North Manchester News Journal, May 10, 1934

MRS. GRONINGER DIES AT AGE OF 96

Mrs. Rebecca Groninger, North Manchester's oldest resident, died this morning about six o-clock at her home at the corner of Elm and Third streets. She had been in failing health for several months from a peculiar ailment affecting the muscles in her throat which made it difficult to swallow. However she was in full possession of her mental faculties until Wednesday about two o'clock when she fell into a sleep from which she did not awaken. The funeral will be at the Lutheran church Sunday afternoon at two o'clock. Rev. H.R. Ogle will conduct the service and burial will be in the South Peasant cemetery beside her husband. The casket will not be opened at the church and friends may view Mrs. Groninger at the residence from Friday noon until the funeral hour.

Mrs. Groninger was a daughter of Samuel and Mary Lindemuth Bussard. She was born in Montgomery, Ohio, March 12, 1838, being past 96 at death. She was brought to this country in a covered wagon in the fall of 1838, the parents locating on a farm north of the Bussard school house where Mr. Bussard operated a water power saw mill for many years. She married Henry L. Groninger June 10, 1856, and ten children were born to them. The husband died August 31, 1906, and three children are also dead. Mrs. Winnie Kreamer, Otto and Charles Groninger. Seven children survived, Mrs. Emma Tryon of Conway, Arkansas, H.G. Groninger of Silver Lake, A.D. Groninger of Laketon, Thomas Groninger of Warsaw, Sam Groninger of North Manchester, Mrs. Peter Schwenk living west of North Manchester and Mrs. Iva Butterbaugh, who with her daughter Leanna, made her home with Mrs. Groninger. There are 27 grand children, 22 great grand children and 6 great great grand children. One brother, T.A. Bussard of Fort Wayne is also living. He with Mrs. Bussard arrived Wednesday evening. She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church.

News Journal, March 13, 1930

Mrs. H.L. Groninger was bedfast for several days but is much better. Mrs. Groninger is really a pioneer of this locality, for she came to this country in a cradle. She was born in Ohio March 12, 1838, and in September her parents, Samuel Bussard and wife, moved to Pleasant township, locating on a farm six miles west of town. Mr. Bussard had entered 320 acres from the government and set up a saw mill on the creek that ran through his place. She married Henry Lewis Groninger in 1856 and their entire married life was spent on the farm northwest of North Manchester, that having been the home of Mr. Groninger's father Leonard Groninger. Mr. Groninger and three children are dead, Mrs. Winnie Kreamer, Otto and Charles Groninger. Seven children are living, Harry of Silver Lake, Arthur, Sam, Mrs. Peter Schwenk and Mrs. Iva Butterbaugh of this locality, Tom of Warsaw and Mrs. Emma Tryon of Arkansas. A brother, T.A. Bussard, lives at Fort Wayne.