Senator Robert George Reiniger View All Years

Mr. President: Your committee appointed to draft resolutions commemorating the life and services of the Honorable Robert G. Reiniger, late of Charles City, Iowa, beg leave to submit the following report:

Few of us of the present age or generation realize or give a thought to the debt we owe to those early settlers of our state, who risked their all and did so much to make this commonwealth what it is.

The subject of this sketch was one of those pioneers, who as a young man of twenty-two years left his native state and hopefully facing the setting sun journeyed westward until he came to what is now Charles City, Iowa. At that time Charles City was still a frontier village surrounded by a wilderness. Here he cast his lot and was soon a vital force and continued to be such, in his community until he was called to the great beyond.

Honorable Robert G. Reiniger, familiarly known as Judge Reiniger, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, April 12, 1835, and was a son of Gustavus and Rosa (Durr) Reiniger, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, who emigrated to this country, after they were married in 1832, settling in the above named county upon a farm. Here the subject of this sketch attended school, at the age of seventeen he commenced the study of law, at Tiffin, Ohio. At the same time attending college. He was admitted to the bar in September, 1856, and in March, 1857, he came west and settled in Charles City, where he formed a partnership with his elder brother, G. G. Reiniger, in the practice of law and in real estate exchange, and insurance business. In 1858 Irving W. Card was admitted in partnership, and the firm of Reiniger, Card & Reiniger, continued until January 1, 1861.

In May, 1861, Mr. Reiniger enlisted for the war entering the army in July, as First Lieutenant of Company B, Seventh Iowa Infantry, which company was engaged in the battles of Belmont, Missouri, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Cornith, Iuka, second battle of Cornith, the campaign against Atlanta, under Sherman, ending with the battle of Jonesboro, when Atlanta was evacuated.

In 1862, Mr. Reiniger was promoted to be Captain. In 1864, shortly after the surrender of Atlanta, he returned home and resumed the practice of his profession.

October 10, 1870, the Governor appointed him judge of the twelfth circuit, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Ruddick, who was appointed district judge. At the succeeding election, in October, 1871, he was elected to fill the rest of the unexpired term, and he was reelected in 1872, 1876 and 1880.

As a jurist he was cautious, conscientious and candid, spoke clearly and to the point, and in his manner was unpretentious and easy. He was a member of the firm of Reiniger and Balch, bankers, in Charles City. For many years he was the president of the Twelfth District Legal Association. Was an active member of the Congregational church, and ranked high in Masonic circles.

In politics he was a firm believer in republican principles, representing his district, embracing the counties of Floyd and Chickasaw, in the state senate during the twenty-first, twenty-second, twenty-third and wenty-fourth sessions.

November 18, 1867, he married Mary E., daughter of Dr. William M. and Anna Palmer, of Charles City. One son was born of this union, Robert G. Jr.

One of the touching incidents in the life of Robert G. Reiniger was the devotion and care he bestowed upon his invalid wife, who was practically helpless for about twenty-five years. His was a familiar object on our streets giving his wife an airing in her wheel chair. She preceded him to the great beyond by but a few months. After her death he visited in his native state Ohio, w here amid the scenes of his boyhood, on October 15, 1910, his spirit followed that of his companion who braved with him all the privations of pioneer days.

Whereas, The Honorable Robert G. Reiniger, a member of the twenty-first, twenty-second, twenty-third and twenty-fourth General Assemblies, departed this life on the 15th day of October, 1910.

Therefore be it resolved, That the Senate of the State of Iowa has heard with great sorrow and regret of his death and it recognizes that in his departure the State of Iowa has lost one of her honored and useful citizens, who rendered great an d lasting service to his state as a jurist, soldier, legislator and promoter of financial and industrial institutions.

In his service as a member of this body he was a valued legislator, councilor and servant, distinguished by his ability and his integrity in public duty.

Resolved, That the Senate of the State of Iowa join with his neighbors and friends in sorrow and regret and hereby tender to his family its sincere sympathy in this time of great bereavement.

Be it further Resolved, That these resolutions be printed in the Journal of the Senate and that an engrossed copy authenticated by the President and Secretary be sent to the son of the deceased.

JOHN G. LEGEL,

JOHN L. WILSON,

J. U. SAMMIS,

Committee.

The resolutions were adopted unanimously by a rising vote.