Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1908-04-28
s2d Birthday Anniversary
From the waynesboro, (Pa.) Herald.

From the NaynesborO, lPa.) HERALD
Jacob F. Reinlnger, the West North
street tailor was eighty-two years old to-
day He is hale and hearty and beyond
feeling the fatigue of continued exertion
more than of yore, shows little of the
weight of years resting on his shoulders.
Mr. Reinneer's spare form is as straight
as that Of most men at forty. His hair is
fairly well mixed with gray. He works
regularly at his trade every day, eats
heartily but carefully, sleeps well, keeps
good conscience and is undoubtedly
one of the best-known and most respected
men of our town.
His history is part of the history Of
Wayneshoro. He has been identified
with the public life of this town in mu-
nicipal. civic and religious affairs almost
ever since coming here, and at all times
has shown himself an advocate of prog
ress and possessed of ideas in advance of
| the time.
Mr.. Re;ninger came to America from
Germany in IS49 He had been COP
Is4S there. His uncle who was an off,
Ger in the Prussian amy. found that he
| had been listed as a revolutionary. and
| warned him that he was in very un-
healthy climate. A few days later Mr.
Reininger decided to try the climate of
America He says he didn't wait to con-
suit doctor on this matter The illus
trious Carl Shurz was also a refugee this
same year to this country. and for the
ame cause. Mr. Reinlnger settled in
N wv York city when he first arrived
While there he married. Later he moved
to Gettysburg. In 1865 be came to
| Waynesboro.
After being here only fews years his
force of character was soon recognized
and the town began to place him in off
cial positions. Five times he was elected
councilman and once burgess.
1t was during one of his terms as coun-
Gilman that the first street lights were
placed here. MIR. Reininger was the
father of the move and when he moved
in council he could get no second for his
motion. Finally another member who
announced that he was opposed to the
scheme seconed it just to get it before the
house, MIR Reiniuger then made hot
speech of about twenty minutes When
he stopped no one else would speak and
the question was called, and the burgess
called for rising vote. Mr.. Reininger
responded to the call for those ID favor of
the light motion. No one responded to
the call for those opposed. and the bur
CESS was compelled to declare the motion
carried, Mr.. Reiniuger was put on all
the committees and the brunt of the work
fell on him. Despite all opposition he
went steadily forward, and the kerosene
lamps set on poles soon furnished light
for our citizens of those days. 1t needed
only short while to demonstrate the
correctness of Mr.. Reininger' judgment
4 In 1883 Mr.. Reininger moved to Charles
Town. w. Va, where he remained eight
years. and then returned here
Mr. Reininger has been an Odd Fellow
for torty-two years, and Knight of Ply
thias from one month after the institution
of the lodge here. His attention to hi.
lodges is shown by the fact that for TWEEN
ty-two years be did not mss a single
meeting of the Odd Fellows lodge, ant
since being member OF the Knights q
Pythias has missed only three nights a
that lodge, and these were to attent
church services. which Mr.. Reininge
holds first always.
To be with him on his anniversary hi
son Charles came home from Charlie
Town, where he is located. and brough
with him his two sons, Charles and Ed
ward. With these and his wldowet
daughter. Mrs. Mary Webster, who live
with Mr. and Mrs Reininger. he is cele
brating quietly at his home today. Mr.
Reininger also saw to it that his thre
favorite cats. great large sleek animals
:. were not forgotten in the celebration.
The community will join with MI
: Reininger's family ii wishing him man
returns of the day. and that the journe
+, down the stream of time may be as plea:
ant to him and his wife as it has been fo
the last half centuary.