Sylvester Renshaw

RENSHAW, EVENS, HAZEN, GILMORE, BRIDGES, PORTLOCK

Posted By: S. Ferrall (email)
Date: 11/6/2006 at 03:54:10

S. Renshaw, who for a period of twenty-five years has had his abiding place on his present farm on section 21, Jefferson township, Madison county, Iowa, is ranked with the substatntial and leading citizens of his community. Indeed there are few men, if any, in the township who are better known or more highly respected than he; and in this work it is particularly consistent that some personal mention of him be accorded place.

Mr. Renshaw dates his birth in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1845. His father, George S. Renshaw, was a native of Virginia, was reared and married in the Old Dominion, from there removed to Pennsylvania, and in 1852 came out to Iowa, locating first in Delaware county and subsequently removing to Farmersburg township, Clayton county, where he remained till death, being sixty-five when he passed away. James Renshaw, the father of George S., is supposed to have been born in England. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Martha Evens, was likewise a native of Virginia. She was of Welsh and Scotch origin. At the time of her death her years numbered seventy-five. In their family were nine children, four sons and five daughters, all of whom attained maturity, and all are still living except one, -- Adaline R. Their names in order of birth are as follows: David L., Adaline R., James S., Amanda M., Leonidas, Valonia, Malzenia, Sylvester and Georgeanna.

Sylvester, the subject of this article, was about six years old at the time he came with his parents to Iowa, and in Delaware and Clayton counties he was reared and educated, his education being received in the common schools and the Monona high school. After his marriage, which important event occurred in the spring of 1868, Mr. Renshaw farmed one year in Clayton county, after which he removed to Jasper county, Missouri, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1870, when he moved to Madison county, Iowa, and purchased the farm he has since owned and occupied. This place comprises 320 acres of good land, well improved, and is devoted to general farming.

Mr. Renshaw's marriage in March, 1868, was to Miss Sarah Hazen, a native of Clayton county, Iowa, and they have had six children, three sons and three duaghters: Clarence L., deceased; Alford S., at home; Mabel L., wife of Harry Gilmore, of Vinton, Iowa; Edith E., at home; Rosa, deceased; and James Clyde, at home. The good wife and mother died in 1883, and January 9, 1884, Mr. Renshaw married for his second companion Miss Serena Bridges, a native of Des Moines county, Iowa. Mrs. Renshaw is a daughter, and the eldest of the family now living, of Losson and Malinda (Portlock) Bridges, both natives of Indiana.

In all matters of local interest Mr. Renshaw has taken a most commendable part, always public-spirited and generous, and exerting an influence for good. His political views are those advocated by the Republican party. In 1892 he was elected Township Clerk, was re-elected in 1894, and is now the incumbent of this office. Also he has served as School Director. His church fellowship is with the Methodists, where he takes a leading and active part, now being one of the Trustees of the church. Personally, he is one of those genial, sociable men whom it is a pleasure to meet.

-A Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Chicago. Lewis Pub. Co., 1896; pg 822-823
-transcribed by S. Ferrall for Clayton co. IAGenWeb