Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2011,
                           All Rights Reserved
                          U.S. Data Repository

    Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page:
                <http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>

Transcribed and submitted by Judith Anne Weeks Ancell
for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
=========================================================================
U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced
in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization.
Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain
the consent of the transcriber prior to use.
Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so.
=========================================================================
Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
===========================================================================

Portrait And Biographical Album Of Mecosta County, Mich. Containing
Portraits And Biographical Sketches of Prominent And Representative
Citizens of the County together with Portraits And Biographies of All The
Presidents Of The United States  And Governors of the State.  Also
Containing A Complete History of The County, From Its Earliest Settlement
To the Present Time.  Chicago, Chapman Bros. 1883

===========================================================================
RATHVON, Benjamin F.
===========================================================================
Page 233:

Benjamin F. Rathvon, senior member of the firm of Rathvon Bros.,
proprietors of the Mecosta Planing Mill, was born at Bertie, Welland Co.,
Pr. of Ont., Can., Feb. 8, 1848.  He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth
Rathvon.  The father was a carpenter, and died when Benjamin was seven
years of age.  The mother removed to Springfield, Elgin Co., Ont., where
she was again married, to Reuben Johnson, a magistrate of that place.

Mr. Rathvon returned to Welland County when he was 13 years of age, and was
member of the household of his uncle, a farmer, three years.  He then went
to Ridgeway, same county, and engaged with Eben Cutler to learn
carpentering.  He spent five years acquiring his trade, then went back to
Springfield, where he operated as a builder three years, going thence to
St. Thomas, and there followed the same occupation.  In September, 1880, he
came to Ionia, and connected his fortunes with those of his brother
Charles, and at the end of a year they came to Mecosta village and built
their planning mill, at a cost of nearly $4,000.  They usually employ ten
men, and are doing first-class business, with gratifying success.  They
combined building with lumbering interests.  They expect to add machinery
for making sash, doors, and also furniture.  Mr. Rathvon is a member of the
A. O. U. W.

He was married May 29, 1871, to Emma A., daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth
Gilbert, born June 15, 1850, in Southold Tp., Elgin, co., Can.  Their two
children were born as follows:  Lewis E. O., at St. Thomas, Can., April 16
1874; Ilau M., in Springfield, Elgin Co., Oct. 15, 1875.