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Volume 40, Issue 12 Sandra J Stacey, Editor December 2017

THE CORNSHELLER Newsletter of the Montgomery County

Historical Society

Officers:

President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mary Nell Wooten

Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brenda Harper

Recording Secretary . . . . . . . . . . Gail Longton Correspondence Secretary . . . . . .Opal Kennedy Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Harris

Historical: County Historian . . . . . . . . . . . . .Eleanor Williams County Archivist . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jill Hastings Johnson County Genealogist . . . . . . . . . . .Gail Longton Members at Large: Molly Cook David Kanervo

Ken Grambihler

***All programs meet on the 3rd Monday of each month at

7:00 p.m. Unless otherwise stated. All regular meetings will be held at the Civic Center located in the Veterans’ Plaza

2017 HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAMS

Dec 18 – Christmas Dinner & Awards Location: Civic Hall Cost: $25.00

Tickets to the dinner can still be purchased at: First Advantage Bank at Madison & Golf Club Lane. Call Jeff Harris 931-220-2627

2018 OFFICERS

Officers:

President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mary Nell Wooten

Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brenda Harper

Recording Secretary . . . . . . . . . . Carolyn Ferrell

Correspondence Secretary . . . . . .Carolyn Vann Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Harris Historical: County Historian . . . . . . . . . . . . .Eleanor Williams County Archivist . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jill Hastings Johnson County Genealogist . . . . . . . . . . .Gail Longton Members at Large: David Kanervo

Ken Grambihler

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Washington Warren Oliver Family

Washington Warren Oliver was born on 4 Aug 1824 in Caldwell CO KY, died on 17 Nov. 1892 in Montgomery CO TN at age 68, and was buried in Hays/Hayes Cemetery, Indian Mound, Stewart CO TN. Washington married Hannah Oliver, daughter of William Oliver and Charlotte Wynn, on 2 Jan. 1847 in Caldwell CO. Hannah was born on 27 Mar. 1827 in Caldwell CO and died on 27 May 1862 in Trigg CO KY at age 35. They had children: William Harrison, Mary G., Asberry McKinney "Berry', Eliza Jane, Cordelia Cordely, George W., Robert A., Hezekiah Milton, and Alfred Dyer. *Son William Harrison Oliver was born on 20 Oct. 1847 in Caldwell CO , died on 3 Apr. 1929 in Sango, Montgomery CO TN at age 81, and was buried in Hays/Hayes Cemetery, Indian Mound, Stewart CO TN. His obituary was published. The Montgomery County Obituaries Vol 8 1927-1930 William H. Oliver Born Oct. 30 1847. Died at 81 years, 5 months and 3 days. He died in Sango community TN on April 3 1929. He was the son of Mr and Mrs W W Oliver of Christian County KY. He married Susan Litchfield in June 1868 who survives. He leaves surviving children - Porter L., Alfred R., Rev J H, Mrs Homer (Hannah) Rittenberry, Mrs Vester Sanders and Mrs Verlie Heflin. He is survived by a half brother Alfred. Burial was in Indian Mound in Hayes Cemetery. Tarpley Funeral Records (Clarksville TN) has the total cost of his funeral $117.50 which included his casket, burial robe and hearse. His physician at time of death was J. H. Frey. The clergyman was Rev A W Clinard. Most of the fees were paid by his son, Rev James Oliver, but Alfred Oliver also paid on

the expenses. The first payment was made Nov. 23 1929 and the last payment on February 18 1931. William married Mary Susan Litchfield on 7 Jun. 1868 in Stewart CO. Mary was born on 13 Jul. 1848 in Trigg CO KY and died on 21 Nov 1931 in Sango, Montgom-ery CO TN at age 83. They had children: Henry M., Hanah Elizabeth, Asbury Milton "Red," William War-ren, Elizabeth Jane "Eliza," Porter Lee, James Harri-son, Alfred Randolph, Florence, Vester Viola, and Verlie Mae.

+Henry M. Oliver son of William Harrison and Mary Susan Litchfield Oliver was born on 10 May 1869 in Trigg CO KY and died in 1873 in Trigg CO at age 4. +Hanah Elizabeth Oliver daughter of William Harrison and Mary Susan Litchfield Oliver was born on 12 Apr 1871 in Lyon CO KY, died on 8 Dec 1944 in Montgomery CO TN at age 73, and was buried in Smith Austin Wal-lace Cemetery, Stewart CO TN. Hanah married Ransom L. Rittenberry. Ran-som was born on 7 Sep 1858 in Smith CO TN, died on 10 Mar. 1931 in Indian Mound, Stewart CO TN at age 72, and was buried in Smith Austin Wallace Cemetery, Stewart CO TN. They had children: Joel Lee, George Randolph, Sam William, Maggie, Allie P., and Charlie C. =Joel Lee Rittenberry son of Hanah Elizabeth Oliver and Ransom L. Ritten-berry was born on 2 Sep. 1888 in Port Royal, Montgomery CO TN, died in 1918 at age 30, and was buried in Smith Austin Wallace Cemetery, Stewart CO TN. Joel married Cordelia J. "Delia" Johnson. Delia was born on 23 Nov. 1895, died on 11 Jan. 1966 at age 70, and was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Indian Mound, Stewart CO TN. =George Randolph Rittenberry son of Hanah Elizabeth Oliver and Ransom L. Rittenberry was born on 1 Oct. 1890 in Stewart CO TN, died on 17 Jul. 1967 in Montgomery CO TN at age 76, and was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Indian Mound, Stewart CO TN.

(Continued on page 3)

NOVEMBER MEETING Unfortunately I was unable to attend last month’s meeting, but thanks to our Vice-president Brenda Harper I do have some pictures. The title of the program was “How I found my father” The incredi-ble story of the recovery of Rex Cummings' father Robert Roy Cum-mings after being reported missing in action in the Korean War.

According to Jill Hastings Johnson it was a wonderful moving pro-gram. Rex told how North Korea sent a group of bodies back to the USA in the early 90’s. The parts were all mixed up so DNA was used to identify the individual parts. Rex did not know his father had been identified until 2016, and by then his father had been gone 66 years.

Rex has a brother and sister, but because of the cold weather they couldn’t bury their father until March, because the ground was too frozen.

Robert Roy Cummings met his wife while he was in service and sta-tioned at Camp Campbell. She was expecting when he was reported missing. She never gave up hope that he would be found someday.

Man on right is Rex, left is 1st Sergeant Ret. Travis Brandon who was his casualty officer.

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DECEMBER 2017 VOLUME 40, ISSUE 12

+Porter Lee Oliver son of William Harrison and Mary Susan Litchfield Oliver was born on 17 Mar. 1880 in Lyon CO KY, died on 26 Jul 1957 in Chapmansboro, Cheatham CO TN at age 77, and was buried in Smith Austin Wallace Cemetery, Stewart CO TN. Porter married Sarah Lela E. Heflin. Sarah was born in 1888 in Stewart CO TN, died in May 1963 in Chapmans-boro at age 75, and was also buried in Smith Austin Wallace Cemetery. They had daughter Mabel Heflin. She was born in 1909 and was buried in Rest-haven Memorial Gardens, Plot: Everlasting Life, Clarksville, TN. Mabel married Robert R. Rittenberry on 17 Mar 1934 in Big Rock. Robert was born on 12 Feb. 1906, died on 1 Aug. 1990 at age 84, and was buried in Rest-haven Memorial Gardens, Clarksville, TN.

+Rev. James Harrison Oliver son of William Harrison and Mary Susan Litchfield Oliver was born on 6 Apr. 1882 (TN death cert. # 12050 has Jun. 4 1882 as birth date. Draft record and headstone has Apr. date) in Cadiz, Trigg CO KY, died on 8 Jun 1939 in Nashville, Davidson CO TN at age 57, and was buried in Hays/Hayes Ceme-tery, Indian Mound, Stewart CO TN. James married Frances L. Hembree. Frances was born on 23 Oct. 1884, died on 14 May 1960 at age 75, and was also buried in Hays/Hayes Cemetery. They had son William Henry

Son Rev. William Henry Oliver was born on 4 Nov. 1903 in Indian Mound, Stewart CO TN, died on 15 May 1991 in Nashville, Davidson CO TN at age 87, and was buried in Forest Lawn Me-morial Gardens, Goodlettsville, Davidson CO TN. His obituary was published. Rev. Dr. William Henry Oliver, a Free Will Baptist minister for 68 years, died May 15, 1991, in Nashville. Hundreds attend-ed his funeral May 18 at East High School where he served 18 years as prin-cipal (1939-1957). Rev. Oliver once said in an interview that he had three goals in mind when he started college---to be-come a preacher, a teacher and a writer. He eventually accomplished all three. "I felt the Lord wanted me to be a preacher. I had to be a teacher, and I wanted to be a writer," he said. Mr. Oliver began teaching in Nashville city schools in 1930 at Hume Fogg HS. He taught alge-bra and English and coached the school's boxing and baseball teams, leading the baseball players to a city championship. He received his bachelor's de-gree from Vanderbilt University in 1926, and later received master's degrees in arts and education at George Peabody College. In 1957, the Nashville Board of education elected Mr. Oliver as city school superintendent. He retired in 1963 after the city and county government merged. He taught at Belmont College for the next seven years and then took a similar position at Free Will Baptist Bible College (1970-1977). In an article in "The Tennessean" newspaper editorial commented that ...Mr Oliver had a gentle and caring way with young people. He did not simply educate, he inspired. Mr. Oliver was ordained a minister in the Free Will Baptist Church in 1924. He later founded and became the first pastor of East Nashville Free Will Baptist Church. He wrote literature and poetry including one well-received poem entitled, "At Twilight." In 1987, Mr. Oliver was awarded an honorary Doctor of Literary Letters from Cumberland Universi-ty. He was also a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity, Civita, of the Red Cross board, a past president of the East Nashville YMCA, and a past mem-ber of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Oliver planned his own funeral, specifically requesting the service "not be excessively long." His pastor, Rev. Fred Hall, and Drs. L.C. Johnson and Charles Thigpen who officiated, honored his request; the service lasted less than an hour. He married Pauline McCall, 22 May 1928; she predeceased him in 1977; survivors include a brother, James Herschel Oliver, Springfield; a foster brother, Leonard L. Hembree, Dickson; two sisters, Myrtle Stanley, Clarksville and Pearl Miller, Nashville. --taken from "Contact Magazine" pub. by Nat'l Ass'n of Free Will Baptists, Nashville, TN.

(Continued on page 5)

(Washington Warren Oliver Family Cont. from p2.)

=Sam William Rittenberry son of Hanah Elizabeth Oliver and Ransom L. Rittenberry was born on 2 Jun. 1894 in Clarksville, Montgomery CO TN, died on 17 Feb. 1974 in TN at age 79, and was buried in Blooming Grove Baptist Cemetery, Montgomery CO TN. Sam married Ora Oliver. Ora was born on 16 Dec. 1893, died on 23 Oct. 1918 at age 24, and was also buried in Blooming Grove Baptist Cemetery. Sam next married Bertha Hembree. Bertha was born in 1902 in Stewart CO TN. =Maggie Rittenberry daughter of Hanah Elizabeth Oliver and Ransom L. Rittenberry was born on 19 Dec. 1896, died on 9 Jan. 1978 at age 81, and was buried in Smith Austin Wallace Cemetery, Stewart CO TN. Maggie married Jefferson "Jeffie" Harp Sr. Jeffie was born on 30 Dec. 1891 in Montgomery CO TN, died on 5 Jan. 1967 in Stewart CO TN at age 75, and was also buried in Smith Austin Wallace Cemetery. =Allie P. Rittenberry daughter of Hanah Elizabeth Oliver and Ransom L. Rittenberry was born on 15 Jun. 1899, died on 21 Jun. 1993 at age 94, and was buried in Smith Austin Wallace Cemetery, Stewart CO TN. Allie mar-ried David Hembree. David was born on 7 Nov. 1895 in TN, died on 26 Feb. 1922 in Indian Mound, Stewart CO TN at age 26, and was also buried in Smith Austin Wallace Cemetery. Allie next married James Lester Weath-erford. James was born on 8 Nov. 1904 in Trigg CO KY, died in 1972 in Clarksville, Montgomery CO TN at age 68, and was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Indian Mound, Stewart CO TN. =Charlie C. Rittenberry son of Hanah Elizabeth Oliver and Ransom L. Rittenberry was born on 6 Sep. 1909, died on 2 Jul. 1983 at age 73, and was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Indian Mound, Stewart CO TN. Charlie mar-ried Frances E. Frances was born on 30 Mar. 1916, died on 28 Jun. 1999 at age 83, and was also buried in Fairview Cemetery. +Asbury Milton "Red" Oliver son of William Harrison and Mary Susan Litchfield Oliver was born on 5 Apr 1873 in Cadiz, Trigg CO KY and died on 23 Oct. 1918 in Cumberland City, Stewart CO TN at age 45 +William Warren Oliver son of William Harrison and Mary Susan Litch-field Oliver was born on 19 Jul. 1875 in Lyon CO KY OR Trigg CO KY. William married Sarah Elizabeth Stewart on 29 Dec. 1895 in Montgomery CO TN. Sarah was born on 8 Oct. 1873 in Montgomery CO TN and died in Jun. 1909 in Cumberland City, Stewart CO TN at age 35. They had daughter: Susan Elmyra. She was born on 1 Nov. 1896 in TN and died on 25 Dec. 1986 in Montgomery CO TN at age 90. Susan married William Franklin Dailey on 23 May 1916 in Montgomery CO TN. William was born on 28 Feb. 1897 in Montgomery CO TN and died on 6 Nov. 1981 in Clarksville, TN at age 84. William Warren next married Minnie F. Oliver, daughter of Asberry McKinney "Berry' Oliver and Mary Ann Litchfield, on 20 Apr 1912 in Stewart CO TN. Minnie was born on 10 May 1875 in Lyon CO KY, died on 15 Feb. 1919 in Corbandale, Montgomery CO TN at age 43, and was buried in Blooming Grove Baptist Cemetery, Montgomery CO TN. +Elizabeth Jane "Eliza" Oliver daughter of William Harrison and Mary Susan Litchfield Oliver was born on 30 Sep. 1877 in Cumberland City, Stewart CO TN, died on 1 Jan. 1925 in TN at age 47, and was buried in Olivet Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery, Clarksville, Montgomery CO TN. Eliza married James T. Dailey. James was born on 13 Dec. 1873, died on 22 Mar. 1943 at age 69, and was also buried in Olivet Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery.

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WINDOW INTO THE PAST Sandra J Stacey

What Would you find if you looked in the “WindoW into the past” in december The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) 30 Dec. 1865, Sat. Page 1 Disturbance at Clarksville, Tenn. CLARKSVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 28. —A row occurred here on Christmas day between some drunken negro soldiers and citizens, when a policeman interfered and struck a negro soldier with his club. This the negro resented, using his bayonet. A crowd now gathered, when Mick Carnley, formerly a notorious guerilla, drew a revolver and fired two shots at the soldiers, who thereupon fired into the crowd. Two white men were seriously wounded and one soldier slightly. Major Bond, agent of the freedmen's bureau, promptly quelled the disturbance by sending the soldiers to the fort, but they soon returned to the town again in large force, and the affair threat-ened to be more serious, but as Carnley had escaped out of the town, the excitement quieted down, and all has been quiet since. No fears are enter-tained of any farther difficulty.

Hopkinsville Kentuckian (Hopkinsville, KY) 13 Dec. 1895, Fri. Page 8 Three Loads of Presents. Dr. T. S. McCall was gladdened yesterday by the receipt of three wagon loads of provisions and supplies from the members of his church at Ringgold, Tenn. The donations included barrels of flour, meal, apples, turkeys, corn, etc.

The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky) • 26 Dec 1889, Thu Page 1 DISORDERLY NEGROES SHOT. Clarksville, Tenn., Officers Forced to Use Their Pistols on a Tough Gang. Clarksville. Tenn., Dec. 25. —(Special.) —This evening while Policeman Morrison had a negro under arrest for disturbing the peace, a crowd of colored roughs interfered. Chief Stafford was summoned to assist and while perform-ing his duty. the crowd endeavored to rescue the prisoner, and one of them, Joe Feelman, colored. struck Stafford on the head with a stick. Stafford and Morrison as one shot at the fleeing negro, and the crowd dispersed. Wesley Merriwether and Bob McCutchen were both shot by stray balls the former was hit in the back below the kidneys. The wound will probably result fatally. The latter was hit in the head, the ball entering the skin on the forehead and glancing over the skull. He is now walking around, laughing at his escape. Everything is quiet. Hopkinsville Kentuckian (Hopkinsville, KY 24 Dec. 1895, Tue. P. 1 Made Short Work of Him. CLARKSVILLE, TENN., Dec. 21. —William Fisher, bridge watchman for the Louisville and Nashville railroad shot and killed Claud Taylor, colored, last night. Taylor entered Mrs. Fisher's room while her husband was absent and declared he would stay all night. Mrs. Fisher ran from the house scream-ing. Word was sent to her husband. He came home, found Taylor there and shot him. Fisher was presented in the court this morning and acquitted. The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee) 31 Dec. 1902, Wed. Page 6 NEWSPAPER CHANGE Clarksville Times-Journal Has New Management. Clarksville, Tenn., Dec. 30. — (Special.)—A change in the ownership and management of the Clarksville Times-Journal was announced to-day. The paper. was the: property of Austin Peay, candidate for Speaker of the House. For nearly two years past A. J. Casey has been its business manager. The lat-ter will be succeeded by Charles McManus, formerly foreman of the mechani-cal department. The new owners will be Harvey Whitfield and Charles McManus, these two having been elected by the board. of directors President and Secretary respectively. Mr. Whitfield has conducted the Tennessee Odd Fellow for the past year. He was not prepared to-day to make any statement as to the future plans and policy of the paper. The Times-Journal is conducted as a daily and a weekly paper. The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee) - 03 Dec. 1904, Sat. Page 6 CLARKSVILLE HAS CURFEW LAW. CLARKSVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 2. —Special.)—The City Council Thursday night passed a curfew law which prohibits children under 16 years of age from being on the streets after 9 p. m. in summer and 8 p. m. in winter unless ac-companied by either parent or guardian The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee) 23 Dec. 1923, Sun. - Page 5 Trillion Marks Required to Bring Registered Letter (Special to The Tennessean.) Clarksville, Tenn., Dec. 22.-The most striking illustration of the worthlessness of the German mark at present exchange rates was given here Friday, when a local tobacconist exhibited a registered letter from a Bremen firm which bore 1,050,000,000,000 marks in postage, now equivalent to 18 cents. Figuring the German mark at its pre-war value of approximately 24 ¼ cents each, the post-age and registration fee on the letter in question represented 262,500.000,000 in American money. The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee) 23 Dec. 1923. Sun. Page 5 Two Injured When Struck by Automobile (Special to The Tennessean.) Clarksville, Tenn., Dec. 22. —Two men, Will Corley and Melvin Beacham, painters, were In the Clarksville hospital Friday suffering from injuries re-ceived Thursday night when the buggy in which they were driving out of Fifth street into Franklin street was struck by the roadster driven by Lewis Corder, commercial sign painter. Beacham was reported to be suffering from an injury to a rib and exterior bruises and lacerations, while Corley’s injuries were said to be less serious.

"WindoW into the past” is closed.

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MEMBERSHIP Editor Sandra J. Stacey

sandra.stacey@charter.net Anthony Stabile who has done a great job at the train station, has resigned. His Last day is November 28th. Anthony has moved on to a better position. He is going to work full time at the museum in Louis-ville, KY. Anyone interested in the position should contact Mary Nell Wooten, President of MCHS at 931- 647-8904 .

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

MERRY CHRISTMAS

(Washington Warren Oliver Family Cont. from p3.)

+Alfred Randolph Oliver son of William Har-rison and Mary Susan Litchfield Oliver was born on 26 Sep. 1884, died on 24 Apr. 1974 at

age 89, and was buried in Blooming Grove Baptist Ceme-tery, Montgomery CO TN. Alfred mar-ried Effie Marshale Sanders on 18 Feb. 1906. Effie was born on 30 Aug. 1889, died on 26 Oct. 1910 at age 21, and was also buried in Blooming Grove Baptist Cemetery. They had son: Alfred Euphrates. He was born on 30 Nov. 1906 in Stewart CO TN, died on 9

Feb. 1950 in Clarksville, TN at age 43, and was buried in Greenwood Cem-etery, Clarksville, TN. +Florence Oliver daughter of William Harrison and Mary Susan Litchfield Oliver was born on 28 Sep. 1886 in Stewart CO TN and died on 19 Feb. 1898 in Stewart CO at age 11. +Vester Viola Oliver daughter of William Harrison and Mary Susan Litch-field Oliver was born on 26 May 1888 in Stewart CO TN, died 12 Jan. 1963 in Clarksville, TN at age 75, and was buried in Dotsonville Baptist Church Cemetery, Montgomery CO TN. Vester married Isaac Bailey "Ike" Sand-ers. Ike was born on 15 May 1882 in TN, died on 30 Jul. 1959 in TN at age 77, and was also buried in Dotsonville Baptist Church Cemetery. They had son Johnie Clifton. He was born on 5 Mar. 1906 in Stewart CO, died on 22 Oct. 1984 in Dover, Stewart CO TN at age 78, and was also buried in Dot-sonville Baptist Church Cemetery. +Verlie Mae Oliver daughter of William Harrison and Mary Susan Litch-field Oliver was born on 4 Jul. 1893 in Stewart CO TN and died on 15 Oct 1966 in Clarksville, TN at age 73.

*Mary G. Oliver daughter of Washington War-ren and Hannah Oliver was born on 15 Nov. 1849 in Caldwell CO KY and died in Mar. 1880 in Caldwell CO at age 30. Mary married Wil-liam D. "John" Rogers on 2 Sep. 1880 in Cald-well CO. John was born on 25 Aug. 1850 in KY and died on 14 Mar. 1943 in KY at age 92. They had children: Codie, Henry Cinderella, Mary C., and Emma. *Asberry McKinney "Berry' Oliver son of

Washington Warren and Hannah Oliver was born on 26 Dec. 1851 in Lyon CO KY, died on 12 Dec. 1908 in Rockcastle, Trigg CO KY at age 56, and was buried in Oliver Cemetery #1, Trigg CO KY. Asberry married Mary Ann Litchfield in 1873 in Lyon CO. Mary was born on 1 Jun 1854 in Trigg CO, died on 30 Mar 1904 in Trigg CO at age 49, and was also buried in Oliver Cemetery #1. They had children: Susan A. "Susie," Minnie F., Bob W., Sam Walter, Lula, Curtis, and Clar-

ence Lee.

To be continued in the January 2018 edition

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Montgomery County Historical Society

P.O. Box 262

Clarksville, TN 37041-0262

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