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James Alfred Wren

James Alfred Wren was born September 27, 1845, in Kentucky, the son of William Thomas Wren and Mary McGunrey (possibly Montgomery).

James' mother died when he was very young and his father married Mrs. Allena Overall Hamilton in 1849, in Spencer County, Indiana.

The 1850 Spencer County census shows five-year-old "Alfa" living in Luce Township with his family. The 1860 Spencer County census shows the family still in Luce Township. James is listed as 18 on the census. James also appears on the 1860 Spencer County census listed with the family of Zachary Johnson, a wealthy farmer in Luce Township. Apparently James worked for Mr. Johnson and was either staying with him some while he was working for him, or was there when the census taker was taking the census and was added to Mr. Johnson's family.

James married Mary Jane Martin on August 21, 1867, in Spencer County. Mary Jane Martin was born December 24, 1848, possibly at Muncie, in Delaware County, Indiana. She was the daughter of John Martin and Elizabeth (last name unknown). Mary Jane's mother married a second time to John Hagens.

The 1870 Spencer County census shows James A., 24, a farmer, born in Kentucky and Mary J., 20, born in Indiana. Living next door is the Henry Burgess family, whose son William married James half-sister, Mary. Living next door to the Burgess family is a Thomas H. Martin, 20, a farmer, born in Indiana and his wife Rhoda M., 27, born in Indiana. We believe Thomas may have been a brother to Mary Jane. Living next door to Thomas Martin is John Hagens and his family. This was Mary Jane's mother and stepfather. The census shows John Hagan, 58, a farmer, born in Kentucky; Elizabeth, 40, born in Indiana; William P., 18, a farm laborer, born in Indiana; Francis M., 8, born in Indiana; and John W., 6, born in Indiana. Elizabeth is John's second wife. Son William is from his first marriage. Sons Francis and John are from his marriage to Elizabeth. Another son, Jefferson, was born in 1870 after the census was taken.

The 1880 Spencer County census, Luce Township, page 165D, shows Alfred Renn, 34, born in Indiana; Mary J., 30, born in Indiana; David W., 6, born in Indiana; Mary E., 2, born in Indiana; and Samuel J., 3 months, born in Indiana.

James and Mary Jane moved to Missouri prior to 1885. Their little son Samuel died either in Spencer County or soon after their move to Missouri.

The 1900 New Madrid County, Missouri census shows the family living at New Madrid Township. The census shows James, 54, born in Kentucky in September 1845, married 33 years, father born in Tennessee; Mary, 51, born in Indiana in December 1848, married 33 years, had given birth to 5 children, 4 children were still living, mother born in Indiana; John, 15, born in Missouri in February 1885; Sarah, born in Missouri in March 1888; and Joseph, 9, born in Missouri in February 1891. Living with the family is Henry Martin, 26, a nephew, born in Indiana in July 1873 and Hannah Martin, 21, a niece, born in Illinois in November 1878.

Prior to 1907, the family moved to Iowa. The 1910 Muscatine County, Iowa census shows the family living in the City of Muscatine. The census shows James, 65, married one time, born in Kentucky, father and mother both born in Kentucky, working as a cutter in a button factory; Mary, 62, married one time, married for 40 years, had given birth to 7 children and 5 were still living, born in Indiana, father and mother both born in Indiana; and Joseph, 19, born in Missouri. Living next door was their son John Cleveland Wren and his wife Emma. Also living next door are Emma's parents and siblings.

James died June 26, 1919, at Muscatine, Iowa. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery at Muscatine. Mary Jane died there on August 4, 1926. She is buried beside James in Greenwood Cemetery.