Spanish - American Soldier - Private George M. Rath

#1 Frank L. Gilmore, #2 George M. Rath, #3, Louis Corcellious

#2 Private George M. Rath

Born on April 20, 1864, George Michael Rath joined his parents Michael P. and Christina (nee Schopmeier) Rath in Tiffin Township where he lived all this life. With him, he had his siblings: Samuel M., Albert C., Frederick, Charles E, Franklin and Mary. He attended the Tiffin Township School and worked at home on the farm as the eldest son.

In the 1900 Federal Census, he lived with his brother, Samuel, as a boarder and farm worker. He had served in the Spanish-American War by that time, enlisting as a private at the age of 33 in 1898. George was promoted to Corporal in April 1899. He never married.

George M. Rath did not enjoy good health and died around the age of 39.

From the Defiance Daily Crescent, August 14, 1903, on page 1:

"A MILITARY BURIAL GIVEN

COMRADES ATTEND FUNERAL OF GEORGE M. RATH AT EVANSPORT

The funeral of George M. Rath was held at Evansport yesterday and was largely attended. A short service was held at 9:30 a.m. at the house. At 10:30, Rev. Wilson conducted services at the M.E. church.

The Spanish-American soldiers with whom the deceased was a comrade in Company M had charge of the funeral. The pall bearers were soldiers from the organization and were: Carl Schmick, John Neaderhauser, Charles White, Fred Bartels, Christ Krabach, and Charles Mann.

A firing squad composed of J. M. Weismantel in charge, Max Hoover and Will Robinson, fired salutes at the grave, giving the departed comrade a military burial. The soldiers gave a beautiful floral design in the shape of the gates ajar. Robert McCullough had charge of this."

The Defiance Express of August 12, 1903, also noted that the funeral was held at the home of Rath's brother-in-law, Philip Huffman, in Williams County and then at the Evansport Methodist Episcopal Church. He was buried in Evansport Cemetery.

That newspaper also noted: "The deceased was a cousin of W.I. Rathe, J. H. Hockman, and H.F. Toberan and was well known in the city. He was an efficient and conscientious soldier and popular with the members of Company M., with whom he saw service in Cuba in the late war. He lived for many years in Tiffin Township, this county."

Dianne Kline, Researcher