F.C. Rath

I've "rescued" an old photograph of F. C. RATH in front of his grocery store. The photograph was likely taken in the early 1900's. He is pictured along with two of his employees. I believe that this is Gottfried “Fred” C. RATH. Based on limited research I was able to locate the following information regarding Fred and his family:

Gottfried “Fred” Christian RATH was b. 18 Jan 1871 in Dubuque, IA to Godfrey or Gottfried “Fred” RATH (1846-1888) and Johanna LAPE or LOEB (1850-1920). He was one of 8 children born to this couple including, Ann F. RATH WEICHOLD (1869-1952); Fred Christian; Frederick; Franklin “Frank” RATH (1873-1945); George RATH (1875-1950); Thomas; Envina; and Emma Elizabeth RATH (1879 or 1881-1923). Fred married Margaret or Margarette Ellen KEIDERLING (b. 1877 in Sommerville, NJ-1938) and together they had 3 children including, Harold Gottfried RATH (1895-1896); Gordon Brandon RATH (1897-1983) and Andrew Plattner RATH (1900-1991) all born in Iowa City, IA or Waterloo, IA.

Fred died in June 1948 and is buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Waterloo, IA.

Census records provide the following details:

1880 census of Dubuque, IA:

Gotfried F. RATH, age 34, a Pork Packer, born Prussia, parents born Prussia
Hannah RATH, wife, age 29, Keeping House, born Prussia, parents born Prussia
Anna RATH, dau, age 11, born IA
Fredrick RATH, son, age 9, born IA
Franklin RATH, son, age 6, born IA
George RATH, son, age 4, born IA
Envina RATH, dau, age 9 months, born IA

1900 census of East Waterloo, IA:

Fred RATH, age 29, born Feb 1871, married 5 years, born IA, parents born Germany/IA, a Packing House Clerk
Margaret RATH, wife, age 22, born Aug 1877, married 5 years, 2 children/2 living, born IA, parents born Germany/Ireland
Harold RATH, son, age 4, born Dec 1895, born IA
Gordon RATH, son, age 2, born Jul 1897, born IA

1910 census of Waterloo, IA:

Fred C. RATH, age 39, married 15 years, born IA, parents born Germany, a Grocery Store Merchant
Margaret E. RATH, wife, age 33, married 15 years, 3 children/3 living, born NJ, parents born Germany/NJ
Harold G. RATH, son, age 13, born IA
Gordon B. RATH, son, age 12, born IA
Andrew R. RATH, son, age 10, born IA

1920 census of Waterloo, IA:

Fred RATH, age 49, born IA, parents born Germany, a Grocery Merchant
Margaret RATH, wife, age 33, born NJ, parents born Germany
Harold RATH, son, age 24, born IA, a Grocery Store Salesman
Gordon RATH, son, age 22, born IA
Andrew RATH, son, age 19, born IA

1930 census of Castle Hill, IA:

Fred C. RATH, age 60, first married at age 24, born IA, parents born Germany/IA, a Packing House Foreman
Margaret E. RATH, wife, age 52, first married at age 15, born NJ, parents born Germany/Northern Ireland

1940 census of Castle Hill, IA:

Fred C. RATH, age 69, a widower, born IA, a Meat Packing Foreman

I am hoping to locate someone from this RATH Family so that this wonderful old photograph can be returned to the care of family. If you are a member of this family, or you know someone who might be, please contact me.

Thanks,
Shelley