Numbered among those who have prospered along the various lines of agriculture is Anton H. Rabe, who as a foresighted, enterprising and progressive citizen of Hancock county Indiana, has reached a position of the highest order in the affairs of the community in which he lives. His life has been guided by the highest principles and his influence has been potent in connection with community development. He has identified himself not only with agricultural affairs but also with civic interests and has left a definite impression upon the life of the locality in which he resides. Anton H. Rabe is a native of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, having been born in this section of the state on October 19, 1877. His parents were Anton R. and Anna Marie (Kuner) Rabe, the former of whom was born in Indianapolis, November 22, 1841, and the latter of whom, a native of Germany, was born on May 2, 1851. The mother of the subject of this sketch left her native land at the age of nineteen and came to Marion county, Indiana, where she lived with an uncle, Henry Yeager, until the time of her marriage to Mr. Rabe.

Anton F. Rabe, the father of the subject of this sketch, lived in Indianapolis until he was three years old when he moved with his father to the old Rabe homestead n Sugar Creek township, Hancock county. His education was received in the district schools of the section of the state just mentioned. Shortly after he reached the age of manhood the Civil War broke out and Anton Rabe offered his services to save the Union. He enlisted on August 16, 1861, and served to the very end of the war, being discharged on June 7, 1865. During this time he was a member of Company D., Seventy-ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. As a soldier Mr. Rabe received some of the most interesting as well as dangerous experiences of his life. He was at Lookout mountain, Stone's river and at other important battles. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea but before arriving at the destination was changed to another line of service. As a corporal he was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, and returned to the homestead of his father, where he began once more the routine of farm life. After his marriage, which was solemnized in 1872, Mr. Rabe moved to a farm consisting of eighty acres of land seven and one-half miles southwest of Greenfield, Indiana, which he had purchased. The farm was only in the first stage of cultivation and part of the land had never been drained. A log cabin occupied a prominent place within its boundaries and only added to its primeval appearance. Mr. Rabe began at once the task of clearing the land and changing the farm into a desirable tract for the raising of grain. After he had the land in a high state of improvement he purchased forty acres adjoining and this place at the time of his death, which occurred on June 4, 1914, was one of the finest farms in Hancock county.

To Mr. and Mrs. Anton F. Rabe the following children were born: Anton H., Mrs. Anne Klieman, Mrs. Mary Kepper, Mrs. Louise Wooten, Bertha, who resides on the home place; one son, August, also lives at home. Anton F. Rabe was survived by the immediate members of his family, a brother, Charles, and by two sisters, Mrs. Louise Maddox and Mrs. Christine Rauschaupt, who were born in Hancock county, and who are now residing in Texas. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was also named Anton Rabe. The grandmother died in Kansas where she had gone with Charles Rabe. Anton F. Rabe was prominent in the affairs of the German Lutheran church of which the Rev. J. H. Kuntz was pastor. His wife, who was reared as a Catholic in German, became a member of the German Evangelical church of New Palestine, in this county.

The early education received by Anton H. Rabe was obtained in the Sugar Creek township schools and after completing the course given he began to assist his father with the work on the farm. After his marriage, which occurred in 1900, he moved east of his original home where he continues to reside at the present time. The farm is in an excellent stage of cultivation and is one of the best improved in the township. Aside from his interest in grain raising Mr. Rabe gives much attention to the raising of high grade stock and ships on an average of seventy-five head of hogs a year. The subject of this sketch also takes great pride in improving the farm residence which is a twelve-room structure of brick of imposing appearance. The stock barn and smaller buildings on the place represent the most modern ideas in farm improvement and stand as models of the advancement being made at the present time in agricultural conveniences.

On December 24, 1900, the marriage of Anton H. Rabe to Stella Collier, the daughter of George and Amanda (McBaine) Collier, residents of Brandywine township, took place. Mrs. Rabe, who was born on September 19, 1878, is a member of a large family including the following children: Mrs. Flora Bridgewater, Alfred M. A., Dunham and Mrs. Elizabeth Moore and Dolly Collier, both of whom are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Rabe has been born one child, George A. Rabe, a student in high school at Greenfield.

Anton H. Rabe has always manifested a true interest in political affairs and in working for the betterment of conditions in the community in which he lives, has given his political support to the principles of the Democratic party. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Greenfield. He is a man of fine attainments, of broad and positive views and his personality is of the type which wins the greatest admiration from those with whom he comes in contact.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Page 1057-1059.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI November 8, 2001.

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