Andrew Rebert

As printed in 1902

So closely was Andrew. Rebert associated with business interests in Clark county during more than halí a century that his “name is inseparably interwoven with the history of agricultural and industrial development in Springfield township, and his life record stands as an example worthy of emulation, for it proves that no matter what the lack of opportunities in youth or how limited are one's financial resources these difficulties may be overcome by persistent energy and success gained through diligence when guided by sound judgment and supplemented by honest dealing.

Mr. Rebert was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in August, 1818, a son of Andrew and Catherine Rebert, in whose family were nine children, our subject being the only one who became a resident of Clark county. Both parents died in Lancaster county. In the place of his nativity Andrew Rebert, having acquired a common school education, learned the miller’s trade and when he came to Ohio in 1838, at the age of twenty years, he secured employment. in a mill on Mill creek in Springfield township. Later he purchased that property and as his labors brought to him sufficient capital he also bought land and became the owner of two hundred and seventy-two acres, all of which was very fertile and productive, save for some stone beds. These, however, proved an excellent source of income, for he quarried the stone and the excellence of the product enabled him to command a. ready sale and good prices on the market. From his quarry was taken the stone used in the construction of the courthouse of Clark county and of other important 'buildings. His farm Mr. Rebert largely devoted to dairy purposes. He had one hundred and twenty-eight cows and ran five wagons to the city for the distribution of his dairy products. His was one of the most extensive dairies of the state, with a capacity of about two hundred and fifty gallons of milk per day. In 1869 he built a large barn and in 1870 erected a fine brick residence on his place. Large outbuildings furnished shelter for grain and stock and everything about the place was kept in good repair, showing the supervision of a thrifty and painstaking owner, who regarded no detail of his business too unimportant to claim his attention, at the same time having tne ability to successfully control the most imperant branches of his varied business interests. He was not only engaged in dairying and quarrying stone, but across the road from his home he had a mill, which he operated for many years, his patrons coming from many miles around, the industry proving a valuable adjunct to the community. Mr. Rebert employed thirteen men and thirty-two horses were continually in use in carrying on the work of the farm.

Harvest time at the Rebert farm was known as “fair time,” and many were the scenes of jollity there enacted when the large number of harvest hands were entertained on the place, while engaged in the working or cutting of crops and preparing them. for market. Small boys of the neighborhood were promised a visit to the farm on condition of good-behavior, and it is surmised that many who did not meet this condition surreptitiously attended the farm anyway, pretending to have no knowledge of the “fair” when they returned home.

Mr. Rebert was married February 14, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Landis, who was born in Springfield township, near the Rehert farm, January 15, 1827, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Carlus) Landis, who were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Her father was a son of Henry and Maria Landis, who came to Clark county in 1824 and purchased about three hundred acres of wild land in Springfield township, the grandfather here carrying on farm work until his death in 1838, his remains being interred in the Landis burying ground. His wife lived to be fifty-five years of age and was laid to rest in Ferncliff cemetery. Henry and Elizabeth Landis were the parents of seven children: John; Henry; Elizabeth; Jacob; Maria, the wife of Anthony Hullinger; David; and Susan. Mrs. Rebert is the only one now living. By her marriage she became the mother of eleven children. Jonas is the eldest. Anna became the mother of William Miller and died leaving one child, Jefferson. Edward wedded Mary Hill and has three children: Carl, married Eva Beatty; Charles; and Andrew. Charles married Hattie Gram and had two children, Wilbur and Elizabeth, but the latter is deceased.

Winfield Scott married Melesia Rough and their children are Ada; Catherine, deceased; and Emily. Wilson A. married Carrie Mc- Clure. Frances and John A. are deceased. Albert married Julia Driscoll. Nora is the wife of William Almony. Theodore married Maud Rubert and has two children, Nellie and Roger. Codoras married Emma Payton and had five children—Hazel, Olive, Dorothy, deceased, Merrill and Mary.

In politics Andrew Rebert was a Democrat and was not slow to advance any public movement intended for the general welfare. He was the promoter of the pike which bears his name and assisted many other movements which proved beneficial to this portion of the state. He was a very progressive farmer and a wide-awake and energetic business man, who capable controlled various business interests, all of which: he thoroughly understood, their successful conduct resulting from his supervision, keen discrimination and judgment which was seldom at fault. He died April 15, 1886, and was laid to rest in Ferncliff cemetery, but he left to his family an excellent estate and an un- > tarnished name, to his friends the memory of an upright life and to future generations a record which should serve as a source of inspiration, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to persevere in the conduct of a clearly defined business course,

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.