HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH "R"
RAINEY, S. W., Mayor of Lancaster. He was born in this city in 1842. He was married in 1866 to Miss Mary A. Koontz, who was born in Winchester, Franklin county, in 1842. They are the parents of five living children, viz.: Ida May, Harry E., William C.; and George H. and Barbara E., twins. Two, John C. and Gertrude, twins, are dead. Mr. Rainey received a good education in the Lancaster public schools. He enlisted in Company G, Seventeenth Regiment O. V. I., and participated in the following engagements: Hoover's Gap, Stone River, Kingston, Siege at Atlanta, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and was in Sherman's March to the Sea. Mr. Rainey remained in the service till 1865, when he was honorably discharged, and returned at once to his home. He was elected a member of the city council in 1877, serving 345
till 1881. In 1879, he filled the office of land appraiser. In 1881, he was elected to the office he now fills. RAUCH, JOHN, farmer. Liberty township; the eldest son of Philip and Susannah (Alspaugh) Rauch. He was born in Liberty township, March 16, 1825. His wither was born in Berkshire county, Pennsylva- nia, about 1785. Philip came with his father, George Rauch, to Ohio in 1806 or '07. They, remained in the vicinity of Lancaster a few months, and came to Liberty township the following spring, settling on the place now owned by John Rauch. George Ranch was one of the pioneers of the township. He had served in the Revolutionary war. His death took place in 1829. His youngest son, Philip, raised a family of ten children, of whom four sons and three daughters are still living. He was a prominent member of the Lutheran church. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His death took place in 1841. John Rauch improved his educational advantages, and engaged in farming the home place. He now owns three hundred and fifty acres of finely improved land. In 1870 he built a handsome family residence. He served as township treasurer two terms, and as township trustee seven or eight years. In 1850 he was married to Naoma Wisley. They are the parents of ten children, of whom seven are living: Louisa, the wife of Adam Rutherford of Greenfield township; Andrew, a resident of Liberty township; the remaining five are at home. RARICK, JOHN C., farmer,Walnut township. He was born in Thorn township, Perry county, Ohio, March 1, 1836; only living son of Peter and Lydia (Winer) Rarick. Peter Rarick was born in Pennsylvania, July 11th, 1803. He came to Ohio with his parents the same year. His father cleared a farm in Thorn township and spent his days there. His son. Peter. Jr., lived on the same place many years. He raised a family of three sons and two daughters, all residents of Perry county with but one exception, J. C., who resides in this county. He was a successful farmer and stock raiser. He died August 19th, 1880. J. C. Rarick was educated in the common schools and chose farming for an occupation. He was married December 1, 1859, to Melissa, daughter of John Cupp, an early resident of Thorn township. She was born in Thorn township, Perry county. May 12th, 1842. Mr. Rarick remained a resident of Thorn township some three years. In 1862 he removed to Walnut township, locating on the site of his present home---a part of his father's estate, which he purchased from the heirs. He owns one hundred acres. In 1870 the present residence was built, and in 1874 a fine barn was erected. They are the parents of four children---Ida Jane, born December 10th, 1860, now the wife of Lewis Radebaugh, a resident of Walnut township; Lydia Emma, born July 19th, 1865; Clarence and Clara were born January 19th, 1867. The family are members of the Evangelical Association, and he of the I. O. O. F. REED, MRS. REBECCA, Lancaster. She was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, January 30th, 1812. Her parents, Henry and Mary (Bowman) Arnold, were early and prominent residents of Lancaster, arriving there in 1810. Henry Arnold visited Lancaster some years previous, when he had purchased some real estate. He conducted a mercantile business on the southwest corner of Main and Columbus streets, 346
which is still known as the "Arnold Corner." He was an enterprising merchant and successful business man. He died September 18th, 1858. His family consisted of eight children---three are living, viz: Elizabeth, the widow of Dr. McNeal; Rebecca; and Mrs. Isabella Reinmund. Rebecca was married June 24th, 1833, to Thomas Reed, a native of Harrisburg, Penn., born in 1800, and a merchant by occupation. He came to Ohio in the early settlement of the State, first locating at Chillicothe, afterwards removing to Lancaster, where, at the time of his marriage, he was a member of the firm of Reed & Reese, an extensive mercantile house. To Mr. and Mrs. Reed were born four children, viz.: Margaret, the wife of George W. Athey (she died in 1859, in her twenty-fourth year); Henry B.,a book-keeper by profession (died February 2d, 1862); and the third died in infancy. The only survivor, Eloise S., resides with her mother, and is an accomplished and efficient teacher in one of the grammar schools of this city. Mr. Reed was a member of the Masonic order, and at the time of his death, September 29th, 1860, he was engaged in the mercantile trade. REESE, HON. ROBERT E., lawyer, Lancaster. He was born in Rush Creek township, June 14, 1847; the youngest son of Thomas and Eliza (Trimble) Reese. Thomas Reese was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and came to Rush Creek township about 1828. He was a prominent man in his day, filling the position of Commissioner of Fairfield county for two or three terms. Robert E., after receiving an education in the common schools, followed farming for a time, when he entered the Fairfield Union Academy at Pleasantville, graduating from there in 1868. Soon after he became a law student of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, reading law for some time in the office of General Newton Schleick, at Lancaster. He was ad- mitted to the bar at Washington C. H., Fayette county, Ohio, in May, 1871, commencing the practice of his profession in Logan, Ohio. In the fall of 1873 he was elected to the Ohio State Senate, and re-elected in 1875. At the expiration of his second term as Senator, he removed to Lancaster. Mr. Reese was married in 1876 to Miss Helen R. Gill. They are the parents of two daughters, Maud and Hazel. REEVES, JOHN G., attorney-at-law, Lancaster, Ohio; was born Sep- tember 17, 1840, near this place; son of Josiah and Martha (Graybill) Reeves. Mr. Reeves was brought up on a farm by his grandfather, Judge John Graybill, his father having died while John G. was quite young. He lived with his grandfather until 1861, attending school at home in the district school, at Lancaster, and the Ohio University at Athens, Ohio, until 1860, when he commenced reading law with Martin & Schleich, of Lancaster, continuing until 1861, when he enlisted in the army for three years, or during the war, in the Seventh O. V. C., First Battalion, which was consolidated with and became the First Battalion of the Sixth O. V. C., and in 1862 were detached and became the First Independent Battalion O. V. C., and in 1863 was formed into the Eleventh O. V. C. Mr. Reeves enlisted as a private, and was appointed Orderly Sergeant of Company C, December 21, 1861, in which capacity he served about eleven months. September 21, 1862, he was appointed as Second Lieutenant of the same company, and June 9, 1863, was promoted to First Lieutenant, and upon the 347
organization of the Eleventh O. V.C. was appointed its Adjutant, and soon after was appointed Adjutant of Post of Fort Laramie, and soon after that he received the appointment of Provost Marshal Of the District of Fort Laramie. In the spring of 1864 he was appointed Assistant Inspector of the Western Division of the District of Nebraska, upon the staff of General Robert Mitchell, who was in command of the District of Nebraska. Mr. Reeves' jurisdiction extended from Julesburg, Nebraska, to South Pass City, Wyoming Territory. He was also chosen as Captain of Company L, Eleventh Regiment, but was not mustered in on account of the close of the war, but served out his time as Inspector. Was honorably discharged in April of 1865, when he returned home. His regiment was engaged in guarding the overland mail and emigrant route from Julesburg, Nebraska, to South Pass, Wyoming Territory, and on the South Platte route from Julesburg to Fort Hallack, and was engaged in several skirmishes with the Indians, the most prominent being that at Mud Springs, which lasted five days. After his return home, and in May of 1865, he was admitted by the Supreme Court of Ohio to the practice of law, and immediately began a practice in this place, which he still continues. In 1880 at Cincinnati he was admitted to the practice of law in the United States Courts. In 1867 he was elected City Solicitor of this place, which he held two successive terms of two years each. In 1871 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Fairfield county, Ohio, which office he held three successive terms of two years each. He is now Grand Commander of Ohio of American Legion of Honor, and has filled the office of Grand Vice Regent of Royal Arcanum. Mr. Reeves was married January 29, 1866, to Lizzie R., daughter of Samuel Hooker, Sr., and Sarah (Shull) Hooker, of Hooker's Station, near this place. They are the parents of one child, viz.: Harry E. REINMUND, MRS. ISABELLA C., Lancaster. She was born in Lancaster, January 5, 1827, youngest daughter of Henry and Mary (Bowman) Arnold. She was educated in Lancaster, and at the Episcopal Seminary at Granville, Ohio. She was married to Benjamin F. Reinmund, who was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 29, 1820. Early in life he commenced mercantile pursuits in his father's (Joseph Reinmund's) store, in Lancaster. Joseph Reinmund was an early and successful merchant in Lancaster. Benjamin F. was also engaged with his father in the banking business, in connection with John D. Martin. Mr. Reinmund afterward conducted an insurance and real estate business, which he continued until his death. He was a member of the English Lutheran Church, and super- intended its Sunday school thirty years. At the time of his death he was President of the Lancaster Gas Company. To Mr. and Mrs. Rein- mund were born two sons and two daughters---Henry J., now a resident of Lancaster; Alida L., the wife of Thomas L. Dawson, of Lancaster; Mary E., wife of Samuel H. Tong, of Lancaster; and Bowman F., a member of the firm of Beery, Beck, Obaugh & Company. REINMUND, ,H. J., Lancaster. He was born in Lancaster, February 22, 1843. In 1861 he was appointed Quartermaster Sergeant in the Sixty-first Regiment, O. V. I., serving through the war. In 1864 he was appointed freight and ticket agent at Lancaster, Ohio, on the C. & 348
M. V. R. R. In 1865 he engaged in the fire insurance business, and in 1866 took charge of all agencies for the AEtna Fire Insurance Company, of Hartford, Connecticut, in Southern Ohio. In 1867 he removed to Cincinnati, and was employed in the branch office of the AEtna Fire Insurance Company, as Superintendent of the Bureau of the Interior, under J. B. Bennett, manager. During his stay in Cincinnati he was married, February 8, 1870, to Emma Rammelsberg, daughter of Frederick Rammelsberg, of the large furniture company of Mitchell & Rammelsberg, of Cincinnati. In 1874 he was obliged to resign his position with the insurance company, owing to the sickness and death of his father; B. F. Reinmund. He returned to Lancaster and succeeded his father as President of the Lancaster Gaslight and Coke Company. He was President of the Fairfield County Bank three years. He is married, and the father of two sons and two daughters. REINHOLD, REV. C. M., minister, Liberty township. He was born in Germany. March 19, 1828; eldest son of C. H. and Christian Reinhold. In 1833 his widowed mother and himself came to America, locating in Preble county, where C. M. attended the public schools, and assisted his mother on the farm. He taught school and fitted himself for the ministry, studying for seven years. He entered the Evangelical Association in the Ohio Conference. He began his labors in the ministry in Wyandotte county, where he preached twelve years. He has served as Presiding Elder of the Ohio Conference for twelve years. He is a member of the German Conference. He has supplied many of the churches in Central Ohio, preaching in German as well as English. He came to Basil as pastor of the Evangelical Association, where he has a large and flourishing congregation. He also preaches at Zion Church, Liberty township. He is held in high esteem by his congregation. He has been twice married. In 1855 to Miss Esther Wagner. They were the parents of three children, one daughter still living, now the wife of J. W. Merk, of Sycamore, Ohio. Mrs. Reinbold died in 1860. He was again married in 1868 to Miss Catharine Peters. They are the parents of one son, Franklin, now in his thirteenth year. RHODES, DR. JOHN H., physician, Lancaster. He was born in Frederick county, Maryland, October 3, 1823; the eldest son of Samuel and John Rhodes. Samuel Rhodes, a native of Maryland, was born March 3, 1792. He is a carpenter by trade. He first settled in this county in 1816, making the journey from Maryland on horseback. Removing to Lancaster in 1832, he engaged in the carpenter trade, in which he still continues, although in his ninety-first year. He has resided in the same place, on Columbus street. Lancaster, forty-nine years. He was a soldier of the War of 1812. He has been a member of the German Lutheran church fifty-six years. His only son, Dr. John H., during his youth, worked at the carpenter trade, after he had completed his education in the common schools. When nineteen years of age, he entered the office of Dr. Waite, with whom he read medicine about three years. In 1845, he commenced the practice of medicine. He afterward resumed the carpenter trade; also learned the trade of machin- ist; for many years he engaging in this. A portion of the time he was foreman of the Amey Machine Works of Lancaster. About 1870, he 349
again took up the practice of medicine, which he still continues, having adopted the exanthematic method of cure, in which he is quite success- ful. In 1846, the doctor was married to Catharine, daughter of Joseph Graybill, a pioneer of Fairfield county. They are the parents of two daughters: Mary Elizabeth, and Susan Catharine. RICKETTS, WILLIAM M., sewing machine agent, Violet township; postoffice, Pickerington; born April 1, 1843. Married to Frances A. Curtis, January 8, 1868. Has a family of six children: Effie M., born Octo- ber 5, 1868, and died March 27, 1872; Joseph C., born November 7, 1870, and died five weeks after birth; Edward M., born December 27, 1871; Charles C., born August 29, 1874; Mamie E., born March 6, 1877; William M., born March 9, 1880. Mr. Ricketts is a member of the Knights of Honor, and was for two years a guard at the Ohio Penitentiary. RICKETTS, ALVIN, teacher, Violet township; post office, Pickering- ton; born January 20, 1839; son of Chaney and Phoebe Ann Ricketts. He has taught since 1861; educated at Pleasantville, by Joseph Feman, and at Lancaster, by John Williams. His parents were married April 19, 1838. RICKETTS, WILLIAM S., farmer, Liberty township. He is the son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Ricketts, and was born in Violet township, July 20, 1817. Jeremiah Ricketts came from Pennsylvania with his father at an early date in the history of Fairfield county. The family brought their possessions on horseback, there being only Indian trails to follow. Reason Ricketts and his son, Jeremiah, began the work incident to the life of the pioneer; but by industry, energy, and the closest economy, they managed to live, and began to see field after field cleared, each year adding a few more acres, until the forest gave away to cultivated fields. Reason Ricketts died in 1830; Jeremiah remained in Violet township, and cleared a farm now owned and occupied by his son, Reason, Jr. He reared a family of five sons, all of whom are living. He lived to enjoy the results of his industry and toil of his early manhood, and owned at his death two hundred and forty acres of land. He had held the office of township trustee and treasurer. Mr. Ricketts died in 1867. William S. received a fair education, followed the business of farming, and remained at home until his marriage to Miss Eliza A. Herman, December 17, 1846. They are the parents of six children; James H., a resident of Mercer county, Ohio; Emma, the wife of Dallas Jellrees, also of Mercer county; Olive L., the wife of John R. Klink, a resident of Licking county; Allen B., is at home; Ida M., the wife of William P. Klink, also of Licking county; Mabel E., at home. Mr. Ricketts removed from Violet to Liberty township in 1863. He owns one hundred and ten acres in Violet township, and one hundred ninety- four acres in Liberty township. He is a prosperous farmer and an esteemed citizen. RIFFLE. G. J., marble cutter, Lancaster, Ohio. Was born April 1, 1854, in this city; son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Fink) Riffle. He was raised in his native town, and attended school here and in Greenfield township. At the age of eighteen years he became an apprentice to the marble cutters' trade, with S. A. Pool & Co., of Lancaster, Ohio. After learning his trade, he went to Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, and 350
engaged at his trade, opening a shop for himself. At this place he only remained one year, when he returned to his native place, and bought out Pool & Co., opening in business, which he continued until the fall of 1881, when he sold to Pool, one of the former owners of the works, and is now engaged in managing the works for Pool, and is a designer of monuments, making most all the designs used in that shop. Mr. Riffle was married November 15, 1881, to Miss Nettie, daughter of William H. and Jane (Coons) Shutt. Mr. Riffle's father was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in an early day with his father, who settled near Somerset, Perry county, Ohio. After becoming a man, he returned to the East, learned the cabinet trade and then came to Lancaster, where he opened in that business, and remained until about the time of the late civil war, when he bought a farm near this place, and has since given his attention to fruit culture. RIGBY, WILLIAM, deceased, Lancaster. He was born in Calvert county, Maryland, in 1752. He enlisted in the Revolutionary War, at the commencement, and served until its close, participating in Brandy- wine and other important engagements. Mr. Rigby ranked as captain in the commissary department. He also served with General Sullivan in his expedition against the Indians. He always regretted the suffering entailed on the Indians by that expedition. Their homes were destroyed, and they were obliged to fly for their lives, without food or shelter; many lives were lost and much suffering endured. At the close of the war he removed his wife and seven children from Maryland to Berkley county, Virginia, where they resided until 1804, when they came to Ohio. He settled in Pleasant township, where he resided until his death. He was married twice, and raised a family of ten children, who are residing in various States. RIPPEY, WILLIAM, deceased, Lancaster; was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, Feb. 29 1854. While a young man he removed to Pittsburgh, where he engaged in business; soon after moving to Zanesville, Ohio, about 1840, at about the time the canal was being con- structed. He located at Logan, Hocking county, where he conducted a successful dry goods business a number of years. While residing there he was interested in the steam flouring mills. He was also an extensive shipper and buyer of grain. He became a resident of Lancaster in 1865. Mr. Rippey was married three times; one daughter was born to the first marriage, Emma C., wife of J. L. Collins, of Logan, Ohio. After the death of Mrs. Rippey, he was married again to Mary C. Bliss, who, after a married life of several years, died leaving several children-two now living. Colonel Charles H. Rippey, of the Bar of Columbus, and Ruth, the wife of C. M. Gould, of Logan, Ohio. October 14, 1849, Mr. Rippey was married the third time, to Miss Matilda Curtis, who was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in 1828. They are the parents of six children, Carrie S., the wife of George Hooker, a resident of this county; Willemetta, now the wife of William E. Greir, of this county; Matilda C., now Mrs. Samuel Beck, of Lancaster; Ida and Kittie, still under the parental roof; Florence M., died in 1878, in the eleventh year of her age. Mr. Rippey was a successful business man. He was respected and loved by all who knew him. He was a 351
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; also, the I. O. O. F., for many years. He died August 16, 1882. ROLLS, ELI, grain and coal merchant, post office, Pleasantville;was born in this county in 1827; engaged in business for himself about the year 1869; was engaged in the dry goods trade previous to going into present business. He is a son of William and Matilda (Stuart) Rolls. He was married in 1872, to Miss Anna M. Kraner, daughter of Emanuel and Ellenor M. Kraner. They have one child, Etta E. ROOT, EPHRAIM, carpenter, North Berne, Ohio; was born in 1827 Fairfield county, Ohio; son of John and Magdalene (Richers) Root. His paternal ancestors are of the old English stock, and his maternal, German. His mother was born in Virginia, and came to this county about seventy-six years ago. Mr. Root, the subject of this sketch, was married in 1851, to Amanda, daughter of Philip and Sarah (Smith) Siefert who was born in 1831 in York county, Pennsylvania. At the age of five years he came with his parents to near Somerset, Perry County, Ohio, where they remained two years, then moved to Rush Creek township, Fairfield county, Ohio, remaining there until about six years ago, and then came to this township where they have resided ever since. They are the parents of six children, all of whom are living viz.: Lovina, Sarah, Clara, George, Emma and Mary. The two last are twins. Three of their children are married, viz.: Lovina, Sarah and Clara, two of whom live in this county, and the other in Roseville, Perry county. Mr. Root learned the carpenter trade at the age of twenty-one, and has followed it until the present time. ROBETS, LUZERE, druggist, Stoutsville; born July 19, 1840, in Delaware county; removed to Illinois in 1857; served four years in the Twentieth O. V. I.; removed to Kansas in 1858; was married March 21, 1870, to Miss Lucinda Francis. He returned to Ohio in 1874, and settled in Delaware county, thence to Tarlton, Pickaway county, in 1876, and to Stoutsville in February, 1879. He is the father of four children, viz.: May, born May 30, 1874; Cynthia, born May 16, 1876; Nellie, born June 16, 1877; John M., born August 3. 1881. The subject of this sketch is a druggist in the village of Stoutsville, where he is engaged as a dealer in drugs and medicines; also, a choice selection of toilet soaps, perfumery, trusses, shoulder braces, sponges, etc., and all kinds of druggists' sundries usually kept in a first-class drug store. ROSHON, SAMUEL, farmer, Liberty township, post office, Baltimore; born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania; son of Jacob and Mary (Barefoot) Roshon; was married to Elizabeth Hensel, April 10, 1841, whom he has eight children: Martin J., born January 18, 1842; Israel, born November 12, 1843, who died in 1867: Frany, born Sep- tember 12, 1845; Samuel, born May 13, 1848, who died April 3, 1857; Mary A., born May 26, 1850; Saloma C., born April 9, 1852; Peter E., born September 12, 1854; Sarah E., born November 5, 1857, who died January 8, 1882. Mrs. Roshon died March 17, 1863. He was married to Julia A. (Alspach) Smurr, April 6, 1865, by whom he had eight children: Elizabeth F., born July 12, 1866, and who died January 26, 1882; Justus T., born February 11, 1868; Perry F., born September 13, 1869; Dora V., born September 8, 1871; Archie A., born 352
February 19, 1874; Lydia M., born March 20, 1876; Carrie G., born April 10, 1878; Harvey 0., born March 18, 1881 RUDOLPH, CHRISTIAN, retired; was born in Berks county, Pennsyl- vania, November 2; 1800. His educational advantages were limited, being thrown upon his own resources at an early age. In his twelfth year he began work in a tannery. He came with his parents to Fairfield county, the family locating two miles east of Lancaster. Soon after, Christian entered the employ of a U.S. Mail Contractor, whose route extended from Pittsburgh to Maysville, Kentucky. Mr. Rudolph continued in this for six years, his route being from Lancaster to Wheeling, West Virginia, making the journey on horseback. For his services he received fifteen dollars per month. After this he engaged quite extensively in staging and running private conveyances, also, conducting a livery stable. He was one of the first to run a private coach from Lancaster to Cincinnati, and carrying the mail and passengers from the depot since the construction of the railroad, until 1865. He has resided at the family home since 1835, and is a substantial citizen and a vigorous and genial gentleman. He married Miss Corlinda See. They are the parents of two sons: George, now a resident of Kansas, and John, a former business man of Lancaster, who died in 1867. In 1839, Mr. Rudolph was married to Mrs. Rachel Busby, daughter of Philip Fetters. Mrs. Rudolph was born in Fairfield county. May 16, 1809. To this last union four daughters have been born, three of whom are living -Ica Marian, living with her parents; Rachel, the wife of Jacob W. Demuth, of Lancaster, and Margaret Ellen, wife of Charles J. Stuart, of Fairfield county. RUTTER, W. &. M. D., of Clearport, was born in Pleasant township, November 22, 1822; read medicine under Doctor Kinsman, then of Lancaster, now of Columbus, and took the degree of M. D. from the Columbus Medical College, in the spring of 1873. After graduation Doctor Rutter went West, where he practiced his profession one year, in Seneca, LaSalle county, and was a while just west of Chicago, but in 1876 removed to Clearport, where he has since enjoyed a large practice in the pursuit of his profession. His grandfather, Baltzer Rutter, came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Fairfield county in an early day. His son, U. C. Rutter, father of Doctor Rutter, was born and raised in Pleasant township, taught school eighteen years in Lancaster, and in his own township; was county examiner of schools many years; was a member of the State Legisla- ture in 1862 and re-elected in 1864, and is the author of the "Key to Interest," a book published by Applegate & Company, of Cincinnati, which has a large sale. His first wife was Miss Maggie Bowes, now dead. She was of LaSalle county, Illinois, and died there. His second wife was Miss Emma F. Rockey, daughter of Jacob Rockey, of Amanda. He is the father of one child, Arthur Rutter. 353
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