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Below is a family biography included in The History of Jefferson County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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G. R. Rathbun, real estate agent, farmer and stock-grower, of De Soto, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1836, a son of John T. and Mariah (Reed) Rathbun. John T. Rathbun, also a native of Cayuga County, N. Y., and of Scotch descent, was born in 1812; while residing in his native county he was a farmer and politician, but in 1850 moved to Elmira, N. Y., where he is now engaged in the manufacture of fire-engines, and operating in real estate. He is the owner of the Rathbun Hotel, one of the largest hotels in the State outside of New York City. He has been twice married; his first wife, Mariah, was of German and Puritan descent, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1814, and died in 1844. She was the mother of four children, G. R. being the eldest. The latter received his education in the academies of his native State, and grew to manhood on the farm. He located in Jefferson County, Mo., in 1867, and in De Soto in 1872, and in partnership with William Bowen established a nursery; this partnership continued one year, and the following four years Mr. Rathbun conducted the business alone. He purchased 1,500 acres three miles south of De Soto, is now improving 1,800 acres, and expects to make stock-growing his special effort. In 1878 he commenced merchandising in De Soto, which business he continued until June, 1887, in the meantime conducting his farms. In 1876 he married Miss Mary Gorham, daughter of Cornelius Gorham; she is a native of Berrien County, Mich., and was born in 1852. In politics a Republican, Mr. Rathbun cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln, in 1860. When leaving New York he was president of the Union League, and an active worker in the interests of his party and country.

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This family biography is one of 224 biographies included in The History of Jefferson County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Jefferson County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Jefferson County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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