O'Bleness Family Collection

The members of the O'Bleness family who are featured in this collection and who resided in Athens, Ohio during the late nineteenth century and throughout the twentieth century descend from the Flemish town of Houplines, in France. The first patriarch of the O'Bleness family to leave Houplines and immigrate to the Americas was Joost Houplines. Before coming to America, Joost fled Houplines in 1649, traveling to the Palatinate of Mannheim in search of a safe place for religious dissenters. The family later arrived in America on April 16th, 1663, on the ship "De Boute Koe" (The Spotted Cow).

Henry G. O'Bleness, the patriarch of the members of the O'Bleness family featured in this collection, belonged to the eighth generation of O'Bleness family members to reside in America. His children, Henry Jr. who went by Harry, Charles, Ralph, and Mary who went by Mame, would make up the ninth generation.

Henry G. O'Bleness was born June 16th, 1842, in Washington County, Ohio. He followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a carpenter before enlisting in the Ohio Infantry in 1861 and the Union Army in 1864. He came to Athens in 1869 to take the contract for constructing the woodwork of the Athens Hospital for the Insane. After this project was completed, Henry settled down in Athens and married Josephine M. Shearer on March 7, 1871. The couple had four children, Henry Clifford, Charles Garnett, Ralph Alphonso, and Mary Lulu. Henry was a prominent member of the community and was deeply involved in Athens building, banking, and education. Henry and Josephine lived in their home at Sixteen East Union Street, Athens, Ohio until their deaths in 1924 and 1921, respectively.

Henry Clifford O'Bleness, who went by "Harry" was born October 11th, 1873, in Athens Ohio. He was the eldest son of Henry and Josephine. Harry was married to a woman named Ada Wickham. Harry passed away on July 27th, 1938, in Athens, Ohio.

Charles Garnett O'Bleness was born April 12th, 1877, in Athens, Ohio. He was the second born child of Henry and Josephine. Charles was an influential figure in the history of Athens, Ohio, and Ohio University. He was responsible for establishing Ohio University's first varsity football team in 1894 and, in the process, of choosing Green and White as the school colors. He was a philanthropist who funded the University's first professorship and donated one million dollars towards the construction of the O'Bleness Hospital in Athens, which was named in his honor. Charles also served as president of the Athens Security Bank. He passed away on May 31st, 1969, in Athens, Ohio.

Ralph Alfonso O'Bleness, born in 1879, was a sophomore at Ohio University, a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and member of the varsity football team in 1898 when he received a fatal injury during football practice. He passed away at nineteen years old on Dec 8th, 1898.

Mary Lulu O'Bleness, who went by "Mame" was born on March 1st, 1881, in Athens Ohio, and was the youngest child of Henry and Josephine. Mame attended Ohio University and was a member of the Ohio Alpha chapter of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She married Fred Hutchinson on Wednesday, September 12th, 1906, at her parents' home at Sixteen East Union Street, Athens, Ohio. Mame passed away in 1957 in Athens, Ohio.