Rinker family papers, 1837/1916

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Rinker family papers, xxxx-xxxx, SC 0427, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.3 cubic feet 1 box
Creator:
Rinker, Robert S. (Robert Samuel), 1848-1914, McBride Rare Books (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.), and Rinker family
Abstract:
Correspondence, financial and legal documents, and personal papers relating to the Rinker family of Shenandoah County, specifically Robert S. Rinker (1848-1914) during his time in Missouri.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Rinker family papers, xxxx-xxxx, SC 0427, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

Correspondence, financial and legal documents, and personal papers relating to the Rinker family of Shenandoah County, specifically Robert S. Rinker (1848-1914) during his time in Missouri.

The bulk of the correspondence is addressed to Robert S. Rinker while he was living in Missouri. Correspondence discusses personal, legal, business, and financial activities as well as general family and community news and happenings. Letters from Rinker's relatives in New Market discuss private family news including mental health issues, alcohol dependence, and suicidal ideation. Frequent correspondents include Rinker's mother, Mary Ann Lantz Rinker (1822-1887); his sisters Ella and Alice; cousins and other family members; friends; and business associates.

An undated letter from Rinker's mother, Mary Ann Lantz Rinker, details serious family news: "I think you will be pleased Aunt Becca came to see me about Unkle Sam. She did not no who to tell his trubbles to and I will tell you must not say anything about it to any one. She says she think that it will end in something seareous if he don't git better his mind is wors than ever he says some things that are vary suspicious about himself. I am afraid he might kill himself in some way. She says he has sad so many things about that kind she says she is afread to sleep with him some times. She asked me for my advice. He wants to come west to see you and by land. I tould her let him go, the excitement may help him."

A June 1868 letter from Rinker's cousin also mentions Sam and Becca Lantz's aspirations of moving west: "I think if we do not build, and get Uncle Israel Newlands place, you may not be surprised to hear of Pa coming west, for he often speaks of it. I do wish he would go and buy a farm for I would like so much to come out there, Ma says she would not mind to go if several families would go from here, but that she cannot think of going alone. I have not had my picture taken yet but as soon as I have an opportunity of doing so I will and send it to you and you must have yours taken and send it to me for remember that you promised me one individually."

A September 7, 1868 letter from a friend discusses voting in the upcoming presidential election which he described as "raising a right smart excitement."

In a September 28, 1873 letter written on New Market Polytechnic Institute letterhead, Rinker's sister C. L. Rinker mentions J. I. Triplett and the establishment of the Mt. Jackson Mill.

A March 28, 1916 letter mentions the death of Mary Zehring Rinker (1855-1916), wife of Robert S. Rinker.

Rinker's land dealings, employment prospects, and business aspirations in Missouri are documented in correspondence and legal documents.

At least two 1868 letters discuss Rinker's inquiries for employment. One family friend responds to Rinker about the prospect of work in St. Clair County, Illinois: "I regret to say in reply, that it would be impossible to give you any position in our house. Our force is ten in number, and we would rather lessen than increase that number. And as this is a German community, it is almost impossible for an American to obtain work, except at such labor as could be found elsewhere."

An 1871 letter written by Rinker's cousin Benton Lantz discusses Rinker's plans to drive cattle into Texas: "The route you propose coming is about as direct as any that is sade traveling via Fort Scott-Fort Gibson into Texas at Sherman, Pilot Point, Denton, Elizabethtown, Young's Crossing on West Fork 13 miles from here. Probably via Scott Baxter (which is a great market for Texas cattle) is nearer than the other named. Keeping the trail made by drovers any of whom - and you will see thousands - can give you a better way bill than I can. The last named is nearer but is a frontier route, but you can inform yourself as to its safety at Baxter. Inquire of none but Texas drovers." He continues, "This is an excellent grazing country, but I fear that you have a very indefinite idea of the stock business in Western Texas. Come along however and see for yourself. ... How would you relish scouring the prairies, hills and thicxkets of eight or ten counties, carrying two revolvers and a carbine, and continually on the lookout for Indians for a few thousand dollars worth of cattle. It requires a great deal of industry, bravery and rascality to be a successful stockraiser in this country now, but I think the wild stock will be driven out in a few more years, and after that stock will be easier to control." An 1873 letter from Lantz discusses a potential plan by Rinker to sell fruit trees in Texas.

An undated envelope features a printed return address which identifies Rinker as "Patentee of Rinker's Automatic Gate, and Dealer in Patents. Mt. Jackson, Va."

The collection also contains correspondence addressed to other Rinker family members. This includes a February 17, 1837 letter from James Allen of Woodstock to Absolom Rinker, House of Delegates, Richmond.

The collection includes empty envelopes (that have become separated from their correspondence), undated letters, letters with illegible dates, partial letters, and cross-hatched letters.

In addition to correspondence, the collection contains personal family papers, legal and financial documents, tax receipts (including for taxes paid by Levi Rinker in Andrew County, Missouri), school papers, printed ephemera, and newspaper clippings. A copy of Humphrey's Manual On the Care of Ailments Which May Be Alleviated at Home is included.

Of interest is a certificate from the State of Virginia Department of Education awarded to Lottie E. Rinker, daughter of R. S. Rinker, upon completion of a six week summer session at the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg for coursework in reading, arithmetic, rhetoric and composition, school hygiene, nature study, and drawing. The certificate includes the stamped signature of Julian Burruss.

Biographical / historical:

Robert S. Rinker (1848-1914) was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia to Capt. Israel P. Rinker (1818-1862) and Mary Ann Lantz Rinker (1822-1887). Rinker resided in New Market before moving to Missouri around June 1868 where he was located until the mid-1870s. His motivations for emigrating to Missouri seem to have been related to business pursuits. According to census records, Rinker was a farmer but also had interests in cattle and land speculation, according to documents in this collection.

Rinker married Mary Elizabeth Zehring (1855-1916) with whom he had several children. Per his obituary, Rinker was a farmer, an active member of Otterbine United Brethren Church, and a worker for the temperance cause.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from McBride Rare Books in March 2026.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard