Simon Rumbaugh
SIMON RUMBAUGH, late of Wayne township, Armstrong Co., Pa., was born Feb. 6, 1827, son of Isaac and Christina (Knight) Rumbaugh, and was living retired at the time of his death, April 27, 1912.
David Rumbaugh, the grandfather of Simon, came from Germany to the territory now included in Armstrong county, and settled twelve miles north of Kittanning, along the Allegheny river, being one of the pioneers of that locality. Here he lived, labored and died. His children were: Jacob, Solomon, Adam, John, Leonard, Henry, William, Isaac, Polly and Betsy.
Isaac Rumbaugh, the father of Simon, was born on the farm of his father, grew up there, and eventually became the owner of 530 acres of land. Prior to his death he moved to Dayton, where he died, his remains being interred in the Belknap cemetery, where also lie those of his wife. She was a daughter of Peter Knight, and was born in Northampton county, coming to Clarion county in childhood with her parents. Her children were: David; Mary A., wife of William Wadding; Simon; Lucy A., who married Jacob Thomas; Catherine, who married Henry Rupp; Christina, wife of Christian Reisman; Caroline, who was the first wife of Henry Rupp, her sister Catherine being the second; and Elizabeth, who married Jacob Donmyre.
Simon Rumbaugh was educated in the schools of his town and assisted his father until he himself took charge of the homestead. Later he bought this property, comprising 173 acres of land near Dayton, in Wayne township, on which he built a fine brick house, as well as all the other buildings standing today. He gave his two sons fifty acres each, erecting suitable buildings for them on these tracts.
Mr. Rumbaugh married Annie Doverspike, daughter of George Doverspike. She died in 1900, and is buried at Belknap. The children of this marriage were: Emma married David Baker and lives in South Buffalo township; John, who married Ida Chrecongost, died Sept. 12, 1905, aged forty-five years; George, who married Sophia Gallagher, is living on a portion of the old homestead; William, who married Elizabeth Pontious, is farming the homestead; Samuel is living at home, unmarried; David died April 28, 1896, aged twenty-four years, eight months, thirteen days; James, living at Dayton, is in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at their Union station, Pittsburgh.
Mr. Rumbaugh was one of the oldest residents of his section, and all his life commanded the respect and confidence of his associates. He and is brother David built the first church for the Evangelical Reformed denomination in their neighborhood, and he assisted in the construction of the second, known as the Belknap Church. For years he was one of the most influential members of his church, serving as elder and Sunday school superintendent. Independent in his political views, Mr. Rumbaugh served as township clerk, treasurer of the township, and assessor, and was a faithful official. During his long and useful life he was connected with many movements looking toward moral reforms, and he was justly recognized as one of the most representative men of his township.
Source: pages 651-652, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed September 1998 by P. Godesky for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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