Person Page - 934

ROBERT R. RENWICK
Among the prosperous and representative agriculturists of Mayfield township may be numbered Robert R. Renwick, who owns and operates one hundred and fifty-seven acres of well improved land on section 29. He was born on this place August 15, 1866, a son of George and Mary (Young) Renwick, who were natives of Scotland and Canada respectively. They came to the United States in 1835, settling on the farm which is now the home of our subject.

Robert R. Renwick pursued his education in the district schools near his father's home. He was early trained to the duties of the home farm, assisting his father in the cultivation of the land and the care of the crops, so that he was well fitted to continue work along this line when he started out in life on his own account. With the exception of a brief period of two years he has spent his entire life on this farm and during the years that have come and gone he has worked diligently and earnestly in his efforts to acquire a competence. He has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and each year harvests rich and abundant crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. He is practical and progressive in all that he does, keeping everything about his place in a good state of repair, so that his property is numbered among the valuable farms of Mayfield township.

Choosing a companion and helpmate for life's journey, Mr. Renwick was married December 17, 1890, to Miss Alice Rote, a daughter of Samuel Rote, a farmer of Mayfield township, and his sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Two children, a son and daughter, have come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Renwick : Clive Duaue, who was born July 19, 1892; and Gladys Irene, born May 11, 1900.

Mr. Renwick gives stalwart support to the republican party and has taken an active interest in its work, having served as tax collector of his township, while for the past twelve years he has served as school director, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to camp No. 47, at Sycamore, while both he and his wife hold membership relations with the Methodist Episcopal church in their township. They are a highly esteemed couple of their community, having a host of warm and lasting friends, while Mr. Renwick is everywhere known as a substantial and reliable man in his business transactions.¹²

Mother, Pioneer, 83 Descendants
Resident Mayfield Longest of Any Person

Mrs. George Renwick

Mrs. George Renwick Who Died At Her Home In Mayfield On Thursday Morning, Mother Of Ten, Left Surviving Eighty-Three Descendants

Mrs. Mary Renwick, who, at the time of her death, had resided in Mayfield township longer than any other person; and who leaves surviving 83 descendants, died at the home of her son Robert Renwick in the township on Thursday morning at about 10:30 o'clock.

Mary Young was born in Coburg (sic) Canada, on Dec. 1, 1832, and came with her parents to the United States in early youth, and became a resident of Sycamore. Here she grew to womanhood, and on October 6, 1851, was united in marriage to George Renwick, a native of Scotland. He died on March 22, 1888. To them were born ten children, of whom there are surviving: Frank of Chicago, Edwin of Elgin, Hilan of Austin, Minn., Mrs. Vesta Wilson of Sumner, Iowa, Robert of Mayfield township, and Emmett of Rockford, Ill. She also leaves surviving 44 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren.

Mrs. Renwick was a noble mother, a kind friend and good neighbor.

The funeral services will be held at the late home this Saturday morning at 11 o'clock. The interment will be in Ohio Grove cemetery.¹¹

I do not think that the Eliza A Renwick buried in Colorado is this individual.⁸

Is this the Walter and Martha Renwick household located in California in the 1860 census?⁶

According to the obituary and article published when his sister Agnes died, there were 2 girls and 1 boy in their family.^2,4

Is this the Walter and Martha Renwick household located in California in the 1860 census?⁵

"In 1851 James and Thomas Renwick worked for James Byers, Sr., and a few years later bought of Henry Mix, a land speculator, the land now owned by James Renwick, Daniel McMurchy and Robert Hutchinson."

[Note that Daniel is a nephew of James Renwick.]¹⁹

James Renwick, Pioneer
Funeral of Former Well-Known and Highly Respected Citizen of South Grove Township Was Held In That Town on Thursday

[note that the repeated phrase "ship, DeKalb county, died last Tuesday ship, DeKalb county, died last Monday" is as printed in the original]

James Renwick, a well known and esteemed pioneer of South Grove town-ship, DeKalb county, died last Tuesday ship, DeKalb county, died last Monday in Rockford, where he had made his home for a number of years.

James Renwick was born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, on June 2, 1832, and came to DeKalb county in 1850.

The funeral, which was private, was held at the home, 1220 Charles Street, Rockford, at 7 o'clock on Thursday morning, and the remains were taken to South Grove, and interred in the family lot in South Grove cemetery, a number of relatives and friends from Sycamore being present. The Rockford Star said:

In 1861 Mr Renwick was married to Miss Rosina Becker, who survives him, and to them were born five children, three of whom: Marion C. Odor of Hammond, Ind., R. H. Renwick of Argyle, Ill., and Mrs. Rose R. Lawbaugh of this city. Thomas H. Renwick of Kirkland, Ill., Robert Renwick of Maple Park, Ill., Mrs. Margaret Julian of Dixon, and Mrs. Agnes Bryan of Sycamore, Ill., are the surviving brothers and sisters.

Mr. Renwick attended the First Congregational church of this city, where he had been a communicant almost from the time he arrived in the city to make his home, which was in October 1884. He led a retired life in this city, having amassed a considerable fortune as a farmer.

Those who know Mr. Renwick best spoke of him as a kind and loving husband and father and a man who was steadfast to his friends. His wonderful memory of vents that happened in the long ago frequently was commented on by those who had his confidence. He remembered America when it was a new country and the states when many of them east of the Alleghany mountains were little more than wilderness with a town scattered here and there.⁹

Death Of Mrs. James Renwick
The remains of Mrs. James Renwick of a well known family of early residents of South Grove township, were interred in the family lot in South Grove cemetery on Thursday.

Mrs. Renwick died at her home in Rockford on Tuesday after a long period of ill health during which she had suffered from an affection of the heart.

Her maiden name was Rosina Becker, and she was a native of Delaware county, N. Y. She was married in 1861 to James Renwick, who became a resident of this county in 1850. They removed many years ago to Rockford. Mrs. Renwick was a sister of the late John T. Becker and an aunt of E. E. Becker of Sycamore.⁶

THOMAS RENWICK, who owns and operates a fine farm on section 2, South Grove township, is a native of Dumfries county, Scotland, born April 29, 1834, and is the son of Walter and Mary (Weil) Renwick, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of England. They were the parents of sixteen children, of whom our subject was fourteenth in order of birth. The family came from Scotland to America in 1835, and located first in Canada, where the father engaged in farming until 1845, when he came to Illinois, located first in Kane county and later coming to Cortland township, De Kalb county, and from there to Pierce township.

The subject of this sketch was in his infancy when he accompanied his parents to Canada, and was but eleven years of age when he came with them to Illinois. His education was obtained principally in the common schools of this state. He started in life for himself at the age of eighteen years, working on a farm by the month at ten dollars. On the 9th day of March, 1864, he married Lucy A. Ramsey, a native of South Grove township, De Kalb county, and a daughter of George Ramsey, who was born in Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation who came to Illinois in 1838, first locating in Monroe township, Ogle county, Illinois, where she was born. By this union three children have been born: Bessie, Lucy O., and Thomas J.

Starting in life without a cent and receiving no aid from any source, Mr. Renwick has made a success and has now seven hundred and twenty acres of as fine land as there is in De Kalb county, all being well improved, with good buildings and properly drained. In politics he is an ardent Republican and has held the office of road commissioner. As a man he enjoys the utmost confidence and respect of all who know him.¹⁶

"In 1851 James and Thomas Renwick worked for James Byers, Sr., and a few years later bought of Henry Mix, a land speculator, the land now owned by James Renwick, Daniel McMurchy and Robert Hutchinson."

[Note that Daniel is a nephew of James Renwick.]¹⁷

Aged Kirkland Woman Claimed
Mrs. Lucy Anne Renwick, 93, and During lifetime a Resident of South Grove, Kirkland, Accorded Rites on Thursday by Many

Final respects to a life of longevity and service were Thursday afternoon accorded at Kirkland to Mrs. Lucy Anne Ramsey Renwick who succumbed, Tuesday evening at her home following an extended illness.

Mrs. Renwick, mother of Mrs. Bessie Anderson of Sycamore and Mrs. Ralph Parkin of Kirkland, had reached her 93rd year on Jan. 31st. age and ailments aggravated by the intense heat of the past two weeks, were contributing causes in her passing.

Lucy Ann Ramsey, daughter of the George Campbell Ramseys, was [born in] Franklin township on Jan. 31. 1843 and had spent her entire life within South Grove and Kirkland communities where she was widely and favorably known.

She became Mrs. Thomas Renwick on Mar. 9, 1864 in nuptials at Kirkland. The husband preceded her in July of 1921. Since that time the widow has made her home with a daughter, Mrs. Parkin.⁶

Mrs. William Bryan Celebrates Her 96th Birthday on Tuesday
Not very many people live to celebrate a 96th birthday but Mrs. William Bryan of this city has just been given this privilege.

Twenty-four of Mrs. Bryan's relatives gathered at the home of her niece Miss Mary McMurchy on Mason Court Tuesday noon to pay honor to this lovely old lady and to enjoy the delicious birthday dinner. The guests were seated at two long tables which were beautifully decorated with choice hot house flowers -- gifts to the honoree.

Mrs. Bryan has three living children, Mrs. James Shaw and Walter Bryan of this city and George Bryan, of Randolph, Neb., who with their families were present, together with the company of nieces and nephews and other relatives who included Mrs. Ralph Parkins and Mrs. Thomas Renwick of Kirkland and Mrs. Robert Renwick of Maple Park. Mrs. Bryan has two grandchildren and five great grandchildren, all of whom were present at this happy gathering.

Mrs. Bryan was born in Canada but has lived practically all her life in this vicinity, bringing up her family in Mayfield, where she and her husband, the late William Bryan owned a large farm. Mr. Bryan passed on in 1908. Of late years Mrs. Bryan has made her home with her daughter Mrs. James Shaw on Mason Court, where she is the best loved lady in the neighborhood. She is a remarkable woman, whose memory is still alert and whose health is good, and whose evening of a well spent life makes those around her realize how lovely a cheerful, kindly, sunshinny old age may be; they were reminded too, as Mrs. Bryan sat among them with the snow of time upon her head "that the points of earth are whitest which are nearest to heaven."²¹     

Mrs. A. Bryan Dies At Age 97
Sycamore's Oldest Citizen Succumbs
MAYFIELD PIONEER

Funeral Services at Home of Daughter, Mrs. James Shaw, 137 Mason Court, Thursday Afternoon. -- Interment at Ohio Grove.

Mrs. Agnes Bryan, one of DeKalb county's oldest pioneers and Sycamore's oldest resident, aged 97 years, answered the summons of the Grim Reaper on Monday evening, Feb. 20, at 10 o'clock, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James Shaw, 137 Mason Court, in this county. She had been confined to her bed but four days, when she slipped quietly and peacefully into that Greater Sleep.

Mrs. Bryan is another outstanding pioneer of Mayfield township, over whose life history there lingers a touch of reverence for the nobility of her womanhood and an added veneration for her long span of years.

Near Century Mark
Although the milestones of her earthly pilgrimages had son nearly reached the century mark, the sunset of her life was measured not alone by years, but by those finer and deeper attributes of character which endeared her to all whom she has known in the intimate associates of her lifetime of four score and seventeen years.

Her home, with family and friends about her was Mrs. Bryan's greatest pleasure in her abundant life. She was able to read without glasses, and kept well-informed on the live issues of the day. She possessed an apt power of acquisition and her remarkable retention of memory was the admiration and marvel of all. She retained an active interest in life and proved herself an enviable companion for wither youth or age.

Rare Gift of Friendship
Her gift of friendship becomes, with her passing, a rare and priceless heritage which will be cherished by family, friends and neighbors as a treasured memory of her sweet dignity, her kindness of manner and her keen appreciation of life and its blessings.

Agnes Renwick was born Dec. 29, 1835, at Orono, Canada, and died in her ninety-eighth year in Sycamore on Feb. 20, 1933. She was the last of 16 children, being next to the youngest child of Mary Wiel and Walter Renwick, prominent DeKalb county pioneers of Mayfield township.

The family resided in Canada during the early years of her life, removing to Canada Corners in Kane county in 1842. She lost her mother at the tender age of seven years, at the age of 12, it became her duty to assist her sisters in the care and responsibility of the home.

She was married March 22, 1858, to William Bryan of Pierce township. After a year's residence in Pierce township, Mr. and Mrs. Bryan moved in 1864, to Mayfield township where they made their home until Mr. Bryan's death. For the past 19 years, Mrs. Bryan had lived with her daughter, Mrs. Shaw in this city. She was a member of the Methodist church of Sycamore.

Suffered Broken Hip.
Six years ago last October, Mrs. Bryan suffered a fall which resulted in a broken hip. She rallied from this unfortunate accident in a manner most remarkable for one of her years. She has received the most solicitous and devoted care through the years from her daughter, Mrs. James Shaw, who survives, George Bryan, a son, of Randolph, Neb., and Walter Bryan of Sycamore, also survive.

Funeral services will be held at the late home Thursday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m., Rev. H. S. Roblee, officiating. Interment will be in the family lot in Ohio Grove cemetery.
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The True Republican is indebted
(Continued on Page Two)
to W. H. Bilney, Sycamore's well-known historian, frr the following article, which was written in its entirety by Mr. Bilney, when Mrs. Bryan had reached the advanced age of 93 years, Dec. 28, 1928.

Let us go back about 124 years; the scene is in Bonny Scotland, the land of the mistletoe, the heather and the thistle. Numerous castles, among them Andrew Carnegie's "Scibo Castle," also the late Queen Victoria's beloved Balmoral Castle in the countryside. Near Dunfries (sic) lived a lad and lassie - Walter Renwick, age 29, who thought that "it is not good for a man to be alone." and Mary Weil, age 20 and an orphan, who agreed with him. So they both agreed to "love, cherish and obey" until death do them part.

They also remembered the Biblical injunction to multiply and replenish the earth.

Children Born In Scotland
Now let us see how well they kept their vows:

In due time a baby boy was born, died, not named. Walter Renwick, being of Scotch thrift and honesty, plodded on and on with his farm work, while Mary, the young bride, attended the household duties. One by one the little ones came until there were thirteen little Renwicks, eight boys and five girls, living.

The father had little hope of anything better than being a "hewer of wood and drawer of water" very likely after reading Elizabeth Barrett Browning's beautiful poem, "The Cry of the Children" of which I quote a few lines:

"They looked up with their pale and sunken faces, and their looks are sad to see, your old earth, they say is very dreary, our young feet, they say, are very weak. Few paces have we taken, yet are weary, our grave rest is very for (sic) to seek?"

Immigrated to America
Now Walter and Mary decided to come to the new world, so they took their 13 little ones, six boys and seven girls, and boarded a sailing vessel in June, 1835. After a voyage of eight weeks or 56 days, or 1,244 hours, they landed in Canada in August. On Dec. 29, 1835, five months after landing, a new baby girl was born, called Agnes. 'Ere long a boy babe was born, the last of 15, eight boys and seven girls, 15 living, all at home.

In 1842 they came to Canada Corners, Kane county, and lived in a log cabin of one room and a loft above. In 1844 they settled near maple Park.

Mrs. Agnes Bryan, the 15th child of this family of 16, is the only living survivor. She was married to William Bryan in 1858. After living in Pierce, a short time later they came to Mayfield in 1863.

Mrs. Bryan has lived in Sycamore some 15 years with her daughter, Mrs. James Shaw, at 137 Mason Court. One son, George, lives in Randolph, Neb., and Walter or "Watt" in Sycamore. She has four generations living.

Age of Children 1,173 Years.
Father Walter Renwick, Brother Walter Renwick, Son Walter Bryan, Nephews Walter McMurchy, Walter Maitland, Walter Calhoun, Walter Renwick.

[Note that ages below are as they were in 1929 when she was 93]

( name )     age     boys     girls
Mr. Walter Renwick          88      9     7
Mrs. Mary Weilor Renwick     52
16 children:
1. Boy, died in infancy
2. Mrs. Jennie McMurchy     89     4     2
3. William Renwick          77     4     6
4. Mary Riddle          88     8     4
5. Mrs. Gene Maitland     93     2     3
6. Mrs. Sarah Maitland     72     10     5
7. George Renwick     63     6     4
8. Herbert Renwick     53     2     1
9. John Renwick          32          1
10. Walter Renwick          80     1     2
11. Mrs. Margaret Julien     89     2
12. Mrs. Beth Calhoun     83     4     6
13. James Renwick          84     3     2
14. Thomas Renwick     87     1     2
15. Mrs. Agnes Bryan     93     3     1
Birthday, Dec. 29, 1938.
16. Robert Renwick          90          2

Mrs. Bryan will observe her 93rd birthday on Saturday, December 29. Of the family of 16, seven boys and seven girls, 15 of them grew to manhood and womanhood. All of them married and reared families. Their total number of children is 89; 48 boys and 41 girls. There was one pair of twins, Mrs. Adolph Julien and Mrs. Abner Calhoun. There have been seven golden weddings, including Mrs. Bryan's; the other six were Mary Riddle, William Renwick, Margaret Julien, James, Thomas and Robert Renwick. Two widows are living, Mrs. Tom and Robert Renwick. Of the 15 children there were no second marriages.

As Mrs. Bryan is a follower of John and Charles Wesley, when Father Time calls as he is sure to all of us, Mother Bryan will greet him with a smile and her children will rise up and call her Blessed.

My simple tribute to this noble soul will be:

Soft may her body rest
As on her mother's breast,
Whose love stands all confessed
'Mid binding tears.
But may her soul so white
Rise in triumphant fight
And in God's land of light
Spend endless years
-- Wm. H. Bilney.¹¹

Mayfield Resident Dead
Mr. William Bryan, well known in this vicinity died at his home in Mayfield this morning. The funeral will be held at his late home at 10 o'clock tomorrow (Friday) morning. The cause of his death was appoplexy (sic) after but a few hour's illness. The deceased was the father of Mr. George Bryan, whose home is northwest of DeKalb.¹²

William Bryan
The demise of William Bryan of Mayfield Wednesday marks the passing of one of the earliest residents if this section.

Born in England, Dec. 17, 1829, he came to New York in 1852, and three years later to Illinois, where he with others went through the hardships of a pioneer life.

On March 22, 1857, he was united in marriage to Agnes Renwick , to whom were born four children, a son Albert, dying in infancy. Two sons, George and Walter and a daughter, Mrs. James Shaw are residents of Mayfield. The wife, a brother, Daniel, and a sister in England, also survive.

The deceased celebrated his golden wedding anniversary on March 22 this year, proving a most happy event, surrounded by their many relatives.

The funeral occurred today at 10 a.m. The remains were interred at Ohio Grove.⁶

William Bryan
William Bryan, for many years a respected resident of this county, died at his home in Mayfield on Wednesday morning of this week.

He was born in North Luffenham, Rutlandier, England, over 80 years ago. He became a resident of New York State in 1851 and of Illinois in 1855. He was united in marriage to Agnes Renwick on March 22, 1858, and ever since his marriage had been a resident of this county. To this union were born six (sic) children, of whom there are surviving Mrs. Mary Shaw, Walter and George Bryan, who, with the wife mourn his loss. There are also a surviving brother, Daniel, and a sister in England.

Mr. Bryan was a consistent member of the Methodist church.

The funeral services were held at the home Friday morning at 10 o'clock, and the interment was in the Ohio Grove cemetery.¹¹

Funeral rites were held Saturday afternoon from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Zeigler for her mother, Mrs. Mary Denton Renwick, who passed away Thursday morning after only a day's illness. Mary Denton Renwick was born in New York Jan 22, 1848 and when 7 years of age moved with her parents to Maple Park and had lived in this vicinity ever since. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Maggie Ziegler of Maple Park and Mrs. Clarence Larsen of DeKalb. One brother, Gilbert Denton, a resident of Denver, Colo., five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren survive. Rev. Diener of Pierce Evangelical church conducted the funeral services. Burial was in the family lot in Ohio Grove cemetery.⁸