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

Jennie M. Hayne Pickle v Elmer C. Pickle (Journal 15 p146 – Dec 1889; p404 – 28 June 1890; p518; Roll 47 Box 166 case number 2095 – 13 July 1889)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 19 December 2011)

The couple was married in West Unity, Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH on 3 July 1887 (Marriage V5 #1006).  The couple did not have any children.  Jennie charged her husband with providing no support or maintenance for the necessities of life.  She has lived off the charity of others and her own labor for support.  She stated that Elmer abandoned her immediately after the marriage and was guilty of neglect and extreme cruelty.

Furthermore, she married him when she was 16 and he was 24.  She married against her will or the wishes of her living parents.  Elmer used fraud and deceit.  He told her he had consent from her mother and stated such to the probate judge when he obtained a license, but in truth he did not have what he swore to the judge.  He told the judge that Jennie was 18 instead of her true age of 16.  He never intended to live with her and was guilty of a fraudulent marriage contract.

There were several continuances. The divorce info did not state whether a divorce was actually granted. I have not been able to find info on Jennie but I was able to uncover some data on errant husband, Elmer.

Elmer, born Feb 1862 in Williams Co, OH, was the son of Abraham Wellington and Eliza/Louisa J Combs Pickle.  The Pickle family was listed in the 1850 Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH but then moved to Fulton Co, OH, and much later settled in Ransom, Hillsdale Co, MI and parts West.

1870 German, Fulton, Ohio; Roll: M593_1202; Page: 113A; Image: 229; Family History Library Film: 552701.

Elmer 8 OH living with parents and siblings

1880 German, Fulton, Ohio; Roll: 1017; Family History Film: 1255017; Page: 127C; Enumeration District: 22; Image: 0693.

h/h /212 Pickle, Abraham 56 farmer PA-NJ-PA crippled, farmer

Eliza 48 wife OH

Ida 22 day OH-PA-OH

Elmer 17 son OH-PA-OH works on farm

Irena 12 dau OH-PA-OH

Burk 6 son OH-PA-OH

Elmer married Mary R McKee, daughter of William Addington and Adaline Kelly on 7 Mar 1895 in Trade Lake, Burnett Co, WI.  Mary was from NC.

1900 Laketown, Polk, Wisconsin; Roll: T623_1811; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 134 (living next door to Elias Pickle)

h/h 31/31 Pickle, Elmer C (Feb 1862) 38 mar 5Y OH-OH-OH farmer

Mary (Apr 1851) 49 wife  6/3 ch NC-NC-NC

Zeralder (Sept 1885) 15 step-dau WI-AL-NC

Elmer and Mary are found in the 1905 Laketown, Polk Co, Wisconsin State Census as Elmer 42 OH farmer and Mary wife 54 GA

Estate Suit - Delilah Owen v Jasper Rogers (Roll 47)

Estate Suit - Roll 47 Box 161 case number 2038 – Delilah Owen v Jasper Rogers – 26 Jan 1890 - see Delilah Cain Owens Kint Spring divorce

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 9 Apr 2011)

Jasper Rogers was the executor of the estate of Samuel Cain, Delilah Owen’s father.  Along with Jasper, Delilah sued the following people:

Sarah Anspaugh (Delilah’s sister)

Julia Ann Coon (Delilah’s sister) - see Andrew Brown divorce

Rachel Anspaugh (Delilah’s sister)

Margaret Dick (Delilah’s sister)

Catherine Myers (Delilah’s sister)

Lucinda Matthews (Delilah’s sister)

Rachel Cain (Delilah’s stepmother)

Mary E Knapp (Delilah’s sister)

Samuel L Cain (Delilah’s brother)

His last will and testament was presented to probate on 29 Apr 1887 with witnesses attesting to this instrument – Samuel L Cain, Mary E Knapp, and Rachel Cain.  These people were legatees in the will.

Delilah said it was not the last will and testament.  Her father, Samuel Cain, was not of sound mind and memory and that he was led and coerced into signing this. 

Summons were sent to (Delilah’s half-brothers and half-sister)

David Cain

Isaac Cain

Charles Cain

Benjamin Cain

Almina Cain, who was over 14

The last three were the minor children of Samuel Cain, deceased.

On 1 Mar 1887 Samuel Cain died in Williams Co, OH.

The Bryan Press, Thurs, 31 Mar 1887, p 3 c 5

Cain- At his home two miles north of Columbia, this county, on Thursday, at noon, March 24, 1887, of pneumonia, Samuel Cain, aged 76 years 8 months 20 days.

Samuel Cain was born in Beaver County, Penn., July 4, 1810 and was married in the same state to Elizabeth Mocherman. In 1829 he moved to Harrison County this state and remained there two years; thence he moved to Stark County where he remained six years; thence to Richland County remaining one year; was a short time in Henry County and in 1838 came to Florence Township this county and settled in Section No. 1, recently known as the John Brubaker farm. In 1844 he sold that farm and bought 80 acres, the farm now owned by Adam Briggle. He was probably the second settler in Florence Township. His wife died June 11, 1852, leaving him a family of twelve children, eight of whom survive him. John, the oldest son, was killed in the Battle of Chickamauga, Sept. 30, 1868.

He married a second wife, Rachel Meek, March 3, 1858 and by her became the father of eleven children. Seventeen children are still living. About the close of the war he moved to Northwest Township on the farm from which he was buried. Mr. Cain was one of the wide awake jolly men; always up and coming; and was seldom seen out of humor; he lived beyond the allotted time we cannot but feel sad that he is dead.

Divorce Action in Williams Co, OH - Myers (Roll 47)

Laura Jane “Jennie” Shaffer Myers v Lemuel/Emiel/Emuel Myers (Journal 15 p179 – 21 Dec 1889; Roll 47 Box 159 case number 2108 – 31 Aug 1889)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 25 December 2011)

The couple, according to Laura, was married in Bryan, Williams Co, OH on 9 Nov 1879.

[(Lemuel Meyers and Jennie Shaffer married on 27 Oct 1879 in Williams Co, OH (Marriage V 4 p651). Note there is no other couple in marriage records that I could find that fits except this one.]

They had two children – Charles 7 (Stryker, Williams Co, OH Births V 2 p34 – 17 Feb 1882 as Oreville s/o Emile and Jennie Shaffer Myers) and Laura 4 (Bryan, Williams Co, OH Births V2 p70 – 16 Feb 1885, d/o Lemuel and IL Shaffer Myers).  Laura charged her husband with gross neglect of duty and extreme cruelty.  She said he was a drunk for more than three years.  In mid Dec 1887 she was ordered to leave her home.

In his answer to the court Emuel stated his wife was guilty of gross neglect as she would not cook, do housework, or wash his clothes.  She wanted him to leave their home in Bryan and move to Goshen, IN.  He did stay in Goshen as of Aug 1899.

Laura wanted a divorce and custody of the children.  On 21 December 1889 the divorce action was dismissed. It is unclear whether she later obtained her divorce in Williams Co, OH or may have obtained one in Indiana, but she was listed in the 1900 federal census (see below) as divorced.

With this case I’ve had to make some assumptions.  Here’s what I found on the family.

Laura Shaffer, born in July 1852 in IN, was the daughter of Jonathan and Thursa Shaffer.

1870 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 177A; Image: 357; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 39/39 Shaffer, Jonathan 51 PA blacksmith

Thursa 46 OH

Enoch 24 OH

Laura 17 IN

Josephine 14 MI

Willoughby 12 IN

Alice E 10 IN

Jonathan Shaffer b1817 Germany d 25 Aug 1892 Bryan, OH; blacksmith

Lemuel Myers was born in OH c1843; he disappeared after the 1889 divorce action.

1880 Stryker, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 665B; Enumeration District: 13; Image: 0192.

h/h 87/89 Myers, Emuel 37 OH laborer

Jennie 26 wife OH-PA

Cora 3 OH-x-OH

1900 Elkhart, Elkhart, Indiana; Roll: T623_369; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 23, PO Goshen

h/h 346/357 Myers, Jennie (July 1852) 47 divorced 4/2 ch IN-PA-MI

Laura (Feb 1885) 15 dau OH-FR-IN

Charles (Feb 1882) 18 son OH-FR-IN iron molder (online source has Charles living later in Lucas Co, OH where he died)

Ensign, Louis (Oct 1840) 59 boarder Can-NY-NY to US 1878 horse trainer widower

On 10 Mar 1917 in Goshen, Elkhart Co, IN, Laura Agnes Myers, d/o Emil Myers and Laura Jane Shafer, married Ralph Elliot Marling.  Laura was born in Bryan, OH on 16 Feb 1885.

By 1920 Elkhart Ward 6, Elkhart, Indiana; Roll: T625_432; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 60; Image: 489.

Jennie Myers widow b1855 IN lived with her daughter and son-in-law, the Marlings

By 1930 Elkhart, Elkhart, Indiana; Roll: 585; Page: 26B; Enumeration District: 22; Image: 54.0

Jennie Myers 76 IN was living again with the Marlings and her sister, Josephine Kelley 74 MI also resided there.

Divorce Action in Williams Co, OH - Mills (Roll 47)

Richmond M. Mills v Rosa H. Bridinger Mills (Journal 12 p430 - 22 Dec 1884; Journal 14 p352 - 11 June 1888; Journal 15 p69 – July 1889; Roll 47 case number 2085 - 4 June 1889) – see previous posting for Mills divorce action; see Worthington when posted

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 1 August 2014)

The couple was married on 11 Jan 1877 in Williams Co, OH (Marriage V4 p45). This was a lengthy case, which started in Dec 1884 and became final c6 June 1889.  Reviewing Roll 47 for this posting I found the following information:

Richmond Mills stated for the court that Rosa was willfully absent for over five years.  She lived in Lansing, MI.  They had a mutual agreement five years ago to the division of their property.  He listed their children as – William 12 on 19 Mar 1889, Martha H 10 on 15 Feb 1889, and Mary A 8 in Dec 1889.  He wanted custody of the children.  A newspaper notice appeared on 6 June 1889 (no clipping to show which one).  A divorce was granted whereby he has custody of the children, a visitation schedule was set, and Richmond paid court costs.

Information in red contains updated information.

Richmond, born 27 Mar 1834 Masonville, Delaware Co, NY, was the son of Minor C and Hannah/Martha Wood Mills. 

The Mills family is found in the 1850 Greenfield, Huron Co, OH federal census. 
According to the 1860 St. Joseph federal census p110a, the Mills family was listed as LN (Lewis Nelson Mills, a twin, 28 NY, Hannah 62 NY, Richmond 26 NY, Lois, a twin, 28 NY, and William J 22 NY. By the 1870 St. Joseph Twp federal census p12, the family appeared as Richmond 35 NY, Hannah 72 NY, Lois 27 NY, and Nathaniel Hutchins 13 OH.  In the 1880 St. Joseph Twp federal census p590D, the family was listed as Richmond 40 NY, Rosa 19 OH with German parentage, William 3 OH, and Martha 1 OH.  Richmond and Rosa Mills had the following children: William G (19 Mar 1876 – 5 July 1913), John Keenan (b 19 Mar 1877), Martha H. (b 7 Feb 1879), and Mary Ann (b 14 Dec 1880 - Williams Co, OH Births V2 p25).  Note that on William Mills' tombstone inscription in Maple Grove Cemetery, Edgerton, his birth date was 1876, making him issue before the marriage or the son of another. 

From the 1870 Richland Twp, Defiance Co, OH federal census p164A the Bridinger family was enumerated as George Bridinger 41 Wurtemberg, Hannah 37 Saxony, Rosa 9 OH, Matilda 7 OH, Henry 4 OH, and David 1 OH.  Rosa’s parents were George and Hanna Richard Bridinger.  According to the 1880 Ferris, Montcalm Co, MI federal census, Rosa was living with her mother and siblings; her father had died sometime between 1870-1880. Note that Rosa was listed twice in the 1880 federal census – once with her husband in Ohio and once with her mother in Michigan.

Rosa's Bridinger siblings were Anna Matilda who married George Delawarter.
George Henry who married Edna Laughlin
John David
Mina S or F who married Samuel T Gregory.

The court initially continued the case but Richmond charged Rosa with being willfully absent for five years plus he wished custody of the children.  A legal notice appeared in the Bryan Press.  A divorce was granted, but on 11 June 1888 a criminal action was brought against Richmond and Caroline Stirtz for cohabiting in adultery. The defendants claimed that they were not guilty. The Edgerton Earth, 5 Nov 1915, p5, reported Richmond's demise on 2 Nov 1915. The Maple Grove Cemetery showed burials for Richmond M. Mills (1834-1915), his son William, and his sister Lois N Mills, who was incorrectly identified in the cemetery records as Richmond's wife. Richmond Mills had probate estate #6066 dated 2 February 1916.

1900 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 114.

h/h 93/95 Mills, Richmond (Mar 1834) 68 divorced NY-CT-NY farmer, renting

William G (Mar 1877) son 23 single OH-NY-OH day laborer

Lois (June 1828) 71 sister, divorced NY-CT-NY housekeeper – see Worthington when posted

1910 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 0131; Image: 966; FHL Number: 1375254.

h/h 130/131 Mills, Richard 76 widower NY-CT-NY farmer/gardener

William son 32 single OH-NY-US day laborer

Rose Bridinger Mills married George O. Spaulding in Charlotte, Eaton Co, MI on 15 June 1889.  According to their marriage license she was born in 1862 NY; George was born in NY c1854; his parents were John and Maria Jackson Spaulding; the bride and groom were residents of Pottersville, Eaton Co, MI.

Divorce Action in Williams Co, OH - Letcher (Roll 47)

James Herbert Letcher v Flora “Mary J” Hamilton Letcher (Journal 15 p13 – 28 Mar 1889 case number 2027; Roll 47 Box 155 case number 2027 – 7 Jan 1889)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 13 July 2011)

The couple was married on 26 May 1880 in Wms Co (Marriage V4 p688).  James charged Flora with being willfully absent for more than three years and being unfit to have custody of their child, Harold H, born 28 Feb 1882, Bryan, OH (Births V2 p33).  A notice appeared in the Bryan Press on 21 Feb 1889 and ran for six consecutive weeks.  A divorce was granted. Note that Harold must have decided his mother was “fit” as he resided with her for decades (see below).  James is to pay court costs and Flora is to have custody of child Herbert Letcher with James given a visitation schedule.  There was mention of attorney Gustavus Baylis of New York City.

James H. Letcher, the son of Amos and Lydia Peck Letcher, was born on 3 Mar 1850 in Summit Co, OH; he died on 28 Aug 1930 in Ottawa, Putnam Co, OH and was buried in Gilboa, OH. Father Amos Letcher was related to President James A. Garfield.

Flora Hamilton was born in Syracuse, NY on Dec 1861, parentage unknown.

The Letchers appeared in only one census as husband and wife.

1880 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 656C; Enumeration District: 12; Image: 0173.

h/h 544/569 Letcher, JH 30 OH-NY-NY printer

Flora 19 NY-NY-NY

James filed divorce action in Jan 1889 with a divorce granted c21 Feb 1889.

JH Letcher and Ella York/Yerk/Haspethorne/Hospelhem were married on 26 Feb 1891 in Wood Co, OH and they had a daughter Nina Louise Letcher, born 30 Jan 1892 in Pualski Twp (Births v2 p152). Ella was married once before to *** York.  In the divorce action there was mention of son Herbert alive in 1889.

Ella Haspethorne was the daughter of George and Marie Bamber Haspethorne; she was born on 22 Aug 1858 in Grand Rapids, OH and died on 23 Sept 1928 in Ottawa, Putnam Co, OH with burial in Blanchard, OH.  Father George was once the postmaster in Gilead, Wood Co, OH. Mother Marie died on 30 July 1911 in Wood Co, OH and was buried in Otsego, OH.  The family appears to stay in the Grand Rapids, Wood Co, OH area for many years.

The Letchers moved around a great deal as evidenced by the following census records:

1900 Washington, Warren, Indiana; Roll: T623_411; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 126.

h/h 61/62 Letcher, James H (Mar 1850) 50 OH-NY-NY editor

Ella wife (Aug 1858) 41 mar 9Y 1/1 ch OH-MD-NY

Nina L dau (Jan 1892) 8 OH-OH-OH

1910 Toledo Ward 4, Lucas, Ohio; Roll: T624_1208; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0059; Image: 653; FHL Number: 1375221.

23 Bancroft St

h/h 55/84 Letcher, James 59 mar 2x mar 19Y OH-NY-NY printer in printing office

Ella 51 wife mar 2x OH-MD-NY

Nina L 18 dau OH-OH-OH

1920 Franklin, Ripley, Indiana; Roll: T625_462; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 157; Image: 13.

h/h /37 Letcher, JH 68 OH-NY-NY editor of Milan Commercial

Ella wife 59 OH-MD-NY

James died in 1930.

What happened to errant wife, Flora?  Flora Hamilton Letcher and her son Harold resided for over forty years in Brooklyn, NY with Flora being a missionary, a pysohorthropist, a magazine writer, and a housewife while Harold devoted his working years to selling insurance.  They traveled to Bermuda together in 1923.

1900 Brooklyn Ward 25, Kings, New York; Roll: T623_1062; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 435

h/h 43/198 Fletcher, Flora H (Dec 1861) 38 widow 1/1 missionary

Harold (Feb 1882) 18 OH-OH-NY general clerk in insurance company

1910 Brooklyn Ward 1, Kings, New York; Roll: T624_955; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 0005; Image: 195; FHL Number: 1374968.

h/h /97 Letcher, Harold 28 OH-OH-NY agent for life insurance company

Florence sister 48 NY-NY-NY pysohorthropist office

Hyatt, Alvin boarder 31 NY-NY-NY correspondent for Mercantile ??

1920 Brooklyn Assembly District 21, Kings, New York; Roll: T625_1178; Page: 16A; Enumeration District: 1340; Image: 294.

h/h 61/446 Letcher, Florence 58 widow NY-NY-NY writer for magazine

Harold son 38 OH-OH-NY manager of life insurance company

23 July 1923 USS Port St. George to Hamilton Bermuda

Florence Letcher born 1861 in Syracuse, NY of 379 Ocean Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Harold Letcher born 1882 in Bryan, OH the same address

1930 Brooklyn, Kings, New York; Roll: 1538; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 861; Image: 90.0.

Letcher, Florence H 69 widow NY-NY-NY housewife

What happened to Flora and son Harold after 1930 still remains a mystery, but what an interesting life Flora led.

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

Matilda Albright Knight v Ezra O. Knight (Roll 47 Box 157 case number 2064 – 10 Apr 1889) – see Albright divorce action

By Pamela Pattison Lash

The couple was married on 17 Aug 1871 in Williams Co, OH (Marriage V4 p185).  Matilda charged Ezra with being willfully absent for more than three years.  He gave her no support for food, clothing, etc.  On 27 Dec 1888 he was a non-resident of San Pedro, CA where he is said to have obtained a divorce from her.  They have a son, Charles, now 16 who lived with his mother.  Matilda “Tillie” Knight was given clear title to Lot 36 Allen’s Addition, Bryan, OH as alimony.  A notice of divorce was posted in the Bryan Democrat, 18 Apr 1889, which ran for six consecutive weeks.  The divorce was granted.

Matilda Albright, (Aug 1852 Williams Co, OH – 24 Jan 1939 in Williams Co, OH; buried in Fountain Grove Cem, Bryan, OH as Matilda Marsh), was the daughter of Gideon and Catherine Deatz Albright. The following is found in my detailing of the Albrights in another post:

The Albrights were enumerated in the 1860 Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p43 on 28 June 1860 as follows: Gideon 32 PA, Catherine 25 OH, Matilda 7 OH, William 6 OH, Jemima 3 OH, and Mary 1 OH.  This couple would eventually have a total of six children all born in this county: Matilda (Aug 1852-1939; m1 Ezra O. Knight, 17 Aug 1871; divorced 1888; m2 William Ervin Marsh, 7 May 1899); William (1854-pos bef 1870); Regena/Jennie (Nov 1856-aft 1930, Cumberland MD; m. Joseph Lippold c1879); Mary (1858-Jan 1882; m. **Wilcox); Benjamin F. (May 1861- cNov 1938; m. Gertrude Kampf, 4 Mar 1886); Anna Florence (1863-8 June 1938; m. William S. Stackhouse, 30 Jul 1888).

The Albrights were again found in the federal census records for 1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp p17 with five of their children, as Gideon 40 PA, Catherine 38 OH, Jennie 13 OH, Mary 12 OH, Benjamin 9 OH, Anna 7 OH, and Matilda 18 OH domestic servant.

Ezra was the son of Samuel and Amanda Jane Johnson Knight who were listed in the 1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census p18, as Samuel 45 PA carpenter, Amanda 41 OH, Alwilda 22 OH, Ezra O 19 OH works in stave factory, Joe P 16 OH, Milo O 13 OH, Emma L 11 OH. Samuel D. and wife Amanda were married in Wayne Co, OH on 25 Oct 1847.

The Knight family was enumerated in the 1880 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census p632 and 655B as Ezra Knight 28/29 OH brakeman, Matilda 26/27 OH, and Charles 7/9 OH.  The census taker possibly made some mistakes and returned to the neighborhood as several surrounding families were listed twice with different particulars.  According to The Bryan Press, 15 Dec 1881 p5 c1, Ezra Knight and partner Frank M. Wise had opened up a neat little meat market in JW Smith’s wareroom and were selling best cuts of meat for only ten cents.

After the divorce on 7 May 1889 Mrs. Tillie Knight married William Irvin Marsh in Williams Co, OH (Marriage V8 p28). 

William had been married before to Lanetta T. Altaffer who died on 2 Oct 1896.  The Marshs were listed in the 1900 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census p161 East Mulberry St as Irwin W Dec 1847 (52) OH house carpenter, Tillie Aug 1852 (47) OH, Dessey Jan 1884 (16) OH.

In 1910 William E. Marsh and wife Tillie lived on Walnut St according to the 1910 Bryan federal census p173 and by 1920 p140 Tillie Marsh 67 OH widow was still residing on Walnut St. William died on 16 Mar 1916 and was buried in Shiffler Cem, Jefferson Twp, next to his first wife.  

Matilda died on 24 Jan 1939 and was buried in the Bryan Fountain Grove Cem as Matilda (Knight) Marsh.

Family Group Sheet for Olney Rice

Family Group Sheet for Olney Rice and Wife, Amarilla Clark - Early Settlers in Williams County, Ohio


By Pamela Pattison Lash

Name:            Olney Rice SR.

Birth:            27 Sep 1773            Clarendon, Rutland Co, VT

Death:            26 Dec 1852            Defiance Co, OH

Burial:                        Farmer Cem, Farmer Twp, Defiance Co, OH

Father:            Nathan Rice (<1760-)

Mother:            Molley (<1760-)

Marriage:            1795            VT

Spouse:            Amarilla Clark

Birth:            18 Aug 1778            Rutland Co, VT

Death:            24 Sep 1852            Defiance Co, OH

Burial:                        Farmer Cem, Farmer Twp, Defiance Co, OH

Children

1 F:            Laura Rice

Birth:            10 May 1796            Mount Holly, Bennington Co, VT

Death:            30 Sep 1853            Milford, Defiance Co, OH

Spouse:            Truman Hopkins

Marriage:            19 Mar 1815            Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co, NY

Spouse:            Joseph Barney

Marriage:            23 Sep 1840            Williams Co, OH

2 M:            Dr. Oney Rice JR.

Birth:            9 Apr 1799            VT

Death:            16 Jul 1848            Defiance Co, OH

Spouse:            Lydia Barrows

Marriage:            10 Nov 1831            St. Lawrence Co, NY

3 M:            John C Rice

Birth:            1802            VT

Death:            28 Oct 1850            Defiance Co, OH

Spouse:            Roby

4 M:            Benjamin Rice

Birth:            1803

5 F:            Amy Rice

Birth:            1808            NY

Spouse:            Jacob Conkey

6 F:            Ada Rice

Birth:            29 Oct 1811            NY

Death:            28 Feb 1895            Defiance Co, OH

Spouse:            William G Pierce

Marriage:            29 Oct 1832            St. Lawrence Co, NY

7 F:            Amarilla Rice

Birth:            17 Sep 1815            NY

Death:            16 Sep 1869            Farmer Twp, Defiance Co, OH

Spouse:            Randall Lord

Marriage:            1835

            NY

8 F:            Harriet M Rice

Birth:            27 Dec 1819            St. Lawrence Co, NY

Death:            18 Feb 1897            Defiance Co, OH

Spouse:            Darius Allen

Marriage:            25 Nov 1838            Williams Co, OH

Notes for Olney Rice SR.

1785 he lived in Clarendon Twp, Rutland Co, VT

He traveled to St. Lawrence Co, NY before 1815

1840 Farmer Twp, Williams Co, OH p217

1850 Farmer Twp, Defiance Co, OH p71 h/h 959

Rice, Oney 76 VT

Amarilla 72 VT

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

Francis S. Kennedy v Margaret Grim Kennedy (Journal 15 p62 case number 2081 – 17 July 1889; Roll 47 Box 157 case number 2081 – 25 May 1889)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 17 July 2011)

The couple was married in Williams Co, OH on 15 Oct 1882 (Marriage V5 #228 says 18 Oct 1882).  They did not have children.  Francis complained that Margaret was willfully absent for more than three years.  He said he was abandoned on 30 Dec 1885.  He called a witness statement into evidence.  His witness was John C. Grim, a 31-year-old civil engineer lately of Columbus, OH.  His sister was Margaret Kennedy.  John stated that Margaret had come to live with him in Bryan.  John also stated that Francis owned a half interest in the drug store known as Long and Kennedy in Bryan.

In her answer Margaret said Francis was guilty of gross neglect and he refused to live with her.  She had no money and was in ill health.  Francis owned Lot 5 and Lot 8 in Stough’s Addition, Bryan, Pulaski Twp (also Sec 1), OH plus goods, chattel, and drug stock.  She wanted the divorce to proceed and be restored to her maiden name of Grim. Margaret was granted reasonable alimony of $540 with a payment schedule.

Francis Kennedy was born on 23 Sept 1842 in Ashland Co, OH, the son of George Washington and Charlotte Catherine Glessner Kennedy.  The family came to Williams Co, OH in the spring of 1855 where the father bought 200 acres in Section 1 of Pulaski Twp.

1850 Milton, Ashland, Ohio; Roll: M432_658; Page: 17B; Image: 295.

h/h 15/15 Francis 8 OH living with his parents and siblings

Francis took part in the Civil War in Co H 38^th OVI from 16 Sept 1861 – 5 Sept 1864.    He later attended Oberlin College and taught in Ohio and Kansas.  In 1871 he set up a drug store in Bryan.  In 1876 he was in Ottawa Co, OH with a drug store but came back to Bryan in 1878.  In Aug 1878 he established a partnership in the Long and Kennedy Drug Store. On 30 Oct 1879 he transferred his church membership to the Presbyterian Church in Bryan. (The History of Williams Co, OH, Weston Goodspeed, 1882, p568-569; County of Williams, Shinn, 1905, p445-446)

He married Maggie Grim on 15 Oct 1882 and divorced her c25 May 1889. 

1890 Veterans Schedule, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH – Francis Kennedy Co H private

1900 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 111.

h/h 101/105 Kennedy, Francis (Sept 1842) 57 widower Oh-PA-PA clerk in drug store

Deck, Silla C niece 16

Kennedy, Anna R 74 mother (step mother)

Boynton, Herman 34 roomer

Francis Kennedy married Anna P. Opdycke Carroll on 1 Jan 1901 in Williams Co, OH

(Marriage V8 p246).

According to Shinn, Francis had retired as of 1905 after running a drug store for 25 years.  He died on 23 Feb 1913 in Bryan and was buried in Shiffler Cem, Jefferson Twp, Williams Co, OH.

Margaret “Maggie” Grim was born in 1855 OH, the daughter of Joseph and Allison Grim.

1860 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 53; Image: 110; Family History Library Film: 805052.

h/h ?? Grim, Joseph 31 OH

Allison 33 Scotland

Martha 7 OH

Margaret 5 OH

John 2 OH

1870 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 170A; Image: 343; Family History Library Film: 552781

h/h 182/182 Grimm, Allison 43 Scotland

Martha 18 OH

Margarett 16 OH

John 14 OH

Francis 7 OH

1880 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 616B; Enumeration District: 11; Image: 0094.

h/h 9/12 Grim, Allison C 51 Scotland-Scot-Scot

Martha A 28 dau OH-OH-Scot

Maggie E 25 dau OH-OH-Scot

John C 22 son OH-OH-Scot clerk in store

Francis J 18 son OH-OH-Scot farm laborer

Nothing has been uncovered about Margaret after the divorce.

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

Biancy Mercer Kahl v Edward B. Kahl (Journal 14 p109 - Mar 1887; p135 - June 1887; p226 - Nov 1887; p291 - 14 Mar 1888; Journal 15 p89 - Nov 1889; Roll 47 Box 158 case number 2114 – 18 Sept 1889)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 10 November 2011)

The couple was married on 18 Mar 1877 in Hillsdale Co, MI at the residence of John S. Drake.  On 8 Jan 1878 Biancy claimed that Edward abandoned her and gave no support.  At first this action was dismissed but later a divorce was granted in November 1889.

There is an Edward Kahl b1859 OH laborer living in Bryan, OH c1880 but it has not been established that he is the errant husband.  Nothing more is currently known of this couple.

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

Flora M. Lawrence Houtz v Christian Houtz (Journal 15 p86 - 11 Nov 1889; p104 - 20 Nov 1889; Roll 47 Box 159 case number 2097 – 25 July 1889)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 8 December 2011)

The couple was married on 1 Mar 1886, Defiance, Defiance Co, OH.  They did not have children.  Flora stated that Christian left her after consummating the marriage and did not cohabit with her. She charged him with neglect and providing no support.  He was willfully absent for more than three years.  She did not know his whereabouts.  A notice of divorce appeared in the Bryan Press on 25 July 1889 to run for six consecutive weeks.  Flora appeared before the court on 20 Nov 1889 asking for the case to be dismissed but she must have changed her mind. A divorce was granted.

The following MAY be the errant husband, Christian Houtz.

1870 Defiance, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: M593_1195; Page: 33A; Image: 69; Family History Library Film: 552694.

h/h 72/83 Houtz, John B 31 OH blacksmith

Henrietta 26 OH

John 7 OH

William 3 OH

Christian 6/12 OH

1880 Defiance, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: 1011; Family History Film: 1255011; Page: 103A; Enumeration District: 233; Image: 0465.

h/h 386/445 Houtz, John B 43 blacksmith OH-OH-OH

Nettie 40 wife OH-Pruss-Pruss

John A 17 son OH-OH-OH

William 13 son OH-OH-OH

Christian 11 son OH-OH-OH

Albert 6 son OH-OH-OH

Henry 3 son OH-OH-OH

Nelly 1 dau OH-OH-OH

1900 Napoleon, Henry, Ohio; Roll: T623_1286; Page: 32A; Enumeration District: 32.

h/h 747/773 Houtz, Christian (Dec 1869) 30 OH-OH-OH cigar maker mar 7Y

Mary wife (July 1870) 29 Can-Ire-Ire 3/3 ch

Thomas A son (July 1893) 6 WI-OH-Can

Joseph E son (Mar 1896) 4 WI-OH-Can

Elmer J son (Oct 1898) 1 OH-OH-Can

1910 Ashland Ward 4, Ashland, Wisconsin; Roll: T624_1700; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0005; Image: 728; FHL Number: 1375713.

h/h67/79 Hautz, Christian 40 mar 1x 17Y OH-OH-OH cigar maker with his wife and 4 children – Joseph, Elmer, Edwin, Marie

1920 Ashland Ward 4, Ashland, Wisconsin; Roll: T625_1975; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 5; Image: 654

h/h 91/108 Houtz, Christian 50 OH-OH-OH cigar maker

Mrs. Christ wife 48 Can-Ire-Ire with 2 sons and dau 15 born WI

Christian Houtz, cigar maker, (1866 Defiance, OH – 20 Aug 1934 Chicago, IL; bur Ashland Co, WI); married, father John Houtz (online source)

What of Flora?  I traced a few leads but nothing satisfies me.  I wonder if Flora was recorded as Clara (see below).  More research needs to be done on this.

Clara Lawrence 18 Oh-OH-OH lived in Defiance Co, OH infirmary in 1880