Could this be his Mother?

Name: Melinda Rentfrow
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1820
Age in 1870: 50
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1870: Summit, Effingham, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Female
Post Office: Effingham

Name: Joseph L Rentfrow
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1853
Age in 1870: 17
Birthplace: Illinois
Home in 1870: Summit, Effingham, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Effingham

In 1860:
Name: Malinda Rentfrow
Age in 1860: 40
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1860: Township 8 N Range 5 E, Effingham, Illinois
Gender: Female
Head of Household: Malinda Rentfrow
Post Office: Ewington and Effingham

Name: Joseph Rentfrow
Age in 1860: 8
Birthplace: Illinois
Home in 1860: Township 8 N Range 5 E, Effingham, Illinois
Gender: Male
Head of Household: Malinda Rentfrow
Post Office: Ewington and Effingham

In 1850 with Husband
Name: Joseph Renfrew
Age: 48
Estimated birth year: abt 1802
Birth place: North Carolina
Gender: Male
Home in 1850
(City,County,State): Not Stated, Effingham, Illinois

Name: Malinda Renfrew
Age: 33
Estimated birth year: abt 1817
Birth place: North Carolina
Gender: Female
Home in 1850
(City,County,State): Not Stated, Effingham, Illinois

There is no Husband listed in 1870 & 1860

Name: Joseph Rentfrow
Birth: 3 Jan 1802 - Buncombe, NC, USA
Death: 4 Jul 1852 - Effingham, IL, USA
Marriage: 1843
Parents: John Rentfrow , Elizabeth Rentfrow
Spouse: Malinda Cobb

If you need copies let me know