Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Rathje, Henry A 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 7, 2007, 11:38 pm

Author: Genealogical & Biographical Record

HENRY A. RATHJE, who is one of Peotone's most influential men, was born in 
Monee Township, this county, March 28, 1853, a son of Frederick and Lotta 
(Narges) Rathje, natives of Rodewald, Hanover, Germany. Of eight children born 
to their union only three are now living, Henry A., Louis (president of the 
Chicago City Bank), of Chicago, and Sophia, Mrs. George A. Weimann, of 
Frankfort, Ill. The father, who was born in 1824, grew to manhood on a farm 
and in 1843 came to America, settling twenty-five miles west of Chicago in 
Dupage County, where he worked as a farm hand for about six years.  Next he 
came to Peotone Township and purchased two hundred acres of land three miles 
north of Monee, where he embarked in farm pursuits.  Fifteen years later he 
moved to Peotone and opened a mercantile store, which was conducted under the 
title of Schroeder & Rathje for eleven years.  For six years he was connected 
with the firm of Rogers Brothers & Harkin.  On retiring from business he 
managed a forty-acre farm which he owned adjoining the town. He spent his last 
years in quiet retirement in Peotone.  During his active business career he 
and Benjamin M. Lewis bought extensive farming lands, which they improved and 
later sold. At the time of his death, April 14, 1891, he owned three hundred 
and eighty acres.  From the establishment of the Lutheran Church in Peotone he 
served as one of its trustees, and he was also an active worker in the Sunday-
school.  

Politically he was a Democrat. Several times he was elected town trustee and 
school director, and while at Monee he also served as road commissioner.  His 
father, Frederick, a farmer, came to America in 1845 and settled on a farm in 
Dupage County, where he died in 1884.

The mother of our subject was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church and 
will long be remembered for her excellent qualities of head and heart. She 
died in 1864.  

Some time afterward Frederick Rathje was again married, his second wife being 
Miss Margaretha Fink, who survives him.  By their union were born two 
children, now living, Lydia and Clara.  Lydia is the wife of Charles E. Jurz 
and resides in Frankfort, Ill.

When our subject was fifteen years of age his father moved to Peotone and here 
he acquired a thorough knowledge of the mercantile business. In 1874 he 
married Miss Wilhelmina Luhmann, a native of Hanover.  After his marriage he 
engaged in the milling business, acquiring the grist mill at Peotone, an old 
wind mill, which he operated for twelve years.  However, the substitution of 
modern methods in other mills rendered the mill unprofitable to its owner and 
it was abandoned; but it still stands, a picturesque reminder of other days. 
For fifteen years Mr. Rathje has also engaged in farming. In 1895, with a 
partner, he built an elevator at Frankfort Station, but two years later sold 
his interest in the business.  He now owns about four hundred acres in and 
surrounding the village and the supervision of this property takes much of his 
time.  He is a stockholder and director in the Peotone Electric Light Company. 
For twelve years or more he has served as school director and for two terms 
has been town trustee.  In any enterprise for the benefit of the town he has 
always been interested, and his aid could be relied upon.  He is particularly 
interested in the work of the Lutheran Church, to which he belongs and in 
which he has been treasurer and a trustee for several years. The Sunday-school 
has enlisted his sympathies and he has aided actively in its management. 
Though not active in politics, he holds firm opinions and supports the 
Republican party.

By the first marriage of Mr. Rathje five children were born, four of whom are 
living: Edward, Anna, Walter and Herman.  After the death of his first wife he 
was again married, April 6, 1885, his wife being Miss Catherine Koehnecke, who 
was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to America in 1884, settling in 
Peotone.  This union has resulted in the birth of four children, Emma, Otto, 
Huldah and Paul. Mrs. Rathje is an estimable lady and a member of the same 
church as that to which her husband belongs.



Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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