THE ALLEN RAINS FAMILY
Robert RAINES was of English descent and settled in the State of Virginia prior to the Revolutionary War,
living in the Blue Ridge Mountain district. He owned a large plantation and a number of slaves to work
the fields. He was the father of nine sons and one daughter from his first two marriages. Of these children,
the oldest son James came to Iowa in the 1850's, settling in the now ghost town of Marshalltown in Ringgold
County. James and his wife were among the first to be interred at the Marshalltown Cemetery of Ringgold County.
James' daughter Margaret married Walter HALL.
Robert had served during the American Revolutionary War under General George Washington. He believed that
there were no greater human beings than the President of the United States. Robert RAINES later joined his
son James at Marshalltown, Ringgold County, Iowa, where he resided the rest of his life.
Gabriel RAINES, another of Robert's sons, lived in North Carolina. During the Civil War he served in the
Confederate States Army as a superintendent of torpedoes. After the War, Gabriel was a quartermaster in Charleston, South Carolina
from 1871 to 1880. He also built the powder works in Atlanta, Georgia. Gabriel married Mary Jane McCLELLEN, the
granddaughter of General John SEVIER of South Carolina.
Robert's son George Washington RAINS was born in 1817. He served during the Civil War as a Major in the artillery
corps from 1861 to 1862, and then promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. George married Frances Josephine
RAMSDELL.
Robert's daughter Anna RAINES was born December 6, 1812 in Virginia. She married on March 4, 1830,
Lewis Couty, West Virginia to Nicholas BONNETT (1808-1875). The BONNETTS owned a farm near Ottumwa, Wappello County, Iowa,
where they raised and sold fine cattle. Anna and Nicholas were the parents of George Washington,
Samuel Jasper, John W., Evelina A., Marietta, Israel McDonald, and two other children who died in infancy.
Anna (RAINES) BONNETT died May 14, 1901 in Van Buren County, Iowa. She was interred beside Nicholas at Smith Cemetery,
Birmingham, Van Buren County, Iowa.
Allen RAINES, pictured at right, was born in Pendleton County, West Virginia, on November 11, 1809. Family records state that
he and Anna were children from Robert's second marriage to Frances (?). Allen grew to manhood in the
Pendleton County. He married on December 19, 1839 to Mary Elizabeth HARDMAN. Mary Elizabeth was born in Virginia on
February 7th of 1814. [Family records acknowledge that Allen and Mary were wed after the birth of their eldest child.]
Allen and Mary Elizabeth (HARDMAN) RAINES were the parents of seven children:
1) George Washington RAINS
born 28 Mar 1837, Pendleton Co. WV
died age 83 on 12 Dec 1920, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
married 1st Sarah J. BALDWIN 1863, Mount Ayr IA
born 1840, IA died age 23 07 Oct 1867
interment Marshalltown Cemetery, Ringgold Co.
Child: 1) Frances Almeda (RAINS) YEATER
born 04 Apr 1864, Mount Ayr IA
died age 65 on 14 Jul 1930, IA
married Harry Lee YEATER in 1892, IA
(1858-1922)
married 2nd Helen A. BROWN 1869, Ringgold Co. IA
born 14 Dec 1837, OH died 20 Oct 1920
interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA
daughter of Henry BROWN (1776-1861) & Sophia (1804-1883)
Child: 1) George H. RAINS
born 20 Jan 1872, IA died age 78 on 02 Nov 1950, Mount Ayr IA
interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA
married 1894, Mount Ayr IA to Gertrude S. TAYLOR (1873-1955)
daughter of Stephen & Elizabeth A. (HUPP) TAYLOR
2) Andrew Jackson RAINES
born 10 Oct 1840, Pendleton Co. WV
died 26 Jan 1841, Pendleton Co. WV
3) Arvilla (RAINS) WALKER
born 02 Mar 1841, Pendleton Co. WV
died age 65 on 09 Aug 1906
4) Columbus RAINS
born Anderson, Madison Co. IN
5) Parthenia (RAINS) SCHLAPIA
born 31 Aug 1844, Madison Co. IN
died age 62 on 26 Dec 1906, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
married John SCHLAPIA 08 Dec 1866, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
born 02 Apr 1845, Union Co. PA died 18 Jun 1914, IA
son of Daniel (1822-1901) & Elizabeth (DRUCK) (1823-1909)
Parthenia & John interred Benton Cemetery, Ringgold Co. IA
Children of Parthenia (RAINS) & John SCHLAPIA:
1) Elmer R. SCHLAPIA
born 27 Oct 1867, Rice Twp. Ringgold Co. IA
died age 102 on 14 May 1970, Liberty Twp. Ringgold Co. IA
interment Benton Cemetery, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
married Etta M. JARVIS 18 Apr 1891, Mount Ayr IA
born 12 Sep 1870 died 25 Sep 1936, Des Moines IA
daughter of Josiah JARVIS (1830-1905)
& Susanne Jane (RUBY) (1850-1929)
Child: 1) Goldie M. SCHLAPIA
born 12 May 1892, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
died 23 Jun 1892, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
2) Alice Viola (SCHLAPIA) BYERLY
born 18 Apr 1870, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
died 26 May 1932, Waubonsie Twp., Ringgold Co. IA
married Millard Fillmore BYERLY 15 Jun 1888, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
born 29 Sep 1864, Lucas Co. IA died 17 Nov 1934, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
son of Jacob & Nancy (?) BYERLY
Children of Alice Viola & Millard Fillmore BYERLY:
1) Viola Mae BYERLY married Walter STEPHENS
2) Angie Leota BYERLY married Flaya O. ROUDYBUSH
born 13 Oct 1891, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA died Feb 1970, Des Moines, Polk Co. IA
3) Lue Elva BYERLY married Myron Glen PRENTIS
born 23 Jun 1894, Diagonal, Ringgold Co. IA
3) Laura May (SCHLAPIA) BARCHUS
born 24 Oct 1872, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
died 09 Jul 1905, Pingree ND
interment Benton Cemetery, Benton IA
married Albert LeRoy BARCHUS 12 Apr 1903, Benton IA
born 11 Apr 1864, OH
died 03 Apr 1937, Knowlton, Ringgold Co. IA
son of Obediah BARCHUS (1823-1907)
& Margaret (MILLER) (1830-1917)
Child: 1) Laura Mae BARCHUS
born 28 Jun 1905, Buchanan Co. ND
died 07 Oct 1977, Grinnell, Powesheik Co. IA
married Doyle Mathis BAKER 06 Mar 1928, Diagonal IA
(1908-1980)
6) Louisa Jane (RAINS) DANIEL
born 27 Sep 1847, Madison Co. IN
died 85 on 30 Apr 1933, Doyle Twp., Clarke Co. IA
interment Hopeville Cemetery, Hopeville, Clarke Co. IA
married James Shelby DANIEL 26 Apr 1868, Clarke Co. IA
born 14 Dec 1849, Green Co. IN died 17 Jul 1911, Doyle Twp., Clarke Co. IA
son of John DANIEL (1804-1866) & Lucy (HITE) (1813-1874)
Children of Louisa Jane (RAINS) & James Shelby DANIEL:
1) Thomas Elmon DANIEL
born 1869, Doyle Twp., Clarke Co. IA
2) Stella E. DANIEL
born 05 Feb 1871, Doyle Twp., Clarke Co. IA
died 12 Oct 1878, Doyle Twp., Clarke Co. IA
3) Mary Ella DANIEL
born 1873, Doyle Twp., Clarke Co. IA
died 1940, Doyle Twp., Clarke Co. IA
7) Asa RAINS
born 01 Jan 851, Madison Co.IN
died age 99 on 08 Apr 1950, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
interment Benton Cemetery, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
married
Rachel MILLSAP 27 Nov 1874, Ringgold Co. IA
born 28 Feb 1856, Decatur Co. IA
died 08 Aug 1927, Boulder CO
interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA
daughter of Joseph Hannah MILLSAP (1826-1875)
& Mary Jane (MILLER) MILLSAP (1835-1905)
Children of Asa Shinn & Rachel (MILLSAP) RAINS:
1) Mary S. "Etta" (RAINS) CHEERS, pictured at right
born 22 Jun 1875, Ringgold Co. IA
died 29 Oct 1961, Los Angeles CA
taught school married William J. CHEERS
2) George Elmon RAINS
born 20 Sep 1878, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
died 1957, interment Wyuka
married Lydia Ann MERRY in 1900
3) James Clyde RAINS
born 18 Jul 1881, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
died 21 Sep 1949, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
interment Benton Cemetery, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
married Julia Elizabeth ZIKE 27 Nov 1874, Benton IA
born 05 Mar 1883, near Clearfield, Ringgold Co. IA
died 10 Dec 1964, Afton, Union Co. IA
daughter of William ZIKE (1835-1914) & Harriet (POORE) ZIKE (1845-1918)
THE JAMES CLYDE RAINS FAMILY
Left to Right: Julia (ZIKE), Vera Mae, William Asa, Leo Wayne, James Clyde RAINS
Children of James Clyde & Julia (ZIKE) RAINS:
1) Vera Mae RAINS
born 04 Aug 1902, Arispie, Union Co. IA died 22 Mar 1992, Des Moines IA
married Thomas Jefferson ZIKE (1888-1967)
2) William Asa RAINS, born 1904, Rice Twp. Ringgold Co. IA
3) Leo Wayne RAINS Sr.
born 24 Nov 1907, Rice Twp. Ringgold Co. IA died 21 Aug 1980, Des Moines, Polk Co. IA
interment Pine Hill Cemetery, Des Moines, Polk Co. IA
married 1st Zellma Elizabeth TRISLER 15 Aug 1927
born 10 Oct 1980, Ellston, Ringgold Co. IA
died 13 Nov 1974, Fort Wayne, Allen Co. IN
daughter of Reuben Fredrick & Harriet Jane (GOFF)
Zellma married 2nd 1846 to David Christopher STERLING
Children: James Frederick, Faith Eva, Wayne Arthur, Blayne Alden,
Dale Eldon (1934-1936), Julie Adaline, Clinton Asa,
and Joyce Carol RAINS
married 2nd Violet Mae FREEMAN, born 1932
Children: Leo Wayne Jr., Vera Violet, Ulzada, Julia, Elizabeth, & Joseph RAINS
Blayne Alden RAINS, son of Leo Wayne RAINS, Sr.and Zellma Elizabeth (TRISLER) was born May 27, 1932, Diagonal,
Ringgold County, Iowa, and died February9, 1952, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. He was interred at Laurel
Hill Cemetery, Des Moines, Polk County, IA.
4) Zelma Ulzada RAINS
born 1904, Rice Twp. Ringgold Co. IA
5) John Ezra RAINS
born Rice Twp. Ringgold Co. IA
4) Alta U. RAINS
born 05 Oct 1889, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
died Mar 1981, Louisville CO
married James A. BENSON 1910, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
5) Laura Mae RAINS
born 26 Jun 1894, Benton, Ringgold Co. IA
died 03 Nov 1990, Dekalb, Dekalb Co. IL
married Ralph Jay INGHAM 23 Feb 1915, Afton, Union Co. IA
NOTE: See Asa Shin RAINS Family group sheet
at IAGenWebsite, submitted by Judy K. RAINS
ferains@aol.com
Shortly after Arvilla's birth The RAINES families came to Indiana. The men constructed a wagon box that
was like a boat. When they came upon a river or stream that they couldn't ford, they simply used the wagon box
to row the family and their goods to the opposite bank. Mary Elizabeth and baby Arvilla rode the one horse that
Allen owned as he led the animal west into the "New Frontier."
Upon reaching Madison County Indiana, Allen settled his family onto 80 acres of land which he cleared and built a log
cabin. A cooper by trade, Allen worked at his craft and farmed.
Mary Elizabeth (HARDMAN) RAINS died in Madison County, Indiana on August 9, 1854 at the age of 40. Approximately three years later, Allen married Frances Manerva
(HOLLINGSWORTH) BEAMAN. The daughter of Elias P. and Elizabeth (CURTIS) HOLLINGSWORTH, Frances was born January
29, 1832. She was a widow with a small son. Frances' first husband, Howell BEAMAN, had been killed when helping a neighbor
built a log cabin and a log rolled onto him.
Frances' young son was John Wesley BEAMAN was born on August 18, 1853, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana, and died
June 2, 1943 at Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. He was interred at White Chapel Cemetery. John Wesley married on June
5, 1874, Redding, Ringgold County, Iowa, to Martha A. Moore BAIRD, the daughter of Samuel More BAIRD (1826-1896) and
Millie Elizabeth (Parks) BAIRD (1832-1894). Martha was born December 6, 1856, Redding, Ringgold County, Iowa, and
died July 3, 1952, Farmington, Wayne County, Michigan. John Wesley and Martha BEAMAN were the parents of
nine children:
1) Nellie Myrtle BEAMAN
born 28 Sep 1873, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
died age 18 on 17 Nov 1892
2) Esther May (BEAMAN) JENNINGS
born 07 Apr 1877, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
died age 96 on 20 Jul 1973, San Diego, San Diego Co. CA
married 24 Dec 1894 Lewis Edward JENNINGS
3) Emma Blanche BEAMAN
born 01 Apr 1880, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
died 06 Aug 1881, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
4) Howell Moore BEAMAN
born 26 Jul 1882, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
died 20 Apr 1923, Wayne Co. MI
5) Arlie Bell BEAMAN
born 28 Feb 1885, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
died age 18 on 22 Jul 1903, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
6) John Elton BEAMAN
born 17 Sep 1887, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
7) Nina Fay BEAMAN
born 08 Jul 1889, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
8) Orelia Kate BEAMAN
born 22 Nov, 1891, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA
9) Infant Son BEAMAN
born 12 May 1896, Ringgold Co. IA
Soon after their marriage, Allen, Frances, and the family moved to Harrison County, Missouri where their two eldest
children were born:
1) Mary Elizabeth or Etta (RAINS) SHAW
born 05 Feb 1858, Harrison Co. MO
died age 83 on 07 Oct 1940, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
married 08 Apr 1875 Jacob Ferndinand SHAW (1853, IN - ?)
Children of Mary & Jacob Ferndinand SHAW:
1) Alvin A. SHAW, born circa 1876, IA
2) George A. SHAW, born 1878, Appanoose Co. IA
2) William Allen RAINS
born 03 Jan 1859, Harrison Co. MO
died age 28 on 27 Feb 1887, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA
married 1st Clarissa Enfield HENSLEY
born 1862, IN died 05 Jul 1917, IA
Children of William Allen & Clarissa (HENSLEY) RAINS:
1) Annie St. Clair "Annie" RAINS, pictured at right
born 27 May 1880, Rice Twp. Ringgold Co. IA
died 01 Jul 1965, Fairfield, Jefferson Co. IA
interment Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield, Jefferson Co. IA
married Oliver Winfred MORRILL 20 Jun 1900, Redding IA
born 20 Mar 1878, KS died 03 Oct 1961, Fairfield IA
son of Elias Pierce MORRILL (1846-1911)
& Elizabeth Ann (BURKHART) (1847-1888)
Children of Annie & Oliver MORRILL:
1) Arminta Claris MORRILL
born 12 Jun 1901, Jamesport MO died 28 Oct 1973
married Alexander Loren SANDERS
2) Marie Iva (MORRILL) BONNETT
born 20 Jun 1903, Gallatin MO
3)
Lillie Mae (MORRILL) BONNETT
born 20 Jun 1905, Knowlton, Ringgold Co. IA
died 28 Dec 1993, West Weber, Weber Co. UT
married 30 Oct 1922, Libertyville IA to Lester Irvin BONNETT (1903-1974)
4) Violet Ruth MORRILL
born 23 May 1910
Sharpsburg, Taylor Co. IA
died 18 May 1988
married 25 May 1929
Fairfield IA to Hugh Anderson HARRISON (1907-?)
5) Paul Winfred MORRILL
born 04 Feb 1912,
Libertyville IA
6) Percy Ray MORRILL
born 29 Nov 1914, Libertyville IA
2) William Luther RAINS
born 27 Jul 1882, Ringgold Co. IA
died 19 Apr 1965, Los Angeles CA William Allen RAINS
married 2nd 1885, Rice Twp. Ringgold Co. IA to Lillie BOWNE (1864, IA - ?)
Child: 1) Inez Grace RAINS, born 29 Mar 1886, Rice Twp. Ringgold Co. IA
3) Sarah Margaret (RAINS) LARUE
born 13 Mar 1861, Harrison Co. MO
died age 38 on 14 Jan 1900, Des Moines, Polk Co. IA
married William Lewis LaRUE 06 Jul 1876, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA
born 30 Sep 1851, Appanoose Co. IA
died 1936, Des Moines, Polk Co. IA
son of George Washington & Ann Wells (GRIFFITH)
Children of Sarah Margaret & William Lewis LaRUE:
1) Ethel LaRUE, born 1878, Harrison Co. MO
2) Charles A. LaRUE, born 1880, Appanoose Co. IA
4) Anna A. (RAINS) NORRIS
born 01 Aug 1863, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
died age 39 on 22 Mar 1903, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
5) Ulyssis Sherman RAINS
born 10 May 1866, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
died age 68 on 25 Feb 1935, Myrtle Creek, Douglas Co. OR
married Emma B. BRADNER 27 Oct 1895
born Oct 1876, Germany
Children of Ulyssis Sherman & Emma (BRADNER) RAINS:
1) George A. RAINS, born 08 Jan 1897, Greeley KS
2) Edwin V. RAINS, born 04 May 1889, Greeley KS died 15 Feb 1969, San Diego CA
3) James E. RAINS, born 02 May 1899, Greeley KS
6) Lorena Mae (RAINS) FISH
born 12 Apr 1869, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
died age 23 on 27 Jun 1892, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
married John FISH 03 Mar 1890, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA
7) Ida Mae (RAINS) HOLLINGSWORTH
born 10 Apr 1871, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
died age 32 05 Jun 1903, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA
married Thomas Louis HOLLINGSWORTH 04 Apr 1889
born 1866, IN
Children of Ida Mae (RAINS) & Thomas Louis HOLLINGSWORTH:
1) Cleo HOLLINGSWORTH, born 1890, IA
2) Zerra HOLLINGSWORTH, born 1891, IA
The RAINES family were southerners whereas Allen was a Union sympathizer living in a slave state. With emotions and
tempers boiling into what would become the Civil War, Allen moved his family across the state line into Iowa in
1862. Here, he could join the Union army. Upon his enlistment as a Private with Company G of the
4th Iowa Infantry, Allen's parental family disowned
him. This led Allen to drop the "E" from his surname, changing it from "RAINES" to "RAINS."
When Allen's heath began to fail, he sold the family farm and purchased a house in Redding, Iowa. Later, the RAINS
bought a larger home and boarded out rooms for several years. During his last years, Allen became deaf. He retained
his mental faculties up to his death at the age of 93 on April 18, 1900. Allen was interred at Redding Cemetery,
Ringgold County, Iowa.Allen's second wife Frances was born on January 29, 1832, Pendleton County, West Virginia,and
died at the age of 76 on November 1, 1908, Redding, Iowa. She was interred at Redding Cemetery.
SOURCES: The Raines Family of Virginia
WPA Grave Survey
findagrave.com
Civil War Soliders and Sailors Database
To submit your Ringgold County photographs and family materials, contact
The County Coordinator.
Please include the word "Ringgold" in the subject line. Thank you.
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