Best Easter Wishes

Dunkirk, Ind.

April 4, 1911

Miss Vera Haley

Portland, Ind.

R.R. # 9

Dunkirk, Ind. 4/3 -'11

Friend Vera -

Suppose you think I am dead but not quite, for this weather is enough to kill any body, as I have such a cold any way can hardly talk above a whisper at times but am a little better at pres.

Wallace Bach

----

This postcard is part of the collection of my paternal great-grandaunt, Vera (Haley) Stuber.  

Exploratory Data Analysis: Una Maude (LeMaster) Phillips (1884-1968)

Una Maude (LeMaster) Phillips

Una Maude (LeMaster) Phillips (1884-1968) was my paternal great-grandaunt. What follows is an exploratory data analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about her.

1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Una Maude was born April 26, 1884 in Jay County, Indiana.  I do not yet have a copy of her birth certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspapers to see if mention was made of Maude's birth.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible records from the LeMaster family. Will continue to reach out to extended family in hopes that one does exist.

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

               I am not aware of any baptismal record for Una Maude.  The family was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church in Salamonia, Indiana.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Una Maude was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

           Una Maude married Senator Winfield Phillips on December 22, 1907 in Jay County, Indiana.  I do not have a copy of their marriage license.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention of Una Maude and Senator's wedding.

          1.2.2. Anniversary notice

               Una Maude and Senator's 25th wedding anniversary would have been December 22, 1932.  Their 50th wedding anniversary would have been December 22, 1957.  Will need to search contemporary newspapers to see if any mention was made of anniversary celebrations.

          1.2.3. Divorce decree

               There is no indication that Maude and Senator were ever divorced.

     1.3. Death Certificate

           Una Maude died September 13, 1968 in David City, Butler County, Nebraska.  I do not have a copy of her death certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items.

          1.3.1. Obituary in newspaper

               Una Maude's obituary appeared in the September 16, 1968 edition of the Commercial-Review in Portland, Indiana¹.  This obituary was the subject of a previous post.

               Will need to seek out a copy of her obituary in the local David City newspapers.

          1.3.2. Funeral home records

               When I've obtained a copy of her obituary from the local newspaper, will know which funeral home handled her arrangements.  Will then need to see if they have any records available.

          1.3.3. Tombstone photograph

               Will need to add obtaining a photograph of Una Maude's tombstone to my list of "to-do" items.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census

               On April 23, 1940, Una Maude was enumerated in the Senator W. Phillips household in David City, Butler County, Nebraska², as Una Maude, age 55, married, born in Indiana. She had resided at the same residence in 1935.  She had completed 1 year of college.  No occupation was listed.  Living in the household was her husband, Senator, age 56, born in Kansas, a veterinarian who owned his own practice.

          2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census

               On April 1, 1930, Una Maude was enumerated in the Senator W. Phillips household in David City, Butler County, Nebraska³, as Una Maude, age 45, married, born in Indiana.  She could read and write.  Her father was born in Ohio, her mother in New Jersey.  No occupation was listed.  Living in the household was her husband, Senator W., age 46, born in Kansas, a veterinarian, and son Donald, age 20, born in Oklahoma, and daughter Mary, age 19, born in Missouri.

          2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census

               On January 7, 1920, Una Maude was enumerated in the Senator W. Phillips household in the 4th district of David City, Butler County, Nebraska⁴, as Una M., age 35, married, born in Indiana.  She could read and write. Her father was born in Ohio and her mother in New York.  No occupation was listed.  Living in the household was her husband, Senator W., age 36, born in Kansas, a veterinarian, and son Donald, age 10, born in Oklahoma, and daughter, Mary, age 8, born in Missouri.

          2.1.4. 1910 Federal Census

               On April 25, 1910, Una Maude was enumerated in the Senator Phillips household in Sulphur City, Murray County, Oklahoma⁵, as Maud Phillips, age 25, married, born in Indiana.  She had been married for two years and was the mother of one child.  Her father was listed as being born in Mississippi and her mother in Missouri.  She could read and write and spoke English.  Living in the household was her husband, Senator, age 26, born in Kansas, a veterinarian surgeon, and son Donald K., age 1, born in Oklahoma.

          2.1.5. 1900 Federal Census

               On June 4, 1900, Una Maude was enumerated in the Luman C. Lemasters household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana⁶, as Una M. Lemasters, age 16, born April 1884 in Indiana.  Her father was born in Ohio and her mother in New Jersey.  She attended school and could read and write and spoke English.

     2.2. State Census Records

          The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913 and 1921.  These, however, were merely for the purposes of legislative apportionment.

          The State of Nebraska conducted state census, but they were in the period before Una Maude was living in there.


     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          I have not yet investigated these types of records to see what information they might shed on the Phillips household.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          Not applicable, as Una Maude was female.

     3.2. Pension Records

          I am not aware of any military service by her husband or father that would have made Una Maude eligible for a military pension.  Her father served in the Civil War, but I don't believe she ever received any minor's benefits.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable, as Una Maude was female.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Murray County, Oklahoma and Butler County, Nebraska to see what items might mention Senator and Una Maude.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Plat maps were published for Butler County, Nebraska that might aid in my research.  Will contact the local historical society and see what information these maps might contain.

5. Supplemental records

     Supplemental records available for research on Una Maude include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records.  Will add these to my "to-do" items for my next research trip.

     In 1922, Una Maude was listed as a resident of David City, Nebraska, in the obituary of her sister, Bertha⁷.

     In 1927, Una Maude was listed as a resident of David City, Nebraska, in the obituary of her mother⁸.

     In 1931, Una Maude was listed as a resident of David City, Nebraska, in the obituary of her father⁹.

     In 1933, Una Maude was listed as a resident of David City, Nebraska, in the obituary of her brother, Luman Cooper¹⁰.

Sources:

1. Maude Phillips obituary, Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, USA, September 16, 1968, page 8.
2. 1940 U.S. census, Butler County, Nebraska, population schedule, David City, enumeration district (ED) 12-5B, SD 1, sheet 11A, dwelling 229, household 262; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 March 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
3. 1930 U.S. census, Butler County, Nebraska, population schedule, David City, enumeration district (ED) 12-5, SD 6, sheet 1A, 229 D Street, dwelling 7, family 7; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 March 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. 1920 U.S. census, Butler County, Nebraska, population schedule, David City, enumeration district (ED) 4, SD 4, sheet 6B, dwelling 151, family 156; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 March 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
5. Senator Phillips household, 1910 U.S. census, population schedule, Sulphur City, Murray County, Oklahoma, ED 208, SD 4, sheet 6B, dwelling 131, family 131; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 1263, page 89.
6. Luman C. Lemasters household, 1900 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Madison Township, ED 62, SD 67, sheet 3, dwelling 59, family 60, National Archives micropublication T623, roll 380
7. Mrs. John H. Yeager obituary, Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, USA, March 17, 1922, page 2.
8. Mary K. LeMaster obituary, Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, USA, February 22, 1927, page 1.
9. L.W. Lemasters obituary, Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, USA, November 18, 1931, page 1.
10. Cooper LeMaster obituary, Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, USA, February 13, 1933, page 1. 


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.

Photo: Harvey Allen Wehrly & Nettie (Shreeve) Wehrly

Harvey Allen Wehrly & Nettie (Shreeve) Wehrly

Cousin Tonya Lang provided me with a copy of this picture of her great-grandparents, Harvey Allen Wehrly and Nettie (Shreeve) Wehrly.  She found my blog while searching for information on the Wehrly family.  

Harvey was the younger brother of my great-grandmother Barbara Isabel Wehrly, making Tonya and I third cousins.

Harvey was born December 21, 1876 in Salamonia, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana, the son of William P. and Olive Jane (Smith).  He married Nettie Shreeve on October 9, 1898 and they were parents of 7 children.

According to Tonya, Harvey died when she was 8, but she remembered that he always wore a three piece suit with a tie, and kept a watch with a watch chain in his vest pocket.  I look forward to sharing more information with her.

Photo: Spring 2013

Spring 2013, March 25th
Sweetser, Indiana

Good thing I took a vacation day today.  Here I thought I could get some things ready to go on the garden.  Over 10 inches fell here in Grant County.

Distant Relatives in Darke County, Ohio Marriage Records

Darke County, Ohio, Marriages, 1899-1911 by Doris Aultman

Located this book at the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana several months ago, just now getting around to going through the information.  Found a few relatives mentioned in these Darke County records.

Groendyke, Perry D. to Anna Miller, 24 March 1900.  Perry was the son of Elias Groendyke and Hester Teaford.  Anna was the daughter of George Miller and Barbara Bollinger.   Perry was my maternal 3rd-great granduncle.  Anna was my paternal second cousin 3 times removed (through the Petry line). The Groendyke surname is sometimes found as Groenendyke.

Wiley, Elmer C. to Pearle M. Lambertson, 16 March 1904.  Pearle was the daughter of James Lambertson and Jane Bish.  Pearle was my maternal 2nd cousin 3 times removed.  Prior to finding this record, I did not have her in my database.

Both of these marriages were performed by the same minister, W.K. Albright.  

Obituary : Olive Jane (Smith) Wehrly (1846-1913)

Portland Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, December  7, 1913

Fellow research Judy Myers sent me a copy of the obituary of my paternal 2x-great grandmother, Olive Jane (Smith) Wehrly (1846-1913) from the Portland, Indiana Commercial Review.

11 Children Survive Her

Mrs. Olive Wehrly Dies Monday From Inroads of Lingering Illness

Husband A Few Years Dead

Many Descendants Left By Well Known Resident of South Shanks Street

Mrs. Olive Smith Wehrly, widow of the late William P. Wehrly, died at the home of her son-in-law L.D. Jackson, South Shanks street about 7:30 o'clock Monday evening after a lingering illness.  Mrs. Wehrly has been in failing health for the past year or more and for a number of weeks has been confined to her bed.

She was born at Lisbon June 17 1846 and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Smith, both deceased.  Mrs. Wehrly is survived by the following children, her husband having died about three years ago: Prudence, wife of L.D. Jackson at whose home she died, Martin Wehrly, J.W. Wehrly, and Blaine Wehrly, all of this city; Belle, wife of Clifford LeMasters and Alva Wehrly, both of Salamonia, Mrs. Ethel Shreeves of Van Wert, Ohio, Henry Wehrly of Garrett, Mrs. Oda Scholer and Harvey Wehrly of New Castle, Mrs. Kate Andrews of Hamilton, Ohio.  One brother also remains, John Smith of Humboldt, Nebraska.

Judy notes some issues with the obituary:

Travis,

I found my paper copy of her obit, not the greatest, but look at the date!  The paper is the Commercial Review in Portland.

1) This implies that she died 6 DEC 1913.  She was born at Lisbon 17 Jun 1846.  I have seen issues of the paper where they had a mistake in the date, but I haven't seen one where the month was wrong.  So. . .  Using a day of the week calculator I found that 7 Dec 1913 was a Sunday, but 7 Jan 1913 was a Tuesday. 

2) Here is the abstract of her death certificate from Jay Co.

Wehrly, Olive

Portland

Jan 6 1913

F

Jan 26 1846

CH-2A

39

Green Park, Portland, IN

She died in Portland on 6 Jan 1913.  She was born 26 Jan 1846.  Next two entries are volume and page references.  She was buried in Green Park.

3) And then there is her tombstone:  born 23 Jun 1846, died 6 Jan 1913

I am going to assume she died 6 Jan 1913!

It is easy to see how Jan and Jun may have been interchanged someplace along the line, but what to do with 17, 26, and 23.  (My husband suggested averaging them!)

If you get a copy of her death certificate, please let me know what it says.  They are not engraved in stone!  And I'm sure they were mistakes in transcribing them.

One of my relatives died in her teens, her death certificate has her mother's name on it instead of hers, and the last name is mutilated.

Thanks,

Judy

A mystery for me to have to go to the library and solve.  It would appear that the masthead of the newspaper might be wrong, as January 7, 1913 would be a Tuesday, and not December 7th.  The obit does state Olive died on a Monday.

Other errors include daughter Belle being married to the wrong LeMaster, she was married to Luman Cooper LeMaster, not Clifford.

The birthplace of Lisbon is interesting, it could be referring to New Lisbon over the county line in Henry County, Indiana.  In his biography, Olive's father William was listed as a resident of Henry County.  All census records indicate a Michigan birthplace, however.

Postcard Friday : Two Little Ladies

New Corydon, Ind.

October 10, 1921 A.M.

Mrs. Clarence Stuber

Spencerville, Ohio

R.R. # 5

---

This is Monday morn. I am feeling good again.  Hope you are the same.  Grandpa Martin is dead funeral tomorrow at 10 o'clock.  Are you coming out here at our house next Sunday.  We are looking for you.  So write and let me know for sure.  We were up home yesterday Mother is feeling better.  Mildred is all right.  She says tell them to come Sun.    Mary

---

This postcard is part of the collection of my paternal great-uncle and aunt, Clarence and Vera (Haley) Stuber.  The postcard is from Vera's sister, Mary, and the Mildred mentioned is Mary's daughter.  Who is the Grandpa Martin?  Mary's husband was Galen Miller, perhaps he was from his side?  There was a George Martin, who died in 1921, from the area buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery.  Perhaps he was not a relative at all, but just someone whom everyone knew as 'Grandpa'.

Cousin bait : Pierce

A cousin bait posting on the Pierce brought me an email this week from Dea, whose great-grandmother, Sarah, was the second wife of Albert Orlando Pierce (1839-1920), my maternal third great-uncle.  Albert was the son of Francis S. and Rebecca (Page) Pierce.

Dea had her maiden name and the name of Sarah's first husband, who died during the Civil War, as well as a clue as to how they met and where Sarah was living during the 1880 census.  Sarah's first husband was Thomas Wilson.

Hopefully, Dea can fill me in with some more details as we make another connection.

Catching Old Shoes : The Dark Side of Cousin Bait

Last year, when I started publishing the cousin bait posts, my hope was that relatives might find the posts through search engines, visit the blog, and make comments on the posts that would lead to further dialogue and sharing of information on mutual relatives.  

For the most part, this has happened, and I continue to be blessed by those willing to share.  However, there is a dark side to cousin bait.  Several months ago, I was contacted by someone who didn't like what they saw on my blog and weren't afraid to let me know that I was wrong.  Instead of a great catch, I seem to have caught an old shoe.

I'd like to think I make it clear that the blog is a work-in-progress and I admit up front that my genealogy will contain some errors.  I'm always willing to take correction, but I found the tone of this particular commentator to be a bit over the top:

Dear Sir;

I came across your blog site a few days ago.  I clicked in the surname of Finel.  I came to the following web page: http://tjlgenes.blogspot.ca/2012/07/surname-saturday-finel.html  I found that the person named Ahnentafel had posted several blogs.  Most of the stuff he has right.  However, his posting # 369 is totally wrong.  Edward Finel never married Sarah Green The birth place,  birth date, death place or date let alone a marriage date have never been found.  If Edward married Sarah Green then why did she keep her maiden surname when she married Peter Gibbons?  Yes there are records of Sarah with a young child.  That child shows up as one of the children with the children conceived through the marriage of Peter Green. There are a total of thirteen children in this marriage with Edward Finel included in the whole family.  Peter took the child in but never adopted the child..  My best guess on the marriage of these two people is around 1750.  Their first child, Elizabeth Gibbons) was born 07 Nov. 1752 in Granville, MA.

There may have been records at one time about the original Edward Finel but they have either been lost, misplaced, destroyed by fire or flood  I would welcome any records to prove me wrong or right. Show me the records or sites for them.

To my knowledge, there are only three remaining direct descendents to the original Edward Finel. My cousin is the last remaining living Finel.  When he passes so does that line.  My son and I are from the original line, however, my surname was changed for some reason in the early 1800’s to Fennell.  To date it look like my son will be the last to carry on the line of Finel/Fennell.

There has been write up that the original Edward Finel came from England.  Again, there aren’t any records to back up this statement.  I have thought that he may have come from Ireland. My thinking is he stayed with his own religious and ethnic group as did so many of the early settlers in that period of time.  Again, no records to back up that statement either.

What little I have written in this letter can be easily backed up by the records that are through many reliable sources.

I tried to post a blog to some of the things on that blog site but they never showed up.  I did get an acknowledgement that a moderator would have to go over them. Maybe I am not doing a blog right.  I normally don’t post things on any social media sites.  I just don’t think I want my name connected to a bunch of things that are not consistent.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

At first glance, the gentleman is trying to point out some erroneous information in one of my blog posts, fair enough.  Then, he seems to confuse my blog with some other postings on the internet.  He mentioned facts that I hadn't even posted on this blog. I responded to his email asking for more information, hoping to clarify things. When I wrote him for more information, I received a response that seemed to be more of a tease (as in - not going to share information) and a bit of an accusation that I was somehow a 'name gatherer' who wasn't doing any research.  The email and my response (in parenthesis) is below :

Hi,

Thank you for replying to my letter to you. There will be one web site pasted on this letter that will show at least two postings of Sarah Green being married to Peter Gibbons. It shows that they have twelve children.  I have not found a direct site yet where the complete family has thirteen children, the thirteenth child being Edward Finel.  I will find that info and forward it to you.

[OK, I’ve seen the actual records from the town showing where Sarah Green married Peter Gibbons.  Not just the website link you sent below.  Look forward to seeing the information you can provide.]

You asked me which Edward my cousin and myself are related to. Obviously we are both related to the first Edward. It couldn’t be any other way.

[I only asked to clarify, since we were talking about two separate Edwards.]

My cousin, who wishes to remain on the sidelines, has done more research and longer than I have.  We have been working together for about ten years.  His records are very detailed and have copies of documents to back up his research.

[That’s wonderful, and the whole point of doing research is to share.]

I personally found a relative in our line that to our knowledge nobody else has found.  The info is there for people to find out like I did. To date, we have not published or released any of this info to anybody on line.  Nobody has asked us about this person.  He was easy to find. Neither one of us have ever published our findings on line .  The research we do is a hobby and something for our children to have.  They might want to know where they came from someday.

[That is why most of us do this type of research.]

There are two “gatherers” out there that just harvest names for the sake of doing that.  They do not research anything. I think both my cousin and I were taken in be these two guys when we first started doing this research.  I know I was taken in by one of them.  Their last names are Keener and Koeble. Both of them have in excess of 20,000 names in their history.

[I’m sorry that you feel you were taken in by someone.  Are you accusing me of being a gatherer?  That is not the case.  I am posting what I have ‘warts and all’ hoping that others will correct and add to it.  It’s called sharing.  No one owns a family genealogy or the facts.]

My cousin is very aware of my first letter to you as well as this one.  We will both make comments under the comments that you left on the original letter I sent you.

[Look forward to receiving it.]

You stated that you never mentioned a marriage date of Sarah to Edward, but you did infer that the two of them were married.

[And you have corrected me, sir, by stating it was an error. ]

There are records out there where Sarah was “warned out” in two cities in MA. With those “Warned out’ records it states that she is with a child. These records are easy to find.

[Again, why are you being so vague?  Which towns?  I published what I thought was the correct lineage in order to solicit additions and corrections, not to be brow-beat.]

27 Oct. 1748	Edward-2 birth	?	Son born as reported by other researchers haven’t verified yet as to date and location, they report born in Granville, Mass. which I doubt very much.
Nov 1748	a Warning **	Shrewsbury, (Worchester), Mass.	A Sarah Green, a warning out issued.      [book finding]
9 May 1749	a Warning **	Southborough, (Worchester), Mass.	A Sarah Green and child, a warning out issued. [book finding]

7 Nov. 1751	marriage	Hardwick, (Worcester), Mass.	marriage to PETER GIBBONS         [LDS film #0873754]
7 Nov. 1752	daughter birth	Hardwick, Mass.	Elizabeth Gibbons born      [LDS film]
1753	father moves	Hardwick, (Worcester), Mass.	Sarah father & mother move to Hardwick   [book in LDS library]

The two ** are meant to remind me that this info came from a microfilm (unfortunately I forgot to write this number down before I sent the films back) I got from the LDS Churches family history center.  

To date we are waiting for some letters to arrive from the European Continent that my have some bearing of where the first Edward came from.

[Well, if the 1^st Edward isn’t related to the 2^nd Edward (b. 1748), do you know his ancestry?]

Here is the web site page that will show the marriage of Sarah and Peter. If you click on her name, it will open up and there is a spot that says “show children”.  Click on that and it will show the twelve children from that marriage.  Again it will not show Edward Finel.

[Since your first email, I have found much of this information showing Peter and Sarah’s family.  Yes, there are many online who have ‘connected’ Sarah Green and Edward Finel without proof.  Obviously, somewhere along the line I received the same information.  I posted it to the web, seeking corrections, which you have provided.  ]

No where have we ever found proof that Edward is her son. We would love to see that document.            

[As would I.]

https://www.familysearch.org/search/trees#count=20&query=%2Bgivenname%3Asarah~%20%2Bsurname%3Agreen~%20%2Bany_place%3Ama.~%20%2Bany_year%3A1750-1850~&collection_id=(2%203)&offset=40.

 Like I mentioned in the beginning of this letter, you will get some more detail.

Notice how the email ends?  I will get some detail, but nothing is clear as to what that information would contain, other than vague mentions of a 'cousin' who has done all the research.  This email was 6 months ago and no other information has been forthcoming from this gentleman.

Am I being hyper-sensitive?  Or is this guy an extreme personality who feels somehow offended that an error was made in a family tree posting about one of his great-greats?  If that is the case, he must be a real piece of work.

Obviously, I have more research to do on this line and seek out the town records, at least this gentleman gave me a few clues with the boot.

Grandma's Jewelry Box

While doing some almost-spring cleaning, my mother came across this jewelry box that belonged to my grandmother, Bonnie Mae (Lambertson) Wright (1924-1984).  The box measures about 5 1/2" by 6 1/2".  One of the base legs is missing.  The box is inscribed Omega Nu Tau, which is a sorority to which grandma belonged.  I don't know anything about her involvement with the organization or the significance of the jewelry box.

Exploratory Data Analysis: Arthur Raymond LeMaster (1885-1971)

Arthur Raymond LeMaster (1885-1971) was my paternal great-granduncle.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about him.

1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Arthur was born December 28, 1885¹ in Jay County, Indiana.  I do not have have a copy of his birth certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspapers to see if mention was made of Arthur's birth.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible records for the LeMaster family.  Will continue to reach out to extended family members in hopes that one does exist.

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

               I am not aware of any baptismal record for Arthur.  The family was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church is Salamonia, Indiana.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Arthur was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Arthur married Maude Gertrude McLaughlin on April 22, 1906 in Jay County, Indiana.  I do not have a copy of their marriage record. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items to obtain on my next research trip.

          1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of Arthur and Maude's wedding.

          1.2.2. Anniversary notice

               Arthur and Maude's 25th wedding anniversary would have been April 22, 1931.  Their 50th wedding anniversary would have been April 22, 1956.  Will need to search contemporary newspapers to see if mention was made of any anniversary celebrations.

          1.2.3. Divorce decree

               There is no indication that Arthur and Maude were ever divorced.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Arthur died December 16, 1971, probably in Jay County, Indiana.  I do not have the date of death sourced in my database.  Will need to add this to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.

          1.3.1. Obituary in newspaper

               Will need to search for mention of Arthur's death in contemporary newspapers.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.2. Funeral home records

               When I've obtained a copy of Arthur's obituary, will then need to search out records of the funeral home that handled the arrangements to see what other information might come to light.

          1.3.3. Tombstone photograph

               Arthur's tombstone in the Salamonia Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana has been photographed².  The tombstone spells the surname as 'LeMASTERS' and gives information as "Arthur R. 1885-1971"

               The tombstone was the subject of a previous post.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census

               On April 2, 1940, Arthur was enumerated as head of household in Portland, Jay County, Indiana³, as Arthur LeMaster, age 54, born in Indiana.  His address was 624 Meridian Street. He had completed one year of college.  His residence in 1935 was the same place.  No occupation was listed.  Also living in the same house was wife, Maude, age 52, born in Indiana.

          2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census

               I have not yet been able to locate a record of Arthur and Maude in the 1930 census.  They should be living in Portland, Jay County, Indiana on North Meridian street.  Will continue to search for them.

          2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census

               On April 17, 1920, Arthur was enumerated as head of household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana⁴, as Arthur R. LeMaster, age 34, born in Indiana.  He was a married farmer, who could read and write and spoke English.  His father was born in Ohio and his mother in New Jersey.  Also living in the household was wife, Maude, age 32, born in Indiana.

          2.1.4. 1910 Federal Census

               On May 3, 1910, Arthur was enumerated as head of household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana⁵, as Arthur R. LeMaster, age 25, born in Indiana.  He was a married farmer, who could read and write and spoke English.  His father was born in Ohio and his mother in New Jersey.  Also living in the household was wife, Maude, age 22, born in Indiana.

          2.1.5. 1900 Federal Census

               On June 4, 1900, Arthur was enumerated in the Luman C. Lemasters household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana⁶, as Arthur R. Lemasters, age 14, born in Indiana.  He was listed as a farm laborer and could read and write and spoke English.  His father was born in Ohio and his mother in New Jersey.

     2.2. State Census Records

          The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913 and 1921.  These, however, were merely for the purposes of legislative apportionment.

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          I have not yet investigated these types of records to see what light they might shed on the LeMaster farm.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          Arthur registered for the draft for World War I on September 12, 1918⁷ in Jay County, Indiana.  At the time he was living at RR 6 Portland, Jay County, Indiana.  His draft registration card states he was a natural born citizen, born December 28, 1885.  His occupation was that of a farmer.  His wife Maude was listed as his nearest living relative.  He was described as medium height and stout build, with brown eyes and black hair.

           Arthur registered for the draft for World War II on April 27, 1942⁸ in Jay County, Indiana.  At the time he was living at 624 N. Meridian Street in Portland, Jay County, Indiana.  He was born December 28, 1885 in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  His occupation was that of a self-employed farm manager in Madison township.  His wife Maude was listed as his nearest living relative.  His height was 5' 11" and weight was 240 lbs. with brown eyes, black hair and dark complexion. 

     3.2. Pension Records

          I have no indication that Arthur ever qualified for a military pension.

     3.3. Service Records

          I have no indication that Arthur ever served in the military.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Jay County, Indiana to see what items might mention Arthur.  Will add that to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Jay County, Indiana published plat maps that might be relevant to my search for Arthur.  Will contact the local historical society and see what these maps might contain.

5. Supplemental records

     Supplemental records available for research on Arthur include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records.  Will add these to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.

     In 1907, Arthur was listed in the Jay County, Indiana directory, living at RR 4 Portland with his parents and brother Vernon and sisters Edith and Maude⁸.

     In 1922, Arthur was listed as living in Geneva, Adams County, Indiana, in the obituary of his sister, Bertha⁹.

    In 1927, Arthur was listed as living in Portland, Jay County, Indiana, in the obituary of his mother¹⁰.

    In 1932, Arthur was listed in the Portland, Indiana directory as operating a grocery on North Meridian Street¹¹.

Sources:

1. Arthur Lemaster, no. 315-22-3844, Social Security Death Benefits Index of the U.S. Social Security Administration.
2. Salamonia Cemetery (Jay County, Indiana), Arthur R. and Maude G. LeMasters marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 26 March 2009.
3. 1940 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 2, Portland, enumeration district 38-19, SD 5, sheet 1A, dwelling 6, 624 Meridian Street; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 March 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. Arthur R. LeMaster household, 1920 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Madison township, ED 72, SD 84, sheet 4, dwelling 79, family 79; National Archives micropublication T625, roll 440.
5. Arthur R. LeMaster household, 1910 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Madison township, ED 61, sheet 8, dwelling 176, family 177; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 358.
6. Luman C. Lemasters household, 1900 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Madison township, ED 62, SD 67, sheet 3, dwelling 59, family 60; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 380.
7. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 March 2013); citing World War I Selective Service Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918: Indiana.
8. Complete Directory of Jay County (Portland, Indiana, USA : M. & M. Directory Co., 1907), page 235.
9. Mrs. John H. Yeager obituary, Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, USA, March 17, 1922, page 2.
10. Mary K. LeMaster obituary, Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, USA, February 22, 1927, page 1.
11. 1932 Telephone Directory, Portland, Indiana, USA (1932).

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.