Rootbound in the Hills #216: 12 Nov 1991

by Rocky Macy

Rootbound has always generated a fair amount of mail from its readers. Knowing that people are actually out there reading the column makes writing it a pleasure. And not all of the mail comes to Rootbound - quite often it goes from reader to reader. We recently received a "thank you" from Dr. Michael KNOLL, the Swiss researcher at the University of South Carolina who is trying to learn more about McDonald County educator, Pryor McBee COLLINGS, aka Ellsworth COLLINGS. He stated that he had received "lots of mail" from Rootbound readers regarding Mr. COLLINGS. Thanks, readers, for being there!

One of our editors phoned to report that the Education Building at the University of Oklahoma in Norman is named for Ellsworth COLLINGS. He speculated that perhaps Mr. COLLINGS had been the head of the Education Department at one time. Does anyone know more about this particular phase of the famous Ozark educator's life?

Those with information to share about Pryor McBee (Ellsworth) COLLINGS should contact Dr. Michael KNOLL at the Museum of Education, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208.

Toni MARTINAZZI (301 Harlem Avenue, Glenview, IL 60025) is the daughter of Ann CHAPMAN. Ann was the seventh child of Albert Rice CHAPMAN and Maggie (Margaret Rose?) BENA. Albert was the son of Coleman Wood CHAPMAN and Anna Elizabeth FERGUSON. He was born near Anderson, McDonald County, MO, in 1866. Albert married Maggie BENA on 22 Aug 1888.

Maggie BENA (above) was born 15 July 1871 at Goodman, McDonald County, MO. She was the child of Saturna BENA (BENNA) and Maria TAYLOR. Maria TATLOR was born 27 Mar 1844 in Scott County, MO.

A family story says that Maggie BENA was christened in the Cowskin River by her future father-in-law, Reverend Coleman Wood CHAPMAN. Our correspondent, Toni MARTINAZZI, wishes to know if Reverend CHAPMAN performed the marriage of Albert and Maggie and, if so, where? Where did Albert and Maggie meet? The couple did not stay in Missouri. Why and when did they leave?

Toni MARTINAZZI (above) also has some questions regarding Saturna BENA. He was in Missouri in 1864 at the age of twenty-five. Did he serve in the Civil War? Which side? The couple lived in Cape Girardeau for a few years before moving on to Splitlog, McDonald County, MO. They were residents of Splitlog until Saturna's death on 6 Nov 1918. Maria TAYLOR BENA died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Frank WILLIAMS, on 23 July 1928.

Saturna and Maria (TAYLOR) BENA had ten children, eight of whom survived to adulthood. Adolphis and Wallace died in infancy. the other eight were: Clara (married Jerry DAVIDSON before 1918; died 1935), Augusta (married Frank WILLIAMS before 1918), Maggie Rose (born 15 July 1871; married Albert CHAPMAN in 1888), Mildred (married W.A. MADISON before 1918), Grace (married Mr. JAMESON before 1918, and J.A. SNYDER after 1918), Lyda (married M.S. LESLIE before 1918), Charles (born 28Jan 1869; died at Splitlog on 25 Sep 1932; never married), and Sidney (died around 1918 in Colorado).

Perhaps descendants of these people still reside in the Ozarks. Hopefully they will get in touch with Toni in Illinois.

The Northwest Arkansas genealogical society (P.O. Box K, Rogers, AR 72757) still meets the fourth Monday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Fourth and Chestnut in downtown Rogers. For more information on membership, publications, or particular programs, please contact the society at the address listed above. The NAGS is one of the most active genealogical organizations in our area. They're good folks!

Of course, most residents of the Ozarks are good folks - and so were their ancestors! And if you need help in finding your good ancestors, why not write to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper? It's as easy as that!

Happy hunting!