OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS - Marion Co., Ohio

Biographies

† Source:
Portrait & Biographical Records
of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent
and Representative Citizens of the Counties
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents
of the United States
Chicago:
Chapman Publishing Co.
1895

	WILLIAM C. RAPP, a prominent and successful business man of Marion, is the proprietor of a large harness and saddlery establishment, which he has conducted for several years. He is a man of great ability, and for two years was Fire Marshal, and for four years was City Marshal, of Marion. Mr. Rapp was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, July 21, 1844, and is the son of Jacob Rapp, a well-to-do farmer of the Fatherland. He set sail for America with his family in 1852, and after landing on American shores continued his westward journey until Marion County, this state, was reached. Here he located on a farm not far from this city, but before they could become fully acquainted with their new surroundings they were both seized with the cholera and died. This was in 1854, just two years after leaving their native land. They left at their deceased nine children, all of whom attained mature years, but at the present writing only three are living. George D. served as a soldier in the Civil War, in the Fourth Ohio Regiment, and was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg; Frederick, who was also a soldier at that time, fought in the Eighty-second Ohio Infantry, and on his return from the battlefield located in Indiana, where he died in 1874. After the death of his parents our subject was cared for by Samuel Snyder, a farmer in the locality of their home, who was very kind to him and gave him every advantage for securing a common-school education. He was a member of his household on the outbreak of the late war, and, being fired with the spirit of patriotism, enlisted, in August, 1862, joining Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Infantry. His regiment was ordered to the front and young Rapp did valiant service in the battles of Perryville, Franklin, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and also in those of the Atlanta campaign. When on the charge at Kenesaw Mountain he was wounded in the left arm, thus rendering him unfit for further active service. He was sent to the hospital at Nashville, from there to Columbus, and later to Cleveland, where he was honorably discharged, May 25, 1865. After his experience in the army our subject went on a farm near Marion, where he remained until the spring of 1869. Being at that time fully recovered from the effects of life on the battlefield, he returned to the city, anxious once more to engage in business for himself. That year he opened up a grocery, which he operated successfully for eight years, at the expiration of which time he disposed of his business, being appointed driver of the fire engine. He was the incumbent of this position for two years, and the following four years was City Marshal. Refusing at the end of that time to be an office-holder any longer, he established himself in the business in which he is now engaged, dealing in saddlery, harness, trunks, etc. Mr. Rapp was married, in 1871, to Miss Clara Idleman. She died three years later, leaving a son, Orlando, who is now a student in the Hillsdale (Mich.) College. In May, 1883, our subject chose for his second companion Mrs. Ida. M. Walters, of Marion. By her first marriage she had two children, Claud C. and Bertha B. Mr. Rapp is very prominent in the various social orders of the city, being Past Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias and Past Commander of the Grand Army Post, and as an Odd Fellow is influential in his lodge. He is a strong Republican in politics and upholds the principles of his party on every occasion. His family occupy a beautiful home in the best portion of the city, by whose residents they are held in high esteem. ~ Page 173 - Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895
	GEORGE RHOADS, deceased, was an extensive property-owner and an honored citizen of Big Island Township, Marion County. He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Feb. 1, 1810, and died Jan. 20, 1884, being placed to rest in Scott Town Cemetery. His education was limited, and so were his finances for several years after he started out to make his own way in the world. In spite of all, however, he succeeded even beyond his own expectations, and at last seven hundred acres bore tribute to his industry. Politically he was a Republican, and for a number of years he was Trustee of this township. A member of the Methodist Church, he carried its teachings into his daily' life, and was loved by all who knew him. Mar. 17, 1839, Mr. Rhoads married Drusilla Yokam, by whom lie had twelve children. James M. was born Dec. 31, 1839; John, born Dec. 31, 1841, is a resident of this county; Absalom P. was born Sept. 4, 1843, and is also living in this county; Jesse, born Sept. 20, 1845, owns a farm in Missouri; Martha E., born Aug. 15, 1847, died in infancy; Rachel A., born Nov. 15, 1848, married James Stivesson, and died Aug. 26, 1877; George H., born Mar. 22, 1852, died May 21, 1853, by drowning; George H., the second of that name, was born Apr. 8, 1854, and died the following December; Winfield S., born Feb. 18, 1856, is an engineer in Marion; Mary E., born Apr. 11, 1859, is the wife of Walter Winn; Francis M., born Aug. 13, 1861, died May 23, 1893, leaving a wife and five children; and Alpha O., born Dec. 8, 1863, now owns the old home farm. Mrs. Drusilla Rhoads is a daughter of Absalom and Rachel (Hall) Yokam, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. At a very early day the family moved to Knox County, Ohio, and for some time had no neighbors within eight miles of their humble home. Mrs. Rhoads was born Jan. 4, 1819, and is still living on her husband’s old farm with her youngest son. Alpha O. Rhoads was married, Feb. 27, 1887, to Lulu, daughter of James and Sarah A. (Morgan) Davis, natives of Virginia. In 1867 they came to this township, and are yet living on a farm here. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads have had two children. James M. Rhoads has the honor of having been held and caressed by William H. Harrison at a rally in Marion in 1840. Feb. 21, 1867, he married Lovira, daughter of Lauren and Julia (McElvy) Lewis, natives of New York. The father was born Feb. 25, 1814, and in 1834 moved to Ohio, taking up his abode in Salt Rock Township. There he lived until 1869, when he retired and remained in Upper Sandusky the rest of his life, his death occurring May 7, 1893. His first wife died Aug. 4, 1856, and he later married Maria Bowers, who died June 7, 1890. Mrs. Rhoads is one of three children. Her brother, John L., born May 23, 1847, is Cashier of the Harpster (Ohio) Bank. Ida J., born June 10, 1855, died in infancy. Four children have come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads: George L., born Dec. 29, 1867, was married, Oct. 25, 1893, to Almeda Riley, and lives on a part of the old farm; Julia, born Dec. 7, 1872, became the wife of William S. Davis, a farmer, July 9, 1893; Marian M., born Jan. 9, 1877, is at home; and Princess L. born Feb. 3, 1881, completes the number. Oct. 21, 1861, James M. Rhoads enlisted in Company D, Sixty-fourth Ohio Regiment, under Capt. William W. Smith, of Mansfield, Ohio. He took part in the Atlanta campaign and was in numerous important engagements, among them being Chickamauga. He was twice shot in the leg, and was confined in the Nashville Hospital for a time. His honorable discharge is dated Dec. 10, 1864. Politically he is a Republican, and in religious belief is a Baptist. His farm comprised one hundred and fifty-six acres, but he sold half an acre for a schoolhouse site. ~ Page 125 - Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895
	MILTON H. RHOADS is the owner of a valuable homestead on section 30, Salt Rock Township, Marion County, and is one of the progressive farmers of this region. In politics he is a Republican, and by his fellow-citizens has frequently been elected to serve in a public capacity. Among others he has been Township Trustee for three terms. The Rhoads family is one of the oldest and most highly respected ones in the county, and has always been found on the side of progress. The parents of our subject were Henry and Elizabeth (Crabb) Rhoads. The former was a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, and at an early day emigrated to this county, where, in company with his father, he bought the farm now owned by his son Milton H. He improved a tract of wild land, and there continued to dwell until his death, which occurred while yet in the prime of life, being only in his forty-ninth year. He was very active in the ranks of the Republican party, and held at one time or another nearly all of the local township offices. Financially he was quite successful, and at his demise left about four hundred acres of land. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in Ross County, Ohio, and came to this county with an aunt as she was left an orphan. Her death occurred when she had attained her sixtieth year. Her second child, Susan, died in infancy; John E., the next of the family, is a merchant in Marion; George died at the age of twenty years; Leah is the wife of Samuel Krause; and Martha died when a child of five years. The birth of Milton H. Rhoads occurred Sept. 14, 1840, in this township. He was only fourteen years old when his father died, and he remained at home until reaching his majority. Oct. 7, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Sixty-fourth Ohio Infantry, as a private, but was promoted to the rank of Corporal about two weeks after his enlistment. On account of poor health he received an honorable discharge in the summer of 1862. Returning home, he was married a few months later and moved to a part of his grandfather's old homestead, which had descended to him by inheritance, and here he has made his home ever since. His home farm comprises two hundred and ninety acres, a portion of which represents his own earnings. Sept. 11, 1862, Mr. Rhoads married Jane D. Davidson, who was born in this township, May 8, 1840. Her parents were James and Ann (Dalzell) Davidson, natives of Clark County, Ohio, and Ireland, respectively. The father was born in 1810, and in his early manhood came to this county, working out by the month for a time. Subsequently he purchased land and engaged in its cultivation until shortly before his death, which occurred when he was seventy-five years old. His wife emigrated to this county with her parents when she was only eight years old. She was a member of the Baptist Church and died in that faith when in her forty-ninth year. The only child born to Mr. and Ms. Rhoads was James Henry, whose birth occurred June 25, 1863. He was married, Aug. 17, 1890, to Ida Peters, who was born Oct. 14, 1862, in Wyandot County, Ohio. James H. Rhoads is an enterprising young farmer and takes a large share of the responsibility of managing the farm. Our subject is a member of Lodge No. 58, I. O. O. F., of Marion, to which his son also belongs, and is identified with the Grand Army post at Marion. Mrs. Rhoads is a member of the Baptist Church, to which her husband is a liberal contributor. Source: Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895- Page 158
	JOHN RICE is one of the well-to-do farmers and citizens of Scott Township, Marion County, and is the owner of a fertile and well cultivated homestead on section 36. He has lived on this farm for the past quarter of a century, and has made many improvements on the place which have added greatly to its value and desirability. Mr. Rice has passed his entire life in this vicinity, where he is well and favorably known. His birth occurred on a farm within two miles of his present home, Apr. 28, 1822, but across the line in Morrow County, and about a mile and a-half east of Caledonia. He is one of the thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters, born to Jacob and Lydia (Wickiger) Rice, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and who were early settlers of Morrow County. The boyhood of John Rice passed without event of unusual moment his time being given to assisting his father in the farm work and to obtaining such education as the district schools offered. On reaching his majority he began working at various occupations, running a sawmill for his father for four years. When he had laid aside a sufficient sum of money from his earnings, he invested it in ninety acres of improved land. This farm he continued to cultivate for about fifteen years, when he sold out and moved to the place where he has since made his home. This was in 1869, and during the intervening years he has brought his farm under good cultivation and made it one of the best in the township. Altogether he owns two hundred and sixty acres, one hundred and fourteen acres of which are in his home farm. In 1857 occurred the marriage of John Rice and Sarah Bennett. Six children graced their union, namely: Simeon, now Sheriff of Marion County; Lydia Eleanor and George, who died in infancy; Ella, the wife of William Wier, a farmer of Morrow County; Ida, the wife of Noah Garver, a farmer of Marion County; and Cora, the wife of James Noblet, a farmer residing on the home place. For nearly half a century our subject has been a member of the Masonic order, and for years has held membership with the Odd Fellows’ lodge. He well remembers when Caledonia was not yet in existence and when Marion contained only a few houses. Beginning in life a poor boy, he is worthy of all credit for the success which he has accomplished and for the open-hearted manner in which he has always supported all public enterprises. He is mainly self-educated, as the schools of his boyhood were poorly conducted and furnished few advantages. In his political faith he has been a life long Democrat. Source: Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895- Page 239
	ELIAS E. RILEY. The career of this gentleman has been one of perseverance and integrity, and has been crowned with the success which those meet who steadily pursue their way. He is now living on section 17, Montgomery Township, Marion County, where lies his fine estate of one hundred and fifty-four well improved and productive acres. In addition to this he owns one hundred and ten acres in Marion Township. One subject was born May 3, 1844, in Marion Township, to William and Mary (Courts) Riley. The father was born in Delaware, while the mother was a Virginian by birth. When a small boy the father of our subject went to Pickaway County, Ohio, with his parents and later, in 1826, came to this county, where he entered land in Marion Township. Until 1875 he followed the occupation of a farmer, and that year moved into the city of Marion, spending the remainder of his life in ease and comfort. He passed away Feb. 15, 1887. His good wife preceded him to the better land, dying May 14, 1879. William Riley was one of the largest land-owners in this portion of Ohio, having accumulated eight hundred acres by his own efforts. His children, nine in number, were given such advantages for obtaining educations as could be had in the neighborhood, and when reaching mature years they were one and all aided in a very substantial way by their father. Amanda M., the eldest daughter of William Riley, was born July 23, 1832, and is now the widow of Barney Shaffer, of Marion; Hiram W. was born Apr. 20, 1835, and is now a resident of Portland, Ore.; Martin J. was born June 28, 1838, but is now deceased; George F. was born Apr. 28, 1841, and is also deceased; our subject was the next-born; Mary E., born June 6, 1847, died in June, 1875; John C. was born Oct. 21, 1849; Louisa, whose birth occurred Feb. 28, 1854, died Apr. 22 of the same year; Sarah, born Feb. 11, 1858, died Dec. 3, 1877. The mother of this family was born Sept. 14, 1814, and was therefore sixty-five years old at the time of her decease, May 14, 1879. William Riley was born Jan. 16, 1802. He was devoted member of the Christian Church, and in politics cast a vote for Republican candidates. The original of this sketch was married, Oct. 9, 1873, to Miss Frances Furlong, the daughter of H. A. and Elizabeth (Hicks) Furlong, natives of New York. They came to this state, however, many years ago, and here were engaged in farming for the remainder of their lives, owning property in Hardin County. Mr. and Mrs. Furlong became the parents of a very large family, only four of whom, however, lived to mature years. Frances, the wife of our subject, was born in Oswego County, N. Y., Oct. 9, 1854, and after seventeen years of married life died, July 7, 1890. She had three children, two of whom now live with our subject. Bessie L. born Feb. 26, 1875, is the wife of J. W. Hoagland, and lives in Bowling Green Township, this county. Alma and Elma are at home. Mrs. Riley was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, of which she was a regular attendant. She was a loving wife and kind and devoted mother. Mr. Riley remained under the parental roof for six years after attaining his majority, it being his duty to manage the large estate of his father. Upon starting out for himself he was given a quarter-section of the home place, to which he has since added, until his possessions aggregate two hundred and "sixty-four acres. He is deservedly spoken of as one of the leading fanners of this section, as he is both industrious and enterprising. He raises on his place good grades of stock in large numbers, besides devoting the most productive portion of his land to grain raising. He is also a member of the Baptist Church, and socially is a Free Mason. In political matters he is a stanch Republican. Source: Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895- Page 346

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