Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Davenport (Roll 47)

Sarah Elmira Winegardner Arnold Davenport v (John) Harry Davenport (Journal 15 p230 – 14 Mar 1890; p406 – 28 June 1890; Roll 47 Box 163 case number 2084 – 4 June 1889)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 30 December 1890)

The couple was married in Bryan, Williams Co, OH on 9 July 1885 (Marriage V5 #683).

Elmina said she had two children, Harry 4 on 24 July 1889 and Claire 2 on 5 June 1889.  Her relatives had provided clothing for her and the children as Harry wasted his money on alcohol.  She charged him with gross neglect and extreme cruelty.

Harry’s answer to the court denies all the above.  He said he was able-bodied but for some time he has been under doctor’ s care.  In the spring of 1889 Elmira refused to live with him and provide her marital duty.  She’s hid and concealed the children from him.

Elmira wanted alimony, restoration of her maiden name, and custody of the children.   On 14 March 1890 the case was continued. On 28 June 1890 the case was dismissed and Harry had to pay court costs. The couple remained married. 

John Harry Davenport was born in cJuly 1855 OH, parentage unknown.

Elmira Arnold, the daughter of George and Margaret Gilcher Arnold, was born in Ganges, Richland Co, OH on 29 Oct 1863.

1880 Jefferson, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 517A; Enumeration District: 6; Image: 0668.

h/h 5/6 Arnold, Sarah A 16 OH-PA-Bavaria with her parents George and Margaret Arnold, and siblings

Elmira Arnold married Harry Davenport on 9 July 1885.

John Harry Davenport and Ella Arnold were the parents of Harry B. (Burnett) Davenport, born 24 July 1888, who died on 8 Aug 1951 in Medina Co, OH. 

Their other children were:

Clare O, 5 Jan 1887 in Defiance Co, OH

Boyd Arnold 2 Mar 1891 Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co, OH

1900 Grafton, Lorain, Ohio; Roll: T623_1295; Page: 15B; Enumeration District: 82.

h/h 296/317 Davenport, John (July 1861) 28 mar 16Y OH-Ire-Ire day laborer

Ella (Oct 1862) 26 wife 3/3 ch OH-PA-Germ

Harry B (Jul 1885) 14 son OH-OH-OH

Clair O (Jan 1887) 12 son OH-OH-OH

Boyd A (Mar 1891) 9 son OH-OH-OH

1910 Medina, Medina, Ohio; Roll: T624_1205; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 0139; Image: 362; FHL Number: 1375218.

h/h 156/117 Davenport, Harry 55 mar 1x mar 27Y OH-Ire-Ire odd jobs

Ella 46 wife 3/3 ch mar 1x OH-PA-Germ

Harry 25 son OH-OH-OH butcher

Clare 23 son OH-OH-OH postal clerk

Boyd 20 son OH-OH-OH messenger boy

1920 Montville, Medina, Ohio; Roll: T625_1417; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 75; Image: 279.

h/h 17/19 Davenport, Ella 55 widow OH-PA-Germ

Harry 34 son single OH-OH-OH

Clare O 32 son single OH-OH-OH

Boyd A 28 son single OH-OH-OH

Note that John Harry Davenport had died (possibly 20 Oct 1913, Delaware Co, OH)

An online source posted the obit for Ella: “Davenport, Ella, beloved mother of Clare, Harry and Boyd; grandmother; passed away at the home of her son, Clare, near Medina, March 3, age 86. Friends received at the Waite & Son Funeral Home in Medina, where services will be held Monday, March 6, at 2 p. m. Burial Spring Grove Cemetery. Medina.”