In the book "History of Northeast Indiana LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb
Counties" published in 1920.
Volume 2, p. 170
"Oscar F. Rakestraw. Everyone in Steuben County knows Mr. Rakestraw
as the veteran editor of the Steuben Republican. He has been continuously
identified with that publication for over forty years and is one of the oldest
newspaper men in Northern Indiana.
"He was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, October 30, 1849, a son of
Caleb and Elezan Rakestraw, who came to Steuben County, Indiana in 1858.
Oscar Rakestraw finished his education at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan,
and his first important business experience was as a general agent for an
insurance company of Hartford, Connecticut, working much of the time as general
agent in New England. He followed that business for a few years, until 1877,
when he entered the Steuben Republican office at Angola, and since then has
been connected with every phase of the business, most of the time as editor
and proprietor.
"He is, like his paper, republican in politics, is affiliated with
the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and for over forty years has been
a member of the Christian Church at Angola. On June 10, 1879, at Angola,
he married Melissa Cline, daughter of Michael and Barbara Cline. They have
two daughters, Zanna and Dorothy. Dorothy is the wife of S.P. Hull, formerly
of Baraboo, Wisconsin, and now living at Montgomery, Michigan. Zanna is organist
at the Jefferson Theater in Fort Wayne."
Submitted by: Theresa Ferguson