Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Beatty, 1883

Johannah Van Sickles  Beaty v William Beaty (Journal 12 p165 - 18 Dec 1883; Roll 39 case number 1168 - 2 July 1883)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 25 September 2021)

 

The court action documents contain a "soiled document" warning as the microfilm copy of the roll has light spots on it where the day and month of the marriage are recorded but did not show up on the microfilm; upon reexamination of the document I still see the year as 1881, but that may be a misrepresentation of the actual marriage date. The clerk may have made a mistake or the filer (Johannah) may have had a memory lapse.  Anyway, it is possible that the Johannah Beaty mentioned is Anna Van Sickles who married William Beaty in Williams Co, OH on 8 July 1880. If this is indeed the case, then the couple married in 1880, the divorce action was filed in 1883 with a dismissal.  This could also mean that the action was refiled in another venue and a divorce was later granted.  I found the 1900 federal census for William Beaty to contain the info that he was divorced.  Again this may be a result of this divorce or another.  

 

To recap, this is what was found in the Williams Co, OH Civil and Criminal Court Records with additional information on Ionna/Johannah/ Anna Van Sickles and William  Beaty. 

 

The couple was married in Bryan on 8 July 1880.  Johannah stated in court that William was guilty of gross neglect.  On 15 Mar 1883 he choked and abused her.  He has been a habitual drunk for three years or more.  The case at that time was dismissed.

 

William  Beaty (Apr 1826 PA – 29 Apr 1903, Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH at County Infirmary) s/o Robert and Sarah Kehl Beaty

 

William Beaty was first married to Mrs. Maria Shoemaker Wilson, widow of William Wilson, in Wms Co on 13 Apr 1847 (Marriage V2 p96). Maria, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Miller Shoemaker, was born in Stark Co, OH c Dec 1816.  Maria married William Wilson on 16 Apr 1837 in Stark Co, OH; he died bef 13 Apr 1847.

 

Children:

Sarah (1849 OH – 3 Apr 1874 Stryker, Williams Co, OH); m Jacob Charles Eitel

Laura Alwilda (1851 OH – c1896 Van Buren Co, MI); m Walter N Jackson

Lorenzo Adam (1 Dec 1852 Williams Co, OH – 15 Oct 1901 Newburg, Jasper Co, IA); m Sarah Samantha Gaddis

Lavina Beaty (12 July 1854 Williams Co, OH - 20 Sept 1911 in Henry Co, OH); m Walter Scott Culver

Delphine M (5 Feb 1856 Williams Co, OH – 27 Mar 1934 Flint, Genesee Co, MI); m Curtis Webb Lucy

Adaline (Apr 1858 Williams Co, OH - ); m Charles Obadiah Morfoot

William H (28 Jun 1860 Williams Co, OH – 11 June 1895 pos Jasper Co, IA); m Estella Elizabeth Richardson

 

1850 Brady, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M432_741; Page: 9B; Image: 24.

h/h 133/135 Beaty, William 25 PA farmer

Mariah 31 OH

Wilson, Clarcy 11 OH

Beaty, Sarah 1 OH

Catharine 15 PA

Sarah 56 PA

 

1860 Brady, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 158; Image: 322; Family History Library Film: 805052.

h/h 522/499 Baty, William 35 PA farmer

Maria 40 OH

Sarah 11 OH

Laura 9 OH

Adam 7 OH

Lavina 5 OH

Delphine 4 OH

Adoline 2 OH

 

1870 Brady, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 5A; Image: 13; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 68/71 Beaty, William 45 PA farmer

Maria 51 OH

Alwilda 19 OH

Lorenza 17 OH farm laborer

Lorina 15 OH

Dellia 14 OH

Ada 12 OH

William C 9 OH

Living next door to mother, Sarah Beaty 78 PA

 

Maria died c17 Jan 1878 in Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH 

 

According to the 1880 Brady Twp federal census, p500C, the family was listed as William 56 PA widower, Leroy A (Lorenzo A) 27 OH, and Sarah 23 OH. 

 

8 July 1880 in Williams Co, OH (Marriage V4 p693) William Beaty married Anna Van Sickles

 

1900 Brady, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 101.

h/h 60/61 Beaty, William (Apr 1825) 75 divorced PA-PA-PA

Rolland, Eugene servant (June 1843) 57 widower OH-FR-FR

 

Obituary
William Beatty was born in Pennsylvania in April, 1826, and died in Williams county, Ohio, April 30, 1903. In 1845 he settled in Stark county, O., and in 1847 in Williams county, O., where the remainder of his life was spent. Not long thereafter he was married to Maria Wilson. To them were born two sons and five daughters who grew to manhood and womanhood honored and respected by all who knew them.
Mrs. Beatty died Jan. 19, 1878. The two sons and two daughters also preceded the father in death.
He was of an accommodating disposition, always ready to grant to a neighbor a favor if possible.
Funeral services were held at the German M.E. church, two miles southwest of West Unity, O., May 1 1903, conducted by the writer. Interment in Floral Grove Cemetery.
F.M. Money

 

Ionna Vansickle (1860 Williams Co, OH - ) dau of Elias and Elizabeth Howe Vansickle

 

Elias Vansickle (24 July 1834 OH – 10 Feb 1893) son of Isaac and Joanna Woodruff Vansickle, mar 9 Apr 1818, Belmont Co, OH

Mar Elizabeth Howe, 5 Sept 1852 Perry Co, OH (1836 OH - 1 Feb 1913, Homer, Dakota Co, NE)

 

Children

Mary Mae

Corintha

Ionna 1860 OH……also called Joanna

Sarah Ellen 1862 OH

Lyddie Anna 1864 WI

Charles W 1871 WI……1930 South Sioux City, Nebraska

Dora E 6 May 1873 WI

Albertus 1876 OH

Alice 1878 OH

 

1850 Monroe, Perry, Ohio; Roll: M432_719; Page: 247B; Image: 231.

h/h 10/10 Vansickle, Joanna 49 PA

Elias 19 OH

Samuel 17 OH

David 16 OH

Julia Ann 12 OH

George W 8 OH

 

1860 Centre, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 81; Image: 166; Family History Library Film: 805052.

h/h /1223 Vansickle, Elia 28 OH farmer

Elisabeth 27 OH

Mary 5 OH

Corintha  3 OH

 

1870 Wyalusing, Grant, Wisconsin; Roll: M593_1717; Page: 509B; Image: 626; Family History Library Film: 553216.

h/h 90/91 Vansickle, Elion 34 IN farmer

Elizabeth 34 IN

Mary 14 WI

Clarintha 11 WI

Joanna 10 WI

Ellen 8 WI

Anna 6 WI

Charles 1/12 WI

Samuel 32 WI farm laborer

 

1880 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 624B; Enumeration District: 11; Image: 0110.

h/h 174/185 Vansickle, Elias 55 OH-OH-PA farmer

Elisabeth 44 wife OH-PA-MD

Ionna 20 dau OH-OH-OH

Sarah E 18 dau OH-OH-OH

Lyddie 15 dau OH-OH-OH

Charles W 9 son WI-OH-OH

Dora E 6 dau WI-OH-OH

Albertus 4 son OH-OH-OH

Alice 2 dau Oh-OH-OH

 

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Bear

William Bear v Rachael A. Stewart Bear (Journal 9 p47 - Nov 1876; Roll 30 case number 3 - Nov 1876) - see Clarissa J. Meads Bair v William H. Bair

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Bryan, Wms Co, OH on 23 Jul 1870 (Marriage V4 p123).  No other information was included in the file, except that William wanted this divorce because wife Rachael had been willfully absent for more than three years.    According to the 1870 Bryan federal census, p23, Alexander Stewart 58 PA carpenter had a Rachel 24 OH living with him.  In the 1880 Bryan federal census, Alexander Stewart was listed as 61 PA with daughter Rachel Stewart 30 OH divorced.  It could be that this William Bear is the same William H. Bair from the previous cited divorce case, but this has not been confirmed todate.  If this is so, William H. Bear married Mary D. Hopkins in Wms Co on 7 Oct 1877 (Marriages V4 p537) and the couple lived closeby to the Stewarts in the 1880 Bryan federal census as William Bair 42 OH, Mary 36 CAN, Oliver no data OH, and border Jehiel Bair 39 OH divorced.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Beach, 1877

 William Wallace F. Beach v Medora A. Miller/Williams Beach (Journal 9 p86 - 16 Mar 1877; p120 - 11 June 1877; Roll 31 case number 144 and 186 - June 1877)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 24 September 2021)

 

The couple was married on 27 Feb 1867 in Addison, Lenawee Co, MI.  Wallace, b. 13 June 1845, Orleans Co, NY, was the son of Frances D. and Elizabeth English Beach.  When he was a child his family moved to Hudson, Lenawee Co, MI.  He was a CW vet having served in Co F 4^thMI VI from 1864-1865.  In the 1870 Hudson, Lenawee Co, MI federal census p300, the Beach family was listed as Wallace Beach 24 NY cooper and Madora 19 MI, living in a boarding house of Mrs. Nancy Williams 54 NY, who might be Medora’s mother (1816 NY to 1898 Raisin Center Friends Cemetery, Lenawee Co, MI).

 

Wallace charged Madora with gross neglect.  He wanted custody of the two children, Clarence Franklin aka Francis (6) and Frederick Walker A. (4).  Madora was out late at night walking with strange men.  She would do as she pleased; she would leave the children with no one to watch them.  On 20 May 1874 she committed adultery in a cellar of a building used as a cooper shop in the village of Hudson, Lenawee Co, MI with unknown men.  On 20 Sept 1875 she was in Toledo, visiting her sister when she took a streetcar ride with a Mr. Miller, the conductor, whom she later lodged with as man and wife. On 1 Apr 1876 she exhibited bad conduct and refused to live with him, after he found a place in Bryan for the family.  On 20 Apr 1876 she committed adultery with this Miller in Bryan.  On 25 May 1876 she did the same with LA Graff, a single man.  At the time of this filing she lived in Adrian, Lenawee Co, MI. Wallace subpoenaed John Patterson for testimony about Madora's character. He placed a notice of divorce in the Bryan Press, 1 Feb 1877, p2.  A divorce and custody of the children were granted to him. 

 

On 5 July 1877 in Hudson, MI Wallace married Anna M. Foster, the daughter of Harvey and Lavina Foster with witnesses Milford and Julia Roose of Bryan, OH.   The bride was b. 13 Jan 1854 in W. Walworth, NY and also came to MI as a child.  The couple had two children, Burt (Bertram Elroy)and Maude.  By 1879 they lived in Toledo, Lucas Co, OH according to the City Directory and later in the 1880 Toledo, Lucas Co, OH federal census as Wallace 35 NY, Anna 25 MI, and Frank 10 MI. The Beach family was enumerated in the 1900 Hudson, Lenawee Co, MI federal census p16, as Willis F June 1845 (54) NY married 23 years, Anna M Jan 1854 (46) NY, Burton R Aug 1883 (16) OH, and Maud E Sept 1885 (14) MI. Wallace died of cirrhosis of the liver in Hudson on 27 Feb 1908 and was buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Hudson.  His widow outlived him until 5 March 1940. Note she was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Pittsford, Lenawee Co, MI.

 

Both of her sons named her Medora Williams in their marriage licenses.  There was a Medora H Williams of Hudson, aged 27 MI, who married Charles Matthews, 37 England, resident of Leavenworth, KS, on 15 March 1879 in Clayton, Lenawee Co, MI.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Bayley, 1882

Ida May Hathaway Bayley v Perry Henry Bayley (Journal 11/12 p492 - 12 Sept 1882; Roll 38 case number 1053)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 23 September 2021)

 

The couple was married in Ottawa, Putnam Co, OH, on 3 Aug 1878.  Ida, b 30 Mar 1858, Columbia City, Whitley Co, IN, was the daughter of Thomas B. and Frances Elizabeth Andrews Hathaway. Ida told the court Perry had been willfully absent for three years or more.  He refused to support her.  Mrs. FE Hathaway, her mother, of Van Buren Twp, Putnam Co, OH gave testimony to support Ida.  A divorce was granted.   

 

In 1870 Sidney, Shelby Co, OH federal census Ida Hathaway was 12 OH with her parents. From the 1880 Belmore, Putnam Co, OH federal census, p301, the Hathaways were listed as TB 50 OH house carpenter, FE 42 OH, Ida Bailey 22 OH, Jennie Hathaway 18 OH, Clara Hathaway 16 OH, Hattie Hathaway 9 OH, Bessie Hathaway 2 OH, and Jessie Bailey 2 OH, granddaughter; evidently Ida and her daughter made a home in Putnam Co with her parents. After that census, nothing else is known of Ida or Jessie.

 

More records need to be investigated, particularly in Shelby Co, OH, but the following is a very interesting possibility.  Perry Henry Bayley, born 21 April 1857 in Sidney Shelby Co, OH, the son of Elisha and Ellen Duvall Bayley,  fathered a son, Bruce Bayley, born 4 August 1878 in Franklin, Shelby Co, OH. Bruce’s birth certificate listed his parents as Perry Bayley and Mary E “Jenny” Ware.  In 1880 Perry is living in Sidney, Shelby Co, OH as 24 OH clerk in a store, residing with his parents; he’s enumerated as single.  Bruce Bayley is listed in 1880 Dinsmore, Shelby Co, OH as Brucey Bayley with his grandparents Israel and Josephine Ware; he’s 2 OH grandson. The 1880 Girls Reformatory in Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co, OH has a Mary E Ware listed as inmate, 18 OH.  If these facts are correct, Perry married Ida a day before his son Bruce was born.  Since the mother, Mary E Ware, was underage (15 or 16) perhaps she was sent away to that reformatory. Perry, having married Ida and it would seem fathered a child, Jessie born 1878, left Ida sometime in 1879 and went back home to live with his parents.  This is not a pretty picture - one underage girl he did not marry but abandoned  and one woman he married but later abandoned.  Both women were the mothers of his children, Bruce and Jessie.

 

In 1902 Perry applied for a US patent on a soldering iron heater.  His occupation according to his death certificate stated he was a thinner. Perry H. Bayley was enumerated in 1910 Sidney, Shelby Co, OH as 55 OH-MD-OH retail merchant married c1885 with wife Mary Ann (Steinle) and three children (one died). Perry died on 13 December 1914 in Dayton, Montgomery Co, OH and was buried in Graceland Cemetery, Sidney, Shelby Co, OH. 

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Bavin, 1878

Mary Jane Spade Bavin v Charles Sleight Bavin

The Very Proper Englishman Exhibited Improper Behavior, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1878

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 16 October 2021)

 

On 15 Sept 1877 he used abusive language and dragged her out of a chair to a length of 30 feet by her hair, kicking and wounding her.  She tolerated this for the sake of her children, but in Feb 1878 she filed for a divorce but was refused. On 12 Nov 1878 he threatened to bash out her brains with a chair and kick the heart out of her, while striking her repeatedly.  She could not bear this behavior any longer and refiled for relief.  Thus this story was repeated for the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court (Journal 10 p108 - Mar 1879; Roll 33 case number 549 - Feb 1878).  The genealogical detailing shows a woman who had to file several times before the court would actively listen and ultimately grant her a divorce.

 

Charles Bavin, born on 2 Nov 1839, Blackney, Lincolnshire, England, was the son of John and Mary Ann (Medley) Bavin, English natives who brought their children to the US c1852, staying in New York before removing to Ohio and settling in Millcreek Twp, Wms Co, OH.  They were enumerated in the 1860 Millcreek Twp federal census, p131b, as: John Bavin 60 ENG, Ann 54 ENG, John 27 ENG, Charles 21 ENG, and adopted daughter Adaline Barger 14 OH.  The parents were buried in Floral Grove Cemetery, West Unity, Brady Twp as John Bavin (d.27 Apr 1871 @75Y - Death V1 p8) and Ann (d.27 Mar 1877 @75Y - Death V1 p43).  

 

The Official Roster of Soldier in Ohio showed that their son Charles, a Civil War vet in Co E 14^th Infantry Ohio, had enlisted in April 1861 and mustered out in Aug 1861, Toledo, OH; Charles married Mary Jane Spade on 3 July 1862, Millcreek Twp (Marriage V3 p248).  The bride was born on 8 June 1843 in Wms Co and was the daughter of Christopher and Anna Margaret (Clark) Spade, early settlers of Millcreek Twp.  There were listed in the 1850 Millcreek Twp federal census p28, as Christopher Spade 33 PA, Anna 27 PA, Mary 7 OH, Frederic 3 OH, and Julia 1 OH.  The family expanded through the 1860 Millcreek Twp federal census p123a, and the 1870 Millcreek Twp federal census p4, to include the following children: Mary, Frederick, Julia A, Margaret, Christopher Columbus, Cornelius, and Joseph.  The Spade parents died on 23 Oct 1890 (Anna M) and 15 Oct 1888 (Christopher).  

 

In the 1870 Millcreek Twp federal census, p1, the Bavins were listed as Charles 35 ENG, Mary Jane 27 OH, John C 7 OH, Anna M 5 OH, Frederick 3 OH, and George 1 OH.  Mary Jane as stated earlier decided to head over to Bryan and request a divorce in Feb 1878.  She wanted custody of the children and provided their names and birthdates.  She also stated that Charles owned 80 acres of land in Millcreek and she wanted a portion of this to support her children.  She also stated that she was 35 years old and had been a resident of this county all her life.  Mary provided witnesses to her plight such as Frederick and John Bavin, Julia Ann Spade, John Laser, John Shook, John Kirkenburg, Margaret E. White, Alfred S. Hendricks, George Frick, William Denman, Joseph Greek, and ES Davis.  Some of these people were relatives, some neighbors, and some her own children.  The court listened and finally granted her requests.  Given the severity of the charges and the number of witnesses it is difficult to understand why the court made her refile before granting her this action.

 

The Bavins were parents to the following eight children: John C (b 8 Aug 1863), Anna Margaret (b 7 Dec 1864), Frederick Charles (b 9 Oct 1866), George M (b 9 Dec 1868), Mary Della (29 Jan 1871 - 29 Mar 1879), Cynthia Jane (b 25 May 1872), Dora Blanche (1 Aug 1875 - 21 Apr 1875 or 22 Sept 1875), David Henry (b 21 Oct 1876).  Mary Jane was listed as head of house in the 1880 Ransom, Hillsdale Co, MI federal census p237 as Mary Jane Bavin 36 OH-PA-PA divorced, along with children John 17 OH-ENG-PA, Frederic 13 OH-ENG-PA, George 11 OH-ENG-PA, Cynthia 8 OH-ENG-PA, and David 3 OH-ENG-PA. In the Civil War Veterans listing in 1890 for Ransom, MI Mary Jane Bavin was listed as a widow of Charles Bavin but there was a notation “mistake” written on the enumeration.  The possibility exists that Charles was a CW vet but as he was very much alive, Mary Jane could not claim any pension or other help as his widow. Mary Jane Bavin died on 11 November 1892 and was buried with her two daughters DB and Della in Floral Grove Cem, West Unity.  

 

According to the 1880 Richland Twp, Steuben Co, IN federal census, p397, Charles was listed as 40 ENG-ENG-ENG farmer with his wife Esther 29 OH-Germ-PA who had a disease of the liver.  Charles had married Esther (Shaffer) Rhoades from Fulton Co, OH on 29 February 1880 in Waldron, Hillsdale Co, MI.  She was the daughter of John and Catherine (Hake) Shaffer of Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH.  Esther had been the widow of Lewis William Rhoades who she married on 24 October 1869 at her home; William Rhoades died on 7 September 1870.  It would appear that Esther and Charles separated but no divorce has been currently found.  Esther would marry Robert Newton Sims in Medina, Lenawee Co, MI on 15 January 1884.  Upon his death she married William Longworth on 18 December 1924 when she was 70 and he was 69.  Esther passed away on 3 May 1934 and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Morenci, MI as Esther Sims.

 

 Charles Bavin married Abigail “Addie” (Scott) Vantage in California, Branch Co, MI on 29 June 1884. Abigail was born in Lenawee Co, MI on 7 Mar 1849 and died in Richland Twp, Steuben Co, IN on 5 February 1912.  She was the daughter of Cornelius and Eliza (Boise) Scott and the wife of John Vandage, a Holland immigrant, whom she married in Adrian, Lenawee Co, MI on 12 May 1870. The Bavins had a son Charles Leon b 1889 in Richland Twp, Steuben Co, IN. In the 1900 Richland Twp, Steuben Co, IN federal census p7B, this Bavin family was enumerated as Charles 60 ENG-ENG-ENG (married in 1882; immigrated in 1852; unknown b-date), Addie 50 (Mar 1850 - mother of 6 with 3 living) MI-NY-NY, and son Charlyn 10 IN-ENG-MI.  Charles died on 4 Feb 1916 in Hamilton, Steuben Co, IN; “Friday morning Charles Bavin at the Fish Lake hotel was stricken with paralysis and passed away at 6:20 pm”. He was buried in Bethel Cem, Steuben Co, IN.

 

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Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Baum

Catherine Gares Baum v Thomas Jefferson Baum

He Deserted His Family for a Honey in Nebraska, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1886

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 15 Oct 2010)

The wife received custody of the minor children and alimony of $200 while the husband willfully absented himself from the family obligations, proving his character unfit in regard to the care of his children.

Catherine Gares, born c1846 OH, was the daughter of Bavarian immigrants, Jacob and Mary Drum Gares.  They were enumerated in the 1850 Brady Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p13, as Jacob 44 DEU, Mary 40 DEU, Peter 13 DEU, Charles 10 NY, John 8 OH, Catherine 4 OH, Sarah 2 OH, and Mary 7/12 OH.  The family resided in West Unity as shown by the 1860 Brady Twp federal census p149, as Jacob Gares 54 DEU, Mary 50 DEU, John 17 OH, Catherine 14 OH, Sarah 12 OH, Mary 10 OH, and Louise 4 OH.  Jacob, a Civil War veteran, and wife Mary died on 28 Nov 1876 and 9 Sept 1885, respectively, and were buried in Floral Grove Cem, West Unity.

Catherine married Thomas J. Baum on 31 Mar 1864, Wms Co, OH (Marriages V3 p369).  Thomas J. Baum was possibly a Civil War soldier, serving as a corporal in Co G Ohio 82^nd OVI. Thomas, born in May 1842 in Ohio, the son of George W. and Catherine Paull Baum, and his family were enumerated in the 1870 Brady Twp federal census p10, as Thomas J. Baum 28 OH, Catherine 24 OH, Mary E 3 OH, and Angeline 2 OH.  They lived close by to Catherine’s parents and siblings.  Through the Williams Co, OH birth records one learns that the family increased with the births of Jason, born 22 Aug 1874 (V1 p73) and Alta, born 13 Dec 1875 (V1 p83), both in Brady Twp.

In the fall of 1885 Thomas abandoned his family.  Prior to this from 21 Mar 1885 – 25 Mar 1885 he traveled to Hardin Co, Nebraska with Alma Coffee.  Note there is no Hardin Co, Nebraska but there is a Hardin Co, IA. From there they moved to Stratton, Hitchcock Co, NE and lived openly together until 8 May 1885.  In Dundy Co, NE they stayed until 1 Sept 1885 when he returned home.  Catherine sought a divorce in Apr 1886 when she appeared before the Williams Co, OH Civil and Criminal Court (Journal 13 p496 - 2 June 1886; Roll 43 Box 144 case number 1626 – 1 Apr 1886) and testified to the above-mentioned dates and circumstances of desertion and adultery.

She also told the court that Thomas used obscene and profane language in the presence of the minor daughters, now Anna 17, and Alta 10.  Thomas had borrowed $1,000 from her at the time of their wedding and she wanted this paid back.  She owned a house and lot in Barley, Guthrie Co, IA valued at $500.  Thomas had personal property valued at $800, which he left behind, such as a cook stove and furniture.  Catherine wanted these items as well as a divorce.  She told the court that Thomas’ last known address was Norwalk, Huron Co, OH.  A legal notice of divorce appeared in the Bryan Press, on 1 June 1886. The court granted Catherine a divorce, alimony of $500, and custody of the minor daughters. 

Alma A. Coffee, the daughter of Milton and Tacy W. Heacock Coffee, was born in May 1860, and was living with her parents and siblings as shown in the 1880 Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p510.  In the 1900 North Baltimore, Wood Co, OH federal census p34B, Thomas J. Baum was enumerated as 58 (May 1842) OH-OH-PA no occupation married 13 years (c1887) to wife Alma 40 (May 1860) who had no children and was listed as a dressmaker; they were again listed in the 1910 Henry Twp, Wood Co, OH federal census p12B as Thomas J. Baum 67 OH-PA-OH own income, married twice and wife Almada 49 OH-OH-OH no children, married twice, and no occupation. Thomas died on 21 Feb 1919 in Wood Co (Ohio Death Records) and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ada, Hardin Co, OH.  The 1920 Henry Twp, Wood Co, OH federal census p11B enumerated Alma Baum 58 OH as a widow; Alma died in 1936 and was buried beside her husband.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Bassett, 1867

Thomas P. Bassett v Lydia Marrifield Bassett (Journal 7 p35/98 - 12 Mar 1867)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 13 October 2021)

 

No marriage date has currently been discovered, but they were married before the 1860 federal census; moreover, several online resources suggest they were married c1856 in Huron Co, OH.  The case was continued.  She committed adultery but was granted alimony and an interest in land, which Thomas held in fee simple in Sec 3 (N1/2 of SW 1/4 of NW 1/4 - 20 acres) in Defiance Co, OH.

 

Thomas was born on 5 Apr 1829 in  Kent, England, the son of William Earl and Jane Pelham Bassett.  He immigrated with his parents to the US in 1831, settling in Huron Co, OH.  The Bassett family was enumerated in the 1850 Clarksfield, Huron Co, OH federal census p355 as J. William Bassett 52 ENG, Jane 46 ENG, Thomas 21 ENG, Lucy 17 OH, George 15 OH, Samuel 13 OH, Henry 10 OH, John 7 OH, and Ellen 4 OH. 

 

Thomas was a Civil War veteran, having served in Co E 86^th OVI between 1863-1864.  The couple was listed in the 1860 Milford Twp, Defiance Co, OH federal census p397 as Thomas Bassett 31 ENG and wife Lydia 29 OH.  By the 1870 Milford Twp federal census p149, Thomas 41 ENG lived as a single man with the J. Fletcher Haller family.

 

Later Thomas married Sibyl Sprague on 21 Mar 1871.  Sibyl, born 9 Nov 1828, Fowler, St. Lawrence Co, NY, was the daughter of Samuel Bliss Sprague and Sibyl Hall.  She had been married before to Isaac Miller Ferguson on 28 July 1850, but the marriage appears to have ended in divorce.  

 

In the 1870 Milford Twp federal census p150, Sibel Sprague 40 NY was the head of house with her son George S. Ferguson 19 NY.  The Bassett couple was enumerated in the 1880 Milford Twp federal census p207A, as Thomas 51 ENG, Sibyl Elizabeth 50 NY, and Clifford 7 OH.  Thomas died on 11 Dec 1891 in Defiance Co of heart disease @62Y 8M 6D and was buried in the Six Corners Cem, Hicksville.  His wife, Sibyl, was living with her son. George S. Ferguson as shown in the 1910 Shawnee, Fountain Co, IN federal census p8A as George 59 NY, Elizabeth Ferguson 19 IN daughter, and Sibyl Bassett 81 NY mother, widow; Sibyl died on 22 Oct 1915.

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Baker

Sellanira E. Colgan Kimble Baker v Thomas Jefferson Baker

Sarah Hatfield v Lyman Hatfield

I Will Not Live With You Any More, Two Divorces (?) in Williams County, Ohio, 1875 and 1878

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

Legal Notice in "Bryan Press", Jan 1875: "It happens that Thomas J. Baker has had it published that I, Sellanira E. Baker, left his bed and board.  As for his having a bed, he had none, as for board, I had none of his earnings, therefore, I will not be responsible for any debts, which he may contract hereafter.  Mrs. SE Baker." Note that in a variety of records Sellanira’s name is spelled in a variety of ways.  This report will use the primary spelling, Sellanira, along with the others cited.

This notice obviously contained some underlying hostility, which can be explained by the divorce records that preceded this, and one found afterward.  Here is the genealogical detailing of two couples.

Thomas Jefferson Baker, b 16 July 1845, Junction, Paulding Co, OH, was the son of James C and Priscilla Gould Baker; he was enumerated with his parents in the 1850 Junction, Paulding Co, OH federal census.  By the 1860 Stryker, Springfield Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p73B, the Baker family had moved and was enumerated as James C. Baker 62 ENG, Priscilla A 46 PA, Fred A 19 OH, Thomas J 15 OH, Cornelius 13 OH, Frances 10 OH, and Lewis 6 OH.

Thomas married Mrs. Sellanira E. Kimble, a widow, in Wms Co on 17 Oct 1867 (Marriage V3 p725). William Kimble and Sellanira Colgan were married in Wms Co, OH on 8 Dec 1853 (Marriages V2 p139).  William’s parents were Luticia Eutzler (16 Sept 1809 – 26 Aug 1880) and Daniel Kimble (d. 7 Apr 1850 @49Y 3M 8D), both buried next to William. The Kimble family was enumerated in the 1850 Springfield Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p102 as Daniel Kimble 49 VA, Letticia 22 OH, William 19 OH, Benjamin 16 OH, Enos 13 OH, Sarah 11 OH, Henry 8 OH, and Mary Jane 4 OH. 

Sellanira Colgan, was born c1832 OH; her parents, Daniel Colgan and Christina Haller, were natives of Kentucky, had migrated from Champaign Co, OH, and were enumerated in the 1840 Springfield Twp federal census p239 with Daniel Colgan 30-40 male and two sons between 5-10 years, two daughters under five years, and a wife between 30-40 years. In the 1850 Springfield Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p103A, as Daniel Colgan 44 KY, Christina Ann 43 KY, John R 20 OH, Sellemira 18 OH, William 15 OH, Mary Ann 12 OH, Jane 10 OH, Lucinda 8 OH, Daniel 6 OH, snd Stephen 3 OH. The Colgan family had lived on Sec 20 of that township as early as Oct 1833 when they hosted the first religious meeting in the county (Goodspeed, 1882, p429-431).  By the 1860 Springfield Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p64, the Colgans were listed as Daniel 55 KY, Christian 54 KY and their children.  Next door their daughter Sellamira was recorded with her husband William Kimnel as William 29 OH, Sellamira 28 OH, Martha 3 OH, and John 1 OH; William was buried in Buck Cem, Springfield Twp, having died on 23 May 1862 @31Y. William was a Civil War veteran of Co D 38^th OVI. Thus Sellamira became a widow and five years later married Thomas Baker.  About three weeks after this marriage, Sellamira’s father, Daniel Colgan, died on 7 Nov 1867 @64Y 10M 6D; he was buried in the Boynton Cem, Springfield Twp.

The 1864 Wms Co Atlas showed a Mrs. Kimble owned land in Sec 17 in Springfield Twp.  In the 1870 Springfield Twp federal census, p13, the Baker family was listed as Thomas J. Baker 23 OH, Sellamira 38 OH, Lilly 5 OH, Hubert 1 OH, Herschell May 1870 OH.  Sellamira’s daughter, Martha Kimble 13 OH, lived nearby with the Calvin Gates family and her son, John H. Kimble 11 OH, resided with his grandmother, Laetitia 60 OH and other Kimble relations. Sellamira’s mother, Christiana Colgan 63 KY, also lived in the same neighborhood. One of Baker’s neighbors was a Minerva Webster, 24 OH, daughter of Albert and Sarah Webster; interestingly this Webster family also lived next door to Sellamira and her parents by the 1860 federal census listing for Springfield Twp.

According to the Williams County Civil and Criminal Court records (Journal 8 p77 - 31 Oct 1872; Roll 24 case number 65 - Oct 1872) Sellanira desired a divorce.  She stated that she was a victim of Thomas' adultery on 15 Jan 1868 at her Springfield Twp home when he "carried on" with Minerva Webster. (See Evart v Evart). He refused to furnish any means to support her and was extremely cruel a short time before she was confined to her labor bed.  Their son William Herbert was born Sept 1869.  They later had another son, James Custer Baker, b 14 May 1870.  Thomas was violent and profane, often shouting, "I won't live with you any more". The five-year-old Lilly Baker may have been issue from Sellamira's first marriage or not a child of either party.  She was not mentioned in the divorce papers, but the two little boys were.  The court initially decided against this divorce.  Now we turn our attention to a second couple, who will be connected to the problems of this Baker couple.

Lyman Hatfield, born in Youngstown, Mahoning Co, OH, in 1827, had married Sarah Stall.  The couple was listed in the 1850 Milton, Mahoning Co, OH federal census as Lyman 23 PA, Sarah 40 OH, both residing with Joseph Stoll 84 PA, and Chester Strong 12 OH. The family moved to Paulding Co, OH by 1853 and later relocated to Bryan in 1858. In the 1860 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census p49B, the Hatfields were enumerated as Lyman 32 OH, Sarah 38 PA, James WC 9 OH, and Chester Strong 22 OH. Note Sarah’s age changed ratically from the 1850 to the 1860 census.  Lyman enlisted in Co C 38^th OVI during the Civil War and became a member of the Evans Post GAR after his military service. By the 1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census p23, the Hatfields were listed as Lyman 46 OH drayman, and wife Sarah 47 OH, Chester Strong 25 OH, Columbus 18 OH, Mary 19 IRE, and Ida 1 KY. It would appear that perhaps Sarah had been married before to a Mr. Strong and Chester was her son, but that needs to be investigated further.

Sellanira’s mother, Christi Ann Colgan of Springfield Twp died on 29 May 1874 @68Y.  Her obituary in the Bryan Press, 4 June 1874 p3 c5 tells of her early settlement in Sept 1833 close to Styker, OH.  She was the last surviving member of the first religious society organized within the present limits of Williams County.

In Jan 1875 Sellamira Baker was brought to court by Mrs. Sarah Hatfield who wanted Sellamira to be held accountable for the breakup of her marriage to Lyman Hatfield (Probate #1709 - Ohio v Sellamira Baker).  Sarah's witness, Matilda Stillwell, stated that between 1 Oct 1874 and 11 Jan 1875 Sellamira had deserted her husband Thomas Baker and lived with Lyman Hatfield.  Sellamira denied that she was guilty of any wrong.  Those who appeared to give testimony against her were Elizabeth and William Hamet, Mary and Enoch Metzger, Leonard Myers, Susan and William H. June, and the offended spouses, Sarah Hatfield and Thomas Baker.  Sellamira brought the following witnesses of her own: Barbara and SK Wilcox, Levi McBride, John Van Dycke, and Albert Webster.  Evidently the court found her guilty and awarded Thomas Baker a divorce, although it never stated officially that Sarah Hatfield received one.

According to Williams County Civil and Criminal Court records (Roll 30 - 21 June 1878) Mrs. Sarah Hatfield, not one to give up, sued Lyman Hatfield for some real estate.  She subpoenaed her Bryan neighbors, Peter Shouf, William Garlow, Lovina Bear, Lillie Williams, Mrs. Ellen Miller, and M/M Columbus Hatfield, her son and daughter-in-law.  The court granted Sarah a more reasonable alimony and the property; as stated before, it was unclear whether she was awarded a divorce, but it seems likely due to the 1880 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p657B, where Sarah Hatfield 53 PA was listed as “divorced”; she lived alone in Bryan.

In the 1880 Springfield Twp federal census, p672A, the Hatfield family changed to Lyman 52 OH blacksmith, Sellamira 48 OH, stepdaughter Lilly Hatfield 15 OH, and stepsons Wilson H Baker 11 OH, and Curtis Baker 10 OH, plus Amos Potter 60 PA minister.  Presumably Lyman and Sellamira married between Jan 1875 and this 1880 census. Note that Lilly was 15 and used the surname Hatfield plus there was a minister living with the couple.  This may strengthen the notion that Sellamira was not as bad as the court records made her out to be.   Lilly Kimble of Stryker later married John W. Partee of Evansport on 30 Nov 1881 in Wms Co (Marriages V5 p80; The Bryan Press, 8 Dec 1881 p5 c4).  She may have been Sellanira’s daughter by her first husband, William Kimble.

Thomas J. Baker moved to Indiana and married Mildred J. Crowl on 15 Nov 1875. His wife Mildred, an Indiana native, died on 24 Dec 1904.  In the 1910 Center Twp, LaPorte Co, IN federal census p6A, Thomas J. Baker, a resident of Scott St, was listed as Thomas 64 OH, married three times, and wife Sarah H 55 OH, married one year; this was her second marriage.  Sarah had one child living. Thomas later died on 10 Feb 1926 in La Porte, IN. 

Lyman Hatfield died 17 Jan 1895, Wms Co (Death V3 p52). His obituaries in the Bryan Press, 24 Jan 1895 p2 and 14 Feb 1895 p8, and the Bryan Democrat, 24 Jan 1895 p5, tell an interesting story of his demise.  He was cutting trees in a woods near his home  and one tree fell, striking and crushing his leg.  He was rescued b a fellow chopper who exercised superhuman strength to extricate Lyman and convey him to his house; his leg was broken in three places and he was injured internally. He never rallied from the shock and died 44 hours later at the age of 67Y 3M 4D.  Burial services were held at Boynton Cemetery in Springfield Twp. His wife and one son survived his death; Sellanira Colgan Baker Hatfield was listed as his wife.   From an obituary in the Bryan Press, 22 Oct 1896 p5, one learns that the funeral of Mrs. Lyman Hatfield was conducted from the ME Church in Stryker.  She lived in Toledo, Lucas Co, OH at the time of her death, resulting from heart failure.  She was mentioned as a daughter of early settler, Daniel Colgan.  

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Bailey

Mehitabel Olds Bailey v John Bailey (Journal 4 p74 - 1 Nov 1849; p84 - Apr 1850) with a countersuit by John Bailey v Mehitable Bailey

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 10 October 2011)

The couple was married on 10 Aug 1842, Wms Co (Marriage V1 p60).  Nothing is known of John's parentage but Mehitabel, b 17 Jan 1818, Ashtabula Co, OH, was the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Cannady/Kennedy Olds.  Thomas Olds, born 17 Jan 1786 in Brookfield, Worcester Co, MA, was the first shoemaker in the Edgerton-Clarksville area; he died on 9 Oct 1849 @63Y 8M 22D and was buried in the Clarksville Cemetery; later his wife Margaret, born 15 May 1789, would join him upon her death on 5 June 1872 @83Y 21D, having died in Big Creek, Black Hawk Co, IA. The Baileys had three known children: William (b1843), Justus Perry (b1845), and Mary Adaline (b1849).

The divorce record does not give any details except that Mehitabel wanted to drop the case that she introduced.  Later John sued Mehitabel but then said he would not continue his suit.  It appears that there was no divorce.  According to the Issue Docket, Clerk of Courts 1848-1852, John Bailey v Mehitabel Bailey divorce action was discontinued in April 1850 Term.

According to the 1850 Milford Twp, Defiance Co, OH federal census p80, Mahitabel Bayley 30 OH was enumerated with her Bailey/Bayley children, Justus P 5 OH, William 7 OH, and Mary A 1 OH.  Her mother Margaret Olds was also recorded as 60 VA plus many of her children and grandchildren, all living side by side according to this census.  Whether she indeed received a divorce, separated from John, or John died is not known.

According to the Defiance Co, OH Marriages (V1 p130), Mehitable, 38Y married twice before, and Frederick Murphy, 56Y married once before, tied the knot on 20/24 Sept 1856.  They had twin boys, Eli Clarence and Uriah J. “Uri”, b 11 Oct 1858 and Daniel William  b 18 Jan 1865.  Daniel later became an instructor at Stanford University in Los Angeles, CA. Frederick had been married to Modalana Cather of Berks Co, PA (1816 - 1843) and had a daughter, Mrs. Sarah Worthington, wife of John Worthington, a Civil War veteran; both were buried in Maple Grove Cem, Edgerton, OH.  Note that the Defiance Co, OH Marriage record stated that Mehitable was married twice before; there is a marriage record in Ashtabula Co, OH, where the Olds family once lived that has a Mehitable Olds and a Winfield G. Cosper married on 24 Jan 1836; if this is the subject of this detailing, that would explain the “twice married”, first to Cosper and then to Bailey. From the 1860 Milford Twp, Defiance Co, OH federal census p396, the Murphy family was listed as Fred 59 NJ, Mehitabel 44 OH, Eli 2 OH, Uri 2 OH, and A. Bailey (f) 11 OH.  In the 1870 Milford Twp federal census PO Farmer p131, the family was enumerated as Frederick 69 NJ, Mehitable 52 OH, Uri 12 OH, Eli 12 OH, and Daniel W 5 OH. 

Frederick Murphy, a NJ native, died In Milford Twp, Defiance Co, OH on 1 Dec 1879 @79Y 3M 15D. In the 1880 Milford Twp federal census p212, Mehitable Murphy was head of house at 61 OH with Urick 22 OH, his wife Ida 17 IN, and Eli 22 OH.  Mehitable died on 4 Dec 1894 in Butler, DeKalb Co, IN, and was buried in Clarksville Cem. Her obituary in the Butler Record, 7 Dec 1894, told that she was named after her paternal grandmother.  

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Bacon

Elizabeth M. Jones Bacon v Chauncey Clark Bacon

The Portage County Connection, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1875

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 1 Mar 2013) - see Finnegan

Sometimes a second marriage does not work out.  The couple may be unsuited for one another, they may have unresolved issues, there may be a third party romance, or there may be problems with stepchildren or finances.  This detailing spans several years from the initial filing in 1867 to the final decree in 1875, where both parties sued each other for an end to their marriage.  The story begins in Portage Co, Ohio.

Chauncey Clark Bacon, one of ten children of William and Polly Thurber Bacon, was born on 28 June 1819 in Palmyra, Portage Co, OH.  His father, a native of Groton, CT or VT, settled in eastern Ohio c1802 with his Vermont native wife and three children.  William had walked there in 1800 and, after securing land, he returned home to fetch his wife and small family to begin a new life in Portage Co, traveling by ox wagon.  When the Bacons arrived they were assisted by neighboring Indians in raising a cabin.  Polly exchanged bread for venison with the local people and in time their family grew.  William was a Portage Co appraiser and a Palmyra Township trustee.  Such is the type of story one reads of early Ohio pioneers.

Chauncey, reared on his father's farm, married Lura B. Dix(on) on 17 Nov 1842, Portage Co and started his own family.  The 1850 Edinburgh Twp, Portage Co, OH federal census, p229, enumerated them as Chauncey 31 OH, Lura 24 OH, Sophronia 7 OH, Leonard 4 OH, and Ellen 3 OH.  Sometime in that year William Bacon died.  Chauncey's wife died between 1851-1856 as Chauncey remarried on 20 May 1856.  The new bride was Elizabeth M. Jones, a native of Beryshuith, Wales, born on 5 Apr 1834.  She immigrated to the US with her parents in 1838.  There appeared many families with the Jones surname in Portage Co at this time.

The 1860 Edinburgh Twp, federal census, p290, listed the family as CC Bacon 40 OH, Elizabeth 26 Wales, Sophronia 16 OH, Leonard 14 OH, Ellen 12 OH, and Annis 8 OH.  Note that Annis became Alice in the 1870 census and other records; she was born between 1851-1852 so she was most likely the daughter of Lura Bacon.  Chauncey had $2640 in real estate and $900 in personal property.  The children of Lura and Chauncey Bacon were as follows: Sophronia E (1843 - aft 1885, Bryan; m Clemmon Osmun, 17 Mar 1885, Wms Co, OH); Leonard  Dix (1846, Portage Co, OH-aft 1920 King Co, WA - see Finnegan divorce); Ellen L (1847 - 1 June 1913, Bryan; m1 ***Barnes; m2 Charles Hubbell); Alice (1851 - aft 1885, Evansport; m *** Burroughs).

In 1864 Chauncey's mother died and her estate was settled on 7 Mar 1865.  Around that time Chauncey moved his family to Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH, leaving at least three brothers, Gustavus, William R., and Almon T, back in Portage; they were residents there as of 1882. CC as he was known and Elizabeth had three sons, David G (1863, Portage Co - aft 1912; m. Maud ***) and youngsters, Frederick and Robert who were buried in Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan.

According to the April/May 1867 list of personal property owners in the village of Bryan, Elizabeth M. and CC Bacon were listed separately.  On 5 Nov 1867 Elizabeth began divorce proceedings, which were continued until 25 Mar 1869.  At various times according to the records (Journals 7 and 8 p363) she asked the court for $50 or $60 to help her maintain a home for her son David and herself.  At one point she requested a lien be placed on CC's property to help provide her with money.  On 18 Feb 1868 Elizabeth joined the Bryan Presbyterian Church; CC had been raised a Methodist.

In the 1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census records, p31 and 54, two sets of Bacon families were listed, living not far from each other: Chauncey, a laborer, 50 OH, Sophronia 26 OH, Leonard 24 OH, Ellen Barnes 22 OH, Alice Bacon 19 OH, Arthur Barnes 1 MI, and Clara Barnes 2 MI; at the other residence lived Elizabeth Bacon 36 Wales and David G 7 OH.  Note that Ellen Bacon Barnes was either a widow or a divorcee' with two small children of her own.

From Journal 7 p97, 212, 306, 5 Nov 1867-30 May 1868 - 25 Mar 1869, Elizabeth petitioned the court for a divorce; each time she appeared, the court continued the proceedings. In Journal 8 p363 of the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court records on 21 May 1875 both CC and Elizabeth reappear in court to sue each other for a divorce.  CC stated that Elizabeth had been absent from him for more than three years without just cause and he had no marital rights from her.  The court listened to oral testimony from his witnesses and concluded that the facts charged in his case were true.  "The parties shall be divorced each from the other."  Chauncey had to pay court costs.  Additional information on the divorce was found in Roll 27 case number 2-4 - May 1875-1876; Roll 31 case number 173-174 for 1877-1878; and Roll 33 case number 560 for 1878-1879.

In the 1880 Bryan federal census, p645A, Eliza Bacon 45 Wales and son David 17 OH lived together; Eliza was classified as a divorced lady.  Chauncey, according to the 1880 Bryan federal census p626 was 60 OH, who had a housekeeper, Barbara Wilcox 34 OH and her daughter Minnie 10 OH living with him. In 1887, Hillsdale Co, MI (Marriage Bk F p190) he had married a third time to this Barbara A. Wilcox, pos former wife of SK Wilcox, who was named as CC’s wife and executor in his will, written in Wms Co.  The children from his first marriage were listed as heirs plus son David G. Bacon of Chicago.  Sometime between 1880-1885 David had left his mother alone and moved to the “Windy City”. 

On 21 Dec 1887 Chauncey Bacon died of kidney failure and his remains were shipped back to Portage Co for burial ("Bryan Press", 29 Dec 1887; "Bryan Democrat", 22 Dec 1887, p5; Williams County Death Record, V2 p42).  Considering that CC and Barbara lived together for at least eight years before they married, and considering that CC did not live out the year of his marriage, Barbara may have persuaded him to make their relationship legal so she could benefit financially. His estate was settled by 4 Jan 1888.  According to the 1900 Bryan Ward 1, Pulaski Twp federal census p159, Barbara Bacon was listed as born Dec 1845 (54) OH widow with father born in Eng and mother born PA; she had 1 child who did not survive her and she lived with her grandson Earl Miser, born Nov 1892 (7) OH.  Third wife Barbara died on 13 Mar 1925 and was buried in the Bryan Fountain Grove Cemetery.

"On a beautiful, quiet Sabbath afternoon", according to her obituaries in the "Bryan Democrat", 1 Nov 1912, p2 and "Bryan Press", 31 Oct 1912, Elizabeth M. Jones Bacon died on 27 Oct 1912 @78Y 6M 22D and was buried beside her two small sons in Fountain Grove Cemetery.  Her will, written on 10 June 1912, left her real estate Lot #10 Fairfield Addition, Bryan, to son David of Bryan.  Her obituary did not mention the fact that she was divorced nor did her estate papers, which contained a probate settlement by 4 Nov 1912.  She had been divorced for over 37 years and had never remarried.  

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Back

William Palmer Back v Louisa Norman Back

No Going Back, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, June 1846

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 10 Oct 2011)

William Palmer Back of Bridgewater Twp told the Williams County Civil and Criminal Court (Roll 6 Box 20 - June 1846) that he and Louisa Norman were married in Medina, Lenawee Co, MI, on 20 Sept 1841, by Orville Woodworth, JP. William was 22 years old and Louisa was 19 when they married. Jno Summers and William Norman witnessed this marriage. His wife was having an affair; he had to take action; there was no going back; he wanted a divorce.

William, b 21 Feb 1819 in Hampton, Windham Co, CT, was the son of Erastus and Anna Flint Back, early settlers in Wms Co, OH c1834-35. On 10 Sept 1844 William purchased a 40-acre plot in Williams County. Louisa, b 11 May 1822. London, England, was the daughter of John Wale and Rebecca Norman, who immigrated to the US in 1837. The Backs resided in Bridgewater until 1 Mar 1843 when Louisa left him and committed adultery with John Drake in Roland Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI on 13 Nov 1844; on 31 Aug 1845 Louisa was delivered of a bastard child.  His legal notice appeared in Thomas H. Blaker's "Northwestern", a Bryan newspaper, on 6 March 1846 - 18 May 1846. From the Appearance Docket, Clerk of Courts, 1846-1852, the case of William Back v Louisa Back was transferred to the Issue Docket on 7 June 1846.  William was awarded a divorce.

William next married Rebecca Pointer Snow, former wife of Almon S. Snow, in 1848.  Rebecca was possibly born c1830 in Washington Co, OH and had married Almon on 13 Dec 1845 in Steuben Co, IN.  The family was enumerated in the 1850 Bridgewater Twp federal census as William 30 CT, Rebecca 20 OH, George 6/12 OH along with her siblings, Benjamin and Mary Pointer and his brother George Back. They were also listed in the 1860 Bridgewater Twp federal census p94-94b as William 40 CT, Rebecca 30 OH, George 10 OH, Robert 8 OH, Hann/Hellen (f) 6 OH, William 3 OH, and Lelila 1 OH.  Speculation exists that William and Rebecca divorced or Rebecca died prior to 1865 as William had a new wife and family. At some point before 1865 according to the Kansas State Census results William had married Mary J. Speak and they had a daughter, Rachel, b Jan 1867 in KS; William had moved to Doniphan Co, KS as suggested in the Portrait and Biographical Record of Lenawee Co, MI, 1888, p768-770. He was listed in the 1868 Doniphan Co Directory as “Back, Wm. P., farmer, res 1 m e Highland, s s'd Telegraph r'd, Iowa tp, Po Highland.”

Third wife, Mary J, was the daughter of Joseph and Lea Carnes Speak; Leah, a widow, resided in Doniphan Co, KS according to the 1860 federal census with daughter Mary Jane and other children. Mary Jane Speak was born in Rose Hill, Lee Co, VA c1835, where her father died in 1852, and moved to KS with her widowed mother and siblings. Mary’s mother, Leah, died there on 6 Jan 1894.

According to the 1870 Iowa Twp, Doniphan Co, KS federal census p102, the Back family was listed as William 51 CT, Mary 35 VA, George 20 OH, Robert 18 OH, William 13 OH, Lilly 10 OH, Jeanette 8 OH, and Rachel 3 KS. In the 1880 Iowa Twp federal census p503, they again were listed as William P. Back 61 CT, Mary J 45 VA, Rachel C 13 KS, and John Ball 28 OH boarder and fence builder. In the 1895 Kansas State Census, William P. Back is listed in Doniphan Co without Mary, his wife; presumably Mary died between 1880 and 1895. According to the 1900 Highland City, Doniphan Co, KS federal census p7A, the Back family was enumerated as William P. Back, widower, 81 CT uncle to head-of-house Edward Back, Rachel (William P’s daughter) and their family. William died on 31 Dec 1900.

John Norman, father of Louisa, died on 24 Apr 1847 and was buried in the Gardner Cemetery.  His widow Rebecca married a James Deming.  They were listed in the 1850 Florence Twp federal census, p56, as James Deming 62 NY, Rebecca 50 ENG, and John Norman 4 OH, the son of Louisa Norman Back. 

Louisa next married Daniel Hare on 2 Aug 1846 in Camden, Hillsdale Co, MI (Lib B p87).  Daniel, b1820 PA, parentage unknown, settled in Wms Co c1838-1840. The couple had the following children: Almira, Sarah Jane, William Norman, Lewis, and Mary Ann.  According to the 1860 Nettle Lake, Florence Twp federal census, p15A, James Deming 74 NY and Rebecca 61 ENG still took care of John Norman 14 OH, and his half-sister Sarah Hare 10 OH.  Louisa and Daniel lived with her sister and brother-in-law John and Ann Bigg according to the 1860 Springlake, Florence Twp federal census, p30, as John Biggs 58 ENG, Ann 44 ENG, Daniel Hair 40 PA, Louisa 38 ENG, Almira 12 OH, William 9 MI, Lewis 6 OH, Mary A 1 OH. Daniel died in Bardstown, Kentucky during his Civil War service on 8 Jan 1862; he was a member of Co G 11^th Reg Michigan Infantry and enlisted on 21 July 1861 at Hillsdale, MI as a private.

Louisa next married one of the court-appointed guardians for the Hare children and next-door neighbor in 1860, widower John McCamis on 26 Feb 1863 in Hillsdale Co, MI; they were the parents of Louisa McCamis. The family was listed in the 1870 Springlake, Florence Twp federal census as John McCamis 61 OH, Louisa 48 ENG, Rebecca 35 OH, William Hare 18, Sarah Hare 20, Mary Hare 11, and Louisa McCamis 5 OH. Louisa applied and received a widow's pension based on Daniel Hare's CW service.

When Louisa's mother, Rebecca Norman Demining died c12 Oct 1867 she willed her grandson John Norman, "son of my daughter Louisa Hare", all her real estate in Sec 31 of Florence Twp, which was 12 acres, when he became of age; Louisa's brother William Norman became the boy's guardian.

Louisa died on 15 Feb 1896 and was buried in the Edon Cemetery.  Her third husband, John McCamis, died on 26 June 1899. 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Bachman

Eunice Mariah Snow Woodworth Bachman v George Bachman

Orcelia Malinda Bachman Nill v Peter Nill

Mother's Day - A Woman Who Would Be Called Mother in Williams County, OH; Divorces, 1850/1859 and 1870

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 10 October 2013)

This genealogical detailing features a woman who was married three times; she was the mother of the first child born in Millcreek Twp, Wms Co, OH; she had nine children by her first marriage and three from her second; her second husband had nine children as well from his first marriage; her third husband had four known children from his first marriage making a total of at least 25 children to whom she was either mother or stepmother during her lifetime.

She was divorced from her second husband, knew the grief of losing a son due to the Civil War, and saw from its earliest times Williams County take shape.  It would have been a wonderful experience, I imagine, to be able to interview this lady who witnessed so many changes during her settlement here from 1836-1904. We read so much about the founding male settlers of this area, but in my opinion, we need to learn the stories of the founding women as well, because history is the sum of both gender experiences.

Eunice Mariah Snow was born near Syracuse, Onondaga Co, NY on 3 Apr 1818; nothing to-date has been learned of her parents but she did have a brother, Elijah Snow as evidenced by a biographical account of her son Henry Miles Woodworth in Shinn's History of Williams County, OH, 1905, p599-602.

Eunice's obituary stated that she was the only child of her father's second marriage; there is an Elijah Snow (4 Apr 1762, Westborough, Worcester Co, MA - 18 Nov 1841, Lysander, Onondaga Co, NY; first mar Abigail Hopping who died 14 Apr 1810; their children were Susannah, Martha, Jabez, Hannah, Elijah, Sylvester, Isaac, and Sarah Snow).  Many of these people later settled in Fulton and Williams Cos, OH, so there may be a connection with this family.

Eunice Mariah Snow first married c. 1833, NY, Josiah Woodworth, the son of Josiah Woodworth, Sr., and Harriet Hunt.  Josiah Jr., was born in Leyton, NY c 1810 and died 5 July 1847, Millcreek Twp, Wms Co, OH, as a result of being struck by lightning.  In 1835 the Woodworth family had moved first to land 4 miles west of Morenci, Lenawee Co, MI and later to Millcreek Twp.  By 2 Aug 1837 Josiah had purchased 2 parcels at the Bronson, MI Land Office; each parcel was 40 acres and were located in Sec 6 and 31 of Millcreek Twp.  This land was part of disputed property between Ohio and Michigan.

In Mar 1839 Josiah was a property taxpayer in both Millcreek and Madison Twps.  By the winter of 1839 Josiah was in NE Kunkle with Cyrus Barrett; the two men were betting on how many bears each could kill.  Barrett was the eventual winner, although Josiah was equally a fine marksman.  On 3 Apr 1843 Josiah served as one of the judges in the county election and would also fulfill political roles as a fence viewer and an overseer of the poor.

The Woodworth family is enumerated in the 1840 Millcreek Twp federal census with 2 males under 5, 1 male 5-10, 1 male 30-40, 1 female 5-10, and 1 female 20-30.  Josiah and Maria were the parents of the following nine children who were all born in Millcreek except the eldest: Charles Elijah (26 Dec 1834 NY-aft 1905 Des Moines, IA; m Delia A. Sayles, 13 Aug 1864, Fulton Co, OH); Hannah M. (23 Aug 1836 - Bet Jun 1904-1905; m 1854, Oliver G. Smith); Henry Raymond (19 Sept 1838 - aft 1905, Sheridan, WY; m1 Martha Snyder, m 14 Feb 1867, Wms Co; m2 Arphina Starr, 22 Feb 1882, Wms Co); Henry Miles (9 Sept 1839 - 14 Apr 1917, Bryan; m. Susan Margaret Miller, 8 Sept 1861, Wms Co); Anna Eliza (5 Mar 1841 - 1940, Ennis, Madison Co, MT; m bef 1860 Robert N. Renshaw); John E. (9 Oct 1842 - 1 Sept 1922, Monrovia, Los Angeles Co, CA; m Alice A. Miller, 26 Mar 1878, Wms Co); George (31 Aug 1844 - aft 1905, Wisdom, Beaverhead Co, MT; m Florence E. Emerick, 22 Apr 1881, Fulton Co, OH); James Orrin (5 Apr 1846 - 22 July 1864, Atlanta, GA, CW casualty); Amanda Melina (12 Dec 1847 - aft 1905, Bryan; m James Saunders).

Upon Josiah's death he was buried in the West Franklin Cem, Fulton Co, OH where his wife would later join him.  Mariah or Maria as she became known in existing records was pregnant with her ninth child at the time of Josiah's death; she found it necessary to marry a second time to someone who would provide financial security for her brood. Maria's new husband, George Bachman, a widower, fit the bill and they were married c. aft July 1847-1848.  On 23 Nov 1849 the Woodworth children were granted guardians, Elijah and Harrison Snow, which is another tie to the above-mentioned Snows.

George Bachman b 1812 PA had settled in Millcreek Twp c 1846 with his wife Sarah and his children; after Sarah's death on 23 June 1847 and burial in Primrose Cem, George also would need a wife to help with his family and thus the marriage of George Bachman and Eunice Maria Snow Woodworth would take place.

George and Maria began their own family and had the following three children: Sarah (1851-bet 1860/1905); Henry Josiah (1852-aft 1911, Wauseon, Fulton Co, OH; m Mattie Trowbridge, 15 June 1887, Fulton Co); Orcelia Malinda (1853-1925; m1 Peter Nill, 27 Aug 1870, Wms Co; div Mar 1878; m2 Samuel Young).  According to the 1850 Millcreek Twp census records George and Mariah were living together with her nine children.  The whereabouts of George's children in 1850 remain to be discovered.

Prior to this census in Nov 1849 Mariah brought a suit of divorce against George.  In the records (Journal 4 p67 of the Wms Co Civil and Criminal Court) Mariah stated that she did not want George using property she had brought to the marriage.  According to the Issue Docket, Clerk of Courts, 1848-1852, in April 1850 Maria Bachman petitioned for divorce from George Bachman; this action was continued to the October 1850 Term. In October 1850 Mariah stated she did not wish to proceed further with the divorce and George was charged court costs.  At the same time George dropped a suit he had filed against an Orville Woodworth.  It would appear there was a connection between this Woodworth and Mariah's first husband, Josiah.

Mariah again appeared before the court on 4 June 1859 seeking a divorce stating that George was a habitual drunk of the last 3 years; she was granted the divorce, alimony of $300, and custody of the minor children, Sarah, Maria, Henry, Jonah, Amelia, and Malinda.  The divorce, finalized on 30 Nov 1859, is found in Journal 5 p524 and 568.

By the 1860 Millcreek Twp census records Mariah was living with her children Charles, Ann, George, James, and Amanda Woodworth plus daughters Sarah and Orcelia Bachman.  Her oldest daughter Hannah Woodworth Smith had adopted Mariah's daughter Amanda before this.  Her son, Henry Miles, was living with the Henry Miller family as a farmhand in Millcreek Twp.  In the neighborhood lived the Henry Loutzenhiser family where George Bachman, his son George, and his 8-year-old son Henry resided.  Mrs. Mary Loutzenhiser was George Bachman's daughter by his first marriage.  This Mary Jane Bachman Loutzenhiser was born 9 Jan 1839, Fayette, NY, and later died 28 Oct 1911, Hillsdale, MI. She had married Henry Loutzenhiser, 5 Dec 1857; at the time of her death she left a sister EA Cooley of Quincey, MI and a brother George of Geneva, NY.

Mariah's sons were soldiers in the Civil War as Henry Miles was in Co E 14^th OVI and was held prisoner at Belle Isle; John was a member of Co C 111^th OVI and brother James was in the 68^th OVI when he died at the Battle of Atlanta.

Mariah's obit in "the Bryan Democrat" 7 July 1904 states that by 1867 she was left a widow and married Thomas Ansley who later died by Oct 1892.  At the time of Mariah's third marriage she was a widow once and a divorcee once, but in those days for politeness sake she was known as twice a widow.

In the 1870 Bridgewater, Wms Co, OH federal census records one finds the Ansley household: Thomas 53 EN; Mariah 52 NY; Amanda Woodworth 22 OH; Henry Bachman 17 OH; Amelia Bachman 14 OH; Thomas Ansley 17 OH; and Jane Ansley 9 OH.  Also in the 1870 Millcreek Twp census there is Amanda Woodworth 22 OH along with Henry Bachman 18 OH who worked as a farmhand for Jacob Glime.  In Primrose Cemetery of Millcreek Twp there is a Jane Ansley, wife of T., who died 1 Oct 1866 @46Y 5M along with their daughter Mary Elizabeth Ansley (29 Sept 1842 - 9 Dec 1861 @19Y 2M 9D).

Jane T. Willibee Ansley was born in England, cMay 1820, and she appears to be Thomas' first wife.  Thomas Ansley's will was probated on 25 Sept 1901 even though he had died in 1892.  At the time of his death he and Mariah lived in Fayette, Gorham Twp, Fulton Co, OH; he named Mariah of Fayette, sons John of Montpelier and Charles of California, MI, and foster daughter Jane Stuck in his will.

Upon Mariah's death on 30 June 1904, Bryan @86Y 2M 27D, she left ten children of her own, 30 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and many friends who called her "Aunt Mariah".  She was buried next to first husband Josiah Woodworth along with a Sarah, no last name, who may be her daughter Sarah Bachman.  Maria Ansley's will allowed for her property in Jefferson Twp, Wms Co, OH to be split among all her children except daughter Orcilla Young of Stryker as Mariah had done many things before for Orcilla (see below).  Daughters Hannah Smith and Amanda Saunders both received $700 each while the others received $5 each plus the residue of her personal property.

According to Roll 22 case number 21 for Nov 1870, Orcelia M. Bachman sued husband Peter Nill for divorce.  Orcelia was pregnant with a child by Peter and he agreed to marry her.  On 16 Aug 1870 she wanted a writ of attachment for $1.000 on his goods and property as he left her and went to Lucas Co, OH. They married on 27 Aug 1870, but he left her again; she was not given a divorce at that time.  From Journal 9 p395 – 1 Mar 1878, Orcelia Nill again sued for divorce stating that Peter had been absent for more than three years.  She mentioned her children, Laura May Nill age 6 on 14 Aug 1877 and Ada Sircella Nill age 4 on 11 Nov 1877.  She brought Jacob Clay and Israel Osmun to court as her witnesses.  Her divorce was granted; she later married Samuel Young c1886.  

In the 1900 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p175, the Youngs were listed as Samuel June 1836 OH (63) married 14 years, an oar finisher, wife Orcelia M Oct 1853 OH (46) mother of 4 children, all living, and children Clifford B Mar 1887 OH (13), and Letia M Sept 1889 OH (10); the family lived on Mulberry Street.  By 1910 the Youngs had moved to Vine Street, Stryker, Springfield Twp and were enumerated in the 1910 federal census p230, as Samuel 75 OH, Orcelia M 56 married twice, Clifford B 23 OH, and Leta 20 OH.  Orcelia Young 66 OH widow lived with her daughter Laura, b Aug 1871, and son-in-law William Bly in the 1920 Jefferson Twp, Wms Co federal census p77. Note that Orcelia claimed to be pregnant in Aug 1870, but daughter Laura was born in Aug 1871; either the record was incorrect or there was another child born before Laura; Orcelia stated in the 1900 federal census that she was the mother of four children which would account for Laura, Ada, Clifford, and Leta.

According to the 1880 federal census for Toledo, Lucas Co, OH, p449D, and the 1900 Toledo, Lucas Co, OH federal census, p5A, Peter Nill, son of German immigrants, was a single laborer in 1880 and by 1900 Peter b Sept 1849 OH had married Gertrude Bone/Pone, born Apr 1864 OH.  They were married c1884 and had daughters Alice J b July 1894 and Florence H b Nov 1896 plus mother-in-law Henrietta Bone/Pone b Apr 1841.  They lived on 516 Langdon Sreet, and Peter was a partner with Charles A. Hall in a grocery business, located on Langdon and Broadway Streets.  By 1910 Peter was 60 OH with wife Eva 47 OH, Alice 17, and Florence 15.  The couple had a third child, deceased.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Bacher, 1884

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Bacher

William H. Bacher v Byantha Clapper Bacher (Journal 12 p202 - 4 Jan 1884; p233 - 7 Mar 1884; p434 - 22 Dec 1884; Roll 39 Box 135 case number 1193 - 17 Aug 1883) 

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 20 September 2021)

 

The couple was married on 12 November 1870, Wooster, Wayne Co, OH (Marriage V7 p438).  William H. Bacher was the son of William and Susan Roakey Bacher of Wayne Co, OH.  Brown Cemetery in Center Twp, Wms Co, OH housed the remains of the parents with William's death on 3 Oct 1875 @63Y 10M 8D and Susanna's demise on 21 Dec 1887 @69Y 10M 20D.  

 

William charged that Byantha was not fit to have custody of their daughter Jennie J, b 10 Jan 1875.  He said that Byantha was a resident of Wooster and had committed adultery with unknown men; she was guilty of gross neglect.  The case was continued, then dismissed, and then refiled with a newspaper notice of divorce in the Bryan Press, 26 Oct 1883.  

 

Byantha Annie Clapper, daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth St. Clair Clapper, was born in Wooster, Wayne Co, OH in September 1850. She remarried as there was a record of a wedding for Byantha Clapper and Jacob Flickinger on 1 June 1884, Wayne Co, OH (Marriage V10 p226). Byantha died in Orient, Osceola Co, MI on 21 September 1905 and was buried there in Forest Hill Cemetery. 

 

William H Bacher, born c1850 in Wayne Co, OH, next married Ella Jones, 29 Jan 1884, Steuben Co, IN. Daughter Jennie Jemima married George Flickinger and she died on 6 March 1927 in Barberton, Summit Co, OH.  Nothing further is known.