 RENNICK,
Percival G. Whether as an educator, politician, or promoter of
the all-around well being of Peoria, Mr. Rennick has evinced a
conscientious regard for the best interests of all with whom he has
been associated, and an uncompromising devotion to principle as rare
in the holders of public trust as it is admirable and far reaching
in its effect. To his credit, also, is the fact that his career has
been marked by an unusual appreciation of the opportunities by which
he was surrounded, and in the grasping and utilizing of which he has
proved himself the competent builder of his own fortunes. Far from
reaping an easily won and immediate success, and thus forswearing
those moulding attributes of persistence, industry and patience, the
distance from his father’s farm in Stark County, Illinois, where he
spent his early years, to his present position as Collector of
Internal Revenue of the Peoria District, ahs been traversed
studiously, thoughtfully, and with ever increasing mental and moral
strength. A prime factor in the formation of his character and
ambitions has been the example set by the large thought of his
parents, Francis and Sarah (Cousins) Rennick, the former of whom
emigrated from the North of Ireland when eighteen years of age, and
upon locating in Montreal, engaged for a time in the grain business.
His parents afterwards removed to the United States and settled on a
farm near Toulon, Stark County, Illinois, where they successfully
engaged in farming and stock-raising.As the youngest son in his father’s family, Percival G. Rennick, who was born March 3, 1864, was educated in the public schools of Stark County, and after graduating from the Toulon high-school completed the course at the Northern Illinois Normal College. Subsequently, he engage in educational work as Superintendent of the graded schools of his county, and at times had charge of the schools of Castleton and Wyoming. The better to gain a practical insight into the intricacies of a great profession, he read law for two years under a private tutor. From early youth he took an active interest in the undertakings of the Republican part, and while still in his teens, the young educator became a force in the politics of Stark County, and, soon after attaining his majority, was chosen a delegate to the Republican County Convention. His excellent services in the interests of this party proved to be far-reaching and of more than local significance, and attracted the attention of Julius S. Starr, at that time Collector of Internal Revenue of the Peoria District. It thus happened that, soon after Mr. Rennick’s removal to Peoria, in 1889, he was tendered and accepted the position of Inspector of Internal Revenue, a responsibility resigned at the end of four years to become bookkeeper for the wholesale establishment of the Wilson Grocery Company. In 1896 he was appointed Deputy Circuit Clerk, a position maintained with unusual credit until assuming the duties of his present office. As Chairman of the Republican County Committee, Mr. Rennick was instrumental in greatly increasing the prestige of his party in Peoria County, and was recognized as one of the most energetic and helpful workers. He was twice elected Chairman of the County Central Committee, and was also elected Chairman of the Fifth Supreme Court Judicial committee. So pronounced was his administrative and organization ability during the conduct of three different campaign, and so thoroughly in touch was he with Republican principles and issues, that when the position of Collector of Internal Revenue of the district of Peoria became vacant, there was practically no opposition in his way. And to Mr. Rennick it is a pleasant remembrance that one of the last official actions of that great citizen and statesman, William McKinley, was his appointment of Mr. Rennick to the office which he now occupies. April 10, 1890, Mr. Rennick married Jennie Gharrett, daughter of B. F. Gharrett, of Castleton, Illinois. Although not affiliated with any particular church, Mr. Rennick was baptized into the Episcopal Church, of which he was a constant attendant in his youth. Fraternally, he is both prominent and popular in Peoria, and is identified with various well-known organizations, being a charter member of the Redwood Camp, Modern Woodmen of America, a member of the Independent Order Odd Fellows--which he joined when twenty-one years of age--and of the Masonic order, with which he became associated two years later. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. For seven or eight years he has been a director of the Workingmen’s Loan and Homestead Association. In 1899 he was active in recruiting Troop G, First Illinois Cavalry, of which he served as Second Lieutenant, until forced by his arduous civil duties to resign in 1900. Page 456 & 540 |
