THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Claude J. Rahn; Born: 18 Jan 1885, Baltimore, MD; joined S.A.T. 23 Mar 1906. (His father 3 Aug 1897.) Arr. Estero 13 Oct 1906.

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready; Claude Rahn: Claude and Imogene were married some time after both left, but she died and he remarried and lives at Vero Beach. He is very interested in genealogy and has Swiss ancestry so, while doing some research in Lancaster, PA, when I first became interested, he checked our Showalters there at the same time. Several of his genealogies are at the State Library in Tallahassee. He is one of the directors of the K.U.

U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida--1910; Koreshan Unity; Enumeration date: 23 Apr 1910; Microfilm number: Fl 1910-H, T624; ED: 80; Enumerator: Walter S. Turner, Jr.; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, January 1995: Claude Rahn; Color: white: Sex: male; Age 25; Single, Place of birth: Maryland; Place of birth of father of mother: Maryland; Occupation: Printer; Nature of trade: General printing; Employer or worker: worker; No. of months not employed: 0; Can read and write: yes.

SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX; VOLUME 2; M-Z: Claude Rahn; SS#: 144-12-8204 issued in New Jersey; Date of birth: 18 Jan 1885; Died: Aug 1973; Residence: Vero Beach, Florida.

THE FLAMING SWORD; Community Current Events by Alafae Stephens; May 1934: "In connection with the Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce expansion program, a mass meeting was held in the Art Hall on the evening of the twenty-sixth to consider the program drawn up and to elect a representative and an alternate from this district. Brother Allen Andrews, who was nominated first, declined the office, and Mr. Charles Weiland was elected. Brother Claude Rahn was chosen as alternate. The purpose of the expansion program is to further the interests of the county as a whole through what heretofore has been solely the Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. We always have thought that the little spot on the map for Estero should be bigger; perhaps all this expansion will bring it about."

A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE LIFE OF CYRUS TEED (KORESH) AND OF THE KORESHAN UNITY by Claude Rahn; KSHS; BK-003; Estero, Lee County, Florida; 1963.

MEMORIES, MEMORIES--DAYS OF LONG AGO chronicled by Marie McCready with participation by Lovelle McCready: Claude Rahn played the clarinet.--Page 81. Laurie Bubbett, Hedwig Michel, Claude J. Rahn and Anne W. Lewis, on motion of Hedwig, seconded by Laurie and unanimously carried, it was decided to contact the proper state authorities about having the home grounds perpetuated as a memorial park.--Page 91.

Notes from Evelyn Horn: Claude J. Rahn
The Henry N. Rahn family joined the Koreshan Unity home in 1888 in Chicago. Mr. Rahn had heard Dr. Teed lecturing in the Chicago area and became a believer. They had 3 children: Claude J., Paul, and daughter Edna. The Rahn's came with the first large group of Koreshans in 1894 to Estero, by train to Punta Gorda, and by the sloop "The Ada," that Koresh bought in Punta Gorda to Estero. The children grew up in the Unity. They all studied music and the printing trade. When they grew up they all settled in Baltimore, Maryland, to make their living.

Claude married his childhood friend Imogene Bubbett in 1913 at Baltimore. Their infant son died January 2, 1914--never having any more children. Claude and Imogene had a wonderful happy life. Claude was very successful in the business world, serving as president of a large concrete company in Philadelphia They had close family ties with the Unity. They owned 5 acres down the Estero River, had a small cottage built, and spent all their vacations at Koreshan Unity.

Claude was always a strong supporter of the Koreshan Foundation, serving on the board and being the vice president of the board until his death. He worked at the Guiding Star Publishing house while visiting at Estero. Imogene died in October 1932, a sad loss to all Koreshan friends as she was so dearly loved.

Claude remarried in 1941 to Elizabeth Shearer of Pennsylvania, a very beautiful person who made a lovely home for Claude. Claude and Elizabeth retired in 1950 to make their home in Vero Beach. Claude died August 18, 1973, and was buried in Crestlawn Cemetery, Vero Beach, Florida. His brother Paul died June 10, 1945. His mother died June 15, 1945. Claude's sister, Edna, married Harvey Bond of Baltimore, Maryland. They had 2 sons. They retired in Nobodies, Florida, to make their home.

Claude and his family were life-long supporters of Koresh and his movement. In Claude's retiring years, he studied art, being a successful painter. Showing his art in shows at Vero Beach and donating his works to the Koreshan Art Hall. He also was historian for the Koreshan Unity.

His wife, Elizabeth, lives at their home in Vero Beach, and enjoys visits from Claude's two nephews, the Bond sons, Ronald and Paul. Elizabeth is a close friend to the Koreshan Unity and The Pioneer Educational Foundation today. His life-long friend was L. W. Bubbett.

Claude was a very handsome man of large build, about 6 foot tall and weighed 175 pounds, sandy brown hair, ruddy complexion, and blue eyes, well dressed in business suits. His colors were blue grey and browns.

AMERICAN EAGLE/Death/Apr 1993: Widow of Early Koreshan Dies
Mrs. Claude Rahn, whose husband joined the Koreshans in Estero when he was 16 years old, died at her home in Vero Beach. Word reached the Koreshan Unity
Foundation over the weekend on March 27. Claude Rahn and Lawrence Bubbett,
president of the Unity just preceding Hedwig Michel, were lifelong friends, and
the four traveled and visited together for many years. The Rahns were frequent
visitors in Estero and at the Rising Tide cottage at Fort Myers Beach until
their health deteriorated. Following Mr. Rahn's death in 1973, Mrs. Rahn
returned his records, his writings and his memorabilia on Koreshan to the
Estero headquarters. In later years she donated his collection of books on
Florida to the Library/Museum. (in Estero)

Notes from Evelyn Horn: "........Claude remarried in 1941 to Elizabeth Shearer of Pennsylvania, a very beautiful person who made a lovely home for Claude. Claude and Elizabeth retired in 1950 to make their home in Vero Beach. Claude died August 18, 1973, and was buried in Crestlawn Cemetery, Vero Beach, Florida. His brother Paul died June 10, 1945. His mother died June 15, 1945. Claude's sister, Edna, married Harvey Bond of Baltimore, Maryland. They had 2 sons. They retired in Nobodies, Florida, to make their home......."