Susan Sharp's Notes:
Sam Holben's application for marriage to Christiana Powell indicated his first wife died 22 October 1886. Her gravestone seems to say 22 November 1886. It says Christena, Wife of Samuel Holben, November 22,1886, 69 years, ____ months, 23 days. It is very weathered and hard to read. I found the following note, source unknown (maybe Tombstone Hopping by Patricia Steele): Alcola Cem. Red Bank Twp., Clarion County, Pa. Holben, Samuel d. April 17, 1894 aged 74 years, GAR 1861-1865. Holben, Christena, his wife, died Nov. 22, 1886, aged 68 years.
There are other Gruvers buried in the Alcola Cemetery, possibly her parents. I have to locate my notes and the photos I took. Notes made in 1994 while visiting the Alcola Cemetery: There are two tombstones close together, one is in German, the other says, Catharina, wife of John Gruser (sp) died August 25, 1872, Aged 81 years, ___ months, 11 days. Next to these two stones are two more; one with a Weeping Willow tree inscribed on it and the word Denmark underneath. This stone is written in German. The stone next to it saysJoseph Gruber (sp) died November 2, 18__, aged 18 years, 7 months, 11 days. All 4 of these stones are very difficult to read so there may be errors. I need to contact this church and see if cemetery records are available.