John L. Rathbone was a resident of Mansfield on December 7, 1861 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. G of the 1st Regiment Rhode Island Volunteer Light Artillery; he died October 18, 1862.

In the 1850 U.S. census in Blackstone, Massachusetts, John Rathbone, a 30 year old farmer, is in the household. George N. Rathbone, a 28 year old sailor, is also in their household and is a probable brother. Both were born in Connecticut and a George Rathbone also enlisted in Co. G of the 1st Regiment Rhode Island Volunteer Light Artillery.

He was not a resident of Mansfield in the 1860 U.S. census. 

The burial place of John L. Rathbone is not known.