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]

Notes:

John b. 7/2/1844 was the eldest son of Robert and Jane Hemphill Piper, both born in 1811, and a brother to Robert Piper b. 2/15/1847. John served in the Civil War as a volunter in Company B in the 111th Regiment. He enlisted with his pastor Rev. A.C. Todd's original group in August 1861 at the age of 17 years and served until his discharge in 1865. He purchased land in Section 17, Pilot knob Township, three miles east of Oakdale from James and Nancy (Luney) Piper, while he was still in the service, in 1864. James Piper had purchased the land from the U.S. Government in 1853 when Franklin Pierce was President.

John married Margaret Little (11/5/1845 a sister of Maria (samuel) Coulter on 6/16/1868. John was not only a successful farmer but a breeder of livestock. The horses were shown at county fairs for many years. In 1893 twenty acres were planted in an apple and peach orchard. The trees were purchased from Stark Bros. nursery for $140 per thousand. John served as president of the Venedy Mutual Insurance Co. for many years. Seven children were born to John and Margaret, two dying in infancy: James Renwick, Mary Jane (Jennie), Rev. Robert W., Nancy E. (Nannie), and Thompson. John d 4/24/1915 and Margaret 1/10/1929. They are buried in the Oakdale Cemetery in a plot near their parents.

By Evelyn Piper Stevenson and Helen Piper Woodrome

From 1979 WASHINGTON COUNTY ILLINOIS HISTORY

JOHN married LITTLE MARGARET HEMPILL. MARGARET was born on 5 Nov 1845. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

John or (Jack) Piper was borfn and married and died in Ireland. Not certain of his wife's name.

They had 2 sons Robert I and William Piper. They came to America from Londonderry, Ireland in the early 1840's.

Robert I was born in 1811 and died 3/12/76. After arriving in America they came on West and he found work with the Swanwick family, who lived a little N. E. of Swanwick, Il. A few years later the Hemphill family came over from Ireland. There were 3 sisters, Rachel, Mary and Jane. Jane Hemphill born 1811 and died 4/6/1887, married Robert Piper I 10/12/1843. the Swanwick family asked Robert I and Jane Hemphill to be married in the Swanwick home.

After their marriage the bought a farm southeast of Lively Grove. Their 2 sons were born there. John (whose history appears elsewhere in this book) and Robert II born 2/15/1847, and died 6/29/1927.

The family lived on this farm till some years after Robert I's death. (John had married and moved to his own farm) Robert II bought a farm of 200 acres 2 miles west of Oakdale. He bought it from Robert McAfee. Robert II and mother moved there where his mother later died. Her sister Mary Hemphill had lived with them for some years and continued to live with Robert II as she said, to take good care of him. Mary Hemphill never married. Her Irish sayings were often quoted by many who knew her. Robert Piper II went to Clay Center, Kansas adn there married 3/6/1895 Margaret Wallace Boyle born 4/20/1857 died 11/4/1914. She was the oldest daughter of John Boyle and Nancy Walker Boyle.

Robert Piper II and Margaret Piper lived on his farm west of Oakdale. Aunt Mary Hemphill continued to live with them for 2 years and died there at the age of 98.

Robert II and Margaret Piper had one daughter Elisabeth Jane Piper, born 1/30/1896. In the Spring of 1904, they moved to a farm 2 miles S.W. of Oakdale, to be closer to a school.

E. Jane Piper married Ward James Auld 3/21/1917. Ward was born 12/21/1894, died 9/1/1955. He was the son of William Reynolds Auld and Louisa Kennedy Auld. Ward and Jane continued to live on her father's farm. He lived with them till his death in 1927. Jane lives here alone since Ward's death.

Ward and Jane Auld were the parents of 3 sons and 1 daughter. William Robert, Charles Ward, Margaret Eleanor, Paul Jean.

Robert Piper I and wife Jane H. Piper and all of his descendants herein mentioned on the Robert Piper II family belonged to the Covenanter Church, which was first located where the Oakdale Cemetery is now but was moved into the town of Oakdale.

The of the deceased are buried in the Oakdale Cemetery.

By Mrs. Jane Auld

From1979 WASHINGTON COUNTY ILLINOIS HISTORY

ROBERT married HEMPHILL JANE on 12 Oct 1843 in Swanwick home, N. E. of Swanwick, Illinois. JANE was born in 1811 in Ireland; died on 6 Apr 1887. [Group Sheet]