28 November 2010

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Van Wormer (Joab)

Elizabeth McKean Van Wormer v Joab Van Wormer (Journal 4 p322 - Apr 1854; p350 - Nov 1854) see Mark Van Wormer

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Wms Co on 1 Mar 1843 (Marriage V1 p64).  Elizabeth, b 24 July 1819 PA, was the daughter of Joseph and Jane McKean, who were early settlers here c1838.  Joab, son of Henry and Mary Van Wormer, who both died in Brunersburg, Defiance Co, OH in 1855 and 1847, respectively, lived in Sheridan, Calhoun Co, MI as of the 1840 federal census. According to the 1850 St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census, p77A-B, the family was listed as Joab 44 NY, Elizabeth 30 PA, Joab 2 OH, William 1/12 OH, and Lucy 15 NY. According to family lore Joab and "Lib" adopted a William Van Wormer, son of Joab's brother, Henry Van Wormer, Jr., who had died while helping to build the penitentiary in Jackson, MI.

Elizabeth charged Joab with gross neglect.  She stated that he was in Michigan as of 1854.  The case was continued but a divorce was eventually granted.  In the 1860 Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p33, she was listed as Elizabeth 36 PA seamstress, Martha J 18 OH, and Joseph M. 12 IA plus sister-in-law Bethema Van Wormer 36 OH and her son Henry 14 OH.  By the 1880 St. Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census Elizabeth was listed as head of house 61 PA with Jane McKean 50 PA dressmaker, and Ida Lockhart 15 OH, Elizabeth's granddaughter, Elizabeth died on 11 Feb 1896.  Joab and his brother Mark were both divorced in Wms Co, OH.  

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