Monday, April 28, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #67:
3 Jan 1989

by Rocky Macy

A few weeks ago we published a query from Mrs. W.H. RODGERS (716 East Main, Glasgow, KY 42141) who was striving to learn more about John and Quintilla GRIGGS, residents of the Rocky Comfort or Stella area at one time. A lady from Purdy who had been married to John and Quintilla's grandson saw the item and wrote to Mrs. RODGERS. The wonderful "thank you" that I received from Glasogw, KY, this week was better than a paycheck!

And in regard to that type of mail, here's what Ann LANDERS wrote to a reader in her column of 27 Nov 1988:
"One of the most rewarding aspects of writing this column is providing the thread of humanity that binds us one to the other. I never know, when I print a letter, how many lives I will touch. When I receive feedback such as the letter you wrote, it gives me a feeling of enormous satisfaction."

Ann's words...my sentiments!

Martin STAUBER, on of Noel's finest citizens, telephoned a reply to our query about the SHIRA family. Mr. STAUBER reports that Charlie SHIRA was a mail carrier in Noel prior to 1918. He also mentioned "Aunt Cin" SHIRA who was a nurse living on Main Street in Noel. She administered smallpox shots and often acted in the capacity of a doctor. (The Noel Centennial Book states that Aunt Cin was Mary Lucinda, a sister to Charlie SHIRA.)

Thank you, Martin STAUBER, for sharing your memories - and for reading Rootbound!

Judy SEXSON POUND (1537 S. 69th E. Ave., Tulsa, OK 74112) is searching for information on her g-g-grandfather, Benjamin R. DILL, who was born in Tennessee in 1827. He married his second wife (Judy's g-g-grandmother), Elizabeth LONDAGIN, on 16 Apr 1876 in Pineville, MO. The couple were residing in Benton County, AR, in 1880, and they raised their family in the vicinity of Decatur, AR. Benjamin is buried at the Falling Springs Cemetery, in Decatur.

Judy is especially interested in learning more about Benjamin DILL prior to his marriage to Elizabeth. Are their descendants still in this area?

Pauline S. PACE (105 N Hickory Lane, Oak Ridge, TN 37830) would like help in locating the burial place of Florence SHARP. She was born in 1875, and married Thomas HAYS in 1894 in Rhea County, TN. Florence is on a 1900 TN census with children including Jessee (age 15), George (6), Hermann (4), and Minnie (2). By 1910 the family had located in Greenwood, Sebastian County, AR, with the same children plus Gladys (11), Willie (7), Roderick (5), Lee (2), and Eugene (5 mos.).

Pauline has faith in Rootbound. Last summer one of our readers succeeded in solving a long-standing family mystery by placing Pauline in contact with a cousin that she had never met. Now let's try to make it two in a row!

Louise HART (801 Kentland Dr., Neosho, MO 64850) would like to exchange information on the following surnames: BIRKS, BUSHART, DAVIS, ESTES, FANNING, FARMER, FOSTER, GLENN, HALEY, and RAY. Are any of our readers out on one of these limbs?

A reader from the Grand Lake area would like help in researching her g-grandparents, and their children. Mildred CREASON (Rt. 2, Box 368-2, Grove, OK 74344) is the great-granddaughter of John and Elizabeth GRUNDEN who were married ca. 1865, probably in Pennsylvania. Their eldest child, George Elmer GRUNDEN (Mildred's grandfather) was born in May of 1867 in Pittsburgh or Harrisburg, PA. Other children include John, Harriet, Kate, Henry, Bert, Albert, Arthur, Virginia, and Floyd.

Mildred reports that Albert and his son stayed with her parents when she was about six-years-old. Arthur lived in the Joplin and Carl Junction area. Virginia married Tom WINNIE, possibly a Wyandotte or Seneca-Cayuga Indian. Floyd served in World War I where he was wounded in a machine gun battle. Harriet (Hattie) married Henry BRAY. Mildred believes that she might possibly still be living somewhere in Missouri or Arkansas.

Mildred CREASON would like to hear from those who have knowledge of her grand-aunts and uncles or grandparents. She will be happy to refund the postage of anyone that can help in her search.

Until next week...happy trails!

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