JOHN C. RAINSBURG, farmer and stock-raiser, P.O. Kenton, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, January 27, 1827; he is a son of William and Margaret (Maxwell) Rainsburg, of Steubenville, Ohio, and Brooke County, W.Va., respectively. The first of his ancestry to settle in America were his great-grandparents, John Rainsburg and John Maxwell, the former emigrating from Germany, the latter from Scotland, both coming before the Revolution. John Rainsburg, the grandfather of our subject, served in that memorable struggle. Our subject's parents were married in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1824, settling in Carroll County, and, in the spring of 1827, removed to Holmes County, where they remained to the end of their days. Our subject is the eldest son and second child of a family of eleven; he was brought up on a farm and acquired a common school education. On July 7, 1849, he was married to Catharine McKnight, who died February 23, 1872, leaving seven children-John M., Thomas W., Margaret S. (wife of George W. Thomas), William, James L., Robert M. and David A. Besides these, were three deceased, Sarah, Mary C. and Ruth I. Mrs. Rainsburg was born in Carroll County, Ohio, August 25, 1832, and was the daughter of John and Susanna McKnight. Mr. Rainsburg formed a second union, August 7, 1873, marrying Charlotte Wilkins; she was born in Carroll County, Ohio, May 27, 1850, and has a family of four children-Cypherd B., Anna E., Archibald E. and Tennie E. Mr. Rainsburg resided in Holmes County until October of 1853, coming thence to Hardin County; he purchased sixty acres of woodland, part of his present farm, which he has since cleared and improved, and now owns 245 acres of well-cultivated land; he pursues farming and stock-raising; he helped to cut and make the Piper & Wilkin pike road, and aided in most of other public improvements. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, of which he is a Deacon; he is politically a Democrat, and has served his township as Trustee for six years, and as Clerk for two years, and Assessor two years.

History of Hardin County, Warner Beers Co., 1883