain why David did not include Ida in his will.

David died in 1898. Widowed, Eliza lived with her son, John Bock at the time of the 1900 census.. 

Eliza died on September 23, 1906. The location of her grave is not known to us at this time. David and John are both buried in the cemetery at Fannettsburg Reformed Church.