USA > Iowa > Marion County > The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C. > Part 73
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
of A. W. Collins, Esq., who was born in Ohio. Their family consists of three children: Freddie A., William C. and Emerson G.
REHKOPF BROS. & Co .- Carriage and wagon manufacturers. Among the more recent established business enterprises of Knoxville is the manu- factory of the firm whose name heads this sketch, and they are deserving of special notice. The firm is well known through central Iowa for the qual- ity of their manufactures. They are thoroughly practical men and give st- tention to the most minute details and are thorough and practical work- men, and masters of their trade. They guarantee work as represented, making it an object for the residents of Marion county to purchase at home rather than buying inferior work of parties who have nothing to lose. I. H. Rehkopf, who has the supervision of the work here, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, February 28, 1851, and came to Iowa with his par- ents while quite young and settled in Sigourney, Keokuk county. He learned the trade of blacksmith in Washington, this State, and then went to Chicago. He returned to Sigourney and formed a partnership with his brother, under the name of Rehkopf Bros., and still has an interest at this place. This work is all done under one roof, and everything completed under their own supervision. He married Miss Edith Neas on the first of October, 1878. She was born in Ohio.
REYNOLDS, JAMES-Farmer and stock-raiser, Secs. 30 and 31, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1811. Is the son of James and Jane Reynolds. They were natives of Ireland and came to America when quite young. James passed his youthful days in his native county, receiving the benefits of its educational facilities. His mother died when he was in his seventeenth year. In 1828 the family em- igrated to Ripley, Brown county, Ohio, where he attended college for three years. In 1831 be shipped as clerk on a packet, plying between Cincin- nati and Louisville. In 1833 he embarked in a general merchandise busi- ness in Ripley, which he followed until 1849, when he became the senior member of the banking firm of J. Reynolds & Co., which house was well known in commercial circles until 1876. He was also one of the incorpo- rators of a branch of the Ohio State Bank. He was heavily interested in real estate in Ripley. The crash of 1873 which caused the memorable de preciation of real estate proved very disastrous to Mr. R., and in 1877 he emigrated to Marion county, where he has since been engaged in farming. During his business career in Ripley, he was one of the incorporators and principal stockholder in the gas works, and figured conspicuously in va- rious other public enterprises. In 1859 he discovered a process of pre- venting fermentation in grape wine, for church use and culinary purposes. He sold the right of the United States, reserving Iowa. It has proved very beneficial to mankind and Mr. R. has been compensated handsomely for his discovery. In March, 1838, he married Miss E. Pigman, daughter of Joshua and Nackey (nee Penn). The latter is a lineal descendant of William Penn. Mrs. R. is a native of Ohio. They have had eight chil- dren: James was a soldier in the Seventh Ohio and died in Knoxville, Marion county. He was a Royal Arch Mason and Odd Fellow, and & member of the Knights of Pythias and was buried with honors by these or- ders), Sarah Belle (wife of H. J. Stoubenrongh), Ella (Mrs. McConehay), Fannie (Mrs. Piceral), William P. (formerly publisher of the Ohio Valley Times, Ripley), Cora, Hanson, Eva. Mrs. R. is a lady of refined culture and devotes a portion of her time, aside from household affairs, to the flo-
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ral department, of which she makes a specialty, and has a tasteful and choice collection. Mr. Reynold's estate consists of 132g acres, on which is situated a residence that is a model of neatness on the exterior and its in- terior is furnished elaborately, one of its greatest home attractions being one the finest libraries in the county.
RICHARDSON, NATHANIEL H .- Was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, April 12, 1827. He was there raised until he attained his eighth year, when he removed with his parents to Peoria, Illinois, where, after a residence of four years, the family came to Jefferson county, Iowa. Resided for a time in Lee and Van Buren counties and came to Marion in 1849. In 1848 married Miss Mary Todd. They have three children: George, Ella, Belle (Mrs. Turner). His father, Nathaniel, died April 11, 1873; his mother, Nancy, January 31, 1870. The subject of this sketch enlisted in 1862 in company A, Thirty-third Iowa volunteers, and was captured at the battle of Mark's Mill, and for ten months was in the rebel prison at Camp Ford, Texas. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Mr. R. is now an invalid from a disease contracted while in the service.
RIDLEN, CALVIN C .- Farmer, Sec. 17, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Shelby county, Indiana, November 13, 1839. In the spring of 1845, in company with his parents, emigrated to Iowa locating in the vicinity of the present site of the village of Tracy. In the year 1848 his father moved to Knoxville, where the family lived till 1855 when they moved on the farm now occupied by Calvin's father, Capt. Ridlen, three miles southeast of Knoxville. C. C. in the fall of 1872 moved to Nebraska, where he resided for three years, and then returned to this county, locating on the farm he now occupies. Has a good farm well-improved, and what is more he has secured by an upright and honest course in life the esteem and respect of the community in which he resides. He enlisted September 16, 1861, in company K, Sixteenth Indiana volunteer infantry; served nine months; was mustered out May 13, 1862. Re-enlisted July 25, 1862, in company F, Fortieth Iowa volunteer infantry, was inustered ont May 1, 1865. Was married November 15, 1866, to Nancy Thomson, in Putnam county, Indiana, June 26, 1843. Have seven children: Sarah E., Garrison W., William Thomas, Charles H., James F .. Clarence L. and Clara B.
RIDLEN, CAPT. E. W .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 21, P. O. Knox- ville. Was born in Clermont, Ohio, July 3, 1813. His father, Timothy Ridlen, was an agriculturist. When the subject of this sketch was quite young removed with his family to Indiana, where E. W. made his home until 1852. His grandfather, Abraham Ridlen, was one of the early set- tlers of Maine, and a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and his father and four uncles were soldiers in the War of 1812. The family traces its ancestry to Scotch lineage. E. W.'s educational facilities were very limited, receiv- ing simply the benefits of the common schools. In 1849 he came to Ma- rion county. As a soldier, Capt. Ridlen is among the foremost; enlisted in June, 1846, in the Third Indiana volunteers, and was on active duty in the Mexican War until July, 1847, when he was honorably discharged. His three brothers, Samnel, Joseph and John, were also soldiers in the Mexican War. In August, 1862, Capt. Ridlen organized company F, in Marion county, of the Forteith Iowa volunteer infantry. His company was at the Siege of Vicksburg, Little Rock and other engagements. He was honorably mustered ont in August, 1865. He has been married three times; his first wife was Miss S. Crosby, of Indiana, they were married in 1834. By this
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union he has four children: Rebecca Jane, Calvin C., Timothy and Sarah Ellen. Mrs. Ridlen died in 1873. In 1874 he was married to'S. Mathews; che bore him one son, John W .; she died December 31, 1875. In 1878 Mn. Nancy J. Gallaway, of Page county, Iowa, became his wife. The result of this union is one son, Erastus Walter. His real estate consists of 339 acres' He is closely identified with the Methodist Church, and is among its liberal patrons and supporters.
RINEHART, C .- City marshal-Was born in Berks county, Pennsyl- vania, April 2, 1849, and is the son of Gideon and Eliza. They were both natives of that State. When our subject was in his third year, the family removed to Wayne county, Ohio, where they resided one year, thence re- moved to Medina county. In 1853 they removed to Summit county where he was virtually raised to manhood, receiving the benefits of the common schools. In 1868 Miss Clara Metz, daughter of Jacob and Anna Metz, of Pennsylvania, became his wife. By this union they have three children: Alice, Pierce Edgar and Nellie. In 1866 the State of Iowa attracted his attention and that year he came to Marion county, locating at Marysville, where he engaged in milling. In 1872 he removed to Fairfield, where he engaged in similar pursuits until 1875, when he returned to the county, lo- cating in Knoxville, and for a time followed his profession of milling. In 1879 he was elected to the city marshalship, the duties of which office he has been fulfilling creditably to himself and to the satisfaction of his constit- nents. He traces his lineage to German and Scotch ancestry. Is a member of the A. O. U. W.
RIZOR, A .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 23, P. O. Knoxville. The subject of this sketch was born in Harrison county, Ohio, March 4, 1817, where he resided until he attained the age of nine years, when he removed with his father, A. Rizor, to Holmes county, where he resided until 1859. Came to Iowa, locating in Warren county, where he resided until the fol- lowing spring, and removed to Marion county, where he has since resided. He was married in March, 1842, to Miss Margaret Ann Jordan, of Ohio. By this union they have had seven children, four of whom are living: Mary Elizabeth (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), Sarah Jane (deceased), Raphael, Mary, Josiah, David Chester. Mr. Rizor's farm consists of 137 acres, seventeen of which are timber. He has a fine orchard; his home is pleasantly situated and indicates comfort and prosperity. Has taken an active part in the advancement of the educational interests of his district. Himself and family are closely identified with the Lutheran Church of Knoxville, and are among its liberal patrons and supporters.
ROBERTS, VIRGIL-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 36, P. O. Attica. Was born in Orange county, Indiana, March 1, 1828, and is the son of Jesse and Nancy Roberts, and traces his ancestry to Scotch and German lineage. When only five months of age was deprived of the care of his father by death. His mother married a second husband, by whom he was raised until he attained his majority. His early life was that of a farmer boy. In 1848 came to Marion county and settled where he now resides. His landed estate at this time comprises 587 acres, and he is one of the large stock-raisers and most prosperous farmers of the county. He has been twice married. First, to Miss Jane Carlisle, April 26, 1851. She was born in Indiana; she died February 17, 1872, leaving three children: Jesse, Nancy (now Mrs. Maddy), and Virgil, Jr. His second marriage occurred August 3, 1872, to Miss Minerva Finarty, daughter of Joseph
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and Elizabeth Finarty, a pioneer of this county. Their family, by this mar- riage, consists of four children: Anna E., Mary A., Samuel A. and James Albert. . His convictions of religion are strong, and he has always man- ifested a lively interest in its administration. An episode transpired at the time of his wife's death which is indelibly impressed upon his memory. While offering up prayers for her recovery, he says: "I saw in a vision two angels, one at the head and the other at the foot of the bed, and the fol- lowing conversation took place between them: 'Why not,' said one, 'release the spirit.' The answer was, 'I cannot while he is pleading to the Lord.'" At that moment Mr. Roberts turned his head and saw Christ seated by her, and he exclaimed, "Lord, I resign all to thy care," and in about one hour the spirit of Mrs. Roberts was wafted to the spirit land.
ROBINSON, C. H .- Attorney. Was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, February 3, 1843, and raised in this and the adjoining county. His youth was occupied in acquiring an education, and for some years was engaged in teaching. He enlisted in the late war, first for three months, in the Eighty- sixth Ohio infantry, and afterward re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth infantry, and was discharged to accept a commission as second lieutenant in the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois. After his return from the army he went to Illinois and taught school. In 1869 he came to this county, and in 1873 was elected county auditor, and in 1875 was re-elected his own successor, and again in 1877. Having made choice of the practice of law as a profession, he read with Stone & Ayres, with whom he is now associated, and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He married Miss Helen Mathews in 1874; she was born in Coshocton county, Ohio. They have one daughter: Gertie.
ROBINSON, JOHN-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 18, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, January 7, 1816, and is the son of Henry and Jane (nee McFerne). The family removed to Guernsey county, Ohio, when John was in his third year, where he was raised to manhood and educated. At the age of fourteen years he apprent- iced himself to the blacksmith trade in Washington, Pennsylvania, where he resided five years, when he removed to Coshocton county, Ohio, where he resided twenty years. For a time he followed blacksmithing, and. hotel keeping, and for three years was superintendent of the county house; also for a time engaged in the grocery trade. For four years he was engaged in the Candle Coal Oil Works near Coshocton, but as soon as the oil wells were discovered, it broke up this branch of industry, and as a result Mr. R. suf- fered considerable of a loss. At the outbreak of the war he took an active part in raising a company in his county, but when complete, on account of disability, he was unable to go in the service. In 1863 he came to Marion county and engaged in farming in Knoxville township. In 1866 he took charge of the county house and farm, and superintended the same for two years. In 1870 he again became its manager, in which capacity he acted the latter time, four years. Since 1874 he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has also attained some celebrity as an auctioneer, and in this line does considerable business. He was married August 18, 1840, to Miss Jennette Miller, of Ohio. They have a family of seven child- ren living: James M., Nancy B. (now Mrs. Gasson), Elizabeth (now Mrs. Kerr), Cynthia A., John S., William O., Charles M. The Robinsons may
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
not be long lived but they make it up in stature, himself and sons being the tallest family of men in the county. His estate consists of 902 acres, seventy of which are rich in coal, the vein averaging four and a half feet He keeps fine Norman horses, and is numbered among the horse fanciens of the township. Himself and wife are closely identified with the Presby. terian'Church.
ROBB, JOSEPH-Was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, Decem. ber 28, 1808. His father, Andrew, was an agriculturalist in that State. When twelve years of age the family removed to Guernsy county, Ohio, where he was raised to manhood and educated. At the age of twenty-five he was mar- ried to Miss Mary A. Rambo, after which he engaged in farming in Mus- kingum county for five years. He then removed to Logan county where he resided for a time. Came to Iowa in 1848, where he has since been a resident, living in different parts of the State. Came to Marion county in 1877. He has been three times married; by his first wife, Miss Mary Ann Rambo, he had two children: Thomas (killed at the battle of Shiloh), and Andrew Harvey (deceased). By his second wife, Mary Ann Taggart, he had four children: Mary Ann, Rebecca Jane, James Harvey, Ann Marg- ret (now Mrs. S. W. Boyd). His third wife was Nancy McDonald. He is of Scotch and Irish lineage. Politically, he has been an old time Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party, was found in their ranks. He is an active member of the Presbyterian Church.
ROCKAFELLOW, J. G .- Dealer in hardware and groceries. Is a na- tive of Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and was born on the thirtieth day of November, 1825. When very young he was taken by his parents to Somerset county, where he was principally raised. He learned the trade of pattern-maker in his youth and followed the business until his removal to Iowa in 1855, where he settled on a farm in Marion county, and contin- ned this business until 1863, when he enlisted in company. L, Ninth Iows cavalry. He was commissioned second lieutenant and afterward promoted to first lieutenant, and then to captain. He was never absent from his reg- iment a day, and was in all the battles in which it participated. He was mustered out on the third day of February, 1866. After his return home he commenced his mercantile experience in the grocery business, and in 1875 put in a stock of hardware, and in which he has been fairly success- ful. He is known as a man of sterling integrity and decided character. He has never been a political aspirant, neither is he a candidate for popu- larity or public fame. His social qualities are admirable, and his moral character unexceptional. He married Miss Aletta Anten in March, 1852. She is a native of Somerset county, New Jersey. Their family consists of four children: Nathan, Anna, Jennie and Chester. A remarkable instance in his life is that of a company of twelve who left New Jersey and came to this county in 1855, all are still living.
ROGERS, SAMUEL-Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 26, P. O. Knox- ville. He is the son of Benjamin and Rachel. The former was born in North Carolina and his mother in South Carolina where they were raised. Soon after this they placed their worldly effects on a horse and emigrated to Crab Orchard, Kentucky, and thence to Hamilton county, Ohio, where the son was born on the thirtieth of July, 1812, where he lived until 1820 and then removed with his parents to Jefferson county, Indiana, where he was principally raised; his education was at the schools of the period limited in number and inferior in quality. After he attained to
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manhood he opened a farm in Jefferson county, and made it his home until 1854, when he emigrated to Iowa and settled in Marion county where he now resides. His farm consists of 120 acres and is one of the best improved and most attractive places in the county. Since he became a resident of the county his house was used for a church building until the present church edifice was built, which was largely done through his individual efforts and contributions. He found a wife in the person of Miss Rebecca Adkinson and was married April 3, 1833. Mrs. R. is a daughter of Joseph and Re- becca Adkinson who settled in Indiana the year before it became a State. She is a woman of rare virtues and a most excellent manager of household affairs. They have five children living: Elizabeth (formerly Mrs. Mc- Feeters, now Mrs. Money, of Kansas), Harriet (now Mrs. Maddy, of Indiana township), William D. (Indiana township), Martha (now Mrs. Patterson), Benjamin (Clay county, Kansas). They lost three: Srene, Margery and Joseph Rush; the latter died during the war near Springfield, Missouri. He was a volunteer in the Eighteenth Iowa infantry. Himself and family are identified with the Methodist Church. Mr. Rogers has been a member since 1830. During his membership he has been class leader, steward and licensed exhorter. Politically, he has been a life-long Republican.
ROSS, J. E .- Farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 31, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Brown county, Ohio, March 21, 1845. When quite young he moved with his parents to Marion county, Iowa, where he was raised to manhood. His early life was spent in tilling the soil and he has always adhered to his adopted profession. In 1861 be removed to Henry county, Iowa, where he was engaged in farming until 1868, when he returned to Marion county. In 1869 Miss J. E. Throckmorton, a native of Iowa, be- came his wife. They have four children: Oren E., William 1., Orinda M. and Amos J. His estate consists of seventy-one acres, portions of which are rich in coal. He is a thoroughly schooled agriculturist and is making farming a success by combining theory and practice. Himself and family are members of the Methodist Church.
ROSS, W. B .- Farmer. The subject of this sketch is a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, and was born on the seventeenth of December, 1852, and came to Marion county in 1855. His father, Jesse Ross, is an old and respected citizen of Knoxville township, and was also born in Greene county, Pennsylvania. The date of his birth was 1839. His wife's maiden name was Miss Anna McClure, also a native of Pennsylvania: The subject of the sketch married Miss Mattie J. Gilson, a daughter of Mr. John C. Gilson, also an old settler of Knoxville township, having been a resident of Marion county for twenty-six years. This marriage was sol- emnized on the ninth day of November, 1876. The union has been blessed with two children: Lulu A. and Charles Howard. Mr. Ross has a farm of seventy-one acres in Knoxville township, Sec. - , in a good state of cultivation.
ROUSSEAU, DR. JAMES-No citizen of Marion county figured more conspiciously, during its early days, or was more popularly known, than Dr. James Rousseau. He was born in Wayne county, Kentucky, August 30, 1812. Came to Iowa in 1843, and to Marion county in 1845. For a number of years he was county suryeyor, and while an incumbent of that office, he laid out the towns of Knoxville, Pella, Bussey, Marysville, Elm Grove and Rousseau, a post office in Polk township, which derived its name from the subject of this sketch. He was closely identified with the county
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until 1864, when he went overland to California, locating at San Bernardino, where he is at present a resident.
RUCKMAN. S. M .- Coal-dealer and farmer, Sec. 20, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Pike county, Ohio, October 10, 1849. His father, David, was a school-teacher in that State. The family, including S. M., emigrated to Iowa in 1851, and in 1852 came to Marion county, where the subject of this sketch was raised and educated. His boyhood days were spent in tilling the soil. His estate, of forty acres, abonnds with a quality of coal that will compare favorably with any in the county. The vein averages four feet. For several years he has made coal-mining his specialty, and his increased trade, during the winter season, requires his entire attention. He married, April 29, 1875, Miss A. Curtiss, of Marion county. They have two children: Edmond Erwin and Dorus Emery.
RUFFNER, J. B .- Proprietor of the Amos House. Is a native of Kentucky, and was born October 26, 1831. In 1835 he was taken to Indi- ana, where he was raised a farmer. He came to Iowa in 1856, and settled in Indiana township, Marion county, and engaged in farming, which he continued for several years, with a good degree of success. He also had a mercantile experience in Attica of four years, and for a number of years was engaged in the stock trade. In 1875 he moved to Knoxville, and sold goods until April 1, 1880, and then engaged in his present business, which his attention to the comfort of his guests, as well as his social and obliging nature, has enabled him to conduct so successfully, and he is enti- tled to the esteem in which he is held by the traveling public. He has been twice married; first, to Mrs. Sarah C. Kendrick, April 22, 1860. She was born February 14, 1838, and died in December, 1878. His second marriage occurred in 1880, to Mrs. Emma Sharp, a native of Indiana. He has three children by his first marriage: Cameron, Thomas and Ella; lost two. Mrs. R. has one daughter, Mand, by a former marriage.
AVAGE, W. B .- Of the firm of Bittenbender & Savage, machinists. S' Is the son of W. G. Savage, and was born in Massachusetts, March 3. 1855, and when nine years of age came with his parents to this county. His father was a practical machinist, and the son may be said to have been raised to the business, and is a master of all its details. He was married in 1879, to Miss Elmira Berkey, a native of Iowa. They have one daughter, Minnie.
SCHLOTTERBECK, JOHN-Farmer, Sec. 11, P. O. Knoxville. Was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1805. When but a small boy his father moved to Ross county, Ohio. At the age of twelve years, John, in company with his parents, emigrated to Crawford county, Indi- ana, where he remained till 1843, when he moved to Iowa, stopping for a short time in Jefferson county, but finally located in Wapello county. where he lived till 1849, when he came to Marion county. In 1851 he moved on to the farm he now occupies. He was married, March 27, 1826. to Nancy Wyman, born in Washington county, Kentucky. They have six children: George, John, Catharine, Mary, Sarah and Jacob.
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