Renn, Thomas J., 1881-1939

RENN, MICHEL, HUNT, WAGNER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

From the Alton Democrat, March 10, 1939, Maurice news:

Thomas J. Renn passed away at his home here last Monday, Feb. 27th, at the age of 57 years, after an illness of approximately six months. He was born at Clarksville, Ia., November 22, 1881. He was united in marriage with Miss Tillie Michel August 14th, 1919, at Worthington, Minn.

Mr. Renn has been a resident of Maurice for the past 12 years, where he has been engaged in the grocery and meat business. Besides his widow, he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Grace Rusha, of Eagle Point, Oregon.

Funeral services were held from the John Hoekstra residence here last Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock with Rev. J. Roggen officiating. From here the remains were brought to Reading, Minn., where the Masonic Lodge of Worthington, Minn., conducted a service in the Presbyterian church. Burial was made at Reading, Minn.

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RESEARCH NOTES

A similar obituary in the Sioux County Capital, March 9, gives his sister’s name as Mrs. Rush.

His death certificate adds his parents, Samuel F. Renn, born in Pennsylvania, and Sarah Hunt, born in Ohio; last worked at his occupation of store keeper in June 1938; died at 11:00 a.m. February 27, 1939; cause. coronary occlusion, onset 2-27-39, and cardio vascular disease, “could not obtain definite history.”

His FindaGrave.com page has him as Thomas Jefferson “Tom” Renn; born 22 Nov 1881 in Clarksville, died 27 Feb 1939 in Maurice, buried in Summit Lake Cemetery, Reading, Nobles County, Minn.; parents Samuel F. Renn (1855-1923) and Sarah Etta Hunt Renn (1857-1912); wife Mathilda Melinda Wagner (1900-1991, married 1919). [Her page shows her second husband to have been Walter Christ Wagner, her parents Charles and Christena Michel.]

The 1905 Minnesota state census shows a Thomas J. Renn, presumably him, age 24, living in Wilmont, Nobles County, resident of the state 4 years and of this enumeration district 8 months, occupation clerk. He is included in a list of several young males, suggesting that he may have been living in a boarding house.

His World War I draft registration card (Sept. 1918) gives him as Thomas Jefferson Renn, age 36, living in Wilmont, occupation farmer, nearest relative S. F. Renn of Wilmont; short, stout, brown eyes, hair “dark, bald.”

In the 1920 U.S. census Tom J. (38) and Tillie M. (19), born in South Dakota, are living in Wilmont with his widowed father, Samuel F. Renn. Samuel is an agent for the Standard Oil Company, and Tom is an assistant, Standard Oil Company.

In the 1930 census, Thomas J. (48) and Tillie M. (29) are living in Maurice; he aged 38 and she aged 19 at marriage; his occupation is retail meat merchant and hers is meat market clerk.