Ozark County Bald Knobbers - Part 3

Read Part 1 of Ozark County Bald Knobbers by clicking here.

Read Part 2 of Ozark County Bald Knobbers by clicking here.

The Tannehill & McKenney Family

When looking through the Tannehill genealogy, we find there are several variations of the name, such as:

Tanahill

Tannahill

Tanehill

Tannihill

Tanihill

Tannyhill

Alfred W. Tannehill was born in 1805 in North Carolina, and his wife, Nancy Jane Dalton Tannehill, was  born in 1807 in Virginia.  Alfred & Nancy Jane were one of the progenitors of the Tannehill family in the Ozarks.  By 1850, Alfred and Nancy had 8 children:

• William J. - born about June 29, 1827 in Illinois. Married at least 3 times. Possible death date March 13, 1902. 
• Sarah Ann - born about 1831. Married Benjamin Owens?
• Newton “Newt” Charles - born in Illinois Oct. 29, 1835. Married the McKinney sisters, Martha & Lousia.
• John Wesley - born March 4, 1834. Married Jane Ellen Whiteley & stayed in Illinois with grandmother Pheobe.
• Alfred Jessie "A. J." - born October 29, 1836. Married 3 times.        
• Jane - born March 10, 1841. Married George St. Matthew.
• Emily - born about 1844. Died early.
• James (Twin) - born January 31, 1846, near Mt. Vernon, MO. Married Nancy Hampton.
• Mary Asborine (Twin) - born January 31, 1846, near Mt. Vernon, MO. Married Charles Augustus Jung (pronounced "Young").

S. C. Turnbo references Alfred & Nancy Tannehill with their sons Jesse & Newt Tannehill in the story, Forest Scenes that were Funny.

Almost every resident of Ozark and Taney Counties, Mo., knows or has heard of Jesee Tannihill, son of Alphered and Nancy (Dalton) Tannihill, and who was born in Morgan County, Illinois, October 31, 1836.  His parents are both dead and are buried in the cemetery at Protem, Mo….Uncle Jess went on to say that Frank Havens wanted to learn to be a hunter and Newt Tannihill, a brother of mine, who died several years ago and buried at Protem, taught him a lesson or two before Havens started into the woods.  My brother told him that if he shot a deer to make sure that it was dead before he quit it...

In another chronicle, Interesting Accounts of Killing Deer, Mr. Turnbo, references the two brothers Newt & Jesse Tannehill of Ozark County in referring to the number of deer Jesse shot.  Jesse claimed:

...I once owned a 32 caliber Winchester with which I killed 96 deer.  I also once owned a mouse colored mule I called Nellie on which I have carried 140 deer home from time to time...

As it turned out, the Tannehill and McKenney families became inexorably intertwined.  

Jonathon McKenney & Louisa Butt McKenney were married on the 2nd day of November, 1834, in Montgomery County, Indiana.

Jonathon & Louisa McKenney had 13 children:

• Arminda Jane - born about 1835 in
• Martha A.- born about 1835
• Mahala Matilda - born about 1839 
• Louisa Diannah - born about 1841 in Missouri
• Jonathon Wilson - born October 5th, 1844, in Missouri
• Howell (Twin) - born about 1846 in Arkansas
• Mary Emily (Twin) - born about 1846 in Arkansas
• William - born about 1848 in Arkansas
• Sarah - born about 1850
• Albert - born about 1852 in Arkansas
• Lavina Bernice - born about 1857 in Arkansas
• Galen McKenney - born about 1858 in Arkansas
• Allen McKenney - born about ?; died in 1897 

Jonathan and Louisa McKenney lived in Coffey County, Kansas, to be near family during the Civil War.  The McKenney Family was active in the Ninth Kansas Cavalry, and for a portion of the time served the company as body guards for General Blunt.  They participated in the battles of Kane Hill, Prairie Grove, and many minor skirmishes, and was one of those sent to capture Quantrell, who caused the destructive conflagration at Lawrence, Kansas.  The McKenneys also took part in Shelby's raid in Missouri, and assisted in capturing Fort Smith and Van Buren, and had several engagements under General Steele in the vicinity of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Coffey County, Kansas

They arrived in Blue Township, Jackson County, Missouri about 1867, and they are listed in the 1870 census in.  Jonathan was also enumerated in the same year in the Farmers Index Census for the Jackson County, Missouri, as having 160 acres of improved land.

Family tradition relates that Jonathan and Louisa were murdered by bushwhackers probably between 1870 and 1872 -- and that they are buried in a little cemetery near where they lived, near Independence, Missouri.

Newton Tannehill’s first wife was Martha McKenney and the daughter of Jonathon & Louisa McKenney.  She was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, about 1837. Martha was

Montgomery County, Indiana

Newton and Martha McKenney were married about 1856 in Washington County, Arkansas.  They lived nearby Newton's parents in the township of Vineyard which is in the southwest corner of the Washington County with the county seat being in Fayetteville.   

Vineyard Township, Washington County, Arkansas

To this union was born Jonathan in Missouri in 1857.  By 1859 Newton and Martha move to the town of Waverly, Morgan, County, Illinois, which is located in west-central Illinois roughly 90 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri, and 30 miles west of Springfield, Illinois.  While in Waverly, their daughter Emily was born in 1959. 

Morgan County, Illinois

Newton's brother, Alfred Jesse "A. J." Tannehill, married Newton's sister-in-law, Mahala Matilda McKenney, on the 15^th day of June, 1859, in Washington County, Arkansas.  She was also the daughter of Jonathon & Louisa Butt McKenney.  Newton & Jesse were not only brothers...now, they were brother-in-laws.  Later on, Jesse & Mahala Tannehill were divorced.

Nine months later, according to the 1860 Census, we find Newton & Martha were back living in Vineyard, Washington County, Arkansas, which was close by Newt’s parents, Alfred & Nancy Tannehill.  Newton & Martha began a family: Jonathan, Emily.

1860 U. S. Census for Newton  & Martha Tannehill

When the Civil War was initiated, Newton and Martha moved back to Morgan County, Illinois, and they had two more children added to the family: Frank & May, respectively.  While in Illinois, Newton enlisted in the Union Army on the 1st of July, 1863, at age 27.  He was in the Illinois Infantry of the 10^th Congressional District, under Capt. Fry.   

  

Muster Record of Newton Tannehill

On Wednesday, December 23, 1863, Newton & Martha’s last son, Edgar, was born, while Newton was serving in the Illinois Infantry in Missouri.  

On Sunday, August 2^nd, 1868, - 4 Years, 7 Months, and 10 Days later - little Edgar Tannehill past away, and he was buried in the Rogers Cemetery in Morgan County, Illinois.

 

Son of Newton & Martha

   Aug. 2, 1868

Soon after this heartbreaking tragedy, Newt & Martha were no longer married.  I have found a posting online that they were quickly divorced thereafter.  From this point on, I can no longer find any substantial records of Martha “McKenney” Tannehill.  I have found one other reference that she was married to a gentleman with the last name of Osborne, but I cannot validate that at this time.

Next, Newt Tannehill married his second wife, Louisa Diannah McKenney, daughter of Jonathon & Louisa “Butt” McKenney.  Louisa was born on the 21st day of February, 1842, in Missouri.  If these names also sound familiar, they should...because she was the younger sister of Martha McKenney Tannehill.  At one time Louisa was Newt’s sister-in-law, and she was five years younger than her sister.  Newton Tannehill married Louisa in Ozark County, Missouri, sometime in 1869.

By 1870, when the U. S. Census was taken, Newt & Louisa were living in Christian County, Missouri, in the southeast corner of the county, in the Township of Marion.    

Marion Township, Christian County, Missouri

Louisa answered the census taker on the 10^th of August, 1870.  It was recorded that they had recently had a son, Ulysses “Grant” Tannehill, born in the month of May, and both Newt and her could not read nor write.  His occupation was listed as a Farmer, and her duties were listed as keeping house.

1870 U. S. Census of Newton & Louisa Dianna Tannehil

On the 18^th of July, 1876, Newt & Louisa had their second son, Sherman Patrick “Pate” Tannehill.  His name can also be referenced as: "Pad," or "Dod."   Newt & Louisa also had their first daughter, Maudie Ruth Tannehill, in 1879.

1880 U. S. Census of Newton & Louisa Tannehill

As the children grew up, both boys, U. S. “Grant” Tannehill & S. P. “Pate” Tannehill, became Baptist ministers. 

According to  S. C. Turnbo, Newton Charles Tannehill was buried in the Protem Cemetery in Taney County.  His wife, Louisa Diannah McKenney Tannehill passed away on the 22nd day of May, 1920, in the western part of Ozark County and was buried in the Dit Cemetery. 

Dit Cemetery

The community of Dit was earlier called Bauff and later called Nance.  Dit had a post-office established in 1900 by George Goldberg and named after his daughter, Dit.  No one seems to know whether Dit was her real name, or whether it was a nickname.  Dit is located 18 miles southeast of Bradleyville, and over time, it has been listed in two different counties by the Missouri Manuals.

Dit was listed:

• Ozark County from 1897 - 1900
• Taney County: 1901 - 02
• Ozark County: 1905 - 1906
• Taney County: 1907 - Present

Faithful Until Death.
Although Newton Charles Tannehill was a Bald Knobber, it was his wife who held firm in evidence & demonstration of true fidelity.  Louisa Diannah McKenney Tannehill was 75 years, 3 months, and 1 day old at her departure of this life.  Near by Louisa's body lies her sister in rest, Mahala Matilda McKenney Wolf who past away the 27th of September, 1913. Mrs. Wolf was not only the sister of Louisa, but she was also once a sister-in-law to her sister because she was also once married to Jesse Alfred "A. J." Tanneyhill.  Additionally, Mahala Matilda McKenney Wolf  was also the wife of one of the six Bald Knobber attorneys, Ferdinand M. Wolf.  

Mr. Wolf was born in Germany on the 20th of January, 1826, and he died the 23rd of April, 1918, in Nance, Taney County, Missouri.  Mr. Wolf, who once had a legal practice in Springfield, Missouri, and he gave legal council to at least nine Bald Knobbers, including: "Bull Creek Dave" Walker, Billy Walker, John Mathews, Andy Adams & his son.

Of all the gravestones epitaphs I have read, Louisa’s epitaph speaks volumes in three simple words:

"Faithful Until Death"

Used by Permission
Find A Grave Memorial# 21748259.  Maintained by: J & J Wiggins
Originally Created & Photographed by: White River Valley Historical Society

Although it may be inscribed small, Faithfulness is a quality that is precious and admired.  It is a characteristic that held firm in the face of adversity for the prosperity of future generations.  

Though we are all subject to like passions, we also ascribe ourselves to labels.  These labels often enable us to commit our excuses to patterns that are out of control.  For example, I have often heard some say they cannot control their anger/temper due to the genetic temperament of their family or nationality.

How many hot tempers are out there?

• Hot-German Temper
• Hot-Polish Temper
• Hot-Norwegian Temper
• Hot-Russian Temper
• Hot-Italian Temper
• Hot-Scottish Temper
• Hot-Spanish Temper
• Hot-Irish Temper

Though we may give warning and tout the flaws of our urges, it is those who reflect the nature of our Creator that people flock to.  For some reason, we are sometimes thrown or willing place ourselves into a labeled box.

In a fallen world, we have the innate & instinctive qualities that long to be developed.  These qualities rarely manifest themselves until struggles, trials, and tribulations are encountered and endured.  Our misfortunes can seem to trundle our hopes into despair.  Frankly, broken expectations will never manifest faith; only God’s Word will do that.  

The suffering in this life is our opportunity to purify ourselves for a greater work & witness.  The process is called Repentance.  Therefore, our struggles have the potential to open the eyes of our heart, and trials will give us the strength drop the accusing stones from our clasp.  It is in these heartaches of life that we encounter to see the the subtraction of our sources and the division of our desires.  Nevertheless, this is how our Father in Heaven uses The Mathematics Of Life, such as:

• Addition by Subtraction
• Multiplication by Division
• The First Shall be Last
• The Last Shall be First
• Leadership comes from Servanthood
• Self-Exaltation will be Abased
• The Humble will be Exalted 

For those who think Leadership is their Divine Lordship & Domain, even within the law, we all must remember they would have no authority if it were not permitted from above.  Ultimately, leaders will give account on the Day of Judgment.  

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. James 3:1, King James Version

It is from this perspective that we must account for everything as a temporary affliction because everything is momentary in the spectrum of Eternity.

As we grasp His Eternal Promises, we will also witness His Faithfulness.  Faithfulness is the cry from many hearts in a land of broken promises, pledges, and pacts.  For those who are faithful through the trials and tribulations unto death, there awaits a Crown of Life.

  

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.   Matthew 25:21,  King James Version

 "Faithful Until Death"

 Source Citations:

 I would like to thank Jaynie Wiggins for her invaluable help & assistance in keeping everything straight on the Tannehill family lines. Her great grandmother,Mary Asborine Tannehill, married (her first and only marriage) Charles Augustus Jung, who went by the surname of Young, on Sept. 17, 1871 in Ft. Scott, Bourbon Co. Ks. and had 8 children.

1. Charles D. born 1872, d. 1873

2. Jessie Mae b. 4-26-1874   d. 3-10-1962   m. John Edward Rhodes

3. George Augustus b. 10-26-1876   d. 7-28-1933   never married

4. James N.”Ted” b. 3-19-1877   d. 5-23-1969   m. Maude Juliet Wooley

5. Cora Caroline b. 6-11-1880   d. 6-19-1960   m. Thomas Booker Bonner

6. Minnie M. b. 11-17-1881   d. 6-18-1968   m. George Banford Rhodes

7. Etta Emily b. 3-19-1888   d. 3-23-1971   m. Austin Ezra Ward. *Etta and Austin are Jaynie's grandparents

8. Florence Nevada b. 5-21-1890   d. 8-30-1991   m. Kelley Vernon Peacock.

Anderson, Vincent S. Bald Knobbers: Chronicles of Vigilante Justice. The History Press,Charleston, SC. 2013. 

Find A Grave, database and images (http://findagrave.com : accessed 1 October, 2013), memorial page for Tannehill, Alfred Jessie "A. J." Find A Grave Memorial no. 26719217.

Find A Grave, database and images (http://findagrave.com : accessed 1 October, 2013), memorial page for Tannehill, Alfred W. Find A Grave Memorial no. 90410635.

Find A Grave, database and images (http://findagrave.com : accessed 1 October, 2013), memorial page for Tannehill, Edgar. Find A Grave Memorial no. 82270897.

Find A Grave, database and images (http://findagrave.com : accessed 1 October, 2013), memorial page for Tannehill, Louisa Diannah McKenney. Find A Grave Memorial no. 21748259

Find A Grave, database and images (http://findagrave.com : accessed 1 October, 2013), memorial page for Tannehill, Mahala Matilda McKenney. Find A Grave Memorial no. 21748258.

Find A Grave, database and images (http://findagrave.com : accessed 1 October, 2013), memorial page for Tannehill, Nancy Jane Dalton. Find A Grave Memorial no. 90416904.

Find A Grave, database and images (http://findagrave.com : accessed 1 October, 2013), memorial page for Tannehill, Sherman Patrick. Find A Grave Memorial no. 7376195.

Find A Grave, database and images (http://findagrave.com : accessed 1 October, 2013), memorial page for Tannehill, Ulysses Grant. Find A Grave Memorial no. 7376183.
 

Find A Grave, database and images (http://findagrave.com : accessed 1 October, 2013), memorial page for Wood, John. Find A Grave Memorial no. 31526454.

Find A Grave, database and images (http://findagrave.com : accessed 1 October, 2013), memorial page for Wood, Jane Hudson Wood. Find A Grave Memorial no. 47998806.

Historical Data Systems, comp. U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009.

Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2009.

Missouri Manual, 1897-98, p. 423; 1899-1900, p. 422.“Ocie, Ozark County,” Place Names; Our Storehouse of Mo. Place Names, p. 76.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registration Records (Provost Marshal General's Bureau; Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865); Record Group: 110, Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau (Civil War); Collection Name: Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865 (Civil War Union Draft Records); ARC Identifier: 4213514; Archive Volume Number: 3 of 6.

"Pedigree Resource File", database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.2.1/9HFM-JV2 : accessed 2013-10-27), entry for Martha McKenney.

"Pedigree Resource File", database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.2.1/9W21-1C3 : accessed 2013-10-21), entry for Newton TANNEHILL.

Side served: Union; State served: Kansas; Enlistment date: 27 Nov 1862.

Turnbo, Silas Claiborne, Campfire Stories: Hunting Series. Editor: Blevins, Bill Dwayne. 2006.

Yates, William A.  Ozark County, Missouri: Records & Pioneer Families, Sparta, Missouri. 1973.

Year: 1880; Census Place: Jasper, Ozark, Missouri; Roll: 707; Family History 

Film: 1254707; Page: 519D; Enumeration District: 108; Image: 0625.

Year: 1850; Census Place: Marion, Newton, Missouri; Roll: M432_408; Page: 354A; Image: 270.

Year: 1860; Census Place: Vineyard, Washington, Arkansas; Roll: M653_52; Page: 480;  

Image: 2; Family History Library Film: 803052.

Year: 1900; Census Place: Big Creek, Ozark, Missouri; Roll: 880; Page: 16B; Enumeration District: 0094; FHL microfilm: 1240880.

Year: 1900; Census Place: Big Creek, Ozark, Missouri; Roll: 880; Page: 16B; Enumeration District: 0094; FHL microfilm: 1240880.