Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    RUFUS FISH

Click for photo of Rufus Fish

    RUFUS FISH, the efficient superintendent of The Knoop Children's Home, which is situated in Section 34, Elizabeth Township, Miami County, Ohio, was born at Sumner, Lawrence County, Illinois, November 24, 1864. His parents were James and Mary (Denman) Fish.

    The paternal grandparents of Mr. Fish were Luke and Mary (Graham) Fish, and they had a family of twelve children, as follows: William, born November 24, 1814; Margaret, born November 11, 1816; Thomas, born December 2, 1818; Elizabeth, born March 2, 1821 ; Luke Sidney, born March 31, 1823; Edward, born August 7, 1825; Mary Jane, born August 15, 1827; James, born August 28, 1829; George Washington, born February 22, 1832; Hannah, born July 16, 1834; Henry, born August 24, 1836; and Sarah, born May 28, 1838.

    The parents of Mr. Fish came to Miami County in his childhood. The father rented farm land northwest of Troy, for twenty-seven years, and later bought forty-five acres near Casstown. James Fish married Mary Denman, a daughter of Richard Denman, and they had eight children, namely: Flora Agnes, born November 23, 1855; Frank Leotus, born November 12, 1858; John Clarence, born May 26, 1860; Charles Albert, born July 26 1862; Rufus; William Ayers, born June 21, 1868; James Edwin, born August 12, 1870; and Elmer, born August 4, 1875. The parents of this family were members of the Baptist Church, in which James Fish was a deacon.

    Rufus Fish attended what was known as the Favorite school in his boyhood, and remained assisting his father until he was about twenty-seven years of age. He then went to Troy and accepted the position of weighmaster with, the firm of Allen & Wheeler, and remained in that city for twelve years, in the meanwhile, however, not entirely neglecting his agricultural interests. He owns one half of a farm of 106 acres, situated in Elizabeth Township, not far from Casstown, and he has acquired realty in Troy.

    In 1903 Mr. Fish became superintendent of The Knoop Children's Home, which includes a farm of 165 acres, with nine buildings and accommodations for 100 children. Its location is on a crossroad from the LeFever and Springfield Turnpike. The wisdom of selecting a man of Mr. Fish's business capacity and high personal character has been demonstrated during the period of his superintendency. He has devoted twelve acres to orchards, raises a large amount of wheat and enough grain to feed the stock grown on the place for the use of the Home. Employment is constantly given thirteen workmen. Mr. Fish gives his personal attention to everything and satisfactorily fills all the demands of the trustees.

    In 1890 Mr. Fish married Miss Mary Jane Walker, a daughter of Daniel C. and Amanda Walker, of Piqua, Ohio. They have an adopted daughter, Bernice F. Mr. Fish is a deacon and also a trustee in the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Republican. He belongs to both the Masons, and Odd Fellows, at Troy.

    Return to the Biography Index

    Return to Main Page


    Copyright © 1998 by Computerized Heritage Association.
    All Rights Reserved.