Exploratory Data Analysis: Henry Leonard Wehrly (1875-1924)

Henry Leonard Wehrly (1875-1924) 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

          Henry was born April 17, 1875 in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana¹.  The State of Indiana did not require state-wide registrations of birth until after 1907.  Jay County, Indiana only has birth records from 1882.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               If Henry's birth was announced in the local newspaper, it has been lost to history.  The Jay County Public Library has newspapers from the late 1880s.  The holdings of the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis do not indicate any newspapers of the time period.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible record of the Wehrly 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 Henry, nor the church affiliation of the Wehrly's.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Henry was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Henry married Mamie Margaret Salisbury on August 23, 1896¹, probably in Jay County, Indiana.  I do not have a copy of their marriage license.  Will add that 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 was made of Henry and Margaret's nuptials.

          1.2.2. Anniversary Notice

               Henry and Margaret's 25th wedding anniversary would have been August 23, 1921.  Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if any mention was made of anniversary celebrations.

          1.2.3. Divorce Decree

               There is no indication that Henry and Margaret were ever divorced, but a search of Jay, Allen and DeKalb county court records needs to be done.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Henry died July 31, 1924¹ in Garrett, DeKalb County, Indiana.  I do not have a copy of his death certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper

               Will need to check local newspapers in DeKalb and Jay County, Indiana to see if mention was made of Henry's death.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.2. Funeral Home Records

               Once I've obtained his obituary, I might be able to identify the funeral home that handled the arrangements and then contact them to see if they have any more records.

          1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph

               Henry's tombstone in the Calvary Cemetery, Garrett, DeKalb County, Indiana has been photographed.  His memorial page on FindAGrave is located here.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1920 Federal Census

               On January 13, 1920, Henry was enumerated in Garrett, DeKalb County, Indiana², as Henry N. Wehrly, age 45, Jeweler.  He owned his own home and it was mortgaged.  He was born in Indiana, as were his father and mother.  He could read and write and spoke English.  He resided at 507 Randolph Street.

          2.1.2. 1910 Federal Census

               On April 25, 1910, Henry was enumerated in Garett, DeKalb County, Indiana³, as Henry L. Wehrly, age 35, Merchant of Jewelry store.  He had been married for 13 years.  He was born in Indiana, as were his father and mother.  He could read and write and spoke English.

          2.1.3. 1900 Federal Census

               On June 23, 1900, Henry was enumerated in Shirley, Maumee Township, Allen County, Indiana⁴, as Henry Wehrly, age 25, Furniture salesman.  He was born April 1875 in Indiana. His father and mother were born in Ohio.  He had been married for 3 years.  He could read and write and spoke English.

          2.1.4. 1880 Federal Census

               On June 3, 1880, Henry was enumerated in the William Wherhly household in Salamonia, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana⁵, as Henry Wherhly, age 5, single.  He was born in Indiana, the birthplace of his father was blank, and his mother was born in Michigan.

     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 Wehrly farm.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          Henry registred with the Selective Service during World War I on September 12, 1918 in DeKalb County, Indiana⁶.  He was living at 507 South Randolph Street in Garrett, DeKalb County, Indiana.  His birthdate was listed as April 17, 1875. His occupation was listed as a jeweler, and the place of business was located at 105 N. Randolph Street.  His wife, Margaret Wehrly, was listed as his next of kin.  Henry was listed as medium height, stout build with brown eyes and dark hair.

     3.2. Pension Records

          I am not aware of any military service that would have made Henry eligible to receive pension benefits.  His father did serve in the Civil War, but I don't believe Henry ever received any minor's benefits.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Jay, Allen and DeKalb Counties, Indiana to see what records might mention Henry and his family.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Plat maps and county maps for Jay, Allen and DeKalb Counties, Indiana, will need to be searched.  Will contact the local historical societies to see what maps they might have in their collection.

5. Supplemental Records

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

Sources:

1. Wehrly, Blaine & Gladys, "Wehrly & Smith Family History." Report to Wehrly Reunion, New Castle, Indiana, 16 August 1970.  Photocopy held by author.
2. 1920 U.S. census, DeKalb County, Indiana, population schedule, Garrett, enumeration district 103, SD 12, sheet 12A, 507 Randolph Street, dwelling 259, family 260; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
3. 1910 U.S. census, DeKalb County, Indiana, population schedule, Garrett, enumeration district 80, SD 12, sheet 9B, dwelling 199, household 210; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. 1900 U.S. census, Allen County, Indiana, population schedule, Shirley, Maumee Township, enumeration district 12, SD 12, sheet 12A, dwelling 215, family 215; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
5. William Wherhly household, 1800 U.S. census, population schedule, Salamonia, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana, ED 169, SD 6, page 28, dwelling 6, family 6; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 287.
6. "U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 June 2013); citing World War I Selective Service Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918: Indiana.

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.