Dear Daddy-Yours of 1-17 Rec’d today. We are having sunshine today – there was a heavy frost last nite. It isn’t as cold as yesterday – but still cold enough to keep the stoker busy – Mr. Monroe oil it yesterday and aired the radiators. My sinus seems some better today – and I quit doing anything about it – it kept draining whether I had it washed out or not so thought I would quit doing anything – Maybe that doesn’t make sense but having it washed out every other day didn’t seem to help any. There is some drainage today but lots less. I am figuring up taxes. Have to pay gross this week. Agnes is going to write you and explain in detail about ’41 Federal. I am going to give her the figures for ’42 and she will file a report. Now please quit worrying about the taxes – we will take care of things “OK.” David is asleep. He took his pablum without a fight this AM. As soon as we get all our photographs finished will send you another box and put the pictures in the box. I believe you will get it that way as soon as by letter. The reason you haven’t been getting letters is due to shipping space shortage. Maybe the V-mail will be speedier. The necklace broke but I think I’ll have Mr. Reinard restring it. I had my picture taken and then the string broke. The picture didn’t turn out very good and I had it taken again but couldn’t wear the necklace.
Was born in the state of Ohio, January 5, 1840, and departed this life at his daughter-in-law, Mrs. J.F. Lawhead Feb. 18, 1920, aged 80 years, 1 month and 13 days. He was united in marriage to Martha Burch, near Bloomfield, Ind. To this union were born three children. His wife and three children preceded him in death. He was again married to Margaret Rea, near Bloomfield, Ind. To this union were born seven children. The wife and four children preceeded him in death a number of years ago. He united with the M.P. church at York, Ill., some thirty years ago and lived a faithful Christian to the end. He leaves two daughters and one son, one step daughter and one step son, a number of grandchildren and eighteen great, grand children to mourn his departure. He had been a sufferer since N [?] But bore his suffering with patience always trusting in his blessed Savior. Only last Sunday he told the relatives and friends that “he wanted to go home to Heaven if it was the will of God.” Thus reconciled with all men and with his God he passed over the mystic river and is now at rest in the land that is fairer than days. May his mantle fall upon another and his good work go for others.
The funeral service took place at U.B. church, Robinson, Ill. Rev. W. H. Duncan was in charge and interment took place at Hutsonville cemetery.
-Newspaper Unknown, likely published in Hutsonville or Robinson, Illinois, 1920.
Minerva with her father James Lawhead, son James R. and grandson (c1908)
James Henry Lawhead was the second known son and child of Joseph and Cassandria (Harding) Lawhead. He was likely born in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio as reported on his death certificate.[1] The family migrated at least twice during his childhood. The census records the family living in Guernsey, Ohio in 1850,[2] and then moving onto Greene County, Indiana by 1860.[3] As a young man, James worked as a farm laborer in nearby Lawrence county, Indiana and was enumerated a second time.[4]
James married first Martha (Lafoon) Burch on 3 November 1861, Greene County, Indiana. They were the parents of three children: James Francis, Margarett A. and a third unknown child (presumably an infant which died young). At the time of their marriage, Martha was a widow with three children: Paris Burch, Ortha E. Burch and Ruth Burch. It is likely that this marriage ended in divorce. James was married again in 1868, and Martha was still living in 1870.[5]
James married second Margaret A. Rea, the daughter of George and Sarah (Jewell) Rea, on 5 December 1868 in Greene County, Indiana. They were the parents of seven children: Jasper R., Emily H. “Emma” and Minerva [twins], Saphrone, Parey, Casan and Joseph. The last four all died as infants. James and Margaret did not remain in Greene County, but moved to Crawford County, Illinois soon after their marriage.
Sometime between 1900 and 1910, James and Margaret moved to Peach Orchard, Arkansas for a while. Their son Jasper had settled there. After Margaret’s death, James married for a third time in Arkansas, a widow named Cora Perkins, on 5 December 1908. James later returned to Crawford County where he died in the home of his daughter-in-law, Belle Lawhead.
Even though James’ obituary states the he was buried in Hutsonville Cemetery, no grave has been found.
[1] Illinois Department of Public Health, death certificate no. 24333, James Henry Lawhead (1920); Division of Vital Statistics, Springfield.
[2] 1850 U.S. Census, Guernsey County, Ohio, population schedule, Seneca Township, p. 474 (penned), dwelling 3045, family 3067, Joseph Lawhead: NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 684.
[3] 1860 U.S. Census, Greene County, Indiana, population schedule, Center township, P.O. Jonesborough, p. 75 (penned), dwelling 530, family 530, Joseph Lawhead; NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 262.
[4] 1860 U.S. Census, Lawrence County, Indiana, population schedule, Spice Valley township, P.O. Bryantsville, p. 149 (penned), dwelling 1910, family 1910, Wm McNabb; NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 276.
[5] 1870 U.S. Census, Greene County, Indiana, population schedule, Centre township, P.O. Solsberry, dwelling 21, family 21, Martha Lawhead; NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 318.
The Book of Me – Written by You is a weekly blog prompt created by Julie Goucher of the blog Angler’s Rest. This is a fifteen month writing project to highlight my life so that I will have something to leave behind for my descendants. Week twelve’s prompt is the year you were born.
What happened?
Historical
Films
Music
Books
Television
__________________________
1968 was a pivotal year in 20th century United States history. The year was marked by great gains and losses. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy were assassinated. The Vietnam War was in full swing. Protests against the war were common on college campuses and metropolitan areas. Civil Rights protests and disturbances were occurring every month, and they were continuing to be increasingly violent. In April, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968. By the end of the year, Johnson also signed the Gun Control Act of 1968. NASA launched Apollo 7: the first manned Apollo mission broadcast the first live television coverage from space. Later in the year Apollo 8 would enter orbit around the moon. As the year ended, Richard M. Nixon was elected president and the Zodiac Killer began his killing spree on the west coast. Several books and articles have been written about 1968, including 1968: The Year that Rocked the World by Mark Kurlansky and The Long 1968: Revisions and New Perspectives edited by Daniel J. Sherman, should one wish to learn more about this amazing year in history.
Top Ten Grossing Films of 1968:
2001: A Space Odyssey
Funny Girl
The Love Bug
The Odd Couple
Bullitt
Romeo and Juliet
Oliver!
Rosemary’s Baby
Planet of the Apes
Night of the Living Dead
Other notable films were: A Lion in Winter, The Green Berets, The Thomas Crown Affair and Rachel, Rachel.
Music:
Notable rock groups of the year were: The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Diana Ross & the Supremes, the list could go on and on. It was also the year that Johnny Cash finally married June Carter.
Debuting On Broadway:
Hair
Promises, Promises
Zorba
George M!
Books:
Lloyd Alexander – The High King
Isaac Asimov – Asimov’s Mysteries
Agatha Christie – By the Pricking of My Thumbs
Arthur C. Clarke – 2001: A Space Odyssey
Phillip K. Dick – Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep?
John Christopher – The Pool of Fire
Ursula K. Le Guin – A Wizard of Earthsea
Peter S. Beagle – The Last Unicorn
Anne McCaffrey – Dragonflight
Beverly Cleary – Ramona the Pest
Charles Portis – True Grit
Alexander Key – Escape to Witch Mountain
Hugo Award: Roger Zelazny – Lord of Light
Nebula Award: Alexei Panshin – Rite of Passage
Newbery Medal: E.L. Konignsburg – From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Caldecott Medal: Ed Emberley – Drummer Hoff
On Television:
In the 3rd season of Star Trek’s original run, the groundbreaking episode “Plato’s Stepchildren” featured the first interracial kiss on television.
Doctor Who was played by the second actor in the role, Patrick Troughton. His companions were Jamie (Frazer Hines) and Zoe (Wendy Padbury). The Doctor regenerated at the end of the sixth season in the spring of 1969. The Brigadier (Nicholas Courtney) had a recurring role and John Levene made his first appearance as Corporal Benton.
Just finished a letter to Uncle W. thanking him for the atlas. I didn’t give you a very good accounting of all the things you sent. We did get rid of some sardines last night. I used some of the misquito cream before the show and we have the calendar up on the wall in plain view of all. I don’t know if you knew it or not but one of those papers had an article in it about the mail to the boys outside of U.S.A. Hope more articles like that are written and results are obtained, because it is now 7 days since any new mail has arrived and that makes things sorta draggy as far as the mail is concerned (I mean new). Got the package of course and some Christmas greetings
[page 2] mailed way back in Dec. The Christmas season has sure lasted long this year as far as the greetings are concerned some of those earlier ones came about 2 wks before and the last one came 2 days ago from Dolores. I still have hopes of getting another or two – don’t know who from but just expecting I guess.
We have had rain most of the day after a deluge last night or rather 5 AM this morning. It really sounded like it was coming right thru the tent top, but it didn’t.
John and Mark, circa 1942
I always keep forgetting when I write to John or Mark. Are they still keeping the scrap book? And if not why not? And I still think it would be a good idea – Maybe one item each week or
[page 3] one per month. I think each should do that. Particularly of things that happen in the South West Pacific. Those things might be interesting to talk about when I get home. That’s just a suggestion and if I thought it a good one made it I would say it was a good one but I really don’t want to brag – modest. I remember John was saving some before I left.
The films you sent weren’t exactly for the camera. There were 16 exposures and the camera only shows eight – So one my first roll every other spot was vacant. There isn’t any hole in the camera to show the extra ones. Don’t know if I’ll be able to figure how to use them all. The pictures were pretty good but small. There weren’t any pictures just the developed films. I tried to develop a few but didn’t do so hot. Will try again soon. In time I’ll get some to send home – If not I’ll send the films. If you are allowed to send packages – you might send 2-3 rolls. We have to be a little careful where we take pictures and when but there are times when good pictures would be of great value.
Silvester Schiele, 1939 Portrait given to his nephew Roscoe S. Yegerlehner
Later. Mail
Got 5 letters from you – postmarked – one Dec. 21, two on Dec. 28, one Jan 7 and one Jan 8. Mark’s Christmas greeting came. Mrs. Plummers greeting and letter. Geo Tilton’s letter and calendar another letter from Uncle Wess and a letter from Dave Burns. His letter (Daves) was the oldest – Dec. 10 (4). Mark’s greeting was Dec. 10 Mrs. Plummers was Dec. 20 and Geo Tiltons Dec 4 (10). Notice the correction. Anyway things looked
[page 5] up. In your last letter you said your sinus was better and Dr. A. thought it looked better – sure hope you are both correct.
I’ll answer just a question or two of your letter today and read them over more carefully before the next – First I can’t offer anything on the piano – Have John talk to Miss Smith – She could give more advice than I. If you can see your way clear financially and she thinks it better than the old one it is perfectly OK with me. What will you do with the old one. Make them take it away for I don’t want to have to push it around the garage when cleaning time comes.
Well, I must write other letters and will re-read your before tomorrow’s letter. When you get my letters just mention the dates written no particular reason just curious. D’s picture was pretty good –
Today is this blog’s first anniversary. I can hardly believe that a year has passed since I first started writing. Over this last year, I have transcribed and posted over 350 letters that my grandparents wrote during 1942 and 1943. My oldest child finished elementary school. I traveled to New England for the first time this century. I saw two amazing Broadway shows. I entered the world of DNA testing (which is fascinating and frustrating all at once!) I finished Boston University’s Genealogical Research Certificate program and started ProGen. I completed my first paid work as a genealogist. The blog has over 300 followers and has received over 18,000 views in the last 365 days. Readers from all over the world have discovered my grandparents’ story. I think they would be amazed and humbled that anyone would be interested in their experiences. Most of all I would like to thank everyone who has stopped by, and especially those of you that continue to stop by – day after day. Thank you! It has been an amazing year.
The famous lawsuit of Yeagley vs. Lanz promises to be more than a “tempest in a teapot.” It is to be taken into court and able counsel have been employed. Samuel N. Schwartz, of the Millersburg Bar, for Yeagly, and O’Donnell of New Philadelphia for Lanz.
“Shanesville Shiners,” The Ohio Democrat (New Philadelphia, Ohio), 26 January 1888, p. 3, col. 3.
I stumbled across a record today, a new record on Ancestry. It is actually a very old one even though it is new to me. I never even suspected that this record existed because Benjamin C. Foster was born in 1797. In my mind, he was a little too young to have served in the War of 1812. In case you haven’t been following the genealogy news this last year, Fold3, Ancestry and the National Archives have been working on a project to digitize the War of 1812 pension records. The plan is to make the records available to everyone….for FREE. The project is only 12% complete at this point. So while I found this index card today (which has made me extremely excited), I have to wait because the actual pension file has not been digitized yet. Patience is a virtue, right?
Dear Daddy – Clear and cold today. This must be one of those old fashion winters people talk about. Mr. Monroe is here this morning checking the furnace oiled and aired. He says everything is fine. I am on a club committee this afternoon. I would rather stay in since it is so cold but maybe it will do me more good to get away from home for a little while. I will wear my new coat and keep warm. I haven’t gone much this winter and need to get away from the house now & then. Arleen went to Laf. on the bus Sat. and when she told me I told her to let me know next time and I would take her so we may go one day this week. I don’t mind driving now because the traffic is slowed down and not much of it. There are hugh [huge] signs all along that say “Government orders drive only 35 per.” The ones I have noticed that do not keep to that are mostly out of state license. I hear David grunting and it is time for his bath – and pablum – the latter he doesn’t care much for but “mama” pokes it down him just the same. He does better than at first, however if he doesn’t get it he is hungry so has to have it. No letter today but had 3 yesterday (Jan 13-14-15). The J.A.M.A. is still coming – will talk to Dr. M. about your Co. dues. Dr M. sent you a box of goodies.
Several years ago when my great Uncle Floyd was still alive, we corresponded fairly regularly over the family genealogy. I was just beginning to receive some of the pictures from Gladys’ collection and I didn’t know who everyone was. Email wasn’t too convenient then (I didn’t own a computer!) so our correspondence was done via snail mail. I would photocopy several pictures and then mail them to Floyd. He would look the pages over and let me know if he recognized anyone, then mail them back with his notes written on the margins. I still have these pages in my research binders. It is probably a good thing that we didn’t have email as they would have probably been lost or deleted at this point.
The older woman in the photograph is Elizabeth (Schwartz) Yegerlehner. The other woman and the children are unknown. Floyd’s comment on the photograph was that they likely belonged to the Wolfe families. Elizabeth’s oldest daughter (and Floyd’s aunt) was Rosina (Yegerlehner) Wolfe. Rosina had eight children. The only child of Rosina’s that would have had three children before Elizabeth died in 1922 was Mary. Assuming that all three children in the picture were Mary’s, then the picture was probably taken about 1919. But I will never know for sure until my cousin bait trap catches something….
Mr. Nicholas Schwartz, of Berlin, was here on a short visit to his son, Dr. N. F. Schwartz. He is the father of nine sons, all Democrats – three M.D.’s and two members of the Bar.
“Shanesville Shiners,” The Ohio Democrat (New Philadelphia, Ohio), 15 December 1887, p. 3, col. 6.
Letter transcription:
Genealogy Lady 