George F. Rapp

George Frederick Rapp

George Frederick Rapp was born of humble parentage in Württemburg, Germany in 1789. Little is known of his early life, not even the names of his parents can now be learned. From his character, however, it is presumed that in his youth he did not lack in religious training and that he received a fair education in the schools of his community.

At the age of seventeen he was called into his country's service, as at that time Germany was engaged with other nations of Europe in a great conflict with Napoleon Bonaparte. During the period in which Napoleon kept all Europe in a turmoil, Rapp served with the allies four years and for a like time was enrolled among the forces of Napoleon. His service with Napoleon was not voluntary but was the result of that general's custom on subdueing a hostile region to require of it a certain number of soldiers. This is what happened in the province in which Rapp lived and he was included in the levy that was made to satisfy this demand.

It is said that Rapp was one of Napoleon's distinguished aids. Although always recognizing the military genius of Napoleon, Rapp had acquired a great dislike for him. This dislike Rapp ascribed to Napoleon's reckless sacrifice of his men and his seeming disregard for human life, Rapp claimed that Napoleon never hesitated to count the cost in human lives before attempting to gain a desired end.

Rarely did Rapp discuss his military life always being very reticent in regard to it so that little relating to his army record is now available. Yet, from what is known, the conclusion may be drawn that he lacked none of those qualities that go to make the soldier. Rapp has been heard to relate an incident which clearly shows that at least in one instance he was not wanting in bravery and strategy. After a battle in which the enemy, the French, had been routed, Rapp was one of a line of scouts who had been sent out to gather up any stragglers who might be left in the swamps which were plentiful in the vicinity of the battlefield. Rapp occupied a position near the centre of the line. It was difficult for the men to keep in sight of each other due to the nature of the country. After a time, Rapp found himself alone, his comrades having withdrawn from him on both sides. Quite unexpectantly, he came upon a party of six French soldiers seated about a tree against which their guns were leaning (some relatives had said the number of captives was sixty). Quickly covering them with his gun, he demanded their surrender and ordered them to move farther from their guns. Taken thus by suprise and at a disadvantage, the French complied with his demand. While carefully watching his prisoners, Rapp then broke their guns by striking them against the tree. He then compelled the crestfallen Frenchmen, marching before their captor, to proceed to the German camp. An officer in the group, drawing his watch from his pocket, offered it to Rapp, but the latter suspected that it was a trick by which the Frenchmen hoped to get near enough to seize Rapp's gun. He ordered the officer to continue the march. When Rapp and his captives arrived at camp, Rapp learned that an important battle was expected soon. His commanding officer told him he might continue to guard the prisoners, but Rapp asked that he be relieved from guard duty and allowed to accompany his regiment which was to participate in the battle. His request was granted, and he occupied his usual place in the fight which ensued. For this remarkable capture, Rapp received the praise of his officers and was awarded a medal.

It was evident that Rapp suffered untold hardship in the army, and yet continued to show wonderful courage and bravery. Some of his grandchildren remember seeing the bullet holes through his ears. He went for days without food or water, and more than once faced starvation. He also stated that at the close of one campaign, he was among the sixty survivors of a battalion which had originally consisted of 1400 men. It has also been said that, "he was one of eight to cross the Alps with Napoleon". He helped drag the cannon, by ropes, over the Alps.

On the way back from Moscow, the men were starving. Rapp, in wandering about in search of something with which to satisfy his hunger, came upon a pile of sheepskins on the mountainside. These had been stripped from the carcasses several days before. While stirring about among these hides, he discovered the sheep heads. Although the sheep heads were covered with maggots, the soldiers roasted them, and ate them with a relish. He afterwards declared that his hunger was such at the time, that he thoroughly enjoyed the mutton and nothing ever tasted better to him.

Rapp received four medals for meritorious conduct during the war. He was awarded three of them while still in Germany, and one was sent to him after he came to America. The German medals were silver and bear the inscription "Fur Dopfelkeit und Trau", meaning "For Bravery and Fidelity". He had one French medal of gold. These medals are now (1910) in the possession of Jonathan J. Rapp of Etna Green, Indiana. Rapp's discharge from the German army has been lost. His children remember distintly of having seen this paper hanging on the wall of his bedroom in the "Tavern" at Wurttemberg, Pennsylvania, but now it can not be found. It is said that he was entitled to a pension, but no effort was ever made to obtain this money.

Rapp served in thirteen of the more important battles of the war. It is likely that Rapp fought in the Battle of Waterloo, June 18, 1815.

Soon after the end of the wars of Napoleon, probably in 1816 or 1817, Rapp had seen enough of army life. He was unable to secure his release from possible further service and decided to emigrate to America. Accordingly, he left his home town of Wurttemburg, made his way to the coast and embarked on a sailing vessel for the land of liberty. At that time, a voyage across the Atlantic was not regarded as so trivial a matter as now when the trip may be made in less than five days by the best of ocean liners. The vessel bearing Rapp to his new home occupied three months time.

Soon after landing, he made his way westward on foot to western Pennsylvania. He settled in the village of Harmony in Butler County. Here in 1819, Rapp married Anna Maria Liebendorfer, second daughter of Johann Jakob Liebendorfer and Anna Christina Weingartner. Quite naturally, Rapp's uncle, Johann George Rapp, desired that they would join the Economites, but they did not care to do so. After remaining about two years at Harmony, where their first two children, Julia Anna and Christina Eva, were born (1820 & 1821), Rapp and his wife removed to Columbiana County, Ohio. At each of these places he worked at his trade of wheelwright. The lathe he operated was powered by footpower. After suffering an injury from this mode of operation, Rapp decided to move again. This time he wanted to settle upon the banks of a stream, where he might utilize the power of water. Acting upon this decision in 1830, he took up his residence on the bank of the Slippery Rock Creek in what was then Beaver, but now Lawrence, County, Pennsylvania.

Here he constructed a dam, part of which still stands (1910). In 1831, Rapp, his father-in-law, Johann Jakob Liebendorfer, with Jakob's son, Michael, built a grist mill. The mill race and dam that had been constructed across the creek, provided the water power. At about the same, a saw mill and a linseed oil mill were built by the Liebendorfers, Rapp, and Peter Noss. Here they manufactured linseed oil, which was obtained by pressing flaxseed. Before they were able to have a river canal in operation, they had to haul the oil by wagon to Pittsburgh. A woolen mill was placed in the second story of the oil mill. Here they operated carding machines, which carded the wool. After the carding process, it was left in rolls about 1/2 inch thick by 18 inches long. The farmers in the area would bring wool to the mill, have it carded, then take it home again, where the rolls were spun into yarn. So clever and neat were they in uniting roll to roll, as they spun it, that a novice could not detect where it was united. Often, the mill wheels were kept going continuously, from very early morning until night. The woolen yarn was used for knitting stockings, mittens, and gloves. Much of it was woven into flannel for shirts, dresses, and other clothing. This weaving was done on hand looms.

Large quantities of flax and cane were raised. The flax-seed was ground into meal and linseed oil, by pressure between large stone mill wheels. The mill stones were about one foot in thickness, and five feet in diameter. From the fibre, the women of the household prepared and spun the linen thread on the family spinning wheel. This thread was then woven into linen cloth on a hand loom. One family would buy a hand loom, and do the weaving for the entire neighborhood, weaving carpet, flannel, linen, and linsey, which was made by weaving a woolen woof into a linen warp. A very nominal sum, per yard, was charged for this work. These mills were operated for about 20 years until the mill race gave way, which resulted in their abandonment.

Rapp also worked at his trade making spinning-wheels. At that time people raised flax, spun it, and wove cloth for their own garments. Factories later sprung up, greatly interfering with his business as people no longer made use of the spinning-wheel. For some time he also conducted a shop where all sorts of repair work was done.

These industrious German pioneers opened stores, as well as mills and factories for the community. They also built churches and a school house. Johann Jacob Liebendorfer III, Rapp's brother-in-law, donated the land on which the Centennial Methodist Episcopal Church was erected, and still stands today (as of 1936). In 1928, Lillie Mai Liebendorfer Park, a descendant of Johann Jacob Liebendorfer III, visited the area and stated that the churches were in good repair and have regular and well attended services. The factories were gone, but one of the old stone mill wheels was still observable in the water, although largely covered with debris.

In 1845, after many others had established homes in the vicinity, it was desired that the government locate a post-office in the village. A name was necessary for the place. It was given the name of Wurttemberg, in honor of George Frederick Rapp, the Liebendorfer family, and many others who had come to America from Württemberg, Germany. Robert Mehard was first appointed postmaster. Later Rapp's son, George Frederick, occupied the position for a short time. It was difficult to get anyone who would hold the office for any great length of time, due to the small amount of compensation.

George Frederick Rapp and John George Rapp ("Father Rapp") of Harmony, Pennsylvania used to correspond and exchange ideas. At one time, George Frederick received from his uncle some silk worms for industrial experimentation. The project did not seem to be very profitable at Wurttemburg. Perhaps it was difficult to grow the proper food for them.

In these early days, there was much travel through the village of Wurttemberg. New Castle and Mercer were not then connected by railroads with the outside world. The railroad wasn't built into New Castle until 1862. Previous to that time, the trade of these towns was carried to a great extent through Wurttemberg. Rapp decided to build a house which might be used as a stopping place for travelers. In 1848, he burnt brick made of clay found in the vicinity. The next year he used these bricks to erect a building known as the "Tavern". The Tavern became the "half way house" on the stage line between Rochester and New Castle. Here the drivers changed horses before continuing their journey. About 1850, six-horse teams came through the little town. Each team hauled a roll for the iron mills, then being established at New Castle. These rolls had been brought to Rochester from Pittsburg by boat on the Ohio River. They were hauled overland from Rochester to their destination.

A general store was also conducted in connection with the tavern. The building was used for this double purpose by Rapp from 1849 to 1858. When he retired from its management, his son Emanuel and his son-in-law, James Elliott, conducted the business for some time. About 1860, the Tavern enjoyed a period of prosperity by reason of the oil excitement in the vicinity. Finally the control of the Tavern passed from the Rapps.