Greer Family
Photo Album
Newly built Greer home in 1906
These excerpts from the History of Fentress County, Tennessee, published by the Fentress County Historical Society in 1987, were transcribed by Michael Allen in 2000. See notes at the end.
Greer Family
by Diana A. McCarty
Greer Generations
David Greer married Mary Ann Locke in Sevier County Tennessee about 1805. Mary born March 23, 1780 to Thomas and Susanna (Henry) Locke. Thomas and Susanna were married on Dec. 26, 1777 in Botetourt Co. Va. Thomas born May 2, 1750 in St. Albans, Hartfordshire, England. Susanna born Oct. 23, 1758. The daughter of John and Mary Henry. Thomas died Aug. 1, 1826. Susanna died March 1, 1827. David and Mary Ann had six children: Samuel, James C., Thomas Locke, Eliza (married John Tucker), Lucinda (married…Tucker), and Mary Ann (married Philip Beaty).
Samuel Greer born 1812. He lived in Cannon and later in Fentress Co. Tennessee. He was the son of David and Mary Ann (Locke) Greer. Samuel and his first wife Jane Davis had a daughter Polly Ann, she married Isaiah Stephens in 1863. John C. first married a Burks; second wife a Choate. Benjamin F. married Talither Peters. Margaret P., David A.married Malissa Jennings, his first wife; second wife a Dishman. Samuel and his second wife…Gilbreath had two daughters. Jenny Bell married a Scarboro. Carrie also married a Scarboro. Samuel was a well known Minister of the Methodist Church. Chaplin in the 11th Tenn. Calv. Reg. Union Army during the Civil War. He was a large land owner. Samuel is buried at Scarboro Cemetery on Clinch River in Roane County Tennessee.
David A. Greer and Malissa Jennings were married by Rev. A.B. Wright. Malissa is the daughter of Marquis Jennings born 1809 and Ann (Crouch) Jennings born 1813. David and Malissa had eight sons; Benjamin and James (twins), John, Marion, Logan, Jessie, Samuel, and Marquis L. Greer. Five daughters; Mary Jane, Polly Ann, Isabell, Martha, and Emirene. They owned two large farms. David was buried at Upchurch Cemetery near Forbus, Tennessee.
Benjamin Anderson Greer and Martha Paralee Guffey were married on Sunday, May 5,1895 at the officiating officer W.P. Upchurch. Paralee daughter of William and Thursey (Reed) Guffey, granddaughter of James and Emeline (Crockett) Reed. Great granddaughter of Adam and Thursey (Evens) Reed. Benjamin was a School Teacher, County Court Clerk for eight years 1906 to 1914. City Judge for several years. He owned a farm north of Jamestown, Tennessee. They had two sons, Otha Oliver born March 4, 1896. Died March 5, 1984. Elm Ridge Mouseleum, Muncie, Indiana. Welter Edison born June 13, 1898. Died May 13,1984. Buried at Eln Ridge Cemetery. Benjamin born April 18, 1872, died July 3, 1935. Buried at Upchurch Cemetery. Martha born Dec. 9, 1877 and died May 20, 1969. Buried at Upchurch Cemetery near Forbus, Tennessee.
Otha Oliver Greer born March 4, 1896 married Rebecca Victoria Wright born Sept. 17, 1899 on July 11, 1915 in Jamestown, Tennessee by Rev. Clarence Garrett. Otha is the son of Benjamin and Paralee Greer. Victoria is the daughter of Edmund Jasper and Alice Ann Wright. Otha died March 5, 1984. Victoria died August 6, 1985. Entombment was in Elm Ridge Mausoleum. Otha taught school at Fair View in 1912. He also taught at Reeds Creek in 1913 and 1915, and at Double Top in 1916. He carried the mail on horse back during World War I. In the twenties and early thirties he was in the construction business. They moved to Muncie, Indiana on November 20, 1935. He was a machine operator at Warner Gear for 10 years. He worked with his son Russell several years in the plumbing business. Their children are: Arnold born Feb. 24, 1916 died Feb. 25, 1916. Bennie Edmond born April 29, 1917. Cecil May born Feb. 6, 1919 died March 16, 1919. Mona Marie born March 14, 1920. Audrey Rosalee born April 8, 1922. Russell Osborn born Feb. 25, 1924. Celah Colleen born Feb. 15, 1926. Otha Oliver Jr. (Jack) born March 18, 1928 died March 25, 19″10. Billie Eugene born Feb. 17, 1930.
Colleen C. Greer born Feb. 15, 1926 in Jamestown, Tennessee married Edward C. McCarty born Sept. 12, 1927 in Owingsville, Kentucky, on November 23, 1946. Edward was in the Air Force during World War II at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois from Dec. 10, 1945 to Dec. 7, 1948. He has worked at R.C.A. in Marion, Indiana since Feb. of 1957. Ed has been a member of the Matthews Masonic Lodge No. 650 since No. of 1953. Ed and Colleen have two sons and three daughters. They also have six grandchildren.
Ronald Edward McCarty born a.
Dailey Lee McCarty born {redacted on this site}.
Diana Arlene McCarty born {redacted on this site}.
Lana Darlene McCarty born {redacted on this site}.
Sandra Colleen McCarty born {redacted on this site}.
Ronald Edward McCarty and his wife Ratha have a daughter Rachal Lynn born {redacted on this site}. Ronald has a daughter by a previous marriage, Lisa Belinda born {redacted on this site}. Ronnie has worked at R.C.A. in Marion, Indiana since Dec. of 1965. He received the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for Heroism on July 18, 1967 in the Republic of Vietnam. The Bronze Star Medal was given to Ronnie on April 10, 1968, who was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army.
Dailey Lee McCarty married Connie, July 3, 1970. They have a son, Jeremy Lee born {redacted on this site}. Dailey worked at R.C.A. in Marion, Indiana for 9 years, June 4, 1969 to 1978. He was a Military Policeman at Fort Leavenworth Kansas in 1971. He was town Marshal at Matthews, Indian in 1980. He graduated from Eastbrook High School on May 20, 1969. He studied Financing-Banking and Accounting at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
Diana Arlene McCarty, graduated from Eastbrook High School in 1967. Diana works at Westminister Village, a Retirement and Nursing Center in Muncie, Indiana.
Lana,Darlene McCarty married James M. Turney July 12, 1969. They have a son James Michael born {redacted on this site}. Two daughters: Angels Michelle born {redacted on this site}. Paula Ranae born {redacted on this site}.
Sandra Colleen McCarty married Oary Rex Bright on Sept. 18, 1982. Sandy is a 1980 graduate of Eastbrook High School. She also attended Ball State University for two years studying Banking and Finance. Oary attended Marion College. He graduated from Ball Memorial Hospital School of Radiology Technology.
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bp2000/fentress/greer.htm
Mark L. And Victoria Greer
by Mary Jane Cravens
Mark L. Greer was born October 13, 1878. He was the son of David A. and Melissa Jennings Greer. David and Melissa were married by Rev. A.B. Wright. Their children were Ben and James (twins), John, Marion, Logan, Jessie, Sam, and Mark. Their daughters were Mary Jane, Polly Ann, Isobell, Martha, and Emerine.
Victoria’s father was Dudley (Dock) Guffey, born March 27, 1855. He was a farmer and sawmill operates. He married Thursie Reed in 1874. Her brothers and sisters were Andrew, Paralee, Ermine, and Harrison.
Thursie Reed was the daughter of James Reed and Emalene Crockett, who was the sister of David Crockett, and the children of Crouch Crockett. James Reed was killed by Champ Ferguson on August 12, 1858 with a knife.
Mark and Victoria were married in 1901. They had five children: Ernest, Oma, Edward, infant daughter, and Mary Jane. All are deceased except Mary Jane.
Ernest’s children are Charles, Margaret, and Joy, who resides in Muncie, Indiana.
Oma married Bunch Cravens in 1932. Their children are Diane, Ann, June, Ralph, and Sharron.
Mary Jane married Earl Cravens in 1932. Their children are Sue, Marilyn (deceased), Linda, Steve, John, Janie, Ronnie, Sam, and Mark.
M.L. Greer attended A.B. Wright Institute and began teaching in 1900. He was deputy Register under A.A. Peavyhouse and later Register of Fentress County.
M.L. Greer died November 27, 1948. He is buried at the Upchurch Cemetery in Fentress County.
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bp2000/fentress/greer-mark.htm
Otha and Victoria (Wright) Greer
by Ruby Wright
Otha Oliver Greer born March 4, 1896 married Rebecca Victoria Wright born Sept. 17, 1899 on July 11, 1915 in Jamestown, Tennessee at the home of Pierce and Lucinda Conatser about 9 o’clock Saturday morning by Rev. Clarence Gerrett. Witnesses were Pearl Lockhart, Ellen Smith, and Christina Wright. Otha taught school at Fair View in 1912 at the age of 16. He also taught at Reeds Creek in 1913 and 1915. Otha taught at Double Top in 1916. He carried the mail on horse back during World War I. In the twenties and early thirties, Otha was in the construction business.
Otha moved his family to Muncie, Indiana on November 20, 1935. He was a machine operator at Warner Gear from 1935 to 1945. After leaving Warner Gear he worked with his son Russell for several years in the plumbing business.
Rebecca likes to quilt and does some gardening. She is the daughter of Jasper and Alice Wright of Jamestown.
Their children Amold born Feb. 24, 1916 died Feb. 25, 1916. Bennie Edmond born April 29, 1917. Cecil May born Feb. 6, 1919 died March 16, 1919. Mona Marie born March 14, 1920. Audrey Rosalee born April 8, 1922. Russell Osborn born Feb. 25, 1924. Celah Colleen born Feb. 15, 1926. Otha Oliver Jr. (Jack) born March 18, 1928 died March 25, 1970. Billy Eugene born Feb. 17, 1930.
Edmond and Helen (Goldberry) Greer
Edmond, son of Otha O. Green and Victoria Wright Greer
Bennie Edmond Greer born April 29, 1917 married Helen Kay Goldberry born Dec. 19, 1926 on Dec. 15, 1956. They have a son Edmond Keith born Oct. 18, 1957 and a daughter Carolyn Diane born {redacted on this site}. Bennie is a veteran of World War II. He retired in 1975 from the Chevrolet plant in Muncie, Indiana after 34 years. He married Faye Brumett in 1938, they were divorced in 1955. They had no children.
Keith has a son Joshua Keith born {redacted on this site}.
Carolyn and her husband have three sons, Richard Lee born {redacted on this site}, and Michael Lee born {redacted on this site}, a son born {redacted on this site} Jonathan Wayne. Helen died Jan. 20, 1984. Faye born June 1922, married Edmond Nov. 20, 1939 remarried on March 15, 1985.
Mona (Greer) and Wayne Norris
Mona Marie Greer born March 14, 1920 married Gordon Wayne Norris Dec. 9, 1939. Wayne was born July 27, 1912 at Salt Lick, Ky. He served with the U.S. Army in Germany in 1944. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge. Wayne retired from the Ford Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio Feb. 29, 1980. Mona and Wayne have three sons and one daughter.
Gordon Basford Norris born {redacted on this site} is a graduate of Ball State Univ. in Muncie, Ind. He was a pilot in the Air Force for 6 years. He married Martha Catherine Hudgins Feb. 17, 1961. They have a daughter Juke Ann born {redacted on this site}. They also have a son Gordon Bryce born {redacted on this site}, in Texas.
Larry Dewayne Norris born {redacted on this site} is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati. He is an architect. Larry married Barbara Robson. They have two sons, Michael Robson born {redacted on this site} and Brett Mathew born {redacted on this site}. Barbara is a nurse.
Marsha Sue Norris born {redacted on this site} is a graduate of the Bethesda School of Nursing. Marsha is a nurse at the Mercy Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. She married Joseph Winterberger. Joe works at Sears. They have a son Jeffery William born {redacted on this site} and a daughter Cynthia Marie born {redacted on this site}.
Stephen Michael Norris born {redacted on this site}. Steve is a 1972 graduate of the Univ. of Cincinnati. He is a mechanical engineer at the Ford plant in Cincinnati, Ohio. He married Carolyn Louise Zinnecher. Carolyn is a 1969 graduate of Loveland High School, Loveland, Ohio. They have no children.
Mona is the daughter of Otha O. Greer and Victoria Wright Greer.
Audrey (Greer) and Raymond Norris
Audrey Rosalee Greer born April 8, 1922 and Raymond Leonal Norris born Feb. 14, 1920 were married on May 29, 1941. They have four daughters and one son. Ray retired from the Chevrolet plant in Muncie, Ind. in 1982.
Rebecca Jane Norris born {redacted on this site}. Jane has three children: Darren Scott Bertram born {redacted on this site}, Derreck Brent Bertram born {redacted on this site}, and a daughter Dana Michelle born {redacted on this site}.
Sheila Faye born {redacted on this site}. Sheila married Michael Kearnes. They have three children: Erin Lynn born {redacted on this site}, Alison Beth born {redacted on this site}, and Todd Michael born {redacted on this site}.
Sherry Rae born {redacted on this site}. Sherry married David Yates, they have a son David Ray born {redacted on this site} and a daughter Kimberly Denise born {redacted on this site}.
Vicki Lynn born {redacted on this site}. Vicki Lynn married Robert St. John. They have a daughter Tammera Gayle born {redacted on this site} and a son Jason Robert born {redacted on this site}.
Randall Allen Norris born {redacted on this site}. Randy has a son Jeremy Ray Norris born {redacted on this site}.
Russell and Pauline (Conway) Greer
Russell Osborn Greer born Feb. 25, 1924 married Pauline Conway born Dec. 25, 1925. Russell has a plumbing business in Muncie, Ind. They have three sons and three daughters.
Russell Eugene (Gene) Greer born {redacted on this site} married Donna Rodanberger. They have two sons, Gene born in {redacted on this site} and Bill born in {redacted on this site}.
Linda Darlene Greer born {redacted on this site}. She has two children Jackie Sue Pemberton born {redacted on this site} and Tommy Joe Pemberton born {redacted on this site}.
Edmond Dean (Eddie) Greer born {redacted on this site}. He served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam and in Germany in 1967 and 1968.
Janice Greer born {redacted on this site}. Janice and her husband have son Robbie Duane Smily born {redacted on this site}, and a daughter, Paula Sue Smily born {redacted on this site}.
Rick Greer born {redacted on this site}. He and his wife have two sons.
Penny Sue Greer born {redacted on this site} has a son Zackery born in {redacted on this site}.
Bill and Lens (Norris) Greer
Billy Eugene Greer born Feb. 17, 1930 married Lens Norris on March 5, 1948. Lens was born Jan. 2, 1928. Bill worked for the Chevrolet plant in Muncie, Indiana. They have two sons and one daughter.
Daryl Eugene Greer born {redacted on this site}. Daryl was with the U.S. Army in Germanv in 1968. He married Jill Siefert. They have two sons, Shawn Christopher Greer born {redacted on this site} and Brent Jevon Greer born {redacted on this site}.
Brenda Greer born {redacted on this site}. Brenda married Jerry Tremaine. They have a son Anthony Ryan born {redacted on this site}.
Tim born {redacted on this site}. Tim and his wife have a daughter Sarah Elizabeth Greer born {redacted on this site}.
Bill, son of Ortha O. Greer and Victoria (Wright) Greer.
Jack and Betty (Marlow) Greer
Otha Oliver Greer Jr. (Jack) born March 18, 1928 and died March 25, 1970. Services were at 11 A.M. on Saturday March 28 at the Parson Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Paul N. Vail officiating. Entombment was in Elm Ridge Mausoleum, Muncie, Ind. Jack was a Navy Veteran of World War II. He owned and operated the 0.0. Greer Plumbing Co. Betty and Jack have a daughter Debra Sue born {redacted on this site}.
Debra Sue Greer married Joe Birner. They have three children, Misty Dawn born in {redacted on this site}. Melissa Jo born in {redacted on this site} and Matthew (Matt) born in {redacted on this site}.
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bp2000/fentress/greer-otha2.htm
Matthew and Elizabeth (Beaty) Reynolds
by Jewelene Hinds
Matthew A. Reynolds was born May 6, 1874 in Virginia. He was the son of James Thomas Reynolds (4/20/1841-10/12/1900) and Susan Johnson Reynolds (8/8/1851 – 12/23/1943). The family moved from Virginia to the Little Crab section of Fentress County, Tennessee between 1876 and 1878. Matt’s brothers and sisters were; Andrew Jackson, Mary, Emily, Charlie, Emmett (who died young), Martha, Isabelle, Lillie, James, Roena, and Alvis.
Matt married Elizabeth “Bets” Beaty, born February 4, 1874. She was the daughter of Hiram Cyrus Beaty (4/5/1849-11/9/1915) and Catherine Beaty Beaty (3/8/1845-8/13/1916). Elizabeth’s brothers and sisters were; Mary Jane, Matilda Clementine, William Thomas, David Carter, Nancy Ann, Martha Ellen, John Andrew (Crippled John), Hiram Cyrus Jr., Benton McMillan, and Emaline, who died as an infant.
Matt and Elizabeth were the parents of eight children; Ina, Marson, Cordell, Zina, Walter, Lando, Merthie, and Golda.
Ina was born April 12, 1895. She married Jim Lee and they were the parents of three children; Harold, Pauline and Georgia. Ina died December 5, 1984 and is buried in Fentress Memory Gardens. Jim resides in the Fentress County Nursing Home.
Marson, born in October, 1896, married Ella Mae Buck. They are the parents of Wayne, Guy, Goy, Charlene, Nancy and Jonell. Marson and Ella both reside in the Fentress County Nursing Home.
Cordell was born March 8, 1898. He married Ruie Holden and they are the parents of Shelly, Truman Roosevelt, Jewel, Lois, Grace, and Mary. Cordell died May 3, 1975.
Zina, born October 28, 1902, married Haskell Ledbetter. Their children are Bessie and Charles. Zina died November 8, 1974.
Walter was born April 12, 1907 and died November 13, 1959. He did not marry.
Lando was born August 2, 1908 and married Ova Pearl Stephens. They are the parents of Harold, Ella Mae, Jim, and Ella’s twin sister, Betty Ray, who died as an infant.
Merthie was born June 8, 1912. She married Manson King and they have no children.
Golda was born June 4, 1915. She married Dr. Claude Bertram and they were the parents of two sons, Luke and George Edward. Golda later married Harlan Kettle and had one daughter Lindley. Golda died September 14, 1971.
Matthew died March 14, 1946. Elizabeth died February 25, 1964. They are buried in the Reynolds Cemetery, Little Crab, Tn.
Information for this history was obtained with the help of Ella Mae Reynolds Ledbetter
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bp2000/fentress/reynolds-matthew.htm
Transcriber’s note: Most, but not all, [transcribed] excerpts relate to Beaty families. Don’t forget the first rule of genealogy — everything should be backed by primary documentation — This book was written by the Fentress Co. Historical Society. It’s mainly a collection of personal histories told from memory and family tradition with little documentation, and should be taken as such.
TNGenWeb Coordinator’s note: Curtis Media Corp. gave permission to post this material originally, and it was uploaded in a free account at Rootsweb. We do not intend copyright infringement on anyone. However, Rootsweb has experienced viability issues in the past. We want to make sure the information is retained and available for Fentress County researchers.