John L. Brenner was born in Wayne Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, the son of Jacob S. Brenner and Sarah Ann Matthews. His parents left Virginia because of a dislike of slavery and settled in Ohio; Jacob was a miller and farmer.
Born in Wayne Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, John L. Brenner was the child of Jacob S. Brenner and Sarah Ann Matthews. His parents departed from Virginia because they opposed slavery and eventually settled in Ohio; Jacob engaged in milling and farming.