This article, written by Todd Preston, President of the Magoffin County Historical Society, was taken from the MAY 29, 2014 issue of THE SALYERSVILLE INDEPENDENT newspaper.

            Once again we have had to say good-bye to a friend of the Magoffin County Historical Society.  Mae Bailey Fletcher VanArtsdalen has been a contributing member of our historical group for many years.  Although she was born in Indiana and has lived in many different states, Magoffin County, KY, the homeland of her ancestors, was where she loved to visit and what she considered “home”.  Mae was the daughter of Roy Bailey and Betty Rowe.  She was first married to Shedrick Fletcher who preceded her in death. 

            We last saw Mae, along with several members of her family just about this time a year ago in the month of May.  The family group came for a reunion and we got to spend some enjoyable time with them as they toured the Pioneer Village and visited our library.  Many people will miss Mae, not only her family, but “family” from all over the country that she helped with her genealogy work. 

            We visited the family during Mae’s wake and funeral.  They are planning to make another visit to the Pioneer Village this weekend in honor of their mother and grandmother who enjoyed coming here so much.

            We have attempted to help some of our visitors who have come in to research their family lines.  One was Charles Stephens who was born in Garrett, Floyd Co. KY and who lives in Toledo, OH now.  His mother Hazel was the daughter of Brice William Stephens and Bessie Marie McKenzie.  Brice William was a son of Stephen Stephens and Cynthia Adkins of Morgan Co. KY.  Brice’s wife Bessie was a daughter of Frank M. McKenzie and his 2^nd wife Mary Elizabeth Salyer.

            Frank McKenzie was first married 20 May 1861 to Elizabeth Lemaster and they were the parents of (1) James M. McKenzie b. 1862, (2) Sabrina McKenzie b. 1864, (3) Martha McKenzie b. 1866, (4) Ella Frances McKenzie b. 1869, (5) Galen McKenzie b. 1874, (6) Albert McKenzie b. 1876, (7) Mavity Brown McKenzie b. 1877, (8) William Haskel McKenzie b. 1880. 

            Bessie’s parents are listed in the 1900 Johnson Co. KY census.  Her father Francis “Frank” McKenzie was born May 1840; her mother Elizabeth was born Jan 1857 and they were married 30 Dec 1883.  In their household were these children: (1) Vinson McKenzie b. Mar 1883, (2) Proctor McKenzie b. May 1886, (3) Bessie McKenzie b. Arp 1888, (4) Egbert McKenzie b. Sep 1890, (5) Hubbard McKenzie b. Nov 1892, (6) Daisy A. McKenzie b. Dec 1894, (7) Louisa E. McKenzie b. May 1897 and (8) Dewey McKenzie b. May 1900. 

            Mary Elizabeth was a daughter of Henderson Salyer (b. 1832 Russell Co. VA) and Cena Whitely.  Charles was most interested in locating more information about Cena.  We found that Henderson Salyer and Cena Whitly were married in Johnson Co. KY on the 19^th of January in 1854.  They show in the 1860 Magoffin Co. KY census and have three children.  In 1860 Henderson was listed as age 27 and born in Virginia; Cena was age 34 and born in Kentucky.  Their children were Fielding Salyer age 8, Rebecca Salyer age 4 and Elizabeth Salyer age 2. 

            We did not find an 1870 listing for Henderson and Cena but by 1880 they lived in the Hood’s Fork area of Johnson Co. KY.  Henderson was age 50; his wife age 57.  Two children were in the household: Martha Salyer age 15 and Senna Salyer age 13.  With them was his mother Elizabeth Salyer age 65.  She and her parents were born in Virginia.

            Henderson Salyer’s parents were Thomas Salyer (b. 1809 d. 1877 Johnson Co. KY) and Elizabeth Salyer.  Thomas was a son of Jeremiah Salyer (b. 1775 d. 1848 VA) and a grandson of Isaiah Salyer, Sr. 

            Another visitor was also researching the Salyer family, one that we are a little more familiar with.  Paul H. Salyer was a son of Ollie Salyer and Fannie Adams.  Ollie was a son of Horatio “Rashio” Salyer (b. 6 Jul 1863 d. 16 Apr 1917) and Lula Ann Patton.  She was born 22 Feb 1875 in Breathitt Co. Ky to Thomas Higgins “T. H.” Patton and Armina Houndshell.  T. H. Patton was born 8 Nov 1845 Breathitt Co. KY and died 11 Aug 1887.   T. H. Patton was a son of George W. Patton and Polly Hagins/Higgins.

            Ollie Salyer’s wife Fannie Adams (b. 12 Jun 1909 in Pound, VA was a daughter of Jim Adams and Sarah Qualls.

            Mable “Versie” Shepherd from the Greenwich, Ohio area was visiting.  Her father Arvel Shepherd was born in 1914 to Abraham “Abe” Shepherd and Sallie Stephens.  Abe was born 11 Apr 1885 and died 24 June 1971.  Abe was a son of William “Brushy Bill” Shepherd and Elizabeth Hale.  Brushy Bill was a son of Abel Shepherd and Mary “Polly” Hale.  Brushy Bill’s wife Elizabeth was a daughter of James M. Hale and Mary “Polly” Shepherd. 

            Sallie Stephens, wife of Abe Shepherd, was a daughter of Harrison Stephens and Rebecca Allen.  Rebecca was a daughter of William J. M. Allen and Sallie Hicks.

            Versie’s mother was a daughter of Daniel Shepherd and Ella Hale.  Daniel was a son of William “Billy” Shepherd and Sarah Jane Terry.  Ella was a daughter of Lindsey Layne Hale and Betsy Hicks.  Lindsay was a daughter of James M. Hale and Mary “Polly” Shepherd.   Lindsay’s wife Betsy was a daughter of Smith Hicks and Nancy Jane Conley. 

            We hope your Memorial Day was a safe one as you traveled to visit friends and family.  Hopefully you were able to visit that cemetery where your ancestors and loved ones are interred. We know that you had special thoughts of all our men and women who died while serving in the military. 

            We were able to conclude the first Journal of the Magoffin County Historical Society for the year 2014.  The Journal will be in the mail early this coming week to our subscribing members ($15 yearly).  Much work has already been done for the Summer Journal.  We have also made progress with the Life Along the Licking River volume as well as several other publications. Kay Bentley is continuing to work on the updated index to our 35 years of Journals.  Your articles/pictures are welcome for printing in our material.  We will look forward to hearing from you.