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John C.
Rabb: Sgt., Co., D, 5th., Ky., Inf.
Sgt. Rabb’s full name
was John Charles Theodore Augustus Rabb and that he was born in Hanover,
Germany about 1818. (Birthdate based on age at the time of his marriage.)He
graduated from the medical school of the University of Berlin in 1848 or 1849.
Dr. Rabb (sometimes spelled Rabbe) apparently came to America soon after
graduating from medical school, and may have lived in the New Jersey area for a
short time. But why did he come to present day Elliott Co? Hew did it happen
that he singled
out this area? Did he know someone that had already settled here, or did he
more or less
just stumble upon this area? We may never know the answers to these questions,
but there does seem to be an explanation for his leaving the New Jersey area..
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Excerpt from an article by John Stegall Dr. Rabb is said to have been the
first medical doctor actually educated in a medical school to set up a
practice in our county. And I am sure that he was a very welcome arrival in
the Stark area. |
It is not known if Dr. Rabb had been previously married, but on Aug 12, 1858 he
married Jane Elliott, a daughter of John L. Elliott of the Stark area of Elliott Co.
Information from the marriage record indicates that Dr. Rabb was 40 years of age, single,
and born in Germany. Jane was 20 years of age, and was born in Bath Co, KY, most
likely the area that later became a part of Morgan Co.
When the 1870 Elliott Co census was taken, the Rabb family was found living in
the Stark area. Perhaps due to an error on the part of the census taker, Dr. Rabb was
listed as Grance Rabb, age 53, born in KY and a farmer. On the other hand, whoever
transcribed the census from the original record could have made the errors. But I can
imagine that Dr. Rabb had a very strong German accent, which might have made it
difficult for our local people to understand everything he said.
In 1870, Jane (Elliott) Rabb was 31 years of age and born in “KY”. Three
children were named in this report; Mary A., 11; Amanda, 9; and William, 3.
Elliott Co Vital Statistics show that twin daughters were born to John C. Rabb and
Jane E. Elliott on Oct 26, 1874. Records seem to imply that these twins did not survive
for very long.
Family researchers say Jane Elliott Rabb died in 1877, and indeed, when the 1880
census was taken, Dr. Rabb was a widower, age 63 years. Dr. Rabb, along with 2
children, William, 13, and Mary E., 7, were living in the home of Milton and Manervy
Rabb Waggoner. Also found living in the Waggoner home was another Rabb daughter,
Amanda Skeens and her one year old daughter, Elizabeth. Amanda, age 19, was married
to Luke Skeens.
Obviously, Dr. Rabb was still living when the 1890 Elliott Co census was taken.
This is also supported by the 1890 tax records, which indicate that he owned 180 acres of
land, with Jake Kinser being his near neighbor.
Mrs. Penicnak says, “It is believed that Doc Rabb died about 1895.”
She continues, “My grandfather said that he remembered the death of his
grandfather, Doc Rabb, and following his coffin up a hill where there was a Masonic
funeral rite.”
Harlan and Meta Skaggs now live on the property once owned by Dr. Rabb. I
visited Harlan a few years ago and he pointed out the spot where the Doc Rabb home sat.
(Harlan is a great-grandson of Doc Rabb though his grandmother Mary Rabb Smith, who
married Morris Smith.) Dr. Rabb is buried on a high hill near the home of Harlan and
Meta.
I have stated that Dr. John C. Rabb(e) served in Co., D, of the 5th., Regt. Leonidas
Hamilton Elliott, most likely a brother-in –law of Dr. Rabb, was the Captain of this
Company, and died during the Battle of Princeton, VA on May 16, 1862. Dr. Rabb may
have been at Capt. Elliott’s side when he died. It is known that Dr. Julius Rabbe,
believed to have been a brother to Dr. John C. Rabbe, was there when Capt. Elliott
expired.
Hilltop cemetery where Dr. Rabb is buried.