Civil War Veteran’s Guardian Was Murdered by a Jealous Brother-in-Law - Edwin A Langley, Springfield Twp

            

                                   By Pamela Pattison Lash

 

This Civil War Soldier left his native residence of Keene, Coshocton Co, OH after his service in the Ohio Volunteer Infantry was over, taking his wife and small children to Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH.  A blacksmith by trade he established a home here and later moved to Gorham Twp, Fulton Co, OH after the death of his wife.

 

Edwin Apuilla LANGLEY, the son of Moses B Langley and Martha B Childs, was born on 17 March 1843 in Keene, Coshocton Co, OH.  He is found in both the 1850 and 1860 Keene, Coshocton Co, OH Federal Census Records, living with his parents and later his widowed mother.  Moses B Langley was born in NH c1802 and died by 30 June 1859.  Dr. Lucius Howard was appointed by the local court as guardian for Moses’ minor heirs, Jonas C, Lila P, and Edwin A Langley.  Representing them and the interests of widow Martha Langley, Lucius petitioned the court to sell Moses’ lands of Lot 18 consisting of about 160 acres.  Three men were set to appraise the value of this property and Howard was then allowed to sell the property with the proviso of 1/3 payment in hand, 1/3 in one year, and the balance in two years with 6% interest.  Edwin and Lila appear to be twins of age 16 and Jonas was 20 years of age.  Older sister Mary Jane had married Simon Elliott on 13 Apr 1854 in Coshocton and lived in Richland Twp, Defiance Co, OH.  The youngest child, Rebecca Langley was born c1848 but she must have died before the father as she is not included in this probate.

 

On 28 January 1860 Dr. Lucius Howard, husband of the former Rosette Farwell, was murdered by his brother-in-law in the Farwell Butcher Shop.  Lewis Farwell believed that Lucius was overly friendly with Farwell’s wife and had words with the physician earlier in the evening.  Farwell then left home to conduct some business and Howard decided to stroll over to the butcher shop.  Farwell changed his mind and returned home to find Howard there and killed him with a piece of stove wood.  The butcher was convicted of second degree murder and spent a term at the Ohio Penitentiary.  He later moved to Illinois with his family.

 

By the 1860 Richland, Defiance Co, OH Federal Census records, Edwin’s sister Mary and husband Simon Elliott, and Langley brother Jonas were listed there. Edwin Langley joined the Co G unit of the 104^th OVI and later was transferred to the Co H unit of the 80^th OVI.  He mustered in on 29 Feb 1864 in Ohio and mustered out on 13 Aug 1865 at Little Rock Arkansas as a private.  He married Clarissa Leavitt in Coshocton Co, OH on 19 Oct 1865.  

 

Clarissa, born in Keene, OH on 13 Nov 1842, was the daughter of Gideon Leavitt and wife Mary Sickles.  Edwin, Clarissa, and children were found in the 1870 Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census; they were also enumerated there in 1880 and he was listed in the 1890 Veterans Schedule for the Stryker, OH area.  He applied for a CW Pension as an invalid on 23 Aug 1890. Clarissa died in Williams Co, OH on 24 Sept 1894 and was buried in the Boynton Cemetery of Springfield Twp.  Edwin and Clarissa were the parents of the following four children:

1.     Pren M (died as toddler, Williams Co, OH), male

2.     Zina E (1869 OH – 6 Dec 1951, Alvordton, Williams Co, OH)

3.     Milo Edwin (1871 Stryker, OH – Jan 1957, Williams Co, OH; m1 Eva Austin, 15 Oct 1893, Williams Co, OH; m2 Alta M Replogle)

4.     Edna Mary (14 Aug 1880, Williams Co, OH – pos 22 Jan 1948, Lucas Co, OH; m Robert Lee Johnson, 25 Mar 1913, Lucas Co, OH )

 

By 1900 Edwin was living in Gorham Twp, Fulton Co, OH as a landlord but ten years later he was residing in Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH as a widower living on his own income.  Edwin died on 28 Jan 1919 in West Unity, OH of heart disease and was buried beside Clarissa in Boynton Cemetery.

 

Reference List

1850 Keene, Coshocton Co, OH Federal Census – Edwin 7 OH with parents

1860 Keene, Coshocton Co, OH Federal Census – Edwin A 17 OH with mother

1870 Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census – Edwin 27 OH/Clarissa 29 OH

1880 Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census – Edwin 37 OH/Clarissa 38 OH

1890 Veterans Schedule, Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH

1900 Gorham Twp, Fulton Co, OH Federal Census – Edwin 57 OH, widower, landlord

1910 Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census – Edwin 67 OH, widower, own income

“Bryan Times” (Bryan, OH), 28 Jan 1957 – Milo Edwin Langley Obit

Civil War Pension – invalid, 23 Aug 1890

Coshocton Co, OH Marriages, 1859-1874, p396 – Edwin A Langley and Clarissa Leavitt

Coshocton Co, OH Probate Administrator of Estates, 1858-1866

“Leader Enterprise” (Montpelier, OH), 10 Dec 1951 – Zina E Langley Obit

Lupien, David, Boys in Blue, p6,7,18

Official Roster of Soldiers of State of Ohio

Ohio Grave Registrations for Ohio Soldiers

Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH Cemeteries, p15

“The Progressive Age”, (Coshocton, OH), Wednesday, 3 Aug 1859, p3 c1- guardianship sale of real estate

US Civil War Draft Registration, 1863, Keene, Coshocton Co, OH - unmarried

US Civil War Soldiers M552 Roll 62

 

 

Montpelier Brothers in Civil War Service - the Lambersons

  Montpelier Brothers in Civil War Service – the Lambersons

By Pamela Pattison Lash

 

Our first Civil War veteran and resident of Montpelier, Williams County, Ohio descended from a Revolutionary War soldier.  He was one of three sons who served in the Union Army and took great pride in his Infantry service of 1 Year 4 Months and 26 Days.  The soldier entered the war as a private in Company K of the 38^th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, mustering in on 16 February 1864 in Ohio and mustering out on the most common day for this unit, 12 July 1865 in Louisville, Tennessee.  He later applied for a CW pension as an invalid on 3 July 1876, suffering from injuries to his right shoulder, and upon his death due to paralysis of the heart, his widow was granted his pension on 14 June 1915.

 

William Whitfield LAMBERSON, the fourth child of nine and the third son of Edward S. Lamberson and wife Charity Ely, was born on 24 June 1843, probably in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.  Through his maternal lineage he traced back to his Revolutionary War veteran great-grandfather, Colonel George Ely of Hunterdon Co, NJ, DAR #A038190.  This lineage is also applicable for both Asher and James Lamberson.

 

William’s family can be found in the federal census records of 1840 Rush Twp, Northumberland Co, PA,   1850 Roaring Creek, Montour Co, PA, and 1860 Cardington, Morrow Co, OH. His father, Edward S Lamberson, was born on 9 July 1818 in Northumberland Co, PA.  He was the son of Edward Lamberson and Mary Ann Quick; both were buried in the Presbyterian Chapel Cemetery at Rushtown, PA.  Edward S married Charity Ely in Northumberland Co, PA  on 1 September 1836. Charity, the daughter of Caleb Ely and Jeanette Campbell, was born on 29 February 1820 in Northumberland Co, PA. Together they had the following children: 

(1) Samuel Ely (1837-1841),

(2) Asher Ely (10 Dec 1839 PA – 21 May 1925, Jackson Co, MI, m Margueritte Ely, 2 Mar 1864, Lenawee Co, MI, both buried in Pleasant Union View Cemetery, Fayette, Fulton Co, OH), second subject,

(3) Elizabeth Jane (1840 – 1841),

(4) William Whitfield, our main subject, 

(5) Harriet Ann (1843 – bef 1850), 

(6) James Wesley (27 Jan 1847 – 22 Nov 1923 Montpelier, OH, m Rebecca Ann Mehrling, 25 Dec 1867, Williams Co, OH, both buried in Riverside Cemetery, Montpelier), third subject

(7) Joanna “Annie” (6 Oct 1853 – 6 Feb 1940, m Thomas J Merritt, 17 Aug 1872, Hillsdale Co, MI), 

(8) Semira “Myra”(28 Mar 1855 – 31 Jan 1918, Jackson Co, MI, m Levi Merritt, 25 Mar 1875, Hillsdale Co, MI, 

(9) Maxwell Boggs (1857 – 15 June 1933, Elkhart Co, IN, m Caroline Malala Fetterhoff, 12 Aug 1883, Steuben Co, IN.  

 

Father Edward S Lamberson died on 19 Dec 1884 in Fayette, Fulton Co, OH and was buried there in the Pleasant View Union Cemetery.  Mother Charity Ely Lamberson passed away on 25 Apr 1886, also in Fayette, and was buried beside husband Edward.

 

William married Margaret Adelina Coleman on 3 December 1865 in Williams County, Ohio.  Margaret, the daughter of William Coleman and Maria Lutz/Lutes, was born in Blissfield, Coshocton Co, OH on 27 May 1851.  They are found in the following federal census records: 1870 Cardington, Morrow Co, OH, 1880 NW Twp, Williams Co, OH, 1890 Veterans Schedule for Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH, and the 1900 and 1910 Montpelier, Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH, where his occupation was driving a grocery wagon.  The couple had five children, 3 sons and 2 daughters.  The children are: 

(1) Lillian (16 Apr 1866, Coshocton Co, OH – 17 Apr 1866, Coshocton Co, OH), 

(2) Abraham Ellsworth (13 Feb 1868 Coshocton Co, OH – 8 July 1939, Toledo, Lucas Co, OH, m Nellie Tressler, 20 Sept 1892, Williams Co, OH), hardware merchant,

(3) George Johnson (18 Nov 1870, Morrow Co, OH – 23 June 1953 near Archbold, Fulton Co, OH, m1 Gertie J Kernys, 9 Mar 1893, Hillsdale Co, MI; m2 Elizabeth “Libbie” Huffman, 19 Nov 1899, Williams Co, OH), farmer and custodian of Park and Lincoln Schools in Bryan,

(4) Bertha Charity (3 Nov 1873 Coshocton Co, OH – 15 Oct 1940 Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co, MI, m1 Fred Chapman, 1891; m2 John S Smith, 1895; m3 Eli Stockwell, 1910),  

(5) Harley Winfred (18 Oct 1883, Montpelier, Williams Co, OH – 17 June 1936 Toledo, Lucas Co, OH, m Mary Pacholski).

 

William died on 9 June 1915 in Montpelier and was buried in the Riverside Cemetery there.  Margaret used the services of lawyer EE Bechtol to file for his Civil War Pension as his widow for the cost of  $10.  Margaret continued to live in Montpelier until her death on 20 September 1900.  She too was buried in Riverside Cemetery.

 

Oldest brother Asher Ely Lamberson served in Co I of the 3^rd Ohio Infantry  as a private, mustering in May 1861. He was soon discharged due to lung trouble.  By the Civil War Draft Records for Clinton Twp, Fulton Co, OH Asher in 1863 was unmarried with a notation that he had consumption and had been twice refused to be in military service.  Asher is found in the 1890 Veteran’s Schedule as a resident of Gorham Twp, Fulton Co, OH with a muster in date of March 1861 but without a muster out date.  Asher and his wife Margaret Ely were parents of a son, Franklin Spencer, born 28 Oct 1880 in Fulton Co, OH; he married Celeste Crawford, 13 Apr 1903 in Fulton Co, OH.   Margaret was the daughter of William Ely and Sarah Jane Campbell.  She was born in Oh on 27 Oct 1844 and died in Fayette, Fulton Co, OH on 30 Nov 1911.  After his wife’s death Asher moved to Leoni, Jackson Co, MI, and lived with his son Frank until his death due to arteriosclerosis. He was listed as a retired barber on his Michigan death certificate.

 

Younger brother James Wesley Lamberson was also a CW veteran, serving in Co A 142^nd Indiana Infantry as a corporal from 20 Sept 1864 to 28 June 1865 when he mustered out at Kendallville, IN. He served 9 Months and 25 Days. He married Rebecca A Mehrling, the daughter of John Mehrling and Lydia Reber. Rebecca was born in Huron Co, OH on 1 July 1848 and died on 12 September 1924 in Montpelier. James and Rebecca were the parents of the following four children:

1. William E (31 Oct 1868, Williams Co, OH – 14 July 1948, Williams Co, OH; m Corda Huntington, 1891),

2. Ada Rose (6 Dec 1871, Morrow Co, OH – 18 June 1946; m William F Carl),

3. Alice M ( Nov 1873, NW Twp, Williams Co, OH – 31 Aug 1887, Montpelier, Williams Co, OH),

4. George Alfred (31 Jan 1876, Williams Co, OH – 12 Aug 1952, Williams Co, OH; m Sylvia Bible, 24 Dec 1899, Williams Co, OH),

James applied for a Civil War pension as an invalid on 10 Apr 1871; his widow Rebecca was granted his pension on 11 Feb 1924.

 

Reference List

1840 Rush Twp, Northumberland Co, PA Federal Census – Edward Lomason and family

1850 Roaring Cree, Montour Co, PA Federal Census – Asher 11 PA/William 6 PA/ James 3 PA with parents

1860 Cardington, Morrow Co, OH Federal Census – Asher 21 PA/William 17 PA /James 13 PA with parents

1870 Cardington, Morrow Co, OH Federal Census – William 26 PA/Margaret 20 OH

1870 Fayette, Gorham Twp, Fulton Co, OH Federal Census – Asher 33 PA/Margaret 27 OH

1880 Fayette, Gorham Twp, Fulton Co, OH Federal Census  – Asher 42 PA/Margaret 35 OH

1880 NW Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census – William 37 PA/Margaret 29 OH and James 33 PA/Rebecca A 32 OH

1890 Veterans Schedule, Gorham Twp, Fulton Co, OH Federal Census– Asher’s enlistment/discharge dates/company/rank

1890 Veterans Schedule, Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census – William’s enlistment/discharge dates/company/rank

1900 Fayette, Gorham Twp, Fulton Co, OH Federal Census – Asher 63 PA/Margaret 55 OH

1900 Montpelier, Superior Twp, WilliamsCo, OH Federal Census – William 56 PA/Margaret 49 OH and James 53 PA/Rebecca 51 OH

1910 Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census – William 66 PA/Margaret 58 OH and James 63 PA/Rebecca A 62 OH

1920 Leoni, Jackson Co, MI Federal Census – Asher 82 PA widower

1920 Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census – JW 72 PA/Rebecca 71 OH

“Bryan Democrat” (Bryan, OH), 13 July 1939 p8c6 – E A Lamberson obit

“Bryan Times” (Bryan, OH), 23 June 1953 p1c1 – George Lamberson obit

Civil War Pensions

Civil War Soldiers 1861-1865 M552 Roll 61

Ely, Revell, and Stacey: A Historical Narrative p258, 319

Lupien, David, Boys in Blue, p16, 42

Official Roster of Soldiers of Ohio – muster in and ou dates, company, regiment, rank

Ohio Grave Registratiions for US Soldiers, 1804-1958 – William’s next of kin listed as Eli Stockwell

Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH Cemeteries p141

Williams Co, OH Marriages V3 p465– James Lamberson and Rebecca A Mehrling; V3 p500 William Lamberson and Margaret Lutz

Jackson Co, MI Death Record

Williams Co, OH Death Records

 

 

 

Benjamin Robert Willett, Old Settler of Williams County, OH

Sometimes when doing research and a write-up of a family, one can begin with the obituary of one or both of the husband/wife team and then go to other sources to add or adjust to what the obituary tells us.  Note that all information in an obit is not always accurate.  The data was usually supplied by a family member in the throes of grief or with little to no real knowledge so family lore is thrown into the mix.

 

The obituary for Benjamin Robert Willett gives a few details - Benjamin, born in Montgomery Co, MD, died on 18 February 1907 at his Bryan home at the corner of Beech and Bryan Streets.  He became an Ohio resident in 1834 when his parents left Maryland and settled in Ohio.  Benjamin was a partner in several business ventures when he came to West Unity in December of 1849 from Mansfield, Richland Co, OH.  He later moved in 1861 to his present home in Bryan.  He and his wife, Nancy L Wilhelm (m. 16 March 1856 in Williams Co, OH) did not have any children so they adopted the present surviving daughter, Mrs Ada T McElhenie.  “Uncle Ben” as he was known to many purchased a tombstone shop located on the west side of the square.  Later he was part owner of a dry goods store on the east side of the square…..The Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Thursday, 19 February 1907, p1 c4-5 with picture.

 

Another smaller obit appeared in The Defiance Express (Defiance, OH), Friday, 20 February 1907 p8 c1 – Benjamin Willett recently died at his home in Bryan at the age of 79.  He was a Williams County, Ohio native for 58 years.

 

The History of Williams County, Ohio by Weston Goodspeed, 1882 p600-601 tells of the senior Willetts  coming from Maryland to Ohio. The parents of Benjamin are buried in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan, OH, where Benjamin JR and his wife were buried.  Benjamin Willett, SR (25 July 1786 – 4 August 1862) and wife Anna Howes Willett (1793 – 1863) were the parents of the following children: Horatio, Hamilton, Catherine, Meredith, Sarah, Otha, Elizabeth, our subject Benjamin, Joseph, and Oliver.  The father, Benjamin SR has a will found in Will Volume 1 p117, 18 August 1862 case number 699.  

 

Benjamin JR. was listed in the following federal census records:

1850 Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH – Benjamin 22 MD farming and mill maker, living with brother Horatio

1860 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH – now married Benjamin R 32 MD no occupation and Nancy L 25 PA

 

He married Nancy L Wilhelm, who was born on 11 November 1833 in Canton, Stark Co, OH, the daughter of John and Charlotte Kreisler/Crider Wilhelm of Franklin Co, PA.  Nancy’s siblings were Mariah, Susannah, John, Fanny, Henry, Rebecca, and Catherine, and most of them were enumerated in the 1850 Canton, Stark Co, OH Federal Census. Note that Benjamin’s obit says Nancy was born in OH but most of the census records list her as Pennsylvania native. The earliest census record for Wilhelm is 1840 in Plain Twp, Stark Co, OH. Nancy’s mother died in Canton, Stark Co, OH on 16 February 1879, but her father died in Bryan, OH on 28 March 1887; both Wilhelms are buried in the Rowland Cemetery in Stark Co, OH

 

According to the 1863 Civil War Draft Registration Benjamin of Bryan was a marble dealer.  He did not serve in the war.

 

1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH – BR 41 MD marble cutter and Nancy 35 PA

1880 same location – BR 52 MD merchant, Nancy 45 PA, and Ida 5 OH

1900 same location listed as 14 Lynn St – Benjamin 72 MD (Jan 1828), Nancy 66 (Nov 1833), mar 39Y, no children

 

Sometime between 1907 when Benjamin died and 1914 Nancy moved to Toledo, Lucas Co, OH as his widow according to the Toledo City Directory. By 1920 she was living with Ada and Thomas J  McElhennie (married on 9 March 1898 in Williams Co, OH), still in Toledo until her death on 10 November 1924.  The Bryan Press (Bryan, OH), 13 November 1924 p5 c3 contains her obituary. She was laid to rest in Fountain Grove Cemetery, next to husband Benjamin Willett.

 

In his Bryan Press (Bryan, OH), 21 February 1907 p4 c3 – additional information:

1.     He died of kidney and heart problems

2.     He was a man of pronounced opinions, often gruff, but a kind heart.

3.     He retired in 1875.

4.     They were married in West Unity, OH.

A Drunken Doctor with No Patients, Divorce in Williams Co, OH - Tritch, 1883

 Mary Ellen Foust Tritch v Thomas Walker Tritch

A Drunken Doctor with No Patients, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1883

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 31 December 2021)

 

This is a major update as I had originally detailed the couple as FRITCH, but I recently discovered the surname was TRITCH.  

 

The physician conducted himself so badly that nobody had any confidence in him.  He had no patients; therefore, he had no means of support.  He married a Williams County native and proceeded to make her life and that of his two children a miserable existence due to his penchant for wine, women, and song.

 

Mary Ellen Foust, daughter of Benjamin Shoemaker and Priscilla Markle Foust, was born on 13 February 1858, in Wms Co, OH.  Her parents, natives of Berk Co, PA, came to this county in 1845, first settling in Jefferson Twp for the 1850 federal census (p27) and then moving to Bryan, Pulaski Twp in 1868.  The family was listed in the 1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census, p2, as BS Foust 46 PA, Priscilla 52 PA, Ella Jane 13 OH, Martha A 11 OH, and John A 19 OH.  The couple had seven children with one dying in the Civil War, two dying in infancy, and four surviving their parents' deaths.  Mr. Foust was a member of the coroner's jury who investigated the death of the little Schamp son who was killed by Mr. Tyler, the convicted murderer hung in the 1840's.

 

Mary Ellen married Thomas Walker Tritch, an Ohio native, on 2 Mar 1876, Wms Co (Marriages V4 p452) and the couple had two known children, Ralph, b. 21 Feb 1877 IN, and Eva Belle, b. 11 Apr 1881, Pulaski Twp (Births V2 p33).  Thomas, a physician, was the son of Trisby and Esther Isabell Walker Tritch, was born in Findlay, Hancock Co, OH, on 30 January 1850.  He was enumerated with his parents in the 1850 Whitley Co, IN and 1860 Troy, Whitley Co, IN Federal Census records. He graduated from Findlay Normal School in 1872. As a married couple the Tritch family was listed in the 1880 Auburn, DeKa;b Co, IN Federal Census as Thomas W Tritch 30 IN physician, Ella 22 OH, Ralph 3 IN.  

 

From The Kendalville Weekly (Kendalville, IN), 14 April 1881, p5 c2

Dr Tritch, formerly of Auburn, has been in Kendalville a few days engraving.  The doctor is an educated gentleman being a graduate of the old reliable homeopathic college in Cleveland, Ohio and enjoyed at one time a good practice in Auburn, but it seems he has abandoned the practice and taken up his old business.  Drinking too much whiskey has had considerable to do in the change we judge.

 

From The Goshen Times (Goshen, IN), 30 November 1882, p3 c4

Dr. Tritch, an engraver has been in our place a number of days doing a job of engraving for Isaac Rowell.

 

Mary Ellen Tritch stated to the Williams County Civil and Criminal Court (Journal 12 p133 - 28 Nov 1883; Roll 39 case number 1194 - 18 Aug 1883) that she wanted a divorce from husband Thomas.  She told a tale of being taken to live in Indiana, away from her friends and family where Thomas failed to provide her with sufficient food, clothing, or fuel.  The winters of 1876-1877 and 1879 were extremely cold.  What money Thomas had he spent on drink and women.  Mary Ellen stated that on 10 May 1879 in Fostoria, Seneca Co, OH, Thomas committed adultery with a Mrs. Folliot and from that day through Sept 1879 he was with other women there.  During the years of 1882 and 1883 he lived in Kendalville, IN and had relations with this Mrs. Folliot there as well.

 

Mary Ellen called witness Will Jones, a 20-year-old man from Fostoria, to tell the court of Thomas' character.  Jones said he knew Thomas from Fostoria as an immoral physician who spent his money on whiskey and prostitutes.  He knew Thomas was seeing Emma Folliatt, a known prostitute, in Aug 1880.  This evidence was enough for the court to grant the divorce.

 

Ellen Tritch married William Hartle on 20 May 1886 in Williams Co (Marriages V5 #836) and at the time of her father's death on 26 July 1902 she and her husband lived in Ft. Wayne, IN.  The 1900 (p27), 1910 (p106), and 1920 (p217) federal census records for Ward 9, Fort Wayne, Allen Co, IN reveal the Hartles with a daughter Catherine L., b Dec 1890.  William (born Apr 1862 IN with OH native parents) was a traveling salesman for Swift and Company; sometime between 1900-1910 the couple had another child but the infant did not survive.  Ellen’s son Ralph Tritch also lived in Ft. Wayne in 1900 as a coachman for a wealthy couple. William died in Allen Co, IN on 3 May 1931 and was buried in the Lindenwood Cemetery in Ft Wayne.  Ella died on 4 April 1937 in Ft Wayne and was laid to rest in Lindenwood Cemetery.

 

While visiting from Buffalo, NY Thomas Tritch, physician, died at the home of his sister in Findlay, Hancock Co, OH  on 13 November 1898 and was buried there in the Maple Grove Cemetery.

 

 

 

 

Clarissa J Meads Bair v William H Bair Divorce in Williams County, OH, 1869

 Clarissa J. Meads Bair v William H. Bair (Journal 7 p327 - May 1869; Roll 21 case number 1 - May 1869) - see William Bear v Rachel A. Stewart Bear; Fidelia Robinson Hill Dodd v Peter Marriner Dodd;  Leichty

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 8 December 2021)

I have actually been in the process of updating this detailing twice as I discovered new information that tied into other divorce stories, most recently being the Dodd detailing.

 

The couple was married in Bucyrus, Crawford Co, OH, on 1 Mar 1860 (Marriage V6 p2).  Note that in this marriage record the bride's name was Eliza J. Meads. Clarissa, the daughter of Isaac and Lydia Leonard Meads, was 16 years old (b. 7 June 1844, Fairfield, Herkimer Co, NY) when she married as she was found with her parents in the 1850 Cayuga, Chemung Co, NY Federal Census as Clarissa 6 NY along with her parents and sister Eliza 2 NY and other siblings. She was listed in the 1860 Bucyrus, Crawford Co, OH federal census, dated 15 June 1860, as Isaac Meads 38 NY, Lydia 38 NY, Clarissa J. Blair 16 NY, Eliza Meads 12 NY, Isaac 14 NY, Mary 7 NY. Note her married name was listed as Blair not Bair.  

 

Also one finds the Bair family enumerated in the 1850 Todd, Crawford Co, OH federal census p48 as Samuel Bear 35 Oh, Nancy 35 PA, William 13 OH, Jehill 10 OH, Mary J 8 OH, Martha J 6 OH, and Lorenzo 2 OH and in the 1860 Bucyrus, Crawford Co, OH federal census p57 as Samuel Bair 44 OH, Nancy 45 PA, William 22 OH, Jehiel 20 OH, and Martha 16 OH. William was the son of Samuel and Nancy A Harger Bair.

 

The couple had three children: Oliver F, Jenny V, and Adam.  Clarissa charged William with extreme cruelty and subpoenaed the following witnesses to bring testimony: David Wheeler, Mary Shade, Art Riggle, James and Sarah Hudkins, Charles Elder, and WH Ensign.  The divorce was granted. 

 

According to the 1870 Pulaski Twp federal census p31, William 33 OH laborer and son Oliver 11 OH lived with Samuel Bair 55 OH plasterer and wife Nancy 57 PA. On 7 Oct 1877 William H. Bair married Mary D. Hopkins in Wms Co (Marriage V4 p537).  In the 1880 Bryan federal census the family was enumerated as William 42 OH-PA-OH, Mary 36 CAN, Oliver 21 OH, and Jehiel Bair, boarder 39 OH-PA-OH, divorced with rheumatism.  William died c15 Nov 1883 and was buried in the Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan, later to be joined by Nancy A. (1814-1885) and Samuel (1815-1891).  

 

Clarissa Jane Meads Bair next married Nathan Hill, son of Fidelia Robinson Dodd and Melvin Hill, on 23 June 1869 in South Wright Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI.  The 1870 Bryan Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census showed them as Nathan Hill 20 OH, Clarissa 25 NY, Viola 5 OH, Delano 4 OH, and Jerome 8/12 OH. They were enumerated in the 1880 Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census as Nathan Hill 32 OH, Clarissa J 34 NY, Bear, Oliver 20 OH stepson, Bear, Delano 14 OH stepson, Hill, Jerome 10, Henry 8 OH, Marvin 4 OH, and Birtha 2 OH. By 1900 Clarissa was living in Stryker and listed in that federal census as Clarissa 56 NY (July 1843), married 31 Y with 10 children/7 living.  She died on 22 April 1932 in Williams Co, OH.

 

What is so interesting about this divorce is that there is another divorce - Clarissa’s sister, Eliza, who married William’s brother, Johiel Bair, in Crawford Co OH on 10 May 1866 and appeared to be divorced by 1880 as shown by the 1880 federal census mentioned above.

 

Anna Elizabeth Meads, born 13 February 1843 in Fairfield, Herkimer Co, NY, next married on 25 March 1880, in Crawford Co, OH Lewis Stremmell.  She died on 14 February 1943 in Saint Albans, Kanawha Co, WVA and was buried in the Oakwood Cemetery, Crawford Co, OH. Her ex-husband Johiel Bair, born 26 Oct 1839 in Crawford Co, OH, married Anna Maria Rausch (1850 Germany - 1912 Williams Co, OH).  Johiel was a CW veteran of Co A Ft Band 64 and Co I 164th OVI.  He died in Bryan, Williams Co, OH on 22 June 1917 and was buried there in Fountain Grove Cemetery.

 

A Divorce in 1881 and a Murder in 1928 - Ora Eby

 Phoebe Snyder Eby v Orra Alvin  Eby

No Sympathy, No Comfort, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1881

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 3 December 2021)

 

Sometimes I found a very simple divorce record that did not have much information but was so touching, so sad.  This is one of those situations; however in updating this, I found much more, including the homicide case of Ora Eby.

 

Phoebe Snyder married Orra Eby on 16 June 1878 in Montgomery, Hillsdale Co, MI.  Both were born in Williams Co, OH – he was 22Y and she was 19Y; residency reports were shown that he lived in Steuben Co, IN while Phoebe lived in Williams Co, OH.  Phoebe was born on 28 April 1859, the daughter of Dr Charles Wesley Snyder and wife Eliza Bush.  The family was enumerated in the 1860 Edon, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH as Charles 31 OH, Eliza 22 OH, Esther 2 OH and Phoebe 1 OH.  In the 1870 Florence Twp federal census, p34, there was an Orra Eby 14 OH living in the Harrison Martin household.  If these two census records reflect the couple, Phoebe was born in 1844 and Orra was born in 1856. This means she was 34 and he was 22 when they married.

 

I have found more information on Ora A Eby, born 27 March 1856 in Ohio, the son of Joseph Eby (1822-14 April 1856 Elkhart Co, IN) and Rachel Palmer (19 January 1827 NY – 16 August 1886 Walnut City, Rush Co, KS).  By c1840 Rachel Palmer and her parents were residents of Williams Co, OH and she married Joseph Eby in Steuben Co, IN on 13 July 1846.

 

Phoebe Eby appeared in the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court (Roll 36 case number 865 - 23 Feb 1881) requesting a divorce. She complained that Orra failed to provide for her and their son Tharsend.  On 1 Oct 1879 she returned to the household of her uncle, John Snyder, and Orra fled to Kansas.  Their son died on 24 Nov 1880 at which time Phebe received no sympathy, no comfort, and no money for their son's funeral.  The court granted her a divorce.  In 1880 Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census Dr Snyder had daughter Phoebe Eby 21 OH and grand-daughter Jane Eby 1 OH living with next door. Phoebe next married William H Fetters (28 Feb 1857 Williams Co, OH – 1 May 1928 Bryan, OH. The couple had children: Lulu, Beulah, and Charles. Phoebe died on 26 April 1934 in Bryan, OH and was buried in Brown Cemetery beside her husband William Fetters.

 

Amos Beebe, son of William and Polly Truman Beebe, was born in DeRuyter, Madison Co, NY.  He first married Martha Ross on 1 Jan 1826 in Knox Co, OH.  By 1860 he had moved to Scott Twp, Steuben Co, IN and married Rachel Elizabeth Palmer, the widow of Joseph Eby, and the mother of Ora Eby.The Beebes had three children, William C, James Edward, and Jesse, all born in Scott Twp.  Amos Beebe died in Steuben Co, IN on 11 Mar 1873 and was buried in the Alvarado Cem there.  

 

The Steuben Republican (Angola, IN), 1 May 1878 p3 stated that Ora Eby of Richland Twp excavated a portion of an Indian skeleton from a mound on the farm of John Ferrier.  Earlier in 1877 Ora was identified as a teacher in York Twp.  His brother Joseph Eby, a teacher in the Otsego Center School, c Jan 1879 was charged with assault and battery for taking a hickory stick to a non-compliant student who was causing trouble in the classroom.  Interestingly the newspaper stated that Eby, who pled not guilty, was indeed found not guilty as a teacher in that timeframe was identified as in loco parentis, or in place of the parents.

 

According to the 1880 Center Twp, Rush Co, KS federal census p538B, Oran A Eby 23 OH lived with his mother and siblings, Rachel Beebe 53 NY, Joel D. Eby 25 IN, and Beebe sons William C 19 IN, Edward 16 IN, and Jesse J 13 IN.  The record showed that both Oran and mother Rachel were divorced.  Orra was also listed in the 1880 Franklin, Jackson Co, KS federal census p 139 as married man Orra A. Eby 24 OH-PA-NY, living in the household of Henry Eaby 61 OH. By the 1885 Center Twp, Rush Co, Kansas state census, Rachel Beebe and her sons, Orra and Joel Eby, plus Beebe step-children were enumerated there. According to the Western Economist (La Crosse, KS), 13 August 1891 p5 there was a sheriff’s sale and foreclosure of estate of Rachel Beebe.  The heirs of this were notified as Beebe – William, Jesse, Ed, James; Eby – Sidney, Ora, Joel, JD (administrator); Mary Eby Martin; Sarah A Eby Vaughan. 

Orra lived in Los Angeles, CA with wife Janet according to the 1910 federal census and was a widower/roomer there as of 1930; however Janet A Eby b1855 Canada living in Gardenia, Los Angeles Co, CA is listed as a widow in the 1920 federal census.  The conclusion could be that Ora once more was divorced sometime between 1916 when they were both listed as voters and 1920 when Janet is found in the federal census; however a kind reader sent me a death certificate for Janet Bond Eby who died on 28 April 1918 in Los Angeles.  The document stated her husband was Ora Eby.

 

 

The California Eagle, 5 May 1938 p5 c3 told the story of Ora Alvin Eby, an aged reclusive 83 year old, being the victim of young hoodlums who tortured and beat him to death to make him tell where he had concealed sums of money.  He was gagged with a pillow slip. Ora was murdered on 20 April 1938 in Los Angeles, CA, caused by being struck with an unknown instrument causing a concussion of the brain.  Neighbors all believed he was very wealthy as he owned real estate there. His death certificate stated he was a widower, but his wife’s name was Jennie. The state called this an unresolved homicide.  Ora Alvin Eby was buried in Inglewood Cemetery in Los Angeles.

 

 

 

A None-Divorce in Williams County and A Criminal Case in Iowa - Aaron Culbertson, 1863

 Aaron Culbertson v Rebecca Hubley Culbertson ("Bryan Democrat", 21 May 1863; Roll 16 case number 69 - Nov 1863)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2 December 2021)

The following is an update on a 2010 divorce posting.  There’s more to this story such as two more wives for Aaron and a criminal case involving wife #2.

 

The couple was married in Richland Co, OH on 7 Aug 1853 (Marriage V6 p175). Aaron, born on 25 Feb 1835 in OH, was the son of John and Anna Miley Culbertson, Jr.  In the 1850 Blooming Grove, Richland Co, OH Federal Census as Aaron 18 OH thresher with his mother Anna 35 and siblings. Rebecca, born on 26 Apr 1833 in Marietta, Lancaster Co, PA, was the daughter of Henry and Catherine Hubley. In the 1850 Weller Twp, Richland Co, OH federal census p275, the Hubley family appeared as Henry 59 PA, Catharine 59 PA, Abraham 30 PA deaf and dumb, Henry 21 PA, Susan 19 PA, and Rebecca 17 PA.  By the 1860 federal census p340, the Henry Hubley family lived in Olivesburg, Butler Twp, Richland Co, OH.  Aaron served in the Civil War as a private in the Co H 47^th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and marched with General to the sea.

 

According to Aaron who wanted a divorce the couple had three children, Albert (1), Arabella (3), and Sarah Ann (7).  He stated that on 15 Feb 1856 Rebecca committed adultery with Stephen Wisner, a NW Twp neighbor.  Aaron had only recently (Feb 1861) learned of her adultery; Rebecca left him and returned to Richland Co.  He wanted custody of the children.  Rebecca's brother, Henry Hubley, gave a deposition to the court.  Rebecca lived with him in Blooming Grove Twp, Richland Co, OH; she said Aaron had disgraced her but that he wanted her to return to Wms Co and live as man and wife.  Rebecca denied the adultery charge.  The couple must have settled their differences as Aaron dropped the suit. They were enumerated in the 1870 NW Twp, Wms Co federal census, p20, as Aaron 35 OH, Rebecca 37 PA, Sarah or Scinda 16 OH, Arabelle 12 OH, Albert 10 OH, and Tecumseh S. 2/12 (b 26 Mar 1870, Birth V 1 p3; died 9 July 1871 @ 1Y 3M 13D, buried in the Nettle Lake Cemetery, NW Twp).  They later had a daughter Amanda A., b 11 Nov 1872 (Birth V 1 p45).

 

The Culbertsons moved by 1875 and were found in the 1880 Buchanan Twp, Jefferson Co, IA federal census p364, as Aaron 45 OH, Rebecca 47 PA, Sarah A 26 OH, Albert 19 OH, Amanda 7 OH, and Hope G 5 IA.  Oldest daughter Sarah or Sadie Culbertson married Mahlon P. Baldwin on 1 Oct 1885 in Crydon, Wayne Co, IA. Rebecca, having not eaten for 30 days, died on 6 July 1882 and was buried in  the Upper Richwoods Cemetery. 

 

Aaron next married Mary L Baldwin Anderson (born 26 March 1839 in Van Buren Co, IA), on 19 September 1883 in Jefferson Co, IA.  Mary was the daughter of Stacy and Elizabeth Jones Baldwin, the widow of Hezekiah Anderson and the mother of Bert Anderson.  Aaron’s daughter Hope later married  her new step-mother’s son, Bert.  

 

I discovered a criminal story in the Fairfield Ledger (Fairfield, IA), 12 October 1888 p3 c3-4 and subsequent issues plus an online article on the State of Iowa v Lawson J Baldwin criminal court case.  It seems that Mary Culbertson had a Civil War veteran brother, Lawson Jones Baldwin, who got a 15 year-old girl pregnant.  Her name was Mattie Rodabaugh.  The young girl went to the home of Aaron and Mary Culbertson on 28 June 1885 where she was drugged and violated by instruments meant to cause an abortion.  She was later taken to her father’s home on July 2 and Mattie died there on July 8.  Mary Culbertson and a Dr Milikin were initially charged along with Lawson Baldwin with second degree murder but the charges were later dropped on Mary and the doctor.  Lawson Baldwin stood trial and was found guilty of second degree murder by a jury of his peers, even though he pled not guilty.  Mattie’s dying declarations were known to the court such as “the terrible instruments” and “they abused me horribly”; however these statements were later thrown out.  After a failed appeal, Lawson was sentenced to ten years of hard labor on 12 October 1888 and he was taken to Ft Madison, IA.  He was 42 years old at the time.  Lawson served his sentence and later died in Wapello Co, IA on 6 January 1912. Mary Baldwin Culbertson died in Wapello Co, IA on 13 September 1898; she was buried in Evergreen Cemetery. 

 

Aaron, a grocery man, next married Emma Decker, on 8 October 1899 in Wapello Co, IA. In the 1900 Ottumwa, Wapello Co, IA federal census p169,  the Culbertsons were listed as Aaron Feb 1835 (65) OH, wife Emma Jan 1860 (40) IA no children, and brother-in-law, John Decker, Mar 1858 (42) IA.  This family lived on North Sheridan Avenue.  Aaron died on 21 Nov 1923 in Wapello Co, IA. His obit and death certificate stated that he was senile, a retired grocery man, and a Civil War veteran; he was buried in the Shaull Cemetery. Emma died on 27 February 1926 and was buried beside Aaron in the Shaull Cemetery.