Eli Weldon Haley (1866-1957)

Eli Weldon HALEY was my paternal great-grandfather. The HALEY family has Swiss origins, though I've not discovered the original spelling of the surname.

The following facts about Eli's life are known:

• Birth: He was born March 24, 1866 in Erie County, Ohio, the son of George Washington and Mary Jane (SHERRICK) HALEY.
• Marriage: He married Cora Belle METZNER on July 21, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana.
• Census: 1900 - he appears as the head of household in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana. His occupation was listed as farmer.
• Census: 1910 - he appears as the head of household in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana. His occupation was listed as farmer.
• Census: 1920 - he appears as the head of household in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana. His occupation was listed as farmer.
• Death: He died June 14, 1957 in Jay County, Indiana.
• Burial: He is buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Jay County, Indiana.

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

• Birth: The 1900 census states his birth was March 1866, but I need to find other contemporary sources that can collaborate the exact date of March 24.
• Census: Need to document him in the 1870 census, could be in Ohio or Jay County, Indiana with his parents.
• Census: Need to document him in the 1880 census, should be listed with his father, probably in Jay County, Indiana.
• Census: Need to document him in the 1930 census, should be listed in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.
  
• Death: Need to obtain a copy of his death certificate from the Jay County Health Department

Ancestry of Eli Weldon HALEY (1866-1957), Ahnentafel # 10 in my ancestry:

Ahnentafel # 20: George Washington HALEY (1840-1892); Hardin Co., OH>Jay Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 40: George J. HALEY (1814-1888); Basel, Switzerland>Erie Co., OH

Related blog posts:

• Tombstone Tuesday: Eli Weldon and Cora Belle (Metzner) Haley

• Happy Anniversary: Eli Weldon Haley and Cora Belle Metzner

• Eli W. Haley family Jay County Indiana

• Haley family lineage

Jay County Journal - November 2009

Received my copy of the November 2009 Jay County Journal on Friday, just now getting around to taking a look at it. I joined the Jay County Historical Society on my recent research trip to their museum. If you have roots in Jay County (the only Jay County in the world!), it would be well worth your time to stop by the museum.

The society seems to be quite active, just holding their Annual Dinner meeting with 90 in attendance. It looks like I missed an interesting presentation, as William Fentress, a member of the 36th Indiana Regiment during the Civil War shared his experiences in the Union Army. William was portrayed by Kevin Stonerock. I always enjoy living history displays and events.

One interesting note about the society mentioned in the newsletter is that membership has grown from about 620 a year ago to over 845. As the newsletter states, this is due in large part to their merger with the Jay County Genealogy Society. The merger between the two societies has been completed, eliminating a duplication of records and uniting two groups with similar goals.

The society has published two books during the year. Through My Camera Lens, a tribute to Jay County photographer, Frank Kenyon, and When There Were 8, which honors the former high schools of the county.

Articles in the newsletter include a focus on the ongoing Memories of Redkey project, a biography of pioneer midwife Mariah (Bowersock) Mendenhall, and an article on how to research your Jay County Civil War ancestors.

Family Milestones: November 14th

My paternal 5th-great granduncle, George BYERS, was born on this date in 1783 in York County, Pennsylvania. George was the son of Charles and Elizabeth (________) BYERS, and the younger brother of my Abraham BYERS. George married circa 1812 to Elizabeth ________. He died August 28, 1866 in Franklin Township, York County, Pennsylvania.