Riniker, Samuel Dambert

RINIKER, CAMPBELL

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/25/2006 at 12:09:02

RINIKER, SAMUEL DAMBERT

Samuel Dambert Riniker was born on the 22nd day of February, 1868, on a farm in Liberty township, Jefferson county, Iowa. He was the sixth of nine children born to Jacob and Madeline Riniker, who had located in that county in the year 1854. Jacob Riniker, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born the 1st day of April, 1823, in Canton Aagau, Switzerland; and his mother was born in France in the year 1831. His parents were married early in 1853, sailed for America, and landed at Castle Garden, in New York City, thirty-five days after their departure from the mother country. Shortly after their arrival in New York, they started for the far West, sojourning about one year at Canton, Ohio. With team and wagon they faced the dangers and hardships, encountered by pioneers, in crossing the prairies of Indiana and Illinois and arrived at Fairfield, in Jefferson County, Iowa, late in the year 1854. In a log house, on a forty-acre tract, which was purchased shortly after their arrival, Mr. Riniker was born. His parents sent him to the district school, in the neighborhood, and later to the public school in the town of Libertyville, which was but one mile from his home. He worked on the farm and attended school until he was eighteen years of age, when he secured a contract to teach a country school in the neighborhood.

In 1888, he entered Parsons College, at Fairfield, where he remained until 1893, teaching and pursuing his studies alternately. During the time he was connected with the college as a student he held the principalship of the schools at Libertyville and Batavia, in the same county. As a member of Orio Literary Society, he developed considerable ability as a public speaker, and won the declamatory prize at the annual commencement exercises against all competitors. Young Riniker early took an interest in politics, and as president of the College Republican Club, made a number of Republican speeches in the campaigns of 1888 and 1892. In April, 1893, he became a member of the class of '94, in the State University of Iowa, taking special work in history, economics and politics. Becoming a member of Irving Institute, that organization selected him as president of the Inter-Society Debating League.

In the oratorical contest held at the University for the selection of delegates to attend the Inter-State contest he delivered an oration on "The Federal Convention," and was selected by the judges as a delegate to go to the Inter-State convention held at Madison, Wisconsin, that year.

During his last year in the university he carried double work, taking senior collegiate and junior law studies, finishing his college career in the spring of 1894. Finding himself with but a few dollars in his pocket, and those borrowed from a classmate, he was obliged to take up any employment he could find, and took up canvassing, which he pursued until the 18th of November, of the same year. With a small amount of money, saved from the past summer's work, he landed in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and secured permission from the law firm of Parsons & Van Wagenen to read law for one year in their office. Passing a successful examination before the supreme court, he was admitted to practice on the 2nd day of October, 1895. The firm of Parsons & Van Wagenen having been dissolved in June of that year he formed a partnership with J.M. Parsons, under the firm name of Parsons & Riniker, with which firm he has been connected ever since. An enthusiastic Republican, he has been more or less active in politics during his residence in the county, however, being a candidate but two times, in the ten years of his residence: once for the office of district judge, and once for county attorney, being successful in the latter, the Democrats failing to nominate any candidate to run against him. In the spring of 1899, he was elected mayor of Rock Rapids by an overwhelming majority, refusing to be a candidate for a second term; however, accepting a nomination for councilman in the spring of 1904, to which office he was elected and has ever since been a member of that body. In the summer of 1895 he became acquainted with Mary Britton Campbell, of Marshalltown, Iowa, at that time a student in Iowa College at Grinnell, Iowa. The acquaintance and friendship extended over a period of several years, finally ripening into love, and they were married October 15, 1902. His success at the bar of the county has been marked by more than ordinary ability; and augurs well for a bright future. He is a good lawyer, loyal friend and worthy citizen.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson