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.
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