Breakthrough in my Cook line

The ancestry of my maternal 3rd-great grandmother, Clara (Cook) Lambertson (1848-1943) has been a mystery to me for a number of years, but thanks to newspaper research I've made a major breakthrough.

Years ago, I obtained her death certificate from the Hamilton County, Indiana Health department which listed her parents as William Cook and _____ Hirbarger.  At the time of her death, she was living with her daughter, Lola May (Lambertson) Whisler and husband, Omer, so it is likely that one of them was the source for the information about Clara's parents.  Clara's birthplace has been listed as Ohio in various census records with her parents born in Virginia, and her obituary adds to the confusion as it states that she came from Virginia to Ohio with her parents in a covered wagon.

Needless to say, searching various census records in 1850 for a family of a William Cook born in Virginia with a daughter named Clara or some variant was highly frustrating.  I searched for German variants as well, thinking that Cook might have been Kuch, etc. with no success.

Preble County, Ohio was where Carey and Clara's oldest two children, Charles and Samuel, are listed as being born.  It borders with Butler County, Ohio, where they were living in the 1870 census with Carey's father, John.  I have yet to discover a marriage record for Carey and Clara in either county, but since the first two children were born there, I considered it likely that Clara's family was from there.

A search of the 1850 census in Preble County finds a family in Washington Township consisting of James M. Cook, age 37 born in Virginia; Mary, age 36 born in Virginia; Amanda, age 14 born in Virginia; Elizabeth, age 13 born in Virginia; Sarah, age 10 born in Ohio; Mary, age 8 born in Ohio; Thaddeus, age 4 born in Ohio; and Clarissa, age 2 born in Ohio.  

This was the closest match I had found for Clara, assuming that this Clarissa might be her. Yet the fact that the death certificate said her father's name was William, not James, had me keeping this record in my list of "close, but no cigar".  That is, until a couple of recent hints made me re-think who her parentage might be.

A recent Ancestry.com hint for Clara led me to the database U.S., Hinshaw Index to Selected Quaker Records, 1680-1940, which showed the following:

Ancestry.com. U.S., Hinshaw Index to Selected Quaker Records, 1680-1940 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.

Original data: Hinshaw, William Wade. William Wade Hinshaw's Index to Unpublished Quaker Records. Swarthmore, Pennsylvania: Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College.

This is a membership card from the Hinkles Creek Monthly Meeting in Hamilton County, Indiana, recording the marriage of Carey Lambertson to Clara Cook.  It lists Carey's birth date as April 29, 1847 as the son of John & Sarah of Butler County, Ohio and Clara's birth dated as November 16, 1848 as the daughter of James and Mary of Preble County, Ohio.  Since this membership record was made by Clara and Carey, it is likely that they supplied the information to the church clerk and would have known who their parents were.

So this makes me think that the death certificate informant was wrong, and that Clara's father was James, not William.  At the time of her death, Clara was 94 years old and had spent many years as a widow living with her various children.  It's quite possible the informant at the time of death simply had the wrong names in their memory.  Not to mention that death is a stressful time for families and it would be easy to give the wrong name.

A newspaper find from the Alexandria Times-Tribune of November 4, 1924 also adds some interesting information.

Alexandria (IN) Times-Tribune, November 4, 1924, page 1

ATTEND FUNERAL OF COUSIN AT GERMANTOWN 

Charles Lambertson and Mr. and Mrs. Bert Lambertson were at Germantown, Ohio, Sunday to attend the funeral of the Messrs. Lambertson's cousin, the late Charles Martin.

Charles Lambertson was my 2nd-great grandfather, and Bert was his brother.  They are both the children of Carey and Clara (Cook) Lambertson.  Until this find, I was not aware of any cousins with the last name Martin on the Lambertson side, so this clue might lead to a cousin on his mother's side.  Germantown is in Montgomery County, Ohio another known location of Lambertson relatives as well.

A search of FamilySearch.org for the death record of a Charles Martin that would fit the search criteria found the following record:

"Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X696-RXQ : accessed 2 August 2015), Chas A Martin, 31 Oct 1924; citing Germantown, Montgomery, Ohio, reference fn 56258; FHL microfilm 1,992,606.

Charles A. Martin died October 31, 1924 in Germantown, Montgomery County, Ohio of pulmonary tuberculosis.  He was the son of Francis M. Martin and Laura Cook of Astoria, Butler County, Ohio.  

A search of the FindAGrave site led me to Charles Albert Martin's memorial page, with links to his parents memorials as well.  His father was Francis Marion Martin (1846-1910) and Laura Ann (Cook) Martin (1853-1904).  He also had a sister named Minnie L. Martin (1873-1932).

Laura's memorial page states that she was born February 1853 in Gratis, Preble County, Ohio and that her parents were James M. Cook (1812-1860) and Mary Jane Cook (1814-1891).

The James M Cook memorial page states that he was born November 13, 1812 in Virginia and died September 26, 1860 in Preble County, Ohio.

These clues line up with the family of James and Mary Cook found in the 1850 census of Preble County, Ohio.

In addition, a quick search of Ancestry.com Member Trees finds a couple of trees with this James M Cook, listed as James Madison Cook and his wife as Mary Harsbarger.  Could this be where Clara's parentage was garbled on her death certificate - Hirbarger from Harsbarger?  I think so.  James was born in the Shennandoah Valley of Virginia and died 1860 in Preble  County, Ohio.

I've located the family of James and Mary in the 1860 census of Lanier Township, Preble County, Ohio as James Cook, age 49 born in Virginia; Mary, aged 47 born in Virginia; Elizabeth, aged 22 born in Virginia; Thadius, aged 14 born in Ohio; Clarissy, aged 11 born in Ohio; Susan, aged 9 born in Ohio; Laura, aged 7 born in Ohio, Martha, aged 5 born in Ohio; and Henry, aged 3 born in Ohio.

This would tie the family groups from the 1850 and 1860 census together, and by the 1860 census we have Laura in the family who looks like a fit to be the one who married Francis Martin.  In addition, both of these records contain a Clara the right age to be my Clara in the right family group.  I'm pretty sure we have a match.

I've a lot more digging to see where the rest of these Cooks were in the ensuing years and possibly connect with folks researching the trees online, but I'm excited to be knocking down a brickwall.

If you have any additional information/corrections or are related to these families, I would love to hear from you.

Metzner Family Enjoys First Reunion in Many Years

Portland, Indiana Commercial Review, July 20, 1909, page 1

EIGHTY-SIX AT DINNER

Double Birthday at Westchester Attended by Crowd

Auto Bears Unusual Burden

Metzner Family Enjoys First Reunion in Many Years

Eighty-six person enjoyed the dinner spread on the wide porch and lawns of the Axe home at Westchester Sunday, for a reunion of members of the family.  The occasion celebrated the birthdays of Mrs. Catherine Metzner, 90 and Mrs. Amanda Axe, 28.  Mrs. Metzner has been in the country since 1835, when she came from Germany.

The day was enlivened by games and exchanges of reminiscences of childhood days.  In the afternoon, a memorable hour, for Grandma Metzner at least, was a short trip in George Maxwell's auto.  With him also rode the youngest attendant, the 14 months old baby of Irvin Metzner.

Those present were: Wesley Metzner and family, William Metzner and family, Mrs. George Stolz, Mrs. Mary Huey of Rome City, Mrs. Harry Green and family, Mrs. Lydia Smith and family, Irvin Metzner and family, Mrs. Amanda Axe, Mrs. Nora Bergman, Mrs. Gilbert Pierpont of Indianapolis, Jacob Haley and family, Geo. S. Haley and family, William Haley and family, Levi Patterson, Fred Martin, Jacob Haley, E.T. Haffner, Mrs. Philip Stolz, Wesley Metzner, Eli Via, William Axe of Michigan, all Haley, George Maxwell, Mrs. Nora accompanied by their families. [typesetting error : should read from Wesley Metzner, Eli Haley, George Maxwell, Mrs. Nora Via, William Axe of Michigan, all accompanied by their families]

There were present, four children, six granchildren and 15 great grandchildren, besides other relatives.

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Always wonderful to have these family reunions published in the papers, particularly the mention of the all of the names of the relatives.  The trick is seeing if I can identify each of these named individuals and how they are related to Grandma Catherine Metzner

Wesley Metzner and family - This is Wesley T. Metzner (1855-    ), her son.

William Metzner and family - This is William F. Metzner (1844-1929), her son.

Mrs. George Stolz - This is Catherine E. (Metzner) Stolz (1853-1943), her daughter.

Mrs. Mary Huey - This is Mary A. (Metzner) Huey (1862-1925), her daughter.

Mrs. Harry Green and family - This is Loetta J. (Metzner) Green, her granddaughter.  Loetta was the daughter of William F. and Mary A. (Haley) Metzner. 

Mrs. Lydia Smith and family - This is Lydia Ann (Metzner) Smith, her granddaughter.  Lydia was the daughter of William F. and Mary A. (Haley) Metzner.

Irvin Metzner and family - This is Irvin G. Metzner (1879-    ), her grandson.  Irvin was the son of William F. and Mary A. (Haley) Metzner.

Mrs. Amanda Axe - This is Amanda A. (Metzner) Axe, her granddaughter.  Amanda was the daughter of William F. and Mary A. (Haley) Metzner.

Mrs. Nora Bergman - This is Nora May (Stolz) Bergman, her granddaughter.  Nora was the daughter of George W. and Catherine E. (Metzner) Stolz.

Mrs. Gilbert Pierpont - This is Lena (Orcutt) Pierpont, her granddaughter.  Lena was the daughter of James and Samantha E. (Metzner) Orcutt.

I was able to identify the four children and the six grandchildren from the list of names.  The others mentioned include members of the intermarried Haley and Metzner families.

Postcard Friday : Two Little Ladies

New Corydon, Ind.

October 10, 1921 A.M.

Mrs. Clarence Stuber

Spencerville, Ohio

R.R. # 5

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This is Monday morn. I am feeling good again.  Hope you are the same.  Grandpa Martin is dead funeral tomorrow at 10 o'clock.  Are you coming out here at our house next Sunday.  We are looking for you.  So write and let me know for sure.  We were up home yesterday Mother is feeling better.  Mildred is all right.  She says tell them to come Sun.    Mary

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This postcard is part of the collection of my paternal great-uncle and aunt, Clarence and Vera (Haley) Stuber.  The postcard is from Vera's sister, Mary, and the Mildred mentioned is Mary's daughter.  Who is the Grandpa Martin?  Mary's husband was Galen Miller, perhaps he was from his side?  There was a George Martin, who died in 1921, from the area buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery.  Perhaps he was not a relative at all, but just someone whom everyone knew as 'Grandpa'.

Marriage License & Return : Archibald E. Chew to Clara I. Martin, 1909"

Source : Jay County, Indiana, Original Marriage License, "Archibald E. Chew to Clara Inetta Martin, 1909"; County Marriage Returns Collection; Jay County Historical Society, Portland, Indiana.

MARRIAGE LICENSE

State of Indiana, Jay County, SS:

To All Who Shall See These Presents, Greeting:

Know Ye, that any person empowered by Law to solemnize Marriages is hereby authorized to join together as Husband and Wife

Mr. Archibald A. Chew

and

Miss Clara Inetta Martin

and for so doing this shall be his sufficient authority.

In Testimony Whereof, I, Frank Gillespie Clerk of the Jay Circuit Court, hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court at Portland, this 27 day of October 1909

Frank Gillespie Clerk

Jay Circuit Court

State of Indiana, Jay County, SS:

This Certifies, that I joined in Marriage as Husband and Wife, Archibald E. Chew and Clara Inetta Martin on the 27th day of October 1909

J.L. Marvin, Pastor

Lutheran Church

C.A.W. Chew
Frederick Martin, Witnesses

Source : Jay County, Indiana, Original Marriage Return, "Archibald E. Chew to Clara Inetta Martin, 1909"; County Marriage Return Collection; Jay County Historical Society, Portland, Indiana.

INDIANA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH

Return of a Marriage to County Clerk

1. Full Name of GROOM Archibald E. Chew

2. Place of Residence Boyne City, Mich

3. Occupation Lumberman

4. Age Next Birthday 27 years.  Color White Race Caucasian

5. Place of Birth Salamonia, Ind. Nationality American

6. Fathers Name Charles A.W. Chew

7. Mother's Maiden Name Rebecca Shumaker

8. Number of Groom's Marriage One

9. Full Name of Bride Clara Inetta Martin

10. Place of Residence New Corydon, Ind. Occupation Housekeeper

11. Age next Birthday 23 years. Color White Race Caucasian

12. Place of Birth New Corydon, Ind. Nationality American

13. Father's Name Fred Martin

14. Mother's Maiden Name Anna Permila Fennig

15. Number of Bride's Marriage One

16. Married at New Corydon in the County of Jay and State of Indiana, the 27th day of October 1909.

Marriage solemnized by J.L. Marvin

Pastor New Corydon Lutheran Church

Dated at New Corydon, Ind. this 28th day of October 1909

This record of the marriage of Archibald E. Chew to Clara Inetta Martin was located at the Jay County Historical Society in Portland, Indiana.

Archibald was my paternal first cousin three times removed, the son of Charles Alexander West Chew and Rebecca F. Shumaker.  Before locating this record, I did not have any biographical data on Clara, and this is the last record researched so far for this couple.

Witnesses to the marriage were the fathers of the bride and groom.  Archibald's middle initial was incorrectly listed as "A" in the license.

Marriage License & Return: Walter C. Martin to Bertha E. Chew, 1907

Source: Jay County, Indiana, Original Marriage License, "Walter C. Martin to Bertha E. Chew, 1907"; County Marriage Returns Collection; Jay County Historical Society, Portland, Indiana.

MARRIAGE LICENSE

State of Indiana, Jay County, SS:

To any Person Empowered by Law to Solemnize Marriages, Greeting:

You are hereby authorized to join together as Husband and Wife:

Mr. Walter C. Martin

and

M Bertha E. Chew

according to the laws of the State of Indiana

In Testimony Whereof, I Francis L. Crowe Clerk of the Jay County Circuit Court, hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court, at my office in Portland, this 27 day of March  A.D. 1907

Francis L.Crowe Clerk

Jay C.C.

STATE OF INDIANA, JAY COUNTY, ss:

This Certifies, That I joined in Marriage as Husband and Wife, Walter C. Martin and Bertha E. Chew on the 27th day of March 1907

Rev. C.E. Line Minister

Source: Jay County, Indiana, Original Marriage Return, "Walter C. Martin to Bertha E. Chew, 1907"; County Marriage Returns Collection; Jay County Historical Society, Portland, Indiana.

INDIANA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH

Return of a Marriage to County Clerk

1. Full Name of GROOM Walter C. Martin

2. Place of Residence New Corydon

3. Occupation Laborer

4. Age next Birthday 25 years.  Color White Race Cau-

5. Place of Birth Iowa Nationality American

6. Father's Name Lansing Martin

7. Mother's Maiden Name Nancy Scholl

8. Number of Groom's Marriage First

9. Full name of BRIDE Bertha E. Chew

10. Place of Residence New Corydon

11. Age next Birthday 20 years. Color White Race Cau-

12. Place of Birth Indiana Nationality American

13. Father's Name Charles Chew

14. Mother's Maiden Name Rebecca F. Shoemaker

15. Number of Bride's Marriage First

16. Married at Portland, in the County of Jay and State of Indiana, the 27th day of March 1907

17. Witnesses to Marriage Mrs. C.E. Line & Ruth Line

Marriage solemnized by Rev. C.E. Line, Minister

Dated at Portland, this 27th day of March 1907

This record of the marriage of Walter C. Martin and Bertha E. Chew was found at the Jay County Historical Society in Portland, Indiana.

Bertha was my paternal first cousin three times removed, the daughter of Charles Alexander West CHEW and Rebecca F. SHUMAKER (Shoemaker).  Before locating this record, I did not have anything further than Bertha's date of birth in my files.

I do not know the denomination of the minister who performed the ceremony.

Henry Martin Buys LeMaster Grocery

Source: Portland, Indiana Commercial-Review, September 26, 1933, page 1.

Henry Martin Buys LeMaster Grocery

Henry Martin, former auditor of Jay county, has purchased the A.R. LeMaster grocery at the corner of North Meridian and Votaw streets and is now in charge.

Mr. Martin in an announcement today of the change in proprietors, states that he will maintain the high service and quality of the former owner.  The name of the place will be called "Martin's Market."

Mr. Martin is a native of Jay county and has a wide acquaintance as well as experience as he formerly conducted a store at New Corydon.

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The A.R. LeMaster was Arthur Raymond LeMaster (1885-1971), my paternal great-granduncle.

I knew that he operated a grocery but was unaware until finding this article where it was located exactly.  Now I need to dig into the directories to see if I  can locate any advertisements, etc.

Marriage Application : Archibald E. Chew (1909)

APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE - MALE

1. Full christian and surname of the man is Archibald E. Chew

2. Color white

3. Where born Salamonia, Ind.

4. When born 1883 - May 6

5. Present residence Boyne City, Mich.

6. Present occupation Lumberman

8. Is the male contracting party of nearer blood kin to the female contracting party than second cousin?  No

9. Full christian and surname of father C.A.W. Chew

10. His color white

11. His birthplace Marshall Co. Ind.

12. His occupation Farming

13. His residence New Corydon, Ind.

14. Full christian and maiden name of mother Rebecca F. Shoemaker

15. Her color white

16. Her occupation housework

17. Her birthplace Salamonia, Ind. Ohio

18. Her residence New Corydon, Ind.

19. Has the male contracting party been an inmate of any county asylum or home for indigent persons within the last five years? No

21. Is this his first marriage? Yes

26. Is the male contracting party afflicted with epilepsy, tuberculosis, venereal or any other contagious or transmissible disease? No

27. Is he an imbecile, feeble minded, idiotic or insane, or is he under guardianship as a person of unsound mind? No

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This application was signed by Archibald E. CHEW on October 27, 1909.  He was my paternal 1st cousin 3 times removed.  He married Clara I. MARTIN on October 27, 1909 in Jay County, Indiana.

Ancestry.com has record of the marriage license in their database as well.

This application for a marriage license was part of the collection found at the Jay County Historical Society.  The society has made copies of many of the marriage application books, making research easier on days when the courthouse is closed.

Christ the Lord is born today

Miss Vera Haley
Portland, Ind. R.R. # 9


Wishing you a happy Xmas and a happy New Year


Ethel Martin


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This postcard, unmarked, was sent to my paternal great-aunt, Vera HALEY by Ethel MARTIN.

Family Milestones: September 20th

My paternal 4th-great grandaunt, Anne WOOLSTON, married on this date in 1817 in Burlington County, New Jersey to Joshua WOOLSTON.  Anne was the daughter of Samuel and Hannah (HAINES) WOOLSTON, and the older sister of my Rachel WOOLSTON.  I do not yet know the parentage of Joshua WOOLSTON.  Joshua was born circa 1797 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Anne was born March 16, 1797 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  They had 5 children.  I do not have Anne's date of death. Joshua died in 1860 in Burlington County, New Jersey.


My maternal 5th-great grandmother, Elizabeth RAINS, was born on this date in 1789.  Elizabeth was the daughter of Anthony and Nancy (GRAHAM) RAINS.  Elizabeth married October 15, 1807 in Randolph County, North Carolina to John W. POE.  John's parentage is unknown.  John was born 1781 in North Carolina. They moved to Morgan County, Indiana before 1850.  Elizabeth died in Morgan County, Indiana.  John died after September 17, 1850 in Morgan County, Indiana.


My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Mary NESBIT, was born on this date in 1779 in Virginia.  Mary was the daughter of Samuel and Mary (BERRY) NESBIT, and the younger sister of my Elizabeth NESBIT.  Mary married Alexander MARTIN on April 23, 1805.  Mary died in 1852.  Nothing further is known at this time.


My maternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Nancy Ann WRIGHT, was born on this date in 1840 in Brown County, Ohio.  Nancy was the daughter of John and Anna (WARDLOW) WRIGHT, and the younger sister of my Joseph W. WRIGHT.  Nancy married August 12, 1860 in Brown County, Ohio to Levi WARDLOW, son of Arana "Rainey" and Adelina D. (DENNIS) WARDLOW.  Levi was born April 7, 1839 in Ohio.  They had 7 children and lived in Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio.  Levi died December 29, 1926 in Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio.  Nancy died July 17, 1912 in Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio. Both are buried in the Wardlow Cemetery # 2, Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio.

Family Milestones: April 23rd

My maternal 4th-great grandmother, Anna WARDLOW, was born on this date in 1816 in Brown County, Ohio.  Anna was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (NESBIT) WARDLAW.  Anna married September 9, 1834 in Brown County, Ohio to John WRIGHT.  John was the son of George and Elizabeth (ROBINS) WRIGHT.  John was born November 4, 1814 in Pleasant Township, Brown County, Ohio.  They had 6 children and lived out their lives in Brown County, Ohio.  John died June 10, 1890 in Brown County, Ohio.  Anna died October 4, 1893 in Brown County, Ohio.

My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Mary NESBIT, married on this date in 1805 to Alexander MARTIN.  Mary was the daughter of Samuel and Mary (BERRY) NESBIT, and the younger sister of my Elizabeth NESBIT.  I do not have dates of birth or death, nor parentage for Alexander.  Mary was born September 20, 1779 in Virginia.  Mary died in 1852.  Nothing further is known at this time.

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Stivers Update

Jim Ed Prow of Hendricksville contacted me about the Stivers family, as he's looking for updates and photographs. His grandmother Roxie Stivers was a sister to Daniel Stivers who married Dealie Davis. Dealie was the sister of my 2nd-great grandmother, Ida Davis. Hopefully, we can share some information and expand my knowledge of this family.

Daniel Stivers' parents were John W. and Eliza Jane (Martin) Stivers, according to Jim Ed.