Person:Elizabeth Rapp (8)

CHARLES F. RAPP, a well-known and prominent farmer residing on section 1, Ash Grove Township, claims Missouri as the State of his nativity. He was born near St. Louis on the 11th of September, 1846. His father was born in Germany in 1819, and in his youth learned the mason's trade. In 1841, he crossed the Atlantic to New Orleans, made his way up the Mississippi and located in St. Louis, where he was married, in 1845, to Caroline Schwartz, who came to America during her girlhood. Jacob Rapp worked at the mason's trade until 1848, and in 1850 he embarked in farming in Marshall County. He was afterward a resident of Bureau County, Ill. for eleven years, and then purchased a farm in Woodford County. He is now living retired in Minonk, Ill. He has been an industrious and hard-working man, but his enterprising efforts have been at length successful. In religious belief, he is a Lutheran, and in his political affiliations he is a Democrat. His wife died July 7, 1872, at the age of forty-eight years. In the Rapp family were four sons and three daughters, of whom Charles F. is the eldest; Mary is a resident of this State; John is a farmer of Livingston County; Sophia is the wife of Peter Walter, of Nebraska; Edward is a farmer of Livingston County; Emma is the wife of Philip Walter, of Nebraska; and George resides on the old homestead in Woodford County. Mr. Rapp, whose name heads this record, spent his boyhood days in his native State and acquired his education in its public schools. He was early inured to hard labor. He remained at home until twenty-three years of age, and then began farming for himself, purchasing forty acres of land from his father. He afterward bought another forty-acre tract, and operated his farm in Livingston County until 1882, when he sold out and came to Iroquois County. He here purchased one hundred and seventy-five acres of good land, and now has one of the desirable farms of the community. His home is a pleasant residence; his barns and outbuildings are models of convenience; He has the latest improved machinery; many rods of tiling have been laid, and the well-tilled fields yield to him a golden tribute. In connection with the cultivation of his land, he is also engaged in stock-raising. On the 15th of July, 1869, Mr. Rapp was united in marriage, in Woodford County, with Miss Lena Miller, a native of Hanover, Germany, born November 6, 1848. She is a daughter of Simon Miller, who was born in Hanover in 1819. He married Gertrude Ostenburg, and emigrated to America in 1874. He first located in Livingston County, Ill., but is now residing in Champaign County. The family numbered the following children: Folke, who now resides in Germany; Gertie, wife of Gerhardt Lennes, of Milford Township; Frank, of Champaign County; Barbara, why is living in Nebraska; Mrs. Rapp; Grace, who resides in Champaign County; and Gete, who lives with her parents. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rapp have been born twelve children: Jacob, born June 11, 1870, died in January, 1888, aged eighteen years; Lizzie, born October 19, 1871, is the wife of William Schaumburg, of Milford Township; Mina, born January 11, 1873, is the wife of A. Smith, a farmer of Crescent Township; Henry, born April 1, 1874, died in infancy; Mary, born July 24, 1876; Annie, October 24, 1879; Gertrude, August 24, 1880; Henry, February 7, 1882; Frank, October 20, 1884; Sophia, May 18, 1886; Lena, March 5, 1888; and Emma, February 15, 1890. During the late war Mr. Rapp wished to enter the service, but as he was not of age his father prevented him. He cast his first vote for Seymour, and has since been a supporter of the Democratic party, but has never been an office-seeker. He has lived the quiet, unassuming life of a farmer, and by his sterling worth has won the high regard of all with whom he has been-brought in contact. His success in life is the reward of his own efforts. He started out to earn his own livelihood with no capital, but by perseverance, energy and well-directed efforts he has achieved a comfortable competence, which numbers him among the substantial citizens of the community.

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She was heavy-set.

_FSFTID: K8MB-LD5

_AMTID: 250108268029:1030:113160583

1. ↑ United States. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T623).

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