Person:Justin Renne (1)

Biography

From the Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy Counties, Illinois biography of Jonas Waters, pages 490 and 491:

It will be interesting in this connection to note something of the history of Clarence Waters, who is now operating the farm belonging to his father, Jonas Waters. He was reared under the parental roof, enjoying such privileges, opportunities and pleasures as are usually afforded to farmer lads. He was married January 25, 1900 in Norman township, Grundy county, to Miss Jessie May Renne, and thus became connected with another of the old and distinguished pioneer families. Her grandfather is one of the few remaining pioneers of Grundy county, his residence here dating from 1848. He was born March 11, 1812, at Cairo, Green county, New York, son of James and Sarah (Smith) Renne. His father was the son of John Renne, who was twice married, his second wife being Miss Effie Wood. John Renne was born in 1735, in Rennes, France. He and his two brothers crossed the Atlantic to Canada at an early day. The brothers afterward returned to France, and it was reported that they were drowned. John Renne was captured in 1759 in the war against France and brought to Connecticut. He settled at Tower Hill, in Dutchess county, New York, locating on a farm, and later removed with a company of pioneers to Green county, New York, making the journey with ox carts. There he developed a new farm. He had three children, -Samuel, Peter and Sally,- by his first wife. The mother died in Connecticut, and he afterward wedded Miss Effie Wood, their children being James, John, Richard, Stephen, Polly, Phoebe, Susan, and Lucy. John Renne died and is buried in Greene county, New York. He owned there two hundred acres of land and was a substantial agriculturist and an upright citizen. For many years he served as a deacon in the Presbyterian church and died in that faith, May 14, 1822.

James Renne, great-grandfather of Mrs. Waters, was born at Tower Hill, New York, in 1773, and during his early boyhood accompanied his parents to Green county, that state, where he became a farmer. He inherited a portion of the old homestead and purchased the remainder. He married Miss Sally Smith of Green county, and their children were Smith, Horace, Justin, James, George, Eleanor, Effie, Emeline, Lucy A. and Sara J. Mr. Renne resided on his farm in Greene county until his death in 1830. He was a man of sterling worth and greatly respected. He held the office of justice of the peace for several years and was the administrator of several estates. He was frequently called upon to arbitrate difficulties, for his justice was one of his strongest characteristics. For forty years his decisions as justice of the peace were not reversed. He was a man of excellent legal attainments and acquired his success through his own efforts. He owned a good farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres and his capable management of his farming operations brought to him a comfortable competence.

Justin Renne, the grandfather of Mrs. Waters, obtained a good education, pursuing a high school course, He was reared to the work of the farm, but for a time followed the sea and later worked at tanning, stone-cutting and bridge building. He also engaged in boating on the Hudson river when a young man. He was married in Green county, New York, October 3, 1837, to Miss Maria Hinchman, who was born at Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, New York, August 23, 1809, a daughter of Obadiah Hinchman. Her father was of English descent, was born in Long Island, was a mechanic by trade and died in the Empire state. His children were William, Maria, Jane, John, Alfred, Sarah and Elizabeth. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Justin Renne located on the old Renne homestead, a part of which he inherited. There they resided until their emigration westward. He engaged in business as a stone-mason, did much bridge-building and became a very skillful mechanic, taking many contracts for the stone work on bridges along the line of the New York and New Haven Railroad, receiving as high as four dollars per day for his services, which was considered excellent wages at that time. In 1848 he removed to Illinois, making the journey by the way of the Hudson river, the Erie canal and Lake Erie to Detroit, thence by Lake Michigan to Chicago. He first settled in that city, but did no business there. In June, 1848, he came by way of the Illinois and Michigan canal to Morris on the first boat that ran through to Rock Island. In July he located upon the present farm, then a tract of wild land, and on the 14th of September, 1849, purchased the property consisting of one hundred acres, which he has transformed into a very fertile and valuable tract. He was one of the early constables of Grundy county, and served in that capacity from 1849 until 1876. He was also the first supervisor of Vienna township, holding the position for eight years after its organization. He is a man of excellent judgment and much natural ability, and has long been regarded as one of the valued citizens and honored pioneers of Grundy county. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. His children are Ferdinand, George, Jerome, Isabel, Douglass and Horace, all born in the Empire state.^S2

Census

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Justin Renne, in Find A Grave.
2. ↑ Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy Counties, Illinois. (Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1900)
   p 491.

   transcript.

3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 Grundy, Illinois, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   Illinois, Grundy County, Vienna Township, Dwelling 43, Family 44; United States Census, 1850 for Justin Renny, FamilySearch.org, transcription and digital image.