31 December 2018

Pool Room Proprietor Divorce - Gause v Gause - Williams Co, OH, 1906


Bertha M Gause v Bert D Gause, Williams Co, OH, 1906
By Pamela Pattison Lash

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Thursday, 27 November 1906, p1 c7
Ordered to Leave Home
So Says Mrs. Bertha M Gause in Petition for Divorce from Bert D Gause
Charging among other things, that her husband, Bert D Gause, ordered her to leave home before the next afternoon, or that he would hire a dray (wagon) and move her and her clothing, Mrs. Bertha M Gause, prays for a legal separation of the marital ties that now bind her to an alleged recreant spouse.

In the petition filed in common pleas court, and sworn to by her, Mrs. Gause charges that her husband has been guilty of extreme cruelty and gross neglect of duty.  She says that for two years Mr. Gause has refused to give her any affection or attention.  That he refused her money, unless she would tell him for what purpose she wished to use it.  Mrs. Gause also says that the defendant would take his meals at a hotel and that on several occasions from the slightest provocation, cursed her before large crowds of young people.

Mrs. Gause says her husband has property in Montpelier valued at $2,000.  She asks for a divorce, suitable alimony, and that she be restored to her maiden name of Bertha M Daughton.  DA Websterr of Montpelier is her attorney.  Mr. Gause operates a pool room in that town.  The couple was married at St Joe, MI on September 27, 1903.

Here’s what I found about this couple:
Bert D Gause (31 July 1878, Roan, Wabash Co, IN – 7 December 1960. Elkhart, Elkhart Co, IN), was the son of George Gause and Kate Corder; he is buried in Rice Cemetery, Elkhart, Elkhart Co, IN.
Bertha M Daughton/Doughton (13 December 1884, Montpelier, Williams Co, OH – 24 February 1979, Toledo, Lucas Co, OH), was the daughter of Cassius/Caius Doughton and Emma S Wingert.
As stated in the newspaper article the couple was married on 27 September 1903 in St Joseph Co, MI.

Other marriages included

Bert D Gause married Mae A Deal , daughter of Silas Grier on 24 December 1920 in Elkhart Co, IN; Mae had been divorce twice before, once in 1911 and the other shortly before her marriage to Bert.  The couple had a daughter, Emeline, born 1931.

Bertha married William M Lane on 14 May 1908 in Lucas Co, OH and divorced by the 1910 federal census. She married Daniel J Rehklau in Lucas Co, OH on 4 April 1915.

From South Bend and Indianapolis, IN newspapers , starting on 9 January 1915 -5 March 1915 one learns that Bert was a naughty boy.  Melvin Long, a tramp, was arrested for stealing $200 worth of cigars from freight car on route from Florida to Chicago.  William Long, his brother, a Lake Shore trainman, is charged with receiving stolen goods.  Bert D Gauze, poolroom owner, is accused of buying some stolen cigars and Clyde Deller, laborer, is held under investigation in Elkhart, IN.

Bert had to pay a cash bond on $500 for his appearance in court.  It has been said he purchased stolen items from a gang of loafers about his place.  Bert was convicted of receiving stolen goods and fined $50 plus served 30 days in jail.

In South Bend and Indianapolis newspapers of 1916 Bert placed several ads in newspapers – he has a first class mail order or hardware specialty, full of merit, dies ready for manufacturing, price $5,00.
Free inducements offered you to locate in MI, OH, IL, and IN with some capital furnished as going concern.

Cigar and billiard room, part cash, seven years in business, will stand strict investigation, no junk, good business, well located, best reason for selling…………….Bert D Gause.

One also learns that Bert has a brother, William who was the owner of William Gause Shows and Italian Band (carnival) that toured principal cities in US, plus in 1909 had a first class restaurant in Peru, IN.

Sources
Elkhart Co, IN Marriages V 29 p593
1880 Roan, Wabash Co, IN – Bert 3 IN with parents
1900 Paw Paw, Wabash Co, IN – Bert D 21 IN with parents
1900 Montpelier, Williams Co, OH – Bertha M 15 OH with mother
1908 Toledo, Lucas Co, OH Marriages, p213 – Bertha says she’s never been married before
1910 Elkhart, Elkhart Co, IN – Bert 31 In with brother
1915 - Lucas Co, OH Marriages (1914-1917) – Bertha says she’s been divorced once from Lane; Rehklau is six years her junior
1917 WWI Draft Registration – Bert D of Elkhart Co, IN
1920 Elkhart, Elkhart Co, IN – Bert 42 IN roomer
1930 Elkhart Co, IN – Bert D 50 IN/Mae A 42 IN living with her parents
1940 Elkhart, Elkhart Co, IN – bert 60 IN/Mae 52 IN
1942 WWII Draft Registration – Bert of Elkhart Co, IN

21 November 2018

Divorce in Defiance Co, OH - Heacock, 1849


Larkin Heacock v Mary M Sherrod Heacock - Divorce in Defiance Co, OH, 1849
By Pamela Pattison Lash

From a newspaper account one can begin to do some research on the couple known as the Heacocks or Haycocks.

Defiance Democrat (Defiance, OH), Saturday, 23 June 1849, p3 c4

Petition for Divorce
-         Larkin Heacock v Mary M Heacock

-        The defendant will take notice that on 1 February 1849 a bill was filled in the Court of Common Pleas of Defiance, Oh by the said Larkin Heacock, praying to be divorced from the said Mary M Heacock, his wife. The cause was neglect of duty, willful absence, and at the next term of said court an application will be made for a decree divorcing said complaint from said defendant.

So what do we know about this couple?  Here’s what I found:
Larkin Heacock, son of Samuel Heacock and Esther Antrim, was born on 11 April 1812 in Washington Co, PA and died on 16 October 1887 in Holgate, Henry Co, OH.  He was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance, Defiance Co, OH. Larkin appears to be a Quaker

Mary M Sherrod, the daughter of William Sherrod and Mary Polly Nicholas, was born on 18 October 1815 in Orange, Carroll Co, OH, and died c1880.  The couple was married on 20 November 1834 in Carroll Co, OH. 

In 1840 the couple lived in Warren, Tuscarawas Co, OH with head of household Larkin Haycock having the enumerated as 1male under 5, 1 male 20-29, 1female under 5, 1 female 5-9, and 1 female 20-29.  They were living next door to a John c Haycock and a Caleb Haycock.  Ten years before Mary’s father, William Sherrod, Sr was enumerated in Warren, Tuscarawas Co, OH.

On 3 October 1842 in Carroll Co, OH a will was brought to the court for probate.  The will belonged to William Sherrod, Mary’s dad.  The will was signed by his mark on 4 September 1842, giving out bequests to his beloved wife, his youngest son David B Sherrod as his executor, and his youngest daughter, Mary Haycock, wife of Larkin Haycock, in addition to what I gave her, $200 starting on 17 June 1844 setting up a promissory note and each year $25 to be taken from this sum for her, and my son-in-law Larkin Haycock is NOT to use or have any contact with the aforesaid money.

Well it looks like Larkin did not have a great relationship with his father-in-law.  Perhaps Mary was no longer living with Larkin by that time.  Larkin’s obituary stated that he moved to Defiance from a farm near Evans port about 1845 and was  for a number of years head miller at the Defiance Mill.  Later he was proprietor of the Russell House and afterwards had charge of the Larkin and Empire Hotels.

In 1850 Defiance, Defiance Co, OH shows Larkin Heacock 39 PA miller $300 real estate living with Frederick and Elizabeth Stevens.  Frederick was also a miller. 

On 19 May 1853 in Defiance Co, OH he married Susannah Hamilton.  Susannah Clarissa Iler, was born on 14 April 1824 at Kirks Mills, Washington Co, PA and died on 21 September 1894; she is buried next to Larkin in Riverside Cemetery.  She had two children from her marriage to Mr. Hamilton – John Hamilton and Emma Hamilton Booth (George).  Her obit stated that she came from Columbiana Co, OH with her widowed mother, Jane Iler and her two children to Defiance in 1854.  After a few years she married Larkin Heacock who had two children, Sherrod and Martha. Together they had Edward Byron, Ambia B, Victoria, Ulysses Grant, Alice K, and Tecumseh Sherman. 

Obviously when one examines the vital records, one finds that this narrative is incorrect as she had already married Larkin in 1853.

On the 1860 federal census for Defiance, Defiance co, OH one finds Larkin Heacock 48 running a boardinghouse PA with Susannah 36 PA, Sherrod 20 OH law student, John Hamilton 11 OH, and Heacock children Emma 8 OH, Edward 6 OH, Ambia 2 OH, and Victoria 4/12 OH.  Again Larkin was listed in 1870 Defiance, Defiance Co, OH as 58 hotelkeeper PA, Susan C 46 PA, Sherrod 30 OH, Edward B 16 OH, Ambia B 12 OH, Ulysses G 8 OH, and Hamiltons John 21 OH farm laborer and Emma J 18 OH milliner/dressmaker.

By the 1880 Defiance, Defiance Co, OH federal census L Heacock 69 PA was hotel keeper along with Susanna 56 PA, Sherrod 40 OH lawyer, EB 25 OH traveling agent, AB 22 OH, and Grant 18 OH.  In 1882 the couple moved to Holgate, Henry Co, OH where Larkin died. More information is needed about ex-wife Mary M Sherrod Heacock.

14 November 2018

Buried Alive in Williams County, OH, 1902 - Warburton/Warberton


Buried Alive in Williams County, OH, 1902
By Pamela Pattison Lash


The following account appeared in the Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Thursday, 4 December 1902, p1 c8:

Uncle James Warberton, one of the sturdy pioneers of this section, was buried alive last Friday forenoon and lives to tell the tale.  Mr. Warberton descended into an old well near his residence to remove the brick from the wall, it being no longer used as a source of water supply for the family.  He went down into the well by means of a ladder, and was engaged about his task; without a moment’s warning the earth caved in from all sides.  Before Mr. Warberton was cognizant of what had happened he found himself buried under two or three feet of very compact sand.  Fortunately, for Mr. W. members of his family were near the scene of the accident, and immediately set to work with all their might and main at exhumation.  The dirt was removed from around his head in a remarkably short time, but some moments elapsed before he was entirely extricated from his perilous position.  His escape from suffocation is considered miraculous, and he owes his life to the prompt assistance of the rescuing party.  Mr. Warberton is past eighty years and a well preserved man for one of his advanced age. – Edgerton Earth.

Here is some additional information on this survivor and his family:
James Warburton (25 September 1822, Lancastershire, England – 7 January 1907, of dropsy, Edgerton, St Joseph Twp, Wms Co, OH); buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Edgerton, St Joseph Twp, Wms Co, OH; came to the US c 2 May 1842 and married first – Dinah Salter (1824 England -1860, Medina Co, OH).

The couple had five children – Albert H, Mary E, Allice A, Frank C, and Eliza J, all of whom were born in Summit Co, OH, and all but Mary E lived in Summit Co, OH.  Mary E married Enos Vallen, 15 April 1866 in Summit Co, OH but later moved to Williams Co.

Sometime after Dinah Warburton died, James moved to Williams Co, OH c1864 and settled on 240 acres in Section 12 of St Joseph Twp.  He married Mary A (Hudson) Morris, widow of Charles Morris, on 9 December 1879, Wms Co, OH, and the couple continued to live on the Warburton homestead until about 1894 when James sold half of his land to son-in-law Enos Vallen; by 1903 Enos owned it all but James and wife Mary Ann continued to live there until James’ death.  Mary later moved to Toledo, Lucas Co, OH, until her death on 13 July 1908.  There is a stone for the couple in Maple Grove Cem, but no dates were inscribed to signify either birth or death dates.

I noted that the surname can be Warberton or Warburton.  When the above described incident happened James was just 80 years old and the rescuing party (his family members) most likely were his wife, his daughter and son-in-law, Enos Vallen.  Perhaps this event was the reason why by 1903 Enos owned all the homestead.  

1850 Bath, Summit Co, OH – James 26 Eng/Dinah 26 Eng - miller
1860 Northampton, Summit Co, OH – James 40 Eng w/children – common laborer
1870 St Joseph Twp, Wms Co, OH – Mary Morris 35 OH with daughters Hannah and Ida
1880 Edgerton, St Joseph Twp, Wms Co, OH – James 57 Eng/ Mary A 47 OH – retired miller
1900 St Joseph Twp, Wms Co, OH – James 77 Eng/ Mary A 65 OH no occupation
Medina Co, OH Marriages 1841-1855 p79 – James and Dinah Salter
Williams Co, OH Marriages V4 p660 #1962 – James and Mary Ann Morris
Williams Co, OH Atlases, 1864, 1874, 1894, 1903
Williams Co, OH Death, V3 p146



08 November 2018

Williams County, Ohio Naturalization Record, 1836-1839, 1842, 1866 and 1860-1874


Williams County, Ohio Naturalization Record, 1836-1839, 1842, 1866 and 1860-1874

Probate Court
Microfilm Roll 37 – loose papers



Alien Name                  Arrived/Filed               Witness                 Allegiance           Resident From   Page

Kuenh, Conrad                  22 December 1836           -              King of **            Fairfield Co, OH                 A

Wrinberge, Conrad         22 December 1836           -              Hanover               Fairfield Co, OH                 A

Neidhardt, Jacob              14 June 1837                      -              France                  New York                            B

Loburen, Frederick          August 1832                       -              King of Prussia   Stark Co, OH                       C

Nees, George                    15 April 1839                       -              Alsace, France   Oneida Co, NY                   D

Schone, Rudolf                 Baltimore/June 1833      -              Hanover               Montgomery Co, OH      E

*, George                            17 November 1842          -              Republic of         Columbiana Co, OH         F

Bodell, Alexander            25 March 1866                   John Doe             -              Williams Co, OH                G



Naturalizations 1860-1874
Page Number/Alien Name
Arrived/Filed
Witnesses
Allegiance/Resident From


P2/Boos, John
17 January 1860
Predeger, Valentine/Pifer, Conrad
Hesse Darmstadt/Erie Co, PA

P3/Fehlman, Frederick
June 1852
Hellman, William/Rinkel, Frederick
Switzerland/OH

P4/Younk, Philip
6 March 1860
Anwlith, PG/Anwlith, Christian
France/Stark Co, OH

P5/Schaberg, Stephen
Arrived January 1830
Youse, Jacob/Wibist, Joseph
Prussia/OH

P6/Gates, Frank
9 March 1860
Gates, Joseph/Anwldt, PG
Bohemia/Seneca Co, OH

P7/Pike, Richard
13 March 1860
Lees, William/Bush, Joseph
Great Britain/Williams Co, OH

P8/Radenbaugh, Jacob
19 March 1860
Greisop, John/Grub, Peter
Prussia/DeKalb Co, IN

P12/Harbaugh, John
18 April 1860
Gise, Henry/Dirk, George
Prussia/Williams Co, OH

P14/Dirk, George
18 April 1860
Gise, Henry/Harbaugh, John
Belgium/Williams Co, OH

P16/Mentz, John
19 May 1860
Goll. George/Planson, Peter
France/Williams Co, OH

P18/Krommiller, Ludwig
2 June 1860
Coy, Andrew/Berey, John
Wurtemberg/Williams Co, OH

P19/Collenberger, Conrad
Arrived September 1846
Plummer, MB/Gearhart, Henry
Hesse Darmstadt/OH

P20/Snider, Henry
15 June 1860
Rinkle, F/Grub, Peter
Bavaria/Williams Co, OH

P21/Housnich, Jacob
Arrived April 1824
Plummer, MB/Lucts, E
France/OH

P22/Bavin, John
16 June 1860
Copeland, John D/Miller, BR
Great Britain/Ireland/Williams Co, OH

P23/Carey, Julius
Arrived June 1840
Planson, Peter/Carey, Valentine
France/OH

P24/Besey, John
23 June 1860
Coy, Andrew/Benner, Samuel
Switzerland/Williams Co, OH

P25/Dorriot, John
Arrived May 1840
Willet, BR/Doriot, Gustave
Switzerland/Williams Co, OH

P26/Doriot, Gustave
30 June 1860
Willet, BR/Doriot, Julius
Switzerland?Wayne Co, OH

P27/Dorrson, Henry
Arrived March 1853
Sheridan, William/Curm, Charles
Switzerland/OH

21 June 2018

Ice Pick Stabbing in Alvordton, 1933


Tri-State Alliance (Pioneer, OH), 29 June 1933, p1 c7

Stabbing Affray at Alvordton

Herbert Cassaday Attacks Hubert Stahl With Ice Pick

As the results of troubles extending over several years and in particular on Halloween night two years ago, Herbert Cassaday, 64, of Alvordton waited in the post office for Hubert Stahl, 28, last Saturday morning and when he entered the door attacked him with an ice pick, stabbing him 16 times and only from the fact that the instrument was dull Stahl would undoubtedly have been seriously wounded.
Stahl was surprised and stunned and was finally able to turn and use his fists and several vicious jabs, one on Cassidy’s head that caused him to break away and run down the CN tracks where he was overtaken and captured by Marshall Lester Borton who called Sheriff Siders who took Cassady to the county jail, where he was charged with assault with intent to kill, the affidavit being made by Mayor Wyrick of Alvord ton.  He was given a hearing in Justice Fogelsong’s court at Bryan and bound over to the grand jury under $300 bond which was furnished and he was released Tuesday.
This stabbing is the climax of a bitter feeling that has existed between the men for some time.  Two years ago on Halloween night Cassady claimed that Stahl and others came to his house, flashed a light in his face, pounded and otherwise injured so that he has not been well since and at that time he had Stahl arrested and charged with assault.  The case was tried in Justice court at Bryan and Cassady lost and was compelled to pay the cost of $11.  He has harbored a bitter feeling toward Stahl since that time and threatened to get even.


New Project at Local History Center, WCPL, Bryan, OH


New on the Shelf at LHC
Williams County, OH Marriages V8 – 1899 – every name data plus a family group sheet for each couple.  A researcher will be able to utilize this in conjunction with the older Volume 8 Marriage Book that is currently on the shelf. This book will act as an index for the new book.  Here is an example of what additional information one can find. (old data is underlined)

Williams Co, OH Marriages V8 p1/cert1 – m 11 Jan 1899
Stephenson, William Henry (2 Nov 1870, West Unity, Wms Co, OH – 1955), s/o James A Stephenson and Lorinda Radabaugh, farmer, age 28
Coulon, Ida (29 July 1875, Stryker, Wms Co, OH – 11 Nov 1979, Romulus, Wayne Co, MI), d/o Louis Coulon and Louise Gentit, farmer, age 23
Both buried in Shiffler Cem, Jefferson Twp, Wms Co, OH
Children: James Olen, Charles Vernon
1880 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH – William 9 OH w/parents
1900 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH – William H 29 OH/Ida 24 OH w/his parents
1910 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH – William H 39 OH/Ida 34 OH
1920 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH – William 49 OH/Ida 44 OH
1930 Stryker, Wms Co, OH – William H 58 OH/Ida 54

Williams Co, OH Marriages V8 p1/cert2 – 8 Jan 1899
Erney, Benjamin (26 Feb 1876 Seneca Co, ON or Sandusky, Erie Co, OH – 19 Aug 1944 Stryker, Wms Co, OH), s/o Frank Erney and Elizabeth Sprow, basketmaker, age 22
Kaiser, Louise (17 July 1876, Wms Co, OH – 28 Sept 1967, Wms Co, OH), d/o Lewis Kaiser and Mary Keinhart, housekeeper, age 22
Both buried in Oakwood Cem, Stryker, Springfield Twp, Wms Co, OH
Children: Arthur Frank, Edward Benjamin, Paul Jacob
1880 Sandusky, Erie Co, OH – Benjamin 4 OH w/parents
1900 St Joseph Twp, Wms Co, OH – Benjamin 24 OH/ Louise 25 OH w/her mother
1910 Springfield Twp, Wms Co, OH – Benjamin 34 OH/Louise 35 OH
1918 WWI Draft Registration – Stryker, rr telegrapger
1920 Springfield Twp, Wms Co, OH – Benjamin 44 OH/Louise 45 OH
1940 Stryker, Springfield Twp, Wms Co, OH – Benjamin 64 OH/Louise 65 OH


07 February 2018

Mother Sues Daughter - Grace Harper v Mary Alice Mills, Wms Co, OH 1909


Mother Sues Daughter - Grace Harper v Mary Alice Mills, Wms Co, OH 1909
By Pamela Pattison Lash

Sometimes I see a newspaper article that is definitely unique and this is one such item.  Here is the article:
Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Thursday, 19 January 1909 p1 c4
Mother Sues Her Daughter
Says Offspring Refused to Keep Agreement to Support Her for Property

In a petition filed in common pleas court last week a mother sues to have the property restored to her that she had transferred to her daughter who the mother charges has failed to fulfill an agreement to keep and support her during her natural life.

The action is brought by Grace a Harper past eighty years of age against her daughter, Mary Mills, of Springfield Twp.  Mrs. Harper says in her petition that on august 17, 1903 her daughter agreed to keep and support her for the remainder of her natural life, in consideration of which Mrs. Harper avers she deeded to her daughter some property in Ridgeville Township, Henry Co, OH, and gave her certain personal effects named in the petition and $80 in cash.  

The aged plaintiff charges that shortly afterwards Mrs. Mills refused to fulfill the verbal agreement.  By reason of this Mrs. Harper says she was forced to become dependent on other relatives and friends.  She asks for an order of the court setting aside the transfer and the return of the personal property and money.  RL Starr is attorney for Mrs. Harper.

This is what one can learn from a little research concerning the family:

Grace A Hively (17 May 1829 Ross Co, OH – 19 November 1915, Ridgeville, Henry Co, OH); daughter of James W Hively and Henrietta Easterbrook; buried in Locust Grove Cem, Ridgeville, Henry Co, OH; spouse of James Wesley Harper (19 May 1828 Lenawee Co, MI – 23 September 1900 Defiance Co, OH); buried in Locust Grove Cem, Ridgeville Corners, Henry Co, OH; married 28 June 1849, Defiance Co, OH

Their children were two boys who died early, one unknown, Arthur A, Hattie E, Mary Alice, and William EP.  It is Mary Alice that figures into this story.

Mary Alice Harper (13 Feb 1863 Henry Co, OH – 20 February 1928 Wms Co, OH); buried in Boynton Cem, Springfield Twp, Wms Co, OH; spouse William Arthur Mills; married c1881.
According to federal census records we get a sense of the geographical dynamics of this story:
1900 Ridgeville, Henry Co, OH – Grace Harper 71 widow no occupation, mother of 7 children with 4 surviving; she is living alone

1900 Ridgeville, Henry Co, OH – William Mills and wife Mary are living there; he is a farmer; not living close to mother

1910 Adams, Defiance Co, OH – Grace Harper 81 is living with son William E P and his family

1910 Springfield, Wms Co, OH – William Mills and wife Mary are farming and residing there

The conclusion using just the census is that Grace has been taken in by her son William, presumably sometime between the agreement of 17 August 1903 and the court date of 19 January 1909.  She is living with her son in Adams Twp, Defiance Co, OH in 1910 but dies in Ridgeville in 1915.  Whether she retrieved her personal and real estate property needs to be researched further.

05 January 2018

Old Newspapers Tell a Sad Tale of Edon Man Convicted of Murder - John Glenn Toner

A Shocking End to John Glenn Toner
By Pamela Pattison Lash

When I started this investigation into the arrest, conviction, and aftermath of John Glenn Toner for murder, I was surprised at the sheer volume of material that could be gleaned from old newspapers.  Here is the tale of perhaps over-privilege, intoxication, a hammer, and a missing stomach. 

Fort Wayne Sentinel (Fort Wayne, IN), Thursday, 16 August 1906 p4 c5
Toner Pays For Fun

J Glenn Toner of Edon, OH, arrested under the name of Myers, paid a fine of $5 and costs in the city court this morning for public intoxication, his arrest having been brought about by the fact that he drove his automobile through the Berry Street arcade yesterday afternoon.

He entered the arcade from the alley at the south and said he thought it was a public driveway.  He gave a mortgage on his machine and a bond of $50 was put up for him.  Patrolmen Paul arrested him after he had done a lot of reckless driving but no personal or property damage was inflicted.

Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI), Saturday, 10 January 1920 p3 c8
Victim of Assault With Hammer Dies
Assailant, Who Took Poison, Will Recover

Peter Granzow, 55 years old, farmer, living near Royal Oak, who was assaulted in his home by Glenn Toner, 35 years old, a neighboring farmer, died in Harper Hospital Friday afternoon.

Toner, who is in Receiving Hospital, suffering from self-administered poison, will recover, it is believed.  His story to the police Thursday night led to the discovery of Granzow in his home.  He was unconscious.  Toner said he had a faint recollection of assaulting Granzow with a hammer while Granzow slept.  They had quarreled following several days of drinking, he said.

Toner was recently arrested in Royal Oak and was to appear before Justice McEwan of Royal Oak, Friday on a serious charge preferred by Mrs. Tonner, who left him a week ago.

Battle Creek Enquirer (Battle Creek, MI), Wednesday, 14 January 1920 p3 c2
Held For Murder, Does Not Know Victim Is Dead

Pontiac, Jan 14 – J Glenn Toner is being held here for the murder of Peter Glangow of Royal Oak Township, who died from wounds inflicted in the home of Toner.  Quite a bit of damaging evidence has been found in Toner’s home, including a hammer covered with blood, a half-burned pillow covered with what is believed to be human blood, and Toner’s coat, on the sleeve of which are spots believed to be blood.  Toner has not yet been informed that Grangow is dead.  He claims to have suffered a loss of memory concerning what happened last Sunday.

Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI), Saturday, 17 January 1920 p18 c5
A grand jury probe into the death of Peter Granzow of Royal Oak who was found fatally injured in the home of J Glenn Toner, was ordered today by Assistant Prosecutor Blakeslee.  He intends to summon several witnesses who have been loath to tell about certain drinking parties at the Toner home just prior to discovery of the crime.  Granzow died from hammer blows on the head.

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Tuesday, 16 March 1920 p1 c3
Toner Trial This Week

The trial of Glenn Toner, former Williams County citizen, for the murder of Peter Granzow, was set to open at Pontiac, MI, on Monday, CL Newcomer, Bryan attorney, will appear in the trial as one of the attorneys for the defendant.  Ganzow was found nearly dead from the effects of a blow by a hammer the first week in January at the home of Toner near Royal Oak, MI, and newspapers at that time published an account of the murder.  Toner is a son of J M Toner of Edon.

Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI), Thursday, 18 March 1920 p13 c2
Lapse of Memory Murder Defense
Pontiac Man Tells His Story on Witness Stand

Pontiac, MI, March 17 – J Glenn Toner is on trial in circuit court for the murder of Ellwood Granzow, Royal Oak Township farmer, who succumbed to wounds from a hammer.  Toner surrendered himself to officers and claims a lapse of memory concerning events during the alleged drinking party at his home.  While at the Detroit Receiving Hospital, he claimed he dreamed of seeing Granzow sitting on the floor of the Toner home with a hole in his head.  Granzow was later found in a similar position.  Mrs. Toner appeared in her husband’s behalf today and there are several more witnesses for the defense.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, MI), Wednesday, 24 March 1920 p7 c4
Pontiac – Life in Jackson Prison at solitary confinement and hard labor was the sentence imposed upon J Glenn Toner in circuit court by Judge K P Rockwell.  Toner, a Royal Oak man, was convicted of having killed Ellwood Granzow, a farmer living near him, in a quarrel during a drinking bout.  Toner’s defense showed he had been addicted to drink since early youth.

The Yale Expositor (Yale, MI), Thursday, 23 June 1921 p2 c2
Pontiac – An appeal to the Supreme Court is being taken in the case of J Glenn Toner, of Royal Oak, serving a life sentence in Jackson Prison for complicity in the death of Peter Granzow, who was beaten to death during a drunken orgy.

Bryan Press (Bryan, OH), 26 August 1926 p1 c4
Suspect Murder of Prisoner From Edon
Suspicious Aroused By Return Of Body Without Stomach From Penitentiary

Considerable speculation has prevailed in and about Edon for the past week concerning the death of J Glenn Toner who died at the Michigan State Penitentiary at Jackson a week ago.
Toner was found dead Sunday evening and relatives at Edon notified that an inquest would be held Monday evening at 7 PM and an undertaker was sent to Jackson from Edon to be present at the inquest.  When he arrived at Jackson from Edon at 4 PM Monday he was informed that the inquest was over and that Toner had died of peritonitis.

The first report concerning his death said that he had died of ulcers of the stomach but he had not been ill as some people from Edon had been at Jackson six days before he died and they saw him but knew nothing concerning the alleged stomach ailment.  They report that he looked well at that time and was working as a foreman of the department in which automobile license tags are made.

The body was brought to Edon and after arrival there a post mortem examination was held and it was discovered that his stomach was missing, leading some to suspect that possibly he had been poisoned and an effort was made to remove the evidence in case action should be taken later.
Toner was secretary to the chaplain of the prison, played in the prison band, and is reported to have been in close touch

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), 27 August 1926 p1 c4
Death of Edon Man at Jackson Is Questioned

The death of Glenn Toner at Jackson Prison is being investigated, relatives not being satisfied with the report handed out at that institution following his death.

Toner was sent to prison six years ago last January for the murder of a man at Pontiac.  The two had been drinking heavily.  In the prison he made friends, became secretary to the chaplain, played in the prison band and in all was in close touch with prison politics.

Following his death an undertaker was sent to Jackson.  He was told that Toner had died of peritonitis, the inquest being over.  Another report had given his ailment as ulcers of the stomach.  In Edon a post mortem examination revealed that his stomach was missing, and this aroused the suspicion that he had been poisoned and the stomach removed to do away with evidence.

Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI), Monday, 30 August 1926 p1 c8
Free Press Is Blamed For Blocking Release
Preliminary Payment of $200 After Cleric Returned One Check Is Described

J Glenn Toner, a life termer at Jackson State Prison, died there three weeks ago, a disappointed man.
He believed his parole had been arranged.  At least $200 had been paid for it.

With his death the correspondence that had marked the efforts of himself, his brother, and his counsel to cancel his sentence for murder came to light.  The details of his case seem illuminating in connection with charges of huckstering of paroles during the Grosbeck administration that have been made in the course of the present governorship campaign in which the governor is seeking a fourth term – something unprecedented in Michigan.  Several state officials are involved in the case.

Blare Grosbeck has been governor nearly 7,000 paroles having been granted by him.  The records of the parole office, which was reorganized in 1911 bringing it directly under the thumb of the governor, have been kept from the public.

The operation of the office has been subject to widespread criticism as a result of the wholesale releases in the face of increasing crime.

In part of the correspondence the collapse of the Toner case is blamed on the Detroit Free Press but as soon as the paper’s criticism of the parole methods ceased the writ of liberty would probably ensue.
Another letter from the chaplain at the prison, Rev William Hopp, who cooperated with State Senator Barney Brower, the administration floor leader in the legislature and the others in the Toner case, urged that the arrangements be pushed as expeditiously as possible as everyone in Michigan expects the appointment of the governor as attorney general following the resignation of the present attorney general.  This, of course, is mere speculation, but may prove correct, in which case your plans may miscarry.

It will be recalled that certain state officials campaigned diligently for the appointment of Grosbeck as US Attorney General and that when President Coolidge named Charles Warren instead, they sought as diligently and successfully to block confirmation of that choice.

It was Rev Hopp who directed the brother and counsel of Toner to Brower.  He returned a check to Toner pointing out that is justice to his position as chaplain he could not very well enter late any arrangement that might be made with Brower.

Counsel for Toner were Augustus Gebbhard of Bryan, OH, and Bert Chandler of Hudson, MI.  A third individual who was active in Toner’s behalf was Charles Wardner, director of vocational education in Jackson.

Their activity began late in 1923 and continued through 1926.

Toner was committed to Jackson in 1920, being sentenced to serve a life term by the late Judge Rockwell of Pontiac.  In a drunken brawl near Royal Oak he had hit a man named Granzow with a hammer, killing him. For a time while he was in prison he was secretary to Hopp.  Later he served with a road construction gang.

In a letter to Wardner, Toner’s brother reviewed at length the efforts that had been made to get his brother out of prison.

The Times Herald (Port Huron, MI), Tuesday, 31 August 1926 p2 c3

Regarding the case of J Glenn Toner, a lifer who died recently at the Jackson State prison, the Governor related the circumstances under which executive clemency was denied Toner.  He said Senator Burney Brower of Jackson was retained as one of several attorneys in the case on behalf of Toner, but later withdrew, offering to return the retainer fee of $200 he had been paid.

“The only effect of the charges in the Toner case, the Governor said, is the insinuation that Senator Brower had some political influence with me.  The sum and substance of the whole story is that three lawyers sought a parole which they did not get.”

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), 31 August 1926 p1 c1
Toner Case Shows Corrupt Officials Sought Bribes
Highest Officials Were In Corrupt Deals, Says Free Press
Letters of Edon and Bryan Men Scattered Over Free Press In Toner Case

The death of J Glenn Toner of Edon at Jackson Prison is stirring Michigan because it brings open charges that the parole of prisoners in that state has been bartered by a ring of high officials, from governor down to prison chaplain.

In Monday’s Detroit Free Press were several fac-simile letters written by OG Toner of Edon, Attorney AL Gebbhard of Bryan, and William F Hopp, Jackson chaplain.

Mr. Toner’s letter to Mr. Warder states that he, Mr. Toner, did not grasp the situation when it was first hinted that he might obtain his brother’s release.  “I was not familiar in dealing with such fellows.  I never bought anybody and I did not understand conditions.  He visited a Senator Brower, he writes, and paid an advance fee of $200 to that state official.

Criticism of Governor Groesbeck’s many paroles, 8,000 in all, made it seem advisable to drop proceedings for Toner’s parole in November 1925.  Mr. Hop, chaplain, urged Mr. Toner to get busy with Senator Brower, and haste was also urged in 1924 because it was believed that Go Groesbeck might be appointed Attorney-General by President Coolidge, in which case the parole matter would be up to a new governor.

When the Williams County men went into Michigan to secure the parole of a prisoner they found officials working adroitly for cash for that parole, and it is now feared that Toner’s death instead of being from natural causes, was a means taken to silence the prisoner and cover up the corruption existing there.

An underground letter from James Glenn Toner to his friend Charles Warder told him “that the prisoner was in fear of being bumped off.”  Mr. Warder was in NY at the time the letter was sent to him and shortly after Toner, former Deon man, died suddenly in Jackson Prison.

Investigation of the case is now being pushed at Jackson by Mr. Warder, RW Reese, another friend of Mr. Toner and the Detroit Free Press, which has been attacking the prison management for some time.  J M Toner, father of the dead man, expected to be called to Jackson the first of the week in the case.

Mr. Warder, one of the men who is pushing the case, is a teacher of vocational training in the Jackson schools.  At the time he received the warning letter from Toner he was in New York, where he owns a pleasure resort.

Mr. Toner, the father, said Saturday that he felt there were too many good people in Jackson to permit this case to be dropped, yet he also intimated that he is somewhat discouraged regarding the progress that it is making.  It is one of the most mysterious prison deaths that has puzzled Michigan authorities for years.  Friday’s News-Bee said:

“OG Toner placed some reliance in the observations of Maude Walters, Deon, who visited Toner in prison a few days before his death.  She said he appeared to be in the best of health.

“It is claimed that both Toner and his family had sought pardon for the prisoner.  The brother at Deon employed an agent, he said, to present his claim two years ago.  That agent shortly before Toner’s death received a letter from the prisoner, complaining about the delay, the brother says.

“For some time Toner was employed on a road gang.  After his complaint he was kept in closer quarters at the prison.  Whether prison authorities feared it was not safe to permit Toner to remain on the road gang could not be learned.


“From present indications, however, it is not likely that a probe will be launched, unless relatives can bring other persons into the controversy.  Officials here say that as far as they are concerned the investigation is closed.”