On March 10, 1825, George P. Rummel and Mary Stouffer were married and they had seven children: Jacob, John M., Andrew, George W., Josiah, David E. and Nannie J., all of whom survived him except the little daughter. However, now only three sons are living, George W., Josiah and David E., the others having joined him above. Mr. Rummel lost his wife in Richland county, Ohio, February 26, 1849. He remained in Richland for several years longer, but in 1855 he came to Jones county, Iowa, which was his home until he died. On October 30, 1849, he married Jane Moffitt, who died at Olin, April 17, 1878, with no issue.

A stonemason by trade, Mr. Rummel was employed by the government to build a darn across the Potomac river near Harper's Ferry, but after coming to Iowa he devoted himself to farming until his age compelled him to retire. Coming to Olin he had his own home until the death of his wife and then lived with his son David E. for the rest of his days. His early church connections were with the Evangelical Lutherans, but upon coming to Iowa he joined the Reformed church. Until the formation of the republican party he was a Jeffersonian democrat, but with the organization of the new political creed, he adopted it and supported it the rest of his life.

The funeral services of this really noble man were held at the Methodist church by the Rev. F. M. Schultz, of Lisbon, the Revs. Harper, Maultman and Camp assisting. The latter who were local clergymen paid fitting tribute to the memory of this man who had set so exalted an example of godly living in their midst, and the services were singularly impressive.

"Death hath no breach,
In love and sympathy, in hope and trust;
No outward sign or sound our cars can reach,
But there is an inward spiritual speech,
That greets us still, though mortal tongues be dust."

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 340.

In the fall of 1846 Mr. Rummel went to Mansfield, Ohio, to learn the tanning business, at a time when the town had but one railroad, the New York & Sandusky. It was at Mansfield that he saw his first train of cars drawn by an engine and curious it looked to the country-bred lad. He remained with the firm of Lake & Hooker until November, 1848, when they dissolved their business. The following spring Mr. Rummel embarked in a tannery business for himself with R. W. Hazlett and they remained together until the fall of 1853. In the meanwhile he had lost his mother, on February 26, 1849, after an illness of but a few days, and he had devoted some time to assisting his father on the farm.

On July 26, 1853, Mr. Rummel married Margaret Ann McConkie, the oldest daughter of John and Margaret (Watts) McConkie, born in Richland county, Ohio, August 13, 1832. John McConkie was born September 13, 1800, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and married Margaret Watts, January 4, 1827. She was born near New Lisbon, Ohio, April 20, 1808. They had nine children, namely: Thomas, who is deceased; Margaret Ann, who married John Rummel; Sarah Jane, who married Jonathan Easterly; Catherine, who married Calvin Hazlett; Samuel, who is deceased; James, who is the sixth in order of birth; and Mary Ellen, who is also deceased; Harriet, who married William Robinson; and Hannah, who married John D. Frink.

From the time of his marriage, Mr. Rummel began preparing for his removal to Iowa, being greatly attracted to this state. He sold his stock in the tanyard and by September 1, 1853, had an outfit consisting of a span of horses, a wagon and a few boxes of necessities. In company with his wife and his brother Andrew he set out for what was then considered the far west, September 20, 1853. With them were John and William Moffitt, John Law, R. W. Hazlett and several others, it being the custom to travel in bands for protection and company. They came through Indiana, crossed the Mississippi River on a ferry-boat and landed in Rome, now Olin, Iowa, October 15, 1853.

On May 29, 1854, occurred the birth of their first child, Mary C., who is now the wife of C. W. B. Derr, of Anamosa, and seven others were later born, they being: John Albert, who lives at Lebanon, Missouri; Oliver Clark, who resides at Baxter Springs, Kansas; George Franklin, who lives at Chicago; David Sher man, who makes his home in Olin; Ella May, who died September 22, 1869; Fannie Rosetta, who married Wilbur Starry of Olin; and Margaret Jane, who lives at home. There are now five grandchildren in the family: George Franklin Derr, Ella Mabel Rummel, Roscoe Renne Rummel, Clarice Bernice Starry and Marguerite Rummel Starry.

A memorable event in the Rummel family was the celebration of the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Rummel at their home in Olin, July 26, 1903. Seventy-eight near relatives attended the reception and assisted in making happy the two who had lived together for so long. Unfortunately in less than three years afterward the earthly ties that bound them were severed, when on Monday morning, April 9, 1906, Mr. Rummel breathed his last, and passed peacefully away to the God whose service he had entered on February 18, 1848, when he was converted in the old Methodist church at Mansfield, later joining that denomination and remaining true to its teachings for over half a century. At the time of his demise he lacked but ten days of the seventy-eighth anniversary of his birth. Mr. Rummel left three brothers, George W., Josiah and David, and his widow, children and grandchildren as well as a wide circle of friends to mourn his loss. His other brothers were Andrew, who died March 27, 1905, and Jacob, who died October 11, 1900. The sister, Nancy Jane died near Olin, June 19, 1861. Prior to his demise, Jacob Rummel completed a very valuable genealogy of the Rummel family, dating it back to John Rummel, May 30, 1774.

The subject of this review lived on his farm until March 15, 1894, when he retired to Olin, locating in the home now occupied by Mrs. Rummel and there the remaining years of his happy life were spent. He was a man of careful habit, possessing a somewhat retiring disposition, unquestionable integrity, a benevolent spirit and a most sacred devotion to his family. He always treated his brothers with exceptionable kindness. Mr. Rummel was a great lover of God's house and all His people of whatever name or faith and was punctual in his attendance upon the services. While true to the teachings of the Methodist church, in 1857 he united with the United Brethren denomination on account of there being no church of his faith in his locality. This class was organized by Samuel Easterly in a schoolhouse south of Olin, and afterward formed the St. John class. Later when he removed to Olin, Mr. Rummel transferred his membership to the United Brethren class of this place, with which communion he remained until his death.

"And thus the noble of this life
Are bidding us adieu!
To join the faithful gone before,
And beckon us there too."

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 86.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 651.

He was born in Delaware county, Ohio, January 5, 1840, and was the son of John and Elizabeth (Hall) Rundall. On the farm his father cleared he grew to manhood, assisting the older man in the hard work as soon as he was able, and can well remember the difficulties that attended agriculture in those early days as contrasted with the means employed at present. In 1871 he removed to Greenfield township, Jones county, purchasing the homestead on which he now lives. It consists of one hundred and twenty acres, is situated on section 8, and is well improved and cultivated by up-to-date and progressive methods. On it Mr. Rundall follows general farming and finds his labors well repaid.

On the 31st Of January, 1865, Mr. Rundall was united in marriage to Miss Martha Foos, a daughter of Benjamin and Julia (Thompson) Foos, who were the parents of eleven other children, ten boys and one girl: Cephus, deceased; Henry, who lives in Oregon; George, deceased; Shadrach, who was killed in the battle of Shiloh; John W., of Greenfield; James, who lives in Oregon; Oscar, deceased; Robert, living in Nebraska; Amy, living in Linn county, Iowa; Washington, who resides in Nebraska, and Zilla, who lives in California. To Mr. and Mrs. Rundall have been born two children: Benjamin and Docia R., now the wife of C. C. Miller. Mrs. Rundall died July 29, 1903, and since that date Mr. Rundall has made his home with his son Benjamin on the homestead which he still owns. The son was married May 22, 1902, to Miss Mertie Garrettson, and is now the father of three young children: Jennie Elizabeth, born March 7, 1905; John R., born December 6, 1906; and Robert Benjamin, born April 27, 1909.

Mr. Rundall has always been a firm democrat and has believed in the platform of that party. He has not been a politician, however, although he has rendered efficient service as a member of the board of education of Greenfield township. His son is a member of White Rose Lodge, NO. 279, K.P., of Martelle, where he has a number of good friends. To hear Mr. Rundall tell of the lays of the pioneers one realizes how far we have progressed beyond those early days, and yet is reminded that without their sacrifices and heroism the development that surrounds us would not have been possible.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 537.