JAMES C. RAMBO, a prominent general merchant of White Cottage, was born about a mile from the village on a farm in Newton township, Oct. 31, 1863.  He represents one of the old families of Pennsylvania, where lived his great grandparents, who came from the Keystone state to Muskingum county, Ohio, during the pioneer epoch in its history.  The great-grandfather entered land in Newton township and began the development of a farm in the midst of the forest.  There he reared his family and it was in this county that Henry Rambo, the grandfather of our subject, was born.  He remained here until 1849, when he went to California, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope, but not realizing the fortune that he had anticipated he returned to Muskingum county and resumed farming operations here.  James Rambo, father of our subject, was born in Newton township, in October, 1827, and is now living in White Cottage.  His entire life has been devoted to the pottery business and to farming.  He has owned and operated two potteries in Newton township and through many years has carried on general agricultural pursuits.  He is now practically living retired but owns thirteen acres of land in White Cottage, where he has a pleasant and comfortable home.  His political support is given to the democracy and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.  He wedded Miss Mary Stradley, who is now seventy-two years of age.  She was born in Newton township and is a daughter of Samuel Stradley, a native of Maryland.  Mr. and Mrs. Rambo became the parents of nine children: James G., Helen, deceased.  Clarinda, Marietta, Matilda, Arthur, Orla, Anna, and Jennie.
     At the usual age James C. Rambo entered the public schools wherein he acquired his education and was fitted for life’s practical and responsible duties.  In his youth he began earning his living by working in a factory and was thus employed until he attained his majority.  In 1883 he accepted a position as salesman in the store of A. W. Dugan, at White Cottage, and while thus engaged gained a practical knowledge of the business, so that he was well equipped for carrying on a mercantile enterprise of his own when, in 1893, he entered into partnership with W. J. Dugan in the conduct of a general store.  Since1904 he has been sole proprietor of the establishment, which, however, is conducted under the name of J. C. Rambo & Company.  He carries a large and carefully selected line of general merchandise and his business has reached proportions that render it profitable.  In controlling and enlarging this he has followed a definite plan of action and his enterprise has prevented discouragement when obstacles and difficulties have arisen.  He has overcome all these by persistent purpose and is now in control of an excellent business.  Mr. Rambo votes with the democracy and was at one time a candidate for county auditor.  For seventeen years he has filled the office of township clerk - a fact which is indicative of his capable service and the trust reposed in him by those who know him best.  He is an Odd Fellow and a Mason and in the latter fraternity has taken the degrees of council and commandery.  A gentleman of genuine personal worth he has gained the friendship which follows genuine respect and in his community his standing is that of a leading and influential citizen.
 Source:  Past and Present of the City of Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 677

 Source:  Past and Present of the City of Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 240

JOHN RICHARDS, one of the most prominent and successful farmers of Wayne township, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, near St. Clairsville, May 1, 1826, and has therefore passed the seventy-ninth milestone on  life's journey and yet he is actively associated with business interests, managing his farm and controlling his investments in a manner that should put to shame many a man of much younger years, who, having grown weary of the struggles and trials of a business career, would lay aside the burdens that he should bear or force others to carry them for him.  The life record of Mr. Richards, was born in Pennsylvania and when young came to Ohio, settling in St. Clairsville, where he afterward engaged in farming until his death.  He wedded Mary C. Dunlap, a native of this state, and died in early manhood.  His widow with her five children afterward came to Taylorsville, Muskingum county, with her uncle, Joseph Watson, who was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war.  They resided there three years, during which time John Richards attended school.  They then removed to Chandlersville, in Salt Creek township, where they spent two years and later they took up their abode upon the Samuel Brown farm, which is now a part of Zanesville.  The mother carefully reared her children and departed this life at the age of seventy-two years.  The members of the family were James, who never married and died at the age of eighty-seven years; William, who died at the age of eighty-two years; John; and Robert, seventy-six years of age.  The family is noted for longevity and the sons have been capable and successful business men.
     John Richards remembers well the falling of the stars in 1832 - an event memorable in this history of the country when the night was ablaze with falling meteors.  He was then but six years old but it made a vivid impression upon his mind.  His education was largely acquired in the district schools and he also attended a Catholic school in Zanesville for six months.  His first work was on the river when he was thirteen years of age, serving as second cook on the G. L. Newman.  Later he was on the steamer Ohio under Captain Davis and he followed the river for four years, winning advancement from time to time in recognition of his capability until he became pilot.  He afterward drove a peddler's wagon for six months but did not find that occupation congenial and secured a situation in the paper mill at Zanesville.  Subsequent to his marriage he engaged in the grocery business on Wood street in Zanesville, conducting the store for nine years with a gratifying measure of success.  In 1867 he removed to his present farm which formerly comprised one hundred and sixty-eight acres of land but in 1904 he sold eighty-eight acres so that his present holding covers eight acres.  Upon this farm are valuable coal deposits and also molding and building sand.  He also has land in Washington township and property in Zanesville, which he rents and he was a stockholder in the Ohio Iron Company.
     In early manhood Mr. Richards was united in marriage to Miss Jane Gorley, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Robert Gorley, who removed to Iowa in 1852.  Mrs. Richards was long a faithful companion and helpmate to her husband and Feb. 21, 1901, she departed this life amid the deep regret of many friends as well as her immediate family.  There were three children: Mary C., the wife of John Allen; Francis A., now deceased; and John H., who is a farmer and horse dealer of Wayne township.
     Mr. Richards votes with the republican party and is an Odd Fellow in his fraternal relations.  In 1872 he built his home which is a substantial two-story brick residence and here he expects to spend his remaining days.  Although he has reached the evening of life he is still active and enterprising and his history should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others for he started out in life empty-handed and is to-day one of the heaviest tax-payers in this township.  Not only has he won success but also an honored name for his methods have ever been such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
 Source:  Past and Present of the City of Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 810

BENJAMIN F. RICHEY, deceased, was born Mar. 16, 1823, in Salt Creek township, and departed this life in Rich Hill township, Jan. 5, 1882, at the age of fifty-nine years.  His parental grandfather, William Ritchey, was a native of Pennsylvania and of Irish descent, and on coming to Ohio he settled on the old Clay pike in Muskingum county.  His son, John Richey likewise a native of Pennsylvania, removed from the vicinity of Pittsburg to this county, his home being on the Clay pike about ten miles east of Zanesville.  He early manifested mechanical ingenuity and became a wagon maker by trade, following that pursuit for a number of years in connection with agricultural interests.  He was prominent in local community affairs and for a quarter of a century served as justice of the peace of Salt Creek township,  his decisions being strictly fair and impartial, so that he "won golden opinions from all sorts of people."  He died in the year 1854.
     Benjamin F. Richey was reared to farm life working on the fields on his father's place through the period of his youth.  He was a public school student through the winter months and after putting aside his text-books gave his undivided attention to his farm.  He married Martha A. Fisher, who was born in Chandlersville, Ohio, Jan. 23, 1834, her parents being James A. and Frances (Apperson) Fisher, the former being a farmer and inn-keeper of the early times.  Her grandfather was a soldier of the revolutionary war and served under General Washington.  Her paternal grandmother was of English lineage and was related to King Charles II of England.
     Mr. and Mrs. Richey became the parents of twelve children:  Vivia J., Walter William, M. Frances, Laura K., Minnie M., John F., Carrie L., Cornelius, F. Alberta, Nellie T., Charles A. and Leanora S.  Of this family Frances became the wife of Lincoln Petty and died in Chandlersville, Ohio.  Cornelius also died and was buried in Chandlersville.  Of the others Leonora S., is a graduate of the Zanesville business college and is now employed in the Belmont shoe factory; Vivia is the wife of James Paisley; Minnie the wife of A. F. White; and Carrie the wife of William Dean a merchant of Illinois; Walter William and John, a merchant of Illinois; Walter William and John are lumbermen and carpenters, the former being married and the latter at home; and Charles A., a farmer at home.
     Mr. and Richey was both a farmer and carpenter and became the owner of a large tract of land which he obtained mostly through his own labor.  He worked on year after year and developed an excellent farm property.  He placed thereon many modern improvements and thus left to his family an excellent home.  He was interested in public affairs, giving his co-operation to many measures for the general good.  I was a charter member of Gauge & Gavil lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Chandlersville, and politically was a stanch republican.  He filled the offices of school director and supervisor and for years was a justice of the peace of Salt Creek and Rich Hill townships, his decisions being characterized by equity and fairness.  He was a man ever true to his duty as he understood it and when he was called from this life his death was mourned by many friends as well as his immediate family.  Mrs. Richey is a member of the Presbyterian church of Mt. Zion.  She is a well preserved woman and although now well advanced in years yet gives personal supervision to her large farm.  The Richeys are a prominent family of Rich Hill township and no history of the community would be complete without their history.
 Source:  Past and Present of the City of Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 784

ALFRED RONCHETTI, artist and decorator at Zanesville, came from Geneva, Switzerland, and is a son of Charles Ronchetti, who was a silk manufacturer and also displayed considerable talent and ability as an artist.  In Italy, France and Switzerland, Alfred Ronchetti developed his artistic taste and talent and thoroughly learned the business of an artist decorateur, displaying more than ordinary ability in that direction.
     On coming to the United States in 1902, he first located in Chicago, where he remained for several months, and then came to Zanesville.  Here he decorated the new Weller Theater and the Presbyterian church and afterward secured the contract for the decoration of St. Peter's church at Fairmount, West Virginia.  The Cook Hospital at that place is also a monument to his skill as a decorator and he has many testimonials of his excellent work.
     In the fall of 1904 Mr. Ronchetti returned to Zanesville, where he has opened a studio and here may be seen a number of the fine pictures which are the result of his brush, he having gained a high reputation as a landscape artist, though his specialty is interior decorations.  He has taken a number of important contracts throughout  the state and is to-day the leader in his line in Zanesville, his services being in constant demand for the decoration of public buildings and private residences in the city.  At present he is at work on the Ohio University at Athens.  His work has received most favorable notice from the newspapers and added to these he has many flattering testimonials form different parties who have employed him in the line of his chosen profession.
 Source:  Past and Present of the City of Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 833

SAMUEL L. RUTLEDGE, who has figured quite prominently in local political circles as a representative of the republican party, and is interested in general mercantile affairs in Hopewell township, was born in Mount Sterling, June 12, 1852.  He is of Irish lineage, his grandparents being James and Mary Rutledge, who were natives of County Fermanagh, Ireland, whence in early life they crossed the Atlantic to the United States.  For a brief period they remained residents of New York, hut afterward took up their abode in Guernsey county, Ohio, where they spent their remaining days.
     George Rutledge, father of Samuel L. Rutledge, was born in 1815, while his parents were crossing the Atlantic.  In his youth he was apprenticed to a tanner and at the age of eighteen years he was united in marriage to Miss Susannah Shutts.  The year 1831 witnessed his arrival in Mount Sterling, Muskingum county, and there he continued business as a tanner, conducting a plant of that character up to the time of his death. He was also a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church, devoting a part of his time to the labors of the ministry for a number of years prior to his demise.  His life, honorable and upright, formed an example well worthy of emulation and his influence yet remains as a blessed benediction to many who knew him.  Mr. and Mrs. George Rutledge became the parents of four sons and three daughters: Mary A. became the wife of William Beems, and died at the age of eighteen years, leaving a daughter, Ellen, who also died at the age of eighteen years; Margaret became the wife of John Briteqam, by whom she has six children and their home is at Holgate, Henry county, Ohio; Dr. J. W. Rutledge, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, wedded Mary Tallman, and has one daughter; Sarah, is the wife of A. B. Prather and lives in Indianapolis, Indiana; Samuel is the fifth of the family; George W., a resident of Anchor, Illinois, is married and has one child; Thomas C. is a mail clerk on the Indianapolis & Pittsburg Railroad.
     Samuel L. Rutledge spent his boyhood days in his father's home, assisting him in the tannery, and when not thus engaged pursuing his education in the district schools wherein he remained a student until 1869.  He was then afforded more advanced educational privileges, matriculating in the academy at Pleasantville, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated in 1872.  He afterward did post-graduate work which would have enabled him to graduate from any college in the state within a year.  Returning to his home he later went to Jacksonburg, Indiana, where for ten years he followed the profession of teaching, being recognized as a very able educator.  When that decade had passed, however, he again took up his abode in Mount Sterling, and resumed teaching in Muskingum county, a profession which he has followed to a greater or less extent throughout his entire business career.  He has also been engaged in merchandising in Hopewell and he displays a persistency of purpose and untiring energy that enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
     In 1876 Mr. Rutledge was united in marriage to Miss Bessie J. Hood, a daughter of Dr. George H. Hood, who for thirty years practiced medicine in this county, being one of the earliest physicians of this part of the state and an honored and valued member of the profession.  Mrs. Rutledge passed away on the 29th of May, 1886, leaving two daughters: Jennie M., born Dec. 25, 1878; and Georgiana, born Feb. 24, 1882.  On the 25th of January, 1889, Mr. Rutledge was again married, his second union being with Miss Dosie Morgan, whose birth occurred June 2, 1868, her parents being Thomas W. and Virginia (Anderson) Morgan.  Her father belonged to one of the old pioneer families of this portion of the state and the Morgans have long been active and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.  Her grandfather was one of the earliest settlers in this locality and assisted in the pioneer development, contributing in substantial measure to the early progress which has resulted in the later day advancement.  Thomas W. Morgan, father of Mrs. Rutledge, is a representative agriculturist of the county, living two miles south of Mount Sterling, and his fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and ability have frequently called him to local office.  By the second marriage of our subject there is one child, Marie, born Nov. 4, 1896.  Mr. Rutledge is a member of Amity lodge, No. 5, A. F. & A. M., of Zanesville, and in politics is a stanch republican.  In January, 1890, he was appointed postmaster of Hopewell, which position he filled until February, 1895.  In April, 1891, he was chosen by popular suffrage to the office of justice of the peace and from Governor Campbell received the appointment of notary public.  He was a school examiner of Muskingum county from 1884 until 1887 and has long been a helpful factor in public progress, especially along educational lines.  His interest in the county is deep and sincere and while he is a firm champion of republican principles he is strongly opposed to misrule in municipal or local government and stands for all that is right and honorable in business, social and public relations.  Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and their position in the public regard is an enviable one.
 Source:  Past and Present of the City of Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 535

SAMUEL M. RUTLEDGE, a prominent and well-to-do farmer of Wayne township, living near Duncan Falls, was horn in Meigsville township, Morgan county, Ohio, Oct. 7, 1847.  His paternal grandfather, John Rutledge, was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and was descended from an old English family. He came to Ohio in 1817, driving across the country to Morgan county, where he entered land from the government.  The tract was entirely wild and unimproved, but with a persistency of purpose and unfaltering energy he began to clear and cultivate the land and in course of time developed an excellent farm, rearing his family thereon and securing through his cultivation of the fields the means that enabled him to provide a living for his wife and children.
     Jacob Rutledge, father of Samuel M. Rutledge, was born in Brooks county, Virginia, in 1814, and was only three years old therefore when taken by his parents to Morgan county.  He was reared upon the home farm and attended the subscription schools.  The methods of instruction and the course of learning were both quite imperfect as compared with the educational advantages offered at the present time, yet he gained a fair knowledge of the common branches of English learning.  He afterward entered upon farm work on his own account, but remained at home up to the time of his marriage, when Miss Catherine Spencer became his wife.  Following her death he married Miss Nancy McCune, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio, June 27, 1812.  She still survives and is yet living on the old homestead with her son Samuel.  Though now ninety-three years of age she is mentally bright and active and is a most intelligent old lady for one of her years.  Her father, Samuel McCune, was a native of Ireland and after crossing the Atlantic to the new world settled in Ohio, in 1799, as one of the pioneer residents of the territory, for at that time Ohio had not yet been admitted to the Union.  He married a Miss Briggs and they took up their abode in Morgan county.  All around them was an unbroken wilderness and one could travel miles without seeing evidences of civilization.  So sparsely settled was the country that it was necessary for them to carry their corn to Marietta to he ground.  After his marriage Jacob Rutledge remained in Morgan county until 1860, in which year he took up his abode in Blue Rock township, Muskingum county, where he owned and operated two hundred and forty acres of land, residing thereon until 1873.  In that rear he went to Zanesville and in 1875 he purchased the farm upon which Samuel M. Rutledge now resides.  It continued to be his place of residence for eighteen years or up to his time of death, which occurred June 26, 1893. He had two children - James, now deceased, and Samuel M. - and he reared them up to habits of industry, economy and integrity.  In his farming operations he was quite successful, carrying on his work systematically and with a definite plan of action.  He voted with the democracy, affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and held membership with the Methodist Episcopal church.  His wife is a member of the same church.
     Samuel M. Rutledge, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, pursued his education in the public schools of Morgan and Muskingum counties and for one year was a student in Athens College.  He worked in the fields for his father when not engaged with his text-books and gained a creditable and comprehensive knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil.  On the 12th of November, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Talley, a native of Blue Rock township and a daughter of William Talley, who was born in the state of Delaware in 1808.  When twenty-eight years of age he married Miss Mary Elliott and became an early settler of Ohio.  Mr. Rutledge has two children: William C., a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University; who also spent one year as a student in Columbia Medical College of New York city; and George, the second son, was educated in the Zanesville high school and has completed his first year in the Ohio Wesleyan University.
     The family home is upon a farm of three hundred and fifty acres of fine land in Wayne township and Mr. Rutledge devotes his attention to general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising.  Much of the farm is under cultivation and annually yields to him golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon the fields.  His residence is a beautiful brick structure, standing on a knoll and thus commanding a splendid view of the farm and surrounding country.  He keeps everything about his place in excellent condition and the attractive home and lawn make a pleasing picture for the traveler who passes by.
     Mr. Rutledge is a democrat in his political views and for nine years he served as justice of the peace, discharging his duties without fear or favor.  He served as county commissioner from 1891 until 1894, was also land appraiser and is a candidate for county treasurer on the democratic ticket.  He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Methodist Episcopal church and is a highly respected citizen of the township in which his entire life has been passed.  He is esteemed wherever known and most of all where best known.
 Source:  Past and Present of the City of Zanesville, and Muskingum Co., Ohio - Published Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1905 - Page 665