The Lockwood Family of Burgess Avenue

James A. and Martha Johnson Lockwood moved from Hamilton County to Irvington in 1924.  At 48 years-old each, both of them were making a major change in their lives. They purchased a bungalow atop a hill at 5326 Burgess Avenue. (then numbered 5316) The couple had five children although two of them were already grown and moving into careers when their parents relocated to the city. In the 1920s, several of the family members worked for the L.S. Ayres Department Store.  Mr. Lockwood stocked the shelves while his son Albert served as a receiving clerk for the company. Albert's wife, Jeanette, was employed as an Ayres inspector.  Lester, the oldest son of James and Martha Lockwood worked as a carpenter before moving to Anderson, Indiana.

By the early 1930s, Mr. Lockwood left L.S. Ayres & Company and worked as a poultry and egg salesman.  The family's backyard abutted the Butler University football field so they could easily get a view of the excitement of various sporting events by just walking out the backdoor.  The 1930 Federal Census reveals that the house was worth $3,000. The Lockwoods dwelled in the home throughout the 1930s and 1940s.  Sadly, Mrs. Lockwood passed away in 1943 leaving Mr. Lockwood a widower for many years. He eventually sold the Irvington house and moved back to Cicero, Indiana by 1950 where he ran a hardware store.

The Lockwood Family in 1919:  Top--William, Lester, Leroy; Bottom--Martha, Juanita, James, and Albert

Martha Johnson Lockwood of 5326 Burgess Avenue c1938

The Lockwood family posed on the steps of their home at 5326 Burgess Avenue around 1925. At the far right of the photo stood the matriarch of the family, Martha Johnson Lockwood.  Next to her stood her son, Lester and her daughter-in-law, Lillian Johnson Lockwood.  Her grandchild, Robert, stood next to his father, while her daughter Juanita was at the far left.

Grandchildren come for a visit:  Robert and Joseph Lockwood posed with the family dog at 5326 Burgess Avenue in 1927.  Sadly, little Joseph would be killed by a car at age nine in in 1934.  

Seen better days:  5326 Burgess Avenue was not occupied for many years. Recent work on the home shows that someone may be making improvements. Over the years some rather unsympathetic changes have slightly affected the look of the house. The beautiful blond brick porch has been painted and the home is sided in both aluminum and vinyl although the clapboard siding is still visible in places.  

The historic images are courtesy of the descendants of the James and Martha Johnson Lockwood family via Ancestry.com