RATCLIFF, Thomas - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

The death of Uncle Tommy Ratcliff has cast a sad gloom all over this entire community as he was for many years one of our foremost citizens (picture of him in a cane chair -- beard - long nose - long folded hands nice suit) -- he had the distinction of being the oldest voter in the county having cast his ballot for 71 consecutive years in the third precinct of Mill Creek Township marking his first ballot in 1840 for William Henry Harrison. Thomas Ratcliff, son of Thomas and Mary Ratcliff, was born in Highland Co, Ohio Jan 22, 1819 and departed this life Tuesday April 4, 1911 at the age of 92 years 2 months and 12 days, being the last of a family of 9. When about 9 years of age he moved with his father to Fountain County and in 1838 he entered the land on which he has since lived. In October 1839 he was united in marriage to Amna Retta Bradford. To this union six children, four sons and two daughters were born one son dying in infancy. The remaining are Ellen J. Lindley of Bloomingdale, Ind; David J. and Zachariah T of Kingman, Silas L of Troy, Kansas who on account of ill health was unable to be present and Emely Bond of Coloma, Ind. He was married a second time to Elizabeth Jane Little Dec 2, 1860. To this union were born six children, two sons and four daughters. Two of these, Anderson and Syntha S. have preceded him to their reward. The reamining are Serepta, Ida, Edmond B. and Susan Sowers. While a young man he united with the United Brethren Church and in 1872 he united with the Christian Church at Plesant Grove where he held his membership until his death. He loved his home and friends and stood for a high standard of morals and usually on the right side of the question. His word and promise was as sacred and binding as his bond. Another one gone; another tomb in the city of the dead; another soul in Heaven. His life deserves the reward laid up in Heaven for those who fear and serve the Lord. "Uncle Tom" was of that good, faithful and fast diminishina class of men, whose whole heart was for the good of others. Always kind and affectionate, doing everything he could to alleviate the suferings of others. He had the interest of his children and dear ones always upon his heart and it was his greatest joy to serve and sacrifice for his children, wholly content for the trouble it caused him if only repiad with a smile of gratitutde. Every effort that loving hands could do to prolong his life was to no avail and when the summons came he smiled and fell asleep. He leaves to mourn their loss, a wife with whom he lived happily for more than 50 years, 9 children, 25 grandchildren a number of relatives and a host of friends. We do not seek to extoll his merits, but we know that his life was a beautiful exemplifacation of the commandement, "Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself." Funeral services were conducted from the residence Thursday morning at 10 o'clock by rev. Levi Woody afterwhich the remains were taken to Harveysburg cemetery for interment.   --kbz