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George P. Rummel
Born March 10, 1800 |
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George P. Rummel, who at the time of his death was one of the oldest men of Jones county, was born at the foot of Little Round Top Mountain, Adams county, Pennsylvania, near Gettysburg, March 10, 1800, and passed away at Olin, February 9, 1891, aged ninety years, ten months and twenty-nine days. He was the eldest son of John Rummel, a soldier of the war of 1812, who died in the hospital at Black Rock, New York, in July, 1814, during that war. So loyal was the Rummel family that when John Rummel set forth to defend his country, his lit-tle son then but twelve years of age accompanied him intent upon enlisting also, but at Gettysburg he was rejected on account of his youth, and returning home the lad found a harder battle for him to fight than any waged against foreign foe, for all of the burdens of the family were laid on his shoulders. There is no doubt, judging his early efforts by those of his mature years but that he cheerfully discharged these duties and took care of the helpless ones depending upon him.
On March 10, 1825, George P. Rummel and Mary Stouffer were married and they had seven children: Jacob, John M., Andrew, George W., Josiah, David E. and Nannie J., all of whom survived him except the little daughter. However, now only three sons are living, George W., Josiah and David E., the others having joined him above. Mr. Rummel lost his wife in Richland county, Ohio,
February 26, 1849. He remained in Richland for several years longer, but in 1855 he came to Jones county, Iowa, which was his home until he died. On October 30, 1849, he married Jane Moffitt, who died at Olin, April 17, 1878, with no issue.
A stonemason by trade, Mr. Rummel was employed by the government to build a darn across the Potomac river near Harper's Ferry, but after coming to Iowa he devoted himself to farming until his age compelled him to retire. Coming to Olin he had his own home until the death of his wife and then lived with his son David E. for the rest of his days. His early church connections were with the Evangelical Lutherans, but upon coming to Iowa he joined the Reformed church. Until the formation of the republican party he was a Jeffersonian democrat, but with the organization of the new political creed, he adopted it and supported it the rest of his life.
The funeral services of this really noble man were held at the Methodist church by the Rev. F. M. Schultz, of Lisbon, the Revs. Harper, Maultman and Camp assisting. The latter who were local clergymen paid fitting tribute to the memory of this man who had set so exalted an example of godly living in their midst, and the services were singularly impressive.
"Death hath no breach,
In love and sympathy, in hope and trust;
No outward sign or sound our cars can reach,
But there is an inward spiritual speech,
That greets us still, though mortal tongues be dust."
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 340. |
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© Copyright 1997-2013, The Art Department, © Copyright 2014-2020, Richard Harrison.
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