Minnie St John Jones v Jefferson Paul Jones, 1891-92 Divorce Action

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Minnie St John Jones v Jefferson Paul Jones (Roll 51 case number 2927 – 1891/1893)

Bryan Democrat, 26 November 1891 p4 c6

Legal Notice

J. Paul Jones, whose Post Office address and residence is to plaintiff unknown, take notice that on 2 November 1891, Minnie Jones filed her petition in the clerks court of the Court of Common Pleas in Williams Co, OH case #2927 charging that defendant, J Paul Jones with continuous and willful absence from said plaintiff for more than 3 years.  The object and prayer of said petition is for the procurement of a divorce by said plaintiff from said defendant on said grounds and for the custody of one minor child of said plaintiff and said defendant and for alimony.  Said defendant is required to answer or to demur to said petition on or before 6 weeks from and after the 5^th day of November 1891.Minnie Jones, Plaintiff

Minnie Jones v J. Paul Jones (Roll 51 case number 2927 - 1891/93)

The couple was married in Hillsdale Co, MI in July 1882.  Minnie said that her husband had been absent for three years and was guilty of gross neglect of duty.  She wanted custody of their daughter, Stella Jones, and $500 in alimony.  This action was filed on 2 November 1891 and appears to have been finalized by the court during the April 1892 term.  Minnie stated that J. Paul had left her in June 1884 and that he was lazy and indolent; he gave her no support for the child, yet he was wealthy as he was heir to his father’s estate.  Minnie had no property.  The court granted all her requests.

Starting with this information, I found the following:

Minnie B. St John married Jefferson P Jones in Amboy Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI on 23 July 1882; he was 21, a farmer with residence in Hillsdale, MI; she was 20 with residence in Williams Co, OH; they were both born in Ohio.

The Groom

Jefferson P Jones married Ida May Hall in Lickley Corners, Hillsdale Co, MI on 21 October 1894.  The license stated that they both lived in Prattville, MI and neither had been married before.  He was 30, a barber, born in West Unity, OH to SS Jones and Margaret Dunscomb; she was 22, born in Bordina, NY, the daughter of James Hall and Mary A Evans.

1880 Wright Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI

Jones, Samuel 41 NJ

Margaret wife 41 OH

Paul son 19 OH

James son 14 OH

Gilbert son 9 MI

Note: Samuel Jones married Margaret Dunscomb in Williams Co, OH on 3 January 1861.

1900 Wright Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI

Jones, Jefferson P 39 (Oct 1861) OH-NJ-OH

M. Ida wife 25 (1875) NY-Eng-Eng married 6Y no children

By 1930 Jefferson was living in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co, MI as a roomer of the Archer and Hilda Phillips family; he was a widower, 68 OH.

By 1940 he lived in Grass Lake, Jackson Co, MI, 78 OH, widower, lodger of  Myrtle Bitner; his last residence was listed as Dexter, Washtenaw Co, MI

Jefferson Paul Jones, born 3 October 1861 in West Unity, Williams Co, OH, son of Samuel Jones, died on 10 September 1940 in Jackson, Jackson Co, MI; he was buried in Woodland Cem, Jackson Co, MI

The Bride

Minnie Jones married Alfred H Reader in Williams Co, OH on 26 March 1892.  Minnie was the daughter of Ward St John and Catherine Yost.

1870 Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH

St John, Minnie 10 OH with parents and siblings

1880 Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH

St John, Ward 49 CT

Catherine wife 43 CT

William son 25 OH

Abner son 23 OH

Minnie dau 20 OH

Nettie dau 17 OH

George son 14 OH

Jacob son 10 OH

1900 Woodbridge, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: 713; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0100; FHL microfilm: 1240713.

Reader, Alfred 47 (June 1852) OH-Eng-Eng

Minnie wife 39 (June 1860) OH-OH-OH mar 1892 2/2 ch

Royal son 5 (June 1894) MI-OH-OH

In Fayette, Hilldale Co, MI Alfred H Reader died on 12 April 1905 and was buried in the Osbourne Cemetery.

Minnie Reader married Albert L Fitton on 10 January 1907 in Hillsdale Co, MI.

In 1910 Jackson Co, MI we find Fitton, Albert L divorced; so far I’ve not discovered Minnie, but in 1910 there is a Royal Reader 15 MI living as inmate of Lansing, MI Industrial School for Boys

On 24 March 1916 in Hillsdale Co, OH Minnie Fitton married Andrew Allen Smith.

From the 1920 Jonesville, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: T625_768; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 122; Image: 165, Minnie Smith is living as a widow, 58 OH-NY-PA.