Charles A. Rathbun

Biographical and Genealogical History of Morris County New Jersey. Illustrated. Vol. II., Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1899.

A well known member of the Morris county bar, Mr. RATHBUN was born in Madison, Morris county, on the 7th of January, 1867, his parents being Amos C. and Phebe A. (SMITH) RATHBUN. The father, a native of Connecticut, was a shoemaker by trade, and followed that business for a period of nearly fifty years. He located in Madison about 1853 and there continued his residence up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1896, at the age of seventy-three years. During the last twelve years of his life he was engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, and in the undertaking met with good success. At the time of his demise he was serving as justice of the peace, a position which he had held for a quarter of a century, discharging his duties with marked fidelity and ability. He was once coroner of Morris county and in 1864 was elected a member of the Madison school board, in which office he continued for twenty-one years, largely promoting the interests of the schools through his progressive and earnest labors. He was ever on the side of advancement and was prominently identified with all measures for the public welfare of Madison. In politics he was a stalwart Republican and did all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. In the family were six children, four of whom are now living. Mrs. RATHBUN, who is a native of New Jersey, is also still living.

Charles A. RATHBUN, whose name introduces this review, has always lived in Madison, and was educated in the public schools of that place. He began the study of law in December, 1884, under the direction of Hon. John B. VREELAND, and in June, 1889, was graduated from the Columbia College Law School, of New York city. At the June term of the New Jersey supreme court, in that year, he was admitted to the bar as an attorney at law, and three years later as a counselor. He began his professional career in the law office of Teese & Pitney, at Newark, opening an evening office in Madison. In May, 1897, he withdrew from his Newark office and came to Morristown, retaining, however, his Madison office and residence. Thus far he has met with a good success and his prospects are very encouraging. He is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party, and for several years has been an active worker in its behalf, but has never held any public office except that of counsel for the borough of Madison, to which office he was appointed in May, 1896, and which he still holds.

This biography was scanned and contributed by Catherine Smith DeMayo.

This page was last modified on: 01 January, 2014