Thursday, July 31, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #211:
8 Oct 1991

by Rocky Macy

Another of our "flea market finds" has made its way home! Several weeks ago we mentioned an old photograph labeled "Aunt Minnie PHILLIPS VELTON and Joe VELTON - Pierce City, MO" that had been acquired by this columnist in an area flea market. Just after that column appeared, a Neosho reader phoned to say that she had located a nephew of the VELTON's. George VELTON of Pierce City now has that old photograph of his aunt and uncle - and Rootbound has the satisfaction of knowing that we're helped someone else to acquire a small piece of their heritage. And that, Good Readers, is a wonderful feeling!

Robert J. SURINGER (8511 Stroud, Houston, TX 77036-5557)is seeking to learn more about his g-g-grandparents, Richard and Elizabeth SURINGER, and their children. The SURINGER family arrived in Newton County, MO, around 1839 or 1840. The children of Richard and Elizabeth included: Wiley, William, Mary, Wright, Wesley, Martha, Jacob, Felitha, Rachael, and Pernecia. Our correspondent is particularly interested in the line of William SURINGER, but he would also welcome material on any of the other children as well. Are SURINGER descendants still in this area?

Rootbound had another letter from Hazel ELVEY (415 La Fonda Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95065) whose research of her daughter-in-law's KITTRELL ancestry has led her into our local forest of ROARKs. Hazel included two family group sheets with this letter, one on the KITTRELLs and the other on the KELLEYs of Newton County, MO. Those sheets are abstracted below in the hopes that they might be of benefit to our readers.

Granville KITTRELL was born 22 June 1842 in Monroe County, TN, and he died 14 July 1926 in Joplin, MO. He was the son of William Sherman KITTRELL and Nancy BURTON. Granville married Grizzie E. BLANKENSHIP, a daughter of Payton BLANKENSHIP and Martha MAYS, on 6 July 1865 near Morgantown, MO. Grizzie was born 27 Dec 1843 in Blount, TN, and she died 10 July 1908, in Joplin, MO. Granville and Grizzie are buried at the Fairview Cemetery.

Granville and Grizzie KITTRELL (above) were the parents of Martha Elizabeth (31 July 1867-17 Mar 1945; married Joseph NUGENT), John Wesley (3 Nov 1868-1932; married Lula SMITH), Harris Anderson (24 Feb 1870-8 Aug 1955; second wife was Leona KELLEY - a daughter of William R. KELLEY and Camily Frances ROARK), Robert Payton (29 Aug 1871-31 Oct 1946; married Frances McDONALD), Charles Blackmore (26 Nov 1873-1 May 1947; married Daisy HENSLIE), Nancy Ida (7 April 1876-28 Oct 1944; married Mr. BUSHNELL), Emily Eunice (7 May 1877-29 June 1965; married Granville TMMONS), William Alonzo (20 Nov 1878-1950; married Emma JACKEY), Carrie G. (29 July 1881-1946; married John MORGAN), and Maude Neoma (2 Oct 1884-1955; married Lee SHIRLEY).

John R. KELLEY was born in Virginia around 1809 and was a resident of Van Buren Township, Newton County, MO, by 1840. He died 15 Sep 1855. John's wife, Jane, was a native of Tennessee. Their children included Elizabeth (born circa 1830, TN), Greenberry (circa 1832, IL), John (circa 1833, IL), James (circa 1836, IL), William R. (circa 1838, IL - 30 Mar 1907), Martin (circa 1840, IL), Francis Marion (circa 1842, MO), Nancy (circa 1845, MO), Sarah (circa 1847, MO, Lucinda Rhoda (circa 1849, MO), Thomas (circa 1851), and John (circa 1853, MO).

William R. KELLEY (above) married his second wife, Camily Frances ROARK, on 8 June 1871. They are buried at the Swars Prairie Baptist Church Cemetery in Newton County, MO.

Our correspondent, Hazel ELVEY, would certainly enjoy hearing from any of our readers who have a knowledge of her daughter-in-law's Ozark ancestry. Many KITTRELL, KELLEY, and ROARK descendants still live in this area - and those good folks need to share what they know about their genealogy with Hazel - and with Rootbound! So get busy!

Until next week...happy hunting!

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