Stephen Senn v Abby Jane Bundy Senn, Divorce 1892

By Pamela Pattison Lash

I spotted the following newspaper article concerning a proposed divorce in Williams Co, OH and began a detailing of the participants.


Bryan Democrat, 5 May 1892 p3
Abbie J Senn who resides at Tompkins, Clare Co, MI is on notice that her husband Stephen Senn filed for divorce in Williams Co, OH charging her with willfull and continuous absence for more than three years.  There will be a hearing on 17 June 1892.

Bryan Democrat, 28 June 1892 p5 c3 - Steven Senn v Aba Senn; divorce granted

I noted difficulty in the records due to spelling alternatives and children's names changing which made the research chase challenging at times.  I began the detailing with the bride's parents as there are several people online who do not have some of the details right.  The problem also is compounded as there are two Stephen Senns living about the same time frame in the same general areas.


1 Jacob F Bundy
--------------------------------------------------
Death: 22 Nov 1864, Chattanooga, TN

CW Vet, died in TN - Co G 68th OVI
Lived in Henry Co, OH with PO Archbold, OH
Mustered in Oct 1862 - Nov 22, 1864

Spouse: Elizabeth Fesler
Death: 7 Jul 1886
Marriage: 6 Nov 1845, Fulton Co, OH

Children: Abby J (1856->1936)

1.1a Abby J Bundy*
--------------------------------------------------
Birth: 3 Jul 1856, Henry Co, OH
Death: aft 1936 - her son, John E Senn, said in his 2nd marriage application that his mother was at home (wherever that is) on 1936

A twin to Caleb Bundy - list of Bundy children with birthdates on her mother’s CW pension application, 1865

1860 Ridgeville, Henry Co, OH
Bundy, Abby 11 OH living with siblings and mother E of PA
Note father was not with them

Abby’s sister:
Lucy Druhot
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 06 Apr 1927
Event Place: Archbold, Fulton, Ohio
Gender: Female
Age: 73
Marital Status: Widowed
Race: w
Birth Date: 16 Jul 1853
Birthplace: Henry Co, Ohio
Birth Year (Estimated): 1854
Burial Date: 09 Apr 1927
Cemetery: Catholic Cem
Father's Name: Jacob Bundy
Father's Birthplace: New York........some records say born in Ohio
Mother's Name: Elizabeth Fessler
Mother's Birthplace: Penn.
Spouse's Name: Eugene Druhot

George Lagron
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Year: abt 1853
Birth Place: Canada
Marriage Date: 17 May 1893
Marriage Place: Cadillac, Wexford, Michigan, USA
Age: 40
Residence Place: Clare Co
Father: Oliver Lagron
Mother: Louvisa Morey
Spouse: Addie Bundy
Spouse Gender: Female
Spouse Race: White
Spouse Age: 32
Spouse Birth Place: Henry Co Ohio
Spouse Residence Place: Wexford
Spouse Father: Jacob F Bundy
Spouse Mother: Elizabeth Fesslor
Record Number: 565
Film: 50
Film Description: 1893 Newaygo - 1893 Wexford
Each married once before; this fits with newspaper saying she lived in Clare Co, MI area; note that she is known as Abby Bundy so she took back her maiden name after the divorce from Senn

Spouse: Stephen Senn
Birth: 4 May 1853, Dearborn Co, IN
Death: 14 Apr 1924, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co, MI1

Bryan Democrat, 5 May 1892 p3
Abbie J Senn who resides at Tompkins, Clare Co, MI is on notice that her husband Stephen Senn filed for divorce in Williams Co, OH charging her with willful and continuous absence for more than three years.  There will be a hearing on 17 June 1892.

They were married in South Wright Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI; both from Henry Co, OH; he was 21 and she was 18; the names are Stephen Saun and Abby Bandy but everything fits

Stephen Senn
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 27 Jun 1892
Event Place: Wood, Ohio, United States
Spouse's Name: Annie E. Oldshoe
Note the ink was probably not too dry when he remarried

1900 Henry Twp, Wood, Ohio; Roll: 1333; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0142; FHL microfilm: 1241333
h/h 104/107 Senn, Stephen 47 (May 1853) PA-FR-PA mar 8Y oil pumper
Anna E wife 40 (Aug 1859) 8/7 ch MI-Switz-MI
Conklin, Nellie L step-dau 26 (July 1873) 1/1 ch OH-Can-MI
Snyder, Gertrude M step gr-dau 5 (Feb 1895) OH-OH-OH

1901, 1903,1905, 1907, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912  Toledo, OH City Directory, living on Case St or Front St - pumper, electrician, machinist

1910 Toledo Ward 13, Lucas, Ohio; Roll: T624_1208; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0151; FHL microfilm: 1375221, 2367 Front St
h/h 38/38 Senn, Stephen 56 In-Fr-PA tank tender for blast furnace, mar 2x mar 18Y
Anna E wife 50 MI- Eng-MI 4/1 ch mar 2x

Birth Date: 04 May 1853
Birthplace: Dearborn Co., Indiana
Spouse's Name: Emma Jane Eckman
Spouse's Birth Date: 20 May 1859
Spouse's Birthplace: Whitley Co., Indiana
Event Date: 10 Mar 1920
Event Place: Steuben County, Indiana
Father's Name: Christopher Senn
Mother's Name: Sarah Ritter
Spouse's Father's Name: John Walker
Spouse's Mother's Name: Louisa Flower
Race: White
Marital Status: Widowed
Spouse's Race: White
Spouse's Marital Status: Widowed

Event Type: Death
Event Date: 14 Apr 1924
Event Place: Ann Arbor, Washtenaw, Michigan, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 70
Marital Status: Married
Birth Date: 04 May 1853
Birthplace: Indiana
Birth Year (Estimated): 1854
Father's Name: Christopher Senn
Mother's Name: Sarah Ritter

Children: Amanda/Arminda Delia (1874-1913)
Alonzo Sylvester (1877-1913)
John Edward (1882-1960)

Other spouses: George Lagron

1.1a.1a Amanda/Arminda Delia Senn*
--------------------------------------------------
Birth: 8 Jul 1874/1875, Williams Co, OH
Death: 10 Apr 1913, Lincoln Twp, Arenac Co, MI
Burial: Woodmere Cem, Standish, Arenac Co, MI

Amanda D Senn
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Year: abt 1875
Birth Place: Williams County, Ohio
Marriage Date: 17 Sep 1891
Marriage Place: Hillsdale, Hillsdale, Michigan, USA
Age: 16
Residence Place: West Unity, Ohio
Father: Stephen Senn
Spouse: James L Downs
Spouse Gender: Male
Spouse Race: White
Spouse Age: 20
Spouse Birth Place: Waterville, Ohio
Spouse Residence Place: West Unity, Ohio
Spouse Father: Lewis Downs
Spouse Mother: Amanda Ketchell

Della Armenda Senn
Birth
1874 8 Jul
William County, Ohio
Marriage to James L Downs
1891 17 Sep — Age: 17
Hillsdale County, Michigan, USA
LDS Record GS film # 2342490, Digital folder # 4208239 Parents listed as Lewis Downs & Amanda Ketchell, Stephen Senn & "no mother listed"
Marriage to David E Chrysler
1897 1 Sep — Age: 23
Detroit, Wayne, Michigan

Death certificate says cause of death: injured internally by falling

Spouse: James L Downs
Marriage: 17 Sep 1891, Hillsdale Co, MI

Other spouses: David E Chrysler

1.1a.1b Amanda/Arminda Delia Senn* (See above)
--------------------------------------------------

Spouse: David E Chrysler
Marriage: 1 Sep 1897, Detroit, Wayne Co, MI

Other spouses: James L Downs

1.1a.2 Alonzo Sylvester Senn - first went by Sylvester
--------------------------------------------------
Birth: 30 Jul 1877, Stryker, Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH
Death: 21 Nov 1913, Grayling, Crawford Co, MI2
Burial: Elmwood Cem, Grayling, Crawford Co, MI

Sylvester Senn
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Place: Stryker, Williams, Ohio
Birth Date: 30 Jul 1877
Father's name: Stephen Senn
Mother's name: Abby Gilbundy
FHL Film Number: 914034

Alonzo Sim
Age (Expanded): 22 years
Birth Year: 1879
Birthplace: Ohio
Spouse's Name: Caroline B.C. Paul
Spouse's Age (Expanded): 16 years
Spouse's Birth Year: 1885
Spouse's Birthplace: Pinconning
Event Date: 29 Oct 1901
Event Place: Pinconning, Bay, Michigan
Father's Name: Stephen
Mother's Name: Abbie Bundy
Spouse's Father's Name: Michael
Spouse's Mother's Name: Wilhelmina Berg

Alonzo Senn
Gender: Male
Death Date: 21 Nov 1913
Death Place: Grayling, Crawford, Michigan
Age: 35
Birth Date: 1878
Birthplace: Ohio
Occupation: Brakeman
Race: White
Marital Status: Married
Father's Name: Stephen Senn
Mother's Name: Abbie Bundzi
Death certificate lists cause of death: hemorrhage and shock following accident on railroad - both legs severed and left arm severed. Worked as brakeman on railroad.

Spouse: Caroline Powell

There is a Joseph S Senn who b/d 1915 at Edwards, Ogemaw Co, MI with mother Clara Powell Senn??

Marriage: 29 Oct 1901, Pinconning, Bay Co, MI


1.1a.3a John Edward Senn* - first went by Frank
--------------------------------------------------
Birth: 23 Mar 1882, Williams Co, OH
Death: 1960
Burial: Edwards Twp Cem, West Branch, Ogemaw Co, MI

Frank Senn
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Fremont, Isabella Co, Michigan
Birth Date: 23 Mar 1882
Baptism Place: Isabella, Michigan
Father's name: Stephen Senn
Mother's name: Abigail

John E. Senn
Age (Expanded): 29 years
Birth Year: 1882
Birthplace: Ohio
Spouse's Name: Hattie Mrs. Car
Spouse's Age (Expanded): 28 years
Spouse's Birth Year: 1883
Spouse's Birthplace: Michigan
Event Date: 31 May 1911
Event Place: Grayling, Crawford, Michigan
Father's Name: Stephen Senn
Mother's Name: ...bey Bonty
Spouse's Father's Name: Simps...
Spouse's Mother's Name: ...attie Simpson

John Edward Senn
WWI Draft Registration b 23 Mar 1882, res of West Branch, Ogemaw Co, MI, farmer, married Hattie

John E Senn
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 08 Aug 1936
Event Place: , Steuben, Indiana
Registration Place: , Steuben, Indiana, United States
Marriage License Date: 08 Aug 1936
Residence Place: Flint, , Michigan
Gender: Male
Age (Estimated): 54
Birth Date: 23 Mar 1882
Birthplace: , Williams, Ohio
Father's Name: Stephen Senn
Mother's Name: Abbie Bundy
Spouse's Name: Belle Wilcox
Spouse's Residence Place: Flint, , Michigan
Spouse's Gender: Female
Spouse's Age (Estimated): 50
Spouse's Birth Date: 29 Apr 1886
Spouse's Birthplace: , Macomb, Michigan
Spouse's Father's Name: William Hunt
Spouse's Mother's Name: Agnes Corneil

Spouse: Hattie (Simpson) Carr
Marriage: 31 May 1911, Grayling, Crawford Co, MI
Divorce: 1928

Other spouses: Belle Rose (Hunt) Wilcox

1.1a.3b John Edward Senn* (See above)
--------------------------------------------------

Spouse: Belle Rose (Hunt) Wilcox
Birth: Aug 1886, La Pier Co, MI
Death: 1964

Married twice before; twice divorced with last one in 1934

Marriage: 8 Aug 1936, Steuben Co, IN

Other spouses: Hattie (Simpson) Carr

1.1b Abby J Bundy* (See above)
--------------------------------------------------

Spouse: George Lagron
Birth: 1853, Canada
Marriage: 17 May 1893, Cadillac, Wexton Co, MI

Other spouses: Stephen Senn

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Sweetman

Nancy Oxenrider Sweetman v Thomas Sweetman (Journal 6 p302/314  - 4 Aug 1863 - 11 Nov 1863; Roll 16 case number 87 - Nov 1863) – see Langel

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 15 September 2021)

The couple was married in Wms Co on 28 June 1854 (Marriage V2 p144). Nancy was the daughter of William and Mary (McMillen) Oxenrider, who were enumerated in the 1840 Pulaski Twp federal census, p229. In the 1860 Bryan, Wms Co federal census, p46B, Nancy Sweetman, 26 OH domestic servant, resided with the Jonathan Oxenrider family. 

Nancy charged that Thomas was willfully absent for three years or more and his whereabouts were unknown.  They had a daughter, Mary Jane, b 19 Sept 1854.  She wanted $1,000 in alimony and a share of his real estate.  She had a 1/11^th share as her inheritance in the estate of her father, William Oxenrider.  From The Bryan Democrat, (initiated on 27 Aug 1863), a petition for divorce appeared, stating that Thomas Sweetman’s residence was unknown and that on 1 Aug 1863 Nancy began divorce proceedings.  She charged him with willfull absence for three years previous to the date of filing and wished care and custody of their child, Mary Jane, the rights to their real estate, which she had inherited since her marriage.  An interesting side note is that Nancy’s lawyer was Elon Langel, who would himself become embroiled in a nasty divorce later.

By the 1880 Bryan federal census, p646C, Nancy Sweetman 46 PA divorced was listed with the Elmer Tressler family as a blind lady. By 1888 she lived in Butler, IN.  Nancy died in Bryan, OH on 14 Oct 1896.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Stocking

Harriet A. Gould Stocking v Sidney F. Stocking (Journal 8 p204 - 12 Mar 1874; Roll 26 case number 15)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 19 September 2021)

 

The couple was married in Toledo, Lucas Co, OH on 5 June 1870.  Harriet stated that on 10 June 1870 he deserted her and was willfully absent from that time to the present.  He lived on Colburn Street in Toledo, where his mother kept house for him. He was drunk when he married and later said he did not like her.  Harriet had lived in Bryan for the past two years.  She brought the following witnesses from Lucas Co to substantiate her claims: Rebecca Prouty and Francis S. Prouty, Sidney's business partner in a grocery.  The divorce was granted.

 

From the Cincinnati Commercial (Cincinnati, OH), 20 January 1871, p4, I found this story:

Toledo has a social sensation.  One day in June last a grocery merchant named Sidney F Stocking, while in a mellow condition, proposed instant marriage to Miss Hattie A Gould, daughter of the widow with whom he boarded.  Miss Harriet thought a minute, said yes, or words to that effect, attired herself in bridal garments, stepped into a hack with her stormer, interviewed Rev Mr Abbott, and reposed that night at the Oliver House as Mrs Stocking.  In the course of five days the bridegroom sobered up, told his bride that he loved her not, and compelled her to return to her relatives.  The repudiated wife is now suing for divorce and alimony.  Mr Stocking claims that at the time he popped he was intoxicated by alcoholic and narcotic stimulants, and that he was in a drunken condition from Monday until Friday.

 

Sidney Fernando Stocking was the son of Sidney Stocking and Louisa Tennant.  He was born c1834 in OH.  He was enumerated with his mother, Louisa, in the 1850 Perry Twp, Stark Co, OH federal census as Sidney 17 OH. Harriet A Gould was the daughter of Harvey Gould and Lucy Anderson; she was born on 3 February 1849 in Auburn, Cayuga Co, NY.

 

On 10 June 1874 Hattie A. Gould married John B. Metsker in Williams Co, OH; John had married Lucinda Hudkins on 1 May 1870 in Williams Co, OH.  On 19 Oct 1879 Hattie A. Metsker married John Womelsdorff in Defiance Co, OH, however the family lived in Toledo, where she died on 23 October 1925 and was buried in the Forest Cemetery.

 

According to the 1880 Arkansas River, Fremont Co, CO federal census p521 the Prouty family resided as FS and Rebecca Prouty with their children and lodger, Sydney Stocking, 48 NY laborer. In the city directories for Denver, Colorado, between 1893-1895 Sidney was listed as an employment agent.  He died there on 19 May 1896 and was buried in the Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield, Richland Co, OH.

 

 

 

 

Divorce Action in Williams Co, OH - Show

Hannah M. Edgar Show v George Henderson Show (Journal 5 p463 - 12 Mar 1859; Roll 12 case number 32 - Mar 1859; roll 12 case number 33 - Mar 1859)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 12 January 2021)

 

The couple was married in Lansing, Ingham Co, MI on 27 Jan 1853.  They had a child, Edgar P Show, b 27 Apr 1856.  Hannah charged George with extreme cruelty during the latter part of June 1858 when he kicked, beat her with his fists, bruised her, and took her away from her friends and relatives.  After the child was born she was treated cruelly; she went insane and sought treatment in an asylum for lunatics in the North District, Ohio.  On 27 Mar 1858 he struck and pushed her; then he denied her food and medical attention.  Later he kicked her out and paid for a teamster to take her away.  On 21 June 1858 he pursued her to a boarding house in Bryan and was violent when he found her.  She stated she was a confirmed cripple.  George owned property in Lansing, MI and 200 acres in Calhoun Co, MI.  

 

While this divorce case was being heard, another case was brought to the Williams County Civil and Criminal Court (Roll 12 case number 32 - Mar 1859) by George H. Show who sued Thomas Kent, MD.  George may have been from Seneca Co, OH.  He charged that on 30 July 1858 Thomas procured and induced Hannah to go to Edwin J. Evans, JP, where George found her.  Thomas then beat, wounded, and ill-treated George.  This case was dismissed.

George H Show, the son of unknown parents, was born 26 June 1806, MD and died on 16 Jan 1877; he was buried in a cemetery located in Constantine Twp, St Joseph Co, MI.  He married Mary Ann McCardle on 3 Jan 1837, Huron Co, OH.  She died in 1852 and was the mother of Mercy E (1838-), Lewis Cass (1842-1921), Julia Maria (1844-1930), Estella (1846-), and George Henderson JR (1850 - 22 Dec 1874).  George next married Hannah Edgar, daughter of Henry W Edgar and Charlotte Webb, born c1829 PA.  Hannah was enumerated in 1850 in Lansing, Ingham Co, MI, as Hannah M 21 PA with her parents and siblings Dennis, Nelson W, Harriet, and Marshall.  She was the mother of Edgar P Show, born 27 Apr 1856 in Bryan, OH; Edgar later died in Chicago, IL 8 Dec 1905. In the 1860 Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census little four year old Edgar is living with Abram and Electa Wighman, not with his father and half-brother.  

 

In the 1860 West Unity, Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p155b, GH Show was listed as 49 MD dentist and had son Henry 10 OH.  After the divorce George married his third wife, Mary Jane Ritchie on 12 Nov 1863 in Indiana.  In the 1870 White Pigeon, St Joseph Co, MI federal census one finds George Show 61 MD dentist with wife Mary J 33 OH.

1860 Brady, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 149; Image: 304; Family History Library Film: 805052.
Edgar Show 4 OH living with Abram and Electa Wighman

In the 1870 White Pigeon, St. Joseph Co, MI George Show, 61 dentist Maryland, was enumerated with young wife, Mary J. 33 OH

George H Show 16 Jan 1877, Constantine Twp Cem, St Joseph Co, MI @71Y 6M 21D

1900 Bloomfield, Lagrange Co, IN
Show, EC P watch maker 44 (Apr 1856) OH-MD-PA with his wife, Loretta 44 IN and child

Edgar Carl Payne Show (1856 Brojon, OH  – 8 Dec 1905 Chicago, Cook Co, IL; bur Greenwood Cem, Lagrange Co, IN; jeweler) 49Y 6M – I think the birthplace is Bryan, OH and it appears this Edgar is the son of Hannah and George H Show.