Charles Deming Rathbone was born July 6, 1840 at Belpre, and was raised in Muskingum County. Just before the war began, Rathbone was working in the city as a machinist and lived at 31 N. 6th Street in Zanesville.
Upon the outbreak of war with the rebellious American South, Rathbone enlisted in Company B at Zanesville on May 30, 1861 for three years service. Rathbone proved very capable, starting the war as a corporal, but soon he received a promotion to sergeant on July 15, 1861. His appointment as Company B's First Sergeant came as a reward for courage and leadership at the Battle of Stones River, December 31, 1862. He received one war wound, but recovered to serve his entire enlistment. He received an honorable discharge on June 21, 1864.
Following his war service, Charles returned to Belpre and married Maria Loring Ames, daughter of Charles R. and Mary Jane (Fisher) Ames, on October 3, 1865. Charles maintained his interest in public service, serving as a justice of the peace for seven years.
Charles and Maria had three children. Florence Loring Rathbone was born May 30, 1867. She died a spinster in 1910. Elizabeth Dean Rathbone was born January 6, 1869. She moved to Chicago in 1893 and became the treasurer of the Rathbone Family Association. Florence Putnam Rathbone was born May 30, 1873. She married John G. Goll on February 4, 1908.
Maria, Charles' wife, died November 11, 1882. Charles died in 1906.
Biographical data contributed by:
Jeannie Rathbone
P. O. Box 22577
Milwaukie, OR 97269
Email: Jeannabee@aol.com
Other Sources: "Ohio Roster of Troops"
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