Guthrie County IA Archives Biographies.....Rathmann, Christian 1846 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 29, 2011, 2:28 am

Source: See below
Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1896)

CHRISTIAN RATHMANN.—The cigar industry is well represented in Stuart, Iowa, by
the gentleman with whose name we are pleased to introduce this article—Christian
Rathmann. Since 1877 he has maintained his residence in Stuart, has all this
time been engaged in the manufacture of cigars, and is now said to be the oldest
cigar-manufacturer in this part of Iowa. Following is a brief sketch of his life:

   Christian Rathmann was born in Holstein, Germany, January 29, 1846, son of
Peter and Louise Rathmann. By a former marriage his mother had one son, William
Korte, who still resides in Germany, these two being her only children. In his
native land Christian served an apprenticeship to the trade of baker, at which
he worked for some years. He emigrated to this country in 1872, located first in
Valparaiso, Indiana, then went to Chicago, and from there to Monmouth, Illinois.
At the last named place he learned the trade of cigar-maker, and in 1877 came to
Iowa and at Stuart established himself in his present business, at first on a
very small scale, being assisted by his wife. From a small beginning his
business has increased until now he employs from eight to ten men all the time
and has a ready sale for his product, both here and in other towns and cities.
Mr. Rathmann himself travels and sells the goods. He owns his own business
property and also a pleasant home. The latter, which is one of the attractive
residences of Stuart, he built in 1893.

   Mr. Rathmann was married at Valparaiso, in 1872, to Miss Anna Williams, a
native of Holstein, Germany, who landed in America the same year he did. They
had three children and had the misfortune to lose them all when quite young.

   On locating in Stuart and securing a start in business here, Mr. Rathmann
identified himself with the best interests of the town and has ever since been
one of its most enterprising and public-spirited citizens. He has frequently
served in various local offices. For five years he was a member of the City
Council and at this writing he is one of the efficient members of the School
Board. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, but as there is no
Lutheran Church at Stuart he attends the Congregational Church, in which he is
now serving as Trustee. Fraternally he is identified with both the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. In the former he maintains a
membership in both the subordinate and encampment branches, at present occuping
the position of Grand Senior Warden of the Grand Encampment of Iowa. He is Past
Chancellor of Lincoln Lodge, No. 59, Knights of Pythias.

   Thus is sketched briefly the life of a self-made man, the above furnishing
another illustration to the many already on record of what may be accomplished
in this country by young men of enterprise and push.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

A MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF IOWA

ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1896


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