Family Milestones: January 21st

My maternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Anna L. WRIGHT, was married on this date in 1885 in Madison County, Indiana to Albert Morris 'Ab' VINSON.  Anna was the daughter of Joseph W. and Rebecca Ann (HEATON) WRIGHT, and the younger sister of my John William WRIGHT.  Albert was born July 31, 1858 in Madison County, Indiana, the son of James and Elizabeth (________) VINSON.  Anna was born March 8, 1864 in Brown County, Ohio.  They had 1 daughter.  Anna died June 6, 1914 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.  Albert died October 26, 1921 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.

My maternal 2nd-great granduncle, James Alfred KING, was married on this date in 1899 to Rosie M. DILL.  James was the son of David and Elizabeth (KING) SHAW, and the older brother of my Ellen KING.  Rosie was born March 28, 1881 in Indiana.  James was born September 10, 1865 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana.  They had 4 children.  Rosie died June 29, 1940 in Bell, California.  James died June 10, 1933 in Bell, California.

My paternal 6th-great granduncle, Abner PHILBRICK, was born on this date in 1708 in Hampton, Province of New Hampshire.  Abner was the son of Thomas and Abigail (________) PHILBRICK, and the older brother of my John PHILBRICK.  Abner married on November 10, 1731 to Mehitable STEWART.  Mehitable was born in 1716.  Mehitable died in 1770.  Abner died May 2, 1790.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My paternal 5th-great grandaunt, Charlotte HAINES, was born on this date in 1768 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Charlotte was the daughter of Robert and Rachel (VENICOMB) HAINES, and the twin sister of my Hannah HAINES.  Charlotte married on February 13, 1798 in Burlington County, New Jersey to Michael WOOLSTON, son of Jacob and Sarah (GOSLING) WOOLSTON.  They had 4 children.  Michael died in 1817.  Charlotte died August 24, 1821 in Burlington County, New Jersey.

My paternal 5th-great grandmother, Hannah HAINES, was born on this date in 1768 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Hannah was the daughter of Robert and Rachel (VENICOMB) HAINES.  Hannah married on February 26, 1795 in Burlington County, New Jersey to Samuel WOOLSTON, son of Samuel and Cyllania (WOOLSTON) WOOLSTON.  Samuel was born August 22, 1768 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  They had 10 children.  Samuel died November 3, 1813 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Hannah died February 7, 1813 in Burlington County, New Jersey.

My paternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Julia MOULTON, was born on this date in 1818 in Rutland County, Vermont.  Julia was the daughter of Selah and Lydia (FENNEL) MOULTON, and the older sister of my Albert MOULTON.  Nothing further is known at this time.

Enjoying the sights in Portland, Ind. (1912)

This humorous postcard from 1912 was sent to my paternal granduncle, Clarence STUBER, by Lottie S., whom I believe was his sister.  Postmarked July 30, 1912 from Portland, Indiana.


This postcard was sent before Clarence was married to my grandaunt, Vera HALEY, daughter of Eli and Cora (METZNER) HALEY.

Transcription of the postcard:

Heloo:- How are you?  I am O.K.  Home after a five wks. bum in O[hio].  I was to the Haleys Sun.  Vera is O.K. And looking fine over her trip Ha! Ha!  Got a long letter from Spencerville the other day.   I am expecting to have a big time during the Jubillee.  Wish you could come.  As ever, Lottie S.

 July 30 1912  "Ans. Soon"  "No Bellfountaine news I guess"

The Vera referenced her is Clarence's future bride.  I do not know what the Jubillee references.  Bellfountaine is a small village in Jay County, Indiana.  I believe that the Haleys lived near there.

Clarence's address was 318 South Superior Street, Angola, Indiana.  Not sure why he was living in Angola.  Could he have been a student at Tri-State (now Trine University) College? 



Update (12/10/11): Yes, Clarence was a student at Tri-State College, per my father, who has some nice photographs and other items from Clarence's college days.

Family Milestones: January 20th

My paternal 6th-great grandaunt, Mabel HURLBUT, was married on this date in 1763 to Elijah BENEDICT.  Mabel was the daughter of Moses and Rebecca (WARNER) HURLBUT, and the older sister of my Israel HURLBUT.  Mabel was baptisted October 8, 1763 in Woodbury, Connecticut.  I do not know the dates of birth or parentage for Elijah.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My paternal 5th-great grandaunt, Maria SHIRK, was married on this date in 1780 to George FRANTZ.  Maria was the daughter of Ulrich and Anna (SCHWARR) SCHERCH, and the older sister of my David SHIRK.  Nothing further is known at this time.

(Not so) Wordless Wednesday: Ord Wehrly LeMaster

This photograph of my paternal grandfather, Ord Wehrly LeMaster, was apparently taken at a family reunion held at Haynes Park in Portland, Indiana in September 1966.

Source: LeMaster, Ord Wehrly. Photograph. ca. September 1966.  Digital image.  Privately held by Ord W. LeMaster, Alexandria, Indiana, 2010.

Tombstone Tuesday: Levi W. and Susanah (Coffman) Petry

My paternal 1st cousin 3 times removed, Levi W. PETRY and his wife Susanah (COFFMAN) PETRY, are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.


Levi was born November 2, 1844 in Preble County, Ohio, the son of Charles and Susannah (WEHRLY) PETRY.


Susanah was born December 1846 in Ohio, the daughter of John and Margaret (WEIMER) COFFMAN.


Levi and Susanah were married on January 13, 1867.  They lived in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana where Levi worked as a carpenter.  Much more research is needed to flesh out this family.



Levi died August 18, 1930 in Jay County, Indiana.  Susanah died August 26, 1928 in Jay County, Indiana.


Known children of Levi W. & Susanah (COFFMAN) PETRY are :

• Mary Estella PETRY (1867-1900)
• John Elmer PETRY (1869-1972)
• Lula Belle PETRY (1870-1939); married Daniel CORLE
• Jesse C. PETRY (1881-1958)
• Blanche D. PETRY (1885-     )
• Chauncey Orlo PETRY (1888-     )
• Charles Francis PETRY
• Daisey PETRY
• Gracie Chestina PETRY
• Harriett PETRY
• Sarah Agnes PETRY
• Susannah Getrude PETRY

Source: Salamonia Cemetery (Jay County, Indiana), Levi W. and Susannah Petry marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 26 March 2009

Found them in the City Directory

On my lunch hour I ran over to the Elwood Public Library and did some quick checking on my Lambertson line.  I wanted to see if I could find out when they came to the Elwood area.

My 3GGF, Carey W. LAMBERTSON, was enumerated in the 1900 census in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana.  By the 1910 census he was in the 2nd Ward of the City of Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  So at least I know that sometime between 1900-1910 he moved.

Didn't find exactly what I was looking for, but I did locate the 1916 Directory of Elwood published by the R.L. Polk Co. of Indianapolis, Indiana.  In that directory, both Carey and his son, Bert, are listed as living in Elwood

Lambertson Carey (Clara), h 1906 n F
Lambertson Bert S (Marie), laborer, h 615 n 18th

In a later directory, from 1924, published by Calkin-Kelly Directory Company of Binghampton, New York, I located my GGF, Clermon, and his brother:

Lambertson Clemon B (June K) cabtwkr h 1906 North F
Lambertson Orville E (Mary E) cabtwkr h 809 North 16th

My GGF, Clemon, worked for the Sellers Kitchen Cabinet Company in Elwood for many years until it closed.  Apparently, so did his brother, Orville.  Later in that same year, Orville and his wife were divorced.

This is just a start of some of the early directories that the library had.  I also need to dig into the collections at Ancestry.com to see what else I can find for the missing years.

Family Milestones: January 19th

My paternal 7th-great (and 8th-great) grandparents, John MAXSON and Judith CLARKE, were married on this date in 1687 in Westerly, Rhode Island.  John was the son of Rev. John and Mary (MOSHER) MAXSON.  Judith was the daughter of Joseph and Bethiah (HUBBARD) CLARKE.  John was born October 12, 1666 in Westerly, Rhode Island.  Judith was born October 12, 1667 in Newport, Rhode Island.  They had 10 children. John died October 28, 1748.  Judith died July 17, 1747 at Westerly, Rhode Island.

My paternal 3rd-great grandparents, Luman Walker LEMASTERS Sr. and Nancy YOUNG, were married on this date in 1832 in Shelby County, Ohio.  Luman was the son of Jacob and Hannah (________) LEMASTERS.  Nancy was the daughter of Phillip and Nancy Ann (McLANE) YOUNG.  Luman was born March 11, 1808 in Mason County, Virginia.  Nancy was born June 2, 1812 in Pickaway County, Ohio.  They raised 11 children in Shelby County, Ohio and Jay County, Indiana.  Luman died April 15, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana.  Nancy died August 26, 1904 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.

My paternal 5th-great granduncle, Nathan DAVIS, married on this date in 1761 to Ann GIFFORD.  Nathan was the son of Thomas William and Tacy (CRANDALL) DAVIS, and the younger brother of my Elisabeth DAVIS.  Nathan was born May 9, 1740 in Westerly, Rhode Island.  Ann was born January 17, 1742.  They had 14 children.  Ann died in 1820.  Nathan died before October 17, 1814 in Salem, Harrison County, Virginia.

Family Milestones: January 18th

My maternal 7th-great grandparents, Henry MILLS and Hannah THORNBURG, were married on this date in 1740 in Virginia.  Henry was the son of John and Rebecca (________) MILLS.  Hannah's parentage is unknown.  Henry was born 9th month 23rd day in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  Hannah was born in 1725.  They had 11 children.  Hannah died 3rd month 27th day in 1791, recorded at Deep River Monthly Meeting, Guilford County, North Carolina.  Henry died 10th month 10th day in 1810, recorded at Deep River Monthly Meeting, Guilford County, North Carolina.

My maternal 5th-great granduncle, Levi JACOBS, married on this date in 1828 in Brown County, Ohio to Mary Lou BEATY.  Levi was the son of  William and Sibell (LITTELL) JACOBS, and the younger brother of my James Thomas JACOBS.  Levi was born June 20, 1807 in Brown County, Ohio.  Mary was the daughter of David BEATY.  Levi died March 21, 1882 in Effingham County, Illinois.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 6th-great granduncle, Moses MENDENHALL, married on this date in 1764 at New Garden Monthly Meeting, Guilford County, North Carolina to Diannah RUDDUCK.  Moses was the son of Mordecai and Charity (BEESON) MENDENHALL, and the older brother of my Charity MENDENHALL.  Moses was born 5th month 13th day in 1743 recorded at New Garden Monthly Meeting, Guilford County, North Carolina. Diannah was the daughter of John and Jeanne (________) RUDDUCK.  They had 5 children.  Moses died 2nd month 10th day in 1835 recorded at Springfield Monthly Meeting, Guilford County, North Carolina.

Family Milestones: January 17th

My maternal 6th-great granduncle, Aaron MENDENHALL, married on this date in 1776 at Center Monthly Meeting in North Carolina to Miriam RICH.  Aaron was the son of Mordecai and Charity (BEESON) MENDENHALL, and the older brother of my Charity MENDENHALL.  Miriam was the daughter of John and Sarah (FRAZIER) RICH.  I do not have her dates of birth and death.  They were the parents of 8 children.  Aaron's death is recorded 12th month 26th day of 1793 at New Garden Monthly Meeting, Guilford County, North Carolina.  

My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Nancy CHEW, married on this date in 1830 to Joseph BISHOP.  Nancy was the daughter of Andrew and Anna Marie (BARTHUS) CHEW, and the younger sister of my Elizabeth CHEW.  Nancy was born in 1812.  Joseph was born in 1802.  They had at least 1 child.  Joseph died in 1889.  Nancy died August 23, 1892.  Nothing further is known.

My maternal 6th-great granduncle, Thomas MENDENHALL, married on this date in 1764 at New Garden Monthly Meeting in Guilford County, North Carolina to Phebe RUDDUCK.  Thomas was born 10th month 3rd day 1741 at New Garden Monthly Meeting,  the son of Mordecai and Charity (BEESON) MENDENHALL, and the older brother of my Charity MENDENHALL.  Phebe was the daughter of John and Jeane (________) RUDDUCK.  They had 9 children.  Thomas' death is recorded on 1st month 5th day of 1783 at Deep River Monthly Meeting, Guilford County, North Carolina.

My paternal 3rd-great grandfather, Ezekiel Cooper CHEW, was born on this date in 1822 in Gloucester County, New Jersey.  Ezekiel was the son of Rev. Nathaniel and Mary (WEST) CHEW.  Ezekiel married December 29, 1842 in New Jersey to Caroline Bishop WOOLSTON.  Caroline was born February 6, 1826 in Vincentown, Burlington County, New Jersey, the daughter of Abel B. and Rachel (WOOLSTON) WOOLSTON.  They had 14 children.  Caroline died February 27, 1879 in Rossburg, Darke County, Ohio.  Ezekiel married secondly between 1880 and 1882 to Mrs. Laura SKAGGS.  Laura was born circa 1822 in Ohio.  They had 1 son.  Laura died at Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.  Ezekiel married thirdly between 1883 and 1888 to Mary Jane (RIDDLE) ADAMS, the daughter of Wiley and Miranda M. (PRICE) RIDDLE.  Mary was born December 28, 1845 in St. Joseph County, Indiana.  They had 1 son.  Mary died in 1921.  Ezekiel died August 27, 1888 in St. Joseph County, Indiana.


My paternal 5th-great grandaunt, Sarah HAINES, was born on this date in 1782 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Sarah was the daughter of Robert and Rachel (VENICOMB) HAINES, and the younger sister of my Hannah HAINES.  Sarah died September 5, 1825 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Sarah Ann KING, was born on this date in 1864 in Madison County, Indiana.  Sarah was the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (SHAW) KING, and the older sister of my Elizabeth KING.  Sarah is believed to have died before the 1870 census.  Nothing further is known at this time.

John Adam Metzner (1840-1895)

John Adam METZNER (1840-1895) was my paternal 2nd-great grandfather.  The METZNER line has its origins in Saxony.  He went by his middle name of Adam in many records.


The following facts about Adam's life are known:

• Birth: He was born August 23, 1840 in Licking County, Ohio, the son of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER.
• Military: He served in Company G, 40th Ohio Infantry during the Civil War, later veteranized as the 51st Ohio Infantry.
• Marriage: He married Clara MOULTON on November 13, 1864 in Jay County, Indiana.
• Census: 1880 - He appears as head of household in Wayne Township, Jay County, Indiana
• Biography: 1887 - He is mentioned in the "Biographical and Historical Record of Jay County, Indiana" by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago
• Death: He died December 4, 1895 in Westchester, Jay County, Indiana.
• Burial: He is buried at the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana
• Obituary: His obituary appeared in the December 5, 1895 edition of the Portland Daily Commercial

The following facts need further research and/or documentation to complete my research:

• Census: Need to locate him in the 1850 census, should be in the John METZNER household in Jay County, Indiana.
• Census: Need to locate him in the 1860 census, should be in the John METZNER household in Jay County, Indiana.
• Census: Need to locate him in the 1870 census, should be head of household in Wayne or Noble Townships, Jay County, Indiana.
• Death: Need to obtain a copy of his death certificate from the Jay County, Indiana Health Department.

Ancestry of John Adam METZNER (1840-1895), Ahnentafel # 22 in my ancestry:


Ahnentafel # 44: John METZNER (1805-1888); Saxony>Jay Co, IN

Related blog posts: 

• Obituary: John Adam Metzner (1840-1895) 

• Marriage: John Adam Metzner to Clara Moulton 

• (Not so) Wordless Wednesday: Metzner Cabin 

• Wordless Wednesday: John Adam Metzner

• Today in my database: John Adam Metzner (b. August 23, 1840)