ORA LEE'S FAMILY HISTORY

Updated February 25, 2006

 

My research involves several surnames and spans several countries. Surnames include Jones, Cochran, Phelan, Dobbins, Crandell, and Whittredge. There are several other surnames, but these are the main ones.


The Phelans who came through Bermuda are a very elite group. Thomas Phelan came to Bermuda from Ireland circa 1788 and married Mary "Polly" Downing Peniston, who was descended from a well established family. They had eight children. The youngest, James Osmond Phelan, left for New York and married there. His wife is listed as Sarah A. They had several children one of whom was William Campbell Phelan, my great grandfather. James enrolled two of his sons, Thomas and William into a "school for incorrigible boys" and returned to Bermuda, where he spent his last two or three years. It is reported in the Bermuda Gazette that he died of "a long and painful illness." Thomas eventually returned to live with his mother and William enlisted in the Army.


The Joneses came from Wales. An article on Dr. John W. Jones my great-great grandfather was originally published in the Melborne Times, Melborne, Arkansas before Dr. Jones died in 1903.

of property, both personal and real. He died in 1827. His son, Ceborn, was born in North Carolina and in his youth learned the shoe makers trade which business he conducted in Nashville from 1863 to 1871 his death accurring in the latter year. He was married in 1827 to Miss Selina W. Mealor and their marriage was blessed in the birth of four children, John W. and William being the only ones now living the latter a farmer in Green County, Missouri. The mother's death occurred in 1837 and Mr. Jones took for his second wife, Miss Sarah Stephen and their union resulted in the birth of four sons and three daughters, Mary A. widow of James Cash, Sarah A. Christina, George W., Thomas N., Newton, J. and Louis E. Mr. Jones and this wife divorced and he espoused his third wife in Nashville, Tenn. He was a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church and his political views was a Whig. His son, Dr. John W. Jones was reared in farm life, but received his early scholastic advantages in the schools of Louisburg and Commersville (Cornersville) and Jackson College at Columbia, Tennessee, which institution he entered when 17 years of age remaining one term. Upon leaving school, he learned the harness maker's and saddler’s trades but after following this occupation two years he came to Arkansas in 1855 and settled in Independence County where he was engaged in teaching school, following this occupation in Polk Bayou and afterwards in Searcy County.

During his days of pedagoguing, his leisure moments were devoted to the study of medicine with the view of making it his calling through life, and in 1860 he entered upon his practice continuing until the opening of the rebellion when he joined the Confederate forces as a private and after serving one month and was promoted to the position of Assistant Surgeon and filled that position three years. He took part in a number of battles; Pea Ridge; Iuka and Corinth, being among the number. He was taken prisoner at Fort Hudson, but after being kept in captive for six days was paroled and returned to Searcy County, Arkansas, where he again resumed the practice of his profession.

In 1865, he located at Evening Shade and after teaching school for 20 months, he again entered upon the practice of medicine being in partnership with Dr. Hill, but this connection only continued a short time. He moved near Lacrosse in 1868, but in 1873 he came to Izard County and

settled on the Old Langston place where he remained for seven years. He purchased his present property at the end of that time by adding 40 acres now has a farm comprised of 100 acres with about 20 acres under cultivation.

Prior to the war in 1861, he attended the Medical College in St. Louis, Mo.,

but owing to some disagreement between Professor McDowell and some of his German and Irish students, the institution was closed. Dr. Jones is a member of A.F and A.M., the I.O.O.F. and in his political views is a Democrat. He was married in October 1866, to Miss Martha Taylor of Izard County, and by her is the father of ten children. Mary F., wife of Robert Cuest, John W., Sebern S., James T., Margaret J., Samuel T., Wiley N., Martha C., Nancy A., and George R.

Mrs. Jones is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Dr. Jones is physician of acknowledged merit and an excellent proof of his ability is shown in the extended territory over which he calls to alleviate the suffering sick.

I know the Crandells and the Dobbinses both came from Ireland through Ohio and Illinois into Missouri.

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

FAMILY HISTORY

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