John William Wright (1860-1945) was my maternal 2nd-great grandfather. What follows is an exploratory analysis of the information I have collected about him.
1. Vital Records
1.1. Birth Certificate
John was born February 21, 1860 in Brown County, Ohio1.
The State of Ohio did not require birth certificates until 1867.
1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper
I have not been able to locate any contemporary newspaper accounts of John's birth.
1.1.2. Bible Record
I am not aware of any surviving Bible record of the Wright family. My understanding of family lore was that the John Wright family Bible was purposely destroyed by a daughter-in-law.
1.1.3. Baptismal Record
I am not aware of any baptismal records for John at this time. The Wright's were associated with of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Alexandria, but I do not know of their church affiliation in Brown County, Ohio.
1.1.4. Adoption Record
There is no indication that John was adopted.
1.2. Marriage license
John married on May 13, 1888 in Madison County, Indiana to Ellen King1,2. I didn't realize that I don't have a copy of their marriage license from Madison County. Will add that to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
John married on May 13, 1922 in Madison County, Indiana to Margaret (Lewis) Willetts. This marriage was the subject of a previous post. Need to work through my notes and source this information in my database.
1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaper
Will need to search out contemporary newspapers to see if their nuptials were mentioned.
1.2.2. Anniversary notice
John and Ellen's 25th wedding anniversary would have been May 13, 1913. Need to search the local newspapers to see mention was made.
1.2.3. Divorce decree
Need to search court records in Madison County, Indiana for a divorce decree for John and second wife.
1.3. Death Certificate
John died June 5, 1945 in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana1. Need to obtain a copy of his death certificate from the Madison County Health Department.
1.3.1. Obituary in newspaper
John's obituary appeared in the June 6, 1945 edition of the Alexandria Times Tribune in Alexandria, Indiana1.
I need to search other local area newspapers to see if his death was mentioned as well.
1.3.2. Funeral home records
According to his obituary, the funeral was handled by the Robert C. Gipe funeral home in Alexandria. Need to check with the local historical society to see if they have any records.
1.3.3. Tombstone photograph
John's tombstone in the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Alexandria, Indiana has been photographed. The tombstone lists him as "John Wright 1860-1945"3.
2. Census Records
2.1. Federal Census Records
2.1.1. 1930 Federal Census
On April 15, 1930, John was enumerated as head of household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana4, as John Wright, age 68, widowed, white male farmer. He was born in Ohio and his parents were born in Ohio. He owned his own home, owned a radio and could read and write and speak English.
2.1.2. 1920 Federal Census
On January 15, 1920, John was enumerated as head of household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana5, as John W. Wright, age 59, widowed, farmer. He owned his home free of mortgage. He was born in Ohio, as were both of his parents. He could read and write and speak English.
2.1.3. 1910 Federal Census
On May 5, 1910, John was enumerated as head of household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana6, as John W. Wright, age 50, married, farmer. He had been married for 23 years and was born in Ohio, as were both parents. He owned his own home free of mortgage. He could read and write and speak English.
2.1.4. 1900 Federal Census
On June 27, 1900, John was enumerated as head of household in Monore Township, Madison County, Indiana7, as John W. Wright, age 40, born February 1860, married, farmer. He had been married for 14 years. He was born in Ohio, as were both parents. He owned his own home free of mortgage. He could read and write and speak English.
2.1.5. 1880 Federal Census
On June 18, 1880, John was enumerated in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana8, in the Joseph Wright household as John Wright, single, age 20, works on the farm. He had attended school within the year. He was listed as being born in Indiana, with both of his parents born in Ohio.
2.1.6. 1870 Federal Census
On September 13, 1870, John was enumerated in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana9, in the Joseph Wright household as John Wright, age 10, single. He was born in Ohio and had attended school within the year.
2.1.7. 1860 Federal Census
On June 28, 1860, John was enumerated in Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio10, in the Joseph Wright household as John Wright, age 3 months, born in Ohio.
2.2. State Census Records
The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1931. These, however, were merely for the purposes of determining legislative apportionment.
2.3. Agricultural Census Records
I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what information might be shed on the Wright family farm.
3. Military Records
3.1. Draft Registration
John was too old to be included in the draft for World War I or II. He would have been subject to draft for Spanish-American war.
3.2. Pension Records
Not applicable, as I have found no records to indicate that John served in the military.
3.3. Service Records
Not applicable, as I have found no records to indicate that John served in the military.
4. Land Records
4.1. Deed Records
Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Madison County, Indiana. All evidence indicates that John's entire adult life was spent in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.
4.2. Plat map / county map
Madison County published a plat map in 1880, 1891, 1893, 1901, 1910, 1915, 1921, 1923, 1931, and 1940 that may be relevant to my search for John and the Wright family.
5. Supplemental Records
Supplemental records available to research for John include county/city directories, court records and will and probate records. Will add these to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip in Madison County.
In 1931, John's residence was listed as Rural Route 6 Alexandria11.
In 1932, John's residence was listed as Wm Cochran rd12. The same residence was given in 193413, 193514 and 193815.
Sources:
1. John W. Wright obituary, Alexandria Times Tribune, Alexandria, Indiana, USA, June 6, 1945.
2. Freeman, Sandra, "John William Wright - Ellen King family group sheet", compiled [n.d.]. Notes say information compiled from Zelma Cooper and Gloria LeMaster.
3. I.O.O.F. Cemetery (Alexandria, Indiana), John Wright marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster.
4. John Wright household, 1930 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 48-46, SD 5, sheet 11A, dwelling 246, family 258; National Archives micropublication T626, roll 605.
5. John W. Wright household, 1920 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 122, SD 8, sheet 4A, dwelling 81, family 81; National Archives micropublication T625, roll 449.
6. John W. Wright household, 1910 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 17, SD 8, sheet 11B, dwelling 259, family 259; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 364.
7. John W. Wright household, 1900 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 96, SD 8, sheet 21B, dwelling 398, family 432; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 386.
8. Joseph Wright household, 1880 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 21, SD 3, page 39, dwelling 329, family 330; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 293.
9. Joseph Wright household, 1870 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, Alexandria P.O., page 38, dwelling 275, family 270; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 336.
10. Joseph Wright household, 1860 U.S. census, population schedule, Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio, Sardinia P.O., dwelling 360, family 360; National Archives micropublication M653, roll 938.
11. Bell Telephone Directory for Alexandria, Ind.(Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Bell Telephone Company, April 1931), page 12.
12. Alexandria Telephone Directory(Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Bell Telephone Company, April 1932), page 10.
13. Alexandria Telephone Directory(Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Bell Telephone Company, August 1934), page 8.
14. Alexandria Telephone Directory(Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Bell Telephone Company, November 1935), page 8.
15. Alexandria Telephone Directory(Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Bell Telephone Company, 1938), page 12.
This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions drawn in this article are welcomed.
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