George E. Rinker & Effie B. Sidles

George Earnest Rinker was born 31 May 1877 at their family's farm home east of Seymour in Lincoln Township, Appanoose County, Iowa, son of Robert Franklin Rinker (1839-1911) and Julia Ann Brinkley (1845-1929), died 16 September 1958 at a hospital in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa, and was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City. He married 6 July 1902 at the home of the bride's parents west of Jerome, Appanoose County, Iowa, Effie Bradley Sidles who was born 19 January 1877 in Lincoln Township, Appanoose County, Iowa, near Jerome, daughter of John Alexander Sidles (1853-1914) and Elvira Bradley (1853-1932), died 11 November 1957 at a hospital in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa, and was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City. To this union, three children were born:

[1] John Robert Rinker was born 25 August 1904 in Oto, Woodbury County, Iowa, and died 13 May 1989 in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia. He married 27 February 1935 in The Little Brown Church Around the Corner in New York City, New York, Minnie Lillie McPherson who was born 23 August 1907, daughter of Jesse Franklin McPherson, in Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, Louisana. To this union, four children were born: Franklin McPherson, George Ernest, Geraldine and Carolyn.

[2] Vera Elvira Rinker was born 16 June 1910 in Oto, Woodbury County, Iowa, and died 18 April 2007 at Heritage Place, The Village at Brookwood, in Burlington, Alamance County, North Carolina. She married 3 July 1933 in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, Wayne E. Birchard who was born 2 January 1911 in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, son of Elbert Birchard and Inez Parsons, and died 27 August 1998 at ManorCare Nursing Home, Normal, McLean County, Illinois.

[3] Julia Margaret "Peggy" Rinker was born 5 May 1917 in Oto, Woodbury County, Iowa, and died 1 November 2004 in West Hills, Los Angeles County, California. She married 8 February 1941 in Oto, Woodbury County, Iowa, Olaf "Oley" Neumann Thune Begtrup who was born 7 July 1917 in Minnesota and died 20 September 2006 in Los Angeles County, California. To this union, three children were born: Robert, Marilyn and Sylvia.

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From Unidentified Newspaper Clippings

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Rinker-Sidles - 1902

The nuptials of Geo. E. Rinker, of Matlock, Iowa, and Miss Effie B. Sidles of Jerome, were celebrated Sunday evening at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Sidles, Rev. P. C. Stire, of this city, performing the ceremony. The wedding was a quiet one, only the nearest relatives being present.The groom is a young man held in high esteem by all who know him and he is known by nearly every one in the vicinity of Seymour and Jerome, having grown to a goodly stature on his father's farm east of this city, and taught several terms of school in Appanoose and Wayne counties.

George Earnest Rinker &

Effie Bradley Sidles

The bride is the daughter of one of Lincoln township's wealthy and influential farmers; is a charming young lady, beloved by a host of friends, who will regret her departure from their midst.

They left early Monday morning for their home in Matlock, where George, as he is known to his friends here, is known as an M.D., having fitted himself for the profession by a through course at Sioux City. All join in wishing them a happy and prosperous career.

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Honor Rinker's On 40th Anniversary - 1942

Dr. and Mrs. George E. Rinker of Oto, with their daughters, Mrs. Wayne Birchaard of Pittsfield, Mass., and Mrs. O. N. Begtrup and baby of St. Louis, Mo., are spending the week with relatives and friends in this vicinity.

On July 6th Dr. and Mrs. Rinker were honored at two informal affairs held at the Sidles homestead now occupied by Susie R. Sidles, the occasion being the anniversary of their marriage there.

Effie Sidles Rinker & George Earnest Rinker
Celebrating Their 40th Anniversary

In the afternoon friends of the honored couple gathered to talk over old times. Those present included Nell Rinker Watts of Oklahoma City, Leola Rinker, Orpha VanNess, Emma Hagan Ogle, Mary VanNess and grand-daughter, Mary Hilliker, Laura Porter, Mrs. Wm. Porter and son John Edward, all of Centerville, Dr. W. H. Earnest, Mrs. W. O. Jamison, Emma McCulloch, Anna M. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Bateman of Seymour, Marcy Rinker Widman of Kansas City, Mo.,

Mrs. Chester VanDyke, Mrs. Rose VanDyke, Exline; Mrs. Vera Owen and grandchildren Stanley and Judy Owen, Cadd Hawkins, Kathryn Hawkins, and Mrs. C. C. Bollman of Jerome.

Members of the Rinker and Sidles families held a reunion in the evening at which time a "poetical" mock wedding, a skit entitled "The Doctor" and patriotic reading music and talks

furnished the entertainment. Dr. Rinker was presented with a ring and Mrs. Rinker a locket by members of the immediate family and there were also several other gifts. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Condra, Mr. and Mrs. Merrill Condra and Jimmy, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Deibert, Sac City; Mr. and Mrs. Guy Streepy, Udell; Mrs. N. V. Watts, Miss Leola Rinker, Purley Rinker, Centerville; Mr. and Mrs. Joe I. Sidles and the hostess; Susie R. Sidles, Seymour; Miss Georgia Sidles, Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sidles and family, Howard, Harry, Virginia, Jimmy and Peter J., Jerome; Mr. and Mrs. George Sidles and daughters, Leona and Luella of Numa, Mrs. J. H. Matkin and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hefner of Seymour were also present.

40th Anniversary cakes with "ruby" colored icing were featured in the light refreshments served both afternoon and evening.

Both Dr. and Mrs. Rinker were reared in Appanoose county and both taught school there in their younger days. Soon after their marriage they moved to Woodbury county, where Dr. Rinker has practiced medicine at Oto for 39 years. Besides the two daughters accompanying them on their visit the Rinkers have a son, J. Robert, now a surgeon in Ft. Worth, Texas.

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5oth Anniversary Celebration - 1952

Effie Sidles Rinker & George Earnest Rinker

50th Anniversary Picture

Rinker Family Picture on 50th Wedding Anniversary

John Robert Rinker (son),

George Earnest Rinker, Effie Sidles Rinker,

Vera Rinker Birchard and Margaret Rinker Begtrup (daughters)

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Final Rites Held for Mrs. Rinker - 1957

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at the Oto Congregational church for Mrs. George E. Rinker, widely known resident here, who died Monday, November 11, at a Sioux City hospital after entering the hospital Friday.

Rev. Willard Bell of Slayton, Minn., former pastor of the Oto Federated church about 23 years ago, conducted the services.

Two songs, Ivory Palaces and Where We'll Never Grow Old, were sung by Mr. and Mrs. John Willmott accompanied by Mrs. Arnold Lenoch at the piano.

Mrs. Leander Mead and Mrs. Harry Brooks served as the flower committee. Pallbearers were Jesse Benton, Jarvis Miller, Fred Johnk, Ralph Steinhoff, Floyd Scoles, Robert Carlson, Harry Brooks and Frand GoBell.

Burial was in Memorial park cemetery at Sioux City under the direction of the Hudgel funeral home of Anthon.

Effie Bradley Sidles, first child of John A. and Elvira Bradley Sidles, was born at Jerome, Ia., January 19, 1877. She attended the public schools of Jerome and Milton, later studying at Highland Park college in Des Moines after which she taught for a few years in the rural schools of Appanoose county and in the towns of Numa and Carlisle.

July 6, 1902 she was united in marriage to George Ernest Rinker who had grown to manhood in a neighboring community in Appanoose county and was at the time of their marriage completing work for a degree in medicine.

They established temporary homes in Matlock and Sioux City and came to Oto in the spring of 1903 where they since lived for 54 years.

To this union three children were born, J. Robert of Augusta, Ga., (Vera) Mrs. Wayne Birchard of Normal, Ill., and (Margaret) Mrs. Olaf N. Begtrup of Rockford, Ill.

Mrs. Rinker became a member of the Methodist church in her youth and a great deal of her life's activities centered in the work of the church.

She was a member of the Oto Rebekah lodge and a past noble grand of that order. She was a past matron of the Order of Eastern Star, more recently having served for years as chaplain of that order, a position she held at the time of her death.

She was a charter member of the Sioux-Med-Dames, an organization for wives of Woodbury county medical men, and a charter member of the Oto Study club organized in 1909. As recently as October 31 she attended the meeting of that club held with Mrs. Laura Day as hostess. At the annual county convention of the Federated Women's clubs held in Sioux City last spring, Mrs. Rinker received a corsage for being the oldest woman present.

Mrs. Rinker served as Sunday school teacher, superintendent and treasurer for many years, and was an active worker in the Mite Society. She was a long-time member of the Oto Cemetery association. She worked in the Red Cross and represented Oto in the work of the Goodwill Industries. She also served for several years on the Oto school board.

Her husband, Dr. Rinker, survives, as do their three children, and seven grandchildren: Geraldine, George, Carolyn and Franklyn Rinker and Robert, Marilyn and Sylvia Begtrup. Mrs. Rinker also is survived by four sisters: Mrs. J. E. Condra, Susie R. Sidles and Mrs. Guy Streepy, all of Appanoose county, and Mrs. Ray Deibert of Sac City.

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Veteran Oto Doctor Dies - 1958

Dr. George E. Rinker, 81, physician at Oto since May, 1903, died Tuesday at a Sioux City hospital.

Dr. Rinker was the recipient of community honors at Oto in 1953 on the occasion of his 50th anniversary in practice there. Until purchasing his first car in 1913, he was Oto's "horse and buggy" doctor.

In addition to his extensive medical practice he was active in civic, lodge and Congregational church work at Oto. He was a former mayor, president of the board of education, member of the town council and chairman of the Congregational church board.

Dr. Rinker was a member of the Masonic lodge at Smithland, Sioux City Consistory 5 and Abu-Bekr Shrine.

He was graduated from the Sioux City Medical school in 1903 and for 55 years practiced at Oto. He was a member of the American Medical Association, and the Iowa Medical and Woodbury County Medical societies.

Dr. Rinker was born May 31, 1877 at Numa, Ia. His wife, whom he married July 6, 1902, was born at Jerome, Ia. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with open house at the Congregational church at Oto July 6, 1952. Mrs. Rinker died in November, 1957.

A son and two daughters, who are among the survivors and who were present for the wedding anniversary observance, are Dr. Robert Rinker of Augusta, Ga., Mrs. Wayne Birchard of Normal, Ill., and Mrs. Olaf Begtrup of Rockford, Ill.

Other survivors include two sisters, Miss Leola Rinker of Centerville, Ia., and Mrs. Noah V. Watts of Oklahoma City, Okla., and seven grandchildren.

The body was taken to the Hudgel funeral home at Anthon.

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Funeral Services Held Thursday for Dr. Rinker - 1958

Funeral services were held at two o'clock Thursday afternoon at the Congregational church for Dr. George E. Rinker, Oto physician for more than 50 years, who passed away in a Sioux City hospital Tuesday, September 16. The Rev. John H. Roger officiated. During the services Mr. and Mrs. John Willmott sang "Ivory Palaces" and "Where We'll Never Grow Old" accompanied by Mrs. Arnold Lenoch.

Interment was in Memorial park cemetery, Sioux City, under the direction of the Hudgel funeral home of Anthon. Serving as pallbearers were Mervin Jackson, Paul Phillips, Herald Hamann, Wilber McNear, Wm. Green, Roy Slentz, Millard Allman and Howard Koerner.

Mrs. H. A. Brooks Jr., and Mrs. Leander Mead were in charge of flowers.

George Earnest Rinker was born to Franklin and Julia Ann Brinkley Rinker at their farm home east of Seymour, Iowa, May 31, 1877, the sixth of a family of ten chidren: William J. John, Thomas, Homer, Frank, George, Mary, Purley, Leola and Nellie.

After completing a grade school education he taught rural school. Previous to entering the Sioux City college of Medicine Dr. Rinker attended Highland Park College.

On July 6, 1902, he was united in marriage with Effie Bradley Sidles of Jerome, Iowa. He was graduated from the Sioux City Medical school in 1903 after which they moved to Oto where he practiced for more than 50 years. In addition to his medical practice he was active in civic, lodge and church work. He was a former mayor, member of the town council and fillled offices, over a long period of time, in his church.

He was a member of the I.O.O.F., Royal Neighbor and Masonic lodges, Sioux City consistory 5 and Abu-Bekr Shrine.

Professionally he was an honorary member of Phi Chi, medical fraternity, and a member of the county, state and national medical societies.

In 1952 the community helped Dr. and Mrs. Rinker celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, and the following year Dr. Rinker was the recipient of community honors on the occasion of his 50th anniversary in practice in Oto. Mrs. Rinker passed away November 11th of last year. Following her death Dr. Rinker, for the most part, remained at Oto.

He fell at his home on September 8, injuring his shoulder. He was taken to a Sioux City hospital where he passed away Tuesday, September 16, 1958

Dr. and Mrs. Rinker were the parents of three children, Dr. John Robert Rinker of Augusta, Georgia, who visited his father in the hospital following his accident; Mrs. Wayne E. Birchard (Vera) of Bloomington, Illinois, and Mrs. Olaf N. Begtrup (Margaret) of Rockford, Illinois, both of whom were here for the services. Other survivors include two sisters, Miss Leola Rinker of Centerville, Iowa, and Mrs. Noah V. Watts (Nellie) of Oklahoma, who also attended the last rites; seven grandchildren, Geraldine, George, Carolyn and Franklin Rinker of Augusta, Georgia, and Robert, Marilyn and Sylvia Begtrup of Rockford, Illinois.

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The editor greatly appreciates the contribution to The Jerome Journal of the above articles and pictures by Geraldine Rinker of Augusta, Georgia.