DNA: Mom's Cousin Jack - Fourth Cousin

Mom's 23andMe cousin Jack matches her on two chromosomes, and matches me as well.  He is predicted to be my 3rd to 6th cousin.

Jack was quick to write back that he took a look at the family tree, and only saw one name, William Henry Summers that matched.  William Henry Summers was the husband of Margaret P. Pierce.  We traded more information, and I was able to view his family tree at Ancestry and confirm that we are fourth cousins, once removed, through the most recent common ancestors of Francis Pierce and Rebecca Page.

Francis Pierce
Rebecca Page

Margaret P. Pierce               Edmund G. Pierce
William H.H. Summers                Catherine Groenendyke

Francis P. Summers               William F. Pierce

Katie ________                     Clara A. Penisten

Glee William Summers               Edna M. Pierce
Mary J. Hunter                          Virgil Lee Wright

his parents                             my grandparents

Jack                            my mom

                               me

This is the second DNA connection through the MRCA Francis Pierce and Rebecca Page I've discovered through 23andme.  Earlier, I had made a connection with cousin Raj through Margaret Pierce and William H.H. Summers.  Raj and Jack would be 3rd cousins once removed.

Note: This post was drafted before the recent changes to the 23andMe site.

Halloween - Grandparents as Sonny and Cher, 1966

"Sonny & Cher" , 1966
William Lee & Bonnie Mae (Lambertson) Wright

While scanning some photos from my mom's album, I came across this Halloween photo of my maternal grandparents getting ready to head out to a party at the Alexandria Elks.

Postal Letter Sorter

My maternal grandfather, William Lee "Johnny Bill" Wright (1919-1973) worked for the post office.  My mom took these pictures at the Pony Express Museum because they reminded her of a story about her dad:

I took these pictures at the Pony Express Museum because they reminded me of the clerk letter sorter that my dad had to use.  It was about half this size.  He had a long box of cards and he would practice sorting the cards into the pigeon holes.  He had to take a test yearly to see how fast he could sort the mail and not make a mistake.  I think he was given about 100 letters and could only miss less than 5? in about a minute.  I thought you would like this information.

Mom

Shaky Leaves : Iva Josephine (Ballein) Wardlow (1881-1932)

Iva Josephine (Ballein) Wardlow (1881-1932) is my 1st cousin 4 times removed on my maternal side.  She was the daughter of William Henry and Clarissa A. (Wright) Ballein. Surname variants include Bollein and Boline. Ancestry.com is currently showing 13 hints from historical records for her in my LeMaster and Allied Families member tree.

One of the databases was Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1932, 1938-2007 which shows her death on October 3, 1932 in Brown County, Ohio.

Name:	Iva J Wardlow
Death Date:	3 Oct 1932
Death Place:	Brown, Ohio, USA

Another database was the FindAGrave Index, 1600s-current which led me to Iva's memorial at FindAGrave.

Name:	Iva Josephine Wardlow
Birth Date:	1 Mar 1881
Death Date:	3 Oct 1932
Cemetery:	Sardinia Cemetery
Burial or Cremation Place:	Sardinia, Brown County, Ohio, USA
Has Bio?:	N
Spouse:	John Francis Wardlow
Children:	Bryce E Wardlow  John Ellison Wardlow
URL:	http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-...

In the 1920 census, Iva was enumerated along with her husband John F. and two sons, John and Bryce in Sardinia, Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio.

1920 US Census, Brown County, Ohio, population schedule, Sardinia, Washington Township, enumeration district (ED) 47, SD 9, sheet 13A, dwelling 249, family 251, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 August 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

In the 1910 census, Iva was enumerated along with her husband John F. and two sons, John and Bryce in Sardinia, Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio.

1910 US Census, Brown County, Ohio, population schedule, Sardinia, Washington Township, enumeration district (ED) 24, SD 5, sheet 4B, dwelling 114, family 119, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 August 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

I've updated the information that I have for Iva in my RootsMagic database and added her children to my Ancestry family tree.

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

Shaky Leaves : Anna L. (Wright) Vinson (1864-1914)

Anna L. (Wright) Vinson (1864-1914) was my maternal 2nd-great grandaunt, the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Heaton) Wright.  She was married to Albert Morris "Ab" Vinson (1858-1921).  Ancestry.com is currently showing 4 hints for her in my LeMaster and Allied Families Member Tree.

One of the hints is a link to Anna's memorial page at the FindAGrave website, which I created and maintain.  Anna is buried in the IOOF Cemetery in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.

In the 1910 census, Anna was living in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana with her husband Albert, who was a deputy sheriff.  Also in the household was Anna's brother, Jesse, and a boarder, Addie Hughs, who was laid off from the paper mill.

In the 1880 census, Anna was living in the Joseph Wright household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana as a 16 year old student.

While neither of these 'hints' were new facts to my database, I did link them to Anna's record in the Ancestry Member Tree and downloaded copies of the images so I can add to my RootsMagic database.

In the database, Indiana Deaths, 1882-1920, which contains data from the WPA index, the following information was found:

Name:	Anna L. Vinson
Date:	6 Jun 1914
Location:	Alexandria
Age:	50 Yr
Gender:	Female
Race:	White
Source Location:	City/County Health Office, Anderson or City Health Office, Elwood/Alexandria
Source notes:	The source of this record is the book 2CH-8 on page 37 within the series produced by the Indiana Works Progress Administration.

This matches the death date I have for Anna, and provides the book and page number so I can obtain a copy of her death certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for a future research trip.

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

Virgil Wright taking care of injured father, 1919

"Virgil Wright taking care of father," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 31 January 1919; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 29 March 2015).

Virgil Wright is taking care of his father, John Wright, who had his hand injured last week, as noted in the Times-Tribune.

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My maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Wright (1894-1972), was mentioned in this snippet from the Times-Tribune as taking care of his widowed father, John William Wright (1860-1945), who had been injured in a farming accident.

Party in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Maddox, 1918

"In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Maddox," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 4 March 1918; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 29 March 2015).

RURAL ROUTE, 20

In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Maddox, who will soon move to their new home south of Linwood, a party was given last Tuesday night.  Refreshments were served, and a general good time enjoyed by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clevenger, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Thurston, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Bowers, Mr. and Mrs. John Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Thurston, Mr. and Mrs. Purl Ice, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Gooding,Mr. and Mrs. Rube Maddox, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Stephenson and familes, Mrs. Lon Nichols, Wm. Dickey, Walter Davis and son Ralph, George Hughes.  The Misses Mary Vermillion, Hazel Nichols, Sybrina Tobin, Leona Hughes, Sybrina Tobin, Leona Hughes, Messrs. Marshall Stephenson, Thomas and Edward Tobin.

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My maternal great-grandparents, Virgil and Edna (Pierce) Wright, were attendees at this party hosted for Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Maddox.

I do not know if this Maddox family was related to the family of Edna's stepmother, Vida (Maddox) Pierce.

I also do not yet know the relationship, if any, with the Frank Wright family. 

Directors of Southwestern Alexandria Telephone Company, 1918

"Telephone Officers," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 8 January 1918; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 29 March 2015).

Telephone Officers -

M.E. Blacklidge has been elected president of the Southwestern Alexandria Farmers Telephone Co. and James Wright, secretary, and Robert Thurston, treasurer.  The directors are: Virgil Wright, Walter Davis, Robert Thurston, James Wright and M.E. Blacklidge.  The company maintains a party line in the country southwest of Alexandria.

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My maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972)was listed as the director of the Southwestern Alexandria Farmers Telephone Co., along with his uncle, James Wright.

My folks have a copy of a stock certificate for this company.  It would be interesting to find out more about it and see how it fared.  I did find an earlier article about its' formation in 1908.

Alexandria Times-Tribune, 17 Apr 1908, page 4

TELEPHONE COMPANY

Will Connect Its Lines With Those of Alexandria Exchange

The members the Southwestern Alexandria telephone Co., met last evening at Andrew Berg's and selected the following directors to serve for one year: James Wright, Andrew Berg, Jordan Reeves, Lawrence Hollowell and M.E. Blacklidge.  The company expects to have the line connected with the D. and M. lines at Alexandria and in operation by May 1st with the following subscribers Thomas and R.G. Ellis, Jordon Reeves, James Edward and Joseph Wright, Andrew Berg, Wm. Tennell, Warren Stephenson, M.E. Blacklidge, Noah Whetsel, Ed. Fuller, A.M. Peck, Johnson Maynard and T.G. May.

Birth Announcement, Clara Ellen Wright, 1916

"Found, A Girl," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 28 March 1916; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 29 March 2015).

Found, a Girl -

Dr. J.E. Hall reported to the Times-Tribune that there was rejoicing in the home of Virgil Wright, two miles south of the city, this morning over the arrival of a baby daughter.

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Though it doesn't mention her by name, this is the birth announcement of my maternal grandaunt, Clara Ellen Wright (1916-2005), daughter of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright.  Clara Ellen was the oldest of their three children.

Virgil Wright, I.O.O.F. Initiate, 1916

"I.O.O.F. Initiation," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 25 March 1916; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 29 March 2015).

I.O.O.F. Initiation -

Five candidates received the initiatory degree in the I.O.O.F. lodge last evening.  The candidates were : Luther Hall, Virgil Wright, Leslie Evernham, David A. Taylor and Charles Norris.  Three applications were received for membership at the meeting last night.

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My maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972), as an initiate at the I.O.O.F. lodge in Alexandria.  The I.O.O.F. stands for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a fraternal organization that still exists today. Many cities and towns have cemeteries that were started by the Odd Fellows as one of their civic works, along with caring for the poor.

I will have to write to the headquarters of the Indiana lodge to see if there are any records that mention Virgil in the organization.

Second Place at the Halloween Party, 1915

"Halloween Party," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 1 November 1915; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 29 March 2015).

HALLOWEEN PARTY

A masquerade party was enjoyed by a number of friends Friday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Manring on East Eleventh street.  At 9 o'clock all marks were removed.  Miss Elsie McCord won the first prize.  Virgil Wright second and Kenneth Stoughton third prize.  Games and contents were followed by a Hallowe'en luncheon.  The home was beautifully decorated in black and yellow crepe ribbons, candles, pumpkins and yellow crysanthemums.  Attending were the Misses Elsie McCord, Hazel Foland, Mablel Wright, Mary Manring, Olivia Wright, Sarah Damens, Frances Wright, and Charley Sexton, George Harcastle, William Knopp, Kenneth Stoughton, Kenneth Allen and Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Lawler, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Frazier, Mrs. Mary Danils, Mrs. McDonald, Mrs. Ada Stroughton and Clarence Smith, of Muncie.

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My maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972) and great-grandmother, Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright (1897-1968), attended this Halloween party shortly after their marriage with a number of friends and relatives.  I wonder what customer grandpa Virgil wore to win second prize?

Other relatives include Mabel Wright, daughter of James and  Clara (Hicks) Wright, Virgil's first cousin, as well as her other sisters Olivia and Frances Wright.  Frances Wright's future husband Charles Sexton was also in attendance.

Wedding Announcement, Virgil Wright to Muriel Pierce, 1915

"Rural Route 20," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 26 March 1915; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 March 2015).

Virgil Wright has joined the "Benedicts," having gone to Anderson and returned with a new wife Saturday. Mrs. Wright was formerly Miss Murrill Pierce, of Alexandria.  A crowd of their friends treated them to an old fashioned charivari Wednesday night.  They will live with Mr. Wright's father for a time at least.

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Located this announcement of my maternal great-grandparents wedding.  Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972) and Edna Muriel Pierce (1897-1968) were married on June 19, 1915.  Edna was the daughter of William Francis Pierce and Clara A. Penisten.

Apparently, they took up housekeeping for a time with my 2nd-great grandfather, the John William Wright.

Farewell Party for Miss Pearl Cummins, 1915

"Farewell Party," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 14 May 1915; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 March 2015).

FAREWELL PARTY

Miss Pearl Cummins gave a farewell party at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.A. Cummins, Wednesday evening.  Miss Cummins will leave next week for Lafayette, Ind., where she will enter the State Soldiers' Home to take up nurse training.  Among those present were : Ollie Johnson, Lena and Nema Cranfield, Merl Fuller, Mary Moore, Merl Pierce, Cecil Thurber, Ada Miller, Hazel Walker, Pearl Little, Pearl Robbins, Clema Laycock, Edith and Hortense Brown, Bessie Laycock, Sarah Smith, Eva King, Ruth Jones, Iva White, Gladys Davis, Zetta Johnston, Pearl Cummins, Mrs. Charles Finley, Mrs. John Lewis and Mrs. D.A. Cummins and Earl and Joe Mohler, Kenneth Jones, Kenneth Collis, Rex Fuller, Everett Wilson, Chester Seibert, Park Weewee, Joe Draper, Chester and Virgil Wright, Floyd Miller, Oscar Thurber, Lee White, Allen Walker, William Smith, Rodger Brown, Herbert Johnson, Leslie Noble, James Jarret, Jessie Porter, Jessie Reason, Rodney Farr, Henry Young, Roy Jarrett, Clarence Johnson, Dale Cook, Harry Shaw, Robert Zellers, Frank Clevenger, Homer Scott, Cecil Moyer, Herbert Ferguson, Alfred Garner, John Lewis and D.A. Cummins.

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My maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972) attended this farewell party along with his brother, Chester.  Many of those named were friends of the family who appeared often in the social news together.

The Ollie Johnson was my maternal first cousin 3 times removed, daughter of John M. and Martha (Pierce) Johnson.

Farewell Party for Mr. and Mrs. Claude Montgomery, 1915

"A Farewell Party," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 18 February 1915; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 23 March 2015).

A FAREWELL PARTY

A farewell party was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Montgomery who will soon move to a farm near Reed's station.  Games and music were enjoyed and refreshments served to the following guests: Zelda and Hazel Gale, Myrtle Stephenson, Bessie Larmore, Mildred Fuller, Myrtle Lawler, Lottie Schwinn, Marie Smith, Ollie and Cecil Johnson, Ethel Seybert, Ruth Jones, Clara and Beulah Adams, Merle Pierce, Mary Moore, Nellie Mohler, Omah and Apha Miller, Opal Millspaugh, Marie Brannenberg, of Kendallville, Kenneth Jones, Virgil Wright, Sam Thurston, Bernard Millsbaugh, Joe Draper, Delbert Swindell, Rand Farrar, John Johnson, Rex Fuller, Everett Wilson, Lertie Bushong, Clifford Eppard, Elmer Miller, Earl and Joe Mohler, Jesse Peck, Ollie Schaefer, Walter Hurst, Ernest and Esta Quinn, Frank Simms, Jesse Lawson, Chester Seybert, Ray Fuller, Eddie Warren, Ben Jones, Jesse Gaither, Sanford Hicks and Mr. and Mrs. T.M. Martin and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Montgomery.

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My maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972) attended this farewell party that was well attended by neighbors.  I also found several other names in my genealogy database from this party.

The Mr. and Mrs. Claude Montgomery were Claude Benjamin and Ruth E. (Johnson) Montgomery.  Ruth was my maternal first cousin 3 times removed, our common ancestors were Edmund G. Pierce and Catherine Groenendyke.  She was the daughter of John M. Johnson and Martha Pierce.  The Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Montgomery at the end of the list of guests were the parents of Claude.

The Ollie and Cecil Johnson listed were sisters of Mrs. Claude Montgomery, daughters of John M. and Martha (Pierce) Johnson.

I do not place the Merle Pierce in the family at this time.

Surprise Party for Mrs. George Allen, 1914

"A Surprise Party," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 22 October 1914; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 21 March 2015).

A SURPRISE PARTY

Mrs. George Allen, who resides south-west of the city was very pleasantly surprised Tuesday night when a large company of friends gathered at the home to spend the evening.  The time was spent in enteretaining music and games.  Pop-corn, apples, candy and melons were served to the guests.  Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. Walter Manring, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Thurston and daughter, Lolaa, Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. Grover Gaither and son, George.  Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Bowers and Son, Herbert, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Davis and son, Ralph, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Peet, Mr. and Mrs. Webster and family, Mr. and Mrs. Horace McCord and family, Mr. and Mrs. Wid Carver, Mrs. Clyde Clevenger and daughters, Misses Hazel Nichols, Nellie Smith, Frances Wright, Hazel Folden, Elsie McCord, Marie Etsler, Louise Auler, Gladys Cox, Katherine Brown, Mary Moore, Elizabeth Auler, Olivia Wright, Katherine Cox, Nellie Scott and Messrs. Will Nichols, James Ferguson, Will Smith, Robert Gaither, Charles Sexton, George Hardcastle, Joseph Gaither, Kenneth Allen, Byford Brown, Virgil Wright, Jesse and Lawrence Gaither, Will Baxter, David Bowers, Clifton Jones, Virgil Wright, Thurel Markle and Wid Nickols.

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Another social gathering attended by my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972) was covered by the society pages in the paper.  Many of these listed were family friends and neighbors who have appeared in other gatherings.

Virgil was listed twice in the list of names, I wonder if the second time should have been mention of his brother, Chester.

The Frances Wright and Olivia Wright mentioned in attendance were Virgil's cousins, daughters of James and Clara (Hicks) Wright.

Sometimes the paper gets it wrong

"Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wright and children," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 27 July 1914; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 March 2015).

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wright and children, John and Virgil Wright, motored to Anderson yesterday and spent the day with Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Wright.

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Oftentimes, the newspapers just don't get it right.  If you've ever been misquoted during an interview, you know what I mean.  Or maybe even witnessed and event and then read the paper the next day to see that it was mangled by the press in the reporting.  Happens all the time, even with the gossip columns of old, apparently.  At least it appears that way in this item.

Charles Wright was a brother to Jesse Wright, so it makes sense that he might have motored to Anderson to visit him.  However, his children were not named John and Virgil Wright.  Charles' children were Fred, Edna, Erma and Paul.  

Now Charles and Jesse did have a brother John Wright, who had a son, Virgil.  John was my maternal 3rd-great grandfather.  At first I thought this story might have meant that Mr. and Mrs. John Wright instead of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wright, but the Mrs. John Wright, my 3rd-great grandmother, Ellen, had passed away in December 1913 so there was no Mrs. John Wright at the time.

What I think happened, was that Charles Wright and his wife went to Anderson and visited his brother, Jesse, and took along his other brother John and John's son, Virgil.  Somehow in the telling of the story to the press, the names and relationships became mangled.

Birthday Surprise for Mrs. Peet, 1914

"Birthday Surprise," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 13 July 1914; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 March 2015).

BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

A pleasant surprise was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Peet yesterday in honor of Mrs. Peet's birthday.  All the guests arrived with well-filled baskets and at the dinner hour, all the good things were spread and piled high on tables out-of-doors for all to enjoy the feast.  Among those in the party were Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Bowers and son, Herbert, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Brown and daughters, Kathryn and Dorothy, Mr. and Mrs. George Allen and son, George, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wright and daughters, Helen and Oliva, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Morgan and son, John, Miss Hazel Folden, Erma Wright, Elsie McCord, Lillie, Martha and Vana Allen, Gladys Hall, Nellie Lenard, Mary Moore, Joe Gaither, Virgil Wright, George Hardcastle, Miles Gooding and Fred Wright.

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Another social mention of my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972) attending a birthday party.  Several other names of family members were also in attendance.

The Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wright are James and Clara (Hicks) Wright, Virgil's aunt and uncle.  Two of their daughters, Helen and Oliva, were also in attendance.

The Fred Wright who attended the party was the son of Charles and Bertha (Leonard) Wright, Virgil's aunt and uncle.

So at this one party were several of my 2nd-great grandfather's neighbors as well as his first cousins.

Surprise Party For Virgil Bowers

"Surprise Party," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 12 September 1913; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 March 2015).

SURPRISE PARTY

In honor of the thirtieth birthday of Mr. Virgil Bowers a surprise party was given at the home last evening.  Ice cream and cake were served and a most enjoyable evening reported.  The evening was spent in music and games.  Among those present were : Nellie Free, Bertha Allen, Hazel Foland, Mattie Knopps, Lillian Allen, Alice Smith, Frances Wright, Ruth Free, Martha Allen, Mary Moore and Messrs. Charles Sexton, Virgil Wright, James Jarrett, Walter Knopps, Joseph Gaither, Virgil King, Chester Wright, Jesse Fesler, Roscoe Young, Tom Tobin, Arthur Pete, Glen Free, William Knopps, Miles Gooding, Floyd Miller, Virgil Allen, Jesse Gaither, Russell Allen and Mr. and Mrs. John Wright, Mr. and Mrs. George Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Manrig, Mr. and Mrs. Grover Gaither and Mrs. Fae Leach and daughter, Elizabeth.

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This newspaper announcement of the surprise birthday party thrown in honor of Virgil Bowers was attended by my maternal 2nd-great grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972), as well as his brother, Chester Arthur Wright (1896-1913) and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John (Ellen King) Wright.  Several other recognizable names in my family history research and locals from the Alexandria area are mentioned.

The Charles Sexton was the future husband of Frances Wright, who also attended the party.  Frances was the daughter of James and Clara (Hicks) Wright, and a first cousin of Virgil Wright.

I'm sure there are some other relatives in this as well, the Virgil King name keeps showing up, and as of yet, I haven't placed him in the family tree.

Birthday Party With An Unnamed Guest Of Honor

"Orestes News Notes," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 22 August 1913; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 March 2015).

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Young entertained at their home in honor of the birthday of their son.  Games were played and refreshments served.  Among those present were : Maude Youngs, Iva White, Clara Snethen, Mary Judd, Mary Youngs, Ruth Etchison, Josie Steward, Hazel King, Pearl Little, Mary Moore, Isabel Pyle, Helen Etchison, Nettie Athan, Mary Carver, Bertha Allen, Mary Whitten, Allean Etchison, Pearl Cummins, Bessie Laycock, Messrs. Emmet Moyer, Everett Judd, Chas. Cummins, Chas. Bicknell, Chester King, Virgil Wright, Arthur Peet, Troy Fox, Lee White, John Cook, Jay Noble, Floyd Miller, Edward Blake, Jim Jarret, Jesse Porter, Virgil King, Mr. and Mrs. George Judd, and Mr. and Mrs. E. Moyer.

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This interesting announcement about a birthday party that was attended by my maternal 2nd-great grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972), contains references to several people who were related to him.  The party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Young for their son, but the name of the son is not given. 

I believe that the birthday party was held in honor of Samuel Roscoe Young (1895-1934), son of Daniel R. and Gertrude (Johnson) Young.  He was born August 27th, and was Virgil Wright's first cousin once removed.  Their common ancestors were Daniel King and Elizabeth Shaw.

I also believe that the newspaper made a few errors : the Chester King mentioned right before Virgil Wright was likely Chester Wright, brother of Virgil. 

The rest of the names are locals and cousins of the family, some of whom I have yet to place.

Virgil Wright Obtains Diploma, 1912

"Diplomas For Students," notice, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 15 April 1912; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 March 2015).

Searching the archives of the Alexandria-Times Tribune, I found mention of my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972), listed among the graduates of the eighth grade in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.

Some of the names of listed graduates are very familiar to me in the area.  One name, Ruby King, maybe a relative.  

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DIPLOMAS FOR STUDENTS

Twenty-two In Monroe Township Passed First Eighth Grade Examination.

Of the 59 Monroe township students who took the examination for graduation from the eighth grade on March 18, 22 were successful, according to the figures given by the County Superintendent, J.W. Frazier.  In the whole county there were 389 applicants, of whom 140 passed.  The highest grade was obtained by Harry Leonard of Jackson township, 95 2-5.  Wesley Canup, of Van Buren township, was second, with 94 1-9.  In Monroe township Frank Swindell, of the Spiceland school, had the highest grade, 92 2-5 with Marie Thurston, of the Olive Branch school a close second.

The successful students in Monroe township were Virgil Wright, Marie Thurston, Delbert Smith, Earl Blake, Delbert and Frank Swindell, George Hall, Maggie Morton, Esther Baxter, Frank Wyatt, Verta Tomlinson, Mary Sanders, Letha Hughes, Clarence Clock, Everett Janney, Marie Blake, Ruby King, Kenneth Rogers, Hellen Henshaw, Leon Hook, Robert Grizzle and Marion Marquess.

In Van Buren township the successful students were Forest Riday, Leslie Canup, Wesley Canup, Oren Collier, Madge Ellsworth, Walter Hiatt, Kenneth Tomlinson, Wilifred Harris, Chester Hiatt, Herbert Carey, Mary Brook, Herbert Winn, Garnet Martin, Harry Spitzmesser, Clyde Morris, Hazel Kirkpatrick, Willie Inglis, Florence Peele, Veda Knight, Hazel Browne, and Marie Kirkpatrick.

The Successful ones in Boone township were Charles Austin, Clyde Cartwright, Gladys Cunningham, Ward Jones, Anna Vison, Clarence Overshiner, Paul Swain, Claire Metcalf, Donald Achor and Clarence Tutlow.

Another examination will be held next Saturday, when those who failed in the first examination will have an opportunity to try again for a diploma.