Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Fries, 1885

Anna Beal Fries/Frees v Henry Fries/Frees (Journal 12 p436 - 22 Dec 1884, Journal 13 p85 - 27 Feb 1885; p188 - 26 June 1885; Roll 41 case number 1385  - 8 Nov 1884 and 1455)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 30 December 2021)

 

The couple was married on 10 June 1873, Defiance Co, OH.

 

There was a marriage in Williams Co, OH on 30 May 1848 for Henry Freezer and Nancy Donor/Dohner. In the 1850 Farmer, Defiance Co, OH Federal Census there is a Frieze family as Henry 30 Germany, Nancy 27 Canada, John 3 OH, Christina 5/12 OH and Sarah Marley 2 OH.  The family continues in the 1860 Washington Twp, Defiance Co, OH listing as H Freese 33 Germany, Nancy 33 PA, John 12 OH, Sarah 11 OH, Christian 9 OH, Mary 7 OH, and George 2.   In the 1870 Washington Twp, Defiance Co, OH the listing is Fease, Henry 54 FR, Christian 20 OH, Florence 18, Sarah 22, Harmon 4, Mary 17, and Anna 6.  I presume Nancy has passed away, so by 1873 Henry married Anna. 

 

In the 1880 Center Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p598, the Freas family was enumerated as Henry 60 GERM, Anna 50 WURT, Herman 14 OH, and Charles B 11 OH. In June 1885 Anna charged her husband with being a habitual drunk for three years and more.  She was later granted a divorce and a strip of land in Center Twp containing 25 acres.  

 

Henry’s obit in The Defiance Democrat (Defiance, OH), 6 January 1898, p7 c3-4 stated that Henry was born 15 October 1820 in Baden, Germany.  His wife had died some years ago.  He passed away on 27 December 1897 and was buried in the Lintz Cemetery.  Nothing more is currently known of Anna Beal Fries.

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Forrester, 1859

Betsey Ann Johnson/Johnston Forrester v William Forrester

Extremely Cruel But No Divorce, Williams County, Ohio, 1859 – see Kriter 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 29 December 2021)

 

Betsey Ann Johnson/Johnston, b 1835 OH (possibly North Jackson, Mahoning Co, OH), married William Amasa. Forrester, b 1827 NY, at Center Twp, Wms Co, OH on 20 Nov 1851 (Marriages V2 p118).  In the 1850 Center Twp federal census, p69B, William Forrester 23 NY farmer along side his brother Amasa 25 NY was enumerated.  Brother Amasa established a family in the 1860 West Jefferson, Jefferson Twp federal census, p175 A/B, and had a female, Jeridah Forrester 77 MA, living with him.  This leads to believe that William was the son of Peter Forrester and Jeridah Sherman.

 

Betsey appeared in the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court (Journal 5 p556 - 29 Nov 1859; Roll 13 case number 69) stating that the couple had three children, William Henry (6 – b 1853) Charity Jane (3 – b 1856) and Nancy Maria (1 – 1858).  Betsey said that on 11 Nov 1859 William was extremely cruel.  The court dismissed the case and on the 1860 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census, p45A, the family appeared as William 33 NY day laborer, Betsey 25 OH, William H 7 OH, Charity 4 OH, and Nancy 1 OH.  An Internet source states that Betsey was Elizabeth Johnson/Johnston, the daughter of John L. Johnson and Anna Orr.  In the 1880 NW Twp, Williams Co, OH listed the family as Forister, William 56 OH, Betsy A 47 OH and daughter Sophrina 9 OH. Another internet source claims that Betsy died in Angola, Steuben Co, IN in April 1886 and William passed away on 13 February 1900 in Armada, Gratiot Co, MI.

 

The Forrester son, William Henry (1853 – 1924, Nevada Mills, IN) married Catherine M. Hoover Kriter, a divorcee.

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Ferrier, 1857

Catherine Jane Mercer Ferrier v Andrew Jackson Ferrier (Journal 5 p151 - 19 Oct 1857; Roll 11 case number 31 - Oct 1857)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 22 December 2021)

 

The couple was married on 23 May 1852 in Wms Co (Marriage V2 p124).  Andrew, born 7 April 1833 in Fostoria, Seneca Co, OH may be the son of David and Susanna Hendricks Ferrier, PA natives who settled in Wms Co c1835, traveling from Coshocton Co, OH.  The family was enumerated in the 1850 Jefferson Twp federal census, p17, as David 49 PA, Susan 49 PA, John 20 OH, Andrew 19 OH, David 15 OH, Jacob 8 OH, Martha 5 OH, and Catharine Gibbons 12 OH. Also there is supposition he may be the son of Andrew Ferrier and Elizabeth Gibbeons/Gibbons.

 

Jane, born 1838 in Crawford Co, OH, was the daughter of Adam Mercer and Elizabeth Flora.  Mercer may also be Musser. She charged that Andrew was willfully absent as he left her on 1 Mar 1854.  A legal notice appeared in a local paper and the divorce was granted.  She received lands that were hers before the marriage.  There was a marriage in Wms Co for Andrew Jackson Ferrier and Harriet Richardson on 13 July 1854 (Marriage V2 p143).  If this is the subject of this divorce, he was also guilty of bigamy. In the 1860 Richland, Steuben Co, IN Federal Census, the Ferriers were listed as Andrew 27 OH, Harriet 23 OH, Vianna 3 IN, Ida R 1 IN and a George Gibbons. Andrew would be a Civil War soldier, serving in Co K 2^nd Heavy Artillery.  Andrew died on 1 July 1910 in Mette, Steuben Co, IN and was buried in Circle Cemetery.  His wife Harriet died in 1922 and was buried beside him.  In the 1860 Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census, Catherine Musser 22 OH milliner lived with her mother Elizabeth.  If this is the bride, she was the daughter of Adam Mercer and Elizabeth Flora.

 

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Fees

Sarah Margaret Springer Fees v Jacob P. Fees (Journal 10 p227/232 - 5 Jul 1879; p320 - 10 Dec 1879; Roll 33 case number 580 - Nov 1879)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 22 December 2021)

 

The couple was married on 13 July 1867 in Jefferson Twp, Wms Co (Marriage V3 p697).  Sarah was recorded as Mrs. Margaret Springer so if this is accurate, her maiden name is currently unknown.  I believe this was a mistake at the courthouse.

 

She charged Jacob with gross neglect and failure to provide food and clothing for her and their son William Franklin Fees, 9 years old.  Sarah said that on 1 July 1875 and 15 May 1877 he was extremely cruel, flashing a sharp knife and threatening to kill her.  He beat her so hard that her whole face was swollen. According to Sarah her husband did no work in Mar 1876 and on 15 Sept 1877 he left their home.  Jacob had bad credit and was a thief, serving some time in jail.  For the last two years she had resided with Mary Hendricks Springer, who came to court to verify this.  Mary was 76Y and a resident of NW Twp. I believe Mary was Sarah’s mother.

 

In the 1860 Washington, Hancock Co, OH federal census p283 the Levi Springer household was enumerated as Levi 53 OH, Mary 54 OH, Mary J 20, William 18 OH, and Sarah M 9 OH. In the 1870 Jefferson Twp federal census, p29, this Springer family was enumerated as Levi 62 MD, Mary 65 MD, Mary J, 30 OH, and Willis F 6 OH.  In the West Jefferson Cemetery, Jefferson Twp there was a burial for William Springer d 2 June 1864 @21Y 4M 3D, who was Sarah's brother and the son of this Mary Springer whom Sarah lived with.  Levi Springer died in 1872 and his wife, Mary, died in 1892.  In the 1880 NW Twp, Williams Co, OH Mary Springer 76 MD was listed with grandson William 15 OH and 13 granddaughter Hilda Miller.  I am speculating that daughter Sarah M Springer Fees has another residence and perhaps another husband.