Henry County, Indiana
BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCH
OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON RADER.
SERGEANT, COMPANY E, 8TH
INFANTRY REGIMENT, INDIANA
VOLUNTEERS (THREE YEARS).
Jesse Rader, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in
Rockingham County, Virginia, March 4, 1806. In 1832 he was united in
marriage with Diana Hoover, daughter of a wealthy farmer of Rockingham
County. In 1833 they migrated to Indiana and entered one hundred acres
of land in Henry County, immediately south of Middletown. Very little
of the land was at that time cleared, most of it being heavily
timbered. Middletown was then composed of a few log houses, a post
office, blacksmith shop and a general store. The Raders commenced
housekeeping in a log cabin but soon built a two-story house of hewed
logs, and this in those early days was considered* a rather pretentious
dwelling. They both worked at clearing the farm and raising such
produce as they could dispose of, the nearest markets being Columbus
and Cincinnati, Ohio.
After their land had been all cleared, forty acres of woodland were
added to it and here they continued to reside, leading quiet and
uneventful but honorable and useful lives. They administered to the
sick and assisted in the last rites to the dead, comforted those in
trouble and exercised a broad charity that knew no distinction of
person or creed. Churches and schools were few and scattered but their
children received the best education the locality afforded and the home
was thrown open to worshipers of God and was made the circuit rider's
stopping place at which regular religious services were held.
To the union of Jesse and Diana (Hoover) Rader were born four daughters
and one son. Amanda, the oldest daughter, was married in 1852 to Robert
R. Van Winkle, who lived in the Middletown neighborhood. He became a
soldier of the Civil War, enlisting in Company H, 69th Indiana
Infantry. He was mustered into the service of the United States, as a
private. August 19, 1861, and participated in all the marches,
skirmishes and battles of his regiment until mustered out May 23, 1865.
Sarah, the second daughter, was married in 1855 to Dr.'David Toops.
Mary, the youngest daughter, was married in 1867 to Madison Grose. The
last named was a soldier of the Civil War, whose services are recounted
more at length in connection with the life of his father/ General
William Grose, in the chapter of this History relating to General
Officers.
Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Rader were members of the United Brethren Church and
devout Christians. After the marriage of their daughters and the death
of
their only son in the Civil War, feeling themselves growing too old for
the labors of the farm, they sold it and bought property in Middletown,
where they
retired for the remainder of their lives. Jesse Rader died in March,
1885, and his widow. Diana (Hoover) Rader, died four years later, in
May, 1889.
George Washington Rader, the subject of this sketch, was the only son
of Jesse and Diana (Hoover) Rader and was born on his parents' farm
near Middletown, Henry County, Indiana, August 17, 1841, where he grew
to manhood, assisting in the work of the farm and receiving such
education as the schools of Middletown afforded. On the threshold of
maturity, he was met by the country's call to arms and with the ardor
of youth, he plunged into that mighty struggle. He was active in
recruiting and organizing what became Company E, 8th Indiana infantry,
three years' service, and was himself mustered into the service of the
United States, as a Sergeant of that company, September 5, 1861. He was
in ill health during much of his service in the army but never faltered
in the performance of duty. He participated in all the marches,
skirmishes and battles of his regiment until the 22nd day of May, 1863,
when, in the general assault on Vicksburg, one of his legs was broken
near the knee by a mine ball. He was taken to the hospital at the
Furgason House where the leg was amputated. The injury was mortal and
five days later, on May 27, 1863, he passed away and his remains were
buried on the battlefield by his comrades. Thus ended the brave and
youthful life of one who had been the hope and joy of his parents.
After the war, when a grateful people established the National Cemetery
at Vicksburg as a burial place for the honored dead who had fallen in
the struggle for possession of that place, the remains of George
Washington Rader were removed from their original burial place and
re-interred in the National Cemetery, in Section G, Grave No. 4965.
When the armed hosts of the nation had conquered peace, his returned
comrades remembered the gallant young soldier and perpetuated his
memory in the name of the George W. Rader Post, No. 119, Grand Army of
the Republic.
Source: Hazzard's History of Henry County, Indiana, 1822-1906 by
George Hazzard 1906
Transcribed and contributed by Larry Wells
|