Rausch Family

Herman Rausch

Born around 1812 in Germany, he married Mary Huber in 1842. In 1852 Herman and Mary with 3 of their children sailed for United States. The boat they sailed on carried supplies for three months but the trip took 19 days to arrive in New York. From here they continued on to Bucyrus, Ohio, in Crawford Co. where they lived on a farm until 1859. Leaving Bucyrus, Herman and his son Charles walked for 2 days along the railroad tracks to a farm they rented near Elery, Ohio. When they were settled, his wife and the rest of the family followed on the train. They resided here until they moved to their own farm which was located 11/2 miles west of Napoleon on the south-side river road. (The windmill still stands.) Herman and Mary had 8 children: Charles, John, Ann Rausch Crum, Carolyn Rausch Leader, Kate Rausch March, Rausch March (2 girls married brothers), Molly Rausch Baer, and Libby Rausch Ice. Herman and Mary farmed this farm until their death. They are buried in Luthern Cemetery off 108 on Rd. K.

Charles Rausch

Born May 19, 1844, in Kaiserlauter, Bavaria, Germany, he was the son of Herman and Mary Huber Rausch. When he was 8 years old he sailed with his parents and 2 sisters to United States and settled for awhile in Bucyrus, Ohio. On March 11, 1875, he married Sophia Helen Guinther and to them 10 children were born: Mayme Rausch Anderson, Cora Rausch Swinn, Lou Rausch Osborn, Elizabeth Rausch Osborn, Kathryn Rausch King, Susan Rausch Travis, Helen Rausch Simmons, Edward, Carl, and Clara. Charles and Sophia lived all their married lives on the farm that had been his father's. He died Nov. 20, 1924, and is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, Napoleon, Ohio, beside his wife.

Sophia Guinther Rausch -wife of Charles Rausch, was born to Abraham and Barbara Wagner Guinther on May 7, 1853, in Crawford Co., Ohio. She had 1 brother, John, and 3 sisters, Rose Guinther Brown, Caroline Guinther Hershberger, and Emma Guinther Kalb. She died in her sleep March 29, 1918, while on a visit in Crawford Co. at her sister Emma's home.

Carl Rausch

Born May 8, 1891, on his father's farm southwest of Napoleon, the son of Charles and Sophia Guinther Rausch. He attended 8 grades of school in the country school District No. 6 in Napoleon Township. He worked on the farm with his father until 1912 when he was 21. His pride and joy was the purchase of a horse in 1909 and a new buggy in 1911. He and Ina Frazier were married Oct. 20, 1912, and had 5 sons, Russell, Burdette, Paul, James, and Lowell. Carl worked for the D T & I Railroad at the roundhouse from Nov., 1912, until spring of 1913 when he took a job at Napoleon Hardware where he worked for 2 years. In 1915 he went to work for Rothenberger Bros. Hardware, working here for 8 years. Starting out on his own, he opened a tin shop in 1923 behind the courthouse and in 1927 bought the building beside the courthouse and moved his shop there where he continued until 1929 when he and Claude Shockey purchased the Rothenberger Hardware. They were partners until he sold to Shockey in 1932. He went back to the tin shop by the courthouse until 1937 when he sold the building and moved his shop beside his home on W. Maumee doing roofing, spouting, furnace, and tin work. He and his sons, Russell and Burdette, formed the present Rausch Roofing Construction Co. with James joining them later. About 1940 he purchased a 1/2 interest in Liberty Lumber Co., Liberty Center, with sons Paul and Lowell working here. In May, 1957, at the age of 66 he sold his interest in the roofing co. to his 3 sons, Russell, Burdette, and James, and retired. Later this year he sold his share in Liberty Lumber to his partner Julian Travis and purchased Harper Lumber Co. in Napoleon with sons Paul and Lowell taking over the management. He and his wife celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in Oct., 1973. Carl was 84 when he died July 9, 1975, interment in Forest Hill Cemetery. (His wife preceded him in death, February 1974.)

Ina Fraizer - wife of Carl Rausch, was born to David and Nettie Winners Frazier on July 30, 1889. She married Carl Rausch on Oct. 20, 1912. She died Feb. 9, 1974, and is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Russell Rausch

Born June 15, 1913, to Carl and Ina Rausch in Napoleon, Ohio. He attended Old South and Central grade schools and graduated from Napoleon High School in 1931. After graduation he worked for his father in the roofing and furnace business expanding this into Rausch Roofing Constr. Co., Inc. with his father and 2 brothers Burdette and James. In May, 1957, he and his 2 brothers purchased their father's interest in the business and he has continued in the business ever since. On April 16, 1937, he married Dorothy Ferguson of Toledo, Ohio, and they have 4 children. ROGER, born March 6, 1939. He is married to Janice Sonnenberg and they have 2 girls, Annette and Janine. Roger works with the Rausch Roofing Co. CAROL, born June 18, 1941. She is married to Michael Nachtrab and they have 1 girl, Sara. They reside in Lander, Wyoming. LYNN, born Nov. 21, 1948. He is married to Kathleen Borstleman and they have 1 boy, Andrew. Lynn works with the Rausch Roofing Co. WAYNE, born Dec. 9, 1950. Still in school.

Burdette Rausch

Born July 25, 1915, to Carl and Ina Rausch in Napoleon, Ohio. He attended Old South and Central grade schools and graduated from Napoleon

High in 1933. After graduation he worked for his father in the roofing and furnace business expanding this into Rausch Roofing Constr. Co., Inc. with his father and 2 brothers Russell and James. In May, 1957, he and his 2 brothers purchased their father's interest in the business and he has continued in the business ever since. On March 22, 1948, he married Virginia Dangler of Wauseon, Ohio.

Paul Rausch

Born Jan. 29, 1920, to Carl and Ina Rausch in Napoleon, Ohio. He attended Old South and Central grades schools and graduated from Napoleon High School in 1938. He worked for his father at Liberty Lumber Co. until he joined the Marines in 1941, World War II. For some time he lived in Greenville, North Carolina, returning to Napoleon to manage Rausch Lumber Co. with his brother Lowell in 1957, continuing in this business ever since. On Dec. 16, 1944, he married Margaret James of Greenville, North Carolina, and they have 2 children. RONALD, born Oct. 2, 1945. He is married to Kathleen Vold and they have 2 children, Timothy and Amy. Ronald works for the Rausch Lumber Co. THOMAS, born Aug. 7, 1950. Thomas works for the Rausch Lumber Co.

James Rausch

Born Oct. 31, 1923 to Carl and Ina Rausch in Napoleon, Ohio. He attended Old South and Central grade schools and graduated from Napoleon High School in 1941. He enlisted in the Army in 1942 serving in South Pacific in World War II. He joined his two brothers in the Rausch Roofing Constr. Co. and has continued in the business ever since. On July 21, 1946, he married Emily Baughman of Napoleon, Ohio, and they have 4 children. TONDRA, born May 30, 1948. She is a nurse and resides in Columbus, Ohio. DIANE, born Nov. 25, 1952. Still in school. PATTI, born Jan. 2, 1957. Still in school. DAVID, born May 25, 1958. Still in school.

Lowell Rausch

Born March 7, 1931, to Carl and Ina Rausch in Napoleon, Ohio. He attended Old South and Central schools and graduated from Napoleon High School in 1949. He served in thearmy during the Korean War. Upon returning from service he worked for his father at Liberty Lumber Co. moving to Napoleon to manage Rausch Lumber Co. with his brother in 1957, continuing in this business ever since. On Feb. 17, 1951, he married Marilyn Saneholtz of Napoleon, Ohio, and they have 4 children. SUSAN, born Mar. 21, 1952. She resides in Columbus, Ohio. MIKE, born Oct. 17, 1954. He is stud in school. BARBARA, born Dec. 11, 1956. Nursing School. STEVEN, born April 12, 1958. Still in school.

Submitted by the Family