From the Randolph Township Historical Society’s family and local history archive.
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The Rasor Family
Information provided here is extracted from research done by C.M. Rasor, Leo Rasor, and from
the Rasor/Lowe family bible owned by Gloria Mumma. Many of these items are housed at the
RTHS History Center. Additional information can be obtained from the Brookville Historical
Society.
There were many Rasor families in different parts of northern Montgomery County,
especially in Clay and Randolph Townships. Most could trace their roots back to Daniel Rasor
(1755, Germany – 1816) and Barbara Harshbarger (August 04, 1757, Germany – 1821). Both
immigrated to America as children and married in Dauphin Co., Pennsylvania. In 1809 they and
son John (born August 23, 1790) moved to Ohio and located near Swanktown in Clay Twp.
(intersection of Routes 40 and 49), where they lived the rest of their lives. They were among
the first settlers in the area. Son John (died June 19, 1866) married Hannah Michael (November
02, 1797 – January 26, 1875) on July 08, 1815. They had ten children who in lived into
adulthood: Peter (born April 15, 1817), John, II (born July 15, 1818), Elizabeth (born December
08, 1819), David (born January 17, 1821), Daniel (born December 31, 1822), Jacob (born
November 02, 1824), Henry (born March 21, 1827), Samuel (born February 15, 1829),
Catherine (born March 22, 1831), Mary (born November 14, 1833), and Noah (born December
25, 1835). Sons David and Daniel figure into the history of the Englewood area. The RTHS
History Center is located on land once owned by a David Rasor, possibly the son mentioned
above. The Rasor farmhouse is located east of the Center.
Maxine Elliott has donated many original photos and much information about the three
Rasor girls, born in Englewood. These girls: Anna Elizabeth (born December 25, 1887), Eva May
(born February 17, 1889), and Lily Lafena (born March 22, 1892) were the only children of
Charles Edgar Rasor (June 12, 1853 – May 14, 1892) and Emma Hoover (March 24, 1869 –
August 01, 1958). When Edgar died, Emma married Jesse D. Lowe (April 07, 1873 – January 12,
1946), a farmer and resident of Englewood, and he helped raise the three girls. The Society has
photos of the Lowe family at their home on North Main Street and many photos of the girls.
Both Anna and Lily were schoolteachers and we have many photos of them with their students
at Englewood and Union schools.