HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS, E. Polk Johnson, three volumes,
Lewis Publishing Co., New York & Chicago, 1912. Common version, Vol. III,
pp. 1221-22.   [Kenton County]

WILLIAM A. RABE--Among those citizens who contribute in very decisive
fashion to the strength of Covington and to her civic, social and
industrial life, none of them play a more praiseworthy role that William
A. Rabe.  Mr. Rabe's most important connection is as secretary-treasurer
of the Kenton Supply Company, a thriving concern dealing on an extensive
scale in builders' supplies and coal, and although this office is one
requiring no small amount of energy and thought, he yet finds time and
occasion for numerous other interests.  Among these may be mentioned his
identification as director with the Covington First National Bank and as
director and appraiser of the Citizen's Perpetual Building and Loan
Association.
     William A. Rabe was born in Covington, in December, 1874, and belongs
to that strong, fine stock, the Teutonic, which has played such a splendid
part in the history of the world.  His parents, Frank and Bernadine (Von
Wahlde) Rabe, were both natives of Germany, and both of them came when
young to the United States.  They and their friends located in Covington,
and it was here that they met and married.  The father was for many years
a leading contractor and builder in Covington and was a man of influence
in the community.  He was very active in his day and generation and many
churches, building blocks and residences stand to-day as a monument to
his memory.  He died October 19, 1892, at the age of fifty-one years, but
his widow survives and makes her home in Covington.  They were the parents
of ten children, eight of whom are living, and he whose name initiates
this sketch, is the fourth in order of birth.
     Mr. Rabe received the greater part of his education in the parochial
schools of Covington, supplementing this with a two years' course of study
of St. Mary's Institute in Dayton, Ohio.  Later, not being particularly
drawn toward the professions, he took a commercial course, becoming well
versed in shorthand and typewriting, and subsequently devoting his
attention to the study of architectural work.  To the later subject he
gave practical application for several years in the employ of Daniel Seger
of Covington, and he was also engaged for a time as estimator in stone
and marble work for Charles McDonald.
     In 1898 Mr. Rabe became a more independent factor in the business
world and formed the partnership of Schofield & Rabe, architects, a
business which continued for some six years.  After the dissolution of the
foregoing partnership Mr. Rabe assisted in organizing the concern now
known as the Kenton Supply Company, which has proved an unqualified
success, and which will be described in greater detail in coming
paragraphs.  His connection with the First National Bank and the Citizens'
Perpetual Building & Loan Association (with which latter he has been
associated for some half dozen years), has been previously noted; and for
several years past he has given valuable service as treasurer of that
splendid eleemosynary institution, St. John's Orphan Asylum.  Although
predisposed in favor of those principles promulgated by the Democratic
party, he is not partisan in local affairs.  In 1910 he was appointed a
member of that important body, the board of health, and although so short
a time has elapsed, his counsel has already proved itself well worth
taking.  He belongs to several organizations, of which the greater part
are outgrowths of the Catholic church, of which he and his family are
faithful communicants, the church in which they hold membership being St.
Aloysius.  Among these organizations are the Knights of Columbus, the
Catholic Knights of America and St. Aloysius Benevolent Society.
     On September 14, 1898, Miss Theresa M. Ruh, a native of Covington
and a daughter of a well-known citizen, Anton Ruh, became the bride of Mr.
Rabe.  Their union was blessed by the birth of two sons, Alvin F. and
William J., the latter of whom was accidentally drowned at Norwood, a
suburb of Cincinnati, while visiting relatives there on August 9, 1910.
     The Kenton Supply Company with which Mr. Rabe is connected, is an
outgrowth of the partnership formed May 18, 1904, by Joseph and John Carl,
George Lubrecht and William A. Rabe, dealers in builders' supplies and
coal.  The concern soon became more extensive than anticipated, and the
following January was incorporated with a capital stock of twenty-five
thousand dollars, the first official board selected being the same in
personnel as that which at the present day has it destinies in charge.
Anton Ruh was president, Joseph Car, vice-president, and William A. Rabe,
secretary and treasurer.  The new corporation began business February 1,
1905, and has since experienced a sure and steady growth, becoming
largely extended.  Besides the coal and sand yards on Robbins Street,
near Licking river, a branch has been established at Latonia, and the
business is one of the most extensive not only in Covington but in this
part of the country.  The coal and sand in which the company deals is
delivered to them by both rail and barges.

Rabe Von_Wahlde Schofield Ruh Lubrecht Carl McDonald Seger
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Cincinnati-Hamilton-OH Dayton-Montgomery-OH Germany