In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1913) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Biographical review of Calhoun County, Michigan : containing historical, biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past (1904), History of Calhoun county, Michigan; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principle interests (1913)
STEPHEN J. RATHBUN.
One of the younger representatives of business interests in Battle Creek is Stephen J. Rathbun, and his capability and energy does not seem to be limited by his years, for he is controlling-one of the most extensive industrial interests in this part of the state. He is secretary of the Rathbun & Kraft Lumber Company, limited, of this city, an enterprise, the volume of business of which has reached extensive proportions. He is also recognized as a leader in political circles; and being a native son of this city, it is with pleasure that we present to our readers the record of his career.
Mr. Rathbun was born in Battle Creek, September 21, 1876, and is a son of Frank M. and Mary (Hughes) Rathbun. In his youth he acquired a good education and after pursuing the tenth grade studies took a course in Krugg's Business College wherein he was graduated. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper for the Advance Thresher Company, with which he was connected for three years. In 1896, when Company D, of the Second Regiment of the Michigan National. Guard was organized, he joined its ranks as a private, and in 1898 when the Spanish-American war was inaugurated he went with this company to the south as a member of the Thirty-second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, but the command was in camp at Island Lake where they mobilized and thence proceeded to Tampa, Florida. While there Mr. Rathbun was promoted to the rank of corporal. The regiment was assigned to General Shafter's command, but did not go to Cuba as its transport was disabled. Instead they were ordered to Fernandina, Florida, and thence to Huntsville, Alabama, after which they returned to Island Lake. The deepest regret and dissatisfaction was felt throughout the entire regiment, because they did not have the opportunity to take part in an active warfare. It was in September, 1898, that Mr. Rathbun was discharged.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
STEPHEN J. RATHBUN gaged extensively in the manufacture of lumber, in fact, their business is greater than that of any other firm in southern Michigan, their output reaching twelve million feet of lumber last year. In the control of this enterprise Mr. Rathbun manifests splendid ability, keen discrimination and marked energy; and shows that he is imbued with the spirit of the times — that of great activity in industrial and commercial circles. On the 12th of September, 1899, in Battle Creek, occurred the marriage of Mr. Rathbun and Miss Julia Henning Frazer, a daughter of Sidney and Mary (Henning) Frazer. Her mother was a daughter of David Henning who was president of the Battle Creek Gas Company and for some time was known as the "apple king of Calhoun county." Two children have been born unto our subject and his wife; David Henning, whose birth occurred February 6, 1901; and Mary Louise, born on the 8th of September, 1902.
In his political views Mr. Rathbun is a Democrat, prominent in the ranks of his party, his opinions carrying weight in its councils. He has frequently served as a delegate to its conventions, was appointed alderman in the second ward to succeed his partner upon the latter removal to another portion of the city. Mr. Rathbun was chairman of the board of health while the smallpox was raging here in 1899, and his efforts were of a most practical and valuable character in checking the disease. In the fall of 1902 he was nominated by the Democracy of this district for representation to the legislature, and, though he did not expect election because of the very strong Republican majority in this locality, he made a strong canvass and ran far ahead of the ticket — a fact which indicated his paris sonal popularity, and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He was reared in the Independent Congregational church, but now attends and supports the Episcopal church of which his wife is a member. Socially Mr. Rathbun is very prominent, belonging to Athelstan Club, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorasson, the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The true measure of success is determined by what one has accomplished and taken in contradistinction to the old text that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country," there is particular interest attaching to the career of the subject of this review, since he is a native son of the place where he has passed his active life, and so directed his ability and efforts as to gain recognition as one of the representative citizens of Battle Creek. He stands to-day prominent among the most enterprising and progressive young business men of his native city and one whose influence and efforts in behalf of public good are of no restricted order.
As printed in Biographical review of Calhoun County, Michigan : containing historical, biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past (1904). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Stephen J. Rathbun. Holding precedence as one of the representative business men and progressive and public-spirited citizens of Battle Creek, Mr. Rathbun has been a resident of this city from the time of his birth to the present and is a schon of one of the old and honored families of the fine metropolis of Calhoun county, where he is now treasurer of the Rathbun & Kraft Lumber & Coal Company, one of the most extensive concerns of its bind in the county. He is a son of the late Frank M. Rathbun, who was long one of the most honored and influential citizens of Battle Creek and who was intimately identified with the civic and industrial upbuilding of the city. To this sterling citizen a special memoir is dedicated on other pages of this work, so that further reference to his career and the family history is not demanded in the present connection.
Stephen J. Rathbun was born in Battle Creek on the 21st of September, 1876, and in his youth he fully availed himself of the advantages of the excellent public schools of his native city, after which he completed an effective course in Krug's Business College, which was then one of the well ordered educational institutions of the kind in southern Michigan. After his graduation in this college Mr. Rathbun assumed the position of bookkeeper for the Advance Thresher Company, of Battle Creek, in which his father was an interested principal, and he remained with this concern, now known as the Rumley Company, for three years.
In 1896, at the time of the organization of Company D of the Second Regiment of the Michigan National Guard, Mr. Rathbun became a member of the same, as a private, and in 1898, at the inception of the Spanish-American war, he enlisted with his company and regiment in the United States service, the regiment being mustered in as the Thirtysecond Michigan Volunteer Infantry. The command was mobilized at Island Lake, Livingston county, and thence proceeded to Tampa, Florida, where Mr. Rathbun was promoted to the office of corporal of his company. The regiment was assigned to General Shafter's command but did not go to Cuba, as its transport vessel became disable just at the time when needed. Under these conditions the command was ordered to Fernandina. Florida, whence it later proceeded to Huntsville, Alabama, from which point it finally returned to Island Lake, Michigan, The members of the regiment found it a matter of deep regret that they had not been able to take part in the active military operations on the stage of conflict. Mr. Rathbun received his honorable discharge in September, 1898.
Upon his return to Battle Creek Mr. Rathbun became bookkeeper for the lumber firm of Mason, Rathbun & Company, of which his father had been one of the organizers and was a member until the time of his death, in 1893. In January of the foUowine year he became associated with Arthur J. Kraft in the purchase of the business, and thereupon the concern was incorporated under its present title, the Rathbun & Kraft Lumber Company. The officers of the company are as here
Hosted by noted: Fred "Wells, president; Edwin Henning, vice-president; Stephen J. Eathbun, treasurer; and Arthur J. Kraft, secretary. The company has a well equipped planing mill, for general work and for the manufacturing of interior finish, sash, doors, blinds, etc., and deals extensively in lumber, lath and shingles, as well aa hard and soft coal and genuine gas coke, besides cement and lime, brick and plaster. The office and yards are located on MeCamly street south, and the office number is 57. The concern controls a business that is not exceeded in scope and importance by any of similar character in southern Michigan, and its high reputation for effective service and fair and honorable dealings constitutes its best commercial asset. Mr. Rathbun is essentially alert and progressive as a business man and is one of the prominent and influential figures in the industrial and commercial activities of his native city, where his personal popularity is of the most unequivocal order, his circle of friends being coincident with that of his acquaintances.
Beared in the faith of the Democratic party, Mr. Rathbun has found his mature judgment such as to meget a continuous allegiance to the same, and he has been one of the active workers in the local ranks of his party, which he has frequently served as a delegate to conventions, both county and congressional, and in 1899 he was appointed alderman from the second ward, to succeed his business associate, Mr. Kraft, who removed from that ward to another part of the city. He served during the unexpired term and did not become a candidate for re-election. Mr. Rathbun was chairman of the city board of health during the time, in 1899, when the smallpox epidemic was raging in Battle Creek, and he was indefatigable in his efforts to check scourge through practical and insistent measures of isolation and care. In the autumn of 1902 he was made the Democratic nominee for representative of his district in the lower house of the state legislature, and he made a most effective canvass, with the result that his personal popularity and the favorable impressions he made in this specific connection caused him to run far ahead of his ticket, though from the start he had no expectation of being able to overcome the large and normal Republican majority. Mr. Rathbun was reared in the faith of the Congregational church, his parents having been prominent members of the Independent church of this denomination in Battle Creek, hut he now attends and supports St. Thomas' church, Protestant Episcopal, of which his wife is a zealous communicant. He is a member of the Athelstan Club, and is affiliated with the local organizations of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Knights of Pythias, as well as with the adjunct of the last named, the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan. In addition to his extensive business interests already noted he is vice-president of the American Motflr Company, one of the important industrial concerns of Battle Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Rathbun are most prominent and popular factors in the representative social activities of the community, and their fine modern home, at 59 Orchard avenue, is one of the attractive centers of gracious hospitality in the city.
On the 12th of September, 1899, was solemnized the marriage of Mr, Eathbun to Miss Julia Henning Frazer, who likewise was born and reared in Battle Creek and who is a daughter of Sidney and Mary (Henning) Frazer. The late David Henning, maternal grandfather of Mrs. Eathbun. was president of the Battle Creek Gas Company and was one of the honored and influential citizens of the county. To him a specific tribute is dedicated on other pages of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Rathbun have two children,— David Henning and Mary Louise.
Hosted by
Arthur J, Kratt. There are turning points in every man's life called opportunities. Taken advantage of they mean ultimate success. The career of Arthur J. Kraft is a striking illustration of the latter statement. Diligent and ever alert for his chance of advancement, he has progressed steadily until he is recognized today as one of the foremost business men of Battle Creek, Michigan. Here he is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens, who honor him for his native ability and for his fair and straightforward career.
Arthur J. Kraft was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, February 17, 1868, and he has always been a resident of this city. His father, James H. Kraft, during his active business career was engaged in the grain business at Battle Creek. He died June 21, 1896. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary A. White, was born in this city and was a daughter of Dr. William White, whose death occurred in Meadville, Pennsylvania. She passed to the life eternal, September 11, 1891, and both she and her husband are buried in the Oak Hill cemetery. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kraft, namely, — Arthur J., to whom this sketch is dedicated; and Etta, who is the wife of J. D. 0. Powers, of Seattle, Washington. Rev. Powers is a minister in the Unitarian church at Seattle, where the family have resided for the past six years. Mrs. Powers was born and educated in Battle Creek, where she was graduated in the high school. For six years prior to going West she and her husband resided in the state of Maine.
After completing the curriculum of the public schools of Battle Creek, Arthur J. Kraft was graduated in the high school of this city. In 1888 he entered the employ of Mason, Rathbun & Company, serving that concern in the capacity of bookkeeper until 1899, when the firm of Rathbun & Kraft was formed. In 1903 Fred Wells became interested in the business and the same was incorporated, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, under the name of the Rathbun and Kraft Lumber & Coal Company. Of this thriving concern Fred Wells is president; Stephen J. Rathbun is treasurer; and Arthur J. Kraft is secretary. On other pages of this work appear sketches of the careers of Messrs. Wells and Rathbun. The company are extensive dealers in lumber, lath and shingles, hard and soft coal, and genuine gas coke. They also handle cement and lime and brick and plaster. The office and yard are located at No. 57 McCamly Street, South.
In his political adherency Mr. Kraft maintains an independent attitude. In April, 1899, he was honored by his fellow citizens with election to the city council as a member from the Second ward. He continued incumbent of that office until the following October, when he resigned because of his removal from the ward. He is a charter member of the Elks Lodge at Battle Creek and is also affiliated with the Fellowcraft Club of Detroit.
August 10, 1897, Mr. Kraft was united in marriage to Miss Grace E. Knibloe, who was born at Nunda, New York, and who is a daughter of Gilbert and Sarah Knibloe, of Battle Creek. Mrs. Kraft came to Battle Creek with her parents and here she was reared and educated. Both her parents are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Kraft have two children, — Glen A. and Arthur G., aged, respectively, eleven and ten years. The Kraft home is maintained at No. 11 West Fountain street.
As printed in History of Calhoun county, Michigan; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principle interests (1913). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Frank M. Rathbun
Their biographies name Stephen J. Rathbun: David H. Frazer (b. 1877)
The printed record stops around 1904. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.