Sunday, April 6, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #33:
10 May 1988

by Rocky Macy

The old Rootbound mailbag was heavier than usual this week - in spite of those new twenty-five cent stamps! Letters continue to come from all parts of the country. Let's begin this week with some of the local genealogical news:

Congratulations to the good folks at the Joplin Genealogical Society (P.O. Box 152, Joplin, MO 64802). Their new president, Dwayne CRANDALL, has sent word that the group won the Southwestern Bell Volunteer Award for this year. They were nominated by Mrs. Joan BANKS, Library director of the Joplin Public Library.

Mr. CRANDALL has submitted the following query to Rootbound:
"My maternal great-grandfather, George W. CRAIN, was born ca. 1855 in MO. His parents, names unknown, were born in TN. George married Caroline SMALLWOOD who was born ca. 1860. Caroline's father was born in NC and her mother was a native of TN. George and Caroline lived in Douglas County, MO, in 1880. Caroline was listed as a widow on land records dated 10 Aug 1891. She possibly remairred to a preacher."

Please contact Dwayne CRANDALL at the Joplin Genealogical Society if you are able to assist him in his research.

Many westerners seem to be strongly rooted in the Ozarks. A case in point is Mrs. Jean HARR (1600 South Baldwin Ave., #26, Arcadia, CA 91006). She wrote seeking information on the descendants of James W. TUNNELL (with daughters Celia and Ella), and James' sister, Martha TUNNELL BENEDICT (with daughters Iva and Nellie). All were married and believed to be living in McDonald County, MO, ca. 1910. Mrs. HARR is also researching William and Octavia CHADDOCK who lived in Benton County, AR, in 1900, and William David TUNNELL who was a resident of Indian Territory (OK) in 1905. William David TUNNELL's children included Sophronia, Charles, Fenton, and possibly others.

Additional surnames that Mrs. HARR is tracking include: BLAIR, BOGAN, BULLARD, CASEY, CROWLEY, FULKERSON, HOUSTON, HUTCHINGS, LINVILLE, LIVINGSTON, MAYO, McCLAIN, MONETT, MONEY, PERKINS, RHEA, ROREX, STEPHENSON, UTT, and WARE. Please contact her at the above address if you have information to share.

Ellis R. BROCKMAN (505 Kane, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858) had this to say:
"Dear Mr. Macy,

"The following information concerns that family I am interested in, and I hope that you will be able to publish a query for me in your column.

"Dennis and Sarah CALLAHAN came to Arkansas about 1835. They first settled in Washington County and later moved to Benton County. They have been located in the 1850 census in Sugar Creek Township. They had three children that I know of: George Jewell, Mary H. who married Frederick SIMS (this family also lived in Benton County), and Elizabeth D. Who married J.D. PEER (this family lived, I believe, in Fayetteville, AR).

"I am interested in corresponding with anyone who is also researching the above CALLAHAN, SIMS, or PEER families. Thank you for your help."

Who out there can give our Michigan friend a boost with his Ozarks research?

Janet K. PEASE (10310 West 62nd Place, Apt. 202, Arvada, CO 80004) is trying to locate the burial site of her g-grandfather, Alva OWEN, who was originally from Schuyler County, IL. Mr. OWEN died on 21 Nov 1883 near Maysville, Baxter County, AR, at the home of his son, Samuel. Samuel OWEN was listed in the 1880 census as living in Batie Township, Benton County, AR.

Ms. PEASE is also seeking information on Francis H. POINTS and his sister, Iva Myrtle POINTS. Her letter contained an error on either the birth or death date of Francis, so I have deleted that information. Iva died on 28 Dec 1890 at age 22 years and six days. Both are buried in the Rocky Comfort Cemetery in McDonald County, MO. They were the children of John B. POINTS who married Salina C. McKINLEY in 1865 Schuyler County, IL. John B. POINTS died in Schuyler County in 1870, and Salina then married James H. KELLY in 1881 in Barry County, MO. Salina is also buried in the Rocky Comfort Cemetery. Her date of birth was 18 May 1842, and she died on 24 June 1914. Ms. PEASE would appreciate any assistance that our readers can offer.

Until next week...happy trails!

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