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Brinkerhoff?s History of Marion County, Illinois
James A. Rennie (Excerpt)
The Irish element in America?s national life has contributed much to the country?s material prosperity, being felt as a potential force along industrical, commercial and agricultural lines, to say nothing of the important place it occupies in the arts and sciences and its influence in religious and educational circle, and in the domain of politics. A fine representative of this nationality is found in James A. Rennie, of Kinmundy township, a successful farmer and estimable citizen, who to know is to respect. In his veins flows the blood of a long line of Irish ancestors, and it was in the fair Emerald Isle that he first saw the light of day. Since coming to the New World he has prospered, and while he stil loves his native land he is loyal to American institutions.
James A. Rennie was born in Armagh, Ireland, September 20, 1838, the son of Thomas and Mary (Stratton) Rennie, whose family consisted of three children, namely; William J., James A., and Samuel. Thomas Rennie came to America in 1847, and settled in Rhode Island, later going to Boston, then to Providence, where he received employment. He was a machinist. He later moved to Arkwright and Hope, where he did all the machine work for the factories. In the year 1850 the fanily moved to Perry county, Indiana, and was engaged to work in the cotton mills of Cannelton. William, the oldest son, put up the first spindle frames in the mill where they were employes.
Our subject received a fairly good common school education. He was married in 1866 to Mariah E. Falkumbarra, of Perry county, Indiana. She was the daughter of Littleton Falkunbarra, who married a Miss Shoemaker. To this union one child was born, Mariah E., who married M.F. Elgan, of Marion county. Ou subjest?s second wife was Eliza E. Bass, daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Davis) Bass, and to his marriage three children were born, namely: Rosa, whose date of birth occurred in 1876; Gertrude R., who was born January 10, 1882, and who died October 2, 1898; Oscar R., who was born February 1, 890. Rosa married Charles Hannah, superintendent of the Salem box factory.
Our subject?s war record is one that merits praise. He enlisted as a private, but was such a gallant soldier that he became sergreant and served as such throughout the war. He was in seventeen battles and skirmishes. He was in the Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry under John C. Walker of United States bond fame. He also served under Dick Ryan, of Indianapolis, Mayor Bolt, Colonel Mullen, son of Adjutant Mullin, who was shot at Dobbins Ford, Tennessee, under Van Cleve?s division. Thomas Rennie and his sons, William and James, all enlisted in the Union army from Perry county, Indiana, in 1861, for three years? time. William was wounded in a skirmish during the first of the war, having had his lim broken in two places. Thomas R., father of our subject, died from exposure in 1872. He reached an old age. Lieutenant Canoe states that James A. Rennie was as brave a man as ever followed the American flag.
Mr. Rennis is the owner of a very valuable and highly productive farm of forty acres in section 30, township 4, range 3. He is a good farmer and makes his place yield a comfortable income from year to year. His fields are well tilled and in excellent condition. He has a comfortable and substantial residence and a good barn, and other out buildings. Our subject has been interested in educational movements and has very ably filled the office of School Director for the past twenty-five years. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has voted for every Republican President since then. He draws twelve dollars per month pension, under the affidavit of his discharge. In religion he is a Universalist, and adheres closely to this beautiful faith, however, he has never made prefession of any religious faith. He practices the motto, ?Do right all men, because it is right,? this being he substance of his creed. He was seventy years old September 30, 1908, and is hale and hearty enjoying in a large measure life , his home and many friends. He is a great reader of both papers and books, and is much interested in the history of this country.
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Bassett Family Association Database
