Thursday, March 26, 2015

Birthday Party With An Unnamed Guest Of Honor

"Orestes News Notes," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 22 August 1913; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 March 2015).



Mr. and Mrs. Dan Young entertained at their home in honor of the birthday of their son.  Games were played and refreshments served.  Among those present were : Maude Youngs, Iva White, Clara Snethen, Mary Judd, Mary Youngs, Ruth Etchison, Josie Steward, Hazel King, Pearl Little, Mary Moore, Isabel Pyle, Helen Etchison, Nettie Athan, Mary Carver, Bertha Allen, Mary Whitten, Allean Etchison, Pearl Cummins, Bessie Laycock, Messrs. Emmet Moyer, Everett Judd, Chas. Cummins, Chas. Bicknell, Chester King, Virgil Wright, Arthur Peet, Troy Fox, Lee White, John Cook, Jay Noble, Floyd Miller, Edward Blake, Jim Jarret, Jesse Porter, Virgil King, Mr. and Mrs. George Judd, and Mr. and Mrs. E. Moyer.

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This interesting announcement about a birthday party that was attended by my maternal 2nd-great grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972), contains references to several people who were related to him.  The party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Young for their son, but the name of the son is not given. 

I believe that the birthday party was held in honor of Samuel Roscoe Young (1895-1934), son of Daniel R. and Gertrude (Johnson) Young.  He was born August 27th, and was Virgil Wright's first cousin once removed.  Their common ancestors were Daniel King and Elizabeth Shaw.

I also believe that the newspaper made a few errors : the Chester King mentioned right before Virgil Wright was likely Chester Wright, brother of Virgil. 

The rest of the names are locals and cousins of the family, some of whom I have yet to place.



Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Virgil Wright Obtains Diploma, 1912

"Diplomas For Students," notice, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 15 April 1912; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 March 2015).


Searching the archives of the Alexandria-Times Tribune, I found mention of my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972), listed among the graduates of the eighth grade in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.

Some of the names of listed graduates are very familiar to me in the area.  One name, Ruby King, maybe a relative.  

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DIPLOMAS FOR STUDENTS

Twenty-two In Monroe Township Passed First Eighth Grade Examination.

Of the 59 Monroe township students who took the examination for graduation from the eighth grade on March 18, 22 were successful, according to the figures given by the County Superintendent, J.W. Frazier.  In the whole county there were 389 applicants, of whom 140 passed.  The highest grade was obtained by Harry Leonard of Jackson township, 95 2-5.  Wesley Canup, of Van Buren township, was second, with 94 1-9.  In Monroe township Frank Swindell, of the Spiceland school, had the highest grade, 92 2-5 with Marie Thurston, of the Olive Branch school a close second.

The successful students in Monroe township were Virgil Wright, Marie Thurston, Delbert Smith, Earl Blake, Delbert and Frank Swindell, George Hall, Maggie Morton, Esther Baxter, Frank Wyatt, Verta Tomlinson, Mary Sanders, Letha Hughes, Clarence Clock, Everett Janney, Marie Blake, Ruby King, Kenneth Rogers, Hellen Henshaw, Leon Hook, Robert Grizzle and Marion Marquess.

In Van Buren township the successful students were Forest Riday, Leslie Canup, Wesley Canup, Oren Collier, Madge Ellsworth, Walter Hiatt, Kenneth Tomlinson, Wilifred Harris, Chester Hiatt, Herbert Carey, Mary Brook, Herbert Winn, Garnet Martin, Harry Spitzmesser, Clyde Morris, Hazel Kirkpatrick, Willie Inglis, Florence Peele, Veda Knight, Hazel Browne, and Marie Kirkpatrick.

The Successful ones in Boone township were Charles Austin, Clyde Cartwright, Gladys Cunningham, Ward Jones, Anna Vison, Clarence Overshiner, Paul Swain, Claire Metcalf, Donald Achor and Clarence Tutlow.

Another examination will be held next Saturday, when those who failed in the first examination will have an opportunity to try again for a diploma.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Military Monday : Irvin Metzner, World War II Draft Registration, 1942

Working my way through the hints in the Ancestry database for World War II Draft Registrations, 1942 and located this registration in Jay County, Indiana for Irvin George Metzner, my paternal first cousin three times removed.


"World War II Draft Registation Cards, 1942," digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 March 2015); citing Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration: Indiana, National Archives, Washington, D.C..



This draft registration adds to the information I've collected about Irvin, who was the son of William F. Metzner and Mary Ann Haley.  Irvin's draft registration gives his exact date of birth as January 16, 1879 in Jay County, Indiana.  Previously, I only had the month and year from census information.

It's hard to make out the name of the person who would always know where Irvin was, it appears to be Edward Bauifus of Bryant, Indiana.  Irvin was listed as self employed.  His wife must have been deceased by this time.  In the 1900 census, he was a school teacher, but I have a lot of gaps in his history.

Physically, Irvin was described as being light complexion, with blue eyes and black hair.  He stood 5'11" and weighed 150 lbs.

Military Monday – We all have ancestors who have served in the military. Military Monday is a place to post their images, stories and records of their service in various branches of the military. Military Monday is an ongoing series by Cindy at Everything’s Relative – Researching Your Family History.