The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-02

the stockholders OF the Providence and
Worcester Railroad in Providence yester-
day. He seemed to be in unusually good
spirits and was reelected as one of the
board of directors four hours before he died
At $3.50 o'clock he called at the store of 9. H..
George & Co. and there complained OF
feeling ill. A carriage was summoned
and in company with John Hawkins, the
head salesman, he was driven TO the de
pot, and as has been stated, fell in front OF
the ticket office into the arms OF Mr.. Haw-
kins and George w. Cumnock, superin-
tendent of the Social Manufacturing
Company at Woonsocket. Medical Ex-
to heart failure. The remains were taken
In charge by Undertaken Knowles and
conveyed to Woonsocket in special car
attached to the 5:45 train TO Worcester
Gov. Rathbun had been undergoing a
course of treatment in New York for
stomach trouble and asthma. Six years
ago he was informed by physician that
the heart which might some day cause
sudden death.
Oscar Jenckes Rathbun was born in
Woopsocket, March 12, 1882. and was the
son of Aaron and Julia +. (Jenckes)
Rathbun. He was educated in Worces-
ter, Mass, High school and the Clinton
Liberal Institute of Clinton, n. Y. AT
eral store in Woonsocket. Aaron Rath-
bun died in 1854, and after settling his
fathers estate Mr.. Rathbun sold the busi-
ness In 1860 he purchased the Jenkesville
Cotton Mills and successfully managed
this plant until 1872. When the Harris
Woolen Mill was organized in 1862, Mr.
Rathbun was elected Secretary and on the
death of Edward Harris in 1872, was elect
ed president.
In conjunction with j. p, j. G.. & K. X.
Ray he pushed TO the completion the
Woonsocket and Pascoag railroad and was
an active man in the Rhode Island and
Massachusetts Railroad Company.
On. Jan. 1, 1891, Mr.. Rathbun retired as
active manager and president of the Harris
Woolen Co. and has since devoted his time
TO his large business interests. He was
prominently identified with the Rays in
all of their large enterprises and was
president of the Harris Woolen Company,
Woonsocket Street Railway Company,
Woonsocket and Pascoag Railroad Com
pany, Citizens National Bank, and House
hold Sewing Machine Company; vice
president of the Peoples Savings Bank,
and director in the following corporations /:
Woonsocket Gas Company, Providence
and Worcester Railroad Company, the
Mercantile Insurance Company, the
Equitable Fire and Marine Insurance
Company. Franklin National Bank,
American Wood Paper Company, Ray
Woolen Company, City Mills Company
and Rhode Island Tool Company He
was trustee of the Harris Institute
Library, William j. King estate and
woonsocket Hospital Corporation and
Oak Hill Cemetery Corporation. He was
elected Lieutenant Governor with Gov
Bourn i'm 1888, and obtained reelection
in the following year and also served two
years i'm the House of Representatives.
In 1850 Mr.. Rathbun married Rachel
f., the eldest daughter of Edward Harris
by his first wife. and two children were
the fruit of the union, Mabel f., wife of
Chester Il. Smith, agent OF the American
Worsted Company, aud Edward Harris
Rathbun of the Rays Woolen Com
pany. His wife died in 1872. Mr.
Rathbun was a strong supporter of
the Republican party both with his in-
Huencc and purse. He was widely known
outside of this State on account of his
long connection with the Harris Woolen
Company and Providence and Worcester
railroad, and the news of his death will,
come as a shock to many in this part of
the country.