The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-11
REIN KNox sH1NN,
A Former Prominent West Virgin
ian, Dies at La Harpe, Illinois.

A Former Prominent West Virgin
ian, Dies at La Harpe, Illinois.
At La Harpe. Illinois. December 30, at
the ripe age Of eighty-seven, departed
this life Rezin Knox shinn, who in the
earlier half of his life was a prominent
citizen of Harrison county. He was
born in the vicinity of Shinnston, his
father, Moses shinn, farmer. remov-
ing early to Illinois. It used to be re-
lated of young Reztn that having once
been set to grub a thiclket, his father
came around and found him sitting in
the shade. having made very little pro-
gress. on being reprOached, the lad
said he had made up his mind that as
he had not put those grubs in there he
was not going to take them out The
Almighty had set them. and II He
wanted them out he could take them
out. The immediate result Of the con-
versation is not related; but Rezin not
long after was required to learn
trade, and being given his choice, chose
to be tanner and currieT. He learned
this trade and spent some years as a
journeyman In Pennsylvania. Coming
back to Virginia, he engaged In mer-
chandlsing at Shinnston, In 1873, about
which time he married Miss Sarah A,
daughter Of Robert Bartlett, a wealthy
farmer and slave-owner near Clarks-
burg, a niece Of Uncle Jim" Bartlett,
OF hotel fame. Mr. Shinn was In the
mercantile trade at Shinnston continu-
ously till his removal TO La Harpe
twenty years later. DR.. George Kirk
patrick, then Mr.. Shinn's business
partner, removed with his family to
La Harpe at the same time, as did ST.
las Nay and wife. Van B. Hall, then
but lad, went in advance as manager
OF their joint store at La Harpe before
the removal Of the owners. A colored
girl, Sybil Bohannes, who had been
part Of Mrs. Shinn's dowry from her
father. was offered her freedom. but
being much attached to the family, in
sisted on going with them. Her pres:
ence at La Harpe, II being presumed
she was still held In involuntary servi-
tude, made some little agitation there.
Mr. Shinn bought a Bible, Inscribed
her name in It, added over his sigma
ture a certificate OF her freedom, and
presented 1t to her. When this became
known the dissatisfaction ceased, and
she remained with the family until her
death, some years ago.
Mr. Shinn was a man Of high charac-
ter and OF rare business integrity. BE
was Frustrated, as all merchants were,
by the calamitieS following the panic OF
1887; but he paid all his debts--as few
dId-and went on his way as times inn
proved. He suffered similar mishap
after the panic OF 1887, but came out Of
II the same way. In the course OF a
somewhat adventurous business career
after his removal to the west, he re-
moved into Missouri, and again Into
Iowa, but returned to La HArpe for
his closing years, where he was held in
very high esteem. La Harpe was first
organized as a city in 1858, and Mr..
Shinn was chosen its FIRST mayor.
The immediate cause Of his death
was spaamodIc and incurable hic-
coughing. This began about four
years ago, continuing necessarily day
and night. with intervals OF cessation.
which in the four years were equal to
less than half the time.
Mrs. Flora Cuttings, and Mrs. Matilda
Borgess., widow of the late DR.. Hen
Boggess, Of Lumberport, are the sur
viving children. Their mother also is
still with them.
In 1861. when the people Of western
Virginia, following the passage Of the
ordinance OF secession, were Agitating
for resistance to secession and for a
new state. this La Harpe colony Of
Western Vlrginians sent a message OF
cheer. which was published in the In
telligencer, eXhorting their brethren to
stand fast by the old flag.