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- 1890 Peoria County Portrait and Biographical Album:
John W. Riner. A good position among the farmers and stock-raisers of Brimfield Township is occupied by the gentleman above named, whose well-regulated estate consists of one hundred and sixty acres on section 32. The success which he has met with has been the result of his personal efforts, aided by the good management of a prudent wife, and his career may well be taken as an example worthy of consideration by those who begin life without worldly means. he was even denied the educational advantages which boys of the present day enjoy, his early life having been spent in Preble County, Ohio while it was yet considered a frontier region.
In later life however, he endeavored to supply by judicious reading and acute observation the deficiencies of his mental training, and has succedded in becoming very well posted.
Grandfather Riner is said to have been a soldier in the War of 1812. The paternal line if of German descent and the parents of our subject natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. They were Peter and margaret (Kelley) Riner, who after participating in the trials of frontier life in the county before mentioned, finally, in 1856, came to Illinois with our subject and died here some years later. The mother breathed her last on New Year's Day, 1868, and the father on May 14, 1878. Their family comprised ten children, of whom eight are still living; Joseph a resident of Abingdon;Jacob C. of Knox County; John W.: Melinda, wife Elias Swafford, of Iroquois County; Rebecca wife of Isaac Thurston, of Nodaway Co., Mo.; Lorinda, wife of J. Wilcoxson, of Fulton County, is deceased; Jackson of Omaha, Neb; Margaret E., wife of Daniel Ollawell, of Brimfield Township, this county; and Matthew of Texas; melissa, Mrs. Wilson, died in February 1868 in Elmwood.
The natal day of our subject was January 3, 1832 and his birthplace Preble County, Ohio, in which he was reared to farming, an occupation which he has followed during his entire active life. He was married march 6, 1856, to Rachel Thurston, and the following fall came with his young bride to the Prairie State. he located in Knox County, but after sojourning there two years, became a resident of Peoria County, spending several years in the northern part of Brimfield Township. In 1876, he removed to his present location where he has a most comfortable home and is successfully prosecuting the labors of his life.
Mrs. Riner was born in Franklin Co. IN, August 13, 1838, being a daughter of John and Rebecca (Thurston) Thurston. Like her husband she is identified with the Primitive Baptist church, earnestly endeavoring to make her daily walk and conversation correspond with the principles of Christianity. The good counsel and loving care which she has bestowed upon her children and the devotion she has manifested to her husband's interest, have not prevented her from doing neighborly deeds of kindness. She has seven children; Etolia, Ida, Alice, William, Lorinda, John Ethelbert, and Emma. Etolia is the wife of James Porter, and Ida the wife of william Varns, their homes being in Brimfield Township; Alice is the wife of Ezra Varns, also of this county.
For many years Mr. Riner has officiated as Deacon in the church with which he is identified. He is much interested in the progress of education and in various movements which he considers adapted to the good of the community. He has been School Director of District No. 9, giving his best efforts to his official duties and proving a friend to teachers, patrons and pupils, alike. In politics he is a Democrat.
John W. Riner household, 1870 U.S. Census, Illinois, Schedule 1, Fulton County, Liverpool Township, p. 19, dwelling 147, family 148.
Riner, John W., 39 W M farmer $8000 $1200 OH
Riner, Rachel, 31 W F keeps house IN
Riner, Etole, 12 F W IL in school
Riner, Ida, 9 F W IL in school
Riner, Alice, 4, W IL
Riner, Willie, 10/12 M W IN aug
Wells, Alonzo, 12 M W farm laborer NY
John W. Riner household, 1880 U.S. Census, Illinois, population schedule, Peoria County, Brimfield, E.D. 189, p. 35, dwelling 330, family 341.
Riner, John W., W M 49 M farmer OH VA KY
Riner, Rachel, W F 41 wife M keeping house IN PA IN
Riner, Ida May, W F 18 daughter S at home IL OH IN
Riner, Sarah A W F 14 daughter S at home in school IL ON IN
Riner, William W M 10 son S at home in school IL OH IN
Riner, Lorinda W F 7 daughter S in school IL OH IN
Riner, John E., W M 5 son S IL OH IN
Riner, Emma W F 2 daughter S IL OH IN
McCoven, Samuel W M 17 S farm labor Canada Ireland England
Weslie Riner household, 1900 U.S. Census, Illinois, population schedule, Peoria County, Elmwood Township, E.D. 73, sheet 1, dwelling 12, family 12.
Riner, Weslie, head W M Jan 1832 68 M 44 OH VA VA farmer yes yes yes OFF
Riner, Rachel, wife W F May 1837 65 M 44 4 4 IL PA PA yes yes yes
Riner, Bert, son W M Aug 1873 34 S IL OH IL farmer yes yes yes R F
Riner, Emma, daughter W F May 1878 22 S IL OH IL yes yes yes
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1832 - Aft 1900 (> 69 years)
