James W. Reno, one of the representative farmers and highly esteemed
citizens of Shipman township, has spent his entire life in that
locality. He was born in that township on the 3d of January, 1850, and
is a member of one of its pioneer families. His education was obtained
in the public schools and when twenty-two years of age he and his
brother Granville bought their father’s farm, consisting of one hundred
and ninety-four acres. They added to this from time to time as they were
able until they had acquired four hundred and forty acres and engaged in
cooperative farming until 1892, when they divided the property equally,
each taking a portion of the old homestead in his share. Our subject is
still engaged in general farming and makes a specialty of stockraising,
devoting considerable attention to the feeding of stock for the market
and to the dairy business. He is also interested in the breeding of
Duroc Jersey hogs, in which he has met with excellent success.
On the 18th of December, 1877, Mr. Reno was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Jane Mitchell, a daughter of William Wilson and Matilda (Nix)
Mitchell. Her father was a member of an old Kentucky family and from
that state he came to Illinois, locating in Greene county, where he
resided until 1862, when he removed to Macoupin county, settling on a
farm near Medora, which continued to be his home up to the time of his
death. Four of his children reached years of maturity, namely: Robert,
who is now a resident of Cowlitz county, Washington, where he is engaged
in farming; Ephraim, who made his home in Kingman county, Kansas, but is
now deceased; Mrs. Reno; and Newton, who is engaged in the lumber
business in Cowlitz county, Washington.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reno
were born seven children: Sankey, now a resident of Piasa, who married
Elizabeth Travers and has one child, Ralph R.; Fred, who died at the age
of six years; Eulalie, now the wife of Charles W. Black, of Shipman
township; Rose, the wife of Charles Bartow, a farmer living near Piasa;
William S., who is unmarried and lives at home; Newton, who married
Phoebe Whitaker, of Piasa; and Paul, who is also at home.
The
family attend the Baptist church and fraternally Mr. Reno is identified
with the Modern Woodmen of America, while politically he is a supporter
of the democratic party. He has always taken an active interest in
public affairs and has served as school director in his district for
twelve years. Wherever known he is held in high regard and has a host of
friends throughout his native county.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 468-469.
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