Laramie County WY Archives Biographies.....Riner, John A. 1850 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 21, 2008, 12:29 am

Author: Bowen & Co. (1903)

HON. JOHN A. RINER.

   In no profession is there a career more open to talent than in that of the
law and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful appreciation of
the ethics of life or of the underlying principles which form the basis of all
human rights and privileges. Unflagging application, an intuitive wisdom and a
determination to utilize fully the means at hand are the necessary concomitants
which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession, which
stands as the stern conservator of justice, and into it none should enter
without a recognition of the obstacles to be overcome and the battles to be won,
for success does not attend all persons who enter the competitive fray, but
comes only as the sequel of capacity and unmistakable ability. The subject of
this review is one who has won distinctive precedence in the legal profession
and whose abilities and attainments have placed him in some of the most
distinguished official positions within the gift of the state. Hon. John A.
Riner, a son of John and Mary (White) Riner, was born in Preble county, Ohio, in
1850. The father, a millwright by trade, was also a native of Ohio, but left
that state in 1868, emigrating to Butler county, Iowa, where he passed the
remainder of his life, dying in 1899. His father, whose name was also John, was
born in Virginia but moved to Ohio in an early day, being one of the pioneers of
Preble county. Mrs. Mary Riner, the mother, was of New England birth and when
young she was brought from her native state of Vermont to Preble county, Ohio,
where she grew to maturity, married and reared a part of her family, thence
removing to Iowa where she departed this life about 1897. The youthful life and
discipline of Judge Riner was similar to that of the average boy reared in
country or town. He assisted his parents as long as' he remained at home and
attended the public schools, in which was laid the foundation of the broad and
liberal  intellectual culture which he gained in later years. He continued to be
thus employed until attaining the age of young manhood, when his quickened
ambition prompted him to select for a lifework the profession in which so many
of the world's greatest men have achieved distinction. After a preliminary
course of reading of legal textbooks, Mr. Riner entered the law department of
the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated with the
class of 1879, the same year beginning the legal practice in Cheyenne. Wyoming.
Inheriting a decisive and reliant nature, it was not long until he forged to the
front and built up a remunerative business. In 1881 he was elected city
attorney, the duties of which he discharged satisfactorily to all concerned
until the expiration of his term, meanwhile attending closely to his constantly
growing private practice. When it became necessary to fill the office of U. S.
district attorney for Wyoming, Mr. Riner was one whose talents and success
caused him to be prominently mentioned as in every way fitted for the position.
Accordingly in 1884 he was appointed to the place and immediately entered upon
the discharge of his official functions. He acted in that capacity for one year
and in 1886 was elected by the Republican party to the upper house of the
General Assembly, where he made an honorable record as an able and discreet
legislator. He introduced a number of important bills which, becoming laws, had
a decided bearing in promoting the interests of the state in many ways, and he
also served as president of the body during the session. He labored faithfully
for the welfare of the people, for with him patriotism has always been above
party and loyalty to his constituents paramount to every other consideration.
Retiring from the legislature, Judge Riner resumed his practice, which in
volume, scope and importance at that time was second to none in the state. Ever
a forceful factor in public affairs, he was elected in 1889 a member of the
constitutional convention, in the deliberations of which he took a deep interest
and active part, serving on the judiciary committee, where his eminent legal
talents were of especial value. One year later he was again elected to th State
Senate, but resigned before the legislature convened, in order to accept a place
upon the U. S. district bench, to which he was appointed on September 23, 1890.
His career on the bench more than met the high expectations of his friends and
the public, for he so discharged the duties of his high office as to receive the
warm and hearty approval of the bar and all who had business to transact in this
court. His rulings were fair and characterized by depth of legal knowledge,
attesting a familiarity with the law, while but few of his decisions ever
suffered reversal at the hands of the Supreme Court. The Judge was married in
1882, with Miss May Jillich of Ohio, and they have four children, Ida M.,
Gertrude, Dorthra and John A. Fraternally, Judge Riner has long been prominent
in Masonic circles, having risen to the Thirty-second degree of the Scottish
Rite, being also an active worker in the Commandery. For some years he has been
affiliated with the Pythian Brotherhood in the lodge of Cheyenne. Judge Riner
has been associated in the practice of law with various prominent and eminent
members of the Cheyenne bar, among them being Judges Potter and Lacey and W .W.
Corlett, the last named dying in 1890. For a period of seven years he was an
attorney for the Union Pacific Railroad, in which capacity he demonstrated
abilities of a high order, discharging the often complicated duties coming
within his sphere in such a wav as to add to his already firmly established
reputation as one of the state's leading legal minds. The Judge possesses high
intellectuality, broad human sympathies and tolerance, and is imbued with fine
sensibilities and clearly defined principles. Honor and integrity are synonymous
with his name and he enjoys the respect, confidence and high regard of the
people of his adopted city and state. His eminent success in the line of his
profession offers the best evidence of his intellectuality and mastery of his
chosen calling. In his political adherency the Judge has been a lifelong
Republican. As a member of the state central committee his council and
leadership were effective in promoting harmony and strength and giving the party
a prestige which resulted in victory in more than one' campaign. His fame is
secure as a patriotic citizen.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF THE STATE OF WYOMING

ILLUSTRATED

A people who take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors, will
never achieve anything worthy to he remembered with pride by remote
generations.—.MACAULAY.

CHICAGO, ILL.
A. W. BOWEN &CO.
PUBLISHERS AND ENGRAVERS
1903


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