| Notes |
- MICHAEL RINER is one of the old settlers and most prominent citizens of this township. Early in 1857 he located on section 4, where he took up farming and stock-raising. He was born in Berkeley Co, W. Va., Aug. 22, 1822. His father, Henry Riner, was a blacksmith by calling and a native of Virginia, of German descent, and his ancestry were among the oldest and most respected in that country. The great-grandfather of our subject, on his first arrival from Germany, settled in Virginia and took a prominent part in the Revolutionary War. He was a private and received a gunshot in the leg, which partly crippled him for life. Having successfully farmed in Virginia, he died at the advanced age of 96 years.
Mr. Riner?s grandfather, Jacob by name, lived and died in Berkeley County, where he was born and followed the profession of farming. He married Hannah Snyder, from the same county. This lady of estimable character lived with her husband to an advanced age and also lies buried in Virginia. The father of our subject was the oldest of a family of four sons and six daughters, and learning his trade while yet young, he commenced life for himself and married early in his native county. The lady was Miss Mary Roney and of Irish descent, whose father died in Berkeley Co, Va. The mother?s seven children (five sons and two daughters) came with her after the death of the father in Champaign Co, IL. (where she remained ten years), when she removed to Knox Co, IL. Here she made her first home in Altona. Subsequently she lived in this township up to about the date of her death, which occurred while visiting one of her sons in Mason Co, IL. She died Feb. 1875 in her 76th year. She was a truly good and heroic woman, who through life had faced great hardships and with a large family struggled with the world and conquered its difficulties. Her success in bringing up her children as she did won for her the esteem of a large circle of admiring friends. She was a motherly woman and one of strong character, and was a fervent Abolitionist at a time when few dared to profess an opinion on this subject. She willingly sent her youngest son, Benjamin, to the war, in which he participated with valor and escaped unhurt.
While the family was yet living in Champaign Co, IL., the subject of this history was married to Miss Elizabeth Livingston, who was born in Warren County, Jan. 26, 1823. This good and benevolent lady died at her home in Walnut Grove Township, on the 15th of Sept. 1875. She was the mother of 12 children, of whom seven are surviving. Of these there are now married Henry, James, Amelia, Daniel, Bithia, Sarah C., and Ella. There are deceased Mary, Martha, Albert, Louisa, and Maria. Soon after his arrival in this township in 1857, Mr. Riner rented his land up to 1860, when he purchased 160 acres, which form his present home. This latter contains all modern improvements. After the death of his first wife he was again married at Altona on Nov. 18, 1876, to Mrs. Luticia Allen (formerly Van Fleet). She was born in Cayuga Co, N.Y. July 23, 1834. Her parents were N.Y. people and very successful farmers. Her father died in Warren Co. on the 15th day of Aug. 1852, his death taking place from various wounds received in the battle of Shiloh, among them his ribs being broken by a spent cannon ball. Suffering from heart complaint, he was unable to lie down for three years previous to his death. He was one among the most honest of honest soldiers and a splendid citizen. He had one son and four sons-in-law.
The mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Firkins, is still living and resides in Mitchell County, Kansas with her oldest daughter. Mrs. R. by her former marriage became the mother of Ida M., married; Daniel E., also married; Lucien, who is a teacher in Guthrie Co, Iowa. Mr. Allen, the father, was a native of New York, and coming westward was married in Galesburg. He enlisted in the cause of the Republic in 1861, joining the 89th IL. Vol. Inf., Co. G, under Capt. Whiting. He was, however, instantly killed by a minie-ball from the enemy, at Dallas, Ga., May 17, 1863, while with Sherman on his march to Atlanta. He was an active and patriotic soldier and a warm advocate of the Republican party up to the time of his death.
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1851 - 1934 (82 years)
