Nome and Seward Peninsula: history, description, biographies and stories

By Edward Sanford Harrison

Pg 346

William Vance Rinehart, Jr. is a prominent and popular lawyer of Nome. He is the son of W.V. Rinehart, Sr., one of Seattle's most highly esteemed citizens. The subject of this sketch was born July 31, 1867, in Jefferson, Oregon. He was educated in Washington University and at Ann Arbor College, receiving the law degree from the latter institution in 1889. He took a post graduate course the following year and the Master's Degree was conferred upon him. When a student in the University of Washington he stood at the head of his class, and at the graduation of his class was awarded a gold medal for oratory.

During his residence in Washington, Mr. Rinehart was prominently identified with the National Guard, and was adjutant of the First Regiment. He received a medal for being the best drilled man in the regiment. He was Lieutenant of Co. G in the Spanish American War.

After his graduation from Ann Arbor, Mr. Rinehart entered the Law Offices of Lewis, Gilmore and Straton of Seattle and subsequently worked for a year in the office of Judge Thomas Burke. Mayor Phelps appointed him to fill a unexpired term as municipal judge. At the succeeding election he was the candidate for the Republican Party for the office and was defeated by only more than a thousand majority.

Mr. Rinehart came to Nome in 1900, and has been identified with the country ever since. He is Mason, and served a term as President of the Anvil Masonic Club. While in Seattle this year he received the Temple degree. He is also a prominent member of the

Artic Brotherhood. In 1890 he married Miss Martha A. Waltz, of Ann Arbor. Mr. Rinehart has been successful in Nome, and has a high standing in the community, both as a lawyer and as a citizen.