James R Rash

James Randolph Rash was born 9 Oct 1872 to Otway Watkins Rash and Sarah Elizabeth Robertson.

He was a member of the first football team organized at Henderson High School and was graduate of the University of Virginia.

Mr. Rash was a veteran of the Spanish-American War and during the Philippine Insurrection in 1898 he was assigned to establish a military post on the island of Marinduque. He became so popular with the natives there that he was given the title of Duke of Marinduque.

2nd Lieutenant James R Rash was granted a pension file for an injury during his service:
Date of filing: 1900 Dec 6
Application: 1.258.377
Certificate: 1.115.524

James married Jane Dean Brownlee on 12 Feb 1908. They built a house at the corner of S Main and Powell Streets, 138 S Main, where they raised two children.

He served as postmaster of Henderson for eight years and played an active part in civic affairs. He was chairman of a committee that raised funds to build Hotel Soaper in Henderson. He annually vacationed in Florida. Mr. Rash was trustee of the University of Kentucky for twelve years and was chairman of the Kentucky Fair Board for thirty years.

Mr. Rash was known for wearing an enormous straw hat in the summertime and a beaver during winter months.

James Rash died 10 Aug 1954 in Florida. He was buried in Fernwood Cemetery / Section 7 / Lot 388S / Grave 10. Survivors included his widow, two sons, James R. Jr. and Dr. Jack O. W. Rash of Miami, and two brothers, Dr. O. W. Rash Owensboro and Ben C. Rash of Henderson.

Obituary:

HENDERSON, Ky., (Special) – Col. James R. Rash Sr., 82, former Henderson postmaster and captain of Henderson’s first football team in 1891, died this morning in a Miami, Fla, hospital after he suffered a stroke.
Rash, a prominent figure in Henderson, served as a captain in the Spanish-American War and was chairman of the Kentucky State Fair board for 30 years.
While in the Army, Rash served in the Philippines as an aide to Gen. Arthur MacArthur, father of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
Served as Captain
A graduate of the University of Virginia, he was a captain with the 3rd Kentucky Volunteers during the Spanish-American War.
During the Philippine Insurrection in 1898 he was assigned to establish a military post on the island of Marinduque. He became so popular with the natives they gave him the “title” of Duke of Marinduque.
Rash returned to Henderson after he was injured in that campaign and was stricken with an acute form of dysentery. He never fully recovered.
Back in Henderson, he became a leader in civic affairs. He was chairman of a committee that raised funds to build the Hotel Soaper.
He served as a trustee of the University of Kentucky for 12 years.
Operated Mule Barn
For many years Rash and the late Jeff Davis operated a mule barn here in the 100 block of 2nd street. He also owned many acres of farmland in Henderson County.
Rash was a Republican and served eight years as postmaster under two Republican presidents.
His son. James R. Rash Jr., is a leader in county GOP ranks and now serves as an advisor to the Department of Agriculture in Kentucky.
Rash, who resided at 138 S. Main St., annually vacationed in Florida. Another son, Dr. Jack Rash, lives in Miami.
He helped form and develop Henderson’s first football team in 1894 and captained the team, which played under the banner of the Henderson Athletic Club.
He owned one of the most extensive collection of original Audubon paintings in this area. He purchased them many years ago when an English family offered them for sale.
The body will leave Miami at 1 p.m. Thursday, arriving in Henderson Friday night. It will be taken to the Benton and Son Funeral Home. Other arrangements are in-complete.
Survivors include the widow, Jane; the two sons; two brothers, Dr. O. W. Rash of Owensboro, and Ben of Henderson, and three grandchildren.