William Rinehart

From History of Frederick County. p. 1163:

William Rinehart, deceased, was a well-known blacksmith at Walkersville and succeeded Mr. Snook, who was the first blacksmith in the town. The old shop where they carried on their business is still used as a smithy, the present owner being Robert Frushour. The home built by Mr. Rinehart, lying along the pike, is occupied by his daughter. He began the erection of a new part in 1834 and later added the front. He was a native of Frederick County, being born on the banks of the Monocacy, opposite Walkersville, in 1804. He was a son of George and Susanna (Smith) Rinehart.

Philip Rinehart, the grandfather of William Rinehart, was a native of Germany, from which country he came to America with two brothers. They landed in Philadelphia. One of the brothers remained in Pennsylvania and one settled in Carroll County, Md. Mr. Philip went to live in Frederick County, Md.

George Rinehart, son of Philip Rinehart, was born in Frederick County, Md. He followed agricultural pursuits. His death took place along the Monocacy, opposite the town of Walkersville. He was married to Susanna Smith. They were the parents of six children: William, David, Frederick, George, Andrew, and a daughter, who died young.

William Rinehart, son of George and Susanna (Smith) Rinehart, went to the common schools of his day. When about sixteen years old, he learned the trade of a blacksmith with Mr. Snook in Walkersville. He remained in the employ of Mr. Snook until his marriage, when he purchased the business. He started life as a poor boy and his own industry was his only asset, his father’s death occurring when the children were young. Mr. Rinehart continued the business until his death in 1864. He is interred at Glade Reformed Cemetery. He was a prominent citizen of Walkersville in his day. His excellent character won for him the esteem of the whole community and his death was one that caused much regret.

Politically, Mr, Rinehart was in earlier life an Old Line Whig. Upon the formation of the Republican party, he became an adherent of that organization, and was the first man in his locality to vote for Abraham Lincoln. He was a strong Unionist supporter. The story is told that a Confederate officer stopped at his door to have his horse shod and when the job was done offered to pay in Confederate script. Mr. Rinehart said, “Oh, no! I would rather do it for nothing than take that.” The officer replied, “Well, here, take some of old Abe’s money. Of course you believe in him.” “Oh, yes, I voted for him,” was the retort of Mr. Rinehart. In religion, Mr. Rinehart was raised in the Reformed Church. He was, however, for many years a member of the United Brethren Church and served in the various offices, including those of trustee and class leader. He was a sincere Christian and took a keen interest in religious affairs.

Mr. Rinehart was married in 1827 to Rebecca Barrack, of near Walkersville. She was a daughter of Peter Barrack, a farmer. She died in 1869, aged about sixty-five years. They were the parents of the following named children: Susan, died unmarried; George Philip, died unmarried in Walkersville; William Henry, went to Missouri, married a Miss Layton and died at Weston, that state; Harriet Amanda; David Jacob, died aged four years; and Charles Peter, died in infancy. Harriet Amanda Rinehart is the only surviving member of the family. She began her education in the schools in the neighborhood of Walkersville and completed it in the seminary at Liberty. She followed the profession of a school teacher for a period of thirty-three years. She began teaching when eighteen years old at the Dublin school, where she was located for several years. She also taught at Jefferson, at Retreat for eight years, at Harmony Grove for three years, and the Glade school at several different times. She gave up her work in 1892 to care for an invalid sister. She is now living at the old home place in Walkersville. She was beloved by her pupils, and ruled by kind words rather than the rod. Many of her scholars live in the vicinity of Walkersville, and all speak in the highest terms of their former teacher.

Peter Barrack, the father of Mrs. William Rinehart, was twice married. By his second wife, who was a sister of his first wife, he had two children. Rebecca (Mrs. Rinehart), and Jacob. By the first marriage, he was the father of nine children: George; John; Henry; Charles; Levi; Mary, died without marrying; Ann, died unmarried; Catharine, married Raphael Jones; and Elizabeth (Betsey), married David Cramer.