Obituary : Peter Swafford, September 9, 1885, Republican Progress, Bloomington, Indiana

Thanks to the folks at the Monroe County, Indiana Public Library, I was able to obtain a copy of the obituary of my maternal 4th-great grandfather, Peter Kirkpatrick Swafford (1827-1885).  The obituary appeared in the September 9, 1885 edition of the Republican Progress in Bloomington, Indiana.

Peter Swafford, who lived on the hill (at Spencer) near Henry Keenes, died one day last week and was taken to Monroe county near Stinesville for burial.

That's not much of an obituary, but it does let me know that he was buried near Stinesville in Monroe County, even though he died in Owen County.  I have not yet located his burial location.

Peter was born June 12, 1827 in Mississippi and married April 3, 1853 in Owen County, Indiana to Mary Ann Crockett (1835-1865).  

Cousin bait : LaMaster

Just received an email from a LaMaster, trying to find out how we are connected.  Wrote him back and asked for as much information he has tracing his line back, so I can compare notes and see if I can find the line in the books I have on the family.  Spelling variations aside, if we are related, it's likely pretty distant.

The branches I'm aware of that spell the name LaMaster from the "Lemasters USA" book by Howard Lemaster would be at least 5th or more distant cousins, provided I can find the link of my branch in to those lines.  

I'm still working on the paper trail to that line, hoping to save my money and do a Y-DNA test to connect to others who have a better paper trail.

This blog continues to be good 'cousin bait' with people finding me and reaching out.

LeMaster Aunts & Uncles

My paternal LeMaster aunts & uncles (dad's brothers and sisters) gathered together on New Year's Day and my mom shared the following photographs with me.  All taken at Ruth & Doug's in Sheridan, Indiana.

L-R Victor LeMaster, Paul LeMaster, Idola Coats, Juanita Steigerwalt, Ruth Davies, Ord LeMaster

Victor LeMaster

Ord & Gloria (Wright) LeMaster

Paul & Betty (Lanning) LeMaster

Don & Idola (LeMaster) Coats

Harold & Juanita (LeMaster) Steigerwalt