Noel Rabun Raulerson, Sr., born in Georgia in 1820, was the founder of one of Okeechobee County’s oldest pioneer families. It has been said that his father was one Nicebod Raulerson, but there is conflicting evidence on this point. Rabun Raulerson moved to Hillsborough County in 1844 and by 1850 was living on the southeast shore of Lake Hancock in present-day Polk County. He was involved in the cattle business on a large scale and in 1874 moved his family and cattle to the Basinger area, purchasing his claim from Henry Parker. Raulerson’s sons, William, David, Archie, and Peter moved to Basinger about the same time. Another son, Noel Rabun Raulerson, Jr., arrived in 1876. The elder Raulerson moved back to Polk County about 1890 but his sons remained at Basinger.