JOHN RAPP, b 2 Jun 1821

RAPP, REIG, FRANK, HAUSCH

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 9/16/2004 at 18:09:43

John Rapp has for many years been engaged in farming and stock-raising in Perry Township, and he has been so prospered in his calling that he has increased the acreage of his farm from forty acres to 169 acres, pleasantly located on sections 28 and 29. With its well-tilled soil, neat and substantial buildings, and other valuable improvements, his homestead is considered one of the most desirable farms in this neighborhood.

Our subject is of German birth and ancestry. His father, Leonard Rapp, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, and spent his entire life in his native land. He was an honest, industrious man, and owned a small farm, and by its careful cultivation managed to support his family in comfort. During the war against Napoleon he served his Government as a teamster. He and his wife were consistent members of the Luthern Church. The latter, whose maiden name was Barbara Reig, was born in Wurtemburg, and always lived in Germany. Of their union six children were born, namely: Leonard (deceased), George, in Germany; John, Maggie, Rosinda and Barbara, deceased.

John Rapp, the subject of this biographical notice was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, June 2, 1821. He was reared on a farm and attended school from the time he was six years old until he was fourteen, thus acquiring a very good education. After leaving school the young lad had to begin life in earnest and to become self-supporting. He engaged in farm work, and was also employed as a teamster in Goppingen, Germany, for six years. In 1848 he determined to see for himself if he could better his condition by emigration to the United States of America, the Mecca of so many of his countrymen, and in accordance with that resolution he embarked at Antwerp on the sailing-vessel "Elizabeth," and after a long voyage of nine weeks was finally landed in New York City. He made his way to Albany, N.Y., where he found employment under one man for the ensuing five years. At the expiration of that time he went to Buffalo, N.Y., and worked in a sawmill. He subsequently decided to try life in the West, and journeyed to Chicago, and thence came by team to this State, crossing the Mississippi at Bellevue. He chose a suitable location in Perry Township, consisting of forty acres of unimproved land. In the years that have since followed he has worked hard to build up the pleasant home that he now occupies, and in his labors has had the encouragement and able assistance of a good wife. He cleared and broke the soil, and now has it under fine cultivation, has set out beautiful groves and an orchard, and has bought land adjacent to his original purchase. He has his land fenced, and has twenty-five acres of it in timber, and it is well watered by Cedar Creek. He has erected a commodious and comfortable stone house 18x28 feet, wing 16x24, and two good barns. He raises graded cattle, of which he has a fine herd; hogs of good breed, and two teams of good horses.

Mr. Rapp and Miss Rosina Frank were united in marriage in Hamburgh, N.Y., Nov. 6, 1853. Mrs. Rapp was a daughter of Jacob Frank, a wagon maker who came with his family to America in 1853. He settled in North Boston, N.Y., and lived there two years. He then came to Iowa, and engaged at his trade in Maquoketa. From there he removed to Fulton, and carried on wagon-making there until his death, June 2, 1884. His wife, whose maiden name was Barbara Hausch, was also born in Germany, and they were both members of the German Baptist Church. Her father, Bernhard Hausch, was a wealthy farmer in Germany and died there. She died in Fulton Iowa. Nine children were born to her and her husband, as follows: Rosina; Jacob, living in New York; Sybil (deceased), Mary and Elizabeth in Bellevue; John, and Louis in Fulton; William (deceased), Christena in Maquoketa.

Mrs. Rapp was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, June 20, 1825, and remained at home until twenty-four years old, and then taking passage on a sail-ship from Bremen, Germany, sixty-nine days later landed in New York, and thence she went to North Boston. Of her marriage with our subject six children have been born, namely: John, who died at the age of seventeen years; William, who died at the age of five years; Louis, who died in infancy; Rosa, at home; Frank, who carries on the homestead; Minnie, a dressmaker in Maquoketa.

Mr. Rapp is a thoroughly good and upright man, who is well thought of by the whole community. He came here with almost nothing, but with strength and persistence has bettered his fortunes, and in their cosy home, he and his wife can enjoy life as old age draws nigh, free from the cares and burdens that beset their earlier wedded life. They are earnest and sincere Christians, and the Baptist Church at Fulton numbers them among its most respected members. In politics Mr. Rapp is a follower of the Democratic party.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)