Son of Adam and Catherine Mowrer. Married Mary Jane Richard on April 8, 1851, in Wayne Co., OH. She died in 1855, shortly after giving birth.

Following Mary's death, he married Nancy Jane Willis on Sept. 1, 1859. She was almost 20 years younger than he was.

Civil War service.
Enlisted as a Sergeant on 15 November 1861. Enlisted in Company D, 47th Infantry Regiment Indiana on 15 Nov 1861. Promoted to Full 1st Lieutenant (Not Mustered) on 1 Jan 1865. Promoted to Full Captain on 1 Mar 1865. Mustered Out Company D, 47th Infantry Regiment Indiana on 23 Oct 1865 at Shreveport, LA.

Obituary:
Death closed the eyes of Captain Eli M Rager, an old and honored resident of this place (N Manchester, IN paper). Mr Rager had been in failing health from the infirmities of old age for several years and had been able to get around but very little for some time past. About two weeks ago he sustained a stroke of paralysis from which he never recovered and for several days preceding his death he was unconscious.

Capt Rager had been highly respected resident of this city for more that 50 years and was personally known to nearly all the older people in the county. He was twice married and was the father of twelve children, eight of whom with his wife are living.

James F Rager, York, Neb; Mrs J.B. John and Mrs. O.D. Keller of Huntington; Mrs. H.H. Pine and L.E. Rager of Chicago; E.W. Rager of Prescott, Az; Mrs Ida Martin and Miss Bessie Rager of this City.

In 1861 Mr Rager enlisted as a private in Company D, 47th Indiana Volunteers, and followed his country's flag through all the ordeals of the Civil War. We as a good solider and before the close of the was became Capt. of his company. he has at all time been an intensely loyal citizen and politically he was a staunch republican. Mr. Rager was a member of the M.E. church and of the Grand Army of the Republic and also a prominent member of the Masonic Lodge and was a active and enthusiastic worker in all these organization until his failing heath forbid. He was a good citizen I the best sense of the word and his death is mourned by many people.