Wehrly Reunion, 1920, Greenville, Ohio

Located this mention of the Wehrly family reunion at Newspapers.com in the Muncie newspaper from 1920:

Muncie Evening Press
Muncie, Indiana
July 16, 1920, page 17

 PORTLAND.

Among the relatives from this county, who will attend the Wehrly reunion to be held Saturday, August 1 at the fair grounds in Greenville, Ohio, are the following: Mr. and Mrs. Blaine Wehrly and son, William Lewis of West High street, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Wehrly of East Main street and son, Robert, Mr. and Mrs. L.D. Jackson of South Shank street, the Arthur Jackson family of South Meridian street, the Chesley LeMaster family of West High street, the Alva Wehrly family the L.C. LeMaster family and Mr. and Mrs. Levi Petry of Salamonia.

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Those named were all descendants of William P. Wehrly (1845-1909) of Salamonia, Indiana.  Blaine, John W. and Alva were his sons; daughter Minerva married L.D. Jackson, daughter Barbara married L.C. LeMaster.  Levi Petry was a son of Charles Petry and Susannah Wehrly, William P.'s sister.  I would love to know who all the other members of the extended family who attended the reunion in Greenville, as my William was the youngest of the family, with many relatives in Ohio.

Guy Bigley household, 1940, Marshall County, Indiana

Located the 1940 census record of the Guy Bigley household in Marshall County, Indiana.  Guy was Eileen's maternal 2nd cousin 3 times removed.  Their common ancestors were Daniel Fisher and Susannah Reeves.  Guy's parents were Thomas Jefferson Bigley and Sarah Jane Benedict.

1940 U.S. census, Marshall County, Indiana, population schedule, Union Township, enumeration district (ED) 50-18, SD 9, sheet 17A, household 342, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 January 2017); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

At the time of the enumeration, the family was living in Union Township. The census states that Guy owned his home and that its value was $1800 and it was a farm.  Guy was 63 years old and born in Indiana.  His wife, Mable A., was 54 years old and born in Indiana.  Their residence in 1935 was the same place.

The record shows that Guy had completed 4 years of college and his occupation was a farmer.  His wife, Eva, had completed 3 years of high and had no occupation listed.

If you have any additional information or are related to this family, I would love to hear from you.

Obituary : Bertha (LeMaster) Yeager, Brazil Daily Times, 16 March 1922

"Prominent Woman Dies Suddenly," obituary, Brazil Daily Times (Brazil, Indiana), 16 March 1922, page 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : 18 Feb 2017 ).

PROMINENT WOMAN DIES SUDDENLY

Mrs. John Yeager Died At A Local Hospital Shortly After Noon Today After A Short Illness

Was Prominent In Church Affairs

Was Also a Leader in Civic and Social Circles - Survived by a Husband and Six Children - Funeral to be Announced Later

Mrs. Bertha Yeager, wife of Prof. John H. Yeager, principal of the Meridian street school, of 604 South Walnut street, died very suddenly at a local hospital at 12:45 o'clock this afternoon.  The deceased underwent a serious operation last Sunday and apparently was improving, but this morning she suffered a relapse and complications of heart trouble resulted in her death.

Mrs. Yeager was 47 years old and was one of ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. LeMaster, of Portland, Ind., and was the first member of the family to die.  She is survived by the husband and six children, Clarence, a student at Purdue University; Mary, Helen, John Vernon, George and Luther Yeager, all of this city.  She is also survived by the parents, Mr. and Mrs. LeMaster, of Portland, and four sisters and five brothers, as follows : Mrs. Beulah Rockwell of Fort Recovery, O.; Mrs. Elsie Atkinson, of Portland; Mrs. Maud Phillips, of Nebraska; Mrs. Edith Meinholtz, of Colorado; Cooper and Clifford LeMaster, of Portland; Dr. O.O. LeMaster and Dr. W.W. LeMaster, of Sidney, O., and Arthur LeMaster, of Decatur.

The deceased had been a prominent worker in church affairs in Brazil for a number of years.  She was also a leader in civic and social circles and in all movements for the benefit of the city and its civic life.  She was a member of the First M.E. Church, a teacher in the Mothers' Cradle Roll class, an industrious worker in the Woman's League, a member of the Evening Choir and of the Home Missionary Society and was also formerly president of the Child Welfare section of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.  She was also a member of the Royal Neighbors.  Mrs. Yeager was a devoted mother and a pleasant and helpful neighbor and her untimely death will be mourned by a large circle of friends. 

The funeral arrangements will be announced later.

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Bertha was my paternal great grandaunt, sister of my ancestor, Luman Cooper LeMaster.  This was the local obituary in the Brazil newspaper, I had previously written a post about the obituary that was posted in the Portland, Indiana paper.

George M. Anderson household, 1940, Seneca County, Ohio

Located the 1940 census record of the George M. Anderson household in Seneca County, Ohio.  George's wife, Ona, was my maternal 2nd cousin 5 times removed.  Our common ancestors were Alexander Crockett and Elizabeth Watkins.  Ona's parents were William Perry Crockett and Blanche Alida Weaver.

1940 U.S. census, Seneca County, Ohio, population schedule, Fostoria, enumeration district (ED) 74-14B, SD 13, sheet 4A, 202 North Union Street, household 85, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 February 2017); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

At the time of the enumeration, the family was living in Fostoria.  The census states that George was renting his home for $30 per month.  George was 48 years old and born in Wisconsin.  His wife, Eva, was 44 years old and born in Indiana.  In 1935 their residence was in Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio.

The record shows that George had completed 5 years of college and that his occupation was listed as a Clergyman.  His wife, Eva, had completed 1 year of college, but had no occupation listed.

Also living in the household were son George O., age 20, born in Iowa, who had completed 1 year of college; Helen, age 14, born in Illinois, who had completed the 8th grade; and Elliott M., age 12, born in Indiana, who had completed the 5th grade.

If you have any additional information or are related to this family, I would love to hear from you.

G.A.R. Officers Named, 1901, Salamonia, Indiana

Found a snippet of news from the Salamonia Grand Army of the Republic Post from 1901 that shows my paternal great-great grandfather, Luman Walker LeMasters, Jr. was chosen as a ceremonial officer.  Luman had served in Company C, 39th Indiana Infantry, later designated as the 8th Indiana Cavalry. The paper did, however, get his name wrong with the initials L.M. instead of L.W.

G.A.R. Officers

Portland, Ind., Dec. 17 - Henry McLaughlin post, G.A.R. of Salamonia has elected the following officers: Commander, B.F. Harter, Sr., ; vice commander, J.P. Harruff, Jr.,; vice commander, W.A. Caster; surgeon, William Bushman, chaplain, R.B. Whitcre, quarter-master, Adam Burr; officer of the day, Benjamin Arthur; outside guard, L.M. Lemaster.

Muncie Star Press, Muncie, Indiana
December 18, 1901, page 3

George B. Crawford household, 1940, Yuma County, Arizona

Located the 1940 census record of the George B. Crawford household in Yuma County, Arizona.  George was my maternal 6th cousin 3 times removed.  Our common ancestors were John Beals and Sarah Bowater.  George's parents were George Newton Crawford and Mary Elizabeth Birdwell.

1940 U.S. census, Yuma County, Arizona, population schedule, Yuma, enumeration district (ED) 14-8, SD 14-8, sheet 1B, 1011 7th Avenue, household 16, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 February 2017); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

At the time of the enumeration, George was living in the city of Yuma. The census states that George was renting his home for $10 per month.  George was 42 years old and was born in Texas.  His wife, Emma, was 37 years old and born in Texas.  Their residence in 1935 was the same place.

The record shows that both George and Emma had completed the 6th grade in education. George's occupation was listed as Track Works, S P Railroad [Southern Pacific], while Emma's occupation was listed as Housework in a private home.

Also living in the household were son Jack, age 19, born in Texas, working for Coca Cola delivery; son Elmer, age 17, born in Oklahoma, working as Messenger for Western Union; and son Wayne, age 15, born in Oklahoma, a student.

If you have any additional information or are related to this family, I'd love to hear from you.

Wright Families of Clermont and Brown Counties, Ohio

It has been awhile,but I am working again on the Wright lines in Clermont/Brown Counties, Ohio.

I'm truly doing a 'do-over' on the information I have and am focusing on the FAN club (Friends, Neighbors, Associates) of my George Wright (1780-1853) in order to shore up the connections and understand the relationships between all of the various families.  I've created a spreadsheet to track the connected families, and would like your input.

Link to shared Dropbox file: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ydb7k4bkm216gkv/Wright%20Family%20Timeline.xlsx?dl=0

If you recall, George Wright (1780-1853), was purported to be a son of John & Sarah (Fleming) Wright.  This John is believed to have a brother Robert Wright, who was a Revolutionary War soldier and married to Catherine Applegate.

George Wright is my target ancestor because he is the furthest direct ancestor that I can tie my Wright line to through documented evidence and not just family group sheets and conjecture.

While I have seen information put out on the web and through family group sheets connecting these Wrights to Cambridge, Massachusetts and then on into Scotland, I am re-evaluating and looking for more solid ground to stake that claim.

I have the wills of both George Wright (1780-1853) and Robert Wright (1757-1840) out of Brown County, as well as some land documents and have been extracting names of witnesses, etc. in order to try to tie out the family connections.  In future posts, I plan to examine these individuals and how they are connected to the Wrights.

Through land records, I know that George Wright's mother was named Sarah, but so far have not found a "smoking gun" that gives her maiden name as Fleming.  I'm hoping through an analysis of neighbors and associates I can better track the movement of these families and locate the information.

I hope that this analysis likewise sheds some light on the connections (if any) between these Wrights and the other Wrights in the area.

I’ve thrown out a post on a couple of Facebook message boards for Clermont and Brown counties, hoping that some other researchers would have some information as well.

If you have any additional information or are related to these families, I would love to hear from you.

Great-Uncle Demands $3,000 in Slander Suit

Located the following article regarding my paternal great-uncle and a slander lawsuit while conducting newspaper research.  It seems great-uncle Gerald was slandered and took the man to court in Adams County, Indiana.  Will have to add research of these court records to my list of 'to-do' items to find out what happened.

JAY COUNTY MAN DEMANDS $3,000 IN SLANDER SUIT

Decatur, Ind., Mar. 13 - Gerald W. LeMaster of Jay county, has filed suit in the Adams circuit court against Oswin F. Gillom of Berne, demanding judgment for $3,000 for alleged slander.  The plaintiff states in his complaint that he is an insurance agent.

He alleges that on January 31, 1929, in Jay county in the presence and hearing of Daniel Corle, M.V. Hutchinson and other persons, the defendant falsely and maliciously spoke concerning the plaintiff as follows: "Such a crook as Mr. LeMaster could not work for any company any length of time for he would be fired." and "a justice of the peace was asking for G.W. LeMaster at Redkey."  LeMaster alleges further that the defendant made the following remark in the presence of George W. Bailey: "He (meaning the plaintiff) was fired from the service of the Prudential Insurance company."

Garrett Clipper (Garrett, Indiana).
14 March 1929., page 8

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Gerald was an older brother of my grandfather, the son of Luman Cooper and Barbara Isabel (Wehrly) LeMaster.  I was not aware that he sold insurance, as occupations listed his as an auto salesman, mechanic or garage operator.

Eva Briody household, 1940, Warrick County, Indiana

Located the 1940 census record of the Eva Briody household in Warrick County, Indiana.  Eva was Corinne's maternal 2nd-great grandaunt, the widow of Sylvester Briody.  Their common ancestors were Miles Chevalier and Louisa Jane Boyer.  

1940 U.S. census, Warrick County, Indiana, population schedule, Yankeetown, enumeration district (ED) 87-1, SD 8, sheet 4B, household 83, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 22 January 2017); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

At the time of the enumeration, Eva was living in Yankeetown. The census states that Eva owned her home and that the value was $250.  Eva was 59 years old and born in Indiana.  Her residence in 1935 was the same place.

The record shows that Eva had completed the 8th grade.  Eva's occupation was listed as the W.P.A., Head supervisor at Y.H.S. [Yankeetown High School].

Also living in the household was her son, Sylvester, aged 17, born in Indiana, who had completed 2 years of high school.

If you have any additional information or are related to this family, I'd love to hear from you.

Great-Grandpa Escaped With Only a Few Bruises

Muncie Star Press
Muncie, Indiana
August 14, 1914, page 12

My paternal great-grandfather, Luman Cooper LeMaster, was a rural mail carrier in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana area.  I located this newspaper article while searching online that details how he was injured while on his route.

RURAL CARRIER INJURED

Horse Takes Fright at Auto and Wagon is Wrecked

Portlnad, Ind., Aug. 13 - L. C. Lemaster, carrier on rural route No. 1, from the Salamonia postoffice, was slightly injured this morning when his horse took fright at an automobile driven by Bryant parties, near the Murray farm, in Pike Township.  The wagon was overturned into a deep ditch and wrecked.  Lemaster escaped with only a few bruises, and after procuring another rig was able to continue his trip.

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Glenn S. Overholt household, 1940, Wells County, Indiana

Located the 1940 census record of the Glenn S. Overholt household in Wells County, Indiana.  Glenn's wife, Sarah,  was my paternal 1st cousin 3 times removed.  Our common ancestor was Dr. Ezekiel Cooper Chew.  Sarah was the daughter of Edis Playfair Chew and Bertha Caupp.  Glenn was the son of Milward P. Overholt and Mary Rupley.

1940 U.S. census, Wells County, Indiana, population schedule, Union Township, enumeration district (ED) 90-27, SD 4, sheet 3A, household 53, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 24 January 2017); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

At the time of the enumeration, Glenn and his wife were living in Union Township.  The census states that Glenn owned his home and that it was on a farm. Glenn was 25 years old and was born in Indiana.  His wife, Sarah, was 26 years old and was born in Ohio.  In 1935 their residence was the same place.

The record shows that Glenn had completed 3 years of high school and that Sarah had completed 4 years of high school. Glenn's occupation was listed as a truck driver and Sarah had no occupation listed.

Also listed in the household were son Wilbur E., age 5, born in Indiana; daughter Meba J., age 2, born in Indiana; and daughter Marilyn E., age 2, born in Indiana.

If you have any additional information or are related to this family, I'd love to hear from you.

Two Fires In Three Years Destroy Home

While searching through the archives of Newspapers.com, I came across this article of the tragedy that struck my grandparents - two house fires within three years.  I cannot imagine losing everything I own to a fire once, let alone twice. 

The Muncie Star Press, Muncie, Indiana
February 9, 1939, page 9

BLAZE DESTROYS FARM RESIDENCE

Jay County Family Away As Fire Starts

Portland, Ind., Feb. 8 - Fire destroyed the farm home of Ord Lemaster, northeast of Bellfountain, last evening while the Lemaster's were visiting at the home of neighbors.  This is the second fire to destroy their home in the last three years.  Mr. and Mrs. Lemaster and their two children had gone to the Metzner home last evening and shortly after 8 o'clock were notified that their house was burning by William Hartzell, a neighbor, who first discovered the fire, which seemed to start from the inside.  Before aid could be summoned the home burned to the ground.  Nothing was saved by the family except the clothing which they wore at that time.  They lost all their belongings in the first fire.  They are making their home at the present with Mrs. Lemaster's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Haley.

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Will have to check at the Portland library to see if local papers give any more details.  The Metzner family mentioned were relatives as well.  My uncle had mentioned this fire to me, I will have to talk to him again about this and my aunt as well to see what they remember.