William Rath was born in Hamburg, Germany on January 28, 1849. His father, Hans Rath, lived his entire life in Germany. His mother, Mary Rath, died at William's home in Ludington, Michigan, after living in America for twenty years. Rath attended public schools in Hamburg for his initial education. He served as an apprentice locksmith, but did not complete his apprenticeship. Rath then assisted his father as a mason. Rath grew up in Hamburg, then emigrated to America at the age of 21. He entered New York City, and then made his way to Michigan, arriving in Ludington on June 21, 1870.
Business career
Rath's first jobs were as a laborer in Ludington sawmills. Eventually, he was promoted to lumber inspector, gaining him other responsibilities. His success in the lumber industry made him a lumber baron. Rath was the mayor of Ludington for a while. He was also a collector of customs for the port. Rath was the president of the Ludington Board of Trade and regularly reported on the freighter traffic in the harbor. Rath became a part of the firm Weimer & Rath in 1880. Later he developed a partnership with Ludington businessman Warren Antoine Cartier. The two formed the lumber business of Rath & Cartier. Rath founded the Ludington State Bank in 1901 with Charles G. Wing. They also founded another bank in Mason County called Fountain Bank. Rath had extensive real estate in Mason and Manistee counties. He also owned property in Chicago. Through these real estate holdings he became a wealthy man. Around 1890, he suffered a large financial loss after falling victim to a fraudulent copper mininginvestment scam perpetrated by Mr. Goldsborough. Rath owned property, including a cottage in south beach Epworth. His estate was the subject of two lawsuits. Rath was involved with the following businesses:
Rath was a member of the Ludington Board of Trade from its beginning. For two years, he was its president. He was the deputy collector of customs in Ludington for over a decade. Rath belonged to the Mason county board of supervisors for ten years. Rath was the mayor of Ludington from 1910 to 1911.
Personal life
Rath married Miss Lucy Rickhoff, who was also of German descent, on July 17, 1870. They had one child, Jennie. They also had two adopted daughters named Ella and Jessie. Rath and his wife were devout members of the localGerman Lutheran church, St. John's Lutheran. Rath was a supporter of the Republican Party. Rath died from a heart attack on August 10, 1916. His remains are interred at Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington.
Legacy
When memories of the town's founder, James Ludington, faded, Charles Street was renamed Rath Avenue for William Rath. The William Rath Building, which was 100 blocks south of Ludington Avenue, was presented to the Salvation Army. The building served as the Salvation Army's headquarters from 1936 to 1961. Rath and Antoine E. Cartier bought the Cartier Park land near Lincoln Lake. He bequeathed $25,000 for its improvement and gifted it to the city. Rath is memorialized in a mural showing him drinking from a Fountain of Youth, a stylish trend in the late 1800s. The mural is located at 106 N. Rath Ave; it was painted by Ludington artist Therese Soles.
