Thursday, June 26, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #153:
28 Aug 1990

by Rocky Macy

The best thing about writing Rootbound is being able to play a small part in helping people to track down their ancestors. The second best thing is meeting some of those people that we've helped. Please read on...

Don HOBSON (8 Hollow Way, Bella Vista, AR 72714), a former Rootbound correspondent, stopped by the house recently to introduce himself and discuss genealogy. Don brought along a most interesting book which traced some of America's HOBSONs back to the early 1700s. Those with a HOBSON limb on their family tree might benefit by writing to Don.

Sandy McGUIRE (29226 SW Baker Road,Sherwood, OR 97140) is on the trail of Martha L. TODD who was born on 6 June 1837 in Washington County, AR, to Elijah Smith TODD (born 6 July 1811) and Martha BOYD (born 9 Dec 1811, Washington County, AR). Martha L. TODD married Jacob L. DAVIS on 16 May 1861. Jacob died on 21 Aug 1908, and Martha passed away on 12 Dec 1912 - both near Crane in Stone County, MO. Are their descendants still in the Ozarks?

Charles Monroe CRAVENS and Tennessee Jane BRADLEY were reportedly married in McDonald County, MO, by a minister from Washington County, AR, on 5 April 1877. Unfortunately, their great-granddaughter, Claudia J. BROKER (540 E. 2nd, Hutchinson, KS 67501), has yet to find an official record of that marriage. Can any of our readers assist Claudia in her search?

Claudia J. BROKER (address above) relates that Charles and Tennessee CRAVENS resided with their family in Benton County, AR, during the 1880s through the early 1900s. Their children were Viola Grace, Alonzo Ulysses, James Alexander, Samuel Carle, Mary Eunice, Roy Sherman, Robert Lee, and Lilah Margaret. James Alexander CRAVENS (above)
supposedly left Arkansas around 1903 and became a semi-professional baseball player. Which team?

Charles Monroe CRAVENS (above) was the son of James and Salina CRAVENS who arrived in Benton County, AR, between 1870 and 1873. Their other children were Meredith, Sarah E., Martha J., William H., John D., Thomas m., Rufus, James, and Mary A. Charles and Meredith became employees of the Rogers Milking Company of Rogers, AR.

Tennessee Jane BRADLEY CRAVENS (above) was born in Taney County, MO, in 1856, the daughter of Samuel Carle BRADLEY. Her younger brother, James Harvey BRADLEY, was born two years later in Benton County, AR, where the family remained.

Our correspondent, Claudia J. BROKER, would especially like to hear from anyone with information on BRADLEY and CRAVENS lineages in the Ozarks. She would also like to learn some of the history of the Rogers Milking Company. Who can help?

Helen L. SELBY (303 E. Hickory, Apt. 411, Neosho, MO 64850) heard that Rootbound had mentioned the surname SELBY recently with regard to a family Bible. Unfortunately, our previous one hundred and fifty-two columns have yet to be indexed, and this faltering columnist cannot remember that entry. If anyone has that particular item or knows about a SELBY family Bible, pleased get in touch with Helen. (Research note: A notebook containing all Rootbound columns is kept downstairs in the genealogy room of the Neosho City-County Library.)

Summit Publications (P.O. Box 222, Munroe Falls, OH 44262) has announced publication of the 1990-1991 edition of Family Associations, Societies, and Reunions. It contains the names and addresses of over 2,800 family organizations and their contact persons. An index of variant spellings is also included. This very useful publication may be ordered from the publisher for just $7 plus $1 postage and handling. And when you write to those folks, let them know that you heard about their work through Rootbound!

Stuck out on a limb on the old family tree? Write to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper. We're as close as the mailbox!

Happy hunting!

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