Luman Cooper LeMasters (1867-1933), Nebraska Years, 52 Ancestors # 9

Luman Cooper LeMasters

The ninth ancestor in my 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks project is my paternal great-grandfather, Luman Cooper LeMasters (1867-1933).  Previously, I'd written about the details of his life in an Exploratory Data post.

Shortly after his marriage in November 1886 to Barbara Isabel Wehrly in Jay County, Indiana, my great-grandparents moved to Valley County, Nebraska.

Valley County is situated right in the center of Nebraska, and the county seat is Ord.  The city was named after Civil War general Edward O.C. Ord, who commanded the Department of the Platte.  The name Ord in my family has it origins from this man and time period.

Though I don't know the exact reason for the move to Nebraska, I can speculate that it was likely due to cheap land and the fact that Luman already had family in the area.  Luman's uncle, Jacob Lemasters (1845-1922) had moved to Valley County, Nebraska in March of 1883.  As a young couple starting out on their own, the lure of "going west" may have held a strong appeal.

I've only managed to find a few records of Luman and Barbara's time in Valley County, Nebraska.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the book or page for these records and need to get that information recorded.

Receipt for land purchase in Valley County, Nebraska

Final Receipt United States to Luman C. Lemasters, No. 4993, Receivers Office at Grand Island April 10, 1888

Received from Luman C. Lemaster of Valley County Nebraska the sum of Two Hundred Dollars and --- cents being in full for the North East quarter of Section No 20 in Township No 20 North of Range No. 13 West containing 160 acres and --- hundreth at $ 1.35 per acre.

A.H. Baker Reciever

 $200 Filed for Record April 19 1888 S.A. Patton

It would appear from the record above that they were already residents of Valley County by the year 1888 when they purchased the land.  When they first moved to Nebraska they were likely renters.

Family tradition, and at least one published genealogy¹ related that Luman and Barbara's first child, an unnamed infant, was born and died in Ord, Valley County, Nebraska in 1887.

The name of this child has been lost to history.  Even whether it was a boy or a girl is not known.  I've been unsuccessful in locating any information about the child.

The second child of Luman and Barbara, Clarence Harrison LeMaster, was born June 14, 1888 in Nebraska.  His middle name was likely chosen in honor of 1888 Presidential candidate Benjamin Harrison, an Indiana native, due to the fact that the LeMaster family were staunch Republicans.

Whether it was the economy, the struggles of losing one of their children, or a longing for home, Luman and Barbara decided to move back to Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  They were back by May 25, 1890, when their son Chesley Franklin LeMaster was born.

A quit claim deed was filed in Valley County from Luman C. Lemaster & wife to A.M. Robbins dated August 10, 1891.

Know all men by these presents that we Luman C. Lemaster and Isabelle B. Lemaster, husband and wife, of the county of Jay and State of Indiana, for the consideration of six hundred Dollars, hereby quit claim to A.M. Robbins of the county of Valley, and State of Nebraska the following described real-estate, situated in the county of Valley and State of Nebraska, to wit : North East Qt Section twenty (20), township twenty (20) Range thirteen (13) west.  In witness whereof we have set our hands this tenth day of February 1890.  Luman C. Lemasters Isabelle B. Lemasters

In presence of Geo. Theurer

State of Indiana, Jay County, SS : Be it remembered, that on the tenth day of February 1890 before the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for said county, personally came Luman C. Lemasters and his wife Isabell B. Lemasters to __ known to be the identical person described in and who executed the foregoing Deed as grantor, and acknowledged said instrument to be their voluntary act and deed.  Witness my hand and official seal the day and year last above written.  D. Skinner, Notary Public 

The time spent by the family in Valley County, Nebraska was less than three years, likely from mid-1887 to early 1890.  They bought 160 acres and were able to sell it for three times what they paid for it.  While there are many LeMaster relatives who stayed in Nebraska, for my direct line, the Nebraska years were a small blip in their lives.

Sources : 

1. Rummel, Merle & Madeline Olt, comp., "Three Sons of Steffan Petry, 1729-1977", Gateway Press, Baltimore, MD, 1977, p. 385.

The 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge was created by Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small blog.  The premise is to write once a week about a specific ancestor - whether it be a story, a biography, a photograph or a research problem.