17 September 2010

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Cameron, 1880

Josette Barnard Cameron v Robert Carlin Cameron (Journal 11 p6 - 9 Nov 1880; Roll 36 case number 814 - Nov 1880) – once known as Lydia Iosetta Christy Cameron v Robert C Cameron

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 23 October 2021)

 

I originally reported on Lydia Iosetta Christy Cameron v Robert C Cameron as that’s what the file stated; however I recently found the marriage of Josette Barnard to Robert Cameron which took place in Steuben Co, IN on 12 December 1870 and NOT in Steuben Co, IN on 25 Dec 1871.  I have no idea why the bride’s name and the marriage date were incorrect on the divorce record.  There is another couple – Lydia Belle Christy who married Robert B Cameron,15 October 1876 in Williams Co, OH, but this is NOT the couple for the divorce detailing.

 

Robert Carlin Cameron, born 27 March 1848 in Steuben Co, IN, was the son of John Emerson and Mary Ellen Carlin Cameron.  He was listed with his parents in the 1860 and 1870 Richland Twp, Steuben Co, IN Federal Census as Robert 12 IN and Robert 22 IN, respectively. In early 1875 they moved to Wms Co and his father died in 1878.  

 

Josette Barnard was born in 1849 in Indiana and was listed in 1860 Otsego, Steuben Co, IN Federal Census and 1870 York, Steuben Co, IN Federal Census as Josette 12 IN and Josette 21 IN, respectively.  Her parents were Obed and Elizabeth “Betsy” Jennings Barnard. In the 1880 Metz, Steuben Co, IN Federal Census she was enumerated as Josette Barnard, 31 IN married, living with her mother.  

 

Josette charged that between 1 Sept 1878-Nov 1879 in a building Robert used as a store and residence he committed adultery with Sarah Hanna.  Lydia said she helped to purchase the store in Columbia, NW Twp, with her own funds.  She said Robert threatened to defraud her by selling, converting, and disposing of money and property that is hers.  She also stated that Robert owned a 1/8th share of 180 acres in Steuben Co as inheritance from his father, who died in 1878.  The divorce was granted.

 

Sarah M Foster, born 2 August 1851 (?) in either OH or MI was the daughter of Albert and Sofia Johnson foster.  Sarah was enumerated in the 1850 NW Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census as Sarah 1 with her blacksmith father Albert 26 OH and mother Sophia 1 OH. She married grocer William C Hanna in Camden, Hillsdale Co, MI on 1 January 1867.  In the 1870 Nettle Lake, NW Twp federal census, p30, the Hanna family appeared as William C. Hanna 30 OH grocer, Sarah M 20 OH, Maud A 2 OH.  By the 1880 Columbia, NW Twp, Williams Co, OH Sarah Hanna is living next door to her parents as Sarah Hanna 30 OH married with daughter Maud 12 OH.  On 9 Apr 1881 in Wms Co (Marriage V4 p745) Robert C. Cameron wed Sarah M. Foster.  In the 1900 Fremont, Steuben Co, IN federal census p13, the Camerons were listed as druggist Robert C b Mar 27, 1848 (52) IN-Scot-OH mar 19Y and wife Sarah b Aug 22, 1850 (49) OH-OH-VT, having one child but not living; from the same location in the 1910 federal census the Camerons are cited as being married 26 years, each married twice.

 

There are numerous old newspapers of the Goshen-Waterloo, Indiana locations stating that Robert was constantly overlooking and challenging liquor laws and was caught often dispensing liquor as a “druggist” from 1896-1911.  He was put in jail and fined often.  In March 1911 his druggist license was revoked as he continued to sell liquor.  In Oct 1911 the Indiana Supreme Court reversed the local decisions as the prosecutors failed to show he had a license and that his recent sale was only a pint. He was described as wealthy and prominent.  Robert died in Fremont, Steuben Co, IN on 1 December 1911 and was buried in Mt Pleasant Cemetery; Sarah passed away on 10 June 1924 in Steuben Co, IN and was buried in the Metz Cemetery.  Her first husband, William C Hanna, appears to have left her before 1880 and is found in the Kansas State Census – 1885 Fontana, Miami Co, KS as WC 45 OH merchant with wife Fannie 28 MO. No divorce has been found to date for Sarah and William Hanna.

 

 





No comments: