25 October 2010

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Meach


John A. Meach v Rhoda Sprague Meach (Journal 6 p29 - 25 May 1860; p148 - 26 Nov 1861; Roll 15 case number 46 - Nov 1861)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Swancreek Twp, Fulton Co, OH on 15 July 1856.  John, the son of Abel and Charity Mack Meech, was born in Lowell, Oneida Co, NY on 15 Feb 1816. He first tied the knot with Lydia Ann Housel on 31 July 1845 in Akron, Summit Co, OH. In the 1850 Fulton Co, OH federal census index John Meach was listed as 34 NY along with Lydia 27 OH, and children William 4 OH and Martha 1 OH.  Lydia died on 12 June 1856 in Delta, Fulton Co, OH.

He brought to court the witnesses of his marriage to Rhoda, Charity and Jacob Fashbaugh, and the officiating minister, William McKee.  John said Rhoda was willfully absent for three years and on 10 Jan 1860 she committed adultery with Alexander or Philander Allen in Fulton Twp, Fulton Co, OH, and Allen passed her off as his wife.  A divorce was awarded.  On 20 Jan 1862 in Williams Co, OH he married Sarah Sigler and in the 1870 Pulaski Twp federal census, p4, John Meech 55 NY appeared with his family Sarah (Sigler), 35 OH, Emmett 5 OH, Ellen 4 OH, William 2 OH, and Clark 5/12 OH. John died on 13 Aug 1896, Wms Co (Death V3 p83).  His widow, Sarah, died on 17 May 1919 in Center Twp, Williams Co, OH.

Errant wife Rhoda possibly married Henry Spaulding on 3 May 1875, Fulton Co, OH (Marriage V3 p456). Rhoda may have been married once before to John Sprague; if so, her maiden name was Warner.  Nothing more is currently known of her.

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