Franz Anton Rinke was born in Mengelrode, Eichsfeld, Thuringen, Prussia on Jan 14, 1843. He was the third of nine children, and the first son. Franz’s father was given a death sentence for his actions against the government while the family miraculously escaped to America. They settled in Racine county, Wisconsin, sometime after October of 1859. According to Anton’s service record, he resided in Mount Pleasant, Racine Co., Wisconsin as a farmer. On August 17th, 1862, 19 years-old Franz enlisted as a private in company C. of the 26th Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers. His records states that he was 5 ‘ 8 1/2 ” tall with blue eyes, brown hair and a light complexion. Private Rinke fought in Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wauhatchee, Mission Ridge. On May 15th, at Resaca Georgia, he was wounded, and then later died in the field hospital at Chattanooga, Tennessee on June 2, 1864. Private Franz Anton Rinke is buried in the National Cemetery of Chattanooga, Tennessee, in section K, grave 9931 (on his headstone, his name is misspelled as Anthon). In notes from another cousin, the cause of his death was an infection from a broken arm.Information by Michelle Harder