William H. Renn

From History of Frederick County. p. 1169-1170:

William H. Renn, a prominent farmer of Buckeystown District, Frederick County, Md., residing on his farm at Adamstown, Md., son of George C. and Mary C. (Zimmerman) Renn, was born on his father’s farm, five miles south of Frederick, Md., December 30. 1871.

The Renns were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. The first family of that name came to Maryland in 1734, and bought twenty-three and a-half acres of land, which is still in the possession of the family. It has served five generations, having been purchased by a great-uncle of the great-grandfather of William H. Renn, which makes this family one of the oldest now resident in Ballinger District, Frederick County.

John H. Renn, a prominent farmer of his generation, son of George and Catherine Renn, and grandfather of William H. Renn, was born May 23, 1811. He was of German descent, and spent his life in the improving of the estate which he had inherited. To the original tract of twenty-three and a-half acres, in which he began his wedded life, he made valuable accessions from time to time, until at his death, he was the owner of one thousand acres of farm land, besides other securities. All of this land is still in the possession of his children, who, in their turn, have made valuable additions. John H. Renn was married, October 18, 1838, by the Rev. Daniel Zacharias, of Frederick City, to Sarah Ann, daughter of Eli Pierpont and Ruth (Ridgley) House, whose parents were large landed proprietors in what is known as the famous Middletown Valley. Many of the descendants of the House family reside in this section of the state. The Ridgeleys have moved into the adjacent states, and to the West. Mrs. Renn’s parents were of both German and English descent, but both were natives of Maryland. The children of John H. and Sarah Ann (House) Renn, who reached adult age, are: 1, Ruth A. (Mrs. David Degrange), died aged twenty-two; 2, John L., deceased, a retired farmer of Frederick City; 3. George Calvin, a retired farmer of Adamstown, Md.; 4, Sarah A., widow of the late John Degrange; 5, Mary E., married to George Zimmerman, a farmer of Urbana District, Frederick County; 6, Emma E. (Mrs. William S. Flook) ; 7, Martha Alice, (Mrs. David H. Rheolkey), of Petersville District, Frederick County; 8, Annie E.; 9, Ida E. These two sisters, who are unmarried, reside with their brother on the homestead, “E——– Renn.” After spending forty-six happy years together, each having reached the golden age, Mr. Renn died, December 15, 1884, and was buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Mr. Renn was a stanch Democrat, influential in the community. He was an active member of the Lutheran Church in Feagaville. His widow, who was born April 17, 1819 died in 1890, and rests beside her husband.

George Calvin Renn, a retired farmer of Adamstown, father of William H. Renn, was born on the old Renn homestead. He received his education in the public schools of the district, and remained with his father on the homestead until he married, when he began farming for himself in Ballinger District, on land owned by his father-in-law, William H. Zimmerman. Some time later, Mr. Renn removed to the Joseph Zimmerman farm north of Frederick, and thence to a farm belonging to his father near Red Hill, Ballinger District, where he remained for several years. He then purchased the land on which he began his career, a fertile farm of 132 acres, on which he made many improvements. He afterwards sold this place and purchased the Old William H. Zimmerman farm of 100 acres, situated on the Point of Rocks road, five miles south of Frederick. On this place he put up a convenient two-story frame dwelling, a bank barn, and all necessary buildings, and by careful attention made it one of the fine farms of the district. He was a progressive farmer and improved all the land that came into his hands. He worked hard, applied himself closely to his business, and his reward was financial success, and the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. George C. Renn was married to Mary E., daughter of William H. and Mary C. (Cronis) Zimmerman, both deceased, whose father was prominent among the older farmers of Frederick County. Of their six children, four reached maturity: 1, William H.; 2, Charles C, a farmer of Ballinger District; 3, George E., of Hagerstown, Md.; 4, Roy J. deceased. Mr. Renn and his wife are members of the Reformed Church on the Manor, to which he contributes liberally.

William H. Renn grew up on his father’s farm and received his education in the public schools of the district. He remained at home, and when his father bought the farm on which he now resides, he rented the place from his father. After cultivating this land success fully for five years, he purchased it from his father and made it his homestead.

His home farm of 98 acres of excellent land, is beautifully situated along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio R. R., adjoining Adamstown. It has fine stretches of meadow land and has been brought to a high state of cultivation. His farm has one of the best springs of water in Frederick County, and is an exceptional fine dairy farm, on which he keeps twenty-five choice milch cows. Mr. Renn has built for himself a comfortable two-story frame dwelling, a bank barn, and all the necessary buildings. Besides his farming, he has a fine traction engine, a threshing machine, and a hay packer with which he has been doing a profitable business for twelve years. Mr. Renn is a stanch Democrat. He is one of the leading business men of the county and was one of the organizers of the Adamstown Canning Company. He is the owner also of a desirable property in Adamstown on which he has recently erected a new dwelling.

William H. Renn was married to Edith G., daughter of Henry and Mary A. (Heller) Smith. Mrs. Renn’s mother is dead, but her father is still living. Nine of their eleven children reached adult age: 1, Stella V.; 2, Wilbur H.; 3, Ralph H.; 4, Mary L.; 5, Margaret G.; 6, William Z.; 7. Grayson S.; 8, Thelma A., 9, Meridith E.; all at home. Mr. Renn and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church in Doubs, Md. He contributes generously to the needs of the church and has served the congregation as deacon.