"Connections"
The Wood and Fullenwider Families in America
by Thomas Fullenwider Wood
Introduction
When Charles Forrest Wood married Sallie Ellen Fullenwider in Crawford County in 1911 they connected two families with a rich American heritage. Both families had settled in Indiana in the early 1800's when Indiana was just entering statehood. While very different in many ways they shared similar experiences and raised families in interesting and difficult times.
Thomas Fullenwider Wood (Tom) started researching his family history when he retired from his work as a researcher chemist. He kept up a vast correspondence with all of his "cousins" and was never happier than when he found another one. He didn't always find answers to his questions but he never stopped trying until his death September 24, 1995.
Family histories are often a mixture of tradition and fact. As we grow older memories are sometimes not exact and written records are not always available. Tom tried to verify as much of the family history as he could. Family traditions are noted as such and sources are given when possible. There are no doubt some inaccuracies but we hope they are minor and a good starting point for another cousin to explore.
This book is Tom's and I'm glad to have been able to help him bring it to completion.
Marie Wood, Dec. 1995
Grandmother, Who are You?
Thomas F. Wood
213 Linger Lane, Sun City Center, Fl 33573
For some seventeen years, I've been trying to determine who my great -great grandmother really is. Family tradition has held that my great grandfather, Levi Benton WOOD, was the child of a Levi WOOD of New York and a "BENTON" girl, probably named Mary. Levi was supposed to have died young and the younger Levi BENTON was supposedly raised by his grandmother BENTON.
Last year I was surprised to hear from a distant cousin researching the BENTON family, that my great-great grandmother was actually someone called Thankful Benton, born Thankful REYNOLDS. He sent a copy of an obituary in which Thankful names Levi WOOD as her first husband, Daniel MCKANE as her second and David BENTON her third. According to the obituary, Levi WOOD of Perry County, Indiana (definitely my great grandfather), was her son.
At the time of her death in 1875, illness had caused the separation of David and Thankful and she was living with a KEEN family, possibly in Harrison, Ohio.
The obituary is, of course, secondary evidence. We haven't been able to obtain death records from Indiana, birth or marriage records from New York state, where presumably her first marriage took place, or any other verification of her first marriage or family.
The question arises then, who really is my great-great grandmother? The BENTON name has appeared in almost every generation since the early 1800's: Levi Benton WOOD, James Benton WOOD, John BENTON, Phillip BENTON, on assumption that it was a family name. Did someone just like the name or was it really great-great grandmother's as I had assumed all this time? At the age of eighty-two I probably don't have another seventeen years to search and I would really like the answer!
The Story Begins with Levi Wood (pages 1-15)
The earliest record found so far for this branch of the Wood family is a Bible record that states that Levi Benton Wood was born in New York State July 12, 1811. The entry in the Old Bible was made a number of years after the event and so far there has been no proof found of date or place other than this record. Both Ontario and Orange County in New York State have been suggested as possible places of birth.
Family tradition has always held that Levi's father was also name Levi Wood and his mother was "one of the Benton girls, possibly called Mary." But recent discoveries indicate that this family story may not be completely true.
According to an obituary of Thankful Reynolds (Wood?) McKane Benton (1), one of her descendents was Levi Wood of Perry County. Her first husband was named as being Levi Wood.
At this writing there is no other verification of Levi's parentage but there was no other Levi Wood living in Perry County at the time of Thankful's death and he was the Levi of this Indiana family. It seems more likely that his mother, then, was Thankful Reynolds
1).The Harrison News, Harrison, Ohio, Thursday, Feb. 25, 1875, p.2 sent by Greger Mitton, Burlington, KY
If this information is correct then Levi Wood and Thankful Reynolds (or Runnels) had a brief marriage sometime around 1810 in Ontario or Orange County. Since Thankful was born January 6, 1796 she would have been only about 14 years old but this was not uncommon for that time. It's possible that her husband died shortly before or after the child's birth. This has not been proven positively and the search goes on.
The next record of Thankful was around 1817 when she is supposed to have emigrated to Indiana from Yates County, New York. Thankful's sister Froaney, who married Joseph Benton in 1807, also emigrated to Franklin County Indiana around 1817 but she claims to have come from Orange County. She may also have lived for a while in Ontario County where Joseph Reynolds, who as probably her father, lived at one time.
According to records, Joseph and Elizabeth Reynolds, who were probably the parents of Froaney and Thankful, also migrated to Indiana around 1817 though some records put the date at 1811. It is very likely the family moved to be together.
Thankful married secondly Daniel McKane (or McCain) August 7, 1819. Daniel died in 1826 (?) and Thankful married David Benton, October 17, 1826. A will for Daniel McKane has not been located but Letters of Administration, dated September 26, 1828, indicate David Reynolds was to settle the estate of the "goods, chattels, money, credits and effects of Daniel McKain, dec."
Thankful apparently became an opium addict in her later years and her husband left her to live with one of his children. She died in 1875 and the obituary was written by S. A. Keen, a minister of Harrison County, Ohio. Thankful had lived with members of the Keen family since 1836. She had lived with Rev. Keen's parents for a number of years, later with his brother George and was living with his sister Sarah when she died. According to the obituary she died Friday, Feb. 19, 1875. Before she died she had received David Benton's pension with the approval of his family.
Other than the stated Bible record there is no other record of Levi Benton Wood that has been located at this time of his early years. There is a young man listed in the census of Joseph Reynolds of the right age to be Levi in 1830 in Indiana. If Joseph was his grandfather this may have been Levi, as he did not marry until later that year.
In 1830 Levi married a fifteen year old girl named Isabella Crist in Franklin County, Indiana. (Marriage certificate available). She was born April 4, 1815 in Franklin County, IN and died in 1840 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Isabella and Levi married October 25, 1830 and the minister was Ralph Williams. The Bible records her date of birth, but again it was recorded much later and cannot be verified. Efforts to find out who her parents were have been unsuccessful. Her place of burial in Little Rock has not been located; the cemetery has been built over.
Early land records show that Levi Wood received land from United States Patent 7-10-1832. (No amount of money was listed). It was described at the SW 1/4 of SE 1/4 Section 8 Township 12 Range 12E (Cert #4234) and was for forty acres. The certificate was dated Feb. 4, 1834. This would be in Laurel Township west of the town of Laurel. It was recorded 7/17/1837 in Book N Page 434.
According to genealogist Loraine Galls, the "History of Franklin County, Indiana, by August J. Reifel (1915), says that Laurel was platted about November 30, 1836 by pioneer James Conwell, who had been selling goods from his house before that date. He had intended to name the town New Baltimore but later changed it to Laurel. It is situated on parts of the Sections 9 and 10 in Township 12, Range 12 East.
The area grew rapidly in its early years as the canal was being constructed from 1839 to 1845. The first canal boat to pass through was called "Dove" and owned by W. Harding of Laurel. The opening of the canal brought in many new businesses. The population of Laurel in 1910 was five hundred and three.
Records show that Levi sold land in Franklin County to James Conwell, July, 1835 for $140.
Levi paid taxes in Posey Township in 1831 and 1834 in Posey Tshp in Franklin County as did john Crist who may have been a parent or relative of Isabella.
Levi appears again in the 1850 census for Ohio Township and his age is listed as 40. He says he was born in New York and is a cooper by trade. In 1860 he is in the Patoka Township (Crawford County) census (p. 495).
The children of Isabella (Isabel?) and Levi Wood were:
Joseph Wood, b. Dec. 28, 1831 Franklin Co., IN d. Nov. 6, 1833 in Franklin Co., IN
Elizabeth Wood, b. May 12, 1834, d. Aug. 12, 1858. Elizabeth married Joseph Beals January 13, 1850 in Crawford County, Indiana. Their children were Mary Indpendence Beals (1857-1940), Samantha Isabelle Beals (1855-1915) m B. H. Irwin. Samantha's daughter Clara Ann married a man named Fortner and her daughter Eliie Fortner married a gentleman named Funk. John Alpheus Beals (1857-1940), m. Mary E. Bowman. Elizabeth is buried in Beals Cemetery, Crawford Co., IN (Additional information about the Beals family and descendents follows under "The Beals Connection"). Joseph eventually married two of Levi's daughters.
William Raymond Wood, b. July 23, 1836, Fayette Co., IN, d. 1897 East Prairie, MO. William married Sarah J. Jones, June 19, 1872 and later Pearlina Crabtree in Missouri on July 17, 1878. He was a veteran of the Civil War honorably discharged (National Archives). He filed for a service pension Dec. 19, 1879 as an invalid. (Cert. 414900). He died in East Prairie, Missouri, March 16, 1897. William died of Bright's Disease (physician's affidavit.) Researcher Helen Jean Byrn Sadler believes there may have been an earlier marriage before Sarah, to a woman called Mary, and that there were two children. Helen Jean bases her conclusion on a census record for 1860 which lists a William Wood of the right age in Indiana and lists two children Ellen and John. So far this is the only evidence of another marriage.
John Wood, b. Aug 25, 1838 and d. Nov. 6, 1842 in Franklin Co., IN.
Levi's second marriage was to Malinda Gerard (Jarrett) Feb., 28, 1841 in Rush County, IN. Malinda was born in Decatur County, Oct. 3, 1814 and died in Crawford County, IN in 1854. Malinda and Levi were married by Elijah Whitten, a regularly ordained minister in the M. E. Church.
Levi and Malinda are listed in the Crawford County census and he says he is a cooper. At that time he was 40 and Malinda 38 and the children living with them were William, 14, Mary, 9, Nancy, 8, Richard M,., 5, and "Joaner M. ", 2.
According to a will filed in Franklin County, IN, in 1848 Malinda's parents were David Gerrard and Joanna Hobbs Gerrard. Malinda named her daughter Joanna after her mother.
Crawford county Land Records indicate that Levi bought and sold land often. Among other transactions Book Seven (p. 238) indicates a land transaction in Magnolia to Wm. F. Williams; in Book Eights (p. 497) there is a sale to Donald N. Beals on Feb. 1, 1860 for $300. Other transactions involved Winston Gilbert in 1862 (Book 9, p. 408); Henry F. Lynch (his stepson) April 26. 1865 in Leaven worth (Book 12, p.307); to William Muller, Oct. 8, 1866 at Alton, (Book 13, p. 329); to Elizabeth Gilmore (Book 14, p2 April 13, 1869).
The children of Levi and Malinda were:
Mary T. Wood b. Feb. 10, 1842 in Decatur County and died in Crawford County, IN, October 1854. She was married to a man named Thomas Epperson, July 29, 1858. (Marriage Book B, p 333)
Nancy Wood, b. June 23, 1844, Dearborn County, Indiana and died October 18, 1873. Nancy married Joseph Beals April 23, 1863 in Crawford County, IN. She is buried in Beals Cemetery, Crawford County, Indiana.
The children of Nancy and Joseph Beals were:
Daniel Doughlas Beals, b. Aug. 14, 1864.
Mary Ida Beals Melcom b. October 14, 1866, m. William Melcom, November 10, 1889, d. September 10, 1943. They had three children, Cleo, Claude, and Guy. Mary married a man named Hosmer after the death of Malcom. No children.
Stuart Alva Beals, b. 1871, d. Indiana Crawford County, 1951. Stuart m. Louisa McCullum May 28, 1899. Their Children were Gordon McCullum Beals and Alice Garnet Beals and J. Orman. Stuart was teacher and school executive for 60 years. He was superintendent of Crawford County Schools from 1903 to 1917. He is buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery at Leavenworth.
Richard M. Wood, b. Nov. 9, 1846, Crawford County, IN. d. July 9, 1880 Perry County. He was married to Evaline Cox in Crawford County, Indiana in 1869. The 1880 Census lists Richard M. Wood as head of household, age 34 and his wife as 25. She said she was born in Indiana and her parents were born in Kentucky. They list children at that time as Charles, age 7, William W., age 4 and Richard M. age 2.
Joanna M. Wood, b. Jan. 29, 1849, Leavenworth, Crawford County, Indiana, d. Feb. 15, 1947, El Paso, Illinois. Joanna m. Marshall Greenberry Newkirk Oct. 8, 1866. Joanna died in 1947 in Illinois at the age of 98.
Joanna's children were: (data in 1939)
Marry Matilda d. at 4 mos.;
Harvey Newkirk, dec.
Marshall L. Newkirk of Chenoa, IL
Alvey Newkirk, of Laport City, Iowa
Thomas Newkirk, dec.
William Newkirk, of Luther, Michigan
Mrs. Emily (Alvina) Batman of Great Bend, Kansas
Mrs. Lurana Pence, of Bloomington, IL
Raymond Newkirk, dec.
Mrs. Cordelia Furrow, of El Paso, IL (Cordelia married Willam Furrow and their daughter Shirley Ann married a man named Toole. One of their sons was named Steve.)
Mrs. Melvina Baldwin of Genesso, IL
Theodore Newkirk, of El Paso, IL
George Newkirk, of El Paso, IL
Roscoe Newkirk, of El Paso, IL
Porter Newkirk of El Paso, IL
According to an article in the Daily Pantagraph, Bloomington, Illinois, entitled "Oldest Person at El Paso Dies Saturday" (2-17-1947) Joanna had born 15 Children. She moved to El Paso in 1904. At the time of her death there were 35 grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren surviving. Joanna was a member of the El Paso Church of the Nazarene.*
Sarah Ellen Wood b. June 26, 1851 Crawford County, IN, d. Feb 21, 1865.
Lurena Wood b. April 23, 1854, Crawford County, IN d. Sep. 30, 1919. Lurena married William F. Claycomb, September 16, 1873. (Certificate filed Sept. 18 (Perry Co?) m. by Peter Luxemburger, J. P. (Marriage Records, Vol. 4)
*A Curious note: At the bottom of a page of Joanna's Bible is the word Runnels. (Reynolds?)
Levi Benton Wood married Mary Emily Doolittle June 13, 1855 in Crawford County, IN. Mary Emily Doolittle was born October 20, 1825 in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. She was married first to Jeremiah Lynch April 13, 1843. Her husband was drowned while taking a flatboat to New Orleans.
They had four children between 1844 and 1852. They were Henry Francis, Sarah L. (m. Louis Morgan), John, died young and George J. Henry Francis went to live with his grandparents at the age of 13. Levi died at the home of his stepson Francis Lynch at Doolittle Mills, Indiana, October 2, 1896. He was buried in Doolittle Cemetery at Doolittle Mills, IN. Mary Emily died in Oriole, IN. October 12, 1895 and is buried in Doolittle Mills.
Mary Emily was a pioneer who helped Crawford County people in many ways. Her father Samuel Doolittle came to Indiana in the 1830's, possibly by water since it was easier to travel that way.
When Mary Emily married Jeremiah Lynch they made their home on a tract of land north of what is now Beechwood. They had a small cabin and raised sheep for food and clothing. He also constructed a lime kiln where he could burn limestone rock until it became lime which was carried by barge to be sold in New Orleans.
When Jeremiah went to New Orleans she stayed alone in her cabin with her baby and dog. It took many weeks to drift down to New Orleans and then walk home if they couldn't get a ride.
Mary Emily told her children that wolves used to climb on the roof of the sheep cote and howl. She would take a shovel of the live coals and toss them into the yard to scare the noisy wolves away.
Later she acquired some medial books on using herbs, roots, and other home remedies. She used them to learn how to care for her family and friends and neighbors when they were sick. Her children helped her gather the roots, bark, etc. during the summer. She also served as a midwife.
Mary Emily served as a seamstress and made everything from men's suits to woven blankets and coverlets. Her granddaughter Robbie had a family picture with a beautiful coverlet used as a background. Robbie was told stories about Mary Emily by her father who passed them on to his children and grandchildren.
The children of Levi and Emily were:
James Benton Wood, b. Oct 17, 1858 in Crawford County, Indiana, d. May 3, 1930 in Louisville, KY. He is buried at Orchard Knob Cemetery, Crawford County, Indiana. James was a carpenter. He married for the first time Sarah Elizabeth Kemp, October 9, 1876. Sarah was born August 9, 1856 and died August 25, 1897 in Crawford County, Ind. Sarah was the daughter of Abraham Kemp and Catherine Sheckles. James and Sarah are listed in the 1880 Census for Crawford County. He was 25, Sarah was 23 and children listed were Chloe, age 2 and Charles, age 1.
Children of James and Sarah were:
Chloe Florence, b. Sept. 16, 1877, d. Sept. 18, 1880 in Crawford County, Indiana
Charles Forrest Wood, B. Jan. 17, 1879 Crawford County, Indiana, d. June 18, 1944 at Alton in Crawford County. Charles married Sallie Fullenwider who was born in Crawford County, July 31, 1882. They were married September 14, 1911 in Crawford County, Indiana and had three children Thomas Fullenwider, James, and Charles.
James' second marriage was to Anna Martha Kemp, Sarah's sister. Martha was born Feb. 22, 1871 in Crawford County, IN. and died there on Sept. 6, 1946. She is buried at Orchard Knob Cemetery, Crawford Co, IN. James and Martha married July 21, 1898.
Children of James and Martha were:
Robbie Leona Wood, b. Sept 21, 1899 in Crawford County. Robbie married James Clive Parr July 20, 1919. James Clive Parr's parents were John Bloom Parr and Mary Ellen Landers. Robbie and Clive had four children, one of whom, James Franklyn, died very young. He was married to Barbara Ann Walton and they had one son. Robbie and Clive's other children are: Ruth Ellen, b. Feb. 2, 1921, m. Herbert Rufener, have one son James Herbert; Martha Delight, b. May 28, 1923, married Jerome Bowman and have two sons, Eldon David and Steven Charles. Eldon is married to Brenda Faulkenburg and Steven to Debra Nash. Mildred Marie was born August 21, 1925, m. Harlan Ray Maymon. They have three sons; have three sons, Bobbie Ray, Donald Franklyn, and David Wayne. David Maymon married Jamie Ann Montgomery and they have four children, Jeremy Alan, Joanne Marie, Janesse Lynne, Jared Donald. David Wayne is married to Linda Marie Hallensead.
Harry Lewis Wood, b. July 3, 1906, Boone Tshp., IN. Harry married Pauline Vernon, May 7, 1927. Their daughter Ruth Janice married Bord Byrn and had the following children: Helen Jean, Bord Edward, Lois Leona, Roy Wayne, and Harry Lee. Following their divorce Janice married Rupert (Bob) Terry and they have one daughter, Ruth Renee.
Alma Wood, b. June 23, 1911, d. May 15, 1924 . Alma is buried at Orchard Knob Cemetery, Alton.
Levi's other children were:
Alva Theodore Wood, b. Aug 8, 1858, Crawford County, d. June 9, 1933, Louisville, KY. He married Mary Adeline Pearson, in Crawford County, September 17, 1876. Mary's father was G. W. Pearson and her mother was called Nicey. Alva Theodore and Mary had two sons, Richard (Dick) and Claiborn (Clay). They lived most of their lives in Evansville, Indiana.
Sabra Jane Wood, b. October 22, 1860 in Crawford County, IN, died June 8, 1938. Buried in Fullenwider Cemetery, Crawford County, Indiana. Sabra married James Secor Mead, Nov. 5, 1876 in Perry County. (filled Nov. 9, 1876) One of her children, Stella Mead married Levi Brooks. He died May 14, 1948.
Other records of James B. Wood: Made purchases at Hollcroft and Son Store (Book 6) in 1895 Alton, IN.
Note: Much of the information about Mary Emily Doolittle came from granddaughter Robbie Parr who was told stories by her father. Robbie also had a family Bible and some information came from there but the Bible has been lost and can not be checked.