Rainsburg, Thomas 1829-1897

RAINSBURG, HOTT

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/6/2011 at 14:15:16

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; 1897

THE LATE THOMAS RAINSBURG

We have already noticed the death of this well-known respected citizen of the county. We take from the Brooklyn Chronicle the followiing sketch of his life:

Deceased was born in Holmes county, Ohio, Jan. 25, 1829. There his boyhood days were spent, receiving a commmon school education. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching, which he followed for several years, in the meantime learning the wagon maker's trade. In 1853 he came to Iowa and located in Poweshiek county near where Brooklyn now stands, where he has since resided. During the winter of 1853-4 he taught the first winter term of school in northern Poweshiek at Hazel Green school house in Warren township. On April 30, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Hott, and to this union six children were born, only two of whom, Albertus P., and Charles T., survive with the now widowed mother to mourn his loss. Deceased had been in poor health for about two years, but except at short intervals had made his daily visit over town until within a few days of his death. He was taken worse about a week before his demise and gradually grew weaker until Wednesday morning when he passed peacefully into the valley of the shadow of death, surrounded by all the members of his family.

The death of Mr. Rainsburg recalls to the writer many matters of local historical interest. He has been a familiar figure in Poweshiek county for nearly half a century and so thoroughly was he identified with every movement for the developement and advancement of the community and county in which he resided that his name occupies a high place among the pioneer settlers whose honorable careers and upright lives command the respect and admiration of the people of Poweshiek county. He was a liberal and public spirited citizen and one whose counsel was often sought in matters of public concern.

During the forty-four years of his residence here Mr. Rainsburg held many positions of trust, among them being Mayor of Brooklyn, Justice of th Peace and Member of the School Board. He took a great interest in educational affairs and watched carefully the progress and upbuilding of our schools. In 1875 he was elected Treasurer of Poweshiek county which position he filled for six years proving an able and efficient officer discharging the duties with credit to himself and with satisfaction to his constituents.

By his death Brooklyn has lost a broad minded and useful citizen, a man of large intellect and excellent ideas.

He was always enlisted on the side of right and was very liberal in his charitable opinions. We venture there is not an old citizen in the county but that is indebted to him for some kindness conferred in the earlier days, for he was always ready and willing to befriend those in need of aid. He was a helpful and kind neighbor, a sympathetic friend and an ideal husband and father. Of the many traits of character that stood out so nobly we only mention these few.

Mr. Rainsurg was never a communicant of any church, but he strongly adhered to the christian teachings of the fathers and lived an upright life among his fellowmen. He believed in the institution of the church and always gave liberally when asked to donate to religious or benevolent causes. He had a profound reverence for christianity and for the servants of the Lord and all ministers were warmly welcomed at his home. He was a charter member of Corinthian Lodge No. 174, A.F. & A.M. and presided over this organization as Worshipful Master in the later fifties. He was also a Royal Arch Mason holding membership in the chapter at Malcom, as well as a member of the Brooklyn Lodge No. 114, I.O.O.F. and Brooklyn Encampment No. 36. In these organizations his counsel and help will be missed in the future.

The funeral was held from his late residence Thursday afternoon, the service being conducted by Rev. Mr. Benson, who paid a splendid tribute to the life and character of the deceased. He had left a written request upon the records of the lodge for a Masonic burial and in compliance with this wish the Masons held their impressive and beautiful service, after which the funeral cortege proceeded to the I.O.O.F. cemetery preceded by members of the Masonic and Odd Fellow societies which attended in a body, where the services at the grave were conducted by the former, after which the remains were consigned to their last home.

Among those who attended the funeral from a distance were, Capt. and Mrs. Geo. Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. L.M. Bennett, Willis Davis and O.L. Roseman of Montezuma; Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Triplett of Grinnell; W.J. Johnson, Jas. Nowak and F.P. Hubbert of Malcom; Thos. Whitworth, H.W. Anger, Geo. Atkinson and I. Chrisman of Victor.