RATCLIFF, Jacob W. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

RATCLIFF, Jacob W. was chosen Trustee of Sugar Creek Township, Parke County in the year 1890 by his fellow citizens and was elected to that responsible position on the Democratic ticket by a majority of 16 votes.  This is the more remarkable as the township is thoroughly Republican and is a tribute to his own sterling worth and the high respect in which he is held by his fellow citizens, many of whom, casting aside party lines, deposited their ballot in his favor.  He has lived a life time in this identical township, where his birth occurred, and is consequently well known by all the old residents.  Mr. Ratcliff owns a farm on Section 10 on which he makes his home.  This place, which comprises 77 acres, has been brought under a high state of cultivation and is very fertile, yielding abundant harvest in return for the persevering effort and care the owner bestows upon it.  Our subject was born on the 1st of July, 1854, on his father's farm in this township.  His parents are Miles and Susan Ratcliff, whose life record will be found in another portion of this volume.  They have long been counted among this section's most honored pioneers and best citizens.  The educational privileges of our subject were those of the district schools of the county.  He remained with his parents, with filial care lightening their labors and lending his assistance in carrying on the old homestead, until past his majority.  At the age of 23 leaving home, our subject went to Fountain County, Indiana where he remained for two years with his brother on his farm, after which he returned and took charge of the old homestead for one years and one half, when he purchased 77 acres of land, the farm which he now cultivates, and he has made a great many improvements upon it since becoming the owner.  He has steadily overcome the obstacles and difficulties in his pathway with commendable courage, and his efforts have been crowned with abundant success.  In the year 1882 occurred the marriage of Mr. Ratcliff and Miss Gertie WARD, who was born in Penn Township and was here reared to womanhood.  She is a well-educated and amiable lady, who, like her husband, has won a host of friends in the neighborhood.  She is a daughter of J.C. and Elizabeth McCord Ward, who are both natives of Parke County.  The union of our worthy subject and his wife has been blessed with a family of 3 children, two sons and a daughter: Theron V; Evart L; and Minnie G.  In the development and up building of the community in which is situated his home, Mr. Ratcliff has ever borne his part and his faithful performance of the duties of citizenship deserves all credit.  It has often been said that the farmers are the backbone and strength of a country's prosperity, and this has been proven to be true time and again in the history of nations.  In the person of our subject we see one of those who, following that peaceful avocation, have "builded wiser than they knew," and have left to their children and country the benefits accruing from their years of well spent toil and effort. - kbz