Living married ANDERSON CAROL SUE. [Group Sheet]

Living married Living [Group Sheet]

Notes:

James Renwick Piper (September 15, 1869-December 11, 1957), the eldest son of John and Margaret (Little) Piper, ws born on a farm in Pilot Knob Township three miles east of Oakdale that his father had purchased in 1864, while he was a young soldier of the Union Army. ren lived on this farm for 68 years until he retired and moved to Oakdale in 1937. In 1917 he purchased an adjoining farm of 80 acres for $2500.

Ren's ancestors were all members of the Reformed Presbyterian (Covenanter) Church and his grandfather Robert Piper, who came from the North of Ireland, was one of the early settlers of Washington County. During his boyhood Ren helped build the present Covenanter Church building at Oakdale and he was later an elder in this church for 34 years. After completing his elementary education he attended classes in the former Covenanter Church building and he later attended classes in the Coulterville Academy. As a young man Ren helped to lay the roadbed for the Illinois Southern Railroad (now Missouri-Illinoois) using a team of horses and a road scraper. During World War I he was instrumental in the purchase of mules for the United State Army.

On August 12, 1903, Ren was united in marriage with Nancy Emily (Emma) Blair (January 13, 1874-August 13, 1966) of Cutler, Illinois and they were the parents of seven children: 1) John H., 2) Dwight F., 3) Irene (November 1, 1907-December 7, 1968), 4) Evelyn (Mrs. Clarence Stevenson), 5) Hazel (February 7, 1911-July 2, 1937), 6) Wilmer R., 7) Helen (Mrs. Archie Woodrome).

Before her marriage Emma taught for ten years in the rural one-room schools of Perry and Randolph counties. It was largely through her influence that all seven of her children earned degrees in Higher Education and all became school teachers.

Hazel was teaching in Midland, Pa. and Irene in Okawville High school at the time of their deaths. Irene taught in various schools in Washington County and taught for four years in the American Academy in Nicosia, Cyprus. Hazel, Irene and their parents are buried in the Oakdale Cemetery.

By Dwight Piper; Evelyn (Piper) Stevenson; Helen (Piper) Woodrome

From 1979 WASHINGTON COUNTY ILLINOIS HISTORY

JAMES married BLAIR NANCY EMILY (EMMA) on 12 Aug 1903. NANCY was born on 13 Jan 1874 in Of Cutler, Illinois; died on 13 Aug 1966. [Group Sheet]