Happy New Year

Wishing all the Leisure's out there a very Happy New Year.

I'm hoping to be able to do more posting this year. As I work on my personal genealogy goal, I'm sure many possible posts for this blog will come to mind.

Please remember, if you have something you'd like included here either email me the post or let me know and I'll add you as an author.

Best wishes for a great New Year. Happy researching!!

Dora & Anna Leisure Military Boys

Thanks to Mariah Allen here is a news article showing Dora & Anna Leisure's seven sons who served in WWII. Below the picture is a little more information about the individuals.

Max Fredrick Leisure 31 May 1918-26 Feb 1945 KIA in WW II

Max married twice no children. His 2^nd wife had children from her 1^st marriage

1^st marriage Anna DUDLEY married 10 Sep 1938

2^nd marriage Edith BINION married 1 Jun 1943

 

Hugh Alexander Leisure 23 Jul 1914-25 Sep 1953

Married Edith Hicks

No children

 

Hal Dora  "Ben" Leisure 6 Nov 1915-14 Jun 1986

Married Evelyn M GORDEN 30 Sep 1946

Had one son Hal Jr

 

Ross Liburn Leisure living

 

Mellis Grant Leisure 18 Dec 1922-5 Mar 1945 KIA in WW II

 

Orie Amos Leisure living

 

Robert Lynn "Bob" Leisure  13 Dec 1919-24 Oct 1989 POW in WWII from 19 Dec 1944-12 May 1945 married Helena Mary Snyder 1 Oct 1943 had two children.

 

 

Dora Roscoe "Dode" Leisure and Anna Vina West married 24 Dec 1905 they were the parents of 13 children

A Marriage Conundrum - Max & Margaret (Leisure) Ewing

Max Ewing and Margaret Leisure were married 14 Aug 1927 in Rush County, Indiana. At the time the groom was living in New Castle and the bride in Carthage. Max's birth is listed as 18 Sept 1905 in Rush County born to Wm Ewing and Mary A Price. Margaret's birth is listed as 16 Nov 1910 in Shelby County* to Dora R Leisure and Anna V West**.

Then, Max Ewing and Margaret Leisure were married 24 Apr 1937 in Bartholomew County, Indiana. At the time the groom was living in New Castle and the bride in Columbus. Max's birth is listed as 18 Sept 1905 in Rush County born to William Ewing and Mary Price. Margaret's birth is listed as 16 Nov 1909 in Shelby County* to Dora R Leisure and Anna V West***.

The earlier marriage definitely took place as the couple is found together in New Castle, Henry County on the 1930 census. They are listed as married; he married at age 22 and she age 17****. Margaret's brother Tyrus was living with them as well.

There you have the conundrum. Why were they married twice? Did they divorce and remarry? Did they think they should remarry because Margaret hadn't been truthful about her age at the first marriage?

Based on their obituaries, Max and Margaret never had any children so there are no direct descendants to query. If anyone out there has resolved this mystery, I'd love to know what it is.


 *(This is incorrect, her parents were born in Shelby County but she was born in Rush County and is listed in Rush County Births Book 5, page 47.)
**Rush County Marriage Records Bk 22, Pg.71 & LDS film 1837933, digital folder 4186014, image 00071 on familysearch.org Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959 (search for Max Ewing)
*** LDS film 1940484, digital folder 4201891, image 00206 on familysearch.org - Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959 (search for Max Ewing)
**** 1930 US census, New Castle, Henry County, Indiana, population schedule, Enumeration District (ED) 23, p.9B, dwelling 185, family 189, Max Ewing; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http:/www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 Oct 2010); from National Archives microfilm T626, roll 593.

Lizzie & Charles Stewart tombstones

Check out the link to see the post on my personal blog. Lizzie (Emay) Stewart was the daughter of William and Fanny (Leisure) Emay.

Wordless Wednesday - Howard Leisure question

I have this picture from the Madison County Vocational Agriculture newsletter(?). In the lower left corner is a photo of Howard Leisure, Reserved Corn Husker champion. Anyone know which Howard this is? I have two in my file: 1. Howard Aubrey born 13 Nov 1921, son of John Aubrey & Buellah Leisure and 2. Howard Franklin born 16 May 1911, son of Noah and Eva Leisure.

James Washington Leisure family

For the past couple of days, I've been looking at the family of my great grand-uncle James Washington Leisure and his wife Mabel Sexton. Some of his children stayed in the local area, some ended up in Indianapolis, and some went as far a California.

I've had some pretty good luck finding records for the children and even found one BIG error which I've corrected. (James Russell did not married an unknown Abercrombie but did marry Dema Sutton who was the granddaughter of Joseph Abercrombie.)

I'd love it if you'd take a look at the family group sheet (just click on the words) and fill in any blanks/correct any errors you see. Either leave a comment or contact me at bhiggins9@gmail.com.

Thanks in advance:)
Becky

Charles C Leisure

I spent a fair part of my day looking at some of the siblings families of my George Washington Leisure, with not much luck I might add. However, I did find someone I found quite interesting and am hoping someone else has lots more information for me.

The derivation goes like this:
Nathan & Sarah (Irvin) Leisure
     William R and Lucinda (Fresh) Leisure
          Benjamin & Mary (Compton) Leisure
               Charles C & Mellie or Millie (Flinn) Leisure

Charles' basic information follows:

Charles C Leisure is written up in Indiana Biography vol. 5, page 107 below. He seems to have lived a very interesting life. Does anyone have any further information to share. I'd love to know more.

1st Leisure Reunion Attendees

Hi all and happy Fourth of July!! I hope your day is fun and safe.

I'm not sure how well this picture will translate to the blog but Jim did manage to merge three pictures into one and come up with something very close to the original. Unfortunately, it is faded at both ends but I think it's still a real Leisure treasure. We're going to work on getting the names for the attendees attached to each face but that may take awhile - if ever.

The 1st Leisure Reunion held at Mounds Park in 1917

It was suggested  - with tongue in cheek -  that next year all the men should wear suits and the women hats and dresses. I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen:)

Leisure Reunion 2011 Part 1

It's time to start informing everyone about the historic 90th reunion of the Leisure family. (I also had a fruitful research trip - short as it was - in Rushville and Carthage, Indiana, some of the finding which I'll share at a later date.) The weekend culminated, however, at the totally enjoyable reunion at the farm of Phil and Marilyn Leisure north of Elwood; an absolutely beautiful setting.

But, of course, the true purpose of the gathering was the fellowship with other Leisures, many who had traveled great distances and some from just around the corner. 

We weren't a many as the 200+ attending that first reunion at Mound Park in 1917 but we all hold great interest in those who came before. 

What a treat to have Gerald Rhoades share some of his genealogy finds from his 26 some years of research. While he spoke Phil Leisure created a descendants chart to help us visualize our relationships to each other. What a huge help that was!! Thanks, Phil

One final note before I leave for the day. Ann Reddick and Gerald each brought the same Leisure treasure - a photo of everyone at the 1st reunion. As you can see the photo is very long and I'm currently working on trying to put the three digital shots - it took that many to get it all in - together so I can post it here. Wish me luck.

Mary Elizabeth Leisure Blakemore

Here's a few things I've learned about Mary Elizabeth (Leisure) Blakemore today. I'm still looking for a marriage record. Were they married in Indiana or Iowa?

	Mary Elizabeth Leisure Blakemore
Individual Summary:	Mary Elizabeth LEISURE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Father:	Francis F Leisure
Mother:	Sabra HOLT
Individual Facts:
Birth:	Dec 1860 in Rush, Indiana4, 5, 6, 7
Residence:	1900 in Center, Henry, Iowa4
Residence:	1905 in Mount Pleasant, Henry, Iowa8
Residence:	1910 in Center, Henry, Iowa5
Religion:	Methodist9
Residence:	1915 in Mount Pleasant, Henry, Iowa9
Residence:	1920 in Mount Pleasant, Henry, Iowa6
Residence:	01 Jan 1925 in Mount Pleasant, Henry, Iowa3
Residence:	1930 in Mount Pleasant, Henry, Iowa7
Burial Place:	Pleasant Hill Cemetery10
Death:	29 Oct 1940 in Henry, Iowa7, 10
Spouse:	Jesse BLAKEMORE
Children:
	Grace Mayn BLAKEMORE born Mar 1882
	James Lester BLAKEMORE born Oct 1884
	Mary Ethel BLAKEMORE born Aug 1886

Sources:

1. 1880 Census, Rush County, Indiana (National Archive Film # T9-308), Purchased from Heritage Quest, Posey twp., population schedule, ED 82, page 12, dwelling 12, family 112, Sabra Leisure household. daughter age 19.

2. 1870 Census, Rush County, Indiana (National Archive Film # M593 Roll 356), Database online. Year: 1870; Census Place: Posey, Rush, Indiana; Roll: M593_; Page: ; Image: .. Record for F F Leisure household.

3. Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007), www.ancestry.com, Database online.. Record for Mary E Blakemore, wife of Jessie; 1925.
4. 1900 Census, Henry County, Iowa (Provo, Uah, Ancestry Inc), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Year: 1900; Census Place: Center, Henry, Iowa; Roll: T623_436; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 28.. Record for Jesse Blakemore household.

5. 1910 Census, Henry County, Iowa (Provo, Utah, Ancestry, Inc), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Year: 1910; Census Place: Center, Henry, Iowa; Page: 9A; stamped 85 ; Enumeration District: 33; Image: .. Record for Jesse Blakemore household.

6. 1920 Census, Henry County, Iowa (Provo, Utah, Ancestry Inc), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Year: 1920; Census Place: Mount Pleasant, Henry, Iowa; Roll: T625_493; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 37; Image: .. Record for Jesse Blakemore household.

7. 1930 Census, Henry County, Iowa (Provo, Utah, Ancestry, Inc), www.ancestry.com, Database online. Year: 1930; Census Place: Mount Pleasant, Henry, Iowa; Roll: 658; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 11; Image: 932.0.. Record for Mary E Blakemore.

8. Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007), www.ancestry.com, Database online.IowaState Census 1905. Record for Jesse H Blakemore, Mary E, Grace, James, Mary.

9. Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007), www.ancestry.com, online database. Record for Mary E Blakemore.
   
   
   10. Find A Grave, findagrave.com, Created by Dave & Mo; Record added 27 Feb 2011; Memorial 66229066. Mount Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa, USA; Pleasant Hill Cemetery.