Wordless Wednesday: William Lee Wright discharge

Tombstone Tuesday: William P. and Olive Jane (Smith) Wehrly

My parternal great-great grandparents, William P. and Olive Jane (Smith) Wehrly, are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.

William was born November 2, 1845 in Preble County, Ohio, the son of Johannes ("John S.") and Barbara (Petry) Wehrly.

Olive was born June 23, 1846 in Cass County, Michigan, the daughter of William P. and Prudence (Maxson) Smith.

William and Olive were married August 4, 1866 in Jay County, Indiana. They lived out their lives in the Salamonia area. William was a mortician, a sawmiller and a farmer. During the Civil War, he served in Company I, 130th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

William died on June 16, 1909 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana and Olive followed on January 6, 1913 in Portland, Jay County, Indiana.

William and Olive were the parents of thirteen children, all born in Jay County, Indiana:

• Minerva Prudence Wehrly (1867-1948) married Lawrence Delbert Jackson, 9 children
• Barbara Isabel Wehrly (1869-1930) married Luman Cooper LeMasters, 13 children
• John William Wehrly (1870-1954) married Esther L. White, 2 children
• Orilla Catherine Andrews (1872-1970) married Arthur B. Andrews
• Benjamin Franklin Wehrly (1873-1875)
• Henry Leonard Wehrly (1875-1924) married Mamie M. Salisbury
• Harvey Allen Wehrly (1876-1968) married Nettie Shreeve
• Alva Monroe Wehrly (1878-1952) married Emma C. Yaeger, 1 child
• LeRoy Garfield Wehrly (1880-1883)
• Ida Laura Wehrly (1883-1963) married Edward Scholer
• Blaine Pearle Wehrly (1884-) married Ermina Gladys Ashcraft, 1 child
• Ethel May Wehrly (1886-1951) married William Shreeve
• Martin Nimrod Wehrly (1888-1954) married Cora Burley

Obituary: John Peeples (1845-1930)

Source: Logansport Press, Logansport, Indiana, Tuesday, March 25, 1930, page 4.

Former Rochester Resident Succumbs in Laporte Sunday

Rochester, March 24. - John Peeples, 86, a Civil War veteran and a resident of Rochester for many years, died Sunday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harry Hissong, in Laporte. Mr. Peeples had been ill for the past three years with complications of diseases incident to advanced years.

Mr. and Mrs. Peeple's home was in East Rochester but for the past three years had lived with their children.

Surviving Mr. Peeples are his wife, who was formerly Electa McMillen; four daughters, Mrs. James Oler, of Argos, Mrs. Minne Miller, Mrs. Blanche Kepler and Mrs. Harry Hissong, of Laporte, and two sons, Will Peeples of Laporte, and Lloyd of Michigan City.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock at the Poplar Grove church, near Lake Maxinkuckee. Burial will be made in the adjacent cemetery.

John Peeples was the son of Hugh A.B. Peeples and Patsey Fisher, and the brother of George Peeples. John would be my wife's maternal great-great granduncle.

Jay County, Indiana Deed Book I page 116: Abel to Lemasters

This Indenture Witnesseth that Henry Abel in consideration of Three Thousand Dollars to his paid by Suman W. Lemaster, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged do hereby bargain, sell and convey to the said Suman W. Lemasters his heirs and assigns forever, the following Real Estate in Jay County & State of Indiana and described as follows to-wit:

The East half of the North East quarter of Section No. seven (7). Also the North West quarter of the North West quarter Section No. Eight all in Township twenty two (22) North of Range fifteen (15) East. Also the North East quarter of the North West quarter of section No. Eight (8) in the same Township and Range - except so much of said described tract as it is occupied by the tail Race of the Mill (Known as Benjamin Goldsmith's Mill) which ground with the priveledge of backing the water round the Bayou on the South side of the Salamonia Creek is reserved.

Together will all the priveledges and appurtenances to the same belonging. To have and to hold the same to the said Suman W. Lemaster his heirs and assigns forever. The grantor his heirs and assigns hereby covenanting with the grantee his heirs and assigns that the title so conveyed is clear free and unincumbered, that he is lawfully seized of the premises aforesaid as of a sure perfect and indefeasible estate of inheritance in fee simple, and that he will Warrant & defend the same against all claims whatsoever.

In Witness Whereof the said Henry Able and Sarah Ann Able his wife who hereby relinquishes her dower in said premises, have hereunto set their hands and seals, this 13th day of April 1854.

Henry Able (Seal)
Sarah Ann Able (Seal) Her X Mark

Attest
H. Graves
Philip Lemaster

State of Indiana, Jay County, SS:

Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Henry Able and Sarah Ann Able, the grantors in the above conveyance, and acknowledged the same to be their voluntary act and deed.

Witness my hand and official seal this 13th day of April, 1854.

Henderson Graves, Justice (Seal)

Filed August 19, 1854.
Recorded August 19, A.D. 1854, Thomas Black, R.J.C.

Comment : This deed book had been transcribed and typewritten in the Jay County Recorders office - the name should be Luman W. Lemasters, not Suman. Old script is often hard to read. I have maintained the spelling errors. Copy obtained by author in April 2009. Luman Walker Lemasters was my paternal 3great-grandfather. The family came from Shelby County, Ohio to Jay County, Indiana and settled in Madison Township.

Obituary: Catherine (McMillen) Peeples (1849-1916)

Source: Culver Citizen, Culver, Marshall County, Indiana, Thursday, May 4, 1916, page 2.

Catherine McMillen was born on April 6, 1849, in Marshall county., Ind. She was the daughter of James and Julia McMillen. She spent her girlhood days until 18 years old with her parents when she was united in marriage to George Peeples. To this union were born five children: Sarah May, Mary Ludema, Edward Allen, Everett Ellsworth and Edna Blanche, the two sons preceding their mother in infancy. She is survived by her husband, three daughters (Mrs. Henry Speyer of Culver, Mrs. Harry Dillon of Green township and Mrs. Sarah Peffley of Dora, Ind.), one sister, Mrs. John Peeples, one brother, Richard McMillen, and 12 grandchildren. In early years she united with the Methodist church of Poplar Grove, but later became a member of the Christian church of Maxinkuckee. She lived a consistent christian life, always being interested in the success of the church. She took the greatest interest in her home where many sacrifices were made with pleasure for those around her. She was taken away April 26, 1916, aged 67 years and 20 days. Funeral services were conducted at her late home April 28 by Rev. J.F. Kenrich assisted by Rev. Whittaker. Interment at Washington.

Comment: Catherine was my wife's maternal great-great grandmother. I have seen her name spelled both with a "C" and a "K".

Wordless Wednesday: John Adam Metzner

Company G, 40th Ohio Infantry

Tombstone Tuesday: Eli Weldon and Cora Belle (Metzner) Haley

My paternal great-grandparents, Eli Weldon and Cora Belle (Metzner) Haley, are buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.

Eli was born March 24, 1866 in Erie County, Ohio, the son of George Washington and Mary Jane (Sherrick) Haley.

Cora was born August 21, 1868 in Jay County, Indiana, the daughter of John Adam and Clara (Moulton) Metzner.

Eli and Cora were married on July 21, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana. They lived out their lives on a farm in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.

Cora died on April 28, 1955 in Jay County, Indiana, and Eli followed on June 14, 1957 in Jay County, Indiana.

Eli and Cora were the parents of the following children, all born in Jay County, Indiana:

• Vera Delphene Haley (1890-1987), married Clarence Stuber, 1 child
• Orpha Mable Haley (1892-1899)
• Mary Annetttie Haley (1895-), married Galen Miller, 2 children
• Clara Elnora Haley (1900-), married Eugune Kunce, 1 child
• Charles L. Haley (1902-1903)
• Carrie Verle Haley (1905-2003), married Waymon Thornburg
• Ruth Pauline Haley (1906-1971), married Ord Wehrly LeMaster, 6 children
  

Obituary: George Peeples (1836-1918)

Source: Culver Citizen, Culver, Marshall County, Indiana, Wednesday, January 23, 1918, page 4.

Geeorge Peeples

George Peeples, son of Hugh and Patty Peeples, was born in Miami county, Ind., Sept. 24, 1836, and died at his home near Culver Jan. 15, 1918, aged 81 years, 5 months and 15 days. He was united in marriage to Catherine McMillen on Oct. 22, 1867. To this union were born five children, two of whom, Edward Allen and Everett Ellsworth, died in infancy. His wife departed this life 1 year and 9 months ago. He leaves one brother, John Peeples of Rochester, Ind., three daughters - Sarah Pefley of Wabash, Ind., Mary Speyer of Culver, and Edna Dillon of Argos; also 12 grandchildren, one great grandchild and other relatives and friends. He began life for himself at the age of 14. He was a soldier in the civil war and served three years from '61 to '64, and received an honorable discharge. He was a good citizen, a good neighbor, a kind husband and a loving father. His funeral was held at his home, conducted by Rev. Schuyler C. Norris, assisted by Rev. Albert Vermillion. Comrades of the G.A.R. acted as pallbearers and buried him with the honors of the order.

Comment: George was my wife's maternal great-great grandfather. His daughter, Sarah, was her great grandmother.

Obituary: Sarah May (Peoples) Pefley (1870-1932)

Source : Culver Citizen, Culver, Marshall County, Indiana, Wednesday, April 6, 1932, page 1.

Mrs. Sarah Pelfey Passes Away From Heart Attack

A second heart attack proved fatal to Mrs. Sarah Pefley, who passed away Monday morning at the home of her sister, Mrs. Harry Dillon, near Argos. She was 61 years of age. She had been ill for several months. Mrs. Pefley had lived in Culver for about seven years, but this winter had made her home with Mrs. Dillon. She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Harry Dillon and Mrs. Henry Speyer of Culver; three sons, one daughter, and many other relatives. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at the Culver M.E. Church, Rev. V. B. Servies officiating, assisted by Rev. W.B. Warringer. Interment will be in the Washington cemetery.

Source: Culver Citizen, Culver, Marshall County, Indiana, Wednesday, April 13, 1932, page 6.

Mrs. Sarah Pefley

Sarah May Peoples, eldest daughter of Geo. and Kathryn Peoples, was born May 3, 1870, on a farm near Maxinkuckee where she grew to womanhood. She joined the Christian Church there in the winter of 1888. She was married to Albert Pefley October 9, 1898. To this union were born four children, Lowell Leslie, Myra Christina, Homer Hanley and Sherman Stewart. She united with the Culver Methodist Church some six years ago. She leaves two sisters, Mrs. H.M. Speyer and Mrs. H.A. Dillon of near Argos, and a host of friends in this community.

These obituaries were provided by The Antiquarian and Historical Society of Culver, Indiana to my mother in law. Sarah was her grandmother. The surname has been found to be spelled alternatively as Peeples in some records.

Wordless Wednesday: Caroline Bishop (Woolston) Chew

Original Photo at Marshall County Historical Museum, Plymouth, Indiana

Tombstone Tuesday: Clemon Beals and June Kirk (Gilliland) Lambertson

My maternal great-grandparents, Clemon Beals and June Kirk (Gilliland) Lambertson, are buried in the Elwood City Cemetery, Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.

Clemon was born October 27, 1898 in Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana, the son of Charles Wilson and Pearl May (Beals) Lambertson.

June was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, the daughter of Ida Davis. She was raised by her grandmother and stepfather, Robert and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Gilliland, and used the Gilliland surname.

Clemon and June were married June 28, 1917 in Monroe County, Indiana. After their marriage, they raised their family in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.

June died on March 20, 1951 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana. Clemon died March 18, 1994 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.

Clemon and June were the parents of four children, all of whom were born in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana:

• Harold Wayne Lambertson (1918-2002), married Martha Marie Phillips, 2 children.
• Floyd Ray Lambertson (1921-1998), married Nellie Jane Barr, 5 children.
• Bonnie Mae Lambertson (1924-1984), married William Lee Wright, 2 children
• Ruby June Lambertson (1926-), married Robert Earl Walsh, 2 children
  

Weekly Genealogy Blogging Prompt # 31

Prompt: Have a family member be a guest blogger. Let a family member take the reins and provide a different perspective for a post or two. If you can't find anyone to take the job, interview a relative and spotlight the person yourself.

I didn't approach any family members to be guest bloggers this week, but I did decide to start an interview with my mother. Unfortunately, I was only able to have a few questions answered this week - but I will complete the interview at a later date. The questions come from About.com's Fifty Questions for Family History Interviews.

Why did your parents select your name? Did you have a nickname?

Grandma Wright named me "Gloria Jean". Not sure why that name was chosen, she just said I was a "Gloria Jean". I was nicknamed Gloworm by a friend from school, probably a contraction of Gloria.

Where were you born?

Mercy Hospital in Elwood because there was no hospital in Alexandria. Dr. Overpeck delivered babies there. I weighed 9 lbs. 2 oz. My mother was in labor for 3 days and the doctor wouldn't come to the hospital. He didn't come until right before delivery. Mom was so upset that she never went back to him.

What is your earliest childhood memory?

I remember going up to Tippy Lake and the end of June and hunting for mussels with my dad.

Also remember staying at Grandma Wright's at about age 6. We were going back to her garden when a huge garter snake appeared. Grandma took a hoe and killed the snake and burned it.

What kind of games did you play growing up?

We played Hearts at the lakes, there was a travelling nickel that we could win; we thought that was a lot of money. There were no girls in my neighborhood, so I played a lot with dolls.

Wordless Wednesday: Ezekiel Cooper Chew

Originial Photo at Marshall County Historical Society Museum, Plymouth, Indiana

Tombstone Tuesday: Luman Cooper & Barbara Isabelle (Wehrly) LeMasters

My paternal great-grandparents, Luman Cooper and Barbara Isabel (Wehrly) LeMasters, are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.

Luman was born May 27, 1867 in Jay County, Indiana, the son of Luman Walker and Mary Keziah (Chew) Lemasters.

Barbara was born March 14, 1869 in Jay County, Indiana, the daughter of William P. and Olive Jane (Smith) Wehrly.

Luman and Barbara were married on November 13, 1886 in Jay County, Indiana. They moved shortly after their marriage to Ord, Valley County, Nebraska, but returned to Jay County, Indiana after the death of their first child. They lived out their remaining years on their farm in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.

Luman and Barbara were the parents of thirteen children, all but the first child were born in Jay County, Indiana.

• [unknown name] LeMasters (1887-1887) died in infancy in Valley County, Nebraska
• Clarence Harrison LeMasters (1888-1963) married Ferry May Bickel, had 5 children
• Chesleigh Franklin LeMasters (1890-1960) married Clara Louise Burkey, had 6 children
• Bertha Alberta LeMasters (1892-1961) married Russell J. Hercules, had 4 children
• Floyd LeMasters (1894-1982) married Shirely Opal Gagle, had 2 children
• Gerald Walker LeMasters (1896-1987) married Mabel Agnes Kantner, had 3 children; married Pearl Lovina Smith, had 2 children
• Stanley Duey LeMaster (1898-1982) married Anna Beard, had 4 children
• Dorothy Dot LeMaster (1900-1984) married Charles Glendon Hunt, had 3 children; married Glen Lock
• John Leland LeMaster (1902-1980) married Dortha LeEtta DeLauter, had 6 children
• Freda Claire LeMaster (1904-1979) married James Orville LaFollette; had 2 children
• Ord Wehrly LeMaster (1906-1971) married Ruth Pauline Haley, had 6 children. These are my grandparents.
• Mary Olive LeMaster (1909-) married Virgil Thornton Taylor, had 1 child.
• Elvin Cooper LeMaster (1912-2000) married Cleo Belle Hanks, had 4 children.

Wright-Lambertson marriage: Madison County, Indiana

My maternal grandparents marriage license from Madison County, Indiana contains a wealth of information.

MALE
1. The full Christian name and surname of this man is William Lee Wright
2. His color: White
3. Where born : Madison Co., Alexandria, Ind.
4. When born : December 1, 1919
5. Present residence: R # 2, Alexandria, Ind.
6. Present occupation: Factory employee
8. Is this male contracting party of nearer blood kin to the female contracting party than second cousin? No
9. Full Christian and surname of father : Virgil Lee Wright
10. His color: White

11. His birthplace : Madison Co., Ind.
12. His occupation : Farmer
13. His residence : R # 2, Alexandria, Ind.
14. Full Christian and maiden name of mother : Edna Muriel Pierce
15. Her color: White
16. Her occupation: Housewife
17. Her birthplace: Madison Co., Indiana
18. Her residence: R # 2, Alexandria, Ind.
19. Has the male contracting party been an Inmate of any county asylum or home for indigent person within the last five years? No
21. Is this his first marriage? Yes
26. Is the male contracting party afflicted with epilepsy, tuberculosis, venereal or any other contagious or transmissible diseases? No
27. Is he an imbecile, feeble-minded, idiotic or insane, or is he under guardianship as a person of unsound mind? No

FEMALE
1. The full Christian and surname of the woman is Bonnie Mae Lambertson
2. Her color: White
3. Where born: Madison Co., Elwood, Ind.
4. When born: Feb. 18, 1924
5. Present residence: R # 3, Elwood, Ind.
6. Present occupation: none
7. Full Christian and surname of father: Clemon Lambertson
8. His color: White
9. His birthplace: Hamilton Co., Cicero, Ind.
10. His occupation: Cabinet-worker
11. His residence: R # 3, Elwood, Ind.
12. Full Christian and maiden name of mother: June Gilliland
13. Her color: White
14. Her occupation: Housewife
15. Her birthplace: Monroe Co., Bloomington, Ind.
16. Her residence: R # 3, Elwood, Ind.
17. Has the female contracting party been an inmate of any county asylum or home for indigent persons with the last five years? No
18. Is this her first marriage? Yes
22. Is the female contracting party afflicted with epilepsy, tuberculosis, venereal or any other contagious or transmissible disease? No
23. Is she an imbecile, feeble-minded, idiotic or insane, or is she under guardianship as a person of unsound mind? No

In the margins is this note : "Consent of parents on file". At the time of this marriage application, Bonnie was under the age of eighteen.

There are a few errors in the information given by my grandmother regarding the birthplace of her mother, but I'm sure that was what she had been told.

Grant County, Indiana resource

Here's a resource for those who may have relatives in Grant County, Indiana. Check out www.grantcounty.net and then click on Departments>Health Department>Vital Records and then click on 'Death By Name'. Here you can search for your family members information and there are links to contact the Health Department to obtain a copy of the death certificate.

One thing I noticed was that the database contained final disposition of the body and the name of the informant, something that could provide clues for further research and answers as to where some of the information came from. The database doesn't state the time frame of the data, but I was able to find deaths from the 1930s all the way to the present.

Grant County is where I reside, and while I don't have much family here, I was able to find out information about some collateral relatives who died in Grant County. I searched my RootsMagic database for anyone I could find in Grant County, and was able to add some information.

There are some LeMaster names in the database who are not close relatives, including :

Paul B. LeMaster death date 5/22/1980 Marion, Indiana. His place of birth was not given, but the date was 8/24/1925. His father was Charles B. LeMaster and mother was Clarisse Busheart.

Raleigh K. LeMaster death date 2/25/1994 Marion, Indiana. He was born 4/16/1908 in Flat Gap, Kentucky. His father was Henry B. LeMaster and mother was Vergie Florence Harris.

Stanley S. LeMaster death date 3/2/2001 Marion, Indiana. He was born 4/10/1935 in Paintsville, Kentucky. His father was Ochal R. LeMaster and mother was Ruth G. Lyon

Roba E. LeMaster death date 1/21/1980 Marion, Indiana. He was born 12/2/1898 in West Virginia. His father was John D. LeMaster and mother was Sarah Pratt.

Jewell E. LeMaster death date 12/22/2005 Marion, Indiana. She was born 12/31/1918 in Keaton, Kentucky. Her father was Tommy Bailey and mother was Erie M. Evans.

Weekly Genealogy Blogging Prompt # 30

Prompt: Write about your experiences with social networking tools for genealogy purposes. Do you use MySpace, Facebook or Twitter? Are you a wiki kind of person? None of the above? Tell readers about your experiences with these tools and watch your social network grow.

I'm not cool, but I don't care.

Social media may appear to be for the young and not the young at heart, but to hear my kids complain about it - now the 'old' people are taking over. I think that it bothers them that I'm on Facebook.

Facebook has allowed me to connect with old friends, relatives and co-workers easily and for free. For the genealogist, social media allows you to connect with fellow researchers and family by sharing your photos and blogs to a wider audience. I've been able to make new friends and trade research ideas, as well as discover a few new cousins online through my Facebook connections.

Because of these Facebook connections, I've been able to share photos of ancestors and tombstones I've taken for Find-A-Grave as well as share memories with living cousins. Fellow genealogists have helped with lookups of information in distant locales after reading my posts and have offered suggestions for further research.

I have my blog posts linked to appear on my Facebook page as 'Notes' so that all of my networked friends will have the ability to read what has been posted without accessing my blog. This exposes my research to my friends and relatives who may not have been aware that I was blogging. Often I use the 'Networked Blogs' application as well to periodically highlight a particular post.

I haven't ventured into the Twitter waters yet, but if I do, I'm sure that I will enjoy that technology as well.

Overall, my experience with social networking and genealogy research has been a positive one. I have been able to expose my blog and my research to a wider audience and have received positive feedback. I've also received research tips and offers of help. Some of my Facebook friends that are not genealogists have asked for tips on how to start their own family history research, and my far-flung cousins are able to read about my research through my linked blog posts.

I would highly recommend using social media as another tool to put your research out there. You never know what genealogical treasure may be turned up through these casual connections, and the friendships that develop can enrich your life and expand your research.