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

BLIGH/BLY

BOHNER

BONNELL

BOOS

BOTT

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BOYNTON

BROWN Orlando

BYERS

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CARLE

CASE

CASEBEER

CASS

CAYWOOD

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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

DURBIN

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

STOCKING

SWEETMAN

TRITCH

TURLEY

VAN BEHREN

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WILLETT

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Greek, 1858

George Washington Greek v Jane Rose Greek (Journal 4 p563 - 19 Mar 1857; Journal 5 p336 - 30 Nov 1858; Roll 12 case number 29 - Nov 1858)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 17 December 2021)

 

The couple married in Fairfield Co, OH on 15 June 1842.  I found a marriage record for George Greeque and Jane Rose, 11 June 1842 in Fairfield Co, OH. This is the only possible date for the wedding. 

 

George has land in fee simple in Harden Co, OH.  He said Jane had willfully abandoned him more than three years ago.  He was granted a divorce.  

 

There is a George W Greek family living in Fairfield Co, OH according to the 1830 Greenfield, Fairfield Co, OH Federal Census with husband, wife and several children.  I speculate that this George  Greek is George Washington Greek, born 14 September 1800, Schaefferstown, Lebanon Co, PA, son of Elias Krueger and Maria Gibbens.  George married Sarah Mosier who died in 1841, probably in Fairfield Co, OH leaving George with six to eight children.  I think he married Jane Rose and later moved to the Williams Co, OH area.  This George is found much later in life living in 1870 Ransom, Hillsdale Co, MI and 1880 in Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH; both federal census records showed him residing with different sons.  George died on 13 January 1885 in the Kunkle , Williams Co, OH area.  According to the Hillsdale Standard (Hillsdale, MI), 27 January 1885 p8 c2: George was living with his son Daniel and had gone to Kunkle to visit.  One his way home he died and was found by some school children by the side of the road, clutching his cane.  I do not know anything else at the present time. 

 

According to The Bryan Press, 10 Apr 1873 p3 c2, George W. Greek took out a marriage license to wed Mary A. Marlow.  Whether this is one of the principals in the divorce has not been established.

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Graves, 1880

Mary A. Spake Graves v George Graves (Journal 10 p496 - 21 June 1880; p511 - 23 June 1880)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 27 December 2021) – see Hendricks Divorce

 

The couple was married in Wms Co on 30 Sept 1873 (Marriage V4 p293).  She said he was a habitual drunk and guilty of extreme cruelty to her. Mary A, the daughter of Harmon and Martha J. Liggett Spake, was born in Williams Co, OH on 19 August 1856.  Alverda “Bertha” Mary next married Andrew Hendricks in Williams Co, OH on 1 November 1885.   She died on 17 July 1895 @38Y 11M 5D and was buried in Leggett Cemetery.  Andrew died in 1919 and was buried in the Edon Cemetery, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH.

 

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Goff, 1883

Rhoda Hess Goff v George Alanson Goff

He Went Home to Mother, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1883

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 26 December 2021)

 

This couple had no children.  The husband was extremely cruel, a habitual drunk, and a spoiled son.  He left his wife and went home to his mother.  For the sad wife, this was the last straw.

 

Rhoda Hess married George A. Goff in Amboy Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI, on 27 Oct 1874 (Marriages Lib E p162).  Rhoda b. 1857 OH was the daughter of Bridgewater Twp, Wms Co, OH residents, Conrad and Jane Pert Hess, who appeared in the 1860 p93A, as Conrad 60 PA, Jane 45 PA, William J 18 PA, Elizabeth 15 PA, Mary 13 OH, John 12 OH, Joseph 6 OH, and Rhoda 3 OH.  This family was also listed in the 1870 federal censuses for that township p11, with Rhoda M. charted as 15 OH.

 

Rhoda appeared in the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court (Journal 12 p172 - 20 Dec 1883; Roll 40 case number 1218) and requested a divorce from George.  She stated that George was extremely cruel to her on 10 Apr 1878 at their home in Pioneer, OH, when he hit and struck her.  He left her three years ago, providing no support.  His mother, Julia Goff of Burr Oak, MI, had property and money to help Rhoda but she had chosen not to give her any assistance.  George as to Rhoda's knowledge was living with his mother.  He was a habitual drunk for most of their marriage.  Rhoda called the following men as witnesses of her plight: Daniel Stough, John Moore, and John Orewiler.  The court agreed that Rhoda should receive a divorce and be restored to her maiden name of Hess. Rhoda Hess married Duane Clow on 18 Oct 1892, Wms Co (Marriages V6 #784).  Nothing else is currently known of this couple.

 

In the 1880 Burr Oak, St. Joseph Co, MI federal census p259, George Goff 26 MI-NY-OH lived with his mother Julia 59 OH-CT-Unk and his brother Charles 30 MI-NY-OH.  George, born 16 Nov 1853, appears to be the son of Dorsitt J and Julia Terrill Goff.  The Goff household was enumerated in the 1860 Burr Oak, St. Joseph Co, MI federal census p as DJ Goff 44 NY, Julia 39 OH, Frank 15 MI, Charley 12 MI, George 6 MI, Ellen 4 MI, Julia Casata 18 Ire, and Lucretia Terrel 60 CT.  Prior to this census the Goff family lived in Coldwater, Branch Co, MI in 1850. In the 1900 Burr Oak, St. Joseph Co, MI federal census p5B, George Goff and his new family were listed as George 46 MI, Laura wife, born Sept 1855, married 1886 as 44 MI, and children Maggie A 9 MI, and Vern A 4 MI.  George was a harness maker. Laura Start, daughter of George Harvey and Martha Decker Start, was George’s new wife and together they had several other children who died at birth.  Laura died on 18 Jan 1929 and George died on 28 Jan 1905 in Burr Oak where he is buried.

 

Rho Laura died on 18 Jan 1929 and George died on 28 Jan 1905 in Burr Oak where he is buried.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Glore, 1870

Lucinda Hane Glore v Jacob Glore (Journal 7 p402 - 9 Mar 1870; p466-467 - 5 Nov 1870; Roll 22 case number 38)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 24 December 2021)

 

The couple was married in Chatfield Twp, Crawford Co, OH; she said the date was 15 July 1852, but the record showed the marriage was on 24 July 1852 (Marriage V4 p129).  The couple had three children, Philetus (17), Jacob (9), and William (3).

  

Lucinda Hane, the daughter of John Wilson and Delilah Anne Farrow Hane, was born on 29 Apr 1839 in Ohio. This Hane family was enumerated in the 1850 Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p31B as John Hane 41 PA, Delilah 35 PA, Rubin 12 OH, Lucinda 11 OH, Margaret 8 OH, John 6 OH, and Mary 4 OH. Jacob Glore, the son of John and Mary Glore, was born in Erie, NY on 12 Feb 1829.  The Glore family was listed in the 1850 Chatfield, Crawford Co, OH federal census p6A as John Glore 50 Germ, Mary 52 PA, (John) Henry 17 NY, Sally 16 NY, and Frances 12 NY. 

 

Jacob and Lucinda Glore were listed in the 1860 Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p27 as Jacob 28 NY, Lucinda 26 OH, and Philetus 7 OH.  They lived next door to Jacob’s parents, John and Mary Glore. Jacob served in the Civil War as a private in Co E 193^rd Ohio Infantry.

 

Lucinda said that on 11 Aug 1869 Jacob was extremely cruel.  He had been guilty of gross neglect for the last eight years.  On 20 Apr 1870 at the home of Caleb Rakestraw near Metz, Steuben Co, IN he committed adultery with Diane T. Evans, and on 1 May 1870 he left with Diane and moved to Newton Co, IN.  Lucinda had no real or personal property of her own, but what she did have was accumulated by joint labor and industry.  Jacob had a large amount of property and real estate and he intended to defraud her out of her just rights.  He conveyed to Daniel Huntington some of his land for $1200 and he still owed Jacob $900 in promissory notes held by Alexander Collie.  Jacob took all the personal property except her clothes and some furniture.  She was granted a divorce plus alimony of $650.

 

According to the 1870 Union, Benton Co, IN the Glores are listed as Jacob 41 OH, Lina 27 OH, Pliteus 17 OH, Jacob 9 OH, and William 4 OH; Jacob and Lina married on Dec 1869.  Jacob is found in 1890 Flatrock, Henry Co, OH as veteran of CW enumeration, having served from 6 March 1865-4 Aug 1865.  

 

Lucinda died on 30 Sept 1883 in Kingston, DeKalb Co, IL.  In Ohio Jacob Glore filed for a pension based on his CW service on 10 June 1901 and he died in Seneca, Lenawee Co, MI on 15 Aug 1905 and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Gilbert (Nathan), 1881

Effie M. Baker Gilbert v Nathan A. Gilbert (Journal 11 p130 - 7 Mar 1881; Roll 36 case number 852 - Jan 1881)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 24 December 2021)

 

The couple was married on 2 Oct 1861 in Bloomfield Twp, Lagrange Co, IN.  Nathan was the son of Elias and Roxey Hammond Gilbert; he was born c1840 IN; the family was listed in the 1860 Springfield, LaGrange Co, IN federal census p506 as Elias Gilbert 51 NY, Roxey 50 NY, Nathan A 20 IN, Charles H 15 IN, and Rachael 8 IN. 

 

Effie, the daughter of James Baker and Ann McIntire, was born in 1841 IN. Nathan and Effie were enumerated in the 1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census p37, as Nathan 30 IN miller, Effie M 29 MI, Alton 8 IN, and Anna B 6 IN.  He owned Lot 278 in Edgerton and Trevitt Addition in Bryan and Lot 50 in Pettisville.  On 16 Apr 1876 he abandoned them.  He lived in Ophis, Onway Co, Colorado.  She was granted a divorce.

 

Effie next married Nathan Warner in LaGrange Co, IN on 7 April 1888.  Her son Alton E Gilbert lived with his grandma Anna Kilbury (widow of James Baker and widow of Andrew Kilbury) in the 1880 LaGrange Co, IN Federal Census.  Online information states that Effie died between 1895-1900 and was buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Buffalo, Wright Co, MN.  She was the third and last wife of Nathan Warner.

 

Nathan A Gilbert, a miller, has not been found in Colorado, but again online information states he married again and died on 19 March 1906 in Russell, Lucas Co, IA.  The problem with that is researchers have him marrying before Effie and having a life with the other woman while married to Effie.