Man and Woman Marry Each Other (Multiple Times) - John C Crisman and Pauline Bodenburg Crisman

There Are Two Surprises to This Tale

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Buffalo Evening News (Buffalo, NY), Thursday, 28 December 1899, p8 c4

Weds the Same Woman Thrice

And Now John Crisman Seeks a Third Divorce From Her For Desertion

John Crisman, a horse dealer of this city, has married the same woman three times.  Crisman was first married to Pauline Bodenbaugh [Bodenburg] at Bryan, OH, 30 years ago.  Five years later he obtained a divorce on the grounds of abandonment.  He came to Oklahoma from Chicago in 1889.  His former wife followed him and they were married again.  A year later a second divorce was obtained by Crisman on the grounds of abandonment, and Crisman came to this city.  His wife followed him again, and old troubles were buried for a third time and Crisman and wife were married.  One year ago Mrs. Crisman left her husband’s home and today her husband filed a third divorce suit.  Crisman is a Grand Army man and has a son fighting in the United States Army in the Philippines – Perry, O> T> special to Chicago Inter Ocean.

The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, OH), Wednesday, 20 December 1899, p2 c4

Third Divorce

From the Same Woman Is Sought By an Ohio Citizen

Special Dispatch to the Enquirer

Perry, OK, T., December 12 – John Crisman, formerly of Bryan, Williams County, Ohio, filed his third suit for divorce from his wife, Pauline Crisman.  They have been married three times and now Crisman seeks a third divorce.  The first marriage was in Bryan, OH, where the first divorce was obtained.  The second marriage and divorce were at Guthrie, OK. T and the third marriage took place here, and now Crisman is seeking his third divorce.  He alleges abandonment.  Crisman is a prominent GAR man, and runs a livery stable here.

The timeline from the first article is

1869 they married in Bryan – she would only be 11 years old – not likely

1874 they divorced in Bryan on grounds of abandonment

1889 he came from Chicago to Oklahoma

1889-1890 she follows him, they marry, then divorce

1890ish – he moves to Perry OK, she follows him, they marry

1898 she leaves him

1899 he files for a third divorce

The timeline from the second article is

First marriage and divorce in Bryan

2^nd marriage and divorce in Guthrie, Logan Co, OK

3^rd marriage and divorce in Perry, Noble Co, OK

Both state that John Crisman is a horse dealer and runs a livery stable.

Here is what records tell one about the couple:

John Conklin Crisman (10 December 1845, Hartford, Licking Co, OH – 10 September 1936, Bryan, Williams Co, OH); buried in Fountain Grove Cem, Bryan, Wms Co, OH; s/o Ambrose C Crisman and Elizabeth N Page; Bryan Democrat, 14 September 1936 p1 c3 – he died at home in Stryker, OH, CW vet, 4 children

Pauline Hatty Bodenburg (16 June 1858, Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH – 4 February 1928, Wms Co, OH); buried in Leggett Cem, Edon, Florence Twp, Wms Co, OH; d/o William Bodenburg and Elizabeth Marie Prophet; her parents married in Germany and came to USA c1852; Bryan Democrat, 10 February 1928, p8 c5 – known as Mrs Crisman, died at home of daughter, Mrs Dora Faulhaber

The couple had four children

1.       Dora Armina (b 3 Sept 1877, Nebraska – 17 Oct 1948, Angola, IN); mar1 Zigler, m2 Daniel Faulhaber, m3 Johnson; Leader Enterprise, 28 October 1948, p4 c4 – she was born in Nebraska then moved with her parents to Defiance Co, OH

2.       Ambrose Birtus (17 Feb 1880, Phelps Co, NE – 11 July 1963, Henry Co, MO); mar1 Elizabeth, m2 Josephine Packhelser

3.       Ola – mar Kinser

4.       John Henry (14 June 1894, Perry, Noble Co, OK – 26 Feb 1988, Burlington, Coffey Co, KS); mar Hazel

M1 – 20 May 1876, Bryan, Wms Co, OH (Marriages V4 p462)

Surprise #1

Pauline Bodenburg  Crisman v John C Crisman

Pauline claimed that on 13 April 1892 John was guilty of extreme cruelty at the residence of his father where they lived.  He carried on a terrible assault, choking and beating her causing blood to flow from her nostrils and putting her in fear for her life.  On the day following she returned to the residence and she was driven away whereby John refused to live with her.  He had 20 acres of land valued at $1,000.  Pauline wanted a divorce, reasonable alimony, and restoration of her maiden name.  They have three children, but there was no mention in the divorce papers about Pauline wanting sole custody or any remarks referring to these children.  The court found John guilty of extreme cruelty and ordered him to pay Pauline $300 in alimony, setting a payment schedule and placing a lien on his property if he did not pay her. 

Divorced June 1892, Wms Co, OH

M2 – Guthrie, Logan Co, OK – no info

Divorced – no info

M3 – Perry, Noble Co, OK – 23 March 1894

Divorced – c1899 – only newspaper info

Surprise #2

M4 – Watonga, Blaine Co, OK – 18 August 1905; their daughter Dora and their son John Henry were witnesses

Living apart between 1916-1920 in Wms Co, OH

She died in 1928; he died in 1936; both were buried in different cemeteries in Wms Co, OH

Additional Sources

1850 Hartford, Licking Co, OH – John 4 OH w/parents

1860 Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH – john C 11 OH w/parents

1860 Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH – Rosalie 3 OH w/parents

1870 Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH – Polina 13 OH w/parents

1870 Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH – John 22 OH with sister Josephine Bowlby

1880 Williamsburg, Phelps Co, NE- John 33 OH/Pauline 23 OH/Dora 4 NE/ Ambrose born Feb 1880, all living next door to his brother James

23 April 1892-June 1892 – Civil and Criminal Court (Common Pleas) of Wms Co, OH – Box 173 Case #3034

1900 Purcell, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory – John 54 married but no wife listed/Ola/ John

1910 Center, Mayes Co, OK – John 64 OH/Pauline 51 OH/ grandson John Jr 15

1916 Farm Journal Directory – John and Pauline residence is Edon, OH, farm

1920 Concord, Elkhart Co, IN – John 74 OH, widower, retired farmer

1920 Florence Twp, Wms Co, OH – Pauline 60 OH married, living on her own

1928 Bryan City Directory – John living on Walnut St, Bryan, soldier

1930 Bryan, Wms Co, OH – Walnut St – John 84 OH boarder of Emerson Strayer, no occup

A Sad Ending to a Native of Williams County, OH - Susan Markel Lindsey, 1910

A Sad Ending to a Native of Williams County, OH - Susan Markel Lindsey, 1910

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Old newspaper accounts from different papers can have both common details, information found in one source and not the other, or missing data.  In this case two different newspapers accounts add detail to the tragic ending of a life in Williams County, OH.  Let's examine the accounts as to genealogical details and information on the death.  

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), October 4 and 7, 1901, p1 and p8

Temporary Insanity

Lead to Mrs. Lindsey Taking Her Life Sunday Morning with Acid

     Mrs. Sue Lindsey died early Sunday morning from the effects of carbolic acid poisoning.  She was an old lady and had been in poor health for a time and worry had affected her mind so it is thought that it was in a moment of temporary insanity that she took poison.

     Mrs. Lindsey lived with her son, Clarence, and family on her own farm about five miles north-east of Bryan.  She purchased the acid from a local druggist Saturday and kept it concealed in her room.  She was up early Sunday morning and down stairs.  About six o’clock while the rest of the household happened to be outside for a moment she went to her room and drank the acid, pouring it first from the bottle into a glass.  When the others returned to the house Mrs. Lindsey was found on the bed and unconscious, but still alive.  Doctors hurried out from town, but before they reached the house she was dead.

     Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Reformed church at Pulaski, Rev. Money of West Unity, officiating.

     Susan Markel Lindsey was born August 20, 1840; she departed this life October 2, 1910 at the age of 70 years 1 month and 12 days.  She was the eldest of a family of seven children, all of whom have preceded her in death except two sisters, Mrs. G W Benner of Bryan and Mrs. GB Lindsey of Pulaski.  Her husband Samuel Lindsey departed this life April 1, 1888 since which times she has continued to live on this farm which she and her husband had by frugality and hard work transformed from a dense forest into a beautiful and comfortable home.

     She leaves to mourn her loss as a kind and indulgent mother, three children, WN Lindsey of Bryan, Mrs. James Snow of St Johns, Michigan, and CW Lindsey of Pulaski, one child Amos Eugene having died at the age of two years.  She is also survived by two grandchildren, Clela Lindsey Schartzer and Hugh Ames Lindsey, and one great granddaughter, Helen Arlene Schartzer.

     At the age of three years Mrs. Lindsey came with her parents Amos and Diana Markel from Pickaway County to Williams County where she has since resided.  Early in life she united with the German Reformed church and has always taken an active part in the Lord’s work.  During the latter part of her life she has been severely afflicted by disease which has enfeebled both her body and mind taking away her active life; however, she was always kind and generous to the afflicted and needy and endeared her to a wide circle of friends who mourn her loss.

Cards of Thanks……….W N Lindsey, Clemmie Snow, C W Lindsey

Bryan Press (Bryan, OH), 6 October 1910

Aged Woman Is Suicide; Poison

Taken By Mrs. Sue Lindsey of Near Bryan Proved Fatal; Had Been in Poor Health

     Mrs. Sue Lindsey died at the home of her son Clarence Lindsey early Sunday, death being due to carbolic acid poisoning.  Mrs. Lindsey had been in feeble condition for the past year and had been making her home with her son and family near Pulaski.

     Saturday she was seemingly feeling quite well and came to Bryan where she purchased six ounces of carbolic acid from one of the local druggists.  She went to bed Saturday night as usual and arose early Sunday morning and came downstairs.  Her daughter-in-law hearing her go back up the stairs got up and went to the stair door where she detected the odor of acid.  Upon going upstairs to her room she found Mrs. Lindsey lying on the bed.  She had taken nearly all of the acid but was still alive.  A physician was summoned at once but she died before help could be obtained.

     Mrs. Lindsey was about 72 years of age at the time of her death.  She leaves three children, Wilson, Clarence, and one daughter, Mrs. James Snow of St. Johns, Michigan, besides a host of friends to mourn her untimely death.

     Funeral services will be conducted from the Reform church at Pulaski Tuesday afternoon at 1 o’clock.  Interment will be made in the Shuffler cemetery.

Let’s analyze the two articles in terms of genealogical material.

*Both stories share Susan’s age at death (do the math for birthdate from The Bryan Press) and the names of her three living children; however, The Bryan Democrat, reported the name and age of her fourth child, and issued a better family data statement on her actual birth and death dates plus the places of these events.  Her parent’s names were given as well as their place of residence before settling in Williams County. If you also do the math on her age you will have a general idea when the family came here. Her living siblings were identified along with her husband’s name and when he passed away, plus two additional generations of direct descendants were listed. 

*Both articles made reference to her personality traits, including her religious affiliation. 

*The Bryan Press described her funeral details and where she was to be buried.

Next let’s look at the suicide events.

There appear to be a few conflicts concerning these accounts.

*Both accounts agree as to the who, when, where, why, and how.

*It stated from the Bryan Democrat that multiple doctors were called to the scene while the Bryan Press only mentioned one.

*The Bryan Democrat gave a more detailed account of her supposed movements before, during, and after taking the poison, but the Bryan Press specifically mentioned an unnamed daughter-in-law’s involvement.

I researched carbolic poisoning and found that just a half an ounce can cause death so Susan’s six ounce purchase (mentioned as that quantity in the Bryan Press) would definitely do the job.  She may have mixed the acid with water but neither account suggested that.   Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bleeding, and diarrhea were common symptoms after ingestion.  I also wonder what story Susan gave to the druggist in order to obtain the carbolic, but it appears that purchasing this was not unusual for that time period.  Many housewives made soap from a mixture of carbolic acid.

My conclusion is that to obtain a full picture of her relatives, final resting place, and details of her suicide one needs to examine both newspapers carefully.  

Lillie May Cook Berger v Jacob J Berger, filed 25 January 1902 in Wms Co, OH Common Pleas Court

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), 30 January 1902, p11 c3 - Lillie claimed that Jacob was guilty of extreme cruelty; he called her names and threatened bodily injury upon her plus he failed to provide any support for her and their two children.

The couple was married on 27 December 1894 in Steuben Co, IN

Jacob Berger (27 March 1872 LaGrange Co, IN – 4 November 1932, Evansville, Vanderburgh Co, IN); s/o Jonas Berger and Susan Behringer; was buried in Ft Branch Cemetery

He was married three times:

1.       Lillie May Cook

2.       Unknown as died in 1917

3.       Mattie Buck, 20 May 1918, St Joseph Co, IN

Lillie May Cook (June 1875 Orand, Steuben Co, IN - )

She was married twice

1.       Jacob Berger

2.       Elmer Snyder, c1903

The couple had two children – Vern and Almeda Berger/Burger

Other Sources:

Steuben Co, IN Marriages V 5 p393

1880 Greenfield, LaGrange Co, IN – Jacob 7 IN w/parents

1900 Elk, Osage Co, KS – Jacob 28 IN/Lillian M 25 IN; he was a carpenter

1910 Clayton, Payne Co, OK – Elmer Snyder 40 KS/Lillie 32 IN

1930 Evansville, Vanderburgh Co, IN – Jacob 57 IN/Matilda 42 IN

Jacob Burger, Death Certificate, Vanderburgh Co, IN

Pearl Davis Graham Edwards v Orestes Paine Edwards, filed in Wms Co, OH Common Pleas Court, 25 January 1902

Pearl Davis Graham Edwards v Orestes Paine Edwards, filed in Wms Co, OH Common Pleas Court, 25 January 1902

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), 30 January 1902 p11 c3 – notice of intend to divorce; Pearl said Orestes was guilty of extreme cruelty as he would tell false stories of a vile nature about her and called her names; in October 1901 he deserted her.

The couple was married in Adrian, Lenawee Co, MI on 29 October 1900. 

Orestes Paine Edwards (12 January 1876, Superior Twp, Wms Co, OH – 13 December 1930, Montpelier, Wms Co, OH); son of Hezekiah Edwards and Caroline Kline; buried Riverside Cem, Montpelier, Wms Co, OH

He was married three times:

1.       Unknown

2.       2. Pearl Davis Graham

3.       Mary smith (1881 – 1930), 25 September 1904 Wms Co, OH; d/o Oney Smith and Caroline McDonald

He had son Paul from marriage to Mary

Pearl Davis (September 1878, Riga, Lenawee Co, MI – 14 March 1948, Hillsdale Co, MI); d/o Jacob Davis and Catherine Jane Housen; buried Frontier Cem, Hillsdale Co, MI

She was married three times

1.       Lee Graham, 15 November 1897, Wms Co, OH

2.       Orestes Paine Edwards

3.       3. Alfred C Moore, 4 May 1903, Wms Co, OH

She had sons George Earl Graham and Harold Moore

Other sources:

Lenawee Co, MI Marriages

Superior Twp, Wms Co, OH Cemeteries p154-155

1880 Riga, Lenawee Co, MI – Pearley E Davis 1 MI w/parents

1880 Superior Twp, Wms Co, OH – Orestes 4 OH with parents

1900 Bridgewater Twp, Wms Co, OH – Pearl Graham, servant, widow with 2 yr old son, George

1910 Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH – Orestes 34 OH/ Mary 28 OH – he says he was married only once

1910 Superior Twp, Wms Co, OH – Chester Moore 29 OH/Pearl 31 MI

Wms Co, OH Marriages V9 p79

1918 WWI US Draft – Orestes of Bryan, OH was a farmer and the county surveyor

1920 Hillsdale Co, MI – Chester Moore 39 OH/ Pearl 40 MI

Orestes Edwards, Death Certificate, Wms Co, OH

Orestes Edwards obit – undated

Pearl Moore, Death Certificate, Hillsdale Co, MI

Michigan County Divorces With Ties to Williams Co, OH - Adams/Porter

Michigan Divorces With Ties to Williams County, OH – Adams/Porter

By Pamela Pattison Lash

From Michigan County Divorces, 1897 – 1952 (online)

Everett William Adams/Kathleen E Porter

Everett William Adams (8 March 1911, Hillsdale Co, MI – 12 April 1991, Jackson Co, MI).  He was buried in Moscow Plains Cem, Moscow, Hillsdale Co, and MI and was the son of Marion G Adams and Elma Smith.  He married Kathleen E Porter on 18 March 1931 in Bryan, Was Co, OH.

Everett was married three times:

1.       Kathleen E Porter, 18 March 1931, Bryan, Was Co, OH; divorced 31 March 1943, Hillsdale Co, MI

2.       Ellen Kinkel Cooley of Was Co, OH, 24 June 1944, Hillsdale Co, MI; divorced 27 November 1944, Hillsdale Co, MI

3.       Kathleen E. Porter before 1960

Kathleen E. Porter (12 June 1914, MI – 19 February 1971, Jackson, Jackson Co, MI.  She is buried in Moscow Plains Cen, Moscow, Hillsdale Co, MI; her mother was Florence Harding. The couple had three children – Jean, Everett Jr, and Phyllis.

Other Sources:

Williams Co, OH Marriages – V15 p273 #545

1920 Summit, Jackson Co, MI – Kathleen 3 ½ MI w/mother and grandparents

1920 Adams, Hillsdale Co, MI – Everett 8 MI w/parents

1930 Adams, Hillsdale Co, MI – Everett 19 MI w/parents

1940 Adams, Hillsdale Co, MI – Everett 29 MI/Kathleen 27 MI with children

Michigan County Divorces With Ties to Williams Co, OH - Abbott/Dick

Michigan County Divorces With Ties to Williams Co, OH - Abbott/Dick

by Pamela Pattison Lash

From Michigan County Divorces, 1897 – 1952 (online) - one gets some information but usually NOT who initiated the divorce or the grounds cited

Howard L Abbott/Violet Audrey Dick

Howard married two times

1.       Effie Jostock, 22 November 1922, North Branch, Lapeer Co, MI; later divorced

2.       Violet Audrey Dick, 24 December 1930, Bryan, Wms Co, OH, div 15 April 1941, Lenawee Co, MI

Audrey married three times

1.       Joseph A Relyea, 17 November 1927, Steuben Co, IN

2.       Howard Abbott – see above

3.       Robert James Murray, 29 March 1946, Detroit, Wayne Co, MI; lived in Adrian. MI 1953-1958

Howard (1908 MI – October 1985, Marathon, Lapeer Co, MI)’ bur Mount Hope Cem, Lapeer Co, MI.  He was the son of Cassius Abbott and Lillian Flansburg.

Violet (24 May 1909, Montpelier, Wms Co, OH – 26 July 1971, Adrian, Lenawee Co, MI); bur at Oakwood Cem, Adrian, Lenawee Co, MI.  She was the daughter of Bert Dick and Laura Baker.

This couple had two sons, Jerry Verden and Lowell.  Howard had a son, William from his first wife.

In 1934 and 1936 Howard was listed as a tree surgeon in the city directories of Adrian, MI.

Other sources:

1910 Superior Twp, Wms Co, OH – Audrey 11/12 OH with parents

1920 Superior Twp, Wms Co, OH – AV 10 OH with parents

1930 Montpelier, Superior Twp, Wms Co, OH – Violet 20 OH with parents

1940 Adrian, Lenawee Co, MI – Howard 31 MI/ Violet 30 OH with two sons

Williams County OH Marriages, V15 p225 certificate #449

Civil War Veteran Becomes Despondent - Suicide in Alvordton, 1899 - John Taylor

Civil War Veteran Becomes Despondent – Suicide in Alvordton, 1899

By Pamela Pattison Lash

This Civil War Veteran unexpectedly ended his life, but there were telltale signs that all was not well with him.  Here’s what one can discern using this old newspaper account:

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Thursday, 26 January 1899, p5 c3

John Taylor, a resident of Alvordton, committed suicide Tuesday by hanging himself in the stable on his premises.  He had been dead for two or three hours when discovered.  No cause is assigned for the act, as he was a retired farmer in easy circumstances and his domestic relations were harmonious.  It had been noticed for some time by those intimate with him that he had lost his mental balance and was at times quite despondent.  His family consisted of his wife and an unmarried daughter; two other daughters are married.  The circumstances attending the sad affair rendered the holding of an inquest unnecessary.  The deceased was about fifty years of age.

John Taylor (1844 Fulton Co, OH – 24 January 1899, Alvordton, Wms Co, OH) was buried in Floral Grove Cemetery, Pioneer, Madison Twp, Wms Co, OH.  He was the son of Ezra Taylor and Hannah Dibble.  He married Lovina Catherine May on 1 May 1870 in Wms Co, OH. John was a Civil War vet, having served in Co H 9^th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.  He filed for a CW pension as an invalid on 31 July 1887 and his widow filed for one on 23 June 1899.

Lovina Catherine May (1852 Wayne Co, OH – 26 November 1922, Wms Co, OH) was buried beside her first husband, John Taylor.  She was the daughter of Jonas May and Elizabeth Hart.  Lovina married a second time to Edward G Frisbie on 4 October 1911, Wms Co, OH.

John and Lovina had three children – Ezra Delain, Mary Elizabeth, and Ora Mae.

Other sources for this couple are:

1850 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH – John 4 OH with mother

1870 Madison Twp, Wms Co, OH – John 24 OH/ Lovina 18 OH

1880 Madison Twp, Wms Co, OH – John 34 OH/ Lovina 29 OH

Williams County, OH Deaths v3 p132 – res Kunkle, born Fulton Co, farmer, suicide

Williams County, OH Probate #4121 – 20 April 1900

A Violent Temper Brought Tragedy to Former Bryan, OH Resident

A Violent Temper Brought Tragedy to Former Bryan, OH Resident

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Here is another example of how different old newspaper accounts of the same event need to be closely scrutinized to yield the truth, if possible.

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), 14 February 1884

Shot His Wife and Himself

A dispatch from Homer, NY, February 5 says: “At 1 o’clock this afternoon a lame carriage-trimmer named James E Lines, aged 50, shot his wife, and immediately after killed himself with an English bulldog revolver.  He had been in Denver, Col for three years, and returned three weeks ago Saturday.  This morning he asked his wife if she would go to Denver with him and she said she would.  He then ordered his valise packed, saying he was going at once.  Some words passed between them and his daughter-in-law, with whom they were staying, knowing him to be of a violent temper, became alarmed and rushed from the house.  Suddenly afterward three shots were heard and Mrs. Lines rushed from the house to a wagon shop across the street, where she fell, and was carried back to the house by some workmen.  She was shot twice, one bullet going through her head above the right eye, coming out in the left cheek, the other passing through the back of the neck.  She is yet alive, but is not expected to recover.   When she was taken to the house, Lines was found kneeling on the floor of the sitting room with his face on a chair-seat.  He was dead, having put a bullet through his brain.  He leaves two sons and one daughter, all married.  He had for years been a drinker, and his brain is supposed to have been affected thereby.  If Mrs. Lines dies, it will be the first murder which ever took place within the limits of the town of Homer.”

Lines formerly lived in Bryan.  In the summer of 1863 he was a salesman in Judge Dobb’s store, corner of High and Butler Streets.  Subsequently he worked at his trade – carriage-trimmer – for A. Kenninger for several years.  He also worked at Toledo, Kendalville, South Bend, and other places, his family remaining here.  He was one of the swiftest workmen in his line and earned enormous wages, frequently running over $100 per week, but his extravagant habits and dissipation kept him poor.  While here he invented and patented a clothes-pin upon which he expected to realize a princely fortune with which he built several castles in Spain – but he never occupied them.  He was intelligent beyond his calling, but possessed of an ungovernable temper which coupled with unfounded jealousy of his wife led many of those who knew him best to anticipate that someday he would commit the double crime which the telegraph now announces.  Mrs. Lines was an excellent woman, held in high esteem by all who knew her.

The Cortland County Democrat, 8 February 1884 (online at newspapers.com)

A Tragedy in Homer

James E. Lines Shoots His Wife and Then Puts a Bullet Through His Head.

A Full Account of the Sad Occurrence

Mrs. Lines Still Alive

During the afternoon of Tuesday news came from Homer that James E. Lines, a well-known citizen of the village, had shot his wife and killed himself.

The family lived at the corner of Fulton and Grove Streets.  Percy Lines, the older son, his wife and child of four years, were the occupants of the house and the mother, who seems to have always been the especial friend of the children, was making that place her home.

The Tragedy

Mr. Lines, who had visited Cortland during the afternoon of Tuesday, returned to Homer and about 1 o’clock entered the dwelling of his son Percy.  Nothing unusual was noticed in his appearance either by his family or those whom he had met upon the street.  In the house he found his wife, his daughter-in-law and her little child.  He had an ordinary sized valise filled with his clothing which was already packed in a bedroom opening out of the room where the tragedy occurred.  Immediately after entering the house he went to the parlor bedroom, and brought the valise out.  Passing across the room he took from the cupboard a pistol which he placed in the valise saying, “I am going away.”  He then asked his wife, who was sitting in the kitchen with her daughter-in-law, to come into the parlor as he wanted to talk with her.  His daughter-in-law, who saw him place the revolver in the valise, was alarmed and immediately took her child of four years old from an adjoining bedroom and ran from the house to the nearest neighbor.  Mrs. Lines complied with the request of her husband and passed into the parlor.  There the brutal husband demanded that she should return with him to Denver, Colorado, where he had been living for the past two years.  What further conversation was had can only be conjectured, as Mrs. Lines has made no statement other than the fact that her husband shot her.  It is evident from the appearance of the room, however, that the brutal wretch seized his revolver and attacked the defenseless wife.  He discharged the pistol five times, two shots wounding Mrs. Lines.  One ball entered the forehead over the right eye passing downward obliquely behind the yes and nasal organs and out the left cheek, showing that the unfortunate woman must have been shot while sitting or in a reclining position.  The other wound was through the back of the neck in close proximity to the spinal cord, but which is apparently uninjured.

The daughter-in-law had been but a moment at the neighbor’s house when she discovered Mrs. Lines rushing from the rear of the house, her face covered with blood.  She only ran a few steps when she fell on her hands and knees, but recovering somewhat from her fright she arose and made a further attempt to escape and screaming at the top of her voice….

Murder, Murder

but after a few steps again fell in the snow.  Her screams were frightful and her appearance with blood streaming down her face and person was terrible to behold.  Her cries for assistance were heard by a young man named Fred Springer, who was standing on the sidewalk a few doors above and who immediately ran to her assistance.  By this time a general alarm had spread through the shops of Gage, Hitchcock, & Company, and Mr. Will Hitchcock, hearing the reports of the pistol and the cries of the woman, rushed from the office and with the assistance of Mr. Springer brought Mrs. Lines to the office.  The woman when found was on her knees in the snow.  She was partially conscious but wild with terror and fright, waving her hands and exclaiming, “Oh, my God! My husband has killed me.”

In the meantime another shot was heard from the dwelling.  Mr. Hitchcock summoned the employees of the works and surrounded the house to prevent the escape of the murderer.  No more disturbance being heard, a shutter was carefully raised and Lines was discovered on his knees before an ordinary cane seat sewing chair, and by his side was a heavy Colt’s revolver of 42 caliber.

The parties, headed by Mr. Andrew Henderson, immediately entered the house and examined the kneeling man.  It was a frightful spectacle.  The unfortunate man had evidently kneeled as though in prayer, and then with the terrible weapon which he held placed at the side of his head just over the right ear and fired.  The bullet passed completely through his head and undoubtedly killed him instantly.

Immediately after the discovery of the body, Mrs. Lines was assisted back to the house, medical aid summoned, and the willing hands of kind friends and neighbors cared for the unfortunate woman.  (Much long detail contained in newspaper, not carried here in that newspaper.)

I did not find any patent concerning a clothes pin but I did find the following:

Specifications and Drawings of Patents Issued from the US Patent Office

Wagon-Dashes, James E Lines, Homer, NY, filed 16 August 1876.

A description and set of drawings accompany this patent.  Witnesses for this patent were Jxs. A. Nixon and Wm. B. Randall

Other newspapers throughout the country had carried this story; I chose this one as it appears to have been copied by many other papers.  One can see the inconsistencies of this account:

Russell Register (Seale, AL), Thursday, 21 February 1884, p1 c5

At Homer, NJ, James E Lines, a carriage trimmer, became involved in a quarrel with his wife, from whom he had lived apart for several years, and shot her twice, inflicting fatal wounds; then he killed himself.  Lines was a man of violent disposition, and his wife had refused to go with him to Denver, Colorado, where he had been living.

This is what I have been able to verify:

James Elizur Lines (17 December 1833, NY – 5 February 1884, Homer, Cortland Co, NY) was the son of David Harpin Lines and Julie Ann Morse.  He married Estella Blake on 19 November 1854 in CT (specific place unknown).  The couple had three children – Percy C, Augustus A, and Lilly.

Sources

1850 Pompey, Onondaga Co, NY – James E 17 NY blacksmith with Dean Family

1855 Utica, Oneida Co, NY – James 21 NY harness maker pos bro to Sarah DeLong

1867 Williams Co, OH Personal Property Tax – James of Pulaski Twp

1870 Bryan, Wms Co, OH – James 36 NY/ Stella 33 VT with three children

1875 Denver, Colorado City Directory – James carriage painter with Woeber Bros, Western Hotel

1880 Cortlandville, Cortland Co, NY – James 47 NY/ Stella 43 VT – carriage trimmer

1888 NY City Directory – Stella S widow of James E, living at 1693 Lexington Avenue

Families of Ancient New Haven, Donald Jacobus, V5 p1105 

A Tale of Two Newspapers, The Bryan Democrat and The Bryan Press, Smetzer, 1900

A Tale of Two Newspapers

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Two slightly different accounts of the same event need to be carefully examined when dealing with old newspaper accounts.  The following is an example of this:

The Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Thursday, 1 March 1900 p5 c4 – no headline

David Smetzer aged fifty-one years, who lived one mile north and one mile and a half east of Pulaski, committed suicide, Thursday morning, February 22, by taking carbolic acid.  His wife died several years ago and since then he has been despondent and his health became impaired, partly by insomnia from which he sought relief by the use of morphine.  On two former occasions he attempted suicide with morphine, but failed because his system had become impregnated with the drug.  On several occasions prior to the fatal act he told acquaintances that he intended to do away with himself.  They tried to dissuade him but life had become a burden to him and he was determined to shuffle it off.  Thursday morning he arose from his bed where he had passed a restless night, procured a cup of water into which he poured a quantity of carbolic acid, swallowed it, laid down on the bed and died.  A bottle partially filled with morphine was found in his pocket and a razor beside him in the bed.  He had evidently determined that his last effort in life should not be a failure.  He leaves five children, a sister and brother.

The Bryan Press (Bryan, OH), Thursday, 1 March 1900, p3 c2

Suicide of David Smetzer

On the 22^nd of February David Smetzer took his life at his home in Jefferson Township, near Stringtown schoolhouse.

He was about 51 years old and leaves a widow and several children.

A box containing the personal effects found upon the body is at the office at probate court, and among the articles are a razor, a bottle of morphine and a small bottle which contained the carbolic acid that caused the death of the unfortunate man.

I believe the reader can easily see many obvious differences in the details. 

If one just looked at The Bryan Press article, the reader would have believed that David Smetzer was married with several children at the time of his death.  The Bryan Democrat clearly stated that he was a widower with five children. Furthermore, as a researcher one learns David had two siblings, a brother and a sister. (Note that upon investigation David actually had one brother and two sisters survive him.)

The accounts both agree that David was fifty-one, living in Williams County, and dying on February 22 in the morning.  The Bryan Press gave a more accurate geographical placement with the words, Jefferson Township, while The Bryan Democrat described his residence in reference to Pulaski, OH. (Using his death record David actually was listed as a resident of Pulaski Twp.)

The Bryan Democrat not only went into more detail on the how of the suicide but also gave the researcher the why as well.  It set up the background information and stated that this was not David’s first attempt at suicide.  This account also provided clarification on the role of both the morphine and the carbolic acid in this act.  Finally, the reporter made it known that David’s mental state was known to his acquaintances and implied that his family would have been aware of this as well.

The Bryan Press called David “an unfortunate man” but never gave any clues as to why he was “unfortunate.”  It implied that this act was an accident, while the other account clearly stated it was not. 

The Bryan Press did give one detail that is worth mentioning – the effects were taken to the probate court so a record was made about the incident, something that a researcher may want to further investigate. 

In detailing the vital records of David Smetzer, I found these bits of information:

David Smetzer (18 September 1848, Holmes Co, OH – 22 February 1900, Williams Co, OH) was the son of William Smetzer and Mary Ann DeGroff.  He married Rebecca Shaffer in Williams Co, OH on 28 October 1873. He was survived by siblings George, Catherine, and Malissa. Nothing has been found to prove where both he and his wife were buried. Also, David did not leave any probate record.

Rebecca Shaffer (22 August 1848, OH – 4 May 1896, Jefferson Twp, Wms Co, OH), was the mother of five children – Otha Mae, William Wental, Minnie Viola, Charles Clinton, and Della Cora Smetzer.  Rebecca’s parentage is unknown at this time.

The Bryan Press (Bryan, OH), Thursday, 14 May 1896, p3 c5

Rebecca Smetzer, born 22 August 1848 and departed this life 4 May 1896 at 47Y, 8M 12D. At the age of 18 she joined the Reformed Church of which she was a consistent member until death.  Her aged father, husband, five children, and a host of friends and relatives are left to mourn her loss.

Other sources:

1850 Ripley Twp, Holmes Co, OH – David 2 OH w/parents

1860 Jefferson Twp, Wms Co, OH – David 11 OH w/parents

1870 Jefferson Twp, Wms Co, OH – David 22 OH w/parents

1880 Jefferson Twp, Wms Co, OH – David 33 OH/Rebecca 32 OH

Williams County, OH Marriages V4 p302

Williams Co, OH Deaths – V3 p122 – David is 51years old, born in OH, a laborer, cause of death was insanity, a residence in Pulaski Twp.

Williams County, OH References Extracted from Steuben Co, IN Newspapers

Angola Herald/Standard Republican (Angola, IN) Newspaper Obits Index

Allman, Edith (Edith Norris), AH, 5 May 1939, p11 c4

Allman, Heyman C, SR, 2 Jan 1907, p1 c8

Allwood, Addie (Addie Marks), AH, 19 Jun 1912, p5 c4

Anspaugh, John L , AH, 18 Aug 1939, p9 c4

Beare, Margaret (Margaret Weldon), AH, 5 Aug 1932, p4 c7

Beattie, Mrs GM (Frances Merchant), AH, 24 Mar 1933 p2 c4

Boner, John E, AH, 12 March 1937, p9 c4

Bontrager, Elizabeth Jane (Elizabeth Jane Hantz), SR, 14 Feb 1905, p1 c4

Bratton, Clara (Clara Theresa Garwood), AH, 4 Dec 1931, p10, c4

Buell, Mary Ann (Mary Ann Gipple), SR, 28 Apr 1915, p3 c4

Cain, Charles M, SR, 26 Feb 1919, p3 c4

Campbell, Sylvia (Sylvia Richardson), AH, 4 Feb 1959, p9 c5

Casebere, Theodore, SR, 29 Mar 1939, p10 c4

Casebere, Viola (Viola Cooper), AH, 25 Nov 1927, p2 c6

Cassel, Emily (Emily Thrush), AH, 16 Mar 1910, p8 c5

Clark, Ann (Ann Duke), SR, 26 Mar 1902, p4 c4

Clark, Dorcas Ann, SR, 3 Mar 1897, p8 c4

Compton, Amanda (Amanda Shaffer), AH, 18 Oct 1929, p2 c5

Cooper, Viola (Viola Casebere), AH, 25 Nov 1927, p2 c6

Curtis, Alma, AH, 18 Jan 1935, p9 c4

Davies, Maria (Maria Goudy), AH, 4 Dec 1931, p10 c7

Davis, Eleanor (Eleanor Van Cleve), AH, 24 Jan 1912, p2 c4

Davis, Jerusha (Jerusha Rathbun), AH, 10 Jun 1921, p5 c4

Deller, Frank, SR, 4 Nov 1936, p9 c4

Deller, Lucinda (Lucinda Mawhood), AH, 17 Aug 1917, p4 c4

Dillingham, George, SR, 4 Jul 1894, p8 c4

Duke, Ann (Ann Clark), SR, 26 Mar 1902, p4 c4

Evans, Madge (Madge Sunday), AH, 4 Feb 1959, p9 c7

Fenstemaker, Martha (Martha Ellen Moore), AH, 22 Jan 1958, p4 c5

Fickel, Michael, AH, 22 Sep 1916, p8 c4

Fletcher, Bert A, AH, 28 Dec 1928, p1 c5

Foss, Mary Ann (Mary Ann Kailey Sharritt), SR, 15 Sep 1915, p3 c7

Freed, John, SR, 25 May 1892, p1 c5

Friend, Jefferson, SR, 28 Jan 1903, p6 c2

Galloway, Etta, AH, 12 Feb 1943, p3 c4

Garn, Mrs Will (Cora Huntington), AH, 13 Oct 1944, p5 c6

Garwood, Clara Theresa (Clara Bratton), AH, 4 Dec 1931, p10 c4

Gary, Cora Bell (Cora Bell McElhenie), AH, 23 Aug 1950, p11 c8

Gillis, Alexander, SR, 2 Sep 1931, p4 c3

Gilmore, Margaret (Margaret Ellen Myser), AH, 27 Sep 1911, p1 c8

Gipple, Mary Ann (Mary Ann Buell), SR, 28 Apr 1915, p3 c4

Gore, William, AH, 7 Feb 1912, p1 c4

Goudy, Maria (Maria Davies), AH, 4 Dec 1931, p10 c7

Graham, Eunice (Eunice Wells), SR, 10 Jun 1908, p3 c3

Greenamyer, Rosa (Rosa Shoup), AH, 7 Mar 1951, p3 c2

Haley, Oren W, AH, 5 May 1939, p11, c5

Hanna, Henry, SR, 14 Aug 1918, p1 c8

Hanna, Sarah (Sarah Trowbridge), AH, 2 Oct 1912, p8 c4

Hanselman, Anna (Anna Powers), AH, 6 Aug 1943, p4c5

Hanselman, Frances, SR, 18 Apr 1905, p1 c8

Hantz, Alfred, AH, 1 Feb 1935, p1 c3

Hantz, Elizabeth Jane (Elizabeth Jane Bontrager), SR, 14 Feb 1906, p1 c4

Hantz, Mary Ann (Mary Ann Kaufman), AH, 11 Jan 1929, p2 c5

Hardenbrook, Emma (Emma Young), SR, 7 Feb 1934, p4 c4

Harmon, Sarepta (Sarepta Tingler), AH, 11 Jan 1929, p2 c7

Hart, Margaret Luella (Margaret Hix), AH, 3 Feb 1939, p10, c2

Hart, Thompson, SR, 12 Jul 1916, p2 c4

Hix, Margaret (Margaret Hart), AH, 3 Feb 1939, p10 c2

Huntington, Cora (Mrs Will Garn), AH, 13 Oct 1944, p5 c6

Ingram, Elva, SR, 17 Jun 1914, p3 c3

Johnson, May Belle (May Belle Moor), SR, 12 Apr 1939, p3 c4

Johnson, Santford, AH, 16 Oct 1963, p22 c5

Kailey, Mary Ann (Mary Ann Foss Sharritt), SR, 15 Sep 1915, p3 c7

Kaufman, Henry, SR, 24 Jan 1923, p3 c3

Kaufman, Mary Ann (Mary Ann Hantz), AH, 11 Jan 1929, p2 c5

Kent, Sarah (Sarah Smith), AH, 6 Sep 1940, p9 c6

Kint, Cyrus, AH, 9 Aug 1929, p8 c4

Knapp, Jane (Jane Shupp), SR, 28 Feb 1923, p3 c4

Lanning, Delbert, AH, 4 Feb 1953, p4 c7

Light, Mary (Mary Zimmer), AH, 11 Jan 1929, p2 c2

Lohrey, Nancy Jane (Nancy Jane Moseman), SR, 23 Feb 1916, p8 c4

Maier, Ann (Ann Reese), AH, 30 Aug 1935, p4 c5

Malcomb, Avery, SR, 11 Jan 1899, p5 c3

Mann, Lloyd P, AH, 11 Oct 1961, p3 c2

Marks, Addie (Addie Allwood), AH, 19 June 1912, p5 c4

Maugherman, Samuel, AH, 28 Oct 1927, p2 c4

Mawhood, Lucinda (Lucinda Deller), AH, 17 Aug 1917, p4 c4

McClain, Reverend IA, SR, 2 Jan 1895, p4 c4

McClellan, Evaline (Evaline Richards), SR, 3 Apr 1940, p1 c5

McConnell, John R, SR, 2 Sep 1891, p8 c6

McElhenie, Cora Bell (Cora Bell Gary), AH, 23 Aug 1950. P11 c8

Merchant, Frances O (Frances Beattie), AH, 24 Mar 1933, p2 c4

Moor, May Belle (May Belle Johnson), SR, 12 Apr 1939, p3 c4

Moore, Martha Ellen (Martha Fenstemaker), AH, 22 Jan 1958, p4 c5

Morgan, John William, AH, 11 Jun 1952, p16 c6

Moseman, Nancy Jane (Nancy Jane Lohrey), SR, 23 Feb 1916, p8 c4

Moss, William C, SR, 25 Aug 1886, p4 c4

Myser, Margaret Ellen (Margaret Gilmore), AH, 27 Sep 1911, p1 c8

Neihardt, George, AH, 19 Mar 1926, p8 c6

Norris, Edith (Edith Allman), AH, 5 May 1939, p11 c4

Parrott, Henry S, AH, 25 Sep 1936, p9 c7

Pickens, George, AH, 15 Jan 1926, p5 c6

Powers, Anna (Anna Hanselman), AH, 6 Aug 1943, p4 c5

Powers, Volney, SR, 25 Nov 1914, p3 c3

Priest, David, AH, 24 Jun 1927, p3 c3

Rathburn, Jerusha (Jerusha Davis), AH, 10 Jun 1921, p5 c4

Reese, Ann Lavina (Ann Maier), AH, 30 Aug 1935, p4 c5

Rice, Sophronia (Sophronia Simons), AH, 1 Feb 1929, p2 c4

Richards, Evaline (Evaline McClellan), SR, 3 Apr 1940, p1 c5

Richardson, Elizabeth (Elizabeth Wilkes), SR, 7 Feb 1934, p4 c4

Richardson,, Sylvia (Sylvia Campbell), AH, 4 Feb 1959, p9 c5

Rigelman, George, SR, 8 May 1940, p3 c3

Rinehart, Lewis, SR, 29 Dec 1943, p5 c5

Robinson, Salena (Salena Townsend), AH, 13 Apr 1945, p2 c2

Saul, Jonas Leander, SR, 31 Dec 1919, p3 c3

Schieber, Samuel, SR, 8 Feb 1922, p3 c4

Shafer, Henry, AH, 9 Aug 1911, p4 c3

Shaffer, Amanda (Amanda Compton), AH, 18 Oct 1929, p2 c5

Sharritt, Mary Ann (Mary Ann Kailey Foss), SR, 15 Sep 1915, p3 c7

Shearer, Delia Ann, SR, 3 Mar 1897, p8 c4

Shook, Willard W, SR, 15 Jul 1925, p3 c3

Shoup, Rosa (Rosa Greenamyer), AH, 7 Mar 1951, p3 c2

Shupp, Jane (Jane Knapp), SR, 28 Feb 1923, p3 c4

Sickles, John W, AH, 3 Mar 1939, p5 c6

Simons, Sophronia (Sophronia Rice), AH, 1 Feb 1929, p2 c4

Smith, Rebecca (Rebecca Truxall), SR, 18 Feb 1914, p3 c3

Smith, Sarah (Sarah Kent), AH, 6 Sep 1940, p9 c6

Stoneburner, Alberta, AH, 22 Sep 1939, p3 c3

Street, Mrs Calvin, SR, 28 Apr 1886, p8 c5

Struble, Martha (Martha Word), SR, 14 Jan 1953, p15 c4

Sunday, Madge (Madge Evans), AH, 4 Feb 1959, p9 c7

Thomas, Edward, SR, 1 Mar 1911, p3 c4

Thomas, Ralph, AH, 17 Sep 1943, p3 c3

Thrush, Emily (Emily Cassel), AH, 16 Mar 1910, p8 c5

Tingler, Sarepta (Sarepta Harmon), AH, 11 Jan 1929, p2 c7

Townsend, Emeline (Emeline Wallick), SR, 25 Feb 1914, p4 c4

Townsend, Salena (Salena Robinson), AH, 13 Apr 1945, p2 c2

Trowbridge, Sarah (Sarah Hanna), AH, 2 Oct 1912, p8 c4

Truxall, Rebecca (Rebecca Smith), SR, 18 Feb 1914, p3 c3

Van Cleve, Eleanor (Eleanor Davis), AH, 24 Jan 1912, p2 c4

Van Fossen, John Wilson, SR, 13 Nov 1912, p3 c4

Wallick, Emeline (Emeline Townsend), SR, 25 Feb 1914, p4 c4

Weidler, James, AH, 25 Sep 1936, p9 c7

Weldon, Margaret (Margaret Beare), AH, 5 Aug 1932, p4 c7

Wells, Eunice (Eunice Graham), SR, 10 Jun 1908, p3 c3

Wicoff, William, SR, 21 Mar 1906, p1 c4

Wilkes, Elizabeth (Elizabeth Richardson), SR, 7 Feb 1934, p4 c4

Word, Martha (Martha Struble), SR, 14 Jan 1953, p15 c4

Young, Emma (Emma Hardenbrook), SR, 7 Feb 1934, p4 c4

Zeigler, Charles, SR, 2 Jan 1963, p3 c4

Zimmer, Mary (Mary Light), AH, 11 Jan 1929, p2 c2

Samuel Brendle v Electa Dell Hyatt Brendle - Divorce Action, Williams Co, OH, 1911

Samuel Brendle v Electa Dell Hyatt Brendle, Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Tuesday. 12 December 1911, p1 c5

Samuel wants custody of minor children; they have three children.  Looked through mid March 1912 and did not find granting of divorce.

Samuel Brendle, born March 1849, OH, s/o Benjamin Brendle and Sarah; died 8 November 1923, Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH and was buried in Floral Grove Cem, West Unity, Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH.

Electa Dell Hyatt Brendle, born May 1867, Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH, daughter of Henry Hyatt and Sarah Brown.

Children

1.       George (April 1890)

2.       Maude W (Oct 1893 – 1976)

3.      Allie Leona (Feb 1895 – 1967)

Sources

Wms Co, OH Marriages V 5 #1345

Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH Cem, p13

1870 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH – Electa 3 OH w/parents

1880 Crane, Paulding Co, OH – Samuel 32 OH w/parents

1880 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH – Electa “Lena” 13 OH w/parents

1900 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH – Samuel 51 OH/ Letta 33 OH and 3 kids

1910 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH – Samuel 61 OH/Eletta 43 OH

1920 Jefferson Twp, Wms Co, OH – Samuel 70 OH divorced, with Wm and Leona Winkler

Florence Leona Stoner Boner v Edson E Boner - Divorce in Williams Co, OH, 1913

Florence Leona Stoner Boner v Edson E Boner, Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Friday, 19 September 1913, p1 c5

Florence wants a divorce, alimony, household goods, and furniture.  She charged Edson with extreme cruelty, improper conduct, and abandonment.  Edson was barber in Bryan. Florence wants restoration of maiden name; they do not have children.

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Tuesday, 9 December 1913, p1 c3

Florence received a divorce last Saturday, was restored to her maiden name.  He was charged with gross neglect; this action began last September, 1913.

Edson E Boner, born 10 March 1891, Fayette, Fulton Co, OH; son of John E Boner and Laura Etta Ervin.  He died on 7 June 1958 in Steuben Co, IN and was buried in Clear Lake Lutheran Chapel, Fremont, Steuben Co, IN.

Edson was married four times

1.      Florence Stoner, 27 June 1912, Bryan, Wms Co, OH; div 1913, Wms Co, OH

2.      Mabel C Shaffer, 7 October 1915, Wms Co, OH; (d/o William Henry Shaffer/Harriet Bohner); div 1918; she m2 Clinton Barkaway, 18 November 1922, Adrian, Lenawee Co, MI

3.      Nellie F Stucker, 12 September 1919, Wms Co, OH (b 10 Feb 1898, Wms Co, OH; d/o E Stucker/Flora Elsa Fackler); children

4.      Ethel Clova Huftile, aft 1951

Florence was married three times

1.      Edson E Boner, 27 June 1912, Bryan, Wms Co, OH; div 1913, Wms Co, OH

2.      Arthur J Ganon, 27 April 1921, Detroit, Wayne Co, MI; (1896-1946) div 7 December 1933, Wayne Co, MI

3.      Preston P Brown, 17 June 1936, Northville, Wayne Co, MI; div 21 December 1948, Wayne Co, MI

Florence Stoner, born 6 October 1892, Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH; d/o Phila Stoner/Catherine Seibold; died 23 August 1981, Detroit, Wayne Co, MI

Sources

Williams Co, OH Marriages, V 12 p112

1900 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH – Edson E 9 OH w/parents

1910 German Twp, Fulton Co, OH – Edson E 19 OH w/parents

1910 Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH – Florence L 17 OH w/parents as servant

1917 WWI Draft – enlisted 7 May 1917 Toledo National Guard, Co E 147^th Infantry 37^th Div

1930 Clear Lake, Steuben Co, IN – Edson 36 OH/ Nellie E 28 OH

1940 Clear Lake, Steuben Co, IN – Ed 49 OH/Nellie 42 OH

1940 Detroit, Wayne Co, MI – Brown, Preston 48/Florence L 47 OH

1942 WWII Draft – Edson of Ray, Steuben Co, IN 52Y, wife Nellie

Clara Kaiser Delong Booream v William H Booream - Divorce in Williams Co, OH, 1913

Clara Kaiser Delong Booream v William H Booream, Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Tuesday, 17 June 1913, p1 c2

Clara wanted and received a divorce last Saturday; she was restored to her maiden name, Delong (not maiden); William was charged with extreme cruelty.

William H Booream, born 17 July 1866/1867, OH, s/o Jonathan Booream and Mary Rutledge.  He died on 8 April 1942 in Coldwater, Branch Co, MI.  He married Clara Kaiser/Kizer Delong on 7 October 1905 in Hillsdale Co, MI; she was married once before and he was never married.

Clara Kizer, born 1 August 1870, Richland Co, OH, daughter of Henry Kizer and Mary Shaffer.  She died on 8 May 1918, Detroit, Wayne Co, OH, and was buried in Floral Grove Cem, Pioneer, Madison Twp, Wms Co, OH.

Clara was supposedly married three times

1.     William DeLong, 14 Nov 1889, Wms Co, OH. (born 26 July 1866, Henry Co, OH, died 4 February 1954; he divorced Clara bef 1905; he married Electa Poling Gaudern, 9 December 1907, Henry Co, OH

2.      William H Booream, 7 October 1905, Hillsdale Co, MI; divorced June 1913, Wms Co, OH

3.      William Howe, 190-1910, living in Detroit, Wayne Co, MI – this is problematic as she should still be married to Booream; also when she died she is buried in plot where DeLong will join her.

Sources

1870 Amboy, Hillsdale Co, MI – William 3 OH w/parents

1880 Woodbridge, Hillsdale Co, MI – William 15 OH w/parents

1900 Woodbridge, Hillsdale Co, MI – Booream, William 33 OH single, servant

1900 Monroe, Henry Co, OH – DeLong, William 33 OH/ Clara 29 OH

1910 Quincy, Branch Co, MI – William 40 OH hired man

1910 Detroit, Wayne Co, MI – Howe, William 30 OH/ Clara 40 OH

1920 Quincy, Branch Co, MI – William 57 OH hired man, divorced

1930 Coldwater, Branch Co, MI – William 60 OH farm laborer, single

Charles Edwin Baltosser v Bertha M Figgins Baltosser - Divorce in Wms Co, OH, 1913

Charles Edwin Baltosser v Bertha M Figgins Baltosser, Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), 15 July 1913 p1 c3-4

Cal Patee and Mrs. Bertha Figgins Boltosser were arraigned last Friday.  She is the wife of Charles Baltosser, a carpenter from Montpelier.  Patee is a brakeman on the Wabash RR and a resident of Montpelier until he left for Detroit recently.  On Friday morning Baltosser returned home expectantly to get some tools and found the doors of the house locked.  He was eventually admitted by his wife and found Patee in their sleeping room in a clothes closet.  They were arrested and charged with adultery.  She is the daughter of Emmanuel Figgins of near West Unity and was married in September of 1900.  They have a seven year old son.  Pattee has a wife and two children living in Detroit.  Baltosser plans to sue for divorce.

Charles Edwin Baltosser, born 19 August 1877, Madison Twp, Wms Co, OH; son of William Baltosser and Mary Jones; married 20 September 1900, Wms Co, OH

Bertha Figgins, born 1 September 1881, Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH; died 27 July 1957, South Bend, St. Joseph Co, IN; daughter of Emmanuel Figgins and Sophia Altoffer.

Forest Devillo Baltosser, born 11 Feb 1907, Wms Co, OH; died 8 April 1967, St Joseph Co, IN

Bertha M Figgins Baltosser married Thomas E Kantz, 8 January 1919, Muskegon, Muskegon Co, MI

Sources:

Williams Co, OH Marriages, v8 p172

1880 Madison Twp, Wms Co, OH – Charles E 2 with parents

1900 Madison Twp, Wms Co, OH – Charles E 22 with parents

1900 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH – Bertha M 18 OH single servant for Delbert Hutchison

1910 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH – Charles E 32 OH/ Bertha M 28 OH/ forest D 3 OH

1917 WWI Draft Registration – Charles, carpenter, living in Jefferson, Muskegon Co, MI @41Y

1920 Muskegon 10, Muskegon Co, MI – Charles E 42 OH single carpenter

1920 Muskegon, Muskegon Co, MI – Kantz, Thomas 47 OH/Bertha 48 OH along with Forest D Baltosser 22 and wife Katherine 22 OH

1923 South Bend, Mishawaka Co, IN City Directory – Thomas Kantz

1930 South Bend, St. Joseph Co, IN

Frank Brownwell Altman v Lydia Gilbert Stipe Altman

Altman v Altman

The couple was married in West Unity, Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH, on 1 January 1900. (Wms Co, OH Marriages V 8 p212)

Frank Brownwell Altman (June 1878, Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH - January 1964); s/o Louis Altman and Sarah E Brownwell; he is buried in Floral Grove Cem, West Unity, Wms Co, OH next to second wife, Florence T.

Lydia Gilbert Stipe (5 December 1873, Lycoming Co, PA - 2 September 1938); dau of George Stipe and Christina Augusta Behl and niece of William and Jennie Stipe; she is buried in Floral Grove Cem, West Unity, Wms Co, OH.

Frank filed on 20 March 1937 and received a divorce on 26 June 1937 in Jackson Co, MI on the grounds of cruelty.  Lydia pled "no contest."

The couple had 5 children - Willard, Lewis, Robert, Margaret, and Frank.

1880 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH - Frank 2 OH with parents
1900 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH - Frank B 21 OH with parents
1910 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH - Frank 30 OH/ Lydia 32 PA; he was a drayman
1920 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH - Frank B 40 OH/ Lydia G 43 PA; he was manager of a packing house
1930 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH - Lydia G 52 PA w/children - where was Frank??
Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH Cemeteries, p92, 107, 124

Elva A Bugbee Allen v Walter O Allen - Divorce in Williams Co, Oh

Elva A Bugbee Allen v Walter O Allen, Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Friday, 14 March 1913, p1

Elva wants a divorce and restoration of her maiden name.  She charged Walter with gross neglect of duty, extreme cruelty, abandonment, and failure to furnish her with a home and necessities of life.  She has to live on her own exertions and the assistance of friends.  The couple was married in Waldron, Lenawee Co, MI on 23 April 1910.

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Friday, 2 May 1913, p1 c6

Elva received a divorce, was restored to her maiden name, and had to pay court costs.

Walter A Olen Allen, born 12 December 1885 at West Unity, Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH, the s/o William H Allen and Ella Saltzgarber; he died 7 April 1968 in Wms Co, OH.

Walter was married two times

1.      Elva A Bugbee, 23 April 1910, Waldron, Lenawee Co, MI; div 1913

2.      Margaret Colaire Booher, 23 June 1913, Lucas Co, MI

Elva A Bugbee, born 14 February 1886 in Rollin, Lenawee Co, MI, d/o Franklin Bugbee and Esther Elnora Cornell; she died on11 April 1925 in Arlington, Cook Co, IL.

Elva was married two times

1.      Walter A Olen Allen, 23 April 1910, Waldron, Lenawee Co, MI; div 1913

2.       Max Adolph Flicker, 20 December 1916, Arlington Heights, Cook Co, IL

Sources

1900 Franklin, Fulton Co, OH – Walter 14 OH w/parents

1900 Adrian, Lenawee Co, MI – Elva 15 MI w/parents

1910 Ecorse, Wayne Co, MI – Walter 24 OH boarder, rr switchman

1917 WWI Draft Registration – Walter lives in Alvordton, brakeman

1920 Toledo, Lucas Co, OH – Walter 36 OH roomer, married, rr brakeman

1920 Goshen, Muscatine Co, IA – Frickler, Max 40 Germ/Elva A 34 MI

1925 Goshen, Muscatine Co, IA State Census – Max 46 Germ/ Elva A 40 MI

1942 WWII Draft Registration – Walter lives in Montpelier, Wabash RR

Florence E. Bratton Alexander v Verrel Keith Alexander - Divorce Action, 1926

Alexander v Alexander

The couple was married in Bryan, Wms Co, OH on 8 April 1913. (Wms Co, OH Marriage V10 p483)

Verrel (9 September 1890, IN - Dec 1970, Muskegon, Muskegon Co, MI); son of Otto Alexander and Ida R Loutzenhiser; he was a farmer and foreman of an iron foundry

Florence E. (7 November 1894, OH - December 1977, Muskegon, Muskegon Co, MI); dau of John Bratton and Orpha Day; she was a waitress

The couple was divorced on 19 November 1926 in Muskegon Co, MI; Florence filed for divorce on the grounds of extreme cruelty and misconduct.  They had one child.  Alimony was granted.  Evidently they decided to remarry on 30 April 1927 in Muskegon Heights, Muskegon Co, MI.

Two children - Otto Keith and Patrick.

1900 Florence Twp, Wms Co, OH - Florence 5 OH with parents
1910 Superior Twp, Wms Co, OH - Florence 15 OH with parents
1930 Muskegon Heights, Muskegon Co, MI - Verrel 49 IN/Florence 45 OH
1940 Norton, Muskegon Co, MI - Verrel 49 IN/ Florence 45 OH