Title

Rathbun Ledger

Creation Date

1895 – 1935

Description

Rathbun ledger. The original use for this ledger is unknown; entries are made for many well-known Anoka individuals and businesses, but are otherwise mostly numbers (a couple seem to be related to meat, but it is not clear if the meat was a product being purchased or was being given as payment for other services). The dates for these original entries are 1895-1896. Later, Arlan Rathbun used the blank pages in the second half of the ledger as a sketchbook, drawing battles, spaceships, laboratories, and future visions of Anoka. The dates for these drawings are c. 1933-1935 based on a couple of entries that could be dated; Arlan would have been 9 to 11 years old during that time. Names and other writing on some of the pages indicate that his parents, John and Edna Rathbun, participated in games or other uses of the ledger with their son.

Ledger has a black cover with brown leather spine and corners. There is gold decoration and lettering on the leather; it reads "Ledger" on the spine. 273 pages. 

Note: It is written on the inside of front cover that this ledger was from the Rathbun Estate, and that it was related to Rum River Plumbing & Heating. The latter is unlikely to have been the case, because that business was owned by the DeLong family and was not connected to the Rathbun family. John and Arlan Rathbun did both work as plumbers, but during the 20th century, not during the time this ledger was originally used (1895-1896).

Geographic Names

Anoka, Anoka, Minnesota, United States, NA [45.19774,-93.38718] [id:5016450]