J. Lemaster, School teacher, Greene Township, Jay County, Indiana, 1873

Portland Democrat, Portland, Indiana, November 13, 1873, page 2

GREEN TOWNSHIP ITEMS

by Hoosier

It has been sometime since I used the pencil to report from old Greene on account of bad health and pressure of business.

Times are still dull.  Staves are about the only thing that bring money, and there are cords after cords being hauled from this part of the county.  There will be no timber left in Greene township unless the destruction soon ceases.

Our farmers have been busy for last few days gathering corn.  The crop is not so good as was expected.  The prospect for wheat is promising.  Looks well, and a large quantity sowed.

Our new school house is progressing finely.  A few more fair days and it will be ready for school.  This will be a pleasure to people of that vicinity, as they have never had educational conveniences.  

The grave yard at school house No. 1 has been fenced, which speaks well for the people of that neighborhood. 

Our fall schools will closes, except one, this week, and the winter term will commence the 24th of this month, in charge of the following excellent teachers:

Dist. No. 1 - Miss Emma Adair, 1st term.
do    No. 2 - R.A. Bunch, 5th term.
do    No. 3. - Miss A.E. Rider, 2nd term.
do    No. 4 - W.P. Hiatt, 3rd term.
do    No. 5 - J. Lemaster, 2nd term.
do    No. 6 - T.C. Stephenson, 1st term.
do    No. 7 - D.M. Bunch, 5th term.
do    No. 8 - J.A. Smith,
do    No. 9 - A.J. Hays, 7th term, besides teaching two subscription schools.

Their labors heretofore have been crowned with success, and they commence their present term in full confidence of the citizens.  Hoping they may discharge their duties with credit to themselves and honor to their employer, I remain their well-wisher.

Good health and plenty of work; money scarce.

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I believe that this J. Lemaster is Jacob Lemasters (1845-1922), son of Rev. Luman Walker and Nancy (Young) Lemasters.  Jacob was a school teacher and farmer.  I have not located him in the 1870 census, but in the 1880 census they were living in Noble Township.  Jacob was a younger brother to my 2nd-great grandfather, Luman Walker Lemasters Jr. (1842-1931).  Jacob was married to Sarah Ann Halfhill (1844-1920) and they moved to Ord, Valley County, Nebraska in the 1880s.