The Hoosier Genealogist

INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY • SPRING/SUMMER 2007 • $5

THE HOOSIER GENEALOGIST

IN THIS ISSUE: THREE SISTER DRESSMAKERS LAND FOR SALE LOVE LETTERS The Society of Indiana Pioneers was founded in 1916 to “Honor the Memory and Work of the Pioneers of Indiana.” Regular membership is open to anyone who can prove direct descent from at least one ancestor who settled in Indiana on or before December 31, 1840, except for the following counties which have later qualifying years as indicated: Howard, Lake and Tipton, 1845; Starke, 1850; and Newton, 1855. To date, approximately 8,000 ancestors have been qualified as pioneers by our members. As a member of the Society of Indiana Pioneers, you support the ongoing work of the Society in fulfilling its purpose, including: • Publication annually of Society proceedings in a yearbook, including articles of historical interest, a report on Toactivities Honor and pilgrimages, the Memory and a roster andof current the members Work together of withthe a list Pioneers of their Pioneer of ancestors; Indiana • Organization for members of historically-themed travel outings in Indiana, “pilgrimages,” in the spring and fall; • Holding of an annual luncheon or dinner meeting for members in November of each year, where scholarships to graduate students in Indiana are awarded; • Employment of a full-time genealogist on staff and the placing of historical markers.

Membership applications are available from office manager Pat Jeffers at: (317) 233-6588 or online at www.indianapioneers.com Society offices are located at: Indiana State Library • 140 N. Senate Avenue • Indianapolis, IN 46204 THE HOOSIER GENEALOGIST

INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY • SPRING/SUMMER 2007 • VOL. 47, ISSUE 1

Family historians seek connections The Hoosier Genealogist: Connections M. Teresa Baer • Editor, Family History Publications between themselves and their ancestors. Geneil Breeze • Editorial Assistant, Family History Publications Rachel Popma • Editorial Assistant, Family History Publications THG: Connections weaves richly colored Evan Gaughan • Intern, Family History Publications historic threads with rare source material, Kathleen M. Breen • Contributing Editor family records, and expert guidance to Stacy Simmer • Art Direction and Design Susan Sutton • Photography Coordinator INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY connect readers with their ancestors’ lives. David H. Turk • Photographer Sport Graphics • Printer Advisory Board On the cover Susan Miller Carter, Plainfi eld Wanda Y. Fortune, Indianapolis C. Lloyd Hosman, Knightstown A rare collection of love letters between Sharon Howell, Greenwood Patricia K. Johnson, Elkhart two southern Indiana residents is one Curt B. Witcher, Fort Wayne The Hoosier Genealogist: Connections (ISSN 1054-2175) is published of the subjects featured in this issue’s biannually and distributed as a benefi t of membership by the Indiana Historical Society Press; editorial and executive offi ces, 450 West Regional Sources and Stories Department. Ohio Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-3269. Membership categories include student $20, Individual $40, Family/Dual $50, As author Evan Gaughan explores the and Sustaining $100. Non-Profi t U.S. postage paid at Indianapolis, Indiana; Permit Number 3864. Literary contributions: Guidelines growing relationship revealed in the letters, containing information for contributions are available upon request or on the Indiana Historical Society Web site, www.indianahistory.org. she also examines the social mores Connections accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts submitted without return postage. The Press will refer requests from surrounding courtship at the end of the other publishers to the author. ©2007 Indiana Historical Society Press. All rights reserved. Printed on acid-free paper in the United nineteenth century. Page 30 States of America. Postmaster: Please send address changes to The Hoosier Genealogist: Connections, Indiana Historical Society Press, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-3269. The Indiana Historical Society library is an associate member of the Federation of Genealogical Societies. The Indiana Historical Society Press is an associate member of the American Association of University Presses.

450 West Ohio Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-3269 www.indianahistory.org Phone: (317) 232-1882 Fax: (317) 233-0857 Contents THE HOOSIER GENEALOGIST: CONNECTIONS SPRING/SUMMER 2007, VOLUME 47, ISSUE 1

Letter from the Editor 4 Change Fuels Research 6 The Changing Face of Family History at the Indiana Historical Society BY M. TERESA BAER Features 6 Three Sister Dressmakers Postcards Tell Story of Talented Career Women Working in Southern Indiana from 1880 through 1930 BY ROBERT D. HENNON 12 Land for Sale 26 Researching Hoosier Family History at the National 36 Archives–Great Lakes Region, Chicago: Federal Land Records 1807–1858 BY MARTIN TUOHY

42 Departments Regional Sources and Stories Genealogy Across Indiana NORTHERN INDIANA 36 Just a Country Girl 20 Court Papers Stories from an Early Twentieth Century Hoosier Farm Family, Part 2 Abstracts of the Pulaski County Legal Documents in the Barnes Manuscripts Collection, 1856–1895 BY MARTHA BRENNAN TRANSCRIBED AND INTRODUCED BY JIM BRENNAN BY EVAN GAUGHAN AND GENEIL BREEZE 42 Civil War Soldiers 22 Collection Guides Help! Addendum to GAR Series, Covington, Indiana Manuscript Collections Hold Genealogical Gems Part 1 The Barner–Jones Collection, Clinton County 1828–1888 BY MARY BLAIR IMMEL BY GENEIL BREEZE Family Records CENTRAL INDIANA 48 Southern Indiana Pioneers 26 “Equality for Agriculture” The Holmes Siblings in Clark Records of the Warren County Farm Bureau and Jackson Counties, Indiana Territory 1918–1932 BY TRACEY C. MARCELO BY BETHANY NATALI AND GENEIL BREEZE SOUTHERN INDIANA 58 Notices Indiana Historical Society Programs, Around 30 Love Letters Indiana, Around the Midwest, National News The Courtship Correspondence of Mattie and International News, and Books Received Valentine Clapp, Scott and Clark Counties 1884–1885 From the Collections BY EVAN GAUGHAN 60 Catholic Church Records Catholic Church Records at the Indiana State Library BY LLOYD HOSMAN LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Change Fuels Research The Changing Face of Family History at the Indiana Historical Society

M. TERESA BAER

Here’s a rhetorical question for you: her life opened or closed? Do we ever Have you ever felt as though you wanted lace up their boots on our feet and let the the world to slow down so you could precious words on paper turn our minds catch up with it? “Oh, brother,” you are to their excitement, fear, happiness, thinking. “Who has not felt that way in dread, satisfaction, frustration, sorrow, this new century?” Changes are coming or fulfi llment? Do we ever sense them at an exponential rate it seems, and we wishing that the world would slow down are all in the same speeding boat. long enough for them to savor a special In fact, change has always been moment or so they might avoid indefi - inevitable—the one constant thing in nitely a tragic turn in their lives? life, no matter the era. For genealogists, In her article on a couple from Scott this is a good thing because when an and Clark counties in this issue, Evan important change is made, some piece of Gaughan shares a rare collection of paperwork is often created—a document letters that sheds light on the feelings that provides clues to an individual’s life. expressed by a young woman and man Births, educational and religious mile- in the months before they married. It is The many how-to-research chapters stones, marriages and divorces, entries not often that we are allowed to see this published in the book Finding Indiana into and departures from the military, far into the hearts of our ancestors, but Ancestors: A Guide to Historical Research steps in the naturalization process, ill- it reminds us that change is the wheel (IHS, 2007) appeared fi rst in The Hoosier nesses, property purchases and sales, that turns life, transforming in this case Genealogist from 2000, when the journal court cases, deaths, and burials all involve a young widow into a new bride and a underwent substantive and design changes, a written report of the event. Fortunately, young, crippled man into an apparently to 2006. THG won an Award of Merit from the American Association of State and Local these documents are often fi led by happy husband. Their marriage certifi cate History in 2006; and Finding Indiana government bodies or other organiza- documents the change in their status, Ancestors won an Award for Excellence from tions, or they are deemed precious and while their letters share the movement of the National Genealogical Society in 2007. safeguarded by family members. their feelings from colleagues (they were Articles of the type depicted here will When we, as family historians, discov- both teachers) to friends and lovers. continue to be published biannually er a report of a life-changing event that Just as change can be a good thing as in THG: Connections. we have been seeking, we hastily gather it carries people along their unique paths the data to add to our pedigree charts, and provides documentation for many and we slowly pore over the scraps of old of life’s important events, it can also be paper, trying to glean all the informa- a good thing in life today. Many of the tion each report may reveal about the changes we experience are based on new ancestor in question. Do we ever stop to knowledge and new technology. As peo- wonder what our forebearer may have ple incorporate new ideas and new ways felt or thought as this chapter in his or of doing old tasks, their lives become

4 CONNECTIONS easier as their work is performed more of 2007, and entries will be added in tion-packed than before and will contain quickly. For instance, informational and the departments “Regional Sources and more stories about Hoosier ancestors technological changes help genealogists Stories,” “Genealogy Across Indiana,” and gleaned from the research of our authors gather more information more quickly “Family Records” twice each year starting and readers. than was formerly possible. It allows us in 2008. Perhaps you will take this opportunity to research more deeply into an individ- So, if you are looking for your ances- to make one more change: Contribute ual’s life, and it gives us the opportunity tor’s name, you will have an easy time to the knowledge base about Hoosier to understand more about our ancestors’ searching for it on the Internet in Online ancestors. You are welcome to submit for lives by joining the facts we know about Connections by simply opening an article consideration narrative articles for the an ancestor with what historians know and searching for the name, using the journal, sharing your research experiences about the world that the ancestor lived in “Ctrl” and “F” keys on your keyboard. If and telling interesting stories you have and helped to create. you want to know more about useful pieced together and documented. You It is with these goals in mind—to help source material, where it is kept, and are also welcome to submit for consider- family historians with Hoosier ancestors how to research it, you can sign up to ation indexes for the source material you learn more about their ancestors more receive two free issues of THG: Connec- have encountered for publication on the quickly and to help them create com- tions each year as a member of the IHS, Internet in Online Connections. Author prehensive pictures of their ancestors’ or you can purchase copies through the guidelines are given on the IHS Web site lives—that the family history offerings at Basile History Market (shop.indianahis- at www.indianahistory.org/ihs_press/ the Indiana Historical Society continue tory.org; 800-447-1830; 317-234-0020). guidelines.html. We look forward to to change. Beginning with this issue, The issues will be even more informa- reading your submissions. ■ The Hoosier Genealogist: Connections is moving past last volume’s new format and enhanced name: It now will be published in two larger issues, inaugurat- ing a biannual publication schedule for the journal, which will appear in April and October in subsequent years. Meanwhile, name indexes to rare sources that would formerly have been published in multiple parts over many issues of the journal will now appear instead, in completed form, in Online Connections—Web pages Beginning of the list of names of Indiana residents that appeared in the register of the Union Inn Hotel in Indianapolis in 1833. Author Patricia Shires Orr published an article discussing the accessible through the Family History history of the hotel and the valuable data that appears in the register in THG: Connections, link on the Indiana Historical Society volume 46, issue 4. Orr also transcribed the register for 1833 and alphabetized the entries. Web site (www.indianahistory.org). The This list will appear in its entirety in Online Connections in fall 2007 in the “Genealogy ﬁ rst entries will appear online in the fall Across Indiana” Department.

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 5 Three Sister Dressmakers Postcards Tell Story of Talented Career Women Working in Southern Indiana from 1880 through 1930

ROBERT D. HENNON

I possess a collection of 500 postcards written by and to my U.S. census for Lawrence County, Indiana, ancestors. The cards dating from 1908 to 1942 belonged to my locates Osee nearby in Bedford, renting space at 1524 “I” Street.3 It seems likely great-aunt Osee Hennon. As I read the content of these cards one that Osee leased this space with the fact emerged: many of them were addressed to three women, intent of starting a dressmaking business and the writers commented on how much they appreciated a because the location was in the middle of a commercial block of buildings. An garment(s) that had been made for them. These three women early Sanborn map dated 1898 shows were my great-aunts, Josephine, Mary, and Osee Hennon, the a divided building at the address with daughters of James Jr. and Margaret (Meeks) Hennon. stairs leading to a second fl oor.4 By 1900 the building at 1524 “I” Street had been Josephine was born July 25, 1844; long sleeves. In the 1890s, an hour-glass remodeled, with an addition to the rear Mary was born August 12, 1850; and silhouette became popular with full and living quarters provided. A Sanborn Osee was born July 10, 1856. The 1870 mutton-leg-shaped long sleeves and map dated 1904 shows these changes to U.S. census lists the three women in a full skirt—although the bustle had the building.5 Osee established her busi- James’s household but does not list their disappeared.2 I have no evidence that my ness and home on the second fl oor and occupations. Not until the 1880 U.S. great-aunts made dresses in these styles, probably enjoyed the use of electricity as census are they listed as dressmakers but it is quite possible they did. Also, they the Bedford Power and Light Company in Owensburg, Greene County, Indiana. probably sewed many of the garments by was established in 1890.6 Osee’s older By 1880 James Hennon had died, and hand and perhaps later purchased a foot- sisters remained in Owensburg. his widow, Margaret, is listed as head operated sewing machine. The early 1900s marked the begin- of household.1 I cannot ascertain when Further documentation regarding the ning of the Edwardian period, named for dressmaking became an occupation of sisters’ activities is revealed in the 1900 Edward VII, who became King of England the sisters, but in 1870 Josephine was U.S. census. Margaret, their mother, had in 1901, and fashions changed again. The twenty-six years of age and Mary was died by this time, and Josephine and most signifi cant characteristic of the time twenty, old enough for these two to have Mary were living together in Greene was the S-shaped silhouette, achieved been either working as dressmakers or County. Josephine is listed as head of by full, pouched bodices in front and learning the craft. Osee was fourteen and household, and the occupation for both skirts rounded in the back. Collars were perhaps a bit young. sisters is listed as dressmaker. The 1900 high, and skirts were fi tted over the hips Women’s dress styles in the 1880s saw the comeback of the bustle, which The Gibson Girl’s style featured a high-necked had previously been popular in the 1870s. The bustle, a framework worn under blouse with puff sleeves, tightly fi tted waistline, the skirt, protruded from the back to expand and display the full cut of the and skirt with fl ared bottom. Her hair was a loose dress. Bodices were tight-fi tting with pompadour piled on top of her head.

6 CONNECTIONS Springs, and Springville. Various remarks include: “I am proud of my waists & Ruth is pleased with her dress”; “I got my dress today and like it fi ne”; “I sent pattern and will write soon and send sleeve pattern”; “Pearl and I will be at your place with some work one day this week. … Be ready”; “Mary could you make me a jacket in a week or so let me know”; and “Going down town this week to see about goods for a waist.” Many writers simply signed fi rst names, but two persons signed full names, Anna Cox and Maude Rush. By the end of the fi rst decade of the new century, dress styles changed again. Josephine Hennon, circa 1865, at about Mary Hennon, circa 1865, at about the age The years between 1910 and 1920 were a 18 twenty-one years of age of fi fteen period of transition in the fashion world and society in general. The S-shaped silhouette gave way to straighter styles. and fl ared at the fl oor. The Gibson Girl, It is during 1900 to 1910 that my The narrow hobble skirt became popu- represented in the illustrations of Charles postcard collection becomes relevant. lar in mid-decade but was replaced by Dana Gibson, became a prominent fash- The earliest card mentioning dressmak- straight skirts, looser waists, and shorter ion image of the day. The Gibson Girl’s ing, postmarked May 22, 1908, was style featured a high-necked blouse with mailed from Fort Wayne, Indiana. puff sleeves, tightly fi tted waistline, and Addressed to “Miss Mary Hennon, skirt with fl ared bottom. Her hair was a Owensburg, Indiana,” the message in loose pompadour piled on top of her head.7 part says, “I tried on part of them & I Undoubtedly, the three sisters think everything is alright & very pretty … adjusted to this new style. They would thanks for the trouble & will send pay.” have had to keep up or close their busi- The card is signed “Minnie.” Osee ness. In an article dated 1885–1889 for received a postcard postmarked from an Owensburg history book, Ollie Owens Indianapolis on February 22, 1909. This wrote, “The Misses Hennons are the card came from L. S. Ayres, inviting her to only professional dressmakers.” In a later attend a special demonstration and sale article for the same book describing life of “Heatherbloom” skirts. Pictured on the in Owensburg in 1902, Anna Strosnider front of the card are two ladies wearing writes, “The dressmakers kept busy were: very long dresses, both seated and one the Hennon Sisters, Dora Ferguson and feeling the petticoat of the other. I have Charlotte Purnnam.”8 In 1900 Josephine no evidence that Osee accepted the Mary and Osee Hennon, taken late 1920s was fi fty-six years old, Mary fi fty, and invitation. Osee forty-four. By this time the sisters Many cards postmarked 1909 are had twenty years of dressmaking experi- addressed to Mary in Owensburg, and ence and were probably adept at keeping they come from the Indiana cities of abreast of changing styles. Fort Wayne, Switz City, Bedford, Indian

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 7 THREE SISTER DRESSMAKERS

This postcard depicts the block of buildings in Bedford, Indiana, where Osee lived and had her shop from circa 1900 to circa 1920. The shop was in a red brick building just to the left of the buggy on the left. hemlines and sleeves. America’s entrance the second decade of the 1900s. They Terre Haute commented, “The quilt came into World War I in the latter part of the came from Bedford, Terre Haute, Fort all rite.” Minnie from Fort Wayne wrote decade affected many things. For women Wayne, and Spencerville, Indiana. Two Mary on October 20, 1917, “I can’t see working in factories, overalls were cards were from Cora P. Leonard of New how they could be better made or look approved, and for the fi rst time women Smyrna Beach, Florida. In 1912 Leonard nicer. You are fi ne on that kind of work.” wore pants.9 wanted Mary to reserve three days for Osee was receiving her share of Postcards from the period of 1910 her to make dresses. Ione S. Moore of compliments, too. A card to her from to 1920 written to Josephine are few in number. One card dated April 10, 1914, from Fort Wayne says, “If you can fi nd a prettier pattern for my skirt than I can you can make by it.” Two cards are from Osee. One, postmarked from Bedford on April 1, 1915, and one dated December 22, 1915, indicate that Osee is too busy to come down to Owensburg for either Easter or Christmas. I have no cards for Josephine dated after 1915 that comment on dressmaking. She would have been seventy-one years old in 1915. Her health or perhaps failing eyesight might have prevented her from plying her trade. Mary and Osee continued receiving Osee lived at this house located at 1015 West 17th Street, Bedford, Indiana, after 1922. This postcards from customers throughout photo was taken in the early 1930s.

8 CONNECTIONS THREE SISTER DRESSMAKERS

Gladys postmarked West Palm Beach, Florida, circa 1913 states: “I have on my “I can’t see how they could be junior banquet dress … but you can tell better made or look nicer. You it isn’t Miss Hennon’s make.” A 1913 card from Poughkeepsie, New York, from Mary are fi ne on that kind of work.” Lemon says, “Thank you for all the pretty embroidery.” Osee received correspon- known for certain where the three sisters Before the transaction took place, the dence about her work from persons in resided because mail was addressed to eldest sister, Josephine, died in June 1924, Cheyenne, Wyoming; West Palm Beach, “K” Street as well as to a house located at at the age of seventy-nine. The cause of Florida; and Evansville, Indiana. A card 1015 West 17th Street. The 1920 U.S. death listed on her death certifi cate is from Gladys in West Palm Beach, dated census shows Osee living with her brother “organic heart disease.”13 The Day Funeral 1913, states, “We certainly would have Frank on Oolitic Pike, which was the same Home of Bedford transported her body you make my dress… . Then you could as “K” Street.11 This suggests that Osee left for burial in the Owensburg Cemetery. make it as soon as the spring styles came the downtown building by at least 1920. It is interesting to note that Josephine’s in. Of course we would want you to plan How long the three sisters stayed obituary, published in the Bedford Daily it, like you used to do because you know with Frank remains diffi cult to determine. Times, June 7, 1924, does not mention her more about it & have much better taste.” Postcards received by the three dated career as dressmaker but focuses on her Mary and Osee worked together. 1922 were addressed “West 17th Street.” life as a homemaker. Some of the cards from Osee kept Mary It is my assumption that the house at The last postcard addressed to Mary up to date on purchases she was making 1015 West 17th Street was leased, and as a dressmaker comes from Washington, in Bedford and when Mary could expect the three sisters moved to that address. DC, and is dated October 30, 1922. Miss shipments of lace, ribbon, patterns, and In 1926 Mary and Osee bought the E. Austin describes an alteration made fabric. Postcards not related to dressmak- house from Louvenia S. Box. The deed of to a dress of hers and the admiration of ing suggest that Mary and Osee traveled conveyance fi led October 1, 1926, shows friends who liked the work. Mary would back and forth during this time and prob- that Mary and Osee paid $5,000 for the be seventy-two in 1922 and perhaps ably exchanged work and ideas. property.12 thought she could not sew as well as The trend toward looser clothing and lower waistlines continued into the 1920s. Hemlines rose to the midcalf, and eventually even higher, exposing the knees. The “Flapper” style, which was also characterized by bright colors, lasted until the Great Depression of the 1930s. Then the vibrant colors gave way to darker ones, and materials used for clothing became coarser.10 Sometime during the 1920s, Mary and Josephine moved from Owensburg to Bedford and resided at 1618 South “K” Street with their brother Frank. I have no evidence as to what prompted the move; perhaps it was ill health, or a need to pool resources. At about the same time, Osee gave up her commercial space at 1524 “I” Street, for she, too, received postcards at the “K” Street address; how- Postcard written to Josie Hennon dated June 2, 1908, postmarked Fort Wayne, Indiana, ever, the correspondents may not have and signed “Minnie”

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 9 THREE SISTER DRESSMAKERS

when she was younger. The lack of postcards after that date seems to suggest that Mary had retired by 1922 or 1923. The fashion industry underwent some major changes during the Hennon sisters’ careers. The Singer sewing machine was being purchased throughout the United States. In addition widespread use of paper patterns, the publishing of women’s magazines and mail-order catalogs, and the development of countrywide marketing and ready-to-wear clothing allowed women in rural America to dress as fashionably as women from major cities. These commercial forces, and especially Postcard to Mary Hennon, postmarked Washington, DC, October 30, 1922. Miss E. Austin the introduction of ready-to-wear states “I surely did like my dress after you changed it.” clothing in department stores, had a profound effect on the cottage ing skills. Although both Mary and Osee riosclerosis. Her death certifi cate shows industry of dressmaking. However, the received postcards after 1924, none of her age to be eighty-three. Mary’s new ready-made clothing often fi t poorly the cards mentions their work as dress- obituary does not mention her as having and needed alteration by a skilled makers or seamstresses. The 1930 U.S. been a dressmaker or seamstress. She is seamstress to achieve a good fi t.14 census lists Osee as a seamstress, but I buried in Owensburg.16 The Bedford city directory for 1922– have no evidence she worked at her trade Osee continued living in her house 1923 lists the three sisters, Josephine, after 1924.15 The Bedford city directories on 17th Street until 1943 when ill health Mary, and Osee at 1015 West 17th Street, for 1927 and 1931 do not list any occupa- forced her to seek help at the Hall but lists only Mary and Osee as dress- tions for Mary or Osee. Nursing Home. She died on June 5, makers. Two postcards from 1924 from Mary Hennon died on June 22, 1934, 1945, of static pneumonia. She was Nelle M. comment on Osee’s dressmak- of coronary disease complicated by arte- eighty-eight. Her obituary does mention that she was a retired seamstress.17 Osee’s death brought to a close nearly seventy-fi ve years of dressmaking by the three sisters and brought the end to an entire generation of Hennons. My collection of postcards offers valuable insight into these three lives. The comments made by their customers attest to the fact that they were skilled dressmakers. Through my postcard collection and additional research into the history of their era, my great-aunts, Osee, Mary, and Josephine, have been brought back to life, fulfi lling a major purpose of genealogical work. ■

Postcard from L. S. Ayres & Co. in Indianapolis dated February 22, 1909, inviting Osee Hennon to attend a special demonstration of Heatherbloom skirts

10 CONNECTIONS THREE SISTER DRESSMAKERS

Notes 1. “Family Record of Birth” from family Bible of James Hen- 11. 1920 U.S. Census for Lawrence County, Indiana, series non Jr., currently owned by the author; 1870 U.S. Census T625, roll 448, p. 153. for Greene County, Indiana, James Hennon household, 12. General Index to Deeds “0” November 1923–August 1928, series M593, roll 318, p. 362; 1880 U.S. Census for Greene Lawrence County, Indiana, Clerk of Court. County, Indiana, series T9, roll 280, p. 173. 13. Lawrence County, Indiana, Health Department, Death 2. Laurann Gilbertson, “Using Clothing Styles to Date Pho- Certiﬁ cate, Local No. 39-83-61. tographs of Women,” The Hoosier Genealogist 41 (March 14. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 2001): 1:5–7; Little Bower Fashion Plate Collection, Special Web site, http://museum.nist.gov/exhibits/apparel/ Collections Library, Henry Madden Library, California State history.htm; “Innovations in Fashion,” From Petticoats to University, Fresno. Prohibition: Women’s Lives Through Fashion, 1880–1930, 3. 1900 U.S. Census for Greene County, Indiana, series T623, The Southeast Museum Web site, www.southeastmuseum roll 374, p. 75; 1900 U.S. Census for Lawrence County, .org/2001_Exhibit/Innovations/innovations.html Indiana, series T623, roll 385, p. 321. Item in Bedford (accessed spring 2007). Democrat, September 16, 1898, states, “Mrs. F. M. PRICE 15. 1930 U.S. Census for Lawrence County, Indiana, series and baby are in the city visiting her sister, Miss Osie T626, roll 597, p. 72. HENNON. They are on their way to Bloomington, where 16. Lawrence County Health Department, Bedford, Indiana, Mrs. PRICE’s husband, Prof. PRICE, is member of I. U. Local No. 42-79-787; Obituary for Mary Hennon, news- facility [sic].” Found on microﬁ lm at the Bedford Public paper unknown, June 22, 1934, clipping found by Joyce Library, courtesy of Diana Flynn. Shepherd, librarian and archivist, Lawrence County 4. Sanborn Maps, Bedford, Indiana, 1898, Sheet 4. Historical and Genealogical Society. 5. Sanborn Maps, Bedford, Indiana, 1904, Sheet 4. 17. Lawrence County Health Department, Bedford, 6. Joyce Shepherd, librarian and archivist, Lawrence County Indiana, Local No. 44-156-47; Bedford Daily Times-Mail, Historical and Genealogical Society, e-mail, July 18, 2006. June 6, 1945. 7. Gilbertson, “Using Clothing Styles to Date Photographs of 18. Except where noted all photographs and images of post- Women”: 1:7; Little Bower Fashion Plate Collection; “The cards used in this article are courtesy of Robert D. Hennon. Gibson Girl: The Ideal Woman of the Early 1900s,” Eyewit- ness to History.com Web site, www.eyewitnesstohistory Robert DeWitt Hennon was born in Bedford, Indiana, and raised in Bloomington, Indiana. He matriculated at Oberlin .com/gibson.htm (accessed spring 2007). College, Oberlin, Ohio, in 1948, transferred to Indiana 8. Anna L. Clingman, Owensburg: Another Time–Another University (IU), Bloomington, in 1950, and earned a BA and Place, 1842–1996 (Indianapolis: Clingman, 1997), 30, an MAT in 1953 and 1954, respectively. Hennon taught 31, 36. speech and theater from 1955 to 1983 when he retired as 9. Gilbertson, “Using Clothing Styles to Date Photographs an associate professor from IU. He served as the president of Women”: 1:7–8; Little Bower Fashion Plate Collection; of the Craven County Genealogical Society in New Bern, “Edwardian and World War I Periods,” In Style: Fashion North Carolina, from 2000 to 2005. Hennon previously Plates from 1792 to World War I: Selections from the Little published “Letters and Family History,” The Hoosier Bower Collection, online at http://zimmer.csufresno Genealogist 45 (Spring 2005): 1:60–63. .edu/~monicaf/edwardian.htm (accessed spring 2007) ; [The author wishes to thank Joyce Shepherd, librarian and archivist “1910–1920: Simple Practical Clothing,” From Petticoats to for the Lawrence County Historical and Genealogical Society, for all Prohibition: Women’s Lives Through Fashion, 1880–1930, the material she provided for this article, and Carolyn C. McCulley The Southeast Museum Web site, www.southeastmuseum for reading this article before publication.] .org/2001_Exhibit/1910-1920/1910-1920.html (accessed spring 2007). 10. Laurann Gilbertson, “Using Clothing Styles to Date Photographs of Women, Part 2: 1850s, 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s,” The Hoosier Genealogist 42 (Winter 2002): 4:218; “1920–1930: Arrival of the Flapper,” From Petticoats to Prohibition: Women’s Lives Through Fashion, 1880–1930, The Southeast Museum Web site, www.southeast museum.org/2001_Exhibit/1920-1930/1920-1930.html (accessed spring 2007).

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 11 Land for Sale Researching Hoosier Family History at the National Archives—Great Lakes Region, Chicago Federal Land Records, 1807–1858

MARTIN TUOHY

Only fragmentary and scattered historical records survive were awarded bounty lands and squat- about Hoosiers in early 1800s Indiana. Most aspects of ters who ﬁ led claims of preemption to purchase the parcels they occupied were ordinary persons’ lives were never documented, and the not required to become U.S. citizens. primary recorder of human events—local government—was Federal land records occasionally provide limited and weak. Records about U.S. government sales hints about the death of a purchaser, the names of heirs, and the changing of public domain lands to individual purchasers, therefore, fortunes of a family. Although federal constitute one of the broadest surviving historical sources land records before the 1860s lack some about the inhabitants of early Indiana. Federal land records genealogical details that researchers can be used to track the migration of individuals and families commonly seek, such as dates of births and marriages, the facts they do contain to Indiana and also their subsequent movements within the about the migration experience can bring state, their work toward prosperity during the boom years of a bit of drama and historical context to 1815 to 1818 and the mid-1830s, their setbacks and failures family history narratives.1 Federal land records are complex during the depressions that began in 1819 and 1837, and—for in their organization. Their effective many—their need to start over by moving on. research use requires a working knowledge of early Indiana migration routes, In certain instances, records about settlement patterns, and economic federal land sales in Indiana also provide history. Most records of federal land sales hints about military service, widowed are organized by federal land districts or divorced women and their children, and then by the means of acquisition or freed or free-born African Americans, and by legal descriptions of the land parcels.2 Native American families. Many women Both the boundaries of federal land dis- are listed by name in the records. Euro- tricts and the terms for acquiring public pean immigrants are also documented domain lands changed rather frequently as purchasers, but U.S. citizenship or, at during the 1810s to 1840s. Many persons minimum, a declaration of intention to who began purchasing a parcel did not become a U.S. citizen was required in complete the process, relinquished part most instances before ﬁ ling land entry of the parcel, or had their attempt to papers. Veterans of the U.S. military who secure a deed to the land (called a

12 CONNECTIONS “patent”) rejected or canceled by the als acquired land as a benefi t for past National Archives—Great Lakes General Land Offi ce, so many differ- U.S. military service and either relocated Region, since they have not been ent types of federal land records survive to the parcels, transferred ownership to described elsewhere. that document the steps in the purchase landless children, or sold their land war- A detailed description of all fed- process. Modern published indexes to the rants to speculators who bought land and eral land records in the Bureau of Land names of patent holders, although crucial held the parcels until demand and prices Management’s Eastern States Offi ce, the for the use of otherwise unindexed increased. Indiana State Archives, and the National records, are sometimes incomplete and Records about the General Land Archives in Washington, DC, falls beyond require comparison with other indexes Offi ce’s sale of federal lands in 1800s the scope of this article. In broad terms, that overlap or duplicate their coverage. Indiana are preserved in at least four re- though, both the Bureau of Land In addition, some purchasers of land were positories: the Indiana State Archives, the Management’s Eastern States Offi ce erroneously omitted from the Indiana Bureau of Land Management’s Eastern and the Indiana State Archives possess tract books during the 1830s and 1840s States Offi ce in Virginia, the National tract books of federal land sales in but are listed in other related series of Archives in Washington, DC, and the Indiana. The Indiana State Archives also records. Name indexes derived from the National Archives—Great Lakes Region in holds receiver and register records, as incomplete tract books consequently Chicago. This article focuses on Indiana’s well as township plats, fi eld notes, and omit those purchasers.3 Other individu- federal land records located in the other series of records.4 Records of the

Receiver returns from the Vincennes federal land district list the names of purchasers who do not appear in published indexes, such as Sarah Arnold of Knox County, Indiana Territory. (GLO; Records of the BLM; RG49, National Archives—Great Lakes Region, Chicago)

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 13 LAND FOR SALE

Military bounty lands in Indiana were offered to veterans, their widows, heirs, or purchasers of their warrants. Shown here is a “Monthly Abstract of locations on unclaimed unsettled [bounty] lands.” (GLO; Records of the BLM; RG49, National Archives—Great Lakes Region, Chicago)

General Land Offi ce that ended up in the public land sales. The legislation that purchase land on credit with a 5 percent National Archives of the United States established the War Department in 1789 down payment, followed by the remain- constitute part of the records of the also made the secretary of war respon- ing balance in installments over the next Bureau of Land Management (Record sible for granting military bounty lands four years. The two means of purchasing Group 49). The National Archives in to veterans of the Revolutionary War.7 land became known as “cash entries” and Washington, DC, also preserves town- Existing land claims from Native Ameri- “credit entries,” and the surviving land- ship plats and surveyors’ fi eld notes, can, French, and British inhabitants of entry fi les are organized in part by those along with various types of land-entry the Northwest Territory (part of which two types of purchases: cash or credit.11 fi les sent from federal land offi ces to the became Indiana Territory in 1800) were The process of acquiring land from commissioner of the General Land Offi ce also addressed by the Continental, Con- the U.S. government usually involved in Washington.5 Some Indiana county federation, and U.S. congresses through a person or group of people (such as a government records include copies of legislation, often in response to petitions company) entering a claim for the land tract books about federal land sales or by the persons themselves.8 An Act of with a local land offi ce after winning an references about the initial sale by the 1800 established four district land auction among numerous bidders or by General Land Offi ce to a purchaser.6 offi ces in the Northwest Territory.9 Fed- purchasing it at a fi xed price. Two offi cials A researcher who wants to explore eral land in Indiana Territory (1800–1816) worked in each land offi ce, a receiver of federal land records for Indiana must and the new state of Indiana was initially monies and a registrar of the land parcels. understand the different historical paths sold from the federal land offi ce in Cin- The purchaser would pay cash or make a to purchasing or acquiring federal land cinnati from 1801 through the 1820s, as down payment under the credit system. parcels in order to follow the different well as from land offi ces at Vincennes The receiver then issued a receipt, while archival paper trails that resulted. The (1804–1861) and Jeffersonville (1808– the registrar issued a warrant for survey Land Act of May 18, 1796, provided for 1855). The Vincennes land offi ce sold of the parcel. The transaction would be the orderly survey of the lands north- some parcels in Illinois up to the 1820s.10 recorded in a register of receipts issued west of the Ohio River and required the From the fi rst sale on December 17, by the local land offi ce. On completion U.S. secretary of state to record and 1800, until June 30, 1820, a purchaser of the survey, the surveyor’s fi eld notes issue patents (titles) to public lands that could acquire at minimum a 320-acre were recorded in a township plat book. persons and corporations purchased from parcel of land at auction, with an opening The individual purchaser’s parcel was the U.S. government. In 1812 the General bid of $2 per acre and a cash payment described according to its township, Land Offi ce was created to administer in full within one year. One could also range, and section in a tract book for that

14 CONNECTIONS LAND FOR SALE

specifi c land offi ce. Loose papers about based purchasers who were delinquent sales from all land offi ces that existed in the purchase arrangement then were in their payments, including the ability Indiana during various periods. The bound compiled into a land-entry fi le, which the to relinquish part of the parcel and to volumes of registers of cash certifi cates, registrar of the local land offi ce would retain the part that could be purchased abstracts of lands sold, and registers send to the commissioner of the General with the installments paid to date. The of receipts contain the name of the Land Offi ce in Washington, DC. Land Panic of 1819 worsened the indebtedness purchaser, the date the certifi cate was claims where the parcel was partially of many residents of the Old Northwest issued, the certifi cate number (unique relinquished due to defaulted payments, and increased the number of delinquent to that local land offi ce), the purchaser’s or where the purchase was contested, purchasers, however, and Congress abol- county and state of residence, a legal rejected, canceled, or revoked would also ished credit purchases as of July 1, 1820. description of the parcel, the acreage, be documented in a land-entry fi le. The price of land was also reduced to the purchase price per acre, and the total If the purchaser completed the $1.25 an acre, and the minimum parcel amount paid. Some also contain remarks purchase by making all payments, the area was reduced to 160 acres, and later about the withdrawal or cancellation of local land offi ce registrar would issue a to 80 acres. Over the next twelve years, a certifi cate, with references to the date fi nal certifi cate to the purchaser and send Congress continued to pass additional of a letter from the commissioner of the notice to the General Land Offi ce for a relief laws that allowed more time for General Land Offi ce. Those letters usu- patent, the document attesting to legal the payment of outstanding balances by ally can be found in the series of records title of the parcel. The issuance of each credit purchasers. Many purchasers under reproduced on 228 rolls of microfi lm as fi nal certifi cate was recorded across the the old credit system of 1800 to 1820 National Archives Microfi lm Publication left- and right-hand pages of a local land continued to make installment payments M25, Miscellaneous Letters Sent by the offi ce’s register of cash certifi cates, while on their parcels until 1832.13 General Land Offi ce, 1796–1889, which the completed sale was documented In the state of Indiana, new federal can also be examined at the National in an abstract of lands sold. The Gen- land districts were opened in the south- Archives—Great Lakes Region. eral Land Offi ce then would review the ern, western, and then northern sections Many parcels of land in the North- certifi cate in relation to the entry papers of the state with land offi ces at Terre west Territory and subsequent states and, in most cases, approve the issuance Haute (1820–1823), which moved to were fi rst occupied by illegal inhabitants of a patent. The patent then would usu- Crawfordsville (1823–1853); Brookville called “squatters,” who lacked any legal ally be sent to the local land offi ce, where (1820–1825), which relocated to title or lease for the land they farmed. the purchaser could present the cer- Indianapolis (1825–1876); Fort Wayne Squatters improved land for agricultural tifi cate to obtain the patent document. (1823–1852); and La Porte (1833–1839), use long before surveyors mapped out Some purchasers voluntarily registered which moved to Winamac (1840–1855).14 parcels in advance of a federal sale. their certifi cates or patents with a county The existing land offi ces at Vincennes Commonly, squatters formed claims government offi cial, but many purchasers and Jeffersonville continued to sell par- associations to document locally their failed to do so.12 Usually, the fi nal certifi - cels within their district boundaries. occupation of the land in the absence cate and patent documents that were The National Archives—Great Lakes of government documentation. Claims given to the purchaser no longer exist in Region preserves records of federal land associations protected their members personal collections, but the other types of records that the General Land Offi ce created to document the sale process The problem of settlers entering and survive in archives. The problem of settlers entering improving wilderness lands in a cash-poor and improving wilderness lands in a economy caused widespread defaults on cash-poor economy caused widespread defaults on the installment payments. the installment payments. Several Acts of Congress between 1806 and the late 1810s provided extensions of time and other forms of relief for credit-

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 15 LAND FOR SALE

against claim jumpers and would gather Squatters, land speculators, army to harass and intimidate speculators at veterans who held bounty land warrants, public sales.15 The legal purchaser of a Native American landholders, and inheri- federal land parcel could attempt to eject tors of federal lands from 1817 through a squatter by fi ling suit in a U.S. District the 1850s are also documented in the Court or U.S. Circuit Court. Preemption records of the U.S. Circuit Court for the laws were passed in 1830, 1838, and District of Indiana and the parallel U.S. 1841 to allow squatters to claim priority District Court for the District of Indiana over other potential purchasers in fi ling (Record Group 21). The most common Various publications entry papers and in purchasing parcels.16 series of federal court records that con- Squatters who purchased their land tain evidence about landholders’ disputes about federal land under preemption rights are documented are mixed case fi les, complete record records provide in the bound volumes of registers of cash books, and order books. All are organized certifi cates, abstracts of lands sold, and by date or by case sequence, but the important research registers of receipts among the Indiana order books sometimes contain a type of federal land records in the National name index. Commonly, just a few sheets guides or indexes Archives—Great Lakes Region. Usually, of paper survive about an otherwise that correlate the the volume that contains a line entry undocumented squatter (including some for the purchaser includes a noticeable widows), but in certain instances, the legal descriptions of remark citing the preemption law. The mixed case fi le consists of many parcels with the records are arranged fi rst by land offi ce, documents. then chronologically by date of purchase, Veterans of U.S. military service from names of purchasers and sequentially by the cash certifi cate the Revolutionary War up to the Mexican or bounty-land number. Therefore, a researcher must War could obtain warrants for bounty learn the date of purchase or the certifi - land or land scrip, according to the provi- veterans. cate number to access the record. sions of numerous Congressional Acts

Registers of cash certifi cates from all Indiana federal land offi ces contain remarks about other records, including omissions of the purchase from the tract book, a remark made on the fi rst two entries in this example. (GLO; Records of the BLM; RG49, National Archives—Great Lakes Region, Chicago)

16 CONNECTIONS LAND FOR SALE between 1788 and 1855. Land scrip could Veterans of U.S. military service from the be used like cash to pay for part or all of a parcel. Among the General Land Offi ce Revolutionary War up to the Mexican War records in the National Archives—Great Lakes Region, the series of abstracts of could obtain warrants for bounty land or land military bounty land warrant locations scrip, according to the provisions of numerous for the land offi ces in Vincennes, Jef- fersonville, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Congressional Acts between 1788 and 1855. and Winamac also contain the bounty land warrant numbers, the names of the in the National Archives in Washington, be attributed to discrepancies in the original warrant holders, and the names DC, by fi lling out and sending a National historical records themselves, despite the of any assignees or subsequent holders Archives Trust Fund form number 84. best efforts of modern indexers to ensure of the warrants. They are organized in Guidance about the different types of accuracy. For example, more individual sections within each volume, according land-entry fi les, their research uses, and purchasers’ names appear in the receiver to the law that allowed the veteran to their informational content can also be returns from the Vincennes Land Offi ce acquire the land, and then by a registrar found on the National Archives Web site in the National Archives—Great Lakes and receiver’s number assigned to that at www.archives.gov/genealogy/land/ Region than in the index to correspon- transaction (not the veteran’s warrant index.html. dence about Vincennes purchases, pos- number, nor by the date of the warrant The Bureau of Land Management sibly because many would-be purchasers certifi cate). The awarding of bounty-land maintains a searchable online database of federal land under the credit system warrants to veterans ended in 1858, and of cash-entry patents and homestead of 1800–1820 failed to complete their the warrants’ redemption value expired entries for public domain states, includ- purchases and never acquired patents. in 1863.17 ing Indiana, at www.glorecords.blm.gov. It is also possible, but untested, that a Various publications about federal In addition, online records of land sales federal land purchase for which the land- land records provide important research through the Fort Wayne and La Porte/ entry fi le is missing from records in the guides or indexes that correlate the legal Winamac land offi ces can be searched on National Archives in Washington might descriptions of parcels with the names the Indiana State Archives’ Web site at be fully documented in the volumes of of purchasers or bounty-land veterans. www.in.gov/icpr/archives/databases/ federal land offi ce records in the National Commonly, an index links a person’s land/landindx.html. Other indexes, Archives—Great Lakes Region. name with the federal land offi ce that fi nding aids, and guides to federal land An article about research at the sold the parcel, the date the purchase records have been published in The Hoo- National Archives—Great Lakes Region was completed, a legal description of the sier Genealogist and in the Indiana Source in Chicago by this author (The Hoosier parcel of land, and sometimes a cash cer- Book series.18 These privately published Genealogist, fall 2004) addressed the tifi cate number. Using those facts, a re- guides can be found in the Indiana State logistics of visiting to examine archival searcher interested in a federal land sale Library’s Genealogy Division, the Indiana records. The records of the General Land from 1820 onward can search tract books Historical Society’s William Henry Smith Offi ce (Record Group 49) from Indiana and receiver and register records in the Library, and in local libraries. that are preserved in the National Indiana State Archives, and then visit the Researchers would do well to utilize Archives—Great Lakes Region are National Archives—Great Lakes Region several overlapping indexes or databases described at the record series level in to pore over whatever cash certifi cates, about land sales, rather than one index an archival fi nding aid online at www. abstracts of land sales, and registers of or publication alone. Some purchasers archives.gov/great-lakes/chicago/ receipts survive for that federal land of federal land parcels are omitted from fi nding-aids/land.html. The records offi ce at the time of the sale. After fi nding the various published indexes to federal themselves, along with fi nding aids for a correlation between a purchaser and a land sales, including online databases, the records, can be examined by a re- legal description of the land, a researcher but appear in the original archival records searcher in the Great Lakes Region’s tex- can also obtain copies of one or more in the National Archives—Great Lakes tual research room (for original records) documents in a land-entry fi le housed Region. These omissions probably can Monday through Friday and the fi rst

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 17 LAND FOR SALE

Saturday of each month, from 8:00 a.m. can also be viewed in the Great Lakes preserved in the National Archives to 4:15 p.m. Related microfi lm copies Region’s microfi lm reading room. Contact repositories in Chicago and Washington, of National Archives records of military the National Archives—Great Lakes the Indiana State Archives, the Bureau of bounty land warrants, township plats Region at 773-948-9001 to arrange for Land Management, and occasionally in from Indiana, and General Land Offi ce your research visit. When a researcher county government archives, pieces of and Surveyor General correspondence uses the original records from federal the stories of Indiana’s early inhabitants about individual purchasers and parcels land offi ces in Indiana that are now come together. ■

Notes 1. Judith Q. McMullen, “African-American Pioneers and Their 3. All of these omissions are due to problematic historical Descendants in Harrison County,” The Hoosier Genealogist records and do not refl ect on the accuracy of the patient 41 (September 2001): 3:180–81; E. Wade Hone, Land and index compilers. The National Archives—Great Lakes Property Research in the United States (Salt Lake City, UT: Region’s registers of cash certifi cates from Indiana, which Ancestry, 1997), 111–12, 176; Randy K. Mills, “Dramatize record daily sales in certifi cate number order, also contain Your Family Stories by Placing Them in Historical Con- the remark “Omit[t]ed on Tract Book by Myers,” an indica- texts,” The Hoosier Genealogist 42 (Spring 2002): 1:4–12. tion that at least one set of Indiana tract books in the Land-entry fi les from the 1840s onward in the National possession of the Bureau of Land Management or the Archives in Washington, DC, sometimes contain facts Indiana State Archives (or both) omits any reference to about an immigrant’s acquisition of U.S. citizenship. It is that person’s purchase of land. Similarly, a random not known how stringently the land offi ce offi cials checked comparison of thirty-fi ve line entries on the fi rst page proof of citizenship or a declaration of intention before of the register of cash certifi cates from the Winamac, the 1840s. No record of immigration or citizenship exists Indiana, land offi ce covering October 1–31, 1842, reveals among the federal land records in the National Archives that only nineteen of the thirty-fi ve purchasers and sales and Records Administration (NARA)—Great Lakes Region could be found for that specifi c sale on that date in the that date from 1807 through the 1850s. online database (an error rate of 46 percent). (All pur- 2. Leigh Darbee, “The Township and Range Survey System,” chasers had distinctive names and places of residence.) In The Hoosier Genealogist 40 (December 2000): 4:256–57; some instances, the person’s name appears in the online Anne Bruner Eales and Robert M. Kvasnicka, eds., Guide to database, but the database entry refers to a different Genealogical Research in the National Archives of the United parcel purchased by that person years earlier or later than States, 3rd ed. (Washington, DC: NARA, 2000), 287–89, 291. the purchase in the archival record. Finally, a separate comparison of nine purchasers listed in the March and September 1808 receiver returns from the Vincennes land offi ce with index entries in Federal Land Series, Volume 1: 1788–1810, and Volume 3: 1810–1814, compiled by Clifford Neal Smith (Chicago: American Library Association, 1972 and 1980) reveals that three of the nine names (33 percent) were omitted entirely from the published indexes. 4. “Indiana State Archives Databases—Major Land Record Collection Descriptions,” Indiana State Archives Web site, www.in.gov/icpr/archives/databases/land/land_rec.html (accessed June 11, 2007).

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5. Federal land records in the National Archives in Washing- 11. Eales and Kvasnicka, Guide to Genealogical Research in the ton, DC, are described in chapters 8 and 15 of Eales and National Archives of the United States, 292; Hone, Land and Kvasnicka, Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Property Research in the United States, 127–30. Archives of the United States, and in Kenneth Hawkins, 12. Eales and Kvasnicka, Guide to Genealogical Research in comp., Research in the Land Entry Files of the General Land the National Archives of the United States, 287–92; Hone, Offi ce (Record Group 49), Reference Information Paper Land and Property Research in the United States, 111–13; 114, revised (Washington, DC: NARA, 2007), 2-5, available Hawkins, Research in the Land Entry Files of the General in print (forthcoming) on NARA’s Web site at Land Offi ce. www.archives.gov/publications/ref-info-papers/114/. 13. Carmony, Indiana, 1816–1850, 461–63; Hone, Land and 6. The series Inventory of the County Archives of Indiana, Property Research in the United States, 127–30. compiled by the Indiana Historical Records Survey of the 14. “Records for Indiana Land Offi ces,” entry 49.9.10, Record Work Projects Administration in the late 1930s, contains Group 49, in Guide to Federal Records in the National Ar- references to copies of federal land tract books that ended chives of the United States; Carmony, Indiana, 1816–1850, up in county government offi ces. 463. 7. Land Act of 1796 and War Department Act of 1789, United 15. Paul Wallace Gates, “Land Laws and Speculators,” in Ralph States Statutes at Large, 1789–1875 (Boston: Charles C. Gray, ed., The Hoosier State: Readings in Indiana History: Little and James Brown, 1845), 1:49, 464, available on the Indian Prehistory to 1880 (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Library of Congress Web site at http://memory.loc.gov/ Eerdmans Publishing, 1980), 256, 257; Carmony, Indiana, ammem/amlaw/lwsl.html (accessed June 11, 2007); “Gen- 1816–1850, 461, 558. eral Records of the General Land Offi ce and the Bureau of 16. Hone, Land and Property Research in the United States, Land Management, 1796–1981,” entry 49.2, Record Group 137–38; Carmony, Indiana, 1816–1850, 559, 586–87. 49, in Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of 17. Hone, Land and Property Research in the United States, the United States (Washington, DC: NARA, 2005), 117, 119–20, 122–25, 127. available on NARA’s Web site at www.archives.gov/ 18. Articles that deal with federal land records can be found research/guide-fed-records/groups/049.html in the following issues of The Hoosier Genealogist (THG) (accessed July 26, 2007). (1961–2005) or in THG: Connections (2006): vol. 2 (1962): 8. Eales and Kvasnicka, Guide to Genealogical Research in the no. 6 (Blackford Co.); vol. 3 (1963): no. 1, 2 (Blackford National Archives of the United States, 298–300; Hone, Co.); vol. 4 (1964): no. 4 (Jasper Co.); vol. 9 (1969): no. Land and Property Research in the United States, 130–36; 3 (Jennings Co.); vol. 11 (1971): no. 2 (Harrison Co.); vol. Chris Naylor, “Those Elusive Early Americans: Public Lands 13 (1973): no. 2 (Madison Co.); vol. 24 (1984): no. 3, 4 and Claims in the American State Papers, 1789–1837,” (Marion Co.); vol. 25 (1985): no. 1 (Wabash Co.), no. 1, 2 Prologue: Quarterly of the National Archives and Records (Clinton Co.; Howard Co.); vol. 40 (2000): no. 1 (Foun- Administration 37 (Summer 2005): 2:55–61. tain Co.; Montgomery Co.), no. 3, 4 (Benton Co.); vol. 9. Land Act of 1800, United States Statutes at Large, 42 (2002): no. 4 (Indian land cessions); vol. 43 (2003): 1789–1875 (Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, no. 4 (Guide to Indiana land records); vol. 45 (2005): no. 1845), 2:73. The four land offi ces were located at Steuben- 3, 4 (Hoosiers in Wisconsin); vol. 46 (2006): no. 1, 2, 3 ville, Marietta, Chillicothe, and Cincinnati in the part of the (Hoosiers in Wisconsin). There have also been a number of Northwest Territory that became Ohio. articles in THG dealing with tax records based on landed 10. Donald F. Carmony, Indiana, 1816–1850: The Pioneer Era, property. The History of Indiana, vol. 2 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Bureau and Indiana Historical Society, 1998), Martin Tuohy has served on the staff of the National 462; “Records for Indiana Land Offi ces,” entry 49.9.10, and Archives–Great Lakes Region in Chicago since 1992. He “Records of Ohio Land Offi ces,” entry 49.9.22, Record has an AB in history from Wabash College in Crawfords- Group 49, in Guide to Federal Records in the National ville, Indiana, and an MA in U.S. history from the University Archives of the United States (Washington, DC: NARA, of Illinois at Chicago. Tuohy serves on the Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board and the Illinois State 2005). Archives Advisory Board through 2008.

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 19 REGIONAL SOURCES AND STORIES Court Papers Abstracts of the Pulaski County Legal Documents made “to secure the payment when it in the Barnes Manuscripts Collection, 1856–1895 becomes due, of one promissory note of Even date for the sum of two hundred EVAN GAUGHAN AND GENEIL BREEZE Dollars bearing six percent Interest from date per annum[.] Said note is payable to The Barnes Manuscripts Collection in the William Henry Smith Memorial Library the order of Annie G. Houts at Winamac comes from the Detroit Public Library, which donated the material to the IHS because Indiana and was Given to secure the of its Indiana focus. The collection contains general correspondence for several nine- balance of purchase money on the above teenth-century Hoosiers: Charles J. Finney, Frank Morris, Carrie E. Thomas, and Senator described Real Estate.” Witnessed and and Judge D. D. Dykeman, as well as legal correspondence for several state legal ﬁ rms. recorded by S. Brucker, recorder, Pulaski It also incorporates legal forms for ﬁ fty-four Indiana counties, dated from 1833 to 1925, County, and attested by Geo. [Burson?], including warranty deeds, mortgages, bonds, title abstracts, memorandums of agree- on Jan. 18, 1877. 1 ment, estate inventories, and court proceedings. Legal forms from Pulaski County were Enclosed with the above mortgage record abstracted for this article. They appear below in chronological order. was a handwritten letter signed by Ann Houts and transcribed below:

Pulaski County Legal Documents Milwaukee Wis June 17th 1878 Warranty Deed: Robert and Fanny Ann the Town of Winamac, Pulaski County, Nye and Agnew Stotts of Pulaski County conveyed and to Jesse Virpillatt and [---] [Bender] of Winamac Ind. warranted approx. 80 acres of land in Pulaski County, for $450 on Apr. 22, D[ear] Sirs Pulaski County to James Stotts of Elkhart 1874. County, Indiana, for $300 on Dec. 2, Yours of 13th [inst] at hand. In a few days Certifi cation: On Oct. 14, 1875, P. J. 1856. Witnessed by Daniel B. Phillips, I will make a list of the lands for you I now Falvey, clerk of the Circuit Court in justice of the peace, Pulaski County; enclose you note for col made by John Pulaski County, certifi ed that the estate recorded by J. B. Agnew, recorder, Pulaski Pingle for Jany 18th 77 $200. [due] in 1 of Douglas L. Moore, deceased, was County; and entered for taxation by G. T. yr 6% int — Also [the mortgage?] collect “duly probated and fi nally settled” in Wickersham for W. S. Huddleston, audi- as soon as you can. You will not foreclose the Pulaski County Court of Common tor, Pulaski County, on Dec. 4, 1856, for without further instructions. Presume he Pleas during the February 1862 term. a $1 fee. will pay it. Acknowl[ed]ge receipt. Falvey further certifi ed that the estate of Tax Sale Certifi cate: D. McCay pur- Thomas M. Moore was “duly probated Yours chased approx. 40 acres of land in Pulaski and fi nally settled” in court during the Ann Houts County for $11.03 at a public sale held February 1868 term. Documentation Are there any sales of land being made any in the town of Winamac on Feb. 9, 1874. [for Thomas Moore?] was kept in Pulaski enquiry— The purchase price was the amount owed County court records. for delinquent taxes for 1872, 1873, and Quit Claim Deed: William and Mariah Indenture: John Pingle Sr. of Pulaski previous years, by the owner, J. W. Webb, Shellhart of Pulaski County released and County mortgaged and warranted a por- as certifi ed by Jacob Byers, treasurer, quit-claimed approx. 80 acres of land in tion of land in Pulaski County to Annie G. Pulaski County. Witnessed by C. G. Hart- Pulaski County to John E. and Hannah Houts of [Milwaukee?] County, Wiscon- man, auditor, Pulaski County, on Feb. 13, Doyle of Pulaski County for $1,000 on sin, on January 18, 1877. The land was 1874. Aug. 10, 1878. Witnessed by J. C. Nye, described as the north half of the south- notary public, Pulaski County. Indenture: William C. and Harriet Bar- east quarter and the south half of the nett conveyed and warranted lot number northeast quarter of Section 25, Town- Indenture and Tax Title Deed: Ellen F. 5 in the Barnett and Pearsons Addition to ship 31, Range 4 west. The mortgage was and D. H. Hawes produced a certifi cate

20 CONNECTIONS NORTHERN INDIANA

of purchase bearing the date Feb. 5, 31 north, Range 4 west in Pulaski County. Indenture and Tax Title Deed: M. A. Dilts 1869, for a tract of land in Pulaski The purchase price was the amount owed produced a tax certifi cate of purchase County, to Jerh[.] H. Falvey, auditor, for delinquent taxes for the years 1882 bearing the date Feb. 11, 1890, for a tract Pulaski County, on Sept. 19, 1882. The and 1883 by the owner Elizabeth Walker of land in Pulaski County, to W. H. Bous- purchase certifi cate was signed at the as certifi ed by John Shill, treasurer, Pulaski log, auditor, Pulaski County, on Feb. 23, time of its execution by Jacob Nickles, County. Witnessed by John R. Conner, 1892. The tax certifi cate was signed at who was at that time auditor of Pulaski auditor, Pulaski County. the time of its execution by Bouslog and County, and certifi es that D. H. Dawes certifi es that Dilts purchased a tract of Warranty Deed: Mahala and Hiram purchased a tract of land at public land at public auction for $21.65 on Feb. Jenkins of Pulaski County conveyed and auction on Feb. 1, 1869, for $5.16. The 10, 1890. The land was described as the warranted lot number 74 in H. P. Roman’s land was described as the northeast north half of the southeast quarter, Sec- Addition to the town of Winamac, quarter of the northwest quarter of tion 5, Township 31 north, Range 2 west Pulaski County, to Louisa J. Bean of Section 4, Township 31 north, Range 3 in Pulaski County. The purchase price was Pulaski County for $1,300 on Dec. 29, west in Pulaski County. The purchase the amount owed for delinquent taxes 1886. Witnessed by R. C. Nye, notary price was the amount owed for delin- for 1889 and previous years by the own- public, Pulaski County. Recorded by J. M. quent taxes for the years 1867 and 1868 ers C. and W. Peters. A deed to the said Steis, recorder, Pulaski County, and by the owner Max Glacer. A deed for the tract was given to Dilts on Feb. 23, 1892. entered for taxation by Wm. H. Bouslog, said tract was given to Ellen F. Hawes on Signed by J. D. Virrpillat, treasurer, Pulaski auditor, Pulaski County, on Dec. 31, 1886. Sept. 19, 1882, after settlement of the County; witnessed by L. E. McKinsey, estate costs. Signed by Falvey; witnessed Quit Claim Deed: Moses A. and Amanda recorder, Pulaski County; and entered for by John R. Conner, treasurer, Pulaski M. Dilts remitted, released, and quit- taxation by Bouslog on Feb. 23, 1892. County, and J. M. Steis, recorder, Pulaski claimed approx. 40 acres of land in Recorded by McKinsey on Feb. 24, 1892. County. Recorded by Steis on Dec. 7, Pulaski County to C. D. Wood of Pulaski Warranty Deed: Emmett and Susannah 1882, and entered for taxation by Falvey County for $25 and other property on Wirick of Pulaski County conveyed and on Oct. 4, 1883. Feb. 7, 1887. Witnessed by J. C. Nye, warranted approx. 32 acres of land in notary public, Pulaski County. Recorded Tax Sale Certifi cate: John C. Nye pur- Pulaski County to Nicholas Ploss of by J. M. Steis, recorder, Pulaski County, chased a tract of land at a public auction White County, Indiana, for $1,600 on and entered for taxation by Wm. H. for $2.69 on Feb. 11, 1884. The land was June 1, 1895. Witnessed by D. South, Bouslog, auditor, Pulaski County, on Feb. described as part of the west half of the notary public, Pulaski County. Recorded 12, 1887. northeast quarter of Section 9, Township by L. E. McKinsey, recorder, Pulaski County, and entered for taxation by Joseph Riggs, auditor, Pulaski County, on Dec. 27, 1895, for a $1 fee. ■

Notes 1. Barnes Manuscripts, 1833–1925, M 0011, Pulaski County: box 4, folders 63 and 64, Indiana Historical Society. Information for the introduction to this article was taken from the collection guide written by Charles Latham, May 1985.

Interest note dated June 20, 1896, from investment banker E. B. McConnell of Logansport, Indiana. The amount of $17.50 was for a semiannual payment of interest at 7 percent rate per annum on a $500 principal note. The interest was to be paid on July 1, 1897, to the Mortgage Trust Company of Pennsylvania at its home ofﬁ ce in Philadelphia.

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 21 REGIONAL SOURCES AND STORIES Collection Guides Help! Manuscript Collections Hold Genealogical Gems The Barner-Jones Collection, Clinton County, 1828–1888

GENEIL BREEZE

Letters, journals, account books, and worth your time. Even if your ancestors items can be mined for a wealth of photographs—unique primary sources are not the main focus of a particular information in the form of names; family such as these often provide valuable collection, they may well have been on relationships; genealogical data such as genealogical and historical information. the periphery—associates, customers, birth, marriage, and death information; The William Henry Smith Memorial neighbors, correspondents, or friends— stories that provide historical context Library at the Indiana Historical Society of the family that is the focus of the and shed light on cultural attitudes and is home to thousands of manuscript collection. practices; and ﬁ rsthand accounts and collections, which include family papers, Manuscript collections contain a wide contemporary perspective on local and personal correspondence, and other variety of original documents. In addition national events, such as wars, farm life, interesting documents, available for your to the sources mentioned above, these education, industry, entertainment, and perusal and research. If you have never collections may also contain scrapbooks, women’s rights. thought of looking for information about recipes and cookbooks, meeting minutes, A good example of a sizable manu- your ancestors in one of the IHS’s manu- newspaper articles, obituaries, keepsakes, script collection that contains many dif- script collections, the visit may be well and artifacts to name just a few. These ferent types of documents and may yield valuable genealogical information is the Barner-Jones Collection from Clinton and This page, perhaps torn 1 from a family Bible, records Vermillion counties in Indiana. This col- the birthplaces and dates lection contains papers associated with of John and Mary (Darnell) the members of the Barner, Jones, and Barner, gives the names of Collett families, who were interrelated by each of their fathers, and marriage. lists the births of their six Your key to the contents of a large children: John Harrison, David Parry, Mary Elizabeth, collection such as this (six boxes, four Judith, Indiana Sarah, and oversize folders, and four bound volumes) an infant daughter recorded is the collection guide. The collection as “Dear daughter born guides are available in the reference June 7 1841 & died in 2 or 3 room of the IHS library, and many are hours.” Other similar pages also available online from the library Web in the collection provide genealogical information site, www.indianahistory.org. Collection about additional members guides generally provide biographical of the Barner family. information about key family members and also detail exactly what is stored in each box and folder of a collection. From the collection guide we learn that John Barner was born in Surry County, North Carolina, in 1810. His father, Horatio Barner, who was born in 1783, was a millwright. The Barner family moved ﬁ rst to Bledsoe County, Tennes- see, and John Barner came to Indiana in

22 CONNECTIONS NORTHERN INDIANA

families, but some items in the collection are rich with names of the associates of these families. For example, John Barner’s postmaster register is included in the collection. The handwritten opening page of the register reads: John Barner Subscriptions for the payment of Rent of Post Offi ce Room Commencing Jany 1st 1883 (But the rent was to commence February 1st 1883) The postmaster register contains fi fty-eight pages of names of individuals and businesses that had post offi ce accounts beginning in 1883 and some extending until 1888. The second page of the register presents a list of names of subscribers to May 1884. In all twenty- three names are listed. Similarly, at the back of the register an index of thirty Birth and death dates for some members of John and Mary (Darnell) Barner’s family members names is given along with page numbers were handwritten on miscellaneous scraps of paper, including the back of a blank check and where specifi c accounts can be located the document shown here. within the register. One of the most valuable fi nds in 1828. After his arrival in Indiana, Barner Milton Jones (1828–1865) and his wife, the Barner-Jones Collection is a folder lived in several different counties before Ellen Collett (1833–1924; daughter of containing seven original marriage marrying Mary Darnell (1810–1884; the Stephen S. and Sarah [Groenendyke] certifi cates from Clinton County for daughter of James Darnell) in 1831 and Collett). David and Ellen (Collett) Jones’s the years 1849 and 1850. These offi cial settling in Frankfort, Clinton County, son, Frank C. Jones (1863–1953), mar- documents, signed by John Barner, then Indiana, in 1832. ried Mabel Barner, granddaughter of John clerk of the Clinton County Circuit Court, The collection guide provides similar Barner, and, thus, we learn the connec- are in excellent condition. If one of these biographical information for other people tion between the three families. documented in the Barner-Jones Col- The Barner-Jones Collection is fi lled lection, including Stephen Stevenson with fascinating documents. Obviously, Collett (1791–1843) and his wife, Sarah an abundance of information can be Groenendyke (1804–1852); and David found on the Barner, Jones, and Collett

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 23 REGIONAL SOURCES AND STORIES

certifi cates happened to belong to your ancestors, you have just hit the genealogical jackpot! The seven couples whose marriages are documented in the collection are as follows: Cyrus P. Pence and Catharine Kyger, married September 20, 1849 Henry H. Franklin and Eliza Crone, married October 8, 1849 John B. Robinson and Margaret Boyles, married October 20, 1849 Daniel Dilman and Lydia [Utz?], married March 30, 1850 Charles Wills and Nancy Rice, married May 8, 1850 Solomon Short and Mary Squiers, married May 9, 1850 Thomas Jefferson Taylor and Mary Catharine Hindman, married July 23, 1850 Another interesting fi nd in the Barner- Jones Collection is a court docket book belonging to a member of the Jones family and documenting the April 185[9] term of the Vermillion County Circuit Court. The book is small and the information brief, but numerous names of plain- tiffs, defendants, and witnesses, along with the offenses—including at least two divorces and another case involving “selling to a drunk man”—are listed. The six boxes of the Barner-Jones Collection are fi lled with interesting The postmaster register of John Barner lists the names of businesses and individuals who had papers documenting the lives of real post offi ce accounts in Clinton County between 1883 and 1888. This index of thirty names is Indiana ancestors. And it is just one of in the back of the book and is easily readable. If you were looking for an ancestor named S. P. many treasures awaiting discovery in the Fisher or J. W. Harrison, for example, who you thought lived in Clinton County during this time manuscript collections at the IHS library. ■ period, you would be pleased to fi nd their names on this list.

24 CONNECTIONS NORTHERN INDIANA

Funeral notice for Mary (Darnell) Barner, wife of John Barner. The card and its accompanying envelope are outlined with a thick, somber, black border.

Original marriage certiﬁ cate for Henry H. Franklin and Eliza Crone of Clinton County, dated October 8, 1849, one of seven such certiﬁ cates signed by John Barner in the Barner-Jones Collection

Notes Illustration of John Barner, 1. Barner-Jones Family Papers, 1828–1971, included in the Barner-Jones M 0689, Indiana Historical Society. All Collection and also printed images and quotations used in this article in History of Clinton County (Chicago: Inter- come from the collection. State Publishing, 1886), between pp. 416 and 417

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 25 REGIONAL SOURCES AND STORIES “Equality for Agriculture” Records of the Warren County Farm Bureau, 1918–1932

BETHANY NATALI AND GENEIL BREEZE

The face of American agriculture— Bureau, touting the slogan, “Equality for turned their attention to addressing the and the Hoosier farm—underwent a dra- Agriculture.”3 challenges and demands of a nation matic change during the late nineteenth Records from the Warren County thrown into war. Future U.S. president and early twentieth centuries. As trans- Farm Bureau, housed in the Indiana Herbert Hoover, who in 1917 was the portation, communication, and scientifi c Historical Society’s library, outline the head of the newly created Food Admin- technology evolved, so did the agricultural origin, organization, and function of the istration, launched a program to increase business in America. The subsistence- bureau in Warren County. Although an food production while reducing civilian based family farms were replaced by exact date is not given, a history included food consumption. Touting the slogan larger economies-to-scale farms cultivat- in the secretary’s report to the December “Food Will Win the War,” Hoover’s ing region-specifi c products to be traded 15, 1928, tenth annual meeting states programs encouraged citizens to and transported throughout the nation. that “prior to 1918” Warren County observe “Wheatless Mondays,” “Meatless New technologies brought a “general formed an organization called Better Tuesdays,” and “Porkless Thursdays.”6 prosperity” to Indiana farmers during Farming. With Edward Hobart as presi- In Warren County “everybody was willing this time period.1 As farmers increasingly dent, Harry Evans as vice president, and … and ready to do his part. The farmer relied on larger networks and improved Oscar Larm as secretary, Better Farming worked overtime. Old men and women technologies in other related industries had relatively few members and did not who had retired from active labor, boys (such as farm equipment manufacturing) have a regular meeting schedule.4 and girls, all lent a hand to the farm to improve their own farming operations, According to Edna Moore Colby, work as the government made a special individual farm owners recognized an author of the Indiana Farm Bureau request for the production of food.” emerging need to organize themselves to history Hoosier Farmers in a New Day, it At the same time that farmers were strengthen their position with suppliers, was not unusual for farmers to organize being “begged, urged, and commanded buyers, and government offi cials. a county version of a farm bureau to speed up production” of food to meet In Indiana and in the upper Midwest, before the offi cial state organization the needs of American soldiers, their the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry, was formed. In Hendricks County, for allies, and those remaining on the home better known as the Grange, was the example, farmers’ dissatisfaction with front, they also faced a critical labor fi rst farmers’ organization, established in the treatment of their livestock in shortage.7 At the time the United States 1867, whose purposes were “social, fra- Indianapolis stockyards caused the entered the war, the number of army and ternal, and educational.”2 With time, the farmers to organize. Colby explains that National Guard soldiers combined was Grange was viewed primarily as a social the farmers’ bureau started at the local only 379,000. By the end of the war that association rather than an organization level because it was the desire of the number had grown to nearly four million. that wielded economic or political bar- individual farmer to “to lift himself from Such an increase was achieved through gaining power, and in the early twentieth the economic quagmire into which he the Selective Service Act of May 18, 1917, century farmers sought other methods to was slipping.”5 The origins of the War- which required all men between the ages organize that more effectively addressed ren County Farm Bureau provide a good of twenty-one and thirty to register for their economic challenges and sup- example of farmers organizing to improve the armed services. Subsequent drafts ported their political views. In 1919 the their bargaining power and economic changed the age of eligibility to between statewide Indiana Farmers’ Federation position. the ages of eighteen and forty-fi ve. In all was organized, and in 1923 that organiza- With the United States’ involvement 2.8 million men were drafted.8 tion became known as the Indiana Farm in World War I, Warren County farmers

26 CONNECTIONS CENTRAL INDIANA

Indiana farmers pose in front of a threshing machine and a huge mound of recently harvested grain in this circa 1915 photo. In the days before World War I threshing grain was a cooperative effort that involved many neighbors working together to share the cost of rented machinery. (Bass Photo Company Collection, P 0130, Indiana Historical Society).

Local draft boards were formed for each questionnaire and then decided Feeling that the Warren County each county or for a subdivision of about whether each man would better serve farmers were unfairly being drafted at a 30,000 people. These boards “were his country at home or in the army. As a higher rate than other men in the county, responsible for registering men, classify- point of contention the report notes: many county residents wrote letters to ing them, taking into consideration needs government ofﬁ cials expressing their for manpower in certain industries and Of those from the factories, railroads and concerns, but most of these letters were in agriculture, as well as certain special other industries many were exempted ^for never acknowledged. The draft board’s various reasons^ and staid at home. … Of family situations of the registrants.”9 farmer representative, Wm. J. Lawson of the farmers nearly every one drafted was The residents of Warren County thought sent to the army if the individual passed Chase, Indiana, was much maligned by that the government-instituted military the health test. This depleted the farms of the farmers and considered incompetent. draft severely depleted their labor force. its laborers and threatened the success- When Lawson learned of the discontent According to the secretary’s report, “the ful operation of the production of food. and animosity toward him, he suggested [draft] question[n]aires were ﬁ lled out England and France had passed through a meeting where he would attempt to the same experience. They had drafted and sent to the ‘Exemption Board’ at remedy the situation. At Lawson’s too many men from the farms and had to Laporte for Indiana.” The board, made return them from the army to the farms.10 request the meeting was to be kept up of “government appointed represen- somewhat secretive and very small, as tatives from all occupations,” reviewed Lawson was afraid too many people

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 27 REGIONAL SOURCES AND STORIES

meeting at his home would arouse Farmers’ Notice! F. J. Goodwin as their president, Edward suspicions. In view of the fact that skilled farm labor Hobart as fi rst vice president, Howard On August 25, 1918, the meeting has already been heavily drawn upon in the Campbell as second vice president, John war, it is believed that the patriotism and took place at an agreed-upon farmhouse. W. Grames as treasurer, and Oscar Larm loyalty of her farmers cannot be ques- Only a few “fair minded conservative tioned by a movement for the retention of as secretary. men” were in attendance: three men farm labor in the coming draft. The group then adopted a constitu- from Warren County and two men from Manufacturers are using every patriotic tion and bylaws, which stated that the Benton County, including Lawson. Four means to re[t]ain their skilled help and the purpose of the organization was “to assist women were also at the meeting. farmer should be granted the same right. the Government in winning the war, and In an attempt to defend his perfor- A Meeting will be held in the Court House promote the interest of the farmer and mance Lawson explained the exemption Tues Sept 17[,] 1918 at 2 o’clock P.M. better farming.” Upon organizing, Warren process: “[E]very industry represented for the discussion of the question. Every County farmers observed a discernible on the exemption board had the regular farmer should be there. change in their treatment by the draft government representative and several John C. Stephens Chairman County Council board: “The farmers were recognized that represented the organization of that of defense by the government[;] all letters from industry. They were organized. When M. A. McDonald Food Administrator the Farmers Association were promptly questionaries would come for examina- answered. We were requested to make A. L. Gabler County Emergency Agent tion these representatives had been noti- ^many^ surveys and report[s] to the fi ed and knew what was wanted at home. The meeting of September 17, 1918, government.” Consequently, the farmers’ If an exemption was wanted they would was well attended, and excitement representation on the draft exemption show that the individual was of more was high. “People from all … occupa- board increased from one to three regular use to the government at home than at tions were there from ^many^ all parts members. The representatives were în^ the army. The exemption would be of Indiana and … Illinois.” The farmers instructed to give their opinion of granted.” organized as the Warren County Farmers whether each individual under consid- Lawson explained that, unlike the Association (the name was later changed eration was more important at home or manufacturing, commerce, and trans- to Warren County Farm Bureau), electing in the army. The history ends by stating portation sectors, the farmers were not “the farmers readily saw the advantage organized, which affected their treatment of this co-operation and joined to the by the board. Lawson alone represented number of 1135 the fi rst year.” farmers on the exemption board. When a By December 1928 the organization farmer was up for review, no one on the continued to work on behalf of Warren board could add critical information as County farmers and had expanded its to why he should not be drafted. No one services for farmers. The annual secre- knew the particulars of a person’s situa- tary’s report indicates that 415 members tion or could explain conditions at home. comprised the organization (fourteen of In short, no one could intercede for a whom were women). farmer, and he would be drafted. In response to Lawson’s enlightening revelations, the few people at the meeting “then and there … decided to Orga- Cover of a small pamphlet printed in 1954 nize.” A public meeting was called for. by the Indiana Farm Bureau. The inside of the Handbills announcing the meeting were pamphlet lists the benefi ts provided by the distributed throughout the county, and Farm Bureau for a $10 annual membership notices such as the following appeared in fee. The fi rst item on the list is “A program designed to get a fair price for farm products every county newspaper: in the market place.” The back of the pamphlet shows a calendar dating from September 1954 to December 1955. (Indiana Historical Society)

28 CONNECTIONS CENTRAL INDIANA

An unidentiﬁ ed Indiana farm woman poses on a Case tractor in this photo, part of the Indiana Extension Homemakers Collection. (Indiana Historical Society)

although not all members were in Orchestra and Glee Club, several agreement. Some members feared readings, addresses and speeches, and higher tax rates as a result of lowering sandwiches and coffee. The establish- assessments. The report then goes on to ment of the Warren County Farm Bureau document a 1926 action where the low- in 1918, as well as its continued success ering of the assessed value of farm lands during the 1920s, is in many ways indica- resulted in a reduction of taxes for the tive of the success of the Indiana Farm years 1926 and 1927. Goodwin received Bureau as a whole. Throughout the early much of the credit related to the tax and mid-twentieth relief. The report asserts that “we are not century, the Indiana Farm Bureau trying to get something to which we are provided individual farmers with a In 1928 taxes were another important not entitled. We want only a fair deal and collective voice and presented the issue that concerned farmers. Again the equality for agriculture.” concerns of farmers to both state and Warren County Farm Bureau was working As a part of the Warren County Farm federal government representatives, to improve farmers’ lives. Among other Bureau’s meeting on December 15, 1928, thereby effecting the organization’s things, the organization successfully the organization commemorated its slogan “Equality for Agriculture.”11 ■ lobbied the state tax board to lower the tenth annual meeting. Festivities assessed value of property in the county, included music by the Williamsport

Notes 1. Dave O. Thompson and William L. Madigan, One Hundred 8. Tindall and Shi, America, 1,063. and Fifty Years of Indiana Agriculture (Indianapolis: Indiana 9. “World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Historical Bureau, 1969), 22. Cards, M1509,” on the National Archives Web site at: 2. Ibid., 23–24. http://archives.gov/genealogy/military/ww1/draft- 3. M. Teresa Baer, Kathleen M. Breen, Judith Q. McMullen, registration/index.html (accessed March 5, 2007). eds., Centennial Farms of Indiana (Indianapolis: Indiana 10. Quote from secretary’s report as cited in note 4 above. Historical Society Press, 2003), 24–26. In addition to rationing, the British formed the Women’s 4. Unless otherwise noted, quotations come from and are Land Army during World War I to combat its agricultural transcribed precisely as written in the secretary’s report labor shortage and general food shortage. The Women’s for the December 15, 1928, tenth annual meeting, Warren Land Army was a volunteer civilian organization that County Farm Bureau Minute Books, 1918–1932, SC 1987, ultimately employed more than 260,000 women as Indiana Historical Society. farmworkers, thus freeing men for military service (Peter 5. Edna Moore Colby, Hoosier Farmers in a New Day Craddick-Adams, “The Home Front in World War One,” (Indianapolis: Indiana Farm Bureau, 1968), 21, 32. BBC Web site, History Trails—Wars and Conﬂ ict, at www. 6. George Brown Tindall and David E. Shi, America: A bbc.co.uk/history/trail/wars_conﬂ ict/home_front/the_ Narrative History, 4th ed., vol. 2 (New York: W. W. Norton home_front_05.shtml [accessed March 5, 2007]). and Company, 1996), 1,064–65. 11. James H. Madison, The Indiana Way: A State History 7. Thompson and Madigan, One Hundred and Fifty Years of (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1986), 265–66. Indiana Agriculture, 48.

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 29 REGIONAL SOURCES AND STORIES Love Letters The Courtship Correspondence of Mattie and Valentine Clapp Scott and Clark Counties, 1884–1885

EVAN GAUGHAN

Family history collections usually fears, and hopes and provides the reader in Lexington, Scott County. Although consist of grainy photographs, fragile with a privileged perception of the emo- census data and county histories docu- birth or marriage certifi cates, dog-eared tions dealt with by the couple involved as ment Georgina as Mattie’s only child, books, precious heirlooms, and other they balanced family, work, and court- correspondence from the collection aging ancestral memorabilia. We gather ship; three elements of daily life that we recognizes the presence of a boy named and study these items in an effort to do not fi nd foreign today. The precious Ed in her family’s household. The age and understand our ancestors better. For insights provided by this collection allow paternity of the child are not recorded. instance, I once examined a picture of my us to perceive our forbearers in a new It is possible that Ed was Mattie’s son; great-grandmother on her wedding day. light, one that illuminates our fundamen- however, there is no verifi able evidence Admiring her delicate gown and marvel- tal similarities as emotional beings. to support this supposition. The boy ing at how young she looked, I imagined Although we do not typically use the may have been a nephew or close family how excited she must have been. How word “courtship” to discuss our inti- friend.6 in love. I predicted that she had been mate relationships today, we still “easily It is not known how Mattie met her nervous but confi dent and prepared. I understand and share feelings expressed second husband. Perhaps her position reasoned that at the moment the pho- by people who made the transition to as a teacher afforded Mattie the tographer snapped that shot my great- marriage in another time and place.”1 The opportunity to network with members grandmother was surely the happiest she correspondence in the Mattie Ramsey of neighboring communities. She could had ever been. Clapp Papers enriches our understanding have been either a longtime friend or But how could I be sure? I did not of how our Hoosier ancestors dealt with new acquaintance of Clapp by the time know her. I never spoke with her about a conventional but emotionally charged their correspondence began. that day or any other. The truth is, I experience.2 John Valentine was born in Clark couldn’t be positive. There is an element The love letters were exchanged by County near New Market on May 10, of uncertainty inherent in attempting to Mattie Ramsey and J. Valentine Clapp. 1853, to Henry and Nancy J. (Smith) reconstruct our family members’ emo- Little is known about Mattie’s early life, Clapp. It was the second marriage for tional lives. In the absence of journals and what is known is complicated by both of his parents, and each brought or letters that explicitly describe our scant and disparate evidence. What can two children to the union, so Valen- ancestors’ feelings and thoughts, our be determined is that Martha W. Pati- tine grew up in a large family. Four- historical interpretation becomes akin son/Pattison was born near Lexington, teen children were born to the Clapps, to conjecture. To manage this challenge, Indiana, on August 28, 1854.3 Martha, making them a family of eighteen. As a we speculate and oftentimes project our more commonly known as “Mattie,” was child Valentine worked on the family’s feelings onto our ancestors. a graduate of the State Normal School farm and attended Oregon Township However, such suppositions are of Indiana and became a teacher at the schools before becoming postmaster of unnecessary if you are lucky enough to age of eighteen in 1873.4 She married Marysville and being elected trustee of own a collection as special and rare as George A. Ramsey in Hendricks County, Oregon Township, Clark County, in 1884. the Mattie Ramsey Clapp Papers from Indiana, on December 26, 1876.5 By the In December of that year he began his the Indiana Historical Society’s Wil- time Mattie was twenty-fi ve her husband courtship of Mattie.7 liam Henry Smith Memorial Library. The had apparently either died or divorced On Christmas Day 1884 a “beautiful” assortment of love letters within this or abandoned her, leaving Mattie with a holiday card from Valentine prompted collection lays bare intimate sentiments, one-year-old daughter, Georgina Alberta, Mattie to return a letter of thanks to her

30 CONNECTIONS SOUTHERN INDIANA

Inset: Victorian era wedding dress styles mimicked contemporary fashionable day- time dress designs. Although white dresses made of organdy, tulle, and lace were en vogue for women of high social standing, women of working classes may have opted to wear their “best” dress, which was typically a different color than white and used on multiple occasions. Here, two styles of late Victorian formal dress are presented. The inset image on the left shows the marriage portrait of Henry S. Cauthorn and Margaret Clotilde Bayard on October 16, 1868. The bride’s costume includes a long gauze veil, short white gloves, and an elaborate ﬂ oor- length full skirt. The groom wears a dark morning coat with a white waistcoat and tie (Cauthorn–Stout Family Papers, 1780–1953, M 0041, IHS).

The image on the right is of Mrs. Clarence Martindale, formerly Miss Katie Cathcart, as seen on her wedding day, October 9, 1901, in Indianapolis. The bride’s veil has been traded in for an embellished hat, and her gloves reach near her elbows. Her dress, with ruch- ing at the arms and bodice, is elegant and slim fi tting. She also carries a fur muff. The fi nery detailed in both images suggests that these individuals may have belonged to affl uent society (Cathcart Family Photo- graphs, 1857–ca. 1901, P 0434, IHS).

“friend” for making her feel as though Subtle but intimate progressions can of how far and how quickly the courtship there was “at least one person in the be seen in successive letters between had progressed. Addressing Valentine as world to whom a thought of [her] had the pair. As the relationship develops and “My Dearest,” Mattie writes fl irtatiously, occurred.”8 Although the letter is quite formalities lessen, proper titles give way “I could make a prison enjoyable just reserved compared to subsequent mis- to pet names, and feelings are discussed by thinking of you. Don’t you remem- sives, there is a playful tone in Mattie’s with surprising abandon, shedding ber that I told you that you could make writing as she discusses her plans to go light on the amalgam of anxieties and one evening with me last two weeks, by snow sledding (what she calls “fi rst-class expectations inherent in our ancestors’ enjoying it one week in anticipation, and fun”) and wishes that Valentine’s “‘good courting rituals. another week in remembrance.” She ends times’ may not be confi ned to the holi- For example, a letter dated March 16, the note, “Good night my love, yours days, but may last throughout the year, 1885, just three months after Mattie’s forever, Mattie.” and many succeeding years.” Christmas thank-you note, gives evidence

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 31 REGIONAL SOURCES AND STORIES

Valentine and Mattie experienced a love letters are particularly intriguing of their courtship: “Logically stated it is long-distance relationship, by standards because they are in some ways atypical thus: 1st premise, People who love each of the day. Valentine lived in Marysville, of Victorian Era courtship. According to other should be together. 2nd premise. Clark County, and Mattie, in Lexington, Ellen K. Rotham in Hearts and Hands: A You and I love each other. Conclusion. Scott County, nearly six miles away. History of Courtship in America, both men Therefore, you and I should be together.” Although it is apparent that the couple and women “were concerned about the The inclusion of such a loaded state- traveled to see one another with some appearance of their letters. … While men ment may seem superfl uous. However, regularity by train or buggy, courtship by labored over elaborate self-conscious its signifi cance becomes obvious as dis- letter was a common, necessary, and safe expositions on romantic love, women’s cussion of the couple’s impending mar- way for men and women to get to know responses tended to be apologetic, brief, riage becomes more regular. Even though each other. “Letters both demonstrated at times almost impersonal in tone.” Mattie and Valentine felt assured that and deepened the commitment between Rotham argues that these patterns their parents “love[d]” and were “very people who believed in the power of the refl ected contemporary stereotypes of favorably impressed” with the other, their written word.”9 In a note to Valentine, her gender roles where women were typically letters reveal that the idea of marriage “Dearest and Best,” dated April 1, 1885, obliged to “embody rather than articu- was a source of family tension. Mattie reveals an anxiousness to see her late the sentimental ideal.”12 Because courtship was normally the beau and exposes some frustration in It becomes apparent after reading pursuit of younger people, scant research handling the distance between the two: several letters that the couple’s commu- has been devoted to understanding “Of course you will not stay away three nication does not fi t this mold. Although how older couples maneuvered around weeks. Come soon. But you will not go Valentine certainly exhibits romantic sen- social mores concerning marriage and, home the same day, even if you do come timents, his letters are usually tempered especially, remarriage. Victorian America in the buggy, will you, dear? I couldn’t with discussions of daily life, community placed great stress on the necessity give you up, so soon.” gossip, and the logistics of his upcoming and purifying quality of matrimony as Like Mattie, in addition to his pen- visit to Lexington. In a letter composed a means for safeguarding community chant for underlining, Valentine also on July 15, Valentine devotes consider- values. According to Sparking in the Dark, bares his understandable aggravation due able attention to the discussion of work, a contemporary relationship guide, to the lapse of time between Mattie’s weather, and a visit from the tax marriage saved women from a life of letters: “I cant solve this. If I am right— collector. “blackness and despair.” Marriage was today is Tuesday. And I am certain I wrote Far from being apologetic or brief, “the only safe foundation of society; you a very lengthy letter on Sunday [and] Mattie’s letters average two full pages without [it] society would be but a mailed it Monday morning I would rea- (front and back) of fl owery prose on life, community of unhidden and undenied sonably expect you to write today at the love, and the pair’s future together. Her corruption; the baser feelings would very farthest.” candid and frequent comments on love govern all; all would be actuated by the In general, men were “more likely often take on a poetic and philosophical grossest impulses.”13 Though we cannot than women to complain that letters tone. As Mattie contemplates the Easter know for certain if Mattie and Valentine, were answered too slowly or cursorily.”10 holiday on April 5, her thoughts turn to their families, or neighbors ascribed to On April 23, Valentine relates feelings of Valentine: “The ‘Feast of Flowers’ without such opinion, it is evident that there was “suspense, hope, fear, and imaginations any fl owers is not a source of any great some disagreement over whether the innumerable” prior to fi nally receiving a inspiration to an infi del. But if Easter two should marry. response from Mattie, which came as a cannot inspire an infi del, love can inspire We know that Mattie had been “respite.” Although the collection does me—love that needs no resurrection for married and apparently widowed or not contain every letter written by the it is immortal, it can never die.” divorced by 1880. There is no evidence pair, the available material shows that Mattie’s philosophical expressions in the couple’s letters to suggest that correspondence was sent and received as prove more than mere prose, however, Valentine had been engaged previously. often as four times a month.11 when it serves as a way to justify the In fact, a letter dated June 24, suggests In addition to their appealing amo- couple’s relationship. On July 21 Mattie that Valentine was waiting for a parcel rous quality, Mattie and Valentine’s uses a syllogism to explain the rationality of land or a part of a house to be gifted

32 CONNECTIONS SOUTHERN INDIANA

to him by his mother upon his marriage. Yet, town gossip, Valentine’s receipt of a suspicious “document,” and disapproval from Mattie’s parents reveal considerable conﬂ ict over the couple’s decision to wed. On May 14 Mattie lightheartedly mentions that she heard the couple had already been married, joking, “I am very sorry, for I was determined not to be married till 1886.” However, her tone changed considerably several days later when on May 18 she wrote angrily to Valentine referencing his receipt of a “document” that was evidently written by an unnamed individual who wished to cause trouble for the pair:

If the person who condescended to that meanness could see how coolly we both took it, he or she would feel a little balked. … I put up a better countenance on it than I felt, for I was so mad I “couldn’t see straight.” … It would be like saying this: “This woman loves me, and I have told her that I love her, but I am in doubt now whether her place is in my heart or under my feet. I must have an outsider decide.”

Although neither the author nor the exact contents of the document is discussed further, it is plain to see that interference in the couple’s intimate decisions was not uncommon. Mattie even acknowledges that the idea of her marrying is “terrible” to her parents. Despite doubts and pessimism, Mat- tie and Valentine’s love story does have a happy ending—so far as our sources tell. A marriage record shows that the pair wed on September 1, 1885, in Scott 14 County. They moved to Valentine’s “Wedding invitations should be handsomely engraved in script. Neither Old English nor hometown of Marysville where Mattie German text are admissible in invitations.” So states John H. Young’s 1882 etiquette guide, continued to teach in the local school Our Deportment: Or the Manners, Conduct, and Dress of the Most Reﬁ ned Society, system, and came to be “regarded as which devotes a chapter to all things wedding-related, reserving a special note for a woman of excellent attainments.” invitations. According to Young, weddings occurred at homes and in churches. This invitation from Mr. and Mrs. E[lbert] F. Norwood of Indianapolis invites friends and family to their home Valentine worked as trustee of Oregon to celebrate the marriage of their daughter, Ida [C. Norwood], and her ﬁ ancé, Henry [E.] Township until 1888, after which he Weaver, on Wednesday, December 23, 1885 (Norwood Family Collection, ca. 1860–ca. served as agent for the Baltimore and 1918, P 0459, IHS).

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 33 REGIONAL SOURCES AND STORIES

Ohio Railroad for nine years, having been marriage. The couple apparently had no Accounts indicate that Mattie died a “faithful” and “able” employee at Nabb, children of their own, at least none that on August 15, 1942, thirteen days shy Indiana, for a period of two years. At survived to adulthood. Georgina married of her eighty-eighth birthday, and was the time Baird’s History of Clark County, Melville or Melvin Rice on May 7, 1896, buried in Lexington, Scott County.17 Indiana, was published in 1909, Valentine, in Clark County.16 By 1900 “Georgia A. Preliminary research has not yielded a having been crippled for the last twenty- Rice,” 21, and her son Albert P. Rice, 3, death date for Valentine, yet he was still fi ve years, was considered fi nancially suc- were living with Mattie and Valentine in alive at the time of the last available cessful, the proprietor of a thriving farm, their Washington Township, Clark County census in 1930. Although these last few and “one of the prominent man [sic] in home. A decade later the Clapp house- points seem superfi cial compared to the this part of [Clark County].”15 hold consisted of Valentine, Mattie, and precious detail of Mattie and Valentine’s Data taken from the 1900–1930 cen- Albert, 13. At the time the 1920 census letters, they do suggest that the commit- suses and Baird’s History provide some was taken, Albert had left his grand- ment rendered in the couple’s missives record of what happened to Valentine parents’ home. The boy Ed was never was representative of their life together and Mattie in the decades after their listed on any available census from 1870 as husband and wife. ■ through 1930.

34 CONNECTIONS SOUTHERN INDIANA

Notes 1. Ellen K. Rotham, Hands and Hearts: A 5. Marriage certifi cate index entry for Mat- 9. Rotham, Hands and Hearts, 11. History of Courtship in America (New York: tie E. Pattison and George A. Ramsey, 10. Ibid. Basic Books, 1984), 4. Hendricks County, Indiana, in WPA, Index 11. There are a total of sixteen letters in the 2. Mattie Ramsey Clapp Papers, 1878–1903, to Marriage Records, 1823–1920, Inclu- collection, six from Valentine and ten SC 2506, Indiana Historical Society. sive Volume, County C, Book 8, p. 359, from Mattie, spanning eight months from 3. The 1880 U.S. Census for Lexington, Scott viewed in “Indiana Marriage Collection, December 1884 to July 1885. There is one County, Indiana, lists Martha W. Ramsey 1800–1941,” on AncestryLibrary.com Web letter for which no date is supplied. In as head of household (series T9, roll 309, site, June 20, 2007. the last letter of the collection, dated July p. 46, viewed on HeritageQuestOnline, 6. The collection guide for the Mattie 23, 1885, Mattie states the couple’s total Feb. 15, 2007). At this time she was liv- Ramsey Clapp Papers states, “By 1878 correspondence was nearing sixty letters. ing with her daughter, “Georgine,” and she [Mattie] was apparently married to 12. Rotham, Hands and Hearts, 11. her brother, “Joseph Patison.” On the G. A. Ramsey and was living in Lexing- 13. J. A. Houser, Sparking in the Dark assumption that Patison may also have ton, Scott County. By this marriage she (Arcadia, IN, 1878), 3. been Mattie’s maiden name, a search in had two children, Georgina Alberta and 14. Marriage certifi cate index entry for Mat- the Pedigree Resource File on the Family Ed. Mr. Ramsey seems to have died or tie [?] W. Ramsey and John V. Clapp in Search Web site (www.familysearch.org) disappeared about 1879.” A postcard Scott County, Indiana, Marriage Records, revealed an individual record for Martha addressed to “G. A. Ramsey” of Lexing- 1848–1905, Part I: Index of Grooms; Part (Mattie) Pattison, daughter of Mary ton, Scott County, dated June 14, 1878, is II: Index of Brides Com., Book 6, p. 80, Glendy and James Pattison of Lexington, included in the collection. viewed in “Indiana Marriage Collection, Scott County, Indiana. According to this There is a disparity in the spelling of 1800–1941,” on AncestryLibrary.com Web record, Mattie was born August 28, 1854, Mattie’s daughter’s name. The collection site, June 18, 2007. and died August 15, 1942. A 16-year-old guide spells it “Georgina Alberta”; the 15. Baird, Baird’s History of Clark County, “Martha” is also listed in the 1870 census 1880 census spells it “Georgeine”; Baird’s 840, 841. in the James Pattison household in Scott History of Clark County spells it “Georgia”; 16. Marriage certifi cate index entry for County, Indiana (viewed on AncestryLi- and in a letter composed by the daughter Georgie Ramsey and Melvin Rice in brary.com Web site, June 18, 2007). it is spelled “Georgina.” It is possible that Clark County, Indiana, Marriage Records, 4. Lewis C. Baird, Baird’s History of Clark “Georgina Alberta” is a variation of her 1891–1896 to Sept. 1897, 1891-9, Part I: County, Indiana (Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen father’s name. Georgeine is the only child Index of Grooms; Part II: Index of Brides Pt., and Company, 1909), 841. Additional listed in Mattie’s household in the 1880 Book S, p. 75, viewed in “Indiana Marriage information regarding Mattie’s teaching census. Collection, 1800–1941,” on AncestryLi- career is available in the Clark County 7. Baird, Baird’s History of Clark County, brary.com Web site, June 19, 2007. Teachers Exam Record Book, BV 0591, 840–41. 17. Individual record for Martha (Mattie) Indiana Historical Society. 8. Unless noted otherwise, quotations and Pattison, viewed in Pedigree Resource abstractions are taken from correspon- File, on Family Search Web site, dence in the Mattie Ramsey Clapp Papers, www.familysearch.org, Feb. 20, 2007. and all letters were composed in 1885.

Just like today, not all nineteenth-century weddings were posh, upmarket affairs. Some working- or artisan-class couples may have chosen to observe nuptials in a more reserved manner, inviting just family. Others may have invited numerous guests as in this example. Lou Kopp and Ed Lippold were married on the Wabash and Erie Canal in Fountain County, Indiana, on May 16, 1872. They seem to have chosen to invite the entire town of Attica to celebrate. However unusual the location, the participants’ ordinary but “best” dress is typical of the period. Note the large band ensemble and the small child being held up on the front of the barge. Although the bride and groom are not identiﬁ ed in this image, if they are the couple holding up the child between them, it suggests that it was a second marriage for one of the participants (General Picture Collection, ca. 1860s–1980s, P 0411, IHS).

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 35 GENEALOGY ACROSS INDIANA Just a Country Girl Stories from an Early Twentieth Century Hoosier Farm Family, Part 2

MARTHA BRENNAN • TRANSCRIBED AND INTRODUCED BY JIM BRENNAN

Prologue The author of the following collection of vignettes As a boy, I always enjoyed the stories my mother about life on a midwestern farm in the early years of the related to me about her young life on the farm. I expe- twentieth century was my mother, Martha Brennan. As a rienced some of those activities ﬁ rsthand during visits member of the Truax family, she represented what might to my grandparents’ farm. When my mother was in her be thought of as an almost-forgotten independent and late seventies her mind was still quick, and she could pioneering lifestyle, a lifestyle that contributed to the recall many of the same stories that she told me in my fundamental fabric of a free nation. The way of life that younger years. During one visit with my mother at her she knew as a child is a part of Indiana and American retirement home in Florida, I gave her a notebook and history that deserves to be published in the words of one asked her to write down some of the memories from her who lived it. early life. This article is a result of her thoughtful writing. Shortly after meeting my father in the late 1920s, At some point in her eighties, hindered by arthritis in my mother changed her surname to his and left the her hands and failing eyesight, mother stopped writing. country behind for life in the thriving city of Crawfords- The few memoirs that she did record are important to ville, Montgomery County, Indiana, population approxi- share as a small peek into the lives of our ancestors and mately 15,000. The couple took up married life during the issues they dealt with to bring the nation and us into the height of the Great Depression, and the country girl the present day. We owe much to our predecessors, and who had fallen in love and left the farm soon discovered there is much yet to be learned from them. that her new life in the city was much different than The following is the second installment of a transcrip- she had expected. It was much more difﬁ cult than even tion of Martha Brennan’s writings made by her son Jim the struggle to eke out an existence from the soil in the Brennan. No editorial changes have been made for style country. concerns. Editorial changes inserted for the sake of ease of reading appear in brackets. This article series will be published in parts in several issues of THG: Connections.

Christmas on the Farm Christmas was a day looked forward from under the tree. We had books, small From that time on, I did not care for dolls to with much anticipation. For weeks we china dolls with lots of clothes, paper of any kind. planned and made gifts for all of the fam- dolls, candy, and an orange. My mother never made any differ- ily. Then one day the tree would appear Later, Aunt Fannie brought us her ences in the things we had; we always in the corner of the room and we made gifts. One year Kate received a big doll got the same. But it is the hurts that one decorations from tin foil, shiny cloth, and with natural hair and eyes that opened remembers most. As I grew older, I real- popped corn. We had no lights on the and closed. I got a plain china doll with ized I was a second child—then ﬁ nally a tree, as candles were too dangerous and painted hair and eyes. I am sure it was middle child—taking second place also there was no electricity in the house. To more suited to my age and the care that to my brother. Perhaps that is why I have us the tree was beautiful. I would give it, but I have never forgotten always tried so hard to get the things I Kate and I were in the Christmas pro- how slighted I felt because we did not wanted as a child. gram at the church on Christmas Eve. On get the same thing. Of course, I cried all Christmas morning we opened our gifts night about it and I never quite forgot.

36 CONNECTIONS JUST A COUNTRY GIRL

Winter At the time when I was a child, the The long winter evenings were spent in the winters in Indiana were very severe, last- ing from September until April. We often living room around a glowing fi re in the had blizzards and big snow storms. The stove. My mother sat at her pedal-operated drifts were often higher than our heads and usually piled in front of our outside sewing machine near the brightest lamp. doors or walkways that had to be used. I have seen my dad dig tunnels through The long winter evenings were spent Dad did not seem bored with girls’ some of them in order to get to the barn in the living room around a glowing stories, but he seemed happy to be a part and out buildings in order to feed, water, fi re in the stove. My mother sat at her of the family circle. He was handicapped and tend the stock, or to do the milking. pedal-operated sewing machine near the by the fact that he was completely deaf Many times when he came in to break- brightest lamp. She made all of Kate’s in one ear and partially deaf in the other. fast he had an icicle on his nose and ice and my clothes and also did sewing for It was caused by a disease in early child- around his eyes. people for miles around us. She was a hood. He could lip-read the speech of The farm animals all had warm places good seamstress and did beautiful fancy members of his own family when they to sleep, with the straw making warm work. The money she was paid for this were nearby. We never spoke loudly to beds. They were usually “turned out” work, selling the butter she made, and him because we knew it didn’t help. at noon for water at the big concrete the eggs from her poultry was her “pin Aunt Fannie had a phonograph and trough. My dad had made a heater that money.” I have never found out why it many cylinder records. It had a big horn was kept in it to melt the ice. He some- was called “pin money.” that hung from a chain. We were never times had to break the ice on top to get While she sewed, my dad read to us allowed to touch any part of it. We spent the heater started. The horses were kept such books as The Five Little Peppers and many long evenings at her house next in the barn, the cows in the cow sheds, How They Grew, Campfi re Girls (12 vol- door listening to the music. and the hogs and pigs had a building umes), Stories that Never Grow Old, Heidi, where they stayed. It took a lot of work in and Elsie Dinsmore. Sometimes we would winter to care for all of them. pop corn in a long-handled wire basket shaker over the open fi re in the stove.

School When my sister started school, it At fi rst I could not sit still for all of the I know that I owe to Kate my desire changed my whole life. I did not get to go sessions everyday, as I was an active out- always to do well at school and do the and I had to stay at home alone all day. of-doors person. But she was so persis- best that I could. I was always among the But when she came home in the evening tent that I eventually thought it was part top members of the class and in later life it all began—she lined up all of the dolls of the day. By the time I reached my sixth I was thankful that I could do a good job with me on the sofa and proceeded to birthday and was sent to school, I was at my work. teach school the same as she had been put into the fi rst grade, skipping an entire taught. This happened every evening, day year, which in those days was called the after day. She demanded that I learn the “Primer.” I had so much fi rst-hand train- same as she had, even though I was four ing at home that I had no trouble with years younger than she was. I’m sure this the school work. The most valuable les- was the beginning of her desire to be a son was that I had to sit still, listen, and school teacher, which she became fi nally. do what was asked of me. I’m sure recess Only with age and retirement did she and lunch hour were the real highlights of relinquish her life’s work. each day.

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 37 GENEALOGY ACROSS INDIANA

A Friendly Town The Cream Separator By the time I was old enough to go to When I was older and helping with One of the best inventions of the school, I began to realize what a friendly the farm work, I can remember that time for farmers was the hand operated little town Alamo was. Kate and I had to Uncle Ed once said, “There’s a movie on De Laval Cream Separator, a device to walk to school every day. It was one- Saturday night at the Redmen’s Hall. I’ll extract the cream from whole milk. It had quarter mile and too close for the horse- pay your way and see that you get there many intricate parts that had to be kept pulled school bus pickup. The winters and back.” So from then on we “took in” meticulously clean. were very cold and my mother dressed us the ten-cent Saturday night movie when After milking at the barn, the milk nice and warm in sweaters, coats, hoods, the weather was fi t for walking. They also was carried to the house in pails and long wool socks, and “long-handled” had square dances on Friday night at the immediately emptied into the 10–20 underwear. hall, but I was not allowed to go to public gallon tank on the back of the separator. I can remember on the cold days dances or the roller rink. Kate and I took Then one had to turn the big crank at the how the school janitor would tell Kate part in all the school programs and enter- side until all the milk passed through. A and me to go down by the furnace in the tainments of the town and community. metal shelf at the side of the separator basement and get warm; sometimes to held a pail for the “skim milk” and to the dry out if we got wet. There we usu- side another shelf held an earthenware ally shed the wool socks and pulled on crock for the cream. thinner ones that didn’t itch when we The separator at our house had a fi nally warmed up. Kate really looked prominent spot in the kitchen by the after me and saw to it that I did what was back door. My father always turned the required. crank. Immediately after the separator As I remember the town of Alamo was stopped[,] Dad took some of the at this time there was a two-story brick pails of skim milk to the “pig lot” and grocery store and U.S. Post Offi ce. The poured it into wooden troughs for the upper fl oor was the Masonic Hall. The pigs. There was always some scrambling grocery was run by Ed and Sattie Etter. and even a few fi ghts for the most acces- It had all the barrels, containers, and sible spot for drinking it. The squeals and shelves of rural family needs. The post grunts could be heard for some distance. offi ce had pigeon holes for letters and The cream was taken to the cellar for one had to pick up his own mail. There use in making butter and cooking. Some- were three deliveries each week from times it was so rich and thick one could Crawfordsville via a horse-drawn “hack,” almost slice it with a knife. which [was] also available to passen- When the job was fi nished, the gers. The hack brought newspapers that separator had to be taken apart and could be picked up at the grocery. The washed in very hot water. There were town had a Bell Telephone offi ce build- many pieces, including some discs that ing, three churches, the Alamo School had to be kept on a wire with a fastener (both elementary and high school), the to hold them in order according to size. Redmen’s Hall, ice cream parlor, saloon, My mother always washed and took care blacksmith shop, large cemetery, doctor’s Kate and Martha at the ages of about twelve of these; then she put them back in place offi ce (in his home), town water pump in and eight years (Photo by John Truax; cour- for the next use. the middle of the street, and a roller rink. tesy of Jim Brennan)

38 CONNECTIONS JUST A COUNTRY GIRL

Berry Picking on Copperhead Hill The churn was made of wood staves bound A section of the pig lot was originally plotted as the orchard. Dad and Uncle by strips of metal, similar to a keg. It had a Ed had set in fruit trees of various kinds: cherry, peach, plum, apple, and apricot. lid through which a long-handled “dasher” We always had plenty of fruit for the passed. The handle had to be moved up and picking. I remember how good and very rare in Indiana the apricots were. But the down in the rich cream to produce butter. fruits we worked the hardest for were the blackberries. They grew wild and in profu- sion on Old Orchard Hill, or as some Churning Day called it, “Copperhead Hill,” because My mother always chose a rainy day paddle and worked until the buttermilk of the snakes reputed to live there. It for the task of making butter, since she was removed. The crock of fresh butter was some distance from the house, well couldn’t get outside to work. She was was then taken to cellar to cool and drain wooded with trees, and under brush and very conservative and never wasted a some more. weeds of gigantic height. minute. Later the butter was pressed into We always went “berrying” after din- The churn was made of wood staves wooden molds with fancy designs on ner when the dishes had been washed, bound by strips of metal, similar to a keg. the top and sides. It was then set aside for my mother would not let us girls go It had a lid through which a long-handled for a time. When ready for use, the block there alone. The preparation for going “dasher” passed. The handle had to be of butter was pushed from the mold by there consisted of a “rub down” with coal moved up and down in the rich cream to a handle on the top. Usually it was put oil (kerosene) to keep the chiggers off. produce butter. It usually took about a directly into a butter dish with a glass lid, We put on heavy shoes and clothes and half-hour of vigorous plunging, and while making an attractive dish on the table. each of us carried two pails. My mother she moved the dasher she read stories to The buttermilk from the churning was carried our only protection—a garden Kate and me from A Child’s Bible Stories. put in the cellar to cool. It provided a hoe to ward off the snakes. I cannot I loved to hear them the most when very tasty drink and was also used in the remember ever seeing a snake there, we were allowed to look at the colored baking of biscuits. but we always came home with chigger pictures of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Another product of the steady supply bites. We bathed with homemade lye Jesus. The picture I remember best was of of milk on the farm was cottage cheese, soap when we returned, but that did not angels with beautiful faces. a delicious dairy treat. The “skim milk” remedy the bites. Churning day used some of the rich, left after the cream had been removed Seventy years later I can still see the thick cream from the separator. When was set aside in a warm place and left luscious, ripe berries amid the thorns the dasher in the churn would no longer until curds formed in it. Sometimes the that created trials in getting near the “plunge,” the butter was ready. It was milk was heated slowly on the stove until bushes. We always fi lled all the pails and scooped from the buttermilk with a sieve the curds formed. The curds were hand- no one wanted to be the one who had skimmer in order to get all of the butter. squeezed to remove the whey and the to have help in fi lling theirs. On the way The soft butter was then put into an solid cheese was crumbled to produce a back to the house, it was evening and earthenware crock and a pinch of salt loose texture. Rich cream and salt were the whippoorwills were calling out and was added. It was patted with a wooden added to enhance the fl avor of the fi nal the katydids were arguing, “She did—she product. didn’t!” Kate and I were glad to join in their arguments. The following day my mother always made a big blackberry cobbler and several jars of jelly and jam.

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 39 JUSTGENEALOGY A COUNTRY ACROSS GIRL INDIANA

Tractor pulling threshing machine, Indianapolis, 1912 (Bass Photo Company Collection, #302351, IHS)

Threshing Day All the farmers in the neighborhood The engine pulled a large machine ing from the fi eld to be threshed. I loved worked together on the project of thresh- called the “separator.” There was a wide to ride on the grain wagons and see the ing, or removing the grain from fi eld leather belt that reached from the engine grain pouring in from the tube. The fresh grown plants. The grains produced by to the separator to drive the machinery smell of the grain was a real pleasure. At farms in our area were wheat, oats, and that separated the grain from the straw. the noon hour a halt was called to the rye. When all the plants had been cut and There were two big metal tubes, one work and the workers went to eat din- stacked in “shocks” ready to thresh, the on each side. One carried the grain to ner at the farmer’s table. The farmer[s’] man who owned the threshing machine wagons alongside, while the second blew wives always worked together to prepare was contacted and a time was set to the straw into a big stack in the fi eld. the meals and they went from house begin the work. He lived in Alamo and The straw was later bound into bales to house in threshing season, preparing it took some time to move the huge and stored for winter bedding use for the big dinners as the operation was moved steam-driven machine from farm to farm. farm animals. from one farm to another. Everyone was The equipment consisted of a wood- When the threshing machine arrived always hungry and the food soon disap- or coal-burning steam engine. It had two at a farm, all the neighbors came with peared. Some of the men brought their enormous back wheels and two smaller their hay and grain wagons to work there. own lunches and they ate in the yard. ones in front, a big fi re box, and a pipe to This was continued until all the farms in It took several weeks to do the carry off the smoke. A box to carry fuel the neighborhood had been serviced. threshing for all the farmers in one neigh- was near the fi re box. It looked a bit like The grain was hauled in the wagons borhood. When fi nished, the big machine a large gasoline-driven tractor of later and hand-shoveled into the farmer’s bins, was moved to another neighborhood. years. And, oh yes, a loud whistle was or hauled directly to a granary for sale. The payment to the threshers for the ser- part of the equipment. It could be heard The hay was hauled from the shocks in vice was shared by each farmer according for miles and sounded like the whistle on the fi eld and fed into the thresher by the to the quantity of grain produced. a steam locomotive. This always drew a use of pitch forks. It was a sight to see following of onlookers. many loaded hay wagons of hay com-

40 CONNECTIONS JUST A COUNTRY GIRL

Trips to Grandmother’s We usually made trips to visit my neither read nor write. As a child of ten, mother’s mother on days when it was he had to quit school and assume the too wet for Dad to work on the farm. On duties of “head of the house” for the Sundays there was not time enough for seven children his father left when he was such trips, because we went to Sunday called to duty in the Civil War. He never School, followed by church. We then came back, because [he] died in Ander- arrived at home in time for the noon sonville Prison in Georgia. Every night meal. my grandmother read Grandpa the news My grandparents lived on a small from the daily newspaper. He had to sign piece of land three miles south of the his name with an X. town of Waynetown, Indiana, about six Grandpa worked hard on his little miles from the Truax farm. We went in farm to provide for his family of fi ve either the surrey or the buggy. I loved children. They had a big mixed-breed pet to go there because there was a small dog named “Bowser.” In the evening at stream of water that ran through the milking time he would go to the pasture pasture lot. Along the stream we found without being told and come back with peppermint plants whose leaves we the cow. picked and chewed for the sharp fl avor. Grandma made little wagons for us to We tried to catch the little frogs that play with when we were there. She sawed lived there. off the ends of large logs they used for I always looked forward to seeing the fi rewood and made wheels, using smaller William Thomas Keys (called Thomas) Guinea Hens that Grandma raised. When straight tree limbs for axles. She added a (1851–1931) and his wife, Mary Matilda they called to each other it sounded like, box for the wagon and string to pull (Fruits) Keys (1857–1933), grandparents of Martha Elizabeth (Brennan) Truax. Thomas, “Pat the rock!” over and over very fast. it with. the oldest son of William and Mary Matilda, They were very wild and we never got They had a gramophone with a crank helped his mother work the farm to provide near them. to wind the spring mechanism with and for the family of seven children after his Grandma always wanted Kate and me a big horn for the sound. It sat on a chair father’s death in the Civil War. Thomas was to spend a week with her in the summer. and played music from cylinder records. twelve years old when his father left for the Kate always said, “Yes!” But I never Our favorite was “Turkey in the Straw.” war. Thomas and Mary Matilda had seven children, all born in a log cabin southwest of wanted to stay away from home at night I can recall the dishwashing and Waynetown, Indiana. Their second child was and if they talked me into staying, I cried drying at Grandma’s because Kate and Rosia Belle Keys, Martha’s mother (Photo all night to go home. I argued over who would do Grandpa’s courtesy of Jim Brennan). Grandma did washing and ironing mustache cup. It was a china cup with a to help with their income. She always straight china strip across the top to keep delivered her work in the horse and his mustache from getting in the tea or buggy they owned. “Pet” was the name coffee. ■ of her horse. When we were there we went with her and always ended the trip at the grocery, where she bought the items William G. Keys, great-grandfather of she needed. For us she bought sticks of Martha Elizabeth (Brennan) Truax. William peppermint or horehound candy. died on July 26, 1864, in Andersonville My grandfather was a good man, but (Georgia) Prison during the Civil War. He not loving and friendly like Grandma. He left a wife, Esther (Thomas) Keys, and seven always seemed sad, and with good small children on a farm near Waynetown, reason. I later learned that he could Montgomery County, Indiana (Photo courtesy of Jim Brennan).

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Allen, Isaac Obituary: Covington Friend, 21 Oct. 1910, p. 1, col. 2: “Isaac Allen, second son of Mr. Thomas K. and Margaret Bloxom Harvey, was born in Parke county Indi- ana, Nov. 12, 1837. He graduated from the Bloomingdale Friends Academy and Civil War Soldiers the Law and Medical departments of the University of Michigan at Ann Harbor Addendum to GAR Series, Covington, Indiana, Part 1 [sic]. He was admitted to the bar of the Indiana Supreme Court on Feb. 13, 1866, MARY BLAIR IMMEL and was a member of the Parke and Fountain circuit bars. He enlisted in Co E, 137th Indiana Vlo. [sic] Inf., in April, 1864, In 2001 The Hoosier Genealogist began publishing a series of articles and served in southern Tennessee under that provided information on Civil War veterans listed in the enrollment Gen. Milroy, being discharged the book of members of the Grand Army of the Republic John C. Fremont following October. Post 4 of Covington, Indiana. The author added to the information “After the war he engaged in the found in the GAR enrollment book by searching old newspapers, county profession of teaching, which he followed histories, censuses, marriage and death records, and other sources. with success for twenty-fi ve successive Sometimes descendants of the veterans were located, and occasionally years. they provided photographs. All of this material was supplemented with “He was married to Cynthia B. Poore, photographs of headstones and other memorabilia. The results of this Aug. 22, 1866. To this union were born extensive research project were published quarterly until biographical fi ve children, one of whom died in statements for the last of the 181 veterans from the enrollment book infancy[;] D. Warren Harvey, of Lafay- were published in the Winter 2004 issue of The Hoosier Genealogist. ette[;] Rev. A. G. Harvey, of Veedersburg[;] The spring 2005 issue of The Hoosier Genealogist continued the Mrs. Edwin M. Miller[;] and Minnie A. series about Civil War soldiers buried in Fountain County. The next fi ve Harvey, who died June 1, 1908. parts of the article culled information from applications for headstones “He died at his home in Veeders- to mark the graves of these veterans. These applications gave data for burg on Oct. 1, 1910, aged 72 years, 10 an additional forty-eight entries, ten of the veterans listed having been months and 19 days. He left to mourn mentioned in the GAR enrollment book. his death, besides his wife[;] two sons[;] During the course of her research for these two projects, the author one daughter[;] one brother, William came across additional information in obituaries in Covington newspa- Harvey of Rockville[;] three sisters, Mrs. pers, in county histories, and on headstones in local cemeteries about Jane Smith, of Bloomingdale[;], Mrs. Ruth veterans who had not been included in either the enrollment book or Weaver, of Kingman[;] and Mrs. Elizabeth the headstone applications. Many of these Civil War veterans had been Bowsher, of Bloomingdale[;] and two born in Indiana, but many also came from other states. Some even grandchildren. came from other countries. The common denominator that determined “The funeral services were held in their inclusion in this article is that they all had a connection to Foun- the Christian Church at Veedersburg on tain County: they had been born, had lived, had died, or had been buried October 4, Rev. J. M. Tuggle offi ciating, in that place. The author makes no claim that this information includes and interment was made in the Mt. Hope every Civil War soldier from Fountain County. Unfortunately, it is far cemetery in this city.” from complete, but perhaps it will be a useful tool for many researchers. All information or punctuation added by the author or editors is contained in brackets.

42 CONNECTIONS CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS

Arnett, William Boord, Elijah Fountain County death records: History of Fountain County, Fountain William Arnett died at Hillsboro on 12 County Historical Society (N. p.: Taylor Mar. 1886 at age 66. He was the son Publishing, 1983), p. 257: Elijah was the of Peter and Jane (Cherry) Arnett of son of Jonathan and Miriam (Dudley) Sangamon County, Illinois. Boord, a pioneer family who came to Report of the Adjutant General of the Fountain County in 1829 and settled in State of Indiana, vol. 4, p. 423: Co. Van Buren Township. At age 16 Elijah G, 20th Ind. enlisted in Co. C, 154th Ind. After his He is buried in the Old Town discharge from the army, he worked with Cemetery of Hillsboro. his father and his uncle, Oliver Boord, who had a drugstore on the Covington Beasley, David H. courthouse square. He taught in the Past and Present of Fountain and Fountain County public schools for about Warren Counties, ed. Thomas A. Clifton twelve years. He married Mary Delia on (Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen and Co., 1913), 22 Dec. 1892. This was a second marriage p. 760: Beasley was born in Ohio on 23 David H. Beasley (Past and Present of Foun- tain and Warren Counties [Indianapolis: B. F. for both, and they each brought two Nov. 1839, the son of John S. and Emily Bowen and Co., 1913], 760) children to the marriage. His daughters (Devore) Beasley. His father was born were Jennie Truro Boord, born 17 July in 1806 and died 25 May 1872. David’s 1872 and Birdy Miriam Boord, born 24 grandfather was Nathaniel Beasley of lived in his later years on a farm in Logan Nov. 1877. Later, Elijah and Mary Delia Virginia who moved to Ohio. John came Township, near Attica, as shown by the had a daughter, Freda Marquess Boord, to Indiana in 1850. David H. attended old 1900 census for Fountain County, p. born 9 Sept. 1901. In 1900 they built a Asbury college (now DePauw University). 208, Dwelling #192/Family #203, Lines house on 6th Street. By this time, Elijah He was in the 125th Ill. Inf. as a QM mas- 98–100.1 worked as a representative for the Lafay- ter sergeant. He was with Sherman on Illinois Civil War Detail Report: Alfred, ette Monument Company. A tall concrete his march to the sea. David was captured James, and John Beasley were all in the tree stood in front of their residence—an on 3 Mar. 1865, and sent to Libby prison 135th Ill. Regt., and Thomas Beasley was advertisement for the monuments stored where he stayed until the end of the war. a sergeant in Co. K of the 67th Ill. in the barn behind their home. Elijah He was one of ﬁ ve brothers who enlisted and Mary Delia, faithful members of the Boden, John for service in the Civil War. All of them Christian Church, were active in both civic survived. David was a farmer and stock Old Veedersburg Cemetery: b. 14 Jan. and church affairs. He was an elder; she raiser on a 400-acre farm located partly 1824; d. 24 Feb. 1899; QM Sgt., Co. K, was a member of the Women’s Christian in Fountain County and partly in Illinois. 11th Ind. Cav. Temperance Union. Elijah was a member The latter [IL?] tract was his father’s old 1860 U.S. Census: Fountain County, of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of farm patented from the government. Indiana, Van Buren Township, Cham- Pythias, Red Men, and GAR. Mary Delia David was married on 28 May 1874, to bersburg, p. 734, Dwelling 15, Family 13, lived to age 92, dying 15 Aug. 1955. Anna Clapham. They were the parents Lines 22–24: John Boden, 36 years old, Certiﬁ cate of Undertaker on Burial of of two children, both of whom were born in Indiana, farmer, real estate $600, U.S. War Veteran: Date of birth: 14 Aug. deceased by 1913. Although Beasley lived personal property $800; Mary Boden, 1847. Enlisted 13 Mar. 1865; discharged in Illinois at the time of his enlistment, 34 years old, born in Virginia; Maranda 4 Aug. 1865. Resident of Covington. Wife: he moved back to Fountain County and Boden, 8 years old, born in Indiana. Delia. Died 7 Oct. 1933, in Lakeview Hospital, Danville, Illinois. Cause of David was captured on 3 Mar. 1865, death: Uremia. Buried 9 Oct. 1933, at Mount Hope Cemetery. and sent to Libby prison where he stayed until the end of the war.

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Briggs, [Robert H.] Bobby Bruce, Elias L. Obituary: “Veteran of 63rd Dies,” Obituary: “Died,” People’s Friend ment. He was commissioned a captain Covington Friend, 5 Sept. 1913, p. 1, col. (Covington), 5 Aug. 1863, p. 2, col. 6: “At on 25 Aug. 1863; mustered out with his 3: “Uncle Bobby Briggs died at age 90 Indianapolis, Indiana City Hospital on regiment on 21 June 1865. in his home at Lodi early on Thursday Wednesday July 29, 1863 after an illness Claypool, Horatio R. morning of last week. He was a drummer of eight days, Elias L. Bruce, a private for his regiment and Uncle Billy Ephlin of Co. E, 63rd Regiment Indiana Obituary: “Capt. Claypool Laid to was a fi fer in the same regiment. He was Volunteers.” Rest,” Covington Republican, 27 Sept. well known in every part of the county Report of the Adjutant General of the 1912, p. 1, col. 1: “Represented This and never missed a reunion until his later State of Indiana, vol. 6, p. 88: Resident of County in the Legislature of 1853. Was years when age and illness prevented him Fountain County at the time of his enlist- a Member of Pioneer Family of Shawnee from leaving his home. He is survived by ment. Mustered in 30 Aug. 1862. Township and had a fund of Interesting a widow, two sons and two daughters. Reminiscences of Early Days. Capt. Hora- Cates, Pryor Funeral at the Lodi church and burial in a tio R. Claypool, one of Fountain county’s nearby cemetery.” Obituary: “Captain Dies at Cates,” oldest citizens and one who took an Report of the Adjutant General of the Covington Republican, 11 Jan. 1929, p. 1, active part in public affairs nearly half a State of Indiana, vol. 6, p. 30: Robert H. col. 3: “Captain Pryor Cates, 90, former century ago, passed away at 9 o’clock Briggs, musician of Co. H, 63rd Ind. Vol. member of the state legislature of 1886, on Thursday morning of last week at his Regt.; mustered in 20 Aug. 1862; mus- and postmaster of Cates, after whom the home in this city. Last year he underwent tered out 21 June 1865. Same informa- town was named, for many years, died a long illness that was expected to result tion for William S. Ephlin, another Cov- at his home at 7:05 o’clock Saturday. He fatally but his rugged constitution over- ington resident, who was also a musician had been ill four weeks of complications. came it and after a time he resumed his in the same company. “The deceased was a captain dur- daily visits to the court house, where he ing the civil war, a member of the 63rd has been a familiar fi gure for more than Brown, Rheuben Indiana volunteer regiment. He was born fi fty years. Obituary: Covington Republican, in Orange County, Indiana, June 7, 1838, “Mr. Claypool was a native of Shaw- 12 Oct. 1923, p. 1, col. 3: “An old soldier and with his parents came to this vicinity nee township, where he was born on the aged about 83 died at the home of when quite young. Despite his advanced old Claypool homestead Feb. 24, 1828. friends in State Line on Wednesday of age, he maintained good health and con- He was one of a family of eleven children, last week. He was suffering from infi rmi- ducted the post offi ce at Cates until he nine of whom grew to maturity, and of ties of age. He was a Canadian by birth was stricken a month ago. He was widely which only three remain. His father was and came to the states many years ago. known in this vicinity where, before his Wilson Claypool, who emigrated from Funeral services were conducted by Rev. retirement about 20 years ago, he was a Ohio in 1824 and settled in Shawnee Hoteling. Interment was at State Line.” farmer. township when that garden spot was Report of the Adjutant General of the “His widow was formerly Martha E. a rank wilderness. From that time the State of Indiana, vol. 6, p. 513: Ruben Lindley. She, with the following children homestead remained in the family until Brown was inducted at Orange County, survive: Mrs. Etta Bailey of Memphis, it was sold, following the death of Evans Indiana, Co. H, 93rd Ind., for a three- Tennessee; H. V. Cates of Amarillo, Texas; Claypool, a couple of years ago. year period on 20 Aug. 1862. He was Mrs. Hazel Bair, of Tillman, Oklahoma; “When he came of age Horatio discharged on 28 June 1863 at Keokuk, William E. Cates, Miss Bessie Cates at Claypool chose the law for a profession Iowa. He was described as 5 foot 9 inches home, and Schuyler B. Cates of Coving- and located in this city. He took an active tall, with blue eyes, dark hair, and a fair ton. Funeral services were held Tuesday part in politics and in 1852 was elected complexion. He was a 29-year-old farmer at 2 p.m. from the church in Cates, burial common pleas prosecutor. In 1858 he at the time of his enlistment. following in the Harveysburg Cemetery.” was chosen as representative and after a Report of the Adjutant General of the lapse of fourteen years was again chosen State of Indiana, vol. 2, p. 592: Resided to this offi ce. In point of time and service in Harveysburg at the time of his enlist- he was doubtless the oldest surviving

44 CONNECTIONS CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS

ing reminiscences of early days. For years Report of the Adjutant General of the he was a regular attendant at the Yeddo State of Indiana, vol. 6, pp. 21, 31: Isaac old settlers’ meeting and frequently I. Claypool was a private in Co. B of the made addresses. 63rd. Augustus L. Claypool was a corporal “He is survived by a widow, two sons, in Co. H of the 63rd and was later a daughter, two brothers and one sister. appointed adjutant of the 118th “The funeral services, conducted by Ind. Regt. Dr. Fox, were held from the home in this Cox, Philander N. city at 2:30 Saturday afternoon, interment following in Prescott Grove cem- Obituary: Covington Republican, etery. M. Boord was the funeral director. 11 May 1928, p. 4, col. 1: “Philander N. Report of the Adjutant General of the Cox, third son of Joshua and Margaret State of Indiana, vol. 2, p. 589: Co. B, Cox, was born near Portland, February 63rd Ind.; resided in Covington at the 8th 1848, and departed this life May 3rd time of his enlistment. He received his 1928 in Danville, Illinois at the age of 80 commission as captain on 21 Feb. 1862; years, 2 months and 25 days. In 1880 was dismissed for disloyalty on 7 May he was married to Lilly B. Miller, who 1863. [This is probably because he was preceded him in death, March 3, 1882. To Tombstone of Horatio R. and Agnes (Crain) a vocal critic of the Lincoln and Mor- this union one son, George W., was born, Claypool in Prescott Grove Cemetery ton administrations. See The Hoosier who preceded his father in death, in April, (Photo by Mary Blair Immel) Genealogist: Connections, 46 (2006): 1: 1913. On August 20th 1886 he was again 4–7.] His brother, Jacob Claypool, was a united in marriage to Mable Woods, member of the Indiana General Assem- second lieutenant in Co. H of the 63rd. who preceded him in death January 29th bly. Before the ofﬁ ce of county superin- Jacob died of typhoid fever in Allatoona, 1910. To this union, three children were tendent was created he held the position Georgia, on 17 July 1864. born, one dying in infancy. He leaves to of school examiner. When the Civil war History of Fountain County, Together mourn his loss one son Joseph S. Cox broke out he enlisted in the 69th [sic?] with Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley, of Danville, Illinois[;] one daughter, Mrs. Indiana regiment and was chosen Cap- H. W. Beckwith (Chicago: H. H. Hill and Homer E. Van Dorn of Homer, Illinois[;] tain, a position which he ﬁ lled with credit N. Iddings, 1881), p. 357: States that three grandchildren, Mable, James and to himself and the regiment. Jacob Claypool, who had been recom- Joseph P. Van Dorn[;] and one sister, “Since his retirement from active mended for a captaincy, died when he Charlotte Jones of Denver, Colorado[;] participation in affairs years ago, Captain was with Sherman’s army on the Chat- besides a host of relatives and friends. Claypool has remained an interested tahoochee River. This account claims that “He was a member of Company H. spectator and was an inveterate reader. his death was due to an injury sustained 154th Indiana Infantry during the Civil He had an excellent memory, especially when a horse stepped on his chest. His War, and served his country well.” of the things that occurred during his remains were brought home and interred early life, and was always fond of narrat- in the Shawnee Cemetery.

Last year he underwent a long illness that was expected to result fatally but his rugged constitution overcame it and after a time he resumed his daily visits to the court house, where he has been a familiar ﬁ gure for more than ﬁ fty years.

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Davis, Stephen News item: “Has Paralytic Stroke,” James was a farmer who had a great interest in Covington Friend, 4 Dec. 1914, p. 3, col. 2: “Stephen Davis, a resident of this city, politics and was civic minded. He donated the suffered a stroke on Tuesday morning. He was in the woodshed working with a land where the Ellis School was built south of handsaw when stricken. His wife and two neighbors heard his call and carried him Hillsboro. The Ellis family played a leading role into the house. He cannot speak. This is in the founding of Prairie Chapel Church. his ﬁ fth and worst stroke. The 72 year old man is a veteran.” Obituary: “Hillsboro Pioneer Dies,” Report of the Adjutant General of the was the last survivor of a large family. A Covington Friend, 18 Dec. 1914, p. 6, col. State of Indiana, vol. 4, p. 645: Mustered sad feature in connection with his demise 2 (as reported by the Hillsboro Times): in at age 20 on 15 Oct. 1862, Co. L, 26th is the fact that his daughter, Mrs. Auge, Stephen Davis was born in May 1842, on (or 28th) Cav., which became 1st Cav. was unable to be at his bedside at any the farm now owned by Jewell Tinsley. He Mustered out at Indianapolis on 22 July time during his sickness or attend the was the son of Henry and Phoeba Davis. 1863. On 17 Nov. 1864, he was mustered funeral, she being in critical condition He spent his entire life there except in for one year as a substitute in Co. E, at one of the hospitals.” for two terms in the Civil War in 1861 42nd Ind.; was discharged at Louisville on An obituary for Cyrus Donaldson’s and 1863. He married Charlotte Keller 21 July 1865. He was described as 5 foot, brother, Elkana, appeared in the Coving- in 1864. They had nine children, all of 6 inches tall with dark eyes and auburn ton Republican of 15 Mar. 1912, p. 1, col. 5. whom survive. His daughters are Mrs. hair. [Note: See The Hoosier Genealogist, 41 Charles Brewer of Spokane, Washington, (September 2001): 3:190, for Cyrus’s Donaldson, Cyrus Mrs. F. Beaver of Attica, and Mrs. Will listing in the GAR enrollment book.] Rice who lives near Mellott. Two other Obituary: “Death of Cy Donaldson,” Drollinger, Daniel W. daughters are Mrs. Frank Bybee and Mrs. Covington Republican, 29 Mar. 1912, James Warren [probably of Hillsboro]. p. 1, col. 4: “Relatives in this city have Obituary: “Died at Soldiers’ Home,” Their sons were Steve Davis of Wayne- received the sad intelligence of the death Covington Friend, 23 Jan. 1914, p. 1, col. town, Russell Davis of Marion and Joe of Cy Donaldson, an old and well known 3: “Drollinger was a Civil War veteran, and Robert Davis [probably of Hillsboro]. resident of this city, but for the past few aged 72 years, died at Danville, Illinois on He is also survived by two brothers: years a resident of California. Monday morning. The body was taken to Charles Davis of Sherwin Junction, Kan- “Mr. Donaldson was afﬂ icted with Veedersburg. He is survived by the fol- sas, and Will Davis of Abilene, Kansas. His cancer of the stomach and died at the lowing children: Mrs. Bertha Maxwell and sister, Mrs. Simon Shade of Hillsboro, also home of his daughter, Mrs. Horace Auge, Mrs. Goldie Pickett of Danville (IL), Mrs. survives. San Diego, California, March 20th, 1912. Vera Van Landingham, Mrs. Bessie Jenks, He was past 78 years of age and was a and Harry, Guy and Mort Drollinger of veteran of the Civil War, being a member Veedersburg. He is well-known in of the 63rd Indiana regiment, and the Veedersburg and has scores of relatives G.A.R. Post of San Diego had charge of in that vicinity.” the funeral, which occurred on the 22nd. Report of the Adjutant General of the “Mr. Donaldson was a younger State of Indiana, vol. 6, p. 26: Co. E, 63rd brother of Elkana Donaldson, who Ind.; mustered in 30 Aug. 1862; mustered expired suddenly at his home in this city out 31 May 1865. on Sunday evening, the 10th inst. And

46 CONNECTIONS CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS

Ellis, James Wm. History of Fountain County, Fountain Chapel Church. James and Sarah had Ridge and Gertie (Ellis) Pitman; great- County Historical Society (N. p.: Taylor three children: Their only son, Alva Mon- granddaughter was Rosemarie Ellis. Publishing, 1983), p. 325: James Wm. Ellis roe Ellis, born 6 June 1867, was a farmer Fountain County death records: James was born in Kentucky in 1839, the oldest and breeder of horses and Poland China Wm. Ellis died in Hillsboro on 10 Oct. son of Robert and Lucinda (Cottey) Ellis, hogs. Their two daughters were Ada (Ellis) 1917 at the age of 77 years. ■ who came to Fountain County in 1853 from Mason County, Kentucky. Robert bought a farm in the Prairie Chapel vicinity of Cain Township. Robert Ellis, who was the son of James and Mildred (Payton) Ellis of Virginia, died about two years after bringing his family to Indiana. Robert’s wife, Lucinda, struggled to keep her family and the farm intact. She is reported to have been a ﬁ ne seamstress. At the age of 23 James Wm. Ellis joined Co. H, 72nd Ind. Regt., known as the “Wilder Brigade,” and served for three years. On 12 Aug. 1866 he married Sarah A. Moore, daughter of John S. and Barbara (Lough) Moore. James was a farmer who had a great interest in politics and was civic minded. He donated the land where the Ellis School was built south of Hillsboro. The Ellis family played a leading role in the founding of Prairie James Wm. and Sarah (Moore) Ellis (seated) and children (standing left to right): Gertie Pitman, Alva Monroe Ellis, and Ada Ridge (Courtesy of Rosemarie [Ellis] Sutherlin)

Notes 1. Biographical information for David H. Beasley, Elijah Mary Blair Immel has an MA in U.S. history, has taught Boord, and James Wm. Ellis was summarized for this school, served as assistant to the director of the Tippecanoe article. Additional information can be found in the County Historical Association, and organized TIPCOA, the county histories cited for each of these entries. Tippecanoe County Area Genealogical Society. Immel, an award-winning storyteller, is the author of several books, including the children’s book, Captured! A Boy Trapped in the Civil War (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Soci- ety Press, 2005), which was one of twenty-seven books honored by the American Library Association on June 25, 2006, in New Orleans, in its program, “The Best of the Best of the University Presses: Books You Should Know About.”

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 47 FAMILY RECORDS

Southern Indiana Pioneers The Holmes Siblings in Clark and Jackson Counties, Indiana Territory

TRACEY C. MARCELO

Between the years of 1809 and 1812, several The parents of the siblings weren’t mentioned in brothers and sisters made their way from the area of Mattie’s record, but further research has shown them present-day Davie County, North Carolina, to “the to be Robert Holmes and Patience Salmon, who were Forks” between the East Fork of the White River and the originally from Sussex County, Delaware.2 It is unknown Muscatatuck River in present-day Driftwood Town- when the parents died and whether they ever lived in ship, Jackson County, Indiana. The early records of Clark Indiana. The senior Robert Holmes’s estate was inven- County and later Jackson County show how the siblings toried in Iredell County, North Carolina, in 1806 by his came to age, married, and helped transform Indiana son, Robert Holmes, and his son-in-law, Fergus Holmes from a territory to a state. (husband of Agnes).3 No will or estate records other than One of the siblings’ descendants, Mattie Empson, the inventory have been found. In 1806 the youngest attempted to document the siblings and many of their of the siblings (Benjamin) was seven years old, and the children and grandchildren on a paper bag, noting their eldest sibling (Agnes) was twenty-eight. origins as Delaware Bay, North Carolina, and Kentucky.1 No guardianship records have been located for the The corrected list of known siblings in the order of their younger children, so it is unclear whether the children births is as follows: were cared for by their mother (if she was still alive), friends, or other relatives, or if they were taken in by Agnes Holmes b. February 2, 1778 Agnes and her husband or other siblings. It is apparent, Sarah (Sally) Ann Holmes b. ca. 1780 however, from the records of Clark and Jackson coun- Robert Holmes b. February 23, 1782 ties that Robert and William had migrated to Indiana William Pope Holmes b. ca. 1783 Territory by 1809, Sarah had arrived in Indiana by 1810, Margaret Holmes b. April 23, 1786 Margaret was in Indiana by 1811, and Agnes, Mary, and Mary Holmes b. April 2, 1789 Salmon were in Indiana by 1812. Salmon Holmes b. 1794 Most of the siblings made their homes in Township 4 Benjamin Holmes b. 1799 north, ranges 3 east and 4 east. The area was opened for settlement as part of the Treaty of Grouseland on August 21, 1805, and surveyed in June and October 1806.4 This land is in the present-day township of Driftwood.

48 CONNECTIONS Agnes Holmes Agnes was born February 2, 1778. As an infant, she was named in the will of her maternal grandmother, Agnes Salmon, in Sussex County, Delaware, June 9, 1778.5 Agnes married Fergus Holmes in Iredell or Rowan County, North Carolina, sometime between 1790 and 1798. She was the only sibling who was married outside Indiana. Oral family history says that Fergus and Agnes were cousins, but so far that tradition has not been proved. Fergus was born September 10, 1778.6 His origins are unknown; however, several family stories say he was born in Ireland. Further speculation about his parents is that their names might be Francis and Margaret. This speculation is driven in part by the fact that Agnes and Fergus Family record of Holmes siblings and some descendants, written by Mattie Empson, ca. 1940s appear to have used a naming system (Courtesy of Betty Empson) common among people from the British Isles, as follows:7 Naming system of Agnes and Fergus By June 12, 1809, Agnes, Fergus, Jackson County. In subsequent years, all First son after father’s father: and their seven children had moved to of Agnes’s siblings owned property in this Francis Holmes, son, b. 1798 Franklin County, Kentucky, near Agnes’s township. First daughter after mother’s mother: aunt and uncle, Martha (Holmes) and Fergus died on April 7, 1827, and is Patience Holmes, daughter, b. 1799 John Busey. Fergus and Agnes lived there buried in the Driftwood-White Church through the time of the 1810 census.10 Cemetery. Agnes continued to live in Second son after mother’s father: Sometime before 1812, the family Jackson County and purchased more land Robert Holmes, son, b. 1803 arrived in Clark County, Indiana. On in Section 20 at the Jeffersonville Land Second daughter after father’s mother: April 6, 1812, Fergus entered a horse Offi ce in June 1833 and September 1835. Margaret Holmes, daughter, b. 1804 in the estray records at Clark County, She died February 4, 1859, at the age of Additionally, Fergus was the witness in Indiana, as “one dark bay horse colt, 14 81 years, 2 days and is also buried in the 13 several land transactions involving a hands high, 10 or 11 years old, blind of Driftwood-White Church Cemetery. Francis Holmes, who also lived in Iredell the left eye, his mane roached, shod all 11 County, North Carolina. round, no brand.” Between 1798 and February 1809, On January 16, 1817, Fergus made Fergus witnessed or proved several deeds his fi rst land entry at the land offi ce in in Iredell County.8 By the 1800 Iredell Jeffersonville for 160 acres in the north- County census, he and Agnes had two west quarter of Section 20, Township 4 children, a boy and a girl under the age of north, Range 4 east. He made another ten. In November 1806, he and Agnes’s entry in this same section in April 1825 12 brother Robert made an inventory of the for 80 acres. The entries were in the area estate of Agnes’s father.9 of present-day Driftwood Township of

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Map showing areas Among the many Jackson County opened for settlement deeds that the siblings made was one by various treaties in which James and Sarah sold to her (Indiana Auditor of brother Robert seventy-seven acres of State, Indiana: The Public Domain and the west half of the northwest quarter Its Survey [by] J. O. of Section 19, Township 4 north, Range Henderson, 1892 4 east. The deed was dated October 16, [Indianapolis: Wm. 1829, and the land was described as B. Burford, 1893], being part of Sarah’s dower.18 foldout page) By 1850, when Sarah and James were in their late 60s, they shared their home with many relatives, including Mary Wright, the widowed second wife of Elijah Wright, whose ﬁ rst wife had been Margaret Holmes (Sarah’s sister), Mary’s son Elijah Wright Jr., the Blackwoods’ widowed daughter Celina Alsup and her children, and their great-nephew William S. Holmes. William S. was the grandson of Fergus and Agnes Holmes (through their son Robert Holmes and his wife Margaret/Matilda Cooley). In the 1850 census the Blackwoods’ household was listed only a few families away from Sarah’s brother-in-law, Henry Creesmore/Cressmore/Cusamore/Grisa- more.19 Sarah and James died about a week apart from each other. Sarah died on Sarah (Sally) Ann Holmes August 13, 1850, and James died on Sarah (called Sally, Sallie, or Sallie property were allowed to vote. Among August 21, 1850. Both are buried in the Ann) was born about 1780 in Delaware. the signers of this petition were Sarah’s Harrell Cemetery in Driftwood Township, 20 She married James Blackwood on July 7, brothers, Robert and William Holmes, Jackson County, Indiana. 1810, in Clark County, Indiana, by John and Henry Creesmore/Cressmore/Cusa- Robert Holmes Douthitt. James Blackwood was born in more/Grisamore, the husband of her 15 Robert Holmes was born February 23, North Carolina around September 18, sister, Mary. 1782. He was the eldest son among the 1781.14 Between October 31, 1812, and Holmes siblings and was the most noted Before their marriage, James was one December 7, 1812, James served in in published histories of Jackson County. of several men who signed a petition to Captain Joel Coombe’s company of the In History of Jackson County, Indiana, the U.S. Congress requesting the right of second regiment of the Indiana Militia, 16 Robert Holmes is mentioned in a list of suffrage for the citizens of Clark County, with Sarah’s brother Salmon Holmes. men who made settlements around the Indiana Territory, who were “Free Males James made a land entry at Jefferson- area of Vallonia after the fall of 1810. … attained the age of 21 years, done ville in November 1814, for 154.87 acres In the 1914 Indiana Magazine of History Militia duty & paid taxes.” The petition in the northwest quarter of Section 19, article titled “Jackson County Prior to was dated December 1809, and prior to Township 4 north, Range 4 east. It 1850,” Robert is mentioned as an “early that date, only free males, twenty-one appears that James made payments on settler” in the county.21 years or older, who paid taxes and owned this property between November 1814 and December 1817.17

50 CONNECTIONS SOUTHERN INDIANA PIONEERS

Robert fi rst appears in Indiana in December 1809 when he signed the petition to the U.S. Congress requesting the right of suffrage for males who had paid taxes and served in the militia. This is the same petition mentioned above. In those early years of the Indiana Ter- ritory, the militia was an important part of the lives of the pioneers. It provided protection during confl icts such as the War of 1812 and those with neighboring Native Americans. In February 1813 confl icts with the Native Americans had become so frequent in the area of Drift- wood, the citizens petitioned Congress for an extension of their land payments. They said in part, “We are on the frontiers of this Country and for the protection of our lives and famelys have been com- Agnes Holmes land patent, 1835 (Certifi cate no. 4532, September 9, 1835, Jeffersonville Land pelled to take refuge in Forts & Block Offi ce, accession/serial no. IN0290__022, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, General Land Offi ce Records, online at www.glorecords.blm.gov/ [accessed July 2, 2007]) houses, by which means it is Out of Our power to make money from our property to pay the Installments … for lands Robert served as a sergeant in Capt. became Robert Holmes’s wife.24 Cur- entered in this part of the Country.”22 John Blizzard’s Company of the second rently, there is no defi nitive proof as to regiment of the Indiana Militia and is whether Corporal Robert Hombs (1811) listed on the muster roll for the period and Sergeant Robert Holmes (1813) were between March 1, 1813, and April 19, indeed the same man. 1813.23 On November 29, 1813, Robert mar- Because he was a noncommissioned ried Nancy (Stacey) Dowden in Clark sergeant in 1813, it is likely that he had County, Indiana. The couple was mar- served in a militia prior to 1813 and had ried by James McCampbell. Nancy was been promoted along the way to the rank the widow of Thomas Dowden and the of sergeant. Some family members have daughter of Peter and Catherine Stacey speculated that he might have served of Clark County.25 in the second regiment of the Indiana When Dowden died on October 12, Militia during the Battle of Tippeca- 1812, Nancy and her son, Zephaniah noe. The muster roll of William Henry Dowden, each received twenty-fi ve Harrison’s troops between September acres of the fi fty acres of property that 6 and November 24, 1811, includes a Thomas owned in the northwest quarter Robert “Hombs” who was a corporal in of Section 17, Township 4 north, Range 4 Captain Norris’s company under Lieu- east. On March 9, 1815, Thomas’s brother tenant Colonel Joseph Bartholomew. James entered 160 acres in that section Also in Norris’s company were Henry in the land entry book.26 Creesmore/Cressmore/Cusamore/Grisa- On October 20, 1819, Robert entered Driftwood Township, Jackson County, Indiana more, the husband of Robert Holmes’s his hog mark in the Jackson County (C. J. Klooz, Road Map of Jackson County, sister Margaret, and William Stacey, Estray Book.27 Indiana [Columbus, IN: Columbus Reproduc- the brother of Nancy Stacey, who later tion and Supply, 1975])

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Between the years 1829 and 1834, In 1829 William bought property same area in 1832 and 1834.33 William Robert purchased land in sections 7 and in the northeast quarter of Section 23, died August 28, 1838. His wife Margaret 19 of Township 4 north, Range 4 east Township 4 north, Range 3 east of Jack- died August 7, 1859. Both are buried in and sections 10 (Grassy Fork Township) son County and entered a patent in the the Empson Cemetery.34 and 13 of Township 4 north, Range 3 east (Driftwood Township), near the property owned by his siblings.28 Robert died on October 12, 1836, two days before the death of his youngest son, James B. Holmes. Robert is buried in Empson Cemetery in Driftwood Town- ship. His property was divided among his widow, Nancy, and their sons. Nancy died January 15, 1850, and is also buried in Empson Cemetery. She was a member of the Driftwood Christian Church.29

William Pope Holmes William Pope Holmes was born about 1783.30 His middle name frequently appears in land records. Pope was the maiden name of his paternal grandmother, Ann (Pope) Holmes (wife of John Holmes of Kent County, Delaware). William married Margaret Crissmore/ Grisamore, sister to Henry Creesmore/ Cressmore/Cusamore/Grisamore, who married William’s sister, Mary Holmes. William and Margaret were married September 25, 1809, in Clark County, Indiana, by John Douthitt.31 This is the earliest recorded date of any of the Holmes siblings in Indiana. In December 1809 William signed the petition to the U.S. Congress requesting the right of suffrage for men who served in the militia and paid taxes. This is the same petition mentioned previously. William served in the Indiana Militia between April and May 1813. He served in the second regiment in Captain John Prather’s company.32

James Blackwood and family in the 1850 U.S. Census for Driftwood Township, Jackson County, Indiana (1850 U.S. Census for Driftwood Twp., Jackson Co., IN, James Blackwood household, roll M432_152, p. 182, National Archives and Records Administration)

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Margaret Holmes Mary Holmes Margaret Holmes was born in 1786. The Biographical Record of Bar- Mary Holmes was born April 2, 1789. She married Samuel Brewer on April 17, tholomew and Jackson Counties, Indiana, She married Henry Creesmore/Cress- 1811, in Clark County, Indiana, by John tells an interesting story about Margaret more/Cusamore/Grisamore in Clark McClung.35 and Elijah’s daughter, Clarissa. Apparently County, Indiana, on December 19, 1812, Samuel and Margaret settled in Clarissa’s beau and eventual husband, by James McCampbell.40 Washington County, Indiana. Family Daniel Bower, was the son of Joseph Henry was the brother of Margaret tradition says Samuel died about 1813 of Bower, an old acquaintance of Elijah from Crissmore/Grisamore, who married Wil- “a heart attack on the streets of Salem,” Rowan County. Elijah and Joseph were liam Pope Holmes in 1809. Henry was shortly before the birth of their ﬁ rst child, able to rekindle their friendship during born in North Carolina on November 10, Samuel Brewer Jr.36 the courtship of their children.38 1791.41 After Samuel’s death, Margaret mar- Margaret died May 23, 1831, and is In December 1809 Henry signed the ried Elijah Wright. No marriage record buried in the Driftwood-White Church petition for suffrage mentioned above. has been found. Elijah was also originally Cemetery. Elijah married Mary Dukes on In 1811 Henry fought in the Battle from Rowan County, North Carolina. He May 29, 1834, in Jackson County. He died of Tippecanoe as a private in Captain moved to Washington County, Indiana, March 6, 1835, and is also buried in the Norris’s company of the second regiment about 1810 with his parents and siblings. Driftwood-White Church Cemetery.39 of the Indiana Militia. He was number 21 Elijah was a justice of the peace in on the payroll of September 11, 1811, to Washington County, Indiana, in 1820.37 November 24, 1811.42 After the Battle of Tippecanoe, General William Henry Har- Robert Holmes’s signature rison remarked in his dispatch, “Wilson’s on 1809 petition to and Scott’s companies charged with the Congress (sixth one down regular troops, and proved themselves on left side) (Petition to U.S. Congress by Citizens of Clark worthy of doing so. Norris’ company also County, Indiana, December behaved well.”43 12, 1809, in Clarence Edwin In November and December 1816, Carter, The Territory of Henry entered land in Section 14, Town- Indiana, 1810–1816, vol. 8 ship 4 north, Range 3 east, near the other of The Territorial Papers of Holmes siblings.44 the United States (NY: AMS Press, 1973), 689; original Mary died February 2, 1846. Henry in HR 11A-F10.2, RG 233, died September 21, 1864. Both are buried Records of the U.S. House of in Empson Cemetery.45 Henry’s grave- Representatives, Center for stone notes his participation in the Battle Legislative Archives, of Tippecanoe. It states, “Was a Pvt. in National Archives and the U.S. Army under Gen. Wm. H. Har- Records Administration) rison. During the War of 1812, he was in the Battle of Tippecanoe. He united with the M.E. Church in 1862 and continued faithful until his death, September 21, 1864. Aged 72 years 10 m 11 d.”

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Salmon Holmes Salmon Holmes was born about 1794 applied for a pension related to his War Elizabeth apparently died before in North Carolina.46 His unusual fi rst of 1812 experience. In it he provided a October 1846, and Benjamin married name, which is often mistakenly written description of himself at the time of his Eliza Jane Maples, a widow, in Jackson as “Solomon,” was actually the maiden enlistment: “age 18, occupation farmer, County on October 10, 1846.57 name of his mother, Patience/Patty born in North Carolina, height about Benjamin bought property in Salt Salmon. 5 feet 7 inches, eyes gray, hair light or Creek Township (Township 7 in Section Salmon was only twelve about the sandy, and complexion light.”52 33) on October 20, 1849. He and his time of his father’s death, and nothing is Elizabeth died November 19, 1876, family lived in Salt Creek Township at known about who raised him between in Madison County, Iowa.53 Salmon died the time of the 1850 census. By 1860 that time and his adulthood. March 31, 1883, also in Madison County, Benjamin and some of his children were Between October 31, 1812, and Iowa. living in Morris Township, Texas County, December 7, 1812, Salmon served in Missouri. At the same time, a few of Benjamin Holmes Captain Joel Coombe’s company of the Benjamin’s Salt Creek Township neigh- second regiment of the Indiana Benjamin was born about 1799 in bors were living in nearby Dent County, 54 Militia, with his brother-in-law, James North Carolina. He would have been Missouri. These families included those of Blackwood, husband of Salmon’s sister only six or seven years old at the time Byron/Biron Jackson and Jacob Fipps/ Sarah.47 At the time they served, the his father died. Like Salmon, nothing is Phipps.58 memory of the Pigeon Roost massacre known about his life before adulthood. The death dates and places of burial on September 3, 1812, weighed He married Elizabeth Lindsey in Jack- of Benjamin, Elizabeth, and Eliza are 55 heavily on the settlers of the area. son County, Indiana, on March 8, 1819. unknown. ■ Reverend Stephen R. Beggs recalled, Benjamin entered property in Section “When news came of the Pigeon Roost 7 of Township 4 north, Range 4 east, near 56 massacre, nearly all the settlers north his siblings, in 1821, 1832, and 1833. of us fl ed across the Ohio, leaving their effects behind.” He continued, “Several block houses were built to the north of us.”48 Salmon stated in his pension application that his service was in a campaign called “Pigeon Roost Defeat,” in which his regiment was a “kind of frontier guard against the Indians,” and that, as part of his regiment, he “built a fort at Pigeon Roost.”49 On June 22, 1822, Salmon married Elizabeth Thompson in Jackson County, Indiana.50 Among Salmon’s land purchases were two fractional lots he purchased in Township 4 north, Range 3 east in 1828 and 1829, and forty acres in Township 5 north, Range 3 east (in Owen Township, which nearly borders Driftwood).51 In 1855 Salmon applied to obtain Land entry for William Pope Holmes, 1832 (Certifi cate no. 3425, September 18, 1832, Jeffer- bounty land that he was entitled to sonville Land Offi ce, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Eastern States, Springfi eld, Virginia) receive for his service during the War of 1812. In 1878, while living in Iowa, he

54 CONNECTIONS SOUTHERN INDIANA PIONEERS

Partial payroll of Captain John Norris’s company, Indiana Militia, showing the names of Robert Hombs and Henry Cusamore (U.S. Department of Defense, Adjutant General’s Offi ce, Captain John Norris’s Com- pany of the Infantry of the Indiana Militia, Muster Rolls and Payrolls of Militia and Regular Army Organizations in the Battle of Tippecanoe, November 1811, microfi lm no. T1085, National Archives and Records Administration; microfi lm no. 1445988, Family History Library, Salt Lake City.)

Above: Benjamin Holmes land patent, 1833 (Certifi cate no. 2996, June 8, 1833, Jeffersonville Land Offi ce, accession/ serial no. IN0250__.482, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, General Land Offi ce Records, online at www.glorecords.blm.gov/ [accessed July 2, 2007])

Left: Page from the pension application of Salmon Holmes, 1878 (Salmon Holmes pension ﬁ le, War of 1812, National Archives and Records Administration)

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 55 FAMILY RECORDS

Notes 1. Holmes sibling notes compiled by Mattie 11. Fergus Holmes entry, 1812 estray record, 18. Jackson County, Indiana, Deeds, Book B, Empson, 1940s, owned in 2007 by Betty Clark Co., IN, microfi lm no. 549320, 559, Jackson County Recorder, Brown- Empson. Family History Library, Salt Lake City. stown, IN, microfi lm no. 1314755, Family 2. Entry for marriage of Robert Holmes to 12. Janet C. Cowen, comp., Jeffersonville History Library, Salt Lake City. Patty Salmond, October 24, 1777, in regis- Land Entries, 1808–1818 (Indianapolis: 19. Robert Holmes probate record, Novem- ter of Lewes and Coolspring Presbyterian McDowell Publications, 1984), 138; ber 1836, Jackson County Probate Order Church, typewritten volume, Delaware Loren W. Noblitt and Donald Lee Tatlock, Book, October 1829–February 1838, Public Archives Hall of Records, Dover. Pioneer Homestead Settlers: Landowners Jackson County Clerk, Brownstown, IN, 3. Robert Holms inventory (1806), Iredell by Squatter Rights—Federal Grants—Pri- 297; 1850 U.S. Census for Driftwood Twp., County Estates Papers, 1790–1944, vate Purchase (Brownstown, IN: Jackson Jackson Co., IN, James Blackwood house- C.R.054.508.54, North Carolina Depart- County Historical Society, 1995), 47. hold, roll M432_152, p. 182, National ment of Archives and History, Raleigh. 13. Death entry for Fergus Holmes in Holmes Archives and Records Administration. 4. Indiana Auditor of State, Indiana: The family Bible; Driftwood-White Church 20. Harrell Cemetery in Driftwood Township Public Domain and Its Survey [by] J. O. Cemetery in Driftwood Township Cemeter- Cemeteries, 37. Henderson, 1892 (Indianapolis: Wm. B. ies, Jackson County, Indiana (Seymour, 21. Robert Holmes gravestone in Empson Burford, 1893), foldout page. IN: Jackson County Genealogical Society, Cemetery, transcribed and photographed 5. Family data from Agnes Holmes grave- 1994), 14, 30; Noblitt and Tatlock, Pio- by Tracey C. Marcelo, March 1983; stone order record and correspondence, neer Homestead Settlers, 47. History of Jackson County, Indiana Betty Empson to Tracey C. Marcelo, 1984; 14. 1850 U.S. Census for Driftwood Twp., (Chicago: Brandt and Fuller, 1886), 383; Agnes Salmon will (1778), Sussex County Jackson Co., IN, James Blackwood house- John E. Lazerby, “Jackson County Prior to Register of Wills, Liber C, folios 329–30, hold, roll M432_152, p. 182, National 1850,” Indiana Magazine of History 10 Archive volume A97, 174–75, Delaware Archives and Records Administration; (September 1914): 3:260. Hall of Records, Dover. Clark County Marriages, County Clerk’s 22. Petition to Congress by Citizens of Drift- 6. Death entry for Fergus Holmes in Holmes Offi ce, Jeffersonville, IN; James Black- wood Settlement, February 13, 1813, in family Bible, owned in 1996 by John wood gravestone in Harrell Cemetery in Carter, The Territory of Indiana, 235. Pierce. Driftwood Township Cemeteries, 37. 23. Muster, Pay, and Receipt Rolls of Indiana 7. Angus Baxter, In Search of Your Brit- 15. Petition to U.S. Congress by Citizens of Territory Volunteers or Militia of the Period ish and Irish Roots: A Complete Guide to Clark County, Indiana, December 12, of the War of 1812, 1:385–87. Tracing Your English, Welsh, Scottish, and 1809, in Clarence Edwin Carter, The Ter- 24. U.S. Department of Defense, Adjutant Irish Ancestors (Baltimore: Genealogical ritory of Indiana, 1810–1816, vol. 8 of The General’s Offi ce, Captain John Norris’s Publishing, 1991), 47. Territorial Papers of the United States (NY: Company of the Infantry of the Indiana 8. Lois M. P. Schneider, Iredell County, N.C., AMS Press, 1973), 689; original in HR Militia, Muster Rolls and Payrolls of Deed Abstracts, Books C & D, 1787–1802 11A-F10.2, RG 233, Records of the U.S. Militia and Regular Army Organizations in (Troutman, NC: n. p., 1993), various House of Representatives, Center for the Battle of Tippecanoe, November 1811, pages; Russell C. Black Jr., Iredell County, Legislative Archives, National Archives microfi lm no. T1085, National Archives N.C., Deed Abstracts, Books E & F, and Records Administration. See also and Records Administration; microfi lm 1803–1808 and Books G & H, 1809–1817 John D. Barnhart and Dorothy L. Riker, no. 1445988, Family History Library, Salt (Statesville, NC: n. p., 1995), various Indiana to 1816: The Colonial Period, vol. 1 Lake City. pages. of The History of Indiana series (India- 25. Clark County Marriages, County Clerk’s 9. 1800 U.S. Census for Iredell Co., NC, napolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1994), Offi ce, Jeffersonville, IN; John Wesley Fergus Holms household, roll M32_29, 355, 360. Holmes family record, written prior to p. 620, National Archives and Records 16. Muster, Pay, and Receipt Rolls of Indiana his death in 1899, original owned in 1982 Administration; Robert Holms inventory Territory Volunteers or Militia of the Period by Denis Robert Holmes. (The record (1806). of the War of 1812, Deposited in the Offi ce passed from John Wesley to his son Ken, 10. Fergus Holmes entry, 1809 Tax Roll, of the U.S. Adjutant General (Washing- to Ken’s son Merle, to Merle’s son Robert, Franklin County, KY, microfi lm no. 7977, ton, DC: Photostatted by Leet Brothers, to Robert’s son Denis). Catherine Stacy Family History Library, Salt Lake City; 1926), 1:388–90, available in digital will (1822), Clark County Will Book B, 1810 U.S. Census for Franklin Co., KY, format from the Indiana University digital 1817–1833, County Clerk’s Offi ce, Fergus Holmes household, roll M252_6, collection, http://indiamond6.ulib.iupui. Jeffersonville, IN, 243–44. p. 132, National Archives and Records edu/War1812/ (accessed June 26, 2006). 26. Thomas Dowden will (1812), Clark County Administration. 17. Cowen, comp., Jeffersonville Land Entries, Will Book A, County Clerk’s Offi ce, 1808–1818, 47.

56 CONNECTIONS SOUTHERN INDIANA PIONEERS

Jeffersonville, IN, 103; Noblitt and County, Indiana, Records (USGenNet, Missouri: with Especial Reference to the Tatlock, Pioneer Homestead Settlers, 47. www.us-data.org/in/washington/ History of Methodism (Cincinnati: The 27. Bernice Sallee Martin, “An Old Record [accessed June 28, 2007]). Methodist Book Concern, 1868), 13–14. Book” [Record of Marks, 1817–1878, 38. Biographical Record of Bartholomew and 49. Salmon Holmes pension fi le, War of 1812, Book 1 of Jackson County, Indiana, Jackson Counties, Indiana (Indianapolis: National Archives and Records Adminis- recorder], in Indiana Magazine of History B. F. Bowen, 1904), 602. tration. 38 (June 1942): 2:217–22. 39. Driftwood-White Church Cemetery in 50. Jackson County Marriage Records, Jackson 28. Various Jackson County Indiana Deeds, Driftwood Township, 29; Jackson County County Clerk, Brownstown, IN. Jackson County Recorder, Brownstown, Marriage Records, Jackson County Clerk, 51. Noblitt and Tatlock, Pioneer Homestead IN. Brownstown, IN. Settlers, 14, 21. 29. John Wesley Holmes family record in 40. Mary Grisamore gravestone in Empson 52. Salmon Holmes pension fi le. Empson Cemetery in Driftwood Township Cemetery in Driftwood Township Cemeter- 53. Solomon Holmes obituary, Winterset Cemeteries, 33; Jackson County Probate ies, 33; Clark County Marriages, County Madisonian, April 4, 1883; family data Order Book, v. 00, February 1839–May Clerk’s Offi ce, Jeffersonville, IN. from correspondence, Edwin Smith to 1840, Jackson County Clerk, Brownstown, 41. John Grissemore will (1826), 342–44; Tracey C. Marcelo, 1983. IN, 461–65, microfi lm no. 1314637, Fam- Henry Grisamore gravestone in Empson 54. 1850 U.S. Census for Salt Creek Twp., ily History Library, Salt Lake City; Lois Cemetery in Driftwood Township Cemeter- Jackson Co., IN, Benjamin Holmes house- Ione Hotchkiss Heuss, “Deaths Recorded ies, 33. hold, roll M432_152, p. 112, National in Early Record Books of Driftwood 42. U.S. Department of Defense, Adjutant Archives and Records Administration. Christian Church,” Driftwood Cemetery, General’s Offi ce, Capt. John Norris’s Com- 55. Jackson County Marriage Records, Jackson Driftwood Township, Jackson County, pany of the Infantry of the Indiana Militia, County Clerk, Brownstown, IN. Indiana (Charlotte, NC: n. p., 1968), 39. Muster Rolls and Payrolls of Militia and 56. Noblitt and Tatlock, Pioneer Homestead 30. William P. Holmes gravestone in Empson Regular Army Organizations in the Battle Settlers, 45. Cemetery in Driftwood Township Cemeter- of Tippecanoe, November 1811, microfi lm 57. Jackson County Marriage Records, Jackson ies, 34. no. T1085, National Archives and Records County Clerk, Brownstown, IN. 31. John Grissemore will (1826), Clark County Administration; microfi lm no. 1445988, 58. Noblitt and Tatlock, Pioneer Homestead Will Book B, 1817–1833, County Clerk’s Family History Library, Salt Lake City. Settlers, 68; 1850 U.S. Census for Salt Offi ce, Jeffersonville, IN, 342–44; Clark 43. John Gibson, Thomas Posey, Logan Creek Twp., Jackson Co., IN, roll M432_ County Marriages, County Clerk’s Offi ce, Esarey, editors, Messages and Letters of 152, National Archives and Records Jeffersonville, IN. William Henry Harrison (Indianapolis: Administration (NARA): Benjamine 32. Muster, Pay, and Receipt Rolls of Indiana Indiana Historical Commission, 1922; Holmes household, p. 112; Byron Jackson Territory Volunteers or Militia of the Period repr., Logan Esarey, editor, New York: household, p. 115; Jacob Fipps household, of the War of 1812, 2:407–9. Arno Press, 1975), 627. p. 227. 1860 U.S. Census for Morris Twp., 33. Noblitt and Tatlock, Pioneer Homestead 44. Noblitt and Tatlock, Pioneer Homestead Texas Co., MO, roll M653_658, p. 69, Settlers, 16. Settlers, 15. NARA, Benjamin Holmes household. 34. Empson Cemetery in Driftwood Township 45. Empson Cemetery in Driftwood Township 1860 U.S. Census for Watkins Twp., Dent Cemeteries, 33–34. Cemeteries, 33. Co., MO, roll M653_618, p. 0, NARA, 35. Margaret Wright gravestone in Drift- 46. 1850 U.S. Census for Owen Twp., Jackson Byron Jackson and Jacob Phipps wood-White Church Cemetery in Co., IN, Salmon Holmes household, roll households. Driftwood Township Cemeteries, 29; Clark M432_152, p. 191, National Archives and County Marriages, County Clerk’s Offi ce, Records Administration. Tracey C. Marcelo became interested in Jeffersonville, IN. 47. Muster, Pay, and Receipt Rolls of Indiana the Holmes family genealogy as a teenager 36. Mabel Brewer, Brewer Family History Territory Volunteers or Militia of the Period when her great-aunt bequeathed a box of (Jackson County, IN: n.p., n.d.). of the War of 1812, 1:388–90. family photographs to her. She has been 37. History of Washington County, Indiana: 48. Stephen R. Beggs, Pages from the Early researching her ancestors in Delaware, A Re-Production of the Original “History History of the West and North-West: North Carolina, Indiana, and Michigan of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Embracing Reminiscences and Incidents for more than twenty years. Marcelo is a technical writer and editor who lives near Counties,” 1884 (Evansville, IN: Evans- of Settlement and Growth, and Sketches Austin, Texas, with her husband and son. ville Bindery, 1990), transcript available of the Material and Religious Progress of online: U.S. Data Repository, Washington the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 57 Notices Around Indiana Family History Orientation Tour (Indiana State Library, September 6 Indiana Historical Society Programs and 14, and October 4, 9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.) Learn where different family history “Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American History” resources are located on the fi rst and second fl oors of the Indiana State Library. (A Talk by David Blight, November 29, and the theories in his book This is a free orientation tour, geared 7 p.m.) David Blight is one of the nation’s during his appearance. The presentation toward genealogists. Pre-registration is foremost authorities on the U.S. Civil War will take place in the Indiana History required; please call 317-232-3689. and its legacy. His book Race & Reunion: Center Basile Theater. Cost is $25; $20 The Civil War in American Memory IHS members. Registration deadline is presents a new look at the nation’s November 21. Call 317-232-1882 to Around the Midwest collective response to the war and argues register. Presented by Morgan Keegan “Gettysburg: The Battle that, in the interest of reunifi cation, the and Company, members, New York in History and Memory” Stock Exchange, SIPC. History Mak- country ignored the racist underpinnings (NARA–Great Lakes Region’s Tenth ers accommodations provided by the of the war, leaving a legacy of racial con- Civil War Symposium and Reenactment, Columbia Club, 800-635-1361. fl ict. Blight will explore the racial divide October 20.) The National Archives– Great Lakes Region is proud to present its Preservation Workshop for Professionals Tenth Civil War Symposium. The bloody (September 18, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 age techniques through hands-on work battle at Gettysburg is the theme for p.m.) Learn how to preserve your and demonstrations. Early registration is this year’s symposium. The speakers and historical collection and avoid harm in recommended as seating is limited. Cost topics include: Kent L. Gramm, Wheaton the collection environment. This all-day is $105 per person; $200 for two indi- College, “Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address workshop will provide collections profes- viduals from the same museum; $295 in History and Memory”; Earl J. Hess, sionals with opportunities to learn about for three individuals from the same Lincoln Memorial University, “Pickett’s surface cleaning, encapsulation, and stor- museum.Call 317-233-3110 to register. Charge”; John A. Latschar, Gettysburg National Military Park, “Reinterpreting Ancestry Library Edition at IHS Library the Battlefi eld of Gettysburg”; Edward G. Longacre, U.S. Air Force, “Cavalry The Indiana Historical Society is Index (PERSI). Produced by the Al- Operations in the Battle of Gettysburg”; proud to announce the recent acquisition len County Public Library, PERSI is a and Thomas E. Wheeler, President, and installation of Ancestry Library comprehensive index covering geneal- National Archives Foundation, “Lincoln, Edition, an online genealogy site with ogy and local history periodicals written the Telegraph, and Gettysburg.” The access to more than four thousand since 1800. Access to Ancestry Library symposium, held at the Cantigny First databases and two billion names. Ances- Edition and HeritageQuest Online are Division Museum in Wheaton, Illinois, try Library complements the IHS’s other available at no charge to library users of also includes an encampment, books by on-site databases available to research- the William Henry Smith Memorial Li- the speakers, and the magnifi cent First ers. The IHS library continues to subscribe brary on the second fl oor of the Indiana Division Museum and Robert R. McCor- to HeritageQuest Online, which is a History Center. Come to the library and mick Estate and Grounds. The fee for the wonderful resource for full-text state, explore these great tools for family and symposium is $40 for the general public, local, and family histories. HeritageQuest local history research. $20 for teachers and Civil War Round Online also offers the Periodical Source Table members, and $10 for students with a valid ID. Outdoor activities are free. The $8 parking fee per car is waived for symposium participants. There is a $5 refreshment fee to cover morning and afternoon breaks and a box lunch.

58 CONNECTIONS National News NARA’s Great Lakes Region Home Page Brittle Books Digitized at Library of Congress Whether you are a teacher searching The Library of Congress has been technology capable of page-turning, for primary records for a lesson plan, a granted $2 million from the Alfred P. displaying foldouts, and capturing genealogist searching for information on Sloan Foundation to digitize thousands detailed “metadata” such as the table your family, or a student trying to fi nd an of public domain brittle books (volumes of contents and index. U.S. genealogical interesting topic for a school paper, the in deteriorated physical condition) and records, regimental documents refer- National Archives–Great Lakes Region’s U.S. history works to ensure their public encing state and regional histories, and home page offers an abundance of archiving, preservation, and open access. memoirs, diaries, and other collections fi nding aids for researchers. The online The project, known as Digitizing Ameri- from the Civil War will also be digitized. Guide to Archival Holdings at NARA’s can Imprints at the Library of Congress, For more information, visit the Library of Great Lakes Region (Chicago) offers an will scan the volumes and will feature Congress’s Web site at www.loc.gov/. overview of the archives’ eighty thousand cubic feet of original records. Subject- Library of Congress Newspaper Archives Go Online specifi c fi nding aids (indexes and box More than 226,000 pages of public the Library of Congress and the National lists) exist for many different subjects, domain newspapers from California, Endowment for the Humanities aims to including farm ownership during the Florida, Kentucky, Utah, Virginia, and the develop a searchable, Internet database Great Depression, Chinese immigrants District of Columbia have been digitized of historic U.S. newspapers. Newspaper in the Midwest, Native Americans, and online through Chronicling America: texts from 1900 to 1910 can be searched logbooks for Life Saving Stations on the Historic American Newspapers, a produc- by state, periodical title, and date at Great Lakes, to name a few. For more tion of the National Digital Newspaper www.loc.gov/chroniclingamerica/. information about fi nding aids, visit Program. This collaborative effort led by www.archives.gov/great-lakes/chicago/ fi nding-aids/. International News Tri-State Genealogical Society Canadian Documents to be Digitized Fall Seminar Ancestry.ca, Canada’s leading family done business in Canada will fi nd church, (October 20, 8 a.m.– 4 p.m.) Fam- history Web site, and Canadiana.org, town, county, and military histories as ily historians researching ancestors in a nonprofi t association committed to well as legal documents and voter lists southwest Indiana, southeast Illinois, and maintaining access to early Canadian among the records digitized. The Geneal- western Kentucky will fi nd the Tri-State publications, have teamed up to digitize ogy and Local History Collection, span- Genealogical Society’s fall seminar partic- more than 6,200 publication titles and ning from the 1600s to the 1900s, will be ularly useful. This year’s featured speaker 1.6 million pages of family and local his- made available online through Ancestry. is professional genealogist Lloyd Hos- tories, biographies, civil service records, ca within the next year. Images will also man. Lectures on newspaper and census and other early historical documents become accessible at Canadiana.org at research and on using the International from Canadiana.org’s collection. Gene- a later date. For more information on Genealogical Index will be given. Partici- alogists and family historians wishing to either of these organizations visit www. pants will have the opportunity to pur- research ancestors who may have lived or ancestry.ca/ or www.canadiana.org/. chase products from genealogical book vendors as well as lineage and historical Books Received societies. Cost is $25 per person for pre- The editor of The Hoosier Genealo- Indiana State Library, The book below is paid registration; $30 for those registered gist: Connections accepts contributions the most recent donation: after October 16. Call 812-425-1520 or of books regarding Indiana and midwest- Humphrey Wynn, Desert Eagles, 812-455-1803 for more information. ern genealogy and history to list in the (Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International “Books Received” section. These books Publishers and Wholesalers, 1993). ■ are placed either in the IHS library or the

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 59 FROM THE COLLECTIONS Catholic Church Records Catholic Church Records at the Indiana State Library

LLOYD HOSMAN

The Indiana State Library has an extensive collec- The library has prepared a fi nding aid for each tion of microfi lmed Indiana Catholic Church records for diocese to help locate these records. The churches are churches founded before 1917. There are fi ve Catholic listed in these aids alphabetically by the name of the dioceses in Indiana: Diocese of Gary, Diocese of Fort church. This article is based on the assumption that most Wayne-South Bend, Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana, researchers know the county and sometimes the town Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and Diocese of Evansville. of their ancestors but seldom the name of their church. Records for all but the Diocese of Gary (comprised of This is an attempt, then, to list these records by county, Lake, La Porte, Porter, and Stark counties) are avail- town, and church name to show the location of the able at the Indiana State Library. There are no apparent microfi lmed records for each church. records for ten counties as follows: Brown, Crawford, For a detailed account of the dates involved and Lagrange, Ohio, Owen, Scott, Steuben, Switzerland, War- diocese formations the reader is referred to the excel- ren, and Washington. But bear in mind that the records lent article “Using Catholic Records for Genealogical of mission churches would be in the mother church, Research” by James J. Divita in The Hoosier Genealogist sometimes located in another county. Also parishioners 30 (September 1990): 3:129–34. For further reference may have crossed county lines to get to a nearby church. the reader may want to consult History of the Catholic The library, then, has cataloged records for seventy-eight Church in Indiana, 2 vols., by Charles Blanchard of the ninety-two counties. (Logansport, IN: A. W. Bowen, 1898), available in the The microfi lmed records contain primarily baptisms Indiana Division at the Indiana State Library. and marriages. In addition they often list fi rst commu- nion and confi rmation classes. These fi lms are in self- service cabinets in the Microfi lm Division on the second Map showing the fl oor in the Indiana Counties section. They are organized GARY current geographi- by diocese in the drawers containing other rolls of fi lmed FORT WAYNE-SOUTH BEND cal boundaries records relating to the city for which each diocese is of the Roman Catholic dioceses named, as follows: of Indiana (Indiana Diocese Symbol County county map from Indiana State Fort Wayne-South Bend F Allen LAFAYETTE Library Web site at Lafayette L Tippecanoe www.statelib.lib. Indianapolis I Marion in.us/www/ihb/ Evansville E Vanderburgh incounties.html [accessed July 24, INDIANAPOLIS 2007]; Marked with diocesan boundaries by Lloyd Hosman)

EVANSVILLE

60 CONNECTIONS ADAMS (F) CASS (L) St. Paul Enochsburg Decatur Logansport St. Paul St. John St. Mary of the Assumption All Saints DE KALB (F) Hamburg Geneva CLARK (I) Auburn St. Ann St. Mary of the Presentation Charlestown Immaculate Conception Laurel ALLEN (F) St. Michael Garrett St. Raphael Arcola Clarksville St. Joseph Oak Forest St. Patrick St. Anthony of Padua Waterloo St. Cecilia Fort Wayne Henryville St. Michael Oldenburg Cathedral of the Immaculate St. Frances Xavier DELAWARE (L) Holy Family Conception Jeffersonville St. Marys Muncie St. Mary of the Rock Most Precious Blood St. Augustine (St. Anthony) St. Lawrence St. Peters St. Andrew St. Joseph Hill DUBOIS (E) St. Hyacinth St. Joseph St. Peter St. Joseph Celestine FULTON (L) Starlight St. Celestine St. Mary St. John the Baptist Kewanna St. Patrick Dubois St. Ann CLAY (I) St. Raphael St. Paul GIBSON (E) St. Peter Brazil Ferdinand St. Peter Annunciation St. Ferdinand Haubstadt St. Vincent de Paul Carbon Huntingburg Sts. Peter and Paul St. Vincent Orphan Asylum St. Joseph St. Mary [Obertsville]* Hessen Cassel CLINTON (L) Ireland St. Bernard St. Joseph Frankfort St. Mary (Annunciation) Princeton Monroeville St. Mary Jasper St. Joseph St. Rose of Lima St. Joseph [St. James]* DAVIESS (E) St. James New Haven Barr Twp. St. Anthony St. John the Baptist St. Mary St. Anthony GRANT (L) St. Louis at Besancon Cannelburg St. Henry Gas City Yoder All Saints St. Henry Holy Family St. Aloysius Montgomery Schnellville Marion BARTHOLOMEW (I) St. Michael Sacred Heart St. Paul Columbus St. Patrick ELKHART (F) GREENE (E) St. Bartholomew St. Peter Goshen Jasonville BENTON (L) Washington St. John the Evangelist St. Joan of Arc Ambia St. Mary Immaculate New Haven Linton St. Mary Conception St. John the Baptist St. Peter Earl Park St. Simon FAYETTE (I) HAMILTON (L) St. John the Baptist DEARBORN (I) Connersville Cicero Fowler Aurora St. Gabriel Sacred Heart Sacred Heart of Jesus St. Mary FLOYD (I) HANCOCK (I) Otterbein Dover Floyd Knobs Fortville St. Charles St. John the Baptist St. Mary of the Knobs St. Thomas Oxford Lawrenceburg Navilleton Greenﬁ eld St. Patrick St. Lawrence St. Mary St. Michael Pine Twp. New Alsace New Albany HARRISON (I) St. Bridget St. Paul Holy Trinity St. Leon Bradford BLACKFORD (L) St. Mary St. Michael Hartford City St. Joseph FOUNTAIN (L) Yorkville Corydon St. John the Evangelist Attica St. Joseph St. Martin BOONE (L) St. Francis Xavier Frenchtown Lebanon DECATUR (I) Covington St. Bernard St. Joseph Greensburg St. Joseph Lanesville St. Mary FRANKLIN (I) St. Mary CARROLL (L) Millhousen Brookville New Middletown Delphi Immaculate Conception St. Michael Most Precious Blood of Jesus St. Joseph St. Maurice Cedar Grove St. Maurice Holy Guardian Angels

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 61 FROM THE COLLECTIONS

HENDRICKS (I) JOHNSON (I) MARTIN (E) [St. Mark]* Brownsburg Acton Bramble St. Mark St. Malachy St. John St. Joseph Siberia HENRY (I) Edinburg Loogootee St. Martin of Tours Knightstown Holy Trinity St. John Tell City St. Rose Franklin St. Martin St. Paul New Castle St. Rose St. Mary Tobin Twp. St. Ann KNOX (E) Shoals St. Peter Bicknell St. Mary Troy HOWARD (L) St. Pius Kokomo St. Philip Neri MIAMI (L) St. Patrick Vincennes Peru PIKE (E) St. Charles Petersburg HUNTINGTON (F) Sacred Heart St. Francis Xavier MONROE (I) Sts. Peter and Paul Huntington St. John the Baptist St. Mary Bloomington POSEY (E) St. Thomas St. Charles Borromeo Mt. Vernon Sts. Peter and Paul St. Vincent de Paul Roanoke MONTGOMERY (L) St. Matthew St. Joseph KOSCIUSKO (F) Crawfordsville St. Philip Pierceton St. Bernard Poseyville JACKSON (I) St. Francis St. Francis Xavier Seymour Warsaw MORGAN (I) St. Wendel St. Ambrose Sacred Heart Martinsville St. Wendel St. Martin of Tours JASPER (L) LAWRENCE (I) PULASKI (L) Remington Bedford NEWTON (L) Monterey Sacred Heart St. Vincent de Paul Goodland St. Ann Rensselaer Mitchell Sts. Peter and Paul Star City St. Augustine St. Mary Kentland St. Joseph Wheatﬁ eld St. Joseph Winamac Sorrowful Mother MADISON (L) Alexandria NOBLE (F) St. Peter JAY (L) St. Mary Avilla PUTNAM (I) Bryant Anderson St. Mary Greencastle Holy Trinity St. Mary Ege St. Paul Immaculate Conception Dunkirk Elwood RANDOLPH (L) St. Mary St. Joseph Kendallville Portland Immaculate Conception Union City Immaculate Conception MARION (I) Rome City St. Mary Beech Grove JEFFERSON (I) St. Gaspar del Bufalo RIPLEY (I) Holy Name Batesville China Indianapolis ORANGE (I) St. Anthony French Lick St. Louis Assumption Morris Madison Holy Angels Our Lady of the Springs St. Mary St. Anthony of Padua Holy Cross PARKE (I) Napolean St. Michael Holy Rosary Diamond St. Patrick St. Maurice Holy Trinity St. Mary New Marion Our Lady of Lourdes JENNINGS (I) Mecca St. Magdalene Sacred Heart of Jesus Columbia Twp. St. Mary Osgood St. Denis St. Anthony Montezuma St. Bridget St. John Jennings Co. Immaculate Conception Sunman St. Catherine St. Catherine of Sienna St. Francis de Sales PERRY (I) St. Nicholas North Vernon Cannelton St. Mary St. John RUSH (I) St. John the Evangelist St. Michael and St. Patrick Rushville Sand Creek Twp. Derby St. Anne St. Joseph St. Mary St. Mary St. Mary Scipio SHELBY (I) St. Patrick Leopold St. Patrick Prescott St. Philip Neri St. Augustine [Spencer Twp.]* St. Vincent MARSHALL (F) “No. Perry Co.” St. Joseph St. John Shelbyville Culver St. Joseph St. Mary of the Lake St. Joseph Plymouth St. Croix St. Michael Holy Cross

62 CONNECTIONS CATHOLIC CHURCH RECORDS

SPENCER (E) St. Joseph St. Agnes Wabash Chrisney St. Mary of the Assumption St. Anthony St. Bernard St. Martin St. Patrick St. Benedict WARRICK (E) Dale St. Stanislaus St. Boniface Boonville St. Stephen St. Joseph St. Joseph ‡ St. Clement Fulda† St. Vincent de Paul St. Joseph University of Notre Dame St. Mary Elberfeld St. Boniface St. John Mariah Hill Walkerton VERMILLION (I) St. Patrick Newburgh Mary, Help of Christians Clinton St. John the Baptist New Boston SULLIVAN (E) Sacred Heart St. Rupert St. John Chrysostom Sullivan Universal WAYNE (I) St. Mary St. Joseph Rockport Cambridge City St. Bernard TIPPECANOE (L) VIGO (I) St. Elizabeth † St. Meinrad Lafayette Fontanel Richmond St. Meinrad St. Boniface St. Augustine St. Andrew ST. JOSEPH (F) St. Lawrence St. Mary∫ St. Mary Mishawaka St. Mary Cathedral St. Mary of the Woods WELLS (F) St. Bavo TIPTON (L) Seelyville Bluffton Holy Rosary St. Joseph Tipton St. Joseph St. Monica Terre Haute St. John the Baptist WHITE (L) New Carlisle UNION (I) St. Ann St. Stanislaus Kostka St. Benedict Reynolds Liberty St. Joseph St. Joseph South Bend St. Bridget Corpus Christi St. Patrick WHITLEY (F) Our Lady of Hungary VANDERBURGH (E) W. Terre Haute Columbia City Sacred Heart Evansville St. Leonard of Port Maurice St. Paul of the Cross St. Adalbert Assumption WABASH (F) Roanoke Holy Trinity St. Casimir Lagro St. Catherine** Sacred Heart St. Hedwig St. Patrick

Marion County Cemeteries There are three older Catholic cemeteries in Marion County: St. Joseph, Notes Holy Cross, and Calvary. They are located * The name of the town or township for Lloyd Hosman, MA, is a professional near each other on the south side of this church is given within the contents genealogical researcher and lecturer living Indianapolis. Burial records for all three of the microfi lm, not on the microfi lm in Knightstown, Indiana. He serves on the IHS Family History Publications Advisory are in the archdiocese offi ce at 435 West box label. Committee, IHS Press Editorial Board, and † The town in this entry is in Harrison Troy Avenue. The Indiana State Library Board of Directors of the Friends of the Township in northeast Spencer County. has microfi lm of these records through Indiana State Archives. He is a member 1987. The fi lm is in the Marion County Harrison Township is part of the of the Association of Professional Gene- Archdiocese of Indianapolis (not part drawer. ■ alogists, National Genealogical Society, of the Diocese of Evansville). Indiana Genealogical Society, and the ‡ On the microfi lm, this church is labeled genealogical societies of Henry, Hancock, “St. Joseph (Rural).” and Marion counties in Indiana. ∫ The town of St. Mary in Vigo County was changed to St. Mary of the Woods in 1912; however, the microfi lm box is labeled “St. Mary” only. ** On the microfi lm, this church is labeled “St. Catherine (Nix Settlement).”

SPRING/SUMMER 2007 63 Coming up next. …

Online Connections Debuts Fall 2007! Look for your Hoosier ancestor in Online Connections starting fall 2007. Simply visit the Indiana Historical Society Web site, www.indianahistory.org, and click on the links: Family History, Family History Publications, then Online Connections. Scroll through familiar departments: Regional Sources and Stories, Genealogy Across Indiana, Family Records, and Links and Queries. Data will be provided from the sources below: • Grant County dentist records • Henry County naturalization records • Martin County cemetery records • Society of Indiana Pioneers 2006 applications • The Indianapolis Hotel guest register, 1833 • Arbuckle–Spaugh family Bible records

The Hoosier Genealogist: Connections Fall/Winter 2007 Issue INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY STUDEBAKER NATIONAL MUSEUM

Dubbed “The Greatest Generation,” Inﬁ rmity and death were sad but The 1850s Gold Rush indirectly the men and women who served during familiar aspects of our ancestors’ daily ﬁ nanced the making of Studebaker cars! World War II are dying at a rate of more lives. In the fall/winter issue of THG: Con- Barbara Wood tells how information in than 1,000 per week. Elizabeth Flynn nections, Evan Gaughan uses the diary of Indiana’s inheritance tax records, held at tells how the Indiana Historical Society fourteen-year-old Lucius Keaton to tell the Indiana State Archives, led to her has preserved the stories of hundreds of the poignant story of Keaton’s untimely discovery of this unlikely connection. Hoosier heroes from this generation in death of diphtheria in 1865. Read about it in the next issue of the next issue of THG: Connections. THG: Connections. StratfordConnections4C.pdf 6/29/07 12:07:17 PM

CMY

K eserved. Treas r rICal doCume ur s P Sto nt P es e HI re S ri Se a o rv v m For nearly three at e e Io d decades, the Indiana n . Historical Society has P S M r assisted local organizations o t g o with preserving and protecting r r a i collections that reflect regional m e history and character; services s S that ensures Indiana’s regional h treasures will be preserved and a enjoyed for generations to come. r e For a small fee, the IHS’ Historical d Document Preservation Program offers: . • expert Conservators and Preservation Imaging staff • state-of-the-art examination techniques, methods and equipment • conservation treatments • microfilming • digitizing or film conversion . g After Contact us for a personal consultation or a site visit, n i including specialized information regarding the v preservation priorities of your collection and r information that may be used for grants se and funding requests. re p mAps • photogrAphs • ledger Books • documents h pAnorAmA views • nitrAte film negAtives rt glAss plAte negAtives • vhs, BetA o

Before And 16mm film • And more ’s w it nt, If it’s importa Contact preservation imaging at (317) 232-4592 View online samples at www.indianahistory.org/conservation 450 West Ohio St., Indianapolis, IN 46202 INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY • FALL/WINTER 2007 • $5

THE HOOSIER GENEALOGIST

IN THIS ISSUE: OUR FATHERS’ STORIES EARNING CREDENTIALS INHERITANCE TAXES StratfordTraces4thQ07.pdf 10/2/07 4:31:34 PM

CMY

K T H E H O O S I E R GENEALOGIST

I n d ia n a H is to r ical s o ci e t y • Fall / w i nter 2007 • VO L. 47, ISSU E 2

Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Administration John A. Herbst • President and CEO Society has been Indiana’s Storyteller™, Stephen L. Cox • Executive Vice President Jeff Matsuoka • Vice President, Business and Operations connecting people to the past by col- Susan P. Brown • Vice President, Human Resources lecting, preserving, interpreting, and Linda Pratt • Vice President, Development and Membership Jeanne Scheets • Vice President, Marketing and Public Relations disseminating the state’s history. A non- Board of Trustees profit membership organization, the IHS Michael A. Blickman Daniel M. Ent also publishes books and periodicals; Chair Richard D. Feldman, MD Thomas G. Hoback Richard E. Ford sponsors teacher workshops; provides First Vice Chair Wanda Y. Fortune Sarah Evans Barker Janis B. Funk youth, adult and family programming; Second Vice Chair John T. Koenig James C. Shook Jr. Katharine M. Kruse provides support and assistance to local Treasurer P. Martin Lake Patricia D. Curran James H. Madison museums and historical groups; and Secretary Richard B. Pierce George F. Rapp, MD maintains the nation’s premier research William E. Bartelt Ian M. Rolland Mary Ann Bradley Margaret Cole Russell library and archives on the history of Dianne J. Cartmel Jane W. Schlegel Joseph E. Costanz Jerry D. Semler M 0783, Ind i ana H stor cal S oc ety Indiana and the Old Northwest. Edgar Glenn Davis Randall T. Shepard William Brent Eckhart On the cover Family historians seek connections The Hoosier Genealogist: Connections M. Teresa Baer • Editor, Family History Publications First Lieutenant Walter J. A. Palmer of the between themselves and their ancestors. Geneil Breeze • Editorial Assistant, Family History Publications Rachel Popma • Editorial Assistant, Family History Publications Tuskegee Airmen was a pilot who served as THG: Connections weaves richly colored Evan Gaughan • Intern, Family History Publications historic threads with rare source Wendy L. Adams • Intern, Family History Publications a bomb escort flight leader during World Kathleen M. Breen • Contributing Editor material, family records, and expert Stacy Simmer • Art Direction and Design War II. Page 70 guidance to connect readers with their Susan Sutton • Photography Coordinator ancestors’ lives. David H. Turk • Photographer Sport Graphics • Printer Advisory Board Susan Miller Carter, Plainfield Wanda Y. Fortune, Indianapolis C. Lloyd Hosman, Knightstown Sharon Howell, Greenwood Patricia K. Johnson, Elkhart Curt B. Witcher, Fort Wayne The Hoosier Genealogist: Connections (ISSN 1054-2175) is published biannually and distributed as a benefit of membership by the Indiana Historical Society Press; editorial and executive offices, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-3269. Membership categories include student $20, Individual $40, Family/Dual $50, and Sustaining $100. Non-Profit U.S. postage paid at Indianapolis, Indiana; Permit Number 3864. Literary contributions: Guidelines containing information for contributions are available upon request or on the Indiana Historical Society Web site, www.indianahistory.org. Connections accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts submitted without return postage. The Press will refer requests from other publishers to the author. ©2007 Indiana Historical Society Press. All rights reserved. Printed on acid-free paper in the United States of America. Postmaster: Please send address changes to The Hoosier Genealogist: Connections, Indiana Historical Society Press, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-3269. The Indiana Historical Society library is an associate member of the Federation of Genealogical Societies. The Indiana Historical Society Press is an associate member of the American Association of University Presses.

450 West Ohio Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-3269 www.indianahistory.org Phone: (317) 232-1882 Fax: (317) 233-0857

-Connections-GUTS.indd 1 12/4/07 10:22:43 AM Contents THE HOOSIER GENEALOGIST: CONNECTIONS FALL/WINTER 2007, VOLUME 47, ISSUE 2

Letter from the Editor

70 68 World War II Remembered National and State Veterans’ History Projects by M. Teresa Baer Features 70 Our Fathers’ Stories The World War II Oral History Collection at the Indiana Historical Society by Elizabeth Flynn 76 Earning Credentials Genealogical Certification and Standards for Quality 116 88 by Elizabeth Shown Mills

124

-Connections-GUTS.indd 2 12/4/07 10:22:46 AM Departments Regional Sources and Stories Family Records Northern Indiana 116 Ancestor Migrations 82 Early Dental Practices Hennon Siblings Move from Ohio to Indiana and Farther West, 1850s through 1870s Charles A. Priest’s Dentist Accounts, Grant County, 1920–1937 by Robert Dewitt Hennon by Geneil Breeze 122 Notices Central Indiana Indiana Historical Society Programs, Around the Midwest, International News, Around Indiana, and 88 Diphtheria Victim’s Journal Books Received The Diary of Lucius S. Keaton, Shelby County, 1864–1865 From the Collections by Evan Gaughan Southern Indiana 124 Inheritance Taxes Indiana’s Inheritance Tax Records at the Indiana 94 Community News State Archives Social Columns of the Rockport Democrat, Spencer by Barbara F. Wood County, 1907 by Ruth Dorrel and Evan Gaughan Genealogy Across Indiana 100 Just a Country Girl Stories from an Early Twentieth Century Hoosier Farm Family, Part 3 by Martha Brennan transcribed and introduced by Jim Brennan 110 Civil War Soldiers Addendum to GAR Series, Covington, Indiana, Part 2 by Mary Blair Immel

-Connections-GUTS.indd 3 12/4/07 10:22:46 AM L E T T E R FROM THE EDITOR

World War II Remembered National and State Veterans’ History Projects

M. T E R E S A B aer

Readers of The Hoosier Genealogist: The interviews that Burns and Novick workshop taught participants how to Connections are undoubtedly aware that collected for their film are now part of conduct oral history interviews. many efforts are underway to document the Veterans History Project. An im- On a more permanent basis, the stories about individual lives from World portant partner in the project, The War Society’s library houses two collections War II. Most famously, Ken Burns and represents just one of many partners that contain oral histories and other Lynn Novick have been airing their film from across the country. Several Indiana material from Hoosier veterans of the series, The War, on public broadcasting groups and individuals have signed on Second World War. The collection, the stations across the United States this to assist in the effort, most significant Sanford/Clanin Philippine Resistance fall. The War tells the story of World War among them Senator Richard G. Lugar. Records, 1910s–1987, is part of the II from the perspectives of people in four Lugar and his staff conduct interviews World War II Oral History Collection communities, representing the Ameri- and accept contributions of letters, formerly housed at the Ernie Pyle State can South, New England, the Midwest, diaries, photographs, and other mate- Historic site in Dana, Indiana. It contains and the West Coast. Stories from both rial from Hoosier veterans. Lugar also transcripts of interviews with survivors former soldiers and civilians who lived partners with two hundred organizations of the resistance movement in the through the war at home are told in this from around Indiana to gather inter- Philippines by the United States and critically acclaimed series. PBS hosts views. There is a Web page for Lugar’s natives from the Philippine Islands after Web pages devoted to the series at Veterans History Project at http://lugar. the Japanese captured the province of http://www.pbs.org/thewar/. senate.gov/vhp/. Bataan in April 1942. The collection also Since 2001 the Library of Congress, As one of Senator Lugar’s partners, contains correspondence, photographs, through the Veterans History Project, the Indiana Historical Society is involved maps, official military reports, and a has been collecting and making available in a number of related programs. For few artifacts. The Society’s library also to the public oral histories of veterans of example, in November 2007, in conjunc- houses the Douglas E. Clanin World War wars from World War I to the Afghani- tion with the PBS series The War, the II Oral History Collection, 1944–2002. stan and Iraq conflicts. The Veterans Society co-sponsored with WFYI (India- This collection contains numerous oral History Project was created by the U.S. napolis) the Spirit and Place program, “It histories, and, like the Sanford/Clanin Congress in a unanimous vote and Was Everybody’s War”; and the Society collection, it also includes many types signed into law by President Bill Clin- held a class called “Gathering Memories of documents and photographs. Online ton in 2000. Volunteers, including high of Everyday Heroes: A Spirit and Place guides for these collections are available school students, nursing home workers, Oral History Workshop.” The former through the library’s online catalog at and many others, began interviewing program provided a place for viewers http://opac.indianahistory.org/. veterans the following year. To date, to discuss the PBS film series, while the more than 45,000 interviews have been accepted into the collection, many During a time before the medical term “post-traumatic with World War II veterans. As they are stress disorder” was coined, many veterans pushed away processed, these interviews are becoming available on the Library of Congress’s sordid memories of their jobs as soldiers so they could Web site at http://www.loc.gov/vets/. take up their lives as civilians after the war.

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-Connections-GUTS.indd 68 12/4/07 10:22:47 AM One of the individuals interviewed by Doug Clanin for his World War II Oral History Collection was Helen F. (Smith) Corbrey, a native of Greensburg, Indiana. Corbrey was a nurse in the Navy, stationed in the Pacific. She served from August 1942 through the end of 1944. There is one photograph included in the folders for Corbrey. Reproduced here, the photo was taken at Corbrey’s wedding, December 3, 1944, in Hawaii. Pictured from left to right are Ensign Helen F. (Smith) Corbrey, Ensign Carter Corbrey, U.S.N., an unidentified Navy chaplain, Lieutenant John Sweeney, U.S.N., and Ensign Anna M. Smith. Smith, Helen’s sister, was also a Navy nurse. (M 0783 Indiana Historical Society)

In this issue of THG: Connections, for- end of their lives. This makes the value of Dad did not mention the many hor- mer journalist Elizabeth Flynn discusses the interviews even higher, although the rors he witnessed or participated in until the Clanin World War II Oral History freshness of the veterans’ emotions also the last twenty years of his life. When Collection and presents the stories of makes the stories painful to hear. he first did so, he appeared to be reliving several individuals who participated in Many children of World War II those terrible events and all the anguish the war effort and subsequently in the veterans have similar recollections of that went along with them. Like many oral history project conducted by Doug what their parents told them about the veterans, he did not think his story was Clanin, a retired editor from the Soci- war. If they said anything at all, com- significant enough to contribute to a ety’s Press. Flynn’s article reveals some monly their parents told a few standard “project.” Luckily, however, he was will- disturbing details of Second World War stories, usually about something humor- ing to help out a high school student in experiences, details that may be surfac- ous or heartwarming. My dad, who was his neighborhood who needed to inter- ing just now through the associated stationed in the South Pacific, used to view a veteran for a school assignment. veterans’ oral history projects. talk about the time he danced drunkenly Luckier still, his interview was accepted People who lived through the World with other American soldiers down the into the Veterans History Project at the War II era are dying out at an alarming streets of Manila after it was finally safe Library of Congress. Now his story will rate. During a time before the medical for them to relax momentarily. He was be available in his words, in his voice, term “post-traumatic stress disorder” proud that his unit had helped to feed for generations of his descendants—part was coined, many veterans pushed away and clothe the people in the Philip- of a cacophony of voices that will share sordid memories of their jobs as soldiers pines. He shared his love for dolphins as with the world into the foreseeable fu- so they could take up their lives as civil- he maneuvered the dangerous waters ture the important individual stories that ians after the war. Many veterans never around the islands in his small landing make up the history of World War II. n told their stories to anyone; many others craft. only began telling their stories at the

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-Connections-GUTS.indd 69 12/4/07 10:22:48 AM veterans while they were still alive. Staff members were also able to procure interviews with those from earlier wars, including the Spanish American War and World War I.1 Soon afterward Wayne Sanford took over the military history program. A O ur Fathers’ Stories military buff and Vietnam War veteran, Sanford began doing interviews in 1980. The World War II Oral History Collection It was his interview in 1982 with a World War II German paratrooper who at the Indiana Historical Society moved to the United States after the war and became an American citizen E li z A B E T H F l y nn that snagged Clanin. “I was stunned by what it [the interview] revealed about this man and his life experiences,” Clanin said.2 The paratrooper’s story inspired Clanin to do some interviewing of his An air force pilot reveals how he escaped the Bataan Death March own, starting with some of his relatives when the Philippines fell to the Japanese and the three grueling years who served in World War II. The subject he spent trying to survive in the jungle regions. Of the one thousand of Clanin’s first tape is his own Aunt men in his bomber group, twenty would survive the war. Helen—a 4’11” gunnery instructor who had never shot a gun in her life before An African American bomber escort interviews with war veterans conducted enlisting. That conversation “is what remembers prejudice, the likes of which by Clanin, a retired editor of the Indiana fired my passion for doing these inter- he’d never before experienced, while Historical Society Press. The interviews views,” said Clanin. serving in the military. His is a story of span more than twenty years and But some of his relatives would not courage as he advances up the ranks, include mainly Indiana veterans or veter- talk to him. One uncle who declined to flying more missions than any other ans who eventually settled in Indiana speak about his war experiences was in member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. from all branches of service and theatres the tail end of the Battle of the Bulge, An infantry scout recalls being the of operation. The experiences of women and Clanin thinks his uncle might have first in his division to enter Buchen- in the armed forces and of civilians on been afraid of breaking down in front of wald when it was liberated in 1945. He the home front are also included. him should he tell his story. “He would smelled the burning flesh, felt the warm In addition, the collection contains only talk bits and pieces about what had ovens of the crematorium, and saw a correspondence from the veterans or happened to him,” Clanin said. mass grave filled with hundreds of bod- their families, photographs, newspaper Clanin’s first interview with a non- ies. “It was a real shock to an eighteen- clippings, biographical information, and relative was with Major Henry Clay year-old,” he said. service records and discharge papers. Conner Jr., who supplied Clanin with These are not scenes from a war Materials relating to the history of World names of other veterans. They in turn movie. These are samples from a col- War II and articles about veterans and gave him more names, until soon he lection of more than 373 interviews anniversaries of wartime events can be had a network of survivors to interview. with World War II veterans that can be found as well. Conner’s file contains newspaper clip- found in the Indiana Historical Society’s Around 1978, according to Clanin, pings, correspondence, maps, and a copy William Henry Smith Memorial Library. the military history program of the of a magazine story he wrote about his The Douglas E. Clanin World War II Indiana Historical Society saw the need three years in Japanese-occupied Luzon Oral History Collection contains taped to capture the stories of World War II in the Philippines.

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-Connections-GUTS.indd 70 12/4/07 10:22:48 AM On April 9, 1942, the Philippine prov- “I realized the Japs were not going to ince of Bataan fell to the Japanese. The United States army surrendered, and the have to kill me. I was doing it for them.” Japanese forced the prisoners to march for more than sixty miles to Camp Soon after his escape into the jungle, of eventually recapturing the islands. But O’Donnell, a former U.S. training base. dysentery and malaria set in, and Conner hundreds of troops were scattered, and Those who fell behind were executed. was unable to keep up with the others. as Conner stated, “During those trig- Conner and some others, as yet unaware After falling behind, he struggled alone ger-happy days it was more dangerous of the prisoners’ march, escaped the to reach a defensive base. He hid from to meet an American than a Jap. The Jap enemy by “sticking to the highest land the Japanese, who were stripping the would look first to see if it was another we could find but never leaving the dead of their uniforms and weapons, by Jap; the American would just shoot. security of the jungle.”3 He continued, staying out of sight in the bush, “nause- That’s how some of our men died.” “That night as we were trying to sleep, ated by the stench.” So sick and near Luckily an “underground railway” of plagued by mosquitoes and drenched death was he, Conner said, “I realized sorts sprang up among the Filipinos, who by rain, the reaction set in. In the course the Japs were not going to have to kill resented the Japanese takeover of their of twenty-four hours we changed from me. I was doing it for them.” island. This group of natives opened up efficient, skilled members of a well-orga- It is impossible to estimate how their homes and provided safe refuge for nized army to six fugitive men in a wet many Americans took to the jungles or sick or injured Americans. Without them, jungle containing more than a hundred the hills in the first month following sur- Conner stated, “no more than a handful thousand Japs sworn to kill us.” render to hide and reconnoiter in hopes of Americans would have survived those first couple of months.” One of those Filipinos found Conner near death and took him in. Slowly re- gaining his strength, Conner was joined by other Americans. One was a tall man who could barely make it up the steps of the house. He couldn’t talk. He couldn’t hold down food or water. But in time, he, too, recovered and told his story. Conner included the story in his magazine article:

He had escaped from the Death March. He was one of 85,000 people who had been gathered in Mariveles at the southern tip of Bataan. There were Ameri- can soldiers, Filipino soldiers, and civilian men, women and children of all nationali- ties. No effort was made to sort them out. They were started on their march along the coast road, spurred on by bayonets, whipping rods, kicks and blows. Murder, to make an example for others, was committed indiscriminately.

(M 0783, Indiana Historical Society)

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As the procession “lurched” on, the In January 1945, Conner and another to earn enough money for college when tall man suddenly darted out of line, U.S. soldier saw an American reconnais- Pearl Harbor was attacked. The next day, slammed into one of the guards, and sance plane flying low in the sky. Several Palmer said, “I went down to enlist.… I jumped to the river below. They shot men took off their shirts and waved was so incensed.” at him, but missed. He was chased to them frantically at the plane. The plane’s After enlisting, he and another within three miles of the safe house be- crew waved back. It was finally over. black man were given train tickets to go fore the guards finally gave up. This was First Lieutenant Walter J. A. Palmer from their homes in New York down to the first Conner and the others learned didn’t have quite as dramatic an end to Alabama to the Tuskegee Air Force Base about what was to become known as his military career, but his story is no less for cadet training. When they changed the Bataan Death March. interesting. A car accident in the States trains in Washington, the conductor told Throughout the next three years, while returning to base from “R&R” (rest them they were in the South and “col- Conner and some other lucky Americans and rehabilitation) in 1944 brought a oreds” could not reserve Pullman tickets survived the Japanese, disease, and star- close to his three years as a pilot in the in the South. Palmer answered, “We vation and were able to organize a band Tuskegee Airmen.4 didn’t reserve these tickets. Uncle Sam of guerrilla warriors made up of Ameri- Palmer had aviation in his blood. His gave us these tickets. We had better cans, two opposing Filipino factions, and father, after all, Palmer said, “was an in- get our Pullman seats; otherwise you’re a group of primitive people called Ne- door aviator—an elevator operator” and going to have to answer to Uncle Sam.” gritos. This tattered army not only kept Palmer had been interested in aviation He never knew for sure, but he strongly the enemy at bay, they fought them, as a youngster. A bright young man and suspected they put an extra car on for even using such crude weaponry as a a very good student, Palmer was deter- the two of them because, he said, “that “pig trap,” which consisted of sharpened mined to go to college even though his was the practice of not mixing colored bamboo spears that were set off when a parents couldn’t afford to send him. He and whites on the train at that time.” vine across the path was tripped. had started working after high school Rigorous training ensued in which the washout rate was fifty percent. “We had a pretty rough time of it while we were there,” Palmer said. “But we had one thing in mind—to make a success of ourselves or die in the attempt. I was one of the fortunate ones that made it.” At that time a college degree was required before being accepted into flight training. Palmer, with only a high school education, was able to pass the college equivalency test. He called his training “excellent—un- qualified excellent. It was just tops. I don’t think there was any difference in the training we received than what the white pilots received.” But Palmer explained that the army/air force was operating under a 1925 Army War Col- lege report that stated “blacks were lazy and unable to assume command…all kinds of derogatory things, and that was These Luzon guerrilla fighters were presented with an American flag on January 30, 1945. the feeling of whites in the military at Second Lieutenant Henry C. Conner Jr. (later promoted to major) is kneeling at the far left. that time.” (M 0783, Indiana Historical Society)

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He had advanced to flight leader to see where the other guys were and if by this time and was leading his group they felt anything funny. By the time I of escorts five thousand feet above the had looked around they had both peeled bombers. The German “bogies” were off on either side of me, both peeled off, above them this particular day, and as changing altitude.” He too changed alti- Palmer said, “Our bomb group was a tar- tude to avoid more enemy fire, and the get the Germans decided they wanted flight group returned safely to its field. to pick on. So they dived down through Palmer and his fellow Tuskegee our formation, and, of course, as soon as Airmen of the 332nd fighter group we saw them coming we set ourselves, received a reputation for never losing a dropped our extra tanks, and prepared to bomber in all the missions they flew. As do battle with them.” Palmer hit the tail bomber escort pilots the men were to of one of the German planes, knocking it get the bombers out of “ticklish situa- First Lieutenant Walter J. A. Palmer of the Tuskegee Airmen (M 0783, Indiana Histori- out of battle. tions,” whether a bomber was disabled cal Society) Soon after, Palmer found himself or an enemy plane was attacking it. The on the tail of another ME 109, when his bomber crews began to refer to them as However, Lieutenant Colonel Noel guns suddenly jammed. The German the “Red-Tailed Angels.” The “red-tail” Parrish had taken over command. A headed toward the Alps, and Palmer was their group insignia, and “angels” southerner and a Rice University gradu- thought since his guns wouldn’t fire he was for always rescuing them. “The ate, Parrish was the rare white man who, would chase him and chop his tail off Germans also had a name for us—‘Black as Palmer stated, “was empathetic with his propeller. “I was just a crazy kid Birdmen,’ Palmer said. They respected towards blacks. He knew blacks could fly at 22 and didn’t realize the danger I was us. They knew we were fairly capable planes.” Palmer said Parrish went out of putting myself in, but figured I got one flyers.” his way for the black airmen even while victory now, I’m anxious the “population in the area was against to get another one.” them flying. They didn’t want to see Palmer, whose plane was blacks flying military because blacks had “faster and more maneu- never done anything with machinery verable” than the ME, as far as military was concerned before chased the enemy until this.” he was close enough that Racial prejudice was unfamiliar to he could give one final Palmer, who had grown up in the Bronx. burst of speed and chop “We didn’t have any problems like that off his tail, but the ME in our area. I lived amongst, I’d say, the pulled up into the clouds population was ninety percent Jewish surrounding the moun- and rest were all denominations.…We tains and disappeared. had Polish, German, Irish, Italian, Span- On his way back from ish, Greek…and we were all friends. So it this mission, Palmer and didn’t really affect me.” his bomb group were Palmer became an extremely skilled attacked by anti-aircraft and successful pilot, flying 158 missions, fire. “I felt this jerk in my “one of the largest totals of black pilots” plane…so then I looked in the European theatre, and receiving directly in back of me and five air medals. He recalled one of his sure enough there was most memorable missions shooting a puff of smoke where down a German Messerschmitt (ME) this anti-aircraft shell This document is an honorable discharge certificate from training at the Tuskegee Air Field. Walter J. A. Palmer went had exploded.…I looked 109 on July 19, 1944. on active duty the next day and served for two years. (M 0783, Indiana Historical Society)

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“A lot of soldiers when they know they are dying will call out for their mother’s name or their wife’s name, and it just rips your heart out.”

Unfortunately, the country Palmer But Swindell came close many times. so honorably defended wasn’t quite as One time he heard a plane flying above decorous to him after the war. Palmer him and looked up. “I’m young, and I’m came to Indianapolis in the 1960s after dumb…and I’m standing in the road and hearing of a hardware store that needed looking at him, and he opens up on me a manager. Soon he began to have with his machine gun.” The bullets hit problems with the store owner, who six inches away from him. In a separate was referring to him in racially disparag- incident, a fellow soldier who had shared ing terms. One day his wife asked him, a foxhole with Swindell was ten inches “How can you stand that?” Palmer said away from him when he was pelted with he had to do something since the kids nine bullets by friendly fire from a U.S. were in school and he couldn’t be unem- air force gunner. ployed. “So I stood it as long as I could, Another time Swindell was leading and then finally, I just couldn’t stand it a patrol up a hill when a mortar shell anymore.…I found this job managing hit him and knocked him out. “When I this gas station, so I did that for the rest came to…I got a dent in my helmet the of the time I was in Indianapolis.” size of my fist, I got scratches all over my One of the most heart-wrenching hands with artillery shrapnel, the rifle stories in the Clanin World War II collec- I’m carrying is lying on the ground and Private James L. Swindell, Camp Hood, tion is that of James L. Swindell, a mere all [the] wood is completely splintered Texas, 1944 ( M 0783, Indiana Historical Society) teenager when he went to war. Fifty off, and the canteen…was shattered.” years later recalling those days, his voice Otherwise, he was unharmed, but most cracks. The listener can feel the deep of his unit was slaughtered. Swindell said over the years people sadness he must have carried with him Swindell’s worst experience was the have asked him how he maintained his all those years. time a soldier in his group got hit. Swin- sanity over there, and he said, “I tell Before he even completed basic dell explained, “A lot of soldiers when them I would relate to the moon at training, Swindell was needed at the Bat- they know they are dying will call out night…because to me it was like getting tle of the Bulge, so he was shipped off for their mother’s name or their wife’s a letter from home because that moon to Germany. He was made a first scout name, and it just rips your heart out.” just about twelve hours ago was shining and company sniper for his division This soldier kept calling for his mother, back in Madison County, and it was shin- (Company K, 317th Infantry Regiment, and Swindell couldn’t take it anymore, ing on my loved ones and friends.” 80th Infantry Division), which meant if so he got out of his foxhole to help him. One of the most horrific sights the his division was attacked he was to stay Another soldier jumped up to help also, young man would witness came toward and fight as long as he could and then and an artillery shell “completely decapi- the end of the war. As first scout, Swin- get out if possible. By the end of the war tated him. His body fell forward and his dell entered Buchenwald Concentration Swindell’s division had spent 239 days in head and helmet rolled off.” He went on Camp the day it was liberated, April 11, combat and suffered more than 25,000 to say, “I never told that story for years 1945. Not knowing anything about it at casualties.5 He saw so many die, he said, and years and years, but I always saw the time, he walked up to and through “I can’t understand, even today, why it in my dreams at night. Finally after I an unlocked gate. “I started smelling the my life was spared so many times when started telling about it, that dream went odor before I got into the camp…and someone right beside me lost theirs.”6 away.” there was columns of smoke coming up

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out of there.” Right inside the gate was honored for his bravery and awarded Notes the crematorium, and naked, emaciated the Silver Star. But an early dream of be- 1. Douglas E. Clanin interview with bodies were stacked up everywhere. As coming a draftsman would never come Elizabeth Flynn, summer 2007. he stood on the edge of a pit looking at true. “When I got home I was so nervous 2. Many of Sanford’s interviews can be all the bodies, he thought he saw some- I couldn’t hold an ink pen. I couldn’t sit found in the Sanford/Clanin Philippine thing move. “I thought, ‘Oh, no. I can’t at a drafting table. I went into farming.” Resistance Records, 1910s to 1987, do this. I can’t dig in there,’ and I walked These stories are just a small sam- M 0863, Indiana Historical Society. on.” He also saw the building where the pling of the recollections that form the 3. All quotations attributed to Conner Nazis stripped the prisoners and shaved priceless Clanin World War II collection. were taken from his article: Henry Clay their hair. The clothing was stacked high Many of the “Greatest Generation” Conner, “We Fought Fear on Luzon,” True: The Man’s Magazine (August 1946): and had been left there quite some time. are gone now, and we are losing more 70–71, in the Douglas E. Clanin World “The odor from those clothes was worse each day. However, through the Clanin War II Oral History Collection, M 0783, than the stench of those bodies,” he said. collection the Indiana Historical Society box 11, folder 4, Indiana Historical Soci- What he saw at Buchenwald, Swin- is preserving many stories of Hoosiers ety. dell said, “was a horrible sight, but it in the war, both tragic and triumphant. 4. All quotations attributed to Palmer were really didn’t burn into my mind as much Their voices can be heard by researchers taken from his interview with Douglas as when you lose your buddies that you and students for generations to come. n Clanin on April 30, 1992, in the Douglas know.” When he returned home, he was E. Clanin World War II Oral History Col- lection, M 0783, box 64, CT 1368, 1369, Certificate for Silver Indiana Historical Society.

Star Medal awarded to 5. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Private James L. “80th Infantry Division,” http://www. Swindell (M 0783, army.mil/cmh-pg/documents/eto- Indiana Historical ob/80ID-ETO.htm (accessed September Society) 20, 2007). 6. All quotations attributed to Swindell were taken from his interview with Douglas Clanin on July 5, 1995, in the Douglas E. Clanin World War II Oral History Collection, M 0783, box 68, CT 1532, 1533, Indiana Historical Society.

A volunteer for the Indiana Historical Society, Elizabeth Flynn is a freelance journalist and the mother of two grown sons. In 2002 she received the award for Best Print Feature from the Society of Pro- fessional Journalists for her article, “Erin Bauer Grows Up,” which appeared in the April 2002 issue of Indianapolis Woman magazine.

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-Connections-GUTS.indd 75 12/4/07 10:22:56 AM Cornerstones of Excellence Genealogical expertise has four cornerstones that are tested in the certification process: • A knowledge of resources that is both deep and broad, as well as contextual knowledge of law, language, and cus- toms of the period in which one works E arning Credentials • Advanced skill in research methodology and correlation of data Genealogical Certification and Standards for Quality • An understanding of the principles of sound evidence analysis E li z A B E T H S H O W N M ills , CG, CGL, FASG* • An ability to report one’s findings in an objective and thoroughly documented manner Modern standards for all four areas Board Certified. In almost every profession, that is the measure of excellence. are codified in The BCG Genealogi- Family history research is no different. No matter how many years one has been a cal Standards Manual.1 That guide also student or practitioner of genealogy and regardless of whether one accepts clients provides models of quality work prod- or conducts personal research, board certification is the gold standard that attests ucts that genealogists typically produce: expertise and ethics. research reports, compiled lineages, nar- Genealogical certification in the United States is earned through only one agency: rative genealogies, and proof arguments. the independent Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG), chartered in the Dis- The Genealogical Proof Standard trict of Columbia in 1964. Its founders were the leading genealogical scholars of that era, men and women such as Meredith Colket and James D. Walker of the National Today’s standard of “proof” for Archives; Dr. Jean Stephenson of the D.C. bar and a charter member of the Society genealogy, developed by the Board in of American Archivists; and Milton Rubincam, who headlined almost every educa- the 1990s, is one more rigorous than tional forum in the field across seven decades—all of them memorialized now in the those applied by most other social National Genealogy Hall of Fame. Following the course these founders set, the science fields. Known as the “Genealogi- BCG itself has led almost every advance in genealogical standards over the past cal Proof Standard,” it approaches that forty-two years. of the legal bar: “Beyond Reasonable Doubt.” However, its underpinnings go beyond the requirements of the Institutional Independence judicial system where court schedules In keeping with the principles of are now offered by several North Ameri- dictate deadlines for the accumulation board certification, the BCG is an can colleges and universities provide of evidence and then push for prompt independent agency, separate and apart valuable education that creates more- jury decisions. Meeting the Genealogical from any organization or educational skilled researchers. However, none of Proof Standard is a five-step process; it institution. Independence ensures that these institutions offers certification or has no arbitrary deadline; and no con- the credentialing process is governed credentials for one reason: the canons of clusion can be validly reached so long purely by standards, not by potentially academic and research fields dictate that as any step remains undone or partially conflicting issues such as financial vi- credentialing be governed by boards complete: ability or society goals. The degree and independent of any school, primarily to 1. Conduct a reasonably exhaustive certificate programs in genealogy that avoid conflicts of interest. search for all information pertinent to the identity, relationship, event, or situation in question.

[*FASG means Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists. See “The Certification Process” in this article for the meanings of CG and CGL. Ed.,THG: Connections]

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-Connections-GUTS.indd 76 12/4/07 10:22:57 AM 2. Collect and record a complete might also recite a chain of ownership, a circumstantial case, but it could and accurate citation for each and inheritances, and other matters for one nevertheless be considered credible, every source, taking care to rely only hundred years before him, details about so long as it meets the Genealogical upon the best-quality sources (see which he clearly would not have first- Proof Standard. “Sources, Information, and Evidence,” hand knowledge. below). Consequently, the genealogical Moreover, each of the three ele- 3. Analyze and correlate the collected model for evidence analysis, as originally ments to be analyzed (source, informa- information to assess its value as defined by the Board for Certification tion, and evidence) represents a con- evidence. and now accepted as the standard for tinuum on which accuracy can vary. The 4. Resolve any conflicts caused by evi- the field, calls for considerably more genealogist does not simply say that a dence that disputes other evidence or precision (see fig. 1). With every “item of source is “original” and therefore is more contradicts the proposed solution. interest,” the cautious genealogist ana- reliable than a “derivative” source—or 5. Arrive at a soundly reasoned, coher- lyzes three separate aspects: the source, that information from “primary” infor- ently written conclusion (aka “a proof the information within the source, and mants is more accurate than informa- argument”). the evidence that is drawn from that tion from “secondary” informants. In Even so, by genealogical standards, information. In brief: reality, a derivative made a century ago no case is ever considered closed. New • Sources are either original or deriva- might correctly report the facts, and a records continue to be discovered, tive. Following Rule 1001 of the Fed- hearsay statement might represent the and any such discovery might justify a eral Rules of Evidence, original records truth. reevaluation of prior conclusions. are those created at first “writing or Thus, genealogical standards call recording.” (Image copies created by for the researcher to carefully consider Sources, Information, and Evidence an official or responsible agency might many factors such as the circumstances Historical evidence has tradition- be considered a practical equivalent, under which records were created and ally been assigned to two classes, with when no evidence suggests a problem the biases or memory lapses that infor- one carrying far more weight than the in the imaging of the document.) mants might have. Reaching a reliable other—i.e., primary and secondary. • Information is either primary or sec- conclusion also requires the researcher By traditional definitions, a “primary ondary, depending upon whether the to correlate all the known information, source” would be one created contem- informant had firsthand knowledge of basing conclusions upon the sum of the poraneously with an event; a “secondary the facts or was reporting hearsay. A evidence rather than one or another in- source” would be one created at a later single sentence may contain informa- dividual item. A standard reference work date or one that assembles material tion (i.e., a statement of “fact”) that is that guides researchers through this from multiple other sources. firsthand and information that is sec- analysis process is Genealogical Evidence † 2 Genealogists have found this simple ondhand. Therefore, family historians by the late Noel Stevenson, JD, FASG. either/or classification inadequate for are expected to dissect the informa- their needs. A source created at the time tion within any source and evaluate its of an event, for example, could be based pieces on a “fact” by “fact” basis. entirely on hearsay and be totally inac- • Evidence is either direct or indirect. curate, while many records offer a mixed To be evidence, a piece of information bag insofar as personal knowledge (and must be relevant to the question it is reliability) is concerned. A land memorial used to answer. Direct evidence ap- from, say, 1767 would typically report pears to explicitly answer the question. how the memorialist came into posses- Indirect evidence is relevant but must sion of the land—a point on which that be combined with other evidence to person would certainly have firsthand arrive at an answer. A case built upon information. However, that memorialist indirect evidence would be considered

[†JD means doctor of law. Ed., THG: Connections]

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Figure 1 (Reproduced from the author’s guide, Evidence Explained! Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace [Baltimore: Genea- logical Publishing, 2007])

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Peer Review • Document work, using records sup- All work is judged by the standards One other standard is basic to every plied by both the BCG and the appli- codified in The BCG Genealogical Stan- research field: peer review of one’s work cant—for which the applicant creates dards Manual. Applicants receive a quan- by others who are authorities on the transcriptions, abstracts, critical evalu- titative analysis that scores each work subject. Genealogical writers who sub- ations of the content and the nature of product by each applicable genealogical mit manuscripts to major journals know its evidence, and a well-designed work standard, as well as specific comments that those papers will be subjected to plan based upon the clues inherent in designed to help them improve their peer evaluation prior to any editorial de- the document skills. cision on acceptance or rejection. Many • An extended research report prepared Certification may be obtained in professional genealogists and family for a client three areas. The core certification is the historians who do not write for scholarly • A case study demonstrating ability to research credential: Certified Genealo- SM ‡ SM journals also recognize the need to have resolve a research problem of identity gist , informally rendered as CG . their skills critically evaluated. Therefore, or relationship using indirect evidence Those who obtain this research creden- they too turn to the Board for Certifica- or conflicting evidence tial are then eligible to apply for Certi- SM SM tion of Genealogists. • A kinship determination project that fied Genealogical Lecturer (CGL ), includes (a) at least three couples in one who makes individual presentations The Certification Process successive generations, with all chil- on genealogical subjects. Certification Applicants for certification submit a dren of each; and (b) proof summaries is valid for five years, at which time portfolio of materials that is rigorously for at least two generational links that the credential must be renewed by the examined by a panel of judges, each cannot be resolved by direct evidence. submission of a renewal portfolio offer- acting independently of the other. The This project may be in the form of a ing new work products chosen by the set of work products to be included in narrative genealogy (an account of applicant to demonstrate (a) the type of that portfolio was carefully designed all branches of a family, descending work done over the past five years; and by the Board so that applicants might from a common ancestor), a narra- (b) continued growth and adherence to demonstrate their skills in the four bul- tive lineage (a direct line of ascent or genealogical standards. leted areas first addressed above under descent), or a narrative pedigree (an “Cornerstones of Excellence.” A typical account of all ancestors of a nonliving portfolio for the research credential person, through a certain number of includes the following items, each of generations). which are more fully discussed in The BCG Application Guide:3

Background Material • A signed copy of the BCG Genealogi- Genealogical standards call for the cal Code researcher to carefully consider many • A genealogical resume and other personal statements (requested only so factors such as the circumstances under that the evaluators can better target which records were created and the the counsel they offer) biases or memory lapses that informants Work Products • Critical analyses of original and might have. published materials that the applicant commonly uses in his or her specialty

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Certification and You At the Web site of the Board for Notes Is certification relevant to you? Yes! Certification of Genealogists (http:// 1. Board for Certification of Genealogists, Applicants for certification continu- www.bcgcertification.org/) you will The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual ously report that the preparation of the find numerous other tools to help you. (Orem, UT: Ancestry Publishing, 2000).

portfolio to BCG standards is a powerful Skillbuilding discussions archived from 2. Noel C. Stevenson, Genealogical Evi- learning experience that makes them past issues of the Board’s educational dence: A Guide to the Standard of Proof Relating to Pedigrees, Ancestry, Heirship, better researchers whether or not they newsletter, OnBoard, cover topics from and Family History, 2d ed. (Laguna Hills, are successful on their first application. the analysis of probate records to the evaluation of sources. Other modules CA: Aegean Park Press, 1989). Many family historians who do not provide exercises in working with docu- 3. Board for Certification of Genealogists, conduct research professionally still seek The BCG Application Guide (Washington, ments, leading you through the pro- certification to measure and validate the D.C.: BCG, 2005), 3–9. quality of their work. Even genealogists cesses of preparing quality transcriptions and abstracts, analyzing the evidence who do not choose to apply for certifica- Elizabeth Shown Mills is director of provided by each document, and the tion learn the Board’s standards and use the Advanced Research Methodology development of work plans based upon them as the bar by which they measure Track of the Samford University Institute that evidence. You will also find there a themselves. Many researchers use The of Genealogy and Historical Research. growing collection of sample research BCG Genealogical Standards Manual to A past president of both the Board for reports, proof arguments, and narrative evaluate the works others have pro- Certification of Genealogists and the genealogies to help you refine your own duced on their particular families—as American Society of Genealogists, she was writings. And, of course, the BCG Web do academic researchers in many fields for sixteen years the editor of the field’s site offers guidance for those who are who consult genealogical publications leading scholarly journal, the National ready or wish to prepare for certification. or employ genealogists to assist them in Genealogical Society Quarterly. Her The field of genealogy is built on a their research. latest book is Evidence Explained: Citing worthwhile principle: Society can better If you plan to attend a major confer- History Sources from Artifacts to Cyber- understand itself by studying individual ence or institute, you might check the space, a major expansion of her classic lives, the influence that society’s ac- program for sessions sponsored by the guide, Evidence! Citation and Analysis for tions and events have on these lives, Board or by its educational arm, the the Family Historian. and the extent to which the concerns BCG Educational Fund. Skillbuilding [The author gratefully acknowledges the follow- workshops and/or tracks, as well as cer- of individuals can shape society itself. ing colleagues who served as outside review- tification seminars, are regular fixtures This understanding is possible only if ers for this article: Donn Devine, CG, CGL, JD, trustee, BCG, and editorial board member of the conferences of the National genealogists conduct reliable research. The standards set by the Board for for Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Genealogical Society and the Federation Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Li- of Genealogical Societies; the Samford Certification of Genealogists compose brarians; Thomas W. Jones, CG, CGL, PhD, trustee University Institute of Genealogy and a bar by which the field measures the and former president, BCG, and editor, National Genealogical Society Quarterly; Historical Research, which the Board quality of work produced in the name of genealogy. Equally important, on a Connie Lenzen, CG, president, BCG, and a cosponsors; and the National Archives– director of the NGS.] based National Institute for Genealogi- personal level certification provides all cal Research, for which the BCG presi- researchers the opportunity to measure dency holds a permanent trusteeship. their own skills and to define the areas in which they can grow. n

[‡A service mark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design or a combination of words, phrases, symbols, or designs that identifies and distinguishes the source of the service of one party from those of others. A service mark is similar to a trademark, except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than a product. Ed.,THG: Connections]

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-Connections-GUTS.indd 80 12/4/07 10:23:05 AM Mark your Calendars! Family History & Genealogy Conference August 15 and 16, 2008 Indianapolis, IN

OFF HOTTHE PRESS The Scenic Route: Fighting for Equality: Stories from the Heartland A Life of May Wright Sewall Foreword by Frank and Katrina Basile by Ray E. Boomhower With the publication of The Scenic Route, the The fourth volume in the IHS Press’s youth biography IHS Press celebrates the twentieth anniversary of series examines the life and career of one of the Hoosier Storytelling Arts State’s most notable of Indiana, which women—May Wright promotes the art and Sewall. The book high- use of storytelling lights Sewall’s important in daily life through contributions to the its annual festival, history of Indianapolis, concerts, workshops, Indiana, the United programs, and other States, and the world as events. a teacher, reformer, and suffragist. Storytelling Arts has spent twenty years Sewall worked tirelessly creating places for on behalf of rights for individuals to come women in the United together and States—and around the experience storytell- globe—during the late ing in the hope of nineteenth and early encouraging that twentieth centuries. sharing and listening She served as a valuable relationship in our everyday lives. The Scenic Route ally to such national suffrage leaders as Susan B. An- offers the reader a dozen stories to enjoy and to help thony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton and gave the woman’s us remember. movement a worldwide focus through her pioneering involvement with the American National Council of $8.95 Women and the International Council of Women. $17.95

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E arly Dental Practices Charles A. Priest’s Dentist Accounts, Grant County 1920–1937

G E N E I L B ree z e

Charles A. Priest was a dentist in the Indiana Historical Society’s William a practice in Marion. Dr. A. W. Tripp Marion, Grant County, Indiana, in the Henry Smith Memorial Library holds was another early dentist in Marion early 1900s. Little is known about Dr. records pertaining to his dental practice who traveled to his patients’ homes to Priest’s background, family, and educa- in Marion dating from 1920 to 1937.2 provide dental services. Newton reports tion, but historical records suggest that All these sources indicate that Priest that up to the time of the writing of the he was born in 1876 or 1877 in Ohio. practiced dentistry in Grant County for county history (1912) about sixty den- His parents may have been John M. and at least twenty-seven years. tists had practiced in Grant County.3 Susannah (Dunn) Priest. Exactly when According to Newton W. Hiatt, In the early nineteenth century in Priest and his family arrived in Indiana is another Grant County dentist and a Indiana, however, dentists were few and unclear, but he first appears in the 1910 contemporary of Priest, the practice of far between. It was common for a neigh- U.S. census for Grant County, Indiana, dentistry in Grant County dates back to bor who possessed a forceps or a tooth where he is listed as a thirty-four-year- 1860 when Dr. David Cubberly began key (also known as a turn key) to extract old dentist. At that time he and his wife, Cora, had a daughter, Martha, who was less than two years old. The 1920 census for Grant County provides essentially the same information—except for the obvious change in the family’s ages—sug- gesting that the Priests had only the one child.1 In addition to his occupation being recorded as “Dentist” in the 1910 census, Priest’s name appears in a list of dentists in a Centennial History of Grant County, Indiana, 1812 to 1912, and The itinerant dentists of early nineteenth-century Indiana faced many hardships and had few options in treating patients, as evidenced by these primitive dental instruments of the day. (S. Miles Standish, ed., The Indianapolis District Dental Society, 1878–1978: An Historical Perspective [Indianapolis: Indianapolis District Dental Society, 1994], following page 48)

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The Indiana Dental College was housed in this ornate building located at Walnut and Pennsylvania Streets in Indianapolis from 1920–1933. The college was sold to the state of Indiana in 1925 for $35,000.00 and became the Indiana University School of Dentistry. (W. H. Bass Photo Company Collection, Indiana Historical Society)

teeth—usually free of charge and as a Early nineteenth-century dentists ture of alcohol, laudanum, chloroform, last resort. “Uncle Eli Hollingsworth” in Indiana had little training, few tools, gum camphor, oil of cloves, sulphuric was well-known as a tooth extractor in and even fewer treatment options, and ether, and oil of lavender. The mixture the early days of Grant County. Of the Indiana’s early citizens often treated was “applied to the tooth, gums, and primitive tool used in early dentistry, dental ailments such as toothaches and facial skin opposite the tooth.”5 Hiatt says that it “had anything beat as abscesses with herbs or homemade Many early Indiana dentists were an instrument of torture that has ever remedies. One such concoction was itinerant, traveling from place to place, been invented,” and that “the only thing the plant wormwood boiled in alcohol. following circuses and fairs, and facing that kept [the patients] from dying was Another remedy called “Magnetic Tooth many personal dangers. Early dentists that the tooth ‘let go’ just before death Cordial and Pain Killer,” which comes struggled with many challenges. They relieved them.”4 from an 1872 “recipe book,” was a mix- were exposed to malaria and cholera

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On January 18, 1922, Dr. Priest made an entry of “Betz 1.00.” This was perhaps to record the purchase of mercury, alloy, or other material from the Hammond, Indiana, dental supply company. (Betz Spring Bulletin, 35, no. 3 [Spring 1935]: 14)

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outbreaks as they traveled from town desired instead of a powder, glycerine and porcelain improved; an array of den- to town. Slow transportation or lack and honey could be used instead of the tal filling material was used, including of transportation made it difficult for sassafras oil.9 Indeed the idea that the mercury, tin foil, shredded tin, and gold dentists to reach their patients and to now-venerable ADA promoted brush- foil; and x-rays were discovered in 1895 receive supplies. Early dentists also had ing the teeth with sugar and honey is and first used in a dental exam in 1896.12 a low life expectancy as the risk of infec- evidence that approved treatments and Priest’s account books and records tion from their patients was extremely practices of the day often contributed to held by the Indiana Historical Society high. If that was not enough, the tran- dental problems. (IHS) provide an interesting view of sient nature of these early dentists, the Dentistry as a profession gradually a dentist’s life in Indiana in the early painful tasks that they performed, and improved throughout the state. On 1900s. The records for 1920 through some early unethical practitioners gave December 28, 1858, a group of dentists 1926 consist of loose-leaf papers about dentists a bad reputation.6 Even though met in Indianapolis to form the Indiana 3 x 5 inches in size. The records for 1927 dental problems caused “excruciating State Dental Association (now called the through 1934 are on preprinted cards pain” and “interfered with quality of Indiana Dental Association). Its goals that are difficult to read and interpret. life” for many people, “Hoosier pioneers were to improve standards of dentistry The accounts for 1935 through 1937 are feared their dentists as much as they and to exclude unethical and subpar also recorded on loose-leaf papers but needed them.”7 dentists. In 1859 the American Dental are larger in size than the earlier records. In addition to home remedies, Association was formed, and in 1879 the The binders that once held some of traveling dentists, and forceps-wield- Indiana Dental Practice Act became law. these records are not part of the collec- ing neighbors, a medical doctor might The State Board of Dental Examiners tion. also be consulted for dental ailments. (now called the Indiana State Board of Priest kept detailed handwritten Medical doctors were often skeptical of Dentistry) was also formed in 1879 to income and expense records. Most dentists and dentistry. In his 1863 book oversee the new law, which made it ille- of the account books are divided into Dr. Thos. E. Bond states, “Until very gal for anyone to practice dentistry who a monthly Receipts section and an recently…the treatment of the diseases did not hold a degree from an accredited Expenses section. In the Receipts section of the teeth seems to have been consid- college or university. The board defined Priest entered the day payment was ered less a proper specialty of medicine, minimum standards for dentists and received, the name of the person sub- than a mere mechanical craft, requiring established licensing procedures.10 mitting the payment, and the amount in the operator little more than manual In 1879 the education and train- received. At the end of the month, the dexterity and physical force.” Bond ing of dentists began to improve in the total receipts were tallied. continues: “That diseased conditions of state with the opening of the Indiana Priest generally did not record what the teeth and the structures adjacent to Dental College, which admitted just six service a payment was for, although them, do exert a most pernicious influ- students its first year and graduated ten occasionally the note “XR,” “X-ray,” or ence upon the general health, is a fact students its second year. By the 1895– “clean” appears next to a person’s name. as well established as any other medical 96 school year, however, 157 students It is also unclear whether payments were observation; yet the medical profession were enrolled in a three-year dental for services rendered on the day of the seem, as yet, with very few exceptions, program. Initially privately funded, the receipt or whether some patients were entirely careless of it.”8 Indiana Dental College was purchased by making installment payments. Scientifically, little was understood the state of Indiana in 1925 and became We can learn some useful things about the causes of tooth decay or the Indiana University School of Den- from Priest’s records. It appears that he about dental health and hygiene in gen- tistry.11 had more women patients than men. eral. In 1866 the American Dental As- Many advances in dentistry were January, the busiest month of 1920 for sociation (ADA) recommended a tooth already in place by the time Priest was Priest, is a good example. Of the sixty- powder made of a mixture of chalk, pul- born in the late 1870s and began his three entries for January 1920, forty verized Peruvian bark, oris root, carbon- practice in the early 1900s. Throughout entries are for women. Other months ate of soda, sugar, castile soap, and sas- the 1800s the development of dentures, have a similar male-to-female ratio. safras oil for flavor. If a toothpaste was crowns, and bridges made of both gold

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Priest’s total income for 1920 was about $3.00 per week—an interesting city taxes and $22.51 in farm taxes, both $6,721.50, making his monthly aver- fact considering that he was married. He paid in October. His recorded regular age gross income for the year $560.13. renewed his state license for $1.00 in monthly expenses for the year totaled Charges for x-rays ranged from $3.00 January and paid $23.00 for “Infection just over $1,800.00. At a time when the to $18.00, with the most expensive protection.” A large expense was a Feb- average annual earnings for an Ameri- recorded for a Mr. B. F. Leisure in Febru- ruary payment of $188.04 to the White can was $1,236.00, Priest’s yearly net ary 1920. Priest also appears to have Rafert Company for gold, presumably for income of nearly $5,000.00 indicates a provided services for patients of other dental fillings and crowns. successful practice.13 dentists or perhaps medical doctors. For On the reverse side of the page from Priest’s account books record similar example, on February 2, he makes this his regular expenses, Priest recorded expenses throughout the years 1921 to entry: “X Ray for Dr Gra[----] 3.00.” On miscellaneous expenses for the month, 1926. He made consistent payments to May 3, he enters “Hiatts patient 2.00.” and we learn that he was charitable the White Rafert Company for gold and This may well be a reference to dentist throughout the year of 1920. In February frequent payments to “Ft. Wayne Dent Newton Hiatt, mentioned above. he gave $1.00 to “church.” In April he Depot” (first payment in February 1920), Priest’s expenses also provide some made two payments totaling $15.00 to presumably for the shipping of supplies. interesting insight into his life and his the Boy Scouts. In October he recorded His records indicate that he purchased dental practice. In 1920 he rented his giving $2.00 to charity, and in December a variety of dental materials, includ- home or office for approximately $22.00 he donated $5.00 to the Salvation Army. ing mercury (July 1920), beeswax and per month and had his laundry done for Other expenses recorded were $16.07 in plating material (December 1920), and

Two pages from Dr. Priest’s 1921 account book show that he had a monthly gross income of $386.50 and $243.50 for February and March, respectively. (Account Books of Charles A. Priest, Dentist, Marion, Grant County, Indiana, 1920–1937, SC 1657, Indiana Historical Society)

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“alloy” (December 1921, January 1922). In Notes addition to paying his state license fees, All URLs listed in the notes below were accessed in August or September 2007. Priest appears to have been a member of several dental associations. In January 1. 1910 U.S. census for Grant County, 6. William H. Gilmore, “Editor’s Note,” in 1921 he paid $6.00 for “Dentist Dues,” Indiana (series T624, roll 352, page 179), “Dentistry in Indiana: Heritage and Hori- and in January 1922 he made payments and 1920 U.S. census for Grant County, zons,” special issue, Journal of the Indiana to what are probably dental associations Indiana (series T625, roll 434, page 97), Dental Association 79, no. 3 (2000): 9; in Dayton, Chicago, and Indianapolis. HeritageQuest Online, http://www.heri- Hank Nuwer, “Political and Professional In May 1922 he paid $36.25 to “ISDA” tagequestonline.com/; International Ge- Activism,” in “Dentistry in Indiana: Heri- (Indiana State Dental Association). nealogical Index (IGI) Individual Record tage and Horizons,” special issue, Journal The records in the IHS collection for Charles A. Priest and Family Group of the Indiana Dental Association 79, no. 3 indicate that Priest’s practice was not as Record for John M. Priest, FamilySearch (2000): 11–15. lucrative in later years. Perhaps the Great Ancestral File, http://www.familysearch. 7. Nuwer, “Community Dental Health,” 35. org/. 8. Thos. E. Bond, A Practical Treatise on Depression of the 1930s and the gen- 2. Rolland Lewis Whitson, Centennial Dental Medicine Being a Compendium of eral hard times that befell most people History of Grant County, Indiana, 1812 to Medical Science as Connected with the made seeing a dentist a luxury that could 1912, vol. 1 (Chicago: Lewis Publishing, Study of Dental Surgery, 3rd ed. (Phila- not be afforded, or perhaps after more 1914), 345; Account Books of Charles A. delphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1863), 16, than two decades as a successful dentist Priest, Dentist, Marion, Grant County, 217. he was scaling back in preparation for Indiana, 1920–1937, SC 1657, Indiana 9. Standish, Indianapolis District Dental retirement. Whatever the reason, Priest’s Historical Society. Whitson’s Grant Society, 9. total gross receipts for the years 1935 County history also mentions a medi- 10. Nuwer, “Political and Professional Activ- and 1936 were about $3,000.00 each cal doctor named F. A. Priest, who was ism,” 16; Nuwer, “Community Dental year—less than half the amount of his instrumental in organizing the Northern Health,” 34. gross receipts in 1920. What happened Indiana Poultry Association in February 11. Hank Nuwer, “Setting the Standard for to Priest following the end of the 1937 1911 and who served as its treasurer (pp. Dental Education,” in “Dentistry in Indi- account book is unknown. 82–83, 342). The 1920 U.S. census for ana: Heritage and Horizons,” special Grant County, Indiana, reports that Frank issue, Journal of the Indiana Dental As with all primary records, account A. Priest was born in 1875 in Ohio and Association 79, no. 3 (2000): 51–52, 57; books such as those of Priest and of that he and his wife, Bertha, had two Standish, Indianapolis District Dental other dentists, doctors, storekeepers, and daughters, Berniece and Florence (series Society, 36. businessmen can yield some valuable T625, roll 434, page 171), HeritageQuest 12. Standish, Indianapolis District Dental information. We learn about the person Online, http://www.heritagequeston- Society, 20–25; Margo Van Dis, “Dental who originally kept the record, and by line.com/. The Family Group Record for Radiology,” in “Dentistry in Indiana: Heri- extension, we gain historical context and John M. Priest lists Frank and Charles as tage and Horizons,” special issue, Journal perspective about the time in which the brothers. of the Indiana Dental Association 79, no. 3 person lived. As a source of genealogical 3. Whitson, Centennial History of Grant (2000): 86. data, Priest’s account books contain hun- County, 344–45. 13. American Cultural History—Decade dreds of names of people who presum- 4. Ibid., 345. In both Whitson’s Grant 1920–1929 Web site, Kingwood College ably lived in or near Grant County during County history and in Hank Nuwer, Library, http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/ the years covered by the books. For those “Community Dental Health,” in “Den- decade20.html; EH.Net Encyclopedia: tistry in Indiana: Heritage and Horizons,” “U.S. Economy in the 1920s,” http:// who are trying to locate an ancestor in special issue, Journal of the Indiana Dental eh.net/encyclopedia/article/Smiley.1920s. this region in the early twentieth century, Association 79, no. 3 (2000), the term final. these records might be an important “turn key” is used for “tooth key,” the resource. The more than five hundred better-known term for the instrument names recorded in Priest’s account book employed to extract teeth. for the year 1920 have been indexed and 5. S. Miles Standish, ed., The Indianapolis will appear in Online Connections on the District Dental Society, 1878–1978: An IHS Web site, http://www.indianahistory. Historical Perspective (Indianapolis: In- org, in summer 2008. n dianapolis District Dental Society, 1994), 7, 8.

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D iphtheria Victim’s Journal The Diary of Lucius S. Keaton, Shelby County, 1864–18651

E V A N G aughan

In January 1864 ground was broken them to garner details on a myriad of fourteenth birthday the day he started in Andersonville, Georgia, on one of issues from the drudgery of daily chores his diary, complete with lists of family the largest military prison camps of the to the anticipation and excitement of members, community residents, school Civil War; Senator John B. Henderson a celebrated wedding. While diaries are classmates, and a paginated index. On of Missouri introduced a constitutional thus important tools for historical in- the “preface” page, in steady, legible amendment to end slavery in America; vestigation, it is important to remember script, Lucius introduces the reader to and a young man in rural, central that they were once objects of meaning his large family. Indiana started a daily journal. While and worth to their authors. Diaries af- When he began writing, Lucius was the establishment of a personal diary ford modern readers privileged access to one of thirteen siblings. He had two full does not approach the level of histori- the private thoughts of their ancestors, brothers, William and Asbury, and three cal importance given to major events of whose observations, judgments, hopes, full sisters, Samantha Alice (known as the Civil War, the minute details of an and fears are often laid bare on the page. Alice), Larinda, and Elva. The latter two ancestor’s daily life recorded in a diary The chronicled self-reflection diarists sisters were twins to two full brothers may be significant. The introspection offer is valuable in providing candid who were deceased (and unnamed). inherent in the journaling of intimate revelations about those things that were Lucius’s family also included one half thoughts provides valuable insight for most important to them. Those revela- brother, Thomas, and three half sisters, family historians and other researchers tions may be particularly remarkable Rebecca, Mary, and Sidonia. Another half who wish to explore a specific person, when they come from a rare source such brother, Oliver, died on March 20, 1863, time, or place. as a schoolboy. in Louisiana after he contracted “con- An excellent type of primary source, On January 1, 1864, against a back- sumption” (tuberculosis) while serving diaries serve as contemporary docu- drop of prison camps, slavery, and civil with the Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer mentation of family life and community war, the eldest son of William and Infantry in the Civil War.2 events that may have otherwise gone Keziah Keaton commenced the docu- Lucius’s half brothers and sisters unrecorded. They are treasure troves of mentation of his daily life. Lucius S. were born of William’s first marriage to social history, and researchers may use Keaton was three days shy of his Margaret Ennos/Ennis. William was born

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in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, around 1809 to Thomas and Rebecca (Young) Keaton.3 After moving west, he settled in Hanover Township, Shelby County, Indiana, and is credited with being the first settler in that area. “He soon began cutting away the timber and erected a cabin, and he lived to see all the land On one blustery winter’s day Lucius recorded, “it was cleared and ditched and improved in to cold to do anything much 4 general.” William married Margaret on but set by the fire & read.” December 10, 1833, in Fayette County, This image shows a young Indiana.5 It is not known whether Mar- Abraham Lincoln participat- garet died or divorced William. However, ing in the same leisurely in 1848 William married twenty-six- activity that Lucius enjoyed. (Collotype by Eastman year-old Keziah Selby, daughter of Johnson, “Boyhood Days Joshua Selby and Mary Riggins/Riggen of of Lincoln. [An Evening in Kentucky.6 By 1864 William and Keziah’s the Log Hut],” [Boston: L. marriage had produced eight children, Prang, 1868], in Jack Smith six of whom were alive at the time Lincoln Graphics Collection, Lucius composed his diary. P 0406, Indiana Historical Society) Family was enormously important to Lucius, as evidenced by the frequency with which the names of his kin and to assist in domestic and agricultural fence & chopping wood,” while the next their extended relatives appear in his di- duties.7 Dependence on family mem- day might be occupied “hauling rails & ary. In addition to recording regular trips bers to participate in the maintenance breaking up & harrowing the garden and into Morristown, Indiana, Lucius chose of the land, livestock, and home was planting potatoes.” to record the arrival of distant family, the crucial for the survival of the farming Lucius’s responsibilities changed with receipt and dispatch of letters to cousins enterprise. Young children assisted with the seasons. While spring and summer and nephews, and other family-related household chores until they were fit to were spent “plowing oats,” “hauling out news such as the following: January 30, be useful elsewhere. “As boys matured, manure,” and “binding wheat,” winter 1864, “Today is Elvy’s birth-day she is they moved into their fathers’ orbits, was passed chopping and hauling wood 2 yrs old”; February 22, 1864, “went to beginning to learn the work of crop and and “rabbit hunting.” Other chores uncle John Keaten’s tonight to see my livestock production. Boys might be included traveling to Morristown to cousin (James Keaten) who is a going to expected to take a man’s place in the visit the mill and taking wool to the the army”; March 25/26, 1864, “received fields as early as age ten. They would be Shelbyville factory for spinning. a letter & a rebel ring from Thomas”; expected to continue to work for their Lucius was no stranger to hard labor April 11, 1864, “my cousin James M. fathers until they turned twenty-one, and strenuous tasks, yet he did not once Keaten was married yesterday morning the legal age of adulthood.”8 record a complaint in his diary. Although to Miss Martha E. Tyner”; September The Keaton farm was typical of this the intensity and frequency of such work 15, 1864, “received a photograph of my standard. By the time Lucius began may seem excessive to many Americans aunt Eliza Jane Selby.” keeping his journal, he had reached an today, such chores were a necessity, Family played a fundamental role in age where his brawn and industry were allowing children to acquire the knowl- Lucius’s life, and the same can be said in high demand. Lucius documented his edge and to develop the proficiency they of Lucius’s role within his family. The role on the homestead by recounting the would need as adults in the latter half of nineteenth-century farm household was variety of chores carried out during the the nineteenth century. a codependent unit that relied on the course of a single day. One afternoon Farming, hunting, and manual labor contributions of both adults and children could consist of “grubbing, resetting were not the only activities through

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which Lucius learned his life skills. Public tic, spelling, writing, and geography, one and a half years. Lucius’s journal education was also a basic element in “when practicable” after school had paints a portrait of a mature, sensible, his country upbringing. In 1852, two been dismissed for the term. In February and respectable young man. He was years after Lucius was born, the state 1865 Lucius noted, “During the school socially active, attending the funerals of Indiana fully established the com- I have attained the head of my class 18 and weddings of community members. mon school system, in which funds were times[.] The highest of any in my class.” He was engaged in civic life, participat- distributed equitably across all Indiana Lucius’s success in school is manifest in ing in the sale of “photograph pictures townships in order to provide equal the composition of his diary; his neat of the celebrated live eagle ‘Old Abe’… scholastic instruction to all students in penmanship, attention to detail and for the benefit of the sick and wounded the state.9 Lucius does not mention in organization, and clear, concise writing soldiers.” He was faithful to his religion, what community he went to school, style suggest that he was devoted to taking in services at the Methodist Epis- but he does provide two “correct” lists employing his scholastic competence in copal Church and Sabbath school. How- indicating his classmates and areas of all aspects of his life, even in this private ever, he was also a typical adolescent, academic study for the years 1864 and venue. spending some days simply “puttering 1865. The determination with which Lucius around from one thing to another.” Lucius was a diligent and dedicated chronicled his daily life is impressive. While the first ninety-three pages of student, noting on several occasions Despite juggling family responsibili- Lucius’s diary reveal a life full of domes- that he continued his regular studies, ties, chores, and schooling, he did not tic errands, educational achievements, which consisted of grammar, arithme- miss writing a daily entry in his diary in community developments, and family events, the last two pages are a poignant reminder of a sad but familiar aspect of Although these diseases were indiscriminate, affecting both the daily life for our ancestors: infirmity and young and old, some such as tuberculosis, scarlet fever, dysentery, death. Until the last half of the nine- and diphtheria were particularly devastating to children. teenth century, public health was com-

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promised by a lack of knowledge about cent of victims, usually children under The images in this article portray aspects infectious diseases and of tools capable five, died either from suffocation by the of daily life that Lucius documented in his of treating their symptoms.10 During the pseudomembrane or effects of the toxin journal, such as hauling logs, harvesting crops, and working in the fields. (Draw- late stages of the Civil War, dysentery, produced by the diphtheria bacillus.”15 ings by Joyce Audy Zarins, artist, in book typhoid fever, diarrhea, and malaria Before the diphtheria antitoxin was dis- by Joanne Landers Henry, Log Cabin in the were stealthy killers of both soldiers and covered in 1894, treatment was ineffec- Woods: A True Story About a Pioneer Boy civilians.11 Although these diseases were tive. Families and physicians relied upon [New York: Four Winds Press, 1988], 22–23, indiscriminate, affecting both the young home remedies and experimental tonics. 34, 45) and old, some such as tuberculosis, scar- In April 1879 the New York periodical let fever, dysentery, and diphtheria were Manufacturer and Builder reported the particularly devastating to children.12 latest antidote for the disease, suggest- On July 17, 1865, now fifteen years ing that the afflicted gargle water mixed of age, Lucius recorded having a sore with “flour of sulfur” or “blow the dry throat, the first symptom of what would sulfur through a quill or glass tube into quickly become a fatal case of “diphthe- the throat or by inhaling the vapors of ritis of the throat.”13 Diphtheria, a highly burning sulphur.”16 contagious bacterial infection, was a The medical care received by Lucius leading cause of death in children during and his sisters Alice and Larinda, who the nineteenth century.14 The disease is also came down with diphtheria, may marked by the formation of a false or have been similar to the chemical pseudomembrane, usually upon the sur- treatment described above. Though the face of the throat, that swells and causes substance used by their doctor was not breathing obstruction and sometimes disclosed, Lucius wrote that their throats suffocation. “Between 25 and 55 per- were swabbed with “Costic.” The infec-

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tion progressed rapidly and painfully seem natural, Lucius maintained a have importance in the present as well. for the Keaton children. By Friday, certain serenity, self-control, and poise By virtue of his diary Lucius Keaton left July 20, Alice had passed away; the that speaks volumes about his courage multiple legacies. His school rosters, youngest child, “Elvy,” had also fallen and strength of character. Because of list of elected officials, and numerous ill; and Lucius was “Still getting Worse” Lucius’s brave perseverance in detailing references to relatives and neighbors having “cofed up false membrains.” his daily activities—even through the provide a wealth of genealogical data. Lucius’s entire ordeal lasted only nine illness that took his life—a seemingly Another legacy exists in the testimony days, and in a manner both tender and ordinary account of early American boy- of the everyday struggles and achieve- moving, Lucius recorded the major hap- hood becomes extraordinary. ments our ancestors faced as they toiled penings of each painful day. The follow- The last page of the diary, written to carve out lives for their families and ing is a transcript of Lucius’s last entry, by Lucius’s father at his son’s request, communities on a burgeoning American dated Wednesday, July 26, 1865: demonstrates the importance that per- landscape. Finally, Lucius Keaton’s diary My Father told me I had to die, the sonal diaries held for their owners and offers an intimate glimpse into one of doctors Said[.] So i begun, to arraing my close kin: “He Depparted this life July the the many periods of illness and death Bisness and to prepare for Death. i Coled 26 AD 1865 A fue minets after 9 oclock that were the constant companions of on mother to Sing for me, And She Sung PM[.] This Diary To Be Kep By His Father Americans before the mid-twentieth For me. Brother Hargroves red A Chap- in Remembranc of his Son[.]” Diaries century. n ter in the Bible, Sung And prayed, My Suffering was Verry grate, i caled father, and Mother to my Bed and gave Them my parting hand and They gave me A parting Kiss and my Brothers and Sisters Done the “He Depparted this life July the 26 AD Same. Fare Well. 1865 A fue minets after 9 oclock PM[.] What tremendous composure and acceptance Lucius displayed in facing This Diary To Be Kep By His Father in his parting! Even in these final moments when devastating fear and sorrow would Remembranc of his Son[.]”

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Notes All URLs listed in the notes below were accessed in August or September 2007.

1. Diary, 1864–1865, SC 2115, Indiana Historical Society. 8. Pamela Riney-Kehrberg, “The Northern Farm Household The collection consists of a photocopy of the diary do- and Agricultural Labor,” in American Agricultural History nated to the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) in 1965. The Primer, Iowa State University Center for Agricultural whereabouts of the original diary and its present owner History and Rural Studies, http://www.history.iastate. are unknown. In a brief attempt to authenticate the di- edu/agprimer/Page22.html. ary, one-fourth of the 118 people mentioned in the diary 9. History of Shelby County, Indiana, from the Earliest Time were found in census records for 1860 and 1870. Lucius to the Present, With Biographical Sketches, Notes, Etc.: and 9 of his family members were found as were 5 adult Together with a Short History of the Northwest, the Indiana members of Lucius’s community, and 15 children who Territory, and the State of Indiana (Chicago: Brant and attended school with Lucius. Lists of Lucius’s classmates Fuller, 1887), 215–18. See also M. Teresa Baer, “Education and family and community members mentioned in the and the Perception of Equality: Defining Equality Through diary will be published in Online Connections on the IHS the Establishment of Public School Systems in Indiana Web site, http://www.indianahistory.org/, in the winter and Ontario, 1787–1852,” master’s thesis, Department of of 2008. History, Indiana University at Indianapolis, 1998, p. 118. 2. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations and abstractions 10. Pamela J. Bennett, ed., “Progress in Public Health,” The in this article are taken from the diary of Lucius S. Keaton. Indiana Historian (March 1998): 3–4. Note that Lucius spelled Keaton with an “e” rather than 11. Barbara Floyd, “Medicine in the Civil War,” in From an “o” in the last syllable (Keaten). Census records most Quackery to Bacteriology: The Emergence of Modern often spell the name as Keaton, however, and this spell- Medicine in 19th Century America: An Exhibition, ing is used throughout the article. University of Toledo, http://www.cl.utoledo.edu/ 3. Individual Record for William T. Keaton, FamilySearch In- canaday/quackery/quack8.html. ternational Genealogical Index, http://www.familysearch. 12. Stanford T. Schulman, “The History of Pediatric Infectious org/. Diseases,” Pediatric Research 55, no. 1 (2004): 166. 4. Edward H. Chadwick, Chadwick’s History of Shelby 13. Robley Dunglison, Medical Lexicon: A Dictionary of Medi- County, Indiana (Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen, 1909), 651. cal Science (Philadelphia: Blanchard and Lea, 1856), 296. 5. Marriage certificate index entry for Margaret Ennis and 14. Schulman, “History of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.” William Keaton in Fayette County, Indiana, Marriages, 15. Jacqueline H. Wolf, review of Childhood’s Deadly Scourge: 1831–1870, Part I: Grooms; Part II: Brides, Compiled by The Campaign to Control Diphtheria in New York City, Ruth M Sl., Book C, p. 86, in “Indiana Marriage Collection, 1880–1930, by Evelynn Maxine Hammonds, Journal of 1800–1941,” http://www.ancestrylibrary.com/. Social History 34, no. 2 (2000): 484–87. 6. Individual record for Kesiah Selby, FamilySearch Pedigree 16. “Remedies for Whooping Cough and Diphtheria,” in Resource File, http://www.familysearch.org/. Manufacturer and Builder 11, no. 4 (April 1879): 91; re- 7. Priscilla Ferguson Clement, “Child Labor,” in The produced in Library of Congress, The Nineteenth Century Encyclopedia of American Foreign Relations, http://www. in Print: The Making of America in Books and Periodicals, americanforeignrelations.com/Wo-Z/Child-Labor.html. http://www.memory.loc.gov/.

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Idaho August 30, 1907 Ed F. Gentry of Wallace, Idaho is here on a two week’s visit with relatives.

Illinois July 19, 1907 Mrs. Dr. J. B. Bryant and daughter of Lawrenceville, Ill., are visiting relatives and friends in the city. Community News Mrs. Mollie O. Payne has returned from a visit of four weeks with relatives in Social Columns of the Rockport Democrat, Enfield and Anna, Illinois. Spencer County, 1907 Rev. and Mrs. Chas. Maas of Mt. Carmel, Ill., arrived here Thursday to spend a C O M P I L E D B y R U T H D O R R E L A N D E V A N G aughan few days with relatives and friends. Mrs. Maas was formerly Miss Ida Spaulding of this city. Our ancestors were a highly mobile people. Even before the mass production of the automobile or the advent of air travel, people were August 2, 1907 on the move visiting extended family, friends, and acquaintances Rev. L. W. Gross and family removed across the country. This movement, along with other communal here this week from Jonesboro, Ill. Rev. happenings, was documented in the “social” columns of local dailies. Gross will take charge of the Rockport “Beginning around 1900, city newspapers had ‘social’ pages, especially and Grandview Lutheran churches. in the Sunday issues. The social page included announcements of weddings, engagements, club affairs, charity events, and other news Mrs. Robert May and children who are removing from Vincennes, Ind. to Cairo, of interest to women.”1 Because these articles featured the names of Ill. are spending two weeks with her community members and their relatives, social pages are an excellent mother Mrs. Hattie Clark. resource for family historians. The comings and goings of the citizens of Spencer County, Indiana, August 9, 1907 provided human interest stories in the newspaper, the Rockport Demo- Miss Annette Nourse is visiting relatives crat. Below are abstractions from the Rockport Democrat’s social col- in Springfield and Charleston, Illinois. umns of 1907, organized according to state. The abstracts are recorded here just as they were listed in the newspaper. Town names within August 16, 1907 each state’s section refer to places in Spencer County. Where no town Jasper Gillette is visiting friends in is mentioned, Rockport, Indiana, is the town indicated. Harrisburg, Ill. Microfilm of the Rockport Democrat for 1907 may be obtained Mrs. Ed Orr of Enfield, Ill., is in the city from the Indiana State Library. For information about the State for a few days’ visit with Mrs. Mollie Library’s newspaper holdings, see its Web site, http://www.statelib.lib. Payne. in.us/. Mrs. Roy Sargent and baby of Havanna, Ill. are visiting relatives in the city. Chas. H. Burkhart and wife of Mounds, Ill., are in the county visiting relatives for several days.

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Huff Lamar October 4, 1907 Mrs. Wm. Sladeck of Chicago visited Arthur and Gilbert Bell left last Monday Wesley Hall, who has been visiting friends here last week. for Lincoln, Ill., where they will attend relatives in the county several weeks, re- school and live with their grandmother. August 23, 1907 turned last Saturday to the home of his September 13, 1907 son Rob’t. in Ewing, Ill. He was accom- Mrs. Alf Motteler and children of Peoria, panied by Miss Mary Hall who returned Ill., are visiting relatives here. Mrs. W. J. Tucker is visiting her son Wil- home Monday. lard in Pekin, Ill., this week. Mrs. Harry Towles of Chicago and Mrs. October 18, 1907 Kirk Mathers and daughter of Pekin, Ill., Grant Hamilton will leave next week for are the guest of their parents Mr. and Chicago to take a course in a window Miss Laura Davis of Casey, Ill. is visiting Mrs. A. W. Lashbrook. decorating establishment. Miss Emma Cooper. Grandview Mrs. W. H. John and d[a]ughter Hester Miss Tropha Parker has returned home from Illinois, where she has spent the Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Herron and daughter Mary returned Sunday to Mattoon, Ill., summer. of Mattoon, Ill., are visiting here. after a few weeks’ visit with her parents here. November 1, 1907 Little Pigeon Mrs. Kirk Mathers and daughters Bona Burkhart and wife have returned to Mariah Hill returned to their home in Pekin, Ill., Mounds, Ill. after a two weeks’ visit with Frank Kern of Illinois was visiting George Monday. They were accompanied as relatives here. Jochim last week. far as Evansville [Vanderburgh County, September 6, 1907 Indiana] by Mrs. A. W. Lashbrook and November 15, 1907 Mrs. Chas. Parr. Roy Sargent of Havana, Ill., visited rela- Dale tives this week. Dale Roy Myers returned home from Enfield, A. M. East of Chicago is visiting his aunt Donald Wallace left Monday for Decatur, Ill., where he has been spending the Mrs. Hiram Ellis and family. Ill., where he will enter the James Mil- summer. liken University. J. W. Ewing, Ill. is visiting relatives and December 6, 1907 friends in the country. Norman Medcalf returned Friday from Chicago where he has been attending Lannie Limerick of Galatia, Ill. spent Robert Hall and wife and Wes Hall of medical college. Thanksgiving with the family of Samuel Ewing, Ill., have been visiting relatives in Savage. Gentryville the city. Fulda Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Maon of Peoria, Mrs. Alf Motteler returned to her home Ill., after a week’s visit with relatives, Mr. Tucker of Illinois, passed through at Peoria, Ill., Monday after a visit with returned home last Wednesday. here Thursday on his way to Vincennes, relatives here. She was accompanied by where he has rented a farm. Miss Julia Miller. September 20, 1907 Mariah Hill Mr. Hartley of Chicago is the guest of Miss Eddie Roberts will return to her Limes Spayd returned from Bement, Miss Ada Lloyd. home in Peoria, Ill., after an extended Illinois, last week. visit with relatives here. Grandview December 13, 1907 Will Herron and wife returned to Mat- Shirley Schumacher and Pavia Jolly left Dale toon, Ill., Sunday accompanied by Miss last Saturday for Urbana, Ill., where they Hazel Shrode. will attend school. Mr. and Mrs. Will Wood will leave the September 27, 1907 latter part of this week for an extended Hatfield visit to relatives in Princeton, Westfield, Fred Jones who has been at work in Miss Julia Miller has returned from a Ill., and St. Louis, Mo. Middleton, Ill., this summer is at home three week’s visit with relatives in for a week’s visit. Peoria, Ill.

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Mariah Hill Michigan Miss Lida Hamilton has returned home Mrs. Ellis Epperson of Blueford, Illinois, September 27, 1907 after an extended visit with her sister visited her niece Mrs. Hattie Survant the Mrs. Paul Terry in Kansas City, Mo. past week. Mr. and Mrs. Zennie Miller have returned home from Michigan, where they spent Fulda December 27, 1907 several weeks. Harry Ambler who spent the summer here with his friend Leo Birchler, will Misses Mollie and Lois Hall of Ewing, leave for his home in St. Louis Sunday. Ill., are here to spend the holidays with Missouri relatives. July 19, 1907 Grandview Mason Houghland has returned from Will Hassel of St. Louis, Mo., is visiting Joseph McKasson and family of St. Louis, Chicago where he has been attending home folks for a few days during his are guests of Joe Craig and family. school. vacation. Lincoln City Mr. and Mrs. Homer John and daughter Mr. and Mrs. W. M. West and son Dudley Mrs. John Batson and son Oscar of Seda- of Mattoon, Ill., are visiting relatives of St. Louis, Mo., arrived here Monday lia, Mo., visited Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Rhodes here. for a few days’ visit with Mrs. West’s Friday and Saturday. parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. I. Rudd. August 16, 1907 Louisiana July 26, 1907 Buffaloville August 2, 1907 Lincoln City Mr[s]. A. J. Ryker returned to her home in Mrs. Horace Green and two children of Miss Mary Meyers and Charles Rainey of East Prairie, Mo., after a week’s visit at Hammond, La. came Wednesday for a St. Louis, Mo., spent Sunday here. F. A. Barker’s. few weeks’ visit with her sister, Mrs. T. C. Bayse, and other relatives in the city. August 2, 1907 Grandview Mrs. Joe McKasson and two sons left August 16, 1907 Mis[s] Inez Gillette came home from St. Louis last Sunday for a two weeks’ today for St. Louis, after a visit with Joe Lincoln City vacation. Craig and family. James Willison of Louisiana has been Lincoln City visiting his brother Tom Willison the past Mrs. Walter Smith and children left Sun- Mrs. Cad Stockhowe and little daughter week. day for St. Louis where they will make their home. left Sunday for St. Louis where they will October 11, 1907 make their future home. Buffaloville Mrs. H. W. Green, who with her two Miss Bertha Mae Ryker of East Prairie, St. Meinrad daughters spent the summer months in Mo. is expected the last of this week to Adolf Egloff returned home Tuesday Rockport, left Wednesday for her home visit Miss Effie Barker. from Cantel, Mo. where he has been in Hammond, La. Mrs. Romine accom- several weeks looking after business St. Meinrad panied her to spend the winter in the interests. south. A. T. Sturm and M. Borho have gone to August 23, 1907 December 13, 1907 Tantel, Mo. to build a new house for Ben Hubers, formerly of this place. Grandview St. Meinrad August 9, 1907 Miss Brect of St. Louis, is visiting her Joseph Nei has returned home from sister Mrs. J. H. Burgdorf. Rayne, La., to spend [t]he holidays home Miss Pearl Conner left last Friday for a with folks. visit of two weeks’ with friends in St. St. Meinrad Louis. Reinhold Sturm came home from India- Philip Kehrer is at home from St. Louis napolis and left Tuesday for Cantel, Mo. for a two weeks’ vacation.

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1876 map of Spencer County, Indiana, reproduced from Maps of Indiana Counties in 1876 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1968); repr. from Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana (Chicago: Baskin, Forster and Co., 1876)

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Adolf Egloff, who has been in Missouri September 13, 1907 October 11, 1907 several months came home a few days In honor of their guests, Mr. and F. C. Mariah Hill ago and brough[t] a bad case of Missouri Genge of St. Louis, Mo., Mr. and Mrs. C. fever which has been contracted by a Cornelius Hollander and Peter Wendling Butscher entertained at an outing party number of our people. Several families left for Missouri Monday. Sunday. will likely [be] attracted to that country St. Meinrad by the fever unless it subsides soon. We Eureka hop[e] they may get the St. Meinrad Adolph Egloff, Jr. came home last week Miss Myrtle Melton, of Oran, Mo., and from Campbell, Mo. and returned there fever a reasonable sojourn in the state of the Misses Caswell, of Yankeetown [War- the “Pukes” [?]. Monday taking Ben Reckelman, Anton rick County, Indiana], visited the Misses and Wm. Meiring back with him to work. August 30, 1907 Hartley here Saturday and Sunday. October 18, 1907 Lee Weiner of Poplar Bluff, Mo., visited September 27, 1907 Clarence Walker has returned to Charles- his father S. Wiener [sic?] and family Born to Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Terry of Kan- during the fair. ton, Mo., after a visit with Mr. and Mrs. sas City, Mo., Sept. 17th, a baby girl. Mrs. R. A. Walker. Frank Haines of St. Louis is visiting his Terry before her marriage was Miss Kate parents Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Haines. Hamilton of this city. October 25, 1907 Philip Kehrer returned to St. Louis, Mr. and Mrs. Lonny Marsh were in St. Al. A. Sturm returned last Friday from Wednesday after spending his vacation Louis last week to attend the funeral of Campbell, Mo., where he has been work- with his parents here. Roy Marsh. ing at carpentering the past two months. He was accompanied home by Isadore Ed Markland and family returned to their Miss Nellie Doyle of St. Louis, is here for Egloff, who was visiting relatives there. home in St. Louis, last Saturday after an a visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Pat extended visit with relatives here. Doyle. November 8, 1907 Mrs. Max Landerbach and baby of Seda- Frank Haines and Hubert Merrill Lincoln City lia, Mo., and Mrs. Dr. F. B. Taylor of Vale, returned to St. Louis last Friday after a Mrs. Mat Underwood and son Olis of St. Ore., were guests of their sister Mrs. Jake visit with Josiah Haines and family. Louis are visiting relatives here. Klotz during the fair. Sid Ehrman spent a couple of days this Richland City Santa Claus week with his parents here returning to Charles Branch and wife of Poplar Bluff, St. Louis Monday evening. Misses Hulda and Lydia Dress of St. Mo. and Mr. and Mrs. James Branch Louis, Claudina Waters of Tell City [Perry Buffaloville of Rockport visited at A. B. Branch’s Sunday. County, Indiana], Dr. G. Cramm and sis- Miss Bertha Riker after several months ter of Fulda and Mr. and Mrs. S. Weiss of with relatives here returned last Tuesday November 15, 1907 Lamar visited Mr. and Mrs. Louis Martin to her home in East Prairie, Mo. and family Sunday. Miss Maggie Gold returned Wednesday Dale afternoon from a three weeks visit with September 6, 1907 Miss Amanda Simpson of Wyaconda, her father at New Madrid, Mo. Hubert Merrill of St. Louis is the guest of Mo., returned to her home Monday St. Meinrad Frank Haines this week. after several week’s visit with her sister Mrs. D. V. McClary. Adolph Egloff, Sr. arrived home Tuesday Miss Mary Rudd left last Friday for St. evening from Campbell, Mo., for a few Louis to spend the winter with her sister. October 4, 1907 days stay. St. Meinrad Clarence Walker, who has been in On next Tuesday Adolf Egloff, Jr. will be Adolff and Jacob Bettag and family left Charleston, Mo., for some time is here united in marriage to a young lady of Monday for Campbell, Mo., where the for a two week’s visit with his parents. Jasper [Dubois County, Indiana]. They will make their home in Missouri. former has business interests. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Roth of St. Louis and Mr. and Mrs. Will Roth and Mrs. J. H. Thornburg of Boonville [Warrick County, Indiana], spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Bauman.

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November 29, 1907 Eureka December 13, 1907 St. Meinrad Mrs. Elizabeth Myler and grand-children Mrs. F. C. George of St. Louis, Mo., and Taylor and Idyl Myler are in St. Louis, Ben Reckelman, George Borho and Mr. A. J. Butscher of Philadelphia, Penn., Mo., visiting Mrs. Scott. Anton and Will Meiring came home last have returned home after a short visit week from Cam[p]bell, Mo., after a stay Gentryville with their brother Mr. Cuno Butscher. of six weeks there. H. L. Davidson of Hayti, Mo., is here to Tennessee Adolf Egloff and wife and Isadore Egloff spend the holidays with home folks. August 9, 1907 and wife, Jacob Denning and wife went Jacob and Louis Benedict and families of to Jasper [Dubois County, Indiana] St. Louis, Mo., are spending the holidays Emory Osborne of Dyer county, Tenn., is Monday to attend the Egloff-Schnaus with their mother, Mrs. Caroline Bene- visiting relatives in the county. wedding there on Tuesday morning. Mr. dict. and Mrs. Adolf Egloff Jr. will reside near Grandview Campbell, Mo. Oregon John Robinson left Monday for Law- renceburg, Tenn. December 13, 1907 August 30, 1907 August 23, 1907 Mrs. F. C. Genge of St. Louis, Mo., and Mrs. Max Landerbauch and baby of Mr. A. J. Butscher of Philadelphia, Penn., Sedalia, Mo., and Mrs. F. B. Taylor of Vale, Grandview have returned home after a short visit Ore., were guests of their sister Mrs. Jake Mrs. Maude Williamson and daughter with their brother, Mr. Cuno Burscher. Klotz during the fair. Golda have returned from a visit to relatives in Cleveland and Chatanooga, Tenn. Dale November 1, 1907 Mr. and Mrs. Will Wood will leave the September 6, 1907 Mr. H. E. Currey of Baker City, Oregon, latter part of this week for an extended who has been in Evansville [Vander- visit to relatives in Princeton, Westfield, Maurice Nohse of Memphis, Tenn., is vis- burgh County, Indiana] several weeks Ill., and St. Louis, Mo. iting his father Henry Nohse and family. on account of the illness of his brother Mariah Hill Leon Currey, was in Rockport Tuesday October 25, 1907 Mrs. A. W. Hevron visited her sister Mrs. greeting old time friends. Dr. Currey is a Mrs. Frank Oberle of Tell City [Perry Charlotte Stocking in St. Louis last week. native of our sister town of Grandview. County, Indiana], is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. Vogel during two weeks’ St. Meinrad Pennsylvania absence of her husband in Memphis, Ben Hubers of Rush Creek, Mo., who was August 16, 1907 Tenn. n called home last week on account of the death of his father, returned Monday Miss Lora Wiener, who went to Pitts- Notes burg, Pa. for a visit is now spending a few night to Missouri. 1. John L. Selch, “Searching Hoosier weeks at Atlantic City, N. J. December 27, 1907 Roots in the Newspaper Collection at October 11, 1907 the Indiana State Library,” Everton’s Miss Mary Rudd has returned from St. Genealogical Helper (March–April 1998); Louis to spend the holidays with her John Moore brother of Mrs. L. W. Gross reproduced on Indiana State Library Web parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. I. Rudd. visited Mr. and Mrs. Gross a few weeks site at http://www.statelib.in.us/WWW/ while on his way home to Pennsylvania INDIANA/hoosierroots.html (accessed Oscar Wetzel is home from St. Louis from Danville, Ill. visiting his parents Mr. and Mrs. C. J. August 2007). Wetzel. October 25, 1907 The retired editor of The Hoosier Geneal- Will Pierce of Poplar Bluff, Mo., is visiting Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Gross of William- ogist, Ruth Dorrel is currently an archivist his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Pierce at sport, Pa., are in the city visiting the at the B. F. Hamilton Library at Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana. Silver Dale. family of their son Rev. L. W. Gross. They will go from here to Michigan for a visit before returning home.

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Just a Country Girl Stories from an Early Twentieth Century Hoosier Farm Family, Part 3

M A R T H A B R E N N A N • T ranscribed and I ntroduced b y J I M B rennan

Prologue The author of the following collection of vignettes rienced some of those activities firsthand during visits about life on a midwestern farm in the early years of to my grandparents’ farm. When my mother was in her the twentieth century was my mother, Martha Bren- late seventies her mind was still quick, and she could nan. As a member of the Truax family, she represented recall many of the same stories that she told me in my what might be thought of as an almost-forgotten younger years. During one visit with my mother at her independent and pioneering lifestyle, a lifestyle that retirement home in Florida, I gave her a notebook and contributed to the fundamental fabric of a free nation. asked her to write down some of the memories from The way of life that she knew as a child is a part of Indi- her early life. This article is a result of her thoughtful ana and American history that deserves to be published writing. in the words of one who lived it. At some point in her eighties, hindered by arthritis Shortly after meeting my father in the late 1920s, in her hands and failing eyesight, my mother stopped my mother changed her surname to his and left the writing. The few memoirs that she did record are country behind for life in the thriving city of Crawfords- important to share as a small peek into the lives of our ville, Montgomery County, Indiana, population approxi- ancestors and the issues they dealt with to bring the mately 15,000. The couple took up married life during nation and us into the present day. We owe much to the height of the Great Depression, and the country girl our predecessors, and there is much yet to be learned who had fallen in love and left the farm soon discov- from them. ered that her new life in the city was much different The following is the third installment of a transcrip- than she had expected. It was much more difficult than tion of Martha Brennan’s writings made by her son Jim even the struggle to eke out an existence from the soil Brennan. No editorial changes have been made for style in the country. concerns. Editorial changes inserted for the sake of ease As a boy, I always enjoyed the stories my mother of reading appear in brackets. This article series is being related to me about her young life on the farm. I expe- published in parts in several issues of THG: Connections.

Snakes Alive! One day my mother and I took the instead of picking up a piece at a time, I screamed and Mom saw what I had. hand cart and went to the pig lot where I was taking both hands and bringing She said, “Drop it and don’t run!” She one of the pig houses had collapsed. We a bundle each time. In one trip, with went back to the gate where she had left decided there was much good kindling my hands full, I realized I had picked up the hoe and came and killed the snake. there for starting fires in the morn- more than wood. A long snake was dan- It was a “blue racer” and would chase ings. We found plenty of old wood and gling from the bundle in my hands. whoever ran from it.

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The Farm Animals Most of the time there were three bacon to be, spare ribs, and backbone. Some of the fresh side meat and teams of horses, three cows, and a num- The excess fat was cut into small pieces tenderloins were placed in crocks and ber of hogs and pigs that were raised and placed in a big black pot over an hot lard was poured over all to preserve during the year to provide meat for our outdoor fire, where it was boiled and them. They could be kept in the cellar year-round use. rendered into lard for use all year as in this way for some time. The ribs and My dad always hired two men to shortening. The lean “scrappy” pieces backbones were cooked and packed come to do the butchering, since he were sorted out and finally put through in wide-mouth glass jars. The livers could never kill anything, not even for the grinder for sausage, which was then and hearts were used or cooked im- food for his family. He was never at made into cakes and sealed in tin cans mediately. Also head meat was cooked home on butchering morning because with hot paraffin. The sausage grinder and made into what was called “head he always needed something in Alamo. was fastened to a plank and one could cheese.” Mom sent this to the market He would walk there and spend most of sit and turn the crank as the sausage in Crawfordsville to sell, along with the the morning. By the time he got back, came out into ceramic crocks. hearts and the livers we could not use. the meat was ready to be “cut up.” The “hams and bacon to be” were Surprisingly, none of it ever came back Sometimes as many as ten or twelve salted and some sugar was added before and the money paid for it was always shoats [young hogs] were butchered at they were hung in the smoke house over sent back. one time. Part of the meat was for Aunt a hickory fire for days in order to pre- At butchering time there was endless Fannie and Uncle Ed next door. The meat serve the meat for year-round use. There work that had to be done as quickly as was cut into sections, such as hams and was nothing better to eat on the farm! possible in order to preserve the meat. We always bought a quarter or half of beef from our neighbors who raised cattle for meat. Dad never raised cattle for our use, but he sold on foot the calves and young beef cattle produced by our cows. Many times the farm animals got sick or hurt and the veterinarian had to be called. I have known Mom and Dad to take turns staying with them and administering to them at night. If an ani- mal died, Dad was just distraught with grief. I have heard him say, “Well, Mam- mie, as long as it is outside our house, we’ll make out.” He was so completely involved with his farm animals that they were like family to him. He was good to all of them and used them to the best of John Truax (1870–1954) and his wife, Rosia Belle (Keys) Truax (1876–1960), with their two his ability. He was very tender-hearted daughters, Mary Katherine (rear) and Martha Elizabeth (front). John and Belle were married and could never stand abuse of any kind. in 1901 at Yountsville, Indiana. Kate was born in 1904 and Martha in 1908, both at their Alamo, Indiana, home. (Photo courtesy of Jim Brennan)

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Fire! Fire! One fall evening when I was seven the men and boys.” Then she went next In the block on the east side was the or eight years old and we had all settled door to tell Uncle Ed while Dad collected saloon, a harness shop, a photo gallery, in the warm living room to relax, the buckets to take with them. and the new brick building that housed phone rang. My mother answered it and Along came Aunt Fannie, wringing the Masonic Lodge on the second floor. when she took down the receiver a loud her hands, crying, and saying, “Johnny The first floor of the brick building voice was shouting, “Help! Fire! Need and Ed will get hurt or killed!” But they was a novelty store that carried yard bucket brigade! The saloon is on fire!” took off on the run and Mom told Aunt goods, sewing needs, pots and pans, Of course, a small town like Alamo did Fannie to stay with us. We could see the and chinaware. On the west and north not have a fire engine, firemen, or other flames and smoke of the fire from our sides were residential homes; on the fire-fighting equipment. windows and could hear the shouts of south were hitching posts. When the fire Mom said, “Two men will come from the men who worked so hard to put out had run its fury, only the brick Masonic here.” I begged to go with Dad to help the fire and save the establishments in Lodge building still stood on the east pump the town wells, but Mom said, the block near the saloon. side. But the houses had all been saved “No. After all, you are a girl. Leave it to and Aunt Fannie was happy again.

Taffy Pull My father’s sister was named Indi- In early spring Uncle John tapped course. Aunt India was a good cook and ana, but we called her Aunt India. She the maple trees on his farm so they she was insulted if guests did not eat a was married to an enterprising farmer could have maple syrup. Then one day big meal. who owned a big farm near Alamo. He Aunt India would call on the phone While we ate, Uncle John had the had been married before and had adult and say, “Come for dinner here Sunday, big pot of maple syrup boiling on the children when his first wife died. Later but come early as the mushrooms are stove. When it was thick it was set aside on he married Aunt India, who was ready to hunt and John says we’ll have to cool. Aunt India set out a crock of middle-aged and had never been mar- a taffy pull.” So, on Sunday Dad hitched butter, which we spread on our hands ried. They lived in a beautiful red-brick, the team to the surrey and the six of us before we took big handfuls of the thick two-storied, old-fashioned house. It had traveled the five miles to their house. I syrup and started kneading it in butter eight windows across the front and a always sat up front between the men, until it could be pulled to some length lovely entrance way. The house sat back hoping that I would get to drive the and twisted. As it was pulled it took on off the road among lovely pine trees. It horses, or at least get to hold the reins. a white color. When finished, it could be was fenced in with a white picket fence, As soon as we arrived at the Weir sliced and was delicious maple taffy. We and there was a nice yard with a wooden farm we all took paper sacks and headed always took home what was not eaten lawn swing that had two big seats for for the woods, except Aunt India and of our “pulls.” We were surprised when relaxing. There was a large back porch Aunt Fannie, who stayed at the house to we left it overnight, because it turned that ran the length of the house. prepare dinner. We found plenty of the into maple sugar. Aunt India and her husband, John big sponge mushrooms (morels) for a After the taffy pull, we sat on the Weir, met because of their musical big meal. These we took home with us, back porch. The men always wanted abilities. Aunt India played the organ because Aunt India said that Uncle John to play Euchre, but it takes four for a and sang. The organ was the kind one could go out in the morning and find game. Uncle Ed told Uncle John that he pedaled by foot and it had stops to more. Mom rolled them in corn meal would have me for his partner. What he control the sound. It was a beautiful and cooked them in deep fat and they hadn’t told them was that he had been wooden organ with intricate decorative were delicious. teaching me how to play. Uncle Ed was carvings. Uncle John played the violin, After our jaunt in the woods, we all a good player and we won many games. or “fiddle,” as he called it. They could had big appetites at noon and we sat When the card game was done and entertain friends and relatives for a long down to fried chicken, potatoes, yams, before we went home, Aunt India played time with their musical ability. I loved to peas, green beans, slaw, hot biscuits the organ, Uncle John played the fiddle, go to their house. with maple syrup, and fruit pie. The and we all joined in the singing. vegetables were all from their garden, of

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Growing Up As I grew older, I loved to be outdoors. I always helped my mother with the chickens. In the spring my mother had a special building for the “setting hens.” It was separate from the other chickens. They had nice straw nests and room to exercise, as well as eat and drink when they left their nests. Each nest had 15 eggs and each egg was turned several times each day by the setting hen. After three weeks, the eggs hatched and there were nests of baby chicks. Then the setting hen and her brood were put in a coop and allowed to run outside on nice days. When that was accomplished, the cycle began all over again and more setting hens were moved into the nesting house. The surroundings were kept clean and we had chickens of all sizes and colors to feed and water. We depended on the chickens for a lot of our food, like eggs, fryers, and baking hens. My mother could kill and Martha at the age of about eight years (Photo dress a chicken in a very short time. She by John Truax, courtesy cooked them so well that we never tired of Jim Brennan) of them as food. I also loved to work in the garden in Later they bought a piano and Kate area, we had plenty for all. We had a the spring and summer. My dad plowed loved it. She took lessons and played big strawberry patch and I spent a lot of the garden in early spring and then and sang very well. I was not musically time there. The delicious pies, cobblers, used a harrow to break up the clods of inclined, but my parents bought a violin jellies, and jams that my mother put soil. He would “lay off” in furrows that for me and I took lessons. Finally I made on our table were worth all of the time were very straight so all that we had to some music, but I did not practice as re- spent in the orchards. do was plant the seeds and set in the quired because I wanted to be outdoors. My dad was a gentleman and taught plants. Later there were weed pulling I was allowed to mow the lawn with me a great deal about the farm. He saw and hoeing to do. Finally there was the a hand mower, pick the fruit from the that I was intent on helping with the picking and digging of the vegetables for orchards, carry wood and coal for the outside work. If I made mistakes, I was our table. I recall that we always got to stoves, and carry out the ashes, among told to try harder. I think that he was go barefooted then for the first time in other chores. happy that I liked working with him. I the summer. In the orchard we had cherries, could even do the milking to help him Kate did not like working outdoors. peaches, apples, and apricots. Although with the daily routine. She did not like the hot sun or getting it was rare for apricots to mature in our her hands and clothes dirty. She hated working with the chickens. She would do almost any indoor chore to avoid the Finally there was the picking and digging of the outside work. Therefore, my mother and father said that she could do the inside vegetables for our table. I recall that we always got to work, and I would do the outside work. go barefooted then for the first time in the summer.

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The Staff of Life On the farm we raised corn, wheat, a cover from the rain. This was called loft. There men with pitchforks swung it oats, and timothy hay. I was never al- “shocking” the grain and it stood like this into place for storage. It was my job to lowed to use the heavy farm equipment, until time for threshing. I loved this part drive the team of horses. I had to steady because Dad said, “It’s a man’s respon- of the work and it was very rewarding to the singletree and direct the horses. sibility!” But there was plenty of work see a finished field with all the rows of When the load was in place in the loft, besides that. shocks of grain in place. I and the horses with the singletree and I think I liked the time of year best I also enjoyed haymaking time. ropes were well across the barnyard. when the crops were ready to harvest. I When the timothy turned golden ripe, Then I had to unhook the singletree and loved seeing the grain in the field turn a it was cut with a mower and raked into go back for another load. The pulley was golden brown. Then my dad got out the piles. Then it was loaded on hay wagons cranked down from the barn and it was “binder.” It was a big piece of equipment by men with pitchforks and hauled to back in place by the time I had arrived that took four horses to pull. It cut the the barn to be put in the hayloft. The with the team. stalks off next to the ground and bound job of lifting the hay up into the loft was I felt very needed when I did this them in bundles that were strewn over done by a three-pronged device that work. It was hard to get farm help at the field. grappled a big load, which was pulled this time of the year when everyone was The trick was to pick up the bundles into the loft by way of a rope and pulley anxiously trying to get things into stor- or “sheaves” and stand them on end in attached to a team of horses outside the age before the rainy season arrived. piles, with the grain at the top. A sheaf barn. A “singletree” held the ropes while was bent and placed on top to make the horses pulled the load up into the

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The trick was to pick up the bundles or “sheaves” and stand them on end in piles, with the grain at the top. A sheaf was bent and placed on top to make a cover from the rain. This was called “shocking” the grain and it stood like this until time for threshing.

Rail Fences If you have never seen an old rail were stacked four or five feet high and was very interesting to go back to see fence, you have missed something they served to keep a farmer’s animals if the eggs had hatched and if the little unique. In early days, wire fences were from roaming. In addition, they desig- ones were still there. not used. Later, when they were avail- nated the lines of one’s property. In late summer Dad cleaned out the able, they cost too much for average It was very hard work to handle the weeds from the rail fences. He had to farmers to install. The rails used for the heavy rails, but they served a purpose, be on the lookout for snakes. He always fences were cut from trees, preferably and they lasted a long time. ended up with ivy poison on his face, with straight trunks. They were cut from In early spring I always looked in the hands, and arms. trees on the farm and it took hundreds secret corners of the rails where the wild One section of the farm adjoining of them to enclose the farm. rabbits had their nests for their young. the town of Alamo was enclosed by a When great stacks of rails were ready They were so cute and if the mother hedge fence. This had to be cut by hand and hauled to the fencing site, they were wasn’t at home one could pick one up at least once during the year. stacked in zig-zag lines with the ends and pet it. Some kinds of birds also hid crossing to hold them in place. The rails their nests in the sections of the rails. It

The Hired Hand There is something that I cannot It was decided that they would raise Although he tried, at first he could remember, but I have heard it told so extra crops and settle the estate. Thus, not plow a straight furrow across the many times that it is vivid in my mind. they had to hire help to do the extra fields. When it was time for the growing Dad and Uncle Ed had really more farm work. At that time good help was hard corn fields to be cultivated, the crooked land than they could work, but they felt to find in rural areas because everyone rows ended up being plowed under. obliged to do it to raise extra money. was busy with their own work. However, he was willing to help replant They felt that they needed to do this be- Finally, they hired a man named what he plowed under, so they kept cause two of their brothers, Uncle Allie Martin who lived in Alamo, but he was Martin as a hired hand for two years and and Uncle Jim. They did not like farming not a farmer. For this reason, Dad gave his skill developed during that time. Af- and had left home early for the city life. him the best team of horses to use. The ter he left, the team of horses would not Now they were suing for their share of hired hand was a big man with a handle- do their work unless the person working the unsettled Truax estate. Dad was the bar mustache and a very loud voice. The them called out, “Hup John, John, John! youngest sibling in the family and Uncle horses’ names were John and Nellie. John and Nell!” Ed was the oldest. Aunt Fannie and John was black and Nellie was white. Dad, Uncle Ed, and Aunt Fannie Uncle Ed had raised and kept together Martin did not know how to get the finally sold the two farms that did not the family after their father’s death. horses to go, so he would call out, “Hup adjoin the home place and settled the John, John, John! John and Nell!” He kept estate once and for all. After that they this up all day because he thought that were able to work the remaining land kept them moving. without hiring extra help.

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The Folding Bed There was a folding bed that had a Another time during an illness I was forget the dream. I am sure that I would prominent spot in the living room of frightened in the night by a picture that recognize the picture if I saw it after all our house. Most people today have not always hung on the living room wall. It these years. seen one of that type, as there are no was a picture of four horses, one white, In winter Kate and I bathed and new ones sold today. The best way to the others dark. In my feverish dream I dressed in the living room after a dash describe it is to say it was like a bed in saw the horses fighting each other with from our beds upstairs. It was the only a box. The box, actually a nice piece of ears laid back and wild eyes. They were warm place for us then. In summer we furniture, was large enough to hold a rearing up and viciously kicking at each took to the tin wash tub in the smoke full size upright piano, only taller. The other. Mom finally had to remove the house, which was divided into two outside structure was a nicely finished picture from the room as I could never rooms. light colored solid oak. There was a top shelf backed by an ornamental mirror that was only useable by adults because of the height. It required an adult to open the bed for sleeping, since it contained a full size mattress and other bedding. As children, we were always put to bed in it if we had an illness, since it was warm near the stove that maintained a fire all night. It was also handy for Mom to look after us. She and Dad slept in the only downstairs bedroom in the house. Kate’s and my bedroom was upstairs. I can remember many nights of sleeping in the folding bed due to the many children’s diseases that we contracted at that time. I remember one night when I had a high temperature and I woke up calling out, “Mom, I’m lost. I can’t get down from here!” She came with a brightly lighted lamp and found me stretched out on the shelf above the bed. To this day I don’t know how I got up there.

Martha at the age of about eight years (Photo by John Truax, courtesy of Jim Brennan)

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The Picture House There was a small outbuilding over around to have their pictures taken. The she had seen Dad trim his pictures with. our cellar that was called the “picture door was never locked to the picture She said that I should be the one to get house.” It was always forbidden for us house, as Dad said he knew we would the knife, but I told her that I did not children to go there because it housed mind him and never go in unless he took know which knife she was talking about. all of Dad’s photography devices. He us with him. Finally, she went in, brought the knife kept his cameras, tripods, flash materi- One afternoon Kate decided to make out, and started to cut the soles with it. als, and all the chemicals in the dark- shoes for our dolls from scraps of felt It worked well, very well; so well in room where he developed the exposed that Mom had given her. She did all the fact that it slipped and cut her left hand plates. There were no films or flashbulbs cutting and sewing, but when it came badly. It bled profusely and I wanted to in those days. to the soles for the shoes, she needed get Mom who was in the back garden, The darkroom was like a labora- my help. She had found some heavy but Kate did not want to tell Mom. tory and had a sink to dispose of the cardboard and drew outlines of the soles However, I finally had to get her because processing materials. He also had glass on it with a pencil. When she tried to Kate kept saying that she was going containers to dip the plates in during cut the cardboard the scissors would to faint, something that she did quite processing. I loved to go in there with not do the job. Therefore, she decided often. Dad. Sometimes he would explain some she needed to use a knife. We managed Kate’s hand was bandaged and the of the work to me. There was a wooden to get away with a sharp knife from the bleeding was stopped, but we were se- trunk in which he kept folders for the kitchen, but it wouldn’t work either. So verely reprimanded by Dad for disobey- pictures, post cards on which he put Kate said she would have to go into the ing him. In the end, he cut out the soles some of the pictures, frames, and other picture house and get a sharp knife that and we had new doll shoes after all. paraphernalia. People came from miles

Mail Order Catalogues A lot of our wearing apparel came brought to Alamo on the “hack” that home. My mother thought the dress was from either Sears Roebuck or Montgom- brought the mail and newspapers. finished, but she soaked it as soon as ery Ward, as we only went to Crawfords- I adored the shoes I had when I was we got home and it was finally returned ville twice a year. Mom made everything small. They were shiny high-top pat- to an “almost-as-good-as-new” state for the family that could be sewed and ent leather with straps that buttoned again. we had pretty clothes. But the shoes and across my instep and ankle. They really I often had nose bleeds when I was overshoes had to be purchased and, of looked pretty with white socks showing preschool age. The doctor said that I course, sizes constantly changed as we through the straps. I believe that was the would “outgrow” it. Evidently he was grew. beginning of my learning to take care of right, since it did not persist as I grew I can remember how Mom read my shoes, something that I have done older. and did just what the catalogues said throughout my life. Until we were teenagers, Mom to do to find the correct sizes. Seldom One winter Mom made a white wool continued to make our coats. She was were any of the things that she ordered dress for me. It had a lot of hand em- an accomplished seamstress, as well as returned for exchange. The long under- broidery work on it, consisting of designs being very good with fancy work and wear, stockings, gloves, and warm hats and scalloped edging. I wore the new quilting. When she was making quilts, had to be ordered also. The day they dress one Sunday and went to Sunday the big quilting rack remained set up came was always a happy time as we School and Church looking very pretty. in the living room. It held the materials opened the big packages. About midway through the sermon my together and made it easier for her to The mail orders always came by nose began to bleed. Before a handker- work. She made many quilts and all were Parcel Post and someone had to go to chief could be provided, my dress was beautiful. Alamo to bring them home. They were in a state of ruin. We got up and left for

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Wash Day When I was a child on the farm there top with a lid where the water, clothes, and sometimes they were frozen stiff were no faucets marked “Hot” or “Cold” and soap were inserted. There was a side there until they dried. We always picked and no running water. There were no lever that stood perpendicularly at the a sunny day if we could, as there was electric washing machines or dryers to side of the washer and there was a bung no way to dry things except on the line help with the clothes washing chores. At [hole] near the bottom for draining the outdoors. our house, the limiting factor was water, used water. The new washing machine that especially hot water. We had a cistern When the lever was moved back eventually replaced our first one cleaned that was fine, when and if we had rain and forth, the washer moved the the clothes better and was easier to use. during the summer. A cistern looks like a clothes around to clean them. It took It stood on four legs, was waist high, and well on the surface with a hand pump to about one-half hour for one “rubbing” the bottom arched down like a “pot-bel- extract the water. It is really a big hole in of clothes. Then the wringer had to be lied stove.” There was a rocker of ribbed the ground that is lined with concrete so attached at an opening on top. The wood made to fit into the lower part tightly that it holds water. The rain water wringer consisted of two hard rubber of the washer. The rocker had a wide runs off the house roof into open drain rolls that squeezed the water from the handle across the top so that two hands pipes that lead to the cistern. The water clothes when the hand crank was turned. could be used. The clothes were rubbed is then hand-pumped, often directly into The washed items were set aside to by the rocker against the ribbed bottom a sink in the kitchen. It is good “soft” be rinsed when the rubbings were all of the washer in the hot soapy water. water for washing clothes and dishes as finished. The white clothes were taken It was a hot job because there was no well as for bathing and shampooing hair. back to the kitchen and put in the boiler cover for this washing machine. As the My mom always said that she would until time to rinse them. They appeared rocker was moved, one’s body moved not wash clothes if there were no rain to be dazzling white when finally put on back and forth across the tub also. I and the cistern went dry. There were the line to dry. liked to work with this washer and Mom times when I was sure that we would The work clothes always took longer thought it was the best also. We wore have to wear dirty clothes, but we were in the machine and sometimes the very out several of this model over the years. always lucky and that never happened. dirty clothes had to be scrubbed on a All in all, the water was the worst On wash day, half of the top of the wash board. Farming means working part of wash day. Heating the water, car- kitchen stove was devoted to a large with soil, so a worker’s clothes did get rying the buckets in and out, and filling copper “double boiler” that sat directly very dirty. After all the rubbings were the boiler constantly were the biggest over two circular cooking spaces on the done, the wash water had to be carried problems. The double boiler was the wood-burning range. The boiler held ten out in buckets and emptied in the lot main source of hot water as we washed to twenty gallons of water. In addition, next to the smoke house. The rinsing and kept adding hot water. the back of the range also had a water was then done in open tubs, with the I liked to do the cranking of the tank attached the full length of the stove wringer attached to the final rinsing tub. wringer, but Mom usually fed in the that held twenty gallons. This water Some things had to be starched at the clothes as she said it was a good place was automatically heated when the fire end of the washing, as materials then “to get fingers mashed.” She was very was burning in the range. The tank had were not the same as present-day wash- careful of her hands, as she needed them to be filled every night after the work and-wear items. constantly in her work. was done so that we would always have The clothes line was made of heavy In later years, when electricity came warm water to bathe. wire and it reached from one end of the to the area and Mom could have a nice The hot water from the double boiler yard to the other. It was usually com- white automatic washer and refrigera- was hand-carried in buckets to the extra pletely full on wash day. tor, she really appreciated them. By then room in the smokehouse where the It took most of the day to do the her children had left the farm and not as wooden washing machine was kept. The washing, followed by cleaning and re- much work was required of her. I believe washer was large and shaped like a bar- storing order again. In the winter it was a that she enjoyed the electric lights more rel on its side. It had an opening on the cold job to hang the clothes on the line, than anything else.

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Making Lye Soap The tombstone of Martha’s parents, John Detergents were unheard of during and Rosia Belle (Keys) my childhood and we made our own Truax, in Waynetown soap for family use on the farm. There Masonic Cemetery. was some bar soap available for pur- Demmis Pate was Belle’s chase, like castile soap or hard yellow younger sister. (Photo by hand soap that hardly produced any Jim Brennan) lather. My mother made the soap we used for washing clothes and hair, bathing, and general scrubbing around the house. My dad had constructed a support at Deere’s Mill, a recreational facil- There is one year that I remember made of pipes that supported a large ity on the banks of Sugar Creek. There in particular. Uncle John and Aunt India black cast iron 30 to 40 gallon kettle. was a classic wooden covered bridge came to get Aunt Fannie and Uncle The kettle hung near the house on the there among some fine natural sights. Ed and take them the six miles to the support in Aunt Fannie’s chicken lot. One could take long sightseeing walks picnic. Our family went a bit later in the Thus, she and Mom each had access to among the springs and rocky remnants surrey and Mom decided this was a good its use. of past glacial activity. The old mill with chance to get rid of our mother cat and In making the soap, Mom used lye its water wheel still intact was a central her four kittens. She loaded the[m] in a that was purchased in a can at the gen- attraction. It was named after an earlier box and they were put out of the surrey eral store, along with other ingredients owner of the site, Steve Deere. about one mile from Deere’s Mill, with like alum. The primary ingredient was Mr. Deere used the mill for grinding the feeling that they would surely find meat fat and the mixture was diluted grain to make meal and flour for the good homes. We had so many cats and with water. A hot wood fire was kept farmers in the surrounding territory. kittens that my mother thought it was a burning under the kettle for many hours Some fine corn bread, cakes, and mush good way to diminish the population. during the process. Periodic stirring were produced from the ground corn. We went on to the picnic and en- was required so that the mixture would When ground wheat was used in bak- joyed the day. After dinner there were thicken evenly. Dad had made a long- ing, it produced rich, dark whole-wheat games and contests, ballgames, card handled wooden paddle for this purpose bread. I can remember going to the mill games, and sack-racing. A good time and Mom spent the whole day on this with Dad in the wagon and watching was had by all except me. I finished my project. as the shelled corn was poured into a dinner with a slice of banana cake. I When the mixture had thickened bin. At the other side of the water-pow- took one bite and screamed in pain, as properly and cooled somewhat, it was ered mill the cornmeal came out into it felt like a needle had run through my poured or ladled into wooden buckets containers. tongue. On inspection it proved that a or small wooden vats for later use. It On the day of the Rebecca Lodge bee on the cake had stung me. Shortly never set into a hardened form like cakes picnic the main event was, of course, the my tongue was swollen to twice its of modern soap, so we referred to it as dinner that was contributed by all who normal size. What a handicap on a day “soft soap.” I think that it was a better attended. It was spread out on wooden when there were so many people to talk cleaner and required less work than the tables and each person went down the to! It took several days for my tongue to modern detergents I use at 84 years line to fill a plate. Seconds were always heal. Banana cake has never tasted the of age. allowed. Aunt India always invited her same since then. family to attend, so Aunt Fannie, Uncle In the evening, just as it was get- Rebecca Picnic Ed, and my dad and his family were ting dark, we arrived at home and were Aunt India belonged to the Rebecca among those attending. It was some- greeted by the mother cat and her four Lodge, a women’s organization associ- thing that we all looked forward to each kittens. They had found their way back ated with the Redmen’s Lodge in Alamo. year. home over several miles. From then on Every summer they had an all-day picnic they were permanent fixtures at the farm. n

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Hall, Dr. W. I. Obituary: Covington Republican, 5 Mar. 1897, p. 4, col. 2: “Born at Wil- liamsport, Indiana in May 1841, died February 22. He was aged 55 years and 9 months. It was a sudden death. Late Sunday evening he visited a patient. About 11 o’clock he took a chill. Nothing Civil War Soldiers serious was thought of it until 2 o’clock in the morning when he was seized with Addendum to GAR Series, Covington, Indiana, Part 2 vomiting, later with cramps that almost drew him double. He told his wife and M ar y B L A I R I mmel daughter that he was going to die and bid them goodbye. The neighbors were awakened and Dr. Ray was summoned to his bedside but nothing could be In 2001 The Hoosier Genealogist forty-eight entries, ten of the veterans done for him and he died about 4:40 (THG) began publishing a series of ar- listed having been mentioned in the a.m. Monday. He was unconscious the ticles that provided information on Civil GAR enrollment book. last few hours of his life. He was one of War veterans listed in the enrollment During the course of her research the best physicians in the country and book of members of the Grand Army of for these two projects, the author came was a prominent republican [sic]. He the Republic John C. Fremont Post 4 of across additional information in obituar- carried $2000 life insurance in New Covington, Indiana. The author added to ies in Covington newspapers, in county York Life. He enlisted August 1862 in Co. the information found in the GAR enroll- histories, and on headstones in local E, 86th Indiana. He participated in the ment book by searching old newspapers, cemeteries about veterans who had not battle of Perrysville and in December county histories, censuses, marriage been included in either the enrollment 1862 he was compelled to go to the and death records, and other sources. book or the headstone applications. hospital on account of illness. On his re- Sometimes descendants of the veterans Many of these Civil War veterans had covery he was detailed for hospital duty were located, and occasionally they pro- been born in Indiana, but many also at Nashville, and it was there he got vided photographs. All of this material came from other states. Some even his first schooling in medicine. He was was supplemented with photographs of came from other countries. The com- discharged in 1863 for disability. Shortly headstones and other memorabilia. The mon denominator that determined their after his return home he was appointed results of this extensive research project inclusion in this article series is that they by Governor Morton assistant military were published quarterly until biographi- all had a connection to Fountain County: agent of the State of Indiana with head- cal statements for the last of the 181 they had been born, had lived, had died, quarters at Chatanooga [sic]. This posi- veterans from the enrollment book were or had been buried in that place. The tion he held until after the fall of Atlanta published in the Winter 2004 issue of author makes no claim that this infor- when he resigned. On his return from THG. mation includes every Civil War soldier Chatanooga [sic] he entered his brother- The spring 2005 issue of THG contin- from Fountain County. Unfortunately, it in-law’s drug store at Williamsport and ued the series about Civil War soldiers is far from complete, but perhaps it will at the same time studied medicine. In buried in Fountain County. The next five be a useful tool for many researchers. 1865/66 he took a course in medicine parts of the article culled information All information or punctuation added at the Michigan State University at Ann from applications for headstones to by the author or editors is contained in Arbor in 1867 he practiced his profession mark the graves of these veterans. These brackets. at Jefferson, Clinton County, this state. applications gave data for an additional During the winter of 69–70 he attended Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati and graduated from that institution in the

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spring of 1870. After his graduation Two years after his enlistment expired friends and neighbors. He was in his there he went to Highland township, on May 13, 1866, he was married to usual health and was out in his yard this county, and in 72 when the railroad Elizabeth Young, who preceded him in watching some workmen when he was station was located at Gessie he located death. Surviving are two sons, Arthur suddenly stricken with apploplexy [sic] there. He engaged in the practice of his Holman, of Pontiac, Ill., and Senator and fell to the ground. The workmen profession up to the time of his death. Charles F. Holman, of Hammond; four hurried to his aid but Mr. Hartman was He purchased the first lot and built the daughters, Mrs. S. J. Myers, of Spencer, dead when they reached his side, the first house at Gessie. He married Miss S. D., Mrs. W. E. Wiles of South Bend; end having come almost instantly. He Elizabeth Hall at Jefferson this state. Mrs. C. H. Ewbank, of Kingman, and Miss leaves a wife and son, the latter being To them were born 4 children: Wen- Adah Holman, at home. Two children, now a resident of Washington.” dell M., William B. [?], Mary Henrietta Margaret and Charles, preceded him in Report of the Adjutant General of and one that died in infancy. Funeral death.” the State of Indiana, vol. 6, p. 32: John services were conducted by Rev. Parret P. Hartman, Co. H, 63rd Ind., recruits, Jack, Aaron, and Hartman, John P. of Newport and Rev. Berry of Perrysville mustered 4 Sept. 1862. Mustered out at the residence. Interment at Hick’s Obituary: “Two Comrades Die on 21 June 1865. No listing for Aaron Jack Cemetery.” Same Day,” Covington Friend, 31 Mar. shown in that company roster. 1911, p. 1, col. 4: “Two comrades in arms, [Note: Also in Company H, accord- Holman, C[harles] M. members of the same company and ing to the adjutant general’s report, was Obituary: “C. W. Holman Rites Held neighbors in the little Veedersburg sub- Eli Clark, Sgt., who was killed on 1 Jan. At Kingman Monday,” Covington Repub- urb, Sterling, answered the last roll call 1863 guarding the L & N (Louisville & lican, 30 Mar., 1934, p. 1, col. 6: “King- on the same day, last Thursday. [Paper Nashville) Railroad Bridge near Shep- man, March 28—Last rites for Charles published on Friday.] herdsville, Kentucky. He is buried in M. Holman, 91, Kingman’s oldest war “Aaron Jack, who for many years the Graham Cemetery, two miles from veteran, who expired at his home here resided near Stone Bluff, had been ill for Covington.] Saturday were conducted at 2:30 o’clock some time with heart trouble and the Monday afternoon at the Spencer fu- resultant dropsy and his condition for Johnson, John H. neral home. The services were in charge several days had been so serious that Obituary: “Perrysville Citizen Dies,” of the Rev. R. V. Saylor, pastor of the death was expected. He died at 1:30 Covington Friend, 13 Oct. 1911, p. 1, col. Christian church. Burial was in the King- Thursday morning. He is the father of 2: “John H. Johnson, an old citizen of man cemetery. Complications resulting John Jack, well-known farmer of Ayles- Perrysville, died at his home there on from a three week’s illness was given as worth community, and of Mrs. Bunk Friday morning of last week of dropsy. the cause of death. The deceased was Gookins, of Sterling, in whose home Mr. Johnson, for some time, had been born in Clarmonte [sic] county, Ohio, he died. ill with the disease, which finally proved February 10, 1843, the son of James and “John P. Hartman, who had also fatal. He leaves three daughters and Sarah Holman. He had been a resident served through the war in the same three sons mourning his death. He was of this place for the past 20 years. company with Mr. Jack, was not expect- about 78 years of age and was a veteran When but 17 years of age he enlisted in ing his final summons so soon, and his of the civil war.” Company L of the 5th Ohio cavalry in death caused great surprise among his the Union army and served three years in the Civil war under General Sher- man. He took part in several important When but 17 years of age he enlisted in battles including the battles of Shiloh and Missionary Ridge. He was one of the Company L of the 5th Ohio cavalry in the escorts of General John Logan on his trip to inspect the battery at Chattanooga, Union army and served three years in the preceding the battle of Missionary Ridge. Civil war under General Sherman.

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Jones, Caleb V. History of Fountain County, Together At the age of 22, he passed an ex- Dr. Jones had been a Democrat, but with Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley, amination and was licensed by the State could not reconcile his decided antislav- H. W. Beckwith (Chicago: H. H. Hill and of New York to practice medicine and ery ideas with them and entered heartily N. Iddings, 1881), pp. 33, 145–48: Dr. surgery. In the same year, 1834, he mar- into the formation of the Republican Caleb V. Jones was born in New York ried Phebe Watson. He moved to the Party. He purchased a printing office and on 22 Mar. 1812, near Peekskill, on the Susquehanna country and then to was in charge of a political Hudson River. When he was a young Indiana, locating first at Plym- newspaper. For two years boy, his parents, James M. and Elizabeth outh, Marshall County, and “he combined the use (Sproson) Jones, moved to the frontier then in Covington in 1840. of the probe and settlement of Spencer, Tioga County, in He was elected to the lancet with the central New York state. Dr. Jones had a Indiana Senate in 1843 pen.” In 1856 he great deal of ambition and aspired to and served until the was a candidate become more than a woodsman. He outbreak of the Mexican for elector managed to get a local physician to tu- War. He voluntarily enlisted for Fremont. tor him in medicine and earned enough in the 1st Regiment of Indiana In the Civil War as a laborer to take a series of lectures in Volunteers and served for one he was first appointed a medical school. year as regimental surgeon. special surgeon

Dr. Caleb V. Jones (History of Fountain County, Together with Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley, H. W. Beckwith [Chicago: H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, 1881], between pages 32 and 33)

African American Civil War Soldiers Buried Near Attica, Indiana Bethel Church is an open country church resting on a slight Judy Rippel of the Indiana Historical Bureau, the Twenty-eighth rise of ground just three and a half miles east of Attica, Indiana, was organized in 1863 to help fill Indiana’s federal quota of sol- in Logan Township. It was the site of many important events diers. Troops from the Twenty-eighth trained at Camp Fremont, in Fountain County. Early settlers built a blockhouse there for located on land near where the Circle in downtown Indianapolis protection from Native American tribes. The Bethel Academy, is today. On July 30, 1864, the Twenty-eighth fought at the which was once attended by Indiana Senator Daniel Voorhies, Battle of the Crater in Petersburg, Virginia. Sadly, nearly half the was located on this ground. The church has been used by men of the USCT were killed or wounded. A marker about the Quakers, United Brethren, and Methodists. Once a station regiment was dedicated July 31, 2004, where Camp Fremont on the Underground Railroad, Bethel Church is now on the was formerly located. National Register of Historic Places. In his book, Historical Sketches of the Wabash Valley, Behind the church, but not owned by it, is a cemetery Whicker describes the wooded area near Bethel Church. sheltered by tall walnut and maple trees. Holding more than Approximately one dozen black families and some Quakers six hundred graves, the cemetery is the resting place of about settled there and helped escaping slaves who were making forty Civil War soldiers. Two of these forty graves are of special their way to Canada. One family in the area was that of Billy significance. Government stones mark the final resting place Jefferson. After the war, most of these black families left, but of Cyrus Adams and Allen Edwards. Both men served in the Allen Edwards moved into the locale. Whicker relates how Twenty-eighth Regiment of United States Colored Troops Jefferson’s son killed another black man, whose name was (USCT). The adjutant general’s report states that Adams and Cy Adams. Jefferson felt such remorse over this incident that Edwards were residing in Morgan County, Indiana, when they he moved to Danville, Illinois.2 enlisted in Co. E of the Twenty-eighth Regiment on February 5, Notes 1864. Adams mustered out on November 8, 1865; and Edwards was discharged June 23, 1865.1 1. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana, vol. 7 Organized into six companies, the Twenty-eighth was Indi- (Indianapolis: A. H. Connor et al, State Printer, 1865–69), 669. ana’s only African American Civil War regiment. According to 2. J. Wesley Whicker, Historical Sketches of the Wabash Valley (Attica, IN: J. W. Whicker, 1916), 92–93.

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in the 40th and was with them only uniting upon a recommendation to the practiced in Washington state. Norman one month. He returned home and was president to have their verdict set aside.” L. Jones, the youngest, studied medicine requested to accept a commission as With the influence of Governor Morton, at Rush Medical College in Chicago. surgeon of the 63rd regiment. Soon after Dr. Jones was granted an interview with Fountain County death records: joining the army a vacancy for com- President Abraham Lincoln, who ordered Caleb V. Jones Sr. died of general atrophy mander of that regiment opened, and an that all his disabilities be removed. He in Covington on 5 Oct. 1883 at the age active group promoted his appointment served to the end of the war. of 71 ½ years. as commander. This movement did not After the war he was the first presi- Report of the Adjutant General of the succeed, and he believed it was due to dent of the Fountain County Medical State of Indiana, vol. 2, p. 580: Caleb V. hostility from field officers who were Association and an active member of the Jones resided in Covington at the time jealous of their own promotion. Methodist Church. He and his wife had of his enlistment. He was commissioned A new commander “pursued the eleven children, of whom five sons lived regimental surgeon on 11 Feb. 1863. doctor with petty annoyances until beyond infancy: Dr. George S. Jones, the Dismissed by court-martial on 27 Dec. he succeeded in preferring charges for oldest, practiced medicine in Covington. 1864. disrespectful language, and after a long, Charles D. Jones was a lawyer in Lafay- [Note: A funeral notice in a scrapbook dilatory trial the court-martial agreed ette. Robert B. Jones was a prosecutor in the Covington Public Library states upon a decision dismissing Dr. Jones for the circuit of Fountain, Warren, and that Jones is buried in Prescott Grove from the service, at the same time Vermillion counties. Dr. C. V. Jones Jr. Cemetery.]

Bethel Church today with cemetery in background (Photo by Mary Blair Immel)

Inset: Grave marker for Cyrus Adams in Bethel Cemetery (Photo by Mary Blair Immel)

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Keller, Newton Milton, Thomas Parrett, William Obituary: “Newton Keller Dies,” Obituary: “Thomas Milton Dead,” Obituary: “Death of Wm. Parrett,” Covington Friend, 20 Feb. 1914, p. 1, Covington Friend, 9 Apr. 1915, p. 8, col. Covington Republican, 27 Jan. 1899, col. 2: “A longtime resident in and near 4: “Thomas Milton died at his home p. 1, col. 2: “Wm. Parrett of Newtown, Perrysville dropped dead at his home on between Wallace and Kingman on Tues- died last Friday, at the age of 73 years. Tuesday afternoon. He had just returned day last week. He was 75 years of age Interment was made at the Newtown from a trip to town. Keller was aged and a Civil War veteran. He became a cemetery on Sunday, preceded by the 73 years and an old soldier. He was a blacksmith after the war and had a shop funeral services at the Presbyterian plasterer by trade. He is survived by his of the last 30 years. He was somewhat church, Rev. Preston officiating. The wife and two daughters: Mrs. Ray Jester eccentric and because of his mechanical deceased was one of the landmarks of of Perrysville and Mrs. Tipton of Terre experiments and the work he conducted the county, having come to Indiana Haute and a son in Perrysville. Keller was at his workshop he was looked upon from Ohio when only two years old. He related to the Booe family by marriage, as a genius and somewhat peculiar. He served his country in the civil war as a his wife being a sister of Thomas Booe, is survived by his wife and three sons. member of the 63rd Indiana Volunteers. deceased, of Cayuga, and Amandus Albert and Otis, both of whom are in the He will be remembered as a most exem- Booe of Silverwood. Mr. Keller had been West. His third son, John, is in partner- plary citizen, a devoted member of the a resident of Fountain County for many ship with his father. His wife is suffering Presbyterian church, and as one whose years. He was a brother of Robert and with pneumonia and on the point of every day life was worthy of imitation. William Keller.” death. He is a member of the Liberty He leaves a wife and daughter.” Report of the Adjutant General of the Church.” Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana, vol. 6, p. 32: Willis N. State of Indiana, vol. 6, p. 23: William Painter, George [W.] Keller was mustered into Co. H, 63rd Parott resided in Covington at the time Ind. on 20 Aug. 1862. He was mustered Obituary: “Another Veteran Gone,” of his enlistment in Co. C of the 63rd out on 21 June 1865. Covington Republican, 26 Apr. 1912, p. Ind. He was mustered in on 16 May 4, col. 3: “After a long illness of heart 1862; mustered out as a corporal on Koontz, William disease George Painter died last Sunday 3 May 1865. Obituary: “William Koontz is Dead,” afternoon at his home near Attica, at Covington Republican, 18 July 1913, p. 1, the age of 76 years. He leaves a widow, Ritchey, George W. col. 4: “William Koontz, a well-known daughter and two sons. Obituary: “Death of George Ritchey,” resident of this city died at home on “Mr. Painter was a veteran of the civil Covington Republican, 19 Aug. 1904, E. Jefferson Street last Wednesday at war, having been a member of the 20th p. 1, col. 6: “George W. Ritchey, an old 6 o’clock. He had been an invalid for Regiment.” soldier and highly respected citizen, several months after suffering a stroke Report of the Adjutant General of the died Saturday morning, after a lingering last winter. He is survived by a widow State of Indiana, vol. 4, p. 444: Resided illness, from consumption. He was 59 and several children. He was a soldier of in Duncanville, Ohio, at the time of his years of age and leaves a wife and four the Civil War but had no records of his enlistment. He was mustered into Co. K children, most of them grown, together service and received no pension. He was of the 20th Ind. Inf. He was promoted to with a large circle of friends and relatives interred at Mt. Hope. second lieutenant. to mourn his death. Report of the Adjutant General of the “Funeral services, conducted by Rev. State of Indiana, vol. 4, p. 154: Shows J. P. Henson, were held at 10:30 Monday the soldier’s name as William K. Coonse. morning at the residence in the eastern U.S. Census: 1860 Indiana, Clark part of the city, interment in the Steely County, Charlestown Township, p. 183, cemetery following.” William H. Coons, age 21, b. Indiana.

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Ryerson, George Obituary: “George Ryerson Dies at Soldiers Home,” Covington Republican, 15 June 1928, p. 1, col. 6: “George Ryerson, age 81, civil war veteran of Attica, died at 1:55 Sunday in the He was somewhat eccentric and because Soldiers Home in Danville, Ill. The of his mechanical experiments and the work remains were taken to Attica by T. V. Marshall and taken to his funeral home he conducted at his workshop he was looked on east Jackson street, where they were upon as a genius and somewhat peculiar. prepared for burial. Monday they were removed to Mr. Ryerson’s late residence. “The deceased is survived by four Strong, James Mary Blair Immel has an MA in U.S. history, has taught school, served as daughters, Mrs. Lula Farmer of Attica, Obituary: “Mellott Veteran Dies,” assistant to the director of the Tippecanoe and Mrs. Myrtle Holycross of Indianapo- Covington Friend, 2 Jan. 1914, p. 1, col. County Historical Association, and orga- lis and [Mrs.] Alden Nail, of Attica.” 6: “James Strong, an aged veteran of the nized TIPCOA, the Tippecanoe County [Note: The fourth daughter was not Civil War, died last Friday morning at Area Genealogical Society. Immel, an listed.] his home in Mellott. Infirmities of age award-winning storyteller, is the author had been sapping his strength for a long of several books, including the children’s Smith, Thomas R. book, Captured! A Boy Trapped in the time and his death had been antici- Obituary: “Deaths,” Covington Civil War (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical pated. He was past 79 years of age, and Society, 2005), which was one of twenty- Republican, 12 Feb. 1897, p. 1, cols. 5 for the past four years had been totally seven books honored by the American and 6: “Died at his home northeast of blind. The funeral services were held on Library Association on June 25, 2006, in Covington on Friday evening February 5 Sunday.” New Orleans in its program, “The Best of 1897 of pneumonia, Smith was 55 years the Best of the University Presses: Books and 21 days. He was born January 12, Van Lear, Jeremiah You Should Know About.” 1842 and was married to Mary R. Piper News item, People’s Friend (Coving- in 1870. To them were born 11 children, ton), 6 May 1863, p. 2, col. 1: “Private of whom 4 sons and 3 daughters are Jerry Vanlear of Co. B, 63rd, accidentally living. He enlisted in the war of the shot himself last Friday. The wound is rebellion August 1862 and was dis- supposed to be mortal.” charged and mustered out in 1865. He Report of the Adjutant General of the was a member of the Knights of Pythias State of Indiana, vol. 6, p. 22: Jeremiah and stood high in the order among the Vanleer resided in Covington when he members. The GAR’s of this place also was mustered 1 May 1862. He died 7 testified to his worth as a comrade by June 1864 of wounds. following the old soldier to his last camp [Note: See The Hoosier Genealogist, where his arms were stacked and tent vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 187–88 for Benjamin struck preparatory to his enlistment in F. Vanlear.] n the army of the Lord. “Services at Bend Church and interment at Steely cemetery, Monday afternoon.”

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Ancestor Migrations Hennon Siblings Move from Ohio to Indiana and Farther West, 1850s through 1870s

R O B E R T D e W I T T H ennon

By the middle of 1865, all of my Hennon ancestors who had lived in 1857.8 A search of subsequent land Muskingum County, Ohio, since about 1812 had migrated to other parts of records indicates that Andrew owned the United States including Indiana. This article attempts to document the no property in Muskingum County migrations of the first generation of Hennons to move away from Ohio. after 1857. The 1860 U.S. census places Andrew and his family in McDonough Although I cannot document where family of James Hennon Sr. moved to County, Illinois.9 The Mills County, Iowa, my great-great-grandfather, James Hen- Muskingum County sometime between 1985 Heritage Book states that the Cole non Sr., and his wife Osee Dewitt were 1809 and 1812. family left Illinois in 1866 and settled in living in 1808, family legend places them James and Osee had four other Mills County, Iowa.10 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, at children: James Jr. on October 26, 1814; Although a thorough search of the this time. Based on evidence regarding George Washington on March 26, 1817; 1870 census records for Mills County did the birth of their first child, Elizabeth, Thomas on November 16, 1819; and not reveal Andrew Cole, the Mills County born September 13, 1809, according Joseph Jackson on December 1, 1825.5 heritage book lists his date of death as to the family Bible, James Sr. and Osee All four sons were born in Ohio accord- December 17, 1874. His will was probat- Dewitt Hennon were probably living in ing to U.S. census records for 1860, ed on April 13, 1875.11 Elizabeth (Hen- Pennsylvania and were probably mar- 1870, and 1880. non) Cole died in Council Bluffs, Iowa, ried by 1808.1 The 1850 U.S. census for The first of my ancestors to emi- on August 14, 1904, at the age of 97.12 Muskingum County lists Elizabeth’s place grate from Ohio were Elizabeth and Aaron Cole, Andrew’s brother, mar- of birth as Pennsylvania.2 Their second Mary. Elizabeth married Andrew Cole on ried Mary Hennon on September 11, child, Mary, was born on August 29, December 31, 1835.6 By 1850 they had 1834, in Muskingum County, Ohio.13 1812.3 The 1850 U.S. census lists Mary’s six children.7 A search of land records for The 1850 U.S. census for the county birth place as Ohio.4 The birth dates for Muskingum County shows that Andrew shows five children.14 Land records also these two children indicate that the sold all of his property on September 2, show Aaron selling his property to a Jno.

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McGlade on September 21, 1857.15 Addi- tional deed searches indicate that Aaron bought no more land after the 1857 sale. By 1860 the U.S. census for Nodaway County, Missouri, shows the family residing in Nodaway Township.16 The 1870 U.S. census lists the family in Andrews County, Missouri.17 Mary (Hennon) Cole died on February 8, 1872, and Aaron died on August 28, 1881.18 Elizabeth and Mary’s brothers did not migrate until several years later. By 1860 all four had married and were raising families. George Hennon married Andrew and Aaron’s sister, Mary Cole, on March 1, 1838.19 The 1860 U.S. census lists seven children in their household.20 Mary (Cole) Hennon and George Washington Hennon. George is the author’s great-great- James Jr. married Margaret Meeks on uncle. (Courtesy of author) October 24, 1839, and in 1860 this family had six children.21 Thomas married Barbara Devore on May 6, 1841, and land he needed to sell before departing April 24, 1862 (price on deed illegible), they also had six children by 1860.22 The Ohio. Something else that may have and another parcel of forty-nine acres last to marry was Joseph, who married delayed George and his brothers from on December 19, 1862, for the sum of Sarah McKee on April 26, 1850, and in moving West was concern for their $1,500.27 1860 had four children.23 elderly father. Their mother, Osee The other brothers began selling Speculation suggests that the Hen- (Dewitt) Hennon, died October 26, their land in 1864. The first was Thomas, non brothers planned to migrate west 1855. Their father, James Hennon Sr., who sold eighty acres on February 27, as their brothers-in-law and two sisters lived until June 30, 1861.25 Perhaps 1864, to John B. Sutton for $1,967.50.28 had done. On October 29, 1859, James after his death the brothers felt free to On July 20, 1864, James Jr. sold his Sr. sold to George eighty acres of land migrate to greener pastures. property of seventy acres to John M. for $800. On the same day George sold Joseph was appointed executor of his Lane for $2,000.00.29 Joseph parted the same parcel to a Nicolas Sutton father’s estate. The will was probated on with one hundred acres on August 30, for $2,000.24 This was quite a mark up, July 15, 1861, and the estate was closed 1864, selling the land to Joseph Sutton and the difference would have provided on November 23, 1863.26 During this for $4,000.00.30 An exhaustive search George with ample cash to emigrate. time, George sold his remaining proper- of deed records revealed no further land However, George had other parcels of ties, one parcel of forty-three acres on transactions in Muskingum County by the four Hennon brothers. They were apparently readying their families to On October 29, 1859, James Sr. sold to migrate. Land records show that each of the brothers bought land in Martin George eighty acres of land for $800. On the County, Indiana, between February 1864 same day George sold the same parcel to a and April 1865. Nicolas Sutton for $2,000. This was quite a mark up, and the difference would have provided George with ample cash to emigrate.

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Margaret (Meeks) Hennon and James Hennon Jr., the author’s great-grandparents (Courtesy of author)

George bought 120 acres from then sent for their families; whether the two months after George’s purchase of Joseph G. Gutheridge for $825 on Febru- families traveled together or separately; Martin County land. Mary (Cole) died on ary 23, 1864.31 what mode(s) of transportation the September 23, 1864, and the baby died Thomas was the first brother to fol- Hennons used. Regarding the latter a few days later on September 30, 1864. low George. He bought land in Martin question, railroads or overland roads Nearly one year later, George married County, Indiana, from George Sipes seem most likely. By the mid-1860s Clarinda Wallace on August 10, 1865.37 and others on March 24, 1864, for railroads connected Muskingum County, Not all of the Hennon brothers $2,600.32 Joseph, the youngest brother, Ohio, to Columbus, Ohio; Columbus remained in Martin County for long. paid $4,800 for 360 acres from George to Cincinnati, Ohio; and Cincinnati to Thomas sold his land for $4,200.00 Adams and wife on October 29, 1864.33 Martin County, Indiana.35 Alternatively, on April 24, 1866.38 He moved a short James Jr. did not buy land until 1865. the National Road ran directly from distance away to Indian Creek Township, He purchased 220 acres for $3,300 Muskingum County to Indianapolis, and Lawrence County, Indiana. On May 5, from Thomas Hitchcock and others on several roads existed during this period 1866, he paid J. J. Price $2,670.80 for April 27, 1865.34 from Indianapolis to the southern parts more than 220 acres.39 Thomas died Why James waited almost nine of the state.36 in Lawrence County on September 18, months to buy land in Martin County is According to Mabel Japinga, a direct 1876, and he was buried in New Union unknown. In fact, the details about the descendant of George Hennon, two Cemetery, located in the town of Spring- Hennons’ journey is largely unknown: deaths may have been associated with ville, just north of Indian Creek Town- why they chose Martin County, Indi- the trip to Indiana. George’s wife, Mary ship.40 At least two of Thomas’s children ana, in which to settle; whether one or (Cole) Hennon, gave birth to Mary E. were still living in Lawrence County in more brothers found land in Indiana and Hennon on April 27, 1864. This was only 1880.41

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-Connections-GUTS.indd 118 12/4/07 10:23:56 AM Joseph’s death date at this writing remains unknown as well; however, he is buried in the Roachdale, Indiana, cemetery with Sarah and their daughter Minerva. Unfortunately, the dates on their tombstone are not legible.

Joseph was the second brother to or any of his children are not recorded land was sold to James Sibert for $700.48 leave Martin County. He began selling with him in the 1880 census, which lists By 1870 George and his second wife, his land in 1867 and by 1880 was living him as a border in the household of Clarinda, and their family were living in Putnam County, Indiana, working as William Matkin in Roachdale, Putnam in Halbert Township, Martin County.49 a carpenter.42 On April 20, 1867, he sold County, Indiana. Joseph’s death date at No records of real estate transactions 12.9 acres in Martin County for $72 to this writing remains unknown as well; have been found after 1870. George Campbell W. Dickson.43 On July 8, 1867, however, he is buried in the Roachdale, divorced Clarinda and was married for a he sold 116.8 acres in Martin County for Indiana, cemetery with Sarah and their third time on August 31, 1876, to Harriet $1,500 to Robert Adams.44 The 1870 U.S. daughter Minerva.46 Unfortunately, the Sponsler.50 Sometime between 1870 census shows Joseph and his family still dates on their tombstone are not legible. and 1880, George, Harriet, George’s son living in Martin County, in Mitcheltree George sold all of the 120 acres he Francis “Frank,” and his stepson Winfield, Township.45 I have not been successful in owned by March 26, 1868. The first moved to Knox County, Indiana.51 No locating documents related to Joseph’s piece of land he sold was forty acres to date or place of death for George has departure from Martin County. In addi- his son John C. Hennon on December been found. tion, I do not know why his wife, Sarah, 6, 1866, for $550.47 The second tract of James Jr. sold 140 acres of the 220 he purchased in Martin County to his Aaron DeWitt Hennon two sons, Aaron DeWitt Hennon and (born in Ohio ca. 1842), James M. Hennon, for $2,000 on May son of James Hennon Jr. and 52 Margaret (Meeks) Hennon, 13, 1868. James Jr. and his family and the author’s grand- moved to Jackson Township in Greene father (Courtesy of author) County, Indiana, where he bought 107 acres for $1,500 from Basil Graham.53 It is interesting to note that Aaron (25 years old) and James M. (21 years old) were listed in the household of their father in the 1870 U.S. census.54 I speculate from the census data that the land in Martin County held jointly by the

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two brothers was either used as farm Notes land or held as an investment. As of this 1. Hennon family Bible, “Births.” The Holy writing, no record of a subsequent sale Bible Containing the Old and New Testa- of the tract of land in Martin County has ments (Philadelphia: McCarty and Davis, been found. James Jr. died in Owensburg, 1834). Jackson Township, Greene County, on 2. 1850 U.S. census for Muskingum County, November 22, 1872, and was buried in Ohio, National Archives, series M432, the Owensburg Cemetery.55 roll 717, p. 149. In conclusion, I did not think that 3. Hennon family Bible. tracing the migration history of my Hen- 4. 1850 U.S. census for Muskingum County, non ancestors would be possible with Ohio, National Archives, series M432, roll 717, p. 135. the limited evidence available. However, 5. All birth dates are from the Hennon as I began to assemble what evidence I family Bible. The number of persons in did have, I discovered that a great deal the household and the ages correlate could be written by utilizing deed to information in the 1830 U.S. census records, U.S. census records, family for Muskingum County, Ohio, National records and lore, and miscellaneous Archives, series M19, roll 137, p. 252, historic data surrounding the time frame entry for James Hennon. James Hennon of their migrations. Jr. is the author’s great-grandfather. Although living in different counties, 6. Hennon family Bible. at least three of the four brothers re- 7. 1850 U.S. census for Muskingum County, mained in Indiana until their deaths. The Ohio, National Archives, series M432, children of the Hennon brothers have roll 717, p. 149. their own migration histories. Although 8. Andrew Cole sold his land to David Frazier (Grantor Index to Deeds, A-L, it is not the purpose of this article to vols. 1 and 2, 18031859, FHL #0907760. document these migrations, research Deed available at Muskingum County indicates the descendants of the six Recorder’s Office, Zanesville, Ohio, in Hennon siblings, children of James Hen- vol. 32, p. 610). non Sr. and Osee (Dewitt) Hennon, are 9. 1860 U.S. census for McDonough currently found in the states of Arizona, County, Illinois, National Archives, series Franklin P. “Frank” Hennon (top; born in California, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, M653, roll 201, p. 625. Ohio, ca. 1853), and James M. Hennon (bot- Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, and Wash- 10. Mills County, Iowa (Glenwood, IA: Mills tom; born in Ohio, ca. 1847), sons of James ington. n County History Book Committee, 1985), Hennon Jr. and Margaret (Meeks) Hennon, 228. and the author’s great-uncles (Photos cour- 11. “Andrew Cole,” Mills County Wills, Book tesy of author) 2, Mills County, Iowa, Probate Office. 12. Mills County, Iowa, 228; Obituary for Elizabeth (Hennon) Cole, Mills County, Iowa, Tribune, August 18, 1904. For more information on Elizabeth (Hennon) Cole, see Robert D. Hennon, “Letters and Fam- ily History,” The Hoosier Genealogist 45, no. 1 (Spring 2005): 60–63. 13. Hennon family Bible. 14. 1850 U.S. census for Muskingum County, Ohio, National Archives, series M432, roll 717, p. 135.

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15. Grantor Index to Deeds, Muskingum 35. “Colton’s County and Township Railroad 47. Recorder’s Office, Martin County, Indi- County, Ohio, vol. 33, p. 79. Map of Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, ana, Book 17, p. 35. 16. 1860 U.S. census for Nodaway County, 1860,” Electronic Atlas of Central Indi- 48. Ibid., Book 17, p. 274. Missouri, National Archives, series M653, ana, Indiana University-Purdue Universi- 49. 1870 U.S. census for Martin County, roll 637, p. 115. ty at Indianapolis, http://atlas.ulib.iupui. Indiana, National Archives, series M593, 17. 1870 U.S. census for Andrews County, edu/librarycongress_sid/rr001230.html, roll 342, p. 322. Missouri, National Archives, series M593, courtesy of Library of Congress. See also 50. Martin County, Indiana, Probate Court, roll 755, p. 170. Keith T. Poole, “Railroads, the First Big Book 2, p. 265 (divorce from Clarinda 18. Death dates supplied by Wayne Gilbert, Business: Topic 4,” Vote View Web site, Wallace Hennon), and Book 3, p. 419 a direct descendant of Aaron and Mary http://voteview.com/rtopic4.htm. (marriage to Harriet Sponsler). (Hennon) Cole. 36. See for instance James Hamilton Young, 51. 1880 U.S. census for Knox County, 19. Muskingum County, Ohio, Marriage Book engraver, The Tourist Pocket Map of the Indiana, National Archives, series T9, roll 3, 1835–1848 (South Zanesville, OH: State of Indiana, Exhibiting Its Internal 289, p. 245. Muskingum County Chapter of the Ohio Improvements, Road Distances, &c 52. Recorder’s Office, Martin County, Genealogical Society, 1982), 9. (Philadelphia: S[amuel] Augustus Indiana, Book 17, p. 382. Aaron DeWitt 20. 1860 U.S. census for Muskingum County, Mitchell, 1833). Hennon is the author’s grandfather. Ohio, National Archives, series M653, 37. Birth and death dates for Mary (Cole) 53. Recorder’s Office, Greene County, Indi- roll 1019, p. 518. Hennon and Mary E. Hennon and mar- ana, Book 1, p. 4. 21. Muskingum County, Ohio, Marriage Book riage information for George Hennon 54. 1870 U.S. census for Greene County, 3; 1860 U.S. census for Muskingum and Clarinda Wallace Hennon supplied Indiana, series M593, roll 318, p. 362. County, Ohio, National Archives, series by Mabel Japinga. 55. Hennon family Bible. M653, roll 1018, p. 86. 38. Recorder’s Office, Martin County, Indi- Robert DeWitt Hennon was born in Bed- 22. Muskingum County, Ohio, Marriage Book ana, vol. 15, p. 316. ford, Indiana, and raised in Bloomington, 39. 3; 1860 U.S. census for Muskingum Recorder’s Office, Lawrence County, Indiana. He matriculated at Oberlin Col- County, Ohio, National Archives, series Indiana, Book Y, p. 442. lege, Oberlin, Ohio, in 1948, transferred M653, roll 1019, pp. 518–19. 40. Death and burial date supplied by Carol to Indiana University (IU), Bloomington, 23. Dorothy Tunis, Betty Hutchins, and Anita Bibby, descendant of Thomas Hennon. in 1950, and earned a BA and an MAT in Rich, comps., Muskingum County, Ohio, 41. The 1880 U.S. census for Lawrence 1953 and 1954, respectively. Hennon Marriages, Book 4, 1848–1865 (Zanes- County, Indiana, shows Josephus Hen- taught speech and theater from 1955 to ville, OH: Muskingum County Genealogi- non, farmer, age 30, and Gilman Hen- 1983 when he retired as an associate pro- cal Society, 1983), 42; 1860 U.S. census non, artist, age 21, living together in Indi- fessor from IU. He now lives in New Bern, for Muskingum County, Ohio, National an Creek Township (National Archives, North Carolina, where he served Archives, series M653, roll 1018, p. 86. series T9, roll 292, p. 481). Josephus and as the president of the Craven County Genealogical Society, from 2000–2005. 24. Recorder’s Office, Muskingum County, Gilman Hennon were two of the children Ohio, vol. 36, p. 243. listed as sons of Thomas Hennon in the 25. Death dates for Osee and James Hennon 1860 census (see end note 22). Sr. come from the Hennon family Bible. 42. 1880 U.S. census for Putnam County, 26. Muskingum County, Ohio, Probate Indiana, National Archives, series T9, roll Court, case no. 4937. 306, p. 359. 27. Recorder’s Office, Muskingum County, 43. Recorder’s Office, Martin County, Indi- Ohio, vol. 39, p. 402, and vol. 40, p. 177. ana, Book 16, p. 437. 28. Ibid., vol. 41, p. 572. 44. Ibid., Book 16, p. 463. 29. Ibid., vol. 42, p. 426. 45. 1870 U.S. census for Martin County, 30. Ibid., vol. 42, p. 526. Indiana, National Archives, series M593, 31. Recorder’s Office, Martin County, Indi- roll 342, p. 376. ana, vol. 13, p. 294. 46. Photo of tombstone in author’s pos- 32. Ibid., vol. 13, p. 307. session. All three names are engraved 33. Ibid., vol. 14, p. 30. on one tombstone: “Jos J. Hennon, wife 34. Ibid., vol. 14, p. 342. Sarah, Dau. Minerva.”

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Indiana Historical Society Programs

How to Preserve Original Family Documents (Preservation Workshop, February 8, ate the condition of the paper, surface treatment of the Society’s collec- 2008, 9 a.m.–noon OR 1–4 p.m.) clean, and create an archival enclosure. tions of rare manuscripts, prints, and Many people start their genealogy Only single-sheet paper items, no pho- photographs for more than twenty- with the discovery of one intriguing tographs or pamphlets, will be encap- five years. She holds a certificate of family letter or document. Learn how sulated. The document may be double conservation from a conservation to preserve your family treasure at sided. See a demonstration of how to graduate program sponsored by the our next preservation workshop for humidify and flatten items that have University of London. Cost is $25; $20 original family documents. Bring your been rolled for many years and store IHS members. The registration dead- treasured certificate, letter, or other them with care. Ramona Duncan-Huse, line is January 24, 2008. Seating will document for specialized advice from senior director of Conservation at the be limited to 15 per session. To register the conservation staff. This hands-on Indiana Historical Society, has been call 317-232-1882. workshop will show you how to evalu- managing the preservation and

Around the Midwest Kentucky Historical Society Workshops The Kentucky Historical Society, in 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Martin F. workshop. For more information regard- partnership with the Kentucky Genea- Schmidt Library at the Thomas D. Clark ing the 2008 schedule or to register for logical Society, offers a series of free Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort, a workshop, contact the library Refer- family history workshops throughout Kentucky. Although the workshops are ence Desk, 502-564-1792, ext. 4460, or the year. Topics range from how to free of charge, the option of a light lunch e-mail [email protected]. Also, check the begin tracing your ancestry to the best is available at a cost of $5, payable at calendar of events online at http://www. new resources for genealogists. Gener- the door. Registration for the workshops history.ky.gov/ for updates regarding ally these workshops are held on the and lunches is required by noon (eastern these and other history education second Saturday of each month from time zone) on the Friday before each opportunities.

International News Online Directory for Genealogy and History In order to promote scholarly The Family Genealogy and History In- A major section within the directory, educational access to all key worldwide ternet Education Directory (http://www. Regional Genealogy and Local History Internet genealogical and family history academic-genealogy.com/) is a profes- Research, includes “areas, countries, databases and resources, Who’s Who in sional worldwide humanities and social directories, organizations, local ancestry, America, 1999 edition through 2004 sciences Web portal that connects users and local history studies. Total ethnic edition, and Who’s Who in Genealogy to billions of family history and geneal- group populations are combined with and Heraldry, 1981 and 1990 editions, ogy record databases for primary and regions of significant ethnic population, has created a Web site for genealogists secondary sources, encompassing key for an evaluation of global migration and family historians containing two worldwide genealogy sites. patterns over generations of time.” separate but connected components.

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-Connections-GUTS.indd 122 12/4/07 10:23:59 AM Around Indiana IGS Conference The next annual meeting and confer- tions, synagogues, historical societies, Several books published by the ence of the Indiana Genealogical Society and Jewish descendants, the DHPA will Indiana Historical Bureau that are now (IGS) will be held April 4–5, 2008, in investigate these sites, revealing the out-of-print are available online at Evansville, Indiana. Further information often overlooked and underrepresented HeritageQuest™, http://www.heritage can be found on the IGS Web site at histories that accompany both stand- questonline.com/, a subscription service http://www.indgensoc.org/conference. ing and former sites and structures. available for a fee. Both the Indiana html, or contact Michael Maben, 812- A highlighted map, located online at Historical Society library and the Indiana 331-2128; [email protected]. http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/jewish. State Library subscribe to Heritage- html, indicates those Indiana counties Quest, and access is available from Indiana’s Jewish Heritage Initiative containing sites and structures signifi- public computers at both libraries. Other Indiana’s Department of Natural Re- cant to Jewish heritage and provides books about Indiana may be found on sources, Division of Historic Preservation access to the Jewish history within each the HeritageQuest Web site as well, for and Archaeology (DHPA), in partnership county. example: Indiana Boundaries: Territory, with the Midwest Regional Office of the State, and County; The Indiana Centen- Online Book Sources National Park Service (NPS), has intensi- nial, 1916: A Record of the Celebration fied its commitment to the interpreta- The University of Michigan Digital of the One Hundredth Anniversary of tion, preservation, and representation Library’s collection “Making of America Indiana’s Admission to Statehood; Indiana of the Hoosier State’s historic Jewish Books” (http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/ in the War of the Rebellion: Report of the communities through the Indiana Jewish moa/) includes the two-volume set The Adjutant General; The John Tipton Papers, Heritage Initiative. This project began Report of the Debates and Proceedings Vol. 1, 1809–1827, Vol. 2, 1828–1833, with in-depth research of the state’s of the Convention for the Revision of the Vol. 3, 1834–1839; A Sergeant’s Diary in Jewish history in order to compile a list Constitution of the State of Indiana 1850, the World War: The Diary of an Enlisted of potentially historic sites, including which is now out of print. These volumes Member of the 150th Field Artillery (Forty- structures such as commercial buildings, are fully searchable online and may be Second [Rainbow] Division) October 27, houses, and cemeteries. Along with local purchased (print on demand) via the 1917, to August 7, 1919. and county historians, Jewish federa- University of Michigan Scholarly Publish- ing Office.

Books Received

The editor of The Hoosier Genealogist: Connections Copies of the following donated books are available for accepts contributions of books regarding Indiana and midwest- purchase from the Elkhart County Genealogical Society–Publi- ern genealogy and history to list in the “Books Received” section cations, PO Box 1031, Elkhart, IN 46515-1031: of Notices. These books are placed either in the IHS library or Jeffrey L. Keim, comp., West Goshen Cemetery, Goshen, the Indiana State Library. The books below are the most recent Elkhart County, Indiana (Elkhart, IN: Elkhart County Genea- donations: logical Society, 2006). JaLeen Bultman-Deardurff, Creager Farm: A Sequel to The Andrew L. Skwiercz and John L. Gold, comps., Index to the Music Teacher (Baltimore, MD: PublishAmerica, 2007). Records of the Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home, Samuel B. Huddleston, A Civil War History of the 84th Indiana Elkhart, Indiana, vol. 3, October 20, 1999–December 31, Regiment, transcribed and published by Sharon Ogzewalla 2005 (Elkhart, IN: Elkhart County Genealogical Society, (2007). 2006). n

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Inheritance Taxes Indiana’s Inheritance Tax Records at the Indiana State Archives

B A R B A R A F. W ood

In 1913 the Indiana legislature im- The tax records created by the heirs (to the deceased), amount taxable posed a tax on the transfer of property, inheritance tax law comprise a unique to each heir, amount of tax, discount including inheritances. The circuit court source of information for genealogists (if any), interest (if any), net amount of every county in the state was given with Hoosier ancestors and are now collected, appraiser’s fees and expenses, jurisdiction to hear and determine all accessible at the Indiana State Archives. net amount transferred to state audi- questions arising under the provisions The records are available at the archives tor, date of collection by treasurer, and of the act and to appoint a competent in two different forms. The first collec- receipt number. In 1925 the form was person as appraiser to fix the fair market tion is from the Auditor of State and shortened to include only the cause value of property. The tax was paid to consists of the original quarterly county number, name of estate or deceased, the county treasurer, who reported to treasurers’ reports from 1913 to 1933. date of collection, receipt number, the auditor of state. The county audi- The early reports (1913–1924) contain name(s) of heirs for whom paid, total tor issued a warrant payable to the a great deal of information, including: amount of tax imposed, discount, inter- state treasurer for the amount of taxes cause number, name of estate (name est, and net amount collected. Some received by the county treasurer and of deceased), net amount of estate tax- records include only one heir, while oth- transmitted it with the report. The State able, name(s) of heirs, relationships of ers include twenty or more. Board of Tax Commissioners and an inheritance tax investigator supervised the administration of the law.1 The inheritance tax law was amended several times over the course of the twentieth century. The responsibility for inheritance tax now rests with the Indiana Department of Revenue.

An index card to an inheritance tax schedule bearing information on the estate of Herman Hulman Sr., who died in 1913 (Courtesy of the Indiana State Archives)

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-Connections-GUTS.indd 124 12/4/07 10:24:00 AM Unfortunately, the county treasurer’s reports for Adams through Madison counties were missing when the collection came to the State Archives and have not been found. Reports for Marion through Whitley counties are complete. Many familiar surnames appear in the records, including James Whitcomb Riley in Marion County. Among other names that caught my attention while processing these records were two men who came to Indiana in the mid-nineteenth century in search of the American dream. Their names became well known not only in Indiana, but around the world. In Vigo County, the first name in the December 1913 report is H. Hulman. A little research shows that H. Hulman was Herman Hulman of Terre Haute (1831–1913). He came from Germany at the urging of his older brother and started his wholesale grocery business in Terre Haute in the 1850s.2 He later added a spice mill. The company produced a formula for baking powder that was improved several times until it was finally refined and sold as Clabber Girl Baking Powder. In the 1920s Clabber Girl was the best-selling baking powder in the United States, and it is still found on the shelf at your local grocery.3 Hulman’s heirs were his sons, Her- Herman Hulman Sr., pictured here, immigrated to Terre Haute, Indiana, in the 1850s and man and Anton Hulman. Anton was began the Hulman family fortune with a wholesale grocery business. (Courtesy of Commu- the father of Anton (Tony) Hulman Jr., nity Archives, Vigo County Public Library) who purchased a large race track on the west side of Indianapolis in 1945.4 The track became known as the Indianapolis He came from Germany at the urging of Motor Speedway and is famous to auto his older brother and started his wholesale racing enthusiasts around the world. Herman Hulman Sr., who died on July 4, grocery business in Terre Haute in the 1850s. 1913, was the great-great-grandfather of Anton (Tony) Hulman George, the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speed- way in 2007.

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Left: Pictured in the pas- senger seat here is Thomas Edison with his Studebaker automobile—the second electric car produced by the Studebaker company, which began producing electric cars in 1902. (Courtesy of the Studebaker National Museum, South Bend, Indiana)

Below: County treasurer’s report for St. Joseph County, Indiana, for the first quarter of 1918. The page of this report shown here contains information about the estate of John M. Studebaker, who began making wheelbarrows in the 1850s and ended his career making automobiles in the first two decades of the twentieth century. (Courtesy of the Indiana State Archives)

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Indiana was a pioneer in the early and include the name of the deceased, tance tax records or to request research history of the automobile industry. This the county, the date of the order, cause assistance, contact the Indiana State knowledge led me to investigate the number, tax, discount or interest, and Archives by e-mail at [email protected] or name John Mohler Studebaker, which tax paid. Many cards include date of by phone at 317-591-5222. appeared in the St. Joseph County death and whether or not real estate Volunteers are always needed at the records of March 1918. Studebaker was involved. This is an excellent source Indiana State Archives. Current volunteer (1833–1917) was born in Pennsylvania, for finding death dates for little-known opportunities include processing early the third of five sons. Older brothers relatives. For example, researchers for Indiana business records, state hospi- Henry and Clement moved to South Indiana’s Biographical Directory of the tal records, and early Indiana Supreme Bend, Indiana, where they established General Assembly were able to find death Court case files. To learn more about the H & C Studebaker Blacksmith Shop. dates for dozens of obscure state legisla- volunteer opportunities, please contact In 1852, at the age of nineteen, John tors using this card collection. For more Barbara Wood at 317-591-5222 or at went to Placerville, California, hoping information about the Indiana inheri- http://www.fisa-in.org/contact.html.n to get rich in the gold fields. He soon found his talents were better used in making wheelbarrows and selling them to prospectors. He came to Indiana in 1858 and purchased his brother Henry’s Notes interest in the Studebaker business, All URLs listed in the notes below were accessed in August or September 2007. joining his older brother Clement. The business became the Studebaker Wagon 1. Laws of the State of Indiana Passed at the 5. Automotive Hall of Fame, “John M. Corporation. Clement handled the finan- Sixty-eighth Regular Session of the Gen- Studebaker,” http://www.automotive cial matters, while John took charge of eral Assembly, 1913 (Indianapolis: Wm. B. halloffame.org/; Smithsonian Institution manufacturing. Buford, 1913), 83, 97. Libraries, “From Horses to Horsepower: When Clement died in 1901, John 2. Tammy Ayer, “The Hulman Dynasty, Studebaker Helped Move a Nation,” became president. He entered the auto- 1850–1997,” Tribune Star (Terre Haute, http://www.sil.si.edu/ondisplay/stude mobile market and led the company IN), May 25–27, 1997, http://specials. baker/; Studebaker Family National tribstar.com/hulman/. Association, “A Very Brief History of into electric automobiles and then into 3. Clabber Girl Corporation, “Clabber Girl the Studebaker Family and Company,” gasoline-powered vehicles. John’s deci- Baking Powder History,” Clabber Girl http://www.studebakerfamily.org/ sion to embrace the automobile industry Museum, http://www.clabbergirl.com/ history/; Studebaker National Museum, was a good one; sales increased from History.php. “History: The Studebaker Story,” http:// $3.6 million in 1901 to $43.4 million 4. “The Hulman Family,” Indianapolis Star www.studebakermuseum.org/history/. in 1914. Studebaker retired in 1915 and Library FactFiles, http://www2.indystar. died in South Bend on March 16, 1917.5 com/library/factfiles/people/h/hulman_ The St. Joseph County inheritance tax family/hulman_anton.html. records list twenty-one heirs to his $4.1 million fortune. A native of Marion County, Barbara F. Wood was a stay-at-home mom for eighteen The second collection of inheritance years, after which she worked at Franklin Central High School for nineteen years, retiring tax records at the Indiana State Archives as the computer specialist/registrar. A volunteer at the Indiana State Archives since October 2000, she is the volunteer coordinator and is currently processing records from comes from the Indiana Department of the Indiana Industrial Board’s Department of Women and Children dating from 1918 Revenue. This collection, “Index Cards to 1928. to Inheritance Tax Schedules, May 1, [The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Vicki L. Casteel and Alan January from the 1913–1968,” consists of 259 boxes of 3 x Indiana State Archives, who offered suggestions for the article and served as outside readers.] 5 inch cards from all 92 Indiana counties (approximately 275,000 cards). The cards are arranged alphabetically by the decedent’s name within each county

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Online Connections, February 2008 In February 2008, check out the new Central Indiana source articles in Online Connections. • “Shelby County, Names Recorded in Go to the Indiana Historical Society Web Diary of Lucius S. Keaton, 1864–1865,” site, http://www.indianahistory.org/, and by Evan Gaughan click on the links: Family History, Family History Publications, then Online Con- Southern Indiana nections. • “Vanderburgh County, Marriages Regional Sources and Stories Performed by Eben C. Poole, JP, 1910,” by Ruth Dorrel Northern Indiana • “Marshall County, Letters Left at Post Family Records Office in Plymouth, Indiana, 1856,” • “Lewis-Tobias Family Bible Records,” by Ruth Dorrel by Beverlyn Weddell

The Hoosier Genealogist: Connections Spring/Summer 2008 Issue Ind i ana H stor cal S oc ety Ken H i xon Ind i ana S tate Li brary The story of Henry Bascom Hibben, In the spring/summer 2008 issue It is a lucky family that possesses a written by George C. Hibben, is a good of THG: Connections, Bethany Natali family history written by one of its ances- example of a biography written from discusses the extensive state centennial tors. Ken Hixon shares the family history genealogical research. A Methodist min- celebrations held in Perry County in 1916. written in 1908 by his ancestor David M. ister, Rev. Hibben taught in and admin- The chairman of the county’s centennial Elliott regarding the Elliott and Officer istered several Indiana schools before committee was local historian and play- families of southern Indiana in the next entering the Union army as a chaplain in wright, Thomas de la Hunt, pictured here issue of THG: Connections. Look for it in 1861. Read more about Rev. Hibben’s life standing next to a paulownia tree. April 2008. in the next issue of THG: Connections.

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