Left to Right: Floyd, Clarence, Ruth, Roscoe, Ralph
The Yegerlehner Siblings – 1970, Family reunion at Earl Bell’s farm, Clay County, Indiana
Photograph from the personal collection of Deborah Sweeney.
©Deborah Sweeney, 2014.
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/05/28/wordless-wednesday-siblings/
One of the tasks in my quest to organize and scan all the hundreds of photographs in my personal collection is to label the photographs as much as I am able. Many of the photographs from the Yegerlehner collection are labeled. Between my father and my grandmother, they did a great job overall. However, there are still hundreds of unlabeled photographs. This is where my genealogy crowd sourcing comes into the equation.
The Yegerlehner family was very good at staying in touch. They regularly had family functions and reunions. They were great about taking group photographs and not necessarily great at labeling all the individuals in the pictures. I have dozens of pictures from family reunions over the decades. Many of the individuals in the photographs are no longer living. There are children and grandchildren still living who can still identify them. While I don’t know many of my Yegerlehner second and third cousins, I am trying to connect with them. Facebook has been a great tool for finding long lost cousins and I have been relatively successful with this strategy.
After scanning the original photographs for preservation, I made a second copy in which I numbered all the people. Since I had two pictures from differing viewpoints, I numbered the people the same between them. People shifted and moved around (or left the photo). In one picture, it was easier to see an individual and in the other not.
This weekend I posted a few photographs on Facebook in an effort to start identifying the people in the photographs. It was great to see the various family members agreeing as to “who was who.” To reach a broader audience, I am going to share some of the pictures here as well.
These four photographs were taken in November 1940 when Roscoe and Gladys celebrated their housewarming party for the house on E. Dunlop street in Kentland. All of the Yegerlehner siblings came with their families.
For those readers who have been following along with the letters, here are some of the faces that go with the familiar names.
#1 – Caroline Mary Yegerlehner
#2 – Mark Yegerlehner
#3 –
#4 –
#5 – John Yegerlehner
#6 –
#7 –
#8 – Ruth Yegerlehner (Floyd’s wife)
#9 – Dolores Yegerlehner?
#10 – Silvester Schiele
#11 –
#12 –
#13 –
#14 –
#15 –
#16 – John Henry Yegerlehner
#17 –
#18 – Jesse Schiele
#19 – Emma Foster
#20 – Floyd Yegerlehner
#21 – Romaine Mutchler
#22 – Gladys Yegerlehner
#23 – Clarence Yegerlehner
#24 – Ruth Mutchler
#25 – Earl Mutchler
#26 – Lovina Yegerlehner
#27 – Ralph Yegerlehner
#28 – Samuel Yegerlehner
#29 – Roscoe Yegerlehner
Photographs from the private collection of Deborah Sweeney.
© Deborah Sweeney, 2014.
Post originally found: http://genealogylady.net/2014/04/28/genealogy-crowd-sourcing-with-family/
Letter transcription:
MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-3-43
Dear Daddy – Writing from your old home town. We are getting ready to go to town – Ruth, Romaine & I. The two grandma’s are going to stay with David. We stopped in Brazil yesterday & saw Marie but David was down at his mother’s farm working so I intend to go back past their place tomorrow so they can see David A. Ralph hurt his back yesterday and is down in bed, unable to move. Faye is just getting over her operation, but Dolores is home and that is a help. Haven’t seen all the family yet but intend to before we go back. Clarence & Duane came last night – Wilma & Clara came today – Wilma had to attend the high school banquet last night. The boys are with Duane today. Your Mother had Carolyn’s baby bed set up for David. We brought one along but didn’t have to set it up. Floyd & Ruth are here this week-end too. They showed the pictures they took of us in Jan. The baby took [?] are good. They are going to take more tomorrow. By the way the uniform Mark had on is supposed to be a Navy uniform – so if it doesn’t look like it I can’t help it. I must get this finished so we can go to town.
Love – Mother
Modern aerial view of the Yegerlehner farm (Image courtesy of Google earth)
© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/23/clay-city-gladys/
Letter transcription:
Kentland Ind
3-26-1943
Dear Daddy –
This is the first regular letter I have written for some time. I got out of the habit – due to not having pictures to enclose, but have some now, covering D.’s 5th to 6th month. There isn’t much difference is his pictures but we can see a lot. He does something new quite often and of course that isn’t caught with the camera. We should have a movie camera so we could keep a more accurate record of his growth. It is so nice and warm today I intend taking him out for an airing. However I want to keep away from school children – there are so many diseases going around now – measles, chicken pox & scarlet fever. I have mentioned in several letters that we gave him Immune Globulin and he hasn’t taken measles from Mark – neither did John. The minute Mark said he didn’t feel good I sent him up to bed (Sat a.m. 8:30) and John stayed down, then John went to Krulls & stayed from Mon. till Fri. I do hope John won’t start
Dolores and her husband, James Stevens, c1953
[page 2] feeling bad in about a week. We are planning to go to C. C. Apr 2. Dolores will be home and we want to see her. I didn’t plan to go this week-end due to measles – that is John’s exposure by Mark will be three weeks tomorrow and some say an exposure can go three weeks in developing – and I didn’t want to take a chance. Dr. M. said it was not very likely he would take them from Mark after that long. John wrote an essay in a contest and won second – Angus W. won first. He said today he won a spelling contest and the reward was a candy bar but Miss Kitsmiller just gave him a nickel. He is taking algebra and likes it. Mark is still working on the cornet and I must say does good for no more practice than he puts in on it. He had to miss several days school when he had measles but so many were out too that they all had to catch up.
The stool in the “Powder Room” stopped up so had Monroe come out. He said it was from the septic tank and I had to have it cleaned. Billy Floyd cleaned it today – (6.25) and had
[page 3] to dig up the yard quite a bit – now will have to get that place smoothed down again and grass seed sown. I saw Bill out working on his lawn – I went over and he was putting arsenate of lead to kill moles. The moles have been working under his lawn a lot. I want to get some vigaro and seed for our lawn but there is a shortage of fertilizer and I may not be able to get any. There is a new special fertilizer called “Victory Garden” and of course it is compounded specially for gardens and to be used for just that. Paul Y. was here yesterday. He was looking for a manure spreader but hadn’t found one. He said Earl was definitely exempted for but talked like he might have to go – He said he had just bought a new tractor outfit. I’ll get all the “low down” and details if we get to go to C.C. next week. Kenneth would let Clarence try to keep him home. He said he didn’t want to stay home, with all the young men his age going. Had a letter from Ethel W. and she said Allen had gone – his dad could have had him exempted for farm work but Allen wouldn’t let him do it.
[page 4] Ethel said she didn’t blame Allen – because he would have to live with “those boys” when he comes back. That is the way I feel about us. You know I would rather have you here at home – but this thing is bigger than our own personal lives, and as you have written before – we are not the only ones – and when you come home we won’t have any guilty feelings about shirking a duty – so chin up – and all that sort of thing. It can’t last forever. – Well I hear a grunt and that means David is awake and soon will be clamoring for eats, and mentioning eats – it really costs us to eat, but I certainly am glad we have our locker. I haven’t bought meat in the stores for so long but once in a while glance at the show case to see what the prices are and the last time I looked – Hamb. 35 lb T-Bone 48¢ – and with rationing starting Apr 1 – 16 points a person a week is allowed and the amt. of meat one eats depends on the kind. Steak takes 8 pts a lb – so not much steak to be head in a week.
[page 5] I wrote you several times but will repeat – the income tax for ’42 figured 157.53 – also I read that all gross pd on salaries rec’d in Service will be refunded for ’42 – so that will be a little – Haven’t taken time yet to figure what refund will be coming.
— Some time later – Fed David (vegetables & milk) Tried fruit but he didn’t seem to retain it so thought I would try again later – He is taking orange juice again. Also went out and took down the clothes. Certainly is grand to hang them out again – after all the basement drying all winter. I haven’t heard anything about Ira D. recently so he must have gotten over the attack whatever it was. I suppose the people around town will keep you up on most local news. Your letters of Mar 12 & 13 came today. Never think anything you write is boring. If you can only say so much you know I always look for letters and don’t think they are ever dull – I have saved every one – I think they should be kept to hand down to the grandchildren –
The bank bal. at present is about $120⁰⁰ I haven’t had any collections for such a long time – and that much talked of uniform money hasn’t come yet.
[page 6] I am keeping bills paid – Ins, etc. Still have a 34⁰⁰ coal bill but will get it next month. I am taking the dividends off next 59⁰⁰J. Hancock prem. So that will be about half next time (Apri). I sat David up in his buggy – you can see by the picture the kind it is and he has scooted down till he has his feet braced on the foot piece. That is the way he likes to rest in his buggy.
It is a little hazy out like we might get a rain – Wish we would so that loose dirt would sink down where it was dug up.
Hope you can get an idea about us from these pictures. Now that we are getting into spring we should be able to get some good ones.
It is so warm today the physical ed classes have been held out of doors. Hope none catch cold. So far it hasn’t bothered John. I think the physical ed is good for him – he has to take it.
I must get this finished so can take it to the P.O.
All my Love
Mother
©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/08/a-regular-letter-gladys/
Letter transcription:
Mar 10, 1943
Lt. Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% P.M.
San Fran
Dear Mother,
Just a little late again this eve but I just got in – I’ve been on the sea all day and my face burns like fire and I’m dry as a fish. In that boiling hot sun for 5-6 hours one really gets hot. We weren’t fishing either.
Got 3 letters from you today – one had the picture of you and D. That was Mar Jan 24. The other two were earlier. Also got one letter from Clarence Y and one from Ira Dixon but
[page 2] those I will not answer until I get some stationery. You probably wonder why I didn’t use that you sent. Well I could only bring a minimum amount of stuff. That is the reason all my clothes etc are still in Noumea. I suppose there is lots of guessing etc. but I can’t even hint. We are all fine but at times things are a little exciting if you get what I mean but one gets used to things like that –
The pictures were fine thanks lots. I left all the others in Noumea.
Lots of Love
Daddy
P.S. Don’t worry about us.
©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/02/08/letters-from-you-roscoe/
Letter transcription:
1/9/43
Dear Mother,
You should be able to smell me now for I’ve just had a bath from head to foot. The water has been off some 10-12 days and bucket baths were in vogue but somehow the water came on today so a good bath. The water supply has been temperamental and bathing has been irregular but luckily there aren’t many women around a good bucket of water on a hillside and a naked body is something.
So far today we scored a little mail – got a Christmas greeting from Tommy Thompson and family. That was dated Dec. 7. There is another delivery today so maybe things will be better. We hope.
Just had and am still having a glass of tomato juice. That is one thing
[page 2] we have very little of and I’m surprised because it is a good source of Vitamin C and most people like it. I think Fred & Dr. P. swiped this as they came from taking a bath. I took my bath first and then they went while I held forth.
I’ve been thinking about the number of bonds you are getting and other papers around there whether it wouldn’t be a good idea to rent a safety deposit box. First of all I don’t know how much the rental is but you might investigate or you might talk to Nick who has one I think and ask him about the cost. The boys each have a bond and with ours also it might be worthwhile. Along with all of our insurance policies, etc. The policies can be duplicated in case – but it would be better – Maybe this a just a wild
[page 3] thought of mine which I got from censoring a letter this morning. Do what you think best.
After writing you last night I wrote to Joe R. and to Clarence Y. but I still have several letters to answer. I’ve been stringing them out some. Ed Johnson hasn’t written for a long time. He wrote twice and I answered right the same day but maybe his letters this way are lost in the pile the same as yours. I’ll bet if those persons who have to handle the mail were out here for a while they would be a little more prompt but their job is a big one and around Christmas it’s much more than at other times.
And I just happened to think again. Have you received any the uniform money? I haven’t and if you have tell me in every letter until I reply back because I want to send a tracer thru again if
[page 4] it doesn’t show up. All the others that I knew at that time have gotten theirs long ago.
We have had pretty strong winds today but so far we are still on the hill. This is the time of year for storms. Just like July & Aug at home. Hope you haven’t been snow bound too much.
I can’t send you any more of our local papers because it has been discontinued because the editor has been transferred – even that bit of news isn’t available any more. Well, I’ll finish later but in case I forget – Lots of Love Daddy
P.S. Later – no mail – we had ½ dozen fried eggs bought them in the country and we pilfered onions from and bread from the galley and did we eat – only the last egg was spoiled and it was mine so Dr. P. divided his with me. So long until tomorrow
Love again
Daddy
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/18/bucket-baths-a…n-vogue-roscoe/
Everyone’s family history can be thrilling. There are skeletons in most family closets. Roscoe and Gladys, like most people, had theirs as well. Several babies were born out of wedlock, an uncle became a counterfeiter, another aunt was locked away in the state mental hospital, several people divorced, and various scandals abounded. As the family researcher, I have found many of them, but I am sure I have not found all of them yet. One very interesting story makes a good post for Thrilling Thursday.
Nancy with her first husband, Theodore Walker, circa 1888 (Image courtesy of Jane Riley)
Nancy Mae McCoy Schiele was the oldest daughter of Elizabeth (Krieble) Schiele. Nancy later adopted the surname of her stepfather Michael Schiele. Rumor has it that she was Elizabeth’s illegitimate daughter, born eleven months prior to Elizabeth’s marriage to Michael, although Michael was not likely the father. Michael’s first wife gave birth to twins girls two months after Nancy was born. Mary Schiele died in childbirth along with one of the babies. According to legend, the father is believed to be James McCoy. No record of this man has been found thus far. Neither has a marriage record been found in either Clay or Owen counties. Now, it may be possible that Elizabeth and James were married, but the record has been lost. Nancy was conceived in the summer of 1865 after the Civil War had officially ended. Much like the years preceding her birth, Nancy’s life was filled with turmoil. One of my father’s cousins, a son of Clarence Yegerlehner, wrote to me in 1995, “My Dad says that Nancy must have been quite a person – especially for those days – she was married 2 or 3 times (for that time, I’m sure considered rather immoral.) One of the men she went with wanted to marry her – she refused – and he took a gun and shot her – I don’t think he killed her – merely wounded her.”[1] This was the first reference to the shooting that I had come across.
Later I found a write-up in the History of Clay County by William Travis.[2]
I hadn’t thought about this story much until recently when I became connected with some of Nancy’s descendants. I started to do a little more digging. This month I found a couple contemporary newspaper clippings about the incident.
Brazil Register, 28 February 1884
A TRAGEDY
A Young German Near Clay City, Shoots His Sweet-Heart and Himself
CLAY CITY, Ind., February 25. – Yesterday about 11 o’clock a terrible tragedy was enacted one mile of north of town. Louis Oberndorfer, a young German, shot Nancy Schiele twice, the balls going through her arms and lodging under her shoulder blades. He then fired two balls into his own breast, then followed the girl down stairs and tried to shoot her as she ran toward the stable. Failing in this he went up stairs and shot himself again in the bowels, the ball lodging in the back near the spine. It seems that Oberdorfer had wanted to marry the girl, and had been refused yesterday; in the absence of the girl’s parents he procured a revolver with the intention of ending her life if she refused him again, and the above was the result. It is thought the girl is not dangerously hurt, but the young man is thought to be fatally wounded. At last accounts they were both resting tolerably easy. (Brazil Register, 28 February 1884, p. 1, col. 5.)
Because the event was so tragic and amazing, multiple papers in the region wrote about it.
Attempted Murder and Suicide
CLAY CITY, Feb. 25th, 1884
In a fit of madness yesterday, about 10 o’clock, Louis Oberdorfer attempted to murder Miss Nancy Schiele for refusing to marry him, by shooting her twice, one shot each entering under each arm and lodging under the shoulder blades. She, with the assistance of young sister, eight years old, succeeded in escaping from him, when he shot himself three times, one shot entering his right breast, another the left breast, and another passed through the stomach. His wounds are considered mortal, while Miss Shiele is seriously wounded, but not considered fatally by her physicians, although she will probably be a cripple for life.
Oberdorfer is a young German, 23 years old, has been in this country 18 months, and for the past six months has made his home at Mr. Michael Schiele’s house, who is one of our most prosperous German farmers, living one mile north of town.
The sad affair created great excitement as all parties were highly respected and such results were never thought of. The young lady is unable to lie down, but is resting easy as possible in a sitting position. Mr. Oberdorfer is provided with a comfortable room and bed in the house of Mr. Schiele, and at the last reports this morning was still alive, receiving good attention from the family and his friends. At the time of the shooting Mr. Schiele and the rest of the family were away from home with the exception of Miss Nancy and two younger sisters and Mr. Oberdorfer. (Clay County Enterprise (Brazil, Indiana), 27 February, 1884)
Two details from this article jumped out at me. The first is that after Oberdorfer shot his daughter, Mr. Schiele allowed Louis Oberdorfer to remain in the household. The second is that this article mentions that two younger daughters were also home at the time. The eight year old was Lovina, my great grandmother and Roscoe’s mother.
And just in case, you thought the story was over….it does have a tragic ending, at least for Louis.
Louis Oberdorffer, the attempted murderer and suicide, was removed from the residence of Mr. Schiele, last Thursday afternoon, to town. It was hard to convince him that the number of men who went to assist in his removal was not a mob wanting his life. He seemed to continually grow better until Sunday forenoon, when he suddenly began sinking and died about 12:30 o’clock, having lived probably two hours over a week from the time of the shooting. He was buried on Monday.
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
[1] Duane Yegerlehner (Indianapolis, Indiana) to Deborah Sweeney, letter, 30 October 1995; privately held by Deborah Sweeney, Elk Grove, California, 2013.
[2] Travis, William, A history of Clay County, Indiana : closing of the first century’s history of the county, and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth (New York: Lewis Publishing Company, 1909), 484-485.
Letter transcription:
Kentland Ind
Jan 3 -1 1943
Dear Daddy –
I missed getting a letter out Sat, but we went to Laf. and when we came home was too late. I wanted to go see Dr. Ade about my throat – it wouldn’t get over being irritated. I also wanted to take David down for Dr. Cole to see but he couldn’t see me Sat. and I am planning to go tomorrow morning. That sounds like a lot of travel but Dr. Ade wants to see me again tomorrow. My throat feels much better since he worked on it and hope another treatment will fix me up. I feel better generally too. I am going to have a blood count made because after taking so much sulfa I probably need some shots. Clarice kept David for me yesterday but of course I’ll take him along tomorrow. She said he was very good while she had him. He is that way most of the time. He is on the bath table now kicking and looking around.
[page 2] When we came home Floyd & Ruth were here to spend the week-end. They have been traveling around so much hadn’t been able to get any laundry work done so they brought their washing along and did it. Floyd is to take his physical and if he passes will be in the Army. They will probably write you if and when.
I told you about the bed Mary Parttens loaned us for the baby. They brought it in yesterday and Floyd set it up. We have it in the den and it looks like the piano will have to go to the living room because it makes the den too crowded. I think I’ll make a real nursery out of the den since David has to have his things downstairs.
Five letters came yesterday which brought your mail up to Christmas Eve. I am so glad you found the batteries. Also glad you rec’d as many boxes as you did – since that was all you could have for Christmas. Now maybe you will get the other boxes I sent. It’s odd you have never received any letters from Funks. I know they have written to you and sent you a box for Christmas
[page 3] Just had a caller – Eleanor Towers – she came to see David – and the rest of us. So many came after we came home from the hospital but this was her first visit.
The weather seems to be changing some. It has been raining & warm but the wind is blowing and I believe it is getting cooler. Floyd was wishing for sunshine today. He brought his movie camera along and wanted to get some good indoor pictures. We have some photoflood bulbs we used so maybe they will be good. He took some of the boys out in the yard and some of all of us in the house. He had some developed that he had taken down in C.C. He has a screen & projector so we got to see some scenes from the farm with your Mother, Dad, Clarence, Ralph Glendon & Kenneth and one of Bob. I don’t know when we will get to see these he took today, because if he goes in the Army can’t tell where he will be sent. Dorothy Salter’s husband and Herschel Steiner are in the same C.B. camp
[page 4] in Rhode Island. I think Hilda said Ed was being sent to a camp in R.I.
We have eaten so much candy – received some nice boxes for Christmas. Floyd & Ruth brought the boys – John & Mark each a can of peanuts and then opened them and we have been eating them – I would much preferred to send them to you. Hope you get the ones I did send in your birthday box.
Our radio is getting a little off – I think it needs a new tube. It blurs and hums sometimes. Dorothy said theirs had gone out entirely – you remember they got theirs when we got ours. I’ll see Geo T. about it. Maybe he will have some new tubes. Just wish I could send you a radio but they aren’t for sale any more.
The boys are listening to Gildersleeve and it is about time for David to get a bottle so must get this finished.
– – Just stopped to put the bottle on to warm and from the sound of the thumb being sucked I think he is ready for supper
Love
Mother
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/05/we-went-to-lafayette-gladys/
Letter transcription:
1/2/43
Dear Mother,
Did OK with the mail again today. That is in a way, got 9 letters today but they were all old. That is older than the previous ones from you. Only two of the letters were from you. Dec. 2 and Nov. 30. The rest were from outsiders – Mom, Clarence, Ruth M., B. Walkup, Allgoods, Uncle W. and Barry the drug salesman. Quite of variety wouldn’t you say? In your letters you mentioned the collection. I believe I told you to see Geo. Tilton. See if his method sounds good. Maybe a little law – but Cliff is too easy and no one bill is big enough unless it is the Reed bill. I suppose whatever you do you won’t get much. So don’t worry too much about the whole thing.
I wrote you in yesterday’s letter about the tax. Again pay 1941 tax, and whatever you think best of
[page 2] the past year. But send me the figures on this year (1942) if you have them.
I was all caught up on my writing last night didn’t owe anyone a letter then all these came today and now there are several again – Drop me a V-mail now and then as I said last night and for they may be faster. I don’t like to write or receive them but they are better than nothing. I’ve gotten lots of mail but none of it very recent. Dec. 12 was the latest.
Fred & I went shelling for about ½ hour today but the tide was so high we didn’t do any good. We’ll have to try some other time. I’ve managed to collect a few but none very nice. We really don’t have much time to get away now that all the other Drs. are gone. I mean
[page 3] those I spoke of leaving before. We three are still here.
I just stopped for a little trip over the hill to an urge of nature. It’s a long distance over there but I made it OK. That is one thing I’ll appreciate when I get home. This hill climbing gets old for things like that.
I suppose I have all the pictures you have sent up to now and really get a kick out of them. Walkups sent me pictures of their family and snow banks. Those must have been taken about the same time you took the ones you sent. Again that snow looks good.
Well. I’m not newsy tonite so I’ll try to do better next time
Lots of Love
Daddy
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/03/did-ok-with-th…n-today-roscoe/
Click to enlarge
The family of John H. Yegerlehner, 1904-1905, Clay County Indiana
(l. to r.) John H., Raymond, dog, Samuel, Ruth, Lovina, Roscoe (in carriage), Ralph, Clarence
Original image from the private collection of the author, Deborah Sweeney.
Genealogy Lady 