Person:William Rorabaugh (1)

Seen on the 1880 census, age 3, with his parents in Mound Prairie Twp., Jasper Co. Co., Ia. ( p. 13, fam #123/127) In 1900, age 23, he is in the home with his mother and sister at 1624 Gr and Ave., Des Moines, Lee Twp., Polk Co., Ia. He is listed as a "physician."(ED 101, p. 27 , line 11, fam #573) We are told in the family stories that he studied to be a Homeopathic Physician, but at this time the M.D.'s were gaining strength through organization and they were attempting to discredit homeopaths. William had taken his apprenticeship with a local homeopathic physician, but when the man's son completed his studies, he took the son in and William was left to set up his own practice. Times were hard and William couldn't bring himself to ask for cash payment for his services, and he often took produce in payment - if he was paid anything at all. We are told he gave away more medicine than he sold!

    After he and Vivian married, he tried farming, but had always had a strong religeous calling.  He went to Chicago and tried to gain entry into a seminary, to train for overseas Missionary work.  The school was aghast that a man in his thirties with two small children would choose to undertake such a task.  He was turned down.  We are also told that during one trip to Chicago, their car stalled on a trolly or train track and was demolished. Fortunately, they had gotten out before the car was hit.
    He finally decided he needed to try something new, so the little family boarded a train for Florida.  We are told that Vivian's Aunt Ella (Findley) and Uncle Asa Ford had come to the resort called Altamonte Springs, and had written the family of the wonderful weather and opportunities in that area.  Vivian didn't like the water on the train - it wasn't fresh enough - so at every stop, she would have William fill a small white milk glass pitcher with fresh water from the depots.  At one stop, after dutifully checking with the conductor about departure times, he took his pitcher into the depot. There wasn't any water available there, but he was told that at a store across the street he could fill up.  While on this errand, he heard the train whistle blow.  So did Vivian, who was on board with their two small children.  She frantically tried to signal the conductor, but to no avail.  The train started to pull out of the station.  The faster the train went, the more panicky she became!  As they cleared the station she was frantic!  Not only were they leaving him behind, but he had all the money AND the tickets in his pockets. She was trying to figure out how to stop the train, when in walked William.  He had heard the whistle and ran back to the depot, reaching the platform as the last car was passing.  He grabed the rail and swung up onto the end platform, then made his way through the cars until he reached Vivian.  Smiling, he handed her the full pitcher of water.
    We don't know what other adventures they had on the trip, but  Uncle John (the oldest son) told us he remembers riding with Uncle Asa in his wagon as he delivered fresh milk to the Altamonte Hotel in 1911.
    William found a small patch of land to rent  with a little house on it, out in the country in Monte Verde, Lake Co., Fla.  He rode the narrow gauge train back and forth between there and Altamonte until he had the little cottage livable.  Soon after they got into their new cottage, child number three was born.  William planted potatoes but, due to a totally different and very sandy soil, nothing grew.  After a  year of failed crops he went to work for a builder, building Monte Verde Acadamy.  His work was so good, the builder asked him to help build in the nearby  town of Clermont.  They moved to Clermont, Lake Co., Fla., where they resided the rest of their lives.  there are still a couple of buildings in the downtown area that he helped construct.
    On 18 Dec 1913, William opened the first newspaper in Lake Co., The Clermont Clarion.  Later Vivian wrote a social column for it.  William would take their youngest, Abigail, to the paper and put her in a baby swing he had rigged from the rafters.  Vivian would put on her pretty frock and go door to door, calling on the ladies of Clermont for their "social news. "  It became quite a status symbol to have family news noted in her column. The Orlando newspaper would pay one cent a line to reprint any interesting (to them) social bits from her column.  It was not a money making proposition!
    William registered to vote in Lake Co.,  as a member of the "Prohibitionist Party" on 6 Jan 1914, Cert. #6.  This was a party devoted to outlawing alcoholic beverages.  It had a few other causes, but that was its primary plank. It rose in the late 1880's and by 1920 was fading, even though the party continued to support a candidate as late as 1928. William later registered as a Democrat (as did most of Florida.) Vivian first appears on the voter rolls in 1918.
    William and Vivian bought lot 10, block 21, in Clermont, Fla., on 28 Oct 1914.  In her journal of memoirs, daughter Josephine notes that they had the empty lot and no money to do anything to it.  The man that William had worked for as a carpenter told William he would build the house for the price of the materials, but with the building boom going on, the builder had many more profitable contracts to fulfill first. William managed to put up a platform, and they purchased a large used tent to go on the platform.  Son John tells us that this was a fine arrangement (from a child's point of view).  In the summer they raised the sides and the breeze blew thru, and in the winter, the sun warmed it nicely.  At night they went to bed early to stay warm under the covers. For water, William rigged a hose down the hill from the house of the man he bought the lot from.  When water in the large barrel beside the tent was low, he would take a funnel and go to the pump at the top of the hill.  While Vivian held the hose over the barrel, William pumped water into the funnel shoved in the end of the hose.  This arrangement went on for a little more than a year.  We are told that a typical tropical thunder storm the next summer ripped the tent beyond repair.  Vivian had been upset at the tent's deterioration anyway, and we are told that by the time William returned home that evening, the family was moved into an apartment.  The house was soon built on their lot.
    We see William, age 43, a "printer, newspaper", in Clermont, Lake Co., Fla., on the 1920 census.  Vivian, 39, is caring for their five children. (p. 555, fam #89/96)
    Competition was inevitable, and on 6 Oct 1921, the Clermont Press ran it's first paper.  In November of that year, they bought out the subscription list of the Clarion.  William sold his presses to a paper in the next town and worked for them for a while. Eventually that owner moved his paper to Leesburg, taking the presses - but forgetting to finish paying for them, so we are told.  The distance to Leesburg seems short now, 25 miles north on a 4 lane highway, but then on sandy dirt roads with only an old car, a trip  to Leesburg was an all day event.
     He went back to the building trade and kept a few dairy cows. Times were hard, and they didn't have much in the way of material things, but they always said they had their faith and their family now numbering five. Never have we heard about the shortages and their children's memories were loving and full of fun.
    In 1935, there was a state census.  William, 58,  is listed as a dairy man.  Wife "Mrs. " 54, is a house wife.  All five children still in the home.[Lake Co., Reel 17, precinct 15. ]   In 1945 the state census finds them continuing in Clermont. Willaim, 69, is retired.  "Mrs. W.E.", 65, is a housewife.[Lake Co., Reel #27, Precinct 15]
    During WWII there was a military training camp in Lake Co., and also a German prisoner of war camp. Clermont had a USO and William would stand outside and hand out religeous tracts to the soldiers, talking to them of their need for faith.  He and Vivian always taught a Bible study or a Sunday School class.  Their faith has been passed down, as several grand children and great grand children are in the missionary field.
    His obituary tells us much of his life, especially of his religious devotion handing out tracts "on the streets of Clermont."  Vivian stayed in her little house for another 2 years. In a transcript of the Minneola Cemetery, we see they are buried there. Also there is her aunt," Mary Ella Findley, wife of Rev. Asa S. Ford"
    Following Vivian's death,  the five children gave an affidavit on 17 Mar 1959, that they are the sons and daughters of William and Vivian, that William and Vivian owned the property, and that both had died intestate.  It also lists their death dates.  The children attest that it was their parent's wishes that the house go to daughter Josephine. (we are told it is becaue she was single and in the missionary field, and therefore the one most in need of it .)  It states that son Philip desires to purchase the property and that he will pay $5000 for the house.  It states that the other heirs will be paid $1000 each - for a total of $4000 (the other $1000 being Philip's share) and that they will sign that money over to Josephine .  [Lake Co. Book 127 of deeds, p. 590]  The others sign a warranty deed over to Philip and wife Marion the same day. It appears that son John is actually in La., at this time (he was career National Guard), as he signed before a notary in Vernon Parish on 19 Mar 1959.[Bk 127, p .589]  Philip and Marion took out an indenture with Josephine for the $4000.[Bk 127, p.592 ]   The home continues in the possession of Philip and Marion Rorabaugh.  Their daughter Mary Lou plans on living there after her retirement.

1. ↑ Family Group Sheet.
2. ↑ Obituary.
3. ↑ Estate.
4. ↑ P. 13, fam #123/127
   Rorabaugh, Garret R., 28, head, farmer, b Pa to par b Pa
   Sarah J., 21, wife, b Ia
   Willie E., 3, son, b Ia
   Mary E., 1, dau, b Ia
5. ↑ Lee Twp., 1624 Grand Ave, ED 101, p. 27A, fam #1624
   Rorabaugh, William, head, b Dec 1876, 22, b Ia, Physician, rents house
   Sarah J., mother, b Jan 1859, Oh, m24yr, born 3 children/2alive, packer
   spice mill
   Mary E., sister, b Aug 1878, 21, b Ia.
6. ↑ Mrs. Abigail A. Rittgers requestes the honor of your presence at the marriage of her daughter Vivian to Dr. William E. Rorabaugh Thursday evening, June twenty-first nineteen hundred six at seven O'clock Grimes, Iowa
   At Home after July twelfth, 120 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa
7. ↑ From "Clermont: Gem of the Hills" by Miriam Johnson and Rosemary Young
   P. 97: Clermont's First Newspaper The second event was the establishing of the first local weekly newspaper, the Clermont Clarion, by W.E. Rorabaugh from Des Moines, Iowa. Publication was begun on December 18, 1913, in a building at 713 Montrose St.
   P. 109: New Residents Mr. and Mrs. Rorabaugh and their children, John William, Gail, Josephine and Philip of Des Moines, Iowa, came to Clermont in 1912. Mr. Rorabaugh worked on the construction of the Roe Building that year and built the family home on Osceola St before starting the publication of Clermont's first Newspaper.
8. ↑ Bought from K. Elmer E. Munson and Sadie Munson his wife. Lot ten in Block 21 in town of Clermont as laid out by the Clermont Improvement Co.
9. ↑ p555, fam #89/96
   Rorabaugh, William E., head, 43, b Ia to par b Ia, printer-newspaper
   Vivian, wife, 39, b Ia to par b Ia
   John, son, 11, b Ia
   Josephine, dau, 10, b Ia
   William, son, 7, b Fla
   Philip, son, 6, b Fla
   Abigail, dau, 2yr 3mo, b Fla
10. ↑ ED 35-23, p. 2A, fam #37/38 1203 Osceola St.
    Rorabaugh, William E., head, owns, $3000, radio, not a farm, 53, married age 27, b Ia
    to father b Pa, mother b Ia, carpenter, building
    Vivian A., wife, 49, married age 25, b Ia to parents b Oh
    John R., son, 22, b Ia, Salesman - Grogins
    Sarah J., dau, 20, b Ia, teacher - school
    William L., son, 17, b Fl
    Philip P., son, 16, b Fl
    Vivian A., dau, 12, b Fl
11. ↑ Precinct 15, p. 1, Pub #RG 312, Reel 17
    Rorabaugh, W.E., 58, head, b Iowa, college ed., owner, dairy man
    Mrs, 54, wife, b Iowa, high school ed., house wife
    John, 27, son, b Ia, high school ed, C.C. Camp
    Josephine, 25, dau, college ed., mission work
    William, 22, son, b Fla, high school ed, C.C. Camp
    Philip, 21, son, b Fla, high school ed, chauffer
    Abigail, 17, dau, b Fla, high School student
12. ↑ Pub #RG312, Reel 27,
    Rorabaugh, John R., 37, b Fla, high school ed, no occupation
    Wm E., 69, b Fla, grade education, retired
    Mrs W.E., 65, b Fla, housewife
13. ↑ W.E. RORABAUGH FORMER PUBLISHER DIED SATURDAY
    Funeral services for Mr. William E. Rorabaugh, 80, were held Monday morning ...at the First Methodist Church, Clermont, Burial was in the Minneola Cemetery.
    ... was born Dec. 19, 1876 at Colfax, Iowa. He married Vivian Rittgers, Grimes, Iowa in 1906. He practiced medicine in the Des Moines, Iowa, until coming to Florida in 1911. A resident of Clermont since Autumn of 1912, he was publisher of Clermont's first newspaper, first issued in 1913. Active in the work of the church, being a member of the First Methodist Church, Clermont, and later of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church of Minneola. For quite a number of years was faithful in the work of tract distribution and personal testimony on the streets of Clermont.
    Following a fall in 1946 he was handicapped by a hip injury. Nevertheless he continued active until the last week of the life when a heart attack confined him to his bed. He passed away in his sleep in the early hours of march 10, 1957.
    Surviving are wife Mrs. Vivian E.Rorabaugh, Clermont, three sons, CWO John R. Rorabaugh, U.S. ARmy, Germany; William L. Rorabaugh and Philip Rorabaugh of Clermont, two daughters, Miss Josephine Rorabaugh, New York and Mrs. Gail Cox, Mount Dora and 12 grandchildren.
14. ↑ Lots 13 & 11, row 9
    Mary Ella Findley, wife of Rev. Asa S.Ford 1859-1934
    Rorabaugh, Vivian A., 1880-1959
    William E., 1876-1957
15. ↑ Mrs. Vivian A. Rorabaugh, 78, resident of Clermont for the past 46 years, died Thursday at her home. She was a member of the Methodist Church of Clermont and the christian Missionary Alliance Church of Minneola, Fla. Surviving are three sons, John K. Rorabaugh, Leeville, La., and William Rorabaugh and Philip Rorabaugh, both of Clermont; Two daughters, Mrs Gail Cox, Mount Dora and Miss Sarah J. Rorabaugh, New York City; one brother, Jasper Rittgers, Anken, Iowa, one sister, Mrs. Eve Hardy, San Mateo, Calif: 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
16. ↑ Special Warranty Deed
    Sarah Josephine Rorabaugh, a femme Sole, William L. Rorabaugh, joined by hsi wife, Myrtle Q. Rorabaugh, Gail (Abigail)R. Cox joined by her husband, Herman W. Cox, all residents of Lake County, Fla, and JOhn R. Rorabaugh joined by his wife Palma L. Rorabaugh, residents of the Parrish of Vernon, State of Louisiana, the Grantors, in cnsideration of the sum of $4000 received from Philip F. Rorabaugh and wife, Marion H. Rorabaugh... conveyed the property at Lot 10, block 21, Clermont. Each of the above parties signed the deed and also signed nder oath that they were who they said they were.
17. ↑ John R., Sarah Josephine, William L., Philip F. Rorabaugh, and Gail (Abigail) R. Cox swear that
    1. They are all the sons and daughters of William E. and Vivian R. Rorabaugh.
    2. That William and Vivian owned Lot 10, block 21, Clermont
    3. That William E. died intestate on 30 Mar 1957, leaving as his sole heirs the
    above named
    4. That Vivian Rorabaugh died intestate, a resident of Lake County and residing
    on the said premises on 12 Mar 1959, leaving as her sole heirs the sons and
    daughters so named.
    5. That William left no debts and his funeral expenses were paid by his widow
    Vivian R. Rorabaugh out of their joint funds. That Vivian R. Rorabaugh died
    without debts and that all expenses of her last illness including the funeral
    expenses were paid by her daughter, Sarah Josephine Rorabaugh out of a
    joint bank account in the names of Vivian R. Rorabaugh and Sarah Josephine
    Rorabaugh.
    6. That William and Vivian are in no way indebted to these affiants.... "and know
    of their own knowledge that it was the desire and wish of William E.
    Rorabaugh and wife, Vivian R. Rorabaugh that upon the death of the survivor
    of them that these affiants do convey in fee simple all of their right, title and
    interest in said property to Sarah Josephine Rorabaugh: however, Philip F.
    Rorabaugh desiring to purchase the property for his own residence, and the
    heirs being willing that he acquire the same, and desiring that all monies
    derived from said sale be paid over to Sarah Josephine Rorabaugh; have
    determined that as of date of death said property was valued at $5000 and
    therefore said property is being sold and conveyed by said heirs to Philip F.
    Rorabaugh and wife, Marion H. Rorabaugh, and each of said heirs is to
    receive $1,000 for their share and in turn to turn same over to said Sarah
    Josephine Rorabaugh, thereby recognizing and carrying out the wishes of
    their parents.
18. ↑ Josephine sells the homestead to Philip for $4000.