HON. WILLIAM C. RENO, of Browning, Illinois, dealer in grain and stock, is a native of this township, born in 1838. He is the son of Jonathan and Louisa (Thornton) Reno, both natives of east Tennessee, father born in 1811, the mother in 1813. The paternal grandfather, also named Jonathan, came to Schuyler county in 1825, and was accompanied by his son, Jonathan. The latter was married in 1834.
William Reno grew to manhood in Browning township, spent a year traveling through Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado, and on his return was married to Rebecca A. Wallace of Browning township, in 1860. She was born in 1841, grew up in the same neighborhood, as her parents were very early settlers in this county. Mr. Reno was raised on a farm and followed that occupation until nine years ago, when he went into his present business. He has been an active man all his life.
In 1880, he was elected Representative to the State Legislature, and served one term of two years, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. For many years he has been an active worker in political affairs, and on the national and State issues has always affiliated with the Democrats, but in county and township affairs he has voted for men rather than measures. Mr. Reno is a man of sterling integrity, having the esteem of all with whom he has been associated, either socially or in business capacity. He has been Justice of the Peace for Browning township for the last sixteen years, and has represented his township on the board of Supervisors for five or six years, and has held the various offices of the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Reno have seven living children, having lost one, namely: Samuel F. is cashier of the bank at Rushville, Illinois; Salina and Jennie are at home, the former a teacher in the public schools; Mark M. is a telegraph operator at Creston, Iowa; Minnie M. is a teacher in the public schools; Jay and Fred are still at home. Mrs. Reno belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Reno family are of French ancestry on the father's side and of Welsh and Dutch on the mother's. The family was established in America five generations ago and all were given to agricultural pursuits. His father was a soldier in the Black Hawk war.