William Francis Pierce (1865-1950)

William Francis PIERCE (1865-1950) was my maternal 2nd-great grandfather.  The PIERCE family has English origins, with the immigrant ancestor, Thomas PIERCE (1608-1683), settling in Woburn, Massachusetts.

The following facts about William's life are known:

• Birth: He was born  July 10, 1865 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana, the son of Edmund G. and Catherine (GROENENDYKE) PIERCE.
• Census: 1870 - he appears in the E.G. PIERCE household in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana.
• Census: 1880 - he appears in the Catherine PIERCE household in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana.
• Marriage: He married Clara PENNISTEN on January 14, 1892 in Madison County, Indiana.
• Census: 1900 - he appears as head of household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.
• Marriage: He married Vida MADDOX on March 4, 1909 in Madison County, Indiana.
• Census: 1910 - he appears as head of household in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana
• Census: 1920 - he appears as head of household in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana
• Census: 1930 - he appears as head of household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.
• Death: He died September 21, 1950 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.
• Obituary: His obituary appeared in the September 21, 1950 Alexandria Times-Tribune
• Burial: He was buried September 25, 1950 in Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.

The following facts need additional research and/or documentation to complete my research:

• Obituary: Need to seek out obituaries printed in other local papers (Elwood, Anderson, etc.)
• Death: Need to obtain a copy of his death certificate from the Madison County, Indiana Health Department
• Residence: Need to research local directories and telephone books to pinpoint residence from 1930-1950.

Ancestry of William Francis PIERCE (1865-1950), Ahnentafel # 26 in my ancestry:

Ahnentafel # 52: Edmund G. PIERCE (1837-1875); Wayne Co., IN>Madison Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 104: Francis S. PIERCE (1806-1881); Vermont>Wayne Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 208: Gordon PIERCE (1773-1875); Worcester Co., MA>Chenango Co., NY


Ahnentafel # 416: Seth PIERCE (1744-1835); Middlesex Co., MA>Cortland Co., NY


Ahnentafel # 832: Seth PIERCE (1716-1794); Middlesex Co., MA>Windham Co., CT


Ahnentafel #1664: Samuel PIERCE (1681-1774); Middlesex Co., MA>Windham Co., CT


Ahnentafel #3328: Samuel PIERCE (1656-1721); Middlesex Co., MA


Ahnentafel #6656: Thomas PIERCE (1608-1683); England>Middlesex Co., MA


Related blog posts:

•  Marriage: William Pierce to Vida Maddox

• Marriage: William Pierce to Clara Pennisten

• Tombstone Tuesday: William Francis & Vida (Maddox) Pierce

• William F. Pierce household : Madison County, Indiana

• Today in my database: William Francis Pierce (b. July 10, 1865)

Family Milestones: April 7th

My paternal 4th-great granduncle, Jesse C. CHEW, married on this date in 1806 to Martha DRIVER.  Jesse was the son of Nathaniel and Sarah (SPRINGER) CHEW, and the younger brother of my Rev. Nathaniel CHEW.  Jesse was born September 3, 1788 in Gloucester County, New Jersey.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Martha, nor her parentage.  Jesse died April 18, 1846.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Mary CHEW, married on this date in 1825 to Joseph MOON.  Mary was the daughter of Andrew and Anna Marie (BARTHUS) CHEW, and the younger sister of my Elizabeth CHEW.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Joseph, nor his parentage.  Elizabeth died March 9, 1859.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Janet WARDLAW, was born on this date in 1784 in Virginia.  Janet was the daughter of Robert and Janet (DOWNEY) WARDLAW, and the younger sister of my Samuel WARDLAW.  Janet married January 12, 1805 in Clermont County, Ohio to Joseph CALVIN.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Joseph, nor his parentage.  They had 10 children.  Janet died October 1851 in Brown County, Ohio.

My paternal 6th-great grandaunt, Judith DAVIS, was born on this date in 1731.  Judith was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (MAXSON) DAVIS, and the younger sister of my Thomas William DAVIS.  Judith was born April 7, 1731. Judith married in 1749 to Thomas BABCOCK.  Thomas was born March 7, 1710 in Westerly, Rhode Island.  I do not have his parentage.  They had at least 1 son.  Thomas died in 1785.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My paternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Matilda JACOBS, was born on this date in 1824 in Warrington Township, York County, Pennsylvania.  Matilda was the daughter of David and Barbara (BYERS) JACOBS, and the older sister of my Susan JACOBS.  Matilda married on April 27, 1847 in Wayne County, Ohio to George COOK.  George was born June 11, 1818 in York County, Pennsylvania.  I do not have his parentage.  They had 5 children.  George died September 14, 1887 in Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio.  Matilda died May 27, 1892 in Hiawatha, Brown County, Kansas.



© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Wordless Wednesday: Haley girls

 The Haley girls: Vera, Mary, Elnora, Carrie & Ruth

Daughters of Eli Weldon & Cora Belle (Metzner) Haley

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Family Milestones: April 6th

My paternal great grandaunt, Orilla Catherine WEHRLY, was born on this date in 1872 in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  Catherine was the daughter of William P. and Olive Jane (SMITH) WEHRLY, and the younger sister of my Barbara Isabel WEHRLY.  Catherine married December 25, 1893 to Arthur B. ANDREWS.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Arthur.  Catherine died December 26, 1970 in Grant County, Indiana.

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Tombstone Tuesday: Kenneth Paul and Mary Louis (Dalrymple) LeMaster

Kenneth Paul and Mary Louise (DALRYMPLE) LeMASTER are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  Kenneth was my 1st cousin once removed.

Kenneth was born October 8, 1911 in Mercer County, Ohio, the son of Clarence Harrison and Ferry May (BICKEL) LeMASTER


Mary Louise was born September 13, 1917 in Darke County, Ohio, the daughter of Evan James and Eva Mae (RUNNER) DALRYMPLE.


Kenneth was a farmer and factory worker.  They had 4 children: Wanda Faye, Francis Duane (Bud), Janet Marie and Nancy Jo.


Kenneth died April 6, 2001 in Portland, Jay County, Indiana.  Mary Louise died January 29, 2001 in Portland, Jay County, Indiana.


Source: Salamonia Cemetery (Jay County, Indiana), Kenneth P. and M. Louise LeMaster marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 26 March 2009.

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Nothing Further Known At This Time

For some time now, I have been posting tidbits about my family and ancestors as a series of 'Family Milestones' posts.  What started out as an attempt to new content posted to the blog has turned out to be instructive and enlightening to me in regards to the lack of information that I possess about any number of families.  

My hope in publishing these mini-posts is that others who are researching the surnames will find the posts and be able to add information to my data.  Some have contacted me, and for that I am thankful.  I hope that those who read the blog are not too bored by the recitation of birth, marriage and relationship information.

Recently, I have begun to add the phrase 'nothing further is known at this time' to those posts on distant great-grandaunts and uncles, etc. that I have very little information.  My hope is that eventually I will get to a point where I can go back and update those posts with newly found information.  Perhaps some distant cousin will be able to add to the information with a death date, burial location or children, etc.

'Nothing further known at this time' is truly the status of all genealogy research - it's the journey in the discovery that takes these individuals from a mere series of names and dates and breathes some life into them that keeps me going. 

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

World War II Draft Registration: Fred Joseph Axe

Fred Joseph AXE was born March 22, 1882 in Jay County, Indiana.  He married December 25, 1903 in Jay County, Indiana to Amanda A. METZNER, daughter of William F. and Mary Ann (HALEY) METZNER.  He was a farmer, and census records place him in Bearcreek Township, Jay County, Indiana.

The Mr. William AXE listed as a contact on his draft registration was his son.  Fred and Amanda had 3 children: Ruth, Mary and William.  At the time of this registration, his wife may have been deceased, as I do not have a death date for Amanda.


His physical description lists him at 5'10", grey eyes and hair, light brown complexion, weighing 190 lbs.

 © 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Family Milestones: April 5th

My maternal 5th-great granduncle, William PUTMAN, married on this date in 1831 in Monroe County, Indiana to Sarah HEAD.  William was the son of James and Elizabeth (KENDRICK) PUTMAN, and the younger brother of my Mary (Polly) PUTMAN.  William was born March 25, 1813.  I do not have dates of birth for Sarah.  They had 10 children.  Sarah died in 1864.  William later remarried to Rachel ________.  William died July 3, 1887 in Linn County, Missouri.

My paternal great-granduncle, Martin Nimrod WEHRLY, was born on this date in 1888 in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  Martin was the son of William P. and Olive Jane (SMITH) WEHRLY, and the younger brother of my Barbara Isabel WEHRLY.  Martin married Cora BURLEY on January 1, 1914.  Cora was born in 1882.  They had at least 1 child and lived in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana.  Cora died in 1972.  Martin died February 5, 1954. 

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Sentimental Sunday: Easter memories

This week I asked mom to share some of her Easter memories.  The following is a transcript of the interview:

How did your family celebrate Easter?

Every Easter mother made us both Easter outfits.  Always had a hat and gloves and black patent leather shoes.

I remember one morning early on Easter I received a little white jacket coat.

We always stood out front of the house and had our picture taken.  I have pictures somewhere.

I also remember one year having an aqua-colored dress with ruffles (dotted Swiss).

Don't remember having an egg hunt, but always got a basket with candy. 

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Family Milestones: April 4th

My maternal 3rd-great granduncle, Charles Morton POE, was born on this date in 1866 in Morgan County, Indiana.  Charles was the son of Isaac S. and Hannah (MILLS) POE, and the younger brother of my Elizabeth Caroline POE.  Charles married March 6, 1889 in Norton, Norton County, Kansas to Minnie Elizabeth SHIMEALL, daughter of Clark Floyd and Salina Madelein (NEWCOMB) SHIMEALL.  Minnie was born April 18, 1872 in Hopkinton, Delaware County, Iowa.  They had 1 daughter and later divorced.  Minnie died February 5, 1950 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.  Charles married secondly to Leona M. ________.  Charles lived in Phillips County, Kansas and Lancaster County, Nebraska.  Last record is found in 1920 census of Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska.

My maternal 3rd-great granduncle, Nelson J. LAMBERTSON, was born on this date in 1838 in Stillwell Corner, Butler County, Ohio.  Nelson was the son of John and Sarah A. (WILLSON) LAMBERTSON, and the older brother of my Carey W. LAMBERTSON.  Nelson married June 26, 1858 in Reilly Township, Butler County, Ohio to Eliza Jane JOHNSON.  Eliza was born December 1837 in Ohio.  They raised 5 children in Darke and Butler Counties, Ohio.  Nelson was a Civil War veteran of Company I, 167th Regiment of the Ohio National Guard.  He was a wagonmaker and farmer.  Eliza died July 6, 1899.  Nelson died October 3, 1929 at the National Military Home, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio.

My paternal 2nd-great granduncle, William Anderson CHEW, was born on this date in 1858 in Darke County, Ohio.  William was the son of Dr. Ezekiel Cooper and Caroline Bishop (WOOLSTON) CHEW, and the younger brother of my Mary Keziah CHEW. William married in 1886 at New Weston, Darke County, Ohio to Emma Susan STRAIGHT, daughter of William and Catherine (BIDDINGER) STRAIGHT.  Emma was born June 1866 in Ohio.  They raised 9 children in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana where William was a physician.  Emma died in 1934.  William died January 6, 1914 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana. 

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Surname Saturday: Prince

The PRINCE surname is in Eileen's paternal line. The origins of the surname are as yet unknown.

Stories and history:

Ahnentafel # 47: Margaret Emley PRINCE (c1835-     ). Margaret was born circa 1835 in Kentukcy, according to the 1870 census.  She married August 15, 1857 to David C. DUNAWAY. David was born September 1833 in Kentucky, the son of Benjamin Evans and Martha Hogg (MIZE) DUNAWAY.  The family appears in the 1870 census of Graves County, Kentucky, and the 1900 census of Marshall County, Kentucky.  They may be in the 1880 census of Gibson County, Tennessee.  They had at least 2 children.

This is a relatively new line to research, and there is much to discover.  A cursory search of the 1850 census in Kentucky shows one possibility, a Margaret PRINCE born circa 1839 in the household of Wilson PRINCE in Lawrence County, Kentucky.  Wilson aged 25, born in Virginia, could be a brother.
 

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Family Milestones: April 3rd

My maternal 4th-great grandparents, Peter Kirkpatrick SWAFFORD and Mary Ann CROCKETT were married on this date in 1853 in Owen County, Indiana.  Peter was born June 12, 1827 in Mississippi, the son of Larkin and Nancy (________) SWAFFORD.  Mary Ann was born 1835 in Owen County, Indiana, the daughter of David and Mary Ann (NOSLER) CROCKETT.  Peter and Mary Ann raised 3 children in Bean Blossom Township, Monroe County, Indiana and Franklin and Washington Townships, Owen County, Indiana.  Mary Ann died in 1865.  Peter died in 1885 in Spencer, Owen County, Indiana.

My paternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Anna Nancy PETRY, was born on this date in 1787 in York County, Pennsylvania.  Anna was the daughter of George and Maria Catharina (KALTREIDER) PETRY, and the older sister of my Barbara PETRY.  Anna married David NEFF.  I do not have dates of birth or death for David.  Anna died March 3, 1807.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 3rd-great granduncle, Henry Mills POE, was born on this date in 1858 in Morgan County, Indiana.  Henry was the son of Isaac S. and Hannah (MILLS) POE, and the younger brother of my Elizabeth Caroline POE.  Henry was an insurance agent and lived in Norton and Labette County, Kansas.  Last known living in 1920 census in Labette County, Kansas.

My paternal 6th-great granduncle, Johannes SCHERCH, was born on this date in 1701.  Johannes was the son of Ulrich and Barbara (GRUNDBACHER) SCHURCH, an the older brother of my Ulrich SCHERCH.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 3rd-great granduncle, Pleasant E. POE, was born on this date in 1861 in Morgan County, Indiana.  Pleasant was the son of Isaac S. and Hannah (MILLS) POE, and the younger brother of my Elizabeth Caroline POE.  Pleasant lived in Richardson and Lancaster Counties, Nebraska.  Last known living in 1920 census in Lancaster County, Nebraska.


© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Family Milestones: April 2nd

My paternal 5th-great grandaunt, Elizabeth CHEW, married on this date in 1783 to Samuel STILES.  Elizabeth was the daughter of Rev. Jesse and Mary (RICHARDS) CHEW, and the older sister of my Nathaniel CHEW.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Samuel.  Elizabeth was born circa 1763 in Gloucester County, New Jersey.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 6th-great granduncle, Daniel HEATON, was born on this date in 1717.  Daniel was the son of Samuel and Susan (HAWES) HEATON, and the younger brother of my John HEATON.  Daniel died in 1796.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My paternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Elizabeth PETRY, was born on this date in 1794 in York County, Pennsylvania.  Elizabeth was the daughter of George and Maria Catarina (KALTREIDER) PETRY, and the older sister of my Barbara PETRY.  Elizabeth married Peter MILLER.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 4th-great grandaunt, Sarah JACOBS, was born on this date in 1810 in Adams County, Ohio. Sarah was the daughter of James Thomas and Isabella (FEILY) JACOBS, and the older sister of my Elizabeth JACOBS.  Sarah married James JOHNSTON on April 8, 1830 in Brown County, Ohio.  Nothing further is known at this time. 
© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Family Milestones: April 1st

My paternal 3rd-great granduncle, Jacob WEHRLY, married on this date in 1841 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio to Rebecca HAWK.  Jacob was the son of Heinrich and Christina (SAUBEL) WEHRLY, and the younger brother of my Johannes WEHRLY.  Jacob was born December 13, 1820 in York County, Pennsylvania.  Rebecca was born August 11, 1820 in Carroll County, Ohio, the daughter of John HAWK.  They had 3 children.  Jacob was a farmer.  Both died sometime after 1884, when they were mentioned in the Tuscarawas County, Ohio county history.
 
© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Family Milestones: March 31st

My maternal 6th-great grandaunt, Hannah MILLS, married on this date in 1774 to Manlove WHEELER.  Hannah was the daughter of Henry and Hannah (THORNBURG) MILLS, and the younger sister of my Aaron MILLS.  Hannah was born August 25, 1752.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Manlove.  They had 8 children.  Hannah's death was recorded 3rd month, 27th day of 1790 at Deep River Monthly Meeting, Guilford County, North Carolina.

My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Jean RAINS, was born on this date in 1794.  Jean was the daughter of Anthony and Nancy (GRAHAM) RAINS, and the younger sister of my Elizabeth RAINS.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My paternal 7th-great grandfather, Thomas PHILBRICK, was born on this date in 1688 in Hampton, Province of New Hamshire.  Thomas was the son of Samuel and Jane (________) PHILBRICK.  Thomas married Abigail ________.  They had 5 children.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Abigail.  Thomas died February 15, 1748 in Hampton, Province of New Hampshire. 

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Tombstone Tuesday: Lisle E. and Cora E. (Baldauf) Wehrly

Lisle E. and Cora E. (BALDAUF) WEHRLY are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana. Lisle E. WEHRLY is my 1st cousin twice removed, the son of Alva Monroe and Emma C. (YAEGER) WEHRLY.

Source: Salamonia Cemetery (Jay County, Indiana), Lisle E. and Cora Wehrly marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 26 March 2009. 

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Family Milestones: March 30th

My maternal 6th-great granduncle, John GROENENDYKE, married on this date in 1797 in New Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey to Lucretia DeRAPALJE.  John was the son of Johannes and Sarah Ann (LAKE) GROENENDYKE, and the younger brother of my Nicholas GROENENDYKE.  John was born June 5, 1756 in Kingston, Middlesex County, New Jersey.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Lucretia.  John died November 1, 1824 in Eugene Township, Vermillion County, Indiana.

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

Ellen (King) Wright (1868-1913)

Ellen (KING) WRIGHT (1868-1913) was my maternal 2nd-great grandmother.  I have not been able to yet trace the origins of the KING line back to the old country.

The following facts about Ellen's life are known:

• Birth: She was born August 24, 1868 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana, the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (SHAW) KING.
• Census: 1870 - She appears in the Daniel KING household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.
• Census: 1880 - She appears in the William COCHRAN household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.
• Marriage: She married John William WRIGHT on May 13, 1888 in Madison County, Indiana.
• Census:1900 - She appears in the John W. WRIGHT household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.
• Census: 1910 - She appears in the John W. WRIGHT household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.
• Death: She died December 24, 1913 in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.  Cause of death: mitral regurgitation
• Obituary: Her obituary appeared December 26, 1913 in the Alexandria Times-Tribune
• Burial: She is buried in the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.

The following facts need further research and/or documentation to complete my research:

• Children: The 1910 census indicated that she was the mother of 4 children, with only 2 living.  Need to try to identify names and birth/death dates of these other infants.
• Obituary: Need to seek out obituaries printed in other local papers (Anderson, Elwood, etc.)

Ancestry of Ellen (KING) WRIGHT (1868-1913), Ahnentafel # 25 in my ancestry:


Ahnentafel # 50: Daniel KING (1820-1876); Ohio>Madison Co., IN


Ahnentafel # 100: William KING (c1790-1869); North Carolina>Wabash Co., IN


Related blog posts: 

• Tombstone Tuesday: John William and Ellen (King) Wright 

• Today in my database: Ellen King (b. August 24, 1868)

Family Milestones: March 29th

My maternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Clarrissa A. WRIGHT, was born on this date in 1856 in Brown County, Ohio.  Clarrissa was the daughter of John and Anna (WARDLOW) WRIGHT, and the younger sister of my Joseph W. WRIGHT.  Clarrissa was married on September 25, 1878 in Brown County, Ohio to William Henry BALLEIN.  William was born January 1847 in Ohio.  They had at least 2 children.  Clarrissa died September 27, 1884 in Brown County, Ohio.  William died after the 1900 census, when he was living in Brown County, Ohio.

My paternal 6th-great granduncle, William HAINES, was born on this date in 1739 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  William was the son of Jeremiah and Hannah (BONNELL) HAINES, and the older brother of my Robert HAINES.  William married Mary EASTLACK.  I do not have dates of birth or death for Mary.  They had at least 1 child.  Nothing further is known at this time. 

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com

2010 Census: Your Community's Participation Rate

Have you received your 2010 census form?  If you did, did you fill it out?  What about your neighbors?

Now you can track the participation rates of your community, county or state through the 2010 Participation Rates webpage at the home of the 2010 census. 


This website is a collaboration between the U.S. Census Bureau and Google.  I had trouble getting the site to work with just a zip code, so instead clicked on the state map, and then zoomed into the local community.

I was surprised to see the rate of participation in my community.  Right now it stands at 56%.  We have not received our form yet at my house.  Perhaps we'll receive a visit later in the year.

© 2010, copyright Travis J. LeMaster http://tjlgenes.blogspot.com