12 February 2011

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - McKee (Roll 48)


Elizabeth Burkholder McKee v Alexander McKee (Journal 15 p151 – Dec 1889; p164 – 20 Dec 1889; Roll 48 Box 158 case number 2131 – c7 Nov 1889)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 19 December 2011)

The couple was married in Arcanum, Darke Co, OH on 7 Feb 1884.  Elizabeth charged her husband with gross neglect and extreme cruelty.  She did not know his place of residence.  He had been absent for more than three years. Elizabeth called four witnesses for her side:
1.  Martha Burkholder (Martha Esther Brock 1843-1930), her mother, 46 years old from Arcanum – Martha said Alexander left her daughter on 1 Oct 1886 with no provisions or support.
2.  Hiram Burkholder (1838-1930), her father, 51 years old from Arcanum – Hiram stated his daughter lived at his home.
3.  Clarence Siler, teamster and brother-in-law, 27 years old from Arcanum
4.  William Burkholder, her brother, 21 years old

Alexander did not answer the complaint and in default, Elizabeth, requesting custody of her minor child, Adolph aged five, received a divorce on 20 Dec 1889.  Elizabeth also received alimony of $500 and restoration of her maiden name, Burkholder. There was a legal notice in the Bryan newspapers starting on 7 Nov 1889.

Elizabeth Burkholder, the daughter of Hiram and Martha Brock Burkholder, was born in Whitlley Co, IN c1866.  Her parents were married in Whitley Co and by 1879 they moved to Darke Co, OH.

1870 Columbia, Whitley, Indiana; Roll: M593_373; Page: 362B; Image: 374; Family History Library Film: 545872.
Burkholder, Elizabeth 4 IN living with her parents and grandfather Brock

1880 Van Buren, Darke, Ohio; Roll: 1011; Family History Film: 1255011; Page: 340C; Enumeration District: 71; Image: 0059.
Burkholder, Elizabeth 15 IN living with her parents

Anyone know what happened to the couple or their son?


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