Missanier Woods was born on 15-May-1828 at Tennessee. She was the daughter of Washington Woods and Sarah Gibbs. Missanier married Andrew S. Van Cleave, son of Ebenezer Frost Van Cleave and Sarah Elizabeth Garrick, circa 1843. Missanier Woods died on 30-Apr-1902 at Frozen Creek, Breathitt County, Kentucky, at age 73.
     She was also known as Missander Woods. She was also known as Missie Woods.

      Ann Eliza Maloney was born circa 1837. Ann married Tolbert F. Van Cleave, son of Ebenezer Frost Van Cleave and Sarah Elizabeth Garrick, on 19-Oct-1853 at Breathitt County, Kentucky.

      Eleanor Phillips was born circa 1800 at North Carolina. She was the daughter of Bennet Phillips and Izabella Moore. Eleanor married Stephen Van Cleave, son of Ebenezer Frost Van Cleave and Susannah Maniere, on 1-Feb-1819 at Rutherford County, Tennessee. Eleanor Phillips died circa 1821 at Rutherford County, Tennessee.

      Nancy C. Phillips was born on 1-Jun-1802 at Tennessee. She was the daughter of Bennet Phillips and Izabella Moore. Nancy married Stephen Van Cleave, son of Ebenezer Frost Van Cleave and Susannah Maniere, on 10-Nov-1821 at Rutherford County, Tennessee. Nancy C. Phillips died on 22-Mar-1876 at age 73.

     Sarah Hill died ABT 1860 1867 at Henry, Henry County, Tennessee. She was born in 1806. Sarah married William Bailey Van Cleave, son of Ebenezer Frost Van Cleave and Susannah Maniere, circa 1829.

      Juliet McClure was born between 8-May-1810 and 1813. Juliet married Thomas S. Van Cleave, son of Ebenezer Frost Van Cleave and Susannah Maniere, circa 1832 at Tennessee. Juliet McClure died on 4-Jul-1865.
     She was also known as Julia McClure.

     William married Serena Jane Van Cleave, daughter of Jonathan Van Cleave and (Unknown) (Unknown), on 31-Jan-1839 at Hinds, Mississippi.

      Isaac S. Rea was born circa 1815 at Tennessee. Isaac married Nancy Van Cleave, daughter of Jonathan Van Cleave and (Unknown) (Unknown), on 2-May-1844 at Hinds, Mississippi.

      Catherine Narcissa Bevel was born in 1825 at Tennessee. Catherine married John R. Van Cleave, son of Ebenezer Frost Van Cleave and Susannah Maniere, on 23-May-1858 at Henry, Henry County, Tennessee.

      M. J. Rea was born circa 1855 at Hinds, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Isaac S. Rea and Nancy Van Cleave.

      S. S. Rea was born circa 1853 at Hinds, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Isaac S. Rea and Nancy Van Cleave.

      L. P. Rea was born circa 1851 at Mississippi. She was the daughter of Isaac S. Rea and Nancy Van Cleave.

      Jonathan Rea was born circa 1848 at Mississippi. He was the son of Isaac S. Rea and Nancy Van Cleave.

      Melissa Rea was born circa 1846 at Mississippi. She was the daughter of Isaac S. Rea and Nancy Van Cleave.

      Mary Barrow was born circa 1860 at Mississippi. She was the daughter of William Barrow and Serena Jane Van Cleave.

      Ophelia Barrow was born in 1860 at Mississippi. She was the daughter of William Barrow and Serena Jane Van Cleave.

      Precilla Barrow was born circa 1857 at Mississippi. She was the daughter of William Barrow and Serena Jane Van Cleave.

      Thomas Barrow was born circa 1844 at Mississippi. He was the son of William Barrow and Serena Jane Van Cleave.

      William Barrow was born circa 1843 at Mississippi. He was the son of William Barrow and Serena Jane Van Cleave.

      Isaiah Boone was born on 13-Mar-1772 at Yadkin River, Rowan County, North Carolina. He was the son of Squire Boone Jr. and Jane Van Cleave. Isaiah Boone was born on 17-Nov-1772. Isaiah married Elizabeth Greene on 4-Feb-1804 at Jefferson County, Indiana. Isaiah Boone died on 1-Jan-1860 at Williamstown, Lewis County, Missouri, at age 87. Isaiah was buried at Providence Cemetery, Williamstown, Lewis County, Missouri.

      Abigail Frost was born circa 7-Oct-1744 at Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of William Frost. Abigail married William Van Cleave, son of Capt. Aaron Van Cleave and Rachel Schenck, on 12-Dec-1763 at Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Abigail Frost died after 1840 at Calloway County, Kentucky.

      Elizabeth Van Cleave was born on 16-May-1766 at Rowan County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of William Van Cleave and Abigail Frost. Elizabeth married Samuel Harris, son of Daniel Harris and Elizabeth Demaree, on 25-Oct-1784 at Lincoln County, Kentucky. Elizabeth Van Cleave died on 1-Jul-1852 at Mercer County, Kentucky, at age 86.

      Phebe Van Cleave was born in 1764 at Rowan County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of William Van Cleave and Abigail Frost. Phebe married John Harris circa 1786. Phebe Van Cleave died after 1850 at Possibly, Montgomery County, Indiana.

      Sarah Van Cleave was born circa 1768 at Rowan County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of William Van Cleave and Abigail Frost. Sarah Van Cleave died in 1781 at Kentucky; killed by an Indian on the way home from a church meeting.
     She was also known as Sally Van Cleave. She was also known as Polly Van Cleave.

      Jonathan Van Cleave was born on 31-Jan-1768 at Rowan County, North Carolina. He was the son of William Van Cleave and Abigail Frost. Jonathan married Jane Benches on 17-Dec-1793 at Madison County, Kentucky. Jonathan Van Cleave died on 14-Sep-1847 at Mercer County, Kentucky, at age 79. Jonathan was buried at Pleasant Hill Shaker Community, Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky.

      John Van Cleave was born circa 1772 at Rowan County, North Carolina. He was the son of William Van Cleave and Abigail Frost.
     John Van Cleave was also known as James Van Cleave.

      Mary Van Cleave was born circa 1770 at Rowan County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of William Van Cleave and Abigail Frost. Mary married George Teeter, son of John George Teter and Sarah Pearis, on 27-May-1788. Mary married George Teeter, son of John George Teter and Sarah Pearis, on 28-May-1788 at Madison County, Kentucky. Mary Van Cleave died after 1808.

      Jane Van Cleave was born circa 1779 at Rowan County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of William Van Cleave and Abigail Frost. Jane married Noble Daugherty circa 1794 at Madison County, Kentucky. Jane married Nathan Chapman, son of Nathan Chapman and Rebecca Griffith, on 7-Jan-1796 at Shelby County, Kentucky. Jane Van Cleave died on 10-Mar-1829 at Kentucky.

     John married Phebe Van Cleave, daughter of William Van Cleave and Abigail Frost, circa 1786.

      William H. Van Cleave Jr. was born on 9-Oct-1781 at Bear Grass Station, Garrard County, Kentucky. He was the son of William Van Cleave and Abigail Frost. William married Elizabeth Frost, daughter of Ebenezer Frost, on 5-Apr-1807 at Garrard, Kentucky. William H. Van Cleave Jr. died on 27-Feb-1855 at Johnson, Illinois, at age 73.

      Samuel Harris was born on 20-Nov-1763 at Bechman Twp., Dutchess County, New York. He was the son of Daniel Harris and Elizabeth Demaree. Samuel married Elizabeth Van Cleave, daughter of William Van Cleave and Abigail Frost, on 25-Oct-1784 at Lincoln County, Kentucky. Samuel Harris died on 20-Feb-1852 at Pleasant Hill, Mercer County, Kentucky, at age 88.

      William Harris was born in Nov-1786 at Kentucky. He was born on 28-Sep-1788 at Mercer County, Kentucky. He was the son of Samuel Harris and Elizabeth Van Cleave.

      Daniel Harris was born on 28-Oct-1788 at Madison County, Kentucky. He was the son of Samuel Harris and Elizabeth Van Cleave. Daniel married Malinda Proctor, daughter of William Proctor and Elizabeth (Unknown), on 29-Sep-1810 at Jessamine County, Kentucky.

      Rachel Harris was born on 11-Apr-1790 at Madison County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Samuel Harris and Elizabeth Van Cleave. Rachel Harris died on 26-May-1876 at Pleasant Hill, Mercer County, Kentucky, at age 86.

      Leah Harris was born on 12-Jun-1793 at Kentucky. She was the daughter of Samuel Harris and Elizabeth Van Cleave.

      Polly Ann Harris was born on 20-Mar-1797 at Madison County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Samuel Harris and Elizabeth Van Cleave. Polly Ann Harris died on 30-Mar-1875 at Pleasant Hill, Mercer County, Kentucky, at age 78.

      Phoebe Harris was born in Dec-1799 at Kentucky. She was the daughter of Samuel Harris and Elizabeth Van Cleave.

      John Moses Harris was born on 7-Apr-1803 at Mercer County, Kentucky. He was the son of Samuel Harris and Elizabeth Van Cleave. John Moses Harris died on 16-Sep-1881 at Cottage Grove, Oregon, at age 78.

      Nancy Harris was born on 24-Oct-1805 at Madison County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Samuel Harris and Elizabeth Van Cleave. Nancy Harris died on 23-Jul-1890 at Pleasant Hill, Mercer County, Kentucky, at age 84.

      Elizabeth Frost was born on 12-Feb-1784 at Rowan County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Ebenezer Frost. Elizabeth married William H. Van Cleave Jr., son of William Van Cleave and Abigail Frost, on 5-Apr-1807 at Garrard, Kentucky. Elizabeth Frost died on 26-Aug-1863 at Johnson County, Illinois, at age 79.
     She was also known as Catherine Smith.

      Ebenezer Van Cleave was born on 9-Nov-1808 at Kentucky. He was the son of William H. Van Cleave Jr. and Elizabeth Frost. Ebenezer Van Cleave died before 1820 at Tennessee.

      Malinda Van Cleave was born on 11-Sep-1811 at Garrard, Kentucky. She was the daughter of William H. Van Cleave Jr. and Elizabeth Frost. Malinda Van Cleave died between 1863 and 1865 at Marshall County, Tennessee.

      Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave was born on 1-Jan-1813 at near, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. He was the son of William H. Van Cleave Jr. and Elizabeth Frost. Wilson married Nancy Jones Lawrence on 7-Nov-1833 at Bedford, Tennessee. Wilson married Nancy Jones Lawrence on 17-Dec-1833. Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave died on 31-May-1886 at Ozark, Johnson County, Illinois, at age 73. Wilson was buried at Robinson Cemetery, New Burnside, Johnson County, Illinois.

      James Griggs Van Cleave was born on 14-Sep-1814 at Garrard, Kentucky. He was the son of William H. Van Cleave Jr. and Elizabeth Frost. James Griggs Van Cleave died on 15-Mar-1910 at Calloway, Kentucky, at age 95.

      John Milton Van Cleve was born on 8-Apr-1817 at Garrard, Kentucky. He was the son of William H. Van Cleave Jr. and Elizabeth Frost. John Milton Van Cleve died circa 1846 at Texas.

      Abigail Louise Rachel Van Cleave was born on 1-Dec-1818 at Kentucky. She was the daughter of William H. Van Cleave Jr. and Elizabeth Frost. Abigail Louise Rachel Van Cleave died on 18-May-1909 at Texas at age 90.

      Elba Van Cleave was born on 24-Dec-1822 at Bedford, Tennessee. She was the daughter of William H. Van Cleave Jr. and Elizabeth Frost.

      Icy Ann Frost Van Cleave was born on 29-Aug-1823 at Tennessee. She was the daughter of William H. Van Cleave Jr. and Elizabeth Frost.

      Isaac Newton Van Cleave was born on 18-Jul-1824 at Tennessee. He was the son of William H. Van Cleave Jr. and Elizabeth Frost.

      Nancy Jones Lawrence was born on 26-Nov-1814 at Bedford County, Tennessee. Nancy married Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave, son of William H. Van Cleave Jr. and Elizabeth Frost, on 7-Nov-1833 at Bedford, Tennessee. Nancy married Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave, son of William H. Van Cleave Jr. and Elizabeth Frost, on 17-Dec-1833. Nancy Jones Lawrence died on 21-Feb-1902 at Ozark, Johnson County, Illinois, at age 87.

      Volney Newton Van Cleave was born on 24-Oct-1834 at Bedford County, Tennessee. He was the son of Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave and Nancy Jones Lawrence. Volney married Estha C. Yandle, daughter of Philander Yandle and Frances Rushing, on 11-Sep-1855 at Johnson County, Illinois. Volney Newton Van Cleave died on 22-Mar-1862 at Cairo, Alexander County, Illinois, at age 27; of typhoid fever.
     He was also known as Volney Newton Van Cleve. He began military service on 18-Feb-1862; Company H, 60th Regiment, Illionis Volunteers. He promoted to Sergeant on 24-Feb-1862.

      Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave was born on 31-Aug-1836 at Calloway County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave and Nancy Jones Lawrence. Martha married Isaac Charles Branscum, son of (Unknown) (Unknown) and Polly Branscom, on 1-Oct-1857 at Johnson, Illinois. Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave died on 22-Feb-1914 at Timbo, Stone County, Arkansas, at age 77.
     She was also known as Elizabeth Van Cleve.

      William Roswell Van Cleave was born on 29-Jun-1834. He was born on 29-Jun-1838 at Kentucky. He was the son of Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave and Nancy Jones Lawrence. William married Elizabeth Ann Canada, daughter of John Canada and Delana Carneal, on 24-Oct-1857. William Roswell Van Cleave died on 13-Jan-1914 at age 75.
     He Company F, 31st Regiment, Illinois Infantry circa 1862.

      Ann Alethia Jane Van Cleave was born on 3-Feb-1840 at Tennessee. She was the daughter of Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave and Nancy Jones Lawrence. Ann married Reuben Mounce on 4-Feb-1857.

      Huldah Malinda Van Cleave was born on 8-Oct-1842 at Calloway County, Kentucky. She was born on 9-Oct-1842. She was the daughter of Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave and Nancy Jones Lawrence. Huldah married Samuel Hines, son of Francis Marion Hines and Jane Stone, on 14-Aug-1859 at Johnson County, Illinois. Huldah Malinda Van Cleave died on 22-Nov-1891 at Gallatin County, Illinois, at age 49.
     She was also known as Hildah Melinda Van Cleave. She was also known as Malinda Van Cleve. In the census on 23-Jul-1860 Huldah Malinda Van Cleave was named Malinda Van Cleave.

      Lucinda Eveline Van Cleave was born on 12-Sep-1844. She was the daughter of Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave and Nancy Jones Lawrence. Lucinda married (Unknown) Yandell.
     Lucinda Eveline Van Cleave was also known as Lucinda Eveline Van Cleave.

      Minerva Hannah Van Cleave was born on 4-Oct-1846 at Kentucky. She was the daughter of Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave and Nancy Jones Lawrence. Minerva Hannah Van Cleave died in May-1874 at age 27.
     In the census on 26-Jul-1860 Minerva Hannah Van Cleave was named Hannah M. Van Cleve.

      Amy Susan Van Cleave was born on 8-Oct-1848 at New Burnside, Johnson County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave and Nancy Jones Lawrence. Amy married Pleasant G. Veach, son of Ishmael Veach and Parmelia A. Chapman, on 6-Jul-1884 at Johnson County, Illinois. Amy Susan Van Cleave died on 5-Mar-1933 at Angleton, Brazoria County, Texas, at age 84. Amy was buried on 6-Mar-1933 at Angleton Cemetery, Angleton, Brazoria County, Texas.
     

Amy S. VANCLEVE was born on 8 Oct 1848 in New Burnside, Johnson County, Illinois. She died on 5 Mar 1933 in Angelton, Texas. She was buried on 6 Mar 1933 in Angelton Cemetery, Angelton, Texas. She was an Active in Church. She was baptized in First Baptist Church of Ozark. From her obituary we learn something about her and her family. The spelling and punctuation are those of the obituary: Amy Vancleve-Veach, daughter of Eld. W.F. and Nancy J. Vancleve, was born near Ozark, on the old Vancleve homestead now owned by A.D. Underwood, October 8th, 1848. Departed this life at her home in Angelton, Texas, March 5th,1933. Age 84, 4 months and 24 days. She was married to Pleasent Veach near Vienna, June 6th, 1884. To this union three children were born, Mae, Ray and Van C. The husband & son, Van C., preceded her in death. She professed faith in Christ in young womanhood and united with the Hopewell Baptist Church, now the First Baptist Church of Ozark, and was baptized by Eld. W.P. Throgmorton, later she moved her membership to Lathem Springs Church north of Vienna, being one of the charter members. also being church clerk. Later she moved to Carlindale and transferred her membership to the First Baptist Church of Carlindale, where she remained a faithful and consistant member until death. She was active in church abd Sunday School work until her health failed her. She was an invalid for 4 years and was lovingly and patiently cared for by her dear daughter, Mae, and husband, Mr. Carol. She bore her sufferings patiently, always greeting her friends with a smile. She moved to Florida in 1918 and in September 1931 moved to Angelton, Texas, to spend her remaining days near her brother J.W. Vancleve. She is suevived by her daughter Mae of Angelton, son Ray, three step-sons John L. and Ed of Vienna, Thomas A. of Portland, Oregon, one step-daughter, Florence Vancleve of Eldorado, Illinois, three brothers, J. P. Vancleve of Stonefort, J. W. Vancleve of Angelton, Texas, and M.t. Vancleve of Eldorado, and a host of nephews and nieces and friends here who are sorry to hear of her passing away. Funeral services were held at the residents Monday, March 6th, at 8:30 p.m., conducted by Eld. H.E. VanCamp, pastor of First Baptist Church of Angelton, after which the remains were laid gently to rest in the Angelton Cemetery nearby. Ther to await the Resurrection Morn. Parents: Wilson F. VANCLEVE and Nancy J. LAWRENCE.

She was also known as Amy Susan Van Cleve.

      Joel Enos Van Cleave was born on 20-Dec-1850 at Illinois. He was the son of Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave and Nancy Jones Lawrence. Joel married Pherraba Stringer. Joel Enos Van Cleave died on 31-Oct-1872 at Illinois at age 21.

      James Philander Van Cleave was born on 20-Nov-1853 at Illinois. He was the son of Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave and Nancy Jones Lawrence. James married (Unknown) (Unknown). James Philander Van Cleave died on 6-Oct-1941 at age 87.

      Andrew Smith Van Cleave was born on 8-Jun-1856 at Illinois. He was the son of Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave and Nancy Jones Lawrence. Andrew Smith Van Cleave died in 1920.

      John Wilson Van Cleave was born on 25-Apr-1858 at New Burnside, Johnson County, Illinois. He was the son of Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave and Nancy Jones Lawrence. John Wilson Van Cleave died on 25-Jul-1934 at Angleton, Brazoria County, Texas, at age 76.

      Martin Thomas Van Cleave was born on 11-May-1860 at Johnson County, Illinois. He was the son of Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave and Nancy Jones Lawrence. Martin married Florence Alice Veach, daughter of Pleasant G. Veach and Isabelle Keith, on 26-Apr-1891 at Jonesboro, Johnson County, Illinois. Martin Thomas Van Cleave died on 10-Apr-1946 at Eldorado, Illinois, at age 85.
     

PROF. MARTIN T. VANCLEVE, Superintendent of the schools of Johnson County, is a young man of sound learning and fine character, whose culture, tact and versatility, together with a good degree of executive ability and a comprehensive knowledge of modern educational methods, rarely equip him lor the high and responsible position that he occupies as the head of the educational institutions in his native county.

Our subject was bom in Burnside Township, May 11, 1860, and is a son of the late Rev. Wilson Vancleve, who was for many years prominent in religious circles in southern Illinois as a minister of the Baptist Church, and was also one of the leading agriculturists of this vicinity. He was born near Louisville, Ky., while his father, who was descended from one of the old Dutch families that settled in this country in Colonial times, was a native of New Jersey or North Carolina, and spent his last days in Johnson County, this State.

When the father of our subject was young, his parents removed from Kentucky to Henry County, Tenn., and there he grew to man's estate. He was of a thoughtful, studious turn of mind, and first prepared himself for the medical profession, which he practiced for a time; but for a man of his earnestly religious nature, the ministry had great attractions, and from curing the body, he turned to healing souls, entering the pulpit of the Baptist Church. Returning to his native State, he lived in Calloway County until 1853, when he sought a broader field for his labors in Illinois. He located in Burnside Township, buying a tract of partly improved land, and also entering land from the Government. He superintended the improvement of his land, and often gave friendly assistance to others who desired to obtain Government land. His ministerial duties took up much of his time, as he engaged in preaching in the surrounding country, and helped to organize several different churches in Johnson and adjoining counties. He was a ripe scholar, progressive, studious and widely read, was especially well versed in theology, and next to that history and astronomy attracted his attention. In his death in 1886, at his home in Burnside Township, Johnson County lost a noble citizen, who had been potent in advancing its material interests and had been a power for great good in elevating its moral and spiritual status. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy J. Lawrence, and who was born in Tennessee, survives him, and still resides on the home farm in Burnside Township. Their marriage was blessed to them by thirteen children, of whom nine are living. Two of them, William R. and Volney, did valiant service in the late war, and the latter gave up his life for his country while in the army. A sketch of the former appears in this work.

Prof. Vancleve obtained the preliminaries of his education in the district school, and then, after having had the advantages of a course of study at Central Indiana Normal College, at Danville, Ind., he entered the Southern Illinois College, at Carbondale, from which he was graduated in the Class of '90 with a fine record for high attainment as a scholar. His education was gained mostly by his own exertions, his college expenses being paid with money that he earned by teaching in the winter season of each year from the time he was twenty years old. His reputation as a bright, brainy, well-trained teacher won him the election in 1890 to his present post as Superintendent of the county schools for a term of four years. He is faithful in the performance of the functions devolving upon him in this important office, and his fellow-citizens, who have known him from childhood up and have watched his career with pride, are all, irrespective of party, pleased with his administration, and feel assured that the cause of education is safe in the hands of one so alert and efficient, and that the schools over which he has jurisdiction will maintain a high standard of excellency while under his supervision. The Professor is a man of liberal mind and of pleasing personal attributes, which give him popularity in social circles and make him a valued member of the following organizations: Vienna Lodge No. 150, A. F. & A. M; Vienna Chapter No. 67, R. A. M; and. Vienna Lodge No. 248, K. P.

Mr. Vancleve was married April 26, 1801.

      Isaac Charles Branscum was born on 2-Aug-1835 at Wayne County, Arkansas. He was the son of (Unknown) (Unknown) and Polly Branscom. Isaac married Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave, daughter of Rev. Wilson Frost Van Cleave and Nancy Jones Lawrence, on 1-Oct-1857 at Johnson, Illinois. Isaac Charles Branscum died on 17-Dec-1917 at Onia, Stone County, Arkansas, at age 82.
     He was also known as Branscom. We have information from several sources that Isaac and his brother William were born before their mother married Burtrum. Our goal in presenting the information is neither to judge nor to titillate but rather to discover as much as we can of the ancestry of Isaac and William.
The first of the two major sources of information is a letter dated January 25, 1947 in which Isaac's eldest daughter, Mary Ann (Mollie), at age 87 wrote for her nephew, Charles Tubbs. Her recollections concerning her father's family. The letter begins:

What I know of the history of my Father's people. Isaac was raised by a Mr. and Mrs. Stone in Johnson County, Illinois. He had one brother ([Bill], William) and I don't know who raised him. I never heard my father say. Our Grandmother married a Mr. Butrum. They had three girls and three boys: Marina, Mary Ann, and Jane, Tom, Jasper ans George. The most of them passed away when I was small, but I remember going with Pa and Ma to visit them once. When Jasper and George were both very sick and died soon after we went home. However, my parents and uncle Bill lived only 8 miles apart and visited often. They were both farmers.
Some of Isaac's grandchildren confirmed the essence of this account: that Isaac had one brother and that the others were half-brothers and sisters, and that the marriage of Isaac's mother and Mr. Butrum occured after he and William were born.
The marriage records for Wayne County, Kentucky, show a marriage between John Butrum and Polly Branscum on December 6, 1838. Lewis Parker officiated and Andrew Criswell served as security. Another entry in the records shows March 12, 1838 as the date of the wedding. Sometimes one date is for the marriage bond and the later date is for the solemnization. In the will of Thomas Branscum on March 13, 1841, he referred twice to a daughter as Polly Butrum. It seems safe to conclude, therefore, that Polly was the mother of Isaac and William. We must nonetheless be cautious in our conclusions until futher documentation is discovered.
William's side of the family provides the second source of information about the identity of the mother of Isaac and William. Hilda Jackson, William' grandaughter, related the legend that she had heard from the previous generation. In this account the mother's name was Sarah. She disgraced ther family by marrying an Indian. When the Indians were forced to move westward, possiably on the "Trail of Tears" in 1838, Sarah went with her husband and their two sons. The husband died enroute. The coustom of the tribe was that the widow of a dead Indian became the wife of his brother. But Sarah did not wont to be the wife of her dead husband's brother. She ran away, Stole a mule, took her sons and crossed the Mississippi River near Cape Girardeau, and fled to Johnson County, Illinois where she had relatives. Later she remarried a man named Butrum and had Children whose decendents still live nearby.
William's daughter Mae Lewis, says "don't hold much stock in this tale." Mae added these pieces to our puzzle:
(1) William was born in "that part of Kentucky that was close to Southern Illinois."
(2) William's father was named Thomas.
(3) It is likely that William and Isaac had different fathers.

Could the first story be right? Could the second story be true? From what doccuments we know of to now the first is more likely right. But maybe Isaac and William had different fathers and maybe different mothers. Did Polly marry an Indian. As you can see this is a real puzzle. Maybe by presenting this story, someone out there might have some kind of eviadence to prove one way or the other. If so please contact me:

Herman C. Cummings
%Kenneth Cummings
P.O. Box 1022
Commerce, Tx. 75428

Ollie Crymes is the source of information about Issac's boyhood; some of the information came directly from Ollie, and some of it was relayed through Florence Morrison. We can easily picture the aged Issac in the home of his daughter Alice as he regaled his grandchildren, Ollie and Roosevelt with the tales of his early life.
My granddad had no toes on his left foot--just little round stubs. On his right foot he had the big toe and the one next to it, but the other three were snall round stubs. He said this was caused by frostbite when he went without shoes. He would tell me about walking on the snow barefoot. He said he slept under boxes, in doorsteps and in barns. A man picked him up during a snowstorm and kept him during a long, hard winter. The guy was a crank. However, the man's wife was very good to him and fitted him with out grown clothing and knitted him warm woolen sox. He had a good bed and such food as they could afford. Granddad had no shoes, though. When spring came, he had to go.
Soon thereafter Granddad met the old gentleman who kept him until the old gentleman died. This old man had a store, and Granddad made deliveries for him. The old man gave him room and board and payed him something for the work he did. Granddad said that he "made it good" while he lived with the storekeeper; he had shoes, clothing and a little money. I remember his saying that he was "doing pretty good" when the old man died. Granddad dearly loved him and his wife. Granddad must have married grandmother soon after the old man's death.
It is thought that Issac knew who his father was. However, he never told us. He would say, "It's bad to be a castaway...I have learned the hard way."
I don't remember Granddad telling me where he where he was born. I just thought he was born in Illinois, since his mom and all others were living there. I don't know how long the first family kept him or just how old he was when he was put out on his own. He must have been pretty young--not more than ten years old.
The storekeepers name is thought to be Stone.
Issac was a member of the Seventh-day Baptists. Some accounts say Seventh-day Adventists, but those accounts are doubful in view of the locale and early history of the Adventist movement. Gloria Autry quotes one of her relatives as saying that Issac's family was baptist "way back beyond Issac" --how we wish we had information about those ancestors! Issac and his family continued to observe Saturday as the Sabbath after the move to Arkansas. Elizabeth was also Baptist, not Seventh-day Baptist. In 1853, at age 16-17, she joined the Cedar Creek Baptist Church, which presumably was in or near Ozark. Her father Wilson Vancleve was an Elder in the Baptist Church, but we do not know whether before or after the family moved from Kentucky to Illinois in 1850.
In October 1875 Issac and his family moved from Illinois to Stone County, Arkansas. Effie Orr says that the move was prompted by religious differences with the Mormons in Illinois. John Butler says that the Branscums left in a wogon pulled by oxen; they were part od a wagon train heading for Missouri. Somehow, according to John, Issac's family left the group and went to Arkansas instead. John says further that the trip took three years, but could hardly be so if Flora was born in Stone County in April 1876, as the record shows.
Gloria Autry heard her great-grandmother Tilda tell about the trip. Tilda was ten years old. She recalled that the family moved west in a Covered wagon, and that they crossed the Mississippi River by ferryboat.
While religious differences may have influenced the decision to leave Illinois, the decision to relocate in Stone County, Arkansas may have been influenced by the presence of relatives there. Ollie writes:
"Other Branscums lived around Onia, Timbo, Upper Clark and Fox Mountain. A man known as Uncle Andy Branscum lived at Onia and was (or said he was) a cousin to Granddad. I don't know any more than that. Anyway, they passed as cousins, and the children still claim kin. Uncle Andy was about Granddad's age."
There is a clue of kinship, albeit a tenuous one, in the names of Uncle Andy Branscum's children. His daughters were named Lucinda, Jane, Sarah and Manerva--all names Issac and Elizabeth also gave their daughters (Uncle Andy also had "a son or two," but Ollie does not recall their names).
The 1880 census for Stone County locates Issac and his family in Locust Grove Township, but all subsequent records show the family in Timbo Township. There is no evidence that Issac moved again after settling in Stone County. We are left with the possibilities either that the census-takers made a mistake or that the township lines were changed. Because Stone County was formed in 1873, only two years before Issac and his family arrived (out of the neighboring counties of Isard, Searcy, Van Buren and Independence), it is possible that there was some uncertainty about the location of township lines.
In Stone County Issac had a farm consisting of four forty-acre plots in the form of a tee. We do not know whether he obtained all four plots on his arrival or whether he later added to his original purchase of a lesser amount of land. The farm is located approximately two miles north of Timbo on the road to Onia. The area around Issac's farm is called Fairview, and the farm was called Branscum Hill. Ollie says that her grandfather's property was "on top of the hill and under the hill."
Initially Issac built a one-room log house on the property, and the family lived there while the permanent dwelling was being constructed. The one room house is long gone, but it stayed in existence long enough to serve as a "weaning house," as my mother would use the term: a first home for a child upon his or her marriage. Tilda's family lived there during the 1890's, and Effie was born there in 1895. Ollie says, "I remember a small barn, a one-room log building with shedding on each side and one end. It could be the earlier house remodeled into a barn. As the Indians say, it has been gone for many a summer."
After his father's death in 1919 Billy sold his parents' farm. But he didn't say who was the buyer. Homer and Ollie did a little sleuthing and found that Otis Powell once owned the entire 160 acre farm--excepting possibly one acre. He still owns 79 acres. He sold six acres, including the house, to his brother Leonard Powell. Leonard lives there now. Otis Powell sold the remaining 74 acres to Corbin Gammill, who still owns it.
Two houses have been mentioned; there was a third house in the farm, located fairly close to the one-room structure. It, too, consisted of a single room with a porch in front and a kitchen in the back. This house, like the other, served as a home for children when they had their own families. Willie and Flora Butler lived there around the turn of the century. Joe and Tilda Mitchell lived in the other house at the same time. Effie says that the Butlers lived "directly across the road from me," but Ollie says that the earlier house--if, indeed, the barn she recalls was once the house in question--was "across the street and down a little ways." At any rate, the two houses were quite close to each other. This third house is now gone, and Otis Powell has built his home upon the spot.
Let us stand with young Effie Mitchell on Branscum Hill and look to the south; here is her recollection more than 80 years later:
"Beyond Grandma's beautiful garden was Aunt Mollie's first little Store, where the road turns toward Timbo. (Mollie later had a store, post office and boarding house in Timbo.) Beyond the corner was the Tubbs house and the Powell house. Across the road was Jesse Goodman's store and Dr. Stevenson's house. Dr. Stevenson was the physician who delivered me."
Now let us look with Effie to the North: "Three or four relatives lived in sight of Grandpa's, down the little hill and across the woods a mile to Clark School House (now Onia): Uncle Billy and family, Aunt Alice and family, Uncle Henry and family, all lived near each other. When Uncle Henry and family moved to Missouri, we moved into his house and lived there until we left Arkansas for Oklahoma.
Issac owned the usual animals found on a self-contained farm of the period: horses, cows, hogs, sheep and chickens are mentioned. He grew corn, cotton, oats, patatoes, wheat, turnips, cabbage and other vegetables. Aunt Zelda says that Issac was more fortunate than some of his neighbors in that his land was more fertile; he could grow crops that would not grow well on neighboring property. Aunt Zelda also recalls that Issac grew herbs and dried them for shipping to pharmaceutical houses. Neighbors came to him for herbs to cure their ills. Evidently Elizabeth had her own garden for vegetables and flowers.
Fruit was probably more important than vegetable and grain crops. There were several large orchards (Zelda says three). Issac sold apples, peaches and pears on a large scale. Effie recalls walking in the orchard with her grandfather when she was small. After the apples were picked Issac would turn the hogs loose in the orchards to eat the drops. Effie also passed on to Gloria Autry a story she heard from her mother Tilda: "Issac had a cider mill and made apple juice and cider. Sometimes the brothers would get into the cider and get drunk. One evening Henry Franklin came in very drunk. Mother martha had cut up chickens for the next day's meal, put the pices in a crock and salted them down to keep them overnight. Henry took a chicken leg from the crock and began to eat it. One of his brothers hollered at him that he was eating raw chicken--Henry was too drunk to notice!"
In 1985 Otis Powell showed Homer and Ollie Crymes an old pear tree that Issac had set out many years previously.
Issac sold fruit trees as well as fruit. John Butler called him a nurseryman and said that he spent much time in winter sitting by the fire and grafting fruit trees. He made a good living selling them. Gloria passes on this insight into Issac's temperament: "Sometimes a man would ask for a tree and would promise to pay later. Issac would give the man a tree even though he knew he would not be paid. When asked why he did so, Issac would say, "That man's children will eat apples from that tree.""
Sometimes bear meat would supplement the usual diet. Florence passed on this story to her son Cranford, who then told it to his granddaughter Connie Ivy: "Bear was plentiful when Florance was little. The bears would play in the road but hurt no one. Issac would kill a bear, cure the meat, and eat it all year round.
The family made most of their clothing. The daughters were known as accomplished seamstresses. On the back porch of the Branscum home was a loom on which Elizabeth wove cloth and carpets. Issac had a tanning vat and made shoes.
Issac valued education and instilled in his children a respect for education. We know nothing of Issac's schooling and can only be amazed that he could develop such writing skills in the circumstances he experienced as a boy. His spelling and grammar might have been flawed, but his writing is clear and to the point.
There are clues that the family was thrifty. At least Issac and Elizabeth imparted the trait of thriftiness to their daughter Effie. In her household waste was practically sinful.
The Branscum home was a stopping place for travelers. After their own children were grown, Issac and Elizabeth also took orphaned children into their home. They reared Roy Brantley, the child of one of Elizabeth's neices on the Vancleve side. Issac considered Roy as one of the family and included his name in the family records. The 1900 census also shows a boarder, Frior Lafeyette, in the Branscum household. He could have been merely a boarder of a hired hand, but Gloria's statement supports the belief that he could have been one of the persons to whom Issac and Elizabeth gave a home.
We said that Issac was a member of the Seventh-day Baptist Church. In Stone County he was known as "Sunday Ike" because he kept Saturday as the Sabbath and worked on Sunday. Two other Issac Branscums lived in Stone County at the time; they were known as "Guinea Ike" and "Drinley Iks." At school the children were teased about working on Sunday. Eventually Issac changed to the conventional branch of Baptists who kept Sunday as the Sabbath. We know from Elizabeth's obituary that she was a member of the Blue Mountain Baptist Church in Mountain View, so we can assume Issac also became a member there.
In some letters from Issac to Effie there was mention of a baptisam that took place in a creek one quarter mile from Eddie's place. I, Herman Cummings, found a picture that was taken approximatly during this time frame at a creek and a lot of people were presant. Could this baptisam be the one in the picture? Here is the account given to Gloria Autry: "All the family members congregated at the home of Eddie and Lillian Branscum to get ready for the baptisam. There seemed to be a customary uniform for those being baptised. The women and girls changed into white blouses with black skirts. The skirts were fitted at the waist and hipps but flared out below. The wemon had rolls of straight pins. They began to pin each others' skirts in pleated fashion all around the hemline to keep them from floating when they entered the water.
The families walked about a quarter of a mile to the stream where the baptism was to take place, and there they joined the families of the 29-30 others who were to be baptized. Family and friends stood in the shade of the trees along the banks while the converts entered the water. During the service Eddie paced up and down the bank with his youngest child, one-year-old Guy, in his arms. Guy was crying and making a racket.
When the service was over the three Branscum families walked back to Eddie's house. Those who had been baptised dreid and dressed.

      Mary Ann Branscum was born on 20-Feb-1859 at Tunnel Hill, Johnson County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Isaac Charles Branscum and Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave. Mary married Silas Bennett Lawrence, son of John W. Lawrence and Dulcena Tapp, on 11-Jan-1900 at Timbo, Stone County, Arkansas. Mary Ann Branscum died on 2-Mar-1947 at Last Chance, Okfuskee County, Oklahoma, at age 88.
     She was also known as Branscom. She was also known as Mollie Branscum. She resided at at Okemah, Okfuskee County, Oklahoma, in 1947. She was a Teacher. She was buried in Okemah Cemetery. She was also known as Mollie Branscum. It is very likely that Mollie lived at home untill 1900, when at age 40 or 41 she was married. She could have lived at home even as late as October 1909, because Issac's letter written then states, "Mollie is mending slowly. She can walk around and help do the housework." Thereafter she must have lived nearby: (a) in September 1913 Issac wrote to Effie to say that Elizabeth had received the dress pattern Effie had sent and that Elizabeth had taken it to Mollie to have the dress made; Mollie was too busy; (b) after Elizabeth's death Issac writes about an inpending visit to Mollie as if he could normally see her often.
Here is Mollie's account of herself in her letter to her nephew Charles:
In my girlhood I tought several terms of county schools. In those days we handled from 30 to 60 students in the old alphabet style. Occasionally I needed help in order to get through by 4 in the evening, and sister Effie, your mother, was about the best help I could get. She was lovable and had the confidence of the children. They were glad to have her assistance. I went from teaching to selling goods on a small scale and was appointed Post Master and worked at that about 12 years and in 1900 married Silas Lawrence. Lived with him 45 years and he died. I am still here, almost 88, and in pretty good health except for rheumatism in my knees.
Mollie and Silas had no children, else she would have mentioned them in the letter. In 1947 Mollies address was Okemah, Oklahoma. Okemah is in Ofuskee County, due east from Oklahoma City.

      Manerva Jane Branscum was born on 21-Jul-1861 at Tunnel Hill, Johnson County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Isaac Charles Branscum and Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave. Manerva Jane Branscum died on 10-Mar-1867 at Tunnel Hill, Johnson County, Illinois, at age 5.
     She was also known as Branscom.

      Sarah Alice Branscum was born on 15-Jan-1863 at Tunnel Hill, Johnson County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Isaac Charles Branscum and Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave. Sarah married William Jasper Sutterfield on 9-Feb-1883 at Stone County, Arkansas; this is the second marriage for William. Sarah Alice Branscum died on 12-Jan-1930 at Stone County, Arkansas, at age 66.
     She was also known as Branscom.

      Esther Matilda Branscum was born on 5-Aug-1865 at Tunnel Hill, Johnson County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Isaac Charles Branscum and Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave. Esther married Joseph Turner Mitchell on 24-Dec-1885 at Timbo, Stone County, Arkansas. Esther Matilda Branscum died on 25-Mar-1955 at Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, at age 89.
     She was also known as Tildy Branscum. She was also known as Hester Matilda Branscom.

      Henry Franklin Branscum was born on 20-Nov-1867 at New Burnside, Johnson County, Illinois. He was the son of Isaac Charles Branscum and Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave. Henry married Arizona Jane Webb, daughter of William Allen Webb and Cynthia Josephine Brown, on 18-Sep-1892 at Timbo, Stone County, Arkansas. Henry Franklin Branscum died on 10-May-1955 at Muleshoe, Baily County, Texas, at age 87.
     He was also known as Branscom. He resided at at Grapevine, Tarrant County, Texas, in 1913. He resided at at Muleshoe, Baily County, Texas, in 1923.

      Martha Florence Branscum was born on 28-Nov-1864 at Tunnel Hill, Johnson County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Isaac Charles Branscum and Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave. Martha married William Lawrence Wilson on 23-Jul-1889. Martha Florence Branscum died on 6-Apr-1949 at Onia, Stone County, Arkansas, at age 84.
     She was also known as Branscom.

      James Edwin Branscum was born on 8-May-1871 at Tunnel Hill, Johnson County, Illinois. He was the son of Isaac Charles Branscum and Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave. James married Lillian Looney on 25-Jun-1892. James Edwin Branscum died on 18-Dec-1946 at California at age 75.
     He was also known as Branscom.

      William Walter Branscum was born on 17-Feb-1873 at Tunnel Hill, Johnson County, Illinois. He was the son of Isaac Charles Branscum and Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave. William married Maggie Pogue on 27-Dec-1894. William Walter Branscum died on 27-Sep-1952 at Okemah, Oklahoma, at age 79.
     He was also known as Branscom.

      Nancy Cora Branscum was born on 16-Sep-1874 at Tunnel Hill, Johnson County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Isaac Charles Branscum and Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave. Nancy married William P. Morris on 27-Oct-1895 at Stone County, Arkansas. Nancy Cora Branscum died on 14-Aug-1959 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, at age 84.
     She was also known as Nancy Cora Branscom.

      Flora Susan Branscum was born on 6-Apr-1876 at Timbo, Stone County, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Isaac Charles Branscum and Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave. Flora married William Butler, son of Francis Marion Butler and Elizabeth Wilson, on 1-Nov-1893 at Stone County, Arkansas. Flora Susan Branscum died on 21-Nov-1946 at Raymondville, Willacy County, Texas, at age 70. She died on 21-Nov-1946 at Harlingen, Cameron County, Texas, at age 70.
     She was also known as Flora Susan Branscom.

      Effie Lucinda Branscum was born on 14-Mar-1878 at Timbo, Stone County, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Isaac Charles Branscum and Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave. Effie married John Frederick Tubbs, son of Berry R. Tubbs and Nancy Ann Boyd, on 1-Jan-1898 at Searcy, White County, Arkansas. Effie Lucinda Branscum died on 15-Nov-1953 at Stephenville, Erath County, Texas, at age 75. She died on 15-Nov-1953 at Yorktown, De Witt County, Texas, at age 75.
     She was also known as Effie M. Lucinda Branscom.

      Basha Cordelia Branscum was born on 13-Jan-1880 at Timbo, Stone County, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Isaac Charles Branscum and Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave. Basha married John J. Dunlap on 23-Nov-1902. Basha Cordelia Branscum died on 28-Sep-1936 at Burley, Cassia County, Idaho, at age 56.
     She was also known as Basha Cordelia Branscom.

      Bertha Ernestine Branscum was born on 13-Feb-1885 at Timbo, Stone County, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Isaac Charles Branscum and Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave. Bertha married Robert Meadows on 25-Nov-1905. Bertha Ernestine Branscum died on 12-Jan-1962 at Ada, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, at age 76.

      John Frederick Tubbs was born on 27-Feb-1875 at Sylmore, Isard County, Arkansas. He was born on 27-Feb-1875 at Stone County, Arkansas. He was the son of Berry R. Tubbs and Nancy Ann Boyd. John married Effie Lucinda Branscum, daughter of Isaac Charles Branscum and Martha Elizabeth Van Cleave, on 1-Jan-1898 at Searcy, White County, Arkansas. John Frederick Tubbs died on 19-Sep-1939 at Clifton, Bosque County, Texas, at age 64.

      Frederick Barnes Tubbs was born on 7-Jan-1899 at Akins, Indian Territory. He was the son of John Frederick Tubbs and Effie Lucinda Branscum. Frederick married Dolly Marie Hale, daughter of James Piper Hale and Margaret Ann Smith, on 24-Feb-1921 at Stephenville, Texas. Frederick Barnes Tubbs and Dolly Marie Hale were divorced. Frederick Barnes Tubbs died on 29-Aug-1953 at Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, at age 54.