BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
* Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio
 by William Alexander Taylor
 - Vols. I  & II -
1909
 

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	EDSON OLDS RAGER is a successful and well known agriculturist of Madison township, residing on a valuable and highly improved farm of more than one hundred acres, which has now been in possession of the family for a period of ninety-two years.  His parents were John and Nancy Chanler (Rower) Rager, the former born in Pennsylvania in 1814.  When but two years of age John Rager was brought by his parents to Madison township, Franklin county, Ohio, living with them until he grew to maturity, and when his father and mother grew old he made a home for them, thus repaying them for the care and assistance which they had given him in his younger years.  He passed away in 1885, leaving two children to mourn his loss, namely: Alice Elizabeth; and Edson Olds, of this review.      The latter lived with his parents on the old homestead until their demise and cared for them in their declining years.  He still owns and resides upon the farm which was purchased by the grandfather on his arrival in this country ninety-two years ago.  The property comprises more than one hundred acres and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.  The attention of the passer-by is arrested by the highly improved and attractive appearance of the place, which seems to embody all the beauties of rural life in their most enticing form.  It is one of the model farming properties of Madison township and Mr. Rager is widely recognized as a substantial agriculturist and enterprising citizens of his native county.      In 1886 occurred the marriage of Mr. Rager and Miss Ella Kramer.  They now have seven children, as follows:  Ethel May, Elijah Edson, Mamie Alice, Charles Kramer, Bryan Whittier, Dean Lester and Susie Leota.      Politically Mr. Rager is a democrat, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church.  He is also identified with the Grange, and enjoys the warm regard and esteem of an extensive circle of friends throughout the county in which he has spent his entire life. (Source: * Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio by William Alexander Taylor - Vol. II - 1909 -  Page  256) PLEASE NOTE:   Per Email from Susan Godman Rager, the photos attached hereto are NOT Edson Olds Rager and wife.  She said it is Edson Oles Rager's father,, John Bartholomew Rager and one of his two wives.  She said she believes the wife shown is Nancy Chandler Rower who he married secondly after the death of Elizabeth Conkle, his first wife.  Edson Olds Rager is Susan's husband's grandfather.
	JACOB REAB (Source: * Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio by William Alexander Taylor - Vol. II - 1909 -  Page  70)
	MRS. EMULA ROGERS.  The subject of this sketch, Mrs. Emula Rogers, was born in Connecticut, November 22, 1799.  Her father and mother were Abner and Mercy Gillett Clapp.  When about six years of age, her parents removed to Martinsburg, Lewis county, New York, where she passed her early life, and where she obtained a good education for that early day.  She was married, October 12, 1823, to Asa Moore Rogers, by whom she raised three children - Mary, Lester Asa, and Julia E.  Her husband died January 2, 1831, and, on November 16, 1835, she was again married.  Her choice fell on Apollos Rogers, a brother of her former husband.  By him she had two children - twins - to whom they gave the names of Eli and Ela.  Mr. Rogers, her husband, had been married previously, and had several children by his first wife.  In 1836, with their family, they emigrated to Ohio, arriving in Norwich township, September 29th, of that year.  Mr. Rogers bought a farm near the Scioto River, and well toward the southern line of the township, where two of his sons - Marcellus and Milton  Rogers - now live.  Here he died, September 17, 1840.  Mrs. Emula Rogers, his wife, survived him, and died February 9, 1871, aged seventy-one years.      Of her children, Lester A. removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he now lives.  Julia E., is living single in California.  Mary married John Howard, July 4, 1850, and lives in Norwich township.  Their home is about eight miles from Columbus, on the river road.      Mrs. Emula Rogers joined the Methodist Episcopal church at Martinsburg, New York, when about sixteen years of age, and continued close connection with it to the time of her death.  Both of her husbands belonged to the same church.  After the death of her second husband, she kept her family together until all but one were married,  when she gave up housekeeping, and spent the remainder of her days with her daughter, Mrs. John Howard, in whose home she quietly fell asleep, well prepared, by a consistent Christian life, for the call at the last great day. (Source: * Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio by William Alexander Taylor - Vol. II - 1909 - Page 496)
	GEORGE L. RUGGLES who is now living retired in Columbus, was for many years successfully connected with the business interests of this city. His birth occurred in Boylston. Massachusetts, on the 10th of November, 1843, his parents being Brigham and Charlotte (Maynard) Ruggles. The family is of English descent and the first representative of the name to come to America located near Boston, Massachusetts, about 1637. Brigham Ruggles, the father of our subject, who was born in Massachusetts in 1784, was connected with agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. At one time, having determined to establish his home in the west, he sold his interests in the old Bay state but was persuaded not to make the removal and therefore .spent his remaining years in Massachusetts, passing away at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife, whose natal day was February 21, 1800. was called to her final rest in October 1888. Unto this worthy couple were born four sons. of whom George L., is now the only survivor.      The last named was reared on the home farm and acquired a. common-school education. In the spring of 1863 be began farming for his father but in the fall of the same year entered school. remaining as a student until June, 1864. Subsequently he was employed on a farm for nine months, driving an ox-team and hauling timber during the winter of 1864-5. The 9th of April. 1865. witnessed his arrival in Springfield, Ohio, and, having a little capital. he began selling a book entitled "Chronicles of the Rebellion." He net with fair success in this undertaking but was taken sick with scarlet fever before he could deliver the volumes and on recovering from his illness found it rather difficult to dispose of them. He also sold a lithograph of the Emancipation Proclamation. Afterward he again gave his attention to farming for one month and then started to walk to Springfield. Ohio, eight miles away. After convalescing from a two months' illness he taught school for one month. Resigning his position as a teacher, he went to work for George W. Hastings, the editor of the Springfield Republic, as a subscription solicitor and during his connection with the paper, from December, 1865, to April, 1866, he increased the circulation by three thousand. Mr. Hastings then purchased a book bindery and in June, 1866, sent Mr. Ruggles on the road to sell blankbooks and stationery-such as is used in county and state offices. Our subject was thus engaged until 1869 and on the 20th of January of that year came to Columbus, accepting a. position with Siebert & Lilley, who were also manufacturers of blank books and stationery. He remained with that company until their plant was destroyed by fire in 1892, and in March of that year he established the Ruggles Gale Company, of which he continuously served as president until July, 1906, when he sold out and retired from active bus business life. For about fifteen years he was thus at the head of an important commercial enterprise of Columbus and is widely recognized as a most substantial. public-spirited and enterprising citizen. Brooking no obstacles that honest effort could overcome, he steadily worked his way upward until, leaving the ranks of the many. he stood among the successful few. He was one of the organizers of the South Side Business & Improvement Association, served as its president for two years. and was also a director of the Columbus Board of Trade for two years.       Mr. Ruggles has been married twice. On the 1st of February, 1871. he wedded Miss Emma S. Buck; a native of Portsmouth, Ohio. who passed away in June, 1875.  By this union there were born two children: Ferdinand A., who is a clerk in the department of construction and repair at the navy yard in Manilla.; and Elmer W., who is deceased. On the 8th of September, 1879, Mr. Ruggles was again married. his second union being with Mary A. Platt, who was born in Columbus, January 16, 1848, her parents being Calvin A. and Lucy (Lynch) Platt, who were natives of Vermont and pioneer settlers of this city.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Platt were born nine children, three of who still survive, as follows: Mrs. Laura. Shilling, a resident of Springfield, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Harker, living in Cincinnati, Ohio: and Mrs. Ruggles. Unto Mr. Ruggles and his second wife have been born three children: Louise, the wife of Dr. Walter E. Newcome, of Cleveland, by whom she has one son, Morse R.; Calvin B., of Seattle, Washington, and George M., who died in infancy.          In his political views Mr. Ruggles is a stanch republican. while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Congregational church. with which his wife is also identified. He has a small table which has been in possession of the family since 1700 its top being inlaid with a silver plate on which are inscribed the names of its owners and the date of their birth; as follows: Rev. Benjamin Ruggles, 1700; Benjamin Ruggles, Jr. 1726; Lemuel Ruggles. 1750; Grigham Ruggles, 1784. Subsequently it fell to the lot of a brother of our subject, Charles B. Ruggles, who died childless and thus the heirloom came into possession of George L. Ruggles, who prizes it very highly. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known throughout the city, having won the unqualified confidence and regard of all with who they have come in contact throughout the long period of their residence here. (Source: Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio by William Alexander Taylor - Vol. II - 1909 - Page 33)

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