Re: U.S. Grant/Rathbun connection?
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In reply to:
U.S. Grant/Rathbun connection?
8/06/00
Hello Phillip--
This is just an odd tidbit of history.I visited my (g) grandmother's grave a few weeks ago in the Hardin Cemetery, at the site of the ghost town of Hardin, Iowa (on the Allamakee / Clayton county line).Margarette Rathbun was the wife of Jeremiah Rathbun.Several of Margarette's children were with her in Hardin.The town was only active in the 1860's and early 1870's.The railroad missed them and the town folded.However, the town was conveniently located between the Fort Atkinson and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.On one of the 4th of July celebrations in Hardin, Ulysses S. Grant led the parade through town (this was told to me by a man living at the ghost towns site who had some old photos.)U.S. Grant was traveling to Fort Atkinson.Since the town only had about 250 population at its peak, it's reasonable to assume that the Rathbuns in Hardin would've seen him.U.S. Grant lived for many years in Galena, Illinois which is quite close to Allamakee / Clayton Counties in Iowa--just across the Mississippi River.I know that you were looking for a blood connection, but historical connections are interesting too!