NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME II 1804-1926 J. C. RENNISON Among the worthy citizens of Sioux City of a past generation, whose efforts contributed in a very definite measure to the general prosperity of his community, was the late James C. Rennison. His life history did not hinge on any lucky stroke or particularly fortuitous circumstance, but was characterized by steady, thoughtful and intelligent effort along legitimate lines. By a life of high ideals and consistent methods in business affairs he has left his impress on the community t an unusual degree and his death was regarded as a distinct loss to the locality which he had honored by his residence. Mr. Rennison was born in the north of Ireland on the 4th of March, 1839, and in childhood was brought to the United States by his parents, who located in Newburg, New York, in the public schools of which city he secured his education. On attaining manhood, he engaged in the nursery business at Newburg, which he carried on until the opening of the Civil war, when he offered his services to his adopted country. He raised and became captain of a company of the Seventy-first Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. At the close of the war, Mr. Rennison came to Bloomington, Illinois, where he engaged in business as a florist until 1881, when he came to Sioux City. He here became associated in the same line with George H. Wright at Seventh and Pierce streets, but two years later he bought sole control of the business, which he moved to Ninth and Pierce streets. By careful management and sound judgment, he realized a splendid success and in 1892, being compelled to seek larger quarters, he built extensive greenhouses at Twenty-fifth and Jones streets. In 1909, after his death, the business was incorporated as the J. C. Rennison Company, of which his daughter, Miss Fannie L. Rennison, became president, a position which she still holds. The business continued to grow to such an extent that in 1920 the company built large, modern greenhouses on Smithland road, beyond Morningside, and here they are equipped to successfully handle the large orders which come to them. They do a wholesale and retail nursery and florist business, covering Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota. In 1866, in Alton, Illinois, Mr. Rennison was married to Miss Elizabeth Ann Shields, the daughter of Walter Shields, who was of Scotch descent and of an old family of Alton. To this union were born two children, Walter, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and Fannie L., who is now the active president of the J. C. Rennison Company. Mr. Rennison was one of the pioneer florists of this section of Iowa. He always took a keen interest in civic affairs, giving hearty support to movements for the upbuilding of the community or the betterment of the public welfare. He was a republican in his political views, was a member of the Knights of Pythias, and his religious belief was that of the Church of Christ, Scientist. Because of his consistent and useful life and his kindly and genial manner, he long commanded the highest measure of confidence and respect among his acquaintances. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa Gen Web, Assistant CC, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ IAGENWEB: Special History Project: http://iagenweb.org/history/index.htm Gerischer Family Web Site: http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/