Rawalt, Enoch bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 330-331; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Enoch Rawalt. This gentleman belongs to the number of honorable, industrious men, formerly living in Fulton County, who have joined the silent majority and rest from their earthly labors. He was born in Indiana, November 16, 1827, and died in this county October 2, 1885, leaving a widow and seven children together with many friends, to mourn his loss.
The life of Mr. Rawalt was marked with no event of unusual importance until after he had grown to manhood. His early days were spent in the usual manner, pursuing such studies as the schools of the time and section gave command of, and in learning lessons of industry and energy on a farm. His marriage was solemnized in 1848 in this county and the same year he and his bride removed to Iowa. A home was made in Warren County, but after a sojourn of two years the family became residents of Jefferson County, whence they returned hither in a few years.
Mr. Rawalt bought one hundred and three acres of land in Lee Township on section 6, built thereon and improved the place. He afterward added one hundred and nine acres, making up a beautiful farm of two hundred and twelve acres, all of which was placed under cultivation and brought to a fine condition. He was a very hard-working man and in connection with his farming operated a thresher and clover-huller during the season.
In 1863, Mr. Rawalt enlisted in Company F, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and after serving as a valiant soldier about two years received an honorable discharge at Washington and returned to his home in 1865. He resumed his peaceful occupation of agriculture and continued to pursue it zealously and intelligently until called hence. He discharged the duties of various local offices, among them being that of School Director, Commissioner of Highways and Justice of the Peace. He was a liberal contributor to every good cause and won the respect of those about him by his manly life and character. He was a Republican in politics. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and was interred with the rites of the order at Prairie City.
The widow of Enoch Rawalt now has full control of the farm and business, and still makes her home on the estate where she spent so many years with her loved companion. She bore the maiden name of Caroline Miller and was born in Maryland, on the banks of the Potomac River, March 30, 1828.She received her education in Ohio where she was reared to the age of eighteen years, when she accompanied her parents to this State, where about two years later she became the wife of our subject. She is the oldest child born to her parents, John and Susannah (Hovermill) Miller, her brothers and sister bearing the names of John L., Benjamin F., Daniel L. and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born in Maryland, married there and after a few years of wedded life removed to Ohio. Some time later they came to this State, locating near Canton where Mr. Miller breathed his last in 1864, and his widow in 1886.
There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rawalt the following sons and daughters: Warren married Effie Chayney and lives in Lee township; John M. still lives at the old home; Jones F. married Carrie Snider and lives in Lee Township; Bonnie married George Hopes who died January 2, 1890; Della and Charles still remain with their mother; James is at home. In the possession and under the control of the family there are six hundred and thirty acres of good land, all in Lee Township, and all except eighty acres accumulated since the war. It has been done by strict attention to business and hard work, the sons following in their father's footsteps and Mrs. Rawalt herself having proved a valuable assistant to her husband and counselor to her children. She is deserving of the respect conferred upon her as one of the most useful members of the community.