Life History

Notes

• After the death of her husband Roe Dempsey in 1937, Josie Benson Dempsey married Rube Ellenberg in 1938.  Rube is a nickname for Reuben.  In the 1930 census his name is entered as Rubin.
  
  Arkansas, County Marriages Index, 1837-1957
  Josie Benson
  Gender Female
  Age 35, Birth Year abt 1903
  Residence Ethel, Arkansas, Arkansas
  Spouse's Name Rube Ellenberg
  Spouse's Age 28
  Spouse's Residence Ethel, Arkansas, Arkansas
  Marriage 5 Feb 1938 Arkansas County
  Marriage License Date 5 Feb 1938
  
  In the 1940 census, Josie and Rube are reported in Crockett Township of Arkansas County, with her daughter Rosella, age 6, Josie's two Dempsey sons, and a cousin named Robert Weathers.  Rosella is reported as the daughter of Rube Ellenberg.  But note that she is 6 years old, and her mother married Rube only in 1938.  Rosella was born about 1934, 4 years before Josie married Rube, and 3 years before Roe Dempsey died.  So it appears she should have been reported as a step daughter.
  
  Josie's two sons Thelma and Elvis are reported as stepsons, with the correct surname of Dempsey.  But Thelma is reported as a girl, though in all other records, he is reported as a boy.  And Elvis is reported as Ellis.
  
  1940 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 16 April, Crickett Township, District 1-6, page 7A, Country Road, Hse #94, Rents $2
  Elenberg, Rube Head F W 30 Married Grade 3 b Ark same house 1935 Cotton Farmer [b abt 1910]
  Elenberg, Josie Wife F W 40 Married Grade 3 b Ark same house in 1935 [b abt 1900]
  Elenberg, Rosella Dau [stepdaughter] F W 6 Grade 0 b [unrptd] [b abt 1934]
  Dempsey, Thelma stepdaughter F W 18 Single Grade 5 b Ark same house in 1935 Farm Laborer
  Dempsey, Ellis Stepson M W 16 Single Grade 4 b Ark same house in 1935 Farm Laborer
  Weathers, Robert Cousin M W 47 Single Grade 5 b Ark same house in 1935 Farm Laborer
  
  U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
  Rube Ellenburg
  Born 4 Jul 1909
  Died Oct 1973
  Last Residence De Witt, Arkansas, Arkansas 72042
  SSN 432-32-7952 issued Arkansas (Before 1951)
  
  Rube Ellenburg
  Birth Jul. 4, 1909
  Death Oct. 10, 1973
  Burial Childers Cemetery, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  Created by Dale Houghton Jan 03, 2011
  --  Find A Grave Memorial #63683687, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=63683687&ref=acom&ftm=1

Sources

• 1. Arkansas, County Marriages Index, 1837-1957
• 2. 1940 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 16 April, Crickett Township, District 1-6, page 7A, Country Road, Hse #94, Rents $2
• 3. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
• 4. Find a Grave Memorial Registry