RATCLIFF, Jonathan Albert
Source: Kingman Star June 23 1911
Jonathan Albert Ratcliff, son of Miles and Susanah Ratcliff, was born at the Miles Ratcliff homestead in Sugar Creek Township in Parke County, Indiana, Sept. 22, 1856. At a little over two years of age he was deprived of a mother's love, and his care and early training devolved largely upon an older sister. That this sister did her work well is proven by the sterling qualities of the man. In his childhood he met with a misfortune, which came near proving fatal. Finding in the orchard what he supposed to be wild currents, but which proved to be some species of poisen berries, he ate freely of them and for days lay in spasms but his life was despaired of. When finally his physical strength was regained, his nervous system was found to be wrecked and the tender bud which gave promise of a master mind, opened and developed into a blighted intellect showing but meager traces of what it was to have been and yet, the innate beauties, honesty, virtue and integrity were b no means obliterated, and for these qualities his memory shall be revered. In his young manhood he united with the Pleasant Grove Christian church under the pastorate of Rev. J. T. Phillips. On May 8, 1896 he was united in marriage to Mary Chew. To this union two children were born. The first, Grace L., died in infancy. The second, Susan J., now 12 years of age, and the mother survive him. Besides these he leaves three brothers, one sister, one half-brother, two half-sisters and numerous other relatives and friends. He departed this life, June 18th, 1911 at the age of 54 years, 8 months and 26 days. His death being the result of a fall six days before, during which time he suffered untold misery. It seems that Providence is indeed unkind to some, and yet we have the blessed promise that through great tribulations shall come joy untold and the least that could be said of him is that he was a good man and one who deserved and held the respect and friendship of all who knew him. Funeral services were conducted from the residence southeast of Kingman Tuesday forenoon at 10 o'clock by Rev. Levi Woody. Intermment in Kachatt (sic) cemetery.