RATCLIFF-Thomas R.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana. Indianapolis: Chapman Brothers, 1893 p 630
Thomas R. RATCLIFF. The career of this gentleman has been prosperous in his vocation of farming and stock-raising. He has a substantial set of farm buildings, good stock and machinery, groves, orchards and all the other appurteances of the modern country estate. He was born on the same farm where he now makes his home, Aug 24, 1835. Mr. Ratcliff is a son of William and Margaret Wilkerson Ratcliff the former of whom was a son of Thomas Ratcliff who emigrated to Ohio about the year 1813 and settled in Highland County. The father of our subject was born in NC and when a child went to Ohio with his paernts, where he received his limited education in the district schools of Highland County. Here he married and after the birth of one child, emigrated to Indiana in company with his parents, a brother and sister in 1829. they came in wagons to Hendricks County, thence to Parke County, settling in Sugar Creek Township. William and his wife had a meagre sum with which to start, but they entered Government land, on which they erected a very rude log hut in the timber, where the night was made hideous by the howls of the wolves. Here in this wilderness the father and mother reared their family of children and lived happily together. The children aer: Mary, wife of Calvin Dicks; John; Hannah who married Matthew Simpson; Thomas; Miles and Elizabeth (twins), the former of whom was killed at Atlanta, Ga and the latter married Harvey Ward; Margaret, wife of C. Pithoud and Susan, deceased wife of John Hilt. By presistent and industrious labor, Mr. Ratcliff found himself ont he road to prosperity, accumulating 300 acres of good and improved land, and was enabled to enjoy his last years in a quiet home at Danville, Ill. He was a stanch supporter of the Whig party and took a great interest in political work. In religion he believed in the creed of the United Brethren Church. In connection with his farming interests, he followed for a time in different periods o fhis life the occupation of a blacksmith and also ran a sawmill. His life companion died in 1889 and he too passed away a few years later. Thomas R. Ratcliff, of this sketch was with his parents until after his marriage, when he began for himself and wife by taking charge of a portion of his father's farm. He married at the age of 22 Miss Juliet Gray, who was a duaghter of M and Jane (Lough) Gray. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ratcliff: William M; Erastus M; Miles A; Barbara J; Elmer who died in youth; Lertin D; Serena M and Etta. The devoted wife and mother passed to her rest in 1875 and Mr. Ratcliff married Mary, a daughter of W. F. and Sarah Watson Jenne. This estimable lady was born in Fountain County, Ind, her parents being natives of Ohio and New York, respectively. Four children came to bless this union: Anna G; Freeman R; Ethest B and Carrie m. Our subject and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and are highly esteemed throughout this vicinity. The former is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, entering the lodge in 1862 at Annapolis and is a member of Harveysburg Lodge No. 314. Politically he is a good Republicans. He is now holding the office of Commissioner of Parke County which responsible position he has held for 9 years past in an admirable way, not only giving credit to himself, but also to the district which he represents. In connections with his farm work he also runs a sawmill part of the time and is an extensive stock-raiser and shipper. Mr. Ratcliff began in life with comparatively nothing, and by living economically and managing excellently he has through his promptness in meeting all obligations accumualted a great amoung of land, aggregating about 500 acres, besides giving a good portion of his estate to his children as a start in life. The 160 acres of land that he owned in Vermilion County, Ill he traded for his father's old farm about the time the war closed. He is enthusiastic in all his undertakings and is esteemed and respected by all who know him.
Source: 1880 History of Parke County, Indiana by J. H. Beadle. Chicago: H. H. Hill & N. Iddings, Publishers.
RATCLIFFE, Thomas R., farmer and stock dealer, Russell's Mills, is the son of William and Margaret Ratcliffe, who were the first settlers in this part of the township, having removed from Ohio , where they were born, and settled here in 1827. They settled in the green woods, and put up a cabin on the land where the subject of this sketch was born, in 1834, and still resides, never having been off the old homestead over two weeks at a time in his life. Mr. Ratcliffe received a limited education at the district school, and went to work in his father's saw mill at an early age, and in this business and farming he has been engaged during life. On April 18, 1858, he married Miss Juletta Gray, and to his present wife, Miss Mary Jenne, April 18, 1876, and has a family of 11 children: William M; Erastus M; Miles A; Barbara J; Elmer; Laydon D; Serena M; Juletta; Anna G; Freeman R. and Ethard. His large farm of 380 acres is well improved and fenced, and bears evidence of careful and systematic cultivation, and when he gets his new house completed, the brick for which he has just had made, he will have one of the finest places in the county. He is a member of Harveysburg Lodge of the Masonic fraternity; and is a leading member of the Christian congregation at Pleasant Grove. His brother, Miles W., enlisted in Co. A., of the 85th Ind. reg. and was killed at Atlanta and his body being embalmed was brought home and buried in the Chashat burying ground in this township. Mr. Ratcliffe is engaged largely in raising sheep, hogs and cattle, and with his twelve horse power engine runs his sawmill and threshing machine. In politics, he is republican
File Created: Jan 23, 2008