William Rinabarger 1846-1912

RINABARGER, BREWSTER

Posted By: Karen DaPra (email)
Date: 2/15/2002 at 20:19:59

WILLIAM RINABARGER

The youngest of eight children born to Henry and Eva Rinabarget [sic], began life's voyage near Milton, Iowa, May 31, 1846, and passed from the portal into the great Unknown Sunday, April 28, 1912, having spent 65 years, 10 months and 27 days on earth. All of his father's family preceded him across the Great Divide except the oldest, John Rinabarger, who lives in Dover, Okla., and is the last of the four sisters and four brothers to tarry amid the struggles of this mortal coil. The subject of this sketch was nothing of a rover. Just two neighborhoods can claim him. His boyhood days were spent in the home of his nativity and when eighteeen [sic] years of age he accompanied his parents to their new home south of Keosauqua. Although he moved three times he did not leave one neighborhood and so to the people who have lived in this vicinity his life is an open book read and known of men. While living at his father's home he met and loved Miss Ellen Brewster, who became his bride in 1871. To this union three sons were born, all of whom survive and were present at the funeral to give the solace only children can to the suffering widow. They are Harvey, who reside [sic] at Red Oak, Io, Arthur and Dr. J. Warren of Keosauqua. The deceased was public spirited. He kept abreast with things of nation, state and county interest; being decided although unostentatious in his opinions. He also loved the place of worship, not that he made any demonstration or "took part" in the services in any way, but he was present and a thoughtful listener. When I say thougheful [sic], I do so having considered deeply. The records of the Methodist Episcopal church, Keosauqua, show that Wm. Rinabarger professed conversion, joined the church and was baptized in 1894, during the pastorate of the Rev. C. L. Tennant. For reasons of his own, which he would not reveal, although the writer had a personal interview with him on the subject, he abstained from receiving the "full connection" vows. He came from that sturdy German stock that can stand untold endurance and it would seem that to such an one old age is inevitable; but that was not to be his lot. His health broke something like a year ago and from that on suffering was intense. The nature of his illness was such that the loved ones were entirely broken down by their tireless vigil. Considering all these things the bereft dear ones may find comfort in the fact that he is now at rest. Besides the members of the family mentioned above he leaves many other relatives and a host of friends who mourn his loss. The remains were placed to rest in the beautiful cemetery at Center chapel where a large number of friends had gathered to pay their last respects, Wednesday afternoon, May 1, 1912. Rev. Field had charge of the service, a quartette with Miss Saunderson at the instrument furnished the music and six brothers, cousins of the widow, acted as pall bearers.

(Photocopy of this obit is located on page 81 of Obit Book C found in the Van Buren County, IA Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in July 1999. Name of newspaper and date of obit not given.)

I would like to correspond with anyone related to William Rinabarger or his wife.

(originally posted 30 Aug 1999)