Frank C. Rathje

Frank C. Rathje (August 21, 1881 - February 24, 1967) was a Chicago banker who served as President of the American Bankers Association and the Illinois Bankers' Association during World War II. He founded the Mutual National Bank in Chicago and was President of the Chicago City Bank and Trust Company.[1]

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Childhood and Education

Rathje was born in Bloomingdale, Illinois, to William and Louisa Rathje of Hanover, Germany. He attended St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in 1903. However, he was forced to drop out due to lack of funding. In 1959, St. John's Northwestern presented him with an honorary degree.[2][3]

Rathje attended night classes at Northwestern University Law School where he received his Juris Doctorate. On June 19, 1946, he was given an Honorary Doctrine of Business Administration by Northwestern University. He also received an Honorary Doctrine from Monmouth College.

Career

Rathje founded the Mutual National Bank of Chicago, Illinois, in 1917. Upon Rathje's death, the bank merged with the LaSalle Bank. Rathje was simultaneously President of the Chicago City Bank and Trust Company. These banks were two of the seven Chicago banks that were allowed by the U.S. Treasury to remain open during The Great Depression.[4] Rathje is credited with predicting the imminent economic collapse. He prevented a run on his banks by raising capital through the selling of bonds and Chicago real estate. These achievements led Rathje to be elected President of the American Bankers Association in 1945.[5] In this capacity, Rathje regularly consulted with President Harry S. Truman and his cabinet regarding economic recovery strategies.

Rathje served as President of the Transportation Association of America and was a member of the Chicago Plan Commission from 1937 to 1954 after the passing of former commissioner Charles Wacker.[4]

Personal life

Rathje married Josephine Logan of New York City and had four children: Theron, Josephine, Shirley, and Frank Jr. who is the former Chairman of Illinois Valley Bancshares and namesake of Rathje Hall at Grinnell College and Rathje Track in Princeton, Illinois.[6][7] Frank Rathje, Jr., currently lives in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He is the great uncle of William Rathje.

Rathje was a philanthropist in the Chicago area. He left much of his estate to the Glenwood School for Boys and Girls located in Glenwood, Illinois. Glenwood dedicated the St. Charles, Illinois, campus to the Rathje family in 2000, naming it the Rathje Campus.[8] He served as President of the Union League Club of Chicago and contributed to much of the club's current art collection. He was also a member of the Freemasonry.

Rathje was an avid hunter and fisherman. He served as President of the Big Sand Lake Hunting and Fishing Club in Phelps, Wisconsin.

Rathje owned several cattle and grain farms in rural Illinois. He served as President of the Percheron Horse Association of America and was a member of the Saddle and Sirloin club.[9]

References