Those Places Thursday : Top Hat Drive In, Alexandria Indiana

Mom shared her memories of an old Alexandria, Indiana landmark and a photo from her high school yearbook.

Source: Alexandria-Monroe High School Spectrum, 1964 edition

Top Hat Special

When I was in high school I worked as a carhop and payroll clerk for the Top Hat Drive-In.   Our special was the "Top Hat" Sandwich which was nothing more than a cheeseburger on toast with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.   It was amazing how good a cheeseburger could be just by changing to toast and proved to be a popular item for customers.  If I recall they sold for 35 cents. 

Our other specials include hand-bread tenderloins and onion rings which were double dipped in a milk&egg mixture and then into cracker crumbs.   I remember "tater tots" being introduced and were served with sour cream.   

The Top Hat was owned locally by insurance man, Neal Johnson, teacher & coach, Shorty Burdsall, and Harry Jolliff.   Harry was the one who mainly managed and worked the grill.   Shorty would on occasion work the grill when Harry had to be off.

Those Places Thursday – do you often think back to places where you lived and worked at one time? What about those places where your ancestors spent time? Post about “those places” with photos and stories on Those Places Thursday. This has been an ongoing series by Cheryl Palmer of Heritage Happens.

Erin Go Bragh

Miss Vera Haley

Portland, Ind.

"Route 9"

Come and visit us.  This is a little remembrance.  My address is Mrs. __ __ 401 Franklin St. Lorain Ohio.

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This postcard, postmarked March 15, 1909 in Lorain, Ohio was sent to my paternal great aunt, Vera HALEY.  The sender's name looks like Mrs. Chris Coder, but I'm not sure.  Any suggestions from readers is appreciated.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Update 3/18/11:  Thanks to reader comments, I checked Ancestry.com for the name Ohio Coder in Lorain, Ohio.  There was an Ohio Coder in city directories and census records in the 2nd war. In 1910, it was indexed as Colter, but in other records it was definitely Coder.  Mrs. Coder's first name was Della.  I know of no relationship to Vera Haley at this time.

Photo: Ruby and Bob Walsh

Ruby and Bob Walsh

Ruby and Bob Walsh

Ruby and Bob Walsh

Bob Walsh

These photos from the collection of cousin Mike Walsh, show his parents, Robert and Ruby (LAMBERTSON) WALSH during the World War II years.  Most of the photos were not marked with locations, but I believe they were taken either in Florida or Texas.

Ruby Walsh, San Antonio, TX 1944

This photo was labeled as being taken in 1944 in San Antonio, TX.  Notice that the house is the same as the photo of uncle Bob above, so we can place that one in 1944 in San Antonio as well.

Tombstone Tuesday: James Louis Pierce (1931-2002)

Source: Maplewood Cemetery (Anderson, Madison County, Indiana), James Pierce marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 23 June 2009.

James Louis PIERCE is buried in the Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.  James is my maternal great granduncle.

James was born September 10, 1931 in Madison County, Indiana, the son of William Francis and Vida (MADDOX) PIERCE.

James was a Korean War veteran.

James died January 19, 2002.  I do not know where he died.

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.

Photo: Terry Wright On Sax

(L-R): Pearl Lambertson, William Wright, Terry Wright, Charles Lambertson, Jack Lambertson

This is a photo from the collection of my cousin Mike Walsh showing my maternal uncle, Terry WRIGHT, playing the saxophone for assembled relatives. This photo was taken at the home of Charles and Pearl (BEALS) LAMBERTSON.

In the photo from left to right are: Pearl (BEALS) LAMBERTSON, William Lee WRIGHT, Terry WRIGHT, Charles LAMBERTSON, Orville "Jack" LAMBERTSON.

Photo: Lambertson and Beals

Cora Beals, Pearl Lambertson, Charles Lambertson

The backside of this photograph says "Mom & Dad and Cora Beals".  Charles and Pearl (BEALS) LAMBERTSON were my 2nd-great grandparents.  I do not know who Cora BEALS was.  This photo was part of the collection of my cousin Mike Walsh.


There was a Dora Beals, wife of John Franklin Beals - who was Pearl's aunt.  I'm wondering if that is who this picture actually is.  This Dora was born 1871. Pearl was born in 1878 and Charles in 1872.  If I had to lay money on it, I think that this photo was mislabeled.

LeMaster Families, 1949 Portland, Indiana Directory Listings

Portland Indiana Con-Survey City Directory, 1949. Columbus, Ohio: The Mullin-Kille & Son Publishing Co., Inc., 1949

This is a scan of the page from the 1949 directory of Portland, Jay County, Indiana that contained listings of the LeMASTER family.  I retrieved this on my last visit to the Jay County Public Library.

LeMaster Chesley F (Clara L) carp Chas L Sanders & Son h 609 W High

LeMaster Dale W (Grace C) 1 bodymn Minch Body Co h 609 1/2 W High

LeMaster Donald C (Luella M) 3 h 1100 W Arch

LeMaster Garth L (Ora L) 2 clk Kroger Co h 234 W Votaw

LeMaster Mary M opr United Tel Co r 716 W Arch

LeMaster Ord W (Ruth P) 4 fcty h 1107 W Water

This is the earliest directory listing I've found so far with my grandparents, Ord and Ruth LeMASTER, living in the house on Water Street in Portland.

Sunday's Obituary : Bertha A. Hercules (1892-1962)

Source: Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, January 2, 1962, page 1.

SALAMONIA NATIVE DIES


Mrs. Bertha A. Hercules, 69, died Saturday night at her home in Richmond, apparently as the result of a heart attack.


Mrs. Hercules was the daughter of Luman and Barbara LeMaster, Salamonia.  In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by three sisters and seven brothers including five who live in the area.  They are Ord W. LeMaster, Portland; Clarence H., Gerald W., and John L. LeMaster, all of Salamonia; and Floyd LeMaster, Union City.


Immediate survivors are the husband, Russell J. Hercules, who with his wife owned and operated Hercules Builders Supplies, Richmond; also a daughter, Mrs. William Spears, Eaton, and a son, Murvel, Williamsburg.


Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Jones and [?]lacke Funeral Home, Richmond.  Burial will be in Salamonia.  Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. today.


Sunday’s Obituary – if you have obituaries of family members and ancestors, consider posting them along with other information about that person as part of Sunday’s Obituary. This is an ongoing series developed by Leslie Ann at Ancestors Live Here.

Black Sheep Sunday: Men Held In Detroit For Kokomo Theft

Source: Pharos Tribune, Logansport, Indiana, April 2, 1925, page 10.


MEN HELD IN DETROIT FOR KOKOMO THEFT


Two Alleged Bandits and Sweetheart of Another Seized at Apartment


PART OF LOOT RECOVERED


Revolvers and Guns Found in Search of Apartment - $ 850 Found


Detroit, Mich., April 2 - Two alleged bank bandits and the sweetheart of one were held by police today after being trapped in an appartment.


The two men are alleged to have held up the Kokomo, Ind., State bank last week and escaped with $9,400.  Part of the loot was found in the apartment.


Those held are Frank Mason, alias Harry; Thaddeus R. Skeer, and Louise Brummer.  Louise is said to be the sweetheart of Skeer.  She came here from Fort Wayne, Ind., Saturday.


Revolvers and guns were found under pillows, in the closets and drawers of the bureaus.   Mason was found to have $850 in new $100 and $50 bills and the Brummer girls had a number of valuable diamond rings and other jewelry.


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Another article about the 1925 Kokomo bank robbery that sent distant cousin, Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934) to Michigan City State Prison.  Harry was using the name "Frank Mason" as an alias.

Photo: Wilbur Roscoe Decker

Wilbur Roscoe Decker

This photo is of Wilbur Roscoe DECKER, son of Peter W. and Pansy (GILLILAND) DECKER.  It was part of the collection of photos I was able to scan at Mike Walsh's.  Wilbur was a 1st cousin of my maternal grandmother, Bonnie LAMBERTSON.  The photographer's stamp is from Bloomington, Indiana.

The back side of the photograph is a postcard, not mailed but appears to be address to my maternal great uncle, Harold LAMBERTSON.

Left side: Wilbur Roscoe Decker.  Taken Jan. 12 20. Aged 2 years.  

Right side: Master Harold Wayne Lambertson

This photograph would have been taken on his second birthday.  Wilbur Roscoe DECKER was born January 12, 1918 in Springfield, Illinois. He married August 6, 1938 to Mary WEIR, and had at least one daughter, Sharon Sue.  Wilbur died  July 9, 1980.

Fearless Females: Moment of Strength

March 13 — Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation.


I'm not sure which story to write about regarding courage or strength in a difficult situation, as there are many that come to mind.  My mother dealing with cancer.  My grandmother Bonnie losing her husband when he was 53.  My great-aunt Vera losing two babies.  My great-grandmother June being an orphan at 2. Everyone who survived the economic hardships of the Great Depression.  The list could go on and on.  For many, the concept of hardship was simply unknown, addressed as just "part of life".  Today we take so much for granted and we look back and wonder how they made it.  They made it because the alternative - to give up, was simply not an acceptable alternative.


As I look at my family history, I note that so many of the stories of the women in my family have been untold, and thus lost to history.  What bits and pieces I can cobble together are told from the perspective of the men in their lives through the lens of the social and economic history of the period.  I'm glad that I've been able to interview my mother and father recently about those relatives they knew, before another generation's tales are lost.


Once again, in honor of National Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.

Photo: Terry Wright On Horseback

Terry Wright on horse

This is a photo of my maternal uncle, Terry WRIGHT, seated on a horse at the Wright farm.  In the background you can just make out the head of his grandpa, Virgil WRIGHT.  The original is in the collection of Mike Walsh.

Fearless Females: Working Girl

March 12 — Working girl: Did your mother or grandmother work outside the home? What did she do? Describe her occupation.


While I remember my mother being at home with us for the most part, I do remember that she worked as a substitute teacher in the area.  Before I was born, mom was a elementary school teacher in Muncie, Indiana at Roosevelt Elementary. She obtained her undergraduate in elementary education and master's degree in library science from Ball State University. Once we were old enough to be in school, she tried to go back into the schools full time, but was having a hard time finding work. She was a substitute teacher at Orestes Elementary and Frankton schools, covering for maternity leaves. Eventually, a position opened as the children's librarian at the Alexandria-Monroe Township Public Library.  She worked there for a number of years before a position opened up as the head librarian at the Alexandria-Monroe High School.  She worked there until she retired.  She's still active on the local public library board, and volunteers at the school libraries as well.  Books are in her (and my) blood.


My grandmother Wright worked in a factory in the 1950s for a few years to earn money to buy a new refrigerator.  The story was that she went to work to buy a $500 refrigerator and left owing $5000 because they bought a new car.  Later, she worked for a few years at the junior high school in the cafeteria.  I just found this fact out last week, when I came across a photo of her from the school yearbook.


My grandmother LeMaster didn't work outside the home, though she was an Avon representative for many years.  I remember a couple of times when we stayed with her going out on delivery runs.


Once again, in honor of National Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month

Surname Saturday : GROENENDYKE

The GROENENDYKE surname is in my maternal line.  Variations include GROENDYKE, GRUENDYKE, etc.  The origins of the surname are Dutch.


Stories and history:


Ahnentafel # 53: Catherine Groenendyke (1843-1913).  Catherine was born February 4, 1843 in Madison County, Indiana.  She married May 5, 1864 in Madison County, Indiana to Edmund G. Pierce (1837-1875).  Edmund was born April 30, 1837 in Wayne County, Indiana.  They raised 5 children in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana.  Edmund died January 8, 1875 in Madison County, Indiana.  Catherine died December 10, 1913 in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 106: Elias Groenendyke (1818-1906).  Elias was born May 20, 1818 in Fayette County, Indiana.  He married July 28, 1839 in Fayette County, Indiana to Nancy Jenkins (1817-1856).  Nancy was born in 1817 in North Carolina.  They had 9 children in Fayette and Madison Counties, Indiana.  Elias was a farmer and teacher. Nancy died May 11, 1856 in Madison County, Indiana.  Elias married secondly on October 21, 1857 to Hester Teaford (1827-1870).  Hester was born July 26, 1827 in Ohio.  They had 4 children, and moved the family to Darke County, Ohio.  Hester died September 23, 1870 in Darke County, Ohio.  Elias died May 23, 1906 in Darke County, Ohio.


Ahnentafel # 212: James Groenendyke (1770-1836). James was born in 1770 in Middlesex County, New Jersey.  He married June 4, 1797 to Joannah Antonides (1778-1825).  Joannah was born August 28, 1778 in New Jersey.  They had 8 children in Middlesex County, New Jersey and Dearborn and Fayette Counties, Indiana.  They moved to Indiana just after the War of 1812.  Joannah died in Fayette County, Indiana in 1825.  James married secondly on June 3, 1826 in Henry County, Indiana to Barbara Buck (1795-1878).  Barbara was born April 5, 1798 in Salem, North Carolina.  They had 7 children together. Barbara died September 17, 1878.  James died September 1836 in Fayette County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 424: Nicholas Groenendyke (1749-1808).  Nicholas was born March 20, 1749 in Kingston, Middlesex County, New Jersey. He had at least two wives, Violet Story and Catherine Kiple.  I do not know which was the mother of James, and this is the weakest link in the family line.  Nicholas died in February 1808.


Ahnentafel # 848: Johannes Groenendyke (1718-1785).  Johannes was born 1718 in Kingston, Middlesex County, New Jersey.  He married August 25, 1744, probably in Middlesex County, New Jersey, to Sarah Ann Lake (c1725-1771).  Sarah was born circa 1725 in Middlesex County, New Jersey.  They had 10 children in Kingston, Middlesex County, New Jersey.  Sarah died May 1771.  Johannes died July 1785 near Kingston, Middlesex County, New Jersey.


Ahnentafel # 1696: Petrus "Samuel" Groenendyke (bef1685-1753).  Petrus was baptised August 16, 1685 at the Reformed Dutch Church of New Amsterdam.  He married October 24, 1713 at Flatbush Reformed Dutch Church to Sara Probasco (c1693-1713/14).  Sara was born circa 1693 and died between 1713 and 1714.  Petrus married secondly circa 1715 to Mayke Verkerk (c1688-    ).  Mayke was born circa 1688 in New Utrecht, Kings County, New York.  They had 7 children.  Petrus married thirdly on May 13, 1732 on May 13, 1732 at the Reformed Dutch Church in New York City to Maria Van Vleck (c1685-1759).  They had one daughter.  Maria died December 175
9. Petrus died November 23, 1753 in Flatbush, Long Island, New York.


Ahnentafel # 3392: Pieter Groenendyke alias Peter Smith (c1645-1701).  Pieter was born circa 1645 in Holland. He was a character.  He was sued by two women for fathering children at the same time, Annetje Blanck and Marritie de La Noy.  He married Marritie circa 1673 and they had 6 children together.  He was in Sussex County, Delaware by 1671, when he appears on the taxlist, by 1680 he was in Kent County.  He was elected in 1685 to the Delaware Assembly from Kent County and re-elected in 1689.  He died 1701 in Kent County, Delaware.


Related blog posts:

• Tombstone Tuesday: Edmund G. and Catherine (Groenendyke) Pierce

• Groendyke Baptismal Record of New Utrecht

• Catherine Groenendyke (b. February 4, 1843)

• Happy Anniversary: Elias Groenendyke & Nancy Jenkins

Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Photo: Quack, Quack

Michelle LeMaster, Gloria LeMaster & the duck, circa 1983.

Another photo cousin Mike WALSH had - in this one, my sister, Michelle, is showing off the duck that my cousin, Kellie WRIGHT had made.  That's me in the picture without a head.  The high school wrestling shirt I'm wearing places this in the 1983-84 time frame.  My cousin, Jim WRIGHT's head is barely visible behind my mom.


We had ducks and geese at our house growing up.  Because we lived out in the country, people would bring us the ducks they would buy for Easter, etc. when they realized they were not so clean and easy to take care of.  

Family Recipe Friday: Spanish Rice

My mom contributed another recipe this week: Spanish Rice.

"One of Bonnie Wright's favorite recipes that I serve to my family.   It's a good way to stretch a pound of hamburger.   Jason and Weldon like this recipe.   It's similar to a stuffed pepper except you don't get as much green pepper to eat.   I serve it with corn and/or cornbread and simple dessert."

    1/2-1 pound ground beef                                        
    1 medium onions, chopped                                       
    1/2 green pepper, chopped                                      
    1/4 cup oils                                                   
    1 1/2 cups minute rice, uncooked                               
    1 8-ounce can tomato sauce                                     
    1 8-ounce can water                                            
    2 tablespoons sugar                                            
    Chili powder to taste                                          
    1/2 teaspoon salt                                              
    1/4 teaspoon pepper                   
                         
Cook ground beef, onion, and green pepper in oil until meat is not longer pink.  Add rice and cook until brown.   Drain grease if necessary.   Add remaining ingredients.   Cover and simmer 5 minutes.

Family Recipe Friday – is an opportunity to share your family recipes with fellow bloggers and foodies alike. Whether it’s an old-fashioned recipe passed down through generations, a recipe uncovered through your family history research, or a discovered recipe that embraces your ancestral heritage share them on Family Recipe Friday. This series was suggested by Lynn Palermo of The Armchair Genealogist.

Fearless Females: Unexpected Death

March 11 — Did you have any female ancestors who died young or from tragic or unexpected circumstances? Describe and how did this affect the family?

Ellen (King) Wright, standing, third from right

Ellen (KING) WRIGHT, my maternal 2nd-great grandmother, died on Christmas Eve in 1913 at the age of 45.  The official cause of death was mitral regurgitation.  Her obituary states :

From: Alexandria, IN Times-Tribune, December 26, 1913

Mrs. John Wright, age 45 years, passed away after several years illness of heart trouble.  Mrs. Wright had been a sufferer from heart trouble for years and six weeks ago the case developed into a leakage of the heart.   She is survived by a husband and two sons, Virgil and Chester, age 17 and 18.  James King and Ben King, residing at Orestes, are brothers of the deceased, and Mrs. Mary Young of Orestes, is a sister.  The funeral will occur from the country home four miles southwest of the city tommorrow morning at 10:30 o'clock and burial will be made in the Odd Fellows cemetery.

 The story I've been told was that my great-grandfather, Virgil, didn't like to celebrate Christmas as an adult because of the memories of the death of his mother.  I can understand why.


In writing this post, I realized that I don't really have a good picture of her.  The picture above is a gathering of the King side of the family, I believe.


Once again, in honor of National Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.

Photo: The Girl With The Doll

Ruby Lambertson [?]

This photo was one that my mom's cousin, Mike WALSH, let me scan during our recent visit.  I believe that it must be of his mother, Ruby LAMBERTSON, but the photo was not identified.  

Fearless Females: Faith

March 10 — What role did religion play in your family? How did your female ancestors practice their faith? If they did not, why didn’t they? Did you have any female ancestors who served their churches in some capacity?


Faith definitely played a role in the lives of the females of my family.  In the recent past, I'm familiar with my grandmother Wright's being a member of the church choir at a Disciples of Christ church and I know that my grandmother LeMaster was brought up in the Evangelical United Brethren church (now United Methodist).


In tracing my genealogy, I've found members of my family involved in a number of Protestant denominations, some of which allowed for more involvement by females than others.  Those who were members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) were more likely to have an active leadership role.  For example, I know that my maternal 6th-great grandmother, Charity (MENDENHALL) MILLS was appointed a clerk of the Lost Creek Monthly Meeting and in 1801 was recommended to be an elder.  I'm sure there were other examples, but this is one aspect that I've yet to research.


Once again, in honor of National Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.

Wednesday's Child: Chad Edmund Pierce (1972)

Source: Maplewood Cemetery (Anderson, Madison County, Indiana), Chad Pierce marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster, 23 June 2009.

Chad Edmund PIERCE was born June 1, 1972 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana and died June 2, 1972 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.

Chad was the son of George and Annette (STEVENS) PIERCE.  He was my maternal 2nd cousin once removed.

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.