Sunday's Obituary - Moses Rodenberger

Moses Rodenberger was the 6th of seven children of Samuel and Susannah (Dice) Rodenberger.

Brazil Daily Times
Brazil, Indiana
March 23, 1934
[Source:  Clay Co. Genealogy Library]

Aged Pioneer of Brazil Dies at Indianapolis

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Moses Rodenbarger, Veteran of Civil War, Died Thursday at the Age of 95 Year

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Drove Six Yoke of Oxen to West in ’59

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Remains will be brought to this City Saturday Afternoon at 2:30 O’clock for Interment at Cottage Hill Cemetery.

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   Moses Rodenbarger, one of the few remaining early pioneers of Brazil, died at 2:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon at the home of Indianapolis of uremic poisoning at the age of 95 years.  Mr. Rodenbarger was a veteran of the Civil war and made his home in Brazil for many years before moving to Indianapolis.  For the past eight years he had been crippled by a fractured hip which he sustained in a fall but was able to be up and around his home until his final illness.  His last visit to Brazil was made at the time of the Clay county centennial in 1925.

   Mr. Rodenbarger’s early life was spent in Brazil but in 1859 he left Brazil and drove a six yoke team of oxen transporting settlers to the far west.  He made the trip by way of the Smoky Hill route as far west as what was known as Robey’s ranch, braving the dangers of roving bands of savages who were constantly on the war path.  He later visited his brother, John Rodenbarger, who then lived at Turkey Run, near Ft. Scott Kansas, where the famous Dalton gang was then in its ascendency.  Early in 1861 he returned to Brazil and that spring enlisted in the Union army, serving three years in the hottest fighting of the Civil war.  After the war he returned to Brazil and engaged in the carpenter trade, being a member of the bridge gang of the Vandalia railroad for many years.

   He is survived by a daughter and son, Miss Dora and Dolph Rodenbarger, both of Indianapolis.

   The remains will be brought to Brazil tomorrow afternoon and interment will be made at Cottage Hill cemetery at 2:30 o’clock.

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Indianapolis News
Indianapolis, Indiana
March 24, 1934
[Source:  Indiana State Archives]

    Moses Rodenberger, age ninety-five, who braved hostile Indians, thirst and famine in transporting settlers across the plains of the far west in 1859, was buried Saturday in Brazil.

   Mr. Rodenberger, who was the last remaining person who voted for incorporation of the town of Brazil in October, 1866, died Thursday evening at the home of a son, Dolph Rodenberger, 901 Carrollton avenue, with whom he had been living eight years.

   The son recalled many thrilling tales told him by his father concerning fights with Indians as he drove his six-yoke ox team across the plains and deserts.  Mr. Rodenberger was a veteran of the civil war and after years of adventure settled down to become a bridge carpenter on the old Vandalia railroad, now a part of the Pennsylvania system.  He had been ill only five weeks.

   He was a member of the Masonic order, both in Bridgeport and in Indianapolis, and had a wide circle of friends in Indianapolis as well as Brazil.

   He is survived by the son and a daughter, Miss Dora Rodenberger, also of Indianapolis.

   Burial was in a Brazil cemetery.