David George Ratliff (1913)
RATLIFF
Posted By: Judy Wight Branson
Date: 4/3/2012 at 21:46:48
The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, May 7, 1913
Page 1Death Claims D. G. Ratliff
Pioneer Merchant and Pioneer in Early History of Community
D. G. Ratliff, one of the very few survivors of the pioneer merchant's of Winterset and prominent in the early life of this community, passed away at his home in Winterset early Monday morning. He was born in Noble county, Ohio in 1838. With his parents and family, settled near Linn Grove in Warren county in 1850, and in 1853, came to Winterset, where he resided over a period of 60 years.
In 1864, he married Miss Matilda Danner, who preceded him in death, October 17, 1909. Seven children, four sons and three daughters survived the parents. Of this parental family, there remains but one sister, Mrs. Martha Guiberson, of this place, and two half brothers, Albert Guye of this county, and Riley Guye of Valley Junction.
He was in various business enterprises, associated with the early business life of this city. For many years, he was in partnership with C. W. Eastman in the clothing business. In early years, he was in the Ratliff and James meat market and with E. G. Nicholson in the implement business.
For several years past, he has been he has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business with his son, W. E. Ratliff.
He was an ardent democrat and was four times elected to county office in a county that was normally republican by a large majority. He served the county as sheriff from 1876-79 and as treasurer from 1898-1902.
He was kind and unselfish in disposition, and few men of similar means and opportunities, did more for their fellow man than Geo. Ratliff, to help the less fortunate and distressed, with his everyday thought and practice, and his memory will be cherished by many.
_______________________The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, May 7, 1913
Page 1, Column 6GEORGE RATLIFF
Winterset Pioneer Died Monday Morning. Came to County in Early Days.
George Ratliff, one of the very oldest citizens of Winterset, died at his residence on West Green street Monday morning after a long and lingering illness. He has been in feeble health for two or three years.
Mr. Ratliff was nearly seventy-five years old. He came to Iowa from Ohio in 1849 and to Winterset in 1853. As a young man he followed hunting and trapping, and after the war was engaged in the meat business. He was elected sheriff in the seventies and served two terms.
He was in the general merchandise business for many years on the west side and after leaving it was elected county treasurer, serving two terms. Since then he has been more or less engaged in the land business.
He was the father of a large family of children, only one of them living in Winterset.
The funeral occurs this afternoon at the residence.
_______________________Coordinator's note: First name taken from 1880 Federal Census.
Gravesite
Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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