The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-01-17
CHAS. Il. RINES DEAD
One of Princeton's Early Settlers and
Esteemed Citizens Is Gath
cred to His Fathers.
Was Veteran of the Civil War
and Was Wounded in the
Battle of Gettysburg.

DoLIlS VI oSAAy
Brief mention was made in last
weeks issue of the death of Charles
H. Rines, which occurred at Sawtelle,
CAL, on the 9th inst. The body, &C
companied by Mrs. Rines, reached
here last evening, and the funeral
will take place from the family resi-
dence tomorrow friday afternoon at
, clock. Until few years ago Mr..
Rines enjoyed exceptionally good
health. Then he became affected with
Bright's disease which gradually
undermined his robust constitution.
Last spring other complications set in
and for time he was partially par
alyzed. He rallied from the attack
and his family and friends entertained
hopes of his ultimate recovery. Last
October, accompanied by his wife, he
went to California to escape the rigors
OF Minnesota winter. But the efforts
to prolong his life were unavailing,
and another of the heroic First Min
nesOta answered the last roll call and
joined his comrades who had gone be-
fore.
Charles II. Rines was native of
Maine and was born Dec. l, 1912. He
came west with his parents in 1856,
and the family settled in Wisconsin,
later removed to the town of Bald
win, Sherburne county, and finally
located in Princeton village.
At the breaking out of the war Mr..
Rines enlisted in Company D First
Minnesota, participated in the score
or more of battles in which that gal
liant regiment was engaged and was
mustered out on May 9Th, 1864. Com.
rades of the Fighting First attest that
no drawer man ever shouldered a
musket than Charley Rines. He was
wounded on the bloody field of Gettys-
burgh and along with hundreds OF
others was forwarded to government
hospital in New York. Shortly after
wards the First. Minnesota was dis
patched to that city to assist in quell-
ing the draft rious. After a sojourn
of few weeks in a Brooklyn park the
regiment was again ordered to the
front, Mr.. Rines implored the surgeon
to discharge him so he could rejoir
his regiment and go south with the
boys. But his wound had not com.
pletely healed and the surgeon refused
his consent. Mr.. Rines, however,
eluded the hospital guards and man.
aged to get aboard the transport that
was to convey his comrades south just
as it was pushing off from the dock.
This little incident was thoroughly
characteristic of the man.
After leaving the army in 1864 Mr..
Rines made several trips across the
plains as government teamster and
for season or two he worked in the
pineries and on the log drives. In
1868 he engaged in the general mer-
chandise business near the site of R..
D. Byers' present store. He also
carried on extensive numbering and
farming operations and until quite re-
Gently handled potatoes on a large
scale. For more than 40 years-as
merchant, lumberman, farmer and
potato dealer-Mr. Rines has been
prominently identified with the bust
ness interests of Princeton and con-
trlbuted his share towards the up-
building Of the town and the develop
ment of the surrounding country.
In 1868 Mr.. Rines was married to
Miss Mary Sleeves, and a faithful
and devoted wife she has been to him
all these years. Mrs. Ambrose O'Kel-
liner is their only living child.
Mr.. Rines never sought or cared for
public Office but he served on the
town, village and school boards for
many years, not for glory or emolu.
ment but from sense Of public duty.
Although not bitter political parti-
san he was staunch republican and
an earnest believer in the principles
OF that party. He fairly loathed polit-
lcal trimmers and demagogues. -.
He was a philosophical and sue.
cessful business man, always ready
and willing to extend a helping hand
to those who were trying to help them
selves, but he had the utmost contempt
for spendthrifts and weaklings. Mr..
Rines was man of positive convic-
tions, OF strong likes and dislikes,
and despised time-servers and men,
pleasers. He was man who did not
carry his heart on his sleeve, but on
the books of the recording angel there
are many kind acts to his credit.