Sylvanus L. Rathje

Born in Bloomingdale, Illinois in February 1869, Rathje graduated from Wheaton College in 1890. Afterward he practiced law in Wheaton and rose through the offices of Alderman, City Attorney and later to the judgeship of DuPage County. He held the latter position through repeated re-elections until his death November 14, 1929. He was known as quiet and undemonstrative and as a forceful thinker and tireless worker.

He married May Carey, a fellow-student. Together they had four sons.  His brother, William, served as a trustee of the college.