Husband of Sarah Ann (Hutton) Ralya (1836-1929). Son of John W. Ralya and Nancy Elizabeth (Miller) Ralya. Father of eight children: James, Cynthia, William, Minnie, Elmer, Harvey, Harry and Silas Ralya. Grandson of the Revolutionary War patriot, David Ralya of Crawford County, Pennsylvania.
Obituary from : The Anderson Herald, Anderson, Indiana, October 2, 1896 -
"KILLED BY THE CARS - Former Anderson Man Met a Sad Fate at Indianapolis
John J. Ralya Gets out of the Way of one train to be run over by another - His career.
Saturday 26 - John J. Ralya, well known to all the old resident of Anderson, was killed by the cars at Indianapolis yesterday morning at 11 o'clock. He was walking along the Bee Line tracks and seeing an approaching Pan Handle passenger train, stepped on to a second track, in front of a Lake Erie cut of cars backing in and which he has not seen. He was instantly killed, his head being severed. The body after being viewed by the coroner, was taken to Whitealls' morgue, and thence to the home of the deceased at 613 South Meridian Street. Mrs. Samuel Heinold, of this city, is the daughter of the deceased and she received a telegram shortly after the accident. Mr. Heinold went to Indianapolis last evening. It is probable the remains will be interred at Cleveland, Ohio. Besides Mrs. Heinold, Mr. Ralya leaves the following children: Mrs. Charles Clark, of Pendleton, Harvey Ralya of Lapel, James of Kansas, Elmer of Indianapolis and Bert, of Cleveland.
An Interesting Career
Mr. Ralya has had a most interesting career. He was reared in Pennsylvania and while working at getting out timber in the native woods, it is said he invented an improvement to the cross cut saw by making the teeth unequal in length and different in shape. He made a saw of this kind for himself and the effectiveness of Ralya and his saw was familiar to all the woodsmen in that part of the country. It is said the Disstons got hold of the invention in a questionable way and made millions out of it. Ralya afterwards moved to Cleveland, Ohio and engaged in the heading business. He became a powerful factor in that line and bought heading through out several of the central states. He became very wealthy and several times effected corners in the market. He cleared 890,000 out of one of these and the Standard Oil Company suffered the entire loss. When the Standard Oil company was organized, the presidency was offered him. He thought of the proposition for some time and then rejected it. At this day it seems queer, but the organizers of that company wanted Ralya that his name might give them some financial prestige. Ralya finally moved to Anderson and engaged in the heading business. He lost every cent he had nine or ten years ago after having done a most remarkable business. He later moved to Indianapolis, and for the past few years he has been manufacturing on a small scale a patent medicine. He has lived with his son at Indianapolis. Several years ago, Mr. Ralya invented another improvement to the saw and disposed of it to E.C. Atkins and Co. He now has suits pending against the firm for damages amounting to $30,000. He was 64 yrs. old. The estate he leaves is worth $4,000 to $5,000."
Obituary from The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana, September 26, 1896:
"KILLED - Aged John J. Ralya, who was well known here. Head cut off at Indianapolis - the deceased was a genius and once commanded Big offices, but let fortune pass.
John J. Ralya was run over by an L.E and W train and his head severed at Indianapolis yesterday. He stepped to death while getting out of the way of another train. The deceased was the father of Mrs. Sam Heinold, of this city, Mrs. Charles Clark of Pendleton; Harvey Ralya of Lapel; James of Kansas; Elmer of Indianapolis; and Bert, of Cleveland.
CHANCES AT FORTUNES - John J. Ralya lived in Anderson several years ago and was here but recently visiting. He "grew up" in Pennsylvania heading factories and the result of his genius paved the way of fortunes for two well known Anderson men. It is said that Ralya was once offered the presidency of what developed to be the Standard Oil Company, but thought he had something better. He was also an inventor of timber saws and has suffered from infringements, etc. until he was in reduced circumstances. Having a knowledge of medicine he made and sold one preparation following that business to his death. He leaves a small estate."
Obituary from The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana, Sunday, September 27, 1896, page 8:
"The body of John J. Ralya, the man who was killed on the Bee-line tracks Friday, will be shipped to Anderson this morning."
Obituary from : The Anderson Herald, Anderson, Indiana, October 2, 1896 -
"KILLED BY THE CARS - Former Anderson Man Met a Sad Fate at Indianapolis
John J. Ralya Gets out of the Way of one train to be run over by another - His career.
Saturday 26 - John J. Ralya, well known to all the old resident of Anderson, was killed by the cars at Indianapolis yesterday morning at 11 o'clock. He was walking along the Bee Line tracks and seeing an approaching Pan Handle passenger train, stepped on to a second track, in front of a Lake Erie cut of cars backing in and which he has not seen. He was instantly killed, his head being severed. The body after being viewed by the coroner, was taken to Whitealls' morgue, and thence to the home of the deceased at 613 South Meridian Street. Mrs. Samuel Heinold, of this city, is the daughter of the deceased and she received a telegram shortly after the accident. Mr. Heinold went to Indianapolis last evening. It is probable the remains will be interred at Cleveland, Ohio. Besides Mrs. Heinold, Mr. Ralya leaves the following children: Mrs. Charles Clark, of Pendleton, Harvey Ralya of Lapel, James of Kansas, Elmer of Indianapolis and Bert, of Cleveland.
An Interesting Career
Mr. Ralya has had a most interesting career. He was reared in Pennsylvania and while working at getting out timber in the native woods, it is said he invented an improvement to the cross cut saw by making the teeth unequal in length and different in shape. He made a saw of this kind for himself and the effectiveness of Ralya and his saw was familiar to all the woodsmen in that part of the country. It is said the Disstons got hold of the invention in a questionable way and made millions out of it. Ralya afterwards moved to Cleveland, Ohio and engaged in the heading business. He became a powerful factor in that line and bought heading through out several of the central states. He became very wealthy and several times effected corners in the market. He cleared 890,000 out of one of these and the Standard Oil Company suffered the entire loss. When the Standard Oil company was organized, the presidency was offered him. He thought of the proposition for some time and then rejected it. At this day it seems queer, but the organizers of that company wanted Ralya that his name might give them some financial prestige. Ralya finally moved to Anderson and engaged in the heading business. He lost every cent he had nine or ten years ago after having done a most remarkable business. He later moved to Indianapolis, and for the past few years he has been manufacturing on a small scale a patent medicine. He has lived with his son at Indianapolis. Several years ago, Mr. Ralya invented another improvement to the saw and disposed of it to E.C. Atkins and Co. He now has suits pending against the firm for damages amounting to $30,000. He was 64 yrs. old. The estate he leaves is worth $4,000 to $5,000."
Obituary from The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana, September 26, 1896:
"KILLED - Aged John J. Ralya, who was well known here. Head cut off at Indianapolis - the deceased was a genius and once commanded Big offices, but let fortune pass.
John J. Ralya was run over by an L.E and W train and his head severed at Indianapolis yesterday. He stepped to death while getting out of the way of another train. The deceased was the father of Mrs. Sam Heinold, of this city, Mrs. Charles Clark of Pendleton; Harvey Ralya of Lapel; James of Kansas; Elmer of Indianapolis; and Bert, of Cleveland.
CHANCES AT FORTUNES - John J. Ralya lived in Anderson several years ago and was here but recently visiting. He "grew up" in Pennsylvania heading factories and the result of his genius paved the way of fortunes for two well known Anderson men. It is said that Ralya was once offered the presidency of what developed to be the Standard Oil Company, but thought he had something better. He was also an inventor of timber saws and has suffered from infringements, etc. until he was in reduced circumstances. Having a knowledge of medicine he made and sold one preparation following that business to his death. He leaves a small estate."
Obituary from The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana, Sunday, September 27, 1896, page 8:
"The body of John J. Ralya, the man who was killed on the Bee-line tracks Friday, will be shipped to Anderson this morning."
Husband of Sarah Ann (Hutton) Ralya (1836-1929). Son of John W. Ralya and Nancy Elizabeth (Miller) Ralya. Father of eight children: James, Cynthia, William, Minnie, Elmer, Harvey, Harry and Silas Ralya. Grandson of the Revolutionary War patriot, David Ralya of Crawford County, Pennsylvania.
Obituary from : The Anderson Herald, Anderson, Indiana, October 2, 1896 -
"KILLED BY THE CARS - Former Anderson Man Met a Sad Fate at Indianapolis
John J. Ralya Gets out of the Way of one train to be run over by another - His career.
Saturday 26 - John J. Ralya, well known to all the old resident of Anderson, was killed by the cars at Indianapolis yesterday morning at 11 o'clock. He was walking along the Bee Line tracks and seeing an approaching Pan Handle passenger train, stepped on to a second track, in front of a Lake Erie cut of cars backing in and which he has not seen. He was instantly killed, his head being severed. The body after being viewed by the coroner, was taken to Whitealls' morgue, and thence to the home of the deceased at 613 South Meridian Street. Mrs. Samuel Heinold, of this city, is the daughter of the deceased and she received a telegram shortly after the accident. Mr. Heinold went to Indianapolis last evening. It is probable the remains will be interred at Cleveland, Ohio. Besides Mrs. Heinold, Mr. Ralya leaves the following children: Mrs. Charles Clark, of Pendleton, Harvey Ralya of Lapel, James of Kansas, Elmer of Indianapolis and Bert, of Cleveland.
An Interesting Career
Mr. Ralya has had a most interesting career. He was reared in Pennsylvania and while working at getting out timber in the native woods, it is said he invented an improvement to the cross cut saw by making the teeth unequal in length and different in shape. He made a saw of this kind for himself and the effectiveness of Ralya and his saw was familiar to all the woodsmen in that part of the country. It is said the Disstons got hold of the invention in a questionable way and made millions out of it. Ralya afterwards moved to Cleveland, Ohio and engaged in the heading business. He became a powerful factor in that line and bought heading through out several of the central states. He became very wealthy and several times effected corners in the market. He cleared 890,000 out of one of these and the Standard Oil Company suffered the entire loss. When the Standard Oil company was organized, the presidency was offered him. He thought of the proposition for some time and then rejected it. At this day it seems queer, but the organizers of that company wanted Ralya that his name might give them some financial prestige. Ralya finally moved to Anderson and engaged in the heading business. He lost every cent he had nine or ten years ago after having done a most remarkable business. He later moved to Indianapolis, and for the past few years he has been manufacturing on a small scale a patent medicine. He has lived with his son at Indianapolis. Several years ago, Mr. Ralya invented another improvement to the saw and disposed of it to E.C. Atkins and Co. He now has suits pending against the firm for damages amounting to $30,000. He was 64 yrs. old. The estate he leaves is worth $4,000 to $5,000."
Obituary from The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana, September 26, 1896:
"KILLED - Aged John J. Ralya, who was well known here. Head cut off at Indianapolis - the deceased was a genius and once commanded Big offices, but let fortune pass.
John J. Ralya was run over by an L.E and W train and his head severed at Indianapolis yesterday. He stepped to death while getting out of the way of another train. The deceased was the father of Mrs. Sam Heinold, of this city, Mrs. Charles Clark of Pendleton; Harvey Ralya of Lapel; James of Kansas; Elmer of Indianapolis; and Bert, of Cleveland.
CHANCES AT FORTUNES - John J. Ralya lived in Anderson several years ago and was here but recently visiting. He "grew up" in Pennsylvania heading factories and the result of his genius paved the way of fortunes for two well known Anderson men. It is said that Ralya was once offered the presidency of what developed to be the Standard Oil Company, but thought he had something better. He was also an inventor of timber saws and has suffered from infringements, etc. until he was in reduced circumstances. Having a knowledge of medicine he made and sold one preparation following that business to his death. He leaves a small estate."
Obituary from The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana, Sunday, September 27, 1896, page 8:
"The body of John J. Ralya, the man who was killed on the Bee-line tracks Friday, will be shipped to Anderson this morning."
Obituary from : The Anderson Herald, Anderson, Indiana, October 2, 1896 -
"KILLED BY THE CARS - Former Anderson Man Met a Sad Fate at Indianapolis
John J. Ralya Gets out of the Way of one train to be run over by another - His career.
Saturday 26 - John J. Ralya, well known to all the old resident of Anderson, was killed by the cars at Indianapolis yesterday morning at 11 o'clock. He was walking along the Bee Line tracks and seeing an approaching Pan Handle passenger train, stepped on to a second track, in front of a Lake Erie cut of cars backing in and which he has not seen. He was instantly killed, his head being severed. The body after being viewed by the coroner, was taken to Whitealls' morgue, and thence to the home of the deceased at 613 South Meridian Street. Mrs. Samuel Heinold, of this city, is the daughter of the deceased and she received a telegram shortly after the accident. Mr. Heinold went to Indianapolis last evening. It is probable the remains will be interred at Cleveland, Ohio. Besides Mrs. Heinold, Mr. Ralya leaves the following children: Mrs. Charles Clark, of Pendleton, Harvey Ralya of Lapel, James of Kansas, Elmer of Indianapolis and Bert, of Cleveland.
An Interesting Career
Mr. Ralya has had a most interesting career. He was reared in Pennsylvania and while working at getting out timber in the native woods, it is said he invented an improvement to the cross cut saw by making the teeth unequal in length and different in shape. He made a saw of this kind for himself and the effectiveness of Ralya and his saw was familiar to all the woodsmen in that part of the country. It is said the Disstons got hold of the invention in a questionable way and made millions out of it. Ralya afterwards moved to Cleveland, Ohio and engaged in the heading business. He became a powerful factor in that line and bought heading through out several of the central states. He became very wealthy and several times effected corners in the market. He cleared 890,000 out of one of these and the Standard Oil Company suffered the entire loss. When the Standard Oil company was organized, the presidency was offered him. He thought of the proposition for some time and then rejected it. At this day it seems queer, but the organizers of that company wanted Ralya that his name might give them some financial prestige. Ralya finally moved to Anderson and engaged in the heading business. He lost every cent he had nine or ten years ago after having done a most remarkable business. He later moved to Indianapolis, and for the past few years he has been manufacturing on a small scale a patent medicine. He has lived with his son at Indianapolis. Several years ago, Mr. Ralya invented another improvement to the saw and disposed of it to E.C. Atkins and Co. He now has suits pending against the firm for damages amounting to $30,000. He was 64 yrs. old. The estate he leaves is worth $4,000 to $5,000."
Obituary from The Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana, September 26, 1896:
"KILLED - Aged John J. Ralya, who was well known here. Head cut off at Indianapolis - the deceased was a genius and once commanded Big offices, but let fortune pass.
John J. Ralya was run over by an L.E and W train and his head severed at Indianapolis yesterday. He stepped to death while getting out of the way of another train. The deceased was the father of Mrs. Sam Heinold, of this city, Mrs. Charles Clark of Pendleton; Harvey Ralya of Lapel; James of Kansas; Elmer of Indianapolis; and Bert, of Cleveland.
CHANCES AT FORTUNES - John J. Ralya lived in Anderson several years ago and was here but recently visiting. He "grew up" in Pennsylvania heading factories and the result of his genius paved the way of fortunes for two well known Anderson men. It is said that Ralya was once offered the presidency of what developed to be the Standard Oil Company, but thought he had something better. He was also an inventor of timber saws and has suffered from infringements, etc. until he was in reduced circumstances. Having a knowledge of medicine he made and sold one preparation following that business to his death. He leaves a small estate."
Obituary from The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana, Sunday, September 27, 1896, page 8:
"The body of John J. Ralya, the man who was killed on the Bee-line tracks Friday, will be shipped to Anderson this morning."
Gravesite Details
John and his wife, Sarah, are supposed to be buried at Grove Lawn Cemetery in Pendleton. John also owned a cemetery plot in Riverside Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio where his mother, son, and some of his wife's relatives are buried.
Family Members
Siblings
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