Rebecca Sills (1844-1922), Wabash 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.

Rebecca Sills (1844-1922) was the daughter of George Sills and Mary Grimes.  Her second marriage to Henry Bussard on October 25, 1877 in Wabash County, Indiana was located in the database. Her first husband was Isaiah Landis.  Prior to the find, I did not have any documentation for their marriage.

"Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/27KG-Y2F : accessed 23 Nov 2013), Henry Bussard and Rebecca Landis, 1877.

Rebecca was Eileen's maternal 2nd-great grandaunt.  Her common ancestors were George Sills and Mary Grimes.  Rebecca died January 7, 1922 in Wells County, Indiana.

Exploratory Data Analysis: William McClellan Pierce (1913-1978)

William McClellan Pierce (1913-1978) was my maternal great-granduncle.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about him.

1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          McClellan was born March 17, 1913 in Madison County, Indiana, according to my database.  I do not yet have a copy of his birth certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts for mention of McClellan's birth.  The Alexandria-Monroe Public Library has newspapers from the early 1900s.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible record of the Pierce 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 McClellan.  The Pierce family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that McClellan was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          McClellan married Geneva Ruth Aldridge sometime between 1930 and 1933, probably in Madison County, Indiana.  I do not yet have a copy of their marriage license.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items on my next research trip.

          1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper

               Once I've obtained the exact date of their marriage, I can search contemporary newspaper accounts for mention of their nuptials.

          1.2.2. Anniversary Notice

               Once I'm able to determine the exact date of their marriage, I can also search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if there was mention of any anniversary celebrations.

          1.2.3. Divorce Decree

                There is no indication of any divorce, but a thorough search of Madison County, Indiana court records would need to be completed.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          McClellan died November 24, 1978 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana¹.  I do not yet have a copy of his death certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper

               McClellan's obituary appeared in the November 26, 1978 edition of the Anderson, Indiana Herald-Bulletin¹.  I have not yet transcribed this obituary for this blog.  Will need to add this to my "to-do" items.

               Will need to research other local newspapers to see if mention was also made of his obituary.

          1.3.2. Funeral Home Records

               Will need to check with the records of the funeral home to see if they have any additional information regarding McClellan's funeral.

          1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph

               McClellan's tombstone in the Park View Cemetery in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana² has been photographed.

               A link to his memorial page at the FindAGrave website is here.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census

               On April 16, 1940, McClellan appears as head of household in Ward 1, Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana³ as McClinnin Pierce, age 26, married, born in Indiana.  He had completed 1 year of college.  His residence in 1935 was on a farm in Alexandria, Indiana.  He owned his own home, valued at $2500.  His occupation was listed as a laborer in an auto factory.

          2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census

               On April 23, 1930, McClellan was enumerated in the William Pierce household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana⁴ as William M. Pierce, son, age 17.  He had attended school within the year and could read and write and speak English.  He was born in Indiana, his father born in Indiana and mother born in Kentucky.  

          2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census

               On January 23, 1920, McClellan was enumerated in the William F. Pierce household in Frankton, Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana⁵, as McClellan, son, age 6.  He had attended school within the year, could read and write and speak English.  He was born in Indiana, his father was born in Indiana and his mother born in Kentucky.

     2.2. State Census Records

          The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 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 records to see what light they might shed on the Pierce family farm.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          I have not discovered any draft registration records for McClellan.

     3.2. Pension Records

          I am not aware of any military service by McClellan or his father that would have made him eligible for this benefit.

     3.3. Service Records

          I have not discovered any military service by McClellan.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Madison County, Indiana to see what records might mention McClellan and his family.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Madison County, Indiana published a plat map in 1880, 1891, 1893, 1901, 1910, 1915, 1921, 1923, 1931 and 1940 that might be relevant for my search on the Pierce family.

5. Supplemental Records

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

Sources:

1. Anderson, Indiana, Herald Bulletin, November 26, 1978.
2. FindAGrave, Inc., FindAGrave.com (www.findagrave.com : accessed 30 November 2013).
3. 1940 U.S. census, Madison County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 1, Alexandria, enumeration district 48-52, SD 11, sheet 61A, dwelling 114; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 November 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. William Pierce household, 1930 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 48-45, SD 5, sheet 13B, dwelling 321, family 327; National Archives micropublication T626.
5. William F. Pierce household, 1920 U.S. census, population schedule, Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 119, SD 8, sheet 6A, dwelling 127, household 129; National Archives micropublication T625, roll 449, page 6B.

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.

J. Lemaster, School teacher, Greene Township, Jay County, Indiana, 1873

Portland Democrat, Portland, Indiana, November 13, 1873, page 2

GREEN TOWNSHIP ITEMS

by Hoosier

It has been sometime since I used the pencil to report from old Greene on account of bad health and pressure of business.

Times are still dull.  Staves are about the only thing that bring money, and there are cords after cords being hauled from this part of the county.  There will be no timber left in Greene township unless the destruction soon ceases.

Our farmers have been busy for last few days gathering corn.  The crop is not so good as was expected.  The prospect for wheat is promising.  Looks well, and a large quantity sowed.

Our new school house is progressing finely.  A few more fair days and it will be ready for school.  This will be a pleasure to people of that vicinity, as they have never had educational conveniences.  

The grave yard at school house No. 1 has been fenced, which speaks well for the people of that neighborhood. 

Our fall schools will closes, except one, this week, and the winter term will commence the 24th of this month, in charge of the following excellent teachers:

Dist. No. 1 - Miss Emma Adair, 1st term.
do    No. 2 - R.A. Bunch, 5th term.
do    No. 3. - Miss A.E. Rider, 2nd term.
do    No. 4 - W.P. Hiatt, 3rd term.
do    No. 5 - J. Lemaster, 2nd term.
do    No. 6 - T.C. Stephenson, 1st term.
do    No. 7 - D.M. Bunch, 5th term.
do    No. 8 - J.A. Smith,
do    No. 9 - A.J. Hays, 7th term, besides teaching two subscription schools.

Their labors heretofore have been crowned with success, and they commence their present term in full confidence of the citizens.  Hoping they may discharge their duties with credit to themselves and honor to their employer, I remain their well-wisher.

Good health and plenty of work; money scarce.

----
I believe that this J. Lemaster is Jacob Lemasters (1845-1922), son of Rev. Luman Walker and Nancy (Young) Lemasters.  Jacob was a school teacher and farmer.  I have not located him in the 1870 census, but in the 1880 census they were living in Noble Township.  Jacob was a younger brother to my 2nd-great grandfather, Luman Walker Lemasters Jr. (1842-1931).  Jacob was married to Sarah Ann Halfhill (1844-1920) and they moved to Ord, Valley County, Nebraska in the 1880s.