... The father of our subject, Francis Render, was a native of England, from which country he emigrated in 1831. Coming to this township, he was one of its early settlers, and helped materially in its development. He improved and became the owner of one hundred and thirty-five acres, situated about a mile east of Mineral Point. On this homestead occurred his death, January 21, 1875, at the age of eighty years. His first money was made by chopping wood, but as the years passed he became very well off, owing to his well directed energies and financial ability. He assisted his children in obtaining a home and start in life, besides giving them a good education and other opportunities. In addition to his home place, he owned considerable land in Michigan. In politics he supported the Democracy. Until a few years before his death he was a member of the Reformed Church, afterward becoming a Lutheran. He was twice married, his first wife being Elizabeth (B) Render, who bore him the following children: Joanna, deceased; William who died at the age of fifty years; Joseph, born July 27, 1821; Mary, born July 16, 1825; Rosanna, September 28, 1830; Thomas, December 6, 1832; James, October 17, 1834; Francis, July 9, 1835; Matilda, December 16, 1838; and Robert May 17, 1840. The mother of this family died July 18, 1847 in her fiftieth year. William was in the service during the Mexican War, and in company with his brothers James, Francis and Thomas, took part in the War of the Rebellion. The second wife of Francis Render was Rachel, widow of James Gordon, and a daughter of John Sparks. The latter was a native of Pennsylvania and a pioneer of Warren Township, where he improved two hundred and sixty-five acres. His Father came West at an early day, and bought three quarter-sections of land which he divided between his sons John and Ephraim. John died at an advanced age, leaving ten children. Mrs. Rachel Render became the mother of two sons, Theodore A., our subject, and Henry S., of Mineral Point. By her first union she had three children: Joseph; John, who served in the late war, and Uriah, now a resident of Iowa. Mrs. Render is now making her home with her son Theodore and has reached the age of seventy-eight years. She is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a most worthy and estimable lady....
