EDWIN S. RABE.

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         Edwin S. Rabe, who for the past fifteen years has been identified with the Cooperative store of Letts, was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 14th of October, 1869. His parents are Copeland and Ludia A. (Fletcher) Rabe, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Iowa. They were married in the latter state, following which the father purchased a farm in Muscatine county, which he operated until his retirement in 1905. For five years thereafter they resided in West Liberty but they now make their home with their daughter. Six children were born to them: William, who is a resident of Axtell, Kansas; Edwin S., our subject; Jesse, who lives in Haskill, Colorado; Alpha, who is on the old homestead; Zelpha, the wife of Charles Monroe, of West Liberty; and Leila, who became the wife of Chester Grigg, of West Liberty, Iowa.

         Reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his native county, Edwin S. Rabe remained at home until he attained his majority. For three years thereafter he operated a creamery at West Liberty, and then disposing of his interest he ran a cream wagon on a salary for two years. At the expiration of that period he became a clerk in the Cooperative store of Letts, where he has ever since continued to be employed.

         Mr. Rabe was united in marriage on the 27th of December, 1897, to Miss Lucille Idle, who was born in Grand View township in 1872 and is a daughter of Frank B. and Mary E. (Brumley) Idle. Her father is a native of Ohio and . . .

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. . . her mother of Virginia, but they were married in Iowa. The father engaged in farming until 1901, at which time he retired to Letts, where they continue to reside. Mr. Idle still owns land in the Dakotas and Kansas, however. In his family are the following children: Newton, who is a resident of Boycourt, Kansas; Clara, the wife of H. L. Shear, of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Nancy, who married James Small, of Letts, Iowa; Ollie, a resident of Boycourt, Kansas; and Lucille, now Mrs. Rabe. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Rabe has been blessed by one son, Maurice E., who was born on the 6th of June, 1906.

         Mr. Rabe votes with the republican party but is not an office seeker. His fraternal relations are confined to his membership in the Masonic order, and both he and his wife affiliate with the Presbyterian church, among whose congregation they number many friends.