My Genealogy Hound

JOHN T. RINEHART, one of the pioneers of Turkey Creek township, Harlan county, is a native of Pennsylvania, but has spent the greater part of his life in Iowa. He is the third of a family of six children born to Jacob and Sarah (Welliver) Rinehart, also natives of Pennsylvania, and was born August 13, 1846. When quite young he moved with his parents to Wisconsin, where his father died. Two years later the family moved to Iowa, and there our subject grew to manhood. He was reared on a farm and received an ordinary common-school training, being brought up to the habits of industry and usefulness common to farm life.

In 1861, at President Lincoln’s call, he enlisted in Company K, Fifth Iowa infantry, Western department, and served two years, when he was wounded and got a discharge. When able, he joined the Ninth Iowa cavalry. Company E, and served in that till February, 1866. At the battle of Iuka, Miss., he received a shot-gun wound in his left arm, breaking the bone. On account of his wound he was disabled from service fourteen months, and was in the hospital eleven months. He was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., and got his discharge papers and pay at Davenport, Iowa. He returned home and engaged in the milling business, at which he continued five years.

Mr. Rinehart married March, 1866, the lady whom he chose for a life partner being Miss Elizabeth Artist, daughter of Samuel and Nancy Artist, natives of Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart have been born seven children, three boys and four girls, as follows — Charles, James T., Edith, Maud, Frank, Mary and Esta, all of whom are now living.

In 1873, Mr. Rinehart came to Nebraska and settled in Turkey Creek township, Harlan county. He located a homestead on the southwest quarter of section 7, township 3, range 17, went to work, and by steady industry, energy and pluck proceeded to make for himself and family a home. He was among the first settlers in the county and endured the hardships and privations of pioneer life. After filing on his claim he had only $4 left. With this money and a good team he started in to farming. The first few years he found it difficult to live, the grasshoppers and drouth destroying all his crops. Of course this was discouraging to Mr. Rinehart, but he determined to stick by his claim. In the meantime he did what he could towards improving his farm, and with the appearance of good seasons began to raise good crops. He now has one of the best farms in Harlan county, having one hundred acres under cultivation, and raises mixed crops and has paid considerable attention to the breeding of and dealing in fine stock. Mr. Rinehart is well known in Harlan county as one of its best farmers, careful in cultivating his land, giving his whole time and attention to his business, and has therefore been more than ordinarily successful, the independent position he now holds being due to his own efrorts, aided by an industrious, economical wife.

Mr. Rinehart votes the republican ticket, and has served as school director and justice of the peace for a number of years. He is a zealous member of a number of the benevolent orders, among them the Grand Army of the Republic and Farmers’ Alliance of Harlan county.

Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart have a pleasant home, where friend and stranger are alike welcome.