Birthday Surprise for Mrs. Peet, 1914

"Birthday Surprise," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 13 July 1914; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 March 2015).

BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

A pleasant surprise was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Peet yesterday in honor of Mrs. Peet's birthday.  All the guests arrived with well-filled baskets and at the dinner hour, all the good things were spread and piled high on tables out-of-doors for all to enjoy the feast.  Among those in the party were Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Bowers and son, Herbert, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Brown and daughters, Kathryn and Dorothy, Mr. and Mrs. George Allen and son, George, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wright and daughters, Helen and Oliva, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Morgan and son, John, Miss Hazel Folden, Erma Wright, Elsie McCord, Lillie, Martha and Vana Allen, Gladys Hall, Nellie Lenard, Mary Moore, Joe Gaither, Virgil Wright, George Hardcastle, Miles Gooding and Fred Wright.

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Another social mention of my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972) attending a birthday party.  Several other names of family members were also in attendance.

The Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wright are James and Clara (Hicks) Wright, Virgil's aunt and uncle.  Two of their daughters, Helen and Oliva, were also in attendance.

The Fred Wright who attended the party was the son of Charles and Bertha (Leonard) Wright, Virgil's aunt and uncle.

So at this one party were several of my 2nd-great grandfather's neighbors as well as his first cousins.

Funeral Record : Frank Haley (1937)

Source: Frank Haley Funeral Record, Baird Funeral Home, Jay Co., Indiana,  1937, Saxman & Schindler, comp., n.d.

Another good find for me at the Jay County Historical Society library was the funeral record of Andrew Frank HALEY, brother of my paternal 2nd-great grandfather, Eli Weldon HALEY.  Prior to this find, I knew that Frank, as he was known, had died in 1937, and that he was buried in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Fort Recovery, Ohio.  Now that I had the funeral record, I have a few more tidbits.


According to the record, Frank died July 29, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois.  What was he doing there?  His son, Clarence O. HALEY, was a physician there.  Services for Frank were held at Mt. Zion church in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana, with burial in Fort Recovery, Ohio.  The funeral record gives his parents as Geo. W. HALEY and Mary Jane SHERICK, as well as he being a widower of Emma LEONARD.


I was unable to locate the death record on Ancestry.com in the Cook County death database.  However, at the FamilySearch.org site, I located his death record.  He didn't die in Chicago, but instead in Oak Park.

Andrew Frank HALEY was born March 4, 1864 in Ashland County, Ohio, the oldest child of George Washington and Mary Jane (SHERRICK) HALEY.  He married November 3, 1887 in Jay County, Indiana to Emma Catherine LEONHARD (1866-1925).


Here is the link to his memorial page at FindAGrave.

Photo: Fred & Cleo Wright

This photo of Fred Albert and Cleo Marie (DORTON) WRIGHT comes from an undated directory of the First United Methodist Church, Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.  

Fred was the first cousin of my maternal great-grandfather.  He was the son of Charles and Bertha (LEONARD) WRIGHT.  Born February 3, 1893 in Alexandria, he died September 14, 1985 in Alexandria.  Cleo was the daughter of John and Rosetta (DUNN) DORTON.  She was born February 13, 1895 in Matthews, Grant County, Indiana and died April 6, 1994 in Alexandria.

Sunday's Obituary : Emma Catherine (Leonhard) Haley (1866-1925)

Source: Mrs. Emma Catherine Haley obituary, Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, USA, July 17, 1925, page 1

HALEY RITES ARE TO BE HELD 2 P.M. SUNDAY

WIFE OF ANDREW F. HALEY, OF NOBLE TOWNSHIP, SUCCUMBS THURSDAY P.M.

AFTER LONG ILLNESS CAUSED BY DIABETES

Deceased Had been Resident of Jay County for Past Fifty-nine Years

Funeral services for Mrs. Emma Catherine Haley, 59, wife of Andrew F. Haley, who died at her home eight miles northeast of Portland yesterday afternoon, following a long illness of diabetes, will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Mt. Zion church, nine miles northeast of here.  Interment will be made in the Fort Recovery, Ohio, cemetery.

The deceased had been ailing for the past year and one-half and had been seriously ill for the past four weeks.

Mrs. Haley was born in Noble township, Jay county, February 8, 1866, daughter of John Philip and Christena (Theurer) Leonhard, the father being a native of Germany.

The following children survive: Dr. C.O. Haley, of Chicago; Mrs. Ernest Chalfant, of Portland, and the following brothers and sister, Jacob, George and Henry Leonard, of Noble township, Jay county; John, of Plymouth, Ind.; William, of Fort Recovery; Christena Leonhard, of Noble township, and Mrs. George Cull, of Noble township.  Three grandchildren also survive.

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Emma Catherine LEONHARD married Andrew Frank HALEY, son of George Washington and Mary Jane (SHERRICK) HALEY, on November 3, 1887 in Jay County, Indiana.


Sunday’s Obituary – if you have obituaries of family members and ancestors, consider posting them along with other information about that person as part of Sunday’s Obituary. This is an ongoing series developed by Leslie Ann at Ancestors Live Here.

Pallbearers similar to baptismal witnesses

Pallbearers are similar to baptismal witnesses in the sense that they are usually close relatives.  When you find them listed in funeral notices in newspapers, checking out the family dynamics can lead to further clues regarding relationship, residency, etc.


A recent example I discovered was the notice of the funeral of Miss Nellie Fox in the Anderson Herald (Indiana) published December 14, 1954:

ALEXANDRIA - Last rites for Miss Nellie Fox, formerly of this city, were conducted Saturday in the Gipe, Williams and Kyle Chapel. The Rev. Robert T. Huber, First Christian Church pastor, officiated the services.

Pallbearers were Welcome Tuxford, Fred King, Fred Wright, Virgil Wright, Chester Wright, Herman Pierce. Burial was in Park View Cemetery.

 Nellie Fox was the daughter of Thomas A. and Daisy L. (WRIGHT) FOX.

 Fred King was the son of Suman Douglas and Amanda Louisa (FOX) KING, and a 1st cousin to Nellie.

 Fred Wright was the son of Charles R. and Bertha C. (LEONARD) WRIGHT, and a 1st cousin to Nellie.

 Virgil Wright was the son of John W. and Ellen (KING) WRIGHT, and a 1st cousin to Nellie.

 Chester Wright was the son of John W. and Ellen (KING) WRIGHT, and a 1st cousin to Nellie.

 Herman Pierce and Welcome Tuxford were not related by blood to Nellie Fox.  However, Herman Pierce was the brother-in-law of Virgil Wright.  I'm not sure who Welcome Tuxford was.

Family Milestones: March 4th

My paternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Mary A. METZNER, married on this date in 1888 in Jay County, Indiana to Harvey A. HUEY.  Mary was born March 24, 1862 in Jay County, Indiana, the daughter of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER, and the younger sister of my John Adam METZNER.  Harvey was born December 1866 in Indiana.  Harvey was a Baptist minister, and they lived in Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, Noble County, Indiana and Genesee County, Michigan.  Harvey died in 1947.  Mary died in 1925.  Both are buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.

My maternal 2nd-great grandfather, William Francis PIERCE, married on this date in 1909 in Madison County, Indiana to Vida MADDOX, his second wife.  William was born July 10, 1865 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana the son of Edmund G. and Catherine (GROENENDYKE) PIERCE.  Vida was born October 6, 1886 in Owingsville, Bath County, Kentucky, the daughter of Charles W. and Sarah (POWELL) MADDOX.  They raised 7 children in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.  Vida died November 19, 1968 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.  William died September 21, 1950 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.

My paternal great granduncle, Andrew Frank HALEY, was born on this date in 1864 in Ashland County, Ohio.  Andrew was the son of George Washington and Mary Jane (SHERRICK) HALEY, and the older brother of my Eli Weldon HALEY.  Andrew married November 3, 1887 in Jay County, Indiana to Emma C. LEONHARD.  Emma was born February 8, 1865 in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana, the daughter of John P. and Christina (________) LEONHARD.  They had 2 children and resided in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.  I do not have their dates of death.

My maternal 5th-great granduncle, Ephraim JACOBS, was born on this date in 1802 in Fleming County, Kentucky.  Ephraim was the son of William and Sibell (LITTELL) JACOBS, and the younger brother of my James Thomas JACOBS.  Ephraim married October 7, 1824 in Brown County, Ohio to Elizabeth REEVES.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Elizabeth.  Ephraim died September 20, 1888 in Adams County, Ohio.

My paternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Harriet N. MOULTON, was born on this date in 1827 in Rutland County, Vermont.  Harriett was the daughter of Selah and Lydia (FENNEL) MOULTON, and the younger sister of my Albert MOULTON.  Nothing further is known at this time.

 

Tombstone Tuesday: Joseph W. and Rebecca Ann (Heaton) Wright

My maternal 3rd-great grandparents, Joseph W. and Rebecca Ann (HEATON) WRIGHT, are buried in the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.

Joseph was born April 1838 in Brown County, Ohio, the son of John and Anna (WARDLOW) WRIGHT.

Rebecca was born 1841 in Brown County, Ohio, the daughter of James R. and Elizabeth (JACOBS) HEATON.

Joseph and Rebecca were married November 1, 1857 in Schuyler County, Missouri. There was a mass migration of several related families out of Brown County, Ohio to Schuyler County, Missouri in the late 1850s. Joseph and Rebecca soon returned to Brown County, as they were enumerated in the 1860 census there.

Joseph and his family moved to Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana in the mid-1860s where they were engaged in farming.

Rebecca died on March 25, 1890 in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana. After her death, Joseph remarried to Dorothy PALMER on April 11, 1891 in Madison County, Indiana. Joseph died on September 16, 1919 in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.

Children of Joseph and Rebecca Ann (HEATON) WRIGHT are:

• Mary A. WRIGHT (1858-1910); married William Frank KIRK; 3 children
• John William WRIGHT (1860-1945); married Ellen KING; 4 children
• Elizabeth WRIGHT (1863-1882); married William Alpha JONES; 1 child
• Anna L. WRIGHT (1864-1914); married Albert Morris VINSON; 1 child
• James WRIGHT (1868-1936); married Clara B. HICKS; 4 children
• Charles Riggs WRIGHT (1870-1967); married Bertha C. LEONARD; 4 children
• Daisy L. WRIGHT (1873-aft1930); married Thomas A. FOX: 4 children
• Edward E. WRIGHT (1875-1960); married Martha Jane STARR; 3 children
• Jesse WRIGHT (1878-1919); married Hazel O'BRYANT
  

Family Milestones: December 6th

My maternal 2nd-great granduncle, Charles Riggs WRIGHT, married on this date in 1890 in Innisdale, Madison County, Indiana to Bertha Cordelia LEONARD.  Charles was the son of Joseph W. and Rebecca Ann (HEATON) WRIGHT, and the younger brother of my John William WRIGHT.  Bertha was the daughter of Stephen Sylvester and Susan (TODD) LEONARD.  Charles was born November 11, 1870 in Madison County.  Bertha was born March 6, 1873 in Madison County, Indiana.  They raised 4 children in Monroe Township where Charles was a farmer and salesman.  Bertha died February 26, 1950 and Charles remarried to Nellie FETZ.  Charles died November 23, 1967 and is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.

My maternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Maud LAMBERTSON, married on this date in 1896 in Hamilton County, Indiana to Francis F. FISHER.  Maud was the daughter of Carey W. and Clara E. (COOK) LAMBERTSON, and the younger sister of my Charles Wilson LAMBERTSON.  Maud was born June 19, 1878 in Darke County, Ohio.  Francis was born December 7, 1871 in Indiana, the son of Uriah and Elizabeth (HOOVER) FISHER.  After their marriage, they lived in Hamilton County, Indiana and Jefferson County, Illinois.  Francis died between 1920 and 1930, and Maud remarried to Will HAYSE.  Maud died April 9, 1952 in Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, Illinois and is buried in the Old Shiloh Church Cemetery, Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

My paternal 5th-great grandparents, Deacon John PHILBRICK and Sally JEWETT, were married on this date in 1770 in Hollis, New Hampshire.  John was born February 23, 1748 in Hampton, Province of New Hampshire, the son of John and Judith (SANBORN) PHILBRICK.  Sally was born March 7, 1749 in Hollis, Province of New Hampshire, the daughter of Samuel and Sally (________) JEWETT.  After their marriage they raised a family of 8 children in Hollis and Weare, New Hampshire.  John died July 31, 1780 in Weare, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.  I do not have Sally's death date.


My maternal 4th-great granduncle, Seth W. BEALS, married on this date in 1863 to Sarah E. ADAMSON.  Seth was the son of Nathan C. and Elizabeth (CHEW) BEALS, and the younger brother of my John T. BEALS.  After their marriage they resided in Rogers, Benton County, Arkansas where they had at least 3 children.  Seth died August 3, 1909.  Nothing further known at this time.



My maternal 5th-great granduncle, John KIMMER, was born on this date in 1795.  John was the son of Nicholas and Sarah (FAYLER) KIMMER, and the younger brother of my Elizabeth KIMMER.  Nothing further known at this time.


My maternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Minerva PIERCE, was born on this date in 1846.  Minerva was the daughter of Francis S. and Rebecca (PAGE) PIERCE, and the younger sister of my Edmund G. PIERCE.  Minerva married December 31, 1868 in Madison County, Indiana to Daniel SIGLER, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (SHANK) SIGLER.  Daniel was born May 1844 in Indiana.  They raised a family in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana where Daniel was a physician.  Minerva died August 31, 1902 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana and was buried in the Elwood City Cemetery, Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.


 

Family Milestones: November 11th

My maternal 4th-great grandaunt, Elizabeth CROCKETT, married Miles BRAY on this date in 1845 in Owen County, Indiana. Elizabeth was the daughter of David and Mary Ann (NOSLER) CROCKETT, and was the older sister of my Mary Ann CROCKETT. Elizabeth was born circa 1827, probably in Owen County, but I haven't followed this line any further. I have no information in my database on Miles BRAY.

My paternal 2nd-great granduncle, Abel Woolston CHEW, was born on this date in 1843 in Blackwood, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Abel was the son of Dr. Ezekiel Cooper and Caroline Bishop (WOOLSTON) CHEW, and the older brother of my Mary Keziah CHEW. Abel married September 25, 1862 in Greenville, Darke County, Ohio to Salome H. HOLDEMAN. Abel was a school teacher and farmer and they lived in Darke County, Ohio and Charlevoix County, Michigan where he died on January 9, 1903.

My paternal 5th-great grandmother, Avis HURLBUT, was born on this date in 1762 in Woodbury, Connecticut. Avis was the daughter of Israel and Jerusha (________) HURLBUT. She married John MOULTON, son of Samuel and Phoebe (________) MOULTON, on July 24, 1781 in Castleton, Rutland County, Vermont. I do not have a record of Avis' death, but it was probably in Vermont.

My maternal 2nd-great granduncle, Charles Riggs WRIGHT, was born on this date in 1870 in Madison County, Indiana. Charles was the son of Joseph W. and Rebecca Ann (HEATON) WRIGHT, and the younger brother of my John William WRIGHT. Charles married Bertha Cordelia LEONARD, daughter of Stephen Sylvester and Susan (TODD) LEONARD, on December 6, 1890 in Innisdale, Madison County, Indiana. Charles was a salesman and farmer of Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana where he died November 23, 1967.

My paternal 3rd-great granduncle, Jonathan MAXSON, was born on this date in 1810 in Clark County, Ohio. Jonathan was the son of Jesse and Sarah (SUTTON) MAXSON, and the older brother of my Prudence MAXSON. Jonathan married in 1829 to Christiana DAVIS. He died 1878 in Dearfield, Indiana.

No Will? No Problem...if you can find a deed

While researching at the Madison County, Indiana Recorder's office, I came across this deed book record that took place shortly after my maternal 3rd great-grandfather, Joseph WRIGHT died in 1919.

I had previously attempted to obtain a copy of his will in Madison County and was told that he did not leave a will. Knowing when he died, I began searching the deed books for the time period shortly after his death and bingo! There was a deed from his widow listing all of his heirs, transferring land to one heir.



Madison County, Indiana Deed Book 21, page 378

THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH That Dorothy Wright, an unmarried woman, she being the widow of Joseph Wright, deceased; John W. Wright, an unmarried man, he being a widower; Charles R. Wright and Bertha Wright, his wife; Daisy Fox and Thomas A. Fox, her husband; Edward E. Wright and Martha J. Wright, his wife; Ethel L. Kirk, an unmarried woman; Earl J. Kirk, an unmarried man; Harry H. Kirk and Lucille M. Kirk, his wife; Myrtle M. Day and Virgil S. Day, her husband, each of said grantors being over the age of 21 years, all being of Madison County, State of Indiana, other than said Edward E. Wright and Martha J. Wright, they being of Whitley County, State of Indiana, these grantors together with the grantee herein including all the heirs at law of said Joseph Wright, deceased, late of Madison County, State of Indiana, CONVEY AND WARRANT TO James Wright, of Madison County, State of Indiana, for and in consideration of one thousand seven hundred fifty dollars, the following described real estate in Madison County, State of Indiana, to-wit: The undivided one-fourth (1/4) of the north west quarter of the south west quarter of section 25, township 21 north, range 7 east.

This conveyance is made and accepted subject to the 1919 (payable 1920) taxes assessed on and against said real estate.

IN WITNESS Whereof the said Dorothy Wright, widow of said Joseph Wright, deceased; John W. Wright, widower and unmarried man; Charles R. Wright and Bertha Wright his wife; Daisy Fox and Thomas A. Fox, her husband; Edward E. Wright and Martha J. Wright, his wife; Ethel L. Kirk, an unmarried woman; Earl J. Kirk, an unmarried man; Harry H. Kirk and Lucille M. Kirk, his wife; Myrtle M. Day and Virgil S. Day her husband, they being the grantors in the annexed deed, have hereunto set their hands and seals this 4th day of October 1919.

Dorothy Wright Seal
John W. Wright Seal
Charles R. Wright Seal
Bertha Wright Seal
Daisy Fox Seal
Thomas A. Fox Seal
Edward E. Wright Seal
Martha J. Wright Seal
Ethel L. Kirk Seal
Earl J. Kirk Seal
Harry H. Kirk Seal
Lucille H. Kirk Seal
Myrtle M. Day Seal
Virgil S. Day Seal

All by Virgil S. Day, Attorney-in-fact

STATE OF INDIANA, COUNTY OF MADISON, SS:

Before me, the undersigned, Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared the grantors in the annexed deed, said Dorothy Wright, an unmarried woman, she being the widow of Joseph Wright, deceased; John W. Wright, widower and unmarried man; Charles R. Wright and Bertha Wright, his wife; Daisy Fox and Thomas A. Fox, her husband; Edward E. Wright and Martha J. Wright, his wife; Ethel L. Kirk, an unmarried woman; Earl J. Kirk an unmarried man; Harry H. Kirk and Lucille M. Kirk, his wife; Myrtle M. Day and Virgil S. Day, her husband, each being over the age of 21 years they and the grantee being the sole and only heirs at law of said Joseph Wright, deceased, by Virgil S. Day their Attorney in Fact, and acknowledged the execution of the annexed Deed.

Witness my hand and Notarial seal this 4th day of October 1919. James A. May, Notary Public

My commission expires November 26, 1921.


Joseph WRIGHT had no children with his second wife, Dorothy PALMER, whom he married on April 11, 1891 in Madison County, Indiana. By his first wife, Rebecca HEATON, whom he married November 1, 1857 in Schuyler County, Missouri, he had the following children:

i. Mary WRIGHT (1858-1910) married Frank KIRK; children Ethel, Earl and Harry are listed as heirs
ii. John WRIGHT (1860-1945) married Ellen KING; widower whose wife had died in 1913, listed as heir
ii. Elizabeth WRIGHT (1863-1882) married Wiliiam Alpha JONES; their daughter Myrtle listed as heir
iii. Anna WRIGHT (1864-1914) married Albert VINSON; left no surviving heirs
iv. James WRIGHT (1868-1936) married Clara HICKS; was the grantee in the deed
v. Charles WRIGHT (1870-1967) married Bertha LEONARD; listed as heir
vi. Daisy WRIGHT (1873-aft1930) married Thomas FOX; listed as heir
vii. Edward WRIGHT (1875-1960) married Martha STARR; listed as heir
viii. Jesse WRIGHT (1878-1919) married Hazel O'BRYANT; left no surviving heirs

Though I knew the names of Joseph's children, it was interesting to find his grandchildren listed as heirs and to know that they were still living in Madison County, at least in 1919. Joseph's son Edward had moved to Whitley County, a fact I knew and which was confirmed by the 1920 census.

Although it was several years since I had originally written to the courthouse asking for a copy of the will, I'm glad that I was finally able to find some records that recorded the settlement of Joseph's estate.

Chester Arthur Wright & Virgil Lee Wright postcard

This photo postcard shows brothers Chester Arthur and Virgil Lee Wright, sons of John William and Ellen (King) Wright. The postcard appears to have been sent by their cousin Fred Wright. Unfortunately, I cannot make out the postmark to get the exact date.

Fred Wright was the son of Charles Riggs and Bertha (Leonard) Wright. He was a first cousin of Virgil and Chester.