Monday, July 04, 2011

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.

Sunday, July 03, 2011

Sunday's Obituary: Mary Elsie (LeMaster) Atkinson (1872-1942)

Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, June 5, 1942, page 1



MARY ATKINSON DIES SUDDENLY


Heart Attack Suffered Friday Morning Proves Fatal


Mrs. Mary Elsie Atkinson, aged 70, died suddenly Friday morning at 10:30 o'clock, from a heart attack while she was preparing for a visit with friends in Ohio.


Death occurred on the LeMaster farm, one mile west of Salamonia, where she had spent the greater part of her life.


The deceased was a daughter of L.W. and Mary K. (Chew) LeMaster, and was born in Darke county, Ohio, April 26, 1872.


On September 15, 1894, she was united in marriage to Mathias J. Atkinson, who preceded her in death, August 24, 1923.


Surviving are a foster son, Albert Franks, of Detroit, Michigan, who was reared in the home, and the following brothers and sisters; Edith, wife of Henry Meinholtz, of Colorado Springs; Maude, wife of Dr. S.W. Phillips, of David City, Nebraska; Arthur (Art) LeMaster, of Portland; and Dr. D.W. LeMaster, of Sidney, Ohio.  Four brothers and two sisters are deceased.


The body was removed to the Williamson funeral home for preparation, and where it will remain.


Funeral arrangements have not been made, awaiting information from relatives.



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.

Friday, July 01, 2011

Family Recipe Friday: Aunt Clara Ellen's Rhubarb Poke Cake


Aunt Clara Ellen (Wright) High


Another contribution from mom's kitchen:



I grow 'red' rhubarb that I originally got a start from a neighbor, John Horn, when we lived on Monroe Street.  I was always looking for different recipes that called for rhubarb.  Keep it  in the refrigerator.  It gets more moist the longer it sits.  I got this recipe from my Aunt Clara Ellen.  I was told she always liked to cook up a dessert, especially homemade ice cream when the family got together.  Makes 12 servings






    1 cup rhubarb                                                  
    1/2 cup shortening                                             
    1 1/2 cups sugar                                               
    2 eggs                                                         
    2 cups flour                                                   
    1 teaspoon baking soda                                         
    1/4 teaspoon salt                                              
    1 cup buttermilk    

                                           
    Decorating icing     

                                          
    1/2 cup brown sugar                                            
    3 tablespoons flour                                            
    1/2 cup sugar                                                  
    1 1/2 cups water                                               
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract                                     
    1-2 tablespoons butter                                         
    1/2 package strawberry jello                                   
    1 8.8-ounce carton cool whip        

                           
Cut rhubarb into small pieces and let stand in 1/2 cup sugar for 30-60 minutes.  Beat shortening, remaining sugar, and eggs until creamy and fluffy.   Add flour, soda, salt.   Mix well.  Mix in buttermilk.  Add rhubarb mixture and pour into a 9x13 inch pan.   Bake 30-45 minutes at 350 degrees.   Cool.   Punch  holes in top of cake.


In a saucepan combine icing ingredients of brown and white sugar, flour, water.  Cook until thick and clear.   Add vanilla, butter and jello.   Pour icing over top of cake.   Cool.


Optional:   Spread a layer of Cool Whip  on top of cake to hide holes.   



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.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Wild About Harry

My recent genealogical activity continues to revolve around the early career of my  black sheep cousin, Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934).  I'm finding fascinating research material in newspaper accounts of the bank robberies he and his gang pulled off in east-central Indiana in the 1924-25 period.


My dad has been putting together a booklet of newspaper articles and other web sources about Harry for our next family reunion.  Already some of my cousins have expressed interest in the fact that we have a famous, albeit criminal relative.  Why doesn't anyone get as excited about the teachers, farmers and doctors in the family?


Over the weekend, I managed to obtain 42 pages of newspaper accounts of robberies while searching at the Marion Public Library.  These robberies occurred in Marion, Converse, Upland and Noblesville in the fall of 1924.  I knew the date of one robbery was November 26th, and I followed the story forward until the end of the reel, which was December 31st.  Just researching in one newspaper, the Marion Leader-Tribune, I was able to obtain the 42 pages and learn of the robberies, and by the end of 1924, the arrest of three members of Harry's gang.


I look forward to my return to the library to seek out viewpoints covered in the Marion Chronicle, as well as follow the story up through Harry's capture in March, 1925 in Detroit.


There is much blog fodder for future "Black Sheep Sunday" posts, as well as data to update Harry's Wikipedia entry.  The fascinating story of Harry goes well beyond the Dillinger connection.  Without Harry's tutelage, no one would know the name of John Dillinger today.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Sunday's Obituary: Ord Otterbein LeMASTER (1876-1937)


Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, September 15, 1937, page 1
FORMER JAY CO. RESIDENT DIES

Dr. O.A. Lemaster Succumbs at Sidney, O., Following Operation

A.R. LeMaster, of North Meridian street, received a message this morning informing him of the death of his brother, Dr. O.O. LeMaster, at Sidney, Ohio, about 5:30 o'clock this morning. Dr. LeMaster was operated on last Saturday for obstruction of the bowels, which later caused his death.

Dr. LeMaster was a former Jay county "boy", being reared on a farm in Madison township near Salamonia.  He received his education in the Jay county schools after which he taught a few terms of school.  He then attended medical college at Columbus, Ohio.  After graduating there he engaged in the practice of medicine at Kettlershill, Ohio [sic], later moving to Sidney, Ohio where he has been associated with his brother, Dr. Vernon W. LeMaster in the practice of medicine for more than 20 years.  He was 61 years of age at the time of his death.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 o'clock p.m. (Ohio time) at Sidney.  Interment will be at Sidney.

A number of Portland and Jay county relatives will attend the funeral services.



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.

Black Sheep Sunday: Robbers Outwit Kokomo Police




Call-Leader, Elwood, Indiana, March 28, 1925, page 1.

ROBBERS OUTWIT KOKOMO POLICE

Holdup Bank, Getting Cash and Liberty Bonds and Make Escape

THREE WITNESSES OF RAID

Kokomo, Ind. March 27 – Police were thrown off the trail of four bandits who held up and robbed the South Kokomo bank of $4,000 in cash and a like amount of Liberty bonds about 1:45 o’clock this afternoon, when the conspicuous blue car used by the bandit to make their escape was found this evening concealed in a slough about five miles southwest of the city.  A farmer reported that he saw the bandits, about seven in number, change to two small cars, a coupe and a sedan.

The bandits entered the bank singly.  While the first was having a $10 changed, the second entered and waited at the cashier’s window.  The third suddenly displayed a gun and ordered A.E. Gorton, cashier; Miss Winifred Dimitt, assistant cashier, and Miss Frances Gorton into the rear room.  Gorton was forced, with a pistol at the back of his head to open the inner vault.  “Speedy,” a small terrier, boldly attacked the burglar’s ankle, and was kicked into the basement.

Stolen From Fort Wayne

The bandits’ car was stolen from Fort Wayne Thursday night, and carried the license plates of a phaeton, belonging to Barrett M. Woodsmall, of Indianapolis, stolen from there on March 11 and found here riddled with bullets Thursday night.

The hold-up was watched by three young men in a drug store across the street from the bank, but they were prevented from calling police because of fear of a stranger who stood in the store and watched them closely.  The alarm was not sounded until the bandits had escaped with the money.

---
This perspective of the Kokomo robbery, which sent my cousin Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934) to prison, was interesting in that it added details not found in other accounts.  The fact that the robber kicked the poor dog, just makes them downright mean.  This article was researched at the Elwood, Indiana Public Library.



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.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Family Recipe Friday: Orzo with Bacon & Asparagus

Another contribution from mom's kitchen:



Asparagus---Another Spring time treasure


 
We have grown asparagus for several years.   It involves digging a bed and putting in sand,etc.  However, our second bed we did not dig a deep bed and it is doing fine. I do recommend mulching as weeds will take over.   I also recommend you read up on planting in your area.   It is recommend that you not cut until the second year.  Cut the spears with the bud tips are tight.  Store standing up in the refrigerator  in about 1 inch water until ready for use.   I can pick asparagus May-June.    If we have have an abundance, I can it for the winter.   We usually like to eat it grilled with a olive oil and sprinkled with salt and lemon pepper sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese. Of course I'm always trying new ways to fix asparagus and I have included  this one that I'm sure I will make again.
Orzo with Bacon and Asparagus

Makes 3 servings

This skillet dinner has it all--orzo, bacon, and asparagus blended in a quick meal that's ready in 35 minutes.  A tasty dish I discovered when looking for something different that uses asparagus.  It can be served with another meal such as grilled chicken breast.

    6 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces                       
    1 14 1/2-ounce can fat-free chicken broth  with 1/3 less sodium
    1 cup (6 1/2 oz) orzo pasta or rosamarina, uncooked            
    8 ounces fresh asparagus spears, trimmed, cut into 1 inch pieces
    1/4 cup sliced roasted red bell peppers (from a jar) or I used fresh
    2 ounces (1/2 cup) Parmesan cheese or Asiago   
               
Cook bacon in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp.   Reserve bacon and 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in skillet.   Add broth; bring to a boil.   Add orzo.   Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 5 minutes.   Add asparagus and peppers; cover and cook an additional 5-10 minutes or until orzo and asparagus are tender, stirring occasionally.   Sprinkle individual servings with cheese.



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.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Divorce Papers: William Clifford LeMaster

From the Colorado State Archives, I was able to obtain copies of the divorce papers of my paternal great-granduncle, William Clifford LeMASTER, who married Lella Edith LEWIS on August 20, 1892 in Jay County, Indiana.  After living in Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio for a number of years, they moved west to Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado before 1910.  William filed for divorce in Teller County, Colorado in August 21 1917 - and papers were served to Lella in Los Angeles, California on September 5, 1917.

STATE OF COLORADO
County of Teller; SS

IN THE COUNTY COURT
No. 3359


vs.

LELLA E. LEMASTER, Defendant

ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE

I hereby accept service in the above entitled cause and acknowledge receipt of a true copy of the summons and complaint.  I also waive all right to a trial by jury and consent that the case may go to trial at any time the plaintiff may elect without any notice to me.

Lella E. LeMaster

copy of Lella's signature


Subscribed and sworn to before me this 5 day of September A.D. 1917.

Earl ????
Notary Public


STATE OF COLORADO
County of Teller; SS

IN THE COUNTY COURT
No. 3359


vs.

Lella E. LeMaster, Defendant     

SUMMONS

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO,

To Lella E. LeMaster the defendant named, GREETING:

You are hereby required to appear in an action brought against you by the above named plaintiff, in the County Court of Teller County, State of Colorado; or, if served out of the State of Colorado, or by publication, within fifty days after service hereof, exclusive of the day of service; or said action may be regularly set for trial the same as though such appearance had been made and issue had been joined on such complaint.

The said action is brought by plaintiff to obtain a decree of divorce, dissolving the bonds of matrimony now existing between plaintiff and defendant, on the ground of desertion as will more fully appear from the complaint in said action to which reference is hereby made and a copy of which is hereto attached.

And you are hereby notified that if you fail to appear, and plead to said complaint as above required, the said plaintiff will apply to the Court for the relief therein demanded.

Given under my hand and the seal of said Court, this 21st day of August A.D. 1917

K.C. Gustin, Clerk


STATE OF COLORADO
County of Teller; SS


IN THE COUNTY COURT
No. 3359


William C. LeMaster, Plaintiff


vs.


Lella E. LeMaster, Defendant


COMPLAINT


Comes now the above named plaintiff, by Alvin S. Frank, his attorney, and complains of the defendant and for cause of action alleges:


1.

That plaintiff is and for more than one year last past has been a bona fide resident of the state of Colorado and of the county of Teller.

2.

That plaintiff and defendant were married at Salamonia, Indiana, on the 21st of August, 1892, ever since have been and now are husband and wife.  That there were born to plaintiff and defendant as a result of the aforesaid marriage the following minor children, Ralph M. LeMaster, of the age of fifteen years, at present residing with the plaintiff, and William C. LeMaster, Jr., of the age of thirteen years, at present residing with the defendant.

3.

That the defendant deserted plaintiff on the tenth day of July, 1916, and in spite of frequent requests of plaintiff that she return to him and live with him she has continually refused to live with plaintiff as his wife.


4.

That the amount involved in this action does not exceed the sum of two thousand dollars.

Wherefore plaintiff prays that the bonds of matrimony heretofore and now existing between him and defendant be totally and forever dissolved at his costs; that he be given the custody of his minor son, Ralph M. LeMaster and that the defendant be given custody of William C. LeMaster, Jr., and for such other and further orders as to the Court may seem proper in the premises.

Alvin S. Franks [signature]
Attorney for Plaintiff

State of Colorado,
County of Teller, SS.

WILLIAM C. LEMASTER, being first duly sworn upon his oath deposes and says: that he is the plaintiff in the above entitled cause; that he has read the above and foregoing complaint and knows the contents thereof and that the same is true of his own knowledge.

Wm. C. LeMaster

Signature of William C. LeMaster

STATE OF COLORADO
County of Teller

In the County Court
No. 3559


vs.

Lella E. LeMaster, Defendant

FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

This cause having been brought on to be tried on the 24th day of September A.D. 1917, the plaintiff appearing by Alvin S. Frank, his attorney, and the defendant not appearing, either in person or by attorney, the case not being contested, the cause being tried to the Court without a jury, and the evidence having been duly presented and submitted,

THE COURT DOTH FIND: That the Summons was regularly issued in this cause and served up the defendant by acceptance of service by defendant acknowledged before Earl Newmire, notary public within and for Los Angeles County at Los Angeles, California.

That more than thirty days elapsed after the filing of the complaint herein before the trial of this cause;

That the plaintiff resides in Teller County in the State of Colorado;

That the plaintiff was personally present at the trial;

That at the date of the commencement of this action the plaintiff had been a bona fide resident and citizen of the State of Colorado during the one year next prior to the commencement thereof;

That the plaintiff and defendant were lawfully married on or about the 21st day of August, A.D. 1892 and ever since have been and now are husband and wife;

That the plaintiff and defendant have two minor children as the issue of said marriage; to-wit: Ralph E. LeMaster and William C. LeMaster, Jr.


That the said Ralph M. LeMaster is of the age of fifteen years and is residing with the plaintiff, and that the said William C. LeMaster, Junior, is of the age of thirteen years and is residing with the defendant.

That the said plaintiff, William C. LeMaster, is a fit and proper person to have the care and custody of the said Ralph M. LeMaster, and that the said defendant, Lella E. LeMaster, is a fit and proper person to have the care and custody of the said William C. LeMaster, Junior, and it is so ordered by the Court, and it is further ordered that the plaintiff may have the privilege of visiting with the said William C. LeMaster, Jr., for a period of not to exceed three weeks in each year and that the defendant shall have the privilege of visiting with the said Ralph M. LeMaster for a period not to exceed three weeks in each year.

That by competent evidence it has been established that defendant deserted plaintiff more than one year prior to the filing of the complaint in the above entitled cause and has failed and refused ever since to live with plaintiff as his wife.  That plaintiff is entitled to a decree of divorce.

That the plaintiff shall, at the expiration of six months from the date of filing hereof by the Clerk of this Court, be entitled to a Decree of Divorce, provided these Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law have not been set aside and no motion to set them aside remains unheard and undecided.

Done and signed this 24th day of September, A.D. 1917.

By the Court, Karl W. Farr, Judge.


STATE OF COLORADO,
County of Teller, SS.

In the County Court
No. 3359


vs.

Lella E. LeMaster, Defendant

DECREE

This cause this day having been brought on to be heard and more than six months having elapsed since the day on which the findings of fact and conclusions of law were filed herein and said findings of fact and conclusions of law having not been set aside and no motion to set them aside remaining unheard and undecided, and upon motion of A.S. Frank, Esq., attorney, for the said William C. LeMaster, the plaintiff herein and accordance with said findings of fact and conclusions of law,

IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED by the Court that the bonds of matrimony heretofore and now existing between the said plaintiff William C. LeMaster and the said defendant Lella E. LeMaster be and the same are hereby dissolved and that said parties are, and each of them is, freed and absolutely released therefrom.

AND IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED by the Court that the sole care, custody and control of the minor child Ralph LeMaster, be and the same hereby is granted to William C. LeMaster, plaintiff herein; and that the sole care, custody and control of the minor child, William C. LeMaster, Jr., be, and the same hereby is granted and given to Lella E. LeMaster, the defendant herein, until the further order of this Court in the premises.  And it is further ordered by the Court that said plaintiff have the privilege of visiting with the said William C. LeMaster, Jr., for a period of not to exceed three weeks in each year, and that the defendant shall have the privilege of visiting with the said Ralph LeMaster for a period of not to exceed three weeks in each year.

That the plaintiff have judgment for his costs herein expended to be taxed and execution may issue therefor.

Done and signed in open court this Third day of April A.D. 1918.

By the Court, Karl W. Farr, Judge


Sunday, June 19, 2011

Black Sheep Sunday: Alleged Bank Bandit Leader Held


Source: Leader-Tribune, Marion, Indiana, April 3, 1925, page 1 & 15

ALLEGED BANK BANDIT LEADER HELD

H. PIERPONT IS ARRESTED

He Is Said to Have Led in the Robbing of Two Grant County Banks

Held in Kokomo Case

Bonds Taken From the Bank There Recovered by Detroit Police

--

Harry Pierpont, 24 years old who it was alleged was the leader in the robbing of the South Marion State bank and the Upland State bank 
last fall, was arrested yesterday at Detroit, Michigan, as a suspect in the robbing of the South Side Bank at Kokomo on Friday, March 27.   Thaddeus R. Skeer, 23, known as “Sudy” Skeer of Fort Wayne, was also arrested, as was Miss Louise Brunner, also of Fort Wayne, who is being held as a witness.


It was reported that a third man said to me, Everett Bridgewater, also a member of the gang  which robbed the Grant county banks, had also been arrested for having taken part in the Kokomo robbery, but this could not be verified last night.

Woman is in Prison

Bridgewater’s wife, Mary, is now serving a term in the women’s prison at Indianapolis for having taken part in the robberies in this county.

The three prisoners have waived extradition and will be brought back to Kokomo, probably today, where the men face charges of bank robbery and petit larceny, warrants of which have already been issued by City Judge Joseph Cripe of Kokomo.

A.E. Garton, cashier of the Kokomo bank, from which more than $10,000 in cash was stolen, went to Detroit yesterday afternoon and identified bonds, amounting to $ 7,000 which were also taken by the robbers.  A part of the cash stolen has also been recovered.

Vernon Shaw, a customer who stopped into the Kokomo bank at the time the robbery took place and who was held up and “Chic” Nelson, who was in a drug store across the street from the bank at the time of the robbery, left last evening for Detroit, where they will attempt to identify the prisoners as those who took part in the robbery.

Gives False Name

Pierpont, when arrested at first gave his name as Frank Mason, but later in the day admitted that his name was Pierpont.  Detectives from the Pinkerton agency trailed the Brunner woman from Fort Wayne to Detroit, and a short time later the woman and Skeer were arrested, when they met in that city.  Pierpont’s arrest followed a short time later.

Deputy Sheriff Woody Smith, who has been working on the case on the supposition that Pierpont and Bridgewater were implicated in the Kokomo robbery, gave a description of Bridgewater to the Detroit police yesterday afternoon, and was told that Mason had admitted that his right name was Pierpont.  Deputy Sheriff Smith stated last night that he would go to Kokomo with a warrant for Pierpont and Bridgewater and would try and get the Kokomo authorities to turn them over to him for trial in this county for robbing the Grant county banks.

With the arrest of Pierpont and possibly Bridgewater, the entire gang of robbers who are alleged to have robbed the Grant county banks will have been rounded up, the other five now serving sentences in prison.  Mrs. Bridgewater was arrested at her home in Indianapolis and brought back to this city, where she was given a sentence of from two to fourteen years.  The other members of the gang, who admitted to being implemented in the robbing of the Upland and South Marion banks, were James Robbins, arrested at Lebanon, the first member of the gang to be arrested; William Behrens, who was arrested at Monticello; Marion (Red) Smith, alias “Springfield Red,” who was arrested at Indianapolis,  upon his return from Springfield; George Frazier of Kokomo, who came to Marion and was turned over to the police by his father and Robert Morris of Indianapolis, arrested in that city, all of whom entered pleas of guilty in the circuit court and were given sentences of from ten to twenty years in prison and Mrs. Emily Morris, arrested at Indianapolis with her husband, who also “plead guilty” and was given a sentence of from two to fourteen years.

---
This article from the Marion, Indiana newspaper gives a little different perspective on the arrest of my cousin Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934) for the Kokomo robbery and ties him to bank jobs in Grant County that need further research.



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.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Surname Saturday: Grimes

The GRIMES surname is in Eileen's maternal line.  The origins of the surname are unknown at this time.


Stories and history:


Ahnentafel # 61: Mary Grimes (1809-1903).  Mary was born April 19, 1809 in Middleton, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.  She married February 16, 1832 in Champaign County, Ohio to George Sills (1809-1880).  George was born December 1, 1809 in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.  They raised 6 children in Champaign County, Ohio and Wabash County, Indiana.  George died June 9, 1880 in Dora, Wabash County, Indiana.  Mary died August 21, 1903 in Huntington County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 122: Benjamin Grimes (bet1770-80-abt1868).  Benjamin was born between 1770 and 1780 in Pennsylvania.  He married Catherine Haynes (c1780-aft1864).  Catherine was born circa 1780 in Pennsylvania.  They had 6 children and lived in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Champaign County, Ohio.  Catherine died after August 1864 in Champaign County, Ohio.  Benjamin died about 1868 in Champaign County, Ohio.


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.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

A Little Wiki Today

Took a little time today to learn how to update information on Wikipedia about my distant relative, Harry Pierpont.  Harry has been one of my favorite research subjects of late.


As I've blogged about before, it was Harry's page on Wikipedia that first led me to realize we may have a genealogical connection.   Since then I've enjoyed researching articles about his robberies and life of crime.  Just this week I managed to locate a few new articles for future Black Sheep Sunday posts.


Because his page was lacking documentation, I decided to add sections on his Execution and Burial.  Using information such as his death certificate from FamilySearch site and his tombstone photo at FindAGrave, I added source citations to these sections. 


Though I've had an account at Wikipedia for several years, I had never used the account to add information to a page or to create on of my own.  The process was relatively easy to do, and I hope to add sections in the future to Harry's page and update information about his Indiana bank robberies.


Update (6/17): Had so much fun that before bed, continued to update Harry's page and added information about three of his early robberies.