The Rabbitts Family of Clark County, Ohio

CHARLES RABBITTS. The late Charles Rabbitts was a pioneer citizen of Springfield who long bore an important part in its commercial life, and was identified with a large number of its successful business enterprises. Mr. Rabbitts was born September 7, 1820, near the village of Bath, in Wiltshire, England, and was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents to America.

The father of Mr. Rabbitts settled on a farm near Cleveland, Ohio, and the son completed his education in the schools of that section. In 1843 he went to Newark, and was there engaged in a woolen manufacturing business for three years, then coming to Siiringfield, in search of a better location. In 1847, in partnership ith hifbrother-in-law, L. H. Olds, lie built a woolen mill on Warder Street, fitting it up with machinery which, on account of the lack of other means of transportation, had to be hauled by wagon. Here Mr. Rabbitts embarked in a large woolen manufacturing business, making a specialty of "Rabbitts jeans and yarns," which business he carried on for over a quarter of a century, his products becoming widely known and in great demand all through Ohio and neighboring states. At various times he was associated with those other well-known manufacturers, a. S. and John Foos and Marshfield Steele. In 1875 Mr. Rabbitts retired from the manufacturing business and, in association with William S. Thompson and Amaziah Winger, old and well-known business men, erected the Commercial Building. For a number of years Mr. Rabbitts was a lai'ge owner and operator in real estate and several of the most desirable additions to the city were platted by him. He was one of the original incorporators, and was much interested in the selection and improvement of the grounds of Ferncliff Cemetery. He was a member of the first board of directors of the Second National Bank of Springfield and was active in the movement which resulted in the erection of the Lagonda Hotel. He was a citizen who took a large measure of pride in his home city and was indefatigable in pushing enterprises which he believed would add to her prestige. On every side, remain monuments to his business capacity and his public spirit.

Mr. Rabbitts was married May 3, 1848, to Margaret Robison, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, and they became the parents of six children, the five survivors being: James H., who is postmaster at Springfield; W. S., who is cashier of the Springfield National Bank; Charles, who is a Springfield merchant, and Mary and Anna, residing at home. The death of Mr. Rabbitts occurred at the old family home in Sleepy Hollow, December 16,

In political sentiment, Mr. Rabbitts was thoroughly identified with the Republican party from its organization. He believed in its principles and supported its candidates, but he never desired office for himself. He was a member of educational and charitable boards and was noted for his liberality. In religious connection he was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was very active in building up the Second Church of this body at Springfield. Few citizens of Spring-field more definitely impressed themselves on the city as promoters of all its best interests.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES RABBITTS, retired woolen manufacturer, Springfield. Mr.

Charles Rabbitts’ open, frank countenance and hearty manner are his passport to the immediate confidence and respect of his merest acquaintance—and of how few can this be truly said! Mr. Rabbitt is a man of true worth, and an ornament to any community; his life has been an even one, the following being a brief chronological outline of it. Mr. Rabbitts is of English birth and parentage, having been born in Wiltshire, England, on Sept. 7, 1820, hence just 60 years old; his family came to this country in 1832, settling in Cuyahoga County; in 1843, Mr. Rabbitts moved to Newark, Ohio, and embarked in woolen manufacture, and in 1847 established the same industry here, in copartnership with Mr. L. H. Olds, from which Mr. Olds retired about 1852. On the 3d of May, 1849, Mr. Rabbitts consummated a matrimonial alliance with Miss Margaret Robison, the result of which union has been four sons and two daughters (one son being dead), all as yet single; one of the former is James H. Rabbitts, of the prominent law firm of Keifer, White & Rabbitts. Mr. Rabbitts retired from active business in 1875, having, up to his retirement, done the leading business in the line of woolen manufactures, and given a decided impetus to that industry. Mr. and Mrs. Rabbitts have been for many years members of and thoroughly identified with the interests and prosperity of the Second Presbyterian Church. Springfield has produced no better men than Rabbitts & Olds, and no community has need of better.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

CHARLES RABBITTS.

Charles Rabbitts, now deceased, was for many years one of Springeld's most progressive and public-spirited citizens, taking a prominent and active part in business affairs and also in the development of the city. He was a native of England, born near the village of Bath, in Wiltshire, September 7. 1820, and was twelve years of age on the emigration of his family to America. His father located on a farm near Cleveland, where Mr. Rabbitts continued to make his home until 1843, when he removed to Newark, Ohio, and engaged in the business of

* woolen manufacturing.

In 1846 Mr. Rabbitts came to Springfield to seek a location,and the following year leased a water right on Barnett's hydraulic. ‚In partnership with his brother-in-law, L.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

JAMES H. RABBITTS, postmaster, oldest son of the late Charles and Margaret (Robison) Babbitts, was born at Springfield, Ohio, April 1, 1853. He completed his public school course in his native city, and then entered the University of Wooster, Ohio, from which institution lie was graduated in 1874. He then took up the study of the law under the supervision of General J. Warren Keifer and Hon. Charles R. White. In 1876 he was admitted to the bar, and later entered into partnership with his preceptors. In this engagement he continued until 1881, when he was elected clerk of the courts of Clark County.

During the seventeen years following he was actively engaged in political life. He was chosen chairman of the Republican County Central Committee in 1883, and 1*84, and again in 1889 he served in the same position. In 1884 he was reelected to the office of clerk of the courts, and was again re-elected in 1887, and served in that position until January 1, 1890, when he resigned to take the position of managing editor of the Daily Republic-Times, the leading Republican journal of Clark County.

In this engagement he continued for eight years, when he resigned his editorship to serve as postmaster of Springfield, to which office he was appointed by President McKinley, May 1, 1898. In 1902 and again in 1906 Mr. Rabbitts was reappointed by President Roosevelt. During Mr. Rabbitts' incumbency the rural delivery service was established, and the volume of the business of the Springfield post office, its gross receipts and the number of its employes have all increased more than one hundred and twenty-five per cent.

Mr. Rabbitts was married December 7, 1882, at Indianapolis, Ind., to Miss Cornelia Burt, who is a daughter of Rev. N. C. Burt, D. D., who was formerly pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, at Springfield. Of the three children bom to Mr. and Mrs. Rabbitts, a son and a daughter survive, viz: Burt and Frances. The family home is at 652 North Limestone Street.

In 1898 Mr. Rabbitts was elected a member of the Board of Directors of the Merchants' and Mechanics' Building and Loan Association and served continuously in that position. Following the death of the late Edward C. Gwvn, Mr. Rabbitts was elected president of the association January 1, 1908. Mr. Rahbirts is an active member of the Springfield Commercial Club and contributes his willing effort in the discharge of all the duties incident to public-spirited citizenship.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILIJAM S. RABBITTS, cashier of the Springfield National Bank, and one of the representative citizens of the city of Spring-field, was born 1855 in this city. He is a son of Charles Rabbitts, now deceased, a pioneer of Springfield, who established the first woolen mills to operate in this locality.

William S. Rabbitts was reared in Springfield and his early educational training, received in the public schools, was supplemented by a course of study at Wittenberg College. In 1873, after completing his literary education, he entered the Lagonda National Bank as messenger boy. Here he continued until 1880 working his way upward when he went to Boulder, Colorado, and accepted a position as teller in the National State Bank. After occupying that position for two years, he returned to Springfield and shortly after was tendered the position of assistant cashier of the Springfield National Bank, in which capacity he served until 1899. He then became cashier of that institution, which position he still occupies.

Mr. Rabbitts is one of the foremost men of Springfield, enterprising and public spirited, and is held in highest esteem by his fellow men. He is part owner of the Commercial building, is treasurer of the Associated Charities, treasurer and stockholder of the liagonda Club, a member of the Country Club, and also of the Commercial Club, of which he was for two years treasurer. Politically he is a Republican and is treasurer of the Republican Central Committee. Fraternally he is a prominent member of the Mystic Circle, of which he has been treasurer since its organization. He is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, of Springfield.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.