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'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.

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.