Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Henry E Olmstead v Maggie V Bancroft Olmstead

By Pamela Pattison Lash

HE Olmstead v Maggie C Olmstead

The Bryan Dem 27 Feb 1902 – case dismissed

Bryan Democrat, 12 May 1904

Notice

Maggie V Olmstead, whose last known post office address and whose residence was and is at or near Evart in the County of Osceola in the State of Michigan will take notice that on the 9^th day of April 1904, HE Olmstead as plaintiff filed his petition in the Court of Common Pleas of Williams Co, OH against Maggie V Olmstead as defendant in which said petition the plaintiff charges said defendant with gross neglect of duty and extreme cruelty upon which said grounds said plaintiff prays for a divorce from said defendant.  Said petition will be for hearing in said Court on and after six weeks from the 21^st of Apr 1904.  Bowersox and Starr, Attorneys for Plaintiff

April 20^th, 1904    1w6

Taking these two notices from the newspaper as a base, I was able to find out the following info on this couple:

Henry E Olmstead married Maggie Viola Bancroft on 23 Dec 1898 in Williams Co, OH by James Dilts, JP; license noted “no publication” (Marriages V7 p681)

Using the 1900 census (see below) Maggie was living with her parents as a “single” woman and with Henry and his parents as married; however, in the Williams Co, OH Birth Records, V3 p153 there is a birth recorded for Lola May Olmstead, daughter of Henry Olmstead and Maggie Bancroft on 6 May 1902 in Stryker.  My guess is the first newspaper articles of case dismissed was due to the fact that Maggie was pregnant, and in those days that usually meant no divorce until after the birth of the child. In the Oakwood Cem, Stryker, Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH there is a stone for Lola M Olmstead 1902-1903 @ 1Y 1M 5D. The Williams Co, OH Death record shows Lola’s death on 11 Oct 1903 in Stryker.

Here’s what I’ve found on the husband and wife:

Henry E Olmstead (13 Mar 1866, Stryker, Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH – 15 Jan 1922, Stryker, Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH) was the son of Alva and Martha Chichester Olmstead; divorced, insurance agent; burial Stryker Cem; was married to Mrs. Maggie Bancroft; informant E G Mohr, Archbold, OH

Alva Olmstead (1827 Ballston, NY – 15 July 1908, Stryker, Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH; married; age 81Y (Williams Co, OH Deaths, V3 p101); mar 10 May 1862 to Martha Chicester in Williams Co, OH; son of Thomas and Elizabeth Olmstead/Umstead; 1850 Springfield Twp residents

Martha Marie Chichester (18 July 1840 OH – 22 July 1923 Stryker, Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH); widow, age 83Y 4D; witness Mrs E Morr of Stryker, informant on death certificate; burial Stryker Cem

1870 Springfield, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 210A; Image: 425; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 82/82 Olmstead, Alva  43 NY farmer

Martha 30 OH

Mary 7 OH

Clark, Charles 7 NY

Henry 4 OH

1880 Springfield, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 684A; Enumeration District: 013; Image: 0229

h/h 389/414 Umstead, Alva 53 NY-NY-NY farmer

Martha wife 39 OH-NY-NY

Mary dau 16 school teacher OH-NY-NY

Henry son 14 works on farm OH0NY-NY

Margaret “Maggie” Viola Bancroft (5 Dec 1881 Fulton Co, OH – May 1937 Flint, Genesee Co, MI) was the daughter of Hiram Daniel and Adeline Mary Burk Bancroft.

Hiram Daniel Bancroft (15 Mar 1855 Marion Co, OH – 15 Apr 1942 Pontiac, Oakland Co, MI); living 1860 German Twp, Fulton Co, OH w/parents

Adeline Mary or Mary Adaline Burk (27 May 1861 Fulton Co, OH – 28 July 1941 Pontiac, Oakland Co, MI); mar 3 Jan 1878, Henry Co, OH

Henry E Olmstead married Maggie V Bancroft on 23 Dec 1898.

1900 Mill Creek, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 108.

h/h 84/86 Bancroft, Hiram D 45 (Mar 1855) OH-NY-NY night watchman at sawmill mar 22Y

Mary A wife 31 (May 1861) 8/7 ch OH-VT-PA – note age should be 39

Maggie V dau 19 (Dec 1881) OH-OH-OH single, housekeeper

William C son 17 (Apr 1883) OH-OH-OH

Bertie O son 14 (Dec 1885) OH-OH-OH

Harrison M son 11 (Sept 1888) MI-OH-OH

Henry H son 10 (July 1889) MI-OH-OH

Jennie C dau 5 (Dec 1894) MI-OH-OH

George A son 2 (Jan 1898) OH-OH-OH

1900 Stryker, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 116.

h/h 11/11 Omstead, Alva 73 (Mar 1827) Ny-NY-NY no occup

Martha M wife  59 (July 1840) mar 38Y 2/1 ch OH-NY-NY

Henry E son 33 (Mar 1867) OH-NY-OH school teacher

Maggie dau-in law 21 (Nov 1878) mar 1Y 0/0 ch OH-OH-OH – note wrong age/birth date but everything else fits

Henry filed for divorce sometime c1902 with case dismissed in Feb 1902.

Henry and Maggie have a daughter on 6 May 1902.

Their daughter Lola died on 11 Oct 1903.

Henry filed and received a divorce from Maggie cMay 1904.

Maggie V Bancroft married Manley Albert Burss on 3 Dec 1904 in Evart, Osceola Co, MI by Irvin Chase, JP; Manley, the son of Albert Burss and Sarah Manley, was 27 (b1877 MI); he was a teacher, living in Remus, MI; he was never married; Maggie was the daughter of HD Bancroft and unknown mother; she was 23 (b1881 MI), a resident of Evart, MI, and married once before; HD Bancroft and Edna Tripp were the witnesses

Manley A Burrs was born on 28 Aug 1877 in Wheatland, Mecosta Co, MI

1910 Wheatland, Mecosta, Michigan; Roll: T624_663; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 0131; Image: 1109; FHL Number: 1374676.

h/h 103/112 Burss, Manley 33 mar 1x 5Y MI-Can-OH farmer

Margrett V 29 mar 2x 4/2 ch OH-OH-OH

Viola S dau 3 MI

Shirley M dau 8M MI

1910 Springfield, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0134; Image: 1031; FHL Number: 1375254.

h/h 82/83 Olmstead, Henry 42 OH-NY-OH widower, teacher in public school

Martha mother 69 OH-NY-NY

Note – they lived next door to the James Diltz who married Henry and Maggie in 1898

1916 Henry E Olmstead of Aliison St, Stryker, Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH sold insurance (Farmer Illustrated Directory of Williams Co, OH)

1917 WWI Draft Card info – Manley and Margaret Viola Burss are living in Detroit, MI; he works as a machine helper at Ford Motor Co; 850 Connors Ave; note his date of birth here is 13 Feb 1877

1920 Detroit Ward 9, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: T625_807; Page: 116B; Enumeration District: 292; Image: 1119.

3514 Russell St

h/h 10/12 Burss, Manley 43 MI-MI-MI auto factory worker

Margreto wife 39 OH-OH-OH

With 5 children – Viola, Shirley, Mary, Albert, Martha

1920 Springfield, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T625_1450; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 168; Image: 429.

Allison St

h/h 31/31 Olmstead, Martha M 79 OH-NY-NY widow

Henry E Olmstead 53 son OH-OH-OH single, notary for deeds and abstracts

Maggie V Bancroft Burrs married Charles E Parker on 15 Feb 1924 in Evart, Osceola Co, MI

Maggie was the daughter of Hiram D and Addie M Burk Bancroft; she was 43 (b1881 OH); she had been married twice before; Charles was the son of William and Lillie Filkine Parker; he was 44 (b1880 MI); he had not been married before; Hiram D Bancroft and Lottie Boyd were the witnesses; both bride and groom were residents of Evart, Osceola Co, MI

1930 Osceola, Osceola, Michigan; Roll: 4609260; Page: 5A; Image: 906.0; Family History Library Film: 2340755.

h/h 104/104 Bancroft, Hiram D 75 mar@23Y Oh-OH-PA odd job laborer

Mary A wife 68 mar@17Y OH-VT-PA

105/105 Parker, Charles 50 mar@44Y Mi-US-US farmer

Maggie V wife 48 mar@17Y OH-OH-OH

Buras, Marjorie step dau 12 MI-OH-OH

Manley A Burss died on 7 Nov 1941 in Detroit, Wayne Co, MI – note that if this the second husband of Maggie, the couple must have been divorced sometime between 1920 and her marriage to Charles Parker in 1924.

Brickwall - Frances "Fanny" Vestina Outlaw Miller and Charles Preston Zigler

By Pamela Pattison Lash

A researcher recently posed a query to me regarding the marriage of Frances “Fanny” Miller and Charles Preston Zigler.  After some digging, I found this information and wanted to pass it along to anyone researching this couple.  Fanny was about 14 years old when she married William Miller; her parents presumably were both dead c1878 when she married.  Just from the census I would say she had an interesting but sad life.

Frances Vestina Outlaw (21 Dec 1864 Warren Co, TN – 21 Mar 1919 Williams Co, OH); she committed suicide by hanging; buried in Fountain Grove Cem, Bryan, OH

Daughter of Washington J Outlaw and Mary Jane Parnell; Washington’s 1^st wife was Caroline Parnell; his 2^nd was her sister c1851; Washington died in Oct 1878; wife Mary died bef Aug 1878

Fanny V Outlaw married William Miller in Warren Co, TN on 5 June 1878; William M Miller (29 Oct 1854 Warren Co, TN – 29 July 1910 Bryan, OH); he was the son of David Miller and Martha Marley/Marler

Their children:

1. Tiberious Walter 1879-1945 Edgerton, OH

2. Martha Cleo 23 Dec 1885, TN –; mar Gilbert Blanks, 24 Dec 1903, Williams Co, OH

3. William F. Charles 30 Oct 1887, Warren, TN – 1939; mar Bessie Upp, 4 July 1909, Williams Co, OH

4. Thomas Washington c1891-1966 Toledo, OH; mar Bernece Tully, 24 Feb 1915, Hillsdale Co, MI

5. Albert H c1896, TN-1972 Richmond, Wayne Co, IN; mar Grace Briscoe, 4 Jan 1916, Adrian, Lenawee Co, MI

6. Bert Hunter 1900 - 1983

7. Vestina Colleen 3 Feb 1906 Center Twp, Wms Co, OH- c 6 Sept 1987 Chapel Hill, Orange Co, NC;  bur Lavonia, MI; mar Jaffke

Note that the census info stated Frances had nine children.

1870 District 14, Warren, Tennessee; Roll: M593_1568; Page: 154B; Image: 314; Family History Library Film: 553067.

h/h Outlaw, Washington 58 TN farmer

Mary 36 AL

Alexander 14 TN farm laborer

Frances 5 TN

Jane 1 TN

Camp, Lizzie 13 black, domestic servant TN

Tobetha 3 mulatto TN

White, Choke 16 white domestic servant TN

1880 District 14, Warren, Tennessee; Roll: 1284; Family History Film: 1255284; Page: 417C; Enumeration District: 137; .

h/h 102/102 Miller, W M 25 TN-TN-TN farmer

Fanny wife 15 TN-AL-AL

FW 8M son (male) TN-TN-TN

Outlaw, WT 8 TN-AL-AL boarder

1900 Civil District 1, Warren, Tennessee; Roll: T623_1603; Page: 22B; Enumeration District: 136.

h/h 332/443 Miller, William 45 (Oct 1854) mar 23Y TN-TN-TN farmer, owed farm

Fannie 35 wife (Dec 1864) 8/5ch TN-VA-AL

Tiberius 20 son (Sept 1879) TN-TN-TN farm laborer

Martha C 14 dau (Dec 1885) TN-TN-TN

Willie 12 son (Oct 1887) TN-TN-TN

Tommy 9 son (Apr 1891) TN-TN-TN

Bert H 3 son (July 1892) TN-TN-TN

1910 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 0128; Image: 897; FHL Number: 1375254.

564 South Lynn

h/h 277/278 Miller, William 56 mar 31Y TN-TN-TN

Fanny V wife 46 9/6 ch TN-WVA-AL

Thomas 19 son TN-TN-TN

Albert 14 son TN-TN-TN

Vestine C 4 dau OH-TN-TN

Fanny Miller married Charles P Zigler in Williams Co, OH on 23 Apr 1913; they were later divorced

Some info from marriage license, and other sources: Charles Preston Zigler, son of William and Elizabeth Zigler

23 July 1913 at 40, Bryan, OH – 1873 (b 26 July 1875, Center Twp, Williams Co, OH)

m1 Amanda Lanius, 30 Mar 1899, Williams Co, OH; she died 3 Oct 1911, Williams Co, OH

m2 Fanny V Miller, 23 Apr 1913, Williams Co, OH

m3 Jennie Masters Burkhart, 24 Dec 1917, DeKalb Co, IN

Fanny V Miller

Warren Co, TN 21 Dec 1913 at 46 – 1867 – note should be 1864

WJ Outlaw/Mary Jane Bonnell – note should be Mary Jane Parnell

Note Charles was 38 and Fanny was 49

Williams Co, OH Common Pleas Gleanings - 1890 - B G Holland

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Williams County Common Pleas Court, State of Ohio v BG Holland, case number 894; Journal 15 p221/p251 – 20 Mar 1890; p281 – 27 Mar 1890

BG Holland was accused of rape and was held in custody by the sheriff.  He stated he was not guilty and was found indigent so he was represented by Charles C Scott, attorney.  A jury trial commenced and the jury found him guilty on the first count but not on the second count.  On 27 Mar 1890 BG Holland was sentenced to a 20-year prison term at the Ohio State Penitentiary.

Bryan Democrat, 3 April 1890 p5

Almost an Escape

The state prisoners came within a trick or two of winning their freedom.  Sheriff Burgoyne suspected that they were making an effort to escape and laid for them.  Hearing them at work on one of the windows he and Deputy Lash entered the prison and made an examination.  They soon found that the prisoners had sawed off both ends of an upright rod and had begun operations on the transverse bars.  They had also broken off the lever with which the doors are operated, which they used as a pry to facilitate their work.  The tools with which the work was performed could not be found.  After the discovery by the Sheriff such precautions were taken as would preclude further attempts at escape.

Off for the Pen

Sheriff Burgoyne started Tuesday morning with a squad of prisoners sentenced to the pen as follows:

Edward Kellogg, grand larceny, 3 years

Albert Kellogg, grand larceny, 5 years

BG Holland, rape, 20 years

John Fluery, carrying a concealed weapon, Toledo Workhouse, 10 days and until fine and costs are worked out.

I did not initially find BG Holland in the 1880 census, but I reasoned that in 1900 he should still be a prisoner and found him as

1900 Columbus Ward 15, Franklin, Ohio; Roll: T623_1269; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 111.

Burt G Holland 53 (May 1847) NY-NY-NY prisoner, widower, white

Nothing else is currently known.

State of Ohio for Emma V Double v George Stough, 1889-1890

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Williams County Common Pleas Court, Journal 15 p178, 266 – State of Ohio for Emma V Double v George Stough, 21 Dec 1889; p359-360 – 19/20 June 1890; p395 – 28 June 1890; Roll 48 case #2132

The court said he is guilty of bastardy and he must pay a bond of $500; if he does not pay he will be in default and must go to jail.

On 19 and 20 June 1890 the case was brought before a jury; even though George stated he was not guilty, the jury found him guilty.  On 28 June 1890 the court required George to post a bond of $500 surety. 

I have searched both the birth and death records for Williams County to find a baby’s birth within the time frame but so far I have found nothing.  It could be the child’s birth was not recorded or the baby was born in another place.  As you’ll see, Emma married four days before the case was brought to court so it could be her new husband wanted George Stough to pay for the child’s needs or both Emma and her new husband wanted the child acknowledged as belonging to George Stough.

Here’s what I’ve found on the plaintiff:

Emma V Double (11 Mar 1871, Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH - ); d/o Andrew Double and Mary Garver); Emma was born in Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH (Birth V1 p19)

Andrew Double (30 Mar 1827 PA- 18 Mar 1905 Albert Twp, Montmorency Co, MI); married Mary Garver on 9 Oct 1856 in Ashland Co, OH; Mary Garver (27 Apr 1832 OH – 19 Oct 1905 Lewiston, Albert Twp, Montmorency Co, MI); they lived in Wright twp, Hillsdale Co, MI in 1900

1880 Bridgewater, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 453C; Enumeration District: 002; Image: 0540.

h/h 93/95 Double, Andrew 53 PA-blank-blank farmer

Mary 48 wife OH-PA-PA

Albert 19 son OH teacher blanks on bp of parents

Thomas 15 son OH-PA-PA

Wilbur 11 son OH-PA-PA

Emma 9 dau OH-PA-PA

Noah 6 son OH-PA-PA

Martin 4 son OH-PA-PA

Note that all children have PA-PA for parents except Albert.

About the same time as the case was first brought to court, Emma Double married Lewis Clinton Gump in Williams Co, OH on 17 Dec 1889; the marriage was performed by William F Preston, minister.

About six months prior to this marriage, in the divorce action of Andrew Dryborough v Ida Dryborough, Andrew stated in court that his wife had an affair on 4 June 1889 at the Brunswick Hotel, Bryan, OH with Clinton Gump.

Lewis Clinton Gump was the son of William H and Sarah Jane Lewis Gump. Lewis Clinton Gump (25 Dec 1863 West Unity, Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH – 17 Dec 1937 Montpelier, Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH’ buried in Riverside Cem)

William Henry Gump (24 Jan 1836 Plymouth, Richland Co, OH – 29 Dec 1928 West Unity, Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH; burial Floral Grove Cem)

Sarah Jane Lewis  (Nov 1837 Ashland Co, OH – 16 Nov 1904 West Unity, Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH

1880 Brady, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 514B; Enumeration District: 005; Image: 0663.

h/h Gump, William H 45 OH

Sarah Jane 44 OH

Ella 21 OH

William 18 OH

Clinton 15 OH

Charles 12 OH

Frank 2 OH

I have not been successful in finding out what happened to Emma Double Gump – but it appears by 1916 Lewis Clinton Gump has a new wife.

Lewis Clinton Gump married Jennie Lee Shaull Garn on 8 April 1916 in Williams Co, OH (Marriage V11 p293). Jennie was married to Joshua Shaull and had three children; Joshua died on 10 June 1891; she then married Samuel A Garn on 22 Feb 1900 and lived in Montpelier during the 1900 and 1910 federal census reports.  From Lewis Clinton Gump’s marriage license he stated he was a widower and had been married once before.

Armita Jane Lee (18 Sept 1866, Montpelier – 29 May 1946 Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH’ bur Riverside Cem; d/o George Lee and Susan Brown/Brim); 1880 Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH

In 1916 LC Gump and wife Jennie lived in Montpelier on a 13-acre farm; he set up a restaurant in Montpelier, where he and his wife lived.

1920 Superior, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T625_1450; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 171; Image: 529.

217 West Main

h/h 335/358 Gump, Louis C 54 OH-OH-OH proprietor of restaurant

Jennie A wife 51 OH-OH-OH waiter in restaurant

1930 Montpelier, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1891; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 24; Image: 461.0.

217 West Main St

h/h 72/75 Gump, LC 64 mar @32 OH-OH-OH proprietor of restaurant

Jennie wife 62 mar @18 OH-US-OH cook in restaurant

Lewis Clinton Gump – Bryan Press, 23 Dec 1937, p2; Leader Enterprise, 23 Dec 1937 p4 c3

Jennie Shaull Gump – Bryan Democrat, 30 May 1946, p5

And what of the defendant?  The only George Stough in Williams Co that fits the court dates would be the following (speculative not definite):

George Stough

If this is the defendant in the case, here’s what is currently known of him.

George W. Stough (16 Sept 1857, pos Stark Co, OH – possibly 20 Apr 1931 Nacogdoches Co, TX) was the son of Daniel Stough and Malinda Lawrence; divorced, oil operator

By 1879 he married Martha C. Gowing.

1880 Madison, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 473D; Enumeration District: 003; Image: 0581.

h/h 202/202 Stough, George W 22 OH-OH-OH farmer

Martha C 21 wife OH-OH-OH

There is a George W Stough living in 1894 as a resident of Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH (Atlas, 1894) who was a livery feed salesman and an agent for an insurance company.

1900 Center, Delaware, Indiana; Roll: T623_367; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 31.

h/h 299/308 Stough, George W 41 (Sept 1858) OH-PA-PA real estate agent

Martha wife 41 (Apr 1859) mar 21Y 5/5 ch OH-PA-PA

Winnie A dau 19 (July 1880) OH-OH-OH bookkeeper

Charles D son 18 (Jan 1882) OH-OH-OH messenger serv

Vernon G son 16 (Sept 1883) OH-OH-OH messenger boy

Emma M dau 15 (Apr 1885) OH-OH-OH

Harry son 13 (May 1887) OH-OH-OH

1910 Goshen, Elkhart Co, IN – Martha Stough 51 OH-PA-OH widow, living w/dau Winnie Goodman and grandson George Wade

Brickwall - Joseph Dixon

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Carol Watson, a family researcher, is looking for more info on her ancestor, Joseph Dixon/Dickson, who was located in the following geographical areas:
Birth in Philadelphia, PA
Marriages in Columbiana Co, OH
Residences in Williams Co, OH, Steuben Co, IN, Defiance Co, OH
Marriage in Williams Co, OH
Death in Hicksville, Defiance Co, OH

If any one knows something that could further Carol's research, please contact me and I'll pass it along.  Here's a little of what she has so far:

Joseph Dixon (1 Feb 1813, Philadelphia, PA – 28 Jan 1892 Hicksville, Defiance Co, OH; buried at Old Forest Cem, Hicksville, OH); has brother Stephen ??

M1 – Susannah Sentz; mar 25 Aug 1838, Columbiana Co, OH by Jacob Rother, JP (Marriages V3 p190)

Children:
William Lewis (10 Sept 1838 - )

Robert Stewart (2 Jan 1840 Columbiana Co, OH or June 1840 (from 1900 Newport, Barton, MO fed census) – 15 Jan 1905 Newalla, OK)

Catherine Jane (9 Dec 1842 OH - )

M2 – Susannah Perky (28 Jan 1823 Fayette Co, PA – bet1860-1870 prob IN); mar 5 Nov 1843, Columbiana Co, OH by Jonas Cattel, JP (Marriage V3 p345)

Children:

Lydia Ann (22 Dec 1844, Williams Co, OH – MI); mar Christian Weicht, 21 Nov 1869, Williams Co, OH

Mary E (18 Feb 1847, Williams Co, OH - ); mar Ketchel

David P (31 Dec 1848, Williams Co, OH - _)

John B (22 July 1851 Williams Co, OH - )

M3 – Magdalena Ritchey (1821 OH - ); mar 6 March 1871, Williams Co, OH by William Stough JP (Marriage V4 p163); she was a widow; bur Maple Grove Cem

Obit - Magdalenn Lukins/Goodno Dixon Edgerton Earth, 4 Sept 1914 p2 c3

Joseph stepfather to either Malvina or Isaac Weidler 

1840 Salem, Columbiana, Ohio; Roll: 386; Page: 115; Image: 235; Family History Library Film: 0020162.

Dixon, Joseph

1m under 5

1m 30-39

1f 5-9

1f 20-29

History of Williams Co, OH, Weston Goodspeed, p344: special election in Bryan in 1846 – voter – Joseph Dixon

1850 Superior, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M432_741; Page: 40A; Image: 83.

h/h 542/544 Dickson, Joseph 37 OH gunsmith

Susan 28 OH

Lydia 6 OH

Mary 4 OH

David 2 OH

Robbert 10 OH

1860 Otsego, Steuben, Indiana; Roll: M653_298; Page: 478; Image: 38; Family History Library Film: 803298.

h/h Dixon, Joseph 48 PA gunsmith

Susan 38 OH

Robert 20 OH farm hand

Lydia A 15 OH

Mary 13 OH

David 11 OH

John 9 OH

Williams County Civil and Criminal Court Records, Roll15 case #143 (1860-1862) – Dixon 

1863-1865 Civil War Draft  - June 1863 (on Ancestry)

Joseph Dixon, Madison Twp, 40 tinsmith OH – note wrong age and place of birth; only list of those who could be drafted, not that he actually was

1864 William Co, OH Plat Map – JM Dixon, Pioneer, Madison Twp (no other in 1874, 1894, or 1904)

1870 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 252A; Image: 509; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 327/327 Dixon, Joseph 56 PA gunsmith (don't if if there is a connection to the Victor Dixon, 2 spaces down)

/329/329 Dixon, Victor 34 OH blacksmith

Margarett 27 Canada

Florence 2 OH

Melville 1 OH

Peter 23 OH blacksmith

1880 Hicksville, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: 1011; Family History Film: 1255011; Page: 180B; Enumeration District: 237; Image: 0586.

h/h 341/353 Dixon, Joseph 65 PA-PA-PA gunsmith

Magdalena wife 59 keeping boarding house OH-MD-PA can’t read or write

Listen, John boarder works in factory 23 OH-OH-OH

Derric, John boarder works in factory 24 OH-PA-PA


Carol shared this obit for Joseph Dixon:

Williams County Civil and Criminal Court Roll 52 case number 3220 – Martha Dixon et al (1893) 

Williams Co, OH Common Pleas Gleanings

By Pamela Pattison Lash

I found the following while pursuing more info on divorces and thought I'd post it:

Williams County Common Pleas Court, Journal 15 p113 – Charles L Duroy v Joseph W Back, executor of will of Curtis Cogswell, deceased, 22 Nov 1889

Others involved in this action were:

Frederick Cogswell, minor

Mary Cogswell, minor

Jane Lambright

Eliza Morrison

Joel Cogswell

The entry discussed Erie Cogswell and Laura J, his wife paid money to Jacob Zuver for land from this estate.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - 1904 -Hart

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Divorce information can be found in copies of old newspapers.  This is such an example.

Bryan Democrat, 27 Oct 1904 p5 - Oct Term Divorce c20 Oct 104

Sina Morrow Hart v Isaac Hart

M 7 May 1876 in Indiana

Children:

Pearl Nettie b 7 Feb 1878, Hicksville, Defiance Co, OH

William Jackson

Maude b 1881 Hicksville; m EL Jones, 10 Nov 1920, Williams Co, OH

Belle

Howard F

Isaac (25 Dec 1854 Dekalb Co, IN, - 16 Aug 1915 Bucyrus, Crawford Co, OH; burial Hicksville); s/o Hiram Hart/Nancy Joder according to death certificate, but may have mistakes; informant WJ Hart; appears he was the son of Abraham Hart and Charity Yoder

1860 Auburn, Newville, De Kalb, Indiana; Roll: M653_254; Page: 350; Image: 348; Family History Library Film: 803254.

h/h 681/681 Hart, Abraham 35 OH

Charity 32 OH

John 10 OH

Barbara A 8 OH

Isaac 7 IN

Susan 4 IN

Solomon 2 IN

1870 Newville, De Kalb, Indiana; Roll: M593_309; Page: 339A; Image: 195; Family History Library Film: 545808.

h/h 150/150 Hart, Abram 45 OH farmer

Carety 41 OH

John 20 OH

Barbara A 18 OH

Isace 16 IN

Susan 14 IN

Solomon 12 IN

Samantha 7 IN

Samuel 4 IN

Charlotte 1 IN

Isaac Hart married Ina Sina Morrow in Indiana on 7 May 1876; they were next door neighbors in the 1870 Newville, DeKalb Co, IN census.

Ina Sina (12/18 Apr 1862 Newville, DeKalb Co, IN – 27 Sept 1925, NW Twp, Williams Co, OH @63Y 5M 9D; burial in West Buffalo Cem, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH; d/o Jacob S Morrow and Lucinda Friend)

Her parents:

Jacob S Morrow/Lucinda Friend married on 4 July 1858, DeKalb Co, IN; Jacob was a CW vet of Co F 129^th Indiana Infantry; after Jacob’s death, Lucinda married a Jacob Hart and had son Ellsworth, born c1873 in IN.  Perhaps this Jacob Hart was a relative of Isaac Hart.

1870 Newville, De Kalb, Indiana; Roll: M593_309; Page: 339B; Image: 196; Family History Library Film: 545808.

h/h 151/151 Morrow, Lucinda 32 OH

William 11 IN

Elisa 9 IN

Sinia 8 IN

Mary 6 IN

Cordelia 3 IN

1880 Hicksville, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: 1011; Family History Film: 1255011; Page: 170A; Enumeration District: 237; Image: 0565.

h/h 126/127 Hart, Isac 26 IN-OH-IN farm hand

Sina wife 18 IN-IN-IN

Perael N dau 2 IN-IN-IN

Jackson son 10/12 July OH-blank - IN

1900 Florence, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 104.

h/h 32/33 Hart, Isaac (Dec 1854) 45 IN-PA-PA day laborer

Sina wife (Apr 1862) 38 mar 24Y 5/5 ch IN-OH-IN

Bell dau (Oct 1886) 14 IN-IN-IN

Howard F son (May 1890) 10 IN-IN-IN

The couple was divorced cOct 1904

1910 Holmes, Crawford, Ohio; Roll: T624_1163; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 0024; Image: 331; FHL Number: 1375176.

Isaac Hart 55 IN-PA-PA divorced, no occupation, living w/son William J Hart and his family

The Bucyrus Telegraph Forum. Aug 18, 1915.

ISAAC HART - Died at home on North Highland Avenue

Death resulted from asthma with which he had suffered for many years; remains will be taken to Hicksville for interment. Isaac Hart died at 5:40 o'clock Monday evening at the home of his son, Howard F. Hart, 212 North Highland Ave. Death resulted from asthma, with which he had suffered for many years. The remains were taken over the T & O C and H & O railways Wednesday morning to Hicksville, in Defiance County, Ohio, where funeral services were held Thursday afternoon. Interment in the cemetery at Hicksville.

The deceased was born in Pennsylvania, December 25, 1854, and was aged 60 years, 7 months, and 21 days. In early manhood he came to Ohio and located at Hicksville where he resided up until four years ago when he came to Bucyrus and since that time has made his home with his son. Forty years ago he was united in marriage to Sina Morrow and to his union two sons and three daughters were born. The sons are Howard F. Hart and William J. Hart of Bucyrus, and the daughters are Mrs. H. E. (Netta Pearl Hart) Robbins, of Detroit. Mich., Mrs D. C. (Bell Hart) Morris also of Detroit, and Mrs. Jacob (Maude Hart) Streets, of Blakeslee, Ohio. There are nine grandchildren, three brothers and three sisters. The brothers are John Hart, of Antwerp, Ohio, Solomon Hart of Hicksville, Ohio, and High (Samuel Hiram) Hart, of Hicksville, The sisters are Mrs. S. Steele of Pontiac, MI., Mrs. Lee (Barbara Ann Hart) McClellan who also resided in Michigan and Mrs. Manchat (Samantha Roedema) Hart, Hicksville. To all of the surviving relatives, the sincere sympathy of friends is extended in this hour of their bereavement.

Sina Hart married Alfred Oberlin on 5 Mar 1905, Williams Co, OH; she was 42 and a resident of Edon, OH; she worked as a domestic and was married once before; Alfred was 42 on 6 Aug 1904 and was also a resident of Edon; he was a farmer, born in Williams Co, OH, the son of John Oberlin and Elizabeth Myers, and also was married once before.

Alfred R Oberlin first married Ruth Emma Franks on 1 July 1886 in Williams Co, OH; Emma married Samuel Durr on 19 Mar 1908 in Williams Co, OH; she was d/o

Azariah/Ezra Franks and Ruth Swart; odd thing – his father John Oberlin made out the application for license when Alfred would have been 24 at the time; children were Robert, Velva and Florence Oberlin; Emma divorced Alfred Oberlin sometime between 1900 federal census and 1905 marriage of Alfred to Sina Hart

1910 Florence, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 0121; Image: 714; FHL Number: 1375254.

h/h 167/167 Oberlin, Alfred 47 married 2x mar 5Y IN-IN-IN

Sina wife 47 mar 2x 5/5 ch IN-IN-IN

Durr, Henry 66 boarder widower own income OH-Germ-Germ

1920 Northwest, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T625_1450; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 159; Image: 231.

h/h 106/112 Oberlin, Alfred 56 IN-IN-MI farmer

Sina wife 56 IN-unk-OH

Hart, Ellsworth bro-in-law 46 IN-unk-OH

Sina Morrow Hart Oberlin died on 27 Sept 1925.

Alfred Oberlin married Della Nelson Baker on 6 Aug 1926 in Williams Co, OH

1930 Northwest, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1891; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 13; Image: 212.0.

h/h 147/148 Oberlin, Alfred 67 mar@21Y IN-IN-IN farmer

Della S 57 wife mar@17Y In-IN-IN

Note the age when married does not apply to this marriage – data is misleading

Alfred died on 1 July 1940 and was buried beside wife Sina in West Buffalo Cem, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH

Link to New Info on Social Security Restrictions

By Pamela Pattison Lash

This may not be new info to you but it was to me.  Now the Social Security applications, which many genealogists have used to track ancestors, have new restrictions made without much fanfare by the US government.  The article that alerted me to this can be found at
http://megansmolenyak.posterous.com/social-security-administration-extends-foia-r

Civil Suit - Estate of Israel Osmun, Williams Co, OH, 1889

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 3 December 2011)

Williams Co, OH Court of Common Pleas, Journal 15 case number 1942 p94 – Nov 1889

Adaline Punches v (the following)

Jacob Ozmun

George D Ozmun

Samuel Ozmun

Eliza Zimmerman

Elnora Stautzinberger

Emma Esterline

Heirs of Emily Stautzinberger, dec

Della S Kosier

Bertha Hetrick

Ora S Kosier and Minnie S Kosier, minor heirs of Ann Liza Kosier, dec

Howard Spencer, Rosetta Spencer, Gertie Spencer, and Lawrence Spencer, minor heirs of Adelia Spencer, dec

George Webber, admin exec of will of Israel Osmun

Outcome – adjourned

See the following:

Amsbaugh Divorce

Kosier Divorce

Israel Osmun (6 Apr 1811 Cayuga or Elmira, NY – 6 Jan 1888 Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH; burial at West Franklin Cem, Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH)

Sally Ann Gleason (17 May 1816 NJ – 3 Sept 1882 Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH; burial at West Franklin Cem, Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH)

1840 Erin, Chemung, New York; Roll: 268; Page: 250; Image: 505; Family History Library Film: 0017180.

Israel Osman

1m 5-9

1m 20-29

2f under 5

1f 30-39

1f 50-59

1850  Mill Creek, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M432_741; Page: 28B; Image: 60.

Children:

George

Adaline married Samuel Amsbaugh; married John Punches

Emily married Stautzinberger

Adelia married Spencer

Ann Eliza married David Franklin Kosier – children Ora, Della, Minnie, Bertha, Laverne

Samuel

Henry

Jacob

Bryan Democrat, 30 June 1904 p4

Adaline Punches to Harvey Snyder, 58 acres in Section 24 Center Twp - $3,000

Bryan Democrat, 19 August 1904 p4

Amanda Hively to Adaline Punches land in Section19, Bryan, $700

Update Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Kahl/Mercer, 1889

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 14 November 2011 from previous posting)

Biancy Mercer Kahl v Edward B. Kahl (Journal 14 p109 - Mar 1887; p135 - June 1887; p226 - Nov 1887; p291 - 14 Mar 1888; Journal 15 p89 – November 1889; Roll 47 Box 158 case number 2114 – 18 Sept 1889)

The couple was married on 18 Mar 1877 in Hillsdale Co, MI at the residence of John S. Drake.  On 8 Jan 1878 Biancy claimed that Edward abandoned her and gave no support.  At first this action was dismissed but later a divorce was granted in November 1889.

Some possibilities for Edward B Kahl:

There is an Edward Kahl b1859 OH laborer living in Bryan, OH c1880 residing as a boarder of John Yates.

There is a Charles (39 Prussia carpenter) and Louisa (29 Prussia) Kahl with a one-year old son, Edward, living in 1860 Bucyrus, Crawford Co, OH; other siblings are Louisa and Charley Kahl.  The mother’s maiden name was Kear/Hear; they were married on 1 June 1856 in Crawford Co, OH.. By 1870 the mother Louisa is head of house 39 Prussia with children Louisa (13) and Christian (5). Louesa Kahl, single aged 41, died in Lykens Twp, Crawford Co, OH on 29 Aug 1872.

In the 1900 Springvale, Emmet Co, MI federal census there is an Edward B Kahl 43 (Jan 1857) OH-PA-PA carpenter living as a boarder of Novaco M Kellam. In 1910 Edward is living as a boarder in Kansas City, MO as 50 OH-PA-PA carpenter. 

In the 1900 Chicago, Cook Co, IL federal census there is husband Edward Kahl (Feb 1865 OH-Germ-Germ) married 12 years to Augusta (Maroska) Kahl.

Biancia Jane Mercer (15 Oct 1851 OH – c1930’s, burial w/second husband, GW Hamilton in Riverside Cem, Montpelier, Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH)

Biancy Mercer’s family:           

Jonathan S Mercer (28 Apr 1826 Ravenna, Portage Co, OH – 15 Feb 1922 Toledo, Lucas Co, OH; burial West Jefferson Cem); Bryan Democrat, 28 Feb 1922, p8 c3

Catharine J Zuver (23 Jan 1829 Wayne Co, OH – 15 Apr 1893 Montpelier, Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH; burial West Jefferson Cem)

1860 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 184; Image: 373; Family History Library Film: 805052.

h/h 852/852 Musser, Johnathan 32 OH

Catharine 31 OH

Mary 11 OH

Byancy 9 OH

Orlando 6 OH

Paulina 4 OH

Ida 1 OH

1870 Superior, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 274B; Image: 554; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 293/293 Mercer, Jonathan S 44 OH

Catharine 42 OH

Bianca 18 OH

Orlando 16 OH

Polina 14 OH

Ida 11 OH

Edward 7 OH

Famma 2 OH

Biancy Mercer married Edward B Kahl in Hillsdale Co, MI on 18 Mar 1877 but so far no record of this marriage has been found other than the data in the divorce case.

1880 Superior, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 539A; Enumeration District: 7; Image: 0712.

h/h 118/120 BJ Kale 26 female married living next door to her parents and in household of Robert Resler; keeping house OH-OH-OH

Biancy Mercer Kahl was divorced from Edward B Kahl in November 1889.

Biancia J Mercer married George W Hamilton on 25 Nov 1889 in Williams Co, OH. He may have been previously married on 30 July 1887 to Lucy Mattice.

1900 Montpelier, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 18B; Enumeration District: 118.

h/h 473/475 Hamilton, George W 43 (Oct 1856) OH-PA-PA machinist

Diantha J wife 48 (Oct 1851) mar 9Y 0/0 ch OH-unk-unk

George W. Hamilton died on 6 November 1901.

West Unity Obits (unsourced newspaper but probably Advance Reporter)

p16 -17 - George Hamilton

b. 3 Oct 1856, NW Twp

d. 6 Nov 1901, Jonesville St, Montpelier @45Y 1M 3D; complications from lockjaw which set in after stepping on wire nail

m. 23 Nov 1888, Bianca Mercer

survived by wife, 1 dau, 1 grand, 1 bro, 1 sis

funeral from LUB Church under Rev WW Landis and Rev GW Long; Knights of Pythias

bur Riverside Cem

Biancia Hamilton married Thomas Thompson on 20 June 1907 in Williams Co, OH.

(from the marriage license) Biancia was married twice before; she was born on 15 Oct 1851 in Williams Co, OH, stated as the daughter of Jonathan Mercer and Catharine J Zuver.  Thomas Thompson was the son of George W Thompson and Bethia Cox.

1910 Superior, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0137; Image: 1107; FHL Number: 1375254.

Jonesville St, Montpelier

h/h 110/120 Thompson, Thomas 51 mar 2x mar 2Y OH-PA-PA odd job laborer

Biancia wife 59 mar 2x OH-OH-OH

Mercer, John S 83 father-in-law; widower OH-PA-PA no occup

By 1930 Thomas Thompson 71 OH widower lived alone in Montpelier, Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH.  If this is true, what happened to Biancia?  She is listed as buried in Riverside Cemetery as Biancia Hamilton.  Was she separated or divorced from Thomas Thompson?

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - George Washington Covell v Mary Covell, c1858

By Pamela Pattison Lash

In researching the early divorces of Williams County, Ohio, I recently found a divorce detailing that I had missed.  I have not found any documentation in the Civil and Criminal Records but I did find an article in an old newspaper for the county.  If anyone can shed some light on the mysterious first wife of GW Covell, I would love to hear from you.

George Washington Covell (19 Feb 1828 NY – 26 May 1893, Osawatomie, Miami Co, KS; buried in Spring Grove Quaker Cem, Lane, Miami Co, KS)

M1 - Mary (unknown surname)

M2 - 12 July 1863, Scipio Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI, Laura Silsby

Note there is a tombstone with both George W and Lucina Covell (his mother) but none for his second wife, Laura.

Children:

Ella Lucina

Laura Ellen

Anna

Edward M

His parents:

Hiram Covell (1800 NY – 8 Sept 1865; buried in Heritage Cem, Bridgewater Twp, Williams Co, OH)

Lucina C. Neff (24 June 1809 NY – 29 Oct 1888, burial in Spring Grove Quaker Cem, Lane, Miami Co, KS)

Hiram Covell was a Bridgewater Township Trustee in 1840

1840 Bridgewater, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 433; Page: 215; Image: 437; Family History Library Film: 0020179.

Covell, Hiram

1m 10-15

1m 15-20

1m 40-50

1f 30-40

1850 Bridgewater, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M432_741; Page: 49B; Image: 102.

h/h 681/683 Covell, Hiram 50 NY farmer

Susannah 45 NY

George 22 NY clerk

Republican Standard, 4 Feb 1858, p3

Divorce Notice

Notice is hereby given that my wife Mary has left my bed and board.  All persons are forbidden to harbor or trust her on my account, as I shall pay no debts of her contracting.  GW Covell, 1 Feb 1858

Williams Co, OH Common Pleas Court. March 1858, Hiram Covell v Moses Donaldson

Williams Co, OH Common Pleas Court, May 1860, State of Ohio v Hiram Covill

1860 Bridgewater, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 103; Image: 209; Family History Library Film: 805052.

h/h 152/147 Coville, Hiram 60 NY

Lucina 55 NY

On 12 July 1863 in Scipio, Hillsdale Co, MI George W Covell married Mrs. Laura Lorenza Silsby Lamb.  Laura was the daughter of Elijah and Temperance Silsby.

Laura Lorenza Silsby (22 Aug 1828 Antwerp, Jefferson Co, NY – 5 Jan 1912 Trinidad, Las Animas Co, CO) Laura, a widow, married George Seely Lamb on 1 Nov 1845 in Lorain Co, OH. They were enumerated in the 1850 Phelpstown, Ingham, Michigan; Roll: M432_351; Page: 85B; Image: 573. George Seeley Lamb died on 19 Aug 1862 in New Ulm, Minnesota.  1860 Murray, Minnesota; Roll: M653_572; Page: 519; Image: 106; Family History Library Film: 803572. They had a son, Frances Edgar Lamb, born 1850 in Ingham, MI, and daughters, Emma Lamb and Alice Lamb, born 1856 WI and 1858 WI, respectively.

Her parents:

Elijah Silsby (26 Jan 1802 Windham Co, CT – 11 Feb 1860, Luttenton Cem, Pulaski, Jackson Co, MI)

Temperance La Due (15 July 1803 Scipio, Cayuga Co, NY- 4 Nov 1882 Bridgewater Twp, Williams Co, OH)

1850 Scipio, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: M432_351; Page: 438A; Image: 223.

On 17 Nov 1865 Hiram Covell’s estate was probated (Williams Co Probate, case #995).

Lucina was a member of Liberty Chapel Church (UB).

1870 Bridgewater, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 36B; Image: 76; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h /237 Covell, George W 42 NY dry goods merchant

Laura L 41 NY

Laura E 3 OH

Lamb, Emma 13 WI

Covell, Lucina 65 NY widow, mitten knitter

Moors, Georgeanne 66 NY

1880 North West, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 435B; Enumeration District: 1; Image: 0510.

h/h 45/47 Covell, George W 52 farmer NY-NY-NY

Laura L 51 wife NY-VT-NY

Laura E 14 dau OH-NY-NY

Edward M 5 adopted son OH-OH-OH

Lucina 75 mother NY-NY-NY

Stone, Temperance 76 mother-i-l NY-NY-RI

1885 Middle Creek, Miami Co, Kansas State Census. Microfilm reels K-1 – K-146. Kansas State Historical Society.

h/h 2/2 Covell, GW 57 farmer

LL (f) 56

Edwin 10

1900 Hudson, Lenawee, Michigan; Roll: T623_725; Page: 12B; Enumeration District: 48.

Laura Covell 71 widow NY living with Hiram Covell – note she’s stated as sister, but I wonder if she’s really sister-in-law, making this Hiram a brother to her late husband, George W Covell; she’s listed as born Aug 1829 NY with 2/2 children

1910 Bucyrus Ward 2, Crawford, Ohio; Roll: T624_1163; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 0006; Image: 214; FHL Number: 1375176.

Laura L Covell 81 NY mother of Francis Covell

More Info on Dr. Quido H Graser

By Pamela Pattison Lash

To supplement the divorce detailing of Graser's son, I found this article in an old newspaper.  The divorce article can be found here: http://williamscountyohiogenealogy.blogspot.com/2010/10/divorce-action-in-williams-county-ohio_5265.html

The Bryan Democrat, 18 Jan 1872

Dr. Q H Graser – quaint, eccentric, volatile Graser, who was at one time a distinguished surgeon in the Hungarian army, has shaken the dust of Bryan from his feet and now talks learnedly and eloquently to the wonder-loving people of Leavenworth, Kansas.  We are sorry to lose Dr Graser and his museum; neither of which was ever appreciated by the straightforward everyday people of this locality.  They failed (except Capt Fisher, Squire Myers, and BR Willett) to recognize the medical skill, scientific attainments, which has puzzled the savants of both hemispheres and genius for collecting wonderful curiosities in nature and art, and did not therefore accord to him the encouragement and approbation, which the Doctor was frequently heard to say he was entitled to.  All this made him unhappy, discontented, despondent; he felt that the circumstances of his situation were against him; that the minds with which he came in daily contact could not be watered up to his standpoint; that the limits of Bryan were to circumscribed for a mind that took in at a glance the world from its earliest chaotic period to the furthermost point of eternity and he therefore went in search of a more congenial clime where science and professional skill would be more fully appreciated.  The magnetic needle of his hopes designated Leavenworth and there he has settled.  May his many good qualities of head and heart and above all his claims to distinction as a scientist and philosopher be recognized by his new fellow citizens and his life be peaceful – he has the facility of making it profitable.

Pistols for Two - An Accusation of Impropriety in Williams Co, OH, 1877 - Gordon and Walker

Pistols for Two: An Accusation of Impropriety in Williams Co, OH, 1877 - Gordon and Walker

By Pamela Pattison Lash

The newspaper article alluded to an affair between the blacksmith’s wife and a former Sheriff of Williams County, Ohio.  The reader will decide if there were any grounds for this accusation.

The Bryan Press, July 1877

Pistols for two.  Wednesday Henry Walker received a letter of which this is a verbatim copy: “Mr H L Walker, Sir, I will give you 48 hours to leave this town and if you don’t you had better git your coffin, you have sneaked around my place for the last time.  You can’t sneak threw Grases yard any more.  Yours truly, J Gordon.”

Mr Walker dispatched a mutual friend to Gordon to ascertain the cause of the trouble.  Gordon said the mutual relations between Walker and his wife warranted his putting a bullet through Walker on sight.  The trouble is Gordon is next to insane with jealousy and has done just as ridiculous things with other prominent citizens.  There is no foundation for his suspicions with anybody.  Squire Stough has put Gordon under $500 bond to keep the peace.

First, here’s some data on the Gordon family:

James Montgomery Gordon (15 Jan 1831 New Brunswick, NJ – 8 Feb 1914 Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH @82Y 11M 21D); carriage maker; informant on death certificate: Mrs Tillie Wright

The Bryan Democrat, 13 Feb 1914, p8 obituary of James Gordon

Mary Jane Bibler (23 Oct 1827 Marion Co, OH – 11 Oct 1910 @82Y 11M 12D Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH; burial in Fountain Grove Cem, Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH) d/o Samuel and Mary “Polly”Perky Bibler; informant on death certificate: Matilda G Wright

The Bryan Democrat, 14 October 1910, p1 obituary of Mary Jane Gordon – left to mourn by husband, daughter, Mrs MG Wright, and granddaughter; member of Methodist Church for many years.

In the Republican Standard, Williams County, Ohio, 21 November 1857 (the start date for the blacksmith ad was 12 November 1857), there is an advertisement for a new blacksmith shop in Bryan:

James Gordon and John Curran of Gordon and Curran

Would respectfully announce to the citizens of Bryan that they have opened a shop and will carry on the business in all its branches at their stand off Main Street near the Depot, first door south of the Foundary of Parks and Hatswell.  All work entrusted to them done with most success and dispatch.

Therefore, James Gordon set up a partnership and advertised as of 12 November 1857 which would place him in Williams County before his marriage.

Several online researchers have stated that in Jan 1858 James Montgomery Gordon married Mary Jane Bibler.  I have not been able to confirm or deny this date, but the marriage is not recorded in Williams County, Ohio. 

Their daughter – Matilda B Gordon (15 Dec 1859 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH – 31 May 1950 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH)

1860 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 38; Image: 80; Family History Library Film: 805052.

h/h /578 Gordon, James 29 NJ blacksmith

Mary J 32 OH

Matilda B 6/12 OH

Fish, Watson 21

1870 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 175A; Image: 353; Family History Library Film: 552781

h/h 249/249 Walker, Henry L 50 PA farmer

Lydia 51 OH

Mary 17 OH

Flora 14 OH

Alice 10 OH

1870 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 175A; Image: 353; Family History Library Film: 552781

h/h  21/21 Gordon, James 39 NJ blacksmith

Mary Jane 42 OH manton maker??

Matilda 10 OH

Barbara 17 OH manton maker

In July 1877 the “pistols for two” news article was published.

The Bryan Democrat, 19 July 1877

Warren Wright formerly of this place, now of Logansport, IN, is in the city visiting numerous friends.

An online source (not dated) has this tidbit – “Warren Wright, who has been in the employ of A. W. Killet's for something over a year, took his departure last Tuesday evening for Logansport, IN, where his services have been engaged by a merchant tailoring establishment.  Although Warren was comparatively a stranger in our city, having been in our midst but a short time, so to speak, he has endeared himself to a large circle of acquaintances who, by his goodness of heart and character, soon learned to become his warm personal friends.  May success be with you, Warren, is the most earnest wish of the friends whom you have left behind.”  [Newspaper Clipping in Cathrine Green Wright's Bible]

On 4 September 1877 Ohio v James Gordon, case #1943 is listed in the General Index of Williams Co, OH Probate records.

1 Nov 1879 Matilda Gordon married Warren Thomas Wright at Hudson, Lenawee Co, MI; Warren was born on 1 Jan 1852 in Fairfield Twp, Lycoming Co, PA; their daughter, Audrey was born on 15 Oct 1880 in Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH

1880 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 651B; Enumeration District: 12; Image: 0164.

h/h 440/466 Gordon, James 49 NJ-NJ-NJ blacksmith

Mary J wife 52 dressmaker OH-OH-PA

1880 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 657A; Enumeration District: 12; Image: 0175.

h/h 566/591 Wright, Warren 28 tailor PA-PA-PA

Matilda 20 wife OH-OH-OH

Matilda Gordon Wright v Warren Wright (Journal 14 p169-170 - 13 June 1887; Roll 14)

            She charged her husband with being willfully absent for three years or more and guilty of gross neglect.  She wanted custody of daughter Audrey and the rights to her own property in Bryan.  A divorce was granted.

1900 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 112.

Lynn St

h/h 319/324 Gordon, Jas 69 (Jan 1831) mar 42Y  NJ-NJ-NJ carpenter

Mary J 72 (Oct 1827) wife 1/1 ch OH-OH-OH

Wright, Matilda 40 (Dec 1859)  dau divorced OH-NJ-OH manager of telephone exchange

Audry 19 (Oct 1880) gr-dau single OH-OH-OH clerk for telephone exchange

On 3 Nov 1903 Audrey Wright married Carl Owen Deal in Williams Co, OH; they later divorced.

Bryan Democrat, 25 Aug 1904 p5 – M/M Carol Deal of Cincinnati, OH spent a few days with Mrs Wright.  Yesterday they left for Three Rivers, MI to remain for some time with Mr Deal’s parents as he has been quite sick for some time.

1910 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0128; Image: 895; FHL Number: 1375254.

309 Lynn St

h/h 255/256 Gordon, James 79 mar 1x mar 53Y NJ-none-none no occup

Mary Jane 72 wife mar 1x mar 52Y 4/3 ch OH-OH-OH no occup

Wright, Matilda 51 dau divorced 1/1 ch OH-NJ-OH agent at ticket office

Audrey 29 gr-dau divorced OH-PA-OH bookkeeper in bank

On 30 May 1917 Audrey Wright married Lafayette C Develin in Detroit, Wayne Co, MI

The Bryan Times, 3 Apr 1950 p1 obit of Matilda Gordon Wright

Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH (WCGS, p71)

Wright, Matilda Gordon 1859-1950

Gordon, Mary Jane 1827-1910

Gordon, James 1831-1914

Develin, Audry Wright 1890-1942

As to the receiver of the threatening letter, here is what I have found concerning the Walker family.

Henry L Walker (c1820 PA – 7 Feb 1879 Cleveland, OH with burial in Fountain Grove Cem, Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH)

Lydia Snyder (c1819 OH - 11 Oct 1889 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH with burial in Fountain Grove Cemetery)

On 15 Nov 1845 in New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas Co, OH, Henry S Walker married Lydia Snyder.

1850 Center, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M432_741; Page: 65B; Image: 132.

h/h 10/10 Walker, Henry L 31 PA carpenter and joiner

Lydia 31 OH

Erastus 3 OH

Putnam 1/12 OH

1860 Centre, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 77; Image: 158; Family History Library Film: 805052.

h/h 1212/1166 Walker, Henry B 40 PA merchant

Lydia 41 OH

Mary O 7 OH

Florence 5 OH

Henry 2 OH

There is an L Henry Walker, aged 43, farmer, born in OH, who was on the draft registration for Farmer Twp, Defiance Co, OH.  The age is right but the place of birth is not; however, Farmer Twp is contiguous to Center Twp so it may be the information was for this man.

1870 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 175A; Image: 353; Family History Library Film: 552781

h/h 249/249 Walker, Henry L 50 PA farmer

Lydia 51 OH

Mary 17 OH

Flora 14 OH

Alice 10 OH

According to The History of Williams County, Ohio, Weston Goodspeed, 1882, p240, Henry L or S Walker was the Sheriff of Williams County between 1872-1874.

On 15 Mar 1877 in Williams Co, OH, Mary O Walker married HW Gibson

On 7 February 1879 Henry L Walker aged 58Y 7M 11D died in Cleveland, OH; he was born in PA and was a mechanic; his death was attributed to calculus (Williams County, OH Deaths, V1 p53)

On 20 March 1879 the estate of Henry L Walker was probated (Williams County, OH Probate, case number 2104).

1880 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 642D; Enumeration District: 12; Image: 0146.

h/h 250/272 Walker, Lydia 61 OH-VA-PA widow

Florence 24 dau OH-PA-OH milliner

Margaret 19 dau  OH-PA-OH music teacher

On 26 Aug 1886 in Williams Co, OH. Alice M Walker married Joseph T Newman

On 11 October 1889 Lida Walker died in Williams Co, OH (Williams County, OH Deaths, V3 p146)

Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH (WCGS, p41)

Walker, Henry L – no dates

Lydia B, w/o Henry – no dates

Williams Center Cem, Center Twp, Williams Co, OH (Center Twp, Williams County, OH Cemeteries, WCGS, p78)

Walker, Erastus s/o HL and L no dates

Henry s/o HL and L d 7 Feb 1862 @3Y 4M 5D

Erastus N s/o HL and L d 11 July 1852 @3Y 5M 28D

David W s/o HL and L d 2 July 1852 @1Y 11M 19D

David W small stone

Bryan Press, 25 Aug 1904 – Florence A Walker

Bryan Press, 7 Mar 1889, p3 c4 – Lydia Walker

Bryan Democrat, 7 Mar 1889 p5 – Mrs Henry L Walker – widow of Henry L Walker died at her home on South Lynn St

Bryan Press, 20 Sept 1923 - Margaret Walker Newman