McDonough ILGenWeb

RABY, Jacob, a well-known farmer of Industry and Scotland Townships, McDonough County, Ill., was born on a farm in Ashland County, Ohio, July 23, 1862, and there received his youthful instruction in the district schools. He is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Sharp) Raby, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter, of Ohio. The paternal grandfather was William Raby.

Jacob Raby was the fourth of five children born to his parents, four boys and one girl. In 1883, he came to McDonough County and worked one year. Returning to his father's farm he assisted him for one season, after which he spent four months in Nebraska. He then came and settled down to farming. Two years after his marriage he bought fifty-seven and one-half acres of farming land, to which he made additions when convenient, until he is now the owner of 292 acres, twenty-eight acres of which are in timber. Of this farm fifty-seven and one-half acres lie in Scotland Township, 115 in Industry Township and the remainder in Shelby County, Mo.

On July 28, 1886, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Julia Harlan, who was born and schooled in New Salem Township. Seven children have resulted from this union, as follows: Guy, George, Earl, Mary, Emma, Nellie and Ivan. The subject of this sketch is a Democrat in politics, and is fraternally identified with the I. O. O. F. He is an industrious and thrifty farmer and a worthy citizen.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 985, extracted 29 May 2020 by Norma Hass.