Friday, May 23, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #98:
8 Aug 1989

by Rocky Macy

A history book published this spring is providing help to numerous genealogists with roots in Benton County, AR, due to its thorough indexing of more than 2,800 names. Volume 1 of Benton County Schools That Were by Billie JINES (Rt. 2, Box 52, Pea Ridge, AR 72751) contains a history of about forty schools that once existed in Benton County. The author reports that she is already at work on Volume 2. The book may be purchased from Billie JINES for seven dollars and fifty cents plus one dollar shipping and handling.

Billie JINES (address above) writes a newspaper column in northwest Arkansas entitled Back Roads which focuses on old schools of the area. Rootbound readers with photos or stories to share concerning Benton County schools should contact her.

Regular correspondent Janet K. PEASE (10310 West 62nd Place, Apt. 202, Arvada, CO 80004) is trying to locate the burial place of James H. JUSTUS. He was born in Sumner County, TN, in 1817 to Thomas and Mary (CARR) JUSTUS. James married his first wife, Mary Elizabeth EDGER, in Schuyler County, IL, in 1843. Wife number two was Nancy BENNETT, the widow IAMS, whom he married circa 1854, probably in St. Clair County, MO. The third wife, Mrs. Permelia HANDLEN, married James in Benton County, MO, in 1881. James H. JUSTUS died on 3 May 1896 near Pond, Benton County, AR. Is he perhaps buried there?

And where is (was) Pond, Arkansas? Has it gone the way of Dump and Sunset? Rootbound welcomes information from readers on these and other Ozark communities of yesteryear. Mail those memories to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper.

Connee JELLISON (P.O. Box 58, Salisbury Cove, ME 04672) is shaking her husband's family tree and desires help from our readers. His grandmother, Anna O'LAUGHLIN, was born in Kansas City, MO, on 26 Nov 1877. She had four brothers: Edwin, James, Frank, and Charles. Anna related that she was of Scotch-Irish and Pennsylvania German descent, and that her mother's first name was "Samaria." Nothing else is known of her parentage or ancestry.

Anna O'LAUGHLIN married Fred Benjamin CASSITY around 1904-1905. His father was Alexander Warcek CASSITY, thrice widowed, who came to the midwest after his vineyard business failed in California Other children in the CASSITY family were Frank, twins Mabel and Myrtle, Edna, Josephine, and Jesse. Connee reports that Jesse scandalized the family by marrying a New York actor named Edwin BOOTH!

Connee JELLISON is most interested in finding any information about her husband's Missouri ancestry. She will gladly refund copy fees and postage. (Is Anna O'LAUGHLIN waiting to be found on an 1890 or 1900 Missouri census roll?) Let's help our friend in Maine solve this puzzle!

Refunding copy fees and postage is a great example of geneealogical courtesy. And remember to enclose an SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) when requesting information from other researchers. Not only is that a courteous gesture, it also increases the chances of receiving a reply!

Need help chasing those elusive ancestors through Nebraska and Iowa? Mary Jo KUBIE pens the column, Digging for Roots, for the Enterprise Pilot Tribune. Queries dealing with either state should be sent to Mary Jo at 1172 S. 16th Street, Blair, NE 68008. And remember to mention that you heard about her column in Rootbound!

Persons interested in joining the Missouri State Genealogical Association should write to the following address for a membership from: MoSGA, P.O.Box 833, Columbia, MO 65203. Membership runs from January to December, and the dues of fifteen dollars cover, among other things, subscriptions to the newsletter and excellent quarterly journal.

Copies of past Rootbound columns are on file in the genealogy sections of the libraries at Neosho, Pineville, Bentonville, Grove, and Miami. Each fo those libraries are wonderful places to work on family history. Stop in and take a look!

Until next week...happy trails!

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