Rine, John Wesley

John Wesley Rine

OCCUPATION: As of Sep 1934, deputy U.S. clerk of Elkins; tax agent and consultant; worked as delivery boy for local paper; employed at Fostoria Glass Co., Moundsville; worked as a baker at the Antler Hotel, Cameron, WV, Ofterdinger's Bakery, New Cumberland, and Strohman's Bakery in Wheeling; went to Philippi and while attending school worked as Auxiliary Clerk at Philippi Postoffice 1924 to March 15, 1927; resigned to become Deputy Clerk of the U.S. District Court for 17 years, March 16, 1927 to Dec. 31, 1944; Land and tax agent for W.Va Coal and Coke Corp. Jan. 1, 1945 to 1953; W.Va. Midland Corp. 1945 to 1957; the Ohio River Co., 1957 to 1966. Midland Enterprises Inc. Central Midland Coal Co. Inc. and Eastern Gas and Fuel Associates of Boston, Mass; also worked in the coal fields of Kentucky and Southeast Ohio.

EDUCATION: Moundsville, WV, public school, Philippi High School, graduated May 1926. Attended Alderson-Broaddus College, Philippi, studied bookkeeping; LaSalle Extension University

ORGANIZATIONS: He was a member and Past Master of Elkins Lodge 108 AF&AM, Past High Priest of Elkins Royal Arch.

PUBLIC_SERVICE: During WWII, for 30 months, he wrote letters that were sent out monthly to 1,000 servicement and women. While troops were being trained in the mountains around Elkins, [WV], he established contact with Masons and cooked meals twice a week for them.

HONORS: He was selected outstanding citizen during the Lewis Co., West Virginia Centennial; listed in "Personalities of the South," 1968-1969 edition; the "Congressional Record," for 26 Feb 1968 carries a two column entry by Senator Jennings Randolph, telling of his activities on behalf of "the mountain state."

RESIDENCES: As of Jul 1953, Belington
RESIDENCES: Philippi and Elkins, WV
RESIDENCES: As of Feb 1977, 703 Lynn Avenue, Weston, WV

MARRIAGE: 24 Dec 1907 to Edna May Roach at the bride's home in Philippi, WV.

OCCUPATION: Retired in 1968 from the West Virginia Coal and Coke Corporation and Eastern Associated Coal Corporation as a tax agent.

CHRISTENING: Calvary Methodist Church, Moundsville, WV

DEATH: 25 Feb 1977 at the home of his daughter in Salem, OH


OBITUARY:
John W. Rine Dies Last Friday While Visiting Daughter, Buried in Philippi

John W. Rine, 73, a resident of 703 Lynn Avenue, Weston, and a former resident of Philippi, died at 6 a.m., Friday, February 25, 1977, while visiting at the home of his daughter in Salem, Ohio. His death was unexpected.

Mr. Rine was known throughout the country as West Virginia's "Good Will Ambassador," a title affectionately afforded him for his outstanding promotion of the state and its scenic beauty. He had been featured in articles in 14 daily and weekly newspapers in West Virginia. His articles had also appeared in 10 newspapers in South Dakota.

He had prints of historical and nature study which he sent to people throughtout the United States. He had compiled a slide presentation that had been shown in five states. He had made more that 100 appearances in clubs, lodges, schools and other organizations, three television appearances and 32 radio broadcasts promoting West Virginia.

He had received many honors from the citizens of Lewis County, in which he made his home, as well as being appointed a general by former Govenor Hulett C. Smith, and was presented Distinguished Citizenship Award from former Governor Arch A. Moore. He received the Order of the White Buffalo from the governor of South Dakota. The State Department of Natural Resources cited him for outstanding service to the state and in particular for being responsible for 3,000 subscriptions to the magazine "Wild, Wonderful West Virginia," published by the department.

He received the Merit Award from the Black Hills Badlands and Lakes Association for unusual contributions to South Dakota tourism in that state. He was honored many times in various organizations for contributions and outstanding services.

In 1964, the Marshall County, [WV] native wrote the "Little Old Train That Talks With Boys and Girls," a story about the Cass scenic railroad, written especially for children. Several thousand copies of this publication, along with many other articles, humorous stories and pictures were distributed to another group of Mr. Rine's favorite people, the patients in the Shrine Hospitals for crippled and burned children in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

He sent more than 200,000 pieces of literature to the VA Hospitals, senior citizen centers, rest homes, shut-ins and the elderly. More than 25,000 known recipes of West Virginia were sent throughout the United States. For six years he financed and operated the West Virginia Room in Weston, as both a museum and distribution point to further promote West Virginia.

During World War II, he published 40 letters over a period of 30 months, sending 1,200 copies per issue to servicement in the various theaters of operation.

John W. Rine was born in Marshall County, February 26, 1903, a son of the late Foster and Kathryn Rine. On June 1, 1926, he was married to Edna Roach, of Philippi, who survives.

Also are one daughter, Mrs. John (Mary Margaret) Christy, Salem, Ohio; one son Major William D. Rine, serving with the U.S. Air Force; four brothers, Foster Rine, Lowell Rine, and Reed Rine, all of Glendale, and Edison Rine, Wellsburg; five sisters, Mrs. Stanley Wilson, Beaver, Pa., Mrs. Durwood [sic] Brown, Warwood, Mrs. Beulah Barnes, Akron, Ohio, Mrs. Rolland Percival, Palm Springs, Calif., and Miss Lillian Rine; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one son and one brother.

Mr. Rine was a member of the St. Matthew UM Church at Weston, [WV]; a member and past master of Elkins Lodge No. 108, AF&AM, Elkins, member and high priest of Elkins Chapter No. 35, Royal Arch Masons, Elkins; a past district deputy grand master, Grand Lodge of West Virginia, AF&FM, and a trustee, of State of West Virginia.

Mr. and Mrs. Rine had lived in Philippi, Belington, and Elkins, and presently were living in Weston. He retired in 1968 from the West Virginia Coal and Coke Corporation and the Eastern Associated Coal Corporation as a tax agent.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 1, from the Floyd Funeral Home in Weston, at 1:30 p.m., with the Rev. Robert Chandler officiating. Interment followed in the Philippi Masonic Cemetery.
(Source: undated clipping, included photograph - found in "The Rine (Ryan) Family History," p. 161)