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Source: Biographical Annals of Lancaster Co., Pa., 1903 published by J. H. Beers & Co., page 1439-1440. HENRY RINIER. There are few men in Quarryville, Lancaster county, Pa., who have passed through the vicissitudes of fortune and war that have come to the subject of our sketch, since his early manhood. From a modest farmer to a patriotic soldier, fighting for the Union under Grant, amid the most active events of the campaign, from a soldier, returning to his home with honors, to a citizen identified with the best interests of his county and State, Mr. Rinier has born himself with credit to the name he bears. At the same time Mr. Rinier has furnished a practical example to the younger generation of men who may be handicapped as he was in his youth by lack of opportunity. Mr. Rinier is a self-educated, self-made man, as will appear later in the sketch. Henry Rinier was born in Colerain township, Aug. 4, 1827. His parents were Asa and Nancy (Stewart) Rinier. Asa Rinier was born in West Drumore, Lancaster county, in 1798, and his wife was born in East Drumore in 1801. Asa Rinier was the son of Joseph and Polly Rinier, who were born in in New Jersey. Joseph Rinier was the son of Joshua Rinier, whose parents were French. On the maternal side of our subject-the Stewarts, Nancy was the only child of William and Mary Stewart, who came to this country from Ireland, and settled in Bart township, Lancaster county, in 1784. Joseph Rinier, our subject's grandfather, first settled, as far as is known, in West Drumore in 1780, where he lived and died, leaving a family, as follows: Jesse, Samuel, Peter, Asa (the father of our subject), Joseph, Stacy, John, George and Lydia (who became the wife of Jacob Peters, who lived and died in Manor township, Lancaster county). Asa Rinier grew up in East Drumore and in 1820, married Miss Nancy Stewart, a daughter of William Stewart, a man of fine education, who was one of the first school teachers in this section. Asa Rinier and wife first settled in West Drumore. Here they lived for a time, later moving to Colerain, and eventually to Conestoga township, where he died at the home of his son Joseph, in 1882. His wife died in 1849. Asa Rinier was a member of the M. E. Church, while his wife had always adhered to the Dunkard Church. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. They raised a large family, of which Rev. Daniel, the eldest, was born in 1822, and as a young man married Elizabeth Beech, of Lancaster county. After fitting himself for the ministry he located in his home county, where he is still preaching. John, born in 1825, married Miss Martha Hinet, and is now a resident of Manor township; he is a stone mason by trade. Mary A., born in 1829, is the deceased wife of John O'Brian; they resided in Lancaster county, where she left a large family. Joseph, born in 1832, was a soldier in the Civil war; he married Miss Snyder, of Lancaster county, and they now live in Martic township. Hiram and Alfred were twins, of whom Alfred died in childhood, while Hiram, who was a soldier in the Civil war, married a lady of Lancaster county, and now resides in Martic township with a large family. William, born in Lancaster county in 1836, enlisted as a soldier in the Civil war, was taken prisoner at Cold Harbor, and died in Andersonville prison in 1863. Henry Rinier, our subject, grew to manhood in Lancaster county, and received a very limited education. Recognizing the value of an education later in life, he applied himself assiduously to books, and as the result of thorough study, he is now a well informed man on all subjects, particularly the history of this and foreign lands. As a young man he engaged in farming, and hauling ore. In 1851 he married Miss Julia A. Rinier, the daughter of George and Susan (Fondersmith) Rinier, one of Lancaster county's old pioneer families. Mrs. Rinier was born in 1830, in Strasburg township, where she grew to womanhood. Our subject settled in the town of Quarryville in 1852, and has continued his residence there to the present time, being engaged largely in the lime business. During the Civil war he enlisted in the 3rd Heavy Artillery, stationed at Fortress Monroe. Later he was transferred to the 88th P. V. I., under General Grant. Here he remained until the war closed in 1865. During the exciting period of the war, our subject saw much active service. His company was engaged at different times with Mosby's guerrillas. He was on duty at Richmond and other important places. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Fortress Monroe and he hastened home to his wife and family. Our subject is the father of two daughters. Elmyra, the eldest, born in October, 1852, is now the wife of Benjamin Swinehart, a farmer of Colerain township. They have four children, Daisy, the eldest, was raised by our subject and his wife. She is single and resides in Lancaster county. The other children are Conrad, Charles and Annie, who have remained with their parents. Susan, born in Quarryville in 1855, was educated in the public schools of that town, and is now the wife of Frank Waltman, of Quarryville. They have six children, Effie (the wife of Irwin Ramsey, of Eden township), Annie, Harris, Wayne, Herbert and Abbie. Politically Mr. Rinier was brought up a Democrat, but affiliated with the Republican party. He may be counted among the independent voters. Religiously both he and his wife are devout members of the M. E. Church. Ambition, experience and, earnest endeavor have been the qualities of mind that have moulded the life of our subject, and endeared him to the people of his town and county. His uprightness of character and his man virtues have given him a place among the intellectual people of Lancaster county. Few men there are who, lacking opportunity, have forged their way to the front by dint of perseverance. As a great reader in a wide range of subjects, and as a keen observer of men, and events, Mr. Rinier merits the credit and esteem, which are accorded him by his fellow towns people. He has lived a retiring, unassuming life, but always ready to bear his share of the burdens and ever ready to help others.

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