RATCLIFF, David J.
Source: Covington Republican newspaper, Covington, Fountain County, Indiana 10 Feb 1922 p 1
David J. Ratcliff, pioneer of Fountain County, died at his home in Veedersburg, Saturday at 2 p.m. He had been ill from a complication of diseases for several months. David J. Ratcliff was born December 8, 1843, the son of Thomas Ratcliff, a pioneer settler of the state of Indiana. He is survived by his wife, Hannah Ratcliff, and two daughters, Mrs. John Ratcliff of Veedersburg and Mrs. Henry Zackmire of Kingman. He has one brother, Silas Ratcliff of St. Joe, Missouri. He was a membr of the Masonic lodge of Kingman. The funeral was held from the UB Church at Kingman, Monday at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Burial at Harveysburg cemetery. ---typed by kbz - sent from Kathy S :)
Source: Iva Lewis Obituary Scrapbook
David J. Ratcliff, son of Thomas and Armaletta Ratcliff, was born in Fountain County, Indiana December 6, 1843, departed this life February 4th, 1922, aged 78 years, 1 month and 28 days. He spent his early boyhood days on a farm near Kingman where he grew to manhood. He attended the common schools of that day. He was industrious and frugal and by his indomitable will and determination to conquer laid the foundation for the future. He was a hard worker and often facing storm and rain worked diligently from early morn until late at night, that he might make for himself a home. In the early sixties when his country needed his support most he left all that was near to him offered himself and his services to his country enlisting in Co. I Thirty-First Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, having fought in the battles of Chicamaga, Franklin, Nashville and accompanied General Sherman to the sea. In 1865, immediately after the close of the war, he returned home and on the 28th day of August of the same year was married to Sallie M. Marshall and to this union 2 children were born, Corrie E. and Flora L. He with his wife and children lived happily together until death came into the home October 7th, 1897 and took away the wife and mother of the home. Being a firm believer is a Supreme Being he and his young wife yielded to the Divine indene? of Heavenly grace and dedicated their lives to Him for time and eternity, uniting with the United Brethern Church at Old Harveysburg and remained members of that body until the class was dissolved, after which they joined the Baptist Church. He was an honorable member of Kingman No. 314 and was held in high esteem by that body. On March 8th, 1920 he was again married to Mrs. Hannah Hepner of Sterling and during this brief period of two years they lived happily together until death came and called him home. His illness was of slow duration but the stout robust man had to yield to the ravages of disease which did its deadly work on the physical body. He never murmured or complained but with a firm faith in the Christ he had served, he, like Paul, could say, “I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith and henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of rejoicing, and not me only but all that love his appearing”. All that loving hands and skilled physicians could do was to no avail. He had to go, but we are comforted in the happy thought that our loss is his eternal gain. He was a faithful, dutiful husband and an indulgent father, a loving brother and friend. He leaves to mourn their loss a wife, two daughters, three sisters, one brother and a host of relatives and friends. The funeral services were conducted at the United Brethern Church at Kingman by Rev. J. M. McHargue of that place after which the remains were laid to rest in the Harveysburg Cemetery. – jlr