1949 Tax Return : Ord Wehrly LeMaster

My grandfather's federal tax return from 1949 sheds a bit of light on some family history.  This interesting piece of family ephemera was found by my parents while cleaning out some files.  A copy of the 1944 return is here.

At the time of the filing the family had moved to 1107 West Water Street in Portland, Indiana.


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In the 1949 city directory of Portland, my grandfather was listed as a factory worker living at 1107 W. Water Street with wife and 4 children.  His salary income had improved to $ 3200 working for Delco Battery in Muncie, Indiana.

Homer Herschel Beals,(b. 1874) Hamilton County, Indiana

Working today on filling in some gaps in my database by utilizing the "Indiana Marriages, 1811-1959" database at Familysearch.org to see what updates and corrections I could find.

Homer Herschel Beals (b. 1874) was the son of Thomas Elwood Beals and Eliza Matilda Hodgin.  I found the record of his first marriage to Mable Clare Lindley in Hamilton County, Indiana while searching the "Indiana Marriages, 1811-1959" database at FamilySearch.org.  Prior to searching this database, I didn't have Mabel's maiden name.

"Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VXPJ-51N : accessed 23 Jun 2013), Homer Herchel Beals and Mabel Clare Lindley, 1905.

Also located Homer's second marriage, at age 80, on August 16, 1954 in Hamilton County, Indiana to Mary Ruth Atkins, age 47, daughter of Fred Atkins and Kate Fryberger.

"Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VXPL-CZX : accessed 23 Jun 2013), Homer H Beals and Mary Ruth Atkins, 1954.

Not sure on the correct spelling of Homer's middle name, I have from the Beals genealogy as 'Herschel', but these databases have it as 'Herchel'.  Will need to obtain a copy of the original records from Hamilton County and examine.

Homer would be my maternal third cousin four times removed.  Our common ancestors are John and Mary (Carter) Beals.  Have yet to obtain his death information or add any census information to my database.

Family Recipe Friday : Green Pepper Steak

The garden's bounty brings another family recipe from mom's collection:


When the peppers are plentiful in the garden, you make pepper steak.  A good family dish, you can use economy beef, either chuck or round and cook it until tender; then add vegetables.  You can prepare the beef ahead and refrigerate just before adding the vegetables.  Serve with a fruit dessert and breadsticks.

    1 pound beef chuck or round, fat trimmed                       
    1/4 cup soy sauce                                              
    1 clove garlic                                                 
    1/2 teaspoon ground ginger                                     
    1/4 cup salad oil                                              
    1 cup onions,thinly sliced                                     
    1 cup red and green pepper cut into 1-in pieces                
    2 stalks celery, thinly sliced                                 
    1 tablespoon cornstarch                                        
    1 cup water                                                    
    2 tomatoes, cut into wedges (optional)   

    Rice (according to package)                   

With a very sharp knife, cut beef across grain into think strips, 1/8 inch thick.   Combine soy sauce, garlic, ginger.   Add beef.  Toss and set aside while preparing vegetables.  Heat oil in large frying pan or wok.   Add beef and toss over high heat until browned.  Taste meat.   If it is not tender, cover and simmer for 30-to 40 minutes over low heat.  Turn up heat and add vegetables.   Toss until vegetables are crisp, about 10 min.   Mix cornstarch and water.   Add to pan; stir and cook until thickened.   Add tomatoes, if desired and heat through.   Serve over rice if you like or not.

(I don't particular like hot tomatoes and therefore don't add them.   Sliced tomatoes can be served on the side.   Red peppers add color to the pepper steak mix and you can use yellow for even more color.)


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 of Family Recipe Friday.  This series was suggested by Lynn Palermo of The Armchair Genealogist.