Exploratory Data Analysis: John William Wright (1860-1945)

John William Wright (1860-1945) was my maternal 2nd-great grandfather.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the information I have collected about him.

1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          John was born February 21, 1860 in Brown County, Ohio¹.

          The State of Ohio did not require birth certificates until 1867.
          

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               I have not been able to locate any contemporary newspaper accounts of John's birth.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible record of the Wright family.  My understanding of family lore was that the John Wright family Bible was purposely destroyed by a daughter-in-law.

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

               I am not aware of any baptismal records for John at this time.  The  Wright's were associated with of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Alexandria, but I do not know of their church affiliation in Brown County, Ohio.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that John was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage license

          John married on May 13, 1888 in Madison County, Indiana to Ellen King^1,2.  I didn't realize that I don't have a copy of their marriage license from Madison County.  Will add that to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          John married on May 13, 1922 in Madison County, Indiana to Margaret (Lewis) Willetts.  This marriage was the subject of a previous post.  Need to work through my notes and source this information in my database.

          1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaper

               Will need to search out contemporary newspapers to see if their nuptials were mentioned.

          1.2.2. Anniversary notice

               John and Ellen's 25th wedding anniversary would have been May 13, 1913.  Need to search the local newspapers to see mention was made.

          1.2.3. Divorce decree

               Need to search court records in Madison County, Indiana for a divorce decree for John and second wife.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          John died June 5, 1945 in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana¹.  Need to obtain a copy of his death certificate from the Madison County Health Department.

          1.3.1. Obituary in newspaper

               John's obituary appeared in the June 6, 1945 edition of the Alexandria Times Tribune in Alexandria, Indiana¹.

               I need to search other local area newspapers to see if his death was mentioned as well.

          1.3.2. Funeral home records

               According to his obituary, the funeral was handled by the Robert C. Gipe funeral home in Alexandria.  Need to check with the local historical society to see if they have any records.

          1.3.3. Tombstone photograph

               John's tombstone in the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Alexandria, Indiana has been photographed.  The tombstone lists him as "John Wright 1860-1945"³.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1930 Federal Census

               On April 15, 1930, John was enumerated as head of household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana⁴, as John Wright, age 68, widowed, white male farmer.  He was born in Ohio and his parents were born in Ohio.  He owned his own home, owned a radio and could read and write and speak English.

          2.1.2. 1920 Federal Census

               On January 15, 1920, John was enumerated as head of household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana⁵, as John W. Wright, age 59, widowed, farmer.  He owned his home free of mortgage.  He was born in Ohio, as were both of his parents.  He could read and write and speak English.

          2.1.3. 1910 Federal Census

               On May 5, 1910, John was enumerated as head of household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana⁶, as John W. Wright, age 50, married, farmer.  He had been married for 23 years and was born in Ohio, as were both parents.  He owned his own home free of mortgage.  He could read and write and speak English.

          2.1.4. 1900 Federal Census

               On June 27, 1900, John was enumerated as head of household in Monore Township, Madison County, Indiana⁷, as John W. Wright, age 40, born February 1860, married, farmer.  He had been married for 14 years.  He was born in Ohio, as were both parents.  He owned his own home free of mortgage.  He could read and write and speak English.

          2.1.5. 1880 Federal Census

               On June 18, 1880, John was enumerated in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana⁸, in the Joseph Wright household as John Wright, single, age 20, works on the farm.  He had attended school within the year.  He was listed as being born in Indiana, with both of his parents born in Ohio.

          2.1.6. 1870 Federal Census

               On September 13, 1870, John was enumerated in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana⁹, in the Joseph Wright household as John Wright, age 10, single.  He was born in Ohio and had attended school within the year.

          2.1.7. 1860 Federal Census

               On June 28, 1860, John was enumerated in Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio¹⁰, in the Joseph Wright household as John Wright, age 3 months, born in Ohio.

     2.2. State Census Records

          The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1931.  These, however, were merely for the purposes of determining legislative apportionment.

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what information might be shed on the Wright family farm.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          John was too old to be included in the draft for World War I or II.  He would have been subject to draft for Spanish-American war.

     3.2. Pension Records

          Not applicable, as I have found no records to indicate that John served in the military.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable, as I have found no records to indicate that John served in the military.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Madison County, Indiana.  All evidence indicates that John's entire adult life was spent in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Madison County published a plat map in 1880, 1891, 1893, 1901, 1910, 1915, 1921, 1923, 1931, and 1940 that may be relevant to my search for John and the Wright family.

5. Supplemental Records

          Supplemental records available to research for John include county/city directories, court records and will and probate records.  Will add these to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip in Madison County.

          In 1931, John's residence was listed as Rural Route 6 Alexandria¹¹.

          In 1932, John's residence was listed as Wm Cochran rd¹².  The same residence was given in 1934¹³, 1935¹⁴ and 1938¹⁵.



Sources:

1. John W. Wright obituary, Alexandria Times Tribune, Alexandria, Indiana, USA, June 6, 1945.
2. Freeman, Sandra, "John William Wright - Ellen King family group sheet", compiled [n.d.].  Notes say information compiled from Zelma Cooper and Gloria LeMaster.
3. I.O.O.F. Cemetery (Alexandria, Indiana), John Wright marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster.
4. John Wright household, 1930 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 48-46, SD 5, sheet 11A, dwelling 246, family 258; National Archives micropublication T626, roll 605.
5. John W. Wright household, 1920 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 122, SD 8, sheet 4A, dwelling 81, family 81; National Archives micropublication T625, roll 449.
6. John W. Wright household, 1910 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 17, SD 8, sheet 11B, dwelling 259, family 259; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 364.
7. John W. Wright household, 1900 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 96, SD 8, sheet 21B, dwelling 398, family 432; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 386.
8. Joseph Wright household, 1880 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 21, SD 3, page 39, dwelling 329, family 330; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 293.
9. Joseph Wright household, 1870 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, Alexandria P.O., page 38, dwelling 275, family 270; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 336.
10. Joseph Wright household, 1860 U.S. census, population schedule, Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio, Sardinia P.O., dwelling 360, family 360; National Archives micropublication M653, roll 938. 
11. Bell Telephone Directory for Alexandria, Ind.(Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Bell Telephone Company, April 1931), page 12.
12. Alexandria Telephone Directory(Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Bell Telephone Company, April 1932), page 10.
13. Alexandria Telephone Directory(Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Bell Telephone Company, August 1934), page 8.
14. Alexandria Telephone Directory(Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Bell Telephone Company, November 1935), page 8.
15. Alexandria Telephone Directory(Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Bell Telephone Company, 1938), page 12.


This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions drawn in this article are welcomed.

On This Day : October 13

1677 - Joseph WILLETTS born in Hempstead, Nassau, Long Island.  Joseph was my 9x-great grandfather.

1694 - Eva PIERCE born.  Eva was the daughter of William PIERCE and Abigail WARRIN.

1742 - Samuel MAXSON married Ruth ROGERS.  Samuel was the son of Jonathan MAXSON and Content ROGERS.

1757 - Anthony RAINS born in Caroline County, Virginia.  Anthony was my 6x-great grandfather.

1777 - Jonathan R. DAVIS married Elizabeth COVEY.  Jonathan was the son of John DAVIS and Bethia ROGERS.

1793 - Elizabeth DIXON died.  Elizabeth was the daughter of John ALLEN and Amy COX.

1793 - Nathaniel HAWORTH born in Greene County, Tennessee.  Nathaniel was the son of Absalom HAWORTH and Mary WEST.

1804 - Abigail SUMNER born in Stokes County, North Carolina.  Abigail was the daughter of Thomas SUMNER and Hannah HIATT.

1809 - Martha Hogg MIZE born in Kentucky.  Martha was the daughter of David MIZE and Hannah PETER.  Martha was Eileen's 4x-great grandmother.

1843 - Samuel WARDLAW born in Ohio.  Samuel was the son of Levi WARDLAW and Alba HALL.

1845 - Samuel James HODGKINS died in Brown County, Ohio.  Samuel was the son of James HODGKINS and Elizabeth EVANS.

1858 - Samuel BOND died.  Samuel was the son of Samuel BOND and Elizabeth BEALS.

1872 - Martha Julesa LeMASTERS married William Wade LOOFBOURROW in Jay County, Indiana.  Martha was the daughter of Luman Walker LEMASTERS and Nancy YOUNG.

1876 - Elbert Riley SWAFFORD born in Ray County, Missouri.  Elbert was the son of Samuel Richard SWAFFORD and Susan Isabell McGAUGH.

1882 - Mary J. SWAFFORD married Walker NELSON in Bradley County, Tennessee.  Mary was the daughter of Aaron SWAFFORD and Sarah SWAFFORD.

1897 - Emma C. WHITE married Charles W. HELMS.  Emma was the daughter of Thomas WHITE and Rebecca Ann MATTHEWS.

1902 - Harry L. PIERPONT born in Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana.  Harry was the son of Joseph Gilbert PIERPONT and Lena Leato ORCUTT.

1903 - Ora DEMPSEY born in Indiana.  Ora was the son of Daniel Andrew DEMPSEY and Nancy CHIVLARE.

1909 - Mary Olive LeMASTER born in Jay County, Indiana.  Mary was the daughter of Luman Cooper LeMASTERS and Barbara Isabel WEHRLY.

1920 - John Harlan PEFLEY died in Anaheim, California.  John was the son of Solomon PEFLEY and Frances ROOF.

1967 - Frances E. SEXTON died in Tuscumbi, Alabama.  Frances was the daughter of James WRIGHT and Clara B. HICKS.

The Second Mrs. Wright

I thought I pretty much knew everything there was to know about my maternal 2nd-great grandfather, John William WRIGHT, after all these years of working on genealogy.  I had his parents, his dates of birth and death, tombstone photos, census records, etc.  I had a pretty good picture of his life and where he was living during his adult life.

John was widowed in 1913 when my 2nd-great grandmother, Ellen (KING) WRIGHT passed away.  John himself lived on until 1945.  I found him living in the same location: Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, exactly where I thought he would be in both the 1920 and the 1930 census as well as various phone books and directories up until his death.

Imagine my surprise when doing a cursory search at the Family Search pilot which seemed to indicate a heretofore unknown second marriage for John in 1922.  I was searching using his parents, Joseph WRIGHT and Rebecca HEATON, hoping that I might find other records on brothers and sisters, etc.  The record that came back showed a marriage between John W. WRIGHT and Margaret L. WILLETTS on May 13, 1922.  This John was the son of Joseph and Rebecca (HEATON) WRIGHT, so it appeared to be the right person.  The county was not given by the record, only a filmstrip number.

I called Central Records at the Madison County courthouse the next day and asked if they had a record of a marriage in 1922 between John W. WRIGHT and Margaret L. WILLETTS.  They were able to locate the record, and I made arrangements to pick it up.  

Application is hereby made for a license for the marriage of John W. Wright to Margaret L. Willetts

Male

1. The full christian and surname of the man is John W. Wright

2. Color White

3. Where born Brown Co., O [Brown County, Ohio]

4. When born Feb 23 - 62 [February 23, 1862]

5. Present residence Alex Ind [Alexandria, Indiana]

6. Present occupation Farmer

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

9. Full christian name of father Joseph Wright

10. His color White

11. His birthplace Brown Co., O [Brown County, Ohio]

12. His occupation Dead

13. His residence Dead

14. Full christian and maiden name of mother Rebecca Heaton

15. Her color White

16. Her occupation Dead

17. Her birthplace Brown Co., O [Brown County, Ohio]

18. Her residence ditto

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? No

22. If not, how often has he been married? Once

23. Has such prior marriage, or marriages, been dissolved? Death

25. When? 1913

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

Female

1. The full christian and surname of the woman is Margaret L. Willetts

2. Color White

3. Where born Pittsburg, Pa [Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]

4. When born Aug 19 - 72 [August 19, 1872]

5. Present residence Anderson, Ind.

6. Present occupation H Keeper [house keeper]

7. Full christian and surname of father James Lewis

8. His color White

9. His birthplace England

10. His occupation Rld [Railroad?]

11. His residence Pitts Pa [Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]

12. Full christian and maiden name of mother Margaret Powell

13. Her color White

14. Her occupation H Keeper [house keeper]

15. Her birthplace England

16. Her residence Pitts Pa [Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]

17. Has the female contracting party been an inmate of any county asylum or home for indigent persons with the last five years? No

18. Is this her first marriage? No

19. If not, how often has she been marriage? Once

20. Has such prior marriage, or marriages, been dissolved? Death

21. When? 1918

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

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

This is definitely my 2nd-great grandfather, getting remarried on May 13, 1922.  Interestingly, his first marriage also took place on May 13th in 1886.  

By the 1930 census, John was living with his youngest son, and was listed as a widower.  His obituary in 1945 does not mention this marriage at all.  

I've done a quick search in trying to locate Margaret in the 1920 census and in the 1930 census, without success.  Did she die between 1922 and 1930, or did they later divorce?  Will have to check out Madison County records for a divorce.  A quick search of the obituary and cemetery databases at the Anderson library do not show a Margaret WRIGHT dying during that time period in Madison County.

Just when you think you know everything there is to know about someone, a new mystery develops.