Guthrie County IA Archives Biographies.....Rathmann, Christian 1846 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm ************************************************ 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 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ia/guthrie/bios/rathmann219nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/iafiles/ File size: 3.6 Kb