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Evaline Jane "Elva" Hess was born October 22, 1829, at Marcella, in Independence County, Arkansas, the daughter of Solomon Hess and Nancy (last name unknown).
The 1830 Independence County, Ruddell Township census shows Elva as a female under the age of five. The 1840 Independence County, Washington Township census shows her as a female age 5-10 years.
Elva's father died about November 1840. He willed his property to his wife and his children. Elva, being a minor, is not mentioned by name in her father's will.
On October 3, 1848, the Independence County Probate Court appointed William Hess as guardian of his sister, Evaline "Elva" Jane Hess, a minor. On October 8, 1848, William, as principal and his brother Martin Hess, as security, posted a bond, binding themselves to their sister, Elva Jane.
Elva Jane married Charles O'Neal on June 21, 1849, in Independence County. Charles O'Neal was born about 1822, in Arkansas, according to census. Charles was the son of Abijah O'Neal and Elizabeth Tipton. Charles' sister, Elva Jane O'Neal, married Elva Jane Hess' brother, Martin M. Hess. Charles was a farmer.
On June 30, 1849, an agreement was filed in Independence County, in which all of Solomon Hess' heirs are named. It names surviving sons and daughters, William, Joseph, Martin M., Hiram, Thomas R., Mary B. and Elvy Jane.
The 1860 Independence County census, Washington Township, shows Charles and Elva with three children: Margaret R., age 9; John M., age 4; and Benjamin R., age 2 months. Living with the family is Amelia A. Hess, age 8, who we believe to be the daughter of Elva's dead brother, Thomas Wright Hess.
The 1870 Independence County census shows the family in Washington Township. Listed with Charles and Elva are their children John M., age 16; Benjamin R., age 11; and Minor, age 8. Living with the family was Abigail Hess, who we believe to be the daughter of Elva's dead brother, Thomas Wright Hess; Cynthia A. Hess, daughter of Elva's dead brother Thomas Wright Hess; and John Hasson (unsure of spelling of last name), age 40, a laborer, born in Tennessee. Also living with Charles and Elva was Benjamin F. Gordon, his wife Elvy J. (O'Neal - Hess) Gordon, who was the widow of Elva's brother, Martin M. Hess and the sister of Charles; Elvy's daughter Virginia Hess, age 16; and Elvy and Benjamin's daughter, Florence R. Gordon, age 9. The census shows that Charles had real estate valued at $1000 and personal property valued at $600.
Elva died on September 26, 1870, in Independence County. Charles died there on December 20, 1873.
Children of Charles O'Neal and Elva Hess
1. Margaret Rolly O'Neal, b. Feb 16, 1851, Independence Co, AR; m. John Blevens on July 23, 1868
2. Nancy Ann O'Neal, b. Dec 18, 1852, Independence Co, AR; d. Mar 10, 1854, Independence Co.
3. John M. O'Neal, b. Aug 22, 1855, Independence Co, AR; d. Dec 1, 1898
4. William T. O'Neal, b. Nov 27, 1857, Independence Co, AR; d. July 7, 1858, Independence Co.
5. Benjamin Rose O'Neal, b. Sept 7, 1859, Independence Co, AR; d. Mar 8, 1927
6. Mose Minor O'Neal, b. Mar 4, 1862, Independence Co, AR; d. Apr 30, 1943; m. Mary Elizabeth Wright on Aug 12, 1883, and Dora A. Wright
7. Stephen A. O'Neal, b. Dec 24, 1864, Independence Co, AR; d. Sept 16, 1868, Independence Co.
8. Charles O'Neal, Jr., b. Sept 9, 1868, Independence Co, AR; d. Dec 1, 1868, Independence Co.