Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sunday's Obituary: Maxine Elizabeth LeMaster (1920-1931)

Commercial-Review, April 4, 1931, page 1



Scarlet Fever Is Fatal Friday to Lemaster Child



Maxine Elizabeth Lemaster, 10, died Friday evening at 5:30 o'clock at the home, in Salamonia from scarlet fever, which developed Tuesday.


She was the daughter of Gerald W. and Mabel Agnes (Kantner) Freemyer and was born August 29, 1920, being aged at the time of her death 10 years, 7 months and 4 days.  She was preceded in death by her mother, January 3, 1929.


She is survived by the father, step-mother, two sisters, Nadine and Roberta, and a half-sister, Mary Marie, the latter being seriously ill from the disease.


Private funeral services will be conducted Sunday morning at 11 o'clock from the home in charge of Rev. Leroy Myers, pastor of the Salamonia M.E. church.  Iterment will be made in the Salamonia cemetery.



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.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Surname Saturday : BEALS

The BEALS surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname appear to be English, and variations of the spelling include: BALES, BAILS, BEALES, etc.  The family were members of the Society of Friends (Quaker) for many generations.


Stories and history:


Ahnentafel # 29: Pearl May Beals (1878-1970).  Pearl was born May 11, 1878 in Westfield, Hamilton County, Indiana.  She married April 18, 1897 in Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana to Charles Wilson Lambertson (1872-1958).  Charles was born January 25, 1872 in Preble County, Ohio.  They had 8 children and lived in Hamilton, Tipton and Madison Counties, Indiana where Charles was a painter, farmer and carpenter.  Charles died May 24, 1958 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Pearl died August 3, 1970 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Cicero Cemetery, Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 58: Nathan Thomas Beals (1856-1915).  Nathan was born February 17, 1856 in Westfield, Hamilton County, Indiana.  He married September 26, 1876 in Hamilton County, Indiana to Elizabeth Caroline Poe (1856-1935).  Elizabeth was born September 26, 1856 in Morgan County, Indiana.  They raised 3 daughters in Hamilton County, Indiana and Richardson County, Nebraska.  Elizabeth died September 27, 1935 near Greentown, Howard County, Indiana.  Nathan died February 16, 1915 in Leola, Grant County, Arkansas.  Both are buried in the Cicero Cemetery, Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 116: John T. Beals (1827-1917).  John was born 1827-6mo-25d in Clinton County, Ohio.  He married April 19, 1848 in Westfield, Hamilton County, Indiana to Mary Davis (1825-1909).  Mary was born 1825-9mo-9d in Randolph County, North Carolina.  John served as a Lt. in Company A, 101st Indiana Infantry Regiment during the Civil War.  He was a farmer, and was elected Hamilton County Assessor in 1892.  He served on the board of directors of the Bank of Westfield, Westfield, Indiana. John was a genealogist, and wrote Chronology of the Beals Family (1912). Mary died July 18, 1909 in Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana.  John died September 18, 1917 in Sheridan, Hamilton County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Summit Lawn Cemetery, Westfield, Hamilton County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 232: Nathan C. Beals  (1789-1867).  Nathan was born 1789-9mo-3d at Lost Creek Monthly Meeting, Jefferson County, Tennessee. Nathan was disowned by the Society of Friends circa 1811, and later became a member of the Methodist church. He married November 25, 1820 in Clinton County, Ohio to Elizabeth Chew (1802-1881).  Elizabeth was born July 29, 1802 in Clinton County, Ohio.  Nathan was a farmer and served as County Assessor for Hamilton County, Indiana from 1841-1845.  Nathan was the first Probate Judge of Howard County, Indiana from 1844-1846. They were the parents of 10 children born in Clinton County, Ohio and Hamilton County, Indiana.  Elizabeth died January 26, 1881 in Converse, Miami County, Indiana.  Nathan died September 5, 1867 in Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska.


Ahnentafel # 464: John Beals (1763-1848).  John was born 1763-3mo-9d at New Garden Monthly Meeting, Guilford County, North Carolina.  He married 1788-10mo-23d at Center Monthly Meeting, Guilford County, North Carolina to Mary Carter (1767-1799).  Mary was born 1767-5mo-17d.  They were the parents of 6 children born in Jefferson County, Tennessee and Grayson County, Virginia.  Mary died 1799-10mo-11d in Grayson County, Virginia.  John married secondly on 1803-11mo-2d in Grayson County, Virginia to Mary Johnson (1767-1841).  Mary was born 1767-9mo-21d in New Garden Monthly Meeting, Guilford County, North Carolina.  John and Mary had 3 children born in Highland County, Ohio.  Mary died 1841-8mo-28d in Hamilton County, Indiana.  John died 1848-7mo-5d in Hamilton County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Hinkle Creek Cemetery, Hamilton County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 928: Thomas Beals (1719-1801).  Thomas was born 1719-1mo-14d Chester Monthly Meeting, Chester County, Pennsylvania.  He married 1741-9mo-12d at Monocacy, Prince George County, Maryland to Sarah Antrim/Ankrum (c1724-1813).  Sarah was born circa 1724.  They were the parents of 13 children.  Thomas was a minister of the Society of Friends, ministering to the Indians around the time of the Revolutionary War, one of the first ministers to cross north of the Ohio River.  Sarah died 1813-7mo-6d at Fairfield Monthly Meeting, Highland County, Ohio.  Thomas died 1801-8mo-29d at Fairfield Monthly Meeting, Highland County, Ohio.


Ahnentafel # 1856:  John Beals (1685-c1745).  John was born 1685-11mo-28d Chester County, Pennsylvania.  He married 1711-9mo-14d in Chester County, Pennsylvania to Sarah Bowater (1689-bef1767). Sarah was born 1689-6mo-17d in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  They were the parents of 7 children.  Sarah died before 1767 in York County, Pennsylvania.  John died circa 1745 near Winchester, Virginia.


Ahnentafel # 3712: John Beals (c1650-aft1726).  John was born circa 1650 in England.  By 1677 he appears in Pennsylvania records.  He married after 1682-11mo-1d at Chester Monthly Meeting, Chester County, Pennsylvania to Mary Clayton (1665-bef1726).  Mary was born 1665-6mo-29d in Rumboldswyke, Sussex, England.  They were the parents of 5 children.  Mary died before 1726 in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  John died after August 11, 1726 in Nottingham, Chester County, Pennsylvania.


Related blog posts:




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.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Wed 50 Years: Mr. and Mrs. Vern Haley

Wed 50 Years


Mr. and Mrs. Vern Haley, R.R. 4, Portland, will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary on Sunday, March 13 with open house at the Westchester EUB Church from 2 until 5 p.m.  A family dinner is planned at the home of a son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ninde.  The couple was married March 12, 1916 at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Freemyer, one-half mile west of Westchester Church.  Rev. C.K. Saylor, pastor of the Westchester Church, officiated.  She is the former Wilma Freemyer.  His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Haley, Noble Township.  Natives of Jay County, they have lived here their entire married lives.  They are the parents of three children, Mrs. Orla (Sarah) Campbell, R.R. 1, Bryant; Mrs. Fred (Mary) Ninde, R.R. 4, Portland and Vernon F. Haley, Westminster, Pa.  They also have 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  Members of the Westchester EUB Church, Haley is a retired farmer.


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This clipping was part of a collection at the Jay County Historical Society.  I believe that it was from the Portland Graphic newspaper.


Vern HALEY was a distant relative, the grandson of Sebastian HALEY, brother to my ancestor George.  This would make him my 2nd cousin 3 times removed.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Honoring Their Service

I spent part of my evening tonight honoring the memories of those who served in the American Civil War by browsing the collection of Civil War draft registrations on Ancestry, hoping to find new information about the military service of relatives.  All males between the ages of 20 and 45 were subject to the military draft.

I discovered that the Indiana 11th Congressional District in 1863 covered many counties where I had relatives, including: Jay, Madison, Wabash and Hamilton.

The draft act created three classes of men: Class I included men between the ages of 20 and 35 subject to military duty and unmarried men above 35 and under 45 subject to military duty; Class II included married men above 35 and under 45.

According to the National Archives, the consolidated lists of Class III, which I was researching, was comprised of men who were veterans or were already in the service.  The records included information such as name, place of residence, age as of July 1, 1863, occupation, marital status, place of birth and military organization.

I started this search too late at night to finish, but working up through the "D" surnames, I did discover one new lead in Wabash County for Eileen's ancestry.

Duffey, Daniel, age 22, white, farmer, service in the 8th Indiana Infantry.  I believe this was her 2nd-great granduncle.


School Days: Jerry Lambertson 1956-57

Jerry Lambertson, Alexandria, Indiana

This is a photo of my maternal 1st cousin once removed, Jerry Joe LAMBERTSON, son of Floyd Ray and Nellie Jane (BARR) LAMBERTSON.  The date of the photo in 1956-57 would make him 13-14 years old.  The photo was part of the collection shared by cousin Mike Walsh.

Monday, April 11, 2011

LeMaster Families: 1927 Jay County, Indiana Rural Directory

Complete Directory of Jay County, Indiana, 1927, M & R Directory Company, Portland, Indiana, page 188


The following entries for my LeMaster families were found in this 1927 rural directory of Jay County, Indiana.  This copy of the work was found at the Jay County Public Library, and an imaged copy is also found online.

Lemaster, Chesley (Clara) Port. R 6 Sec 8 Mad Tp. Rt 40 (Donald, Doris, Ralph)

Lemaster, Clarence (May) far. Port. R 4, Sec 30, Noble Tp. Rt 123 (Kenneth, Mary, Garth, Veragene)

Lemaster, Floyd (Opal) far. Port. R 6, Sec 31, Noble Tp. Rt 120 (Remonda)

Lemaster, Gerald W. (Mabel) lab. Salamonia, Mad. Tp. (Maxine, Nadine, Roberta)

Lemaster, L. Cooper (Barbara) far. Salamonia, Sec 10, Mad. Tp. H 66, J 39 (Ora, Mary, Ervin) {Correction: Children should be Ord, Mary, Elvin}

Lemaster, Luman W. (Mary K.) far. Port. R 6, Sec 8, Mad. Tp. H 80 (Mariah) {Who is this Mariah listed as a child? A granddaughter or foster child?}

This was one of those sources I had looked at many times, yet for some reason hadn't entered into my database.  It provides some great clues for further research, including the section numbers of the various farms.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Black Sheep Sunday: Pierpont Asks Release From State Prison

Kokomo Tribune, Kokomo, Indiana, August 25, 1933, page 9.





PIERPONT ASKS RELEASE FROM STATE PRISON


Bandit Who Aided in Robbery of Kokomo Bank Said to Be "Leader"


Indianapolis, Aug. 24 - (AP) - The state clemency commission tonight had under consideration a plea for the release from the state prison of Harry Pierpont based on the contention that he is a man of strong character and is a "leader and not a follower."


To support that contention a brief was filed with the commission asserting that when Pierpont was committed to the state prison in May, 1925, he told prison authorities he would try to escape and it was their duty to prevent it.  Subsequently he made three attempts to escape.  Two years ago, the brief said, Pierpont announced that he intended to be a model prisoner and it was contended he has been such since that time.


Pierpont along with four others was convicted of the robbery of the South Side State Bank in Kokomo and sentenced to 10 to 21 years for robbery.


"The tenacity with which he defied authorities was a clear and evident stamp of character which was to remain unbent," the brief said.


Pierpont's parents live near Liepsic, O., and his record showed two previous convictions.  In the years he has been at the prison he has had 10 punishments, 2 reprimands and one merit braid.


The commission this afternoon also heard requests for the release of two men serving 2 to 21 year sentences for manslaughter.


The prisoners are Pleas and John Spurlock, sentenced from Jackson county in October 1931 for the slayings of Patton Gibson.


The sessions of the commission tomorrow will be the last of the July-August quarterly meeting.


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Cousin Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934), asked for parole from the state prison in August, 1933.  When it was denied, he escaped from prison on September 26, 1933.


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.

Sunday's Obituary: John Leland LeMaster Sr. (1902-1980)

Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, January 14, 1980, page 1

John L. LeMaster Sr., 77, Salamonia, a retired educator and former Jay County Auditor, died Saturday afternoon at the Jay County Hospital after an extended illness.


During his career in education, LeMaster served as principal at Gov. I.P. Gray School, Madison Township High School, Poling High School, Bryant High School, and Redkey Schools in Jay County.  He also was a teacher and coach for many years.  He held the position of county auditor from 1940 through 1946.


A graduate of Fort Recovery High School, he earned his bachelor's degree from Ball State Teachers College (now Ball State University), Muncie, and his master's degree from Indiana University, Bloomington.


He was born April 25, 1902 in Madison Township, Jay County, the son of Cooper and Isabelle (Wehrly) LeMaster.  He was married July 2, 1920 to Dortha Delauter, who died May 24, 1976.


LeMaster was a member of the Salamonia Christian Church.


Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Gail (Jerry) Stoner, Troy, Ohio; Mrs. Ralph (Ardis) Bickel, Anderson, and Mrs. Philip (Ann) Monger, Hagerstown; two daughters-in-law, Mrs. John (Helen) LeMaster Jr., and Mrs. William (Wanda) LeMaster, both of Salamonia; four brothers, Gerald LeMaster, Salamonia; Floyd LeMaster, Union City; Stanley LeMaster, Akron, Ohio, and Elvin LeMaster, Columbus, Ohio; two sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Lock, Richmond, and Mrs. Mary O. Taylor, Atwater, Ohio; 21 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren.


Services will be conducted Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Williamson & Spencer Funeral Home in Portland.  Paul Albertson and Don Boyer will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Salamonia Cemetery.


Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. on Tuesday.  The family will be present from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday.



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.

Saturday, April 09, 2011

Surname Saturday : COOK

The COOK surname is in my maternal line.  No connection has been found to the COOK line in Eileen's family. The origins of the surname are unknown at this time.


Stories and history:


Ahnentafel # 57: Clara Cook (1848-1943).  Clara was born November 16, 1848 in Ohio.  She married October 1, 1869 in Butler County, Ohio to Carey W. Lambertson (1847-1918).  Carey was born April 29, 1847 in Butler County, Ohio.  They raised 5 children in Hamilton and Madison Counties, Indiana, where Carey was a farmer.  Carey died March 18, 1918 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  After his death, Clara lived with various relatives, being counted in 1920 and 1930 census records living with daughter, Maud. Clara died January 23, 1943 in Atlanta, Hamilton County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Elwood City Cemetery, Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 114: William Cook.  Clara's death certificate in Hamilton County lists her parents as William Cook, born in Virginia and ____ Hirharger, born in Virginia.  I have not been able to verify this information.  I've been unsuccessful in locating Clara in the 1850 census in Ohio, where later census records indicate she was born.  I've tried variations of the Cook name, including German spellings of Koch, hoping to find her there.


Related blog posts:




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.

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Sisters: Bonnie & Ruby

The following are some photographs of my maternal grandmother, Bonnie Mae (LAMBERTSON) WRIGHT and her younger sister, Ruby June (LAMBERTSON) WALSH.  These came from the collection of my cousin, Mike Walsh.


This first one shows them both as young girls.  As you can tell, the photo was rather rough for wear, having been folded, etc.  However, you can still see both of their adult faces in the expressions of these children.


Ruby & Bonnie Lambertson
This next photo is also undated, but I've been told that Ruby took grandma Bonnie with her on a trip to the Smoky Mountains after my grandfather passed away, so this is at least post-1973.


Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright, Ruby (Lambertson) Walsh in the Smoky Mountains
This next photo was taken in 1976 and from the photo I can identify it as my parents' home outside of Alexandria, Indiana.  Lovely couch and nice wood paneling signify the 1970s.  Obviously it was Christmas time, and I'm pretty sure that is my brother, Jason, playing with the train set.

Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright, Ruby (Lambertson) Walsh, 1976
This next photograph was taken at my grandmother's home at 610 West Broadway, Alexandria, Indiana in 1980.  It was taken with a Polaroid camera.  Remember those? 

Ruby Walsh, Bonnie Wright, 1980

The last picture was taken on Christmas Eve 1983 at Ruby's house.  This was the last Christmas we had with grandma.  She was very ill with cancer and was determined to see her sister at Christmas.  We braved a blizzard to make it to Ruby's.


Ruby Walsh, Bonnie Wright, 24 December 1983

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Baby Steps: My Ancestry.com Family Tree

LeMaster Family Tree on Ancestry.com
I've taken some baby steps and created a family tree on Ancestry.com.  I've been a member of Ancestry for quite some time, but didn't have my own family tree posted there. At one time I had uploaded my entire GEDCOM database, but I soon deleted it as it was unwieldy.  Now I'm working on creating my tree one branch at a time, working to have the best information, sources and photos possible.  My id on Ancestry is tjlgenes.

The process of creating a tree at Ancestry is very easy and straight-forward.  Even though privacy of living individuals is assured, I decided to input myself and my parents as simply Living, along with the surname and no dates.  

I've resisted the urges to click on the little green leaves that give "hints" because right now I know these individuals pretty well and doubt there will be anything new in the hints.  As I add information further back, or add my wife's line, I will probably look at them more closely.  Already, I've received emails from Ancestry suggesting census records, etc. to link with my great-grandparents.  I haven't yet done that, but will once I enter all of the facts and provide the source material.

I've been trying to locate photos of each of my direct line to add to the family tree as well.  Doing this has been an eye-opener, as I've finding out that I didn't have as many photos of some branches of the tree as I thought.

Right now, the tree only has my direct line back to my great-great grandparents.  Surnames include: LeMaster(s), Chew, Wehrly, Smith, Haley, Sherrick, Metzner, Moulton, Wright, King, Pierce, Penisten, Lambertson, Beals and Davis.

In addition to this mini-tree, I have my entire database backed-up as on WorldConnect at database tjlgenes.

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

LeMaster Deaths: Jay County, Indiana

Source: Deaths, Jay County, Indiana: Jay County Historical Society, Portland, Indiana
This copy of a page from a compiled notebook of Jay County, Indiana deaths was obtained on my last trip to the Jay County Historical Society in Portland, Indiana.  


The pages list the name of the deceased, place of death, date of death, sex, age, book and page of death record, and what cemetery they are buried in.  These records are more modern than the W.P.A. indices of the county which only cover up to 1920.  This appears to be a computerized index.


LeMaster, Arthur R., Portland, IN, Dec. 16, 1971, M, 85, CH-3, 335, Salamonia, Salamonia, IN
LeMaster, Chesley F., Portland, Aug. 9, 1960, M, May 25, 1890, CH-2, 98, Salamonia, Jay Co., IN
LeMaster, Dortha, Salamonia, IN, May 24, 1976, F, 73, H-12, 90, Salamonia, Salamonia, IN
LeMaster, John L., Jr., Portland, IN, Mar. 27, 1973, M, 50, CH-4, 47, Salamonia, Salamonia, IN
LeMaster, John L., Sr., Portland, IN, Jan. 13, 1980, M, 77, CH-4, 233, Salamonia, Salamonia, IN
LeMaster, Larry D., Jay County, IN, Feb. 28, 1974, M, 24, H-12, 70, Salamonia, Salamonia, IN
LeMaster, Maude G., Portland, IN, Jan. 31, 1967, F, 78, H-12, 2, Salamonia, Salamonia, IN
LeMaster, Roger A., Salamonia, IN, Mar. 5, 1972, M, 45, H-12, 46, Salamonia, Salamonia, IN
LeMaster, William A., Portland, IN, Oct. 15, 1978, M, 54, CH-4, 201, Salamonia, Salamonia, IN


Definitely good information to have, especially the exact book and page numbers to request copies of death certificates.



Monday, April 04, 2011

Postcard: Sheridan's Ride



Mrs. Sue Alderman
Pimento, Indiana
RR # 2

Receivd cards  Many thanks.  How I would love to see you.  Come out again.  Am fine.  Going home Xmas.  Do come out again.  Wish I could eat my Xmas with you.  Your girlie Mary.

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This postcard, postmarked December 21, 1910 from Hansford, Texas, was sent to Mrs. Sue ALDERMAN of R.R. 2 Pimento, Indiana.  The card is part of my parents' collection, and is believed to have a family connection.


Checking Ancestry.com, I searched for Sue ALDERMAN in Vigo County, Indiana during this time period.  Three quick hits showed up:  the 1900 and 1910 census records, and the Indiana Death Index.  


In 1900, living in Prairie Creek Township, Vigo County, she is listed as Sue ALDERMAN, wife of John W. ALDERMAN, age 55, born February 1845.  She had been married 25 years and had no children.  She was born in Indiana, her father was born in Virginia, and mother was born in Ohio.  Husband John was a farmer, age 53, born October 1846 in Illinois, with both parents born in Indiana.


In 1910, living in Prairie Creek Township, Vigo County, she is listed as Susannah ALDERMAN, wife of John W. ALDERMAN, age 65.  This is listed as her second marriage, and she was the mother of 2 children, only 1 living.  She was born in Indiana, father born in Ohio and mother born in Indiana.  Husband John was a farmer, age 65, his first marriage, born in Illinois, with both parents born in Indiana.


The Indiana Death Index on Ancestry compiles information from the W.P.A. indices of Vigo County.  That reference shows Susie A. ALDERMAN died June 18, 1913 in Prairie Creek Township, Vigo County, Indiana.  The death record is located in Book H-42, page 136.


The question remains, how is this person related to my ALDERMAN line?  There was a John W. ALDERMAN, son of Richard and Eliza (________) ALDERMAN, born circa 1845 in my history.  He would have been a brother to my 3rd-great grandmother, Jane Ann ALDERMAN.  My database is silent on this John W. ALDERMAN after the 1860 census of Anderson, Madison County, Indiana, when he would have been 15 years old.  Those records have his birth as Indiana, but the ALDERMAN clan was known to have bounced back and forth between Indiana and Illinois.  


While I don't know for sure that this card was to a relative, for some reason it ended up in my family's "stuff", so I have circumstantial evidence to warrant further research.

Sunday, April 03, 2011

Black Sheep Sunday: Kokomo Bandit In Prison Break

Kokomo Tribune, Kokomo, Indiana, December 29, 1930, page 1.

KOKOMO BANDIT IN PRISON BREAK

HARRY PIERPONT AND ELEVEN OTHERS FAIL IN BOLT FOR FREEDOM

Desperate Criminals Gain Control of Their Cell Block at Michigan City Prison, but Surrender Without Bloodshed When City Police and Firemen Reinforce Guards -- Overpowered Guard Shouts Alarm -- Sawed Bars and Rope Ladder Tell of Well Plotted Scheme -- Prisoners Without Arms -- Leaders Placed in Solitary Confinement

Michigan City, Ind., Dec. 29. - (AP) - An elaborately planned jail break attempt failed at the Indiana state prison today.  A combined force of guards, city police and firemen forced 12 desperate criminals who had gained control of their cell block to surrender without bloodshed.

The 12 men, most of them bank robbers or murderers, had overpowered their guard, Guy Burklow, but not before he shouted an alarm to outside guards.

The convicts barricaded the doors and prevented prison guards from entering, but when city police and armed firemen augmented the watch on the walls, the men surrendered.

The 12 men were released from their cells by a key which prison officials said had been fashioned from a spoon by the leader of the plot, Joseph Burns, serving a term for participating in the Culver, Ind., bank robbery of 1925.

Warden Walter H. Daly said the attempted break occurred at 12:30 o'clock this morning, at a time when a limited force of guards was on duty.  The only weapon found among the twelve men was a knife, the warden said.

GUARD FORCE LIMITED

"The men were in cell house D, to the north of the administration building." Warden Daly said. "The attempted break occurred at a time when our guard force was limited.  We did not set up machine guns as reported, before the men surrendered peacefully.

"Burns, a murderer, was only one of the leaders in the plot.  All have been placed in solitary confinement."

OTHERS IN PLOT

Other prisoners besides Burns who were said to have attempted to escape were:

Harry Pierpont, Kokomo, serving 10-21 years for bank robbery; Albert Rosenberg, St. Joseph County, 25 years, robbery; James Jenkins, Greene county, serving life for murder; Dick Day, Terre Haute, 10-21 years, bank robbery; Howard Ware, Vigo county, 25 years, auto banditry; Maurice Delature, Marion county, life, habitual criminal; Frank Badgley, Miami county, life, habitual criminal; Louis West, Marion county, 16-21 years, bank robbery; Wayne Williams, Allen county, life, murder; Willard Tex, St. Joseph county, 10-21 years, robbery, and Russell Clark, Marion county, 20 years, bank robbery.

WELL PLANNED SCHEME

Prison authorities found several other indications that the attempt was well planned.  One man had sawed away two iron bars when police gained control of the cell block and another had a rope ladder ready for use.

The D cell house, in which the attempt was made, was designed to hold 340 men but was occupied by more than 500 and the attacking forces had no idea how many of these men were free.

No shots were fired on either side.  The prisoners apparently had no hidden firearms and guards inside the cell blocks do not carry weapons.

PIERPONT'S RECORD HERE

Harry Pierpont, one of the dozen who attempted to escape from the Michigan City prison, was convicted in the Howard circuit court May 6, 1925 on a charge of robbery and is serving a sentence of ten to twenty-one years.  In addition to the sentence, he was fined $1,000 and costs and disfranchised for a period of ten years.

Pierpont was one of five men convicted here of robbing the South Kokomo Bank.  Others who were convicted at the same time and on similar charges were Earl Northern, Roscoe Hayes, Everett Bridgewater, and Thaddeus Skeer.  All received penalties similar to that imposed on Pierpont.

Records of the Howard circuit court show that Pierpont's age at time of his conviction was twenty-three.  His place of residence prior to embarking in a criminal career was never clearly established.  It is said he had lived in Ft. Wayne, Toledo and Indianapolis, though not long in any of those places.  He had hung around Kokomo for some time before the bank robbery was framed.
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Cousin Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934), just didn't want to stay behind bars. From county jails to state prisons, he was always trying to escape, right up until the end.


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.

Sunday's Obituary: Clarence Harrison LeMaster (1888-1963)

Source: Commercial-Review, Portland, Indiana, November 29, 1963, page 1.

LeMaster Rites Here On Sunday

Clarence H. LeMaster, 75, a resident of Salamonia, died Thursday afternoon at the Union City Memorial Hospital.  He had recently undergone major surgery and had been in failing health one year and critical for one year.  He was born in Nebraska, June 14, 1888, the son of Cooper and Isabelle (Wehrly) LeMaster and was married to Mae Bickel, Feb. 28, 1911.  She survives, along with two sons and two daughters, Kenneth LeMaster, Ridgeville, Garth LeMaster, Portland, Mrs. Glenn Hummell, Union City, R.R. 3, and Mrs. Leland Addington, Union City; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; six brothers, Gerald LeMaster and John LeMaster, Salamonia, Floyd LeMaster, Union City, Stanley LeMaster, Akron, Ohio, Ord LeMaster, Portland, and Elvin LeMaster, Columbus, Ohio; three sisters, Mrs. Glen Lock, Middleboro, Mrs. Orville Lafollette and Mrs. Thornton Taylor, both of Akron, Ohio.

The deceased was a retired employee of the New Idea Factory at Coldwater, Ohio, and was custodian of the Salamonia United Church of Christ.

Funeral services will be held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Williamson & Spencer Funeral Home in Portland.  Rev. Earl Lantz of Union City will officiate.  Burial will be in the Salamonia Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home after 6 p.m. Friday.



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.

Saturday, April 02, 2011

Surname Saturday : LAMBERTSON

The LAMBERTSON surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname are unknown, though speculated to be either Dutch or German.


Stories and history:


Ahnentafel # 14: Clemon Beals Lambertson (1898-1994).  Clemon was born October 27, 1898 in Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana.  He married June 28, 1917 in Monroe County, Indiana to June Kirk Davis a.k.a. Gilliland (1898-1951).  June was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.  They raised 4 children in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  June died March 20, 1951 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Clemon married secondly October 11, 1952 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana to Helen B. Duncan (1911-1996).  Helen was born January 11, 1911 in Linwood, Madison County, Indiana.  They resided in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.  Helen died August 30, 1996 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.  Clemon died March 18, 1994 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.  All are buried in the Elwood City Cemetery, Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 28: Charles Wilson Lambertson (1872-1958).  Charles was born January 25, 1872 in Preble County, Ohio.  He married April 18, 1897 in Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana to Pearl May Beals (1878-1970).  Pearl was born May 11, 1878 in Westfield, Hamilton County, Indiana.  They had 8 children and lived in Hamilton, Tipton and Madison Counties, Indiana, where Charles was a painter, carpenter and farmer. Pearl died August 3, 1970 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Charles died May 24, 1958 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Cicero Cemetery, Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 56: Carey W. Lambertson (1847-1918).  Carey was born April 29, 1847 in Butler County, Ohio.  He married October 1, 1869 in Butler County, Ohio to Clara E. Cook (1848-1943).  Clara was born November 16, 1848 in Ohio.  They raised 5 children in Hamilton and Madison Counties, Indiana, where Carey was a farmer.  Clara died January 23, 1943 in Atlanta, Hamilton County, Indiana.  Carey died March 18, 1918 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Elwood City Cemetery, Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 112: John Lambertson (c1800-1875).  John was born circa 1800 in New Jersey.  He married July 6, 1822 in Belvidere, Sussex (now Warren) County, New Jersey to Sarah A. Willson (c1804-1881).  Sarah was born circa 1804 in New Jersey.  They raised 10 children, moving from New Jersey to Butler  County, Ohio around the Panic of 1837.  Sarah died December 21, 1881 in Ohio.  John died October 1875 in Farmersville, Montgomery County, Ohio.  Both are buried in the Farmersville Cemetery, Farmersville, Montgomery County, Ohio.


Related blog posts:




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.

Friday, April 01, 2011

Family Recipe Friday : Banana Salad


I was able to get mom to share another recipe & story :

Silver Lake, Indiana : September 1, 1969

Banana Salad

When I was about  9 years old,  my parents purchased a trailer and parked it at Silverlake, Ind.   We would go every weekend and take our weeks vacation there.   After I was married, my husband and I purchased a trailer and spent our weekends there also with our kids.   Every August, the trailer park would have a picnic.   One incident always comes to mind when I think of these fun picnics.  There would always be a row of tables filled with food and everyone would play jarts afterwards or sit around a campfire and play ukes.  The men always brought meat platter to use instead of paper plates.   My mother, Bonnie, took her delicious banana salad one year.  She was so proud of it and was furious when she discovered that one of the Thomas boys had eaten the entire bowl.  I can't blame him as I probably would have done the same thing.

    2 cups brown sugar                                             
    4 tablespoons flour                                            
    2 cups milk                                                    
    2 eggs                                                         
    1 stick butter                                                 
    1-2 bananas, sliced                                            
    1-2 cups crushed peanuts               

                        
Cook brown sugar, flour, milk, eggs, and butter over low heat until thick.   When cool, layer with crushed peanuts and banans alternately.


Mom, Dad & Sweet Baby Travis

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.