Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 318.

R. J. Ealy [Editor inserted: Rush J. Ealy]

R. J. Ealy, a rancher near Fillmore, was born in Johnson County, Iowa, February 12, 1853. His father, William C. Ealy, is a native of Pennsylvania, born November 3, 1815; was an architect and builder, and is now a resident of Kansas. His grandfather, John Ealy, was German, as was also his ancestry. He emigrated with his brother to this country during the Revolutionary war, in which they both took part, on the side of American liberty. One of the brothers settled in New York, the other (John) in Pennsylvania, and from these sprang two distinct lines, one called the Yankee and the other the Dutch. Mr. Ealy's mother, nee Margaret Ellen Williamson, was born in Kentucky, March 19, 1824. Her father, about thirty years before the civil war, was the owner of a number of slaves in Kentucky, and, becoming convinced that slavery was wrong he voluntarily freed them. William C. Ealy's eldest child is now Mrs. Lizzie Jepson of Ventura County. His second son, John William, is a publisher in New York city. The third child, Henry B., is a dealer in agricultural implements in Keokuk, Iowa.

The subject of this sketch, the youngest son, was reared and educated in Iowa City, and there learned the tinner's trade, which he followed for nineteen years. He had a hardware store in Dysart, Tama County, Iowa; but, being in poor health, he disposed os his business interests there and came to his present location in Southern California. He purchased from the railroad company and Government a ranch of 200 acres, and secured satisfactory title to the same. This property is located two miles and a half east of Fillmore, in one of the most productive sections of the country, and is each year becoming more valuable. Mr. Ealy at once set about its improvement, built a home and planted a large variety of fruit trees and also walnut trees. A fine spring and two wells furnish an ample supply of water for the place. Mr. Ealy also started a general merchandise store, and for four years was Postmaster. Since coming to this sunny land he has fully recovered his health, and is now in a fair way to enjoy life.

He was married in 1872, at Iowa City, Iowa, on Christmas eve, to Miss Ella Whisler, daughter of John Whisler, a native of Pennsylvania. She was born and reared in Cedar County, Iowa. Their union has been blessed with two children, Willie C., born in Dysart, Iowa, January 7, 1876, and Ray J., born in Ventura County, California, October 20, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Ealy are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Ealy is a lifelong Republican.


Descendants of Rush J. Ealy

1 Rush J. Ealy b: 12 Feb 1853 in Johnson County, Iowa d: in Ventura County, California
.. +Ella Whisler b: 1857 in Cedar County, Iowa m: 24 Dec 1872 in Iowa City, Iowa
........ 2 William Cullen Ealy b: 07 Jan 1876 in Dysart, Iowa d: in Ventura County, California
............ +Mabel b: 1880 in Iowa
................... 3 Gladys Ealy b: 1900 in Ventura County, California
................... 3 William Ealy b: 1902 in Ventura County, California
........ 2 Ray J. Ealy b: 20 Oct 1884 in Ventura County, California
............ +Glessie L. b: 1886 in Kansas
........ 2 Frederick J. Ealy b: 1893 in Ventura County, California
............ +Agnes b: 1897 in Arkansas
................... 3 Vivian Ealy b: 1918 in Ventura County, California


Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.