The Season's Greetings

Mrs. Clarence Stuber

Spencerville, Ohio

R.R # 5

Portland, Ind.

Feb. 19, 1918

Dear Sister -

This card will be a little late for Xmas but it is the best one I have.  Galen and I are alone his folks went to Silos Morehouses funeral.  It is today at 10 o'clock at Bellefontaine.  I received those patterns yesterday.  We both have bad colds. Hope you folks are well. I was up home yesterday they are well.

Mary

---

This card was sent to my paternal greataunt, Vera (HALEY) STUBER, by her sister, Mary (HALEY) MILLER.  Postmarked February 19, 1918 Portland, Ind.

Jay County Men Respond

Source: Indianapolis Star, Friday, May 4, 1917, page 11


JAY COUNTY MEN RESPOND


Portland, Ind. May 3 - Jay County sent eight more recruits to Fort Wayne this afternoon to join the army.  All are from Salamonia, a town of less than 200 population.  They are Forest and Orville Chew, brothers; John F. and Guy F. Kantner, cousins; John M. Bischoff, Ray C. McKinley, Gerard W. LeMaster, David Clyde Andrews.  Daniel Shaneyfelt and Isaac J. Garringer, both of Boundary, accompanied them, expecting to enlist.  Four new enlistments were recorded in Company G, I.N.G., this city, today.  They are Orville Upp and Frank Fiekle, this city, Oscar Shafer and Frank Sientz, both of Pennville.  Fred Chronister, private in the local company, has been elected second lieutenant of the new guard company being formed at Decatur.


---
Many of these names are familiar to my family research:


Gerald W. LeMASTER (name misspelled as "Gerard"), was my paternal granduncle, son of Luman and Barbara (WEHRLY) LeMASTER.


John M. BISCHOFF, was a foster child of my great-granduncle, Arthur R. LeMASTER.


Forest and Orville CHEW, were my paternal 1st cousins, 3 times removed, sons of Dr. William and Emma (STRAIGHT) CHEW.

GeneaLeaks

I'm waiting for the latest release of the secret documents. No, not the latest from WikiLeaks, but instead from GeneaLeaks, the masterminds of exposing family secrets.


What I'm hoping they'll release :

• The parentage of my maternal great-grandmother, June Kirk (GILLILAND) LAMBERTSON.  

• The truth about what happened to Albert MOULTON, my paternal 3rd-great grandfather, who supposedly disappeared during the California Gold Rush (and abandoned his family back East).

• Documents relating to the Swiss origins of my HALEY family, including the original spelling of the surname.

• Positive proof that Jacob LEMASTERS (1770-1852) of Mason County, Virginia and Shelby County, Ohio was a descendant of Abraham LEMASTER (bef1639-1722) of Charles County, Maryland.

These are just a few of the most highly anticipated documents expected to be exposed soon.

Rumor has it that all of these documents, and many more, have been stored away in an unknown location.  Undisclosed sources have mentioned Washington, D.C., Salt Lake City and the North Pole as possible locations.

Wednesday's Child: Maxine E. LeMaster (1920-1931)

Maxine Elizabeth LeMASTER, daughter of Gerald Walker and Mabel Agnes (KANTNER) LeMASTER, is buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.

Maxine was born August 20, 1920 in Jay County, Indiana.  She died April 2, 1931.  I need to obtain a copy of the obituary to find out how and where she died.

Note the surname is spelled with a final 's' on the family grave plot.

Source: Salamonia Cemetery (Jay County, Indiana), Maxine LeMaster marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 26 March 2009.

Wednesday’s Child – Post photos of gravestones of children. A sad topic indeed but posts can give life to the stories of these young souls. This has been an ongoing series by Amy at Gravestoned.

Wedding Wednesday: Schofield & Wright

The Marriage Service of

LAURA JEAN SCHOFIELD

and

JAMES LINCOLN WRIGHT

Saturday, May 12, 1990

2:30 p.m.

North United Methodist Church

Indianapolis, Indiana

Prelude

    Heroic Song       Jean Langlais

    Song of Peace    Jean Langlais

    Song of Joy        Jean Langlais

    Psalm XIX         Benedetto Marcello

    Carillon             Leo Sowerby

Processional

    

    In Thee Is Gladness   Johann Sebastian Bach

Opening Address

    I Corinthians 13:1-7    Reverend Loyal Bishop

Hymn

    Your Love, O God Has Called Us Here    Russell Schulz-Widmar

Intention Vows                                  Dr. William Wassner

Presentation Of The Bride                   Dr. William Wassner

Prayer                                              Reverend Loyal Bishop

Homily

   Be Subject To One Another               Dr. William Wassner

Exchange Of The Vows                        Dr. William Wassner

Blessings And Exchange Of Rings

Lighting Of The Unity Candle

Solo

   Nuptial Blessing                              Richard Proulx

Declaration And Presentation               Dr. William Wassner

Closing Prayer And Benediction            Reverend Loyal Bishop

Recessional

   Finale                                            Ceasar Franck

Officiating Ministers:

Dr. William Wassner

Reverend Loyal Bishop

Vocalist:                                           Organist:

Mr. Dan Whethen                               Dr. Robert Rayfield

Guestbook Registrar:

Miss Laura Ketterman

Photographer:                                    Videographer:

Mike Hawthorne Photography                Mr. Paul Headdy

Wedding Coordinator:

Miss Beverly Schraeder

The Wedding Party

Maid of Honor:                                   Best Man:

Miss Kathy Booth                               Mr. Dwight Thomas

Bridesmaids:                                     Groomsmen:

Mrs. Lynda Willham                            Mr. John Ferguson

Miss Kellie Wright                              Mr. Phil Lehman

Mrs. Richard Schofield                         Mr. Richard Schofield

Ring Bearer:                                      Ushers:

Mr. Matthew Willham                          Mr. Curt Ketterman

                                                       Mr. Robert Ringer

                                                       Mr. Travis LeMaster

                                                       Mr. Jason LeMaster

We wish to thank all of you for sharing this special time with us!

- Laura and Jim -

---

Jim Wright is my maternal 1st cousin.

Wedding Wednesday – a great way to display those old wedding photos or scan wedding invitations and announcements! Suggested by Carol of Reflections from the Fence and in use by several genealogy bloggers.

Wordless Wednesday: Colts Spirit

Colts Spirit Day at work, Feb. 2010

Advent Calendar : Christmas Cookies

Did your family or ancestors make Christmas Cookies? How did you help?
Did you have a favorite cookie?

At Christmastime there always seems to be quite a bit of desserts and cookies.  I can remember mom and grandma having cookies at Christmastime.  Today mom still has a "baking day" just before Christmas when my nieces come over and help get ready for the holiday. At my house, my wife and the girls love to have cookies, and I enjoy helping them to eat the cookies.  My favorite cookie is a snicker doodle, though it doesn't have to be Christmas to eat those.

I asked mom to share a bit of her memories about Christmas cookies:

My mother, Bonnie, loved to cook and we always made and decorated cookies at Christmas.    I can remember one year when mom,dad and I painted cookies using egg yolk paint and other embellishments.   It took a lot of time but we were so proud of our tray of beautiful cookies.   One of Bonnie's favorite cookies to make were Pecan Crescents which I receive a request to make them all the time..   Dad loved the snappy turtle cookies. 

Another memorable time was when we had a German foreign exchange student living with us for the year.   Suzanne had brought a German Santa cookie cutter and we made authentic German Santas.    We had a difficult time finding the right spice for it but  luck was with us and we were able to follow her German recipe.

Hearty Greetings for Christmas

Mr. Clarence Stuber
Spencerville, Ohio
R.R. # 5


Dec. 23, 1923


Dear Uncle:


I am wondering what old Santa will bring me.  And what you will get me.  Elvin is all right.  I am going to hang my stocking up to morrow night.  Hope you get along all right while aunt Vera is out here.


Bye. Bye.  Mildred


----
This card, postmarked December 24, 1923 from New Corydon, Indiana, was sent to my paternal great-uncle, Clarence STUBER, by his niece, Mildred MILLER.  The postcard mentions her younger brother, Elvin.  Mildred and Elvin were the children of Galen and Mary (HALEY) MILLER; Clarence STUBER was married to Mary's sister, Vera HALEY.

Advent Calendar : Holiday Parties

Did your family throw a holiday party each year? Do you remember attending any holiday parties?


My family would gather together on Christmas Eve at my Grandma Wright's house and then on Christmas Day we would gather at my Grandma LeMaster's. It was a fun time to get together with family. As a kid, the holidays were one of the main times to see my cousins.


As kids, at Grandma Wright's house we would always pose for a family picture. It was a way for the kids to keep track of how tall we were. Grandma Wright had a plastic Santa that had a scroll with a list of each one of our names on it. Today, my parents keep up this tradition with their grandkids.

December 1971

Grandma LeMaster's house was always packed with our large family and there was always a lot of food - plenty of mashed potatoes, noodles, etc. After lunch would be the passing out of presents, then watching sports and falling asleep on the couch.

December 1983

One year that stands out in my memory was a Christmas party which must have been in 1983. My grandmother Wright was very ill, and had been living with us. She wanted to go to Anderson where her sister was having a Christmas party. The weather was blizzard-like conditions, but she was determined that we had to go. Somehow, dad was able to drive us through the drifting snow and bitter cold to my great-aunt's house so we could spend some time with them. I don't remember much about the party other than the fact that weather-wise, we should have stayed home, but the visit made grandma happy. She passed away the next spring.

A Merry Christmas

Mrs. Clarence Stuber
Spencerville Ohio
R.R. # 3


Dear Children


We got home 5.15 __ & __ did not get out wanted ___ to ____.  I went to church.  Revival closed.  my stomach is hurting me this morning did not feel good all night. ate to much.  glad we got to go to your house.  come home when you can. sure is raining this morn.  Hope you both stay well. 


Ma.


----
This postcard, postmarked January 5, 1931, was sent to my paternal great-aunt, Vera (HALEY) STUBER.  "Ma" would be Vera's mother, Cora Belle (METZNER) HALEY.

Tombstone Tuesday: LeMasters

Source: Salamonia Cemetery (Jay County, Indiana), LeMasters marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 26 March 2009

Gerald Walker LeMASTERS and both wives, Mabel Agnes (KANTNER) LeMASTERS and Pearl L. (SMITH) LeMASTERS, as well as daughter, Maxine, are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.

Gerald was born January 15, 1896 in Jay County, Indiana, the son of Luman Cooper and Barbara Isabel (WEHRLY) LeMASTERS.

Mabel was born November 9, 1898 in Jay County, Indiana, the daughter of Henry and Estella (BROWN) KANTNER.

Gerald and Mabel were married November 22, 1919 in Jay County, Indiana.  They had 3 children: Maxine Elizabeth, Marjorie Nadine and Eva Roberta.

Mabel died January 3, 1927 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.

Gerald married secondly on November 24, 1929 to Pearl Lovina SMITH, daughter of Samuel E. and Mary E. (BIBLER) SMITH.  They had two children: Mary Marie and Robert J.

Pearl was born April 23, 1894 in Jay County, Indiana.

Daughter Maxine Elizabeth LeMASTERS, was born August 20, 1920 in Jay County, Indiana and died April 2, 1931.

Smaller markers next to the larger marker spell the surname LeMaster.

Tombstone Tuesday – To participate in Tombstone Tuesday simply create a post which includes an image of a gravestone of one or more ancestors and it may also include a brief description of the image or the ancestor. This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Alex Man was on Oklahoma at Pearl

[This post originally appeared on this blog December 7, 2008.  In memory of the Pearl Harbor attack, I'm reposting]


Source : Anderson Herald-Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana, Sunday, December 8, 1991.

Alex man was on Oklahoma at Pearl by Jim Bannon.

When we put together our special Pearl Harbor anniversary section recently, we contacted some people in this area who were survivors of the attack.

Another survivor turned up later, and even though we couldn't get his story in the Pearl Harbor section, I thought it deserved telling.

John M. High is 72 years old now and lives in Alexandria. On the morning of December 7, 1941, he was a ship's cook first class serving on the battleship U.S.S. Oklahoma, anchored along battleship row at Pearl Harbor.

High has been in bad health recently, suffering two heart attacks and a stroke and his story was told to me by his son, Charles, of Anderson, who works atDelco Remy.

When the attack came, High was in his bunk, since he had just come offnightwatch.

The Oklahoma was hit hard. It caught fire and, though it did not sink, it rolled over. Many on board lost their lives.

John High managed to get from below deck to the main deck. Smoke and fire were everywhere. He jumped over the rail and swam through burning oil to safety.

His son says the one story that sticks out in his mind that his father tells of that day is the one about a Catholic priest. It seems several men on the ship were trapped by flames and the only way out was through a porthole.

The priest, a portly man, helped push 12 men through that porthole to safety. But when he tried to get through he got stuck and drowned when the ship capsized. "He saved those 12 men but he couldn't save himself," the younger High said.

He said his father never talked much about Pearl Harbor and World War II. He talked more about it after he had his first heart attack, Charles High said.

A twist on High's story was that his parents were notified their son was missing in action. High was from Rowesburg, W. Va. The message they received read: "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son, John M. High, is missing following action in the service of his country."

The message added that to prevent any possible aid to the enemy, the parents should not divulge the name of the ship he served on or where it was stationed.

Then on Jan. 2, 1942, his parents got the wonderful news that John was, indeed, safe. John High went on to serve the rest of World War II with the Navy in the Pacific, serving on several different ships.

He went almost nine years without seeing his parents, from 1936 to 1945.

How did he get to Alexandria? He met his wife while in the Navy. She was from Alex and when the war ended they settled there. High worked at Pierce Governor in Anderson for awhile and then joined Haynes Stellite Corp. inKokomo. He retired from Cabot Corp. (which bought Haynes) in Kokomo.

"My father is a very patriotic person," Charles High said, "He has a great love for his country."

Source: NARA Record Group 331, Muster Rolls of Ships based at Pearl Harbor, 1939-47, Oklahoma, BB 37, Muster Roll, 1941, June 30, image on-line at Footnote.com

[John M. High married my maternal great-aunt, Clara Ellen Wright- TJL]

Ida (Davis) (Hancock) Morris (1874-1900)

Ida (DAVIS) (HANCOCK) MORRIS was my maternal 2nd-great grandmother, the wife of both Samuel HANCOCK and Carrie/Carvie MORRIS.


The following facts about Ida's life are known:

• Birth: She was born July 2, 1874 in Owen County, Indiana, the daughter of James Austin and Mary Ellen (SWAFFORD) DAVIS.
• Marriage: She married Samuel G. HANCOCK on August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana.
• Census: 1900 - believe she is the Ida D. HANCOCK, inmate, at the "Door of Hope", Center Township, Marion County, Indiana.
• Marriage: She married Carvie A. MORRIS on July 19, 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana.
• Death: She died August 2, 1900 in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana. Cause of death was tuberculosis.
• Burial: She was buried August 2, 1900 in the M.E. Cemetery, Owen County, Indiana.

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

• Census: 1880 - I have been unable to locate her in the 1880 census.  Her father, Austin, was enumerated in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana - as insane.  Her mother, Mary, was enumerated in her father's household in Washington Township, Owen County, Indiana as a single woman.  
• Marriage: A copy of her marriage record transcript may provide additional clues.  Would also like to clear up information on Carrie/Carvie MORRIS, as I have been unable to locate records of him after the marriage.
• Obituary: Have been unsuccessful in locating a copy of her obituary in any of the local newspapers of the time.

Ancestry of Ida (Davis) (Hancock) Morris, Ahnentafel # 30 in my ancestry:

Ahnentafel # 60 : James Austin DAVIS (c1850-1909); Monroe Co., IN>Cass Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 120 : Austin DAVIS (c1824-1851); Monroe Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 240: John DAVIS (unk-1845); Virginia>Monroe Co., IN

Related blog posts:

• Saturday Night Genealogy Fun: Who is your MRUA?

• James Austin Davis was Insane

• Ida D. Hancock - "Door of Hope" - Indianapolis, Indiana

• Ida Davis (1874-1900)

• Mystery Man : Frank Fletcher or Carrie Morris?

Advent Calendar : Santa Claus

Did you ever send a letter to Santa? Did you ever visit Santa and
“make a list?” Do you still believe in Santa Claus?

Yes, I can remember sending letters to Santa Claus and sitting on his lap.  I believe that there are pictures somewhere out there with each of us on Santa's lap when he visited the local Elks lodge.

As an adult, my perspective on the whole "Santa" concept has changed.  There is too much emphasis on Santa, not enough on Jesus, in my opinion.  Which is one reason why you won't find Santa on our wrapping paper, greeting cards, etc.  We're not militant about it, it's just a choice.  I have no problem with others anticipating the jolly old elf. The song "Where's the Line to see Jesus?" gives my perspective.

My mom gave me the following response to this prompt:

What kid doesn't make a list and/or visit Santa.   I can remember making a list and my mother told she'd mark one off when I was naughty.   So I put the things I wanted the least at the top just in case she marked it off.  

I remember taking my children, Travis, Jason, and Michelle to the Elks to visit Santa Claus.   The one memorable visit to see Santa  was when Jason started the conversation with Santa by saying, "Let me tell you what you forgot to bring me last year!"   It was a toy chain saw which he did received for Christmas.

Yes, I still believe in Santa Claus.   Santa Claus represents to me the spirit of Christmas.  The greatest gift brought to us was Jesus.

My mom and dad enjoy playing Santa and Mrs. Claus for their grandchildren.  I did manage to locate some evidence of their adventures.

Amanuensis Monday: Lambertson 50th

An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. 

1939 - 1989

The Family of

Martha and Harold Lambertson

request the pleasure of your company

at an open house to celebrate their 

Fiftieth Anniversary

on the nineteen of November

nineteen hundred and eighty-nine

from two to five in the afternoon

First Baptist Church

Fellowship Hall

Elwood, Indiana

The Lambertsons

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lambertson, 1303 S. D St., Elwood, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception from 2 to 5 p.m. today at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Elwood.

Harold Lambertson and Martha Phillips were married Nov. 25, 1939, by the Rev. R.W. Sage.

Mr. Lambertson is retired from Delco Remy, and Mrs. Lambertson is retired from the office as recorder of Madison County.  They are active members of the Elwood First Baptist Church.  They also are members of the Republican party.  Mrs. Lambertson worked for the party for over 50 years and was a precinct committeewoman for several years.  She belongs to the Pipecreek Women's Republican Club, Madison County Country Club and the American Business Women's Association.

They are the parents of Ronald Lambertson, Middletown, and the late Cecilia "Cissy" Wright.  They have two grandchildren, two step grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and two step great-grandchildren.

Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Amanuensis Monday is a popular ongoing series created by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

Christmas Greeting

Mr. Clarence Stuber
Spencerville, Ohio
R.R. # 5


New Corydon, Ind.
Dec. 24, 1920


Dear Uncle; 


I am looking for old Santa tonight.  I expect I will see aunt Vera tomorrow wish I could see you too.  We are all well hope you are the same.  I wish you a Merry Xmas.


Your little neice,


Mildred Miller


---
This postcard postmarked December 24, 1920, was sent to my paternal great-uncle Clarence STUBER, by his niece, Mildred MILLER.  Mildred was the daughter of Galen and Mary (HALEY) MILLER.  Clarence was married to Mary's sister, Vera.