Camden People - John F. Renner

JOHN F. RENNER SR. was born on January 8, 1851 in Pennsylvania to Levi Renner and his wife, the former Mary Ann Rose. He was the oldest of at least seven children. The Renner's lived in Philadelphia as early as 1850, and were still there in 1880, before coming across the river in the 1880s..

John F. Renner married Cecelia Godfrey in the late 1860s. The family lived in Pennsylvania as late as 1879, when son Levi G. Renner was born. By June of 1880 the Renners had come to the town of Stockton, which was comprised of what is today known as the Cramer Hill and East Camden sections of Camden, New Jersey. The 1880 Census shows four children, Edwin H., 10; Emma, 7; John F. Jr., 4; and Louis, 1. Another son, Levi, was born in the early 1880s. Later in the decade younger brother Enos Renner brought his family and father Levi Renner over to Stockton as well.

In the 1880s and 1890s John F. Renner worked as a butcher. 1887 found him at the corner of 24th and Federal Streets, 1887 on Federal Street near 26th Street. When the 1890 City Directory was compiled, John F. Renner and family were living in a house whose address would become 137 North 28th Street. In those times that section of North 28th Street was called First Street, it was renamed shortly after Stockton was annexed by Camden in 1899. The Renner family lived in this home through the spring of 1910.

Involving himself in local politics, John F. Renner served as a constable from 1891 through 1899. In 1892 John F. Renner helped found the Stockton Hose Company No. 2, a volunteer fire company in Stockton, and briefly served as Chief Engineer of Stockton in the early 1890s. The 1897 Directory shows that he also was in the real estate business with David B. Ristine at 2709 Westfield Avenue. As stated above, in the late spring of 1899 Camden annexed the town of Stockton, and John Renner's position as a constable disappeared, however, he shortly found a new position with the City of Camden.

On November 27, 1899 John F. Renner Sr. was appointed to the Camden Fire Department, as part of a five company expansion. He remained a member of the Fire Department for the rest of his life.

The Census taken in June of 1900 shows John F. Renner, a Camden fireman, living with his wife Cecelia, daughter Emma, ands sons John Jr. Louis, and Levi were living at at 137 North 28th Street in East Camden. Five other children including son Edwin had died. Two grandchildren, John F. III and Edwin were also there when the Census was taken. The 1906 City Directory indicates that John F. Renner Sr. and family were living at 137 North 28th Street in East Camden. His son John F. Renner Jr., then employed as a painter, was living with him. Son Levi "Lee" Renner, then a ship joiner, was living at 2927 High Street. Louis Renner had been serving in the United States Army when the 1900 Census was taken, he does not appear in the Directory. He later resided in Pennsauken.

The 1910 Census shows John F. Renner, wife Cecelia, and grandson Edwin living at 137 North 28th Street.

John F. Renner passed away on January 15, 1911 at Somers Point, New Jersey. Funeral services were held at the home of his son Levi Renner, 101 North 24th Street.

Philadelphia Inquirer - November 26, 1899 Right Click on Images to Download PDF of Article

Cooper B. Hatch - George W. Whyte - Edgar Boulton - John W. Vanhartt W. Scott Franklin - Robert Gick - Joseph Till - Edward Kelly - Christian Stark Frank Powell - Lewis H. Sasse - Samuel Collins - William Madison John F. Renner - Josiah Pedigree