CHARLES S. RANNELLS is a native of Morgan County, and was born Dec. 5, 1857. He was graduated from Illinois College, at Jacksonville, in the year 1879. His father, Samuel M. Rannells, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., Aug. 1, 1812, where he lived until he was sixteen years of age, when he emigrated to Morgan County, in 1828. He came here in company with his father, William Rannells. The ancestry of this family, on the paternal side, is traced to Scotland, while that of the mother is Swedish. On coming to Morgan County, William Rannells, the grandfather of Charles S., located on the home now owned and occupied by the latter.

Samuel M. Rannells, the father of Charles S., married Mary R. Springer, of Georgetown, Ky. She came to Morgan County in 1832, in company with the family of her brother-in-law. In her father's family were five children: Reuben R. and Charles G., of Cincinnati, Ohio (both died, leaving no children); Catharine, Caroline A., and Mary R. Samuel M. Rannells had eight brothers and sisters, four of whom are living.

To our subject's parents were born five children. Caroline M. married John C. Duer, of Jacksonville. He is deceased. Three children are living with the widow, whose names are Martha R., James M. and Anna C. Catherine, Ann, Mary, and Martha died in infancy.

Charles S., of whom this sketch is written, married Cornelia May Stevenson, daughter of Septimus Stevenson, on the 19th of May, 1880. He commenced his career in comfortable circumstances, and is now the owner of a magnificent homestead of 1,500 acres of land, and, in company with his sister, owns 1,000 acres more, all of which is well improved. He is engaged in general farming, and is an extensive feeder of cattle, of which he has on hand, at all times, a large herd. He is also engaged in breeding the Norman grade of draft horses, and also roadsters. He raises enough grain to supply the wants of his farm.

Mr. Rannells is a Republican in politics, and, in company with his family, worships at the Presbyterian Church. He is one of the leading and wealthy citizens of Morgan County, whose reputation is of the very best.