Michael RIFE

  General Notes:

Michael Rife, the eldest son, was eighteen when he came to Sandusky county, just the right age to be of most value to his father in the pioneer life. For seven years he labored at home. Then on New Year's Day, 1839, he married Mary Longwell, a young lady who had been orphaned from infancy, and whose parents were among the first victims of an unhealthy climate in York township in its early days. She was born in Berlin township, Delaware county, November 9, 1821, only daughter of Robert and Lucinda (Butler) Longwell. They were married February 2, 1821, and in 1823 journeyed to a new pioneer home. Mr. Longwell brought his goods .in an oxwagon, while his wife carried the child Mary in her arms and rode horseback. After one brief year of married life in the new land the family was destroyed. Mrs. Longwell died September 17, 1824, aged thirty-two years, her husband, who was a native of Kentucky, five days later, aged thirty years. The mother was one of a numerous family; she was born in Lenox township, Berkshire Co., Mass. Her brothers and sisters were: Sarah; Lydia, Rebecca, Persus, Thankful, Jethrone, Daniel, David, Levi, George, Cornelius and Mary. The orphaned child grew up among relatives in Sandusky and Delaware counties. After his marriage to her in 1839 Michael Rife began housekeeping in York township. Currency was scarce in those days, and to procure the small amount of money needed to pay taxes was a difficult matter. Mrs. Rife raised chickens and produce of various sorts, but the prices they commanded would in this day discourage any agriculturist. Michael Rife was in politics a Republican. He was industrious and economical, and accumulated a highly-improved farm of 400 acres upon which he lived in comfort during his declining years until his death, which occurred January 2, 1894. His widow is at this writing still living on the old homstead on the North Ridge, York township. Four children were born to Michael and Mary Rife. (1) Eudora Ann, born March 30, 1841, married October 16, 1862, to Robert Zuel, of Townsend township, who was born in New York State October 29, 1831; they have four children: Mary, born October 20, 1863, married to Robert Asher, and living in Kansas, near Kansas City; Sarah, born October 22, 1865, married to William Range, and the mother of five children- Charles, Frank, Fred, Bessie and Harry; Hattie, born August 25, 1869, married to W. Gursuch, and living in Wallace county, Kans.; and George, born March 4, 1877, a farmer of Johnson county, Kans. (2) Sarah Fidelia, born September 7, 1842, is the wife of William L. Richards, of York township. (3) Robert L. is the subject of this sketch. (4) Charles, born February 20, 1848, died March 24, same year.

Michael married Mary LONGWELL, daughter of Robert LONGWELL and Lucinda BUTLER, on 1 Jan 1839 in Sandusky Co., Ohio. (Mary LONGWELL was born on 9 Nov 1821 in Berlin, Delaware, Ohio, USA, died on 23 Jun 1899 and was buried in Ellsworth Cem, Sandusky Co. Ohio.)