Dr. Benjamin M. Rakestraw
1818 - 1899
and
Christiana Albertson Rakestraw
1834 - 1906
"The funeral of Dr. B. M. Rakestraw was held in the Presbyterian church last Friday afternoon. It was very largely attended, both from this immediate neighborhood and abroad. Brother physicians attended in a body, and the audience was remarkable for the number of aged people who were present...
Deceased was a faithful member and worker in the M.E. church for a half century, and was among the organizers of the first Sunday school in Hicksville.
Benjamin M. Rakestraw was born December 19, 1818, at Goshen, Columbiana county, Ohio. He came to Hicksville in 1846 and remained here until his death, which occurred Tuesday evening, April 25, 1899, being at the time of his death, aged 80 years, 4 months, and 6 days. He leaves a wife and two daughters, Mrs. Sam Boon of this place, and Mrs. Rineman of Salem, Oregon. These latter by former companions**.
The shock of the sudden and unexpected death has not yet been gotten over by the family and many friends. Deceased attended church Sunday and all the meetings of the various societies. He went about his occupation all day Monday and Tuesday, giving no sign of the sudden end, except that he had not been feeling quite so well for a couple of weeks. He ate a usual hearty supper and went to his office as was his habit. When Wesley Bachelor dropped in and chatted and laughed with him, he appeared as well as usual until while laughing heartily, the shock came.
Among the many sad features surrounding the case, it is a source of gratification that Mrs. Rakestraw reached him and held his head while the last breath left his body. She who had been his companion for about forty years was thus by his side to the last.
The remains were take to Forest Home and just as the evening sun was taking its good night look over old earth, he was laid away. While the casket was being lowered into the grave, the M. E. choir sang the beautiful hymn of the deceased, 'Home, Sweet Home.' "
Source: Obituaries: Pioneers of Northwest Ohio, Volume I. Carma Rowe Estate, Johnson Memorial Library. No date. Page 62.
Copies available at the Defiance Public Library and the Sherwood and Hicksville branches.
Christiana, daughter of Edward and Abigail Albertson, was born near Fredericksburg, Wayne County, Ohio, March 22, 1834. She came with her parents to Hicksville, O. in the spring of 1855 and this has been her home for 50 years.
When twenty seven years old, she was married to Dr. B. M. Rakestraw in 1851, and entered at once upon the care of his home and three motherless children. Since the death of her husband in April 1899, she has journeyed on alone, caring for business affairs that fell to her lot with patience and ability.
For a long time, her health was failing and during the last six or seven months, she suffered much, particularly of late with an incurable malady of the stomach. The end came peacefully about 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, 1906, her age being 72 years, 4 months and 29 days.
Mrs. Rakestraw was the fifth child in the family of seven daughters and one son. Only two of the family survive her: Mrs. Sarah Ann Dowell, residing 1 mile southeast of Hicksville and Mrs. Ruth C. Kinmont. Two of Dr. Rakestraw's children survive her: Mrs. Rebecca Boon of this place and Mrs. Carrie Rhineman of Salem, Oregon. All these are well known people of the community. The other child of Dr. Rakestraw, Mrs. Shelton, passed away a few years ago.
When yet a child, Mrs. Rakestraw united with the Methodist Episcopal Church of which she was ever after a staunch member. When the family moved to Hicksville, her membership was transferred here also. At that time and for some time after, the Methodist church of this place was composed of women only - not a man in it. The burdens fell on the few loyal women. The death of Mrs. Rakestraw leaves but two of that heroic band - Mrs. Hannah Simpson and Mrs. Dr. Kinmont. They used to worship in the little frame school house on High street where the wagon shop stands on the corner next to the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Rakestraw often cared for the house when the services were held, carrying wood from her home for the fires, and furnishing the lights and building the fires. She was a regular attendant at the prayer meeting as well as the more public church services.
In the days when Hicksville's Methodism belonged to a circuit and the pastors resided elsewhere, the home of Mrs. Rakestraw was the stopping place for the preacher. They frequently entertained people of note who visited Hicksville. Gov. Foster and other public men being numbered among the guests of those days.
She was interested in the work of the church, giving it such aid as she felt she could. In the disposition of her property, she remembered both kindred and church, bequeating substantial aid to the local church, the Methodist Home for the aged and the great Missionary cause.
Her suffering was intense, but she was patient and resigned. She longed to depart and be at rest. The funeral was held at the residence on Main street, Thursday at 4 p.m., Aug. 23, 1906, her pastor, D. F. Helms, having charge. The body was laid to rest by that of her husband in Forest Home Cemetery."
Christiana, daughter of Edward and Abigail Albertson, was born near Fredericksburg, Wayne County, Ohio, March 22, 1834. She came with her parents to Hicksville, O. in the spring of 1855 and this has been her home for 50 years.
When twenty seven years old, she was married to Dr. B. M. Rakestraw in 1851, and entered at once upon the care of his home and three motherless children. Since the death of her husband in April 1899, she has journeyed on alone, caring for business affairs that fell to her lot with patience and ability.
For a long time, her health was failing and during the last six or seven months, she suffered much, particularly of late with an incurable malady of the stomach. The end came peacefully about 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, 1906, her age being 72 years, 4 months and 29 days.
Mrs. Rakestraw was the fifth child in the family of seven daughters and one son. Only two of the family survive her: Mrs. Sarah Ann Dowell, residing 1 mile southeast of Hicksville and Mrs. Ruth C. Kinmont. Two of Dr. Rakestraw's children survive her: Mrs. Rebecca Boon of this place and Mrs. Carrie Rhineman of Salem, Oregon. All these are well known people of the community. The other child of Dr. Rakestraw, Mrs. Shelton, passed away a few years ago.
When yet a child, Mrs. Rakestraw united with the Methodist Episcopal Church of which she was ever after a staunch member. When the family moved to Hicksville, her membership was transferred here also. At that time and for some time after, the Methodist church of this place was composed of women only - not a man in it. The burdens fell on the few loyal women. The death of Mrs. Rakestraw leaves but two of that heroic band - Mrs. Hannah Simpson and Mrs. Dr. Kinmont. They used to worship in the little frame school house on High street where the wagon shop stands on the corner next to the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Rakestraw often cared for the house when the services were held, carrying wood from her home for the fires, and furnishing the lights and building the fires. She was a regular attendant at the prayer meeting as well as the more public church services.
In the days when Hicksville's Methodism belonged to a circuit and the pastors resided elsewhere, the home of Mrs. Rakestraw was the stopping place for the preacher. They frequently entertained people of note who visited Hicksville. Gov. Foster and other public men being numbered among the guests of those days.
She was interested in the work of the church, giving it such aid as she felt she could. In the disposition of her property, she remembered both kindred and church, bequeating substantial aid to the local church, the Methodist Home for the aged and the great Missionary cause.
Her suffering was intense, but she was patient and resigned. She longed to depart and be at rest. The funeral was held at the residence on Main street, Thursday at 4 p.m., Aug. 23, 1906, her pastor, D. F. Helms, having charge. The body was laid to rest by that of her husband in Forest Home Cemetery."
Source: Obituaries: Pioneers of Northwest Ohio, Volume I. Carma Rowe Estate, Johnson Memorial Library. No date. Page 63.
Copies available at the Defiance Public Library and the Sherwood and Hicksville branches.
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