Sunday's Obituary : Cleo M. (Dorton) Wright (1895-1994)

Source : [undocumented, probably Anderson, Indiana Herald-Bulletin]

Alexandria - Cleo M. (Dorton) Wright, 99, 201 W. Broadway, died April 6, 1994 at her residence after an extended illness.

She was born Feb. 13, 1895 in Matthews, and had lived in Alexandria and rural Alexandria since 1917. She was a homemaker and a member of First United Methodist Church, Alexandria, and United Methodist Women's Society of the church. She was a 75-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 179 of Alexandria.

Survivors include a daughter-in-law, Lola W. Wright of Anderson; a grandson, Dr. Stephen J. Wright of Anderson; three granddaughters, Mrs. Robert W. (Leigh Ann) Byrd of West Lafayette, Mrs. Scot (Cynthia) Ford of New Whiteland, and Mrs. Michael (Nancy) Catellier of Indianapolis; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred A. Wright, in 1985; a son, Orville C. Wright, in 1986; and her parents, John and Rosetta (Dunn) Dorton.

Services will be a 1 p.m. Monday at Noffze Funeral Home with the Revs. Carl Q. Baker and Steven Fritchman officiating. Burial will be at Park View Cemetery in Alexandria.

Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Eastern Star memorial services will be conducted at 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church through the funeral home.

Surname Saturday : SHERRICK/SHIRK/SCHERCH/SCHÜRCH

The SHERRICK/SHIRK/SCHERCH/SCHÜRCH surname is in my paternal line.  The origins of the surname are Swiss.


Stories and history : 


Ahnentafel # 21 : Mary Jane Sherrick (1844-1916).  Mary was born January 13, 1844 in Ashland County, Ohio.  She married October 14, 1862 in Ashland County, Ohio to George Washington Haley (1840-1892).  George was born May 16, 1840 in Hardin County, Ohio.  They lived in Seneca County, Ohio and Jay County, Indiana, where they raised 7 children.  George died December 4, 1892 in Jay County, Ohio.  Mary married secondly on May 8, 1897 in Jay County, Indiana to Robert N. Kimble (1841-aft1900).  Robert was born in August 1841 in Ohio.  I do not have his exact date of death.  Mary died January 15, 1916 in Jay County, Ohio.  Both George and Mary are buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 42 : David Sherrick (1823-1914).  David was born October 18, 1923 in York County, Pennsylvania.  He married March 23, 1843 in Wayne County, Ohio to Susan Jacobs (1825-1864).  Susan was born August 18, 1825 in Warrington Township, York County, Pennsylvania.  They had 9 children.  Susan died February 24, 1864 in Mifflin Township, Ashland County, Ohio.  David married secondly to Amy Byers (1832-1883).  Amy was born November 26, 1832 in York County, Pennsylvania and died December 30, 1883 in Ashland County, Ohio.  David married thirdly to Margaret 'Maggie' (Zimmerman) Rosenberger (1835-1911).  Maggie was born March 11, 1835 in Maryland and died August 16, 1911 in Pleasant Township, Seneca County, Ohio.  David died September 30, 1914 in Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio and is buried in the Ashland City Cemetery, Ashland, Ohio.


Ahnentafel # 84 : David Sherrick (c1787-1874).  David was born circa 1787 in York County, Pennsylvania.  He married before 1823 to Eve ________ (c1785-1862).  Eve was born circa 1785 in Pennsylvania.  They lived in Ashland County, Ohio, where David farmed.  Eve died March 31, 1862 in Ashland County, Ohio.  David died February 22, 1874 in Ashland County, Ohio.  Both are buried in the Harlan & Wilson Cemetery, Ashland County, Ohio.


Ahnentafel # 168 : David Shirk  (c1753-c1827).  David was born circa 1753 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  He married Barbara Erb (c1755-1831).  Barbara was born circa 1755 in Pennsylvania.  They lived in Windsor Township, York County, Pennsylvania and had 10 children.  Barbara died March 1831 in Windsor Township, York County, Pennsylvania.  David died circa 1827 in Windsor Township, York County, Pennsylvania.


Ahnentafel # 336 : Ulrich Scherch (1704-1763).  Ulrich was born August 20, 1704 in Sumiswald, Canton Bern, Switzerland.  He married Anna Swarr (1720-1810).  Ulrich patented 357 acres in the village of Schoeneck, Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on April 7, 1735.  They had 11 children.  Ulrich died October 1763 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.


Ahnentafel # 672 : Ulrich Schürch (1663-c1739).  Ulrich was born March 9, 1663 in Sumiswald, Canton Bern, Switzerland.  He married circa 1695 to Barbara Grundbacher (1672-     ).  Barbara was born November 5, 1672 in Sumiswald, Canton Bern, Switzerland.  On July 27, 1711 Ulrich was among the Mennonite Brethren being held in the Berne jail.  He was deported from Switzerland, and was sent to Holland via the Rhine river in the Ship Emmenthaler.  They arrived in Amsterdam on August 3, 1711.  He immigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 23, 1728 on the ship Mortenhouse.  They had 8 children.  Ulrich died circa 1739 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.


Ahnentafel # 1344 : Peter Schürch (1639-    ).  Peter was born October 6, 1639.  He married in 1659 to Verena Eggiman (1640-    ).  Verena was born March 29, 1640.  They had at least 2 children.  Peter married secondly to Anna Reinhard.


Ahnentafel # 2688 :  Ulrich Schürch (1614-   ).  Ulrich was born June 19, 1614. He married circa 1635 to Barbara Kupferschmid (1614-    ).  


Ahnentafel # 5376 : Casper Schürch married to Margaret Trüssel (1589-     ).


Ahnentafel # 10752 : Hans Schürch married to Verena Schneider.




Related blog posts :

• Mary Jane (Sherrick) Haley (1844-1916)

• Obituary: Mary Jane (Sherrick) (Haley) Kimble (1844-1916)

• David Sherrick household : Medina County, Ohio

• David Sherrick househodl : Ashland County, Ohio

• Today in my database : David Sherrick (b. October 18, 1823)

• Weekly Genealogy Blogging Prompt: Go Directly to Jail

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.

Christ the Lord is born today

Miss Vera Haley
Portland, Ind. R.R. # 9


Wishing you a happy Xmas and a happy New Year


Ethel Martin


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This postcard, unmarked, was sent to my paternal great-aunt, Vera HALEY by Ethel MARTIN.

Wreaths Across America

Billy J. Peterson marker, Arlington National Cemetery

Eileen's stepfather, Major Billy J. Peterson, is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery.  Thanks to the Wreaths Across America project for placing this on his marker this Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Mrs. Clarence Stuber
Spencerville, O. 
R # 4


From Wagoners and Grace


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This postcard, postmarked Spencerville, Ohio, December 22, ___, was sent to my paternal great-aunt and uncle, Clarence & Vera (HALEY) STUBER.

Advent Calendar : Christmas Eve

How did you, your family or your ancestors spend Christmas Eve?


As a kid, we spent Christmas Eve at my Grandma Wright's house.  Many times, my cousins were there as well.  We would have a good meal, drink the traditional Christmas punch and open presents.  We always had to pose for a picture next to the plastic Santa.


Nowdays, we usually spend Christmas Eve day with my mother-in-law and then in the evening we go to my parents.  My brother-in-law and his family usually come up and we celebrate his birthday as well.  My stepdaughters spend Christmas Eve with their dad and come back late in the evening.  Depending on the schedules, we see as many of the family as possible.  Work schedules make it difficult to bring everyone together every year.


In our small town, Santa Claus usually makes an appearance riding the firetruck through the town on Christmas Eve.


My mom shares her Christmas Eve memories:

As a child, I went to my grandparents houses on Christmas Eve.   There was plenty of food and gifts were exchanged.   We were always the last ones to arrive as my dad, Bill Wright, worked at the Post Office and usually didn't get off work until 7 p.m.   Since I am a grandparent, I feel that children need to be home on Christmas Day so we try to get together on Christmas Eve with the families.  

Barbara (Petry) Wehrly (1802-1880)

Barbara (PETRY) WEHRLY was my paternal 3rd-great grandmother.

The following facts about Barbara's life are known:

• Birth: She was born May 28, 1802 in York County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of George and Maria Catharina (KALTREIDER) PETRY.
• Marriage: She married in 1821 in Stark County, Ohio to Johannes "John S." WEHRLY.
• Census: 1860 - She was enumerated in the household of John S. Whorley, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.
• Census: 1870 - She was enumerated in the household of John S. Werley, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.
• Death: She died August 27, 1880 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.
• Burial: She is buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.

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

• Marriage: Need to determine the exact date of Barbara and John's marriage in Stark County, Ohio
• Census: Need to locate her in the 1850 census.  She should be located in Preble County, Ohio.
• Death: Need to check with the Jay County, Indiana Health Department to see if there exists a death record.
• Obituary: Need to check and see if there was mention of her death in any local newspapers.

Related blog posts:

• Surname Saturday: PETRY

• Today in my database: Barbara PETRY (b. May 28, 1802)

Advent Calendar : Christmas Sweetheart Memories

Do you have a special memory of a first Christmas present from a sweetheart? How did you spend your first Christmas together? Any Christmas engagements or weddings among your ancestors?


My parents' first Christmas memory:

Weldon and I were married on our first Christmas.   I remember getting him a coat and he got me a watch.  We lived in Muncie in a small apartment. We had a little tree on a hand-me down corner table.  We went to my parent's house on Christmas Eve and to his parent's on Christmas Day.   We had just been married 18 days.

Wordless Wednesday: Chaperones

Gloria (Wright) LeMaster & Ord LeMaster (1970)

This photo was taken at a high school dance they were chaperoning.

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.

As The Wise Men Came

Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Stuber
Spencerville, Ohio


We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year


Bruards'


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This postcard, postmarked Fort Recovery, Ohio, December 20, 1928, was sent to my paternal great-aunt and uncle, Clarence and Vera (HALEY) STUBER.

Advent Calendar : Christmas and Deceased Relatives

Did your family visit the cemetery at Christmas? How did your family
honor deceased family members at Christmas?


I do not remember visiting the cemetery at Christmas.  We would honor their memories by continuing traditions and remembering them that way.  


My mom and dad shared a bit that I didn't know:

Grandma Ruth LeMaster always visited the cemetery and placed wreaths or grave blankets on the deceased.   I don't visit the cemetary at Christmas.   Since my parents are buried next to the highway, I always look over at the tombstone and think of them.   One way I probably honor my parents is to talk about them to my grandchildren.   I also bake their favorite cookies.   I decorate the house with many of my parent's decorations.

Virgil C. Chew

I was contacted a while back concerning an error in my Rootsweb database concerning the marriage of Esther V. ABEL and Virgil C. CHEW.  The young couple was married September 2, 1905 in Jay County, Indiana, where many of my CHEW family resided.  I had inadvertently attached this marriage record to the wrong Virgil Chew in my database.

Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 about Virgil C Chew

Name: Virgil C Chew Spouse Name: Esther V Abel Marriage Date: 2 Sep 1905 Marriage County: Jay Source Title 1: Jay County, Indiana Source Title 2: Index to Marriage Records 1850 - 1920 Inclusive Vo Source Title 3: W. P. A Original Record Located County Clerk's Off Book: C-J OS Page: 209

Source Citation: Title: Jay County, Indiana, Index to Marriage Records 1850 - 1920 Inclusive Vo, W. P. A Original Record Located County Clerk's Off; Book: C-J;Page: 209.  Source Information: Ancestry.com. Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.


This particular Virgil Cooper CHEW was born May 5, 1885 in Jay County, Indiana.  The mother of Virgil Cooper CHEW was Mabel L. FRAZIER [sic].  The mystery currently is who his father was.  His mother was unmarried at the time.  Ancestry.com has him indexed as Virgil E. Chew:

Indiana Births, 1880-1920 about Virgil E Chew

Name: Virgil E Chew Mother: Mabel L Frazier County: Jay Gender: Male Birth Date: 5 May 1885 Reference: Jay County, Indiana Index to Birth Records 1882 - 1920 Inclusive Volume I Letters A - Z Inclusive Book: H-1 Page: 128

Source: Ancestry.com. Indiana Births, 1880-1920 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: Works Progress Administration. Index to Birth Records. Indiana: Indiana Works Progress Administration, 1938-1940.

According to the researcher, Virgil's grandmother is Mary C. BUTCHER, the second wife of William H. FRASER.  They were married March 21, 1861 in Jay County, Indiana and had 4 children: Lincoln, Maybell, Ettie and Ella.  Maybell/Mabel gave birth to Virgil on May 5, 1885 and was unmarried.   Mabel died May 19, 1885 (aged 18) and is buried at Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.


Virgil is enumerated in the 1900 census of Salamonia, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana, living with his grandmother in household 43, family 44.


Frasher, Mary C., head, white, female, born June 1838, age 61, widow, 6 children, 4 living, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Virginia, no occupation
Chew, Virgil C., grandson, white, male, born May 1884, age 16, single, born Indiana, father born Indiana, mother born Indiana, farm laborer.


How did Virgil get his last name?  If his father was a member of the CHEW family, which one?  My ancestor, Dr. Ezekiel Cooper CHEW, was a Salamonia physician around this time frame - his son William later served in the same capacity.  Perhaps there is a court record in Jay County that will shed some light.


The researcher was going to continue to search local records for an obituary for Virgil to see if it would shed some clues.


Virgil married secondly to Jessie Louise TERRELL on December 24, 1921 in Marion County, Indiana.

Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 about Virgil Cooper Chew

Name: Virgil Cooper Chew Spouse Name: Jessie Louise Terrell Marriage Date: 24 Dec 1921 Marriage County: Marion Source Title 1: Marion County, Indiana Source Title 2: Index to Marriage Record 1920 - 1925 Inclusive Vol Source Title 3: Original Record Located: County Clerk's Office Ind Book: 118 OS Page: 391

Source Citation: Title: Marion County, Indiana, Index to Marriage Record 1920 - 1925 Inclusive Vol, Original Record Located: County Clerk's Office Ind; Book: 118;Page: 391.


Virgil's World War II draft registration card was filled out in Marion County, Indiana.  It reports his birth as May 5, 1885 in Salamonia, Indiana.

Source: Ancestry.com. U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010

Merry Christmas

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


12.10.10


Hello Vera.  Rec'd your letter yesterday O.K.  This is Sat eve, Mellie has gone to Basket Ball game.  I have to work tonight.  Oh Say please don't mention what I said concerning Mellie in my letter, I did not think at the time, See.  Bess may not like it.  But I suppose he writes and tells her all, Ha Ha.  You had better hide this postal.  As ever.  Otho.


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This postcard, postmarked Angola, Indiana, was sent to my paternal great-aunt, Vera HALEY.

Advent Calendar : Christmas Music

What songs did your family listen to during Christmas? Did you ever go
caroling? Did you have a favorite song?


Growing up, we listened to all sorts of Christmas music, both secular and sacred.  I remember going caroling only with our church group, unless you count the times when we would visit my great-uncle & aunt, Clarence & Vera (Haley) Stuber, at their home and later in the nursing home.  We were pretty young then, and I can remember singing Christmas and other songs for them.


As a kid, my favorite was probably "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer".  Now, I would have to say that one of my favorites was "Mary, Did You Know?".


Mom had a different favorite song:

When I was growing up, my brother and I were in the band so we were surround by music especially music at Christmas.   Mother always had music playing in the house. 
We would go caroling with the church and back for fellowship.   I usually starting playing music right after Thanksgiving.   "Silent Night" is probably one of my favorties.   It always makes me cry.

 

Hearty Greetings for Christmas

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Stuber
Spencerville, Ohio
R. R. # 5


Dear Aunt & Uncle: I will be glad when I see you Xmas.  I said this morn that I would ride my bicycle in front of the ford Sun. when I go to Ruthies.  That is about all I talk about.  I have a cold I cough a good bit, on the account Revival meeting I wont go to Ruths while you are there for I will take more cold going to church every night.  But you come here and stay several days (that farm traded for a property in town)


From Mildred Miller


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This postcard, postmarked December 22, 1921 from New Corydon, Indiana, was sent to my paternal great-aunt and uncle, Clarence and Vera (HALEY) STUBER, by their niece, Mildred MILLER.  Mildred was the daughter of Galen and Mary (HALEY) MILLER.  The Ruth mentioned in the card was my grandmother, Ruth HALEY.

Applying SWOT Analysis To Your Genealogy Research

Performing a SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) is a common business tool used by individuals to develop their careers and businesses to build market share.  The site www.mindtools.com contains tools on how to use the SWOT analysis.  Why not apply the principles of SWOT to genealogy research to kick start your goal setting for the new year?

Strengths :  What do you do well? What unique resources can you draw on?  What do others see as your strengths?

Weaknesses : What could you improve?  Where do you have fewer resources than others?  What are others likely to see as weaknesses?

Opportunities : What good opportunities are open to you?  What trends could you take advantage of?  How can you turn your strengths into opportunities?

Threats : What trends could harm you?  What is your competition doing?  What threats do your weaknesses expose you to?

A thoughtful examination of each of these categories will help you to determine your research goals and provide opportunities for improvement.  For example, my genealogical SWOT would include the following details.

Strengths: Good communication skills, social networking abilities and problem-solving skills.  Can draw upon educational experiences to focus on problems.  Others see my tenacity and natural curiosity.

Weaknesses: Research documentation in primary always needs improvement. Have fewer monetary resources than others due to age and financial circumstances at this period of life.  Others might see lack of certification credentials as a weakness.

Opportunities: Good opportunities are available to pursue online training and certification in the genealogy field.  Close proximity to major repository (Allen County Public Library-Ft. Wayne, IN) and memberships online to Ancestry.com and Footnote.com can provide additional sources for research. Can take advantage of trends in genealogical research such as DNA testing to add value to family history knowledge.  Can cultivate my communication skills into opportunities to draw upon the greater genealogical community to help solve "brickwalls" in my research.

Threats: Trends that could harm include over-reliance on online sources, which could cause me to overlook vital information in off-site repositories.  The competition (fellow researchers) are blogging, tweeting and utilizing social media to improve knowledge base. My weaknesses expose me to the threats of incorrect conclusions based on limited evidence.

Using these SWOT principals, I can plan on ways to improve my researching skills, including pursuing educational opportunities, society memberships, etc.

Advent Calendar : Religious Services

Did your family attend religious services during the Christmas season? What were the customs and traditions involved?


Attending church services during the Advent season is a special time.  Having been a part of different Protestant traditions, I must say that the ones that stick out in my mind are those involving the "Hanging of the Greens" and the lighting of the Advent candles each Sunday in Advent.  This was a tradition in both the Disciples of Christ church I grew up in and the United Methodist church of my early adult years.


I've been to Christmas Eve candlelight services as well, and there is something beautiful about a simple worship service at this time of year.

Obituary : William Lee Wright (1919-1973)

Source : Alexandria, Indiana Times Tribune [undated]

William Wright Dies Monday

William L. Wright, 53, 610 W. Broadway St., was dead on arrival at Community Hospital in Anderson Monday at 12:44 a.m.

He was a native of Alexandria and was married to Bonnie Lambertson, formerly of Elwood.

He had been employed as a clerk at the Alexandria Post Office for 28 years. He was a member of the First Christian Church Alexandria Elk Lodge 478 and was a veteran of World War II.


Surviving with the widow is one son, Terry Wright, and one daughter, Mrs. Gloria LeMasters, both of Alexandria; two sisters, Mrs. Clara Ellen High and Mrs. Barbara Webster, both of Alexandria; five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Karl M. Kyle funeral home. Burial followed in the Park View cemetery.

LeMaster Photos

My cousin, Wanda (LeMaster) Louck, provided me with copies of some LeMaster family photos from her side of the family.

Clarence LeMaster, May LeMaster & Kenneth (1912)

(L-R) Wanda, Kenneth & Ferry May (Bickel) LeMaster

Sitting in chair: Mary Ann Bickel, mother of Ferry May (Bickel) LeMaster

Clarence & May (Bickel) LeMaster, Wedding photo (1911)

May & Clarence LeMaster

Kenneth & Louise (Dalrymple) LeMaster, 50th Wedding Anniversary

Advent Calendar : Christmas Shopping

How did your family handle Christmas Shopping? Did anyone finish early
or did anyone start on Christmas Eve?

I've never started Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve, but I've been close.  I seem to struggle sometimes on what to buy.  Every year I tell myself I will do better and buy early, but it never seems to work that way.  I don't do subtle very well, so if someone wants something, I need to know exactly what it is.

I've tried to put some 'sweat equity' into my shopping, and not just shop entirely online.  This year we've noticed that many stores do not have the inventory on hand, and are also out of stock online.  Not good if there is something you really want.

Mom contributed the following :

I do the majority of Christmas shopping and wrapping.   I start early sometimes as early as September or October.   I go with the girls on Black Friday mainly to get ideas.   I'm usually done a couple of weeks before Christmas but there's always a last minute gift or two to pick up.  I give a lot of baked goods, candies, and homemade jams and sewn items. When the kids were little we would buy all year long and hid the items in attic or garage.   We have a tradition of going out for breakfast on Christmas Eve and browse afterwards through the stores.   Sometimes we pick up silly little items for the granddaugters before heading back home to get ready for Christmas Eve get together.