Earl C. and Marie (Early) Reineke Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 6-Mss 1556

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Earl C. and Marie (Early) Reineke Papers consists of material on the careers of both Mr. and Mrs. Reineke. The collection has been organized into three series: Correspondence, Subject Files; and the Early scrapbook. The Correspondence Series consists entirely of letters to Mrs. Reineke thanking her for the various performances presented by the Early School of Dance students in the 1930s. It is, of course, very incomplete. The Subject Files Series contain a wide range of materials. The certificate to Mr. Reineke naming him Broadcasting Pioneer, and the citation to WDAY for community service by the United Fund. The dance programs are mainly of the Early School of Dance for the period 1929 to 1941. There are miscellaneous newspaper clippings on the Early family and the Fargo and Washington House hotels which Mrs. Reineke's parents operated. The newspaper clippings on Marie Early include her modeling career in New York City and retirement. The Early School of Dance material includes clippings of programs, advertisements, and articles on the school. In 1960 Mrs. Reineke was choreographer for the F-M Community Theatre productions of Carousel for which there is a copy of the program. The memorial resolutions are by the North Dakota Legislature and City of Fargo on the death of Mr. Reineke. The NBC file contains the front page of the New York Herald Tribune celebrating NBC's 30th anniversary, and the luncheon program honoring David Sarnoff. The newspaper clipping file contains articles on Vern Roberts, an early area aviator with mention of Mr. Reineke, on the Earl C. Reineke Foundation, and other material. The WDAY material includes various newspaper clippings on Mr. Reineke, performers, its Band Festivals for 1960 and 1961, and several very interesting pamphlets on the radio station with photographs and historical information. The final item is the menu of the Christmas Day dinner at the Washington House in 1899. The Marie Early scrapbook of Mrs. Reineke (Mss 1556) contains advertisements, several thank you letters and articles on performances of the Early School of Dance and her modeling career in New York City.

Dates

1929-1965

Creator

Early, Marie, 1900-1970. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection are not held by the Institute for Regional Studies.

Biography

Earl Charles Reineke was born at Fargo, North Dakota on December 20, 1893, the son of Charles H. and Amelia (Ulm) Reineke. He attended the area schools and soon became interested in electricity and the wireless transmitter. In 1907 he built his first wireless transmitter, or radio, and began a self-training period in radios. During this period he also worked for Mercantile Wholesale and Retail. During World War I, he was a radio code instructor for the U. S. Army at the North Dakota Agricultural College. In 1918 he married Beulah Lenore Chase. They were divorced in 1941. During and after the war he, and several other businessmen, formed a radio equipment company in Fargo. Mr. Reineke was also interested in aviation and in 1920 purchased his own plane. A crash two years later ended his days as a private plane owner. To promote more radio equipment sales, Mr. Reineke, Kenneth Hance, and Lawrence Hamm began the WDAY radio station, receiving their permit on May 22, 1922, one of the first 100 stations in the United States. Their first studio was in the bell tower of the Cass County courthouse. The station continued to expand with Mr. Reineke becoming president and general manager in 1934 which he remained until his death. On November 13, 1943 he married Jane Marie Early. She was born August 27, 1900 at Fargo, the daughter of William J. and Alice B. (Collins) Early. They operated the Washington House and Fargo House hotels for many years. Miss Early attended the local schools and took an early interest in ballet and dance. In the 1920s she began the Early School of Dance with her sister Alice. In 1930 and 1931 Miss Early was a professional model in New York City. She then returned to Fargo and the Dance School. Mr. and Mrs. Reineke were very active in public affairs. Mr. Reineke was a member of the North Dakota Broadcasters Association, past director of the American Christian Life Insurance Company, active in civic drives, and a member of the Elks, Fargo Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater North Dakota Association. Mrs. Reineke assisted the F-M Community Theatre on dance numbers for various productions. On March 8, 1965 Mr. Reineke died and was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery. Mrs. Reineke died March 31, 1970. Mr. Reineke established a foundation to be used to establish a permanent memorial in Fargo of an educational or scientific nature to which Mrs. Reineke left half of her estate.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (0.4 linear feet.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Earl C. and Marie Early Reineke Papers, both Fargo natives, document his interests in radios that turned into the founding of WDAY. Marie Early Reineke, who had been a professional model in New York City, operated the Early School of Dance in Fargo. Her scrapbook documents her modeling career and the dance school. Their papers also document their civil involvement in Fargo and the region.

Provenance

Donated by Mrs. Marie Reineke (?), Fargo, N.D., 1965 (Acc 1372).

Separation Record

The following non-manuscript material has been removed from the Earl and Marie Reineke papers and sent to the sections indicated. Newspapers (Institute newspaper collection)

Fargo Gazette, Sept. 14, 1939 Business newsletter; WDAY Miknotes, May 1947, July 1951, June 1956, June 1960, May, June 1961, May 1962, and April 1965. Broadsides (Institute broadside collection)

"Coming, Dance and Floor show, The Marie-Early Steppers" Photographs (Institute Photograph 2077)

31 items Mrs. Reineke as young dancer (1920s), with brothers and sister (1962) and various students in costume and in performances including Peggy Lee, Audrey Remme and Jean Hoverson. 13 items Mrs. and Mrs. Reineke, Mr Reineke on fishing trip in Florida, with Gov. John E. Davis, with Verna Newell and Lois Leppart cutting 38th anniversary cake (1960), with 1949 Jack Frost Queen and WDAY football team.