Isaac T. Reneau (1805–1885)

Gospel preacher listed in Ligon's Portraiture of Preachers. Isaac Reneau was a powerful and highly regarded worker in the Cumberland for many years. He was born on the Wolf River in Clinton County, Kentucky and raised among the mountain folks. Overcoming many obstacles he gained a superior education for his day. In 1830 he began teaching at Clear Fork, near Albany, Kentucky. (Isaac Denton preached at the Clear Fork Baptist church. He strongly opposed the Restoration Movement and challenged "Raccoon" John Smith and John Calvin Smith) Reneau became known as the best English scholar in Southern Kentucky. He also gained a thorough knowledge of Latin and Greek. After teaching for some years, he decided t become a physician. He apprenticed himself to Dr. Jourdan in Overton County, Tennessee. Dr. Jourdan was not only a fine doctor but also a preacher of the gospel. Reneau had sought a religious experience for eleven years but found no relief. He heard Raccoon Smith preach and after study with him Reneau was baptized. For the rest of his time with Doctor Jourdan, he not only read medicine but was also a diligent student of the Scriptures. He began preaching in 1835 and soon became one of the foremost preachers of the area. Lovers of truth admired him and denominational preachers feared him. He married Mary G. Wood in 1838. To this union was born ten children. He made many sacrifices for the truth and built up many churches in that section of the country. . . . Many preachers are now living off the church which he, in great sacrifice and suffering, established. Many of them do not know Brother Reneau, and others do not give honor to whom honor is due. Few preachers with the meager advantages that he had, have done the good which he did. Reneau died in 1889. He is buried in the Irvin (Irwin) cemetery near Albany, Kentucky. --- Ancil Jenkins