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.  

 

 

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Everett, 1884

Lucy J. Caulkins Everett v Charles Everett

Two Physicians' Children, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1884

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 16 December 2021)

 

The notion that divorce is more prevalent back in the day by people with little education and few resources is definitely false.  This genealogical detailing concerns two Williams County, Ohio doctors who had social status and more resources than most in the 1870-1880 period.  Their respective son and daughter married but money became an issue that landed them in divorce court.

 

From the 1860 Mansfield, Richland Co, OH federal census p16, one finds the Everett family enumerated as J H Everett 50 VA doctor, Rebecca 35 OH, George 18 OH law student, Martha 15 OH, Curtis 11 OH, Lovina 9 OH, and Chas 3 OH.  Mother Rebecca was Rebecca Nesbit Miller prior to her marriage. In the 1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census, p36, one finds JH (Jonathan Holden) Everett, a physician, 59 VA with family of wife Rebecca 44 OH, Mabel 18 OH, and Charles 13 OH.  Jonathan Everett died in Wms Co, OH on 9 Feb 1877 (Deaths V1 p41) leaving his son Charles as head of the house.  In 1874 he owned property in Bryan and his widow, according to the 1894 Wms Co Atlas, owned land in Center Twp, Section 32..  Mrs. Rebecca Everett was also a leading member in the Bryan Library Association as of 1882.   Charles Everett’s mother, Rebecca, was living with another son, Curtis, as boarders in the 1900 Summer Shade, Metcalf Co, KY federal census.  Rebecca b Feb 1827 OH had 5 children with 3 living.  Rebecca later died there in 1901.

 

In the 1870 Center Twp federal census, p39, another physician was enumerated as Daniel Caulkins 46 NH, Lydia 46 VA, Mary 16 OH, Alice 14 OH, John M 12 OH, Lucy 10 OH, and Rose 2 OH.  Dr. Daniel Chapelle Caulkins, b. 4 July 1824, Lempster, Sullivan Co, NH, received collegate training at the school of Bishop Peck while working his way through college.  He earned degrees in medicine, law, and theology.  He read a poem during the county's Centennial Celebration on 4 July 1876.  Daniel married Lydia Russell on 31 Mar 1848 in Holmes Co, OH. The Caulkins family had lived in Greenvile, Knox Co, OH before settling in NW Ohio. He practiced medicine at Farmer (Defiance Co), Bryan, and Williams Center for many years; he was listed in the 1860 Washington Twp, Defiance Co, OH federal census p815, as Daniel Caulkins, physician; he had served in the Mexican-American War, and also taught medical courses after the war.  He also began designing airships in the 1860's and tried to construct a flying machine.  While fever was prevalent in the county in 1860 he never lost a patient, treating each fever case as "typhus fever."

 

Within their social circles both families would get together and form tight friendships.  Possibly upon the death of Dr. Everett, Dr. Caulkins took on the role as protector of the family.  Charles Everett married Lucy J. Caulkins, first in Amboy Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI on 8 June 1879 and later in Bryan on 31 Aug 1879 (Marriages V4 p642).  I speculate that perhaps the first marriage was really an elopement and the parties involved wanted a more public wedding several months later.  In the 1880 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census Charles Everett was listed as 23 OH clerk along with wife Lucy 19 OH and his mother RC 53 OH.  In the 1880 Washington Twp, Defiance Co, OH federal census p237D, Lucy’s father, Daniel Caulkins, was listed as Daniel 53 NH doctor.  Mother Lydia had died and Daniel remarried a Caroline M Hyke sometime after the 1880 census was taken; however I recently found a Lydia Ann Caulkins (1824-4 April 1903) in Woodlawn Cemetery, Lucas Co, OH where Daniel would be later buried.

 

All was not a happy alliance as discovered in Journal 11 p571, Roll 38 case number 1088 for 29 Dec 1882 of the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court.  Lucy requested a divorce from Charles citing gross neglect.  She stated that in Aug 1881 Charles had abandoned her and refused to offer any financial support.  She told the court that he was worth $1800 and Lucy wanted a reasonable alimony.  Charles appeared in court disputing his net worth, saying it was much lower.  The court allowed Lucy separation money but denied her a divorce. 

 

From Journal 12 p28 Lucy appeared in court again on 1 March 1883 and said she had been to the Paulding Co, OH divorce court on 4 Jan 1883 requesting a divorce and more alimony but the court told her to petition the Williams County court again, which she did.  The court found Charles had abandoned her and a separation existed.  It set permanent alimony of $300 and from a later record (Journal 12 p354 - 24 Nov 1884) the court finally granted her a divorce.  This came almost two years after the initial filing. 

 

Charles E Everett was born on 10 May 1857 in Mansfield, Richland Co, OH.  He next married Julia M Donafin, a native of Hicksville, Defiance Co, OH, on 12 January 1887 in Kendallville, Noble Co, IN. Julia was the daughter of Isaac Donafin and Julia Gray.  In 1900 Wayne, Allen Co, IN Federal Census Julia is 39 born June 1860 OH, married 13 years with no children, living by herself.  In 1910 Chicago, Cook Co, IL Charles is 52 OH  salesman for a change machine with wife Julia 49 OH.  By 1920 the Everetts lived in East Palestine, Columbiana Co, OH with Charles as a real estate agent.  He died on 27 January 1925 in Boardman, Mahoning Co, OH

 

In 1895 Lucy's father, Dr. Daniel Caulkins, moved to Toledo prior to 1900 and spent his remaining years practicing medicine, designing his airship that used gas, and publishing a book, Aerial Navigation.  According to the 1900 Toledo, Lucas Co, OH federal census p220, Daniel was enumerated as Daniel July 1824 (75) NH physician, married 20 years, and wife Caroline M May 1843 (57) no birthplace. He died in Toledo on 20 February 1905 and was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery.

 

The Neil Armstrong Space Museum at Wapakoneta, Ohio had a display as of 1975 honoring him for his interests in flight.  According to Dr. Caulkins' obituary four daughters and son, JM Caulkins of Bryan, survived him. The daughters listed were Mrs. AB Replogle, Mrs. Perry Humbert, and Mrs. Fred Cress, all of Toledo, and Mrs. Martin Zimmerman of Bryan.  Checking the 1900 and 1880 census I was able to place Mrs. Perry Humbert as Rose Annette Caulkins, Mrs. Replogle as Mary Ellen Caulkins, and Mrs. Martin Zimmerman as Alice Caulkins; this leaves Mrs. Fred Cress as the candidate for Lucy. 

 

So far I have not found a marriage between Lucy and Fred, but there is a Lucy Caulkins Cline, born 13 July 1860 OH who died in Toledo on 24 May 1943 and was buried in Willow Cemetery, Oregon, Lucas Co, OH. This Lucy could also be a Lucy Cline who lived in Toledo by 1898 as she is found in Toledo City Directories and in the 1920, 1930, and 1940 federal census for that location.  More research needs to be done on this.

 

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Durr, 1881

Anna Hauk Durr v Emmanuel Durr (Journal 11 p85 - 14 Feb 1881; Roll 36 case number 837 - Dec 1880)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 9 December 2021)

 

The couple was married on 1 Nov 1877 in Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH. Emmanuel, born 12 May 1854 in Chatfield Twp, Crawford Co, OH, was the son of Johann Heinrich and Catharina Grun Durr. Emanuel was listed with his family in Chatfield, Crawford Co, OH for both the 1860 and 1870 federal census records.  

 

Anna told the court that she had a son Frederick, 3 years old; she wanted custody of the child plus a divorce from errant husband Emmanuel who had been willfully absent for three years.  A divorce was granted.  

 

Emmanuel next married Henrietta Christman Beach, the widow of George Beach, on 11 Apr 1882 in Crawford Co, OH. A child, Elmer Durr, b 5 Aug 1886 in Florence Twp (Birth V 2 p87) was the issue of Emmanuel Durr and Henrietta Christman.  Henrietta was born in Mar 1848 in Gallion, Crawford Co, OH and had married George Beach in Crawford Co, OH on 26 December 1869.  George later died in 1874.

 

The couple was enumerated in the 1900 Blakeslee, Florence Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p17 as Emmanuel Durr 46 OH (hauls cream), Henrietta 52 OH (mother of 7 with 3 living), Elmer H 12 OH, and Adam 11 OH. By the 1910 federal census the couple lived in Ovid, Branch Co, MI. Emmanuel died on 25 Aug 1928 in Kingsley, Grand Traverse Co, MI.  

 

Nothing else is currently known of Anna; however in the 1870 Edgerton, St. Joseph Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p251, there is a Fred Hauk family with teenage and preteen daughters, none of whom are named Anna.

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Durbin, 1878

Elvira Teeter Durbin v William Henry Durbin (Journal 9 p538/550 - 20 Jul 1878; Journal 10 p14 - 11 Nov 1878)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 24 November 2021)

 

The couple was married on 14 Apr 1861 in Wms Co (Marriages V3 p168). Elvira was born on 16 Oct 1839, pos Knox Co, OH, the daughter of Abram Teeter and Eliza Ann McCoy. William Henry, b 20 Apr 1840, Wms Co, was the son of George and Mary A. Roberts Durbin.  He was a Civil War soldier in Co D 195^th OVI attains the rank of sergeant.  In the 1870 Madison Twp federal census, p25, the couple was listed as Henry Durbin 28 OH, Alvira 27, Carrie 8, and Charles (George F) 3 with his family living next-door, George W 50 OH, Mary A 62 VT, and Thomas A 24 OH dry goods clerk. 

 

Elvira wanted $60 in alimony; she also wanted a lien placed on real estate in Madison Twp if William failed to pay her alimony. The children were split as William received custody of son Charles (George F). and Elvira received custody of daughter Carrie. After the divorce was approved, William married Agnes Emeretta "Emma" Hershiser, on 31 Aug 1880.  Emma, b 30 Sept 1855, Richland Co, OH, was the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Albright Hershiser.  The couple had a son, Clyde Durbin.

 

Alvira Durbin 42 OH-PA-OH and Daughter Carrie 17 OH-OH-OH were enumerated in the 1880 Madison Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p475; both were laborers with Alvira listed as divorced. Elvira’s son, George F. Durbin, b 11 Oct 1866, married Lois Kathryn Hubbell on 30 Sept 1888 in Ransom, Hillsdale Co, MI.  The couple had four known children.  The obit for Carrie Durban stated that she died on 28 April 1886 at her Pioneer, OH home of consumption.  Carrie had a daughter, Grace O Esterline, born 13 September 1882 in Pioneer, father unknown.  Grace was enumerated in the home of George Joy as a servant, 17 OH for the 1900 Pioneer, Williams Co, OH Federal Census.

 

Elvira died on 20 Dec 1899 and was buried in Floral Grove Cemetery, Pioneer, OH, but no tombstone exists for her. William H. died on 8 Jan 1901 and was also buried in Pioneer, but no stone exists for him as well.

 

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Dongan, 1872

Mary K. Beechler Dugan/Dongan v John A. Dugan/Dongan (Journal 8 p41 - 29 May 1872; Roll 24 case number 40 - May 1872)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 20 November 2021)

 

The couple was married in Williams  Co, OH on 23 Aug 1866 (Marriage V3 p595).  Mary K, born on 1 April  1833, Wooster, Wayne Co, OH, was the daughter of George and Susan Hawkins Beechler. The Beechlers moved to this county in 1840 and had the following children: Malona, Thomas, Mar, Elizabeth, John C, George Nicholas, Sarah, Susan, Oscar, Martha, Curtis W, and Xenophan.  They were enumerated in the 1850 Center Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p73, as 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. According to the 1860 Center Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census records Mary Buckler 27 OH domestic lived with her parents and siblings. By the 1870 Bryan federal census the Beechler family was listed as 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. The Dongans lived in the Ney and Williams Center areas before moving to Bryan. Bryan business owners listing of 1877 showed a J. Dignan/Dongan, brick mason, on North Lynn Street.  The couple had a daughter Susan Agnes, born June 1867.  

 

Mary wanted a divorce stating that John was willfully absent for three years or more and he lived in Albia, Monroe Co, Iowa.  A legal notice appeared in the Bryan Press and she was granted a divorce.  Mary married Peter F. Burgoyne, a tailor, in Wms Co on 23 Nov 1875 (Marriage V4 p431).  Peter was married to a Minerva who died on 1 Aug 1870 @56Y 3M 23D.  Upon Peter's death on 18 Jan 1887 @76Y 3M 26D, he was buried beside Minerva in the Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan.  Mary Burgoyne lived in Akron, OH at the time of her mother's death (13 Dec 1903) and was also buried in Fountain Grove Cemetery with her parents, Lancaster, PA native George Beechler (1800-1876) and mother Susan (1810-1903) but Mary did not have a tombstone.  Her brother, Oscar Beechler, an attorney, died and his obituary (Bryan Press, 9 Jan 1913, p4) stated that sister, Mrs. MK Burgoyne of Wilkinsburg, PA, survived him. Mary died just a day later on 10 January 1913 in Wilkinsburg, PA according to her Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), 14 January 1913 p2 c3 obit. Two interesting side notes were that Oscar was married three times and divorced twice; two of Mary’s brothers were dentists in Butler, DeKalb Co, IN.

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Doner, 1862

Mary Eve Gestall Doner/ Dauner v Francis Joseph T. Doner/Dauner (Journal 6 p199 - 27 Mar 1862; Roll 15 case number 110)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 23 November 2021)

 

Samuel Slanker, JP, married the couple in Canton, Stark Co, OH, on 16 Nov 1857. (Marriage C p206).  Francis Joseph Doner, born  on 25 March 1819 in Betchdorf, Alsace-Lorraine, France, was the son of John T. and Sarah Doras Doner, both natives of France. Francis enlisted in the Army in 1840, served until 1848 with an honorable discharge, and immigrated to the US c1849.  He traveled to Uniontown, Stark Co, OH but later came first to Williams Center in 1850 and then in 1851 he moved to St Joseph Twp.  Francis was married to Thetcla Hilbert, bc 13 Jan 1826, on 31 Jan 1853, Williams Co, OH (Marriage V2 p131); Thetcla died on 14 Sept 1857.  They had two children, Joseph William and Ludwig. About two months later he married Mary Eva, born May 1841, FR/GERM, of French parentage, who set up residency in the US c1849-1852. The Doner family was listed in the 1860 St. Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p119A, as Joseph 39 FR, Mary 21 FR, Joseph 6 OH, and John 1 OH.

 

Mary told the court that she had a 19-month-old son, Edward L, and on the following dates Joseph, her husband, had been extremely cruel: 15 Oct 1859, 15 Feb 1861, 1 Oct 1861, 26 Jan 1862, and 9 Feb 1862.  He had threatened to take the infant from her.  At the time of the filing she was pregnant with another child.  Joseph owned 82 acres of land, valued at $2,000, plus livestock.  Mary called George Arnold and Augustus Karle as her witnesses. She wanted a reasonable alimony.  The court dismissed the case.  This may be due to Mary's pregnant state, the fact that the parties were Catholic, or some unknown factor.

 

The couple had the following children: John A, Edward L, Flora T, Clara, Felix, Anna V, Christian, Alice A, and Adrian.  According to the 1870 St. Joseph Twp federal census, p22-23, the family was enumerated as Joseph 51 FR, Mary E 31 FR, William 16, Edward 10, Flora 8, Clara 6, Felix 4; in the 1880 St. Joseph Twp federal census, p24, they were listed as Joseph Dohner 61 FR, Mary 41 FR, Edward 20, Flora 18, Clara 16, Felix 14, Anna 9, Christian 6, Alice 3, and Adrian 2.  Joseph's obituary ran in The Edgerton Earth, 29 Sept 1911, p2 c2; he was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Edgerton.  In 1920 wife Mary lived on Hull St in Edgerton and later died in May 1927; she was buried beside her husband.  While Francis’ obit gave a lot of detail about his early life, Eva’s was just the basics as having died at the home of her son Felix according to the Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), 20 May 1927 p9 c4.

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Donaldson, 1885

Mary Ellen Brown Donaldson v Thomas L. Donaldson

An Irish Businessman and His Temper, Divorce in Williams County, OH – see Nicholas Brown

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 6 December 2021)

 

Thomas Leonard Donaldson, b 14 June 1855, Belfast, Ireland who immigrated to US c1871, parentage of Scottish mother and Irish father, married Mary Ellen Brown, b.September 1850, Hocking Co, OH, on 22 April 1879, Wms Co (Marriages, V4, p628).  Mary E. was the daughter of Peter J. and Anna Mary Brown, of Bayern, Germany and PA, respectively.  The Browns were enumerated in the 1870 Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census, p28, as Peter, a tailor, 47Y Bayern, Mary 39 PA, Ellen 20 OH, Charles 18 OH, Caroline 12 OH, and Cordelia 10 OH.  Thomas came to the US in 1871 and may have been married before as there is a marriage record in Wms Co (Marriages V4 p334) showing a Thomas Donaldson and Jane Monan married on 1 May 1874.  If this is our subject, nothing further is known of the bride.

Fountain City Argus (Bryan, OH), 13 Mar 1879 p3

Thomas L Donaldson has been appointed agent for this and Fulton County, for the sale of all kinds of machinery manufactured by the Mansfield Machine Works.  Mr. Donaldson will make a good agent and the above firm was lucky in securing his services.

 

The married Donaldsons were later listed in the 1880 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census, p649, as Thomas L. 26 IR-EN-Wales, a salesman, and Mary 28 OH-BV-OH.  They became parents of son Charles Francis Donaldson, b. 2 Nov 1881.  From The History of Williams Co, OH, Goodspeed, 1882, p326, one learns that Thomas operated an agricultural implements company in Bryan as of 1882.

 

Mary Ellen Donaldson stated in the Williams Co, OH Civil and Criminal Court records (Journal 12 p155 - 30 Nov 1883, Roll 39 Box 127 case number 1174 p233 - 7 Mar 1884, Roll 40 case number 1309, Journal 13 p276 - 28 Nov 1885, Roll 42 case number 1526 - 18 July 1883) that on 26 Aug 1879 Thomas, a habitual drunk, was extremely cruel and threatened her using obscene language.  She fled to the home of her mother in Bryan and shortly after that Thomas begged her to return home which is what she eventually did.  On 31 Aug 1881 Thomas pointed a loaded revolver at her and threatened to fire.  On 3 Sept 1881 she was ill during her pregnancy and wrote a note to a local saloonkeeper asking him to put her husband on a "blacklist" and to refuse to sell him liquor.  Thomas was not happy with this and beat his pregnant wife.

 

After the baby was born Thomas struck her while she held her son and knocked them both to the floor, using vile language and making further threats.  By 17 July 1882 she'd been threatened with a chair and finally on 6 Sept 1882 he told her "he would get her out of the way", which she took to mean he would kill her.

Mary told the court that Thomas owned several pieces of real estate in Bryan and personal property valued at $2,000.  She begged the court for a restraining order to keep Thomas away from the baby and from selling his property.  She produced many witnesses including her mother and Thomas' former business partner, Robert Barnett, who stated that Thomas drank a lot and that caused Barnett to dissolve their partnership.  He felt Thomas was negligent and reckless in his business dealings.

 

Thomas called a host of witnesses himself on his countersuit, including his minister, WW Laiss.  Mary then countered by calling upon support from Mrs. Mary Laiss, David Miller, Eleanor Bonquain, John W. Smith, and Dr. L. Badger.  Thomas submitted depositions from local businessmen, Daniel Baxter and Oscar Eaton, who attested to his good character.  He had WB Milliken, a representative from the Fremont Harvester Company, manufacturer of reapers, tell the court that Thomas had begged Milliken to write Mary a letter urging her to return to their home and live with her husband.  Thomas, to his knowledge, did not drink and even if he did, he wouldn't do it again.

 

Finally Thomas informed the court that Mary was derelict in her duties and that on 6 Sept 1882 she stripped their home of all contents, took the child, and went to her mother's home.  He was not a habitual drunk and never cruel plus he denied that he was unfit for custody of his son.  Ultimately Mary received a divorce and custody of their son; in addition she was awarded $200 in alimony.  In 1900 Goshen, Elkhart Co, IN Federal Census Mary E Donaldson was listed as Mary 50 OH widow with son Charles 19 OH.  Mary died in Columbus, Franklin Co, OH on 5 December 1906.

 

On 24 Jan 1884 Thomas married Lucinda Brown, daughter of Nicholas and Catherine Brown, in Wms Co (Marriages, V5 #781).  Lucinda was born on 22 February 1857 Williams Co, OH. He was back in court on 28 Nov 1885 seeking child visitation, which he received.  This son, Charles, died in 1916 and was buried beside his Brown grandparents in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan, OH.

 

Thomas and Lucinda had two known children, Sevilla (8 Jan 1887 - 8 July 1887) and Nicholas Lenard (15 Jan 1888 - 21 Feb 1888).  In the 1900 Edgerton, St. Joseph Twp federal census Thomas, 44 IR traveling salesman and his wife Lucinda 42 OH, mother of two, both deceased, lived with Lucinda's sister Caroline Brown.  Thomas died in Wms Co on 3 Oct 1902 (Deaths, V3 p28), but his death certificate stated he died on 30 October 1902 in Toledo, Lucas Co, OH at a hospital, where he was being treated for serious throat disease. His obit was found in Bryan Press (Bryan, OH), 6 November 1902 p7 c3. He continued until his death to be a Bryan businessman; whether he also continued to have a fiery temper has yet to be determined.   Thomas was buried in the Thomas Cemetery in St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH.  Lucinda died on 4 June 1935 in Williams Co, OH and was also buried in Thomas Cemetery. For more information on Lucinda Brown Donaldson, see "The Puzzle of Nicholas Brown."

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Dodd, 1869

Rercis Fidelia Robinson Hill Dodd v Peter Marriner Dodd (Journal 7 p282 - 17 Mar 1869; Roll 20 case number 66 - Mar 1869) – see Meeks 

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 5 December 2021)

 

The couple was married in Ft. Wayne, Allen Co, IN on 18 Oct 1864.  Fidelia told the court that Peter was a habitual drunk for three years or more and that he was guilty of gross neglect.  On 28 Jan 1869 Peter, who lived in Huntington, Huntington Co, IN, gave a deposition stating this was not true.  Fidelia was granted a divorce.  

 

Peter M. Dodd, the son of Jacob and Eunice Marriner Dodd, was born c1799 in Delaware and in 1824 moved to Athens, OH.  Dodd was a distant relative of General “Mad” Anthony Wayne.He married Eliza Donley on 25 Aug 1825 in Hocking Co, OH.  They had the following children: Jacob, Cinderella, Lavina, Jane, Hugh, George, Eliza Ann, Amos Loranzo, Catharine, Harriet Augusta (the subject of a Williams County divorce), and Edna Isabel.  By 1833 the Dodd and the Donleys moved to Williams County, where wife Eliza died in Aug 1854 of cholera (area then Defiance County).  According to the Ohio Land Records Peter purchased 40 acres in Section 19 on 9 Oct 1835 and from the 1839 Washington Twp Poll Book (Williams Co), Peter M Dodd was a voter and township clerk.  In 1839 he helped set the newspaper Defiance Banner, a Whig paper, by hand. By 1850 he was listed as a constable in Noble Twp.

 

Peter M. Dodd next married Rosann Newton in Defiance Co, OH, 14 Feb 1857 (Marriage V1 p129); Rosann died tragically in Paulding by being crushed between two railroad cars on 22 Apr 1859.  Peter and his youngest daughter Isabel were enumerated in the 1860 Defiance, Defiance Co, OH Federal Census as Peter 64 DE printer and Isabel 11 OH.

 

In the 1850 Highland, Defiance Co, OH Federal Census one finds the Hill family as Melvin J 24 NY, Fidelia 20 OH and Henry 1 OH.  In the same location for the 1860 enumerated Fidelia Hill as 34 OH with husband MJ 37 NY carpenter and children Henry, Nathan, Albert, and Olive.  Melvin, a Civil War veteran, died in Kentucky on 9 January 1863 in the hospital at Bowling Green, Warren Co, KY as shown in his CW Pension information and The Defiance Democrat (Defiance, OH), 31 January 1863 p2 c1.  Fidelia Robinson was born in OH sometime between 1826-1830. After Melvin’s death his farm was sold on 18 April 1863, about 1 ½ years before she married Peter Dodd.  

 

After the divorce, Peter, a printer, lived in Henry Co c1870 and is believed to have died in 1876. J F Deatrick was selected as the guardian of the minor Hill children on 11 February 1871.  Perhaps Fidelia had died or remarried again – this is not currently known.

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Desbuff, 1880

Lucinda/Lorinda R. Ogle Desbuff/Des Bouefe v Frank/Francis G. Desbuff/Des Boeufe (Journal 11 p5 - 8 Nov 1880; Roll 36 case number 806 - Nov 1880)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 27 November 2021)

 

The couple was married in Center Twp, Wms Co, OH on 30 May 1875 (Marriage V4 p575) as Lorinda Ogle and Francis G. Des Boeufe.  Lucinda/Lorinda was the daughter of Alexander and Jane Marton Ogle of Columbiana Co, OH and Beaver Co, PA, respectively.  The Ogles moved to Williams Center in 1866 where Alexander owned a mercantile business (Goodspeed, 1882, p778-779); however the Ogle family was enumerated in the 1870 Freedom, Wood Co, OH Federal Census as A H Ogle 58 PA, Emily 40 OH, Lorinda 9 OH and her siblings. Francis Gerard Desbeauf was born in 1852 Cambridge, Middlesex Co, MA, the son of Francis Sr and Constance Cousins Desbeauf; this family was listed in the 1855 Cambridge, MA State Census as Francis 33 FR, Constance 33 FR, Adelia 9 NY, and Francis 3 MA.  Francis Sr was a glass cutter and when he married Constance Cousins on 15 August 1852 in Cambridge, the marriage record stated this was his third marriage and her second.  

 

Lucinda told the court that between 27 June 1878 - 3 Aug 1878 Frank struck, choked, ill treated, and subsequently abandoned her.  He was a habitual drunk who took off for parts unknown.  Lucinda stated that she was a sober and temperate woman.  She was granted a divorce.  In the 1880 Williams Center, Center Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census Lorinda is listed as Lorinda Ogle 17 OH with her parents.  Note that her age is wrong when one compares it to the 1870 census.

 

Days after the divorce Lorinda Ogle married Frank Miser in Wms Co on 15 Nov 1880 (Marriages V4 p716).  Franklin Miser was listed with the Daniel Fetters family in the 1870 Center Twp federal census as 14 OH.  Daniel Fetter’s wife was the former Elizabeth Miser, so there must be a connection with young Franklin.   The Misers had two known children, Claude born 1884 and Maude born 1886.  According to the Defiance Evening News (Defiance, OH), Lorinda Miser of Bryan was “the other woman” in the divorce of Mary H Flightner v Jacob H Flightner, parents of four children, 21 January 1895 p6 c4.  This action was filed in Defiance, OH but no result has been found. 

 

Francis G. Desboeoufs, Sr, died in Farmer Twp, Defiance Co, OH on 8 June 1880 @58Y 7M 11D; he was born in France and his occupation was glass blower; also there was a Constance Desboeuf (6 May 1826-11 Oct 1900) buried beside him.  Frank G. Desbouff died in an automobile crash in Toledo, OH/Lemoyne Wood Co, OH (two accounts with two places) on 13 April 1925.  

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Deiper/Dupre

Matilda (?Miller) Deiper/Dupre v Charles Deiper/Dupre (Journal 5 p424 - 9 Nov 1855; p441 - 18 Mar 1856; Roll 9 case number 147 - Mar 1856) 

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 19 November 2021)

 

The couple was married on 6 Apr 1852 in Richland Co, OH.  Their surname may be DEIPER; there appeared to be no record for this marriage in that county.  Matilda stated that on 26 June 1852 the couple was in Richland Co on their way to a religious meeting; they got about 1/4 mile on the trip when Charles stopped and pretended that he forgot a handkerchief and started back home to get one.  He left her on the road and she had not seen him since.  On 5 Sept 1855 she learned that he resided in Shelby, Richland Co, OH.  The case was dismissed.

 

There is a marriage in Richland Co, OH on 25 April 1852 between Matilda Miller and John Donbert/Doubert/Dohlur.  Matilda Miller, born 1835 NY was the daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Miller who were listed in the 1850 Sharon Twp, Richland Co, OH Federal Census record.  By 1860 this family lived in Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH, so it’s possible that this is the bride’s side of the divorce detailing. More research needs to be done.

 

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Deakins, 1875-1876

Anna E. Sherwin Deakins v John William Deakins (Journal 8 p369 - 21 May 1875; p447 - 18 Nov 1875; Roll 27 case number 48 - May 1875/Feb 1876) – see James F. Himes 

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 29 October 2021)

 

The couple was married on 5 Apr 1873 in Peru, Miami Co, IN.  John, the son of James and Cynthia Hays/Hayes Deakins, was born in May 1846 in Knox Co, OH; he was enumerated in the 1850 Pike, Knox Co, OH Federal Census as John 3 OH with his parents. Online records state that John was a CW veteran with service as a private in Co F 182^nd Ohio Infantry.  John first married Mary Jane Keckler in Wms Co on 24 Dec 1866 (Marriage V3 p637); 1860 Bryan Federal Census record has a GW Keckler and wife Mary (b1824 PA), but nothing further is known of wife #1. In the 1870 Brady Twp federal census, p7, John was listed as 23 OH farm laborer and he was also listed in the 1870 Springfield Twp federal census as a laborer. His parents lived in Bryan, Pulaski Twp and were enumerated there in the 1870 federal census p54, as James 59 PA laborer, Cynthia 56 OH, Richard 19 OH, William 17 OH, and Mary S. 14 OH.  

 

Anna E. Sherwin, the daughter of William Kidder and Cornelia Lawrence Sherwin, was born in either Cass or Carroll Co, IN c1855. Note – one online source claims she was born in Miami, IN c1852. In the 1860 Monroe, Carroll Co, IN federal census Anna was enumerated with her parents as WR Sherwin 55 NY, Cornelia 34 OH, Willis 11 IN, Anna 5 IN, and Mary 9/12 IN. 

 

On 8 Sept 1874 Anna stated in court that on 1 July 1873 John was extremely cruel and threatened to kill her.  On 9 July 1873 he choked her and called her foul names.  On 18 July 1873 he was a habitual drunk. A legal notice in the paper ran in Sept 1876. Anna received her divorce.  No children were listed as issue of this couple.  In the 1880 Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co, IN federal census p360, the Sherwins were listed as Caroline L 52 OH widow, Wilber 31 IN, daughter Anna E 28 IN dressmaker, Willard D 17 IN, and Hattie 10 IN.  Anna wished to be restored to her maiden name at the time of the divorce. She married Edgar Allen Hawkins, a CW veteran and telegraph operator in Lucas Co, OH on 24 November 1901.  Anna’s occupation was dressmaker.  Edgar married another lady in 1903 so either Anna died or there was another divorce.

 

John next married Sarah Elizabeth Porter Sperry on 28 Aug 1876 in Fulton Co, OH (Marriage V3 p519).  Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Susan Jackson Porter, b 27 Sept 1846 in Shelby, Richland Co, OH, was the widow of James L. Sperry; they had the following children: Elizabeth (b 1870), Charles C, (b 24 Apr 1873 in Defiance Co, OH), and James. In the 1870 Wauseon, Fulton Co, OH federal census, p55, the couple was listed as James Sperry 22 OH cooper, Sara 22 OH, Elizabeth 5/12 OH, and Susan Porter 59 PA domestic. 

 

John and Sarah had the following children: Syntha E (b July 1877), Sueann Evelyn (b 7 Mar 1880), Richard D (b May 1883), Bessie L (b 14 July 1886), and William O (b May 1889).  John applied for a CW Pension as an invalid on 11 August 1890. At the end of Aug or first part of October 1895 John apparently tried to stab and kill Sarah.  She had him arrested on 3 Oct 1895 and he was found guilty; he was jailed on 4-10 Oct 1895 in Fulton Co. The Deakins were together in the 1900 Chesterfield, Fulton Co, OH Federal census, each aged 53 with John listed as farmer. John and Sarah were divorced on 2 Nov 1902 in Wauseon, Fulton Co, OH.  In the 1910 Chesterfield Twp, Fulton Co, OH federal census p44, Sarah E. Deakins was listed as 63 OH divorced with 8 children and 6 surviving; Sarah was a carpet weaver.  She died on 11 Jan 1918 at her residence in Edgerton, Wms Co, OH.  

 

John married a fourth woman – Clara B Pelton on 28 October 1903 in Seneca Co, OH; he was listed as a blacksmith.  They were later divorced and he married a fifth time – Anna F Randolph on 2 June 1913 in Richland Co, OH.  John died on 20 January 1920 in Trenton, Wayne Co, Mi and was buried in the Bloomdale Cemetery.

 

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Dailey

Susanna Lucina/Lusena Philips Dailey v Jeremiah E. Dailey (Journal 8 p398 - 3 Nov 1875; p489 - 9 Mar 1876; p539 - 22 May 1876; Roll 28 case number 40; Roll 47)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 20 January 2014)

A. Rapp, a Catholic priest, married the couple in Maumee, Lucas Co, OH on 21 Apr 1845.  Susanna told the court the date was 15 May 1846. The family was enumerated in the 1850 Troy, Wood Co, OH federal census, p218, as Jeremiah Dailey 26 CAN, Susan 25 NY, and children John 3 OH, Mary M 4 OH, and Sarah 1 OH; his parents Cornelia and Catherine Dailey, both natives of Ireland, were next door neighbors along with Jeremiah’s siblings.  In the 1860 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census, p33, the family was listed as Jeremiah Dailey 35 Upper Canada, Susan 34 NY, and children all born in Ohio, Mary 14, John 12, Sarah 10, Jeremiah 8, and Alice 2.

According to the Civil War Draft Registration Records, on 28 July 1864 Jeremiah E Dailey (possibly the principal in this divorce story) suffered from a physical disability rendering him unable to serve. In the 1870 Bryan federal census, p43, the family appeared as Jeremiah 45 CAN teamster, Luena 44 NY, Jeremiah 19, Alice 13, and Jennie 5.

Susanna was a resident of Ohio for more than 30 years and more than 20 years of those were in Wms Co.  She stated that on 1 Apr 1871 in Bryan Jeremiah was violent to her; in fact a year after they married he was violent and abusive, and he refused to buy her clothing.  On 15 Sept 1873 he was cruel and neglectful and left her for a time. She catalogued abuse on 20 July 1874 when he refused her a table to eat on and proper food.  On 20 May 1875 he kicked her out of their home.  Susan stated that she was 48 years old and the last four years she has been in poor and feeble health, living through charity of her friends and neighbors in Pulaski Twp; she even asked for help from the township trustees.  On 15 Jan 1874 he committed assault and battery on her.

The couple had the following children: Mary (28) married to Byron DeLong, John (27), Jeremiah S. (24), Alva Alice B. (18), a child named Sarah (b1850) who died young, and Jennie (10).  Jeremiah owned Lot #268 in Edgerton and Trevit Addition, Bryan, valued at $2800 plus much personal property.    Throughout the course of these proceedings Susana amended her petition, asked for reasonable alimony of $300 one time and $110 another. This case was dismissed.

According to the 1880 Bryan federal census, p641B, the Dailey household appeared as JE 55 CAN street commissioner with Irish parentage, Jeremiah 27 OH laborer, Lucena 54 NY with Massachusetts parentage, and Jennie 15 OH.  Jeremiah Dailey (1824 - 1901) and Lusena, his wife, (1826 - 1896) were buried together in the Bryan Fountain Grove Cemetery.  Lusena’s obit in The Bryan Democrat, 20 August 1896 p5 and 3 Sept 1896 p5 c5, stated that Lusena L. Phillips Dailey was born in Canandaigua, NY on 28 Jan 1826 and died 17 Aug 1896 at 70Y 6M 19D.  She was the mother of eight children with five preceding her in death.  She left a husband, a son, and two daughters to mourn her. She also had an obit in the Bryan Press, 3 September 1896 p3 c5.  Jerry E Dailey’s obit appeared in the Bryan Press, 6 June 1901: “J. E. Dailey, an old and respected citizen of this place entered into rest, Thursday, May 30, 1901 aged 77 yrs. The funeral was held at the home of his daughter Mrs. L. B. Delong on North Beach St. Sat. at 2 PM. Mr. Oldacke of The Church of Christ officiated. Interment at Fountain Grove Cemetery. Mr. Dailey came to this town nearly 50 yrs ago”.

In the Bryan Democrat, 7 February 1901 p10 c3, under courthouse proceedings the heirs did not waste any time in disposing of the Dailey property as it stated “John Dailey v Jeremiah Dailey et al – on the 9the of February at the north door of the courthouse in Bryan there will be an auction of lands and tenements Lot 53 and 54 Naftziger’s Addition in Bryan, lot 6 Bostater’s Addition in Bryan, lots 53 and 54 appraised at $60 Lot 6 appraised at $50.  Terms cash”.