Olga Averbuch was born in Kishinev in the Russian Empire Averbuch. She immigrated to the United States and settled in Chicago around 1906; her brother Lazarus joined her there the year after. In 1908 Lazarus reportedly went to the house of the Chicago Chief of Police, George Shippy and was killed.
Following her brother's death, Olga Averbuch was detained by the police and interrogated for 72 hours. Without first knowing he was dead, Olga was confronted with Averbuch's body, damaged from gunfire and ill treatment by angry policemen. In the days that followed, Olga struggled to convince the police and the public that Lazarus Averbuch was not an anarchist. Chief among the community members who financially and otherwise supported Olga Averbuch following her brother's death was Jane Addams. Addams mobilized the resources of Hull House and raised at least $10,000 for Olga and for her brother's burial.
