14 September 2012

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Stephen Downs v Irene Foust Downs, 1888

By Pamela Pattison Lash



Stephen Downs v Irene Foust Downs (Journal 14 p412 - 12 Nov 1888; Roll 46 case number 1950 – Nov 1888)

            The couple was married in Wms Co on 25 Apr 1875.  Stephen stated that Irene was willfully absent for three years or more.  She was unfit to have custody of their ten-year old son, Samuel Downs. A divorce was granted.

Stephen Downs (21 July 1837 Crawford Co, OH - 29 Dec 1928 Williams Co, OH)
He was the son of Charles Grafton Downs and Sarah Rogers, both of whom lived in Williams Co, OH by 1860 federal census (Superior Twp).  In 1850 Bloom, Seneca, Ohio; Roll: M432_728; Page: 129A; Image: 632 the Downs family was enumerated with Stephen as 14 OH.

Stephen Down first married Christine Brillhart (14 Nov 1838 pos Stark Co, OH-22 Oct 1872 Seneca, Lenawee Co, MI; buried in Chatfield, Crawford Co, OH) prior to 1860 possibly in Crawford Co, OH;  Christina (various spellings) was the daughter of John and Mary Hull/Hall Brillhart; they had at least three children. They may have lived in Seneca Co, OH c1866

1870 Bloom, Seneca, Ohio; Roll: M593_1266; Page: 50A; Image: 103; Family History Library Film: 552765.
h/h 24/24 Downs, Stephen 34 OH farmer
Christenia 30 OH
John C 17 OH……..probably brother Charles John Downs
Mary M 7 OH
Nancy 4 OH
William 2 OH

Stephen Downs married Miss Irene Foust on 25 April 1875, Williams Co, OH by Rev BB Powell; note license was obtained by Charles J Downs (Marriage V4 p397)

Rosanna Foust (pos 1 July 1848/1849 OH- ) daughter of Samuel Ely Foust and Cynthia Cutler.
1850 Morrow Co, OH
1860 Cambria, Hillsdale Co, MI – Roxannah Frost
1870 Cambria, Hillsdale Co, MI

1880 Reading, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: 581; Family History Film: 1254581; Page: 270A; Enumeration District: 092; Image: 0214.
h/h 60/60 Downs, Stephen 38 works in chair factory OH-OH-OH
Roena wife 30 OH-OH-OH
Makay, Myron 13 step son OH-PA-OH
Burton A 9 step son OH-PA-OH
Downs, Sml 3 son MI-OH-OH

Stephen Downs married Polly Mepham on 18 Nov 1888, Williams Co, OH by Elder James Neal (Marriage V5 p457  #1354)

Polly Mepham (1852-1921) was buried in the Olive Branch Nazarene Cemetery, Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH; I believe she was Mary Jane Rutledge who first married Albert Mepham in Williams Co, OH on 8 Apr 1883 (Marriage V 5 #327).  Her husband Albert died on 14 June 1887 @41Y 11M 16D and was buried nearby in the Olive Branch Cemetery, next to daughter Sadie who died 4 Apr 1883 @5Y 11M 16D.  Polly, I have found, is often the nickname for Mary.

1900 Montpelier, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1332; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 118; FHL microfilm: 1241332.
h/h 68/70 Downs, Stephen 63 (July 1837) OH-OH-Eng mar 11Y day laborer
Polly wife 48 (June 1852) OH-PA-PA 1/0 ch
3 boarders

1910 Superior, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0136; Image: 1089; FHL microfilm: 1375254.
h/h 259/263 Downs, Stephen R 72 OH-MD-Eng mar 3x laborer
Polly wife 57 mar 2x OH-PA-PA 1/1 ch

1920 Mill Creek, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T625_1450; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 158; Image: 203. North Main Street
h/h 49/50 Downs, Stephen 82 OH-OH-OH no occup
Polly wife 67 OH-MD-Eng

Rena Foust married Robert Jobes on 14 Aug 1890, Williams Co, OH by John H Nelson JP (Marriage V6 p96 #284)
Robert Jobes (8 July 1840 – 17 Nov 1917 Hillsdale Co, MI)
s/o John Jobes and Permelia

1900 Cambria, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: 713; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 85; FHL microfilm: 1240713.
h/h Jobes, Robert 60 (July 1840) PA-NJ-NJ mar 9Y farmer
Rena wife 53 (June 1847) OH –OH-PA 3/3 ch

1910 Hillsdale Ward 4, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: T624_649; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0108; Image: 296; FHL microfilm: 1374662.
h/h 278/288 Jobes, Robert mar 2x 69 PA-PA-PA mar 18Y no occup
Rena wife mar 2x 62 OH-OH-PA 3/3 ch

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