Biographical Sketches

F. W. RATHBONE, M. D. 

Has been identified with the medical profession of Kansas City, Missouri, since 1883, and is recognized as one of the leading physicians of the city. As such he is a fit subject for biographical honors, and we are pleased in this connection to present an outline of his life's career.

F. W. Rathbone was born in Wirt county, West Virginia, January 12, 1856, his parents being John C. and Eliza (Vanderbeek) Rathbone, the former a native of New York state and the latter of New Jersey. The family of which the Doctor is a member was composed of 10 children, f5 sons and 5 daughters, and of this number only 4 are now living - Abram, William P., Francis W. and John C., Jr. Their mother died in 1892, at the age of 70 years. The venerable father is still living, his home being in Holden, Missouri. Early in life he was employed as civil engineer, later was engaged in the oil business and banking, being thus occupied up to 1883, when he came west to Kansas City. Here he lived retired for 9 years, and since 1892 has resided at Holden. He is a devout Catholic, as was also his wife, and in that faith they reared their family. During the civil war he was a soldier in the 11th Virginia volunteer infantry, served 3 years, and came out of the army with the rank of colonel. His intimate acquaintance with the country made him especially valuable on the patrol, in which he was occupied during the greater part of his army life. 

Dr. Rathbone's grandfather, William Palmer Rathbone, was a New Yorker by birth, a farmer by occupation, and spent many years in the western part of Virginia, where he died, at the age of 82 years. He had charge of the commissary department after the War of 1812, was well educated, was one of the leading spirits of his day and place, and served as one of the judges of his district. His family was composed of 6 children. The Doctor's maternal ancestors were of Holland-Dutch origin. His grandfather, Abram J. Vanderbeek, was born in New Jersey, followed the quiet life of a farmer, and lived to the advanced age of 86 years.

Dr. Rathbone was reared chiefly at Parkersburg, West Virginia, and received his early schooling there. Then he attended Wheeling College, and later the Christian Brothers', or Rock Hill, College, at Ellicott City. He began studying medicine at Jefferson College, Philadelphia, in 1872, and the following year was a student in the College of Pharmacy in New York City. About this time his failing health compelled him to drop his studies, and it was not until some years later that he took them up again. He graduated in 1883, and the same year he came west and opened an office in Kansas City, where, as already stated, he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He is a member of the regular medical profession and of the Jackson County Medical Society.

Dr. Rathbone's home is at No. 1015 Prospect Ave., Kansas City, and his family is composed of wife and 3 children. He was married February 27, 1878, to Miss Arianna J. Hannan, daughter of J. R. Hannan. Their children are Stella, Marie and Cameron. The Doctor adheres to the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, in which he was reared, and to the political principles of the democratic party, and his wife is an Episcopalian.

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This page was last updated August 2, 2006.