My Genealogy Hound

ADAM RATHFON, a well known and respected agriculturist of Johnson County, is the owner of eighty acres of land in township 44, range 25. He was born in Lancaster County, Pa., May 21, 1827, and is the son of David and Nancy (Warfel) Rathfon, who were also born in the above county, the former in 1797, and the latter in 1796. David Rathfon was a weaver in early manhood, but afterward became a farmer, following that occupation in the Keystone State until 1838, when he sold his possessions and moved to Wayne County, Ind.

There he lived on a farm for a number of years, and then, disposing of it, changed his location to White County, that state, where he purchased property. He is now living there, at the home of a granddaughter, and has attained the remarkable age of ninety-eight years. He possesses a wonderful constitution, and, although having nearly reached the century mark, has never been sick two weeks in his life. His wife died in October, 1889, at the age of ninety-three years.

To David and Nancy Rathfon there were born eight children, two of whom are now living. The two eldest died in infancy. Adam, of this sketch, was the next in order of birth. Abram married Mary Custer, and both are now deceased. George married Rachel Davis, but she is deceased, and he lives in Monticello, Ind., where he is operating a planing-mill. Joseph, who married Catherine Downs, is deceased, and his wife makes her home in Logansport, Ind. Jacob became the husband of Amanda Wolf and after his death his wife removed to Indianapolis, Ind. John died in infancy.

Adam Rathfon started out for himself at the age of twenty years His first money was earned by working out by the day, month or year on farms in the vicinity of his home. He continued to be thus employed for four years, and then, being ready to establish a home of his own, was married, September 4, 1851, to Miss Sarah Gebhart, who was born in Centre County, Pa., November 14, 1829. She was the daughter of John and Rachel (Shafer) Gebhart, also Pennsylvanians by birth. Her father was in early life a weaver, but, finding farming to be a more profitable business, abandoned his trade in order to take up that vocation. In 1847 he removed to Indiana, and spent the remainder of his life in Wayne County, being a resident of that locality for about thirty-two years. His wife preceded him to the better land, dying seventeen years previously. They had the following children: Hannah, Margaret, Sarah (Mrs. Rathfon), Elizabeth, Rachel, Cornelius, Michael, Mary Ann, William and Susan Ann.

Soon after taking unto himself a wife and helpmate, our subject moved to Fayette County, Ind., and for two years was engaged there in farming. He then became a resident of Wayne County, but after a twelvemonth changed his location, this time moving to Delaware County. He made that section his home for twelve years, when he returned to Wayne County, and for four years following rented property.

Our subject was induced to come to this locality through the influence of his brother Abram, who made his home near Carthage. In October, 1870, he landed in this state, having been twenty-eight days en route. In passing through Johnson County he made the acquaintance of some very friendly people, and concluded to cast his lot among them. In the spring of 1871, however, he came to his present farm, renting the property for one year, and later purchased it. The farm includes about eighty-one acres, and is located on section 4. All the improvements to be found on the place were made by our subject, and indicate him to be a progressive and energetic man.

The family of our subject originally comprised ten children, five of whom are now deceased. We make the following mention of the entire family: Benjamin F. was born June 14, 1852; he married Josephine Still, and they now make their home in San Francisco, Cal. John D. was born October 3, 1853; he married Louella Baldwin, and lives in Richmond, Ind. Cornelius G., who was born December 11, 1855, married Clara Hazelrigg, and departed this life February 16, 1890; his widow now lives on the old home place in Henry County, Ind. William Walter was born January 7, 1857, and died in infancy. Daniel Webster was born February 25, 1859, and is now living in Montana, being employed in a mill in Marysville. Henrietta Alice was born October 24, 1860; she became the wife of H. M. Buford, and they make their home in Vernon County, this state. Rachel Ella was born March 23, 1862, and died October 11, 1875. Joel was born March 18, 1864, and died in infancy. Minerva Jane, born November 27, 1865, is now living in San Francisco with her brother. Anna W., born February 1, 1869, died in October of the following year. The living members of this family are all well educated, and while living in Indiana many of them taught school.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Rathfon are members of the German Baptist Church, attending the congregation near their home. In politics Mr. Rathfon is a Democrat, but votes for the best man independent of party. He is self-made, and all that he now has has been accumulated solely through his own efforts and the aid which has been given him by his good wife.