FindAGrave Success: Nathan C. Beals

 

So glad to report a success from a FindAGrave volunteer, Richard M.C.P. Mann, who was able to capture the image of the tombstone of my maternal 5th-great grandfather, Nathan C. BEALS (1789-1867) from the Lynchburg Cemetery in Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska.

Nathan was born within the confines of Lost Creek Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends in Jefferson County, Tennessee, the son of John and Mary (CARTER) BEALS, on 9th month, 3rd day of 1789.  His middle initial "C." may stand for "Carter", though unconfirmed.  A birthright Quaker, he was said to have been disowned circa 1810-1811 by an Ohio meeting.  This story was reported in the "Chronology of the Beals Family", written by his son John T. BEALS, but has yet to be confirmed through original records.

Nathan later became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, no doubt influenced by his wife, Elizabeth CHEW (1802-1881).  They were married in November 25, 1820 in Clinton County, Ohio and were the parents of ten children: Daniel, Mary Ann Maria, Andrew, John T., Sarah, Amy, Nathan H., Thomas J., Elizabeth, and Seth W.  My ancestor is their third son, John T.

Nathan was elected as County Assessor of Hamilton County, Indiana in the 1840s and lived in both Hamilton and Howard County, Indiana before moving west to Richardson County, Nebraska after the Civil War.  It was there that he died September 5, 1867 and was buried.  His widow, Elizabeth, moved back to Indiana were she died January 26, 1881 in Converse, Miami County, Indiana.

Genealogy Takes You In Some Interesting Directions

Genealogy research can take you in some interesting directions.  Whether it is tromping through neglected cemeteries or researching in musty courthouses, research can quickly take you from facts and names to a study of any number of sidebars that help flesh out the "family history", no matter how inconsequential.


Yesterday, we needed to head to nearby Kokomo to pick up some items at Menard's from their sale ad in preparation for an upcoming graduation party.  Seizing an opportunity, I mentioned to Eileen that I wanted to see if I could locate the exact location of the South Kokomo Bank that my distant cousin Harry PIERPONT robbed in 1925.  Like the trooper she is, she agreed to indulge me in my quest.


To say I've become fascinated with the stories of Harry's early bank robberies and later association with the Dillinger gang would be an understatement.  I've enjoyed transcribing the newspaper articles and hope to share more of them with you over the next few weeks.  Though he was not a nice man, he's definitely a character in terms of family history.  I think that is what draws me to him.  That and the desire to see if it is possible to determine what exactly makes someone cross that line over to the criminal life.  A question that will probably never be answered.


Anyway, after completing our shopping we stopped at the location in Kokomo at the corner of Main and Markland where I believe the bank was located.  Today this area is a bit run down, and the building is empty.  I felt a little nervous leaving Eileen in the van while I stepped outside to investigate.  The building has been split into two businesses. The shop in the front is no longer in use, nor is the strip club in the back.   Though the photo does not show it, at the top of the building were the words "1916 - Plate Block" inscribed in the building.  I was hoping to find the words "bank" or something similar to confirm my suspicions.

Corner of Main & Markland, Kokomo, Indiana, 15 May 2011

The view of the building from the satellite shows the train tracks that dissect the northwest corner of the building.



View Larger Map


Alas, the library was closed on Sunday or I would have dragged Eileen over there to look in the city directories to confirm the location of the bank. The sad thing is that I did locate this information previously, but for some reason must not have photocopied the entry from the city directory.  Fortunately, Kokomo is not that far out of the way for me, and I'll be able to confirm later whether or not this was the sight of the South Kokomo Bank robber.


Until next time...

Black Sheep Sunday: Make Away With Loot From S. Kokomo Bank

Source: Kokomo Dispatch, Kokomo, Indiana, March 28, 1925, pp. 1-2.


MAKE AWAY WITH LOOT FROM S. KOKOMO BANK


Apparently the unmasked bandits who held up and robbed the South Kokomo Bank of $ 4,828.40 in money and $ 4,3000 in Liberty bonds about 1:45 o'clock yesterday afternoon, had made good their escape and had thrown the officers completely off their trail last night, for early in the afternoon the blue Moon touring car which they used to leave the city, was found in a quagmire about a mile south of Melfalfa [sic] park.  The car was concealed behind a clump of trees and a high embankment.


J.E. Fernung, a farmer, saw the bandits change from the conspicuous blue car to two Ford cars, a coupe and a sedan.  Going on towards Kokomo, he met Sheriff Joseph Lindley and a deputy, and the car was found by Bert Clark.  It was in good running condition, and had apparently been deliberately concealed at a point previously determined upon.  From the tracks in the road, the two Fords had departed south.


"Blue Car and Five Men"


Although many reports of a "blue car and five men" continued to come from all parts of the country last night, no account of the two Ford cars had been received.


In addition to the money and negotiable securities, A.E. Gorton, cashier of the bank, said last night that probably $ 2,000 in unnegotiable securities, such as registered bonds, had been stolen.


"Chic" Nelson, Charles Houser and Joseph Sanders, three young men, saw the hold-up as they stood in the window of a drug store across the street from the bank.  They said they did not give the alarm because of the presence of a fourth man, a stranger, who stood in the store and watched their actions closely.  When the robbery was over, he suddenly disappeared in the crowd.


The bandits went about their task with the utmost coolness, and at end of ten or fifteen minutes, had succeeded in cleaning out the bank of all valuables in sight, and in walking to their car, parked half a block east, with the booty in a sack thrown over one of the bandit's arms.


Two Blasts From Horn


According to various accounts pieced together, the blue car drove up in front of the Markland cafe, a few hundred feet east of the bank.  One man alighted, and as he did so, two quick blasts were sounded from the horn.  Where the other men came from, no witness seemed to have noticed, but a man eating in the Markland cafe said that but one man alighted from the blue car.  One man remained at the wheel.


Mr. Gorton, the bank cashier, was in front of the grill when a stranger, well-dressed, entered and asked Miss Winifred Dimitt, assistant cashier, to change a $10 bill.  A second man came in, and leaned at another window, apparently waiting.  A third man came in, with three $10 bills in his hand.  He suddenly wheeled upon Gorton.


"Come on, get back there", he exclaimed roughly, displaying a large gun.  


Gorton, Miss Dimitt and Miss Frances Gorton, the only persons in the bank at the time, were forced into the back room.  One of the bandits seized a shot gun, standing in a corner, broke it, and put the shells in his pocket.  The telephone began ringing, and one of the bandits struck it from the desk, severing the connections.


While one of the bandits guarded the persons in the back room, the other two gathered up all the money in sight.  One of them called Gorton to the saef [sic] door, and forced him to open the inner vault.


With a gun pressed tightly to the back of his head, Gorton found it difficult to concentrate upon the combination.  He purposely failed two times in opening the safe.


Threatens To Shoot


The bandit was cursing and threatening to blow him up if he did not open the vault.


"Blow out his brains," counselled one of the bandits who was engaged in watching the front of the store, "and hurry up.  They are getting wise across the street."


At that moment Gorton succeeded in opening the vault.  He said afterwards that he had actually forgotten the combination.  He asked the bandit, at one time, to work the combination and he would tell the numbers.


It was while the bandits were at work that Vernon Shaw entered with $18 in his pocket.  He was greeted at the door by a bandit, who slapped his face roughly.  Brandishing a revolver, the bandit ordered him to "get back there with the rest of 'em."  Shaw lost his $18.


The entry of Shaw was observed by Charles Houser, clerk in the drug store across the street.  Houser was telephoning at the time, and had a clear view of the slap administered to Shaw and the brandishing of the gun.


"They are holding up the bank," exclaimed Houser to his chum on the other end of the line, and dropped the telephone receiver.


Describes Stranger


The stranger in the store, described as wearing a blue serge suit and a wool shirt with the collar turned up about his throat, followed the three men in the store, as they went to the rear and as they returned, until they feared that he was an outpost of the bandit crew.  The stranger did not speak, and when the bandits had gone and the crowd had gathered he suddenly disappeared.  Houser said that he thought the stranger returned a few minutes later, but said he had changed clothes if it was the same person.


Apparently no others had observed the hold up. In a few minutes one of the bandits emerged, with the sack of booty flung over his arm, and covered with an overcoat.  He walked composedly to the car, the others got in, and the car lurched forward.  It was then that the alarm was turned in to police from the drug store.  About the same time, Gorton escaped from the basement, where he and his assistants had been locked, and turned on the burglar alarm.


Police followed the trail of the blue car on Union street, and picked up the trail later through Highland park.  The trail was lost there again.


Saw Men Here Thursday


Miss Gladys Wilson, waitress of the Markland cafe, said that the same men where in Kokomo last Sunday evening and that they attempted to rent rooms.  Three of them were back in the city Thursday, and ate dinner at the restaurant, she said.  She had opportunity to observe them as they climbed into the car with the loot, but it was not until they had gone that she realized what had happened.


There were reports that a Ford car had been in the vicinity of the bank just previous to the robbery, and that the occupants were women.  No actual connection between any of these cars or the occupants and the robbery, has been discovered.


Mr. Gorton said that the leader of the gang was tall and of dark complexion.  He wore a brown gaberdine [sic] coat and a cap.  One of the others was short and rather stout, with sandy complexion.  He wore a blue sergfie suit, and carried the money away.


Houser said that the man who held the post at the door of the bank was short and rather slight of build.  Houser declared that he had seen him about Kokomo many times before, but was not acquainted with him.  All appeared to be about twenty-four years of age except the leader, who probably was about thirty-two years old.


Throughout the ordeal of the robbery, Miss Gorton and Miss Dimitt preserved extreme coolness, especially Miss Gorton, according to her father.  It was she who advised her father not to attempt to push any buttons or to run any other risk.  She kept up a continual line of chatter to the bandit who stood guard in the back room, also, until that bandit seemed somewhat confused.


Car Stolen at Fort Wayne


The Moon car, it was learned, was stolen Thursday night at Fort Wayne, and belongs to John W. Auguish of that city.  It bore the license plates of the Chrysler phaeton of Harriett M. Woodsmall of Indianapolis, which was stolen in Indianapolis March 11, and found six miles east on the Punkinvine pike Thursday evening with the rear riddled with bullets.  Farmers said that about twenty shots were fired in that vicinity early Thursday morning.


The Moon car was pulled to the B.A.B. garage last evening.  It was so concealed that probably it would not have been found for many days had not Mr. Fernung observed the change begin made.


Detectives from Indianapolis arrived in Kokomo last night and took up the case.  The loss of the South Kokomo Bank is fully covered by insurance, it was said last night by Mr. Gorton.  The bank was established in 1918 and has since shown a good growth.  Its statement at the close of business December 31, 1924, showed resources of $221,508.97.  The deposits were $190,149.60.  Officers of the institution are Charles Jinkerson, president; Kent H. Blacklidge, vice-president; Mr. Gorton, cashier; Miss Dimitt, assistant cashier, and the directors are Mr. Jinkerson, Victor E. Valle, Fred L. Trees, Mr. Blacklidge, D.C. Davies, Dr. S. Roscoe Chancellor, W.J. Critchlow, Ed S. Moore and Mr. Gorton.


---
This was the robbery that sent cousin Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934) to State Prison.  This newspaper article was found in the verticle files at the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library. I'm enjoying tracking his mis-deeds through the lens of the local newspaper accounts.  From what I can tell, the location of the bank now appears to hold a Napa auto parts store.

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.

Photo: Robert E. Walsh, US Army Air Corps

Robert E. Walsh, WWII

 This is a photo of my maternal great-uncle, Robert Earl WALSH in his U.S. Army Air Corp uniform.  

Funeral Record : Frank Haley (1937)

Source: Frank Haley Funeral Record, Baird Funeral Home, Jay Co., Indiana,  1937, Saxman & Schindler, comp., n.d.

Another good find for me at the Jay County Historical Society library was the funeral record of Andrew Frank HALEY, brother of my paternal 2nd-great grandfather, Eli Weldon HALEY.  Prior to this find, I knew that Frank, as he was known, had died in 1937, and that he was buried in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Fort Recovery, Ohio.  Now that I had the funeral record, I have a few more tidbits.


According to the record, Frank died July 29, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois.  What was he doing there?  His son, Clarence O. HALEY, was a physician there.  Services for Frank were held at Mt. Zion church in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana, with burial in Fort Recovery, Ohio.  The funeral record gives his parents as Geo. W. HALEY and Mary Jane SHERICK, as well as he being a widower of Emma LEONARD.


I was unable to locate the death record on Ancestry.com in the Cook County death database.  However, at the FamilySearch.org site, I located his death record.  He didn't die in Chicago, but instead in Oak Park.

Andrew Frank HALEY was born March 4, 1864 in Ashland County, Ohio, the oldest child of George Washington and Mary Jane (SHERRICK) HALEY.  He married November 3, 1887 in Jay County, Indiana to Emma Catherine LEONHARD (1866-1925).


Here is the link to his memorial page at FindAGrave.

Grandma was a Bathing Beauty

Kokomo Tribune, Kokomo, Indiana, July 25, 1939

While searching newspaper collections, I located this advertisement for a "Miss Kokomo" Bathing Beauty contest that listed my maternal grandmother, Bonnie LAMBERTSON as a contestant.

According to the paper, the contest was sponsored by the Sipe theater and this was to be the third elimination round.  The final was to be held on August 2nd.

Marriage Application : Nancie S. Petry (1907)

APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE - FEMALE

1. Full christian and surname of the woman is Nancia S. Petry

2. Color White

3. Where born Brice, Ind.

4. When born Aug 29 - 1887

5. Present residence Salamonia, Ind.

6. Present occupation housework

7. Full christian and surname of father John Petry

8. His color white 

9. His birthplace Jay Co. Ind.

10. His occupation farmer

11. His residence Salamonia

12. Full christian and maiden name of mother Mary LeMaster

13. Her color white

14. Her occupation housework

15. Her birthplace Shelby Co. O.

16. Her residence Salamonia

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

18. Is this her first marriage? yes

19. If not, how often has she been married? [blank]

20. Has such prior marriage or marriages been dissolved? [blank]

21. If so, how and when? [blank]

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

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

---

This application was signed on 12 October 1907 by Nancie Petry.  I had a hard time reading her name, as I didn't have her listed in the family group for John and Mary (LeMASTER) PETRY.  Mary was the daughter of Rev. Luman Walker and Nancy (YOUNG) LEMASTERS.

In the 1900 census of Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana, the John and Mary PETRY family lists a daughter, Nancy S., born August 1887.

Ancestry.com had her indexed as Nannie S. PETRY, married to Clem L. McKINLEY on 12 Oct 1907 in Jay County, Indiana.  Will need to look up the record on a future trip to the courthouse in Portland.

This marriage application was located on my last visit to the Jay County Historical Society.  The society has made copies of many of the county marriage books, making it easier to research, particularly on days when the courthouse is closed.

Are You Smarter Than a Sixty Year-Old?

DON'T LOOK BELOW FOR THE ANSWERS UNTIL YOU HAVE TRIED IT OUT!

A TEST FOR OLD KIDS

I was picky who I sent this too. It had to be those who might actually remember. So have some fun my sharp-witted friends. This is a test for us 'old kids'! The answers are printed below, but don't cheat.

01. After the Lone Ranger saved the day and rode off into the sunset, the grateful citizens would ask, Who was that masked man? Invariably, someone would answer, I don't know, but he left this behind. What did he leave behind?________________.

02. When the Beatles first came to the U.S. .In early 1964, we all watched them on The _______________ Show.

03 ' Get your kicks, __________________.'

04. 'The story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to ___________________.'

05. 'In the jungle, the mighty jungle, ________________.'

06. After the Twist, The Mashed Potato, and the Watusi, we 'danced' under a stick that was lowered as low as we could go in a dance called the '_____________.'

07. Nestle's makes the very best . .. . . _______________.'

08. Satchmo was America 's 'Ambassador of Goodwill.' Our parents shared this great jazz trumpet player with us. His name was _________________.

09. What takes a licking and keeps on ticking? _______________.

10 . Red Skeleton's hobo character was named __________________ and Red always ended his television show by saying, 'Good Night, and '________________. '

11. Some Americans who protested the Vietnam War did so by burning their______________.

12. The cute little car with the engine in the back and the trunk in the front was called the VW. What other names did it go by? ____________ &_______________.

13. In 1971, singer Don MacLean sang a song about, 'the day the music died.' This was a tribute to ___________________.

14. We can remember the first satellite placed into orbit. The Russians did it. It was called ___________________.

15. One of the big fads of the late 50's and 60's was a large plastic ring that we twirled around our waist. It was called the__ ______________.

ANSWERS :

01.. The Lone Ranger left behind a silver bullet.
02. The Ed Sullivan Show
03.. On Route 66
04... To protect the innocent ..
05. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
06. The limbo
07. Chocolate
08.. Louis Armstrong
09. The Timex watch
10. Freddy, The Freeloader and 'Good Night and God Bless.'
11. Draft cards (Bras were also burned. Not flags, as some have guessed)
12. Beetle or Bug
13. Buddy Holly
14. Sputnik
15. Hoola-hoop

Send this to your 'old' friends, (better known as Seniors.) It will drive them crazy ! And keep them busy and let them forget their aches and pains for a few minutes

Sunday's Obituary: Ferry Mae (Bickel) LeMaster (1891-1978)

Source: Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, July 21, 1978, page 10.

F. Mae LeMaster, 86, 539 W. Pearl St., Union City, a former resident of Salamonia, died Thursday evening at Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie, after an extended illness.


Born Aug. 27, 1891 in Jay County, her parents were Simeon and Mary A. (Gillett) Bickel.  She was married Feb. 28, 1911 to Clarence LeMaster, who died Nov. 28, 1963.


Surviving are two sons, Kenneth LeMaster, RR 6, Portland, and Garth L. LeMaster, Portland; two daughters, Mrs. Glenn (Mary) Hummel, RR 6, Union City and Mrs. Glenn (Jean) Coby, Union City; one sister, Mrs. Elmer (Elma) Seightman, Union City, Ohio; 16 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

Services are set for Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Williamson and Spencer Funeral Home, Portland.  Gene Moser, pastor of the Portland Friends Church, will officiate.  Burial will follow in the Salamonia Cemetery.


Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Saturday.


Sunday’s Obituary – if you have obituaries of family members and ancestors, consider posting them along with other information about that person as part of Sunday’s Obituary. This is an ongoing series developed by Leslie Ann at Ancestors Live Here.

Surname Saturday : SWAFFORD

The SWAFFORD surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname are believed to be Irish.


Stories and history:


Ahnentafel # 63: Mary Ellen Swafford (1854-1932).  Mary Ellen was born August 30, 1854 in Monroe County, Indiana.  She married July 2, 1873 in Monroe County, Indiana to James Austin Davis (c1850-1909).  James was born circa 1850 in Indiana.  They raised two daughters in Monroe and Owen Counties, Indiana.  They divorced and Mary Ellen married secondly on November 15, 1884 in Monroe County, Indiana to Robert Farrell Gilliland (1849-1916).  Robert was born November 27, 1849 in Pulaski County, Kentucky.  They raised two children in Monroe County, Indiana.  Robert died August 4, 1916 in Whitehall, Owen County, Indiana.  Mary died January 28, 1932 near Dolan, Monroe County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 126: Peter Kirkpatrick Swafford (1827-1885).  Peter was born June 12, 1827 in Mississippi.  He married April 3, 1853 in Owen County, Indiana to Mary Ann Crockett (1835-1865).  Mary Ann was born in 1835 in Owen County, Indiana.  They raised three daughters in Monroe County, Indiana.  Mary Ann died circa 1865.  Peter died 1885 in Spencer, Owen County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 252: Larkin Swafford (1790-1839).  Larkin was born in 1790 in Greenville County, South Carolina.  He married before 1817 to Nancy ________ (c1790-bef1850).  Nancy was born circa 1790 in Tennessee.  They raised six children in Tennessee, Mississippi and Monroe County, Indiana.  Larkin came to Monroe County, Indiana before 1839.  Nancy died after 1850 census of Monroe County, Indiana.  Larkin died 1839.


Ahnentafel # 504: Jacob Swafford (1762-1845).  Jacob was born 1762 in Greenville County, South Carolina.  He married in 1790 to Sarah Larkin (c1772-1852).  Sarah was born circa 1772 in Virginia.  They raised 13 children in Greenville County, South Carolina and Bledsoe County, Tennessee.  Sarah died 1852 in McMinn County, Tennessee.  Jacob died 1845 in Bledsoe County, Tennessee.


Ahnentafel # 1008: Peter Swafford (1740-    ).  Peter was born circa 1740 in Ireland.  He married Rennie Howard (c1745-     ).  Rennie was born circa 1745 in Ireland.  They raised 8 children in Greenville County, South Carolina.  Peter died in Greenville, South Carolina.


Related blog posts:

• Today in my database: Mary Ellen Swafford (b. August 30, 1854)

Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Family Recipe Friday: Salad Dressing

The following recipes came from mom's kitchen:

French Dressing

I can remember eating a lot of salads when I was growing up.   My dad watched his weight and would often go on a steak and salad diet.   My mother naturally was looking for tasty salad dressing recipes.   This one was simple to make as well as creamy and delicious.  Bonnie kept it made in her refrigerator as well as homemade croutons for a quick salad.  One thing that made it easy was that it could be mixed in the blender.   I later submitted this recipe in the Family Weekly magazine that came with the Anderson newspapers in 1980.   This is definitely not fat-free!

    1 10 3/4-ounce can tomato soup                                 
    1 cup oil                                                    
    1/2 cup brown sugar                                            
    1/3 cup red wine vinegar or white vinegar                      
    1 teaspoon dry mustard                                         
    1 teaspoon garlic powder                                       
    1/2 teaspoon onion salt                                        
    1/2 teaspoon celery salt                                       
    1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauces                             
    1/4 teaspoon paprika                                           
    1 cup Miracle Whip salad dressing    
                        

Put all the ingredients EXCEPT the salad dressing in a blender and mix well.  Add the Miracle Whip and blend.

Thousand Island Dressing

Here's another dressing recipe that could be found in our refrigerator.   I now realize that the reason I eat salads more than anything was because I ate them as a child.

    1/2 cup chili sauce                                            
    1/2 cup ketchup                                                
    1 cup miracle whip                                             
    3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish                              
    1 hard boiled egg (run through sieve)                             
    Dash celery salt                                               
    Dash garlic salt                                               
    Dash lemon juice                 

                              

Combine all the ingredients and mix well.   Refrigerate.

Family Recipe Friday – is an opportunity to share your family recipes with fellow bloggers and foodies alike. Whether it’s an old-fashioned recipe passed down through generations, a recipe uncovered through your family history research, or a discovered recipe that embraces your ancestral heritage share them on Family Recipe Friday. This series was suggested by Lynn Palermo of The Armchair Genealogist.

Photos: Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972)

These photos are of my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee WRIGHT, son of John William and Ellen (KING) WRIGHT.  Virgil was born July 6, 1894 in Orestes, Madison County, Indiana.  These photos were from my mother's collection.  I'm still on the hunt for more photos of him in his youth.

Surname Saturday : DAVIS

The DAVIS surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname are unknown at this time.


Stories and history:


Ahnentafel # 15: June Kirk Davis a.k.a. Gilliland (1898-1951).  June was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.  She married June 28, 1917 in Monroe County, Indiana to Clemon Beals Lambertson (1898-1994).  Clemon was born October 27, 1898 in Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana.  They raised 4 children in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Clemon died March 18, 1994 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.  June died March 20, 1951 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Elwood City Cemetery, Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 31: Ida Davis (1874-1900).  Ida was born July 2, 1874 in Owen County, Indiana.  She married August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana to Samuel G. Hancock (1867-     ).  They divorced and she married July 19, 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana to Carvie A. Morris (1853-    ).  The parentage of her two daughters remain unknown, though a Frank Fletcher has been speculated.  Ida died August 2, 1900 in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 62: James Austin Davis (c1850-1909).  James was born circa 1850 in Indiana.  He married July 2, 1873 in Monroe County, Indiana to Mary Ellen Swafford (1854-1932).  Mary Ellen was born August 30, 1854 in Monroe County, Indiana.  They raised two daughters in Monroe and Owen Counties, Indiana.  Mary Ellen died January 28, 1932 in Monroe County, Indiana.  James died June 12, 1909 in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 124: Austin Davis (c1824-c1851).  Austin was born circa 1824 in Indiana.  He married February 9, 1850 in Monroe County, Indiana to Fanny Reynolds (c1830-1883).  Fanny was born circa 1830 in Indiana.  They had two children.  Fanny died February 2, 1883 in Spencer, Owen County, Indiana.  Austin died between November 1850 and August 1851 in Owen County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 248: John Davis (unk-befNov1845).  John was born in Virginia.  He married before 1824 to Susannah ________ (c1801-aft1860).  Susannah was born circa 1801 in Virginia.  They raised 12 children in Monroe County, Indiana.  Susannah died after the 1860 census in Monroe County, Indiana.  John died before November 1845 in Monroe County, Indiana.


Related blog posts:

• Saturday Night Genealogy Fun: Who is your MRUA?

• June Kirk Davis (Gilliland) Lambertson (1898-1951)

• June Kirk Davis / Gilliland

• Mystery Man : Frank Fletcher or Carrie Morris?

• Fearless Females: Favorite Female Ancestor

• Ida (Davis) (Hancock) Morris (1874-1900)

• James Austin Davis was insane

• Ida D. Hancock - "Door of Hope" - Indianapolis, IN

• Ida Davis (1874-1900)

Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Treasure Chest Thursday : Cancelled Check

This interesting bit of ephemera is the cancelled check my paternal grandmother, Ruth (HALEY) LeMASTER, wrote to the Baird Funeral Home on November 16, 1971 in the amount of $ 1608.00.  Whether this was a payment or a payment in full for the cost of the funeral of my grandfather, Ord, I've yet to determine.


It is an interesting piece to me because it contains not only an example of her handwriting and signature, but sheds some historical light into costs associated with funerals some 40 years ago.  Had I not already know the name of the funeral home, this check provides that information as well.  The funeral home is still in existence, and on my next visit to Portland I will add researching the costs associated with the funeral to me list of things to check into.




Treasure Chest Thursday – create a post with the main focus being a family treasure, an heirloom or even an every-day item important to your family. A special thanks to Leslie Ann Ballou of Lost Family Treasures for suggesting Treasure Chest Thursday as a daily blogging theme!

First Christian Church : Alexandria, Indiana (1831-1981)

First Christian Church, Alexandria, Indiana Sesquicentennial program

While at the Alexandria-Monroe Township Historical Society recently, I was able to use my Flip-Pal scanner to scan some photographs and information from the sesquicentennial program of the First Christian Church in Alexandria, Indiana.  I attended this church growing up and remember this program and time period in the church's history.


I was excited to be able to find pictures of the church choir during this time frame, because my maternal grandmother, Bonnie Wright, was a member.

First Christian Church choir, 1981

First Christian Church choir, 1981 [from program]

Choir Members

Row 1 (Left to Right) - Joyce White, Betty Parks, Karla Hall, Jeanne Beck, Deborah Gosnell, Anne Nelson, Pianist.

Row 2 - Virginia Wachenschwanz, Director; Barbara Miller, Jayne Dyer, Carolyn Hall, Margaret Gosnell, Dennis Kirkpatrick, Janice Armstrong, Organist.

Row 3 - Bonnie Wright, Shirley Colvill, Jesse McMahan, Judy Welcome, Betty Hampton.

Row 4 - Tom Colvill, Dave Dyer, Robert Miller, Dennis Sizelove, Larry Hobbs, Paul Tanner, Jack Wachenschwanz.

Happy 5th Blogiversary to TJLGenes

Well, it's hard to believe that it has been five years since my first post on the TJLGenes blog.  Much has transpired since I started out on this journey, and I've enjoyed sharing my research and making new friends in the Geneablogging community.


In my first post, I noted that I began my research by building upon the research of my father.  Now that he has retired, he has been getting back into research mode - preparing a book based on the Civil War service of his ancestors based on our combined research, and recently donated a copy to the local historical society.  My parents have been my most dedicated readers, checking on the blog after morning coffee, offering suggestions and submitting story ideas for future posts.


I've enjoyed sharing research with family members and meeting new ones along the way.  Thank you to all who have encouraged me with positive comments or shared photos and family information.


I hope that I can continue to add new content and research to this blog, and look forward to what the next 5 years have in store.

Sunday's Obituary: Patricia Lou LeMaster (1932-1945)

Source: Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, November 1, 1945, page 2

Burial services for Patty Lou LeMaster, 12, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chelsey LeMaster, who died last Saturday were conducted at the Salamonia cemetery at 2:30 Thursday afternoon.

Funeral services for the child were held Tuesday afternoon but burial was delayed until Thursday awaiting the arrival of a brother, Dale, stationed with the Marines in San Diego, Calif., who arrived in Portland Thursday morning.


Rev. H.G. Perry officiating at the commitment services.


The Williamson funeral home was in charge of the service.


Sunday’s Obituary – if you have obituaries of family members and ancestors, consider posting them along with other information about that person as part of Sunday’s Obituary. This is an ongoing series developed by Leslie Ann at Ancestors Live Here.

Easter Greetings

March 29, 1929 
Friday P.M.


Dear Vera & C. -  Lowell rec'd his card yesterday.  He even noticed the little lambs picture on it.  Looks like we were going to get an Easter storm.  Carrie wrote that maybe they, Galens, & the folks would come here week from Sun.  You folks come too if you can.  We are still going to meeting.  C. is going to an Easter Service this P.M. at M.E. church


From Lowell


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This postcard, postmarked March 29, 1929 from Markle, Indiana, was sent from my paternal great-uncle & aunt, Eugene C. and Clara Elnora (HALEY) KUNCE to Clarence and Vera (HALEY) STUBER.  Clara and Vera were sisters of my paternal grandmother, Ruth.  Eugene was a minister of the Evangelical church serving in Markle, Huntington County, Indiana at the time.

Accept This Easter Lily, Please

Miss Vera Haley
Portland, Ind.
R.F.D. 9


Dear Cousin: - Well how's every body out your way.  A year ago, I was certainly enjoying myself.  I expect to go to work in Printing Office a week from Monday.  Quite a good position.  I don't know if it will be steady or just for the Summer.


With love to all,


Evalene


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This postcard, postmarked April 6, 1912 from Huron, Ohio, was sent to my paternal great-aunt, Vera HALEY, by her cousin Eva in Huron, Ohio.