Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903. pp. 483-484.

FREDERICK RAPP.

Reared in the earlier days, when schools were few and an uncleared farm stared the settler in the face, it is little wonder that the majority of our pioneer; had little time for school or books. But after the woodland had been converted into fields of waving grain and the little family had grown away from the grinding hardships of early life, then it was that the father set himself assiduously to work to rectify the neglect of his boyhood and in most cases he succeeded beyond his expectations. Frederick Rapp was born to Frederick and Rosanna Rapp in Wurtemberg, Germany, August 21, 1839. The Rapp family came to America and settled in Erie county, New York, where the father bought-forty acres of land. Later he sold this and in 1853 brought his wife and children to Jefferson township, where he took one hundred acres of land in section 1, which was partially cleared. He and his family lived on this farm until the death of the parents. Mr. Rapp was a quiet, unassuming man, who had a good education in German and believed that each man could take care of his own business better than could his neighbor. Acting on this principle, he won many friends, whom he was able to assist with his advice. Eight children were the fruits of this union, four of whom are now living.

Frederick Rapp was reared in Germany, in New York and in Indiana. At an early age he helped clear their farm and later to cultivate it. His attendance at school was irregular, owing to the necessity of his being at work in the fields, his early education being thus much neglected. He remained beneath his father's roof until after he was twenty-one, having farmed the place for a few years. Miss Sarah Stites became his wife January 22, 1869. She was born to Peter and Christena (Hickler) Stites in Summit county, Ohio, March 12, 1844, and came with her parents to Wells county when she was a young girl. Four children blessed their union, namely: Effie A., Edna A., deceased, Jennie I., and Maud Pearl, deceased. Both Effie and Jennie were given the best advantages of the county schools and are living at home. Sometime after his marriage Mr. Rapp purchased eighty acres and established a home where he has since resided. He and wife and family are members of Bethlehem Evangelical church, the father being a trustee of the church, while the daughter, Miss Jennie, is the present organist, which position she has held for several years. In politics Mr. Rapp is a Republican, though before the war he voted with the Democratic party. The family are well and favorably known in this part of Wells county and have the highest esteem of their acquaintances and neighbors.