A Drunken Doctor with No Patients, Divorce in Williams Co, OH - Tritch, 1883

 Mary Ellen Foust Tritch v Thomas Walker Tritch

A Drunken Doctor with No Patients, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1883

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 31 December 2021)

 

This is a major update as I had originally detailed the couple as FRITCH, but I recently discovered the surname was TRITCH.  

 

The physician conducted himself so badly that nobody had any confidence in him.  He had no patients; therefore, he had no means of support.  He married a Williams County native and proceeded to make her life and that of his two children a miserable existence due to his penchant for wine, women, and song.

 

Mary Ellen Foust, daughter of Benjamin Shoemaker and Priscilla Markle Foust, was born on 13 February 1858, in Wms Co, OH.  Her parents, natives of Berk Co, PA, came to this county in 1845, first settling in Jefferson Twp for the 1850 federal census (p27) and then moving to Bryan, Pulaski Twp in 1868.  The family was listed in the 1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census, p2, as BS Foust 46 PA, Priscilla 52 PA, Ella Jane 13 OH, Martha A 11 OH, and John A 19 OH.  The couple had seven children with one dying in the Civil War, two dying in infancy, and four surviving their parents' deaths.  Mr. Foust was a member of the coroner's jury who investigated the death of the little Schamp son who was killed by Mr. Tyler, the convicted murderer hung in the 1840's.

 

Mary Ellen married Thomas Walker Tritch, an Ohio native, on 2 Mar 1876, Wms Co (Marriages V4 p452) and the couple had two known children, Ralph, b. 21 Feb 1877 IN, and Eva Belle, b. 11 Apr 1881, Pulaski Twp (Births V2 p33).  Thomas, a physician, was the son of Trisby and Esther Isabell Walker Tritch, was born in Findlay, Hancock Co, OH, on 30 January 1850.  He was enumerated with his parents in the 1850 Whitley Co, IN and 1860 Troy, Whitley Co, IN Federal Census records. He graduated from Findlay Normal School in 1872. As a married couple the Tritch family was listed in the 1880 Auburn, DeKa;b Co, IN Federal Census as Thomas W Tritch 30 IN physician, Ella 22 OH, Ralph 3 IN.  

 

From The Kendalville Weekly (Kendalville, IN), 14 April 1881, p5 c2

Dr Tritch, formerly of Auburn, has been in Kendalville a few days engraving.  The doctor is an educated gentleman being a graduate of the old reliable homeopathic college in Cleveland, Ohio and enjoyed at one time a good practice in Auburn, but it seems he has abandoned the practice and taken up his old business.  Drinking too much whiskey has had considerable to do in the change we judge.

 

From The Goshen Times (Goshen, IN), 30 November 1882, p3 c4

Dr. Tritch, an engraver has been in our place a number of days doing a job of engraving for Isaac Rowell.

 

Mary Ellen Tritch stated to the Williams County Civil and Criminal Court (Journal 12 p133 - 28 Nov 1883; Roll 39 case number 1194 - 18 Aug 1883) that she wanted a divorce from husband Thomas.  She told a tale of being taken to live in Indiana, away from her friends and family where Thomas failed to provide her with sufficient food, clothing, or fuel.  The winters of 1876-1877 and 1879 were extremely cold.  What money Thomas had he spent on drink and women.  Mary Ellen stated that on 10 May 1879 in Fostoria, Seneca Co, OH, Thomas committed adultery with a Mrs. Folliot and from that day through Sept 1879 he was with other women there.  During the years of 1882 and 1883 he lived in Kendalville, IN and had relations with this Mrs. Folliot there as well.

 

Mary Ellen called witness Will Jones, a 20-year-old man from Fostoria, to tell the court of Thomas' character.  Jones said he knew Thomas from Fostoria as an immoral physician who spent his money on whiskey and prostitutes.  He knew Thomas was seeing Emma Folliatt, a known prostitute, in Aug 1880.  This evidence was enough for the court to grant the divorce.

 

Ellen Tritch married William Hartle on 20 May 1886 in Williams Co (Marriages V5 #836) and at the time of her father's death on 26 July 1902 she and her husband lived in Ft. Wayne, IN.  The 1900 (p27), 1910 (p106), and 1920 (p217) federal census records for Ward 9, Fort Wayne, Allen Co, IN reveal the Hartles with a daughter Catherine L., b Dec 1890.  William (born Apr 1862 IN with OH native parents) was a traveling salesman for Swift and Company; sometime between 1900-1910 the couple had another child but the infant did not survive.  Ellen’s son Ralph Tritch also lived in Ft. Wayne in 1900 as a coachman for a wealthy couple. William died in Allen Co, IN on 3 May 1931 and was buried in the Lindenwood Cemetery in Ft Wayne.  Ella died on 4 April 1937 in Ft Wayne and was laid to rest in Lindenwood Cemetery.

 

While visiting from Buffalo, NY Thomas Tritch, physician, died at the home of his sister in Findlay, Hancock Co, OH  on 13 November 1898 and was buried there in the Maple Grove Cemetery.

 

 

 

 

Clarissa J Meads Bair v William H Bair Divorce in Williams County, OH, 1869

 Clarissa J. Meads Bair v William H. Bair (Journal 7 p327 - May 1869; Roll 21 case number 1 - May 1869) - see William Bear v Rachel A. Stewart Bear; Fidelia Robinson Hill Dodd v Peter Marriner Dodd;  Leichty

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 8 December 2021)

I have actually been in the process of updating this detailing twice as I discovered new information that tied into other divorce stories, most recently being the Dodd detailing.

 

The couple was married in Bucyrus, Crawford Co, OH, on 1 Mar 1860 (Marriage V6 p2).  Note that in this marriage record the bride's name was Eliza J. Meads. Clarissa, the daughter of Isaac and Lydia Leonard Meads, was 16 years old (b. 7 June 1844, Fairfield, Herkimer Co, NY) when she married as she was found with her parents in the 1850 Cayuga, Chemung Co, NY Federal Census as Clarissa 6 NY along with her parents and sister Eliza 2 NY and other siblings. She was listed in the 1860 Bucyrus, Crawford Co, OH federal census, dated 15 June 1860, as Isaac Meads 38 NY, Lydia 38 NY, Clarissa J. Blair 16 NY, Eliza Meads 12 NY, Isaac 14 NY, Mary 7 NY. Note her married name was listed as Blair not Bair.  

 

Also one finds the Bair family enumerated in the 1850 Todd, Crawford Co, OH federal census p48 as Samuel Bear 35 Oh, Nancy 35 PA, William 13 OH, Jehill 10 OH, Mary J 8 OH, Martha J 6 OH, and Lorenzo 2 OH and in the 1860 Bucyrus, Crawford Co, OH federal census p57 as Samuel Bair 44 OH, Nancy 45 PA, William 22 OH, Jehiel 20 OH, and Martha 16 OH. William was the son of Samuel and Nancy A Harger Bair.

 

The couple had three children: Oliver F, Jenny V, and Adam.  Clarissa charged William with extreme cruelty and subpoenaed the following witnesses to bring testimony: David Wheeler, Mary Shade, Art Riggle, James and Sarah Hudkins, Charles Elder, and WH Ensign.  The divorce was granted. 

 

According to the 1870 Pulaski Twp federal census p31, William 33 OH laborer and son Oliver 11 OH lived with Samuel Bair 55 OH plasterer and wife Nancy 57 PA. On 7 Oct 1877 William H. Bair married Mary D. Hopkins in Wms Co (Marriage V4 p537).  In the 1880 Bryan federal census the family was enumerated as William 42 OH-PA-OH, Mary 36 CAN, Oliver 21 OH, and Jehiel Bair, boarder 39 OH-PA-OH, divorced with rheumatism.  William died c15 Nov 1883 and was buried in the Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan, later to be joined by Nancy A. (1814-1885) and Samuel (1815-1891).  

 

Clarissa Jane Meads Bair next married Nathan Hill, son of Fidelia Robinson Dodd and Melvin Hill, on 23 June 1869 in South Wright Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI.  The 1870 Bryan Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census showed them as Nathan Hill 20 OH, Clarissa 25 NY, Viola 5 OH, Delano 4 OH, and Jerome 8/12 OH. They were enumerated in the 1880 Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census as Nathan Hill 32 OH, Clarissa J 34 NY, Bear, Oliver 20 OH stepson, Bear, Delano 14 OH stepson, Hill, Jerome 10, Henry 8 OH, Marvin 4 OH, and Birtha 2 OH. By 1900 Clarissa was living in Stryker and listed in that federal census as Clarissa 56 NY (July 1843), married 31 Y with 10 children/7 living.  She died on 22 April 1932 in Williams Co, OH.

 

What is so interesting about this divorce is that there is another divorce - Clarissa’s sister, Eliza, who married William’s brother, Johiel Bair, in Crawford Co OH on 10 May 1866 and appeared to be divorced by 1880 as shown by the 1880 federal census mentioned above.

 

Anna Elizabeth Meads, born 13 February 1843 in Fairfield, Herkimer Co, NY, next married on 25 March 1880, in Crawford Co, OH Lewis Stremmell.  She died on 14 February 1943 in Saint Albans, Kanawha Co, WVA and was buried in the Oakwood Cemetery, Crawford Co, OH. Her ex-husband Johiel Bair, born 26 Oct 1839 in Crawford Co, OH, married Anna Maria Rausch (1850 Germany - 1912 Williams Co, OH).  Johiel was a CW veteran of Co A Ft Band 64 and Co I 164th OVI.  He died in Bryan, Williams Co, OH on 22 June 1917 and was buried there in Fountain Grove Cemetery.

 

A Divorce in 1881 and a Murder in 1928 - Ora Eby

 Phoebe Snyder Eby v Orra Alvin  Eby

No Sympathy, No Comfort, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1881

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 3 December 2021)

 

Sometimes I found a very simple divorce record that did not have much information but was so touching, so sad.  This is one of those situations; however in updating this, I found much more, including the homicide case of Ora Eby.

 

Phoebe Snyder married Orra Eby on 16 June 1878 in Montgomery, Hillsdale Co, MI.  Both were born in Williams Co, OH – he was 22Y and she was 19Y; residency reports were shown that he lived in Steuben Co, IN while Phoebe lived in Williams Co, OH.  Phoebe was born on 28 April 1859, the daughter of Dr Charles Wesley Snyder and wife Eliza Bush.  The family was enumerated in the 1860 Edon, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH as Charles 31 OH, Eliza 22 OH, Esther 2 OH and Phoebe 1 OH.  In the 1870 Florence Twp federal census, p34, there was an Orra Eby 14 OH living in the Harrison Martin household.  If these two census records reflect the couple, Phoebe was born in 1844 and Orra was born in 1856. This means she was 34 and he was 22 when they married.

 

I have found more information on Ora A Eby, born 27 March 1856 in Ohio, the son of Joseph Eby (1822-14 April 1856 Elkhart Co, IN) and Rachel Palmer (19 January 1827 NY – 16 August 1886 Walnut City, Rush Co, KS).  By c1840 Rachel Palmer and her parents were residents of Williams Co, OH and she married Joseph Eby in Steuben Co, IN on 13 July 1846.

 

Phoebe Eby appeared in the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court (Roll 36 case number 865 - 23 Feb 1881) requesting a divorce. She complained that Orra failed to provide for her and their son Tharsend.  On 1 Oct 1879 she returned to the household of her uncle, John Snyder, and Orra fled to Kansas.  Their son died on 24 Nov 1880 at which time Phebe received no sympathy, no comfort, and no money for their son's funeral.  The court granted her a divorce.  In 1880 Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census Dr Snyder had daughter Phoebe Eby 21 OH and grand-daughter Jane Eby 1 OH living with next door. Phoebe next married William H Fetters (28 Feb 1857 Williams Co, OH – 1 May 1928 Bryan, OH. The couple had children: Lulu, Beulah, and Charles. Phoebe died on 26 April 1934 in Bryan, OH and was buried in Brown Cemetery beside her husband William Fetters.

 

Amos Beebe, son of William and Polly Truman Beebe, was born in DeRuyter, Madison Co, NY.  He first married Martha Ross on 1 Jan 1826 in Knox Co, OH.  By 1860 he had moved to Scott Twp, Steuben Co, IN and married Rachel Elizabeth Palmer, the widow of Joseph Eby, and the mother of Ora Eby.The Beebes had three children, William C, James Edward, and Jesse, all born in Scott Twp.  Amos Beebe died in Steuben Co, IN on 11 Mar 1873 and was buried in the Alvarado Cem there.  

 

The Steuben Republican (Angola, IN), 1 May 1878 p3 stated that Ora Eby of Richland Twp excavated a portion of an Indian skeleton from a mound on the farm of John Ferrier.  Earlier in 1877 Ora was identified as a teacher in York Twp.  His brother Joseph Eby, a teacher in the Otsego Center School, c Jan 1879 was charged with assault and battery for taking a hickory stick to a non-compliant student who was causing trouble in the classroom.  Interestingly the newspaper stated that Eby, who pled not guilty, was indeed found not guilty as a teacher in that timeframe was identified as in loco parentis, or in place of the parents.

 

According to the 1880 Center Twp, Rush Co, KS federal census p538B, Oran A Eby 23 OH lived with his mother and siblings, Rachel Beebe 53 NY, Joel D. Eby 25 IN, and Beebe sons William C 19 IN, Edward 16 IN, and Jesse J 13 IN.  The record showed that both Oran and mother Rachel were divorced.  Orra was also listed in the 1880 Franklin, Jackson Co, KS federal census p 139 as married man Orra A. Eby 24 OH-PA-NY, living in the household of Henry Eaby 61 OH. By the 1885 Center Twp, Rush Co, Kansas state census, Rachel Beebe and her sons, Orra and Joel Eby, plus Beebe step-children were enumerated there. According to the Western Economist (La Crosse, KS), 13 August 1891 p5 there was a sheriff’s sale and foreclosure of estate of Rachel Beebe.  The heirs of this were notified as Beebe – William, Jesse, Ed, James; Eby – Sidney, Ora, Joel, JD (administrator); Mary Eby Martin; Sarah A Eby Vaughan. 

Orra lived in Los Angeles, CA with wife Janet according to the 1910 federal census and was a widower/roomer there as of 1930; however Janet A Eby b1855 Canada living in Gardenia, Los Angeles Co, CA is listed as a widow in the 1920 federal census.  The conclusion could be that Ora once more was divorced sometime between 1916 when they were both listed as voters and 1920 when Janet is found in the federal census; however a kind reader sent me a death certificate for Janet Bond Eby who died on 28 April 1918 in Los Angeles.  The document stated her husband was Ora Eby.

 

 

The California Eagle, 5 May 1938 p5 c3 told the story of Ora Alvin Eby, an aged reclusive 83 year old, being the victim of young hoodlums who tortured and beat him to death to make him tell where he had concealed sums of money.  He was gagged with a pillow slip. Ora was murdered on 20 April 1938 in Los Angeles, CA, caused by being struck with an unknown instrument causing a concussion of the brain.  Neighbors all believed he was very wealthy as he owned real estate there. His death certificate stated he was a widower, but his wife’s name was Jennie. The state called this an unresolved homicide.  Ora Alvin Eby was buried in Inglewood Cemetery in Los Angeles.

 

 

 

A None-Divorce in Williams County and A Criminal Case in Iowa - Aaron Culbertson, 1863

 Aaron Culbertson v Rebecca Hubley Culbertson ("Bryan Democrat", 21 May 1863; Roll 16 case number 69 - Nov 1863)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2 December 2021)

The following is an update on a 2010 divorce posting.  There’s more to this story such as two more wives for Aaron and a criminal case involving wife #2.

 

The couple was married in Richland Co, OH on 7 Aug 1853 (Marriage V6 p175). Aaron, born on 25 Feb 1835 in OH, was the son of John and Anna Miley Culbertson, Jr.  In the 1850 Blooming Grove, Richland Co, OH Federal Census as Aaron 18 OH thresher with his mother Anna 35 and siblings. Rebecca, born on 26 Apr 1833 in Marietta, Lancaster Co, PA, was the daughter of Henry and Catherine Hubley. In the 1850 Weller Twp, Richland Co, OH federal census p275, the Hubley family appeared as Henry 59 PA, Catharine 59 PA, Abraham 30 PA deaf and dumb, Henry 21 PA, Susan 19 PA, and Rebecca 17 PA.  By the 1860 federal census p340, the Henry Hubley family lived in Olivesburg, Butler Twp, Richland Co, OH.  Aaron served in the Civil War as a private in the Co H 47^th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and marched with General to the sea.

 

According to Aaron who wanted a divorce the couple had three children, Albert (1), Arabella (3), and Sarah Ann (7).  He stated that on 15 Feb 1856 Rebecca committed adultery with Stephen Wisner, a NW Twp neighbor.  Aaron had only recently (Feb 1861) learned of her adultery; Rebecca left him and returned to Richland Co.  He wanted custody of the children.  Rebecca's brother, Henry Hubley, gave a deposition to the court.  Rebecca lived with him in Blooming Grove Twp, Richland Co, OH; she said Aaron had disgraced her but that he wanted her to return to Wms Co and live as man and wife.  Rebecca denied the adultery charge.  The couple must have settled their differences as Aaron dropped the suit. They were enumerated in the 1870 NW Twp, Wms Co federal census, p20, as Aaron 35 OH, Rebecca 37 PA, Sarah or Scinda 16 OH, Arabelle 12 OH, Albert 10 OH, and Tecumseh S. 2/12 (b 26 Mar 1870, Birth V 1 p3; died 9 July 1871 @ 1Y 3M 13D, buried in the Nettle Lake Cemetery, NW Twp).  They later had a daughter Amanda A., b 11 Nov 1872 (Birth V 1 p45).

 

The Culbertsons moved by 1875 and were found in the 1880 Buchanan Twp, Jefferson Co, IA federal census p364, as Aaron 45 OH, Rebecca 47 PA, Sarah A 26 OH, Albert 19 OH, Amanda 7 OH, and Hope G 5 IA.  Oldest daughter Sarah or Sadie Culbertson married Mahlon P. Baldwin on 1 Oct 1885 in Crydon, Wayne Co, IA. Rebecca, having not eaten for 30 days, died on 6 July 1882 and was buried in  the Upper Richwoods Cemetery. 

 

Aaron next married Mary L Baldwin Anderson (born 26 March 1839 in Van Buren Co, IA), on 19 September 1883 in Jefferson Co, IA.  Mary was the daughter of Stacy and Elizabeth Jones Baldwin, the widow of Hezekiah Anderson and the mother of Bert Anderson.  Aaron’s daughter Hope later married  her new step-mother’s son, Bert.  

 

I discovered a criminal story in the Fairfield Ledger (Fairfield, IA), 12 October 1888 p3 c3-4 and subsequent issues plus an online article on the State of Iowa v Lawson J Baldwin criminal court case.  It seems that Mary Culbertson had a Civil War veteran brother, Lawson Jones Baldwin, who got a 15 year-old girl pregnant.  Her name was Mattie Rodabaugh.  The young girl went to the home of Aaron and Mary Culbertson on 28 June 1885 where she was drugged and violated by instruments meant to cause an abortion.  She was later taken to her father’s home on July 2 and Mattie died there on July 8.  Mary Culbertson and a Dr Milikin were initially charged along with Lawson Baldwin with second degree murder but the charges were later dropped on Mary and the doctor.  Lawson Baldwin stood trial and was found guilty of second degree murder by a jury of his peers, even though he pled not guilty.  Mattie’s dying declarations were known to the court such as “the terrible instruments” and “they abused me horribly”; however these statements were later thrown out.  After a failed appeal, Lawson was sentenced to ten years of hard labor on 12 October 1888 and he was taken to Ft Madison, IA.  He was 42 years old at the time.  Lawson served his sentence and later died in Wapello Co, IA on 6 January 1912. Mary Baldwin Culbertson died in Wapello Co, IA on 13 September 1898; she was buried in Evergreen Cemetery. 

 

Aaron, a grocery man, next married Emma Decker, on 8 October 1899 in Wapello Co, IA. In the 1900 Ottumwa, Wapello Co, IA federal census p169,  the Culbertsons were listed as Aaron Feb 1835 (65) OH, wife Emma Jan 1860 (40) IA no children, and brother-in-law, John Decker, Mar 1858 (42) IA.  This family lived on North Sheridan Avenue.  Aaron died on 21 Nov 1923 in Wapello Co, IA. His obit and death certificate stated that he was senile, a retired grocery man, and a Civil War veteran; he was buried in the Shaull Cemetery. Emma died on 27 February 1926 and was buried beside Aaron in the Shaull Cemetery.

 

Catherine Myer Kent Boillot Duhamel Burchell - A French Lady Who Married Multiple Times in Williams County, OH

Smith Kent v Catherine Meyer/Myer Kent

Quick Entanglement, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1860 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 25 November 2021)

 

I have been updating the divorce detailings I started over twenty years ago and have discovered so much information that was not available before.  This particular story is really two stories that converge on one woman – Catherine Myer/Meyer Kent Boillot Duhamel Burchell.

 

He made her acquaintance and nine days later he proposed.  He thought she was a person of fair and virtuous conduct.  He quickly found out that she was not.  Love at first sight had put blinders on his common sense.

 

Smith Kent, b. 1830 OH, the son of Ashford and Nancy Thompson Kent, lived in Springfield Twp, Wms Co, OH according to the 1850 federal census, p103B, as follows: Ashford Kent 64 VA, Nancy 60 OH, Thomas 27 OH, Isaac 22 OH, Smith 20 OH, Elcy 18 OH, David 16 OH, Rachael 15 OH, and Louisa 11 OH.  Smith's mother, Nancy, died on 14 Nov 1855 @63Y 7M 10D and was buried in the Beaver Creek Cemetery, Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH.

 

According to his testimony in the Williams County Civil and Criminal Court records (Journal 6 p55 - 27 Nov 1860; Roll 14 case number 114), Smith Kent made the acquaintance of Catherine Meyer on 1 Mar 1859.  He proposed and was married to her on 10 Mar 1859, Williams Co, OH (Marriages V3 p49).  Catherine turned out in four months time to be "a common prostitute" when on 11 July 1859 she was delivered of a full grown child which was not his, but that of an unknown Besconcon.  After the birth of the child Smith abandoned Catherine and had not lived with her since then.

 

The 1860 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census, p181A, bears out this fact that Smith Kent 30 OH was residing with his father Ashford 71 VA and sisters Rachel 24 OH and Louisa 20 OH plus an unnamed female 6/12 IN.  Who this child was is not currently known, but presumably she is not the child mentioned in the divorce. The court granted Smith a divorce after listening to the testimony of Polly Shoe, Louisa Kent, and Mrs. Charles Chapman.  Catherine did not appear in court nor did she contest this divorce. 

 

However, E Smith Kent was a Civil War soldier with the Co K 68^th Ohio Infantry; he died on 15 April 1862 at Crump’s Landing, TN.  Catherine filed and received his CW pension on 3 February 1863 and later for minor Lewis Joseph Kent.  In fact Catherine had two sons, both named Kent – Lewis Joseph (7 July 1859 – 1902 Archbold, Fulton Co, OH; married Jessie/Jennie Bair c1880) and Edward E Kent (28 May 1862 – 14 February 1950 Kendalville, Noble Co, IN; married Minnie Schwartz).  Both boys were born in Williams Co, OH, with the former mentioned in the original divorce filing.  It would appear that Smith Kent and Catherine reconciled.

 

In the 1860 Stryker, Springfield Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p56B, Catherine’s Myer family was listed as John 61 FR, Mary 61 FR, Catherine 22 FR, and Lewis 1 OH.  In the 1870 Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census the Myer family appeared as John 72 FR, Mary A 72 FR, Peter Bruot 33 FR, Lewis 11 OH, Edwin 8 OH, and Catherine 33 FR. Note that Bruot should be Boillot. Catherine married Peter Pierre Boillot on 3 March 1870 Williams Co, OH.  Peter was a Civil War soldier who served in Co L 2^nd Ohio Artillery.  Peter filed and was given a divorce from Catherine c5 October 1882 according to DeKalb Co, IN Order Book 1876-1883.

 

The story now turns to another Williams Co, OH divorce detailing.

John Duhamel v Marie Duhamel (Journal 12 p105 - 13 June 1883; Roll 39 Box 128 case number 1142 - 28 Apr 1883) 

 

The couple was married on 15 Mar 1876 in New York City, NY.  John, parentage unknown, was born in Nov 1824 in Paris, France.  According to the 1880 Stryker, Springfield Twp, Wms Co federal census, p663A, John was listed as 58 Paris, FR, laborer, married but living alone.

 

He charged that Marie was willfully absent for three years or more.  She lived at 132 Madison Ave, NYC.  A legal notice appeared in the Bryan Press, 8 June 1883.  He was granted a divorce.  Nothing further is known of Marie Duhamel. 

 

On 13 June 1883 in Wms Co (Marriage V5 #357) John married Catharine Kent.  In the 1900 Letcher Twp, Sanborn Co, SD federal census p245, John Duhamel, who immigrated to the US in 1873, first settling in NY, was listed as John Nov 1824 (75) FR and wife Katherine, who came to the US in 1854, Apr 1837 (63) FR, married 24 years with two children, both surviving. Note that Katherine was married before her marriage to John Duhamel and they were married 17 years before the 1900 census. Why the Duhamels were living in South Dakota is not currently known. Wms Co, OH Death V3 p29 showed John Duhamel died on 26 Jan 1908 and was buried in French Cemetery.

 

Catherine Myer Kent Boillot Duhamel next married ex-convict George Burchell on 9 November 1910 in Williams Co, OH.  George, the son of John and Ellen Cochran Burchell, was convicted in 1892 of being a part of the murder of Arthur Brown in Bryan, OH.  George was in the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus in 1900, but the Governor of Ohio later pardoned him.  By the 1910 Bryan, Pulaski  Twp Williams Co, OH Federal Census he was George 42 OH single, blacksmith.  I wrote a small book on this murder titled, Native Sons Gone Wrong, published by the Williams County Genealogical Society.  George would outlive Catherine and marry again.  Catherine died in October 1914 as Catherine Duhamel, so perhaps she was divorced again.  

 

 

 

New Twists to Divorce Detailing of George G Cowhick and Rilla Fisher, 1881

 Arilla/Rilla Fisher Cowhick v George G. Cowhick (Journal 11 p320 - 31 Dec 1881; Roll 37 case number 963 - 16 Nov 1881)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 6 November 2021)

As stated in other posts, I have been updating divorce detailings I posted here in 2010.  When I began to update this one, I realized there was so much new information that impacted the original story, so I decided to make a new posting of this with all the twists and turns of a novel - “you can’t make this stuff up” was in my head when I typed the story of a bigamist who later becomes a doctor (maybe??)!

 

The couple was married on 29 Jan 1874, in Williams Center, Williams Co OH (Marriage V4 p323).  George was the son of William and Mary Jane Rex Cowhick who lived in Donegal, Washington Co, PA in 1860. His father was a veteran of the War of 1812, having served as a private in the first Regiment, Kennedy’s PA Militia. George was born in 1853 at Hancock Co, VA (now WVA). George Cowhick 17 OH laborer was listed in the 1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census, p35, with the Milton Plummer family.  Closeby was another Cowhick family, his mother and siblings: Dan 21 OH fireman, Jane Mary 57 PA, Elizabeth 18 OH, and Winfield 11 PA. 

 

Rilla was the daughter of James C. and Rebecca Mannon Fisher, who were married in Wms Co on 28 Sept 1852 (Marriages V2 p129). Rills was born on 13 January 1856 in this county.  According to the 1870 Center Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p38, the Fisher family was enumerated as James C. 42 OH stockman, Rebecca 36 PA, Jane 16 OH, Rilla 14 OH, Della 9 OH, Ella 7 OH, Addie 5 OH, Carrie 2 OH and in the 1880 same location census she was listed as Rilla Fisher 24 daughter, single.

 

Our story from the marriage in 1874 turns to an old newspaper clipping from the Delphos Weekly Herald (Delphos, OH), 28 November 1878 p3 c3:

“The people of Willshire have been shocked by the discovery of a veritable bigamist in their midst.  The offender heretofore bore a good reputation and was one of the leading business men of that thriving village.  The following particulars are taken from the Van Wert Bulletin of last Friday:

 

The town of Willshire, this county, was thrown into an excitement, a few days ago, by the announcement that Mr GM Clair, a prominent businessman, had two wives and was passing under an assumed name.  Mr Clair came to Willshire in 1874, is a man of fine appearance and pleasant address and soon won the confidence of the people by putting on moral airs.  He joined a temperance society, attended parties and was one of the gayest of the gay.  He wooed and won Miss Amanda E Woods, and they were joined in marriage 30 July 1874 by Rev O Kennedy.  Soon after the marriage the father and mother of the lady he had led down the altar died and she fell heir to some four or five thousand dollars.  Clair took charge of the money and went into the milling business with Mr BF Woods and others under the firm of Woods, Clair, and Co.  Mr Clair sold his interest in the mill and went into the hardware, stove, and tin business, and continued in that business until detected.

 

He lost money and had squandered nearly everything the woman that he had so terribly wronged had fallen heir to.  He drank heavily and some four weeks ago, while delirious, gave the first illumination of his crime.  A few days later a map peddler visited Willshire and exposed him, said his true name was George Cowhick, and he formerly lived in Bryan, Williams County, Ohio, and that he has a wife living in that county.  The case was investigated and the peddler’s statement was found to be true.

 

His mother lives in Williams County and did not know of his whereabouts.  He was married to Miss Rilla Fisher at Williams Center on 29 January 1874 and they lived together at Hicksville some three months.  He left and she heard from him by letter a few days afterwards, but since that time could get no trace of the runaway.

 

A warrant was issued for the arrest of Mr Clair alias Cowhick and he was arrested in Indiana Monday night and placed in jail in Van Wert Tuesday morning.  He admitted the charge, said he wanted a special grand jury at the present term of court to hurry the matter up.  He is probably in haste to enter new fields of conquest.  A jury was summoned, Cowhick was indicted for bigamy and was arraigned Wednesday morning and pleaded guilty.  He made a pretty speech in the court, said he had been a bad, naughty man, but had resolved to do better.  The court pitied him for his sorrow and let him off with one year in the penitentiary.

 

The friends of the second lady he married induced him to sell his stock of goods to them, making the notes, which amounted to some $1,700 in her name, thus saving a portion of her money.

 

The First Lady he married was here last week, but did not wish to prosecute him.  His second victim also refused to prosecute.  He loves the last lady passionately and tried to get her to promise to live with him when he returned, but she refused.  Fortunately neither of the women had children.

 

Cowhick’s mother acted the part of the true woman.  When she heard of her son’s crime she went at once to Willshire to console the woman he had so terribly wronged.”

 

Whether George G Cowhick ever served time in the penitentiary is anyone’s guess.  No records have currently been found to confirm or deny this punishment.

 

Now back to the divorce in Williams County – Rilla in 1881 told the court that George had been absent for more than three years and she wanted a divorce, which was granted. One wonders why she did not file immediately after visiting Willshire/Van Wert in 1878. In the 1900 Center Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p14B, the Fisher family was enumerated as James C 69 OH, Rebecca 66 OH, Arilla (daughter, divorced) b Jan 1866 (34), and Charles 22 OH. Note that her birth year is not correct.  In both the 1900 and 1910 Rilla Fisher was listed as divorced as was her sister Addie Fisher Scott. Arilla Fisher died in Center Twp, Williams Co, OH on 13 Mar 1946 at the age of 90 and was buried in the Fountain Grove Cemetery.

 

One might think this was the end of the story, BUT there’s more. From multiple old newspapers one learns the rest of this story:

In April 1886 Mitchell, South Dakota – George G Cowhick has had 16 years of experience in being a merchant of paints, oils, glass, and wall paper.  In April 1889 same location George becomes the Republican chairman of the East Side Caucus.  

1886 he married Rebecca Ann Canon, the daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Littler Canon; later Rebecca studied and became a doctor

15 Sept 1886 – a son is born

1889 he purchased land in Buffalo Co, SD

13 Nov 1896. His three month old son Harry dies of malarial fever

24 Dec 1897 his daughter Marie is in grammar school

Oct 1890 they move to Missouri

In Jan 1899 Mrs DR Cowhick will go to Kansas City to study at the homeopathic physicians college and later to study osteopathy; she will take her two little daughter to Chicago where she’ll leave them in the safety of her aunt

Sept 1900 she is in Kansas City, MO for more college training and her daughter Marie will start high school there

1902 – he moved from Mitchell, SD to Kansas City, MO where his wife is a doctor

By 1910 George and Rebecca are living apart again

Jan 1910 his 17 year old daughter Marion/Marie eloped with Walter Walker of dental school.  Dr George Cowhick did not approve of this as she was too young and Walter was too “rah rah” with rolled up trousers and goofy hat

24 Sept 1915 he is a doctor in Forgan, OK, supposedly receiving a license in 1901

 

Doctor Rebecca Cowhick in 1918 went to Los Angeles, CA to help stamp out the first cases of influenza; she just set up a practice in Utah.  She died on 21 December 1922 in Salt Lake City, Utah of ptomaine poisoning and was buried in Mt Oliver Cemetery there.  Dr Rebecca was the mother of five children: Marie Walker, Oscar, Emogene, Hazel, Harry C.

 

“Doctor” George Cowhick died in Kansas City, MO and was buried in Mt Moriah Cemetery in 1926.  How he made the transition from house painter and paper hanger to physician is unknown but he did own a pharmacy with his son son, Oscar. He lived in Forgan, OK from 1912-1915  where he was routinely sued for delinquent taxes.

 

 

Updated Divorce Detailings for September/December 2021 - 2022

I have been busy updating divorce detailings and encourage you to use the search bar on the lower right hand side of my blog to plug in surnames for the following if you have an interest in them:

ALDERMAN

ALDRICH

ALLEN

ARCHER

AVERY

BAIR

BASSETT

BAVIN

BAYLEY

BEACH

BEATTY

BECKBENNETT

BLESSING

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CRAWFORD, Frank

CRAWFORD, Samuel T

CULBERTSON, Aaron

DEAKINS

DECKER

DEIPER/DUPRE/DONBERT

DESBUFF (various spellings)

DODD

DONALDSON

DONER    

DONGAN/DUGAN

DUHAMEL

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DURR

EBY

ECKENROAD

ELLIS

EVERETT

FEES

FERRIER

FORRESTER

FRIES

GARST/GERST

GILBERT, Nathan

GLORE

GOFF

GRAVES

GREEK

GREENWOOD

GRIST/GRIEST

HUBBARD

JENNINGS

KENT, Smith

ROBINSON, James

ROBINSON, John

RUSSELL

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VAN BEHREN

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WILLETT

Old Steuben Co, IN Newspapers - Mentions of Williams Co, OH People, 1870’s

Little Pickings from Some Steuben Co, IN Newspapers: Williams Co, OH People in 1870’s

By Pamela Pattison Lash

 

I was looking for some information in these Steuben Co, IN newspapers and came across a few articles on random Williams Co, OH residents.

 

Steuben Republic (Angola, IN), Wednesday, 4 November 1874 p3 c1

HS KIRK, formerly of this county, but lately of Derek Lick in Wms Co, has returned and is now in Alvarado

 

Same paper as above, Wednesday, 31 October 1877 p3 c4

Mr O”MEALEY’s barn in NW Twp was completely destroyed along with all contents (gives a list) due to careless smokers with pipes in the barn in the morning

 

Same paper as above, Wednesday, 12 December 1877, p2 c5

Joseph REEVES, former resident and early settler here, died at home in Columbia, Wms Co, OH last Friday, 7 December 1877 at age of 68; he was born in Victor, Ontario Co, NY and came to Richland Twp near Metz on 1836

 

Angola Herald (Angola, IN), Wednesday, 20 February 1878 p3 c2

Orrin J RICKERD is an energetic hoop driver and has left her to farm in NW Twp, Wms Co, OH

 

Same paper as above,  Wednesday, 2 April 1879, page and column not noted

Emily FOX died on 30 March 1879 at 29Y 3M 15D; she was wife of John FOX

 

Steuben Herald (Angola, IN), Wednesday, 23 April 1879, p5 c1/p5c4 - 2 articles in same issue

M/M John K MORROW attended the funeral of George COBLENTZ of Bryan, Wms Co, OH last Saturday.  The deceased was the father of Mrs MORROW and one of the early pioneers of Wms Co, OH; he was 80 years old/George COBLENTZ died on 17 April 1879 of bilious fever at 79Y 5M 12D (Note: it pays to look around the same issue as one can see the difference in the age from one article to another.)

 

Same paper as above, Wednesday, 23 July 1879 p5 c5

Dr GW FINCH, one of the oldest physicians in Wms Co, OH died in West Unity a week ago last Sunday of pyaemia poisoning of blood; he had an excellent reputation

 

 

The Bryan Lawyer Who Was Married and Divorced Twice - Oscar C Beechler

Oscar C. Beechler v Agnes Wright Beechler (Journal 15 p254; Roll 48 Box 160 case number 2219) – Mar 1890

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 13 October 2021)

 

The couple was married on 4 Feb 1879 in Dundee, Monroe Co, MI. (Marriage License data - She was 20 and he was 31.  Their witnesses, both from Dundee, MI were George Covell and Fred Sheer or Freer.)

 

Oscar charged that Agnes had been absent for more than three years and they had no children together.  He believed Alice lived in Glen Lord, Berrien Co, MI.  A legal notice appeared in The Tri-State Alliance beginning 13 Mar 1890 and running six consecutive weeks.  Oscar was granted a divorce.

 

Oscar, born May 1847 in Wayne Co, OH, was the son of George and Susan Hawkins Beechler. The Beechlers moved to this county c1848 and had the following children: Malona, Thomas, Mar, Elizabeth, John C, George Nicholas, Sarah, Susan, Oscar, Martha, Curtis W, and Xenophan.  His parents were Lancaster, PA natives - George Beechler (1800-1876) and mother Susan (1810-1903).  They are buried in the Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan, Williams Co, OH.

 

Agnes Wright (May 1860 Wooster, Wayne Co, OH –31 December 1943, Berrien Co, MI) was daughter of William C and Naomi Wright.  After the divorce she married Monroe Nathan Lord (1818-aft 1900), on 16 October 1890 in Benton Harbor, Berrien Co, MI; he was married before to Jane L. Austin who died in 1887; he was the father of three children. 

 

Note two things – 

1.  There is a considerable age gap between Agnes and Monroe Lord (about 42 Years) but that was not too unusual for the time.

2.  In Oscar’s divorce deposition he said Agnes lived in Glen Lord, Berrien Co, MI.  I wonder if he meant to say she was living with a Lord in Berrien.

 

Here is what I’ve found as a timeline for Agnes:

 

1900 Benton, Berrien, Michigan; Roll: T623_702; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 57.

h/h336/340 Lord, Monroe (Nov 1818) 81 mar 11Y NY-Can-Can farmer

Agnes wife (Oct 1850) 49 0/0 ch OH-OH-MA

By 1910 Agnes was a widow living in Benton, Berrien Co, MI

In 1920 Agnes was still living in Benton, Berrien Co, MI

 

Now for the Beechler family – here is a timeline of their life in Williams Co, OH.

 

The Beechlers were enumerated in the 1850 Center Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p73, as Beechler, George 49 PA, Susan 40 OH, Malona 21 OH, Mary 17 OH, Elizabeth 15 OH, John 11 OH, George 9 OH, Sarah 6 OH, Susan 5 OH, Oscar 3 OH, Martha 1 OH. 

 

1864 Williams Co, OH Atlas – George Beechler, Center Twp Sec 21

 

By the 1870 Bryan federal census the Beechler family was listed as Beechler, George 69 PA, Susan 60 OH, Mary Dongan 32 OH, Elizabeth Beechler 23 OH, Oscar Beechler 23 OH, Xenophie 16 OH, and Agnes Dongan 3 OH. – see Mary Beechler Dongan divorce detailing

 

1874 Williams Co, OH Atlas – George Beechler, Center Twp Sec 21

 

Williams Co, OH Probate – George Beechler, 6 Mar 1876 case number 1807 estate

 

Oscar married Agnes Wright on 4 Feb 1879 in Dundee, Monroe Co, MI.

 

1880 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 653B; Enumeration District: 12; Image: 0168.

h/h 486/513 Beechler, OC 30 lawyer OH-PA-OH

Agnes 21 OH-OH-OH

 

Weston Goodspeed, The History of Williams Co, OH, 1882, p243 and 590, stated that Oscar was a lawyer in Bryan.

 

Divorce proceedings to end the Beechler marriage cMarch Term 1890.

 

Oscar married Anna Goller Stailey (10 May 1865 – 13 Dec 1945, Los Angeles, CA) on 22 Jan 1891 in Defiance Co, OH. She was the daughter of John and Christina Strahley Goller and the former of wife of Thomas J Staley/Stailey. (See - Anna Stailey v Thomas J. Stailey (Journal 14 p494 - 1 Dec 1888; Roll 46 case number 1962 – 1888; Journal 15 p3 – 28 Mar 1889 case number 1961)

            The case was continued in 1888.  The action shows an infant child, Albner; a visitation schedule was set but for some reason she’s not entitled to a divorce, but she must have obtained one later.)

Anna was from the Defiance Co, OH area as evidenced by the 1870 federal census:

 

1870  Washington, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: M593_1195; Page: 195A; Image: 393; Family History Library Film: 552694.

Goller, Anna 6 OH with her parents

 

There are also two other Civil and Criminal Court Rolls where Oscar C. Beechler is named – Roll 52 #3066 (1893-1894) and Roll 61 #4372 (1899-1900)

 

30 Apr 1882, Defiance Co, OH Marriage – Anna Goller and Thomas J Stailey

26 Oct 1886, Defiance Co, OH Births – R R Stailey, son of Anna Goller and Thomas J Stailey

 

Anna Goller Stailey v Thomas J. Stailey (Journal 14 p494 - 1 Dec 1888; Roll 46 case number 1962 – 1888; Journal 15 p3 – 28 Mar 1889 case number 1961)

            The couple was married on 30 Apr 1882 in Defiance Co, OH. The case was continued in 1888.  On 26 Oct 1886 in Defiance Co, OH a son, RR Stailey, was born to Anna Goller and Thomas J. Stailey. This action shows an infant child, Albner; a visitation schedule was set but for some reason she’s not entitled to a divorce at that time but did obtain one later.

 

 

1900 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 112.

Center St

h/h 350/355 Beechler, Oscar D (May 1847) 53 mar 9Y OH-PA-OH lawyer

Anna (May 1860) 40 wife 1/1 ch OH-OH-OH

Staley, Willie (Oct 1883) 16 step-son OH-OH-OH

h/h 351 Susan mother lived next door (June 1810) 89 widow 14/5 ch OH-PA-Del

 

1910 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0130; Image: 935; FHL Number: 1375254.

202 Lynn St

h/h 114/123 Beachler, Oscar C 61 OH-OH-OH lawyer in general practice divorced

 

1910 Los Angeles Assembly District 74, Los Angeles, California; Roll: T624_84; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0088; Image: 247; FHL Number: 1374097.

h/h 64/65 Stailey, Anna 46 widow 2/1 ch OH-unknown-Germ dressmaker

John W son 26 single OH-OH-OH carpenter

 

Oscar Beechler’s obit in the Bryan Press, 9 Jan 1913, p4, stated that he died on 5 Jan 1913 and was buried in Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan.  He was born in Center Twp 66 years before and lived in Ney and Williams Center during his early years. He was twice married and divorced from both wives.

The Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), 7 January 1913 p1 c5 told a slightly different tale of Oscar’s life: Oscar C Beechler, a well-known attorney of Bryan and practically a life-long resident of Williams county, died at the home of Mrs Connie Boothman, South Main Street, following an illness of a week’s duration.

A week before his death he was found in his office in a critical condition, having suffered a stroke of paralysis.  The attack proved serious and he never fully regained consciousness.  At the time of his death he was about 67 years of age.

Mr Beechler was born in Wayne County, OH and in the early part of his life moved to Center Township.  He taught school for a number of years and studied law in the University at Ann Arbor, MI.  After graduating he moved to Bryan and began the practice of law in 1873.  He was connected with Philetus Smith in this profession for a number of years, but for the last few years he has conducted his practice alone.  He was an industrious citizen and in his younger days was prominent in all the affairs of Williams County.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10 o’clock at the Presbyterian Church.  Rev E S Marshall will conduct the services and the chairman of the local bar association, Judge Charles E Bowersox, will also speak.  Interment will be made in the Fountain Grove Cemetery.

 

Williams Co, OH Probate – Oscar C. Beechler, 9 Jan 1913 case number 5715 estate