Pierpont Family in Indianapolis

In beginning to find out more about the early days of Harry PIERPONT, I've been trying to find out when exactly the family moved from Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana to Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.  

Harry (b. 1902) was born in Muncie, and I believe that younger brother Fred (b. 1906) was as well.  The Delaware County, Indiana GenWeb page lists vital records of the county showing a male born to Gilbert and Lena (ORCUTT) PIERPONT on July 5, 1906 in Delaware County.  This should be Fred, so that places the family still in Muncie by mid-1906.  Need a research trip to Muncie to obtain the copy of Fern, Harry and Fred's birth certificates.

Polk's Indianapolis City Directory, 1911

While searching for details on the PIERPONT family's life in Indianapolis, I came across this entry for the family in Polk's 1911 Directory of the city located at Archive.org  Here I find the family listed as follows:

Pierpont  Gilbert J. lab, h 1234 Lee

[From directory index : lab = laborer; h = house] 

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Other PIERPONTS listed in the same 1911 directory include:

Pierpont Clarence M, lab, 1011 S Harding

Pierpont Ezra, lab, b 1141 McLain

Pierpont John E, woodwkr, h 615 Warren av.

Pierpont John T, lab, h 1141 McLain 

Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

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In the 1910 census, the Gilbert PIERPONT family was listed at 1145 McLain Street, just 4 doors down from John T. PIERPONT at 1141 McLain Street.  Gilbert was listed as a woodworker in a carriage factory.

The John T. PIERPONT who lived at 1141 McLain in the 1910 census was the father of Joseph Gilbert PIERPONT.  He and his wife, Hettie, were both born in Kentucky, and were parents of 7 children, all of whom were living.  In 1910, those living with them included son Ezra, age 19; son Frank, age 17; and daughter Edith, age 12.

In the 1900 census, the John T. PIERPONT family was in Center Township, Delaware County, Indiana.  He and his wife, Hester A., were both born in Kentucky, and were the parents of 8 children, 7 of whom were living.  In 1900, those living with them included daughter Birthey L., age 22; son Edward L., age 15; son John E., age 12; son Martin E., age 9; son Francis H., age 7; and daughter Eadith H, age 4.

Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

The family was living at 244 Hoyt Avenue in Muncie, Indiana:

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I've not yet been able to pinpoint exactly when the families made the move to Indianapolis, but I did some entries in city directories worthy of further study.

Polk's 1904 Indianapolis City Directory

In the 1904 directory, there is only one PIERPONT listed, a Wm E., grocer at 339 Indiana avenue, who has a home at 417 N. Senate Avenue.  I do not know of any relationship yet to Harry's family.  Unfortunately, this 1904 directory was the only one I've found yet between the time period of Fred's birth and the 1910 census.  Will have to look for them on-site at a library.

Was Harry's Relationship Ever Mentioned?

Relationship Chart created with RootsMagic 3.2.6

One of the curiosities in my mind regarding how Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934) was connected with my family, was whether or not it was ever mentioned by family members how closely they were related when his name was in the papers.

They may not have followed his early criminal career as much, but by the time of the breakout from Michigan City and the Dillinger breakout, Harry was front page news.  Reading the papers from that era, it was a near daily experience to have Harry's name mentioned in the newspaper.

How much contact grandma Ruth (Haley) LeMaster (1911-1990) and her sisters had with Harry when he was growing up is unknown.  Aunt Carrie would be more Harry's age.  Was there ever a family reunion of the METZNER clan where Harry and my grandmother met?  Harry's was born in Muncie and grew up in Indianapolis, but it wouldn't be too far outside the realm of possibility that there may have been some family contact.  In my life, I don't have much contact with my second cousins as I did when growing up, but I do have vague notions of where there are now.  Perhaps grandma and Harry were the same.


In recent discussion with my dad, aunt Carrie had mentioned there was some connection with Dillinger, and uncle Waymon was fearful of the gang.  Of course, those with first hand knowledge are gone now. Will have to see what else I can learn at the next family reunion.

Bad Boys Bring Out The Best

Writing this blog has been beneficial to my research for a number of reasons, the least of which is all of the contacts with fellow researchers and relatives.  It's so nice to know that someone actually reads this blog, and even better when they have information to share.


Recently, my articles on my bad-boy cousin Harry PIERPONT have proven to be successful in eliciting responses.  I've been contacted by a cousin researching the ORCUTT line (Harry's maternal line) as well as a relative of a member of the jury during Harry's trial for the Kokomo, Indiana bank robbery.  This person even provided me with a scan of a letter that Harry wrote his great-grandfather when he was seeking parole. How cool is that?


As I digest this information, I fully intend to write more posts about my ne'er do well cousin and his connection to my family.

Black Sheep Sunday: Harry Pierpont

Mug shot of Harry Pierpont

Last week, after watching Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp as John Dillinger, I turned to Wikipedia and began reading about the lives of John Dillinger and other members of his gang.


When I read the entry for Harry Pierpont, I can across this line which made me stop in my tracks:

"Born in Muncie, Indiana, to J. Gilbert and Lena Orcutt Pierpont..."

Orcutt....Orcutt...why did that name sound so familiar?  Turning to my database, I quickly found my answer.  My paternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Samantha E. METZNER had married James ORCUTT on May 12, 1878 in Jay County, Indiana.  Jay County is just north of Muncie.  Could there be a connection?


Thus began my search of Google and other sources.  I quickly found the website OutlawHistory.com which had a lot of information on Harry's criminal history and his family tree.  Turns out his mother, Lena, was the daughter of James and Samantha!  Harry was my paternal 2nd cousin 2 times removed.  Harry's grandmother, Samantha, had died when his mother, Lena, was only 7.  James ORCUTT remarried and moved to Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana.


My grandmother would have been Harry's 2nd cousin, and I wonder if she knew they were related when she read about his exploits in the headlines.


The Dillinger era in Indiana was a wild and tumultuous time.  Reading the activities of the "Terror Gang" is fascinating.  The times were much as they are today - the populace not trusting the banks, etc.  The fact that Harry robbed banks in my neck of the woods makes me want to dig deeper into the history of this time period in the midwest.


I've spent much of the last week scouring the newspaper articles at Ancestry.com and surfing the web reading about the criminal acts of my cousin and other members of his gang.  Though the portrayals in the movie Public Enemies took liberties with history - Harry Pierpont did break out of the Indiana State Prison at Michigan City and then busted his pal John Dillinger out of the Allen County, Ohio jail in Lima.  It was during this breakout that Harry shot and killed the sheriff.  It was this crime that he was ultimately executed for by the State of Ohio.


Harry died October 17, 1934 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio by legal electrocution.  A copy of his death certificate was found at the FamilySearch website:

Harry was buried at the Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, next to his older sister, Fern.  Later his mother, Lena, was buried there as well.

As I piece together the rest of the story, I hope to connect with others who may be related to this family and may have more stories to tell.


Black Sheep Sunday – create a post with the main focus being an ancestor with a “shaded past.” Bring out your ne’er-do-wells, your cads, your black widows, your horse thieves and tell their stories. And don’t forget to check out the International Black Sheep Society of Genealogists (IBSSG). This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Family Milestones: July 3rd

My maternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Maximelia WRIGHT, married on this date in 1866 in Brown County, Ohio to William L. WARDLOW, son of Henry and Mary L. (PURDUM) WARDLOW.  Maximelia was the daughter of John and Anna (WARDLOW) WRIGHT, and the younger sister of my John WRIGHT.  Maximelia was born circa 1846 in Ohio.  William was born October 26, 1837 in Brown County, Ohio.  They had at least one son.  William died August 22, 1904.  Maximelia died May 23, 1908.

My maternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Samantha E. METZNER, was born on this date in 1857 in Jay County, Indiana.  Samantha was the daughter of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER, and the younger sister of my John Adam METZNER.  Samantha married May 12, 1878 in Jay County, Indiana to James ORCUTT.  James was born circa 1856 in Indiana.  They had at least one daughter.  Nothing further is known at this time.

Family Milestones: May 12th

My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Elizabeth PUTMAN, married on this date in 1841 in Monroe County, Indiana to Calvin PERCEFIELD.  Elizabeth was the daughter of James and Elizabeth (KENDRICK) PUTMAN, and the younger sister of my Mary (Polly) PUTMAN.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My paternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Samantha E. METZNER, married on this date in 1878 in Jay County, Indiana to James ORCUTT.  Samantha was the daughter of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER, and the younger sister of my John Adam METZNER.  Samantha was born July 3, 1857 in Jay County, Indiana.  James was born circa 1856 in Indiana.  They had at least 1 daughter.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 5th-great granduncle, John HECK, married on this date in 1808 in Bracken County, Kentucky, to Catherine KIMMER.  John was the son of Daniel and Catherine (________) HECK, and the younger brother of my Godfrey HECK. Catherine was the daughter of Nicholas and Sarah (FAYLER) KIMMER, and the younger sister of my Elizabeth KIMMER. They had 6 childen.  John died in 1822 in Bracken County, Kentucky.  Catherine died in 1872 in Fayette County, Indiana.

My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Catherine WRIGHT, was born on this date in 1789. Catherine was the daughter of John and Sarah (FLEMING) WRIGHT, and the younger sister of my George WRIGHT.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 4th-great granduncle, Henry WARDLAW, was born on this date in 1812 in Brown County, Ohio.  Henry was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (NESBIT) WARDLAW, and the older brother of my Anna WARDLOW.  Henry married December 1, 1836 in Brown County, Ohio to Mary L. PURDUM.  Mary was born circa 1817 in Ohio.  They had 7 children.  Mary died after the 1860 census of Brown County, Ohio.  Henry died April 1, 1886 in Brown County, Ohio.

Tombstone Tuesday: John and Catherine (Young) Metzner

My paternal 3rd-great grandparents, John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER, are buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.

John was born October 2, 1805 in Saxony, the son of Jasper and Hannah (REISENBURG) METZNER.

Catherine was born July 18, 1819 in France, the daughter of Nicholas and Salome (________) YOUNG.

John and Catherine were married on November 4, 1839 in Newark, Licking County, Ohio. John and his family had emigrated to the United States in 1838. I do not know when the Young family emigrated from Alsace to the United States.

John and Catherine lived out their lives in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana where John farmed. They moved there from Licking County, Ohio circa 1850.

John died on January 10, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana and Catherine followed him on June 22, 1910 in Jay County.

Children of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER are:

• John Adam METZNER (1840-1895); married Clara MOULTON; 4 children
• Henry METZNER (1842-1842)
• William F. METZNER (1844-1929); married Mary Ann HALEY; 8 children
• George W. METZNER (1847-1869); married Elizabeth ________
• Louis Napoleon METZNER (1848-1900); married Henrietta WEAVER; 4 children
• Caroline H. METZNER (1852-aft1880); married James W. HUSTON; 1 child
• Catherine E. METZNER (1853-1943); married George STOLZ; 1 child
• Wesley T. METZNER (1855-aft1930); married Mary Emma ROSER; 4 children
• Samantha E. METZNER (1857-aft1880); married James ORCUTT; 1 child
• Martha J. METZNER (1859-1861)
• Mary A. METZNER (1862-aft1920); married Harvey A. HUEY
  

John Metzner household - Jay Co., IN

The John METZNER household was enumerated in Noble Twp., Jay Co., IN in the 1860 & 1870 census. John was my maternal 3rd-great grandfather. In both records, they were living in the jurisdiction of the Hector post office.

John was a 53 year old farmer, born in Saxony, in the 1860 census. His real estate was valued at $1500, and his personal estate was valued at $400. His wife, Catharine, was keeping house, aged 40 and born in France. Their children listed were William, aged 16; George, aged 13; Lewis, aged 11; Caroline H., aged 9; Catherine E., aged 6; Wesley T., aged 4; Samantha, aged 2; and Martha J., aged 6 months.

John was listed in 1870 as a 62 year old farmer, born in Saxony, with a real estate valued at $3000 and a personal estate valued at $600. Though foreign born, he was a U.S. citizen. His wife, Catharine, was listed as aged 50 years old, born in France. Catharine's mother, Salome, was also living with the family. The census taker listed her name as Solama - aged 77, born in France. The children of John & Catharine living with them in 1870 were : Catherine, aged 16; Wesley D., aged 14; Amanda, aged 12; and Mary, aged 8.

John METZNER b. October 2, 1805 Saxony, d. January 10, 1888 Jay Co., IN., m. November 4, 1839 Newark, Licking Co., OH to Catherine YOUNG, daughter of Nicholas and Salome (________) YOUNG. Catherine b. July 18, 1819 France, d. June 22, 1910 Jay Co., IN.
Children of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER are as follows :
i. John Adam METZNER b. August 23, 1840 Licking Co., OH., d. December 4, 1895 Jay Co., IN., m. Clara MOULTON.
ii. Henry METZNER b. November 3, 1842 Licking Co., OH., d. 1842 Licking Co., OH.
iii. William F. METZNER b. January 6, 1844 Licking Co., OH., d. 1929, m. Mary Ann HALEY
iv. George W. METZNER b. July 6, 1847 Licking Co., OH., d. May 16, 1869, m. Elizabeth ________.
v. Louis Napoleon METZNER b. November 3, 1848 Licking Co., OH., d. July 3, 1900 Jay Co., IN., m. Henrietta WEAVER.
vi. Caroline H. METZNER b. March 1, 1852 Jay Co., IN, d. after 1880 census, m. James W. HUSTON.
vii. Catherine E. METZNER b. October 2, 1853 Jay Co., IN., d. 1943 Jay Co., IN., m. George W. STOLZ.
viii. Wesley T. METZNER b. November 9, 1855 Jay Co., IN., d. after 1930 census, m. Mary Emma ROSER.
ix. Samantha E. METZNER b. ca. 1856 Jay Co., IN., d. after 1880 census, m. James ORCUTT.
x. Martha J. METZNER b. December 26, 1859 Jay Co., IN., d. December 3, 1861 Jay Co., IN.
xi. Mary A. METZNER b. March 24, 1862 Jay Co., IN., d. after 1920 census, m. Harvey A. HUEY.