Enoch Rinehart was born in Hampshire County, Va., August 17, 1815. His paternal ancestry was of German extraction, and the maternal stock of Irish lineage. He remembered his paternal grandfather as a large, portly man, with a flowing beard and sturdy habits characteristic of the members of that religious society known as the Dunkards. His father was a well-to-do Virginia farmer; and, after receiving a liberal education, such as was attainable in that State in that country schools at that time, assisted his father on the farm. At the age of twenty-one, he became profoundly impressed with belief that the Western States afforded better opportunities for a young man than did the ancient commonwealth of Virginia, and so it was he determined to come West and grow up with Indiana. He settled La Fayette in 1836, where he remained one year working at he carpenter’s trade. From La Fayette he went to Monticello and worked there a year; thence to the then thriving village of Americus, where he engaged as clerk to Messrs. Walson & Son, who were conducting a general merchandise store, and remained with them about a year. In November, 1839, he came to Delphi and accepted a situation with H.W. & A.H. Bowen, remaining with them until some time in 1841, when he was tendered a more lucrative situation with Spears & Case, then doing a general merchandise business in this city. He remained in their employ until in August, 1844, at which time, in pursuance of the voice of his fellow-citizens, he entered upon the duties of Sheriff of the county. So faithfully and well did he perform the trusts of the office that he was honored with a re-election in 1846. March 10, 1847, he was appointed City Treasurer. In 1848, he engaged with George Robertson in the manufacture and sale of paper, and that business has engrossed his attention to the present time. In 1849, the paper-mill, built in 1846, was destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt in 1850-51, and is now standing. In 1857, in connection with Vine Holt, Esq., he erected a substantial business block on Main street, and during the year following, built his large and handsome dwelling house on the corner of Front and Market streets. In all of the enterprises of public utility and advantage, he has always occupied advanced ground, and was tireless in their advocacy and liberal with his means in their advancement. For twenty years, he was a moving spirit in the scheme of uniting the great city of Chicago with the capital of our State by an air-line railway, and during several years, while the enterprise was struggling for a foothold, when it needed brave and unyielding men, he was a member of the Board of Directors. It is gratifying to remark that, at an early day, he will witness the consummation of that for which he so ardently hoped and zealously toiled. His interest in the building up and development of the resources of the county has been active and continuous. For several year, he was the President of the Carroll County Agricultural Association, and gave the society a vast amount of his valuable time without pay of hop of reward other than the betterment of the county and community in which he lived. He is an active member of the Masonic order, and was a charter member of Mount Olive Lodge No. 18, instituted June 13, 1842. Severing his connection with the parent lodge, he became a charter member of Advance Lodge No. 220, which afterward surrendered its charter. He then united with Delphi Lodge No. 516, in which he still retains membership, not nominal, but active. During his long membership, he has held many offices of trust and honor in the order.

Mr. Rinehart has been twice married. He was first united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth F. Parker, in Springfield, Va., June 6, 1845, with whom he lived but a short time until the happy relations were destroyed by the hand of death. His second marriage was to Miss Isabelle Moore, July 14, 1849. Three sons are living, the fruits of this union, viz.: Edward M., William A. and Harry M. Mr. Rinehart is a representative type of the wide-awake American business man, who believes that his individual interests are best subserved by carrying forward the community in which he lives.

County Coordinator: Suzy Sprague suzyq.wa@worldnet.att.net