Volume 5, Number 4 - Summer 1974


THE EDITOR SPEAKS
by Jewell Ross Mehus

Lucille A. Brown moved this month to her new house at Hermitage. She retains her Abstract office in Sedalia and will be there on Monday through Thursday.

The late Dr. Raymond Derr and Mrs. Derr came to the Ozarks to live, by choice. They loved the vacations they spent here.

Dr. Derr, ever a busy person, at once fitted into the area as one of its own, in his church, a teacher at The School of the Ozarks, and as a friend of all he met. Ray’s doctorate came from the University of Missouri and its School of Journalism. He taught in Colleges across America from Kansas to Texas, and Missouri back to Ohio. He wrote a History of the Missouri Farmers Association. In the early forties he carried on the Public Relations program for "The Charities Fund of Kansas City", later known as "The Community Chest of Kassas City". Surely Ray helped to make that a great working organization. In fact, Ray was "A Man."

"I was absolutely thrilled to read ‘The Eslicks, Lierces and Others Traveled Far’ by Lydia Eslick Guthrie, as Carter Wright was my great-great-grandfather. My grandfather talked often of the Ashleys, Pierce, Eslick, Cross, Lucas and Wright families. I would like to share other information with Lydia Eslick Guthrie, Gladys Dean Lewis and Mrs. Jessie C. Lewis." John Denny, 1455 E. 52nd Pl., Tulsa, Okla, 741;5. Tel. Area 918—R12-3893.

"I want information concerning my grandfather Isaac Taber who was a Civil War Veteran. He came to the Big Creek area and homesteaded 160 acres on the east prong of Big Creek." Mrs. Willard Hughes, Ocio, Missouri 65719.

"My ancestors settled in Missouri around 1820, in Franklin and Washington Counties, then came to Dent County. There my grandmother was born in 1882. Then around 1882 my grandfather, Dr. Joseph Martin Duckworth, moved to Doniphan County near Cabool where he practiced medicine until he died in 1938. I now own property in Douglas County and hope to live there someday." Wilson Burch, 58 W. Gibbons Ave., Porterville, Calif.

Florence Garrison. "Mr. Pearcy of the Pearcy-Thornfield article was my great uncle. I am a grand daughter of Capt. Sam Turner of your Arno article."

"I enjoyed the story of Silver Lake Mill by Mary Scott Hair. She mentioned finding nothing about Davis Kimberlin’s first wife. According to the 1860 Stone County census #180 listed is:

‘Davis Kimberling age 38, male born in Mo; Rebecca Kimberling age 39, female, born in Kentucky; Elizabeth Kimberling, age 18 female, born in Mo.; James Kimberling, age 16, male, born in Mo.; David Kimberling, age 7, male, born in Mo.’

"No. 189 of this census is listed the John Inman family. I enjoyed the excerpts from Mr. Inmon’s book ‘A Pioneer from the Ozarks’ in which he so beautifully describes the natural beauty of our Ozarks." Lucille Crafword Parks, Mountain Home, Ark.

Allen E. Pleake lives in Hollister. His daughter Mary Ruth Ernestine was named for both of her grandmothers: Maay Savage and Ernestine Pleake. Ruth is a secretary at Empire Electric in Branson. Allen, retired, enjoys gardening and fishing both of which he does well.

Leigh Hunt gave to Abou Ben Adhem his famous quote, "Write me as one that loves his fellow men." As one listens to Douglas Mahnkey, first vice president of the WRVHS, when he talks and tells stories of his Ozarks and its peoples, one calls to mind again and again Abou Ben Adhems words. I am sorry if you missed hearing "Doug" speak at the June meeting. Doug contines such a busy man but just maybe he will get that talk written down so that you, everyone, may enjoy it. Those present listened to every word and wanted more. Have you read his book "Bright Glowed My Hills"? If you have not then you have missed an evening for good reading.

Jewell Ross Mehus


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