Divorce Action in Williams Co, OH - McCurdy, 1907

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Ida (Triplett) Huffman McCurdy v Irving McCurdy

Bryan Democrat, 11 Feb 1908 p1 c1

“The Edon Commercial said last week that Mrs Irving McCurdy of Jackson, MI accompanied by two of their children arrived at Edon on Tuesday in search of her husband.  He had secured a divorce, had remarried, and lived nearby.  She hired a rig and drove to his home but she found herself rejected by her former husband whereupon Constable Dagen brought her back to Edon.  A purse was raised by Mayor Lacer and she was sent back to Jackson. 

Irving McCurdy was granted a divorce from Ida McCurdy by Judge Killits on 30 Dec 1907.  He charged that she left his home in St Joseph Twp on 28 Oct and went to Michigan in the company of another man.  The couple was married on 17 June 1907.”

This newspaper account was all I had to go on, so here’s what I discovered while trying to untangle the data:

Irving McCurdy (Jan 1868 OH – aft 1914) son of James McCurdy (Sept 1843 OH/PA – 18 May 1905, Edgerton, St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH ) and Eliza Miranda Cornell (17 Nov 1843/1845 St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH – aft 1910)

Parents, James McCurdy and Miranda Cornell, were married in Williams Co, OH on 8 Nov 1866; Amanda McCurdy, the daughter of Benjamin Cornell and Elizabeth Bowersox, married Benjamin H Smith on 9 Sept 1909 in Williams Co, OH – he was 54 and she was 64 and they appear together in 1910 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 0131; Image: 968; FHL microfilm: 1375254.

Note – Amanda McCurdy is the mother of Irving McCurdy; she’s identified in different records as Eliza, Miranda, and Amanda, which could confuse a researcher.

Note – In 1910 census Mrs. Miranda McCurdy was a widow, 64, and Benjamin Smith, who lived with her, was divorced and 56 years of age.  They should have been M/M Smith but were not so identified.

Note – There is a Miranda Smith probate in Williams Co, OH so it’s likely they did marry.  Anyone looking for her should check out the probate data.

Ida Triplett Huffman McCurdy (June 1878, prob Indianola, Warren Co, IA – aft 1919); she was the daughter of George W Triplett and Minerva McClintock

1870 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 233A; Image: 471; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 32/32 McCurdy, James 24 OH farmer

Miranda 24 OH

Irvin 1 OH

1880 Saint Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 585B; Enumeration District: 009; Image: 0031.

h/h 13/13 McCurdy, James 37 OH-MA-PA farmer

Eliza wife 37 OH-MD-MD

Irvin son 11 OH-OH-OH

Adrian son 7 OH-OH-OH

1880 Indianola, Warren, Iowa; Roll: 368; Family History Film: 1254368; Page: 386D; Enumeration District: 232; Image: 0394.

Triplet, Ida 4 IA with parents and siblings

1885 Indianola, Warren Co, IA State Census

Ida B Triplett 8 IA with parents and siblings

Erving McCurdy married Anna Skelton on 25 Dec 1894 in Williams Co, OH

1900 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1332; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 114; FHL microfilm: 1241332.

h/h McCurdy, James 56 (Sept 1843) mar 33Y OH-OH-OH farmer

Eliza wife 56 (Nov 1843) 3/3 ch OH-MD-MD

Benjamin J son 32 (Jan 1868) mar 5Y OH-OH-OH day laborer

Nathan H son (May 1883) single OH-OH-OH day laborer

Joanna dau-in-law (Oct 1873) mar 5Y 1/1ch OH-OH-IN

Wanda granddau (Nov 1898) OH-OH-OH

Note – Benjamin J McCurdy is Irvin so maybe it’s an I and not a J; Joanna, his wife, is Anna (Skelton) – again confusing the data

Children of Irving McCurdy and Anna Skelton

1. Wanda (Nov 1898, Edon, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH - ) mar Floyd E Poole on 20 Mar 1917 in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co, MI; on her marriage license her parents are listed as Erwin McCurdy and Anna Skelton

2. Goldy/Goldie (21 Sept 1900 Edon, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH - ) mar Charles A Garnett, 27 Nov 1918, Battle Creek, Calhoun Co, MI; her parents named on the marriage license were Irving McCurdy and Anna Skelton; on 3 Dec 1927 Goldie married August Stephen Dyke in Steuben Co, IN – on this marriage license she stated her birth date as 21 Sept 1906 with Irving McCurdy and Anna Skelton as her parents.

Note – if she was born in 1906 she would have been 12 years old at the time of her first marriage, so obviously the second marriage info has some errors.

1900 Indianola, Warren, Iowa; Roll: 463; Page: 33A; Enumeration District: 146; FHL microfilm: 1240463.

h/h 742/760 Triplett, George W

Minerva A wife

Ida B  dau 21 single (June 1878) IA-IA-IA

Connie C son

Charles D son

Ida Triplett married Arthur Huffman on 20 Jan 1902 in Iowa. Arthur was the son of Samuel Huffman and Clara Taylor, born 1868; he was 34 and she was 27

Mrs. Anna McCurdy (widow) married Edward Siebenaller on 10 June 1903 in Edgerton, Williams Co, OH; it looks like Anna Skelton McCurdy divorced Irvin McCurdy sometime between 1900 and 1903.

Irving McCurdy married Mrs. Ida Huffman on 17 June 1907 at Indianola, Warren Co, IA; she was a widow and 27 years old, born in Indianola, IA, the daughter of GW Triplett and Minerva McClintoc(k); Irving, the son of James McCurdy and Eliza Cornell, was 37 years old and born in Williams Co, OH

From the original newspaper account:

1. Ida left Irving on 28 Oct 1907

2. Irving divorced Ida on 30 Dec 1907 in Williams Co, OH

3. Irving married again sometime between 30 Dec 1907 and 11 Feb 1908.

1910 Superior, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 0137; Image: 1104; FHL microfilm: 1375254.

McCurdy, Jevan 40 mar 2x mar 1Y OH-OH-OH stationery engineer…….Jervan is Irving

Louise C 29 mar 2x mar 1Y MI-MI-IL

Manda E 11 OH-OH-OH………probably Wanda

Golda F 8 OH-OH-OH

Sometime between 1910 and 1914 Irving married again.

Irving McCurdy married Lena Fisk Tool on 8 Aug 1914 in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co, MI.  Irving was 39, born in Williams Co, the son of James McCurdy and Miranda Cornell’ Lena was 22, born in Chicago, IL, the dau of Sherman Fisk and Emelie Heintz. Their marriage license states they were each married once before and both are housekeepers. Their witnesses were Mrs M and Mrs L Lybarger with Roy M Young as officiating clergyman.

Meanwhile, back to Ida, after her return to Jackson, MI she evidently left her children with her parents back in Iowa.

On 19 May 1908 Ida (Wilson) McCurdy married Thomas S. Robinson in Jackson Co, MI; he was 45, born in Detroit, MI, son of Thomas Robinson and *** Hall; he was married once before; she was 30, born in IA and was married twice before; he’s an engineer and she’s a domestic.  She did not identify her parents and they were married by a JP, so it almost seems like Ida wanted to hide this marriage.  (Wilson) was inserted into the record after her name, Ida McCurdy.

1910 Indianola Ward 1, Warren, Iowa; Roll: T624_426; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 0220; Image: 1246; FHL microfilm: 1374439.

h/h 17/17 Triplett, George W 70 IL-KY-IL mar 37Y cattle and hog dealer

Minerva wife 60 9/6 ch  IA-IL-IA

Charles A son 21 IA-IL-IA

Huffman, Paul grandson 8 IA-IA-IA

Huffman, Harold grandson 5 IA-IA-IA

So now we know the identity of Ida’s children (newspaper article stated that she came to Edon with two of her children):

1. Paul Huffman, born 13 Mar 1902, Indianola, Warren Co, IA, son of Art Hoofman and Ida Triplett

2. Harold Huffman, mar Margie Van Tyl, 10 Nov 1930, Springport, Jackson Co, MI

Ida Triplett took out a marriage license with Henry Hoff on 19 July 1919 in Genesee Co, MI; she was 43, born in Iowa, the daughter of George W Triplett and Minerva McClintic; she was previously married three times; Henry was 62 and born in Holland; both were residents of Eaton Rapids, MI

Note – the license was not returned so this might indicate there was no marriage performed

Old Newspaper - Suicide of John C Cheppius, 1907

By Pamela Pattison Lash

John C Chappouis (various spellings)

(1827 France – 31 March 1907 Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH); burial Boynton Cem; son of Nicholas and Catherine Teiseau Chappius and brother to Justin Constant and Joseph; married to Virginia E/Lydia Richard

Bryan Democrat, 2 Apr 1907 p1

Despondent From Ill Health

Aged Farmer Committed Suicide

John Cheppius Threw Himself into Tiffin River Five Miles from Bryan Early Sunday Morning; Difficulties Experienced in the Search for Body; 81 Years Old

From all indications John Cheppius, an aged farmer living five miles east of Bryan, committed suicide early Sunday morning by throwing himself into the Tiffin River.

Mr Cheppius had become despondent over ill health and being 81 years old was badly crippled from rheumatism.  He left the home of his son-in-law Charles Clark about 5 o’clock Sunday morning.  Not returning for some time it was feared the aged man had gone to the river nearby and ended his life.  After a search along the banks of the stream, the man’s crutch and cane were found and his steps were traced to the edge of the water.  Neighbors immediately began a search of the river with poles.  Dynamite was also used.  The search for the body was continued all day Sunday but up to 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon the body had not yet been recovered or further trace of the missing man found.

Once before Mr Cheppius had attempted suicide in a similar manner but he was discovered in the act.  At that time he said he was tired of living but would not again attempt to end his life.  He was highly respected in the community and had been living with his wife at the home of Mr Clark for some time.  Mr Cheppius also leaves five children. (Note - he left six children as mentioned in the next article)

On account of the high and swift water in the Tiffin River, the search for the body became difficult problem Sunday.  The water is quite deep at certain points and the searchers were almost unable to reach the bottom of the stream with long poles.  Dragging the river was also impossible on account of the swiftness of the water.  It is feared that the body has been carried down the stream a considerable distance and will not be recovered for some time.

Bryan Democrat, 5 Apr 1907 p1

Remains of Mr. Cheppius Recovered Wednesday

Aged Farmer had Many Relatives in Springfield Township; Funeral Thursday

The body of John Cheppius, who committed suicide by jumping into the Tiffin River 5 miles east of Bryan as first mentioned in the Democrat Tuesday was not found until about 8 o-clock Wednesday morning.  The aged farmer’s body had been carried down stream over 2 miles by swift current and was washed ashore.

The funeral services over the remains were held yesterday afternoon at his late home with his son-in-law Charles Clark.  Interment in the French Cemetery at Stryker.

Mr. Cheppius was a highly respected and well-known resident of  Springfield Township where he had resided over 50 years.  He was born in France 81 years ago coming to this county when about 30 years of age.  Mr. Cheppius conducted a grist and saw mill on the old Boynton place along the Tiffin River for 10 years when he exchanged the place for the farm owned by him at the time of his death.

Mr. Cheppius leaves an aged wife and six children, all of whom are married.  These are Mrs. Gigax, Mrs. Byrow, Mrs. Charles Clark, Mrs George Barber, Mrs. Cooly, and John Cheppius.  All are residents of Springfield Township except Mrs Gigax who resides in Archbold.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - McClure (James)

James McClure v Harriett McClure (Journal 13 p293 - 5 Dec 1885; Journal 14 p276 - 6 Mar 1888; p379 - 23 June 1888; p460 - 28 Nov 1888; Roll 42 Box 139 case number 1533 - 16 Oct 1885) – see Samuel Edward McClure

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 30 September 2012)

The couple was married on 1 Apr 1845 according to James, with no location mentioned.  New information suggests the marriage may have taken place in Beaver Co, PA.


Name: James Mcclure
Gender: Male
Birth Year: 1828
Spouse Name: Harriet Mathild Mchaffie
Spouse Birth Year: 1828

1 Apr 1845 marriage 
An interesting possibility exists that Harriet’s brother, William McHaffie married Margaret Jane McClure, possibly James’ sister c1854 in Beaver Co, PA; this couple was enumerated in Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, PA in 1880, but before and after this census they lived in Beaver Co, PA.

1850 Greene, Beaver, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_750; Page: 288A; Image: 568.
h/h 306/318 McClure, James 28 PA tailor
Harriet M 22 PA
William J 1 PA

1860 Hookstown, Beaver, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1071; Page: 352; Image: 358; Family History Library Film: 805071.
h/h 108/101 McClure, James 34 OH tailor
Harriet 32 PA
William 11 PA
George 7 PA
Mary 5 OH

US Draft Registration for Greene Twp, Beaver Co, PA – James McClure 34 PA married

Name: James McClure
Residence: Beaver County, Pennsylvania
Enlistment Date: 27 Jun 1863
Side Served: Union
State Served: Pennsylvania
Service Record: Enlisted as a 1st Lieutenant on 27 June 1863.
Commission in Company H, 56th Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania on 27 Jun 1863.
Mustered Out Company H, 56th Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania on 13 Aug 1863.

28 Nov 1888 Fulton Co, OH divorce action

Children
William Jackson (July 1848 pos Beaver Co, PA - )
George (July 1852 pos Beaver Co, PA - )
Mary (c1855 PA - )
Samuel Edward (Jan 1861 Beaver Co, PA – 2 July 1936 Concord Twp, Elkhart Co, IN)
Hiram W (c1864 PA - ) in 1889 Hiram was a tailor, living in Fort Wayne, Allen Co, IN

Fort Wayne Gazette, 7 Feb 1895 p5 c1
A telegram was received in the city by Hiram McClure, of Wells Street, announcing the death of his father at Ashley, Ohio.  The funeral will be at Bryan, Ohio and Mr McClure left to be in attendance.

James C McClure was born c1826 in Holmes Co, OH and died c1895 in Ashley, DeKalb Co, IN; his military pension information corresponds with the 1883 pension application as certificate #163062.  His physical description was as follows: 5’10” in height with dark hair and dark complexion, tailor as occupation; service in Co G 101st PA Infantry and Co H 140th PA Infantry

Bryan Democrat, 12 April 1866
Burglary – On Friday night McLure’s Merchant Tailor Shop was entered through a back window and robbed of clothing to the value of $250.  The villains executed the job with consummate skill, removing the glass from the sash without breaking it.  No clue to the perpetrators has been discovered.

(right below this)
Arrested – Since writing the above a fellow calling himself Davis was arrested near Stryker on suspicion of being concerned in the robbery of McLure’s Tailor Shop.  All the missing clothing, except one coat, was recovered and the fellow brought to this place and committed to jail to await an examination.  From the circumstances connected with the arrest there can be little doubt of a conviction.

Note - I am fairly sure this is McClure even though the article names the tailor as McLure.

In the 1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census, p36, the family was listed as James 45 OH tailor, Harriet 42 PA, William (no age) PA, George 18 PA, Mary 15 PA, Etta Wright 19 PA, Eddie McClure 10 OH, and Hiram McClure 6 PA.  James may have been a Civil War soldier, but that has not been confirmed; if so, he applied for and received as a resident of Bryan, OH a CW veteran’s pension for disability to his knees and received as of Oct 1879 a payment of $12 per month.  The McClure family was enumerated in the 1880 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census  p647B, as James McClure 50 OH tailor, Harriet 51 PA, Edward 19 PA, James 16 PA.  Note that their youngest child’s name changed from Hiram to James.

In the 1883 Military Pensioners book there is a listing for James McClure of Bryan, OH who suffered from synovitis of the knees; he was born in 1831 and died in 1895 with burial in Brown Cemetery, Center Twp, Williams Co, OH.  His CW service was enumerated as Co G 101th and Co H 140th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (cert # 163, 062).

Bryan Democrat, 10 Jan 1884

J. McClure, merchant tailor, Lockhart’s block, has a fine assortment of piece goods, from which he is prepared to make to order single garments or full suits in any style desired and guarantee fits.

In the Bryan newspapers, such as The Bryan Democrat, 4 Mar 1886, p5 c1, Jas. McClure, merchant tailor, was located on Lockharts Block, the southwest corner of the court square in Bryan.

James charged Harriett with being willfully absent for three years or more and gross neglect.  He brought RA Scott and AL Miller to court as witnesses.  A divorce was granted and Harriet was given $15 as alimony.  On 30 Oct 1886 in Wms Co James McClure remarried Mrs. Harriett M. McClure (Marriage V5 #893) so evidently the couple reconciled, but it appears to be only temporary because on 6 Mar 1888 James brought a suit for divorce again.  On 28 Nov 1888 he asked that the court papers be sent to Fulton Co, OH; nothing further is known.