26 February 2011

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Hoadley (Roll 47) and Murder!





By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 25 Dec 2011)

Sarah E. Newman Hoadley v Hiram Hoadley, Jr. (Journal 15 p18 – case number 2076 – 10 May 1889; p57 – case number 2078 – 17 July 1889; p159 – 16 Dec 1889; Roll 47 Box 156 case number 2076/2078) – 4 May 1889

The couple was married in Edon, Florence Twp, Wms Co on 6 Oct 1886 (Marriage V5 #880).  They did not have any living children.

Sarah stated that Hiram was guilty of extreme cruelty, gross intoxication, misconduct with other people, calling them and her vile, indecent names.  He often referred to Sarah as a “damned whore.” 

In the spring of 1887 he was drunk, rolled around the floor at home, and used abusive language.  In June 1887 as a drunk Hiram ripped Sarah’s bed clothes and abused her. In July 1887 at ***, MI, at a room occupied by them he vomited on the carpet while drinking and swearing. 

In the spring of 1888 he came to (or from) Angola, IN late at night, and in a drunken state compelled his little daughter to leave her bed and move to another room while he called Sarah vile names.  In the autumn of 1888 he took Sarah and Sarah’s sister and his daughter to Montpelier to attend a public performance where he quickly became grossly intoxicated.  The women feared driving home with him in the carriage. In Nov 1888 Hiram threatened her life with a revolver but she escaped to a neighbor’s home.

In Feb 1889 Hiram caught her arm and punched it; he drove her from their home and for personal safety she moved to the home of her parents.  One time he was drunk on a train from Cleveland to their home and used profane language, embarrassing Sarah in front of others.

On 1 Mar 1889 Hiram promised to pay $800 to Sarah; this was documented as a promissory note.  On 15 Apr 1889 Sarah obtained an attorney to represent her, which resulted in Hiram paying his $800 indebtedness to her.  Sarah stated in her divorce papers that she knew Hiram owned 40 acres and 53 acres of real estate and that he owned notes and mortgages in excess of $3,000.  She wanted reasonable alimony, livestock, hay, and farm equipment.

In his answer to the court, Hiram Hoadley, Jr., wanted his wife to return to him and as to the claims of abuse; he wanted her to state the exact word, exact dates, and exact witnesses to these events.

On 10 May 1889 the divorce action was dismissed.
On 17 July 1889 Sarah asked for as was to receive $40 for expenses.

The divorce action sparked a tragic outcome for Sarah, her father, and Hiram Hoadley, Jr.  The following news articles give the reader a word picture of the scene:

Cleveland, OH, 21 July 1889—“A terrible tragedy was enacted at Edgerton today. About three years age Hiram Hoadley, Jr., married Miss S. E. Newman, daughter of a farmer living near Edgerton. During the lapse of about two years...” (snippet online)

Montpelier Leader, Montpelier, OH, 22 July 1889 – “A Leader special from Bryan, Williams County, says a terrible tragedy was enacted at Edgerton, this county, today. About three years ago Hiram Hoadley, Jr., married Miss S. E. Newman, daughter of a farmer living near Edgerton. During the lapse of about two years some unpleasantness grew up between Mr. Hoadley and his wife.”

The Newberry Observer - Cleveland, OH 25 July 1889 –“A terrible triple tragedy occurred near Edgerton, Williams Co, today on the farm of a man named Newman, whose daughter had left her husband, Hiram Hoadley Jr formerly a prominent county politician and a prosperous and respected citizen.  Hoadley’s wife was seeking a divorce and this morning early he secreted himself near the farmhouse of his wife and killed her with a revolver as she passed by to milk the cows.  He then shot three times and instantly killed her father who was attracted by the pistol shots.  He pursued the mother and sister of his wife also but they escaped and he returned to where his wife’s body lay and killed himself.”

The Bryan Democrat, 25 July 1889
Terrible tragedy – last Sunday morning at farm house of Christ Neuman in St Joe 1 mile east and mile north of Edgerton.

Hiram Hoadley shot to death his wife, her father, and himself.

Nearly 3 years ago Hiram, a widower, married Sarah Newman, daughter of Christian.  Soon afterward Hoadley joined church and all accounts agree that for a time thereafter his habits were all that could be desired.  In 1888 he deviated from the narrow path and yielded himself to temptation.  When himself he was affectionate and liberal to a fault but when under the influence of liquor he was abusive and sometimes violent. 

His wife submitted to his ill treatment hoping that he would straighten up but finally his conduct became so bad that she left him and soon afterward filed a petition for divorce and alimony.  Late in the fall she came to Bryan and while here Hiram came and through the interposition and kind offices of friends he signed a pledge to abstain from intoxicants, reconciliation was affected and the twain returned to his home.  Matters ran smoothly for several months.  Hoadley was sober and almost demonstrative in his affectionate regard for his wife.  In the early spring they made a trip to some of the eastern cities, visiting and sightseeing.  It was a most enjoyable pleasure trip to both of them until they reached Cleveland on their return.  Then he procured a bottle of whisky.  There the silver cord was loosed and peace took wing.

Soon afterward she again left him and renewed her application for divorce, claiming $5,000 alimony.  The case was docketed for June term of Common Pleas.  Efforts were made to affect a compromise.  Mrs. Hoadley consented to accept a decree of divorce and $1500 in money but her father Christian Newman rejected Hoadley’s proposition and insisted upon payment in full amount claimed.  Thus matters stood when the present term of court came on.  All accounts agree that Hoadley was abstaining from the use of liquor but his health seemed impaired and his spirits broken.

Last week Hoadley went to Defiance to consult his attorneys, Hill and Hubbard, returned to Bryan where he remained some 3 days waiting for his case to be called, and finally returned to his home.  Saturday he superintended some repairs about his premises; in the afternoon went to Blakeslee where he aid a few outstanding bills and sold a lot of cattle and returned home.  Between 5-6 in the evening he went to the barbershop in Edon and was shaved.  He seemed in excellent humor and was free with joke and laughs.  Later he employed a neighbor to drive him over to Edgerton, a distance of 8 miles.  He told his daughter that he was going to Chicago; he told the driver not to mention where he left him.

Sometime during Sat night the Newmans thought they heard somebody prowling about the house.  Subsequent investigation showed that it was Hoadley who was seeking his opportunity.  About 40 feet to the rear of the Newman dwelling Hoadley found a hiding place under a tree near a pile of fence posts.  He sat under the tree, placed his hat, containing a number of cartridges and a revolver on the fence posts and waited

Between 6-7 Sunday morning Sarah, his wife, started out to milk the cows.  As soon as she had passed the point where Hoadley was concealed he rushed upon her with a revolver in either hand, caught her around the waist with his left arm and held her while he shot 5 bullets into her body.  Her screams and the reports of the pistol brought Mr. Newman, Mrs. Newman, and a younger daughter to the scene.  Hoadley let go of his wife who dropped to the ground and turned quickly fired 3 shots at Newman all taking effect in the breast one ball passing through the heart.  Newman fell dead.  The younger daughter clinched Hoadley and during the struggle which lasted but an instant he fired twice at her over his shoulder, the first ball going wide of the mark and the second penetrating his own right shoulder. 

At this juncture Mrs. Newman who had secured a club, struck him a severe blow to the head which, aided by the efforts of the daughter, felled him to the ground.  Mother and daughter then started on a run, Hoadley, arising pursued, but failing to overtake them, retraced his way to the pile of pence posts, secured the revolver which he had left there and going to where his wife lay upon the ground fired 3 shots into her head, 2 in the forehead and the third one near the eye. He then laid down upon his back, beside his dead wife, placed his left arm under her right side, put the muzzle of a revolver near the center of his own forehead and fire.  He lived 4 hours after shooting himself but was not conscious for a moment.

The tragedy has no parallel in the history of Williams County.  The prominence of the parties, the evident premeditation, and preparation by the principal actor, the deliberation with which he carried his purpose into execution and the determination of the man to kill as evidence by the number of shots he fired into the bodies of his wife and her aged father comprise to make it one of the most terrible domestic tragedies of which we have record.

It is generally believed that Hoadley became convinced that his wife would be granted a decree of divorce and liberal alimony and he determined that she should not share in his estate.  He owned one of the very best and most thoroughly cultivated farms in the county, all the improvements and farm machinery were of the highest class of farm property, his livestock was of the best, his household appointments were superb, everything about the place indicated intelligence, thrift, almost luxury. 

By a former wife he had 3 children to whom he was most devotedly attached and he spared neither effort nor expense in contributing to their comfort and advancement. The eldest daughter, an amiable and accomplished young lady of 18 just returned from school at Chicago, was the pride of her father; the other children, a son of 15 and a daughter of 9 were objects of parental solicitude.  He had in contemplation for them educational advantages equaling those of their sister.  Caring for them as he did he could not brook the idea that the wife who had left him and sued for divorce should have part or parcel of his estate.  Failing to affect the $1500 compromise above referred to, he determined to remove his wife and others who he believed stood in the way of the compromise, and then avoid the penalty of the law, by taking his own life.

The Bryan Democrat, 8 Aug 1889
“We were in error last week saying that the Masonic fraternity conducted the funeral rites over the burial of Hiram Hoadley, Jr.  Such a thing could not be, as the rules of the order forbid the burial of a murderer, in conformity with their custom as in other cases.”

Journal 15 p159 – case # 2078 – 16 Dec 1889:
Sarah Hoadley estate v Hiram Hoadley; court costs to be paid by executor, Seth Brosius of $12.13.

Next I’ve done a bit of research on the two parties and their history.  I’ll begin with Hiram and his family.

On 17 July 1873 Hiram Hoadley, Jr., was elected treasurer of the Edon Lodge, No 474 AF and AM.  He was a charter member. (The History of Williams Co, OH, Weston Goodspeed, 1882, p459)

From a Bryan newspaper entry, 13 Sept 1880, Peter and Ann Luke sold 40 acres to Hiram for $900.

Online there is a site where excerpts of a genealogy on the Hoadley family stated:
Hiram Hoadley, Jr. of Edon, OH killed self, second wife, and her father, SC Newman, 21 July 1889 in Edgerton, OH, 4 children by first wife. (Hoadley Genealogy, Francis Bacon Trowbridge, p228)

The Bryan Press, 25 July 1889 – obits of Christian Neuman, Hiram Hoadley, Jr. and Sarah Neuman Hoadley
The Bryan Democrat, 1 Nov 1894 p5; The Bryan Press, 1 Nov 1894 – obit of Hiram Hoadley, Sr.
The Leader Enterprise, 12 June 1978 p1; The Bryan Times, 12 June 1978, p3 – recap of Hoadley tragedy

Father – Hiram Hoadley, SR. (5 Oct 1810, Columbiana Co, OH – 22 Oct 1894, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH; burial in Edon Cem) – probate case number 3554 est on 16 Nov 1894
Mother – Elizabeth Davies (c1812 Montgomery shire, Wales – 1 May 1893, Williams Co, OH; burial Edon Cem)

Children – Erastus, Sarah, John D, Hiram J, Mary H.

Hiram Hoadley, Jr. (3 Aug 1844, Smith Twp, Columbiana Co, OH – 21 July 1889, Edgerton, St. Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH @45Y 11M 18D; bur Edon Cem) – probate case number 3020 est on 7 Aug 1889
The Hoadley moved to Edon between 1860-1870.

1850 Smith, Mahoning, Ohio; Roll: M432_707; Page: 302A; Image: 22.
Hiram Hoadley 6 OH living with parents and siblings

1860 Smith, Mahoning, Ohio; Roll: M653_1005; Page: 253; Image: 509; Family History Library Film: 805005.
Hiram Hoadly 17 OH farm laborer living with parents and siblings John and Mary

Civil War Soldier - Enlisted as a Private on 28 May 1862 at the age of 18
Enlisted in Company G, 86th Infantry Regiment Ohio on 10 June 1862.
Mustered out Company G, 86th Infantry Regiment Ohio on 25 September 1862 in Camp Chase, Ohio

Married Elizabeth Starr (1843 OH – 15/21 Mar 1886, Edon, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH; bur Edon Cem), 26 Sept 1865 in Williams Co, OH
Children – Cyrus W, Clemont H, Louise Emma, John Seldon, and Generva S

1870 Florence, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 74B; Image: 152; Family History Library Film: 552781.
h/h 220/220 Hoadley, Hiram 27 OH farmer
Elizabeth 27 OH
Emma 1/12 OH  April

1880 Florence, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 559A; Enumeration District: 8; Image: 0752.
h/h 1908/116 Hoadley, Hiram J 36 farmer OH-OH-Wales
Lizzie 36 wife OH-PA-OH
Emma L 10 dau OH-OH-OH
John S 8 son OH-OH-OH
Genevra S 2 dau OH-OH-OH
Fetters, William 23 servant OH-OH-OH

Sarah E. Neuman (1859 OH – 21 July 1889 Edgerton, St. Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH, daughter of Christian and Christiana Neuman, both natives of Mechlenburg, Germany; Christian’s probate case number 3037 est on 21 Oct 1889

1860 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 115; Image: 236; Family History Library Film: 805052.
h/h 319/308 Neuman, Christ 41 Germany farmer
Christiana 39 Germany
Caroline 15 Germany deaf and dumb
Charles 10 Germany
Amelia 7 MI
Sarah 4 OH (should be 2)
Hill, Jane no age MD

1870 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 244B; Image: 494; Family History Library Film: 552781.
h/h 202/202 Wenman, Christian 52 Mecklenburg farmer
Christiana 49 Mecklenburg
Amelia 17 MI
Sarah 12 OH
Louisa 8 OH
Charles 20 Mecklenburg rr laborer

1880 Saint Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 595A; Enumeration District: 9; Image: 0050.
h/h 191/194 Neuman, Christian 63 farmer Meck-Meck-Meck
Christina wife 58 Meck-Meck-Meck
Sadie dau 21 OH-Meck-Meck
Louie dau 18 OH-Meck-Meck




25 February 2011

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


Edward Joseph Derby v Emma C. Derby (Roll 47 Box 159 case number 2072) – 29 Apr 1889 – see Sidney Derby for more data on the Derby family

By Pamela Pattison Lash

The couple was married on 24 June 1875 in St. Peter, Nicollet Co, MN.  Edward charged Emma with being willfully absent for three years or more.  They did not have any living children.

Edward Joseph Derby, the son of Thomas and Martha Badger Derby, was born on 25 Dec 1852 in Iowa.

1870 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 182B; Image: 368; Family History Library Film: 552781.
h/h 135/135 Derby, Thomas 58 NY carpenter
Martha 52 OH
Edward J 18 IA farm laborer
Hiram R 13 OH
Robert 7 OH

1880 Fayette, Fulton, Ohio; Roll: 1017; Family History Film: 1255017; Page: 2C; Enumeration District: 14; Image: 0443. This could be Edward and wife noted as Emily but more research needs to be done.

10 Feb 1894 – George H Bonsall married Emma Derby in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Emma (Dec 1868) MN  - again more research needs to be done on this!

1900 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 112.
Derby, Edward (Dec 1851) 48 divorced IA-PA-NY no occup (next door to county jail and a saloon)

The Bryan Democrat, 3 Nov 1904 – obit for Edward J. Derby

24 February 2011

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

Andrew Dryborough v Ida Dryborough (Journal 15 p 89 - 12 Nov 1889; Roll 47 Box 158 case number 2093) – 11 July 1889

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 10 November 2011)

The couple was married on 18 Apr 1885 in Lawrenceville, Lawrence Co, IL.  Andrew stated that Ida was guilty of adultery and gave a list of dates, places, and parties involved:

1 May 1889 at the Bryan House, Bryan, OH with Edmond Bassett
25 May 1889 at the Commercial Hotel, West Unity, OH with Edmond Bassett
4 June 1889 at the Brunswick Hotel, Bryan, OH with Clinton Gump
13 June 1889 at the Boody House, Bryan, OH with man unknown to Andrew

A notice of the divorce proceedings appeared in the Bryan Press starting 8 Aug 1889 and continued for six consecutive weeks.  The court granted Andrew a divorce; however in Journal 15 p89 (12 Nov 1889) the entry stated that Ida was not guilty of adultery and was granted an annulment.

On 17 June 1890 Andrew married Lillian F. Linzy in Scott Co, IN.

In Sept 1897 Andrew Dryborough of Crothersville, IN was elected to membership of the National Society of Electro-Therapeutists.

1900 Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana; Roll: T623_388; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 55.
h/h 304/306 Dryborough, Andrew (19 Mar 1851) 49 Scot-Scot-Scot physician mar 10Y
Lillian wife (29 July 1868) 31 1/1 ch  IN-IN-IN
Minnie dau (19 July 1886) 13 IN-Scot-IN (probably a step-daughter)

1910 Worthington Ward 1, Greene, Indiana; Roll: T624_352; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 0035; Image: 630; FHL Number: 1374365.
h/h 15/15 Dryburgh, Andrew 59 mar 2x mar 20Y to US 1866 Scot-Scot-Scot physician
Lillian F wife 42 mar 2x IN-PA-TN 3/o ch
Stewart, Elizabeth F 62 mother-in-law widow 3/1 ch TN-TN-TN

Note that Andrew was married twice.  

23 February 2011

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.”






22 February 2011

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




Jeremiah E. Dailey v Lusincia S. Phillips Dailey (Journal 8 p398 - 3 Nov 1875; p489 - 9 Mar 1876; p539 - 22 May 1876; Journal 15 p72 – 17 July 1889 case number 2072; Roll 28 case number 40; Roll 47 Box 156 case number 2077 – 4 May 1889)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 17 July 2011)

There are two things that need to be mentioned about this case.
1.  The spelling of the wife is all over the map – Lusina, Lusena, Suannah, etc so I tried to keep it as accurate per document as possible.
2.  This is another is a long line of documents for a divorce.  This time it is the husband, Jeremiah, who wanted a divorce.  As was the case before, Lusena asked for a dismissal and the court agreed.  Here is the information from the latest proceeding uncovered for the couple.

Jeremiah stated that the couple was married on 15 April 1845 in Maumee City, Lucas Co, OH. (Note different date from the Roll 28 info).  He said Lusina was guilty of gross neglect and had abandoned him.  She refused to live with him for three years or more. 

Lusina in her answer denied these charges.  She inherited 11 acres of property in Wood Co, OH valued at $1,000.  In 1860 Jeremiah converted this as his own property and later he conveyed property of Lot 6 Bostater’s Addition in Bryan (but never mentioned in proceeding to whom he conveyed this).  Lusina was in poor health and needed the rent from land at $5-6.50 per month.  She said Jeremiah is in good health and able to work.  He owned Lot 268 Edgerton and Trevitt’s Addition in Bryan where the family homestead sat.  Later Lusina wanted the case to be dismissed.  Evidently it was dismissed.  Journal 15 shows that on 17 July 1889 the divorce action was indeed dismissed.

Susanna Lucina/Lusena Philips Dailey v Jeremiah E. Dailey (Journal 8 p398 - 3 Nov 1875; p489 - 9 Mar 1876; p539 - 22 May 1876; Roll 28 case number 40; Roll 47)
A. Rapp, a Catholic priest, married the couple in Maumee, Lucas Co, OH on 21 Apr 1845.  Susanna told the court the date was 15 May 1846. The family was enumerated in the 1850 Troy, Wood Co, OH federal census, p218, as Jeremiah Dailey 26 CAN, Susan 25 NY, and children John 3 OH, Mary M 4 OH, and Sarah 1 OH; his parents Cornelia and Catherine Dailey, both natives of Ireland, were next door neighbors along with Jeremiah’s siblings.  In the 1860 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census, p33, the family was listed as Jeremiah Dailey 35 Upper Canada, Susan 34 NY, and children all born in Ohio, Mary 14, John 12, Sarah 10, Jeremiah 8, and Alice 2.  In the 1870 Bryan federal census, p43, the family appeared as Jeremiah 45 CAN teamster, Luena 44 NY, Jeremiah 19, Alice 13, and Jennie 5.


Susanna was a resident of Ohio for more than 30 years and more than 20 years of those were in Wms Co.  She stated that on 1 Apr 1871 in Bryan Jeremiah was violent to her; in fact a year after they married he was violent and abusive, and he refused to buy her clothing.  On 15 Sept 1873 he was cruel and neglectful and left her for a time. She catalogued abuse on 20 July 1874 when he refused her a table to eat on and proper food.  On 20 May 1875 he kicked her out of their home.  Susan stated that she was 48 years old and the last four years she has been in poor and feeble health, living through charity of her friends and neighbors in Pulaski Twp; she even asked for help from the township trustees.  On 15 Jan 1874 he committed assault and battery on her. 


The couple had the following children: Mary (28) married to Byron DeLong, John (27), Jeremiah S. (24), Alva Alice B. (18), a child named Sarah (b1850) who died young, and Jennie (10).  Jeremiah owned Lot #268 in Edgerton and Trevitt Addition, Bryan, valued at $2800 plus much personal property.    Throughout the course of these proceedings Susana amended her petition, asked for reasonable alimony of $300 one time and $110 another. This case was dismissed.

According to the 1880 Bryan federal census, p641B, the Dailey household appeared as JE 55 CAN street commissioner with Irish parentage, Jeremiah 27 OH laborer, Lucena 54 NY with Massachusetts parentage, and Jennie 15 OH.  Jeremiah Dailey (1824 - 1901) and Lusena, his wife, (1826 - 1896) were buried together in the Bryan Fountain Grove Cemetery.  Lusena’s obit in The Bryan Democrat, 3 Sept 1896 p5 c5, stated that Lusena L. Phillips Dailey was born in Canandaigua, NY on 28 Jan 1826 and died 17 Aug 1896 at 70Y 6M 19D.  She was the mother of eight children with five preceding her in death.  She left a husband, a son, and two daughters to mourn her.









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



Margaret Elizabeth Ankney Coffman v Charles F. Coffman (Journal 14 p540 - 18 Mar 1889; Roll 47 case number 2040) – 26 Jan 1889

By Pamela Pattison Lash


The couple was married on 23 Apr 1874 in Paulding Co, OH.  Margaret charged Charles with being willfully absent for more than three years and providing no support for her and her children, Alice 14, Frank 12, and William 10.  She stated that Charles’ whereabouts were unknown to her.  She wanted alimony, restoration of her maiden name, and a divorce.  This proceeding included a newspaper clipping from the Montpelier Enterprise, a notice reporting her desires, which ran from 18 Mar 1889 for six consecutive weeks.  A divorce was then granted.

Margaret E Ankney, born in Nov 1853, probably in Paulding Co, OH, was the daughter of Henry and Barbara Ankney, Jr.  Here is what I found on this family:

1870 Emerald, Paulding, Ohio; Roll: M593_1254; Page: 521B; Image: 160; Family History Library Film: 552753.
h/h 75/68 Ankney, Henry 40 OH
Barbara 39 PA
Margaret E 16 OH
Francis 14 OH
Mary A 9 OH
Phebe E 7 OH
Lucinda 5 OH

Margaret married Charles on 23 Apr 1874 in Paulding Co, OH.

On 19 Oct 1874 in Emerald Twp, Paulding Co, OH, Barbara A Kauffman was born to Charles Kauffman and Margaret E. Ankney.  Online source states the child’s name was Alice Lucinda Coffman.

The couple also had two sons – Francis Marion Coffman (c1877) and William Henry Emory Coffman (July 1879).

1880 Troy, De Kalb, Indiana; Roll: 273; Family History Film: 1254273; Page: 48C; Enumeration District: 81; Image: 0096.
h/h25/26 Ankney, Henry 51 day laborer OH-PA-PA
Barbara 52 wife PA-PA-PA
Francis 17 son OH-OH-PA
Lacinda 15 dau OH-OH-PA
Coffman, Margaret 26 dau OH-OH-PA
Allie 5 granddau OH-un-OH
Francis 3 grandson OH-un-OH
Willie 11/12 July grandson OH-un-OH

Margaret began the divorce proceedings c26 Jan 1889; there may have been two reasons not stated in the action that motivated Margaret to do this:
1. On 15 June 1886 in Paulding Co, OH Charles F. Coffman married Sarah B Richers.  This is assuming that this Charles is her errant husband.  If so, he clearly married another without benefit of a divorce from Margaret.
2.  Margaret wanted the divorce so she could marry again, which is what she did c1890 to James Harger.  These are two census records that support this:

1900 Otsego, Steuben, Indiana; Roll: T623_404; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 101.
h/h 316/316 Harger, James (Nov 1841) 58 m10Y OH-OH-OH farmer
Margaret wife (Nov 1853) 46 m10Y 6/5 ch OH-OH-OH
Myrte M dau (May 1891) 9 OH-OH-OH
Riley son (Nov 1894) 3 IN-OH-OH

1910  Hatton, Clare, Michigan; Roll: T624_642; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 0028; Image: 7; FHL Number: 1374655.
h/h 25/25 Harger, Jas R 68 mar 2x mar 19Y OH-OH-OH farmer
Margaret E wife 56 mar 2x 6/5 ch OH-OH-OH
Myrtle dau 18 OH-OH-OH
Riley son 15 OH-OH-OH

Margaret died on 30 August 1940 in Clare Co, MI according to online source.

So what happened to Charles Coffman?  It may be that he is -
Charles F. Coffman, born 1846 in Lanier, Preble Co, OH, the son of John Henry and Barbara Heaston Coffman.

1850 Lanier, Preble, Ohio; Roll: M432_723; Page: 316B; Image: 178.
h/h Coffman, John 51
Barbara 43
George B 19 OH
Jacob H 15 OH
Elizabeth 13 OH
Vinton W 8 OH
Charles 4 OH
Emily 1 OH

1860  Lanier, Preble, Ohio; Roll: M653_1026; Page: 151; Image: 305; Family History Library Film: 805026.
Coffman, Charles 13 OH living with his parents and siblings

By 1870 the Coffman parents had moved to Dayton, Montgomery Co, OH, but Charles is not with them.  After the 1886 marriage to Sarah Richer he is missing.  More research needs to be done on him.

20 February 2011

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


Eva J. Sparling Christman v George Christman (Roll 47 Box 166 case number 2089) – 5 July 1889 – see Hudkins divorce

By Pamela Pattison Lash

The couple was married on 3 June 1889 in Williams Co, OH (Marriage V5 #1515). 

Eva claimed that George was guilty of gross neglect, not performing marital duties, and providing no support for her.  She was living off the charity of friends.  B. Schmachtenberger owed George money but she didn’t know how much.  Fred Christman also owed her husband some money.  George has already disposed of some of his property in order to defraud her.  Eva asked for reasonable alimony and the divorce, which were both granted to her.

She did not mention that she and George were the parents of a son, George Christman, born in Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH on 5 July 1889 (Birth V2 p120); however in the 1900 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 110, under household of George Hodkins, Eva’s daughter, Anna, was born in July 1889.  This could mean that the birth record was misread or misreported.  Eva was the mother of 4 children/3 living children.

Eva J Sparling, born on 3 Oct 1870 in Germany, was the daughter of John and Julia Brendt Sparling.  The Sparlings immigrated to USA c1874.

1880 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 629C; Enumeration District: 11; Image: 0119.
h/h 269/279 Sparling, John 60 Pruss-Pruss-Pruss farmer
Julia wife 50 Pruss-Pruss-Pruss
Anna 14 dau Pruss-Pruss-Pruss
Gusta M E 13 dau Pruss-Pruss-Pruss
Mary G E 11 dau Pruss-Pruss-Pruss
Eva J 9 dau Pruss-Pruss-Pruss
John F 5 son OH-Pruss-Pruss
Agusutus 18 son Pruss-Pruss-Pruss
Otto 16 son Pruss-Pruss-Pruss

After the divorce Eva married George W Hudkins in Williams Co, OH on 5 Aug 1897 (Marriage V7 #390).

Sometime after the 1930 federal census, Eva married Newton Perkins.

The Hudkins couple was buried in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan, Williams Co, OH as

Hudkins, George W (1861 – 1921) – probate 23 July 1921 case number 6926; obit Bryan Press, 21 and 28 July 1921
Eva J (1870 – 1932) – probate 16 Apr 1932 case number 9040

Note that in the 1900 federal census (mentioned above) Eva Hodkins was listed with birth date of Oct 1869, but her death record stated she was born on 3 Oct 1870; she died on 7 Apr 1932 in Bryan, OH.



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


Eva P. Bartlett Carter v James T. Carter (Journal 14 p512 - 11 Mar 1888; Roll 47 Box 155 case number 2028) – 11 Jan 1889

By Pamela Pattison Lash

The couple was married in Williams Co, OH on 28 Aug 1881 (Marriage V5 #28). Eva charged James, an idle husband, with gross neglect of duty and being willfully absent for three years.  Eva said at one time James lived in Chicago, Cook Co, IL, but sometime recently he had moved to New Mexico.  She wanted custody of their minor child, Claudia A, five years old on 16 Mar 1889, reasonable alimony, and the restoration of her maiden name, Bartlett.  She told the court she owned real estate in Ashtabula Co, OH, but she needed the alimony because at present she was living off the charity of others.  A legal notice appeared in The Earth, a newspaper in the Edgerton, St. Joseph Twp area from 11 Jan 1889 for six consecutive weeks.  The court granted Eva a divorce and alimony.

Updates to Divorce Posts


By Pamela Pattison Lash

I found a few more tidbits while doing some research in the Bryan, OH newspapers.  These have been added to original detailings (check red data).

(Wannamaker)
Bryan Democrat, 1 Sept 1881 p5 c2
Arrested
Miss Lizzie VanDusen of the Wannamaker-VanDusen combination was arrested one day last week on charge of living not wisely but too much without license or something of that kind.  She plead guilty to the charges and Squire Cox assessed the penalty at $20 and costs which was promptly paid.

(Burchell)
Bryan Democrat, 3 Nov 1889, p3 c2
Miss Huldah Diehl’s property on South Lebanon Street (Bryan) is undergoing improvements.