Tag Archives: genealogy

A Momentous Decision (Roscoe)

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: January 21, 1943 Envelope

: January 21, 1943, p. 1

: January 21, 1943, p. 2

: January 21, 1943, p. 3

: January 21, 1943, p. 4

: January 21, 1943, p. 5

Letter transcription:

Dear Mother,

Our cool has continued and it is really comfortable – Just got thru taking a bath in the open air shower and reall got cold. I came back and Fred & Dr. P. asked me how it was and I said fine – let them find out for themselves.

I saw an income tax blank today and the surtax starts at 2000 with $260. So try to cut ours below 2000. I believe if you take all the deductions it will cut it below 2000. Don’t forget the insurance – malpractice car Ins etc. All that runs for a year payable in June or July and I left in May so that was that would be 10/12 or what ever the fractional part of the year.

[page 2] I would like for you to figure it whether or not you pay it. Next year the total amount will be 2400 or less and that won’t cost much. So much for that – Only if you do figure it don’t the drugs. The interest – to the insurance co. Interest on house payments. Interest to E. Buck Dave Ream etc. If you have time send me what you can figure the deductions would be. I believe you aren’t interested much in the tax situation but that has to be paid in 3 mo. after we return and that is why I’m interested. And if you haven’t made those other two payments on last year please do because those will all count up.

I’ve explained how these letters are dated several days after writing

[page 3] so that is why the letter you referred to was written on the 29^th and stamped on the 31. You see we write one night – passes thru the censor next day and to our P.O. next day and then to the other P.O. so it’s here for a few days before leaving. And I haven’t been able to figure how your comes this way – very seldom comes – I just heard today that all you will be able to write is V-mail. Really I don’t care if it is V mail just so it’s regular and not too old. However. I ‘m not sure that is only hearsay, but I did hear that there would be no more insured pkgs and no more registered letters.

Now – after the show and while sitting on the hill before the show starts – we always go about 1/1 hour early in order to get a good seat. Any-

[page 4] way while sitting there I made a momentous decision – and this is it. Don’t pay this past years income tax. I mean 1942. As I said before pay the other installments of ’41 but forget 1942 and put the money in bonds we can always cash them in and pay the tax. So forget about the income tax period.

Your letter of Jan 4 came today and I sure was glad you could attend Rotary – wish I could have been there – wasn’t that silly – or was it?? John’s letter of Jan 6 came also as well as one from Wayne W. and one from the Walkups at Earl Park. They seem to be real faithful in their letter writing.

Hope your sinus trouble is better and yes the coat – If you are satisfied I see no reason why I wouldn’t only you didn’t use all

Gladys modeling the black seal coat & new hat – January 1943

[page 5] the money I sent but that isn’t any of my business. You said you were going to send me a financial statement after the first of the year. I hope you include the number of bonds etc. and whether or not you got a strong box – probably you have already written those things but they haven’t come thru yet. I’ll be looking forward to a picture of you in the coat – and THE HAT.

Hope you and D. are better by now and everything is getting along OK. Please don’t worry about me and don’t get fussed up at anything – Don’t drive the car anymore than is necessary because of the tires etc.

Well, I hope our mail will be half-way regular again and I can hear from you often –

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/12/a-momentous-decision-roscoe/

A brother visits and a proof is found

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CLAY CITY

Mrs. C. E. Fesler accompanied her aunt Mrs. Mills to Brazil last Monday – F. A. Horner, Eli Coopridger, D.W. David and Mr. Sedgwick went to the Capital on court business last Monday – Counterfeit silver coins are said to be numerously circulated in this community – Mrs. Nellie Bagott accompanied by her little daughter went to Brazil Monday – Daniel Kambler, an old citizen and for many years a resident of this township, died last lweek at the home of his sone in Wayne county, Illinois – John Schiele, of Olney, Illinois, has been visiting his brother Michael Schiele – Will Schultz thinks of relocating on Eel river, having an eye to the Connely farm – Last Sunday, two youths of this locality found a stranger lying by the railroad tracks, supposed to have been drunk, who proceeded to rifle the helpless man’s pockets. It was a bold, dastardly trick, and the young men were recognized by a lady who will identify them when the occasion demands.

“Clay City,” Brazil Democrat (Brazil, Indiana), 24 October 1889, p. 8, col. 2.

“John Schiele, of Olney, Illinois, has been visiting his brother Michael Schiele.” – It is only one sentence but it finally confirmed a relationship that has long been suspected. Both men were born in Germany, and died before death certificates were mandatory. Two census enumerations gave evidence to a possible relationship, but not definitive proof. In 1860, John was living in Michael’s household in Wadsworth, Medina County, Ohio. Since the early census records did not include relationships among household members, these relationships can only be inferred. Michael later moved to Clay County, Indiana, where he appeared on the 1870 census. John was no longer a member of Michael’s household, but he too had made the journey from Ohio and was living in the same Clay County township.

Now that it is known that John and Michael were in fact brothers, perhaps more evidence revealing their family origins in Germany may be not too far behind.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/12/a-brother-visits/

A new experience (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
IND
1-21-43

Dear Daddy – Your letter of Jan 9 came today after the 10^th – which I rec’d Tues. I won’t try sending the eggs or green stuff. The only reason I sent the coke was because I had good packing, but that was too good to pass by. Should have put in some dry ice. There isn’t any school again today but it is warmer 20°. There is still ice under the snow on our street but the other streets in town are better and the highways are clean. Mark is working with his Christmas tools this A.M. John is just loafing. I wish they could go back to school but probably won’t this week. David is asleep – after taking 5 oz milk & 3 tbsp pablum he was too drowsy to have a good burp. Weighed 13-7 this A.M. The boys are getting a new experience – we have to slice our bread now and they think that something. Both tried and you can imagine what the slices looked like then Mother sliced for them and they thought she was very good. I told you before about creamery butter being so high 50¢ per – so we use oleo. There seems to be a canned milk shortage so I have been trying to get a little surplus because I don’t want to run out. They say not to do that. I wouldn’t for the rest of us but have to think of the baby’s welfare. I couldn’t get carnation so got Pet. The labels read the same. I hear D. so he must be waking up

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/11/a-new-experience-gladys/

Michael Schiele – A 60th Anniversary

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The neighbors and friends of uncle Michael Schiele, to the number of 117, assembled last Sunday at the residence of that sturdy old farmer citizen, near this city, and gave him a genuine surprise dinner on the occasion of his 60th anniversary.

“Clay City,” Brazil Democrat (Brazil, Indiana), 5 November 1891, p. 2, col. 2.

Book of Me – Prompt 11: Military

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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 eleven’s prompt is the Military.

Did you join the military?
Were you encouraged or discouraged?
Did a family member?
Regular or for a particular incident?
Did you or your family serve overseas in the line of service either during a war or as a posting?
Any thoughts, photographs, relevant memories?

My great grandfather
Malcolm W. Leonard, 1918

The military was something that never appealed to me. I consider myself a pacifist and I dislike guns and violence immensely. The thought of putting myself in the line of fire or anywhere near guns terrifies me. As a child, I remember reviewing possible future professions. Any job involving blood or violence was immediately excluded. A medical career was also stricken from the list. This fear also extends to travel in foreign countries where violence towards humanity is higher than average.

When I came of age in the 1980s, the United States was not involved in any military conflicts. The Vietnam War was still an open wound and the Gulf Wars were yet to come. A career in the military wasn’t even a consideration. For women, there were very few options in the military back then. My family has no recent veterans. My father escaped service during Vietnam as well as all my uncles. We were not touched. Having so many family members in religious professions may have had an influence. Some distant cousins may have fought in either Vietnam or Korea, but the last true family veterans came from World War II.

Yegerlehner, Christian - Clay City, Indiana, c1890

Christian Yegerlehner
Civil War Veteran

I readily admit that my opinion of the military has changed over the years. My limited exposure to the military colored my opinion for much of my youth. During college, I was disgusted by the machismo of my ROTC classmates. However, as our modern conflicts have dragged on, I have come to hold our military service members in high esteem. I cannot fathom the sacrifices they have made and the injuries they have suffered.

As I have studied my family’s history, I have felt pride for my ancestors who fought for our country in World War II, World War I, the Spanish-American War, the Civil War, the War of 1812 and the Revolutionary War. They experienced untold horrors to mold the country that we live in today. One of my greatest hopes is that neither of my children (or my descendants) will have to make similar sacrifices to defend our country. I hope that one day we can solve our conflicts through peaceful means.

The veteran dearest to my heart is my grandfather, Roscoe S. Yegerlehner. Please take a moment to explore my blog and enter his world during World War II.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/10/book-of-me-prompt-11-military/

Military Monday – Dear Mother (Roscoe)

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: January 20, 1943 Envelope

: January 20, 1943, p. 1

: January 20, 1943, p. 2

: January 20, 1943, p. 3

: January 20, 1943, p. 4

: January 20, 1943, p. 5

: January 20, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Jan 20, 1943

Dear Mother,

The cool that I wrote of in yesterday’s letter is still with us and very welcome – along with that is a pretty good breeze so that also takes care of the mosquitoes for if they don’t take cover they will be bashed to misquitoburger. Along with the cool it is also cloudy. Last night after finishing your letter I wrote Ed. Johnson – answered a Christmas greeting from the Mullen family and also one from Helen Salter. I’ve been trying to write a short note to all who sent greetings. Those I mail free because they only put 3¢ stamps on them and free is in the same status. One of these days I’m going to get another

[page 2] box ready to send home – really haven’t gotten everything made as yet. These things will be something when done or will they you can be the judge only it probably will be several days before they get there. I guess by now you know the new ruling on packages. If you don’t the P.O. will inform you when you try to mail them.

Up to now I have had two occasions to stop this letter. The first was nature in one of its calls. The second was a boy with a nose cold. While out I noticed that “Old Baldy” our mountain was completely hidden by a rain and what is ordinarily the long stretch of blue. The ocean was also a hazy smudge. These scenes around here are enough under ordinary times to make

[page 3] one really be in awe but in war time and under our present conditions Baldy is a big pile of dirt and the stretch of blue is just a big drink. In other words there ‘aint’ no romance. In some places these mountains remind one of our eastern range. That is there is a fair amount of vegetation and in other places the western range. I never did say much about the airplane trip to the west coast but I know there is some of the most desolate looking places in some of those states.

I’m still wondering about the uniform money and I won’t send in another letter until about the last of this month so that will give you time to give me word in case you should get it. That is if word of any kind ever gets here from you again – Seems as if

[page 4] our mail is no better than at Christmas time. There were lots of Christmas packages in the P.O. yet this AM and I never have received a calendar but maybe in time those things will come. I’ll finish later.

Will wonder never cease – Your letter of Jan 7^th came today – Now my mail is like this Dec. 17 – Dec. 30 & 31 and Jan 7. All the others is are missing.

Now to get down to your letter – First let’s take you. I think your treatment has been swell. My only diff suggestion would have been Sulfadiazine grains 15 every 2 hours the first day. Every 3 the next and about 2 after each meal for a few days. And don’t use too much stuff in your nose. It can get too irritated. Then another thing as you have heard me say often – Nervousness and anxiety does help those things, so try to be as calm as you can I know you must worry etc but don’t on my account

[page 5] and as long as the baby gains and keeps taking his food he is OK. Even though he does run that slight temperature don’t worry – Rectal temperatures are always one degree higher you know. After your course of neoprontisil provided you aren’t better – get some capsules of propradiene (may be misspelled) hydrochloride gr 3/8 and take on 3 times each day with an A.P.C. compound every 3 hours, by the time you get this I hope you won’t need the advice. And don’t blow your nose. Now about D. Throw the thermometer away as long as he eats and gains. And again on you – get some unicaps or similar vitamins and take about 6 or 8 each day for the first week and then cut down and if you can keep from it don’t stew too much. I know it takes all your reserve and strength and your recuperative power is low but it you will do the above I think things will be OK.

[page 6] Don’t feel that I’m bawling you out I’m trying to help long distant. Our letters made the round trip in 22 days – which is very good if things would just keep up that way – but we have no way of telling which is coming and which is not. This letter today I was very glad to get since it answered lots of questions an gave me conditions at home – and I do really hope & pray that you are better by now.

You mentioned the Johnson baby of course that was the first I knew – You didn’t say what day. It was only a mention and the name.

Well as you said I’ve rambled over lots of space but haven’t said much but Dear I hope you are better and Lots of Love

Daddy

P.S. I’ll send in again about the uniform money. I’ve answered the question about the extra money.

© 2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/10/military-monda…-mother-roscoe/

10 Below Continued…(Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-20-43

Dear Daddy – I am writing 2 of these today. They told me at the P.O. I am allowed 3 a day and I felt like writing more today than one holds. In case you didn’t get the other it is 10 below today. Blizzard yesterday and no school. I am quoting again figures I sent several times you asked for. To May 31 – #3120.45 – June 260.25 July 253.28 Aug 33.75 – total 3667.73. Agnes and I will get all the tax business taken care of so don’t worry about it. The uniform money hasn’t come yet. The last box you mentioned hasn’t either. Some of your Rotary friends asked if all you had to do was make a necklace – I told them you do that on Monday evening since you can’t attend Rotary. No letters today but had 5 Mon & 1 Tues. If you get all my previous letters hope you don’t worry about our colds. They boys are all over theirs and as full of pep as ever. The last time John started to sneeze I gave him the oral vaccine as you instructed – six in one day and it worked – cold all gone. I still have a sinus condition but I am able to be up – tho I am not trying to do anything unnecessary – Mother is here and takes care of the kitchen work. David is now taking 13 oz. carnation 16 oz water – 2 ½ tbsp Dextri-Maltose – 1 egg yolk – in formula – 3 tbsp pablum. He has now doubled his weight – at 3 mo 3 wks – is good. Holds on to things now and responds to attention. Took some more pictures today – Will send them if they are good. Will write a real letter next time – so I can ramble more.

Love Mother

Sunday’s Obituary – Nancy Mae (McCoy) Walker Kline

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Terre Haute Tribune, May 31, 1911

MRS. NANCY KLINE

By Special Correspondent.

CLAY CITY, May 31. – Mrs. Nancy Kline died at Lafayette yesterday at a private sanitarium of brain affection, aged 46 years. Her remains were brought here last night and taken to the home of her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Schiele. The funeral services were conducted at the home Wednesday morning, and burial at Greenwell cemetery. She leaves six children, Mrs. Ed Fouts and Roy Walker, of Lafayette, and, and four children by the name of Kline.

Photograph taken by Seth Musselman (2013)

Nancy has been a recent subject of another blog post (Thriller Thursday – Attempted Murder and Suicide). While she survived the murder attempt when she was 18, she did not live a long life. Nancy was married twice. She outlived her first husband, Theodore Walker. Her second marriage to Stephen Kline appears to have been a rocky one. They separated after several years of marriage and four children. Nancy moved with her children to Lafayette in the late 1910s. Stephen appears to have fought the separation and began proceedings to convict his wife of insanity. Nancy died very soon thereafter.

Court summons dated 1 May 1911

Nancy married Theodore Walker on 5 June 1888 in Clay County, Indiana. They had two known children: Charles Roy Walker (1889-1936) and Mae (Walker) Fouts (1891-1972). There may have been a third child.

She married second, Stephen M. Kline on 27 August 1896 in Clay County, Indiana. They had four children: Forrest S. Kline (1897?-1976), Inez (Kline) Ley (1899-1985), Paul H. Kline (1901-1994), and Russell R. Kline (1904-1927).

Schiele, Elizabeth with Nancy, Mae & baby Jack - c1910

Nancy with her mother Elizabeth, daughter Mae and grandson Jack, c1910

Special thanks are in order to Karen Brand for providing me with copies of the court summons and Jane Riley for the pictures of Nancy and her daughter Mae and a copy of Nancy’s obituary.

10 Below (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-20-43

Dear Daddy- No school again today. The blizzard drifted the snow yesterday so the busses couldn’t travel. There isn’t much wind today but very cold – 10 below. Our furnace runs most of the time but we are keeping it well looked after. The boys being home have time to keep the hopper filled and take clinkers out. In case you missed some of my Dec & Jan letters we are having one of the coldest (with more snow) winters in years. It started Thanksgiving and hasn’t let up much since. It is too cold today for veteran skaters. Even Mark would rather stay in than go out today. Yesterday he went to town once to go to the P.O. and said the town was full of transport trucks. The road north was blocked and they were held up here. We saw some going over 24 so maybe they tried another route. It is very bright and sunny today so will try to get some pictures taken. Haven’t gotten to the photographer yet – it is too cold to go now but will try to go as soon as this weather breaks – I still have Jimmy Ed Johnson’s buggy – but I hardly think he will need it yet – He is just two weeks old so guess his mother won’t take him out in this sub weather. David hasn’t been out since early in Dec but there has been so much snow couldn’t push the buggy thru it and it has been too cold to do a small baby any good taking him out. What’s your opinion? Even with a fur coat it’s too cold for me.

Love Mother

A Heck of a Long Summer (Roscoe)

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: January 19, 1943 Envelope

: January 19, 1943, p. 1

: January 19, 1943, p. 2

: January 19, 1943, p. 3

: January 19, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Jan 19, 1943

Dear Mother,

About the middle of the P.M. and the weather a little cooler – we have had a few clouds and the wind is blowing so that helps, but it sure was hot before that. I’ve just been thinking that this has been a heck of a long summer. When I reported in at Norfolk in May it was very hot and here it is 8 or 9 months later and still hot of course we have had some warm cool weather but mostly hot. Really I don’t think I’d like to live like this all time – I mean the warm weather – a change to the cold winds and frosting mornings is most desirable.

[page 2] In other words buckets of snow would be good or maybe acess to snow would be better. Several years ago in Indianapolis along about this time it was so cold – The heating plant in Elmer D. house froze up when you were up to see me and all those troubles – Remember. Well skip all those things.

Even our mail censoring job has fallen off. Just too hot for fellows to write. I thought I’d write others yesterday – but yours is the only one I’m able to get out each day. Sweat just pours out and gets the paper wet and the old thinking apparatus don’t work. It’s Thundering now. The second time I’ve heard that

[page 3] since leaving Norfolk. The other time is rained for 6 days straight – Hope it doesn’t do that this time.

I’ve taken five pictures all together. Fred and Dr. P. don’t know it but I’m taking candid pictures of them. Just started today and it’s a little hard to get one that the other don’t know it. I’m just trying to surprise them. Oh Yes. I’ll get some of myself on one or two to send you also. Those that I take of them are something of camp life.

I feel like working on some shells or something so I’ll finish later after the P.M. mail time – You notice I didn’t say after the P.M. mail.

Yes the mail has arrived. One letter for me from Wayne W. dated Dec. 14, so while it wasn’t a complete black out it wasn’t exactly what was expected. Of course I wouldn’t

[page 4] tell that to Wayne – but I’d much rather hear from you. So far we aren’t sure about a show tonite because it’s trying to rain and this is before the show so it may not be started. It is now 7:15 and the show generally starts at 7:45. Even with all the thundering etc. It didn’t rain much this P.M. just sprinkled now and then.

There is one thing I forgot to tell you and that is to file to mortgage exemption. I’ve forgotten what time of year to do that. It may be too late now. Ask Link or Ira or Boonie. Funny how one forgets those things but it sure happens that way. Guess it’s the continuous summer time.

Well, I’m thru for today except for lots of Love –

Daddy

P.S. went to the show after all. It rained but rain coats were in order.