Thursday, July 31, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #212:
15 Oct 1991

by Rocky Macy

Rootbound's earlier column which suggested that Dr. John Hunt COLE of Southwest City, MO, may have actually been General John Hunt MORGAN, a hero of the Confederacy, continues to generate interest. Please read on...

June COLE (Star Route, Tussy, OK 73088) related the strange deathbed claim of her husband's great-grandfather, Dr. John Hunt COLE, to Rootbound. Dr. COLE told his stunned family that he was, in reality, General John Hunt MORGAN, a famous Confederate who was thought to have been killed during the Civil War. He had fled, the doctor stated, to the sanctuary of an entirely new identity. June and her husband, Darrel, have worked diligently for the past several years to prove or disprove the physician's strange tale.

After that column ran, June received a most interesting letter from one of our readers in northwest Arkansas. Margaret HUNT (111 Woodside Lane, Rogers, AR 72756) posed the theory that Dr. COLE might have been someone else who was hiding under an assumed identity. Specifically, she thinks that Dr. John Hunt COLE was possibly Captain Charles COLE, a convicted traitor who confessed to his crime, signed an amnesty oath, and was released "never to be seen again."

Citing material published in Confederate Agent, a book by James D. HORAN, Margaret HUNT describes Captain Charles COLE as a Confederate officer who had served with both Morgan and General Nathan Bedford FORREST. COLE volunteered his services to Captain Thomas HINES who had also served under General MORGAN. In September of 1864 HINES was plotting to capture the USS Michigan which was patrolling Lake Erie. He seems to have been planning the release of the Johnson Island Confederate prisoners who would then march on Sandusky, OH, and capture that city's Federal arsenal. They (the newly freed prisoners) would then form the nucleus of an army that could be used for greater things.

Captain COLE moved to Sandusky and pretended to be a wealthy Philadelphia banker. He met the captain of the USS Michigan and became friendly with the commander of the Johnson Island Camp and visited it with him. Captain COLE also set up contact with the local Copperheads in Sandusky. They were supposed to storm the prison from the outside while the prisoners attacked from within. Unfortunately for the Confederate cause in general and Captain COLE in particular, the plan was uncovered - resulting in Captain COLE's subsequent arrest, conviction, and self-banishment.

Margaret HUNT contends that there is a strong possibility that Dr. John Hunt COLE of Southwest City was really Captain Charles COLE rather than General John Hunt MORGAN.

June and Darrel COLE have yet to find any information on Dr. COLE prior to the end of the Civil Was, so it is possible that he could have been either General John Hunt MORGAN or Captain Charles COLE. In her response to Margaret HUNT, June COLE relates that she and her husband are familiar with the "Northwest Conspiracy" and have read extensively on Thomas HINES and Captain Charles COLE. For a variety of reasons, the current COLEs still believe that it is more likely that their ancestor was General John Hunt MORGAN rather than Captain COLE. In a recent move to establish a positive identity on Dr. COLE, June and Darrel have sent all of their photographs of the doctor and the general to a computer specialist in Virginia who developed the program that ages photographs of missing children and criminals. They are anxiously awaiting the results of that examination.

We are again asking our readers to search through those old family records for any mention of Dr. John Hunt COLE of the Southwest City, MO, area. Something as simple as a signature or a prescription could be the key to unlocking one of the strangest mysteries of the Civil War era. Dr. COLE had to have left a medical paper trail...but where is it?

Happy hunting!

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!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #210:
1 Oct 1991

by Rocky Macy

Michael KNOLL is a researcher from the University of Zurich in Switzerland. He is presently serving as a visiting scholar at the University of South Carolina where he is engaged in a project on the history of progressive education in America. And what could that possibly have to do with Rootbound and the Ozarks? There is a connection, so please read on...

Of particular interest to Michael KNOLL is Ellsworth COLLINGS (original name: Pryor McBee COLLINGS) who served as the county superintendent of schools for McDonald County, MO, from 1915 until 1921. Mr. COLLINGS wrote a book, An Experiment with a Project Curriculum, (MacMillan, 1923), that dealt with a rural model school that he established in 1918. The text was subsequently translated into German, Spanish, and Russian, and, according to our correspondent, is still well remembered -even in Europe.

Michael KNOLL has visited McDonald County in his quest for information on the life and times of Ellsworth (Pryor McBee) COLLINGS, and he would like to supplement what he learned on that visit with the personal recollections of any of our readers who might have known the COLLINGS family or were familiar with the rural model school that Ellsworth set up at Bethpage. Those with material to share on this unique individual should contact Michael KNOLL at the Museum of Education, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208. And while you're at it, make a copy for Rootbound and we'll share it with all of our readers!

Christine RIEHMAN, writer of a most interesting letter several weeks ago regarding her LANKFORD kin and the possible involvement of one of them in the LINDBERGH kidnapping, has moved. Her new address is 42030 Selby Circle, Temecula, CA 92390. Christine mentioned in her most recent letter that Geraldo RIVERA did a special segment on the controversy surrounding the kidnapping. She is hoping that as more facts about the kidnapping are brought to light she will be able to learn more about her colorful relatives!

Kay ROBERTS MARTIN (Rt. 4, Box 440-1, Oak Grove, MO 64075) is still tracking her DOUGLASS family across the Ozarks. Kay is currently researching Thomas H. DOUGLASS (born 1785) who moved from Kentucky to Missouri in 1835. His assumed children were Nancy (SANDERS), Robert (supposedly born TN; married Sarah BARNES on 13 Feb 1838 in Polk County, MO), Jane (CONNER), John (married a PONTEL), Oliver (married a HAMILTON), Permelia (HAMILTON), William J. (married a SANDERS), Mary (HENDERSON), Edmund (married Phebe _____), George Alonzo (married a DONAHOE), Charles Edward (married a CARTER), Sidney Albert (married a GRAHAM), Camillus (married a DAVIS), and Ann (CHINAULT). The family lived in Jackson County, MO, during the 1850's, and some time later migrated to Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Oregon. Kay will gladly exchange information with any of our readers who are working one on those lines.

Thanks to a nudge from author Phillip W. STEELE, this columnist has recently joined the National Association for Outlaw and Lawman History. The organization is comprised of Old West buffs from around the country. They publish a quality quarterly magazine that provides an abundance of material on this unique era of American history. For more information on NOLA, please contact the group's secretary, Rick MILLER, at 615-C North Eighth Street, Killeen, TX 76541. And don't forget to tell Rick that you heard about NOLA through Rootbound!

The Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society continues to meet the fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Farmers and Merchants Bank located at Fourth and Chestnut in Rogers, AR. The NAGS is one of the largest genealogy groups in the Ozarks, and their quarterly, The Backtracker, is read by family researchers throughout the country. Membership information is available by writing to NAGS at P.O. Box K, Rogers, AR 72757.

Need a boost up the old family tree? Why not try writing to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper? We're here to help!

Happy hunting!

Rootbound in the Hills #209:
24 Sep 1991

by Rocky Macy

Sometime between 1910 and 1918 a train-pedestrian accident in Benton County, AR, took the life of William POLSTON. The fatal mishap may have occurred between Siloam Springs and a farm that Mr. POLSTON owned just over the Oklahoma line. Now, nearly a century later, his descendant Lois BURCH (316 Elizabeth Drive, Riverton, WY 82501), is eager to find out the details of her ancestor's unusual death. Can one of our readers supply her with a newspaper clipping about this accident?

Orella HOLLOWAY CHADWICK (7650 Fairview Road, Tillamook, OR 97141) is the great-granddaughter of James Marian RALSTON (born 5 Mar 1837, Vigo County, IN; died 1 Nov 1913, Bates County, MO) and Elizabeth Ann McCLELLAN (1838-1881). James and Elizabeth are both buried in the Adrian Cemetery in Bates County, MO. Their son, James William RALSTON, was born 11 Feb 1864 in Vigo County, IN.

James William RALSTON (above) married Carrie LOCKE in Canon City, CO, on 8 Sep 1889. Their first child, Walter, died at the age of one month, and a second child died in Kansas where the family had gone to participate in the Oklahoma land runs. Family tradition states that the luckless young James William RALSTON planted his stake in the section of land that was reserved for education. The family returned to Colorado in 1893, reportedly so destitute that they had to shod their milk cows to pull the wagon. Anyone with a tie to this RALSTON line should contact Orella in Tillamook.

Betty J. LUNDAY (P.O. Box 240, Fairland, IN 46126) is seeking to learn the burial place of Richard S. LUNDY who died in Seneca, Newton County, MO, on 27 July 1917. Mr. LUNDY was born 1 Jan 1840 in Martin County, IN. He married Almeda TALLEY on 19 Aug 1860 in Greene County, IN, and they moved to Missouri in 1866. The couple later resided in Arknasas and Kansas before moving to Missouri for good in 1898. Mr. LUNDY was a veteran of the Civil War, having served from August of 1862 until May of 1865 in Company C, 59th Regiment, Indian Infantry.

Did Richard and Almeda LUNDY have children? Betty LUNDAY wants to know!

The PITMAN/PITTMAN/PITMON/PITTMON family group held their annual national reunion recently in Hurst, TX. More information on this group may be obtained by writing to FRANCES PITTMAN MALCOLM at 2116 Shady Brook Drive, Bedford, TX 76021.

And speaking of reunions, there is a sharp new magazine out on the market entitled Reunions. Rootbound has previewed a copy and found it to be very impressive. The focus of the magazine is on how to plan and stage reunions, and it also announces family gatherings. For a free copy of this publication, send information on your next reunion to "Reunions, the Magazine" at P.O. Box 11727, Milwaukee, WI 53211-1727. The publishers have also asked that you mention that you heard about their work through Rootbound.

Joe W. RAYMON (P.O. box 280, Skiatook, OK 74070) believes that his great-grandfather, (first name unknown) RAYMON, is buried in an unmarked grave in the Cowskin Prairie Cemetery near Southwest City, McDonald County, MO. Mr. RAYMON came from France. He reportedly married a French-Canadian woman around Southwest City. Our correspondent remembered the senior Mr. RAYMON, and they spoke of a Raymon swimming hole that local children played in. Who can supply Joe with more information on his ancestor?

Our magazine article, "How to Build a Better Query" continues to lead a life of its own. Rootbound has recently learned that the piece has been copied and distributed to genealogy students in classes sponsored by the Fremont County Genealogical Society in Wyoming. If you're curious as to what makes this little article so useful to so many, send for your own free copy by writing to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper. And don't forget to enclose that all-important self-addressed, stamped envelope!

Until next week...happy hunting!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #208:
17 Sep 1991

by Rocky Macy

Rootbound recently sifted some genealogical data from the book, Jesse and Frank James: The Family History, and ran that material as a column. The book's author, Phillip W. STEELE (P.O. Box 191, Springdale, AR 72765), has written to say that the column stirred interest and orders for his book. Mr. STEELE has written similiar volumes on Belle STARR and the DALTON Gang. We'll abstract some of the genealogy contained in those in future columns.

Phillip W. STEELE (above) mentioned in his letter that there are many other infamous folks with Ozark ties. The list that he enumerated includes U.S. Marshall Bud LEDBETTER, Arknasas outlaw Tom DAUGHERTY, Little Dick WEST, Bill DOOLIN, Wyatt EARP, and "Ma" Kate BARKER. Do any of our readers descend from one of those notables?

Terry J. RAWE (420 Butchart Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6R 1R1) has three ancestors who died in the Mexican War while serving with Missouri units. Terry wishes to learn more about these individuals and their units, and he is particularly curious to learn why two of the men, Alexander MORGAN and his son, Patrick, died while in camp. Pleased read on...

Terry J. RAWE (above) is requesting information on Company K, 3rd Regiment, Missouri Mounted Volunteers which patrolled along the Santa Fe Trail from May to September 1847. Alexander and Patrick MORGAN from Dallas and Polk Counties, MO, were members of that unit.

Hugh MORGAN and his son, Spencer Alexander MORGAN, from Polk county, MO, are also of interest to Terry J. RAWE. They served with Captain ROBINSON's Company H, Separate Battalion, Missouri Mounted Infantry from the summer of 1846 until November of 1847.

And, lastly, our correspondent, Terry J. RAWE, is researching James Bryant HOOVER and his service in Company B, 3rd Regiment, Missouri Mounted Volunteers, a unit that saw action during the spring and summer of 1848. Do any of our readers have material to share with this Canadian researcher?

Hazel ELVEY (415 LaFonda Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95065) is tracing the genealogy of her daughter-in-law and needs help sorting through some Newton County ROARKs. Her subject's grandfather was Harris A. KITTRELL (1870-1955), a resident of the Seneca, Newton County, MO, community. Mr. KITTRELL's second wife was Leona KRLLY. According to Leona's death certificate, her father was a KELLY and her mother was a ROARK. Hazel has found a record of the marriage between William R. KELLEY (1842-30 Mar 1907 and Camily F. ROARK (October 1841-January 1915) that occurred in January of 1871. Can anyone state whether or not Leona was their daughter?

Rootbound has carried a great deal on the family of William Carroll ROARK and Comfort POE. Camily (above) was their daughter, Camily Frances.

Summit Publications (P.O. Box 222, Munroe Falls, OH 44262) has recently published the 1991-1992 edition of the Directory of Family "One-Name" Periodicals. This handy reference tool lists hundreds of addresses for groups dedicated to researching specific families. The listings are alphabetical and very easy to use. The book also contains a listing of variations for many of the names - which adds to its usefulness. It's well worth the postage-paid price of $9. For more information on this book or one of the many others published by Summit, please write to the address above.

Planning a school or family reunion? Why not share that information with Rootbound - and we'll tell everyone else! Address those letters to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper. It's as easy as that!

Happy hunting!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #207:
10 Sep 1991

by Rocky Macy

Last week Rootbound carried queries concerning two area CRABTREE lines. We have since come across a series of obituaries from local newspapers on William H. CRABTREE, a resident of rural Neosho, Newton County, MO, who died at the age of eighty in August of 1948. Mr. CRABTREE was survived by one son, Roy CRABTREE of Salida, CA; a daughter, Mrs. Ida Bell MACY of Neosho, Rt. 4; two sisters, Mrs. Will LANKFORD, Seneca, MO, and Mrs. Sally GARRY of Kansas City; seventeen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. One of the obituaries contained a great deal of material on Mr. CRABTREE's ancestry. It follows:
"Funeral services being held today at Seneca for William H. CRABTREE are recalling some of Seneca's most interesting history to old timers there.

The old timers recall that William H. was a grandson of Bill Abe CRABTREE, who was murdered by the bushwhackers at the close of the Civil War.

The story goes that Bill Abe was a Union sympathizer, whose son was with the Union Army, and that he had refused to join with the Confederates.

When the bushwhackers came, they shot the old man through the neck as he lay in bed, and as he lay bleeding to death, they stole all the horses out of the barn and ordered the rest of the family out of the house so that they could burn it.

Bill Abe's wife and his daughter-in-law with a week-old baby were in the house, and persuaded the bushwhackers to allow them to keep some women's stockings that were hanging on the clothes-line near the house. That was all that was saved.

The daughter-in-law, the infant, and the body of Bill Abe were put in a feather-bed in a wagon and brought up to Neosho, where Bill Abe was buried.

Bill H., who is being buried today, will be interred in Regan cemetery, which was part of his father's farm. Mr. CRABTREE and Mr. REGAN deeded the land years ago for the cemetery which bears Mr. REGAN's name."

Are descendants of this CRABTREE line still living in this area? Rootbound would like a family update!

Christine HARRIS (2533 Guinotte Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64120) would like to contact descendants of the Jacob BULLARD or John BULLARD families who at one time lived in the vicinity of Gravette, Benton County, AR. Does anyone know the parentage of William Riley BULLARD who was born 13 Sep 1874 in Siloam Springs, AR? Was he a part
of the family that lived near Gravette?

Christine HARRIS (above) is also interested in the KILLION family of Benton County, AR, for inclusion in a BULLARD family history. Those with material to share should get in touch with her.

Lila L. LEE (P.O. Box 118, Stites, ID 83552) is the g-g-granddaughter of Clint Leftric ANDERSON, a resident of Flint Township, Benton County, AR, in the 1860's. She would like to learn more about two men who were related to Clint, possibly his brothers. The first, Clingman ANDERSON, might have lived in Missouri. He was the father of five or six children. The other, Philip ANDERSON, lived near Independence in Jackson County, MO. Do any of our readers have information to share on either of these men?

Need a boost up the old family tree? Write to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper. We're as close as the mailbox!

Happy hunting!

Rootbound in the Hills #206:
3 Sep 1991

by Rocky Macy

Rootbound had a nice response from June COLE after our column that focused on her husband's great-grandfather, Dr. John Hunt COLE, a physician who practiced around Southwest City, MO, and may or may not have been the famous Confederate general, John Hunt MORGAN. June had originally believed that the four children that Dr. COLE had by his second wife, Caroline (REARIDON) COLE, had died as infants. She has since learned more about them. Please read on...

Caroline was only sixteen and Dr. COLE was fifty-four when they married in 1879. there was apparently not much contact between their children and those of Dr. COLE's first marriage to Maggie CRITZER. The second set of children were either not aware of the name change (MORGAN to COLE), or chose not to believe it.

The four sons born to John and Caroline COLE worked in the lead mines around Miami and Pitcher, OK. At least two of them married and had children. The boys were: Harvey "Bill" (born Aug 1884; buried at Baxter Springs, KS), Joseph (born Nov 1889; buried at Baxter Springs, KS), Ralph Freedom (born 13 July 1892; died 7 Apr 1951; buried at Miami, OK), and Thomas E. (born 22 Mar 1895; died 23 Dec 1931; buried at Baxter Springs, KS).

Ralph Freedom COLE (above) had a son, Robert, who lives in Cardin, OK, and Thomas E. COLE had a son named Richard.

Darrel and June COLE (Star Route, Tussy, OK 73088) are still eager to prove or disprove the deathbed claim of Dr. John Hunt COLE that he was, in fact, General John Hunt MORGAN. They are particularly desirous to obtain a sample of Dr. COLE's handwriting. Rootbound readers are urged to check their old family records to see if any of Dr. COLE's notes or letters have survived the ninety years since his death. What a story this could be!

Patty GREER (Rt. 1, Box 56-1, Wyandotte, OK 74370) is tracking two different CRABTREE lines across the Ozarks. Her husband's ancestor, Marta Ann CRABTREE, was born in Missouri. She married Anderson SNOW on 21 Aug 1864 at Mt. Vernon, Lawrence County, MO. Marta Ann died on 10 Feb 1926 in Neosho, Newton County, MO.

Vernice E. CRABTREE (born 7 Dec 1842, Anderson, McDonald County, MO) was the grandmother of our correspondent. She married Edward F. McNARY on 22 Sep 1897, and died around 1904 or 1905. Vernice and Edward lived in the Drywood village near Lamar, Barton County, MO. She died from a miscarriage that occurred while she was plowing the garden. Vernice is buried in Barton Cemetery.

Patty GREER (above) would certainly enjoy hearing from any of our readers with CRABTREE connections.

Mrs. Barbara BANDY JONES (903 15th Avenue, NW, Ardmore, OK 73401) is working a couple of KING lines. She is a direct descendant of Jesse KING, Sr., of Barry County, MO. Also, Barbara's great-grandmother, Nancy Adaline LeGRAND, had a brother sister, and niece who married children of Daniel and Elizabeth Ramah (KING) BROWN. Nancy's first husband was James Madison BANDY.

Barbara BANDY JONES (above) mentioned an interest in Sanford H. and Nancy (HUTCHINSON) KING as well. Sanford may have died on 26 Feb 1841 in Newton County, MO. His tenth child, Rebecca, may have been the wife of Wiley ROARK (born 22 Jan 1838, TN; died 6 Oct 1889; buried at Maple Park Cemetery, Lawrence County, MO). Wiley was a brother of William Carroll ROARK, a Newton County, MO, residentent who has been written about extensively in Rootbound. Barbara reports that Wiley ROARK's wife, Rebecca, may not have been a KING at all, but rather a CHITWOOD. Who has the facts that will help this researcher?

Ancestors in Great Britain? The International Society for British Genealogy and Family History might be able to help. For more information on this group, please write to P.O. Box 3115, Salt Lake City, UT 84110l. Rootbound has a copy of their most recentent newsletter - it's excellent!

Until next week...happy hunting!

Rootbound in the Hills #205:
27 Aug 1991

by Rocky Macy

Though few people today probably realize it, there were many famous individuals who called the Ozarks home. Yes, most school children know that Dr. George Washington CARVER was born into slavery on a farm near Diamond, Newton County, MO, and that the "bandit queen," Belle STARR (Myrabelle SHIRLEY) was a native of the area around Carthage, Jasper County, MO. And not too far north of Carthage is the small town of Lamar, MO, in Barton County, the birthplace of President Harry S. TRUMAN. But the list doesn't end there. Please read on...

Larry A. JAMES, whose multi-volume Saga of the Six Bulls continues to grow as a definitive source of Newton County, MO, history and genealogy, has provided Rootbound with a list of notables who have roots in and around Neosho. Perhaps as our readers scan through these names they will come up with others in neighboring communities. If that happens, send them to Rootbound and we'll share.

Thomas Hart BENTON, a painter of world renown, came from Neosho. Though some might assume that Benton School in Neosho was named for him, that honor was actually bestowed upon his father, Congressman M.E. BENTON, also a resident of the "Flower Box City."

Other Neosho natives include Admirals Roy E. ANDERSON and Wayne RICKMAN, Wiley BRITTON (author of books on the Civil War), Medal of Honor Recipients Aaron R. HUDSON (Civil War) and M. Waldo HATLER (World War I), Herman JAEGER (credited with saving the grapes of France), Dan LONGWELL (Chairman of the Board of Life Magazine), True MORSE (Undersecretary of Agriculture of President EISENHOWER), Mert SANDERS (Warden of the Missouri State Penitentiary), Jacquelin SCOTT (actress), James S. SCOTT (music composer), Roy SCANTLIN (State Commissioner of Education), Cassius SHARTEL (Member of Congress and President of the Missouri State Constitutional Convention of 1922), O.P. SKAGGS (founder of Safeway), Joe SOBIESKI (candidate for governor of Missouri), and Hugh Armstrong ROBINSON (pioneer aviator whose exploits have been noted in previous Rootbound columns.

Will ROGERS and Champ CLARK each attended Scarritt College in Neosho. Scarritt was located where Intermediate School is today. Ma BARKER reportedly lived in Neosho for a while, and Ralph HOUK played baseball in the town.

Our thanks to Larry A. JAMES for sharing this interesting list. Those desiring more information on his Saga of the Six Bulls should contact Larry at his home at 400 Susan Place, Neosho, MO 64850. It's an invaluable series!

It's been quite a while since Rootbound has heard from Jean HAAR (1600 South Baldwin Avenue, #26, Arcadia, CA 91007), and we thought that maybe she had found all of her Ozark ancestors. But a recent letter indicates that there are still a few missing pages in the family album.

Jean HAAR (above) is seeking information on Ella (TUNNELL) SMITH, daughter of William David TUNNELL and his wife, Nancy Jane HUTCHINGS, who were living in Joplin, MO, in 1880 with children Sophronia, Charles, and Fenton. That family was in Indian Territory (OK) by 1905. And Jean also wishes to know more about William and Octavia (MOSS) CHADDOCK who were residents of Benton County, AR, in 1900. Do any of our readers have information to share?

Other surnames of interest to Jean HAAR (above) include: BLAIR, BOGAN, BULLARD, CASEY, CROWLEY, FULKERSON, HOUSTON, LINVILLE, LIVINGSTON, MAYO, McCLAIN, MONEY, PERKINS, RHEA, RORK, ROARK, STEPHENSON, UTT, and WARE.

Rootbound would like to add to our list of area notables. If you know of some famous (or infamous) individuals who have roots in the Ozarks, send those name to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper.

Until next week...happy hunting!

Rootbound in the Hills #204:
20 Aug 1991

by Rocky Macy

The best thing about writing Rootbound week after week is knowing that the work is occasionally of benefit to others. Those sincere "thank-yous" are better than paychecks. Take, for instance, the one that arrived recently from Dorothy SCHLAUD in Michigan. Please read on...

Dorothy SCHLAUD (6303 Woodsdale Drive, Grand Blanc, MI 48439) ran a query a couple of months ago seeking information on the May-Keith Cemetery near Maysville, AR, the place where many of her relatives are buried. Dorothy was concerned about the deteriorating condition of the cemetery, and she wanted to learn who to contact about fixing it up.

We then noted a few weeks later that Rose STAUBER of Grove, OK, had written to say that she was assisting Dorothy in determining ownership of the cemetery.

Dorothy, in her current letter, states that Rose has located the name of the individual who owns the land around the cemetery, and that she (Dorothy) has contacted him and received permission to work at straightening it. And, as an added bonus, Dorothy's query to Rootbound also brought responses from a couple of relatives who still reside in this area. It's always great to know that people are reading Rootbound and reaching out to their misplaced relatives!

Rose STAUBER is still reading the column also. After the last mention of the cemetery ran in this column telling people to direct responses to Rose, she quickly fired off a letter stating that this is Dorothy's project and all correspondence should go to her. Sorry, Rose.

Rose's letter posed some interesting questions about the actual ownership of family cemeteries, and their access to the public if surrounded by private land. Rootbound would be interested in hearing from any of our readers who have some legal expertise (or personal knowledge) in this area. It undoubtedly varies by state.

The STAUDT/STOUDT/STOUT (1733-1991) 17th annual family reunion will be held on Sunday, August 25th, 1991, at Umbenhauer's Park in Bernville, PA. For more information on this family organiztion or the reunion, please contact Mrs. Beulah STOUDT FOLLMER at Rt. 1, Box 897, Shillington, PA 19607.

John Mitchell RORABAUGH was born 16 Mar 1837 in Randolph County, VA, and died 19 Nov 1912 at Diamond, Newton County, MO. Do any of our readers know where he is buried? Roy L. RORABAUGH (1727 High Street, Keokuk, IA 52632) wants to know.

And while we're searching for burial sites, Bob WILKERSON (Rt. 2, Box 127, Urbana, MO 65767) wishes to know the final resting place of Daniel SARTWELL (1809-1878). Was it the Pineville Cemetery, Spring Hill Cemetery, or some other location? Also among the missing is Daniel's widow, Elizabegth COON SARTWELL (1816-1890). Where is she buried? Their children were: Ancel, Pulaski, Helen, and Candice (married John CREACH). Are their descendants still in this corner of the Ozarks?

Irene NICOLICH (HCR 79, Box 1357, Hoquiam, WA 98550) needs birth and death dates for Isaac and Martha (NORRIS) GARMAN who died in Gravette, AR, and are buried in Word Cemetery. Where were they born? Where in Missouri was Mary Jane (RUSSELL) GARMAN born and who were her parents? Irene would like to correspond with descendants of these people.

Thanks to the Genealogy Friends of the Library of Neosho and the Exchange Club of Neosho for inviting this columnist to speak to their respective organizations. If other area groups are interested, we now have two prepared talks: one on the basics of genealogy and the other on the genealogy of several Ozark outlaws and desperadoes. For more information on these free programs, please write to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper.

Happy hunting!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #203:
13 Aug 1991

by Rocky Macy

Of all the outlaws and desperadoes who ravaged the countryside during the last century, few received the amount of attention and notoriety that was accorded to Jesse and Frank JAMES. And although much has been written on these brothers, very little of it has dealt with their genealogy.

Author and historian Phillip W. STEELE has provided a great deal of ancestral material on the JAMES boys in his book, Jesse and Frank JAMES: The Family History. The genealogy that follows has been extracted from that work with the kind permission of the author. Please read on...

Alexander Franklin "Frank" JAMES (born 10 Jan 1843, Clay County, MO), Jesse Woodson JAMES (5 Sep 1847), and Susan Lavenia JAMES (25 Nov 1849) were the only children of Robert Sallee JAMES and Zerelda E. COLE. The father, a minister, had been born on 17July 1818 in Logan County, KY to John M. JAMES and Mary "Polly" POOR. Robert Salee JAMES died on 18 Aug 1850 while prospecting for gold in California. His wife, Zerelda, was born 29 Jan 1825 in Woodford County, KY, to James COLE and Sallie LINDSAY. Zerelda died on a train near Oklahoma City, OK, on 10 Feb 1911.

John M. JAMES (above) (born 1775; died 1827) was the son of William JAMES (born 1754, Pembrokeshire, Wales; died 1805) and Mary HINES. William and Mary were married 15 July 1774. Mary "Polly" POOR who married John M. JAMES on 26 Mar 1807, was born in1790 to Robert POOR and Elizabeth MIMMS. Elizabeth MIMMS was born 3 April 1769 to Shadrack MIMMS (born 1734; died 1777) and Elizabeth WOODSON. Robert POOR and Elizabeth MIMMS were married 7 Feb 1789.

James COLE (above) (born 8 Sep 1804) was the son of Richard COLE, Jr. (born 23 April 1763; died 9 July 1839) and Sally YATES. Richard was the son of Richard COLE, Sr., who was born in Pennsylvania in 1729. James COLE's wife, Sallie LINDSAY, was the daughter of Anthony LINDSAY, Jr., and Alsey Alice COLE (born 20 June 1769, died 7 July 1813). Alseey was also a child of Richard COLE Sr., which means that James COLE and his wife, Sallie LINDSAY, were first-cousins.

Alexander Franklin "Frank" JAMES married Anna RALSTON on 6 June 1874. Their only child, Robert Franklin JAMES (1878-1959), died childless leaving the infamous Frank JAMES with no known descendants.

Susan Lavenia JAMES, a strikingly beautiful young woman, married Allen H. PARMER in Clay County, MO, on 24 Nov 1870. Their children were Robert Archie (1872-1883), Flora (BENSON) (1877-1926), Zelma (EDWARDS) (1879-1972), Allen, Jr. (1882-1885), Susan Kate (1885-1903), and Feta (ROSE) (1887-1978).

Jesse Woodson JAMES married his first-cousin, Zerelda Amanda "ZEE" MIMMS on 24 April 1874. Their children included Jesse Edwards JAMES (1875-1951) who went on to become an attorney in Los Angeles, twins Gould and Montgomery who died as infants, and Mary Susan JAMES (1879-1935). Jesse Edwards JAMES and his wife, Stella McGOWAN, had four daughters: Lucille Martha (LEWIS) (1900-1988), Josephine Frances (ROSS), (1902-1964), Jessie Estelle (BAUMEL) (1906-1987), and Ethel Rose (OWENS) (born 1908). Mary Susan JAMES married Henry LaFayette BARR. Their children were Lawrence H. (1902-1984), Forster Ray (1904-1977), Chester A. (1907-1984), and Henrietta (1913-died as an infant).

Zerelda E. COLE JAMES, the mother of Frank, Jesse, and Susan, was married to Benjamin A. SIMMS for a brief period of time after the death of Robert Sallee JAMES. They separated and he was subsequently killed in an accident. She then married Dr. Reuben SAMUEL by whom she had five children. It was Dr. SAMUEL who filled the role of father while the JAMES children were growing up.

The book, Jesse and Frank JAMES: The Family History, contains a great amount of genealogical data of the SAMUEL family and other lines related to the JAMESes. And it is well supplemented with photos and stories about Frank and Jesse. Copies are available from the author, Phillip W. STEELE (P.O. Box 191, Springdale, AR 72765) for the postage-paid price of only $6.85. (I bought my copy at a bookstore for $7.99 - and it was well worth that!)

Until next week...happy hunting!

Rootbound in the Hills #202:
6 Aug 1991

by Rocky Macy

Rootbound loves a good mystery...and we've uncovered one that borders on the incredible! Please read on...

Quite a while ago this column carried a query from Darrel COLE (Star Route, Tussy, OK 73088) seeking information on his great-grandfather, Dr. John Hunt COLE. Dr. COLE came to Southwest City, McDonald County, MO, from Marion County, KS, early in 1879, and he practiced medicine in this area until his death at Vian, Indian Territory, in 1899.

A year or so after that column ran, Rootbound's good friend (and fellow genealogy columnist), Raymond E. JERRFIES of Pea Ridge, AR, forwarded a copy of a magazine article that focused on Dr. COLE. The article, "The Mystery of John Hunt Cole," was written by Mike GRISSOM and featured in the September 1988 issues of The United Daughters of the Confederacy Magazine...and what a tale it told!

Dr. COLE, it seems, made a deathbed confession to his family that he was actually John Hunt MORGAN...Confederate General John Hunt Morgan, one of Dixie's better known commanders who was famous for his ingenuity and daring. General MORGAN was supposedly killed on 4 Sep 1864 during a surprise nighttime attack on a house in which he and some of his men were quartered. Dr. COLE, in explaining how he survived, told of changing coats with an aide to confuse the enemy in the event of his capture or death.

Although wounded in the attack, General MORGAN, according to the COLE family, was able to flee and eventually made his way to Illinois where he located and married an old friend, Maggie CRITZER. It was at that time that he assumed the name COLE. Within a few months of settling in Illinois, the story goes, John Hunt COLE was recognized as General MORGAN. a revelation that led to gun-play and the deaths of several men. COLE and his in-laws, the CRITZERs, then decided that a change of scenery might be advantageous to their health and well-being.

The two families settled on the plains of Kansas where Maggie COLE gave birth to five children. In an effort to slow Maggie's deteriorating health, John Hunt COLE moved her and the children to Southwest City, MO, in 1879 where he used his extensive education to assume the title and practice of medical doctor. Maggie passed away shortly after that move, leaving Dr. COLE in need of a mother for his children. He married Carolyn REARIDON on 8 May 1879. John and Carolyn had four sons, none of whom survived to adulthood.

During Dr. COLE's lifetime he kept his past a virtual secret, choosing only to confide in his wife and oldest son, John MORGAN COLE. But after contracting pneumonia in November of 1899 and realizing that his demise was imminent, the old physician summoned his family to his bedside. There, amidst his last few moments on earth, Dr. COLE wrote the signature "John Hunt MORGAN" on a slip of paper and told the stunned assembly, "This is who I really am."

Author Mike GRISSOM and the COLE family offer several pieces of circumstantial evidence that back up the possibility that the doctor's strange confession is true. Photos of old Dr. COLE, it seems, do bear a close resemblance to those of young General MORGAN. There are also similarities between the names of COLE's children and those of relatives of General MORGAN. General MORGAN may have had an aide named Captain COLE, and one of his officers had masqueraded as the General on an earlier occasion in a maneuver that allowed his leader to evade capture.

Samples of General MORGAN's handwriting exist today. Dr. COLE's deathbed signature, which would have served as irrefutable evidence of his claim, disappeared many years ago. But this mystery can still be solved.

Darrell COLE and his genealogy-enthusiast wife, June, need one of two things to prove or disprove their old family tradition: documentary evidence of the existence of John Hunt COLE prior to 1865, or a sample of the handwriting and/or signature of Dr. John Hunt COLE. They are hopeful that some Rootbound reader may have an old medical report or a certificate signed by Dr. COLE. This would verify or vilify the physician's strange tale and bring resolution to questions that have tantalized a family for nearly a century.

Happy hunting!

Rootbound in the Hills #201:
30 July 1991

by Rocky Macy

Rootbound has been out foraging through area flea markets again, and this time we've come up with a couple of beautiful old photographs that need to find their way back to family. Please read on...

The first photograph appears to be a wedding portrait. It is labeled Mr. Bert J. MURPHY and Miss Nannie MATTHEWS. The second picture is of an older couple, perhaps in their fifties, whose names are Aunt Minnie PHILLIPS VELTON and Joe VELTON. "Pierce City, MO" is also written on the reverse of the VELTON's photograph. Both of these treasures are in excellent condition, very old, and anxiously awaiting a reunion with their families.

Betty MARTY (1212 Lou Ida Drive, Neosho, MO 64850) has several old Oddfellows Journals from this area. if your ancestor belonged to the I.O.O.F, Betty might have material of interest to share.

John HUNNICUTT (Rt. 2, Box 174, Noel, MO 64854) is trying to find out more about his great-grandmother, Easter Indiana STALLCUP. We've had that surname mentioned in Rootbound before. Is there anyone out there who can help John with his ancestry?

Bonnie MARTIN (Rt. 2, Box 312, Neosho, MO 64850), a good friend and fellow genealogy columnist, would like to come in contact with anyone who knew Robert Gentry MARTIN (1853-1940), a one-time resident of the Racine, Newton County, MO, area. He was the father of Robert Harrison MARTIN, and both are buried at New Salem Cemetery west of Neosho in rural Newton County, MO, along with other members of the MARTIN family. Allied names are HOLDER, ANDERSON, LANKFORD, SPENCER, and KING. Rootbound wishes Bonnie success with her quest ... and her column!

Dorothea MASON STEFFAN (1026 Crest Court, Neosho, MO 64850) is searching for information on Moses DOTY (born 1796) who was killed in 1863 in Lone Jack, Jackson County, MO, possibly by QUANTRIILL's raiders. Moses had a freight line that ran from Lone Jack to Harrison, AR. Who were his parents? Where was he born?

Moses DOTY (above) was on the 1830 census of Marion County, TN, with a wife and three children. He married Nancy A. GREEN in 1846 at Jackson County, MO. Who was his first Wife? Dorthea hopes that some of our readers are working this same line.

The current issue of American Genealogy magazine features an article by this writer entitled "Ozark Sources." Several groups are covered including the Missouri State Genealogical Society (Springfield, MO), Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society, and the Genealogy Friends of the Library of Neosho, MO. The works of Vivibar Publications and Larry A. JAMES, both of Neosho, are also noted. If any of the groups or individuals noted in the article receive inquiries as a result of the publication, we hope that they will let Rootbound know.

American Genealogy is a quarterly magazine. The current issue has over forty pages of interesting articles and queries, and it is completely indexed by surname. For ordering information, please contact James PYLANT, Editor, at P.O. Box 1587, Stephenville, TX 76401 (phone 817-965-6979). And remember to let James know that you heard about his work through Rootbound!

And while we're in the bragging mode...Rootbound has now gone international. The most recent issue of Generations, the quarterly publication of the Manitoba (Canada) genealogical Society, carries a reprint of our article that came to have a life of its own: "How to Built a Better Query." This is the fourth time that particular piece has appeared in print, and a couple of more groups have expressed interest in using it.

For a free copy of "How to Build a Better Query," please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper. And while you're at it, why not include a query or two with that request? Rootbound is always ready to help track down those elusive ancestors!

Happy hunting!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #200:
23 July 1991

by Rocky Macy


(Columnist's note: This column is Rootbound's 200th. To honor that milestone, I have decided to reprint my favorite column. It was number 57, first published in October of 1988 as a tribute to my late grandfather. It is respectfully dedicated to his children, grandchildren, and other descendants.)



Daniel Alexander SREAVES:
28 Oct 1888 - 29 Sep 1970


The Ozarks were ablaze in their flaming fall glory, much as they are today. Grover CLEVELAND was in the White House, but within a couple of weeks he would be defeated for reelection by Benjamin HARRISON. Folks in the cities were discussing the tariff and the huge U.S. Treasury surplus of cash, while their country cousins were more concerned with practical matters, like whether to expect a repeat of the past winter's awful blizzard.

It was near Huntsville, Arkansas, a century ago this week that Alex and Mary Jane SREAVES welcomed their first child into the world. The boy, Dan, would spend twelve years in the hills of Madison County playing, going to school, working on the farm, and developing the self-reliance and strong character needed to stand him well over the rough trails of life.

Family legend has it that Alex SREAVES had a violent argument with an unstable neighbor in 1901. Whatever the case, Alex did gather his family into two covered wagons and head for Missouri that year. Mary Jane's brother, Tommy ELLIS, drove the second wagon. The small group of adventurers walked, rode, and camped out for three days and nights enroute to their new home in Anderson, Missouri. Before long, however, the family again pulled up stakes and went to an area between Goodman and Seneca, MO, known as Swars Prairie. It was on this prairie that Dan SREAVES spent most of the rest of his life.

Dan married Nancy Jane "Sis" ROARK on 13 March 1912 in McDonald County. This union brought forth seven children: Harold Dean, Mary Ruth (Mrs. Fred MARBLE), Ned Roark (married Gwendolyn WALLACE), Ruby Florine (Mrs. Garland MACY), Virgie Christine (Mrs. A.G. "Bob" DOBBS), Betty Lou (Mrs. Dalton MACY), and Floyd Edgar (married Shirley MEANS). Dan and Sis also raised her nephew, Ivan ROARK.

The SREAVES family attended church and Sunday School regularly. Dan always tithed, even during times when it seem as though the money just wasn't there, and for years he was instrumental in providing the necessary financial support to keep the doors open at the small Swars Prairie Methodist Church. (My mother, Florine, told me on several occasions that there were so many SREAVES in that small church that the hymn Bringing in the Sheeves would often be sung as Bringing in the SREAVES!) Throughout his life, Dan sought counsel in the Bible before making important decisions.

Dan SREAVES was a farmer, and at times he supplemented the modest farm income by hauling milk and driving a school bus. He and his brother, Jess, were also sorghum producers. Dan had a special filtration process that used local red clay to ultimately render a clear, bitterless sorghum. He would load the sorghum into his old Model-T Ford and take it to stores in Joplin and the surrounding area. People always knew that the SREAVES name of sorghum meant quality.

The devotion that Dan SREAVES had toward his wife never wavered. Sis died in 1953, leaving her husband to endure a period of grief and loneliness. But Dan was not destined to live out the remainder of his life in solitude. He eventually married a widow, Martha THOMPSON ROARK, who had been his childhood sweetheart. There are still people in Seneca who remember Dan pushing Martha down the street in a wheelbarrow on their wedding day!

Dan SREAVES made two significant pilgrimages during his later years. Both were life-long dreams. In the early 1960s his daughter, Christine, and her family took him back to Huntsville. It was the only time that he ever returned to his birthplace. After much searching he found his old schoolhouse well hidden in an overgrowth of Arkansas brambles. The little building was being used to store hay. He also was able to locate a childhood friend while on this trip. Dan and his buddy from yesteryear visited in the man's yard until well after dark.

The other important trek was to California. During hard times the family would often say, perhaps only half-jokingly, that they might just sell out and move to California. They never made the move, but in the summer of 1970 Dan, Martha, and his granddaughter, Sharon SREAVES, did fly to Los Angeles to visit his daughter, Ruth, and her family. And what a wonderful time they had! Dan kicked off his shoes to wade in the Pacific Ocean, and he even rode the rides at Disneyland!

Dan SREAVES passed away quietly just a few weeks after returning from the west coast. The crowd that gathered at the little church on Swars Prairie for the services was so immense that loudspeakers had to be set up outside for the ones who were unable to find seating inside. With the same minister who had buried Sis officiating, and grandsons serving as pallbearers, the funeral was a fond and emotional farewell to a wonderful man. It was as if the many kindnesses that Dan had shown to others throughout his lifetime had been summoned forth as mourners.

The SREAVES name still meant quality!

Rootbound in the Hills #199:
16 July 1991

by Rocky Macy

The fish in Grand Lake must not be biting because Rose STAUBER has found time to assist her relatives with their genealogy. Please read on...

Rose STAUBER (Rt. 3, Box 1084, Grove, OK 74344) has a relative who is searching for material on Elijah Nelson BOLLMAN and Gertie K. KITCH who were married on 25 Dec 1902at Peoria, Indian Territory. Gertie's parents were William M. KITCH and Martha STEPHENS. William and Martha are listed on the 1900 census of the Quapaw Nation. Martha was born in Clay County, KY, in 1843, and she died in Galena, KS, in 1943. The BOLLMANs, KITCHes, and STEPHENS all came to the three-state area of MO-AR-OK from around Terre Haute, IN.

Rose is looking for other family researchers, family descendants, or anyone with information on any of the three families listed above. She would be more than happy to exchange information on her research.

An out-of-state reader wrote to Rootbound a few weeks ago regarding preservation of the May-Keith Cemetery in Maysville, AR. Rose STAUBER (above) has taken up that cause as well. (Those fish must really not be biting!) Persons with an interest in the preservation and maintenance of the May-Keith Cemetery would probably benefit from contacting Rose. Perhaps a work group can be formed.

Florence ESTES (1134 Olwsnup Avenue, Gridley, CA 95948) is on the trail of Elisha Hiram ESTES (born 1790, TN) and his wife, Mary Jane DOYLE. (Who were her parents and when did she and Hiram get married?) The couple had three sons: Thomas DOYLE (born 1818; married Rhoda FARMER), Hiram (born 1820; married Pernina FARMER in Benton County, AR, in 1837), and Elisha (born 1822; married Elizabeth DAVIS in Franklin County, MO). Elisha and Elizabeth were in Newton County, MO, by 1850. Florence would appreciate hearing from any of our readers who have a knowledge of her ESTES ancestry.

Terry RANDLES (9530 Ferguson Road, Apt. 1100, Dallas, TX 75228) wishes to correspond with others who are tracking a STALCUP or STALCOP line. Another line of interest to Terry is CLOYD. Both lead back to Wilmington, DE. Are there descendants of these families reading Rootbound?

Melvina CUTBURTH ARNETT (Rt. 1, Box 54, Houstonia, MO 65333) is writing a history of the CUTBURTH/CUTBIRTH surname. The specific line that she is working is that of David and Mary CUTBIRTH and their children: Elizabeth (married Uriah HINCHY), Charlotte (married John HINCHY), James (married Sarah _____), Benjamin, Green (married Mary Ann _____), Charles, David D., Andrew Jackson, and one unidentified female. Were there more? This family was on the Taney County, MO, census in 1840, and they had relocated to McDonald County, MO, by 1850. Any CUTBURTH or CUTBIRTH researcher who has material to share for Melvina's book needs to get in touch with her.

The Barry County Genealogical Society's seminar planned for this August has been cancelled. Persons desiring to learn more about this new group should contact its president, Daniel J. HAY, at P.O. Box 291, Cassville, MO 65625.

Rootbound received a nice note from Sharon RILEY of Modesto, CA, thanking us for sending the photograph of her grandaunt, Cora E. KELLY KING. We had been trying to find a home for that flea market find for nearly three years, and now it has one!

The Dollarhide Systems (203 W. Holly Street, Bellingham, WA 98225) publishes a quarterly entitled Genealogy Bulletin that is free for the asking. The current issue is thirty-two pages of interesting articles, an event queries and queries section for readers, and advertisements of the company's products. Not all good things in life are free, but this one is! Why not write and ask for yours today?

Planning a family or school reunion? Send a notice to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper - and we'll spread the word!

Happy hunting!

Friday, July 25, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #198:
9 July 1991

by Rocky Macy

It's been one of Rootbound's unclaimed treasures for over two years, but now, thanks to the barest thread of circumstance, that beautiful old photograph of Cora E. KELLY KING has found its way back to her family! Please read on...

Rootbound purchased that photograph at an area flea market and tried unsuccessfully on several occasions to find a claimant. During that same period of time we returned Bibles, correspondence, and other photographs to misplaced families, but Cora's picture just sat on the shelf collecting dust.

Then a chain of events began occurring that led to a happy conclusion for a lady in California - and for Rootbound! Several months ago an article by this columnist entitled "Flea Market Genealogy" appeared in Heritage Quest Magazine. That piece focused on ways of returning strayed family memorabilia to descendants of the original owners. As a result of that article, Heritage Quest started a special department to advertise, free-of-charge, flea market finds. To help the magazine with its new effort, this writer submitted a couple of entries, including a description of the photograph of Cora E. KELLY KING.

Within days a letter arrived from Sharon KELLEY RILEY (2405 Silvaire Court, Modesto, CA 95350). The excited correspondent related that Cora Evelyn KELLY KING was her grandfather's sister. Cora, the daughter of John Marion KELLEY and Martha STRANGE, was born in Neosho County, KS, in October of 1882. Her older brother, Thomas Franklin, was born in Jack County, TX, in October of 1880, and her two younger brothers, Joseph William (born Jan 1886) and Wallis Lawrence (10 Oct 1888), were each natives of Neosho County, KS.

John Marion KELLEY (above) was born in Neosho, Newton County, MO, in 1859. He died in August of 1918. His wife, Martha STRANGE, was born in July of 1864 in Blount County, TN, to Franklin Madison STRANGE and Susan GAULT. She died around 1890.

Thomas Franklin KELLEY (above) had a daughter whom he named "Cora" in honor of his sister. That Cora is having a fiftieth wedding anniversary this summer, and our correspondent plans on giving her the old photograph of her aunt as an anniversary gift. Talk about special! Everybody wins in this one - Sharon KELLEY RILEY, her Aunt Cora, and especially Rootbound!

Viola FLORY (Rt. 1, Box 1278, Stella, MO 64867) is a grandniece of Sarah Ellen (LIGHT/LYGHT) WOOD who was born around 1854 and married in Illinois. Sarah Ellen was in Wilson County, KS, in 1880 with the following children: John W. (age 6), Mary S. (age 4), Sanford (age2) and Dora (age 1 month, born KS). She was in Rich Hill, MO, in 1884, and by 1900 Sarah Ellen was residing at 1512 Woolers Street, Nevada, Vernon County, MO. Sanford (age 22) was living at home in 1900, and Sarah Ellen also had a daughter named Frankie (age 6, MO) in the household.

Dora WOOD (above) married Hardin JOHNSTON and they had at least two children: Eva (born 1898, MO) and John (1899, KS). Sarah Ellen possibly married John ROOT later in life and moved to Homestead, MT. Do any of our readers have more information on this family?

Christine RIEHMAN, writer of a most interesting letter a few weeks ago regarding her LANKFORD ancestors and the possible involvement of one of them in the LINDBERGH kidnapping, has moved. Her new address is 42030 Selby Circle, Temecula, CA 92390. Christine mentioned in her most recent letter that Geraldo RIVERA did a special segment on the controversy surrounding that kidnapping. She is hoping that as more facts about the kidnapping are brought to light, she will learn more about her colorful relatives!

And what about your colorful relatives? If there is still more to learn, write to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper. Our readers will help - they're absolutely the best!

Happy hunting!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #197:
2 July 1991

by Rocky Macy

It was a front page story in the evening edition of the Sioux City Tribune on Saturday, 1 Aug 1925. The newspaper officially recognized Alice FAGEN, aged fifty-nine, of Sioux City as being the youngest great-grandmother in the state of Iowa. A photo of Alice and her six great-grandchildren was included with the article. And what was Alice's connection with the Ozarks? Please read on...

The article also featured a picture of Alice's father, Joseph HALLOWAY, an eight-one-year-old Civil War veteran who was residing in Goodman, McDonald County, MO. Now Joseph's g-g-g-granddaughter, Peggy LINSTEAD (3519 Grandview Drive, Rockford, IL 61111), is trying to trace his past through McDonald County. She believes that Joseph HALLOWAY died in 1929. In addition to living at Goodman, he may have also stayed in the Joplin, MO, area. Do any of our readers have more information about this individual?

Don R. BROWN (P.O. Box 523, Bentonville, AR 72712) is tracking his INMAN family across southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. Don is the g-g-grandson of (William) Jefferson and Maria (COOPER) INMAN. Jefferson and Maria were on the Ozark County, MO, census in 1850 living next door to Maria's parents. The family was in Wright County, MO, by 1860. It is likely that Jefferson was killed at home by bushwhackers in the 1860s. This INMAN line had migrated on to Randolph County, AR, by 1870.


The father of Jefferson INMAN (above) was possibly John INMAN, a resident of Crawford County, MO, in 1840. John was living with a widowed son, Alvy, and his young children in Texas County, MO, in 1850. Related families of Texas County possibly include BURDINE, FARRIS, and WOOD. Was Jefferson the son of John INMAN? Who was John's wife?

Other surnames on the five-generation chart that Don R. BROWN (above) has prepared on his mother, Juanita E. RAINS, include: DABNEY, STACY, JONES, KENNEDY, HANCOCK, and PENLEY. Our correspondent would appreciate hearing from any ROOTBOUND readers who might have information to share on his ancestry - particularly the INMANs.

Helen A. RICHARDS (P.O. Box 18, Clipper Mills, CA 95930) is trying to identify the parents of Thomas Dennis ANDERSON and his wife, Margaret PAUL. The couple was apparently rooted in Tennessee and Illinois. Thomas may have had a brother living in McDonald County, MO, and he also had a sister named Lavinia. (Helen A. RICHARDS is the daughter-in-law of the late Salena Jane PECK RICHARDS, a Neosho area school teacher, and Paul Lee RICHARDS.)

Nancy SCHONEMANN (5805 Palomino Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64505) is seeking data on Thomas R. SIMPSON and his wife, Cassandra FULTON. He was born in Indiana in 1820, and she was a native of Virginia, born in 1824. They settled in Cass or Bates County, MO, by 1842. Thomas R. SIMPSON was a farmer and stock dealer in Butler, MO, where he died in 1911. Known children include Caroline (born around 1841), Elvira, Thomas C., Sophia E., and James N. Did their descendants remain in the area?

The Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society meets the fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Hospitality Room of the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Fourth and Chestnut in Rogers, AR. For information on programs or activities of the group, please contact Anthony Lee ROCKEFELLER, Vice-President, at 520 North 37th Street, Rogers, AR 72756.

The Genealogy Friends of the Library (P.O. Box 314, Neosho, MO 64850) plan to publish a family history book entitled Biographical Sketches of Newton County Families and Their Neighbors. Family histories and photographs are being sought for this project. Those wishing to submit material or order copies of the book at special pre-publication prices should contact the Genealogy Friends at the address mentioned above.

Until next week...happy hunting!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #196:
25 June 1991

by Rocky Macy

Rootbound continues to stress the importance of saving personal correspondence. Those old postcards, letters, and love notes will one day become the source of much family history that would have otherwise been forgotten. Earl R. SAVAGE is about to go chasing ancestors through the Ozarks solely because of a letter written more than a century ago. Please read on...

Earl R. SAVAGE (9939 Palmerston Road, Richmond, VA 23236) has recently found a letter that his grandfather, Jacob Erasmus Tyree KIBLINGER wrote to his (Jacob's) father from Neosho, MO, on 21 Aug 1878. Jacob was possibly visiting his uncle, Peter Franklin KIBLINGER, a wagon maker who was married to Lydia Henrietta HUFFMAN. Peter and Lydia are thought to have moved to Missouri from Virginia, later settling in Indiana. Their children were William Henry, Elizabeth Ann, John Wesley, and Napoleon Bonapart. Did they live in this area, and are any KIBLINGER descendants still here?

Mrs. Charles E. VAIL (2104 Hidden Oaks Trail, Bentonville, AR 72712) phoned recently to discuss her Ozark genealogy. She has done extensive research on the PYEATT family of Washington County, AR, and the PYATTs of Barry County, MO, who moved on to the area around Eureka Springs. Also, the brother of Mrs. VAIL's g-g-grandfather was Millington ALLEN of Newton County, MO. His descendants married into the following families: PRUITT, HILL, LEATHERS, DEAL, MOORE, and RIGGS. Mr. ALLEN had two step-children named HALFORD. Some of his descendants are buried in the Diamond Cemetery at Diamond, Newton County, MO. Mrs. VAIL would be most happy to exchange information with any of her Ozark cousins.

Dorothy CROSSWHITE (708 West Hunt Street, McKinney, TX 75069) is searching for descendants of William L. CROSSWHITE (born 1826, Campbell County, TN) and his wife, Elizabeth SHOUN (born 1829). They were married on 7 Mar 1847. Elizabeth died in 1904 and William passed away the following year. Both are buried in Parker, KS.

Dorothy CROSSWHITE (address above) is also tracking descendants of Robert Henderson CROSSWHITE, a one-time resident of Kansas City. Robert's brother, J. Webster CROSSWHITE, M.D., was residing in the area around Weston-Celina, TX, at the time of his death in 1937. Robert and J. Webster were sons of Alfred C. CROSSWHITE. Did they leave trails across the Ozarks?

Elizabeth B. DICKENS (1828 Buttercup Road, Elizabeth, CO 80107) is researching her great-grandfather, Joseph DUSTO, who was born 6 Feb 1835 and died on 6 Nov 1868 in or near Neosho, Newton County, Missouri. Perhaps some of the members of the Genealogy Friends of the Library in Neosho could be of assistance to Elizabeth.

Sue CRAWFORD LAMBRIGHT (102 Heritage Parkway, Fort Mill, SC 29715-8314) is trying to identify the parents of Thompson "Steamboat Bill" CROFFORD (CRAWFORD). He married Nancy BREEDING on 11 June 1846 in Osage County, MO, and they resided in Osage and Maries Counties up until the 1870's. The couple's four children were all born in Maries County, MO. They were: Mary E. (born 1846), A.B. (1847), William (1849), and Thomas C. (1861). Was Thompson a brother to William Andrew and Augustus CROFFORD? Sue LAMBRIGHT wants to know!

The 11th Annual Conference of the Missouri State Genealogical Association will be held on August 2-3, 1991, at William Woods College in Fulton, MO. The keynote speaker will be Mr. Lloyd DeWitt BOCKSTRUCK, a nationally recognized and respected genealogist. Mr. BOCKSTRUCK will share his expertise on Virginia and Kentucky research with conference attendees. For further information, please write to the Missouri State Genealogical Association at P.O. Box 833, Columbia, MO 65205-0833.

Word has recently come from Canada that the Manitoba Genealogical Society plans to reprint our article, "How to Build a Better Query", in their quarterly, Generations. Those of you not into Canadian research may obtain a copy of this article by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper. This makes the fourth request to reprint, so it must be meeting the needs of genealogists!

Happy hunting!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #195:
18 June 1991

by Rocky Macy

Someone let their guard down for just a moment and another family treasure hit the auction block! Please read on...

Rootbound's friend, Margaret GRANDY, (1703 Susan Place, Neosho, MO 64850), has forwarded copies of original family record Bible pages that were in a box of books purchased at an auction by her brother, Robert L. BENSON, also of Neosho, Newton County, MO. The material deals with the WHITE family of Oswego, Labette County, KS. The surname for each individual listed in the material that follows is WHITE unless otherwise indicated.
Births: Elisha (1 Mar 1821), Esther RITCHIE (1 Mar 1825), James Henry (30 Sep 1848), Hester Jane (27 April 1850, Woodbury, KY), Frank Alexander (22 July 1852, Woodbury, KY), Robert Thompson (4 April 1860), Eugena Vitula (23 Oct 1880, Siloam Springs, AR), Esther J. (25 April 1883, Siloam Springs, AR), Rex C. (24 Dec 1895, Oswego, KS), Mary Gene (7 Sep 1918), Jerry Keith (7 Sep 1934, Oswego, KS), Thomas McGray (21 Nov 1936, Oswego, KS), Douglas Neal (9 Oct 1950, Oswego, KS), Clifford Reid (16 Dec 1954, Dumas, TX), Leslie Jeanine (2 July 1955, Dumas, TX), and, Tamara Leigh (1 Sep 1960, Kennewick, WA).

Deaths: James Henry (17 July 1850), Hester Jane (2 April 1862), Esther (16 May 1870), Esther Jane (25 Aug 1883), Elisha (27 May 1896), Frank Alexander (27 June 1924), Robert T. (13 Jan 1926), Kate STERMAN WHITE (29 Jan 1940), Rex C. (19 Feb 1951), Mary Gene (19 Feb 1921), and, Ruth I. (7 July 1921). There is a note between the names of Rex and Mary Gene indicating that one of them died in Bartlesville, OK.

Marriages: Elisha WHITE and Esther RITCHIE (27 Dec 1847), Elisha WHITE and Mary BALLY (11 July 1872), Frank A. WHITE and Kate S. RAINWATER (20 Jan 1880), Frank G. MORAN and Tula WHITE (no date given), Rex C. WHITE and Ruth I. REYNOLDS (8 June 1917, Ft. Scott, KS, at church house), Rex C. WHITE and Gladys C. McGRAY (4 May 1925, Fredonia, KS, at Christian parsonage), Thomas McGray WHITE and Retha Ann BEEMAN (21 June 1949, Oswego, KS), and Jerry Keith WHITE and Sheryll Lou HARRIS 29 May 1965, Stafford, KS).

Margaret and Robert would like to see these fragile Bible pages back in the hands of descendants of the WHITE family. For further information, please contact Margaret GRANDY at the address above - and be sure to include that self-addressed, stamped envelope!

Juanita TYLER KELLERMAN (745 West 1st Avenue, Rt. 3, Box 33, Garnett, KS 66032) is seeking information on her grandfather, Elza William TYLER, who moved to Sulphur Springs, Benton County, AR, in 1919. Elza was born in St. Mary's, OH, in 1856. His father and grandfather were both named Ebenezer TYLER. Elza died in 1934 and is buried in the Butler Creek Cemetery near Sulphur Springs. His son, Alvin TYLER, resided around Sulphur Springs after the death of his father. Does anyone have other material to share on this family?

Free samples, anyone? N. Dale TALKINGTON (2011 Iowa Street, Norman, OK 73069) says that he will send a free copy of his "cousin fidner" chart to anyone who supplies him with a #10 self-addressed, stamped envelope. The chart, which goes to the seventh cousin, shows how to sort through all of the degrees of cousin-ship. For those who don't understand just what "second cousin once removed" is, this should be just the thing! And don't forget to tell Dale that you heard about his "cousin finder" through Rootbound.

The Barry County (MO) Genealogical Society will be hosting a summer seminar on Saturday, August 10th, 1991, in Cassville. This columnist has been invited to attend as one of the guest speakers. To learn more about this event, please write to the group's president, Daniel J. HAY, at P.O. Box 291, Cassville, MO 65625. Rootbound will see you there!

Until next week...happy hunting!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #194:
11 June 1991

by Rocky Macy

Genealogy...it's just one mystery after another! And you, Good Readers, are always welcome to help the detectives. As a case in point, who among you has clues to fill in the gaps in the life story of Lucinda POGUE? Please read on...

Mrs. Jeanne MOULTON (Box 220, Hussar, Alberta, Canada TOJ 1SO) is very interested in identifying the parents and siblings of Lucinda POGUE. Lucinda first appears on the 1850 McDonald County, MO, census as an eighteen-year-old living with the Austin CARBEY family. By 1860 she is reported as being thirty-years-old and in residence with the Nathan KIRBY family of McDonald County. (Could CARBEY and KIRBY have been the same name?) The 1860 census also reported that Lucinda had a two-year-old daughter, Mary Elizabeth ROBERTS.

Lucinda POGUE had her own home by 1870 where she lived with her daughter, Mary, and Lucinda's twenty-five-year-old, insane sister, Henrietta POGUE. Mary was the wife of John ADDINGTON by 1876 at which time she was residing with Lucinda and Henrietta in Pineville, McDonald County, MO, along with her two sons, Joab and John ADDINGTON. Mary's husband, John ADDINGTON, died between 1876 and 1878, and she then married Simon BROOKS. Their baby, William BROOKS, was listed on the 1880 census. Lucinda and Henrietta were both in Pineville in 1880.

John ADDINGTON, Mary ROBERTS' husband, had a sister who married into the NOEL family. It is possible that he is buried in one of the two or three unmarked graves at the Shelt Noel Cemetery near Pineville. Does anyone know? Does anyone know if Lucinda was ever married and to whom? And how did she come to live with the CARBEY and/or KIRBY families? Our friend in Canada is looking for answers!

Rosemarye ADAMS (P.O. Box 333, Ft. Gibson, OK 74434) is searching for any information on her grandfather, Apslum (or Absolom) Prairie HOLMES. He was reportedly born in Missouri on 16 Jan 1853. One family story indicates that he was born on a prairie, hence the unique middle name. He was the son of Ben and Norcis (or Noracis) HOLMES. Does that family connect with any of our readers?

Sonia KAMMILLER (2609 Canterbury, Ponca City, OK 74604) learned about Rootbound through a query that this columnist placed in the newsletter of the GOODENOW Family Association. She is trying to find descendants of Daniel Long KELLEY and his wife, Malvina ROOK. Three of their children were married at Diamond, Newton County, MO, near the turn of this century. The children and marriage dates were: Benella KELLEY BUCHANAN (1898), Edward P. KELLEY (1900), and Roy Bell KELLEY (1904). Are any of their grandchildren reading Rootbound?

Descendants of Leonard and Barbara (SLEMP) SHOUN (SHOWN/SHAWN) of Johnson County, TN, are being invited to show up at the annual family reunion to be held in McKinney, TX, on July 6-7, 1991. All cousins are encouraged to come share in the fun, fellowship, and family history. For more information, please contact LaVerne GRAVES at 402 South Bass Street, McKinney, TX 75069.

Mayre TUBBS WISEMAN (2100 Santa Fe, #1009, Wichita Falls, TX 76309-3454) needs information on the parents, siblings, and first wife of Abraham RICHARDSON who was born in Ohio in 1802 and was a resident of Milam County, TX, in 1850. The following children of Abraham's were all born in Missouri: Daniel (born 1833; went to California), Isaac (1833), Sally (1835), Abraham (1836), James (1837), Elizabeth (1839), and Jane (1841). Were their other children?

Grace CROWDER (Rt. 2, Box 53-A, Noel, MO 64854) wrote for a copy of our article, "How to Build a Better Query." In her letter Grace went on to say that she has documented her CROWDER ancestry to about 1670. Grace and General CROWDER (the one for whom Ft. Crowder was named) are both descendants of Bartholomew and Elizabeth who were granted land in Charles City and Prince George Counties, VA, as early as 1700.

Copies of the article that Grace requested are still available. Just send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper along with each request.

Until next week...happy hunting!

Rootbound in the Hills #193:
4 June 1991

by Rocky Macy

Over the past few years Rootbound has meandered through the pages of many good community newspapers. Some we stayed with, others we didn't. And in the process of switching and searching for the widest possible coverage, several good friends were misplaced. But Katie NEATHERRY has found her way back to Rootbound! Please read on...

Katie NEATHERRY (508 Johnson Drive, Noel, MO 64854) is the wonderful lady who wrote to Rootbound a couple of years ago advising us of an old autograph book that she had found at a flea market in Fayetteville, Washington County, AR. The book contained signatures and personal notes collected by a little girl, Chubby CHAPMAN, during the early years of this century. After her find was mentioned in Rootbound, Katie was able to return the book to the original owner, now a senior citizen living in Joplin, MO.

Well, Katie has been shopping again! This time she has come up with an old copy of The Norman Shield, the manual of Sigma Chi Fraternity. The owner was Chris Allen SELBY. The inside cover has the signatures of fifty-seven of Chris's fraternity brothers, along with their hometowns, most of which were in Arkansas. Katie would like to return this book to Chris or one of his fraternity brothers. Will this be another success story for Katie? It could happen twice!

Kay ROBERTS MARTIN (Rt. 4, Box 440-1, Oak Grove, MO 64075) is another perennial contributor to Rootbound. Kay is currently searching for the parents, siblings, and first husband of Nancy DOUGLAS(S) SORRELS (born 1845, MO) who married William C. SORRELS in 1866, probably in Arkansas. William C. SORRELS was born in Missouri. Nancy had a son, Joseph DOUGLAS(S), who was born 4 Feb 1861 in Arkansas. Her SORRELs children included Violet (born 1867, AR), Thomas (1868, AR), Alexander (1871, AR), Frances, Lizzie, William (1882, ID), Nina (1888, OR), and possibly others. The family had relocated to Indian Territory, Oklahoma, by 1900.

Kay ROBERTS MARTIN (above) is also tracking the parents and siblings of Melissa Jane (possibly LOFTIN or SLAUGHTER) who was born 25 Mar 1856 in Arkansas and died 16 Feb 1918 in Carson County, TX. She married Joseph DOUGLAS(S) around 1879, possibly in Oregon. Melissa Jane lived most of her adult life in LeFlore and Pittsburg Counties, OK. Her children who lived to adulthood were Laura J., Sarah M., R.A.E. "Bettie," and Willian "Bert" DOUGLAS(S). Are their descendants still in this area?

Dorothy SCHLAUD (6303 Woodsdale Drive, Grand Blanc, WI 48439) is researching William Bird KEITH who was born 14 Nov 1803 on Duck River in Bedford County, TN. He married Sarah Ruth MAY about 1859. William died in Maysville, AR, on 8 April 1860. Many of his descendants carried on the name "Bird." Consequently, Dorthy SCHLAUD is looking at the possibility that it once was a surname. Does anyone know of a BIRD/KEITH connection, possibly in Tennessee or further east?

Roots in the Old South? Mississippi Memories is a new quarterly that contains a variety of records from throughout the state of Mississsippi. For specifics, please contact editors Joyce SHANNON BRIDGES and Wanda VOLENTINE HEAD at P.O. Box 18991, Shreveport, LA 71138. And remember to let those good ladies know that you heard about their publication through Rootbound!

Curtis Media Incorporation (P.O. Box 376, Diamond, MO 64840) has announced that pre-publication orders are being accepted for their new book, Newton County Missouri to 1990, a pictorial history. In preparing this work, the publishers collected pictures from Seneca, Neosho, Stella, Wentworth, Ritchey, Granby, Newtonia, Stark City, Diamond, Fairview, Spurgeon, McElhaney, Redings Mill, and Camp Crowder . Contact Curtis Media for more information. Rootbound is anxious to see this one!

Do any of our readers have knowledge of the JENT family, many of whom are buried at the Belfast Cemetery in Newton County, MO? Was Dicey JENT ROARK a member of this clan? Rootbound is curious!

Happy hunting!

Rootbound in the Hills #192:
28 May 1991

by Rocky Macy

It may not be the Pulitzer, but we're mighty proud anyway! Please read on...

Two years ago Rootbound won third place in the column writing contest sponsored by the Council of Genealogy Columnists. Last year's entry won no prizes (Could it have been lost in the mail?), and this year...second place! We're moving right on up the old ladder of success!

In a letter announcing the winners, it was noted that the judges felt Rootbound in the Hills exhibited "good, solid reporting," and that they particularly liked the column on the WEEMS family Bible. It's nice to be honored by your peers. Some things are better than a paycheck! (First place went to Lesta WESTMORE and her column, Family Trails, which runs each week in the Omaha newspaper.)

Florence ESTES (1134 Olwsnup Avenue, Gridley, CA 95948) is seeking information on Hiram ESTES (born 1820) and his wife, Pernina FARMER (born 27 Feb 1823). Hiram, a son of Hiram ESTES (born 1790) and Mary Jane DOYLE (born 1796, TN), was residing with his family in Newton County, MO, in 1860. Hiram's brother, Thomas Doyle ESTES (born 1818) married Rhoda FARMER. Do any of our readers have information to share with Florence?

Mildred WAGNER (Rt. 1, Box 124, Mulberry, AR 72947) is tracking her SMITH lineage through northwest Arkansas. Her g-g-grandfather, John B. SMITH, was born in Tennessee and came to Crawford County, AR, around 1820. Some of his cousins were known to have settled around Mound City, KS, and at least one cousin, Nelson SMITH, lived near Prairie Grove in Washington County, AR.

John B. SMITH (above) married a lady named Tennessee. Their children included Vandy (born 1820), Elizabeth (1820), Albert (1822), Allen (1825), Sarah (1827), Alford (1828), M.A. (1831), unknown (1833), Lillian (1836), Delilah (1838), N.B. (son, 1841), and Jimmy or Tinny (1841).

Albert SMITH (above), the great-grandfather of our correspondent, married Phoebe SPURLOCK. Their children included Mary Jane (born 1846), Allen (1847), Henry (1852), Burton (1853), Clinton (1854), Calvin Clay (1858), and Erwin "Doc" (1861).

Mildred WAGNER is the granddaughter of Calvin Clay SMITH. She would enjoy hearing from any of our readers who could help her sort out the SMITHs of northwest Arkansas.

Evelyn Lee MARTIN (1292 N. Walnut, La Habra, CA 90631) wishes to exchange information with anyone researching a PARCELL line. Do we have any takers?

Cynthia McMULLEN (Rt. 3, Box 621, Huntington, TX 75949) wants to learn more about Samuel VAUGHAN (born circa 1776; died circa 1853), a resident of northwest Arkansas. One of his daughters married Stephen HOLMESLY. Their daughter, Didamie (born 9 Jan 1835); died 16 Dec 1920), married William David BURNETT. Cynthia would appreciate help in tracing this lineage.

Stefano FERRO and Katarina DAIDONE were born in Camporeale, Sicily, in the early 1800s. They had several children including a son, Salvatore, who came to the United States. Salvatore FERRO's children settled in various parts of this country, and one of his sons, Dominico FERRO, resided in Kansas City, MO. Now Raymond FERRO (90 Gelpi Avenue, Kenner, LA 70065) is trying to locate descendants of this family. Did any of them make it to the Ozarks?

E.A. HOUSER (P.O. Box 25872, Tamarac, FL 33321), the founder and publisher of HOUSER Hunters, has announced publication of the most extensive chronicle of the HOUSER family in America. The book, Descendants of john HOUSER (1709-1763), contains data on over 17,000 people in its 600 pages. For more information on this volume, please contact the compiler at the above address.

Congratulations to Rootbound's good friend and newest competitor, Raymond JEFFERIES, on the advent of his genealogy column, Back Pedaling, which recently premiered in an area newspaper. Ray, your first issue looks great! And the competition will keep us on our toes here at Rootbound!

Until next week...happy hunting!

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #191:
21 May 1991

by Rocky Macy

Just what is the connection between Albert EINSTEIN and the LINDBERGH kidnapping? And why is it of interest to Rootbound? For those of you with enquiring minds, please read on...

Christine RIEHMAN (P.O. Box 5792, Canyon Lake, CA 92380) is piecing together the genealogy and exploits of her grandfather, Wilford Joe LANKFORD, and his brothers, Claud, Arthur, and Caton (or CLARENCE) LANKFORD. She describes these men as being felons in Missouri and Illinois throughout the 1920s and into the 1940s. Though she didn't provide specifics, Christine says that she has news clippings of a "dastardly deed" that those fellows participated in in Quincy, IL, in 1919.

Caton LANKFORD, according to our correspondent, was a popular prisoner in the Illinois prison system. Family tradition has it that he: 1. was a genius or near-genius; 2. knew many foreign languages and taught languages to diplomats to prepare them for foreign service; 3. was small of build, short of stature, and very, very mean; 4. was visited by Albert EINSTEIN while in prison; and, 5. was released from prison to a minister in the 1950s, and occupied his later years by rewriting children's Bible stories.

And, as if Caton was not interesting enough in his own right, Christine added this tidbit: her grandfather, Wilford Joe LANKFORD, may have been involved in the LINDBERGH kidnapping! The Widow HAUPTMANN, it seems, has a San Francisco attorney working to prove her late husband's innocence, and some evidence exists to implicate Wilford. Christine RIEHMAN would, quite obviously, love to hear from any of our readers who have a knowledge of her felonious forebears!

Loyas DREHR (P.O. Box 62, Milano, TX 76556) is the grandson of David H. DEAN who was born 18 Mar 1841 in Benton County, AR, to David W. and Matilda DEAN. David H. DEAN married Nancy E. JONES (born 18 Dec 1852, TN), and they were the parents of Marthy Ellen (born 1884, AR) and Sarrah Lola (1886, AR). David H. DEAN's brothers were William C., Ransom, Ziljaha, James, and George. Did any of these DEANs leave trails across the Ozarks?

Katherine BROWN (Rt. 3, box 206, Neosho, MO 64850) is searching for material on her GATEWOOD kin. Of particular interest to Katherine are the following GATEWOOD siblings: J.M. (born 1861, Monroe County, MO), Charlie C. (6 Sep 1863, Monroe County, MO), Etta (1864; married 1. Levie LOFTON and 2. Charlie FRANCHER), M.R. "Ryle" (1866), Andy R. (23 Feb 1868; married Sarah Ann ISAAC in Vinita, OK; was a preacher residing in Bixby, OK, in 1910), Ada (1870), Lee (10 Aug 1871; died at Bokosho, OK), and John Calhoon (31 July 1876, married Sarah Olive AKERS in 1894, Newton County, MO; died 2 Dec 1910, Clarendon, TX).

Katherine BROWN (above) has an interesting photo of these GATEWOOD children along with their father and mother and grandmother. She would be very willing to share and exchange information with others who are researching this family.

The 1991 Conference in the States of the National Genealogical Society will be held 29 May through 1 June at the Oregon Center in Portland, OR. For further information on this important event, please write to the National Genealogical Society at 4527 17th Street, North, Arlington, VA 22207-2399. (Rootbound won't make it to this year's convention, but one of these years we'll get the urge to splurge - and go!)

Would you like to learn more about the fine art of genealogy from experts? Brigham Young University offers several home study courses designed to make skilled ancestor hunters out of almost anyone. To learn more about BYU's certificate or degree programs in genealogy, write to: Brigham Young University, Department of Independent Study, 206 Harman Building, Provo, UT 84602. Be certain to ask for the most recent catalogue. And don't forget to tell the good folks at BYU that you heard about their program through Rootbound!

Until next week...happy hunting!

Rootbound in the Hills #190:
14 May 1991

by Rocky Macy

Many years ago this writer watched a beautiful old cemetery slowly disappear as the farmer who owned the surrounding pasture plowed more and more of it under each spring. Today only a few stones remain - in a wooded corner that was apparently unfit for tillage. Our first correspondent is concerned with a similar problem. Please read on...

Dorothy SCHLAUD (6303 Woodsdale Drive, Grand Blanc, MI 48439) wishes to protect the final resting place of her g-g-g-grandfather, Reynolds MAY, and her g-g-grandfather, William Bird KEITH. Her ancestors are buried at the May-Keith Cemetery near Maysville, AR. Dorothy reports that cows are knocking over tombstones and destroying the cemetery. She would like to help in getting it fenced, but does not know who to contact for permission and assistance. Could any of our readers lend a hand with this worthy project?

Donald D. DERR (301 South 21st Street, Atchison, KS 66002) would like to exchange information on the following individuals: Edward (or Emnell) E. SHATTO and his wife, Elizabeth WURKENTIRE, who were in northeastern Oklahoma after 1910; Dr. SPROUSE of Arkansas (a relative of the SHATTO's); the CLOE or CLOW families of Jasper County, MO; the INMAN families of Butler and Stone County Counties, MO; and, the SWANK families of southern Missouri. Who has material to share on one of these lines?

Mark Jay MITCHELL (520 South 1250 East, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062) is on the trail of descendants of two of his g-g-grandfathers, Alvin A. NICHOLS and Alfred T. JONES, Confederate army veterans who settled in Franklin and Johnson Counties in northwestern Arkansas. Alvin A. NICHOLS was born in December of 1841 in Marshall County, AL, to Lawson and Martha (BAIN) NICCHOLS. His wife, Sarah, was born in Kentucky around 1845. Alvin and Sarah were the parents of Silas F. (born Sep 1867, AR), Mahlon (Jan 1870, AR), Osmond Copley (16 Jan 1872, AR), Dudley (circa 1872, AR), Lawsson (circa 1875, AR), William S. (1875, AR), Wallace W. (July 1877, AR), Bud (Oct 1879, AR), Levi (AR), Ida (Dec 1880, AR), Cora (Sep 1882, AR), Laura (March 1887, AR), and Ora (Oct 1890, AR).

Alfred T. JONES (above) was born to Wilson and Judith (KIRBY) JONES on 11 Nov 1844 in Anderson, SC. He died on 28 April 1931 in Spadra, Johnson County, AR. Alfred's wife was Mary Ada McCRAVEY (born Nov 1850, AL), a daughter of Richard Holmes and Mary Ann (HOLLAND) McCRAVEY.

The children of Alfred and Mary Ada JONES (above) were Eula (born circa 1872, AL), Ethel (Nov 1872, AL), Jessie (circa 1874, AL), Laura (30 Mar 1877, Tyro, Tate County, MS), Mary Moss (circa 1878, MS), Velma (Jan 1884, AR), Julia B. (Oct 1886, AR), Nina (April 1889, AR), and Guy W. (April 1891, AR).

Our correspondent, Mark Jay MITCHELL, would certainly like to get in contact with anyone who shares a line of descent from Alvin A. NICHOLS or Alfred T. JONES. Are any of Mark's cousins reading Rootbound?

Our best friend in the Pacific northwest, Don VINCENT (P.O. Box 1467, Orting, WA 98360), has announced that his popular book series, 800 Missouri Families, is now on sale at a special low price. Volumes 1-5 of 800 Missouri Families may be purchased until July 4th as a set for just $67.50 plus $7.50 postage and handling. Rootbound has reviewed a couple of these books in the past. Each is approximately 200 pages of carefully documented research on families who settled in central Missouri. For further information or to order, please contact Don at his home in Washington.

The annual reunion of Westview, Dessa, and No. 4 Schools of rural Newton County, MO, will be held on 8 June 1991 at the Westview School located just off of Highway 60 between Nesoho and Seneca, MO. the doors will open at 4 p.m., and a covered dish dinner will be enjoyed at 6 p.m. The reunion committee urges all alumnae and friends of these schools to attend. And don't forget to bring those pictures for display!

Send word of your reunion to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper and we'll help spread it around!

Happy hunting!

Rootbound in the Hills #189:
7 May 1991

by Rocky Macy

Flea markets are places rich in family history...and Rootbound has sung that song before. With that in mind, it wasn't too surprising for this columnist to recently learn that garage sales can also harbor some excellent genealogy. Please read on...

Paul ANTOS, an old army buddy who raises kids, dogs, and goats in the hills of Oregon, forwarded a copy of the Society of Colonial Wars which he found at a garage sale. The book contains the group's constitution as well as a listing of the officers and members of 1897-1898, along with many of their genealogies. This volume is indexed, so those who feel that grampa might have been a member of the Society of Colonial Wars during the years 1897-1898 might do well to contact Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper. If he's hiding in those yellowed pages, we'll ferret him out! Please remember to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with that request.

Vicky BRADY (617 South Lincoln, Neosho, MO 64850) would like information on Robert Franklin BARLOW (born 19 June 1855; died 11 July 1907) who married Sarah Isebelle RANDOLPH (born 16 Nov 1851; died 11 Jan 1920). Robert lived at Clinton and Lebanon, MO, before moving to Newton County, MO.

Robert and Sarah BARLOW (above) were the parents of Oliver Richard (born 6 Aug 1878; died 8 Jan 1957), Dora COLEMAN (6 Oct 1880), Andrew Cyrus (14 Jan 1884), Charles Robert (6 July 1887), Lillie Florance (12 Dec 1889), Milton Irwin (18 Sep 1892), Earl Clarence (31 July 1897), Bessie Mable (16 Sep 1900), and Edgil Oral (11 May 1903).

Oliver Richard BARLOW (above) married Ada Rozella GIBSON (born 9 Feb 1879; died 24 April 1962). Their children included Nellie Elizabeth REDING (born 1 Mar 1905), Eva Marie BEATTY (4 Oct 1906), Lottie Isabelle TESTERMAN (28 Nov 1912), Raymond Richard (16 Sep 1914), and Ruby May WOLFENBARGER (28 May 1916).

Vicky BRADY would like to know if Robert Franklin BARLOW had any brothers or sisters. She would appreciate hearing from anyone with a knowledge of Robert Franklin BARLOW or any of his descendants.

Rose PARKS (Rt. 1, Box 119-B, Avery, TX 75554) is seeking to learn more about Joseph P. and Altha (COX) PARKS who came to Benton County, AR, from Georgia to homestead in 1872. Their children were Mary Jane, Willis, Nancy, Allison, and Harrison. (Allison and Harrison were twin boys born in 1877.) Joseph died in 1878, and Altha then married Henry ROBERTS. Altha sold the homestead around 1896.

Giles and Nancy M. COX, the parents of Altha COX PARKS (above), came to Arkansas with the PARKS family and were on the 1880 census. The COX children were Andrew, Elizabeth, Mary, Rufus, Alice, Joseph, and Harriett. All were born in Georgia except for Harriett who was a native of Arkansas. The COX family was not on the 1900 census of Arkansas. Had they gone to Missouri? Rose PARKS wants to know!

Ted BANVARD (Rt. 1, Box 718, Shepherdstown, WV 25443) maintains a computer database on the surname GOODENOW and variant spellings. Those with a GOODENOW limb on the family tree (such as the children of this columnist) might benefit from contacting him.

Midwest Family Connections (P.O. Box 363, Fort Thomas, KY 41075) publishes newsletters on a variety of surnames. They have forwarded review copies of the BARNETT and SIMPSON newsletters to Rootbound. Both are approximately twenty pages in length and contain assorted material from several sourcees. The publishers plan is to interest people in specific names and collect material from subscribers for future issues. Other surname newsletters that have been printed by this group include: ADAMS, ASHCRAFT, COLVIN, ELLIS, HAWKINS, INGLES, LANCASTER, LAWTHORN, MONROE, OWENS, PHILLIPS, RIDDLE, RILEY, SMITH, TURNER, WRIGHT, and YELTON. For more information, please contact the publisher at the address above.

Until next week...happy hunting!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #188:
30 April 1991

by Rocky Macy

It's always wonderful to hear from old friends, and Joan MEEKER SSTRAUSBURG is no exception. Joan wrote several letters to Rootbound during the column's early days. Recently she saw an article by this writer in The Genealogical Helper and was reminded of Rootbound's past help in her search for Ozark ancestors. Joan has a new query that follows:

Joan MEEKER STRASBURG (2415 Elm Avenue, Sheboygan, WI 53801-5527) is seeking descendants of Henry Bushfield HAVENS and Mary Ann "Polly" DARR/DOERR HOSKINS HAVENS. Henry was born around 1839 in Indiana, and he died at Seneca, Newton County, MO about 1891. Polly was born in Virginia around 1836, and she is thought to have died about 1873.

Henry and Polly HAVENS (above) were married in Sullivan County, MO, on Christmas Day, 1862, after the deaths of her first husband, Jasper HOSKINS (in the Civil War), and Henry's first wife, Mary Jane WILLIAMS HAVENS. The children of Henry and Polly were Letitia (born circa 1865; married John SINGLETON), Louisa Belle (born circa 1867; married Thomas CRAWFORD), Henry B. (born circa 1868; died young), Schuyler Patrick (born 8 Sep 1870; married Mary E. GLIDEWELL of Chillicothe, MO; died 6 Dec 1937 at Joplin, MO), and Julia M. (born circa 1873; married William HUTTON in 1890).

Henry Bushfield HAVENS (above) married Elizabeth CLARK KAIN in 1874 after the death of Polly, and he married M.A. RUMMERFIELD in 1878. His children by his first wife, Mary Jane WILLIAMS HAVENS, were Mariah Jane (born 1859; married H. WRIGHT and a Mr. JENNINGS; died at St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO), Eli R. (born circa 1860; married Sarah A. LEWELLEN in 1884), and John William (born circa 1861; married Emma FRAKES). Both of these sons were buried at Joplin, MO.

Our correspondent, Joan MEEKER STRASBURG, would like to exchange information with our readers on any of the above individuals. Who can help with her research?

Joan MEEKER STRASBURG (address above) also submitted a list of surnames that she is researching in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Those names include: BATES, BELL, BOYD, BUCKELEW, CLARK, CRAWFORD, CUNNINGHAM, DANIEL(S), DARR, DOERR, ELMORE FARRELL, FRAKES, GLIDEWELL, HARGRAVE, HAVENS, HOLLINGSWORTH, HOSKINS, HOUSEMAN, HUTTON, JEFFCOTT, JENNINGS, KAIN, KNIFONG, LESLIE, LEWELLEN, MITCHELL, MOSER, MOSIER, MYERS, NICHOLS, NOEL, OAKES, OVERALL, PENTONY, RUMMERFIELD, SINGLETON, SMITH WALKER, WHIPPLE, WHITE, WILLIAMS, WILSON, and WRIGHT. Persons tracking one of those names across the Ozarks might do well to contact Joan at her home in Sheboygan.

Phillis S. OWEN (1224 N. Yost, Kennewick, WA 99336) would like to hear from any ROBERTS, TODD, VINES, or MAYFIELD living in the Rootbound area. Specifically she is searching for information on Caroline ROBERTS (born 1833, TN) who married Rodney A. TODD in Barry County, MO, on 29 Mar 1849. Rodney was the son of Augustus and Margaret (LOWERY) TODD.

Phyllis learned from an 1840 Washington County, AR, slave deed that Caroline's father was one of seven children of Emsley and Sinai ROBERTS of Maury County, TN. His six siblings were Caroline (VINES), Dixie (MAYFIELD), Solomon, George, Isaac, and Emsley. Sinai ROBERTS later married John GIBSON. (When and where?)

An 1853 Washington County, AR, slave deed lists Caroline and Milly ROBERTS as each receiving a portion of their proceeds from the sale of slaves. Milly (born around 1836) and a younger Sinai (born around 1839) were daughters of Mary Ann ROBERTS. Could Caroline have been Mary Ann's daughter also? Phillis S. OWEN wants to know!

A new book on the BURDICK family has recently been published by the International Ancestry Library (2317 Riverbluff Parkway #249, Sarasota, FL 34231-5032). For more information, please contact the publisher. That group also publishes a BURDICK family newsletter.

Spring is here! Why not take advantage of the weather and go roaming through those greening cemeteries in search of lost ancestors?

Happy hunting!