The Wesley T. METZNER household appears in the 1900, 1910 & 1930 census of Wayne Twp., Jay Co., IN. Wesley was my paternal 2nd-great granduncle, the son of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER.
In the 1900 census, Wesley was a 45 year old Farmer, who had been married for 15 years. His father was born in Germany and his mother in France. Wesley owned his home free of mortgage. Wife Mary was aged 37, born in Indiana with both parents being born in Pennsylvania. Mary was the mother of 3 children, all of whom were living. Daughter Ethel C. was aged 13; son Jay E. was aged 12; and daughter Mary Vada was aged 4.
In the 1910 census, Wesley was a 54 year old general contractor. Wife Mary E. was aged 47 and was now the mother of 4 children, all of whom were living. Only three were listed as living with the family : Ethel C. was aged 23, working as a telephone operator; Mary V. was aged 13 attending school; and daughter Mabel E. was 4 years old. I have not found a record of son, Jay E., who would be approx. 22 years old at the time of the 1910 census.
By the 1930 census, Wesley was a 74 year old widower, living alone, with no occupation. He owned a radio, and his home was valued at $1250.
I need to research the 1920 census to try and locate this family. Also, I have conflicting dates of birth for daughters Mabel E. & Mary Vada that don't reconcile with the census records.
Wesley T. METZNER b. November 9, 1855 Jay Co., IN., d. after 1930 census, m. November 15, 1885 Jay Co., IN to Mary Emma ROSER, daughter of Evan and Catherine (SPRECHER) ROSER. Mary Emma b. March 1863 Jay Co., IN., d. between 1920-1930 Jay Co., IN.
Known children of Wesley T. and Mary Emma (ROSER) METZNER are as follows :
i. Ethel C. METZNER b. August 12, 1886 Jay Co., IN., m. John C. McDANIEL
ii. Jay E. METZNER b. February 1888 Jay Co., IN.
iii. Mary Vada METZNER b. May 1896 Indiana
iv. Mabel E. METZNER b. ca. 1906 Indiana