Black Sheep Stories of Williams County, Ohio - Fearnley and Stevenson

Breach of Promise and a Bigger Problem  for Fearnley and Stevenson, 1882

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 4 Jan 2012) - Please check the bottom of this posting for more information on William J Stevenson

Lois Fearnley, the daughter of Joseph and Elsie (Mack) Fearnley, was born in Amboy, Hillsdale Co, MI, c1858. Joseph Fearnley had died and his widow, Elsie, married a second time.  Her husband, John T. Joy was married to a Sarah M., who died on 16 Oct 1862 @49Y 3D and was buried in the Floral Grove Cemetery, Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH (Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH Cemeteries, WCGS, 1996, p45).  Also buried beside her are John T. Joy, died 13 Mar 1899 @84Y 9M 17D and his second wife, Elsie, 1832-1915.  Mrs. Elsie Joy later married Thomas Reader, 1 Apr 1900,Williams Co, OH (Marriages, V8 p120). Williams County Probate #840, 30 April 1864, shows that Amelia, Lois, and Lucy Fearnley were underage minors whose father had died and the girls were given guardians. In the Madison Twp federal census records for 1870 and 1880 Lois Fearnley, a dressmaker, was enumerated with her mother, sisters, and stepfather, John T. Joy.  In the 1880 listing there was a neighbor, William Stevenson, enumerated as William Stevenson, 24 oar finisher b-place - OH; father's b-place - Scotland; mother's b-place - PA.

From the Williams Co, OH Civil and Criminal Court Records (Journal 11 p458, 20 June 1882; Roll 38 [#1006], 20 April 1882, one learns that Lois Fearnley was suing William Stevenson for $6,000 in a breach of promise to marry suit.  Lois said that on 8 May 1881 William Stevenson promised to marry her on 11 May 1881, which he later refused to do.  Lois received another promise on 1 June 1881.  Subsequently from 25 Sept 1881 to 26 Jan 1882 she had been waiting for a marriage to take place.  In Apr 1882 she feared that William was about to convert and dispose of his real property and leave the area; William held the mortgage on a farm occupied by Charles Close in Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH. 

The bigger problem for Lois was that there was a child involved. Williams County, Ohio Births, V2 p31 show a birth in Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH of an unnamed male, 5 Feb 1882 (Glenn Wood Fearnley) to Lois E. Fearnley and William J. Stevenson. This record was used in court to strengthen Lois' claim.

William responded in court that Frank E. Loomis, a resident of Stillwater, Minnesota, was his material witness.  William claimed on 31 Aug 1881, Lois and Frank went to Toledo where they slept together as husband and wife; they were there until 2 Sept 1881 when Lois returned to Pioneer and Loomis left for Minnesota.  William claimed he never promised to marry Lois. Note that William was probably trying to show the court that Lois had relationships with other(s) and this child could be some one else's other than himself. There were many other witnesses called for both sides and this microfilm record is quite lengthy. 

The case occupied the attention of the court and jury for a week.  Lois' attorneys were Pratt and Bentley and Smith and Strayer while William retained the services of Emery and Boothman and JR Tyler of Perrysburg, Wood Co, OH.  The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, Lois, and assessed her damages at $100.  Promptly after this decision a motion for a new trial was made by the defendant, William, but was later withdrawn and the judgment was rendered on the verdict.  William refused to pay any amount of money to her.  The record does not show if he ever did or whether he served time in jail.

A weekly newspaper, "The Bryan Democrat", 10 Dec 1882, p5, stated, "there probably has not been a more hotly contested trial in a case of this nature at any session of the Court in this county."  Note that a judgment of $100 was a far cry from Lois' original suit for $6,000.

Lois later married William Shellhart in Williams Co, OH on 3 Oct 1893 (Williams Co, OH Marriages, V6 #1032).  William was the son of Christian Shellhart and Elizabeth Cook, who are found in the 1850 Weller Twp, Richland Co, OH federal census p267. William was a Civil War veteran of the Civil War in Co G 68^th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 

According to the Williams Co, OH Probate, #5967, William SHELLHART, late of Madison Twp, left a will in which his wife, Lois, was name the executor, along with the following children, named within: daughter Sophia FERRIS of Pioneer, OH; daughter Eda REPP of Pioneer, OH; and, son Jessie O. SHELLHART of Bryan, OH.  Jessie was to have been the executor but his name was crossed out and Lois' substituted.  Jessie received the tools of his father while the others received a part interest in the residence and land. William Shellhart was buried in Floral Grove Cemetery, Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH (Madison Twp Cemeteries, (1841-28 MAR 1914).  His first wife, Ruth A.Wallace, daughter of Noah and Sophia Bowser Wallace, is buried beside him (1842-12 Feb 1892, Williams Co, OH Deaths, V2 p64).  They were married in Williams Co, OH on 22 Aug 1861 (Williams Co, OH Marriages, V3 p189). Lois later died and was interred at Birchardsville, PA.

In the 1894 Williams Co, OH Atlas, p33, William Stevenson owned 100 acres of land in the NW and SW 1/3^rd of Section 11N in Madison Twp.  According to the three other atlases for this county dated 1864, 1874 and 1904, this same piece of land was owned by John Cox (1864, unnumbered page), John Cox (1874, P52), and RB Cleveland (1904 p3), all reprinted as Williams Co, OH 1874, 1894 Atlases, 1904 Plat Book, and 1864 Wall Map Combined, WCGS, 1983.  From this same volume William is listed as the owner of a NW part containing 131.50 acres in Section 29 of Madison Twp.  This property was formerly owned by the heirs of DF Eggleston (1864, unnumbered page), Daniel Eggleston (1874, P52), and Isaac GRANT (1894, p33).

William Stevenson, who apparently never married, was buried in the Floral Grove Cemetery, Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH, as W.J. Stevenson, 1856 - 10 Aug 1906. (Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH Cemeteries, WCGS, 1996, p70).  His death was recorded in the Williams Co, OH Deaths, V3 p106.

I recently discovered that William Stevenson did marry and had another brush with the law.  Here's new data:

Name: William J Stevenson
--------------------------------------------------
Birth: Feb 1856 Conneautville, Crawford Co, PA or Ashtabula, OH
Death: 10 Aug 1906 Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH
Burial: Floral Grove Cem, Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH
Father: William Stevenson (1808-)
Mother: Elizabeth
Other relationship: Lois Elsie Fearnley
Marriage: 6 May 1883 Ransom, Hillsdale Co, MI
--------------------------------------------------
Spouse: Alice M Bartow
--------------------------------------------------
Birth: 25 Apr 1866 Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH
Death: 17 Mar 1927 Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH
Burial: Floral Grove Cem, Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH
Father: William Bartow
Mother: Josephine Anderson
Other spouses: Ora Russell Manning
--------------------------------------------------

Notes for William J Stevenson
https://familysearch.org
name: Wm. J. Stevenson
gender: Male
death date: 10 Aug 1906
death place: Pioneer, Williams, Ohio
age: 51
birth date: 1855
birthplace: Conovill, Penn.
occupation: Stock Buyer
race: White
marital status: Single (this is not correct)
Collection: Wm. J. Stevenson, "Ohio, Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997"

Bryan Democrat, 14 Aug 1906, p1 c4
William J Stevenson died at his home in Pioneer, Friday.  Death resulted from heart failure.
Mr Stevenson was well known over the county and came into much prominence through the firebug investigation conducted together with Sherman Meade, charged with burning a building occupied by a saloon, belonging to Barbara Mitchell, on the night of 12 Feb 1903.  The indictment was returned at the May term of common pleas courts.  Stevenson fought his case through the lower and supreme court and he was found guilty of the charge on 20 October 1903 and was released on a bond of $1,00.  It was until Jan 1904 when the supreme court sustained the decision of the lower courts did he commence serving his sentence.

Since his release from the penitentiary he returned to Pioneer and lived there with his family.  He engaged in buying and selling cattle and prospered and was highly respected.  He had been troubled for a short time with his heart and had a slight attack of heart failure at noon Friday when he was out in the country buying cattle in the morning and continued the work after reviving from the attack.  After supper he went to the doctor and returned home where he died at 10:30.  Stevenson was born in Conneautville, PA, 15 Feb 1856 and was aged 50 years 5 month and 25 days at the time of his death.  He leaves a wife, daughter, and sister to mourn his loss.

1900 Madison, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1332; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0107; FHL microfilm: 1241332 

h/h 53/54 Stevenson, William J (Feb 1854) 44 mar 17Y OH-Scot-Ire grocery keeper
Alice wife (Apr 1864) 44 OH-OH-OH
Hoover, Mattie lodger 22 (Sept 1877) OH servant


Notes for Alice M Bartow
William was resident of Pioneer, OH as was Allie Barton or Bartow; he was a saloonkeeper; married by EC Turner with witnesses Margaret and Marilla Turner, Ransom, Hillsdale Co, MI
https://familysearch.org
groom's name: William J. Stevenson
groom's age: 24 years
groom's birth date: 1859
groom's birthplace: Ashtabula, Ohio
bride's name: Allie Bartow
bride's age: 19 years
bride's birth date: 1864
bride's birthplace: Pioneer, Ohio
marriage date: 06 May 1883
marriage place: Ransom, Hillsdale, Michigan
reference number: v 3 p 385 rn 35
Collection: William J. Stevenson, "Michigan, Marriages, 1868-1925"

After his death, his widow Alice married Ora Manning on 4 Sept 1907 in Williams Co, OH

https://familysearch.org
name: Alice M Manning
event: Death
event date: 17 Mar 1927
event place: Pioneer, Williams, Ohio
gender: Female
death age: 57y 10m 22d
marital status: Married
race: W
birth date: 25 Apr 1869
birthplace: Pioneer, O.
estimated birth year: 1870
burial date: 20 Mar 1927
cemetery: Floral Grove
father: William Bastol
father's birthplace: Ohio
mother: Josephine Anderson
mother's birthplace: Ohio
spouse: Ora R. Manning
Collection: Alice M Manning, "Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953"

1870 Pioneer, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 120B; Image: 244; Family History Library Film: 552781.
h/h 44/45 Bartoe, William 28 OH works in ashery
Josephine 26 OH
Viola 6 OH
Alice 5 OH
Clarissa 1 OH

1880 Madison, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 479C; Enumeration District: 003; Image: 0592.
h/h Anderson, William B 68 Pa-Ire-PA farmer
Martha wife 60 Pa-Germ-NJ
Alice granddaughter 14 OH-OH-OH

1910 Madison, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 0124; ; FHL microfilm: 1375254.
h/h Manning, Ora 33 mar 1x mar 2Y Mi-MI-MI tobacco and confectionary merchant
Alice wife 42 mar 2x 0/0 ch OH-OH-OH

1920 Madison, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T625_1450; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 156; Image: 173.
h/h 194/196 Manning, Ora 42 MI-MI-MI traveling man for confectionary
Alice wife 46 OH-OH-OH
James L son 7 OH-MI-OH

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Young

George Young v Etna Young (Journal 10 p360 - 21 Feb 1880; Roll 33 case number 503 - Feb 1880)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Petersburgh, Monroe Co, MI on 16 Feb 1876 at George's father's home.  George stated that on 10 Jan 1877 Etna went with Elbridge Whitmore to Abilenne, Kansas and committed adultery; she had met him in Toledo, Lucas Co, OH.  She told him by letter that Elbridge had married her and asked him if he would obtain a divorce for both of them.  He brought witnesses, Orlando Bratton and Adolph Sullin, to testify that George and Etna had lived together for ten months to a year as man and wife.  A legal notice appeared in the "Fountain City Argus".   Elbridge G. Whitmore was a CW vet serving as a corporal from 1861-1865.  In 1890 he lived in Toledo, Lucas Co, OH.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Yoha

Mary Roth Yoha v Michael Yoha (Journal 6 p250 - 4 Dec 1862; Roll 16 case number 27 - Dec 1862)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Hadelly Twp, Jefferson Co, PA on 20 Sept 1829.  Mary said Michael left her on 5 Oct 1841 about 20 years ago.  On 1 January 1860 he lived in Celina, Mercer Co, OH with an unknown woman, committing adultery; from the 1860 Celina, Hopewell Twp, Mercer Co, OH federal census, Michael was listed as 54 PA farmer along with Anna M 40 OH, Theresa Sunday 10 OH, and George W. Yoha 2 OH.

By a deposition of Joseph Carlin and LaFayette Leblond, Michael got married five years ago in Richland Co, OH to Ann Holden and had three children.  The oldest was born five or six months after the marriage.  A year ago in the spring the couple had a pair of twins who soon died.  Mary stated that she and Michael were the parents of the following children: Elza, Matilda, William Henry (25 Apr 1833 - 14 Aug 1864), Catherine, Jacob, and Senoa.  She owned property in her own right.  A legal notice appeared in the "Montpelier Leader".  A divorce was granted.

In the 1860 Millcreek Twp federal census, p129b, Mary was head of house 53 PA, along with Henry 27 OH, Anna 21 OH, Jacob 20, and Mary 1 OH. Mary 66 PA was listed alone in the 1870 Millcreek Twp federal census, p19. 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Yeagley

Mary E. Maze Yeagley v Charles Henry Yeagley (Journal 8 p534 - 22 May 1876; Roll 28 case number 53 - May 1876)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Center Twp, Wms Co, OH on 14 Mar 1860 (Marriage V3 p96).  Mary, b 1838, Crawford Co, OH, was the daughter of Robert and Sarah Delano Mitchell Maze, who lived in Bridgewater Twp.  Charles Henry Yeagley was born in 1837.  Mary charged her husband with adultery; the third party was Martha J. Chisholm.  This happened on 15 Nov 1875 near Edon in a certain buggy and again on 17 Nov 1875. She also stated that Charles was violent and struck her on 17 Oct 1875.  Charles was a habitual drunk for two years or more.  Mary said she owned Lot 96 in Edgerton and wanted a reasonable alimony.  The couple had two sons, James Ashley (15) who temporarily resided with William Britton, and Kyle Clifton (8). 

In the 1880 St. Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p9 Mary was head of house 42 OH dressmaker, James 19 OH printer, and Kyle 13 OH.  By the 1900 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census Mary E. Yeagley had moved to Bryan and was listed as 62 (Jan 1838) OH dressmaker, widow.  She had two children and both were deceased.  Again in the 1910 Pulaski Twp federal census Mary was 73 OH, divorced, living on Walnut Street in Bryan. Mary (1838-1912) was buried beside her sons as Kyle Clifton (1867-1886) and James Ashley (1861-1884) in the Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan.

Black Sheep Stories of Williams County, Ohio - Tawney and Lloyd

Local Doctor Murdered by Angry Husband,

A Family Scandal in the Midst of the Civil War for Tawney and Lloyd

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 15 May 2011)

Even by today's examples of social impropriety this genealogical detailing may be shocking to some and amusing to others; the irony will be disclosed as the reader comes to the last line of a newspaper article I have quoted.  A family researcher contacted me because she was having difficulty gleaning much information from relatives about her gggrandfather.  This man was the local doctor who was murdered in 1863 and the family was so scandalized by this event that they disowned him.  This would make it difficult for a researcher to continue searching for past generations when the brick wall is the reluctance of some of the family to discuss the man.  Here's what she and I have pieced together.

Henry Lawrence Tawney, son of Michael and Catherine DeHaven Tawney, was born c. 1827 in Ashland Co, OH.  His parents were married in Stark Co, OH on 23 Jan 1827.  Henry took as his bride, Caroline Gladden, daughter of James and Jemima Jennings Gladden on 12 Oct 1849, pos. Ashland Co, OH.  Michael Tawney and his family were enumerated in the 1850 Green Twp, Ashland Co, OH federal census p115, while son Henry and his wife were listed in the 1850 Pike Twp, Knox Co, OH federal census p315 as Henry 23 OH chain maker; Caroline 22 OH.

Sometime before 1860 Henry, now a doctor, settled in Center Twp, Wms Co, OH, practiced medicine in Williams Center, and reared a family of four children: Pliny Byron (8 Dec 1850-21 Dec 1924, buried Boundary Cem, Jay Co, IN; m. Mary Ann Elizabeth Miller, 16 Jan 1881); Winton Granger (15 May 1852 - 8 Aug 1910, buried Williams Center Cem, Wms Co, OH; m. Emily Newcomer, 27 Dec 1874, Wms Co, V4 #268); Laura (1854 - 22 Dec 1937, Bryan; m. William H. Lane, 20 Feb 1873, Wms Co, V4 #268); and Sterling Orlando (Jan 1856 - 9 Aug 1934, Bryan).

I will now introduce the "angry husband" and his kin.  In the 1850 Farmer Twp, Defiance Co, OH federal census p67, one finds the wife Jane Lloyd 23 NY enumerated with son Emery 5 OH and daughter Harriet E 2 OH along with Samuel Tomlinson 59 IR, Elijah Kimball 8 OH, and Elijah Lloyd 54 MA.   According to the 1860 Farmer Twp, Defiance Co, OH federal census p376, there lived a farmer by the name of Thomas E. Lloyd, b. 1821, NY, and his wife Jane, b. 1827 NY, along with 4 children, a possible father to Thomas, Elijah Lloyd, b. 1795 MA, and a 20 year old female servant.  From the tombstone inscriptions found in the Farmer Cem, Defiance Co, OH and this 1860 census one learns that Thomas and Jane had five known children: Emery (b. 1844), Harriet (b. 1847), Cassin C. (b.c. 28 July 1853 -7 Mar 1856), Ella E (b.c. 26 Feb 1855 - 8 Oct 1862), and Clarissa J. (b.c. 4 Mar 1858 - 16 Oct 1862).  Note the last three children died by Oct 1862, so this family had already experienced a great deal of heartache.

As you read the newspaper account of what happened to these two families, ask yourself whose grief is greater and whose sin is larger.  "The Bryan Democrat", 5 Nov 1863, Thursday, p2 related the account of why local citizens in both Williams and Defiance Counties were buzzing with rumor and innuendo.

"It will be remembered that in the early part of last season, Dr. H. L. Tawney, a practicing physician at Centre, becoming enamored with Mrs. Lloyd, wife of Thomas E. Lloyd, Esq. of Defiance County, persuaded her to break her marital vows and elope with him.  For a time the matter caused some talk, but finally died out, and it was not until recently revived.  It seems that Lloyd, who was a well to do farmer, and who also served as Justice of the Peace in the township in which he lived, could not brook the insult to himself, and the reproach that would naturally attach to him, and has devoted nearly the whole time since in searching for the guilty party.  Going first to Illinois, where Mrs. L. had relations living, and not finding her there, he placed the matter in the hands of a detective, and returned to Ohio.  Subsequently he took a tour through Canada, and we believe, some of the eastern states, but without avail. [Note that all this traveling was done during the middle of the Civil War.]

Some two or three weeks ago the detective wrote him that Mrs. L. had been to visit her relations in Illinois, but left there with the avowed intention of going to Memphis, at which place she had secured a situation as nurse in one of the government hospitals.  The detective followed her to Cairo, thence up the river to Beetown, Wisconsin, where she met Tawney and boarded at a hotel with him as his wife.

Immediately upon receipt of the letter, Lloyd started for that point, and the first intimation the citizens here had of his success in finding Tawney was contained in the following dispatch.  From Lancaster, Wisconsin…..To G.W. Gladden [Caroline Tawney's brother]: Request Thomas Blair, John Johnson, and my father to come here immediately.  Dr. Tawney shot dead…..Thomas Lloyd

The account of the meeting is thus described by the Grant Co, Wisconsin Herald:

On Thursday evening of last week, a man named Thomas Lloyd of Defiance Co, OH, arrived at Beetown and called Mr. G. Lampson, the Postmaster, to the door, saying he had some business of a private nature and not wishing it known that a stranger had come to town.  He told Lampson that Dr. H. L. Tawney of that place was living with Lloyd's lawful wife and that he wished to call there for some property of his that the adulterous parties had taken with them and were now in possession of.  Lloyd said he wished for some citizen and the constable to accompany him as evidence that all was right.  Lampson refused to go saying some difficulty may arise and asked, 'Are you armed, Mr. Lloyd?'  Lloyd said , 'No, only with a sort of half worthless pistol, but Dr. Tawney is a coward, so there is no danger.'  It was then so arranged that Mr. Halloway and Mr. Wells, the latter a constable, should go along with Lloyd.  They went to Dr. Tawney's house about nine o'clock and, knocking, were invited in by the Doctor, who said, 'How are you Lloyd?' when the latter said, 'Where is my wife?'.  The Doctor replied, 'In the room abed.' Whereupon Lloyd raised his pistol and shot Tawney, the ball entering about the liver and lodging in the spine.  Dr. Tawney fell to the floor mortally wounded and died the third day about 11 o'clock. [The local cemetery in Beetown was called Boot Hill Cemetery, appropriate for this scenario, where it is said Tawney was buried.  His estate in Williams Co, OH, was probated on 2 Nov 1863, case #795.]

Immediately after the shooting Lloyd turned to the constable, saying, 'I'm at your service,' and was thereupon taken before Justice Rockfeller for examination which was postponed till morning.  The next morning, the excitement being very great, it was thought best to send the man to Lancaster to await the fate of Tawney, when, if he should die, Lloyd would be examined on a charge of murder, instead of attempted murder.  A partial examination was had on Wednesday before Esquire Burr - District Attorney for the State, Barber for defendant, but, by agreement, the trial was postponed to allow parties to send to Ohio for witnesses, Lloyd going to jail. [There is no mention of the obvious reunion that must have taken place between Lloyd and his wife.]

Mr. Lloyd was held to bail of $3,000 bonds for his appearance at the March term of Court. [Was he allowed to stay out of jail and come home to Ohio?]

We learn Mrs. Lloyd was the third woman the Doctor had induced by his captivating wiles to forsake the path of virtue, one of which was the wife of a Baptist Minister.  His general reputation was that of a man of easy virtue.  He left a wife and four children.

Whatever may be the legal decision in this case, we know that Mr. Lloyd has the sympathies of a large majority of those acquainted with all the circumstances.  There is no law that will reach the case of a man who will thus cooly destroy the domestic tranquility of a family circle, and wounded honor seeks to heal itself in summary chastisement - even unto death.  The only wonder is that more shooting is not done." [On both sides of this article were news reports about the Civil War.]

Caroline Tawney and her children, Winton, Laura, and Sterling, were listed in the 1870 Center Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census, p38.  Her oldest son, Pliny, became a teacher in Indiana.  She married Frederick Hart, 22 Aug 1872, Wms Co, V4 p231, but her obituary does not mention this.  However, there are two little statements which tell one that she did marry Mr. Hart.

Bryan Democrat, 22 June 1905

1. Mrs. Hart died at her home in Williams Center, Wednesday, 7 June 1905.

2. Phine Tawney of Boundary, IN was called here last week by the death of his mother, Mrs. Hart.

Caroline died on 7 June 1905 and was buried in the Williams Center Cem, Center Twp.  Her son Winton and his wife died on 8 Aug 1910 and in 1930, respectively, and were buried beside Caroline.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Wood

Addie Echer Wood v Perry Albert Wood (Journal 8 p439 - 16 Nov 1875; Roll 27 case number 98 - Sept 1875)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Toledo, Lucas Co, OH on 1 Feb 1865.  The couple was enumerated in the 1870 Wauseon, Fulton Co, OH federal census p63 as Perry 23 cooper and Ada 19 OH. Addie lived in Wms Co for more than two years and for 27 years in Ohio.  She stated that in the Hotel of F. Giltah, Napoleon, Henry Co, OH, on 25 May 1875 Albert committed adultery with Nettie Wasnick and had not lived with Addie since then.  He was a drunk and an absent husband, currently living in Goshen, Orange Co, NY.  She called as witnesses, Alexander Gilbert and Lewis Taylor. A legal notice appeared in the "Bryan Press", 15 Sept 1875. 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Wolf

Henry Wolf v Mary J. Shuber Wolf (Journal 11 p494 - Sept 1882; Roll 38 case number 1056 - 19 Sept 1882)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Bryan, Wms Co, OH on 4 July 1876 according to Henry but the record showed the date as 14 July 1875 (Marriage V4 p408).  Henry charged his wife with being willfully absent for three years or more.  Nothing else is presently known of this action.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Wisman

Margaret Temple Wisman v Hugh B. Wisman (Journal 8 p114 - Mar 1873; Roll 25 case number 41 - Jan 1873)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Wms Co on 23 Aug 1868.  Margaret charged Hugh with being willfully absent for three years or more.  She said he left her and their child, Bertha May, age three, on 11 Nov 1869; Bertha was born on 9 June 1869 in Superior Twp, Wms Co, OH.  A legal notice appeared in a local paper. 

Margaret Temple may be the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Cox Temple, PA natives, who were enumerated with their children in the 1860 Superior Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p190 PO Bryan as Joseph 57 PA, Elizabeth 47 PA, William 27 OH, Joseph 26 OH, John 25 OH, Harvey 14 OH, Mary 18 OH, Ann 12 OH, Margaret 9 OH, and Eliza 6 OH, but in the 1870 federal census for that township Margaret Temple 19 OH (without a child) lived with Joseph and wife Elizabeth.  Either this was not the former Mrs. Wisman or the daughter Bertha May had died or resided with someone else when the census was taken (see below).  

Hugh B. Wisman was a Civil War veteran of Co H 9^th Ohio Cavalry.  On 18 Nov 1872 Hugh, born c1845, married Lucy Featherstone in Randolph Co, Missouri; by 1880 they lived in Sullivan Co, MO with three children, Katie, Hugh, and Lydia and on 19 Sept 1890 Lucy J. Wisman of Missouri filed for a Civil War widow’s pension.  Note that Hugh married before Margaret initiated divorce proceedings.

According to the 1880 Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census, Margaret had married Josia Kent or Cyrus Kint and Bertha Wisman lived with the couple.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Winkler

Philippe Winkler v Caroline Moser Winkler (Journal 9 p153 - 20 June 1877; Roll 31 case number 209 - June 1877)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married on 4 Nov 1860 in Phalzburg, Dept of the Mensthe, Empire of France.  They had a child, Stephanie Caroline, b 19 Mar 1862, who lived with Philippe.  He said he was a resident of Ohio for one year. He charged Caroline with being willfully absent for three years or more and did not know her current whereabouts.  Philippe stated that on 31 Jan 1867 she deserted him and used a false name of Nathaly Binder; she committed adultery with a medical student in Paris.  On 2 Apr 1867 she left him for good.  On 2 Mar 1868 he filed for a divorce in the Civil Tribunal, Dept of Seine, and on 8 Aug 1868 the tribunal granted him a divorce.  On 10 Oct 1868 Caroline committed adultery with Emile Durieu at a Paris hotel and again in 1869 with a Mr. Petit Jean.  She became a notorious madam in a house of prostitution.  He brought depositions from the US Consulate in Paris, dated 30 Apr 1877.  He wanted a second divorce and custody of the daughter.  A legal notice appeared in the "Bryan Press."  What the reason was for this second divorce is not currently known unless the US did not recognize his first action.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Wilson (John)

Rachel A. Towns Wilson v John Wilson (Journal 9 p191 - 10 July 1877; p365 - 21 Feb 1878; Roll 30 case number 96 - Oct 1876)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Bryan, Wms Co on 28 Apr 1870.  According to the 1870 Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH  federal census p5, the family was listed as Catherine Wilson 70 PA, John Wilson 36 OH laborer with wife Rachel A 28 OH and children George 7 OH and Ida M 5 OH, plus William St. Clair 12 MI and Lucy St. Clair 10 OH. The children, George and Ida, must be from a previous marriage if this couple was newly married, but the St. Clair children may be hers. Rachel stated that on 7 Oct 1876 at the home of Edward Overlander in Washington Twp, Defiance Co, OH John committed adultery with Harriet Hackman.  John left Rachel but resided in Bryan.  In Feb 1878 the case was dismissed.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Wilson (Charles)

Susanna Melissa Shaul Wilson v Charles Henry Wilson (Journal 8 p314 - 2 Mar 1875; Roll 26 case number 134)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Amboy Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI on 8 Sept 1872.  Charles was born on 15 May 1852 in Defiance Co, OH.  Susan, the daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Mesmore Shaul, was born in Williams Co, OH on 15 Nov 1856.  Susanna stated that they were only married for two weeks when he became cruel to her using abusive language, and violence.  He was a habitual drunk and did not provide clothing and food.  On 3 Jan 1874 in cold and foul weather late at night three weeks after she had given birth to a child, a drunken Charles pushed her out of the house, locked the door, and forbade her to return.  She went to the neighbors.  On 15 July 1874 he violently struck her face and head.  On 10 Aug 1874 he pushed her and when she fell down he kicked her with his heavy boots and grabbed her hair.  Their son, George Burton Wilson, was five months old.  She wanted property such as bushels of oats and wheat, other agricultural items, and property in Defiance Co, OH.  She also sued Isaac Schaull for the $800 he paid to Charles for a land transaction.  This case was settled with no record of outcome. This writer infers that there was no divorce by listings in the 1880 federal census.

According to the 1880 Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p538C the Wilson family was enumerated as Charles 25 OH, Malissa 22 OH, George B 5 OH son, Daisy 3 OH dau, and son Earnest 5/12 born Jan 1880 OH. Charles died on 1 Nov 1924 in NW Twp, Williams Co, OH.  Melissa Wilson died on 30 Oct 1932 and was buried in the Nettle Lake Cem, NW Twp, Williams Co, OH.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Williman

Caroline M. Williman v Zopher Williman (Journal 7 p130, 168, 203 - Jan 1868; Roll 19 case number 102)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Auburn, DeKalb Co, IN on 30 Aug 1855.  By the 1860 Milford Twp, Defiance Co, OH federal census p396, Zopher and family were enumerated as Z 56 FR, Caroline 42 Prussia, Henry 21 OH, John 20 OH, Joseph 17 OH, Mary 15 OH, Caroline 13 OH, Frank 9 OH, and Josephine 3 OH.  Josephine was Caroline's daughter but the rest of the children had a mother born in Belgium according to later census data.

Caroline charged Zopher with neglect of duty, bad temper and disposition, and extreme cruelty.  She stated that he had her performing manual labor and household duties.  He did not give her necessary clothing.  He owned real estate in Milford Twp plus livestock.  Zopher denied all the charges and claimed Caroline violated her duties and was of bad temper. Many witnesses appeared for both sides. A public notice appeared in the Bryan Democrat, 11 Sept 1864. She received alimony of $50.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Willett, 1857

Elizabeth Hoisington Lammon Willett v Joseph Willett (Journal 5 p61 - 7 July 1857; Roll 11 case number 15 - July 1857)

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 9 January 2022)

 

The couple was married in Lenawee Co, MI on 28 Feb 1850.  According to the 1850 Livonia, Wayne Co, MI federal census p353A the Willett family was listed as Joseph 50 NJ, Betsey 43 NY, Phebe 15 MI, Barton 12 MI, George 24 NJ, Sarah 23 NJ, Eliz Lamon 14 MI, Cynthia A Lamon 9 MI, and John W Lamon 2 MI.  Elizabeth was Betsey Hoisington, born 1805 NY, the daughter of Titus and Hannah Wood Hoisington; she was the widow of John Lamon, who died on 13 September 1847 in Lenawee Co, MI and was buried in the Old Morenci Cemetery. Her daughter Eliza Lammon married Joseph’s son Luther Willett c1852.

 

Joseph Willett, born c1797 in Little Egg Harbor, Burlington Co, NJ, was the son of Micajah and Hannah Pennington Willett, Quakers of the Great Egg Harbor Monthly Meeting.

 

Elizabeth charged her husband with being a habitual drunk for three years or more.  On 10 Mar 1855 he was extremely cruel and struck her.  She was disabled except for attending to her household duties for more than six weeks.  A legal notice appeared in a local newspaper.  A divorce was granted and Elizabeth was restored to her maiden name

 

Elizabeth died on 9 January 1872 in Lenawee Co, MI and was buried beside husband John Lammon.  Joseph lived in the Livonia, Wayne Co, MI area with his son Barton according to the 1860 and 1870 Federal Census records.  He died on 8 May 1876  of consumption.  Death records reported he was a farmer and a widower.

 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Wiley

Amos Wiley v Sophia Wiley (Journal 6  - Nov 1861; Roll 15 case number 68 - Nov 1861)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in 185*, Columbiana Co, OH.  Marriage records for that county have not yielded any such information. Sophia was willfully absent for three years or more.  From the 1850 Hanover, Columbiana Co, OH federal census p366A there is an Amos Wiley 30 OH living with possibly aged parents, David and Susannah Wiley.

According to the 1860 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p43 Amos was enumerated alone as 33 PA  There is a marriage in Williams Co, OH between Amos Wiley and Elmira Russel on 11 May 1869.  Amos may be reported as living in both the 1880 and 1900 Washington Twp, Defiance Co, OH federal census; if this is the case he was born in June 1814 in OH and by 1880 he was a widower living with his son Frank Wiley.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Whitmore

Sophia Burke Whitmore v Israel Riley Whitmore

She Didn’t Want to March to the Beat of His Drum or His Fist – No Divorce, 1870-74, Williams Co, OH

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Defiance Co, OH on 22 Jan 1855 (Marriage V1 p106). Sophia born Apr 1837, OH, was the daughter of James and Lucinda Burke; the Burke family was enumerated in the 1850 Farmer Twp, Defiance Co, OH federal census p66-67, as James 37 OH lawyer, Lucinda 35 OH, Sophia 15 OH, Margaret J 13 OH, Alonzo 10 OH, Shaler 8 OH, Rachel A 5 OH, and Martin Struble 23 OH farmer.  By 1860 Sophia’s father owned and operated the Burke House in Bryan.

Israel Riley Whitmore, born Nov 1819, PA, parentage unknown, married Lydia Wickwire, daughter of Seba and Nancy Duesler Wickwire in Sandusky Co, OH on 16 Apr 1846.  Lydia died in 1848. Her father Seba was a veteran of the War of 1812 and owned about 1,0000 acres of land in the Clyde, Sandusky Co, OH area.

According to the 1860 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census, p183B, the Whitmore family was recorded as IR 40 PA carpenter, Sophia 21 IN, James 3 OH, and unnamed female 1/12 OH.  In the 1870 Bryan federal census, p15, the family was listed as Riley 50 PA millwright, Sophia 35 OH, James R 13 OH, and Julia 10 OH.  Stories of Fountain City, Van Gundy, 1975, p126, mentioned IR Whitmore and his family, who lived in a frame house on the southeast corner of North Main and Mulberry Street.  He was a carpenter and millwright who repaired the old Pulaski Mill and reconstructed the Bowman Mill on Lick Creek.  Being a large man, IR played a big drum in the village brass band, was a Civil War veteran in the 38^th OVI playing in the regimental band, and was "fond of pugilistic encounters."  He mustered out as Musician Third Class.

From the Williams Co, OH Civil and Criminal Court Records found in Journal 7 p522; Journal 8 p198 - 10 Mar 1874; Roll 23 case number 12 - Oct 1870; Roll 26 case number 19 – 1872, Sophia, a resident of Ohio for more than 12 years, stated the couple had children, James R (13) and Julia Ann (10).  IR was seized in fee simple of real estate, Lot 96, Bryan, valued at $2500.  Sophia had land in Bryan in her own right.  On 15 Sept 1870 he was extremely cruel by kicking and striking her at home, causing her to be sick and unable to attend to her duties.  He kicked her out of the home and kept the children.  IR was a habitual drunk for three years or more.  He did not provide food or clothing for her or the children.  He said he would sell his property and dispose of the cash so she could not benefit and he threatened to take the children.  She later asked for the action to be dismissed.

Sophia came to court again in 1872 and claimed the same charges, abuse, intoxication, and fear of having no home.  Israel was extremely cruel to her on 10 Oct 1871 and they had children, James R (15) and Julia Ann (12).  He owned property lots in Bryan.  Sophia later dismissed the action; however, she filed for a divorce in DeKalb Co, IN in Sept 1876 (Civil Order Book p4 and 12 for Sept Term).  She was granted a divorce and the custody of minor Julia A.  On 16 Apr 1877 Israel and James Smith were sued for $245 by John Whittington in DeKalb Co, IN Court; the pair had to sell items such as kegs of whiskey, a saloon and fixtures, plus an ice house to satisfy the debt.

In the 1880 Delaware, Defiance Co, OH Federal Census, p159B, Israel Whitmore lived in a boarding house and was listed as 59 PA with parents from PA as well; his occupation was millwright.  He still resided in Ohio as of 17 July 1890 when he filed for a Civil War serviceman’s pension.  By the 1900 Jefferson Twp, Montgomery Co, OH Federal Census p18A, Israel was 80 PA living in the Central Branch, National Home for Disabled Veterans; his occupation was still millwright and he was identified as divorced.  Israel died on 2 June 1903 and was buried at the Dayton National Cemetery; his burial record stated he was a former resident of Clyde, OH.

In the 1880 Mission, Shawnee Co, KS Federal Census, p224, Sophia and her children lived with her parents as follows (all Ohio natives): James Burke 67 farmer, Lucinda 65, James Whitmore 22, Julia 20, Sophia 43, and Albert Titus 22 servant; Sophia was listed as a widow, although her ex-husband was clearly still alive back in Ohio.  In the 1900 Wichita, Sedgwick Co, KS Federal Census p35, Sophia, 63 IN, is again listed as a widow with 2 living children; she was born in Indiana with PA native parents and she resided with her son-in-law and daughter, Levi and Julia (40 OH) Fisher plus their four children.  Julia was enumerated as having a father born in NY and a mother born in Indiana.  Nothing more is currently known concerning Sophia.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Whitaker

Harriet C. Keiser Whitaker v Thomas Whitaker (Journal 7 - May 1867; Roll 18 case number 15 - May 1867)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Fostoria, Seneca Co, OH on 5/6 Mar 1864 (Marriage V5 p591).  Harriet, born in 1844 in Seneca Co, OH, was the daughter of Jacob and Mary Foughty Kiser of Seneca Co, OH.  Harriet charged Thomas with gross neglect and being willfully absent for three years or more.  She stated that within ten days after the marriage he left her for the Army.  H wrote at first but the Army said he had deserted his regiment, the 49^th OVI; he never supported her leaving her almost wholly destitute for herself and her infant's support.  Thomas was a habitual drunk when he could get whisky.  The couple had a daughter, Susanna K. Whitaker.  Mary Kiser, 49 Y resident of Fostoria, Seneca Co, Harriet's mother, stated that she had known Thomas Whitaker for four years and Harriet lived with her currently.  Harriet asked for a divorce and restoration of her maiden name.  A legal notice appeared in the "Bryan Democrat", 30 Mar 1867.  

A marriage in Seneca Co, OH on 3 May 1882 showed a Harriet R. Kiser 38Y wed to George W. Eyestone 50Y (Marriage V8 p558), but whether this is the Harriet of this detailing is not known.  Also a legal notice in the "Bryan Press", 27 Sept 1877, p2, concerning a finalized estate mentioned a Martha Thompson Whitaker and a Thomas Whitaker of Iowa City, Iowa.  Again whether this is the errant Thomas is not known.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Westfall

John S. Westfall v Josephine L. Crummell Westfall

Faithful and Indulgent Husband Disheartened, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1885

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

He accused his wife of adultery and residing in a house of ill fame.  He was a faithful and indulgent husband but after two years of marriage, he was fed up with his wife's wild behavior.

Josephine Crummell, born in July 1863 in Ohio, was the daughter of Christopher and Rachel Kent Crummell, who themselves were married in Wms Co on 20 Aug 1862, but later moved to Mt. Pleasant, Isabella Co, MI.  Josephine was the granddaughter of Ashford and Nancy Kent, 1850 residents of Springfield Twp, Wms Co, OH.  According to the 1880 Bryan, Williams Co, OH federal census p636C the Crummel family was listed as CC 37 OH laborer, Rachel 44 OH, Josephine 16 OH, Margaret 13 OH, Arthur 11 OH, and Bertha 3 OH.

Josephine married John S. Westfall in Bryan on 9 July 1883 (Marriages V5 #368).  According to the divorce request by John in the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court records (Journal 13 p149 - 6 June 1885; Roll 41 Box 138 case number 1466), Josephine left for Cincinnati, OH in the fall of 1884 and resided in a house of prostitution until the spring of 1885 when she returned to Bryan and lived in another ill fame residence.  She committed adultery during her stay in Cincinnati with diverse men unknown to John, and while in Bryan she was unfaithful with a Mr. Thompson.  He brought several witnesses to court including Sheriff August Heidley, Lemuel Myers, and Samuel Shafer.  The court agreed, after listening to the witnesses, that John should receive a divorce and one was issued. 

Josephine married Allen Smith on 13 Feb 1886, and the couple had a daughter, Nellie, born in 1888.  The Smith family was enumerated in the 1900 Riverside, Missaukee, MI federal census p6B as Allen 41 OH, Josephine 36 OH, and daughter Nellie 12 OH. Josephine died on 31 July 1912 in McBain, Missaukee Co, MI.  

John Westfall may be the son of Tobias Westfall and Nancy Patrick; if so, John, a Canadian native born in 1860, died in Isabella Co, MI on 4 Nov 1902.  He married Alvina or Vina Audlin and had several children.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Weldon

Sevilla Wilson Weldon/Weldin v Chockley T. Weldon/Weldin (Journal 8 p429 - 16 Nov 1875; Roll 27 case number 96 - 7 Sept 1875)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 30 May 2012)

The couple was married 31 Apr 1843 in Paris, Stark Co, OH according to Sevilla but the record showed 22 Apr 1843 officiated by James H. White, MG, Methodist Episcopal Church (Marriage B p193); note April has 30 days not 31.  Chockley, parentage unknown and a Civil War veteran as sergeant in Co E 38^th OVI, was born c1821 OH.  Sevilla, daughter of William and Susan Wilson, was born c13 Feb 1825 OH. According to the Paris, Stark Co, OH federal census p401A the Weldin family was listed as CF Weldin 30 OH wagon line worker, Servilla 24 OH, Elizabeth 6 OH, and Franklin 5 OH, all living with Servilla’s parents.

The couple appeared in the 1860 Bryan, Wms Co federal census, p44, as Chockley 39 OH, Sevilla 35 OH, Elizabeth 17 OH, and Franklin 14 OH.  By the 1870 Bryan federal census, p6, Sevilla 43 OH lived with Frank 24 OH and his family. In the same census CT Weldon was listed, p29, as CT Weldon 48 OH auctioneer. Daughter Elizabeth "Libbie", b1843 OH married WF Parker in Wms Co on 13 Aug 1863 (Marriage V3 p318).  Franklin Jefferson Weldon, b 12 Nov 1845 in Stark Co, OH, married Hadessa Elder in Wms Co on 15 Nov 1866 (Marriage V3 p621).  Franklin was also a Civil War veteran, having served in Co H 9^th Regular OVI. 

According to the Bryan Democrat, 11 Aug 1870 p3, “a note from CT Weldin, now of Topeka, Kansas, informs us he will return to Bryan about September 1, and resume the profession of Auctioneer.  Those requiring his services can leave orders at this office.”

Sevilla told the court that Chockley or CT was willfully absent for three years or more.  He resided in Kearney, Buffalo Co, Nebraska.  A legal notice appeared in the "Bryan Press."  The divorce was granted.

The Bryan Press, 14 Aug 1879 p5

Mrs. WF Parker of Topeka, Kansas is visiting her mother, Mrs. Weldon, and other friends here.

Sevilla died of cancer in Bryan on 6 Dec 1879 @54Y 9M 24D and was buried in the Fountain Grove Cemetery there. She was a devoted worker for her church.  Her son Franklin died on 14 Feb 1905 and was also buried there.  His obituary in the "Bryan Democrat", 2 Mar 1905, p3, told that his father was aggressive and a prominent figure in the affairs of Wms Co for years. Franklin must have lived in Kearney, Nebraska from 1872-1876. "Of his father's family there was one survivor, Mrs. Elizabeth Parker, who resided at Topeka, Kansas."

In the 1880 Center, Buffalo Co, Nebraska federal census, p240A, Chockley Weldin was enumerated as 58 OH-Delaware-PA widower and farmer. On 23 June 1881 in Kearney Co, NB Chockley married Sarah A.Haines; Mrs. CT Weldin died on 24 May 1883.

According to The Bryan Democrat, 2 Mar 1899, p3, "CT Weldon of Kearney, Nebraska is here visiting relatives and old time friends".  By the 1900 Kearney, Buffalo Co, NE federal census p6B, Chockley, now known as Charles, was listed as b. Oct 1822 OH 77 married 15 years and Elizabeth E. 59, b. Sept 1840 ENG, mother of 7 children with all 7 surviving; they were married c1885.  "Charles" Weldin died on 6 Mar 1904 @82Y. Elizabeth later received a widow's pension for Chockley's Civil War service.  Both CT and Mrs. CT Weldin were buried in the Kearney Cemetery.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Weaver

Phebe Lauretta Gowing Weaver v William L. Weaver

She's Forced to Perform Manual Labor, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1883

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

About four months before the birth of their son, her husband left her with no food or clothing.  In order to support herself and the child she was forced to perform manual labor in the fields.  The wife, after the legal requirement of three years, sued for a divorce from her wayward husband.

Lauretta "Retta" Gowing, born April 1856, in Ohio, was the daughter of Civil War veteran Charles S. Gowing and his wife Sarah J. Tharp.  CS as he was known, a tanner by profession, served in the Civil War in Co H 123^rd OVI.  He was born in Cortland Co, NY on 19 Oct 1820 and married Sarah in Marion Co, OH, on 1 Dec 1841.  The couple had the following children: Christopher M, Mary J, William O, James L, Lauretta, Martha K, Ida A, Emma C, and Effa C.  All this was substantiated in an account of his life found in Presidents, Soldiers, and Statesmen, 1892, p596.

Little is currently known of Retta's early life but on 29 Nov 1877 in Pioneer, Madison Twp, Wms Co, OH she married William L Weaver (Marriages V4 p547).  On 3 Nov 1880, Wms Co, Retta gave birth to a son, Charles M. Weaver (Births V2 p19).  Her parents were enumerated in the 1880 Madison Twp federal census, p474A, but only the younger sisters, Emma and Effa, resided with the parents.  Lauretta traveled to the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court (Journal 12 p138 - 30 Nov 1883; Roll 39 Box 129 case number 1185 - 7 Aug 1883) and requested a divorce from her absent husband.  She told the court about her predicament and stated that William Weaver was living in Bay City, MI.  He had left her before the son's birth and would not return.  The court granted her a divorce.

Perhaps another record will give the reader an idea of how Retta's life had changed.  Retta L. Weaver married Robert A. Snodgrass on 21 Sept 1889 in Wms Co (Marriages V6 #55).  According to the 1900 Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p5A widowed dressmaker Laurette Weaver lived with her parents and was listed as 44 OH, and the mother of one living child. No dates or stone give further data about her death, but she was reportedly buried beside her parents in Floral Grove Cemetery in Pioneer, Madison Twp.  Next to her lies the grave of her son, Charles Weaver (1880-9 Mar 1937).

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Wannemaker

Laura R. Hoffman Wannemaker v Charles A. Wannemaker (Journal 11 p344 - 13 Feb 1882; Roll 38 case number 996 - 12 Mar 1882)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 11 February 2015)

The couple was married in Trumbull Co, OH on 13 Jan 1874 by Philander Green, MG (Marriage Bk L p326). Laura, daughter of Abram and Julia A. Kistler Hoffman, was born on 2 Aug 1853 in Lordstown, OH.  The couple had a daughter, Carrie (6), born 10 Apr 1874; from the Trumbull Co, OH birth certificate she was named Carmma.

On 29 Jan 1878 their son died; on 8 Oct 1878 they had another son, who may have also died young. Laura charged that on 27 May 1881 and for six weeks after this in the Fountain City Hotel of Bryan Charles committed adultery with Lizzie Van Susan or Van Dusen. Charles would not support Laura and lived with Lizzie in an adulterous state.  On 10 August 1881 in Trumbull Co, OH a male child named Charles Wannemaker was born to Wannemaker and Lizzie Vandusen.

The Eagle, West Unity, OH newspaper, 21 Aug 1881, ran an article that stated "CA Wannamaker of Warren and Lizzie Van Dozer of Youngstown were arrested in Bryan last Monday upon the charge of adultery.  Wannamaker is married and the couple eloped from Youngstown". 

Bryan Democrat, 1 Sept 1881 p5 c2

Arrested

Miss Lizzie VanDusen of the Wannamaker-VanDusen combination was arrested one day last week on charge of living not wisely but too much without license or something of that kind.  She plead guilty to the charges and Squire Cox assessed the penalty at $20 and costs which was promptly paid.

According to The Bryan Press, 1 Dec 1881 5p c1, the Williams County Grand Jury brought an indictment against Charles for adultery. The journal entry stated that there was a case of the State of Ohio v Charles Wannemaker: at first he said he was not guilty, but on 15 Mar 1882, he said he was guilty of adultery. 

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Walz

Margaret Dunlap Davis Walz v Christopher Walz

He Had Plenty of Money, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1883

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 29 December 2013)

Margaret Dunlap, born c1847 OH, was the daughter of William Dunlap and Charity McCann; she was also stepdaughter of Christopher Brannon and his wife, Charity Dunlap Brannon, of Superior Twp, Wms Co, OH.  William Dunlap was united in marriage to Charity McCann in July 1832 at Salem, Columbiana Co, OH. William and Charity moved to Montpelier OH several years after they were married where William died on 27 July 1854.

Christopher's other wives were reportedly Nancy and Rebecca, who died on 29 Aug 1862.  In the 1870 Superior Twp federal census, p15, this family was listed as Christopher 55 PA, Charity 59 OH, William 17 OH, William Dunlap 20 OH, Conrad Dunlap 17 OH, Elizabeth Dunlap 15 OH. 

Margaret Dunlap had married Phares Davis, a Civil War veteran, on 2 Jan 1868, Wms Co (Marriages V3 p746).  Phares died on 13 June 1871 and was buried in West Bethesda Cemetery in Superior Twp.

Mrs. Margaret Dunlap Davis next married Christopher Walz in Wms Co on 9 Dec 1875 (Marriages V4 p435).  She resided with the Christopher Brannon family in the 1880 Superior Twp federal census, p2, as follows: Christopher Brannon 65 PA-IR-IR, wife Charity 67 OH-PA-VA, daughter Margaretta Waltz 33 OH-PA-OH, granddaughter Cora D. Davis 10 OH-OH-OH.

It was not until 1883 that Margaret sued for divorce in the Williams County Civil and Criminal Court (Journal 12 p127 - 26 Nov 1883; Roll 39 Box 129 case number 1173), claiming her husband, Christopher Walz, was guilty of extreme cruelty.  She told the court that in May 1879 at their home in DeKalb Co, IN, Christopher threatened to shoot and kill her.  Between May 1879-Mar 1880, while still living in DeKalb Co, Christopher was intoxicated and continued to threaten her life.  He left her for one week in Mar 1880 and never returned.  She knew he was living in Garrett, DeKalb Co, IN and he had plenty of money.  On the other hand she was destitute. Margaret asked for reasonable alimony and restoration of her "maiden" name, Davis.  The court granted her requests.  She died in 1909 and was buried beside her husband Phares Davis.  

This could be the ex-husband - Christ Walz (1846 - 23 May 1899, Christian Union Cem, Garrett, DeKalb Co, IN

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Walters

Sebastian Walters v Mary Troxell Walters (Journal 5 p628 - 16 Mar 1860; Roll 14 case number 38 - Mar 1860)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married on 10 Apr 1855 in Wms Co (Marriage V2 p153).  Mary was willfully absent for three years or more with no cause or justification.  A legal notice appeared in a local paper.  In the 1870 Center Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p48A Sebastian Walters was listed as 60 Hesse-Darmstadt, living next door to John Walters 28 HS and his family.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Vollmer

Katharine Vollmer v Conrad Vollmer (Journal 8 p162 - 4 Nov 1873; Roll 25 case number 112 - Nov 1873)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Detroit, MI on 1 Apr 1853.  Katharine charged that on 23 May 1873 Conrad was extremely cruel and guilty of gross neglect.  He owned real estate and she wanted a restraining order so he could not sell this property and defraud her. The court entry stated that they settled the costs and no record was to be made.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Vernier

Julia Bourquin Vernier v Charles H. Vernier

The Frenchwoman's Revenge, Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1884

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

Two families immigrated from France to the US and eventually settled in Williams County, Ohio.  A son and daughter from each neighboring household fell in love and married, but when the Frenchman's eye wandered, it was his wife who took action and hit him where it counted, in the pocketbook.

Charles H. Vernier, b. 19 Aug 1844, FR, was the son of George and Catherine Certier Vernier, both French natives who brought their family to the US c.1847 and initially settled in German Twp, Fulton Co, OH, on 80 acres of farmland.  The Vernier family was enumerated in the 1850 German Twp federal census, p365B, as George 38, Catherine 35, Jacob 12, George 10, Catherine 9, Frederic 8, Charles 6, Emily 4, and Peter 2 OH.  The Verniers had 13 children so they eventually doubled the size of their original homestead and later moved to Archbold, Fulton Co, OH, c1874.  Charles at 18 years of age was a wagonmaker by trade. 

He married Julia Bourquin, also a FR native, on 26 Oct 1867, Fulton Co, OH (Marriages V3 p146).  Julia, born in  June 1850, was the daughter of Peter and Suzette Mettetal Bourquin who came to the US between 1842-1844.  The Bourquins were found in the 1850 German Twp, Fulton Co federal census, p366, as Jacques 37, Catherine 30, Catherine 8, Louisa 6 OH, and Peter 4 OH. 

Charles and Julia came to Stryker, Springfield Twp, Wms Co c1868 where he opened a wagon and blacksmith shop.  In 1872 he set up a store where he sold groceries and agricultural supplies.  The family was listed in the 1870 Springfield Twp federal census p46 as Charles 24 wagonmaker, Julia 20, Julia 1 OH, Burr 6 months OH.  Again they were enumerated there in the 1880 federal census p688A as Charles 35, Julia 29, Jule 11 OH, Charley 10 OH, Harmon 9 OH, Alfred 4 OH, and Alsid(m) 10/12 OH.  The couple had the following five sons: Julius C (1868), Charles P. (Jan 1870), Herman G. (16 Apr 1871), Alfred W. (11 June 1876), and Alsid G. (8 July 1879).  In 1881 Charles' business burned and in 1882 he set up a hardware store.

Julia petitioned the Williams County, Ohio Civil and Criminal Court (Journal 12 p266 - 12 Apr 1884; p282 - 3 June 1884; p322 - 15 July 1884; Journal 13 p220 - 2 July 1885; Roll 39 case number 1132) stating that she wanted a divorce on the grounds of gross neglect and adultery.  There was a birth record in Wms Co (V2p47) showing a Charles Verner and Maggie Wechaton as parents of Florence Vernier, born 21 Jan 1883, Stryker.  It is unknown at this time as to whether this is the proof of Julia's adultery claim against her husband.  Note the spelling of Verner; Wechaton could be Whetstone as there was a Margaret Whetstone living in the neighborhood then.

Julia returned to the court several times after the divorce was granted, asking for more alimony.  Once Julia told the court she was in possession of real estate and had been receiving profits from rents but the money had stopped.  Charles was being sued by Charleton C. Doughlas for $616 over a real estate mortgage Charles failed to pay on Lot 57, Tingley's Addition, Stryker.

Julia remarried on 18 Apr 1889, Wms Co (Marriages V5 #1482) to George F. Boillot, a widower, b. May 1848, FR.  The couple and his children were found in the federal census of 1900 in Springfield Twp.  George was married previously to Mary Ann Roux on 20 Aug 1870 Wms Co (Marriages V4 p126) and had three known children, Amelia, Alfred, and Adaline.

Charles H. Vernier may have remarried but currently this has not been proven.  There was a marriage in Wms Co (Marriages V5 #219) for a Charles H. Vernier and Camilla Guyman, 5 Oct 1882.  There was a Charles Vernier (1852 - 1932) buried in the Oakwood Cemetery, Stryker, but the birthdate does not match what is known of this subject. What is known is that Julia died on 24 Sept 1929 and was buried in the Lockport Cemetery, Brady Twp under the name of Julia Vernier with the inscription on her tombstone as "mother of Julius, Charles, Harmon, Alfred, and Alcid".

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Varnes

Mary Klopenstein Varnes v Richard Varnes (Journal 7 p312 - 30 Apr 1869; p322, 366, 423; Journal 10 p113 – Apr 1879; Journal 14 p266 - 16 Dec 1887 p338 - 28 Mar 1888; Roll 22 case number 81 – Apr 1869)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Wms Co on 19 Feb 1867. She wanted a divorce and alimony based on gross neglect.  There was a minor daughter, Dora Ellen, under 5 years (b 1869).  Richard stated he would appeal alimony of $1200 set by the court. She later received some alimony. Nothing else is known although the action was continued and dismissed several times because Richard refused to give Mary reasonable alimony of $1,000 to be paid in installments.  The couple was finally divorced on 12 Mar 1870 but there was a continual filing for more money from 1879-1887.

The groom appears to be the son of John and Matilda Varnes, natives of PA.  According to the 1860 Superior Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p189a, the Varnes/Varns family was enumerated as John 50 PA, Matilda 50 PA, George 17 OH, Stephen 12 OH with a separate household of Richard 24 OH, Rebecca 22 OH, and Lorette 2 OH.  Richard Varns had married Rebecca Wellington in Wms Co on 9 Dec 1856 (Marriages V2 p172).  Richard’s mother Matilda died on 16 Sept 1861 @55Y 5M 15D and was buried in the Lick Creek Cem, Center Twp, Wms Co, OH.  Father John Varnes married Elizabeth Langley in Wms Co on 3 Sept 1865 and he died on 7 Feb 1888 @77Y 1M 12D and was buried in Shiffler Cem, Jefferson Twp.

Richard’s children from first wife Rebecca died as follows: Mary (25 May 1860), Loretta L (25 Sept 1861), Albert (20 Sept 1863 @2Y 18D), and Ellen (11 Jan 1864 @4M 19D); these children were also buried in the Lick Creek Cem.   There is also a record of Rebecca C. Varns buried in Lick Creek Cem, but her tombstone is unreadable. Sometime after the 1860 Superior Twp federal census and the 1864 Wms Co Atlas, Richard Varnes lived in Center Twp, Sec 2; the 1867 list of person property taxpayers also showed that Richard Varnes lived in Center Twp. 

Mary Kloppenstine Varns was the daughter of Jacob and Sarah, natives of France who lived in Bryan, Pulaski Twp as of 1870 and were listed in that census p42 as Jacob 61 FR baker, Sarah 52 FR, Fred 23 NY baker, Mary 20 MD, Phebe 16 MD, Alice 10 MD, and Dora Varns 1 OH.  According to the 1880 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census p638C, Mary Varnes was 28 MD divorced, living with her daughter Dora 11 OH.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Van Wye

Enoch Van Wye v Matilda Smith Van Wye (Journal 7 - Mar 1868; Roll 20 case number 46 -Nov 1868-Mar 1869)

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 2010)

The couple was married in Wms Co, OH on 1 June 1865 according to Enoch but the record showed the date as 11 June 1865 (Marriage V3 p455).  Enoch, born 1 May 1809 PA, was the son of Charles and Jane Cameron Van Wye.  Enoch was married first to Dianna Pennel in Trumbull Co, OH on 18 May 1831.  They had the following children: Darthula, Daniel, Maria, Cameron, Mary, Atalia, Sarah, Susan, and Charles. Dianna died on 25 Dec 1849 in Trumbull Co, OH.

His next marriage was to an Elizabeth Sailor c1850, presumably in Trumbull Co.  The issue of this marriage were the following children: William L, Orison B, Nancy J, and Barbara Ellen.  The family came to Wms Co in the mid-1850's; prior to this the family was listed in the 1850 Wethersfield Twp, Trumbull Co, OH federal census, p235, as Enoch 40 OH, Darthula 18 OH, Daniel 16 OH, Maria 14 OH, Cameron 10 OH, Mary 8 OH, Atalia 6 OH, Susan A 4 OH, and Sally A 4 OH. The family was enumerated in the 1860 Springlake, Florence Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census, p31, as Enoch 47 OH, Elizabeth 38 SCOT, Cameron 20 OH, Atalia 17 OH, Susan A 16, twin Sally A 16, William L 8 OH, Orison 3 OH, and Nancy J 1 OH.  In the probate records of this county (#977) the estate of Elizabeth Vanwye was settled with Enoch as the administrator and guardian for Eleanor, Nancy, Orison, and William ((#941 - 12 May 1865); these children were to receive a 1/4^th share in the estate of Lyman J. Gurshaw, dec.

Mrs. Matilda Smith, parentage unknown, wife of Robert W. Smith was enumerated in the 1860 Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census p25A, as Robert W 54 DEL, Matilda 52 PA, William 14 OH, and Susetta Buck 22 OH school teacher. 

Enoch stated that Matilda disregarded her duties.  On 20 Nov 1865 she left their home for Indiana and committed adultery with a Mr. Wannamaker and in a space of two weeks she cohabited with him in Hamilton, Steuben Co, IN.  A legal notice appeared in the "Bryan Democrat." 

Enoch married again on 12 Apr 1869, Wms Co to Hannah Mullenick (Marriage V4 p57).  The 1870 Penn Twp, Sullivan Co, Missouri federal census p242 listed him as Enoch W. Vanwye. He died 9 Apr 1887 but the location is currently unknown.