Person Page 2,214

Obituary -- (Findagrave.com):

Last Thursday evening, like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, came the crushing blow that Adam L. Rinewalt had passed from our midst. So suddenly, so unexpectedly did the announcement of the end news come, that it fell upon the community with the force of a public calamity.

For several months past Mr. Rinewalt had not been in his usual health, suffering from torpidity of the liver, which resulted about a month previous to his demise in jaundice. But few of us knew of the physical and mental suffering which had racked the strong body and tortured the bright mind during the pass two weeks. Gradually at first disease came upon him, but always uncomplaining, unselfish and considerate, he fought against all sympotems of any physical ailment, and endeavored to still any ansiety on his behalf of family and friends. Realizing that he was far from well he still deemed it his duty as a good republican and loyal citizen is do his part as a delagate at the State Convention at Saratoga on September 22nd. But this illness which he had bravely endeavored to overcome had already too firm a hold, and upon his return to Williamsville it fastened an unyielding and relentless grip upon him. restless days and nights followed. Warned by his dangerous condition against the use of nareotic medicine to produce sleep the aawful hours passed, and no rest could be had until at length the brilliant intellect was clouded and the spirit broken. Impelled by some will outside his own, driven by a power beyond himself, he sought at last for peace, and peace came. The body, the temporary home of all that was mortal of our beloved one, is gone, but his presence in our minds and hearts abideth forever.

Adam Lorenso Rinewalt was born May 4, 1849, in Williamsville. He was the fourth and youngest child of Adam and Mary Lehn-Rinewalt. He was married September 18, 1878, to Sarah Filena Bloker of Williamsville, who with one son, Allan B., survives him. He also leaves two sisters, Mrs S. E. Baine of Williamsville, and Mrs. Chalmers Ingersoll of Beloit, Wis., and one brother Mr. Henry L. Rinewalt of Jefferson Center, Pa. His education was acquired in the school and academy of his native town. He laid the practical foundation for the profession that was to be his lifes work in the office of his brother-in-law, Mr. Cham. Ingersoll, editor of the Daily Free Press, of Beloit, Wisconsin. On returning to New York State he sucured a postion with the Buffalo Commerical, then under the control of Matthews & Warren, remaing with them for nine years, when he established the Amherst Bee at Williamsville in 1879.

As an active republican he filled different offices at various times. He was a trustee of the village of Williamsville for fourteen years and for a number of years was its president. In 1881 he was elected a collector of the town of Amherst and declined the renomination of that office. In 1886 he was elected a school trustee and since then has served continuously in that position president of the Board of Education since 1894. For a number of years past and up to the time of his death has been president of the Williamsville Cemetery Association. Mr. Rinewalt was a member of the Erie County Executive Republican Committee for a number of years, and during Benjamin Harrison's adimistration was postmaster of Williamsville. Last spring Mr. Rinewalt was appointed consul at Fort Erie Ont., which position was made vacant by the death of Mr. Orlan Redell. he declined the office, feeling that his business interests made too strong a demand upon his time to enable him to do justice to the government.

Mr. Rinewalt was influential in Williamsville as a promoter of business enterprises. For eight years he was one of the directors and held the office of secretary of the Williamsville Electric Railroad Company. he was also instrumental in getting a waterworks system for Williamsville. He devoted much of his time to real estate transactions and other enterprises. Thus when look back upon this life spent among us, we feel that to each one of us and to the community at large, has come a great and irreparable loss.

When death so suddenly took Adam Rinewalt from us, it took an exceptional man. Not one of us who has known him can forget that genial nature, the cheery smile, the helpful word. Never did God in his goodness give man more of the qualities that endear him to men than He gave to him. He was a man of unswerving integrity, of unimpeachable honesty, of unquestionable loyalty. Energetic and far-seeing he devoted himself to the advancement of the community in which he lived with tenacious determination.

The services were held from the late residence of Mr. Rinewalt on Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock, and were largely attended by relatives, friends fellow citizens and frateral brothers. All day long the people had flied through the room, viewing for the last time all that was left in life of the departed brother and friend, where he laid canopied with a profusion of rare sweet flowers, so still, so calm, so beautiful in death.¹

Obituary -- (Findagrave.com):

AMHERST BEE-Obituary-Front Page-May 10th, 1923 MRS SARAH F. RINEWALT DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS

Widow of Adam L. Rinewalt, founder of AMHERST BEE, Succumbs Friday, May 4, 1923---Funeral Services held on Monday.

Mrs. Sarah F. Rinewalt passed to a higher life on Friday, May 4, 1923, at 9 a.m.

To chronicle in the BEE her death is to feel deeply the tangible personal bond which will exist as long as this paper endures. She was the widow of Adam L. Rinewalt, founder of the AMHERST BEE. For years she worked shoulder to shoulder with him, giving continually inspiration and guidance, and here willing her share of the trails which are apt to stand in the pathway of one who sets out on a new enterprise, especially when it is foreign by the usual order as the establishment of a country weekly in days when the connecting links of telephone and transportation did not exist. Success crowned their efforts, and she accepted it with the same gracious, calm spirit as therefore, making friends of everyone she met, so that in the village there was no woman more admired or higher thought of than Mrs. Rinewalt.

The only daughter in a family of three was born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bloker (nee Snyder), on January 29, 1859, at the homestead on the hill on Mill Street. She was given the name "Sarah Filena" Upon reaching maidenhood she became the wife, on September 18, 1878, of Adam Lorenzo Rinewalt, a member of one of Williamsville's old prominent families. He had received his training as a printer in the offices of his brother-in-law Chalmers Ingersoll of Beloit, Wis., and later in the Buffalo Commerical and being young and ambitious, he decided shortly after his marriage to establish a weekly paper in his hometown. In March 1879, he brought this dream to a reality, and in the years of labor which ensued he found that "wife" was synonymous with "loyal helpmate".

Mr. and Mrs. Rinewalt were the parents of three sons, Allan R., who survives to mourn his irreparable loss, Adam, born June 22, 1882 and passing away 2.5 months later and Lauren born September 2, 1886, and leaving them at the tender age of 1 &1/2 years.

After the death of Mr. Rinewalt on October 2, 1902, Mrs. Rinewalt and her son Allan B. Rinewalt, as editor and manerger, continued the publication of the AMHERST BEE for about five years, till March of 1907, when they disposed of the paper to the present publisher, George J. Measer, who had been associated with them. She was a good business women and had executive ability so that the paper continued its success as during the life of its founder.

A few years later the Rinewalt property in Main Street was sold to Charles S. Burkhart and Mrs. Rinewalt and her son made their home in Cayuga Street. During an extended stay in Florida, Allan B. Rinewalt was taken ill and Mrs. Rinewalt went south in February of 1921, to be with him through a serious operation. Florida's warm and balmy climate was necessary through his slow period of convalescence, and though Mrs. Rinewalt felt that "home" to her Williamsville, she did not wish to leave her son and his wife and her beloved grand daughter Bettie. With the approach of the summer it was planned the family would return here.

She came home on Tuesday, April 8, accompanied by her son and Miss Ida Zent, a cousin, and was taken to the latter's home. Medical forces battled for her precious life, but she had come home only to pass a few weeks later to another and more to be desired Home.

To think of Mrs. Rinewalt is to conjure up a vision of charm. Her presence could be felt when she entered a room, there was that strenght and magnetism of personality. We who knew and loved her say she was one of God's gentlewomwn. She was endowed with gifts of mind and there are bits from her pen and musical selections to give evidence. There was a depth to her character, and as usual in such cases that while she tasted the richness of pleasures she knew the depths of sorrow. Though her heart may have faltered at the turns of the wheel of fate, her face bore for the world a characteristic brilliant smile. Her broad outlook on life we well remember, and she hated narrowness, selfishness and ingratitude. She lived up to the proud traditions of her race and was an honor to the name that for years has been known and respected in this community.

Her presence was always sought in social gatherings, and she honored by membership the Williamsville Study Club and Auld Lang Syne Club.

Many of her friends attended the last sad service at her home in South Cayuga Street on Monday afternoon at 5 o'clock. Rev. Hazen conducted the service and spoke feelingly of her whose life was concluded. The remains were then taken to rest beside her husband in the Williamsville Cemetery, with Howard G. Britting, Howard B. Long, Dr. H.B. Huver, Frank A. Measer, Henry Hinkley and George L. Helfter as bearers and Albert H. Meyer and George J. Measer as flower bearers. It was a beauiful May afternoon, and it suggested to those sorrowfully witnessing the ceremony that its radiance, envelping all, was similar to this life which had made its influence felt so widely.

Her son, her daughter-in-law, and little granddaughter, to whom she was so devoted survive to mourn their loss, and all were present at the last sad ceremony, also a sister-in-law, Mrs. Charolle Ingersoll of Beloit, Wis., who was very close to her and during the last weeks of her illness came twice to be with her. These and countless friends, some who knew her only through the columns of the BEE, yet felt her their friend, honor and treasure her memory.

per Florida Application for Letters of Administration, recorded 16 AUG 1928. Florida, Manatee County, Probate Records; Author: Florida. County Judge's Court (Manatee County); Probate Place: Manatee, Florida (Ancestry.com).