South Bloomfield Twp. –
ALONZO RAMEY, farmer; P. O. Mt. Liberty; the grand-son of Peter Kile, one of the oldest settlers in the Tp., was born in South Bloomfield Tp. in 1842; his father is T. A. Ramey and his mother Melinda (KiIe) Ramey, daughter of Peter Kile.  There were ten children in Peter Kile’s family: John, born in Oct., 1815; Reason, Aug., 1817; Melinda, Nov., 1819; Simon, Dec., 1821; Washington, March, 1824; Ransom, Sept., 1826; Harvey, March, 1829; Catharine, Feb., 1832; Mary E., Oct., 1835; and William W., April, 1839.  In T. A. Ramey’s family were four boys and two girls -- Alonzo, Arminda, Washington, Brown, Emmett and Orpha.  Alonzo passed his youth at Mt. Liberty, going to school; at the age of 15 he went on a farm, where he remained until he was 20 years old; in 1862 he enlisted in the 96th Reg., O. V. I., and served ten months, but at the end of that time he was so reduced by disease that he was discharged; after his discharge he remained with his father until his marriage with Sarah A. Mortley, Oct. 4, 1864.  He has two children -- Delma, born July 9, 1865, and Burton, Jan. 4, 1867.  Mr. Ramey owns 100 acres of land, it being the same fractional quarter section upon which Peter Kile lived, when he first settled in the Tp.  He is a Republican.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 675-676
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

BURTON C. RAMEY. ––It is but mete that in a history of the careers of representative citizens of Morrow county, Ohio, be accorded recognition to him whose name initiates this review.  Mr. Ramey has resided on his splendid country estate in South Bloomfield township during practically his entire life time, and the same is one of the model farms in this section of the country.  It comprises one hundred and forty-four acres and is in a high state of cultivation, the substantial buildings and general air of thrift which pervades the place being the best evidence of Mr. Ramey’s ability as a practical agriculturist.
     Burton C. Ramey is a son of Alonzo Ramey and he was born on a farm in Knox county, Ohio, on the 4th of January, 1868.  Alonzo Ramey was a grandson of Peter Kile, one of the oldest settlers in South Bloomfield township, and he was born in 1842, a son of T. A. and Melinda (Kile) Ramey.  Peter Kile was the father of ten children, namely: John Reason, Melinda (Mrs. T. A. Ramey), Simon, Washington, Ransom, Harvey, Catherine, Mary E. and Wiliam [sic] W.  Alonzo Ramey was one in a family of six children: Alonzo, Armida, Washington, Brown, Emmett and Orpha.  He farmed until he was twenty years of age and he then, in 1862, enlisted as a soldier in the Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving with all of gallantry and faithfulness for a period of ten months, at the expiration of which he was so reduced by disease that he was discharged and mustered out of service.  Thereafter he was an inmate of the parental home until his marriage, October 4, 1864, to Miss Sarah A. Mortley, a niece of David Mortley, who wrote the constitution of Ohio and who was long actively connected with the progress and development of the old Buckeye state.  Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Ramey became the parents of two children: Delma, born July 9, 1865; and Burton C., the subject of this review.  Mr. Ramey passed his life as a farmer and he resided upon the old Peter Kile estate until his death, March 3, 1907.
     Mr. Ramey, of this notice, was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm, in the work and management of which he early became associated with his father.  His educational advantages consisted of such privileges as were afforded in the public schools of his native place and after his marriage, in 1890, he assumed active charge of the old home farm, upon which he has resided during the long intervening years to the present time.  This estate was the first tract of land to be entered in this section of Morrow county, the original owner having been Peter Kile, great-grandfather of Mr. Ramey.  It is interesting to note that Mr. Ramey has in his possession the old sheep-skin deed, signed by President James Monroe, which Mr. Peter Kile received when he settled here.  Diversified farming and the raising of high-grade Delaine sheep occupy Mr. Ramey’s working hours and he holds prestige as one of the most successful farmers in this vicinity.
     On the 9th of October, 1890, Mr. Ramey was united in marriage to Miss Belle Bockover, who was born and reared at Sparta, the date of her nativity being the 25th of December, 1872.  She is a daughter of James and Mary Bockover, of Chester township.  Mr. and Mrs. Ramey have one son, Homer A., whose birth occurred on the 2nd of March, 1892.  He was graduated in the Sparta High School as a member of the class of 1908 and for one year was a student in the Parkville University, at Kansas City, Missouri.  He is now engaged in teaching in the public schools of this county and in the same is achieving marked success.  He has remarkable talent in public speaking and is known throughout this section of the state as the young boy orator.  He has a magnetic voice and personality, has a wonderful command of language and his eloquent manner of presenting his speeches has been the means of winning to him numerous medals in the various contests in which he has participated.  In August, 1906, he was presented with a silver medal at Sparta; in the following October he won a gold medal at Mount Gilead; in August, 1907, at Levering, Ohio, he won the grand gold medal in the Women’s Christian Temperance Union contest; at a contest at Steubenville, Ohio, he won second place; and in November, 1907, he was chosen from seven candidates as the winner of the diamond medal at Nashville, Tennessee.  In the last-mentioned contest seven states were represented: Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Texas, and the finals were held at Nashville, Tennessee, on the 9th of November 1907.  In this contest Mr. Ramey was awarded the diamond medal and he had the honor of meeting personally the governor of Tennessee, who heartily congratulated him for his success.  A brilliant future is predicted for this gifted son of Ohio.
     In his political adherency Mr. Ramey accords a stanch allegiance to the cause of the Republican party and he is an ardent sympathizer with all measures and enterprises advanced for the general welfare of the community.  In a fraternal way he is connected with the Sons of Veterans at Mount Vernon, Ohio.  He and his wife are popular and prominent factors in connection with the best social activities of their home township and hold a secure vantage ground in the confidence and esteem of their fellow citizens.  Mr. and Mrs. Ramey have four of the old parchment deeds, the oldest one being signed by President James Monroe, April, 1819.  Two of 1834, are signed by President Andrew Jackson, and the other signed by President John Quincy Adams.  This makes twelve of the old heirloom deeds found in Morrow county and they are valuable documents.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 750-752
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

WALTER H. RAMEY. ––Among the able representatives of the great basic art of agriculture in Gilead township, Morrow county, Ohio, is Walter H. Ramey, who has figured prominently in public affairs in this township and who owns some valuable real estate in. Mount Gilead.  He was born in South Bloomfield township, Morrow county, Ohio, on the 6th of August, 1862, a son of John W. and Catherine (Kile) Ramey, the former of whom was born near Jersey, Licking county, Ohio, and the latter of whom claims South Bloomfield township, Morrow county, as the place of her birth.  Mr. Ramey’s grandparents, Peter Kile and wife, were among the first settlers of South Bloomfield township, locating when the Indians were natives and their first home was a log house.  He was a carpenter by trade and erected the first house in Fredericktown.  The Kiles entered the land from the government and the deed is yet held in the family.  John W. Ramey was born on the 25th of February, 1827, and his wife on the 12th of February, 1832.  Their marriage was solemnized on the 15th of August, 1850.  Mr. and Mrs. Ramey commenced housekeeping at Mount Liberty, Knox county, Ohio, where he worked at his trade, that of a shoemaker.  In 1852 they removed to Clark street, now South Bloomfield, where he was identified with the work of his trade until 1859, in which year he purchased a farm in the vicinity of the village of South Bloomfield, where they continued to reside until the 1st of September, 1882.  In that year he bought a farm located one and a half miles northwest of Mount Gilead, where he has continued to maintain his home during the long intervening years to me present time.  He began life with practically nothing except persistency of purpose and a determination to succeed and to-day he is worth no less than fifty thousand dollars, all of which he accumulated through personal labor and thrift.  Mrs. Ramey is still living and has now attained to the venerable age of seventy-eight years, while her husband is eighty-three years of age.  They became the parents of two children: Charley W., who is engaged in farming in Marion county, Ohio, and Walter. H., the immediate subject of this review.
     Walter H. Ramey received his preliminary educational training in the common schools of his native township and in the graded schools of Sparta, Ohio.  Later he supplemented this discipline by a course of study in the Northern Indiana Normal University at Valparaiso, Indiana, and after leaving that institution he was engaged in teaching school for a period of two years.  Thereafter he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits in this county, where he devotes his attention to diversified agriculture and the raising of high grade stock.  In politics he accords a stalwart allegiance to the principles and policies of the Republican party, in the local councils of which he has taken a most active part.  He has been township assessor of Gilead township on three different occasions and has served as assistant surveyor of Morrow county for some four years.  He has considerable property in Mount Gilead and in all his financial ventures has met with the most gratifying success.  Mr. Ramey is a man of influence in Morrow county, where his business ability and genial kindliness of disposition have gained him the high regard of his fellow men.
     On the 22nd of September, 1885, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ramey to Miss Kate Wieland, who was born at Mount Gilead on the 24th of May, 1863, a daughter of George and Mary Wieland.  She was graduated in the Mount Gilead high school as a member of the class of 1882 and prior to her marriage was engaged in teaching in the public schools of Morrow county for three years.  To this union have been born five children: Wesley Merle, born on the 29th of July, 1886; Edith G., born on the 14th of March, 1888, and for three years a successful teacher in Morrow county, was summoned to the life eternal on the 31st of October, 1910; Helen Josie, born November 20, 1889, is a trained nurse at Columbus, Ohio; Hazel D., born April 18, 1893, was graduated in the Mount Gilead high school at the age of fifteen years; and Catherine Ruth, born May 5, 1895, died on the 25th of December, 1895.  On May 11, 1891, Mrs. Ramey also passed away.  She was a valued member of the Universalist church at Mt. Gilead, Ohio.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 612-614
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

ALFORD F. RANDOLPH. -- To Mr. Randolph belongs the distinction not only of being one of the older native born citizens of Morrow county, but also of belonging to one of the oldest families of America. He is of the seventh generation from Elizabeth Blossom, who in the first year of her life came with the Pilgrims in the Mayflower and landed at Plymouth Rock “on the stern and rock-bound coast” of New England, December 21, 1620. She was born in the year 1620, in the city of Leyden, Holland, whence her parents had fled a few years previous, under the leadership of Brewster and Robinson, in order to escape religious persecution in England, their native land. On the 10th day of May, 1837, she was married by the Reverend John Lathrope, pastor of the churches at Scituate and Barnstable, Massachusetts, to Edward F. Randolph, who was born in Nottinghamshire, England, in the year 1617, and had come to Plymouth, Massachusetts in the year 1630. About the year 1668, Edward F. and Elizabeth Randolph left Massachusetts and removed to New Jersey, locating at Piscataway, where he soon after died. Later his widow married Captain John Pike, of Woodbridge, New Jersey, who was an ancestor of General Zebulon Montgomery Pike, who was killed at the attack on Toronto, (then York) Canada, in 1813, and who won distinction for having discovered the source of the Mississippi river and the mountain in Colorado that still bears his name -- Pike's Peak.
     Nathaniel F. Randolph, son of Edward F. and Elizabeth Randolph, was married at Barnstable, Massachusetts to Mary Holby, in November, 1660, and about 1667 he removed to Woodbridge, New Jersey. In the year 1693, he represented Woodbridge in the state assembly held at Perth Amboy. From 1705 to 1713, the church services of the Friends were held in his house and his descendants were members of that church for several generations. His son Edward married Katherine Hartshorn, daughter of Richard and Margaret Hartshorn, of Middleton, Monmouth county, New Jersey. Richard Hartshorn was sheriff of Monmouth county and represented his county in the assembly in which he served as speaker and he was also a member of the governor's council.
     George Fox, founder of the Friends church, makes mention in his published journel of travel in America of having been entertained in the Randolph home. The younger son of Edward and Katherine Randolph, was Hartshorn F. Randolph, for whom the township of Randoph in Morris county, New Jersey, was named. The wife of Governor Thomas Corwin, of Ohio, was his granddaughter. Edward F. Randolph, son of Edward and Katherine Randolph and an older brother of Hartshorn F. Randolph was born July 5, 1706, and was married to Phoebe Jackson, of Flushing, Long Island, in August, 1734. Their oldest son, James F. Randolph, born August 16, 1735, was twice married and reared a large family. He migrated to what was then considered the far west and located near Rice's Landing on the Monongahela river in Green county, Pennsylvania, where he died June 1, 1828. His son, James F. Randolph, the second, was born September 9, 1767, and married Catherine Baker, of Rahway, New Jersey, in 1793. She was a member of the Presbyterian church and for this offence her husband was excommunicated from the Friends' church. He removed with his father to Green county, Pennsylvania, where he resided a few years, but being imbued with the pioneer spirit of the times, he pushed on farther west and in the year 1817, in company with his family, located on Alum creek, in Peru township, Morrow county, Ohio. His wife, Catherine Baker, was born at Rahway, New Jersey, April 18, 1767, and was the daughter of Cornelius Baker. Her mother's maiden name was Susanna Lee, who was born February 28, 1736, and she was the daughter of. Adam Lee. Cornelius Baker was born May 5, 1739, and died November 5, 1815: His father, Henry Baker, was born in England in the year 1700 and came to America about the year 1730, settling near Rahway, New Jersey, on the road from Rahway to Elizabethtown, in the Province of East New Jersey. He died March 17, 1760. Mary Hatfield, his wife, was born in the year 1705 and died in 1755. Their remains lie buried in the burying-ground of the First Presbyterian church in Rahway, New Jersey. Henry Baker was a son of Vice-Admiral Baker of the English navy.
     James F. Randolph, the third, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1811, and when but six years of age he came with his parents, James F. and Catherine Randolph, to their new home on Alum creek, in Peru township, where with parents, brothers and sisters, he shared the hardships incident to the establishment of a new home in the wilderness. He was married to Miss Marry Butters in Bennington township in 1829, his wife being the daughter of Rev. Alford Butters; a physician and minister, who immigrated to Bennington township from the state of Maine at the close of the war of 1812. He was a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church and a practicing physician, which profession he followed until the close of his life, which occurred in the year 1837. He built the first frame dwelling house in Bennington township, which is still occupied and in a fair state of preservation. James F. Randolph, the third, studied medicine with his father-in-law (Dr. Butters) and began the practice of his profession at his home on Alum creek, in Peru township, later moving to Ashley, Delaware county, Ohio, and afterward to Bennington township, Morrow county, where he operated a farm in connection with his practice. He built what was then considered to be the most elegant residence in this part of the state and laid out a flower garden, all of which have since been razed. He was a man of culture and refinement, of delicate sensibilities and keen perception of the aesthetic. He and his wife were life-long members of the Wesleyan Methodist church. His wife died in 1876 and he afterward married Mrs. Martha Brestler. After his second marriage he removed to Marengo, Morrow county, Ohio, where he died April 14, 1883. His widow afterwards married Amos Harris, of Licking county, Ohio, and both are now deecased. The children of James F. and Mary Randolph who lived to years of maturity, were Cornelia, wife of Harvey Chambers; Margaret, wife of O. Meredith; Mary, wife of Ganza Evans; Amaretta, wife of Frank Ghant; Jefferson and Alford, the subject of this sketch, who was born in Bennington township, November 18, 1833.
     Alford F. Randolph acquired a common school education and in his early manhood assisted in the operation of his father's farm. He inherited from his pious ancestors a natural inclination toward religious thought and conduct. He has always taken a firm stand for whatever he considered to be for the best interest of the community and society in general and has always endeavored to follow after the things that make for harmony, and as much as possible has lived peaceably with all men. In politics he has always been a stanch Federalist, which belief naturally induced him to affiliation with the Republican party, and when the doctrine of state sovereignty became so chrystallized [sic] as to attempt, by armed rebellion, the disruption of the nation, he laid down the implements of peace and took up the implements of war, and bidding adieu to kindred, home and all that life holds dear, he laid, as it were, his young life, upon the altar of his country and beneath the fluttering folds of the star-spangled ensign of liberty, marched out to the bloody field of carnage, there to dare, to do, and to die, if need be, that this Republic might not perish from among men. He enlisted in Company D of the One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry which became a part of the Army of the Cumberland. He did active service on the battlefield and was captured at Columbia, Kentucky, and was subsequently in the hospital for a while. He was paroled as a prisoner of war, having been captured by the raider, Morgan. Upon the expiration of his term of enlistment, he again offered his services to his country, but was rejected on account of disabilities received while in the service. Upon his return home, he beat as it were, his sword into a plough-share, his spear into a pruning-hook, and again resumed the pursuits of peace.
     September 10, 1865, Mr. Randolph was united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah J. (Chambers) Brokaw, widow of Joshua Brokaw, who died at Bowling Green, Kentucky, while in the service of his country. Soon after his marriage to Mrs. Brokaw, Mr. and Mrs. Randolph established a home on a farm about two miles south of Marengo, where they have ever since resided, and where now in conjugal bliss and domestic felicity, respected by all who know them, they are spending their declining years in the enjoyment of the well-earned blessings of peace and prosperity. In early life they united with the Wesleyan Methodist church and are still engaged in the activities of church work. Their children are as follows: Eva, the wife of Nelson Mead; Daisy, wife of Hanson Fowler; Florence, wife of Douglas Moore; Luella, wife of William Chilcote; and James Elsworth Randolph. The latter was born July 8, 1868, and on October 18, 1893, lie was married to Miss Orrie C. Barr. To their union two daughters were born, Delta Eva, November 25, 1894; and Mary Augusta, September 28, 1896. Mrs. Randolph died in the year 1900 and Delta the following year at the age of seven years. At the time of Delta's death the children were living with their grand-parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wilber Barr, near Centerburg, Ohio, and Mary still resides with them. On October 1, 1902, Mr. J. E. Randolph was united in marriage to Miss Nellie M. Sipe, of Fulton, Ohio, and they have three children: Sarah Alice, born June 7, 1904; Niles Elsworth, born July 12, 1906; and Harold Eugene, born January 29, 1911.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 936-939

Peru Twp. –
STEPHEN F. RANDOLPH, farmer; P. O., Ashley. James F. Randolph, Stephen's father, was born at Rahway, N. J., and married Catharine Baker, in 1794, and in 1818 came to Ohio. He had a family of nine children; six sons and three daughters. Cornelius, the eldest son, was born in New Jersey, Susan, Rebecca, Nathan; Mahala, the third daughter, died at the age of 33 years; a lady of unusual attainments; Stephen F., born 1809; James F., a prominent physician, having practiced in the same locality for forty years, is still hale and vigorous; John F., now of Missouri; Gen. Hiram F., now of Iowa. He was a Major of militia prior to the Rebellion, and a Brigadier-General in the civil war.
     In 1841 Stephen F. married Charity Brown, by whom he has one daughter living, viz.: Mary Catharine. In 1848, Charity, his first wife died. In 1851 Stephen F. again married, his wife being Elizabeth Freeman; four sons are the result of this marriage, viz.: William, Dayton, Dwight and Clarke. In many enterprises Stephen has taken an unselfish and prominent stand. As early as 1836 he purchased a fine thorough-bred of the bovine race, in the city of New York and brought him to Ohio; and to him is due the first attempt at the improvement of the stock of the country. In 1839 and 1840 he, in company with his brothers John F., Hiram F. and Geo. Taylor, erected a fine merchant and custom flouring-mill in Peru Tp. The whole business soon passed into the hands of Stephen F., and so remained until the destruction of the property by incendiaries, the night of Sept. 17, 1874. The mill, with $1000 worth of grain, fell a prey to the devouring element. Mr. Randolph is by nature a public man, and always has been since the days of his youth, when, as a stonecutter he was known for ten years as a close and attentive mechanic and business man. He figures in the Township History, which will be noted in its proper connection. His farm is called the Sulphur Spring Farm.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 657
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Washington Twp. –
WM. REED, physician; Iberia; was born in the State of Pennsylvania, in 1824, and is of. Scotch-Irish descent.  When nearly thirty years of age he chose medicine as a profession, and with this in view he took a course of study in the Medical Dept. of Ohio Western Reserve College, located at Cleveland, from which he graduated in 1853.  He came to Ohio in the fall of 1859, and soon after settled in Iberia, where he soon gained a large practice.  At the breaking out of the war he tendered his services to the government, and was appointed Surgeon of the 176th O. V. I.  He married in early life Mary Snodgrass, of Allegheny Co., Penn.  They have five children, all grown to maturity -- one, his daughter Belle, married Dr. Bennett, whom he received into partnership in the medical practice.  By close application to his profession, and not being diverted by political honors, he has gained the deserved confidence and esteem of the community in which he has so long resided.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 750
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

North Bloomfield Twp. –
JOHN RHINEHART, farmer; P. O. Corsica.  Among the many successful farmers of Morrow Co., Mr. Rhinehart deserves more than a passing notice; he is the eighth of a family of nineteen children, and was born Nov. 11, 1813, in Jefferson Co., Ohio. His father, John Rhinehart, Sr., was a native of Washington Co., Maryland, as was also his mother, Barbara (Easterday) Rhinehart. Mr. Rhinehart, Sr., came to this State near the beginning of the nineteenth century, and located in Jefferson Co., he was a minister in the “German­-Lutheran” Church, but not unlike many other pioneer preachers, he was compelled to work on the farm during the week to support his family. John, the subject of this sketch, lived under the parental roof until his 24th year, when he commenced doing for himself; in company with a brother he moved onto a farm west of Galion, where he lived more than twenty years, and then came to Morrow Co., where he has since lived a truly happy and prosperous life. Both he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, and are strong advocates of temperance. He owns nearly 140 acres of good land, has good buildings, and is provided with everything necessary to make life pleasant. He was married May 22, 1838, to Catharine, daughter of Thomas and Mary Scott. She was born Aug. 12, 1812, in Union Co., Pa. They had five children, three of whom are now living – Clementine, born April 13, 1839; Franklin, Nov. 24, 1840; and Angeline, March 1, 1843.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 629.
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Congress Twp. –
CHESTER M. RHODEBECK, farmer; P. O., Whetstone; is a son of John Rhodebeck, and was born in this township March 22, 1847, remaining with his parents until 22 years of age, he embarked on the matrimonial sea, choosing for his mate, Sarah Ellen McClenathan, who was born in this township, and is a daughter of Mrs. Rachel McClenathan; after their marriage, they lived four years in Washington Tp., then came to this township, where they have since resided, and are engaged in farming; he has a love for fine horses, and is now dealing in the Clydesdale stock, and is breeding the same for the market. They are strictly pure, of all of which he can give a pedigree; his stock having taken the first prize at several stock exhibitions in this State and Canada. They have two children -- Samuel, born May 7, 1873, and Anna, June 12, 1895.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 695
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Congress Twp. –
JOHN RHODEBECK, Whetstone; prominent among the self-made men and successful farmers in this township, is Mr. Rhodebeck, who was born in Chester Co., Penn., April 13, 1814, the son of Peter and Hannah (Smith) Rhodebeck, both natives of the same county.  John began to learn the wagon-maker’s trade before he was of age, which he followed for four years; in 1834 he came to Licking Co., remaining two years, when he came West; he had an old blind horse, which cost him $20; this was all his earthly possessions, but he had perseverance and a determination to make himself a home; he began first by working out by the day, during the first year, receiving 50 cents per day; he then worked upon his aunt’s farm for two years, and then went to Troy, in Delaware Co., where he purchased eighty acres of land; having made $300, and borrowing that amount from his aunt, he was enabled to pay for his land; after two years, he sold it for $1,000 in gold, and in 1841 came to this township, purchasing 130 acres for $1,600; the year following Sept. 27, 1842, he was married to Margaret Mann, born in Cumberland Co., Pa., and came West when three years of age; her father’s name was John, and her mother’s maiden name was Christina Haugher.  Mr. and Mrs. Rhodebeck have had ten children: Sylvester, Chester, Clinton, William (deceased), Jennie, Webb, Addie, Mary, and two died in infancy.  Mr. Rhodebeck has now 483 acres of land; he has never been afraid to risk his judgment, and in all his business schemes has been successful.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 696-697
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Congress Twp. –
SYLVESTER T. RHODEBECK, farmer; P. O., Whetstone; is among the enterprising young men of the township; born July 17, 1844, and is the eldest of a family of eight children, born to John and Margaret Rhodebeck.  Sylvester was raised to farming pursuits, and was 27 years of age when he left his father.  Nov. 22, 1871, he was married to Margaret A. Thomas, who was born Sept. 22, 1848, in Grant Co., Ind.; she is a daughter of Timothy Thomas, of this township; after their marriage they located on the farm now owned by them consisting of seventy acres, which is situated in the northwest side of the township; since his occupancy it has undergone a thorough renovation, and its present condition gives proof of his good management and industry. During the fall and winter he runs a thresher. They have two children -- William W., born Jan. 3, 1873, and Laura J., born Dec. 22, 1874.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 697
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Congress Twp. –
CAPT. ADAMSON B. RICHARDSON, farmer; P. O., Andrews; was born in Washington Co., Penn., Aug. 30, 1837, and is the eldest child of Sesh Bazzar Richardson, whose wife, before marriage, was Hester Colvan, both natives of the same state and county. Adamson’s father was engaged in commercial pursuits, as well as farming and stock-raising, and ample opportunities were afforded to familiarize himself with the details of active business life; his time was thus employed until the war-cloud burst in its fury over our land, when he was among the first to respond to the call for volunteers, and the week following the bombardment of Fort Sumter his services were accepted; he served three months in the Ringgold Cavalry, an independent company, and upon his return he re-enlisted in the 22nd Penn. Cavalry, for three years, but was mustered out in 1863, on account of disability, caused by a wound received in the shoulder; he was under fire during thirty-four engagements, and for meritorious conduct received a Captain’s commission. Upon his return home he resumed farming and stock-trading. He was married Oct. 14, 1863, to Ella Cotton, born Oct. 9, 1843, daughter of Dr. William Cotton, whose ancestry can be traced to the Mayflower Cotton, a prominent physician, since retired, but now a banker.  In the spring of 1868, Mr. Richardson moved to his present farm, which his father had purchased in ’49, of Mr. Andrews, who entered it. The farm consists of 160 acres which was badly run down, but Mr. Richardson has brought it to a choice state of cultivation, having erected an excellent barn and made general and substantial repairs on the farm; Sept. 12, 1879, his wife, an amiable and cultivated lady, was stricken by death, leaving seven children to mourn her departure -- Annetta B., Mary C., William, Clyde N., Lulu B., Eldora and Adelaide -- the two eldest having charge of the family.  Mrs. Richardson was a Christian lady, and member of the M. E. Church at Mt. Tabor.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 695-696
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Westfield Twp. –
OLIVER E. RICHARDSON, merchant; Westfield; was born Aug. 10, 1828, at Caledonia, Marion Co.  His parents, Manning and Lucina (Eno) Richardson, were natives of Connecticut, and moved to Ohio about 1820.  Mr. Richardson received a good common school education, and attended the Ohio Wesleyan University one year, after which he taught school for four years.  He engaged in business in Waldo, O., in 1853, as a member of the firm of French & Richardson.  Having disposed of their business there, they opened a store in the Goodhue room in Westfield, in 1857; Mr. Richardson’s father bought out Mr. French’s interest in 1859, and the firm became O. E. Richardson & Co.  In 1862, Mr. Richardson, Sr., dying, the firm became O E. Richardson, which was changed to Richardson Bro. in 1864, by the admission of J. B. Richardson.  About this time the firm suffered a loss of $700 by robbery.  In 1872 he and L. W. Cook bought out the interest of his brother, and the firm continued to be Richardson and Cook for about two years, when he bought out Mr. Cook’s interest, since which time the firm has been O. E. Richardson.  In December, 1877, in connection with Daniel Waddell, he opened a hardware and clothing store in Westfield, under the firm name of Daniel Waddell & Co.  He also has a farm of fifty acres south of Westfield.  Mr. Richardson gives his principal attention to his first named business, which consists chiefly of dry goods and groceries, which he has yearly increased, until there are few if any merchants in this line who do a business in excess of his.  Handling the large quantity of goods that he does, he is enabled to buy direct from manufacturers and importers, at the very best rates, an advantage he has had the far-sightedness to give his customers, which is one of the secrets of his success.  In connection with Charles Millikan, he is largely engaged in shipping butter and eggs, doing a business that yearly aggregates about $7000.  He has been Postmaster over twenty years, and served the township as Treasurer for many years.  He has at all times been foremost in every thing that pertains to the public interests, and is willing at all times to lend a helping hand to any enterprise that tends to build up the business of the community, showing a remarkable degree of unselfishness in these matters.
      In 1853 Mr. Richardson married Miss Evaline Drake, a grand-daughter of Captain Drake, of the war of 1812.  Mrs. Richardson was born Aug. 9, 1834.  They have eight children, one of whom, Clermont, resides in California.  Mr. Richardson is a member of the Westfield Lodge 269, I. O. O. F.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 645-646
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Peru Twp. –
JOSEPH D. RILEY, farmer; P. O., Ashley. This gentleman's genealogy runs thus: Dr. Joseph Riley (the first) was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., Jan. 30, 1782; and his wife, Mary Smith, was born in the same county and state, May 20, 1782. Their nuptials were celebrated Oct. 18, 1806, and, in 1814, they emigrated to Ohio. The family was one of those hardy pioneer families, and consisted of, besides parents, Elizabeth, born Sept. 24, 1807; Mary Jane, Jan. 26, 1810; William Smith, May 28,1814. The foregoing were born in Pennsylvania: Ezra, born Sept. 22, 1816; Henry, June 1, 1819; Joseph D., (second) Jan. 5, 1822; Alexander, the youngest son, deceased. Again, on the 3d day of October, 1833, William Smith Riley married Eleanor Welch, daughter of Dr. David Welch, and his family chronology stands thus: Mary Jane, born Aug. 16,1837; Elizabeth, Aug. 23, 1840; Louisa, Nov. 7, 1842; William A., May 16, 1845; Joseph D., (third) June 23, 1848; Mattie E., Feb. 9,1851; Rose T., June 16, 1854; again, on the 28th day of May, 1872, Joseph D. Riley (third) married Almaretta Welch, whose birthday occurred May 28, 1854. He is the third who bears the name in a tribal history commencing long prior to the adoption of the Constitution of the United States; yet he has none of his own to bear his name; he does have the attributes of his race which will still hand his name on down through the unborn ages. Like a true born Cincinnatus, he stepped between the handles of the plow and dubbed himself a farmer; he has also taken upon himself the role of a stock raiser, and stands, high above the average in raising good horses and sheep of a fine quality. He occupies the ancient homestead of Joseph (first), and from his doorstep reins the stately Percheron, in strange contrast with the sorrels of his forefathers. Honest in his intentions, modern in his views, unexcited by outside issues, he takes steady and constant steps on the highway to progress, hard by the stream, where, in childhood years (like Webster), he was wont to play.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 657-658
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

AMOS RINEHART has a finely improved and strictly up-to-date farm of eighty acres of most arable land in Troy township, Morrow county, where he is engaged in diversified agriculture and the raising of breeded horses. Mr. Rinehart is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of splendid farming land in Texas and he is a citizen who has ever manifested a deep and sincere interest in all matters touching the welfare of the community in which he has long resided.
     In Perry township, Morrow county, Ohio, on the 14th of May, 1866, occurred the birth of Amos Rinehart, who is a son of Michael B. and Margaret (Baker) Rinehart, both of whom are now deceased. The father was born on the 11th of April, 1825 and he was summoned to the life eternal on the 6th of May, 1880. On the 13th of June, 1852, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Michael Rinehart to Miss Margaret E. Baker, whose natal day was the 31st of July, 1834, and who passed into the great beyond on the 30th of March, 1910. The family name in Germany was spelled Reinhardt, but in Morrow county it is spelled Rinehart. The original progenitor of the Rinehart family in America was Jacob Rinehart, Sr., great-grandfather of him to whom this sketch is dedicated. Jacob Rinehart claimed the great Empire of Germany as the place of his nativity and he immigrated to the United States in an early day where he turned his time and attention to farming. He became the father of seven children, whose names are here entered in respective order of birth: George, Conrad, Jacob, Michael, Peter, Betsey and Polly. Conrad Rinehart married and had the following children: Polly, Jacob, Sally, Betsey, John, Yettie, Daniel, Lydia, Susan, Michael and Conrad. Michael Rinehart, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, married Margaret Baker, as previously noted, and they became the parents of sixteen children, concerning whom the following brief data are here recorded: Josiah, born on January 23, 1853, died on the 11th of May, 1854; Almeda, born August 27, 1854, is now the wife of George W. Fringer, of Kansas; Louisa, born on the 11th of December, 1885, married Upton Lucas, of Perry county; Lydia, born on the 24th of February, 1857, wedded R. M. Stull and they maintain their home at Troy; Mary S., born on the 19th of May, 1858, is the wife of Emanuel Grogg and they reside at North Woodbury; Levi B., born on the 22nd of October, 1859, married Miss Mattie Feigley and they live in Morrow county; Barbara E., born on the 2nd of February, 1861, is the wife of J. W. Dukman, of Galion, Ohio ; George C., born on the 6th of March, 1862, married Lydia Lewis and they maintain their home in Perry township; Sarah A., born on the 13th of July, 1863, became the wife of Daniel W. Feigley, of Perry township; Charles B., born on the 16th of March, 1865, married Emma Lucas and they live at Troy; Amos is the immediate subject of this review; Silas C., born on the 25th of September, 1867, married Della Quay and they are now living at Troy; Adam B., born January 24, 1870, married Maude Shamble and they reside in Troy township; Jacob H., born on the 24th of March, 1872, is single and lives in California; Arthur S., born on the 18th of May, 1873, wedded Miss Nevada Carpenter and they maintain their home in Perry township; and John A., born on the 12th of December, 1874, married Miss Belle Carpenter and they live in Perry township
     Amos Rinehart was reared to the sturdy influence of the home farm in Perry township, this county, and he early became associated with his father in the work and management of the parental farm. His educational training consisted of such advantages as were afforded in the district schools, which he attended during the winter terms. When he had attained to the age of seventeen years he began to work as a farm hand for different farmers in Perry township and after his marriage, in 1891, he settled on his present splendid estate of eighty acres in Troy township, on which he has continued to maintain his home during the long intervening years to 1911. In addition to his landed interests in Morrow county he is the owner of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of finely improved land in Texas, and he also has had land holdings in the state of Washington. While much of his attention is devoted to general farming he is also deeply interested in the breeding of high-grade horses and in the same has made a great success.
     On the 15th of January, 1891, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Rinehart to Miss Wilda M. Ross, who was born on the farm on which she and her husband now reside, the date of her nativity being the 4th of July, 1867. She is a daughter of Robert and Lydia (Snyder) Ross, the former of whom was born in Troy township and who was called to eternal rest in the year 1895. Mrs. Rinehart was educated in the common schools of this locality and she is a woman of rare charm and most gracious personality. She is deeply beloved by all her friends and acquaintances and her home is a center of most refined hospitality. Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart have two children, Vonnie B., born on the 15th of March, 1892, was graduated in the Lexington high school as a member of the class of 1911; and Robert R., born on the 12th of March, 1900, is now attending the district schools.
     In his political convictions Mr. Rinehart is a loyal Democrat in all matters of national import but in local affairs he maintains an independent attitude, preferring to give his support to men and measures meeting with the approval of his judgment rather than to follow along strictly partisan lines. While he has never been fired with ambition for the honors or emoluments of political office of any description he is most active and sincere in his support of all projects advanced for the good of the community and county at large. In their religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart are devout members of the St. Paul Evangelical church and they are interested factors in the various departments of church work. Mr. Rinehart is a man of fine, straightforward conduct, one who is fair and honorable in all his business dealings, and as a citizen he commands the unalloyed confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. 
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 520-522
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

South Bloomfield Twp. –
ANDREW JACKSON ROBERTS, carpenter and joiner; Sparta; was born in 1822; he is one of the best carpenters in South Bloomfield Tp., and nearly all the buildings for miles around were planned and built by him; his father, Solomon Roberts, settled near Sparta, in 1830; Andrew had but little schooling, and was subjected to hard work on his father’s farm; at the age of 22 he learned his trade, and while thus engaged worked for $5 per month; his mother’s maiden name was Mary Coleman, who bore her husband a family of ten children -- Almira, born 1816; Ann Eliza, 1818; Adaline, 1821; Andrew, 1822; Curtis G., 1824; one that died in infancy; Mary, born 1828; William, 1831; Perilla, 1833, and Maria, 1835.  Almira married Abraham McNair, and lives in Iowa; she is a widow, and has four children; Ann Eliza married William Roberts, had four children, one of whom is living; Adaline married Thomas Hughes; she has five children, and lives in Missouri; Curtis married Arminda Beebe; he has a large family, and lives in Iowa; Mary married J. C. Cook, lives in Sparta, has one child living; William, married Lydia Ann Swetland; he lives near Sparta, and has four children, three of whom are living; Perilla married George Orsborn, and lives southeast of Sparta, and has five children; Maria married Thomas Orsborn, lives near Sparta, and has nine children.  In 1846, Andrew married Alvira, daughter of Jacob S. Thompson; the next year he moved to Michigan, stopping four years at the capital (Lansing), then containing but two or three houses.  While in Michigan, his wife died, leaving an infant daughter, who is now the wife of Alexander Tims, and lives near Sparta.  Mr. Roberts came back to Ohio in 1851; he remained a widower until 1879, when he married Mrs. S. J. Bradfield, widow of Daniel Bradfield: his father and mother had poor health, and during the long years before their death, were dependent upon their son Andrew for support and protection.  Mr. Roberts is a Demo-Prohibitionist; is not a member of any church; he takes pride in opposing the inconsistencies of church dogma; he has been Justice of the Peace, Township Trustee, Notary Public, etc.; he owns 14 acres of land.  His father died aged 72, and mother died aged 82.  Mr. Roberts is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Sparta, and is one of the prominent men in the township.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 675
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Lincoln Twp. –
G. W. ROBY, farmer; P. O., Cardington; was born in Virginia July 11, 1817; son of Thomas and Sarah (Kelly) Roby, who were also natives of Virginia. They came to Perry Co., O., in 1819, where the mother died in 1831. In 1836 the father and his family came to Morrow Co., O., where a number of the family still reside. The father married again and went to Wisconsin, where he died Jan. 20, 1877.  G. W. Roby was raised on a farm and received a common school education. He was married Dec. 17, 1840, to Nancy Fickle, who was born April 3, 1813, in Perry Co., O. Her parents were natives of Perry Co. also. From this union there were four children, one of whom is now dead. Rebecca J. was born Sept. 21, 1841; Sarah H., May 24, 1843; Thomas B., Oct. 20, 1844, and Dortha A., July 13, 1845; Sarah H. died March 6, 1866. Mr. Roby began business for himself entirely upon his own resources, and made all he now possesses by his own bard work and economy; he owns 100 acres of well improved land, all of which was cleared and improved by himself. He had one son, T. B. Roby, in the late war; his family are now all married off and scattered over the country in general, only one, his youngest daughter, remains in the county.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 767-768
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

HON. HUGH G. ROGERS, a farmer of Morrow county, also proprietor of Rogers Lake, was born in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, August 15, 1833, His father, George Rogers, was born in Wales, and came to America with his parents when a boy, locating in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, where his father died. Our subject's mother, née Catherine Rees, was a native of South Wales, and came to America with her parents in 1801, locating in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, where her, father, Hugh Rees, also a native of that country, subsequently died. Mr. and Mrs. George Rogers were married in Pennsylvania, where the former remained until his death. The mother departed this life in Ohio, and was buried in Chester cemetery.
     Hugh G. Rogers, the tenth of eleven children, was six years of age when he came with his parents to Ohio. On reaching his sixteenth year he returned to Pennsylvania, where he attended the Ebensburgh high school, and from there he went to Philadelphia and learned stair building and joiner work. At the age of twenty years he went to Altoona, Blair county, and worked on the first building in the town, for the Pennsylvania Central Railroad Company; spent three months in Davenport, Iowa; was engaged in contracting and building with David Randolph, at Mount Vernon, Ohio, three years, and then came to Morrow county. Mr. Rogers' first work here was on the residence of Benjamin Evans, and next he finished the Methodist Episcopal Church at Chesterville, but lost money on that venture.
     In 1862 our subject enlisted for service in the late war, entering Company C, Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was soon promoted to Sergeant. He was with General Sherman at Vicksburg and at Arkansas Post, and on account of sickness was then sent to Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, and honorably discharged. Returning to Morrow county, Mr. Rogers located on fifty acres of land in Harmony township, to which he afterward added fifty acres more. He then sold that property and purchased and located on 112½  acres in Chester township, remaining there seventeen years, and in the meantime purchased the William McCracken farm in the same township, where he now resides. The place contains 236 acres. On that property is located the Rogers Lake, comprising seven acres, and is well improved and fitted for a summer resort. Mr. Rogers was elected to represent Morrow and Marion counties in the Legislature of 1893. In his social relations, he is a member of the G. A. R., in which he has served two years as Post Commander.
     He was married July 4, 1835, to Rachel Evans, of Welsh descent. They had three children: George, Thomas (deceased in young manhood) and Olive. The latter was the wife of Cassius Brown, and at her death left two children, Daniel H. and Grace M. The wife and mother died November 1870. For his second wife Mr. Rogers married Eliza Bruce, a native of Morrow county, a daughter of Joel Bruce, a native of Virginia, but an early settler of this county. No children have been born to this union.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 248-249
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

HUGH G. ROGERS. -- As the years relentlessly mark the milestones on the pathway of time the older generation slowly gives way to the new and gradually there passes from our midst the men who made our country what it is and who built up this great empire of the middle west for the men of today. In every generation and in every community some few men leave an indelible imprint upon the history of that community and upon the memories of those who have known them by their ability to fight and win even against great odds, and by that kind of character which wins lasting friends because of that innate quality which people know as loyalty. Hugh G. Rogers, who passed into the Great Beyond on the 31st of December, 1899, was one of these. He was a gallant and faithful soldier in the Union ranks of the Civil war, represented his home district in the State Legislature and during the major portion of his life resided in Chester township, Morrow county, Ohio. By reason of his admirable character and exemplary life he is well deserving of representation in this historical compilation.
     Hugh G. Rogers was born in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, on the 15th of August, 1831, and was a son of George and Catherine (Russ) Rogers, both of whom were born and reared in Wales, whence they immigrated to the United States in an early day. Mr. Rogers, of this review, was reared to adult age and educated in the old Keystone state of the Union and at the age of eighteen years began to learn the carpenter's trade, later going to Philadelphia to learn stair-making. His great industry and thrift made him an exceedingly good workman. After his first marriage, in 1858, he came to Ohio, settling on a farm in Harmony township, in Morrow county. When the dark cloud of Civil war cast its pall over the national horizon Mr. Rogers responded to President Lincoln's call for volunteers and with a number of other brave young men enlisted as a member of Company C., Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He entered the United States army at Cardington and proceeded thence to Camp Chase at Columbus. He was sent on with the soldiers to meet General Kirby Smith on his invasion of Kentucky and later he was with General Sherman at Vicksburg, where he was disabled. He received his honorable discharge and was mustered out of service at Jefferson Barracks, in St. Louis, Missouri, as fourth sergeant.
     After his military service had been ended Mr. Rogers returned home and subsequently established the family home in Chester township, Morrow county, where he purchased the old Trowbridge estate, the same consisting of some one hundred and twelve acres of land, on which is located a beautiful little lake. Rogers Lake, as this body of water is called, was improved and beautified by Mr. Rogers, who made it an exceedingly popular summer resort, his kind, genial manner winning for him many friends who loved to come here to camp during the warm summer seasons. In his political allegiance Mr. Rogers was aligned as a stalwart supporter of the cause for which the Republican party stands sponsor. In the year 1894 he was honored by his fellow citizens with election to the office of representative from the Marion and Morrow county district in the State Legislature. He served in that capacity during the session of 1894-5 and during his incumbency served with all of efficiency on a number of important committees. He ever manifested a deep and sincere interest in educational matters in this section of the state and served most creditably for a number of years as a member of the local school board. He retained a deep and abiding interest in his old comrades in arms and signified the same by membership in Crayton Orr Post, No. 405, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was commander for a time. He devoted a large portion of his time and attention to agricultural pursuits during the latter part of his life and in connection with that occupation was a valued and appreciative member of the Grange.
     Mr. Rogers was twice married, his first union having been to Miss Rachel Hayden Evans, the ceremony having taken place in the year 1858. This union was prolific of four children: Thomas and Lewis, both deceased; and George W. and Olive. Mrs. Rogers was summoned to eternal rest in 1870 and subsequently he married Miss Eliza Bruce, who was born and reared in Morrow county, Ohio, and who is a daughter of Joel Bruce, of Chester township. There were no children born of this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers continued to reside on the old homestead farm in Chester township until his death, which occurred on the 31st of December, 1899. A peculiar thing connected with Mr. Rogers’ demise is that he died in one century and was buried in the next.
     There is no perfection in human nature, yet Mr. Rogers came as near to the most attractive ideal of such perfection as any man who has gathered about him the affection and admiration of his fellow men. He was free from a censorious spirit and he never uttered an unkind criticism of any one. His convictions were as solid as adamant and neither fear nor favor could shake them from him, yet he tried to estimate human conduct in the light of that charity which “hopeth all things, which beareth all things, which is not easily provoked, which thinketh no evil.”  He was a man swayed by a conscience enlightened by the truth and spirit of God. His ambition to be right and do right was the paramount incentive and he counted not the cost in the attainment of so noble an end. But his most sterling and shining quality was his religious character. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was a member of the board of trustees at the time of his demise. He was a careful student of the history of the great denomination to which he belonged and tried as best he could to glorify Christ through the love and devotion of his individual life.
     George W. Rogers, the only surviving child of Hugh G. Rogers, was born in Morrow county, Ohio, on the 17th of December, 1858. He was educated in the public schools of his native place and was reared under the invigorating influence of the old homestead farm, in the work and management of which he early began to assist his father. On January 19, 1887, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Blanche Bulyer, of Fredericktown. She is a daughter of David and Amanda (Reep) Bulyer, both natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers became the parents of five children, namely: Hoy G., Dorothea M., Dewey D., Pauline and Hugh. All the children have been afforded excellent educational advantages. After being graduated in the high school at Chesterville, Ohio, Hoy G. was matriculated as a student in the Ohio Wesleyan College, at Delaware, Ohio, in the theological department of which splendid institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1910. He is an ordained minister in the Methodist Episcopal church and his first charge was at Belleville [sic]. He is now a resident of Butler, Ohio, where he has charge of the Methodist Episcopal parish, and where he has just closed a successful revival, in which were numbered sixty-five converts. Dorothea M. is a member of the class of 1911 in the high school at Chesterville, and Dewey and Pauline are attending the graded school.
     Mr. Rogers is engaged in farming on a splendid estate of one hundred and fifty acres, the same being located on a pleasant eminence overlooking the town of Chesterville. On one occasion, on being asked what his business was, Mr. Rogers replied: “My business is rearing and educating boys and girls. My work is farming to pay expenses.” The Rogers family is certainly well deserving of the high place they hold in popular confidence and esteem in this community, where their efforts to promote progress and improvement have ever been of the most insistent order. In politics Mr. Rogers endorses the cause of the Republican party and while he has never manifested aught of ambition for the honors or emoluments of public office of any description he is ever on the alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with all projects advanced for the general welfare. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in religious matters is with his family a valued and appreciative member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 852-855
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Cardington Twp. -
M. G. ROGERS, farmer and stock-miser; was born near Williamsporte [sic], this Co., Dec. 16, 1839, and lived with his parents until he became of age, when he went to Owen Co., Ind., and learned the cabinet making trade. In June, 1861, he came back to Ohio, and worked, with his uncle until the following October, when he enlisted in the 43d Ohio Reg. Infantry, and served for three years and one month; after the first year he was transferred to the Engineer's Corps; he was in the battles of Corinth, and on the March to Atlanta. In the Spring following his return home he went to Illinois, and worked at carpentering at Cerro Gordo, and from thence to Missouri and Kansas, and finally returned to this county and worked at his trade until 1873, when he came to this present place, which he and his brother J. H., had bought in 1866, and he has lived on the same since, having bought his brother's interest, May 1st, 1873, he married Miss Martha M. Christy; she was born in Belmont Co. Ohio; of their three children, two are living -- Iva A., Dell and Edmond C., he owns sixty acres in this township, located five miles northwest of Cardington. His parents, Wm. H. and Mary A. Curtis Rogers, now live in Canaan Tp., this county.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 582-583
Contributed by a Friend of Genealogy

THOMAS J. ROOD. ––The prosperity which this great American commonwealth enjoys is due largely to the industry, thrift and progressive spirit of its people.  Among the foremost families of Morrow county and its vicinity it is a matter of the greatest pleasure to record the name of Rood.  He whose name initiates this review has gained recognition as one of the substantial agriculturists and stockmen of the region of Fredericktown, Ohio.  By his labors, his earnest cooperation in all matters projected for the general welfare and his sterling integrity and worth he has succeeded in winning a high place for himself in the confidence and esteem of his fellow men.
     Thomas J. Rood was born on a farm near Fredericktown, Ohio, on the 24th of August, 1876, and he is a son of Madison and Sarah A. (Wertz) Rood, both of whom were born and reared in the fine old Buckeye state of the Union.  Madison Rood was born on the 31st of July, 1819, near Fredericktown, of parents whom were natives of Pennsylvania.  As a young man he settled on the land that now comprises the old Rood homestead and associated with him in the early pioneer days were his two brothers, Harrison and Samuel, and a sister, Cynthia.  At that time this section of Ohio was practically all virgin forest but the young men industriously set to work to make a clearing on which to erect a somewhat crude log cabin.  Forming a partnership, they purchased a tract of one hundred acres of wild land, paying for it with their wages of fifty cents per day.  Sister Cynthia kept house for her brothers while they worked energetically early and late, away from home during the day time and clearing off their land at night.  In those early days there were but few bridges across the swift, cold streams, and frequently on their way to work the Rood Brothers were obliged to remove their shoes and wade barefooted through the icy water.  The hardships they endured and the energy manifested to redeem from the wilds a home for themselves were truly surprising.
     After a number of years passed together the brothers dissolved partnership, Harrison taking the land which had been newly purchased, the same being now owned by Joe Wilson, while Madison and Samuel remained at the old homestead.  Later in life Harrison drove back into the old neighborhood to visit his daughter, Mrs. Duane Swetland, to whose home had come the first heir.  On his return he was stricken with paralysis and in passing the old home his faithful horse turned into the familiar road, going up to the door with his unconscious master in the buggy.  He died almost immediately and was buried from the old home then occupied by Madison Rood and his family.  Madison Rood married Miss Sarah A. Wertz, a daughter of George and Amanda Wertz and a native of Ohio, her birth having occurred on the 25th of December, 1838.  Mrs. Rood proved a most worthy and efficient helpmeet to her honored husband; she was industrious and practical, working out-of-doors as well as within and frequently assisting her husband in burning log heaps until the hour of midnight.  Madison Rood was a very powerful man, and as proof of his endurance it is said that he once chopped into slabs in one day, seven cords of wood for a neighbor, Iden V. Ball.  Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rood, Noah came into the world on the 1st of May, 1861; Amanda was born on the 22nd of June, 1869; and Thomas J., on the 24th of August, 1876.  Noah married Miss Alice N. Melick on the 22nd of November, 1882.  She is a daughter of Noah and Margaret Melick, and she and her husband are the fond parents of four daughters: Virginia, Sarah, Forest and Tinsel.  Amanda became the wife of William Shineberry on the 25th of September, 1885, and she was called to eternal rest on the 22nd of February, 1908.
     Thomas J. Rood was reared to the invigorating influences of the old homestead farm, in the work and management of which he early began to assist his father.  He received his preliminary educational training in the neighboring country schools and after attaining to years of maturity began to work the old home farm on his own responsibility.  He was married, on the 12th of January; 1895, to Miss Lecta G. Pipes, the only daughter of Morgan and Ella Pipes.  Mrs. Thomas J. Rood attended school in this vicinity and one of her old instructors was Uteridge Cole, now a practicing physician at Columbus, Ohio.  Mr. and Mrs. Pipes have no children of their own except Mrs. T. J. Rood, but they have one foster son, Ray Horn, whom they took in infancy and raised to manhood.
     The industry of Madison Rood and his wife was rewarded with a fine property.  From time to time they added to their original estate until eventually they owned some six hundred and seventy-eight acres of fine farming and stock land.  When the sons married they settled down on the old homestead, Noah building a fine residence for himself and Thomas J. occuying [sic] a part of his father’s large house.  With the passage of time failing health necessitated the parents giving up the farm duties and, consigning the management of the estate to the sons, they moved to Sparta.  They resided in that place for a period of eight years, during which time their children supplied them with every possible comfort and relieved them of every care.  Samuel and Cynthia lived with Madison Rood and his wife at Sparta until their respective deaths and Madison himself died there on the 10th of February, 1908.  Mrs. Rood survived her honored and cherished husband for about one year, her demise having occurred at the old homestead, whither she had gone after the death of her life companion, on the 22nd February, 1909.  By reason of their intense energy and unflinching courage they made of success not an accident but a logical result and they were everywhere honored and respected by their fellow citizens.
    The sons industriously taking up the lines of work laid down by their parents, their fine buildings and well tilled fields give ample proof of their practical business ability and energy as up-to-date farmers.  Thomas J. Rood’s farm comprises three hundred and twenty-five acres of splendid land upon which he recently erected a new barn, fifty-two by seventy feet in lateral dimensions.  Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J Rood have one son and one daughter, Dell and Marie, both of whom are enrolled as pupils in the Washington district school.  In his political convictions Mr. Rood was formerly a stanch advocate of the principles and policies promulgated by the Democratic party, but of recent years he has maintained an independent attitude, preferring to give his support to men and measures meeting with the full approval of his judgment rather than follow along strictly partisan lines.  He firmly believes that the man who will do the best for his constituency is the man worthy of his support and exercises his right of franchise accordingly.  In their religious affiliations Mr. and Mrs. Rood attend the Hedding Chapel Methodist Episcopal church, to whose charities they are most liberal contributors and of which Mrs. Rood is a devout member.  Throughout the entire community in which they reside the Rood family are accorded the unqualified confidence and esteem of their fellow citizens and it may be said truly that the list of their friends is coincident with that of their acquaintances.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 622-624
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

ANDREW M. ROSE. ––The history of Andrew M. Rose shows how potent an element is persistent purpose in the active affairs of life.  Dependent upon his own resources at an early age, he went into debt for land in Lincoln township, Morrow county, where he applied himself vigorously to the work at hand and where he steadily worked his way upward.  Being imbued with a laudable ambition to attain something better than ordinary success he gradually advanced in those walks of life demanding business ability and fidelity to duty and to-day commands the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.
     Mr. Rose is a native of Cass township, Richland county, Ohio, where his birth occurred on the 23d of February, 1839.  His parents, Thomas T. and Elizabeth A. (Armstrong) Rose, were born in Sussex county, New Jersey, and Erie county, Ohio, respectively.  The father was born on the 13th of July, 1814, and was a son of Aaron Rose, whose birth occurred in New Jersey on the 5th of October, 1782.  Aaron Rose came to Richland county, Ohio, with his family in 1828, and he was identified with agricultural interests in that section during the remainder of his life, his death having occurred on the 27th of September, 1849.  He was the father of the following named children: Frederick, Thomas T., William, Andrew, May A., Emily, Margaret, Martha and Isabelle, the father of the subject of this review being the second in order of birth.  Aaron Rose was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he was an active participant in the public affairs of Richland county during his lifetime.  Thomas T. Rose was afforded good educational advantages in his youth and as he reached man’s estate he turned his attention to the ministry, becoming a preacher in the United Brethren church and traveling in connecton [sic] with his calling for some ten years.  He married Miss Elizabeth A. Armstrong on the 12th of July, 1837, and they became the parents of eight children: Andrew M., Catharine, Mina, Eliza, Seaberry Ford, Alice E., Emma and Charles H.  Catharine and Eliza are deceased and Mina is the widow of Judson Benton, of Shiloh, Ohio.  Mr. Rose was summoned to eternal rest on the 8th of October, 1864, and his cherished and devoted wife, who was born on the 1st of March, 1818, survived him for fully two-score years, her death having occurred on the 3d of August, 1905, at the venerable age of eighty-seven years.
     Andrew M. Rose, the immediate subject of this review, was sixteen years of age at the when his father was appointed to the United Brethren church at Cardington, where the family resided for a period of five years.  He had been educated in the public schools of Richland county and after his marriage, in 1859, he worked by the day for a time and eventually went into debt for land in Lincoln township, where he continued to be engaged in diversified agriculture until 1903, in which year he retired from active business affairs and removed to Cardington, where he is now living in the enjoyment of former years of earnest toil and endeavor.  With the passage of time Mr. Rose became a most successful farmer and after paying for his land he raised the same to a high state of cultivation and introduced the best of improvements.  At the time of the Civil war he was an ardent Union man and on the 24th of October, 1863, he enlisted as a member of Company F, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He saw much active service in the Sixteenth Army Corps in the Army of the Tennessee, participating in many of the important conflicts marking the progress of the war, and after the fall of Atlanta he was transferred to the Fifteenth Corps, accompanying General Sherman on his ever memorable march to the sea.  He was never wounded while in service and at the close of war received his honorable discharge.  He retains a deep and abiding interest in his old comrades in arms and signifies the same by membership in James St. John Post, No. 82, Grand Army of the Republic.  He is the recipient of a pension of fifteen dollars a month as a reward for his services to the country in the time of her direst need.
     In politics Mr. Rose accords a loyal allegiance to the cause of the Republican party, and although he was never anxious for political preferment he gave most effficent [sic] service as clerk of Lincoln township for a period of twenty-five years, acquitting himself most creditably in the demands of that office.  In a fraternal way he is affiliated with Bennington Lodge, No. 433, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Fulton, Ohio, and in the same is past grand.  He and his wife are most worthy citizens and their home is a recognized center of refined and generous hospitality.
     On April 6, 1859, Mr. Rose was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Click, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, on the 13th of January, 1840, and who is a daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Alspauch) Click, who established their home in Lincoln township, this county, when Catharine was a child of four years of age.  She was educated in the public schools of this county and is a woman of most gracious personality, being deeply beloved by all who have come within the sphere of her gentle influence.  Mr. and Mrs. Rose became the parents of two children, concerning whom the following brief data are here incorporated: Ada A., born on the 11th of January, 1860, is the wife of James R. Sage, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Lincoln township; and Judson H., born on the 25th of March, 1863, resides on his father’s farm in Lincoln township.  He married Miss Sarah J. Ocher and they have one son, Avon M., whose birth occurred on the 3d of November, 1897.  The grandson is attending school at Fulton, Ohio.
     In every sense of the word Mr. Rose and his estimable wife are representative citizens whose loyalty and public spirit have been of the most insistent order.  He is a man of extensive information and broad human sympathy and no one in the community holds a higher place in popular confidence and esteem.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 661-663
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Cardington Twp. –
JAMES ROSE, farmer; P. O., Cardington; was born in Bedford Co., Penn. Feb. 6, 1811. The Rose family originally came from England, and settled in Pennsylvania. Our subject’s paternal and maternal grandfathers, both being Revolutionary soldiers. The founder of this branch of the family, Edward Rose, was born Jan. 22, 1747, and his wife, Drucilla Pierpont, June 14, 1750. Mr. James Rose’s parents were John and Mary (Daulton) Rose, born respectively June 16, 1787, and March 21, 1785, and were both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1814 they came to Ohio, where after thirty years residence, the father died in 1844. His wife survived him twenty-four years, dying Feb. 26, 1868. At the age of three years, James Rose came with his parents to Perry Co., O., where the family settled on a farm near Zanesville; here they remained until 1834. James passing his majority in the ordinary way, dividing his time between the farm and schools as were then afforded. He taught one term of school, but moving to Sandusky, he turned his attention to the sterner duties of clearing a frontier farm. Before moving, James married Miss Nancy Gordon, a native of Perry county, Feb. 12, 1832: Two years later, he started for Sandusky Co. by wagon, consuming eight days in the journey, and settling in an unbroken tract of timber. He occupied a log house, which he had put up a month previous, 26x40 feet, containing but two rooms. Here he cleared twenty-six acres, when he sold out and occupied a piece of land he had previously bought in the same neighborhood. On this place they at first occupied a round log house, containing but a single room, and two years later built a brick house, in which he lived until 1854. During that time he cleared seventy acres; this was near the Indian reservation, and the Wyandots and Senecas were frequent visitors at his place, often staying all night, but always exhibiting a friendly disposition. In this county he served as County Commissioner 3 years, and eighteen years justice of the peace. Selling out in 1854, he brought his family to Lincoln Tp., settling on a farm five miles east of Cardington. During his nineteen years residence here, he served as road and school officer, as well as trustee of the township. In 1873, he moved to Cardington, where he has resided since. Of eleven children born to Mr. Rose, nine are now living -- David C., died in the army at Camp Dick Robinson, Dec. 26, 1861, was captain of Co. E., 31st O. V. I; Mary M., now Mrs. Cunnard, lives in Lincoln, Tp.; Martha A., now Mrs. Mosier, in Cardington; James M., Kansas; Henry N., Nebraska; John M., Kansas; Edward L., died in Illinois; Chas J., Delaware county; Alonzo J., Delaware county; Ferdinand H., Cardington; Eliza S., Cardington. During the late war of the Rebellion, seven of James Rose’s sons were in the army, the eighth son being too young to enlist. Three served in the 31st O. V. I., two in the 13th, O. V. C. and one in the 136th O. V. I.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 583
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Gilead Twp. –
SIMON ROSENTHAL, County Auditor; Mt. Gilead; was born in Germany, Feb. 17, 1826, and is the son of Samuel and Hannah (Hauser) Rosenthal, both of Germany, where they died. Our subject, after receiving a good education, entered the Polytechnical Institute of Stuttgart, where he completed his course of civil engineering, when he was employed by the Government, and worked at civil engineering on the railroads of Germany until 1848, when in November he sailed for America, and landed in New York City, February, 1849; he came direct to Ohio, and located in Cincinnati, where he embarked in mercantile business, which he continued there for a number of years; in 1852, he came to Morrow Co., and located at Cardington, where he started the first hardware store of that place; he continued business in Cardington until 1857, when he returned to Cincinnati, and after remaining there for a number of years, he came again to, Cardington, which has been his home since; he gained friends daily, and was acknowledged to be one of the most popular and thorough business men of Cardington.  In 1875, the Democratic party nominated him for Auditor of Morrow Co., to which office he was elected by a handsome majority of 369 votes. In 1878, he was re-elected to the same office by a rousing vote of 532 majority, and has filled the office with marked ability.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 552
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Chester Twp. –
JOHN E. ROWLAND, hardware; Chesterville; prominently identified among the leading merchants of this county, is Mr. Rowland, who was born June 4, 1840, in this village. His father was born in Wales, in 1797, and emigrated to Cambria Co., Pa., 1809, and at the age of 21 began learning the saddlers’ trade, continuing the same for many years; he furnished harness for Kneb, Moore & Co., the noted mail and stage contractors. During his sojourn in Pennsylvania, he visited Wales three times, looking after the interests of an estate; he also, in connection with a man by the name of Scott, published a history of Wales, which proved a success, both in merit and financially, but afterward Scott became possessor of the greater portion of this amount; and in 1837 Mr. Rowland came to Ohio by team, and settled in Chesterville, and there engaged in harness-making, continuing the same until 1858, when he retired from active labors. He died in 1873, and had eight children; three survive -- L. H., merchant and tailor, Mt. Gilead; D. H., grain dealer, in Union Co., this State; J. E.; the father, served as Sheriff in Pennsylvania; John E. attended school as much as possible, and at the death of his mother he began clerking for Mr. Shurr, a merchant at this place, transferring in two years to the employ of Mr. Bartlett; with whom he continued five years; in 1861, he enlisted in the 20th O. V. I.; in 1863, he engaged in the grocery and livery business, under the firm name of Rowland & Ayers; in the same year they dissolved partnership, Rowland taking the grocery, and Ayers the livery; he then closed up his business, and engaged in a provision store, in Galion, for nine months, and then sold the same for $22,000, clearing $2,800; he then returned and disposed of his grocery at this place, and entered the hardware business, which he still continues, and is having good success, keeping a full line of goods; he has 153 acres of land in Franklin Tp.; he is a member of Chester Lodge, No. 238, A. F. & A. M.; his marriage occurred in Nov., 1866, with Angeline Carr, by whom he has one child -- Katie M., born 1867. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, at this place. In principle he is a Republican.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 614
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Westfield Twp. –
JOHN RUGGLES, farmer.; P. O., Westfield; was born in this township, Aug. 8, 1834; his father, Alfred Ruggles, was born in Pennsylvania, and came here when there were very few settlers; his mother, Eliza Ruggles, is a daughter of Elisha Barry, who was a Captain in the war of 1812, and came with her parents to Ohio from Ann Arundel Co., Maryland, about 1830.  Mr. Ruggles began his education in an old log school house, but being compelled to assist his father in clearing up the farm, his advantages were limited; he enlisted in the 121st O. V. I., in Co. D, under Captain Sharp, in Aug., 1862, and served twenty-eight months; he was in the battle of Perryville, and the skirmishes in and about Triune, Tennessee; in the battle of Chickamauga, he received a Minie ball wound just below the shoulder, on account of which he was eventually discharged; his brother, Almon L., who enlisted in the same company, died in the hospital at Perryville, in Oct., 1862; on his return home he engaged in farming with his father, and in 1867, he married Miss Laura A. Hare, a native of Ohio; they have a family of three children.  Mr. Ruggles is a generous, public-spirited citizen, highly respected by all who know him.  He is a Republican, and a member of the Westfield Lodge I. O. O. F., No. 269.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 645
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Perry Twp. –
HENRY H. RUHL, farmer; P. O., Woodview.  Among the successful farmers of Perry Tp., Mr. Ruhl deserves more than a passing notice; he is the oldest son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hosler) Ruhl; he was born in York Co., Pa., April 14, 1808; his father died when he was seven years old, and as he grew up he worked very hard for the support of the family until he was twenty-five years old.  The mother re-married, and they came as a family, in the spring of 1833.   Arriving, May 10, they rented a house near where Jacob I. Miller lives, and in August of that year they purchased 160 acres of Mr. Ruhl’s present farm, of John Bigham, for $500.  The only improvements made were a small cabin and seven acres underbrushed.  The family consisted of four children -- Henry H. (subject); Polly, who married John Warner, of Pa.; Rachel married John Garberick; and Jacob.  The mother died about 1835; March 20, 1836, he married Catherine Patterson, a daughter of James and Esther (Erstine) Patterson; she was born in York Co., Pa., Sept. 12, 1802; her parents afterwards removed to Maryland, from which they emigrated to Congress Tp., of this county, in the fall of 1825, where the entered eighty acres in the woods; they raised eight children to manhood and womanhood, all of whom were born in the East -- John, Samuel, Peter, William, Catherine, Elizabeth, Mary and Nancy.   Mr. Rhul [sic] has lived on present place since his marriage; he and his esteemable wife, who has been a help-mate indeed; both worked in the clearing together in early days, burning their brush and log heaps at might; Mr. Rhul [sic] and his brother Jacob, went to thirty log-rollings one spring, and about that many in the fall; he has cleared about one hundred acres here, and now owns three hundred and twenty acres, principally the fruits of his own labor; Mr. Ruhl and his entire family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church; he has held a membership for forty-eight years, and has filled ably the various offices of Elder and Deacon; he has been Trustee of this township eleven terms, elected frequently, almost without opposition; Mr. Ruhl has raised two daughters, and one died in infancy; Catherine and Leah -- Mrs. Byram Levering (see sketch); Catherine Ruhl was born Sept. 10, 1838, in this township; at twenty-seven she married Jacob Rule, a son of George and Mary Rule (see sketch of Elah Dennis); her husband, Jacob Rule, was born Nov. 28, 1842, in Perry Tp., near Woodbury; he lived on a farm until eighteen, then became a clerk in a store, for some time; subsequently he worked on the farm by the mouth, about four years; after his marriage with Miss Ruhl, he worked for Levering and Merwine about eight months, after which he began farming on the lands of H. H. Ruhl, where he has lived ever since; in 1874 he purchased eighty acres of land.  Four children have been born to them -- Eva, born Sept. 24, 1866; Herma, April 21, 1872; Idella, Nov. 17, 1874; Heilman H., March 2, 1880.  He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 825-826
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Congress Twp. –
HENRY S. RUHL, farmer; P. O., Andrews; is among the successful farmers in this township; he was born in Sodorus Tp., York Co., Pa., May 13, 1822, and was the third of a family of nine children, born to Henry and Barbara (Steffey) Ruhl, both of York Co.; the Ruhls are of German descent; the father was a farmer, and Henry naturally turned to this occupation; he remained at the family home until after he was 28 years of age; June 15, 1850, he was married to Lydia Winter, and soon after bought a part of his father’s farm, on which he lived until 1856, when he sold out, and bought eighty acres where he now lives; soon after his arrival his wife died; she left one child -- Amos W., born in Aug., 1851; he subsequently married Ellen Snyder, who was born Aug. 31, 1835, and is a daughter of Jacob Snyder; they have had twelve children, of whom nine are living -- Enos S., Edgar W., Martha, Barbara C., Jacob F., Barton H., Mary E., Ida W., and Charles R.; Mr. Ruhl has now 250 acres of land, and is still extending his boundaries; he is among the best farmers in the township, and does not trade or speculate, but confines his attention to the means which will bring him the surest returns; while he is alive to his temporal interests, he is not insensible to the duty he owes to the “Giver of all good,” and to Him ever ascribes the praise for the blessings he has received.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 697
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

CHARLES A. RUHLEN, D. D. S., has been engaged in the work of dental surgery at Mount Gilead, Morrow county, Ohio, since 1900, and in the field of his chosen profession he is a skilled and scientific worker.  He is one of the most prominent Masons and Pythian Knights in this section of the Buckeye state and in the Republican party is chairman of the county executive committee in 1911.  Dr. Charles A. Ruhlen was born in Union county, Ohio, on the 2nd of August, 1877, and is a son of Samuel H. and Susan (Dort) Ruhlen, both of whom are living in retirement on their splendid farm in Madison county, this state.  The father was a gallant soldier in the Civil war, having served for four years in that sanguinary struggle––four months in the Ohio volunteer infantry and the remainder of the time in the Ohio cavalry.  After the close of the war he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Madison county, Ohio, and there is recognized as a most successful and public-spirited citizen.
     In the public schools of his native place Dr. Ruhlen received his early educational discipline, which he later supplemented with a course in the New California High School, in which he was graduated in 1895.  Thereafter he worked on his father’s farm for some two years, at the expiration of which, in 1897, he was matriculated in the Ohio Medical University, at Columbus, Ohio, that institution being now a part of the Sterling, Ohio, Medical College, in the dental department of which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1900, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery.  Immediately after his graduation, in the spring of 1900, he located at Mount Gilead, where he has built up a large and lucrative patronage and gained distinctive prestige as one of the leading dentists in Morrow county.
     On the 24th of December, 1902, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Ruhlen to Miss Ethel Iden, of Caledonia, Ohio.  To this union have been born two children––Ruth, whose birth occurred on the 23rd of August, 1903; and Roscoe, born September 17, 1910.  Dr. and Mrs. Ruhlen are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is one of the officers and a teacher in the Sunday school.  Both are popular factors in the best social circles of Mount Gilead and their attractive home is recognized as a center of refinement and most gracious hospitality.
     Fraternally Dr. Ruhlen is affiliated with Charles Hull Lodge, No. 195, Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor and past representative in the Grand Lodge of the state.  He is also connected with Mount Gilead Lodge, No. 206, Free and Accepted Masons; Gilead Chapter, No. 59, Royal Arch Masons; Marion Council, No. 22, Royal and Select Masters; and Marion Commandery, No. 36, Knights Templars.  He and his wife are valued and appreciative members of the adjunct Masonic organization, the Order of the Eastern Star.  In the Modern Woodmen of America Dr. Ruhlen holds membership in Camp No. 3575, and in the sons of Veterans he is a member of Lemuel H. Breese Camp No. 64.  Politically he has ever been aligned as a stanch supporter of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor and at the present time he is chairman of the county executive committee.  As a citizen Dr. Ruhlen has ever adhered strictly to the highest principles of honesty and integrity and in all measures advanced for the general welfare he has taken a prominent part.  He is a man of high ideals and fair and honorable business methods and no citizen in the town commands a higher degree of popular confidence and esteem than does he.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 604-605
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

GEORGE H. RUHLMAN, one of the representative business men and honored citizens of the thriving village of Cardington, Morrow county, is a native son of said county, having been born in Troy township, July 20, 1857.
     His father, William Ruhlman, was a native of the old Keystone State, but came with his parents from Pennsylvania to Mahoning county, Ohio, when but a child.  His father was Lewis Ruhlman, who was born in Pennsylvania arid there reared and educated, being of German extraction.
     The maiden name of our subject’s mother was Elizabeth Koch, and she was a native of Richland county, Ohio, where she grew to maturity, her parents having been natives of Germany.
     The marriage of William Ruhlman and Elizabeth Koch was celebrated in Richland (now Morrow) county, and soon after they took up their abode on a farm in Troy township, where they remained for many years.  They now reside on a farm in Claridon township, Marion county.  They became the parents of four sons, all of whom are living at the present time, namely: George H., subject of this review; Lewis O., a mechanic, of Marion, Ohio; Eli E., a resident of the same city; and Charles E., a farmer in Claridon township, Marion county.
     Our subject was reared on the paternal homestead in Troy township, this county, until he had attained the age of ten years, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Marion county.  He had attended the district schools of Troy township, and after the removal to Marion county, he continued his educational discipline, completing his education in the graded schools of Claridon township.
     His first business venture was in the saw-milling enterprise, and for four years he was concerned in this line, in Marion county, owning one-fourth interest in a mill.  He then sold out and, coming to Cardington, engaged as a clerk in the hardware establishment of T. H. Ensign.  Out of a very diminutive salary he saved $3 per month for six months, and at the end of three years he had accumulated quite a sum by his industry and economical habits, and was enabled to purchase a half interest in the hardware business here conducted by J. W. Shaw, the firm name of Shaw & Ruhlman being retained for three years, after which Mr. Shaw disposed of his interests in the enterprise, his successor being F. C. Stanley, and the business was conducted under the title of Ruhlman & Stanley for a period of three years.  Mr. Stanley was then succeeded by G. C. Miller and this association has remained intact since that time, the firm name being Ruhlman & Miller.  They have commodious and convenient salesrooms, with all essential equipments, and carry a large stock, the establishment being one of the finest in the line that the county can boast.
     In politics Mr. Ruhlman lends his support and influence to the Republican party, and he has held official preferments of trust, being now the incumbent as Township Clerk, and having hitherto served for six years as Clerk of the city corporation.  He was also a member of the local Board of Education for some time.  Fraternally he is prominently identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Cardington Lodge, No. 384, and of the Royal Arcanum.  In connection with his business enterprise he manufactures all the sheet-iron work utilized in the George S. Singer Olentangy incubators and brooders, which business involves several thousand dollars per annum.
     February 6, 1881, Mr. Ruhlman was united in marriage to Miss Louvina Miller, daughter of Elias and Mary (Gable) Miller, and the issue of this union has been three children, namely: Myrtle B., Hartley M., and Ethel G.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 219-220
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Perry Twp. –
AMOS RULE, merchant; Woodview; is the third son of John and Susan (Blosser) Rule; was born June 2, 1832, in this township.  He worked on the farm, and received such instruction as the schools of his neighborhood could give.  In 1853, being twenty-one years of age, he became a clerk in the store of Morgan Levering at Woodberry.  In the meantime he devoted his spare moments to the study of medicine.  April 5, 1855, he united in marriage with Caroline Buchner of this township, and soon after emigrated to Nebraska, where he engaged in the practice of medicine for about two years, then returned to North Woodbury.   He entered into a partnership with Allen Levering in the mercantile business.  This partnership lasted about six years, and during that time the first draft for troops was made, and it fell on both partners.  They hired substitutes and continued business until Levering sold his interest to Norman Merwine, and again both Rule and Merwine were drafted on the second call, and escaped by paying $300 each to the volunteer credit fund, to secure the township’s quota.  Subsequently Mr. Merwine sold his interest to Robert Levering, which partnership lasted until 1876, when Levering retired, leaving Mr. Rule sole proprietor.  He carries at present a full stock of dry-goods, groceries, bats, caps, boots and shoes, and in short, everything demanded by a farming community, at prices that favor the purchaser.  Mr. Rule attended lectures at Stirling Medical College, and has been quite successful in practice, but is not actively engaged at present.  He is Post master at present, and has been Treasurer of Perry Tp. for 12 years.  He has a family of twelve children – Benjamin F. was born Jan. 27, 1856; John A., March 28, 1859; Allen V., Aug. 17, 1860; Anna M., Oct. 27, 1761; Emma J., born March 25, 1863; Minnie B., Aug. 17, 1864; Amos M., Dec. 14, 1865; Ellis O. and Rosa M. (twins), Apr. 3, 1867; Robert R., Aug. 16, 1869; Louisa C., Feb. 26, 1871; Isaac N., Nov. 25, 1872; Ohio M., a son, died at the age of five years.  His father, John Rule, was born in Baltimore Co., Md., Dec. 14, 1796; his mother, Susan Blosser, was a native of York Co., Pa.  They were married in Pennsylvania, and came by team to Ohio in 1828.  They cut a portion of the road through from Mansfield, O.  They settled in this township, near Woodbury, living in a covered wagon until they cleared a site and built a cabin.  Their two sons, John and Isaac, were small, and the father toiled in his clearing lone-handed.  He cleared about 100 acres of the 160 which he entered two years before.  A brother, George Rule, and others of the family, came with him.  He became a partner with Morgan Levering in 1836, and this relation lasted until 1851, when Mr. Rule retired.  Has a family of three sons and one daughter -- John, Isaac, Amos and Lovina, now Mrs. Norman Merwine.  He departed this life March 12, 1874, at the ripe old age of 77 years, esteemed and respected by all.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 825
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Congress Twp. –
B. F. RULE, physician; Whetstone; is a rising young physician, who wag born and educated in this county; he was born in Perry Tp., Jan. 27; 1856, son of Dr. Amos Rule; his mother’s name was Caroline Buchner before marriage. He received his elementary education at the district school, beginning the study of medicine in his 16th year, which he pursued until he graduated, taking three courses of lectures, and graduated at the age of 22, at the Starling Medical College, Feb. 23, 1877; June 18, 1877, he set up in practice in West Point, and has been successful, and has a lucrative practice.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 696
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

JACOB RULE. ––Among the influential and highly honored agriculturists of Perry township, Morrow county, Ohio, Jacob Rule holds distinctive prestige as a man of worth and impregnable integrity.  He is the owner of a splendid farm of one hundred and sixty acres of most arable land in Perry township and he also has a tract of eighty acres of land in Congress township, all of which is in a high state of cultivation.
     A native son of Perry township, Mr. Rule has passed practically his entire life thus far within its bounds, and the fact that he has always commanded the high regard of his fellow citizens who have known him from earliest youth is sufficient voucher for his estimable character.  Mr. Rule was born on the 24th of November, 1842, and he is a son of George and Mary (Rule) Rule, both of whom are deceased.  Both parents were natives of the state of Pennsylvania, whence they immigrated to Morrow county, Ohio, at an early day, location having been made on a farm, where they passed the residue of their lives.  They became the parents of eight children, three of whom are living in 1911, namely: Jacob, the immediate subject of this review; Margaret, who is the wife of John Gaunt, and who maintains her home in Marshall county, Indiana, and George, a business man of Goshen, Indiana.  George Rule, the father, was eminently successful as a pioneer farmer in Ohio, and he was summoned to the great beyond about the year 1900.
     Jacob Rule, of this review, was reared to the strenuous influences of the home farm, in connection with the work of which he waxed strong both mentally and physically.  He remained an inmate of the parental home until he had attained to the age of twenty-one years, at which time he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits on his own account.  He is now the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Perry township and the thrifty, prosperous condition of his place well indicates his ability as a practical, conscientious farmer.  He has long been identified with diversified agriculture and the raising of high-grade stock and in addition to his estate in Perry township he has a fine farm of eighty acres in Congress township.  He is a man of fair and honorable business methods and he stands four-square to every wind that blows.
     In 1865 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Rule to Miss Catherine Ruhl Fall, who was born and reared in Morrow county, Ohio, and who is a daughter of H. H. Fall, who has long engaged in agricultural pursuits in Morrow county.  To Mr. and Mrs. Rule have been born four children, concerning whom the following brief record is here entered: Eva is the wife of Riley Brewer and they reside in Morrow county; Hernie married George W. Dawson, of Mount Gilead; Dellie is the wife of Bert Zollman, of Mount Gilead; and Heilman H. remains at home, where he assists his father in the work and management of the farm.  Mrs. Rule was called to the life eternal on the 15th of January, 1911, and her death was uniformly mourned by a wide circle of relatives and friends.  She was a woman of high ideals and sweet personality and was deeply beloved by all who knew her.
     In his religious faith Mr. Rule is a devout member of the Lutheran church, to whose charities and good works he has ever been a most liberal contributor, and in a fraternal way he is connected with various organizations of a local nature.  Politically he endorses the cause of the Democratic party and in connection with public affairs he has given most efficient service as a member of the township board of supervisors and as a school director.  His genial kindliness and unfailing courtesy have won him a secure place in the hearts of his fellow citizens and no one commands a greater degree of popular confidence and esteem than does he.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 802-804
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Congress Twp. –
ABIGAIL RUSH, retired; Andrews; is among the hardy few who braved the hardships incident to the settlement of this township; she was born in Washington Co., Pa., Jan. 20, 1806, and is a daughter of John Brewer, whose wife was Mary Levering.  John Brewer was born Feb. 28, 1765; his wife, Mary, June 15, 1771; Abigail is the youngest of a family of ten children, she being the sole survivor of the family; she was married to William Rush, June 2, 1821. He was born May 13, 1794, in Washington Co., Pa.  After their marriage they emigrated to this township, and settled where she now lives, Dec. 15, 1821, when it was “all woods.”  The “red men” were encamped near them; there were but five families in the township at the time. John Levering, Samuel Graham, Jonathan Brewer, Mr. Bailey and Tim Gardiner, she states, were the number who united together and put up a cabin for Mr. Rush, who subsequently entered eighty acres of land, by borrowing a hundred dollars of a friend; he then bought two colts and paid for them by clearing up timber for others, doing his own work by night; these colts he kept for three years, and sold them for $118, which liquidated the debt, interest and all.  Mrs. Rush had three knives and forks, they sat on stools, and their table was a box; they bored holes in the wall and improvised a bed, having no door or windows, except greased paper, spread over apertures in the side of the cabin to admit the light, yet, notwithstanding all this, they were happy; their next house was made of hewed logs, their third was a frame, now standing in her yard, near her present residence, which is the fourth since her settlement here.  Mr. Rush was in the war of 1812; he died Dec. 23, 1871. Thirteen children have been born to them; eight are living -- John, Enoch, William, Mary A., Elizabeth, Morgan, Benjamin and Ruth.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 697-698
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Gilead Twp. –
B. S. RUSSELL, farmer; P. O., Mt. Gilead; was born on the farm in Loudoun Co., Va., Sept. 3, 1828; in 1829 his parents moved to Belmont Co., Ohio, where they farmed two years, and then came to the farm where he now resides. At the age of 16 he was apprenticed to the tailor’s trade, with J. M. Talmage, of Mt. Gilead, serving with him for four years and ten months; he then traveled about six months, and returning to Mt. Gilead, opened a custom shop, in which he continued a year; he then, in 1850, went to California overland, being six months on the trip, his object being mining; he remained there fourteen months, and returned via Panama and Now York, walking across the Isthmus. He followed his trade again in Mt. Gilead, and Feb. 27, 1853, married Miss Malinda C. Ackerman; she was born in this county. After his marriage he again opened a custom shop, and in 1859 engaged in merchant tailoring and clothing, which he followed until Feb. 1880, when he turned the business over to his son, Ray C., and Wm. J. Simms, who now conduct it at the old stand.  Mr. Russell now gives his attention to his farm. They have had eight children, six living -- Belle, Ray C., Maggie, Edward, Kate and Blanche. His parents, Charles and Margaret (Ewers) Russell, were natives of Loudoun Co., Va., they came here, as stated, and lived here until their deaths, Dec. 21, 1871, and April 29, 1841, respectively.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 552
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

CHARLES LEROY RUSSELL, Postmaster of Mount Gilead and senior member of the clothing firm of Russell & Sims, was born in this city March 17, 1857, and has been identified with its interests all his life.
     Mr. Russell’s grandfather, Charles Russell, was born in Virginia in 1792, and in 1831 came to Ohio and located on a farm near Mount Gilead, where he spent the rest of his life, and where he died in January, 1872.  His son, B. S. Russell, the father of our subject, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, September 3, 1828, and was three years of age when he came with his parents to Ohio.  When he grew up he learned the trade of tailor, and was one of the first merchants of Mount Gilead, where he was in business for a number of years.  He now resides on the farm on which his father located when first coming to Ohio.  The mother of our subject was before her marriage Miss Melinda Ackerman.  She was one of a large family of children, and was reared by a Mrs. King, of Delaware county.  The Ackermans are of German descent.  B. S. Russell and his wife have had eight children, two of whom died when young.  Those living are: Mrs. Belle Mills, widow of W. S. Mills, she being a noted singer of Columbus, Ohio; Charles Leroy, whose name heads this article; Mrs. Maggie Randolph, wife of Chas. E. Randolph, Springfield, Ohio; Edward B., a clerk in his brother’s store at Mount Gilead; Mrs. Kate Kuqua, wife of Elmer E. Kuqua, a member of the firm of Kuqua & Son, manufacturers of carriages and buggies, Springfield, Ohio; and Mrs. Blanch Brollier, wife of Arthur Brollier, Mount Gilead.
     Charles Leroy Russell began working at the tailor’s trade when he was twelve years old and has been in a store ever since, working for his father for some years.  The firm of Russell & Sims was formed in 1880 and continued successfully, Mr. Russell’s long experience in the business giving him a thorough knowledge of its every detail.
     In 1871 Mr. Russell was married to Susan Mooney, of Cardington, Ohio, daughter of M. L. Mooney, deceased.  Her father was one of the pioneers of that place, was the first to engage in the drug business there, and was in business for thirty years or more.  Mr. and Mrs. Russell have two children, ––Clarence B., born in 1884; and Ethel Corinne, in 1888.
     Fraternally he is identified with Masonic Lodge, No. 206, and Gilead Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M.  Politically he is a Democrat.  April 17, 1894, he received the appointment of Postmaster of Mount Gilead, and is now serving most efficiently in this position.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 406-407
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Franklin Twp. –
FRANCIS M. RUSSELL, farmer; P. O., Mt. Gilead. Francis M. Russell, is the son of Charles and Margaret (Ewers) Russell, and was born Oct. 14, 1820, in Loudoun Co., Virginia. The father was a native of the same Co., and in his youth learned the blacksmith trade. He was a soldier in the war of 1812; was in Baltimore when it was bombarded by the British and remembers seeing Washington, D. C., burning during the same war. In 1830 he settled in Belmont Co. O., and two years afterward came to Gilead Tp., where he bought 568 acres, buying part of it, however, in 1831. His wife bore him ten children -- Francis M., Robert T., William L., Sarah E., Barton, Jasper, Mary A., Burr, Charles P., and John.  Burr 2nd, Rachel, and one other died in childhood. Our subject’s grandparents, Robert and Mary (Leedom) Russell, were born April 24, 1753, in Wales, and Oct. 25, 1759 in Ireland, respectively, and were married Jan. 19, 1779. The husband had $2000 in. Continental currency, and the wife had $1 in silver, and the wife had more money than the husband. These grandparents had the following children -- Letitia, Ann, Samuel, Mary, Martha, Rebecca, Charles, Elizabeth, Sarah and John. The subject of this sketch got his early schooling in the old school-house near the site of Mt. Gilead, where, on the first day, the boys attempted to impose on the new scholar, Francis, but after four of them had been soundly thrashed, there was no further trouble. At the age of 22 he learned the carpenter trade of Harrison Clawson, of Newark, Ohio, a business he followed five years. On the 8th of October, 1846, he married Rose Ann, daughter of James and Margaret (Clutner) Richeson. His wife is a native of Washington Co., Md., and was born Feb. 3, 1827. Our subject, shortly after his marriage, lived on Hog Run, in Licking Co., where he ran a saw mill. At the end of six years he came to Franklin Tp., in 1853, and settled on 168 acres of land; 16 acres were cleared, and were surrounded by a brush fence. He now has about 110 acres cleared, upon which are commodious and substantial buildings. He has three children living -- John G., born Aug 9, 1847; Mary, April 9, 1854, and Charles D., May 22, 1858.  John G. is the present County Treasurer. Our subject has occupied many positions of trust in his township, serving with fidelity and with satisfaction to the citizens. He voted the Democratic ticket until 1860, casting his first vote for James K. Polk; he is also a Universalist. He is one of the most prominent citizens of the county, and is always enthusiastic in public enterprises for the advancement of humanity.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 793
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Cardington Twp. –
JOHN RUSSELL, deceased; was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, Aug. 28, 1815, and lived there for twenty-three years. He then came to this locality, and spent his summers in clearing some land his father had formerly entered; he spent the winters in Belmont Co, Ohio. Sept. 17, 1844, he married Miss Sarah Parkins; she was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, Aug. 9, 1822, and came West, and settled on a farm adjoining the present place, in 1835, and lived there until her marriage, when they settled on the present place, and she has lived here since. He died Feb. 15, 1867. They had six children, four living -- Hannah K. Strong living in Kansas; Isaac P., at home; Mary N. Dibert, living in this vicinity; and Linneas J. lives on an adjoining place; Louisa J. and Geo. Wm. Died -- the former married Mr. Harmon A. Davis. They had one child  -- Geo. L. Davis; he lives here with his grandmother. Though it was comparatively a late date when Mr. Russell occupied the present place, all was timber. They lived in a log house of the pioneer pattern, and made most of their own clothing. His parents, Samuel and Sarah (Moore) Russell, were natives of Virginia, and settled in Belmont Co., Ohio, in an early day, and lived there until their deaths. They had a family of thirteen children. Mrs. Russell’s parents -- Isaac and Nancy (Schooley) Parkins -- were natives of Virginia. They moved to Belmont Co., Ohio, when young, and married there. They came here in 1835. He died Feb. 20, 1842. She has since lived in this vicinity, and at present in Cardington. Of their eight children, three are living -- Sarah Russell, Jane and Hannah Pervis, Iowa.  Linneas J. Russell, son of John and Sarah Russell, was born Dec. 10, 1853, and lived at home until April, 1880, when he occupied the adjoining farm. Aug. 26, 1879, he married, Miss Laney E. Hissey, of Belmont Co., Ohio. In 1869 he began farming the old homestead, and has looked after the place and family since.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 582
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Congress Twp. –
W. W. RUSSELL, farmer; P. O., Woodview; was born in Muskingum Co., April 13, 1837. There were fourteen children in the family, of which he was the eighth; his father, James, was born in Donegal Co., Ireland, Nov. 8, 1780, emigrating to Pennsylvania with his parents at the age of 21.  Aug. 20, 1822, he married Miss Lydia Burkybile, who was born Nov. 10, 1805. They settled in this township in the spring of 1843; he died in September, 1849; his wife still survives him, and is happy in the hope of the future.  William W. enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. D, 96th O. V. I., and served until the close of the war, participating in all the battles in which the regiment was engaged, with the exception of two, one of them occurring while he was sick, and the other while he was a prisoner in the hands of the enemy, having been captured at Grand Coteau, and was confined seven months in their prison; when upon his return home, he resumed his labors on the farm.  In October of the same year he was married to Elizabeth Smith, who was born July 5, 1844, in Perry Tp., and who is the daughter of John N. and Mary (Baker) Smith. After their marriage they moved to the Russell homestead, where they still live. Six children have been born to them -- Orrie O., Ulysses S. L., Melvin Guy, Wastella G., Arta J. and Orley O., who is the eldest.  Himself, wife and mother are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and his father was a member of the Established Church.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 696
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

CHARLES RUTHARDT. —Many of Ohio's most thriving agriculturists came from lands far across the sea, poor in purse but possessing an unlimited stock of energy and perseverance, noteworthy among the number being Charles Ruthardt, a well-known farmer of North Bloomfield township, who by industry and good management has met with excellent success in his labors, winning a fair share of this world's goods. He was born January 22, 1849, in Baden, Germany, where his parents, Charles and Phoebe (Camoror) Ruthardt, were born, lived and died.
     Educated in the public schools of the Fatherland, Charles Ruthardt was confirmed in the Reformed Lutheran church at the age of fourteen years, and afterwards served an apprenticeship at the barber's trade. Leaving home in 1869, he came to the United States, hoping in this newer land to better his financial condition. Coming directly to Ohio, he located in Morrow county with a very limited amount of money in his pocket, and first found employment on a farm, working for monthly wages. Subsequently securing a position in the railroad shops, he remained in Galion for nearly a quarter of a century, in the meantime saving up money. In 1889 Mr. Ruthardt invested his surplus earnings in land, buying seventy-six acres in North Bloomfield township where he has since been profitably employed in general farming and stock raising, his farm being under a good state of culture and well improved and wisely managed. During his long residence in this locality he has acquired an enviable reputation as an honest, straightforward business man, and has won the respect of the community. He is a Democrat in politics, but not an office seeker.
     Mr. Ruthardt married, January 20, 1876, Elizabeth Sargel, who died August 13, 1905, leaving two children, namely: Laura, wife of Calvin Trach, and Emma, wife of Rolland Hershner.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 566-567