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Welcome to
CRAWFORD COUNTY,  OHIO
History & Genealogy

Source:
A Centennial
Biographical History
of
Crawford County, Ohio

- ILLUSTRATED -
"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote generations."
- MACAULAY
Publ. Chicago:
The Lewis Publishing Company
1902


AARON RADER

AARON RADER

Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 482

  JAMES PETER RADER.  A loyal soldier during the Civil war and for many years a faithful public official, the life history of James Peter Rader well deserves a place in the annals of Crawford county, whither he came in his boyhood with his parents, Aaron and Sabina (Bauer) Rader.  He was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1843, and was reared upon his father's farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, as he assisted his father in the work of the fields.  He acquired a fair education and greatly broadened his knowledge through reading, experience and observation in later life.
     When the troubles over the slavery question had precipitated the country into civil war his patriotic spirit was aroused and he resolved to strike a blow in defense of the Union.  Accordingly he offered his services to the government and became a member of Company B, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He took part in many of the important engagements of his regiment and finally received an honorable discharge, after which he returned to his home in Crawford county.
     Mr. Rader was married to Miss Julia Musgrave, a daughter of Robert Wallace Musgrave, one of the pioneers and distinguished citizens of Crawford county, Since her husband's death Mrs. Rader makes her home in Sulphur Springs.  She is a very wide acquaintance throughout the county and is most highly esteemed for her many excellencies of character Mr. Rader rose to prominence in political circles and was a stanch Republican, giving an unfaltering allegiance to the Republican party, in whose principles, he so firmly believed.  He was appointed and served as postmaster of Bucyrus and was afterward a government clerk in the treasury department at Washington, a position which he held continuously up to the time of his death, which occurred in Bucyrus, Jan. 7, 1880, when he was in the very prime of manhood, being then thirty-seven years of age.  Methodical and exact he performed his work in a most capable manner and was a most trustworthy representative of the department.  He was man of many sterling traits of character, genial and popular and wherever he went made friends.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 586
  JACOB RANCK.  Crawford county, Ohio, has many citizens of Pennsylvanian descent who as farmers and in business life have ably demonstrated the potency of the Pennsylvania Dutch blood in the work of enlightenment and progress.  Prominent among such citizens is Jacob Ranck, who was born in Texas township, in 1843, and is at this time a prosperous citizen there.
     Jacob Ranck is a son of David Ranck, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who settled in Wyandot county, Ohio, in 1829, whence he removed in 1836 to Texas township, Crawford county, on government land upon which he had filed a claim two years previously.  The tract consisted of one hundred and ninety-four acres and was heavily timbered.  He erected a log cabin, containing one room, into which he moved his family, then began in earnest the work of clearing and improving his land.  He died there in 1865, at the age of sixty-three years.  He married Frances Betzer, and they had three sons and eight daughters, and ten of their children are now living.
     All three of their sons fought for the flag of their country in the Civil war, Jacob and Lewis C, in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from August 19, 1862, until the close of the war, and Ephraim in the one hundred days' service.  Jacob and Lewis saw their first experience of battle at Winchester, June 15th, 1863, where they were made prisoners of war and taken to Libby prison.  After two days' confinement they were transferred to the Belle Isle prison.  Nineteen days later Jacob Ranck was paroled and went to Annapolis, Maryland, whence after a short time he went home on parole.  Eventually he rejoined his regiment at Martinsburg, West Virginia.  The regiment did guard duty for several months.  Its next fighting was at Newmarket, and after that engagement it retreated to Cedar Creek, where General David Hunter was put in command, and on the 26th of May they again advanced through Newmarket and on to Piedmont, June 5, where they again had a severe engagement with the enemy, under command of General W. E. Jones.  June 6 they took possession of Staunton without further opposition; and after destroying thousands of dollars' with of Confederate government property, they again advanced to Lexington, where they defeated McCausland, and after destroying considerable Confederate property and Governor Letcher's residence, they again moved on to Lynchburg, where they again met the enemy, under Early, June 18.  Finding the enemy too strong, they began their retreat during the night of June 18, by the way of Salem through Buford's Gap, and on to Gauley Bridge, arriving at Parkersburg, July 5, and at Martinsburg July 10, having marched eight hundred miles from the 2d day of May 1864, till the 10th day of July, following.  During July, 1864, it had a number of engagements at Snicker's Gay, July 17, at Kernstown, July 23, and at Winchester, July 24.  September 2d the regiment fought at Berryville; at Opequan under General Sheridan, September 19; at the battle of Fisher's Hill, September 22; and at the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, all in 1864.  It was then transferred to the Army of the James, under the command of General Grant, and was for some time stationed at Camp Holley, at Deep Bottom.  After that, under the command of General Ord it assisted in the capture of Petersburg and Richmond.  After the fall of Richmond, with the Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania, it was detailed to burn the bridge across the river over which it was believed Lee intended to escape.  The movement was not successful, and Mr. Ranck was made a prisoner of war April 6, and was so held with Lee's command at the time of Lee's surrender.  He received only one wound during the entire term of his service, and that was a slight one, occasioned by the concussion of a spent ball.
     At the end of his memorable experience as a soldier, Mr. Ranck returned to Texas township, Crawford county, Ohio, and soon afterward went to Wyandot county, Ohio, where for five years he farmed or rented land.  At the expiration of that time he bought eighty-acres there, on which he lived two years.  He then bought one hundred and thirty-six acres of land in Antrim township, Wyandot county, where he followed agriculture until 1885, when he moved to his present farm in Texas township.  He owns seventy-eight acres of well improved land and gives his attention to general farming.
     He affiliates with the Republican party and has held the office of township clerk in Texas township for one year, and while a resident of Wyandot county he filled the office of assessor of Antrim township for four years.
     He was married February 27, 1868, to Miss Caroline Gottier, and they have three children, - Jesse G., a farmer in Texas township; Ida B., who was married to Melville C. Hudle; and Clara L., who is the wife of Howard J. Miller.
     Mr. and Mrs. Ranck are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, careful in their adherence to all its requirements, and are liberal supporters of its various interests; and Mr. Ranck is a man of decided public spirit who aids to the extent of his ability any movement which in his good judgment promises to benefit any considerable number of his fellow citizens.  He is a quiet and unostentatious man, who speaks little of his own good deeds, but who is known as a good neighbor of most generous sympathies, who has more than once proven himself a friend in the hour of need.  Mrs. Ranck is a woman of many virtues, who is known as a model wife and mother and who has been a most worthy helpmeet to her husband and a power for good among those with whom she has associated.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 514


W. W. REEHL

WILLIAM W. REEHL

Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 174


JOHN RENROTH

JOHN RENROTH

Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page

  JOSEPH M. RICHARDS, deceased, was a man of sterling worth who made "his home in Crestline and by his many commendable personal characteristics won the esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends. He was born in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1852, and there remained until his removal to Allegheny, where he entered the railway service, acting as fireman for his brother on the Pennsylvania road. Before he was twenty years of age he was made an engineer and acted in that capacity with the same road until his death, which occurred in 1892, when he was accidentally killed while on duty. He was oiling his engine and was struck by a passing passenger train, being instantly killed. It was while making a return trip from Pittsburg with freight No. 65. He ran his train on the siding at Steele in order to secure the necessary coal and also clear the track for the passenger train, No. 31. He had gone down under the engine and crawled out while it was letting off steam, so that he did not hear the on-coming train, which was approaching at a speed of thirty miles an hour. A projection struck his head and death followed immediately. He had resided for more than fourteen years in Crestline and was known to every school .child almost as well as to the older residents of the city. He was extremely kind-hearted and was numbered among the best residents of the community. He held membership with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Relief Society, and wherever known he commanded respect and the friendship of his fellow men. He was sober and industrious, energetic and reliable, and his many excellent qualities classed him among the citizens of worth.
     Mr. Richards in early manhood was united in marriage to Miss Emma Weber, who was born in Crestline, on Christmas day of 1858, and was a daughter of Michael and Mary (Miller) Weber. Her father was a prominent and honored pioneer of Crestline, conducting a hostelry where the Continental now stands, this place being known as the Franklin House. However, a fire destroyed the hotel in 1860. Mr. Weber was also in the grocery business and was one of the prominent men of the town, occupying an enviable position in business and social circles and as a member of the Masonic fraternity. He died in 1884, leaving a family of three sons and two daughters. His widow is still living.
     Mrs. Richards is the eldest of the five children. She was reared in Crestline and there pursued her education. Her brothers and sisters are: George, who is an engineer on the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago road; Christ, a fireman; Mary, wife of James B. Fitzsimmons, an engineer on the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad; and John George, deceased. Mrs. Richards has considerable prominence in Crestline, being one of those well-to-do ladies of the city.  Her home is celebrated for its thoughtful and gracious hospitality and her many friends delight there to gather.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio - Chicago: 1902 - Page 851

 

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