Sunday's Obituary: Ord LeMaster (1906-1971)

Source: Ord W. LeMaster obituary, The Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, November 1, 1971

Ord W. LeMaster

Funeral services for Ord W. LeMaster, 65, 1107 W. Water St., Portland, will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Boggs officiating.  Burial will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

LeMaster died Saturday afternoon at the Clinic Hospital in Bluffton after a brief illness.  He had been employed for the past 25 years at Delco Battery in Muncie.

Born Sept. 30, 1906 in Jay County, his parents were Cooper and Barbara (Wehrly) LeMaster.  He was married to Ruth Haley, who survives.

Surviving besides his wife are three sons, Paul of Portland; Ord Weldon, Alexandria and Victor at home; three daughters, Mrs. Donald (Idola) Coats, Selma; Mrs. Harold (Juanita) Steigerwalt, Portland and Miss Ruth LeMaster at home; five brothers, Stanley LeMaster, Akron, Ohio; Elvin LeMaster, Columbus, Ohio; Floyd LeMaster, Union City, Ohio; John and Gerald LeMaster, Salamonia; three sisters, Mrs. Orville (Freda) LaFollette, Akron, Ohio; Mrs. Thornton (Mary Olive) Taylor, Akron, Ohio and Mrs. Glen (Dorothy) Lock, Richmond and 13 grandchildren.

Friends may call at the funeral home.

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.

The Christmas Star

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Stuber
Spencerville, Ohio


Aniwa, Wis. 12/17


Dear Friends, May you each have a very good Christmas season; trust your parents will also.  We are both feeling fine.  I especially better than for many winters; finding lots to do; assisting some in music, playing piano for special Christmas programs, etc.  Enjoy it.  Joe's mother underwent a goiter operation 11/12.  Better, gaining weight.  We all expect to be together for Christmas.  


Sincere Christmas Wishes to you.  Please remember me to Mrs. Johnson.


Mr. and Mrs. J. Penniston.


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This postcard, postmarked December 17, 1936 from Aniwa, Wisconsin, was sent to my paternal great-aunt and uncle, Clarence and Vera (HALEY) STUBER. I do not know the relationship of the sender at this time.

Surname Saturday : GARY

The GARY surname is in my paternal line.  The origins of the surname are unknown.


Stories and history :


Ahnentafel # 41 : Rachel H. Gary (1816-1897).  Rachel was born March 25, 1816 in Fairfield County, Ohio.  She married January 1, 1835 in Hardin County, Ohio to George J. Haley (1814-1888).  George was born December 14, 1814 in Canton Basel, Switzerland.  George was a minister in the Evangelical Association and the family lived in Hardin, Fairfield, Marion, Marrow and Erie Counties, Ohio, raising 10 children.  George died February 27, 1888 in Huron Township, Erie County, Ohio.  Rachel died November 25, 1897 in Erie County, Ohio.  Both are buried in the Scotts Cemetery, Huron, Erie County, Ohio.


Ahnentafel # 82 : ________ Gary.  Rachel's father was claimed to have been born in Ireland, according to "Biographical and Historical Record of Jay County, Indiana", Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1887, page 665.


Related blog posts : 

• Rachel H. (Gary) Haley (1816-1897)

• Tombstone Tuesday: George J. and Rachel H. (Gary) Haley

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.

Advent Calendar : Christmas Stockings

Did you have one? Where did you hang it? What did you get in it? Do
you have any Christmas stockings used by your ancestors?

I can always remember having a stocking at Christmas.  We would always hang it on the fireplace.  One item that our stockings always included were a pair of tube socks.  Even today, when we go to mom & dad's, there is a pair of tube socks in a stocking for us.

Mom and dad contributed the following :

Weldon and I don't remember having a stocking at Christmas.   It could be because neither one of us had a fireplace to hang one.  My children had stockings and now the grandchildren have one, especially since we have a fireplace mantle to hang them on.   The children usually get candy, fruit, and maybe a small gift.   

   

Be Merry All

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


Dear Cousin -


Well I am ashamed I haven't answered your card but I have been very busy lately.  Bessie was married in September and mother and father were visiting Alfred's in Chicago for 2 weeks.  I had to keep house, and I am working everyday and getting ready for Christmas.  I'll be glad when its over.  With love.


Write when you can.


Evalyn


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This postcard, postmarked December 23, 1912 from Huron, Ohio, was sent to my paternal great-aunt, Vera HALEY by her cousin.  Based on the names mentioned, I believe the card sent was from Evalyn R. HALEY, daughter of Benjamin H. and Louisa (HUTTENBOCKER) HALEY.  Evalyn was born in 1885.  Bessie was born in 1892 and Alfred was born in 1880.  Evalyn would be a first cousin once removed from Vera, but was a contemporary.  Benjamin H. HALEY was a son of George J. and Rachel (GARY) HALEY.

WDYTYA Season 2

The names of the “celebrities” to be featured on Season 2 of NBC’s Who Do You Think You Are? have been announced.  

Scheduled to be highlighted in Season Two are : Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Rosie O’Donnell, Steve Buscemi, Kim Cattrall, Lionel Richie, Vanessa Williams and Ashley Judd.  

This must be the singers and actors edition. My first impressions are that this group is not as strong as the first season : only Buscemi, O’Donnell and McGraw seem interesting to me.  However, the first season surprised me and hopefully this one will, too.

Gwyneth Paltrow is an actress that I admit I’m not familiar with at all, until I checked Wikipedia I thought she was British; her Quaker and Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry may connect with mine.  McGraw’s Scots-Irish ancestry would most interest me.  Rosie O’Donnell might be one of the more interesting ones, with her mother dying at a young age she may not know much about her past. Steve Buscemi is an actor that I’ve enjoyed since Reservoir Dogs and his roots are Sicilian and Irish. Kim Catrall – not sure why she’s in this list – she’s British and has already been highlighted on their version of the show. Lionel Richie – liked his music, but don’t know much more about him.  Vanessa Williams last I knew of her was the Miss America scandal and bad action movies. Ashley Judd has a colorful family, might have some surprises there.

I’m not sure what NBC’s criterion for selecting subjects for the show.  Both season’s shows seem to be dominated by actors and actresses, as if they were the only people who’s past would be interesting enough to hold viewer’s attention.  Politicians who’ve run for President have their family trees in the paper when they receive their party’s nominations, but what about the other Congressmen and Governors who make the news regularly?  Surely the genealogies of some best-selling authors or businessmen would be just as interesting as the Hollywood set.

It would also be nice if the show could somehow highlight research of the more common folk.  Perhaps NBC could solicit viewers to submit their family research problems/questions in some sort of video format, and then the producers could select one or two to highlight.   In my opinion, having the show give some ‘free’ research advice and discoveries would capture the imagination of people better than focusing solely on the rich and famous.

That being said, some choices for folks that I would like to see profiled on the show include: former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, musician John “Cougar” Mellencamp, talk show host Glenn Beck, former Senator/astronaut John Glenn, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, evangelist Franklin Graham, author John Grisham and rapper Sean “Puffy” Combs.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first season of Who Do You Think You Are? and I’m eagerly awaiting this one as well.  I would imagine they will rebroadcast the episodes from the first season as well.  

Johannes 'John S.' Wehrly (1802-1876)

Johannes "John S." WEHRLY was my paternal 3rd-great grandfather.


The following facts about John's life are known:

• Birth: He was born June 4, 1802 in York County, Pennsylvania, the son of Heinrich "Henry" and Christina (SAUBEL) WEHRLY.
• Baptism: He was baptised at St. Jacob's Church, York County, Pennsylvania, according to compiled Wehrly family history.
• Marriage: He married Barbara PETRY, daughter of George and Maria Catharine (KALTREIDER) PETRY, in 1821 in Stark County, Ohio.
• Residence: 1854 - He moved his family to Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana, according to compiled Wehrly family history.
• Census: In 1860, John is the head of household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  His occupation was listed as a farmer, and his real estate was valued at $2000.
• Census: In 1870, John is the head of household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  His occupation was listed as retired farmer, with real estate valued at $1200.
• Death: He died November 10, 1876 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.
• Burial: He is buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.

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

• Baptism: Need to locate record of the baptism recorded in official church records or other sources.
• Marriage: Need to determine the exact date of John and Barbara's marriage in Stark County, Ohio.  
• Census: 1830 - Need to locate him in the 1830 census.  Based on birthplaces of children, he should be located in either Seneca or Preble Counties, Ohio.
• Census: 1840 - Need to locate him in the 1840 census.  Based on birthplaces of children, he should be located in Preble County, Ohio.
• Census: 1850 - Need to locate him in the 1850 census.  He should be located in Preble County, Ohio.
• Land Records : Need to search deed records of Jay County, Indiana to locate land transactions that can pin down the date of his arrival in Jay County, Indiana.
• Death: Need to see if there exists a death record for him in Jay County, this may be too early, but there may be funeral home records, newspaper accounts, etc.
• Will : Need to obtain a copy of the will or estate records in Jay County, Indiana.

Related blog posts:

• Surname Saturday: Wehrly

Funeral Card Friday: Ruth Pauline LeMaster

In Memory Of
Ruth Pauline LeMaster


Date Of Birth
April 11, 1911


Date Of Death
February 1, 1990


Services Held At
Baird-Freeman Funeral Home


Date And Hour Of Services
11:00 AM Monday
February 5th, 1990


Clergy
Mark Manor
Larry Brincefield


Interment
Mt. Zion Cemetery
Portland, Indiana


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This was the funeral card of my paternal grandmother, Ruth Pauline (HALEY) LeMASTER.  I was a pallbearer at her services.




Funeral Card Friday – do you have a collection of memorial cards for your ancestors or family members, the kind that funeral homes produce and give out to mourners? Post images of these cards and stories about the person memorialized during Funeral Card Friday. Funeral Card Friday has been an ongoing series by Dee at Funeral Cards & Genealogy.

Family Recipe Friday: Snappy Turtle Cookies

This recipe was a favorite of my maternal grandfather, Bill Wright.

    1/2 cup butter                                                 
    1/2 cup brown sugar                                            
    2 eggs                                                         
    1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract                                   
    1/8 teaspoon imitation maple flavoring                         
    1 1/2 cups flour                                               
    1/4 teaspoon baking soda                                       
    1/4 teaspoon salt                                              
    Pecans                  

                                       

Arrange split pecan halves in groups of threes or 5's on greased cookie sheet to resemble a turtle.  Cream butter and brown sugar; add 1 egg and 1 egg yolk (reserve white); beat well.  Blend in flavorings.  Add flour, soda, and salt.  Blend well.  Mold dough into balls.  Dip bottom of dough ball into unbeaten egg white and press lightly onto nuts.  Bake 10-12 minutes at 350.  Cool and frost tops generously.  Makes 2 1/2 doz turtles.

Chocolate Frosting:  Combine 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/4 cup milk, and 1 T. butter in top of double boiler.  Heat until chocolate melts and blend until smooth.  Remove and add 1 cup powdered sugar.  Beat until smooth and glossy.

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.

Best Christmas Wishes To You

Mrs. Clarence Stuber
Spencerville, Ohio
R.F.D.


May you enjoy many and happy days.  Christmas joy be yours.


Beck


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This postcard, postmarked December 20, 1939 from Midland, Michigan, was sent to my paternal great-aunt, Vera (HALEY) STUBER.  I do not yet know who Beck was.

Albert Moulton (1819-1864)

Albert MOULTON was my paternal 3rd-great grandfather.  He remains a man of mystery.


The following facts about Albert's life are known:

• Birth: He was born May 10, 1819 in Rutland County, Vermont, the son of Selah and Lydia (FENNEL) MOULTON.
• Marriage: He married before 1843 to Emeline PHILBRICK
• Census: 1850 - he appears in Placerville, El Dorado County, California, as a miner.
• Death: Supposedly he died May 18, 1864, location unknown.

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

• Marriage: There should be a record of his marriage, possibly in Licking County, Ohio, where his daughter Clara, was born.
• Gold Rush: Albert supposedly went to California during the Gold Rush and died there, according to a county history.  Whether he was divorced or abandoned his wife, I do not know.
• Census: I am not 100% positive that the census record in 1850 is my man.  The record claims he is a 31 year old man, born in Vermont.
• Census: 1860 - I have not been able to find Albert in the 1860 census.  There is another Albert Moulton in California with wife Hannah.
• Military : I have not located any record of military service during the Civil War for Albert.
• Death: My source of the death date came from a handwritten family group sheet.

Ancestry of Albert Moulton, Ahnentafel # 46 in my ancestry:

Ahnentafel # 92: Selah MOULTON (1790-1848); Rutland Co., VT>Licking Co., OH

Ahnentafel # 184: John MOULTON (1755-c1808); Hartford Co., CT>Rutland Co., VT

Ahnentafel # 368: Samuel MOULTON (c1730-    )

Related blog posts:

• Moulton Research

• More Hagaman Data

• Google Books fill in the gaps

• Albert Moulton - El Dorado, CA

A Jolly Good Wish

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Stuber
Spencerville, Ohio
R.R. #


Albert and Rose Family


I wish you a Merry Xmas


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This postcard was part of the collection of my paternal greataunt and uncle, Clarence and Vera (HALEY) STUBER.  Unfortunately, there is no clear postmark.  

Advent Calendar : Christmas At School

What did you do to celebrate Christmas at school? Were you ever in a Christmas Pageant?

I can remember participating in several Christmas programs in elementary school, including many in which I sang with the choir. One in particular I can remember I did a duet with Amy King, performing "O, Holy Night". Somewhere my mother has a picture of the event. I believe I was probably in the 4th or 5th grade at the time.

My momma says :

I don't remember my parents talking about celebrating Christmas at school.  I remember a Christmas program when I was in fourth grade.   We played the "Good King Wenceslas" on flute-a-phones (recorders) and every time I hear that song today, I remember when I was in fourth grade.   My children always had a Christmas program when they went to Orestes School.   Everyone looked forward to seeing the kindergartners walking in with pajamas on and carrying a stuffed toy and singing "Away in a Manger".   Mrs. Brackett always put on a good show. 

 Jason, Travis & Michelle LeMaster

Now that I've read mom's recollection, I can vaguely remember the program for kindergartners singing "Away in a Manger", though probably I'm remembering seeing my younger brother and sister.  Mrs. Brackett, our music teacher, was a very special lady.  She came to America as a young child from Germany right after the war.  Her accent was still very think, but she was sweet to the kids.  I remember that if she couldn't remember your name, she would say "Hey, Lady" with her German accent.  I can still hear her voice.


Update : The pictures have been located.

Travis LeMaster & Amy King, Orestes Elementary, 1977

Wordless Wednesday: Brother & Sister

Idola & Paul LeMaster

Wordless Wednesday – a great way to share your old family photos! Create a post with the main focus being a photograph or image. Some posters also include attribute information as to the source of the image (date, location, owner, etc.). Wordless Wednesday is one of the longest running “memes” in the blogosphere and is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year

Advent Calendar : Holiday Happenings

Often times December to mid-January birthdays and anniversaries get over shadowed by the Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year holidays. So we’re going to shine a spotlight on those family members and ancestors this time around. Select one or more December to mid-January birthdays and/or anniversaries on your family tree. Write a short tribute to or memory of those birthday guys and gals and write a toast to the anniversary couples.

When I think of December birthdays and anniversaries, I have to remember my mother's birthday on December 10th and my parents anniversary on December 7th.  Mom's birthday oftentimes was the demarcation line for when the Christmas tree would need to be put up at our house.  Their anniversary, forever tied to Pearl Harbor day, was always easy to remember as well.  I think my dad must have picked that day on purpose, so that he wouldn't forget.

My brother-in-law, Curt, has his birthday on December 23rd as well.  He's one of those babies that came home from the hospital in a stocking.  I need to ask him if he ever felt like his birthday and Christmas were blended presents-wise.

Mom offers her take on whole holiday birthday/anniversary issue:

Being one of those who was born in December, I understand how easy it is for Christmas and all it's activities to overshadow one's birthday.   However,  I must admit that as a child and an adult, my family has been great about remembering my birthday.   I also was married on Dec. 7th.   I always remarked that since my husband was a history teacher, this was one date he wouldn't forget.   Of course, he said that since my birthday, anniversary, and Christmas all fell in the same month, he would only have to get one gift.   He was joking of course.  

My father, Bill Wright, was born on December 1, 1919.   Although he passed away suddenly at the age of 53 1/2, I have never forgotten him on his birthday.   I miss him very much and wished that he could have known my children.   My daughter was 1 month old when he died suddenly, and my two sons were 2 and 4 1/2.   He would have been so proud of them and they of him.   

Advent Calendar : Fruitcake - Friend or Foe?

Did you like fruitcake? Did your family receive fruitcakes? Have you
ever re-gifted fruitcake? Have you ever devised creative uses for
fruitcake?

I do not like fruitcake at all.  No one has gifted us a fruitcake in my adult life. 

I was not aware that anyone in my family liked fruitcake, until I heard from my parents regarding the subject:

We both like fruitcake.  Don't want to eat a lot of it but do enjoy having a piece now and then.   We did receive fruitcake as a gift and I can't recall ever regifting it.  

Well, at least now I have another gift idea!

Christmas Greetings

An Honor To Be Considered

It's an honor to be considered among the nominees for Family Tree Magazine's Top 40 Best Genealogy Blogs of 2011.  

This blog is a member of the MY FAMILY HISTORY category.

There are eight categories to vote on, and you can choose five (5) blogs in each category.

Voting is open until 11:59 p.m., Monday, December 20th. You may vote multiple times.

You can help choose the Top 40 by voting here.

For more information on the categories, and how the blogs were chosen, read here.

There are some great blogs listed among the nominees!

Tombstone Tuesday: LeMasters

Source: Salamonia Cemetery (Jay County, Indiana), LeMasters marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 26 March 2009

Floyd LeMASTERS and wife Shirley Opal (GAGLE), as well as son Floyd D. and wife Nevada J., and one unidentified LeMasters are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.

Floyd was born February 2, 1894 in Jay County, Indiana, the son of Luman Cooper and Barbara Isabel (WEHRLY) LeMASTERS.

Opal was born September 12, 1895, the daughter of James and Myrtle (FREEMEYER) GAGLE.

Floyd and Opal were married October 9, 1913. They had two children: Remonda and Floyd.  Floyd was adopted.

Floyd D. LeMASTERS was born March 24, 1923 and died August 15, 1972.  He married Nevada Jane McKINLEY, born 1922, died 2001.

I do not know yet how the Edythe G. LeMASTERS (1907-1929) fits into the family.  

Tombstone Tuesday – To participate in Tombstone Tuesday simply create a post which includes an image of a gravestone of one or more ancestors and it may also include a brief description of the image or the ancestor. This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.