My Genealogy Hound

JAMES HENRY RABBITTS, managing editor of the Springfield Daily Republic-Times and the Weekly Republic , was born in this this city April 1, 1853, and is a son of Charles Rabbitts who was born on a farm near Herningsham, Wiltshire, England. The date of the latter’s birth was September 7, 1820, and he was the son of George Rabbitts, who was born on a farm in Rodden Parish, Somersetshire, England. His father, George Rabbitts, Sr., was, it is supposed, a native of the same locality and of pure English ancestry. He spent his entire life at farming pursuits and died in Somersetshire.

The paternal grandfather of our subject spent his boyhood and youth on the farm and when married located in Wiltshire, where he prosecuted agriculture until 1832. Then not being satisfied with his condition or his prospects, he set out to cross the Atlantic with his wife and seven children, embarking at Bristol, January 10, on the sailer, “Emily,’’ and was obliged to land on Staten Island on account of cholera, from which the ship’s passengers and crew had suffered for a period of forty-nine days. When able to proceed on his journey he started for Cleveland, Ohio, via the Hudson River and Erie Canal to Buffalo and thence by the lake to his destination.

From Cleveland, Grandfather Rabbitts proceeded to the vicinity of Strongsville, Cuyahoga County, where he purchased land and engaged in farming until his death, in 1848. His wife, whose maiden name was Rhoda Nuth, was a native of Somersetshire, England, and the daughter of William Nuth. She spent her last years with her daughter Anna, in Lancaster, Ohio. Her children were named respectively: Elizabeth, Anna N., Charles, Frances, William N., Sarah, George and Charles.

The father of our subject was a lad of twelve years when he came with his parents to America and he resided with them on the farm until twenty-two years old. Repairing then to Newark, Licking County, he entered a woolen mill and commenced learning the trade of a weaver and manufacturer, and was occupied at this business until 1847. We next find him erecting a woolen mill at Springfield, on Buck Creek, and which was the first institution of the kind in this part of the country. The farmers around were all engaged in sheep-raising and carried their wool to town to be manufactured, so that for some time Mr. Rabbitts was mostly engaged in custom work. During the Civil War the mill was operated to its fullest capacity. Mr. Rabbitts occupied himself as a woolen manufacturer until 1875, then commenced dealing in real estate and finally retired from active business altogether, simply looking after his private interests.

The parents of our subject were married May 8, 1848, the mother bearing the maiden name of Margaret Robison. She was born in Wooster, Wayne County, and was a daughter of James and Margaret (Wilson) Robison, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The five children born to them were named respectively: James H., William S., Anna, Mary, and Charles R. Mr. and Mrs. Rabbitts are members in good standing of the Second Presbyterian Church. The father in the early days was a member of the old Whig party, but since the organization of the Republican party has been a stanch supporter of the principles of the latter. The subject of this notice was reared in his native city where he attended the common schools and later entered the preparatory department of Greenway Institute, which was under the principalship of Chandler Robbins. Upon leaving this he became a student of Wooster University, whence after a four years’ course he was graduated in the class of ‘74 — the first class which was graduated from that institution. During his vacations he worked in his father’s mill and learned the trade of a wool spinner.

After being graduated Mr. Rabbitts entered upon the study of law in the office of Keifer & White. He was admitted to the bar in December, 1876, and practiced law alone until January 1, 1878, when he became associated with his former instructors under the firm name of Keifer, White & Rabbitts — the senior members being J. Warren Keifer and Charles R. White. Mr. Rabbitts was engaged in the duties of his profession until 1881, when he was chosen as the Republican candidate for Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, receiving two thousand majority for the nomination at the primary election. At the regular election he was duly placed in office having no Democratic opponent. He discharged his duties faithfully and was re-elected in 1884-87.

In August, 1889, Mr. Rabbitts purchased an interest in the firm of A. D. Hosterman & Co., proprietors of the Springfield Daily Republic-Times, and assumed his present position. Finding his editorial duties incompatible with his official duties, he resigned his clerkship in January, 1890. Mr. Rabbitts was married December 7, 1882, to Miss Cornelia, daughter of the Rev. Nathaniel Burt, D.D. and Rebecca A. (Belden) Burt. Dr. Burt was for many years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield. He went to Europe on account of failing health and died at Rome in 1874. His remains were laid to rest in Rome, Italy, beside those of the poet Keats. Mrs. Burt was born in New Jersey and is still living, being a resident of Springfield.

Mrs. Rabbitts was born in Baltimore, Md., and came to Ohio with her parents. Of her union with our subject there are three children: Burt, Margaret and Frances. Mr. Rabbitts cast his first Presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hayes, and has always been an ardent Republican. He was a member of the County Executive Committee seven years and Chairman three years. Both he and his wife are members in good standing of the Second Presbyterian Church. Socially, Mr. Rabbitts belongs to Anthony Lodge, No. 455, F. & A. M.; Red Star Lodge, No. 205, K. of P.; the Phi Kappa Psi and the Gamma Chapter of Wooster University.