Rootbound in the Hills #45: 2 Aug 1988

by Rocky Macy

The following is a letter that I received from Patsy BURNS (123 N.W. 22nd St., Oklahoma City, OK 73103) who had this to say:

"I hope someone can give me some information on my great-grandfather, John Henry ROBISON (ROBINSON / ROBERTSON). He was born in Illinois just across the river from St. Louis, MO. His daughter, Sara Jane, was born on 1 May 1860 in Noel, MO. John Henry and his wife, Mary WOMACK, also were parents of James I. ROBISON.

"The family went back to Illinois during the Civil War and returned to Noel after the war was over. His wife died, and John Henry ROBISON then married Rhoda BELCHER who produced Mary Frances (she spelled her last name ROBERTSON on her marriage certificate), Tom, and Margaret Delila (she spelled her last name ROBINSON). Margaret Delila married Freeman FIELDS.

"After Rhoda BELCHER died, John Henry married a third time and moved to Arkansas. He had a brother named Rise who lived in the Boston Mountains of Arkansas.

"I hope someone can give give me information on John Henry ROBISON and / or Rhoda BELCHER. I will be glad to refund any stamps used in writing to me. Thank you very much."

Also from the Sooner State, Mrs. Alceon JONES (1825 Willard Dr., Altus, OK 73521) has an old photo that was made by A.W. CADMAN of Rogers, AR. She would like to know the time period that Mr. CADMAN was in business.

Mrs. JONES wishes to learn more about her great-grandfather, Francis Meron SMITH. Mr. SMITH is believed to have been born on 8 April 1851 and died on 16 Jan 1911. He married Eliza Ellen HIGGINS sometime between 1870-75. Eliza was residing in her father's household in Perry County, AR, when the 1870 census was taken.

Mary Flo EDMISTON (Box 116, Gravette, AR 72736) is searching for information on Henry ELLIS and his wife, Maude. Henry was an uncle to Clyde EDMISTON. Mary Flo EDMISTON thought that Henry and Maude might be buried in the Noel Cemetery, but I have checked cemetery records for all of McDonald County and have not located the couple. Can any of our Rootbound readers shed some light on this one?

Hazel J. SOUTHALL HAYES (Box 77, Blair, OK 73526) is trying to locate the grave of her husband's uncle, Frank E. HAYES. Mr. HAYES was born on 3 Mar 1889 at Elk, KS, and married Ruby A. CRUMPTON on 6 April 1918. He died on 13 Aug 1960 at Stella, MO, at the age of 61 years, 5 months, and 10 days. His obituary states that funeral services were held Friday at the Methodist Church in Southwest City with the Rev. Henry WALLACE in charge. Mrs. HAYES and her husband visited Southwest City last year but were unable to locate the grave of Frank E. HAYES. He is not listed in the McDonald County cemetery records that I have. Do any of our readers know where Frank E. HAYES is buried?

Mrs. HAYES also mentioned that she is researching the following Ozark surnames: ALLEN, BERRY, BROWN, FRENCH, HIGHFILL, JOHNSON, SALSMAN, and TAYLOR.

Special thanks to Mrs. E.L. ITTNER of Noel for sending a recipe for horehound candy. My cousin (first cousin, once removed), Mary SREAVES CLOTFELTER, mentioned that she would like to have her grandmother's recipe for that candy. It won't be exactly the same as our grandmother's, but I'll bet Mrs. ITTNER's recipe still stirs some warm family memories.

Happy trails!