Black Sheep Sunday: Bandit Suspects' Plot For Escape Is Frustrated

Source: Pharos Tribune, Logansport, Indiana, April 7, 1925, page 11


BANDIT SUSPECTS' PLOT FOR ESCAPE IS FRUSTRATED


Kokomo, Ind., April 7 - Discovery of ten saws, concealed in the cells of Harry Pierpont and Thaddeus Skeer, held here on charges of looting the Southside bank, following their arrest in Detroit last week, frustrated their escape and probably a wholesale jail delivery.  F.C. Hunington, Pinkerton operative, found the saws yesterday afternoon when the prisoners were being examined in city court.  A thorough search of the entire jail failed to reval [sic] additional saws or tools for escape.  One bar in Skeer's cell had been severed.


Homer Miller, prosecuting attorney, is investigating today in an effort to determine how the saws were smuggled into the jail.


A cordon of police guards, heavily armed, has been thrown around the jail in apprehension that gangsters may attempt to release the prisoners.  Pierpont is said to have boasted when captured in Detroit that he would never face trial.


Miss Louise Brunner of Fort Wayne, whose unconcious indiscretion furnished police with the clue that led to the arrest of the alleged bandits, has been released on bond and has returned to the home of her mother.


Police deny that Skeer, said to be the lover of Miss Brunner, confessed to the Kokomo holdup to save his sweetheart, whom he feared was to be prosecuted.  In this confession it is alleged that Skeer also implicated Pierpont in the Kokomo, Noblesville, Upland and Marion bank robberies, together with Everett Bridgewater, who is still at large.


The accused men will be given a preliminary hearing in city court Thursday.


---
Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934), was my maternal 2nd cousin twice removed. Later an associate of John Dillinger, Harry was finally executed by the State of Ohio.  This is one of the articles I've discovered in documenting his criminal history.

Black Sheep Sunday – create a post with the main focus being an ancestor with a “shaded past.” Bring out your ne’er-do-wells, your cads, your black widows, your horse thieves and tell their stories. And don’t forget to check out the International Black Sheep Society of Genealogists (IBSSG). This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Fearless Females: Heirlooms

March 6 — Describe an heirloom you may have inherited from a female ancestor (wedding ring or other jewelry, china, clothing, etc.) If you don’t have any, then write about a specific object you remember from your mother or grandmother, or aunt (a scarf, a hat, cooking utensil, furniture, etc.)

Grandma Bonnie Wright's phone

One object I remember as a child was my grandma's Mickey Mouse telephone.  She must have bought it around the time of the Ma Bell breakup.  Before this phone, I remember that she had one of those heavy, black phones that were owned by the telephone company.  I believe the Mickey phone was the first non-telco owned phone that she had.

One incident I can still remember was a repairman being at her house who needed to make a phone call back to his office.  When he asked where the telephone was located, grandma pointed him to Mickey.  The guy couldn't believe that Mickey was a "real" telephone.

I'm happy to say that he's still in use today at my parent's house, and Bonnie's great-grandchildren still are able to make and answer phone calls on the "Mickey phone."

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.

Black Sheep Sunday: Bold Bandits Rob Bank At Kokomo Today

Source: Pharos Tribune, Logansport, Indiana, March 27, 1925, page 1.


BOLD BANDITS ROB BANK AT KOKOMO TODAY


Police Here On Lookout For the Bandits Who Looted Southside Bank This Afternoon


Police here received notification this afternoon at two o'clock that five armed bandits entered the Southside Bank at Kokomo and escaped with an unestimated amount of loot following one of the boldest day-light holdups in the history of the state.


According to information available here, the bandits made their getaway in a high powered Blue Moon touring car, bearing the license number of 474-923.


The local police have dispatched patrolmen to the outskirts of the city and were on the lookout for the thieves this afternoon.  Kokomo officials could not ascertain the direction the bandits took, it is said.


The robbery occurred this afternoon at 1:30.


---
Cousin Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934) robbed the Southside Bank in Kokomo.  This is one of the newspaper articles I've located in retracing his criminal history.



Black Sheep Sunday – create a post with the main focus being an ancestor with a “shaded past.” Bring out your ne’er-do-wells, your cads, your black widows, your horse thieves and tell their stories. And don’t forget to check out the International Black Sheep Society of Genealogists (IBSSG). This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Surname Saturday : PIERCE

The PIERCE surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname are English.


Stories and history:


Ahnentafel # 13: Edna Muriel Pierce (1897-1968).  Edna was born February 7, 1897 in Madison County, Indiana.  She married June 19, 1915 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana to Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972).  Virgil was born July 6, 1894 in Orestes, Madison County, Indiana.  They raised three children in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana where Virgil was a farmer.  Edna's nickname was "Peach".  Virgil died March 25, 1972 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.  Edna died March 3, 1968 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Park View Cemetery, Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 26: William Francis Pierce (1865-1950).  William was born July 10, 1865 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana.  He married January 14, 1892 in Madison County, Indiana to Clara Penisten (1869-1906).  Clara was born March 1869 in Madison County, Indiana.  They had 7 children, 3 living to adulthood.  Clara died September 26, 1906 in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana.  William married secondly March 4, 1909 in Madison County, Indiana to Vida Maddox (1886-1968).  Vida was born October 6, 1886 in Owingsville, Bath County, Kentucky.  They had 7 children.  Vida died November 19, 1968 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.  William died September 21, 1950 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.  All are buried at the Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 52: Edmund G. Pierce (1837-1875).  Edmund was born April 30, 1837 in Wayne County, Indiana.  He married October 17, 1858 in Preble County, Ohio to Lydia Duell (1838-1860).  Lydia was born March 26, 1838 in Pilesgrove, New Jersey.  She died September 14, 1860.  She is buried at the West Grove Monthly Meeting Burial Ground, Wayne County, Indiana.  Edmund married secondly May 5, 1864 in Madison County, Indiana to Catherine Groenendyke (1843-1913).  Catherine was born February 4, 1843 in Madison County, Indiana.  They had 5 children in Richland and Lafayette Townships, Madison County, Indiana.  Catherine died December 10, 1913 in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana.  Edmund died January 8, 1875 in Madison County, Indiana.  Edmund and Catherine are buried in the Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 104: Francis S. Pierce (1806-1881).  Francis was born June 8, 1806 in Vermont.  He married October 25, 1831 in Wayne County, Indiana to Rebecca Page (1806-1893).  Rebecca was born August 18, 1806 in New Jersey.  They had 13 children in Pickaway County, Ohio and Wayne County, Indiana where Francis was a farmer.  Rebecca died January 26, 1893 in Wayne County, Indiana.  Francis died August 5, 1881 in Wayne County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Sugar Grove Cemetery, Wayne County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 208: Gordon Pierce (1773-1875).  Gordon was born August 31, 1773 in Hardwick, Worchester County, Massachusetts.  He married in 1796 in Thetford, Orange County, Vermont to Thirza Smalley (c1775-1861).  Thirza was born circa 1775 in Thetford, Worchester County, Massachusetts.  They had 5 children.  Thriza died in 1861 in Pitcher, Chenango County, New York.  Gordon died February 7, 1875 in Pitcher, Chenango County, New York.


Ahnentafel # 416: Seth Pierce (1744-1835).  Seth was born September 12, 1744 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  He married on April 17, 1767 to Bethiah Field (1746-1807).  Bethiah was born April 8, 1746 in Stafford, Windham County, Connecticut.  They had 12 children.  Bethiah died September 18, 1807.  Seth married secondly in 1813 to Patty Rindge (    -1829).  Seth died in 1835 in Homer, Cortland County, New York.


Ahnentafel # 832: Seth Pierce (1716-1794).  Seth was born November 30, 1716 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  He married November 10, 1743 to Elizabeth Nye (1720-1749).  Elizabeth was born December 14, 1720.  They had 4 children.  Elizabeth died May 14, 1749 in Mansfield, Windham County, Connecticut.  Seth died December 5, 1794.


Ahnentafel # 1664: Samuel Pierce (1681-1774).  Samuel was born November 25, 1681 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  He married June 14, 1705 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts to Abigail Johnson (1674-1787).  Abigail was born October 4, 1674 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  They had 6 children.  Abigail died March 16, 1787 in Mansfield, Windham County, Connecticut.  Samuel died January 26, 1774 in Mansfield, Windham County, Connecticut.


Ahnentafel # 3328: Samuel Pierce (1656-1721).  Samuel was born April 7, 1656 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  He married December 9, 1680 to Lydia Bacon (1656-1717).  Lydia was born March 6, 1656 in Newton, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.  They had 9 children.  Lydia died December 5, 1717 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  Samuel died July 5, 1721 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.


Ahnentafel # 6656: Thomas Pierce (1608-1683).  Thomas was born in 1608 in England, one source says Norwich.  He married May 6, 1635 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts to Elizabeth Cole (1608-1688).  Elizabeth was born March 5, 1608.  They had 13 children.  Elizabeth died March 5, 1688.  Thomas died November 5, 1683 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.


Ahnentafel # 13312: Thomas Pierce (c1583/4-1666).  Thomas was born between 1583 and 1584 in England. He married Elizabeth ________ (c1586/7-1667).  Elizabeth was born between 1586 and 1587 in England.  They had 8 children.  Elizabeth died in 1667 in Charleston, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  Thomas died October 7, 1666 in Charleston, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.


Related blog posts:

• The First Wife of Edmund G. Pierce (1837-1875)

• William Francis Pierce (1865-1950)

• Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright (1897-1968)

• Marriage: William Pierce to Vida Maddox

• Marriage: William Pierce to Clara Penisten

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

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

• William F. Pierce household : Madison County, IN

• Francis S. Pierce household : Wayne and Madison Counties, IN

• Edmund Pierce household: Madison County, IN

• Today in my database: Gordon Pierce (b. August 31, 1773)

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

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.

Fearless Females: How They Met

March 5 — How did they meet? You’ve documented marriages, now, go back a bit. Do you know the story of how your parents met? Your grandparents?


I know that my parents met while they were at college - Ball State Teachers College in Muncie, Indiana.  They've told me the story, but sad to say I don't have it written down.  Need to go back and ask them again.


My paternal grandparents, Ord LeMASTER and Ruth HALEY, I do not know how they met.  They grew up in adjoining townships, less than 5 miles apart, so they could have met any number of ways.  Grandpa Ord was 25 years old when they were married, Grandma Ruth was 20.  Will have to ask relatives how they met at the next family reunion.


My maternal grandparents, William WRIGHT and Bonnie LAMBERTSON, I also do not know how they met.  Grandpa was a farm boy from Alexandria, Grandma was a city girl from Elwood.  I do know that they double-dated with Bonnie's sister Ruby and Robert WALSH.  Grandpa was 21 and Grandma was 17 when they were married.  Again, will also need to ask relatives how they met.


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.

Family Recipe Friday: Freezer Slaw

Grandma Wright's huge cabbage

Mom shared another recipe from her collection:

Every Spring when I plan my garden I always figure enough cabbage to make this slaw recipe.   It tastes so good in the winter and keeps well in the refrigerator once it's thawed.   It makes a great side dish to any meal.  While I have never had a problem growing cabbage I have never produced a head of cabbage as large as Grandma "Peach" Wright did.

    1 head cabbage, shredded                                       
    1 green pepper, chopped fine                                   
    1 red bell pepper, chopped fine                                
    1 carrot, chopped or shredded                                  
    1 medium onions, chopped fine                                  
    1 teaspoon salt                                                
    1 cup vinegar                                                  
    2 cups sugar                                                   
    1/2 cup water                                                  
    Dash celery seeds  
                                            
Put all chopped vegetables in large bowl and put salt on the mixture.   Stir and let sit.   Meanwhile bring vinegar, sugar, and water to a boil and boil 5 minutes.   Cool and pour over cabbage mixture which may need to be drained.   Freeze.   This recipe does need to be frozen before eating.  


VARIATION: " Refrigerator Slaw":  Shred 1 medium head of cabbage and alternate with 1 medium onion sliced thinly in a bowl.  Top with 7/8 cup of sugar.   In a saucepan,  mix 1 cup vinegar, 3/4 c. salad oil. 2 teaspoon sugar, 2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, and 1 teaspoon celery seed.   Bring to a boil.   Pour hot mixture over cabbage and onion mixture.   Cover and let stand 4-6 hours.   Mix well and serve.   Will keep 2-3 weeks in refrigerator.



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: Maternal Grandparents Wedding

Bonnie & Bill Wright with Terry c1944-46

March 4 — Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.

Wright-Lambertson marriage application

My maternal grandparents, Bonnie Mae LAMBERTSON and William Lee WRIGHT,  applied for a marriage license in Madison County, Indiana on June 7, 1941.  The marriage return on June 12th, 1941 stated that Rev. Robert W. Sage performed their wedding ceremony on June 7, 1941, the same day as the license.  Bonnie was under age 18, and her parents consent was on file.  She had just graduated from Elwood High School.

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



The address listed for Rev. Robert W. Sage was 1415 South E Street, Elwood, Indiana.  Rev. Sage was the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Elwood, where the Lambertsons were members.  The church is located at 420 South Anderson Street and is still in use today.

First Baptist Church, Elwood, Indiana, c.1940
Source: Indiana Memory Collection

I do not know who stood up with them at their wedding and haven't yet located a wedding photo.


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.

The Life and Death of America's First Celebrity Criminal

Just finished reading John Dillinger: The Life and Death of America's First Celebrity Criminal by Dary Matera.  It was a pretty good read, and I was eager to see how much material mentioned my newly-found relative, "Handsome" Harry PIERPONT.

Growing up in Indiana, the Dillinger legend was always present, but I was captivated reading about robberies near to where I grew up, such as Daleville, as well as places I've visited such as Greencastle and South Bend.  The book flows well and gives a much better accounting of the activities of Dillinger and his various gangs than the movie Public Enemies.

However, the book was sorely in need of better editing.  I can understand a typographical error or two, but it was jarring to see cities such as Kokomo or Greencastle referred to as being in Illinois, rather than Indiana. Also, the author's style was a bit off-putting, using metaphors that were anachronistic in order to get his point across.  At times, it read more like a pulp fiction novel from the 1950s.

The main thesis of his work was that there has never been a criminal who had so much influence and celebrity as John Dillinger.  To support this, the author cites the numerous changes made to how banks operate, changes in federal law, how police operate, the formation of the FBI, etc. that can be directly tied to the Dillinger era.  Throw in the public's mistrust of the banks due to the Depression and Dillinger's antics in making the Feds and police look like fools and you have a perfect storm of celebrity.

On a genealogical note, there were plenty of clues for me to begin researching more about Harry PIERPONT and his involvement with Dillinger.  The stories of how Harry's mother, Lena, and brother, Fred, were arrested several times as well makes me want to know how much they were involved or at least turned a blind eye to his crimes.  In the book, Lena is referred to as "Leaping Lena", but it was never explained how she came about that nickname.

Fearless Females: Thirza

March 3 — Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.


Probably one of the most unusual female names in my family history is Thirza SMALLEY (c1775-1861), who was my maternal 5th-great grandmother.  According to the website, Behind the Name, the name is the Dutch variation of the name TIRZAH.  Tirzah comes from the Hebrew meaning of 'favourable'.  It occurs in the Old Testament as the name of a daughter of Zelophehad; also as a place name for a residence of the kings of the northern kingdom.  I have seen the name spelled as both Thirza and Thirsa.


Thirza was born circa 1775, probably in Thetford, Worchester County, Massachusetts.  She was the daughter of Francis and Sarah (HUTCHINSON) SMALLEY.  Thirza married in 1796 in Thetford, Orange County, Vermont to Gordon PIERCE.  They had 5 children together, and she died in 1861 in Pitcher, Chenango County, New York.


My line of descent from Thirza is as follows :

Thirza SMALLEY m. Gordon PIERCE

Francis S. PIERCE m. Rebecca PAGE

Edmund G. PIERCE m. Catherine GROENENDYKE

William Francis PIERCE m. Clara PENISTEN

Edna Muriel PIERCE m. Virgil Lee WRIGHT (my great-grandparents)

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.

Fearless Females: Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright

Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright c. 1944-45

My hair in a bun. ha! You can have this

March 2 — Post a photo of one of your female ancestors. Who is in the photo? When was it taken? Why did you select this photo?


This is a photo of my maternal grandmother, Bonnie Mae (LAMBERTSON) WRIGHT (1924-1984).  This photo was one that I was able to scan on my recent visit with my mother's cousin, Mike Walsh.  The photo was apparently sent by my grandmother to her sister, Ruby (LAMBERTSON) WALSH, thus the writing on the back saying "you can have this."  I'm so glad that it has survived all these years.


I chose this photo because it was a new find for me and it is an excellent picture of my grandmother as a young mother.  She would be approximately 20 years old when this photograph was taken.  I can really see my mother in this photo as well.


There was another photo that went along with this one of my uncle, Terry WRIGHT when he was a young boy.  Apparently he won a contest for being the "most typical boy".  The story I've been told was that during World War II when my grandfather was going from training base to base, people would faun over little Terry.  Based on his appearance in the photo, I'm basing the year around 1944 or 1945.

Terry Wright

Terry won a blue ribbon with this picture for being "the most typical boy baby" You can have this too

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.

Fearless Females: Favorite Female Ancestor

Ida Davis

March 1 — Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.


While I've written about her before, my favorite female ancestor that I would like to know more about is my maternal 2nd-great grandmother, Ida DAVIS.


Ida lived a rather short, hard life - dying at age 26.  Yet before she passed, she was married twice and gave birth to two daughters, neither of whose parentage has truly been established.  One of those daughters, June, was my great-grandmother.

Ida Davis and daughter, June

So many facts about Ida are not clearly documented.  Her parents were James Austin and Mary Ellen (SWAFFORD) DAVIS, residents of Owen County, Indiana. I have Ida's birth date as July 2, 1874 Owen County, Indiana, but do not have a documented source.  If the census record in 1900 at the door of hope I found for Ida D. HANCOCK is her - it gives her birth date as May 1874 in Indiana.


Ida was first married to Samuel G. HANCOCK,  son of Joseph and Margaret (VAUGHN) HANCOCK on August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana.  A unverified letter from a correspondent states that Ida and Samuel filed for divorce in the May of 1894 in Monroe County, Indiana. They must have divorced before 1897 when Samuel remarried in Monroe County, Indiana.  Ida's second marriage was Carvie A. MORRIS on July 19, 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana.  By August 2nd of that year, Ida died of tuberculosis in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.

Death Record of Ida D. Morris, Owen County, Indiana

The two daughters of Ida were Pansy and June.  Pansy, the oldest, was born December 11, 1894.  Her obituary states that her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fletcher.  June, my great-grandmother, was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana and her birth certificate lists her parents as Atkinson and Ida DAVIS.

Birth certificate of June Davis, my great grandmother

One of my research goals is to search the court records in Monroe County and Owen County, Indiana to see if there are any records that can shed light on the parentage of her daughters.


I have not been able to locate Ida in the 1880 census, when she would be around 6 years old.  Her father, James Austin DAVIS, was enumerated in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana as a resident of the county home, listed as "insane".  Her mother, Mary Ellen (SWAFFORD) DAVIS, was enumerated in Washington Township, Owen County, Indiana, under her maiden name, living in her father's household.  No listing of Ida or her younger sister Delia have been found in the 1880 census.


I believe that I have found Ida in the 1900 census, living in the 7th Ward of Center Township, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, listed as Ida D. HANCOCK, age 26, born May 1874 Indiana, widowed, with 2 children living.  According to the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis (p. 458), the "Door of Hope" had a purpose to provide 'wayward girls' with shelter and assistance.  There was also an earlier reference to an Ida DAVIS in the 1898 city directory of Indianapolis, living at 606 1/2 E. Wabash.


A cousin provided the pictures I have of Ida and June above, and the following photo as well.  I'm not sure if this may be from an earlier time period and might be Ida's mother instead:

Ida Davis (1874-1900) ?

Would love to solve some of these mysteries regarding my 2nd-great grandmother.


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.

Tombstone Tuesday : Henry Pierce Family Plot

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

The PIERCE family plot in the Maplewood Cemetery in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana contains the following stones: Eva PIERCE (1877-1949), Frank PIERCE (1862-1919), Simeathy PIERCE (1834-1918) and Henry E. PIERCE (1833-1901).

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

Eva PIERCE was born June 21, 1877, probably in Madison County, Indiana, the daughter of Henry Eldred and Simeathy (SMELSOR) PIERCE.  Eva died in 1942.  Nothing further is known at this time.

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

Franklin T. PIERCE was born August 21, 1861, probably in Madison County, Indiana, the son of Henry Eldred and Simeathy (SMELSOR) PIERCE.  He died in 1919.  Nothing further is known at this time.

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

Simeathy (SMELSOR) PIERCE was born in 1834 in Indiana, to unknown parentage.  She married Henry Eldred PIERCE on February 14, 1855.  They resided in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana.  Simeathy died in 1918.

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

Henry Eldred PIERCE was born October 10, 1833 in Piqua, Miami County, Ohio, the son of Francis S. and Rebecca (PAGE) PIERCE.  He and Simeathy raised six children in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana.  Henry died in 1901.

---

Henry was the older brother of my Edmund G. PIERCE, and I have much more to discover about his family.  

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.

Heritage For Sale

I put your family heritage on eBay today. I’m hoping to get top dollar.  I struggled with the idea at first, but in the end I succumbed to my capitalistic urges.  Because I would never want to have my own heritage up for sale, I thought I would warn others so they don’t suffer the same fate as your ancestors.

I bought the photos of your great-grandparents and relatives, including the little baby in the casket, at the local auction house.  You see, I truly enjoy going to auctions and estate sales.  It’s part of the same pack-rat, “collector” mentality that draws me to genealogy.  What drew me to this sale was the fact that I knew your parents, and the local memorabilia and ephemera was simply too much for me to resist.  I made an emotional purchase, taking all of the box lots containing your family photos, scrapbooks and other newspaper clippings.  I told myself that I wanted to preserve the local history – keeping it out of the hands of the flea market dealers.  But in the end, I realized that it was not my responsibility to preserve your heritage.

Oh, I struggled with the decision to sell the photos – they were the types of photos I wish I had of my own ancestors.  Most of them were even labeled!  I found myself on Ancestry.com, searching your ancestry instead of my own.  When I reached that point I knew that I needed to purge myself of these extraneous photos.

I don’t know why your family wasn’t interested in preserving these family heirlooms.  To me, knowing they exist and not having them would create a void I would yearn to fill.  Perhaps someday, one of your descendants or an extended family member will be interested in genealogy.  Maybe they’ll ask you if there are any old photos lying around.  You’ll have to be the one to break their heart and tell them that all the pictures were sold at an auction.

The genealogist in me wouldn’t let them go into the night without trying to preserve them in some manner.  I made scans of all of them and uploaded them onto the website, DeadFred.com before placing the originals for sale.  At least this way, they will be preserved in some manner.  I may even contact your cousins on Ancestry.com and email them digital scans as well.  That should keep me from feeling too guilty.

So the next time you eat at the local Cracker Barrel, and you see someone on the wall who looks familiar – it may just be your family.

A Matter of Perspective

Had a good visit with my mom's cousin and his wife today, and was able to take my Flip-Pal scanner with me on the road to capture scans of some great photographs, some of which my mother had never seen.  Of great interest were the photos of my grandfather in military uniform, as well as those of my grandmother when she was younger.

William Lee "Johnny Bill" Wright, Florida, c. 1944

My cousin even had some older photos from generations that he was not familiar with, including one of my 4th-great grandmother and her family, taken on her 81st birthday, January 9, 1914 in Norton, Kansas.  She died on March 9th of that same year.

Residence of Hannah Mills Poe, Norton, Kansas on her 81st birthday, January 9, 1914

There were also photographs that came from his grandparents family, my-great grandparents, and thus I was greatly interested in hearing some of the family stories.


One thing that I've learned is that so much of family history is a matter of perspective.  The way someone views a family member and the legends that develop and get passed down are colored by the perspective of the teller.  It is interesting to get a point of view from a different family who may have differing insight into why someone behaved the way they did.


I was able to sit back and observe, letting my mother and dad and mom's cousin and wife talk about people, places and events without interrupting them too much.  It definitely gave me insight, and fodder for future questions to ask about the family.

Sunday's Obituary : Beulah S. (LeMasters) Rockwell (1866-1940)

Source: Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, July 18, 1940, page 1.

Rockwell Rites Are Tomorrow


Funeral services for Mrs. Beulah S. Rockwell, who died at her home in Ft. Recovery Tuesday evening, will be conducted tomorrow.  Short services will be held at the residence at 2:15 o'clock (EST) and final rites will be conducted from the Salamonia Methodist church at 2 p.m. (CST) in charge of Rev. Dennison, assisted by Rev. O.L. Nichols.



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.

Organizing Digital Photos and Files

I've not been doing much new genealogy research lately, but instead have been working to try to tame the digital beast that is my genealogy photos and files.  It's not going to do me any good to have all of these photos, etc. if the file names remain cryptic ones such as IMG_0339.


I've been slowly identifying each of the photos with a unique identifier by the name of the subject and the date that the photo was taken:


LeMaster_Corinne_10Jun2000
LeMaster_Corinne_30Nov2010
LeMaster_Eileen_25Dec2010
LeMaster_Eileen_25Dec2010(2), etc.


Photos that have multiple individuals, I'm making copies of them both, identifying both and filing under the appropriate family name files. Thus, photos of both of my nieces at Christmas time are filed as such:


LeMaster_Lauren_Honeycutt_Ashley_24Dec2010
Honeycutt_Ashley_LeMaster_Lauren_24Dec2010, etc.


Photos for tombstones simply have the word tombstone after the name, rather than a date.  I've yet to begin sorting and standardizing the files of census records, etc. but imagine I will create a similar system.


My goal is to have these photos so organized that at the next family reunion, I can easily share the entire collection based on an individual should someone desire.


How do you organize your digital images and scans?