Alonzo "Lon" John Wehrly (1880-1960), Jay County, Indiana

Working 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.

Alonzo "Lon" John Wehrly (1880-1960) was the son of John P. Wehrly and Catherine E. Lemasters.  He married Bertha B. Lyons on March 15, 1902 in Jay County, Indiana.  Prior to searching this database, I did not have her maiden name and the exact date of the wedding.

"Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V6RG-WDN : accessed 27 Jun 2013), Lon J Wehrly and Bertha B Lyons, 1902.

Lon was my paternal double first cousin three times removed.  Our common ancestors were Johannes Wehrly and Barbara Petry and Luman Walker Lemasters and Nancy Young.  Lon was the Jay County Sheriff in 1930 census.  

Perry Reynolds (b. ca. 1838), Owen County, Indiana

Working 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.

Perry Reynolds (b. ca 1838) was the son of Jesse Reynolds and Mary Putman.  The surname is sometimes found as Runnels.  He married Isabella Miller on December 3, 1863 in Owen County, Indiana. Prior to searching this database, I did not have her maiden name.

"Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XXFJ-MXQ : accessed 27 Jun 2013), Perry Reynolds and Isabella Miller, 1863.

Perry was my maternal fourth great granduncle.  Our common ancestors are Jesse Reynolds and Mary Putman.  In the 1870 census, the family was living in Bean Blossom Township, Monroe County, Indiana.  Have not researched the family further.

Exploratory Data Analysis: Ida Laura (Wehrly) Scholer (1883-1963)

Ida Laura (Wehrly) Scholer (1883-1963) was my paternal great-grandaunt.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about her.

1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Ida was born February 13, 1883 in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana¹. The State of Indiana did not require state-wide registration of births until after 1907.  Jay County, Indiana has birth records from 1882. I do not have a copy of her birth certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               If Ida's birth was announced in the local newspaper, it has been lost to history.  The Jay County Public Library has newspapers from the late 1880s.  The holdings of the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis do not indicate any newspapers of the time period.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible record for the Wehrly family. Will continue to reach out to extended family members in hopes that one does exist.

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

               I am not aware of any baptismal record for Ida, nor the church affiliation of the Wehrly family.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Ida was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Ida married Edward Scholer on December 30, 1903¹, probably in Jay County, Indiana.  I do not yet have a copy of their marriage license.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of Ida and Edward's nuptials.

          1.2.2. Anniversary Notice

               Ida and Edward's 25th wedding anniversary would have been December 30, 1928.  Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of anniversary celebrations.

          1.2.3. Divorce Decree

               There is no indication that Ida and Edward ever divorced, but a search of Henry County, Indiana court records needs to be done.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Ida died December 15, 1963¹.  I suspect that she died in Henry County, Indiana. I do not have a copy of her death certificate.  Will need to add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper

               Will need to check local newspapers in Henry and Jay Counties, Indiana to see if Ida's obituary was mentioned.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.2. Funeral Home Records

               Once I've obtained a copy of her obituary, I might be able to identify the funeral home that handled the arrangements and then contact them to see if they have any more records.

          1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph

               Ida's tombstone in the Salamonia Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana has been photographed.  A link to her memorial page at FindAGrave is located here.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census

               On April 11, 1940, Ida was enumerated in the Edward L. Scholer household in Lewisville, Henry County, Indiana², as Ida L. Scholer, wife, age 57.  She was the manager of a community shop.  Her residence in 1935 was the same place.  She was born in Indiana and had completed the 6th grade in education.

          2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census

               On April 10, 1930, Ida was enumerated in the Edward Scholer household in Ward 5 of New Castle, Henry County, Indiana³, as Ida Scholer, wife, age 47.  She had been married for 21 years.  She was born in Indiana as were both of her parents.  No occupation was listed.  She could read and write and spoke English.  Their residence was at 1320 Audobon Road.

          2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census

               On January 3, 1920, Ida was enumerated in the Ed Scholer household in Ward 7 of New Castle, Henry County, Indiana⁴, as Idia L. Scholer, wife, age 36.  She was born in Indiana, her father and mother both born in Ohio.  She could read and write and spoke English.  No occupation was listed.  Their residence was at 815 C. Avenue.

          2.1.4. 1910 Federal Census

               On May 10, 1910, Ida was enumerated in the Edward Scholer household in Ward 7 of New Castle, Henry County, Indiana⁵, as Ida Scholer, wife, age 27.  She was born in Indiana, her father was born in Ohio and her mother born in Michigan.  She had been married for 6 years.  She could read and write and spoke English.  No occupation was listed.  Their residence was at 1606 G. Avenue.

          2.1.5. 1900 Federal Census

               On June 2, 1900, Ida was enumerated in the William P. Wehrly household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana⁶, as Ida L. Wehrly, daughter, age 17.  She was born February 1883 in Indiana.  Her father and mother were born in Ohio.  She could read and write and speak English.

     2.2. State Census Records

          The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913 and 1921.  These, however, were merely for the purposes of legislative apportionment.

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what light they might shed on the Wehrly farm.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          Not applicable, as Ida was a female.

     3.2. Pension Records

          I am not aware of any military service by her husband or father that would have made Ida eligible for benefits.  Her father did serve during the Civil War, but I don't believe she was ever eligible for minor's benefits.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable, as Ida was female.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Henry County, Indiana to see what records might mention Ida and her family.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Plat maps and county maps for Henry County, Indiana will need to be searched.  Will contact the local historical society to see what maps they might have in their collection.

5. Supplemental Records

Supplemental records available for research on Ida include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

Sources:

1. Wehrly, Blaine & Gladys, "Wehrly & Smith Family History." Report to Wehrly Reunion New Castle, Indiana, 16 August 1970.  Photocopy held by author.
2. 1940 U.S. census, Henry County, Indiana, population schedule, Lewisville, enumeration district 33-7, SD 10, sheet 2A, dwelling 38; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
3. 1930 U.S. census, Henry County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 5, New Castle, enumeration district 20, SD 9, sheet 10A, 1320 Audobon Road, dwelling 205, family 250; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. 1920 U.S. census, Henry County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 7, New Castle, enumeration district 74, SD 6, sheet 3A, 815 C. Avenue, dwelling 44, family 47; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
5. 1910 U.S. census, Henry County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 7, New Castle, enumeration district 92, SD 6, sheet 19B, 1606 G. Avenue, dwelling 262, family 323; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
6. William P. Wehrly household, 1900 U.S. census, population schedule, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana, ED 62, SD 67, sheet 2B, dwelling 44, family 45; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 380, page 77.

This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions drawn in this article are welcomed.