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Below is a sample of a family biography
included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton,
and Linn Counties
Missouri and published by Chapman Bros. in 1893.
These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing
ancestors or filling in the details in a family tree. Family biographies often
include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.
Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place
of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including
maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if
married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service,
church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often
ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical
record.
JROBERT W. RENICK. The name of Renick is a familiar one in Ray County, not
only because there are many of the family, but also because that name is
synonymous with energy, thrift and moral qualities. As a neighbor truthfully
said in speaking of the family, "It is real good stock all around." Robert W.
Renick is no exception to the rule and is an honest, straight-forward,
industrious tend enterprising man. He resides in township 52, range 27, Ray
County, and is a native of Missouri, having been born in La Fayette County in
1847.
The father of our subject, James W. Renick, was a son of Robert, who in turn
was a son of Thomas Renick. The latter was probably born in Greenbrier County,
Va., and was of Welsh ancestry. By occupation he was a farmer, as were nearly
all of the first families of Virginia. In 1812 he and his family and two
sisters were captured by the Indians, but all of them escaped except one son,
who was carried off and reared by the Indians. In time he married and became
one of their tribe and so thoroughly had he become accustomed to the wild life
of the forest that although he was induced to return home for a time he soon
wearied of the restraints of civilization and returned to his dusky wife and
ended his days among his adopted people. It was especially lonely for him when
he returned to his parents from the fact that he could converse only in the
language of the tribe with which he had remained so many years.
Thomas Renick participated in the War of 1812 and afterward removed his family
to Kentucky, being one of the pioneers of that State. He resided on the
frontier and was twice captured by the Indians. Robert, the grandfather of our
subject, was born in Virginia, where he grew to manhood on a farm and married
Mary Hamilton. After his marriage he emigrated to Clarke County, Ohio, where
he purchased land and followed farming and milling. Eight children were born
to himself and wife, namely: Sarah, William, Isabella, Henry, John, James
(father of our subject), Andrew and Robert, all of whom are now deceased. The
grandfather was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. James W. Renick,
the father of our subject, was born in 1816. His father died when he was yet
quite young and he made his home with an older sister. When she became a widow
he accompanied her to La Fayette County, Mo., making the trip in 1830.
Unlike many of his neighbors, the above named gentleman had money enough to
buy one hundred acres of land, which he cultivated. Nine years after his
advent into the county he married Willie Warden, who was born in Boone County,
Ky., and was the daughter of Rev. John Warden, a Baptist preacher, who
migrated to La Fayette County, Mo. In 1844 the father of our subject began
freighting for the Government to Western points, embracing Salt Lake City,
Colorado, New Mexico and California, and continued in this business for
sixteen years, during which time he was also engaged in conducting his farm.
He was very successful and twelve hundred acres of land, to which he devoted
his entire attention after he retired from the freighting business. The war
deprived him of everything he possessed except his land, and that was greatly
depreciated in value owing to the ravages of both armies. In 1869 he came to
Ray County, Mo., where he bought six hundred and forty acres of land and
remained here his death, which occurred in 1892. Politically, he was a Whig
before the war, but after that great struggle he became a Democrat. Like many
others in his section his sympathies were with the South during the late war.
He was appointed Stock Inspector of Texas cattle in La Fayette County, which
position he filled with credit.
Our subject was one of seven children, namely: Sarah, Mrs. J. Hill; Mary R.,
Mrs. L. B. Wright; Robert, our subject; John H., who married Emma Spurlock;
James M., who died at the age of three years; William R., and Fannie, who
married Cyrus Wright. Our subject received a common-school education and
remained with his parents until their death. When twenty-seven years of age he
married Susan J., daughter of Franklin T. and Louisa M. (Mitchel) Yates, all
natives of Kentucky, although Mrs. Renick was reared in Missouri. One son has
blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Renick and they have given him the name of
James F. Our subject grew to manhood upon the farm and has always followed the
occupation of a farmer. He is now the owner of two hundred acres which he
purchased in 1881 and on which he resides. He also has an interest in the old
homestead. Like his father before him, he is a member of the Democratic party,
in the doctrines of which he is a firm believer.
This family biography is one of 555
biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Clay, Ray,
Carroll, Chariton, and Linn Counties Missouri published
in 1893. For the complete description, click here:
Ray County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and
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