O.L. Rapson
| Oscar L. Rapson | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 3 November 1883 Danville, Illinois |
| Died | 8 May 1952 (aged 68) Marlin, Texas |
| Resting place | Calvary Cemetery Marlin, Texas |
| Nationality |
 American |
| Occupation |
Farmhand Hotel Manager Convenience store owner Filling station owner Grocer |
| Spouse(s) | Willie Helen Magee Rapson Ida Christian Feller Rapson |
| Children | Ross Magee (stepson) Edmund Feller (stepson) Rudolph Feller (stepson) Walter Feller (stepson) Martha Feller (stepdaughter) |
| Parent(s) | Thomas P. Rapson Mary Barnes Rapson |
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Oscar Luscher Rapson (3 November 1883 – 8 May 1952) was an American farmhand, hotel manager and store owner. Rapson is best known for being the first manager of the Grand Rapids Hotel, which was the first major resort on the Wabash River.
Rapson was born in Danville, Illinois, but both of his parents died within a few years of his birth. Rapson and a few of his siblings were raised by their aunt and uncle in Mount Carmel, Illinois. In his early years, Rapson worked in many low-paying jobs until finally finding a job working on Frederick Hinde Zimmerman's farm. Initially, Rapson was a general farmhand, but after a period of time became the first manager of the Grand Rapids Hotel.
During his tenure as manager of the hotel, Rapson orchestrated many national events and helped the area surrounding the hotel to experience economic growth and notability during his stewardship through an increase in tourism and business at the hotel. While manager at the hotel, Rapson oversaw the creation of a country club and golf course as well as numerous other outdoor recreation facilities including trap shooting facilities, boat tours, hiking trails, surf boat rides, and many others. Additionally, the hotel's restaurant was opened while Rapson was manager and proved to be very successful in attracting organizations and clubs to the hotel. In 1924, shortly after the unexpected death of Frederick Hinde Zimmerman, Rapson was fired and Glenn Goodart replaced him as manager of the hotel.
After the being fired from his position as manager of the hotel, Rapson moved to various small cities in Texas. The first few years after his arrival in Texas, Rapson primarily worked jobs similar to his previous work on the Zimmerman farm in Illinois. Later, after he married and settled in Marlin, Texas, he opened a small general store that sold a variety of items to locals in Marlin, Texas as well as the surrounding area.
Rapson was born in Danville, Illinois on 3 November 1883. Rapson was one of nine children, but his parents died early and spent the majority of his younger years being raised by his aunt and uncle William and Sarah Riker. Sometime before 1910, Rapson moved to Wabash County, Illinois and began building his career. According to the 1910 US census, Rapson is listed as living with Allen Goodart, who was the brother of Glenn Goodart, the man who would eventually replace Rapson as manager of the Grand Rapids Hotel later in his life. Both Rapson and Allen Goodart were working together as drivers at the Frank J. Cowling Company while living together. After various short-term jobs, Rapson was hired by Frederick Hinde Zimmerman to work on the Hinde family farm in Wabash County near the Hanging Rock and the Grand Rapids Dam. The 1910 federal census shows O.L. Rapson living in a small house next to Frederick Hinde Zimmerman near the Grand Rapids Dam.
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