Bartholomew-Dearborn County IN Archives Biographies.....Rynerson, John 1876 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 24, 2007, 12:41 pm Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) JOHN RYNERSON. John Rynerson is yet a young man, but has displayed qualifications and ability that rank him among the leading and prominent residents of Columbus, his force of character and keen perception being equally manifested in what he has already accomplished. The history of mankind is replete with illustrations of the fact that it is only under the pressure of adversity and the stimulus of opposition that the best and strongest in men are brought out and developed. Perhaps the history of no people so forcibly impress one with this truth as the annals of our own republic. If anything can inspire the youth of our country to persistent, honest and laudable endeavor it should be the life record of such men as he of whom we write, for it proves conclusively that with a reasonable amount of mentality and physical power success is bound eventually to crown the labors of those who have the ambition to put forth their best efforts and the will and manliness to persevere therein. Mr. Rynerson is now practicing at the Columbus bar. He was born on the 21st of August, 1876, in the village of Manchester, Dearborn county, Indiana, being the second son of Thomas H. and Alice E. Rynerson. When he was but nine years of age the parents removed to Almena, Kansas, where they resided for about two years and then, returning to Indiana, located in Hope, Bartholomew county, where they remained for about ten years. When a boy the subject worked for a time in a planing mill at Hope, and at about the age of sixteen years he entered the carriage factory of L. Albright, at Hope, where he continued for four or five years as a carriage painter. He worked for some time at the small wage of twenty-five cents per day, but gradually was promoted until he earned one dollar and a quarter per day. From that sum he managed to save about thirty-four dollars and in the fall of 1897 he rode to Columbus in a one-horse wagon through a drenching rain in order to take up the study of law here with Judge Marshall Hacker as his preceptor. Mr. Rynerson brought with him his own furniture and rented a small room in which he got his own meals for several months. Upon the advice of his preceptor in the law, he took up the study of shorthand, mastering the principles of stenography in nine lessons. He afterward became quite proficient in that line, being known as an excellent reporter. In the spring of 1898, however, Mr. Rynerson, imbued with a patriotic spirit, put aside business and personal considerations in order to aid his country in the war with Spain. He could not wait until his home command was called to action, but went to Indianapolis and on the 13th of June, 1898, he there enlisted as a member of the Twenty-seventh Indiana Light Battery under Captain James B. Curtis. Following a period of drill at Chickamauga Park, in Georgia, this command was ordered to Porto Rico and landed on the southern coast of that island. They were the first troops to land on that island and after a short campaign there peace was declared between the United States and Spain and Mr. Rynerson returned with his command to Indiana by way of New York city. Again he took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of Judge Marshall Hacker, of this city. Subsequently he became connected with the law firm of Stansifer & Baker, of Columbus, and upon the death of Colonel Stanisfer, the senior partner, he opened a law office of his own in Columbus, where he is now engaged in active practice. Professional advancement is proverbially slow and yet within a brief space of time Mr. Rynerson has gained considerable distinction as a lawyer of broad learning and marked capability. The elemental strength of his character had been shown in the .determination which he manifested in winning a legal education and the people of Columbus had come to repose in him much trust and to believe that there awaited him a successful future. He now has a good clientage which is constantly growing in volume and importance. In the fall of 1902, although only twenty-six years of age, Mr. Rynerson was nominated on the Democratic ticket for the position of senator from the joint senatorial district comprised of Bartholomew and Decatur counties. He is probably the youngest man ever nominated from either of these counties for that office. The district is strongly Republican, yet he received more votes in his county than any other candidate on the ticket, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the high regard reposed in him by his fellow citizens. The character of Mr. Rynerson is indicated by the fact that he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and of the Odd Fellows lodge. He is well fitted for leadership, in political circles and has manifested a strong grasp of situations and affairs bearing upon the political history and development of the state. He possesses laudable ambition, strong determination and in his profession he will undoubtedly work his way upward to prominence. He is popular with his fellow citizens of Columbus, where he has gained a wide and favorable acquaintance. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/rynerson749gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb