Laurie Miller writes,
“I will be near Hancock County and would like to visit. My great-great-grandparents, John Wesley Springer and Harriett Jordan, were married there in Feb. 1847, and were living in Grant County by 1850. I stopped by the courthouse several years ago when I first started my search and saw the marriage license at the courthouse. I didn’t know what to look for back then, and I was hoping there might be other records to determine who John Wesley’s parents were. I am closely related through DNA to the family of Edward Springer of Shelby/Johnson County and Springers in Rush County, but I have not found the connection to Hancock County or his parents. I know hers were Moses and Mary Jordan. What records (land, tax, probate wills etc.) might I be able to find for any Springers living in the Hancock County area at that time? John Wesley Springer was born in Indiana in 1825. Please respond to Laurie Springer Miller at [email protected].”
Can anyone help Laurie? Sue Baker published a book on probate and wills and other legal records which might be helpful. There are copies in the Greenfield Public Library.
I went to the Pendleton Historical Museum to speak at a NineStar program the other day. Nancy Noel and her volunteers at the museum have a very interesting operation. It is open in May and it is free.
One exhibit photographed for me by Stuart Poe tells about Maud Ward (1903-2002), who was born in Warrington in Hancock County and educated in Pendleton. Ward pioneered the preservation of sight as a health issue in Indiana as early as 1947 by founding the Indiana Society to Prevent Blindness, with Indiana becoming the first of the national affiliates of Prevent Blindness America.
She worked as a social worker for the Indiana Department of Welfare from 1933 to 1972. Prior to 1933, as a student at Louisiana State University, she became the first woman to be asked to sit for the CPA exam, but declined to do so to return to Indiana to help her family during the depression. Did any of you know about her?
A couple of folks came into the Hancock County Public Library to visit the other day. They are going to do a driving tour of New Palestine. Do you have any sites you suggest they should see on the tour? In addition, Carol who owns the Riley Emporium is working on new keepsakes for the Riley Days Festival: Post cards, plates, towels and more. You collectors, please stay tuned for more.
Enough. I have told you everything that I know and some things I don’t. Talk to me.
You can write to Joe Skvarenina at [email protected] or in care of the Daily Reporter at 22 W. New Road, Greenfield, Indiana, 46140.
