Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Tombstone Tuesday: William P. and Olive Jane (Smith) Wehrly


My parternal great-great grandparents, William P. and Olive Jane (Smith) Wehrly, are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.

William was born November 2, 1845 in Preble County, Ohio, the son of Johannes ("John S.") and Barbara (Petry) Wehrly.

Olive was born June 23, 1846 in Cass County, Michigan, the daughter of William P. and Prudence (Maxson) Smith.

William and Olive were married August 4, 1866 in Jay County, Indiana. They lived out their lives in the Salamonia area. William was a mortician, a sawmiller and a farmer. During the Civil War, he served in Company I, 130th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

William died on June 16, 1909 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana and Olive followed on January 6, 1913 in Portland, Jay County, Indiana.

William and Olive were the parents of thirteen children, all born in Jay County, Indiana:
  • Minerva Prudence Wehrly (1867-1948) married Lawrence Delbert Jackson, 9 children
  • Barbara Isabel Wehrly (1869-1930) married Luman Cooper LeMasters, 13 children
  • John William Wehrly (1870-1954) married Esther L. White, 2 children
  • Orilla Catherine Andrews (1872-1970) married Arthur B. Andrews
  • Benjamin Franklin Wehrly (1873-1875)
  • Henry Leonard Wehrly (1875-1924) married Mamie M. Salisbury
  • Harvey Allen Wehrly (1876-1968) married Nettie Shreeve
  • Alva Monroe Wehrly (1878-1952) married Emma C. Yaeger, 1 child
  • LeRoy Garfield Wehrly (1880-1883)
  • Ida Laura Wehrly (1883-1963) married Edward Scholer
  • Blaine Pearle Wehrly (1884-) married Ermina Gladys Ashcraft, 1 child
  • Ethel May Wehrly (1886-1951) married William Shreeve
  • Martin Nimrod Wehrly (1888-1954) married Cora Burley

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Obituary: John Peeples (1845-1930)

Source: Logansport Press, Logansport, Indiana, Tuesday, March 25, 1930, page 4.

Former Rochester Resident Succumbs in Laporte Sunday

Rochester, March 24. - John Peeples, 86, a Civil War veteran and a resident of Rochester for many years, died Sunday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harry Hissong, in Laporte. Mr. Peeples had been ill for the past three years with complications of diseases incident to advanced years.

Mr. and Mrs. Peeple's home was in East Rochester but for the past three years had lived with their children.

Surviving Mr. Peeples are his wife, who was formerly Electa McMillen; four daughters, Mrs. James Oler, of Argos, Mrs. Minne Miller, Mrs. Blanche Kepler and Mrs. Harry Hissong, of Laporte, and two sons, Will Peeples of Laporte, and Lloyd of Michigan City.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock at the Poplar Grove church, near Lake Maxinkuckee. Burial will be made in the adjacent cemetery.

John Peeples was the son of Hugh A.B. Peeples and Patsey Fisher, and the brother of George Peeples. John would be my wife's maternal great-great granduncle.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Jay County, Indiana Deed Book I page 116: Abel to Lemasters

This Indenture Witnesseth that Henry Abel in consideration of Three Thousand Dollars to his paid by Suman W. Lemaster, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged do hereby bargain, sell and convey to the said Suman W. Lemasters his heirs and assigns forever, the following Real Estate in Jay County & State of Indiana and described as follows to-wit:

The East half of the North East quarter of Section No. seven (7). Also the North West quarter of the North West quarter Section No. Eight all in Township twenty two (22) North of Range fifteen (15) East. Also the North East quarter of the North West quarter of section No. Eight (8) in the same Township and Range - except so much of said described tract as it is occupied by the tail Race of the Mill (Known as Benjamin Goldsmith's Mill) which ground with the priveledge of backing the water round the Bayou on the South side of the Salamonia Creek is reserved.

Together will all the priveledges and appurtenances to the same belonging. To have and to hold the same to the said Suman W. Lemaster his heirs and assigns forever. The grantor his heirs and assigns hereby covenanting with the grantee his heirs and assigns that the title so conveyed is clear free and unincumbered, that he is lawfully seized of the premises aforesaid as of a sure perfect and indefeasible estate of inheritance in fee simple, and that he will Warrant & defend the same against all claims whatsoever.

In Witness Whereof the said Henry Able and Sarah Ann Able his wife who hereby relinquishes her dower in said premises, have hereunto set their hands and seals, this 13th day of April 1854.

Henry Able (Seal)
Sarah Ann Able (Seal) Her X Mark

Attest
H. Graves
Philip Lemaster

State of Indiana, Jay County, SS:

Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Henry Able and Sarah Ann Able, the grantors in the above conveyance, and acknowledged the same to be their voluntary act and deed.

Witness my hand and official seal this 13th day of April, 1854.

Henderson Graves, Justice (Seal)

Filed August 19, 1854.
Recorded August 19, A.D. 1854, Thomas Black, R.J.C.

Comment : This deed book had been transcribed and typewritten in the Jay County Recorders office - the name should be Luman W. Lemasters, not Suman. Old script is often hard to read. I have maintained the spelling errors. Copy obtained by author in April 2009. Luman Walker Lemasters was my paternal 3great-grandfather. The family came from Shelby County, Ohio to Jay County, Indiana and settled in Madison Township.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Obituary: Catherine (McMillen) Peeples (1849-1916)

Source: Culver Citizen, Culver, Marshall County, Indiana, Thursday, May 4, 1916, page 2.

Catherine McMillen was born on April 6, 1849, in Marshall county., Ind. She was the daughter of James and Julia McMillen. She spent her girlhood days until 18 years old with her parents when she was united in marriage to George Peeples. To this union were born five children: Sarah May, Mary Ludema, Edward Allen, Everett Ellsworth and Edna Blanche, the two sons preceding their mother in infancy. She is survived by her husband, three daughters (Mrs. Henry Speyer of Culver, Mrs. Harry Dillon of Green township and Mrs. Sarah Peffley of Dora, Ind.), one sister, Mrs. John Peeples, one brother, Richard McMillen, and 12 grandchildren. In early years she united with the Methodist church of Poplar Grove, but later became a member of the Christian church of Maxinkuckee. She lived a consistent christian life, always being interested in the success of the church. She took the greatest interest in her home where many sacrifices were made with pleasure for those around her. She was taken away April 26, 1916, aged 67 years and 20 days. Funeral services were conducted at her late home April 28 by Rev. J.F. Kenrich assisted by Rev. Whittaker. Interment at Washington.

Comment: Catherine was my wife's maternal great-great grandmother. I have seen her name spelled both with a "C" and a "K".

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Tombstone Tuesday: Eli Weldon and Cora Belle (Metzner) Haley


My paternal great-grandparents, Eli Weldon and Cora Belle (Metzner) Haley, are buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.

Eli was born March 24, 1866 in Erie County, Ohio, the son of George Washington and Mary Jane (Sherrick) Haley.

Cora was born August 21, 1868 in Jay County, Indiana, the daughter of John Adam and Clara (Moulton) Metzner.

Eli and Cora were married on July 21, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana. They lived out their lives on a farm in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.

Cora died on April 28, 1955 in Jay County, Indiana, and Eli followed on June 14, 1957 in Jay County, Indiana.

Eli and Cora were the parents of the following children, all born in Jay County, Indiana:
  • Vera Delphene Haley (1890-1987), married Clarence Stuber, 1 child
  • Orpha Mable Haley (1892-1899)
  • Mary Annetttie Haley (1895-), married Galen Miller, 2 children
  • Clara Elnora Haley (1900-), married Eugune Kunce, 1 child
  • Charles L. Haley (1902-1903)
  • Carrie Verle Haley (1905-2003), married Waymon Thornburg
  • Ruth Pauline Haley (1906-1971), married Ord Wehrly LeMaster, 6 children

Monday, August 17, 2009

Obituary: George Peeples (1836-1918)

Source: Culver Citizen, Culver, Marshall County, Indiana, Wednesday, January 23, 1918, page 4.

Geeorge Peeples

George Peeples, son of Hugh and Patty Peeples, was born in Miami county, Ind., Sept. 24, 1836, and died at his home near Culver Jan. 15, 1918, aged 81 years, 5 months and 15 days. He was united in marriage to Catherine McMillen on Oct. 22, 1867. To this union were born five children, two of whom, Edward Allen and Everett Ellsworth, died in infancy. His wife departed this life 1 year and 9 months ago. He leaves one brother, John Peeples of Rochester, Ind., three daughters - Sarah Pefley of Wabash, Ind., Mary Speyer of Culver, and Edna Dillon of Argos; also 12 grandchildren, one great grandchild and other relatives and friends. He began life for himself at the age of 14. He was a soldier in the civil war and served three years from '61 to '64, and received an honorable discharge. He was a good citizen, a good neighbor, a kind husband and a loving father. His funeral was held at his home, conducted by Rev. Schuyler C. Norris, assisted by Rev. Albert Vermillion. Comrades of the G.A.R. acted as pallbearers and buried him with the honors of the order.

Comment: George was my wife's maternal great-great grandfather. His daughter, Sarah, was her great grandmother.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Obituary: Sarah May (Peoples) Pefley (1870-1932)

Source : Culver Citizen, Culver, Marshall County, Indiana, Wednesday, April 6, 1932, page 1.

Mrs. Sarah Pelfey Passes Away From Heart Attack

A second heart attack proved fatal to Mrs. Sarah Pefley, who passed away Monday morning at the home of her sister, Mrs. Harry Dillon, near Argos. She was 61 years of age. She had been ill for several months. Mrs. Pefley had lived in Culver for about seven years, but this winter had made her home with Mrs. Dillon. She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Harry Dillon and Mrs. Henry Speyer of Culver; three sons, one daughter, and many other relatives. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at the Culver M.E. Church, Rev. V. B. Servies officiating, assisted by Rev. W.B. Warringer. Interment will be in the Washington cemetery.

Source: Culver Citizen, Culver, Marshall County, Indiana, Wednesday, April 13, 1932, page 6.

Mrs. Sarah Pefley

Sarah May Peoples, eldest daughter of Geo. and Kathryn Peoples, was born May 3, 1870, on a farm near Maxinkuckee where she grew to womanhood. She joined the Christian Church there in the winter of 1888. She was married to Albert Pefley October 9, 1898. To this union were born four children, Lowell Leslie, Myra Christina, Homer Hanley and Sherman Stewart. She united with the Culver Methodist Church some six years ago. She leaves two sisters, Mrs. H.M. Speyer and Mrs. H.A. Dillon of near Argos, and a host of friends in this community.

These obituaries were provided by The Antiquarian and Historical Society of Culver, Indiana to my mother in law. Sarah was her grandmother. The surname has been found to be spelled alternatively as Peeples in some records.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Tombstone Tuesday: Clemon Beals and June Kirk (Gilliland) Lambertson


My maternal great-grandparents, Clemon Beals and June Kirk (Gilliland) Lambertson, are buried in the Elwood City Cemetery, Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.

Clemon was born October 27, 1898 in Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana, the son of Charles Wilson and Pearl May (Beals) Lambertson.

June was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, the daughter of Ida Davis. She was raised by her grandmother and stepfather, Robert and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Gilliland, and used the Gilliland surname.

Clemon and June were married June 28, 1917 in Monroe County, Indiana. After their marriage, they raised their family in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.

June died on March 20, 1951 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana. Clemon died March 18, 1994 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.

Clemon and June were the parents of four children, all of whom were born in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana:
  • Harold Wayne Lambertson (1918-2002), married Martha Marie Phillips, 2 children.
  • Floyd Ray Lambertson (1921-1998), married Nellie Jane Barr, 5 children.
  • Bonnie Mae Lambertson (1924-1984), married William Lee Wright, 2 children
  • Ruby June Lambertson (1926-), married Robert Earl Walsh, 2 children

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Weekly Genealogy Blogging Prompt # 31

Prompt: Have a family member be a guest blogger. Let a family member take the reins and provide a different perspective for a post or two. If you can't find anyone to take the job, interview a relative and spotlight the person yourself.

I didn't approach any family members to be guest bloggers this week, but I did decide to start an interview with my mother. Unfortunately, I was only able to have a few questions answered this week - but I will complete the interview at a later date. The questions come from About.com's Fifty Questions for Family History Interviews.

Why did your parents select your name? Did you have a nickname?

Grandma Wright named me "Gloria Jean". Not sure why that name was chosen, she just said I was a "Gloria Jean". I was nicknamed Gloworm by a friend from school, probably a contraction of Gloria.

Where were you born?

Mercy Hospital in Elwood because there was no hospital in Alexandria. Dr. Overpeck delivered babies there. I weighed 9 lbs. 2 oz. My mother was in labor for 3 days and the doctor wouldn't come to the hospital. He didn't come until right before delivery. Mom was so upset that she never went back to him.

What is your earliest childhood memory?

I remember going up to Tippy Lake and the end of June and hunting for mussels with my dad.

Also remember staying at Grandma Wright's at about age 6. We were going back to her garden when a huge garter snake appeared. Grandma took a hoe and killed the snake and burned it.

What kind of games did you play growing up?

We played Hearts at the lakes, there was a travelling nickel that we could win; we thought that was a lot of money. There were no girls in my neighborhood, so I played a lot with dolls.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Wordless Wednesday: Ezekiel Cooper Chew


Originial Photo at Marshall County Historical Society Museum, Plymouth, Indiana

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Tombstone Tuesday: Luman Cooper & Barbara Isabelle (Wehrly) LeMasters


My paternal great-grandparents, Luman Cooper and Barbara Isabel (Wehrly) LeMasters, are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.

Luman was born May 27, 1867 in Jay County, Indiana, the son of Luman Walker and Mary Keziah (Chew) Lemasters.

Barbara was born March 14, 1869 in Jay County, Indiana, the daughter of William P. and Olive Jane (Smith) Wehrly.

Luman and Barbara were married on November 13, 1886 in Jay County, Indiana. They moved shortly after their marriage to Ord, Valley County, Nebraska, but returned to Jay County, Indiana after the death of their first child. They lived out their remaining years on their farm in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.

Luman and Barbara were the parents of thirteen children, all but the first child were born in Jay County, Indiana.

  • [unknown name] LeMasters (1887-1887) died in infancy in Valley County, Nebraska
  • Clarence Harrison LeMasters (1888-1963) married Ferry May Bickel, had 5 children
  • Chesleigh Franklin LeMasters (1890-1960) married Clara Louise Burkey, had 6 children
  • Bertha Alberta LeMasters (1892-1961) married Russell J. Hercules, had 4 children
  • Floyd LeMasters (1894-1982) married Shirely Opal Gagle, had 2 children
  • Gerald Walker LeMasters (1896-1987) married Mabel Agnes Kantner, had 3 children; married Pearl Lovina Smith, had 2 children
  • Stanley Duey LeMaster (1898-1982) married Anna Beard, had 4 children
  • Dorothy Dot LeMaster (1900-1984) married Charles Glendon Hunt, had 3 children; married Glen Lock
  • John Leland LeMaster (1902-1980) married Dortha LeEtta DeLauter, had 6 children
  • Freda Claire LeMaster (1904-1979) married James Orville LaFollette; had 2 children
  • Ord Wehrly LeMaster (1906-1971) married Ruth Pauline Haley, had 6 children. These are my grandparents.
  • Mary Olive LeMaster (1909-) married Virgil Thornton Taylor, had 1 child.
  • Elvin Cooper LeMaster (1912-2000) married Cleo Belle Hanks, had 4 children.

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Wright-Lambertson marriage: Madison County, Indiana


My maternal grandparents marriage license from Madison County, Indiana contains a wealth of information.

MALE
1. The full Christian name and surname of this man is William Lee Wright
2. His color: White
3. Where born : Madison Co., Alexandria, Ind.
4. When born : December 1, 1919
5. Present residence: R # 2, Alexandria, Ind.
6. Present occupation: Factory employee
8. Is this male contracting party of nearer blood kin to the female contracting party than second cousin? No
9. Full Christian and surname of father : Virgil Lee Wright
10. His color: White
11. His birthplace : Madison Co., Ind.
12. His occupation : Farmer
13. His residence : R # 2, Alexandria, Ind.
14. Full Christian and maiden name of mother : Edna Muriel Pierce
15. Her color: White
16. Her occupation: Housewife
17. Her birthplace: Madison Co., Indiana
18. Her residence: R # 2, Alexandria, Ind.
19. Has the male contracting party been an Inmate of any county asylum or home for indigent person within the last five years? No
21. Is this his first marriage? Yes
26. Is the male contracting party afflicted with epilepsy, tuberculosis, venereal or any other contagious or transmissible diseases? No
27. Is he an imbecile, feeble-minded, idiotic or insane, or is he under guardianship as a person of unsound mind? No

FEMALE
1. The full Christian and surname of the woman is Bonnie Mae Lambertson
2. Her color: White
3. Where born: Madison Co., Elwood, Ind.
4. When born: Feb. 18, 1924
5. Present residence: R # 3, Elwood, Ind.
6. Present occupation: none
7. Full Christian and surname of father: Clemon Lambertson
8. His color: White
9. His birthplace: Hamilton Co., Cicero, Ind.
10. His occupation: Cabinet-worker
11. His residence: R # 3, Elwood, Ind.
12. Full Christian and maiden name of mother: June Gilliland
13. Her color: White
14. Her occupation: Housewife
15. Her birthplace: Monroe Co., Bloomington, Ind.
16. Her residence: R # 3, Elwood, Ind.
17. Has the female contracting party been an inmate of any county asylum or home for indigent persons with the last five years? No
18. Is this her first marriage? Yes
22. Is the female contracting party afflicted with epilepsy, tuberculosis, venereal or any other contagious or transmissible disease? No
23. Is she an imbecile, feeble-minded, idiotic or insane, or is she under guardianship as a person of unsound mind? No

In the margins is this note : "Consent of parents on file". At the time of this marriage application, Bonnie was under the age of eighteen.

There are a few errors in the information given by my grandmother regarding the birthplace of her mother, but I'm sure that was what she had been told.

Grant County, Indiana resource

Here's a resource for those who may have relatives in Grant County, Indiana. Check out www.grantcounty.net and then click on Departments>Health Department>Vital Records and then click on 'Death By Name'. Here you can search for your family members information and there are links to contact the Health Department to obtain a copy of the death certificate.

One thing I noticed was that the database contained final disposition of the body and the name of the informant, something that could provide clues for further research and answers as to where some of the information came from. The database doesn't state the time frame of the data, but I was able to find deaths from the 1930s all the way to the present.

Grant County is where I reside, and while I don't have much family here, I was able to find out information about some collateral relatives who died in Grant County. I searched my RootsMagic database for anyone I could find in Grant County, and was able to add some information.

There are some LeMaster names in the database who are not close relatives, including :

Paul B. LeMaster death date 5/22/1980 Marion, Indiana. His place of birth was not given, but the date was 8/24/1925. His father was Charles B. LeMaster and mother was Clarisse Busheart.

Raleigh K. LeMaster death date 2/25/1994 Marion, Indiana. He was born 4/16/1908 in Flat Gap, Kentucky. His father was Henry B. LeMaster and mother was Vergie Florence Harris.

Stanley S. LeMaster death date 3/2/2001 Marion, Indiana. He was born 4/10/1935 in Paintsville, Kentucky. His father was Ochal R. LeMaster and mother was Ruth G. Lyon

Roba E. LeMaster death date 1/21/1980 Marion, Indiana. He was born 12/2/1898 in West Virginia. His father was John D. LeMaster and mother was Sarah Pratt.

Jewell E. LeMaster death date 12/22/2005 Marion, Indiana. She was born 12/31/1918 in Keaton, Kentucky. Her father was Tommy Bailey and mother was Erie M. Evans.

Saturday, August 01, 2009

Weekly Genealogy Blogging Prompt # 30

Prompt: Write about your experiences with social networking tools for genealogy purposes. Do you use MySpace, Facebook or Twitter? Are you a wiki kind of person? None of the above? Tell readers about your experiences with these tools and watch your social network grow.

I'm not cool, but I don't care.

Social media may appear to be for the young and not the young at heart, but to hear my kids complain about it - now the 'old' people are taking over. I think that it bothers them that I'm on Facebook.

Facebook has allowed me to connect with old friends, relatives and co-workers easily and for free. For the genealogist, social media allows you to connect with fellow researchers and family by sharing your photos and blogs to a wider audience. I've been able to make new friends and trade research ideas, as well as discover a few new cousins online through my Facebook connections.

Because of these Facebook connections, I've been able to share photos of ancestors and tombstones I've taken for Find-A-Grave as well as share memories with living cousins. Fellow genealogists have helped with lookups of information in distant locales after reading my posts and have offered suggestions for further research.

I have my blog posts linked to appear on my Facebook page as 'Notes' so that all of my networked friends will have the ability to read what has been posted without accessing my blog. This exposes my research to my friends and relatives who may not have been aware that I was blogging. Often I use the 'Networked Blogs' application as well to periodically highlight a particular post.

I haven't ventured into the Twitter waters yet, but if I do, I'm sure that I will enjoy that technology as well.

Overall, my experience with social networking and genealogy research has been a positive one. I have been able to expose my blog and my research to a wider audience and have received positive feedback. I've also received research tips and offers of help. Some of my Facebook friends that are not genealogists have asked for tips on how to start their own family history research, and my far-flung cousins are able to read about my research through my linked blog posts.

I would highly recommend using social media as another tool to put your research out there. You never know what genealogical treasure may be turned up through these casual connections, and the friendships that develop can enrich your life and expand your research.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Obituary: Lillie Miller (1873-1937)

Source: Evansville, Indiana, Daily Press, July 29, 1937

Mrs. Lillie Miller, 64, of 719 N. Fifth-av, died Wednesday in her home.

Surviving are: sons, Arthur, Lawrence, Fred and William; daughters, Mrs. Eva L. Dever, Mrs. Sadie Hoover, and Mrs. Helen Miller; nine grandchildren, and a brother, John Schaefer, all of Evansville.

Funeral services will be at 7:30 a.m. Saturday in the home, continued in St. Anthony's Catholic Church at 8 a.m. Burial in Park Lawn Cemetery.

[Ed note: Interestingly, her husband's obituary stated that he was buried in Locust Hill Cemetery, but so far, records from there have not turned up a burial there. More research is needed.]

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Tombstone Tuesday: Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright

My maternal great-grandparents, Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright are buried in the Park View Cemetery in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.



Virgil Lee Wright was born July 6, 1894 in Orestes, Madison County, Indiana, the son of John William and Ellen (King) Wright.



Edna Muriel "Peach" Pierce was born February 7, 1897 in Madison County, Indiana, the daughter of William Francis and Clara (Pennisten) Pierce.



Virgil and Edna were married on June 19, 1915 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana. Virgil and Edna lived out their lives in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.

Edna died March 3, 1968 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana and Virgil followed on March 25, 1972 in Alexandria, Indiana.

Virgil and Edna were the parents of three children, all of whom were born in Madison County, Indiana:

  • Clara Ellen Wright (1916-2005) married John M. High, had 2 children.
  • William Lee Wright (1919-1973) married Bonnie Mae Lambertson, had 2 children. These are my grandparents.
  • Barbara Lou Wright (1932-2008) married Robert L. Webster, had 2 children.


Monday, July 27, 2009

Obituary: Mathias Miller (1861-1936)

Contacted the reference section of the Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana and requested a copy of the obituary for Corinne's maternal great-great grandfather, Mathias Miller.

Mathias "Mat" Miller, 74, retired stove moulder, of 719 N. Fifth-av, died Wednesday night in Deaconess Hospital. He leaves: the widow, Lillie; daughters, Mrs. Sadie Hoover, Mrs. S.E. Deyer and Misses Helen and Anna Miller; sons, Arthur, Fred, Lawrence and William; sisters, Mrs. George L. Miller, Mrs. Henry Mossberg and Mrs. Anna Kreipke, and nine grandchildren. Rev. Clyde H. Koehler, St. John's Evangelical Church, will officiate at funeral services at 10 a.m. Saturday in Ziemer's Funeral Home. Burial in Locust Hill Cemetery.

They did not indicate which newspaper the obituary was located in, but believe it was the Evansville Press. I will have to verify this in order to cite the record.

I have posted a memorial for Mathias Miller (1861-1936) at FindAGrave, but volunteers have been unable to locate a tombstone or even a record of his burial. Perhaps the obituary was in error.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

LeMaster - Haley marriage: Jay County, Indiana

My paternal grandparents' application for a marriage license in Jay County, Indiana is below. There are a lot of interesting facts you can learn from a marriage license application, provided that the informants know their mother's maiden name, etc.
My grandfather listed his occupation as a farmer, my grandmother as a domestic. Both were born in Jay County, Indiana. Her birthdate of April 12, 1911 contradicts other information I have in my database, where I showed her as born on April 11. Will have to investigate that discrepancy.
Although I already knew the information, I appreciate the fact that this application gave the names and places of birth for their parents. Grandpa's parents, Luman C. LeMaster and (Barbara) Isabelle Wehrly were both born in Jay County, while grandma's parents, Eli W. Haley was born in Erie County, Ohio and Cora Belle Metzner was born in Jay County, Indiana. At the time of the marriage, great-grandmother LeMaster was deceased, she having died in 1930.
I find it interesting to look at their signatures on the application. Although the name is spelled LeMaster with a capital 'm' throughout the application, the signature shows that grandfather signed his name Lemaster with a lower case 'm' in this case.
The marriage was performed on February 20, 1932 by Ruth's brother-in-law, Eugene Kunce, who had married her sister, Clara Elnora Haley.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Trip throughout Ohio

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Thursday, August 12, 1915, page 7.

Mr. and Mrs. Omer Whisler and daughter Edna and son Harry, and Mr. and Mrs. Charley Lambertson, of Cicero, left last Thursday morning in the former's machine for a trip through Ohio, they returned Tuesday and traveled three hundred and fifty-five miles without a single mishap and had fine weather and roads. They visited in Dayton, also went to the soldiers home at that place and visited at Middletown, Germantown and Eaton. They reported a hail storm in some parts of Ohio on Sunday afternoon and much rain. Mr. and Mrs. Lambertson, of Elwood, parents of Mrs. Whisler looked after the home of Mr. and Mrs. Whisler during their absence.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fisher and son Ralph of near Cicero, spent Friday with Mr. and Mrs. Lambertson at the Whisler home.

Comment: A trip that we might take for granted today must have been quite an experience in 1915. Sounds like they were visiting Lambertson relatives back in Ohio. Nelson J. Lambertson, a great-uncle to Charles Lambertson and Lola (Lambertson) Whisler, was a resident of the National Military Home in Dayton. He was a Civil War veteran. The towns of Middletown and Germantown were areas where Lambertson members were known to have resided.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Motoring to Elwood

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Thursday, June 10, 1915, page 7.


Omer Whisler and family, Walter Noble and family motored to Elwood Sunday and spent the day with Mrs. Whisler's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cary Lambertson. Edna, the daughter that has been spending the past week with her grandparents returned home with them.

Comment: The Walter Noble family must have been a family friend, as I do not know of any connection to the Lambertson family.

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Thanksgiving Dinner, 1913

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Thursday, December 4, 1913, page 7.

Mr. and Mrs. Carry Lambertson of Elwood spent from Friday until Monday here, guests of their daughter, Mrs. Lola Whisler.


Chas. Lambertson of Cicero was the guest of his sister, Mrs. Lola Whisler Thursday.

Comment: What the paper isn't saying is that this must have been Thanksgiving dinner and an extended visit. I also wonder why Charles Lambertson's family isn't mentioned - did his wife and children celebrate Thanksgiving at home or with someone else? Yet again there is another way to spell Carey W. Lambertson's name. I've chosen to go with Carey.

Friday, June 05, 2009

Sunday dinner guests

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Thursday, August 21, 1913, page 3.


Omer Whisler and family spent Sunday in Elwood the guests of Mrs. Whisler's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carey Lambertson


Omer Whisler and family and their guests Mr. Wagner and family, of Ohio, were the relative guests of Frank Fisher and family near Cicero, Wednesday.

Comment: I do not know the relationship of the Wagner family to the other members of the Lambertson clan. Omer Whisler and Lola May (Lambertson) Whisler had two children, Edna and Harry.

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Mrs. Lambertson of Elwood

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Thursday, May 29, 1913, page 3.

Mrs. Lambertson of Elwood who has been here visiting her daughter Mrs. Omer Whisler has gone to Onward to visit for a few days with her daughter, Mrs. Maude Fischer and family.

Comment: Lola (Lambertson) Whisler and Maud (Lambertson) Fisher were the daughters of Carey W. & Clara (Cook) Lambertson. Lola married Omer Whisler, Maude married Frank Fisher. I hadn't heard of Onward - it is located in Tipton Township, Cass County, Indiana, population 81 in the 2000 census.

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Lambertson siblings stay in touch

Members of my Lambertson family managed to stay close knit by traveling on the weekends, as evidenced by these newspaper column tidbits :

Soucre: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Thursday, May 1, 1913, page 2.

Omer Whisler and family spent Sunday near Cicero with Charles Lambertson and family.

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Thursday, May 22, 1913, page 6.

Charles Lambertson and family of Cicero spent Sunday here with his sister, Mrs. Omer Whisler and family.

Comment: Charles Lambertson and Lola (Lambertson) Whisler were the children of Carey W. & Clara (Cook) Lambertson. Although they didn't live too far away by today's standards, it must have been an effort to stay in touch and have to travel before the days of highways, email and cellphones.

Monday, June 01, 2009

Miss Edna Whisler returns

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Friday, June 14, 1912, page 7.

ALBRIGHT

Miss Edna Whisler who has been visiting her grandmother Mrs. Carrie Lambertson of Elwood returned to her home at this place Friday.

Mrs. Carrie Lambertson of Elwood spent Friday here with her daughter, Mrs. Omer Whisler.

Comment: Again, either the name is incorrect or they have confused Carey Lambertson with his wife, Clara Lambertson. Carey Lambertson (1847-1918) & Clara (Cook) Lambertson (1848-1943) were the grandparents of Edna Whisler.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Lambertson family visits

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Thursday, May 23, 1912, page 3.

ALBRIGHT

Miss Leona Lambertson who has been visiting her aunt, Mrs. Lola Whisler for the past week, returned to her home in Cicero Tuesday.

Omer Whisler, wife and children, Edna and Harry, Walter Noble and wife were the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Lambertson of Elwood, Saturday.

Mrs. Charlie Lambertson and children of Cicero spent Monday and Tuesday at this place, the guests of Omer Whisler and family.

Comment: Leona Lambertson (1904-1998) was the daughter of Charles Wilson and Pearl May (Beals) Lambertson. Lola (Lambertson) Whisler and Bert Lambertson were the brother and sister of Charles Lambertson.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Bert Lambertson & wife visits from North Dakota

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, April 5, 1912, page 6.

Bert Lambertson and wife from North Dakota are here visiting his sister, Mrs. Lola Whisler and family. Mr. and Mrs. Lambertson have not been back to Indiana since they moved to North Dakota which has been about five years ago. Mr. Lambertson's parents live here at Elwood, and he has a sister at Cicero and they will visit them while here. It is said they are thinking of remaining in Indiana.


Comment: Bert Sigler Lambertson (1886-1971) was the son of Carey W. & Clara (Cook) Lambertson. I do not know where in North Dakota they were living. The sister at Cicero would be Maud (Lambertson) Fisher.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Gossip column gets facts incorrect

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Thursday, November 30, 1911, page 6

ALBRIGHT

Carrie Lambert, wife and son of Elwood spent from Friday until Monday with their daughter Mrs. Omer Whisler and family.


Mrs. Omer Whisler and children Mr. and Mrs. Carrie Lambertson of Elwood spent Sunday with Henry Baitz and family.

Comment: Apparently, newspapers were getting their facts wrong even a hundred years ago. Both of these snippets of local gossip concern the same families. Carey W. Lambertson (1847-1918) probably didn't appreciate his name being butchered in the paper. Apparently, he and his wife, Clara (Cook) Lambertson were visiting their daughter, Lola May (Lambertson) Whisler and her husband, Omer. Not only did the newspaper spell the name incorrectly, but the lack of the comma in the second article makes it seem that Mr. and Mrs. Lambertson are the children of Mrs. Omer Whisler when in fact it is the other way around. I do not know the connection to the Henry Baitz family.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Overreaching Government restricts access to records (again!)

After being told at the Jay County Indiana Recorder's office that I could not obtain a copy of the discharge papers from my ancestor, Luman Walker Lemasters, due to privacy concerns and current Indiana law, I contacted my state representative and received the following reply:

Dear Mr. LeMaster,

Thank you for your e-mail. Representative Turner received your correspondence and asked that I respond on his behalf.

After speaking to the Department of Veterans' Affairs, you are correct, you can't obtain your great-great-grandfather's discharge papers without photo identification and a copy of his death certificate. The Department of Veterans' Affairs suggested that you could try your local library, apparently many local libraries have copies of Civil War discharges.

At this point in time it is too late in the legislative session to introduce new legislation; however, Representative Turner will keep your situation in mind as he drafts legislation for the 2010 legislative session.

Again, thank you for your e-mail. Please do not hesitate to contact Representative Turner with further questions or concerns.

Fortunately, I already had a copy from the National Archives and was able to verify (sneak a peak) at the miscelleanous records book in Jay County to verify that there was nothing new there. I found it ironic that I was discussing privacy act and laws with a clerk who didn't understand the silliness of worrying about Socrial Security numbers, etc. being disclosed in a discharge paper for a man who died before there was such a thing as Social Security.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

William Shaw - 1850 Mortality Schedule Madison County, Indiana

Searching through some scanned documents, I came across an old photocopy from a book that I must have found years ago - not properly cited. My citation reads "1850 Mortality Schedule for State of Indiana" - no author, no date and no idea what repository I found this in.

Listed on page 47 is a typed list of the mortality schedule for Madison County, Indiana, the 68th District, page 30 that lists my ancestor, William Shaw, husband of Mary (Heck) Shaw.

William Shaw, age 50?, male, married, born in Pennsylvania, died September, Farmer, Bronchitis, sick 300 days.

Also listed on the same page was a Mary Shaul, 6 months, female, born Indiana, died December, Arcipales, sick 30 days.

I will need view the actually mortality schedule to obtain a proper source, but at least this gives me a clue as to when William died and the cause.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Where was Mary (Heck) Shaw born?

I was contacted by another fellow researcher who found my database at WorldConnect and questioned why I had stated that my ancestor, Mary (Heck) Shaw, was born in Ohio and not Bracken County, Kentucky, as had been stated by other researchers. Receiving this email made go back and take a look at the information that I had regarding Mary, and I found that I had gaps to fill.



My source for her birthplace as Ohio was an email from a third researcher - a source, but obviously not a primary source. Because I didn't know where this researcher had received their information, I began to look at what I did have on Mary.


According to my database, Mary was the daughter of Godfrey & Elizabeth (Kimmer) Heck, and had married William Shaw on August 29, 1822 in Brown County, Ohio. William died in Madison County, Indiana in 1849 and Mary died August 12, 1890 in Madison County, Indiana. Both William and Mary are buried in the Prewitt Cemetery in Pipe Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana. I have been to their graves and have posted photographs at FindAGrave for both of them.


Ok, so far I had a source for Mary's death date and birth date - her tombstone states that she died August 12, 1890 aged 87 years, 4 months and 27 days. If this age is correct, then subtracting backwards would give her a birth date of March 16, 1803. However, that doesn't give me the birthplace.


Noticing that I didn't have the 1850 census record sourced for Mary, I began browsing through the records until I found her - in Jackson Township, Madison County, Indiana. There I found her listed as a farmer with a real estate valued at $1500, born in Kentucky. All of the known children were living with her, exact for oldest daughter, Elizabeth, who had married Daniel King and was living right next door.




Ok, so now at least I had a source - whether or not this is the best source remains to be seen, but it is a starting point. I'll need to check other census records, etc. to see if I can collaborate the birthplace of Kentucky. Notice that daughter Elizabeth (Shaw) King is listed as being born in Tennessee because the census taker made a 'ditto' hash mark - under the Tennessee birthplace given for her husband, Daniel. This opens a whole other can of worms because I've seen other records for Daniel that place his birthplace as either Ohio or Indiana.





Saturday, May 23, 2009

Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright: Death Certificates

Recently I obtained copies of the death certificates of my maternal great-grandparents, Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright from the Madison County, Indiana Health Department:





I already knew their date of death and places of burial, but for some reason had not bothered to obtain the official copies of the death certificates.

In doing so, I discovered that Virgil suffered from diabetes, something I didn't know.

The next step in documenting their lives will be to obtain a copy of their birth certificates. I'm going back through my files and filling in the gaps in the paper trail of my research.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Obituary: Samuel Lambertson (1875-1911)

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Thursday, October 19, 1911, page 3.



Mrs. Omer Whisler and daughter Edna and son Harry were called to the bedside of her brother, Sam Lambertson of Elwood, who died at 10 o'clock Sunday night. Mr. Lambertson had been a sufferer from Bright's disease for some time, but his friends did not think he was in so serious a condition. Mr. Lambertson was a resident of this community for a number of years, and was well known and well respected young man. He leaves a wife, father, mother, two brothers and two sisters and many friends from this vicinity. His parents live in Elwood, one brother, Bert in North Dakota, Charles of Cicero and sisters, Mrs. Maude Fischer of Cicero and Mrs. Omer Whisler of the Albright vicinity. Relatives will leave for Elwood Wednesday morning and the funeral will be held at two o'clock in the afternoon. The remains was laid to rest in the Elwood cemetery the funeral being conducted at the Catholic church of that place of which he was a member.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Charles Lambertson feted

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Tuesday, January 31, 1928, page 6.


Mrs. Charles Lambertson gave a birthday dinner for her husband Sunday being his fifty-sixth birthday. The guests were Mr. and Mrs. Bert Lambertson and sons, Robert and Frank of Alexandria, M.A. Jack and Paul Lambertson of Elwood, Mr. and Mrs. Clemon Lambertson of Elwood, Mrs. Forest Vaines [sic] and son of Elwood, and also Mr. and Mrs. Chas. R. Rariden of Sharpsville.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Clara Lambertson breaks hip

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Tuesday, April 26, 1932, page 4.

A broken hip.

Mrs. Clara Lambertson, who makes her home with her son, Bert Lambertson in Anderson is suffering neck pain as the result of her fall last Thursday in which she broke her hip. She is past 80 years of age and it is feared she will never have the use of her limb and it may be she will never be able to walk again.

Mrs. Lambertson is the mother of Mrs. Omer Whisler who resides west of Atlanta.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Clemon Lambertson seriously burned

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Tuesday, April 15, 1930, page 8.

SHARPSVILLE

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambertson received word Tuesday evening of serious burns to their son, Clemon Lambertson, of Elwood. He is at the Mercy hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Lambertson spent Wednesday in their son's home.

Tombstone Tuesday : Luman W. & Mary K. (Chew) LeMasters

My paternal great-great grandparents, Luman Walker LeMasters Jr. and his wife Mary Keziah Chew are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.



Luman was born in Shelby County, Ohio on October 19, 1842, the son of Rev. Luman Walker and Nancy (Young) Lemasters Sr.

Mary was born in Mt. Holly, Burlington County, New Jersey on February 13, 1847, the daughter of Dr. Ezekiel Cooper and Caroline Bishop (Woolston) Chew.

Luman and Mary were married in Versailles, Darke County, Ohio on October 2, 1864 while Luman was on leave during the Civil War. Luman served as a private in Company C, 39th Indiana Infanty, which was later turned into a mounted unit and renamed the 8th Regiment Indiana Cavalry.

Luman and Mary lived out their lives in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana in the village of Salamonia. Mary died February 22, 1927 in Salamonia, and Luman followed on November 18, 1931.

Luman and Mary were the parents of ten children, most of whom were born in Jay County, Indiana:
  • Beulah Sarah LeMasters (1866-1940) married Lynn Lumas Rockwell, had 4 children.
  • Luman Cooper LeMasters (1867-1933) married Barbara Isabelle Wehrly, had 13 children. They are my great-grandparents.
  • Phillip D. LeMasters (1869-1869) was about four months old when he died.
  • William Clifford LeMasters (1871-1922) married Lella Edith Lewis, had 4 children.
  • Mary Elsie LeMasters (1872-1942) married Matthias J. Atkinson, had 1 child.
  • Bertha Fidelia LeMasters (1874-1922) married John Henry Yaeger, had 6 children.
  • Ord Otterbein LeMasters (1876-1937) married Emma W.G. Garmhausen, had 1 child.
  • Edith Mabel LeMasters (1879-1949) married Henry Meinholtz, had 4 children.
  • Una Maude LeMasters (1884-1968) married Senator Winfield Phillips, had 2 children.
  • Arthur Raymond LeMasters (1885-1971) married Maude Gertrude McLaughlin, had 1 child.
  • Vernon Walker LeMasters (1888-1955) married Helene Garmhausen, had 2 children.
The tombstone photograph was taken by me on March 26, 2009.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Lambertson on Okinawa

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, April 30, 1945, page 6.


Floyd (Wimp) Lambertson, S 1 c, is on Okinawa, according to word received by his wife, Mrs. Nellie Lambertson of South West street. Seaman Lambertson has been overseas since August 1944, and took part in the invasion of Iwo Jima. He was on the first LST boat to land on Iwo Jima and the American flag that was raised on Mt. Suribachi was taken from his boat.

Mrs. Lambertson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayman Barr, 208 South West street.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Clara Lambertson confined to bed

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, January 19, 1933, page 3.

WEST ATLANTA

Mrs. Clara Lambertson at the home of Omer Whisler is confined to her bed with flu and complications. Charles Lambertson visited Sunday with his mother and Clemon Lambertson, wife and sister Leona of Elwood were Tuesday guests.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Lambertson Easter News

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Wednesday, April 23, 1930, page 3.

SHARPSVILLE

Paul Lambertson, of South Bend, spent Wednesday to Sunday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambertson and daughter.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambertson and daughter and Paul Lambertson spent Thursday evening with Clemon Lambertson and family at Elwood.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambertson and daughter were Easter Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lambertson, of South Bend.

Lambertson dinner guests

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Wednesday, September 14, 1927, page 3.

SHARPSVILLE

Mr. and Mrs. Clemon Lambertson and children and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Willon of Elwood were the Monday night guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambertson.

Mr. and Mrs. Bert Lambertson and Mr. and Mrs. Will Dulin of Alexandria were the Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambertson.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Quear and children of Noblesville spent Thursday with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambertson.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Matthias Miller family - Vanderburgh County, Indiana

Corinne's maternal great-great grandfather, Matthias MILLER and family appear in the 1900-1920 census of Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana in various households and circumstances. Matthias was the son William and Elizabeth (SCHAFER) MILLER.

In the 1900 census, Matthew, as he is listed, was a 38 year old moulder in a stove factory, born October 1861 in Indiana, married for 6 years. Both of his parents were listed as being born in Indiana. He could read and write and spoke English. His wife, Elizabeth, was aged 27, born March 1873 in Indiana, with both parents born in Indiana. She spoke English but could not read or write. She is also listed as the mother of 4 children, with only 1 living. Children living in the household were : Wm. M. aged 7, Carl, aged 5 and Fred, aged 2. Since they were listed as being married for 6 years, Elizabeth should be the mother of at least Carl & Fred, yet the record shows she was the mother of one living child.

In the 1910 census, Matthis, as he is listed, was a 49 year old moulder in a stove foundry, on his second marriage, and married for 16 years. He was born in Indiana, and his father was born in Germany and his mother in Indiana. He was renting his home, and was listed as being out of work for 30 weeks in 1909. His wife, Lizzie, aged 37 years, was on her first marriage, mother of 6 children, with 6 living. She was born in Indiana, as were both of her parents. She could not read or write. Children living in the household were: Willie, aged 16, working in a furniture factory, Carl, aged 14, working in a furniture factory, Fredie, aged 12, Hellen, aged 7 5/12, Eva, aged 5 7/12, and Auther, aged 3 3/12.

In the 1920 census, Matthias was living as a roomer in the household of Oda M. Veach. His aged was listed as 58 years old. He was married, working as a helper in a furniture factory. He was born in Indiana, with both father and mother born in Bavaria.

In the 1920 census, Lizzie was listed as the head of household in a different ward. She was renting her home. She was listed as a 46 year old female with no occupation, born in Indiana, as well as both of her parents. Living with her were children: Eva, aged 15, Arthur, aged 12, Sadie, aged 8, Lorenz, aged 5, and Fred, aged 21 and Fred's wife Bessie, aged 24.

Apparently, Matthias and Lizzie were separated at this time. Other research has located records in the Vanderburgh County were Lilie Miller filed for divorce in 1926 and later in 1931, both cases were dismissed.

Matthias MILLER b. October 1861, Indiana, d. September 15, 1936 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. January 20, 1894 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana to Elizabeth SCHAEFFER. Elizabeth b. March 1873 Indiana, d. July 28, 1937 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Known children :
i. Lily Schaefer Miller b. November 26, 1891 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. before 1900 census
ii. William Mathias Miller b. October 1, 1893 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. October 28, 1956 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. Thelma McNeal.
iii. Carl Miller b. March 19, 1896 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. September 2, 1927 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana
iv. Fred Miller b. March 1898 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. September 7, 1961 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. Bessie ________
v. Mary Miller b. August 23, 1902 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. before 1910 census
vi. Helen Louis Miller b. ca. 1903 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. March 30, 2003 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. William Herbert Gregg.
vii. Eva Louise Miller b. August 23, 1904 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. August 5, 1998 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. S.E. Dever
viii. Arthur Miller b. January 12, 1907 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. May 20, 1964 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. Hallie Marie Chivlare
ix. Sadie Kathryn Miller b. April 20, 1911 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. November 29, 2005 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. ________ Hoover
x. Lawrence Sylvester Miller b. June 6, 1914 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. April 2, 1991 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Adding DNA to your genealogical research?

I'm currently taking a marketing class while working towards my MBA, and our assignment is to write a marketing case plan study about a company of our choice. Recently, I've been fascinated with the expansion of DNA research in genealogy, and have been researching the differences between the services offered by both FamilyTreeDNA and Ancestry.com.

I'll admit that I've been skeptical in the past to the claims of some who've offered these services. The science was above my paygrade, and the "it's too good to be true" factor seemed high. The paper trail genealogy was the way to go for me, even though I've been guilty of not gathering as much documentation as possible.

There are two types of DNA tests available, the Y-chromosome (Y-DNA) and the mitochondrial (mtDNA). The Y-DNA traces the paternal line, the mtDNA traces the maternal line.

My paternal line goes back to a Jacob Lemasters (1770-1852) who first appears in Mason Co., VA (now WV) in 1806. As of yet, no paper documentation has been able to connect him as a descendant of Abraham Lemaster (c1636-1722), the emigrant to Maryland who is the claimed ancestor of approximately 90% of all Lemaster, Lemasters, Lamaster, etc. in the United States. A Y-DNA test would enable me to determine if I am related to other Lemasters who have documented their connections to Abraham.

My maternal great-grandmother was illegitimate, and the likelihood of discovering her true parentage through traditional documented genealogy is low. I wonder if it is her father's heritage that has left me, my mother and grandmother with the dark eyes and complexion. Was her heritage Italian? Who knows? A mitochondrial DNA test might give me some clues as to my ethnic origins. I would imagine that the majority would be European, but who knows what 'surprises' might lie in my DNA.

The tests are not cheap, but they are definitely getting cheaper. Recently, Ancestry has lowered its prices on the tests, and I'm tempted to jump into the DNA research waters.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Claud Francis Miguet obituary

Source: Oelwein Register, Oelwein, Iowa, September 1, 1920, page 4

Frank Miguet

Our departed brother Claude Francis Miguet was born in Lesoul and State of Houtsone, France, April 2, 1831 and departed this life in Hazelton, Buchanan Co., Iowa, August 16, 1920, being 89 years, 4 months and 14 days. In the year of 1847 with his parents he came to the United States and settled in Dubuque, Iowa in November of that year (56 days in sailing). In the year 1852 he made the overland trip to the west coast from Dubuque, Ia., to Sacramento, Calif., driving two yoke of oxen and walking the entire distance of this trip, which can now be made in less than four days, at that time took six months. In 1856 he returned to Dubuque and later settled in Superior township which is now Hazelton township, Buchanan Co. Jan. 2, 1857, he was married to Eliza Netcott and to this union but one child, Henry, of Hazelton, was born. His wife preceded him to the Great Beyond April 8, 1891, since which time he has made his home with his son in this city. To cherish and revere his memory remain his youngest brother N.M. and son Henry, two grandchildren Frank and Myrea Nolan and one great grandchild Bobbie. In the year of 1888 he united with the Presbyterian church of Hazelton. Uncle Frank, as he was familiarly called, was every inch a man among men, a thorough citizen, loved and revered by a host of friends. He was a noble worthy representative of the liberal large hearted class of men that constitute the great body of laymen of the churches of our land. The Lord and Master so appealed to him that he ever found comfort in his service. The Bible meant untold things to him and prayer graced his lips and lifted his heart to God up to the last. He was a Christian in the full sense of the word. Relying upon Him in whom he believed, he fell asleep with full confidence that all was well with him. Honest, capable, unassuring [sic], genial, pleasant in his intercourse with his fellowmen, devoted to his family and friends, he is embalmed in the love and respect of all. Such men never die as far as this world is concerned. His career is closed but his memory will be warmly cherished. May the bereaved ones who so tenderly cared for him think of him as a glorified spirit, happy in the blessings promised to the pure in heart.

Monday, March 09, 2009

Henry Miguet family - Buchanan County, Iowa

Corinne's maternal 3rd great grandfather, Henry MIGUET, appears in the 1920 census of Hazelton Township, Buchanan County, Iowa. Henry was the son of Francis and Eliza (Netcott) MIGUET.

Henry was listed as age 60, born in Iowa, and owned his home free of mortgage. His father was born in France and his mother was born in England. No occupation was listed, though he probably was retired. His wife, Kate, was aged 54, born in Indiana, with her father born in Virginia and her mother born in Ohio. Both of them could read and write.

Also living in the household were daughter, Myra, and son-in-law, Fred E. Nolan. Myra was a 25 year old, born in Iowa, and her husband, was a 39 year old bank cashier, born in Illinois. Fred's age was a bit hard to read, he may have been only 29 years old.

Henry MIGUET b. November 27, 1858 Buchanan County, Iowa, d. January 11, 1944, m. 23 December 1883 Buchanan County, Iowa to Katherine JARRETT, daughter of Judson and Jane (________) JARRETT. Katherine was b. September 1865 Iowa and d. August 4, 1952. Their children:
i. Frank Field Miguet b. November 1885 Iowa, d. January 28, 1954 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. Amelia Matilda Sauer.
ii. Ethel Myrea Miguet b. May 1894 Iowa, d. 1962, m. Fred E. Nolan, m(2) ______ Steninger.

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Frank Field Miguet family - Buchanan County, Iowa

Corinne's maternal great-great grandfather, Frank Field MIGUET, appears in the 1920 census of Hazelton Township, Buchanan County, Iowa. Frank was the son of Henry and Katherine (Jarrett) MIGUET.

Frank was listed as 34 year old salesman, born in Iowa, who could read and write. Both of Frank's parents were listed as being born in Iowa. His wife, Amelia, was listed as a 29 year old native of Indiana, whose parents were both born in Indiana. Their son, Robert, was born in Indiana, and was only 1 year and six months old.

Frank Field MIGUET b. November 1885 Iowa, d. January 28, 1954 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. Amelia Matilda SAUER, daughter of Edward J. and Amelia M. (Ritt) SAUER. Amelia was born August 6, 1890 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. September 25, 1974 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Their children:
i. Robert Francis Miguet m. Helen Meyer
ii. Miriam Ruth Miguet m. Edward Ferdinand Wildt

Saturday, March 07, 2009

Francis Miguet family - Buchanan County, Iowa

Corinne's maternal fourth great-grandfather, Francis MIGUET appears in the 1860 and 1870 census of Buchanan County, Iowa. I am still trying to sort out the other Miguet families in that area to determine how they are all related.

In the 1860 census, Francis was listed in Superior Township as a 27 year old Farmer with a personal estate valued at $285 who was born in France. His wife, Eliza, was 26 years old and was born in England. Their son, Henry, aged 2, was born in Iowa. Also listed in the household was a 21 year old Daniel Ashbrook, born in New York, whose occupation was farm laborer.

Living next door to Francis was the John P. and Frances Miguet household, these could be parents or close relatives. Both of them were listed as being born in France.

In the 1870 census, Francis was listed in Hazelton Township as a 39 year old Farmer with real estate valued at $3200 and a personal estate valued at $1372. Again he was listed as being born in France, but was listed as a U.S. citizen. His wife, Eliza, was 37 years old, born in England, and keeping house. Their son Henry was age 12, born in Iowa, and had attended school within the year.

Claud Francis MIGUET, b. ca. 1833 France, d. 1920 Buchanan County, Iowa, m. Eliza ________. Eliza b. ca. 1833 England, d. 1891 Buchanan County, Iowa. Both are buried in the Hazelton Cemetery, Buchanan County, Iowa. Known children :
i. Henry Miguet, b. November 1858 Buchanan County, Iowa, d. after 1920 census, m. December 23, 1883 Buchanan County, Iowa to Katherine JARRETT.

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Arthur Augustus Metzner family - Jay County, Indiana

Arthur A. Metzner and family appear in the 1910 census of Bearcreek Township, Jay County, Indiana. Arthur was the son of Louis Napoleon and Henrietta (Weaver) Metzner, and my paternal first cousin three times removed.

In the 1910 census, Arthur was listed as a 31 year old farmer, who could read and write and whose home was mortgaged. He was born in Indiana, and his father was born in Ohio and mother in Indiana as well. Arthur was listed as being married for 9 years. His wife, Laura D. Reid, was listed as Lura D., a 28 year old mother of 3 children with all 3 living. She was born in Kansas, with both parents listed as being born in Indiana.

Three children were listed with the family : Vada E., aged 8; Hazel L., aged 3; and Fern D. age 1 year and 7 months. All of these children were born in Indiana. The names conflict with some other records I had previously found in the WPA indices for Jay County birth records. In those records, I had found a female born August 20, 1901; a female born June 7, 1906 and a Clara L. Metzner born September 12, 1908. While the first two could match Vada and Hazel; how Clara could be mistaken for Fern I do not know. More research in Jay County will have to be done to straighten that out.

Also living with the family in the 1910 was Arthur's mother, Henrietta, although she was listed as Harriet Metzner, aged 57, a widow born in Indiana; with father born in Pennsylvania and mother born in Ohio. Henrietta's husband, Louis, had died shortly after the 1900 census on July 3, 1900 in Bearcreek Township, Jay County, Indiana.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Adney - Rinehart connections

Retracing some steps by cleaning out my inbox led me back to an email from Mary Alice Adney regarding the Adney and Rinehart families from 2005. In the email, she mentioned that Eileen's ancestors, Mary Adney and Jacob Rinehart were married and that both were buried in the Chicago graveyard of Henry County, Indiana. Mary was the daughter of Daniel Adney and Anna (Coger) Adney and Jacob was the son of Peter and Margaret (---) Rinehart.

Daniel Adney was buried in the Woods Chapel Cemetery near Liberty, Indiana in Henry County. Searching the FindAGrave website, I located his memorial here. Jacob and Mary (Adney) Rinehart also have their own memorials here and here.

The FindAGrave memorials stated that Jacob and Mary were married on January 29, 1821 in Preble County, Ohio, and that three of Jacob's brothers, Daniel, Peter and David married Adney sisters : Elizabeth, Sarah and Rebecca. This would indicate a strong relationship between these two families. The location of their families in Preble County at the same timeframe as my Wehrly ancestors makes me curious if they crossed paths.

Daniel Adney's parents were Thomas Adney and Elizabeth Dunn. Thomas came from England, according to Mary's email, but the exact date is not known. Mary mentioned that she wrote a book on the Adney's, and searching the catalog of the Allen County library I found the title : Adney Family Story, published in 1986. I will have to mark this on my to-do list for research on my next return trip to the library.

I've contacted the contributors of the FindAGrave pages for more information as well. One lists Peter Rinehart's wife Margaret's maiden name as Minga, information that I didn't have, giving me another branch to research.