Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Rathbun is a city in Appanoose County, Iowa, United States. The population was 88 at the 2000 census. Incorporated in 1897, Rathbun was established in 1892 as a mining town. At the end of the 19th century, "the valley of Walnut Creek was one continuous mining camp, known under different names, Jerome, Diamond, Mystic, Clarksdale, Rathbun and Darby" (later known as Darbyville). The Star Coal Company of Streator, Ill. operated the Rathbun Mine, with an 82-foot-deep (25 m) shaft. This mine was in operation in 1895, and by 1908 it was considered one of the best equipped longwall mines in the county.