Saturday, March 09, 2013

Exploratory Data Analysis: Vernon Walker LeMaster (1888-1955)

Vernon Walker LeMaster (1888-1955) was my paternal great-granduncle.  What follows is an exploratory data analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about him.

1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Vernon was born December 4, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana.  I do not have a copy of his birth certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip. 

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspapers to see if mention was made of Vernon's birth.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible records for the LeMaster family.  Will continue to reach out to extended family in hopes that one does exist.

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

               I am not aware of any baptismal record for Vernon.  The family was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church in Salamonia, Indiana.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Vernon was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Vernon married Helen Louise Garmhausen on June 30, 1917 in Auglaize County, Ohio1.

          There marriage record was the subject of a previous post.

          1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspapers for mention of Vernon and Helen's nuptials, both in Ohio and Indiana.  Will add this to my "to-do" list for further research.

          1.2.2. Anniversary notice

               Vernon and Helen's 25th wedding anniversary would have been June 30, 1942.  Will need to search in contemporary newspapers to see if mention was made of their anniversary celebrations.

          1.2.3. Divorce decree

               There is no indication that Vernon and Helen were ever divorced.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Vernon died March 17, 1955, according to my database.  I do not have a place of death listed, but he was a resident of Sidney, Ohio for many years. Will need to seek to clarify and obtain a copy of his death certificate.

          1.3.1. Obituary in newspaper

               Will need to search out contemporary newspapers for mention of Vernon's death.  Will add this to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.

          1.3.2. Funeral home records

               Once I've obtained a copy of Vernon's obituary, will seek out records from the funeral home that handled the arrangements to see what other information I might discover.

          1.3.3. Tombstone photograph

               I do not have a photograph of Vernon's tombstone.  I believe that he is buried in Sidney, Ohio.  Once I've determined where he is buried, will seek to obtain a photograph.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census

               On April 1, 1940, Vernon was enumerated as head of household in Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio2, as Vernon W. LeMaster, aged 50, born in Indiana.  He had completed 4 years of college. He had lived at the same residence in 1935. He owned his home and it was valued at $ 10,000. His occupation was listed as doctor.  Also living in the household were wife Helen, age 46, born in Ohio; son Robert, age 20, born in Ohio; daughter Louise, age 17, born in Ohio; and mother-in-law, Cordelia Garmhausen, age 71, born in Ohio.

          2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census

               On April 2, 1930, Vernon was enumerated as head of household in Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio3, as Vernon W. LeMaster, age 41, born in Indiana.  He owned his home and it was valued at $ 10,000.  The family owned a radio.  He was married, age 28 at time of marriage.  He was born in Indiana, with both parents born in Ohio.  He could read and write and spoke English, and his occupation was a medical doctor.  Also living in the household were wife, Helene L, age 36, born in Ohio; son Robert, age 9, born in Ohio; and daughter Louise, age 7, born in Ohio.

          2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census

               On January 6, 1920, Vernon was enumerated as head of household in Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio4, as Vernon W. LeMaster, age 31, born in Indiana.  He owned his home and it was mortgaged.  He was married, could read and write and spoke English.  His parents were both listed as being born in Indiana.  His occupation was a physician.  Also living in the household was wife, Helene M., age 26, born in Ohio.

          2.1.4. 1910 Federal Census

               On April 25, 1910, Vernon was enumerated in the Norman [sic] W. LeMaster household, Jay County, Indiana5, as Vernon W. LeMaster, son, age 21, born in Indiana.  His father was born in Ohio and mother in New Jersey.  He had no listed occupation.

     2.2. State Census Records

          The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913 and 1921.  These, however, were merely for the purposes of legislative apportionment.

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what light they might shed on the LeMaster farm.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          Vernon registered for the draft during World War I on May 24, 19176.  At the time he was living at 126 Poplar Street in Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio.  His registration card states that he was a natural born citizen, born December 4, 1888 in Portland, Indiana.  At the time of registration, he was single, and his occupation was that of a physician.  He was described as being stout, medium build with brown hair and brown eyes.

          Vernon registered for the draft during World War II on April 26, 19427.  At the time he was living at Bon Aire Drive in Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio.  His registration card states he was born December 4, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana.  He was a physician.  His wife, Helene, listed as his closest relative.  His height was 5' 11", weight 200 lbs., with brown eyes, grey hair and light complexion.

     3.2. Pension Records

          I have not yet investigated whether Vernon was awarded a pension for his service during World War I.

     3.3. Service Records

          Vernon served as a 1st Lieutenant, U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War I8,9.

          He served overseas in France, but I need to investigate further his military service.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Shelby County, Ohio to see what items might mention Vernon.  Will add this to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          I need to contact the local historical society to see what types of plat maps were published in Shelby County, Ohio that might aid in my research.

5. Supplemental records

     Supplemental records available for research for Vernon include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records.  Will add these to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.

Sources:

1. Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints online [http://www.familysearch.org], accessed 17 January 2011.
2. 1940 U.S. census, Shelby County, Ohio, population schedule, Ward 2, Sidney, enumeration district 75-3, SD 4, sheet 11B, dwelling 227 Bon Air Drive; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 March 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
3. 1930 U.S. census, Shelby County, Ohio, population schedule, Ward 2, Sidney, enumeration district 75-2, SD 11, sheet 2A, dwelling 38, household 38; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 March 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. 1920 U.S. census, Shelby County, Ohio, population schedule, Ward 1A, Sidney, enumeration district 195, SD 3, sheet 3B, dwelling 84, family 88, 822 Ohio Ave.; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 March 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
5. Norman W. LeMaster household, 1910 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Madison township, ED 67, SD 8, sheet 5, dwelling 95, family 96; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 358.
6. "World War I Draft Registration Cards", digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 March 2013); citing World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918: Registration State: Ohio; Registration County: Shelby, Roll: 1851185.
7. "World War II Draft Registration Cards", digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 March 2013); citing Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II, Fourth Registration: Ohio, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
8. Jay, Milton T., History of Jay County, Indiana: including its World War Record and Incorporating the Montgomery History (Indianapolis, Indiana, USA: Historical Publishing Company, 1922), page 197.
9. Hover, John Calvin and Joseph Daniel Barnes. Memoirs of the Miami Valley. Chicago, Illinois, USA: Robert O. Law Company, 1919.

This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions drawn in this article are welcomed.

No comments: