Notes for John Rennels

Family Group Sheet

Notes for John Rennels

From THE CHARLESTON WEEKLY NEWS (by Rardin) 22 Aug. 1908
"THE RENNELS REUNION
As this is the first reunion the Rennels people have ever undertaken in a public way, we think it proper to give a short reference to the geneology (sic). Beginning in the early part of the 18th century, one named John Rennels, a citizen of the State of Delaware and of Scotch and English descent and who's wife was of Irish descent. This is as far back as we can trace them. It is certain their parents emigrated to this country and that the parties named were natives of this country. This John Rennels had two brothers; one emigrated to some of the northern states and the other emigrated south; the latter two we know nothing of.
This John Rennels lost his life by accident before he reached the meridian of life, leaving one son whose name was also John Rennels. The mother moved from Delaware to Madison county, Kentucky. This son grew up to manhood and was married to Nancy Ewing who was of Irish descent. This was in the latter part of the 18th century. By this union five sons and four daughters were born; James, Thomas, William and Jane were born in Kentucky. Then there was Martin, John, Betsy and Polly who were born in Lawrence county Indiana. John Rennels moved to Indiana not far from 1820.
James Rennels, the eldest son was married to Polly Conley about 1825. By this union nine children were born, five sons and four daughters: three of the daughters having departed this life, One daughter and fiv (sic) son are living, named as follows: Henry, Edmund, J. P., Wm. R., Joel Rennels and Mahala Level. The average age of the sons is 72 years. Mahala Level is 63.
In the fall of 1832, James Rennels emigrated from Lawrence county, Indiana, to Coles county, Ills. In about five years his father, John Rennels and his family, also settled here.
They were all farmers and seemed to enjoy rural life. John Rennels lived to the age of 86 or 87 years; his wife, 83 or 84 years. Most of this family passed the three score and ten mile stone. Thomas Rennels of Texas lived to the age of 90 years.
The Rennels people are quite numerous in this part of Illinois and quite a number have emigrated to many different states, some of which are Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Idaho, the Dakotas and Oregon and by intermarriage with some of the best families anywhere in the land, the relationship is very extensive and amounts to a multitude of intelligent, progressive and prosperous citizens and whose patriotism and love for their country and flag can not be excelled, and whose first principles are reverence to God and his revealed will and second, integrity and devotion to family is not excelled by any people.
In conclusion of this hurried sketch of the Rennels family comprising the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries and through these generations, they have faithfully performed their part in beautifing the wilderness of the new world and making it the garden spot on this planet on which we dwell.
Hoping this short statement will be appreciated and that this reunion may be advancing to each and every one of us, both in things of this, and above all other things that life beyond the Tomb."