Sunday, June 15, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #133:
10 April 1990

by Rocky Macy

Remember our story about Hugh Armstrong ROBINSON, the Neosho native who became a famous early-day aviator? Larry JAMES, an eminent local historian, has forwarded a copy of Mr. ROBINSON's obituary dated 8 April 1963 to Rootbound, and from that we have gleaned a few more facts about the life and times of this most interesting individual. Please read on...

Hugh A. ROBIBSON was born in Neosho on 13 May 1882 to James and Missouri E. ROBINSON. He attended Webb City Baptist College in Carthage before going on to become a pioneer balloon, dirigible, and "aeroplane" pilot. Among his many accomplishments were parachute jumps from the hot air balloons before the turn of the century, building and flying a dirigible in 1906, building a flying glider (towed by an automobile) in 1907, and building and flying America's first monoplane in 1908. In subsequent years, ROBINSON was a well known aeronautical engineer.

Hugh ROBINSON spent his latter years in the Washington, D.C. area. He was survived in death by his widow, the former Estia Emma HENEKS, two sons (Hugh A. ROBINSON, Jr., of Miami FL, and Harold H. ROBINSON of Silver Spring, MD), seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren...all heirs to a marvelous aeronautical legacy! Thanks, Larry!

Betty H. GARRETT (1517 Cherry Street, Gainesville, TX 76240) wishes to exchange information with others researching these surnames: GARRETT, PARTAIN, REED, SUTTON, and TIDWELL. Of particular interest to Betty is the family of William Hanes PARTAIN and Mahala Jane TIDWELL. They resided in Texas with their eight children during the last half of the nineteenth century. Can any of our readers assist Betty with her genealogy?

Mary Kathleen WILLIAMS (6161 North Memorial Highway 2215, Tampa, FL 33615) is working the lineage of John STRICKLAND (born 1792, PA), a son of David STRICKLAND. David was born in 1759 in Connecticut and served in the Revolutionary War. One of John STRICKLAND's wives was Anna (born 1805, TN). He was in Iron County, MO, in 1850, and later resided in the Missouri counties of Madison, Wayne, and Washington. John's children included Henderson, Benjamin, Elijah, Martha Jane, Louisa, Hattie, and Amos, and possibly others. Are descendants of this family in the Ozarks?

W.T. STORIE, Jr (7232 Fernmeadow, Dallas, TX 75248) wishes to learn more about his great-grandparents, John R. and Malinda C. (LOVE) STORIE, residents of McDonald County, MO, during the second half of the last century. John was born circa 1829 in Tennessee, possible a son of James STORIE of Fentress County, TN. Malinda was a native of Kentucky (born circa 1836), possibly the daughter of James M. and Jane (HENDERSON) LOVE.

John and Malinda STORIE moved to the Rocky Comfort area of McDonald County around 1857. Their son, William, was born in that community in 1863. Malinda died in Rocky Comfort 1863-1865. John Later married Mary Ann FLY who had children from a former marriage. John R. STORIE died in Rocky Comfort circa 1877-1879. Where are John and Malinda buried. Which of our readers can share some knowledge of these McDonald County pioneers?

Lost in Illinois? One source of information that might be worth checking out is Searching Illinois Ancestors / Travel Illinois by Helen COX TREGILLIS. To learn more about this bi-monthly publication, please contact the editor at 111 W.S. Second, Shelbyville, IL 62565. When writing to Helen, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope and remember to tell her that you heard about her work through Rootbound!

The Benton County Historical Society (P.O. Box 1034, Bentonville, AR 72712) has recently indexed its quarterly publication, The Benton County Pioneer, for the years 1954-1988. The Pioneer is a history of Benton County and its people. The indexes are bound in six volumes and are available by single volume or complete set. For more information, please contact the Benton County Historical Society at the address listed above or drop by their headquarters for a personal visit at 304 N.E. Second Street in Bentonville between 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. any Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.

Until next week...happy hunting and happy trails!

No comments: