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

Elopement in Williams County, Ohio cJan 1875 - Ledwick and Briner

By Pamela Pattison Lash

I found the article in a folder at the Bryan library under Social Customs of Williams County.  Paul Van Gundy also mentioned it in The Stories of Fountain City.  This piqued my interest in the eloping couple and so I did a little research of my own to see what more could be found.  I’ll start with the article.

The Bryan Democrat, Jan 1875

James Ludwich, engineer at the Tub Works, has been paying elevated attention to Lizzie, daughter of Amos Briner, a well known citizen of this famous Fountain City.  Lizzie, a sweet sixteen, reciprocated, but her stern parent looked on with disfavor.  James, though skilful and industrious, belongs to another church and is suspected of occasional indulgence in tangle-leg whiskey and Lizzie is a household necessity without which her father couldn’t keep house very well.  Amos, forgetful of the days when he freshed around, forbade the banns.  But Monday morning James drove up with a quick-stepping team, snatched the tender bud from the cottage, and hied for friendly Michigan, where age nor previous condition is not questioned.  The irate sire procured a lively team and drove like a cuss after them, but they reached the Michigan line first and were bound into one, while the senior Briner returned toward evening, sad, disconsolate, and mad.  May peace and prosperity go with them.

Note that the groom’s surname can also be found as Ledwick.  It would appear that James was a Catholic and drank to excess at times in Amos Briner’s opinion.  I discovered that James had been married before and had three small children from that marriage, two of whom lived with his parents and brother c1880.  I have not determined whether the wife died or she was separated or divorced from James.  Perhaps Amos Briner felt Lizzie was being propelled into motherhood with another woman’s children too quickly.  Perhaps the father believed Lizzie was too young to know her own heart.  Also, James was more of a contemporary to Lizzie’s father so perhaps Amos felt James was too old for his daughter.  Both men were Civil War veterans and James seemed to have steady employment so one would think the reasons for Amos’ objections were down to religion or the sneaky behavior of the two.  Amos definitely tried to stop the marriage in any event.  The couple appeared to have made a good match as they stayed married until Lizzie’s death and had six children with three surviving to adulthood.

First I’ll introduce Lizzie’s parents:

Amos Franklin Briner (1831 Washington Twp, Pickaway Co, OH – 1880 IN – perhaps South Bend, St Joseph Co, IN) s/o John and Mary Roads Briner/Breiner.

1850 Hopewell, Seneca, Ohio; Roll: M432_728; Page: 294A; Image: 12.

h/h 46/46 Briner, John 61 PA farmer

Mary 62 PA

David 29 OH farmer

Amos 20 OH farmer

Amos Briner applied for a license to wed Sarah Clinger on 22 Aug 1851 in Seneca Co, OH – but only license found, no marriage certificate. 

Angeline Amanda Kent (1836 Columbiana Co, OH -14 Mar 1882 South Bend, St. Joseph Co, IN) d/o Benjamin and Alse Mankin Kent.

1850 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M432_741; Page: 86A; Image: 171.

h/h 273/280 Kent, Benjamin 38 VA plasterer

Ancy 36 OH

Charlotte 17 OH

Nathaniel 15 OH

Angeline 14 OH

Alvina 12 OH

Francis 7 OH

Amos Franklin Briner married Angeline Kent in Williams Co, OH on 26 Aug 1855 (Marriages V2 p158).

1860 Superior, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 200; Image: 405; Family History Library Film: 805052.

h/h /1083 Buner, Amos 29 PA farmer

Angeline 22 OH

Aaron 3 OH

Elizabeth 2 OH

John 4/12 OH

Amos Briner enlisted in Co H 3^rd Ohio Cavalry as a private on 20 Aug 1861 and mustered out on 1 Dec 1861.  He transferred to Co G 3^rd Ohio Cavalry on 11 Dec 1861 as a private and mustered out on 1 Oct 1862. He was promoted to Full 1^st Sergeant on 30 Oct 1863 enlisting in Co H 9^th Ohio Cavalry on 30 Oct 1863 and later promoted to full 2^nd LT on 3 Nov 1864; he mustered out on 20 July 1865 at Lexington, NC.

1870  Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 182A; Image: 367; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 126/126 Briner, Amos 39 PA teamster

Angeline 33 OH

Aaron 14 OH

Elizabeth 12 OH

John 10 OH

George 9 OH

Dora 6 OH

Amos 4 OH

Elizabeth Emeline Briner (26/27 June 1858 Bryan, Williams Co, OH – 1 July 1909 Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co, WI or Racine, Racine Co, WI)

Next, here is some data on James Ledwick.

James Ledwick (26 July 1844 Horseheads, Chemung Co, NY – 3 Aug 1924 Wauwatosa, Milwaukee Co, WI) s/o James and Elizabeth Cook Ledwick

1850 Mishawaka, St Joseph, Indiana; Roll: M432_171; Page: 114B; Image: 233.

h/h 233/233 Ledwitch, James 41 Ire mason

Elisa 30 Ire

Maria 14 NY

Joseph 10 NY

James 6 NY

Hellen 4 NY

Thomas 2 MI

1860 South Bend, St Joseph, Indiana; Roll: M653_295; Page: 324; Image: 324; Family History Library Film: 803295.

h/h 218/206 Ledwick, James 50 Ire stone mason

Elisa 35 Ire

Joseph 19 NY brickmaker

James 15 NY laborer

Ellen 13 NY

Thomas 12 MI

Henry 9 IN

Garragan, John 38 Ire ditcher

James Ledwick enlisted as private 24 July 1862 in South Bend, IN Co C 73^rd Indiana Infantry (see enlistment record below)

James Ledwick/Ledwitch married Catherine Schultz on 5 Dec 1862 in Montgomery, Daviess Co, IN.  They had the following children:

1. Amy M 1864 IN -

2. Thomas 1866 South Bend, IN –

3. William 1869 South Bend, IN –

Note that Thomas 14 IN-IN-MI and William Ledwick 11 IN-IN-MI lived with their paternal uncle and their paternal grandparents in 1880 South Bend, Saint Joseph, Indiana; Roll: 309; Family History Film: 1254309; Page: 475B; Enumeration District: 163; Image: 0580.

1870 Hudson, Lenawee, Michigan; Roll: M593_685; Page: 314A; Image: 632; Family History Library Film: 552184.

h/h 519/508 Ledwick, James 27 works BT factory NY

Kate 27 FR

Amy M 6 IN

Elizabeth Briner married James Ledwick on 19 Jan 1874 @ the age of 15 ½. The marriage supposedly happened in January of 1875 but online sources state 19 Jan 1874 in Hudson, Lenawee Co, MI; the place was to be across the line in Michigan, which would place the geographical location as Branch or Hillsdale Counties; however, Lenawee Co, MI is not that great a distance.

Children

1. Addie 1876-1876 South Bend, St. Joseph Co, IN

2. Capitola May 1877 South Bend, IN -

3. Mabel Irene Lizzie 1879 South Bend, IN –

4. Isadora Olivia 1881 South Bend, IN -

5. James 1884-1885 South Bend, IN

6. Frances Marie 1895 – 1895 Racine, Racine Co, WI

Note that shortly after the marriage James took his bride Lizzie back home to South Bend, IN and sometime around then Angeline Briner as a widow moved her family to South Bend as well.  Amos Briner apparently died between 1875-1880 and may have moved to South Bend prior to his death.  There is no record of his death in Williams County.  Perhaps Amos reconciled with the eloping couple before his death.

1880 South Bend, Saint Joseph, Indiana; Roll: 309; Family History Film: 1254309; Page: 452C; Enumeration District: 163; Image: 0533.

h/h 398/448 Briner, Angeline 42 widow OH-VA-VA

John 21 son OH-OH-OH works in brickyard

George 19 son OH-OH-OH works in brickyard

Charlotte 17 dau-in-law IN-OH-OH

Dora May 17 dau OH-OH-OH

Amos 15 OH-OH-OH son works in planning mill

1880 South Bend, Saint Joseph, Indiana; Roll: 309; Family History Film: 1254309; Page: 434C; Enumeration District: 163; Image: 0491.

9 Monroe St

h/h 63/72 Ledwick, James 35 NY-Ire-Ire engineer

Elizabeth 21 wife OH-OH-OH

Minnie 16 sis-in-law IN-OH-OH

Capitels 3 dau IN-OH-IN

Lizzie 8M – October  dau IN-OH-IN

1895 Racine, Racine Co, WI – State of Wisconsin Enumeration of Soldiers and Sailors #154 James Ledwich, Co C 73^rd Indiana Infantry as private, PO State

1900 Racine Ward 6, Racine, Wisconsin; Roll: T623_1814; Page: 15B; Enumeration District: 43.

1614 Washington

h/h 268/300 Ledwick, James 55 (July 1844) mar 25Y NY-Ire-Ire no occupation

Elizabeth 40 (June 1858) wife 6/3 ch OH-PA-PA

Capitola 24 (May 1876) dau IN-NY-OH bookkeeper

Mable O 20 (Sept 1879) dau IN-NY-OH stenographer

Isadore 22 (Oct 1897) dau IN-NY-OH works in general office

Holms, Carrie 13 (June 1886) servant WI-Denmark-Denmark

Layen, Louis 24 (Sept 1865) boarder WI-WI-Norway physician

1905 Wisconsin State Census, 1 June 1905

h/h 369 Ledwick, James 62 NY-Ire engineer

Elizabeth 47 OH-OH

Mabel 25 IN-NY stenographer

Isadore  23 IN-NY

1910 Racine Ward 11, Racine, Wisconsin; Roll: T624_1734; Page: 18B; Enumeration District: 0084; Image: 1225; FHL Number: 1375747.

143 Ann St

h/h 352/402 Ludowick, James 65 NY-Ire-NY retired engineer, widower

Mabel dau 28 IN-NY-OH stenographer, single

1917 US National Home for Disabled Veterans

James Ledwick – admitted in July 1917 to Wood, Washington Co, WI facility

Enlisted as private 24 July 1862 in South Bend, IN Co C 73^rd Indiana Infantry; discharged 24 July 1865 in Alabama; Hyper dilation of heart, vision and hearing problems as well as problems with his legs

Physical Description/Domestic History - 5’10”, blue eyes, grey hair, born in NY; Catholic, laborer, can read and write, widower, last residence: Racine, WI

Died 3 Aug 1924; body transferred and burial in Racine, WI; he had a CW pension; effects shipped to Captiola Fazen of Racine

1920 Wauwatosa, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Roll: T625_2006; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 326; Image: 883.

James Ledwick, inmate of National Home for Disabled Veterans 75 NY-US-US widower

Chasing Walter Plummer, An Addendum to Native Sons Gone Wrong: A Genealogical Account of Murder in Bryan, Ohio

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Ten years ago I wrote a booklet on the murder of Arthur Brown, 1892. (Native Sons Gone Wrong: A Genealogical Account of Murder in Bryan, Ohio, Detailing the Brown, Burchell, Elkins, and Plummer Families With Allied Families of Williams County, Ohio, Pamela Pattison Lash, WCGS, 2001).  On p38 I gave my afterthoughts on this detailing – “I would have liked to bring closure to the story knowing what happened to Walter Plummer after he was released from prison.  Did he contribute to society in a positive way?  Did he have a family of his own?”  Since this booklet is for sale through the Williams County Genealogical Society, I will not recount the murder here.

But, with so much more information available, I am now able to fulfill part of my afterthought – I’ve chased Walter Plummer and gleaned a great deal of data on his post-prison life.  What got me started ten years after I wrote the original detailing was a newspaper account of Walter desiring a pardon in 1904.  This would mean that he had served approximately 11 years for the murder.  He was the last of the three killers to be admitted back into society with one more (Michael Burchell) dying in prison.  It appears that Walter didn’t go too far from his home of Bryan, OH. 

My guess is that Walter changed his birth year from 1866 to 1870 perhaps to escape notoriety and/or disappear from anyone wanting to cause him harm or that of his new family.  That birth year change followed him throughout his life after prison.  He does marry and fathers a child.  He remained in his new home of Ionia, Michigan for the remainder of his life.  Whether he contributed positively to society is anyone’s guess.

1870 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 179A; Image: 361; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 74/74  Plumer, Alfred 37 sawyer OH

Huldah 33 OH

George 11 OH

Lincoln 9 OH

Walton 4 OH

Florence 2 OH

Jessie 1/12 OH

Starner, Elizabeth 66 PA

1880 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 634C; Enumeration District: 12; Image: 0129.

h/h 67/77 Plummer, Alf 45 carpenter OH-KY-OH

Jane wife 43 OH-PA-PA

George son 20 brush maker OH-OH-OH

Lincoln son 19 laborer OH-OH-OH

Walter son 14 OH-OH-OH attends school

Florence dau 11 OH-OH-OH

Marella dau 9 OH-OH-OH

Sabina dau 9 OH-OH-OH

Harry son 3 OH-OH-OH and 2 boarders

St Paul Daily Globe, November 17, 1893

Wrong Man in Jail

A Murderer Confesses and an Innocent Man Will Be Set Free.

Bryan, OH – Nov 9 - A sensational turn was given the trial of Walter Plummer today. He is charged with complicity in the murder of Walter Brown on the night of May 4, 1892. George Birchell, who with his brother Michael, was given a life sentence for the crime last November, was brought from the penitentiary and placed on the stand. His confession exonerates Michael Birchell entirely, and only implicates himself in a plan to rob Brown. He said that Plummer did the killing, assisted by one Elkins, in his presence, but that he was not aware that the blow administered was fatal until the following morning. Other witnesses were put on the stand that corroborated in a measure the convict's confession. Mike Birchell, who was sentenced with his brother and whose innocence is thought to be firmly established, is dying of typhoid fever at Columbus.

Walter was convicted of 2nd degree murder on November 25, 1893.

Note – the victim was Arthur Brown, not Walter Brown and the other two murderers were George and Michael Burchell.

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

Plummer, Walter 34 (Mar 1866) OH-KY-PA prisoner

Burchell, George 31 (Dec 1868) OH-Ire-Ire prisoner – also in jail for murder of Arthur Brown

Two newspaper articles, both on the same page

Bryan Democrat, 15 Sept 1904, p3

Application for Pardon of Walter Plummer

Notice is hereby given that at the next meeting of Ohio State Board of Pardons an application will be made for the pardon of Walter Plummer convicted at the November term, 1893, of the Court of Common Pleas of Williams County, of the crime of murder in the second degree and sentenced to imprisonment in the Ohio Penitentiary for the period of life.  Walter Plummer

Lincoln E Plummer died at Toledo, OH, Sept 8, 1904.  He was born in Bryan, OH, Oct 19, 1860 and had lived in Toledo for the last 18 years.  He leaves 3 sisters, and 2 brothers, Mrs H McCollum, Mrs William Pryke of Toledo, Mrs Ina Bottrall and George Plummer of Grand Rapids, MI, and Walter Plummer of Columbus.  His remains were accompanied here for burial by his two sisters and laid in the family lot beside his father and mother.  His mother, Mrs HJ Plummer having just recently passed away.

Note – mother Hulda Jane Starner Plummer moved to Toledo, Lucas Co, OH with her son Lincoln Plummer sometime after the trial and conviction of Walter. 

Journal of the Senate of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, Appendix, 1908, p48-49

WALTER PLUMMER.

Convicted October term, 1893; county, Williams; crime, murder in second degree; sentence, penitentiary, life; commuted September 17, 1906.

Applicant and three others were all convicted of murder in the second degree and sentenced to the Penitentiary for life; one died in prison; one was pardoned by Governor Bushnell and one by Governor Nash. It was never determined who struck the fatal blow. The Judge and Prosecutor say that Plummer was no more guilty than the others who have been pardoned and that it seems an injustice to keep him in prison while the others are free.

There appears to be a strong sentiment in Williams County for his release, evidenced by the voluminous files. His record while in prison has been first class. The Board of Pardons after a careful consideration of the case has recommended that the sentence be commuted to twenty years, which with good time earned will release him at once. I am inclined to this view and grant the commutation as recommended.

1910 Grand Rapids Ward 6, Kent, Michigan; Roll: T624_657; Page: 18B; Enumeration District: 0086; Image: 830; FHL Number: 1374670.

577 Hamilton St

h/h 289/357 Plomer, Walter 39 Oh-OH-OH single, boarder, foreman in furniture factory, living w/Albert and Mary Pankhurst

Family search.org, V3 p56

25 June 1910. Grand Rapids, Kent Co, MI, marriage performed by Frank A Hess, JP, witnesses May K Thomas and Ralph A Mosher, both of Grand Rapids, MI

Walter Plummer 40 (born 1870, OH) res of Grand Rapids, MI, occup – veneer joiner, son of Alfred Plummer and Hulda Starner, no previous marriages

Evelyn Roberts 27 (born 1883, Ionia, MI) res of Ionia, MI, occup – none, dau of John A Roberts and Euphemia Davis, no previous marriages

1920 Ionia Ward 2, Ionia, Michigan; Roll: T625_772; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 77; Image: 901.

246 Yeomans St

h/h 76/110 Plummer, Walter 50 OH-OH-OH machine man in factory

Eva wife 37 MI-KY-OH

Ruth dau 7 MI-OH-MI

Roberts, Carey 47 bro-in-law IN-KY-OH laborer in reed factory

1930 Ionia, Ionia, Michigan; Roll: 992; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 15; Image: 681.0.

240 Yeomans St

h/h 161/161 Plummer, Walter H 60 mar@40Y OH-OH-OH works in factory

Eva 47 wife mar@28Y MI-KY-OH

Walter Plummer (Mar 1866 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH – 1942 MI; buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Ionia, Easton Twp, Ionia Co, MI)

Note – his tombstone states 1870-1942 – picture on Find A Grave

Eva M Roberts (Sept 1882 MI – 1959 MI; buried in Oak Hill Cem, Ionia, Easton Twp, Ionia Co, MI); her parents are also buried there.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Rose Delores Kuhn Kurtz v Harmon J Kurtz

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Sometimes one can find mention of a divorce action through old newspaper articles. This is how this action was discovered.

15 Sept 1904, Bryan Democrat, p3

Legal Notice

Harmon J Kurtz will take notice that on the 1^st September, 1904, Rose Kurtz, filed her petition in the Clerk’s Office of the Court of Common Pleas of Williams County, Ohio, the object and prayer of which are for the procurement of a divorce from the said defendant on the grounds of gross neglect of duty and extreme cruelty.

Said defendant is required to answer in said cause not later than six weeks after the 8^th day of September being the first date of publication, hereof or the relief sought will be decreed as by default.  Rose Kurtz, plaintiff

By Scott and Peck, her attorneys, Bryan, OH, 1 Sept 1904

HJ Kurtz married Rose Kuhn on 30 May 1902 in Defiance Co, OH; she was 25 and he was 30.

The Groom/Family

Harmon J Kurtz (5 July 1871, Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH – 20 June 1944 Sandusky, Erie Co, OH @ 72Y 11M 15D; burial at Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Cemetery) was the son of Gottlieb and Caroline Repp Kurtz.

Fountain Grove Cem, Bryan, Pualski Twp, Williams Co, OH (WCGS, 1992, p105)

Lot #1193

Kurtz, Caroline, w/o Gottlob 1850-1937 (born 22 Feb 1850 Wettenburg, Germany; died 8 Nov 1937 Defiance Co, OH)

Gottlob 1849-1904 (born Germany; died 8 Oct 1904, Bryan, Williams Co, OH)

Bryan Democrat, 13 October 1904 p6

Gottlieb Kurtz was born in Germany, 13 Oct 1849, died at Bryan, OH, 8 Oct 1904 at the age of 54Y 11M 25D.  He leaves as near relatives a widow, 3 sons, 2 daughters, and 2 sisters.  His funeral was at home with a quartet rendering three selections.

The Bride/Family

Rose Delores Kuhn (23 Apr 1881 Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH – Births V2 p33 – 25 Apr 1958, Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH; burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH) was the daughter of Andrew and Sylvania Friedel Kuhn.

St Joseph Cem, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH (WCGS, 1995,p225, 234, 243, 245)

Kuhn, Andrew (10 Sept 1841 Germany – 19 Apr 1917, Alvordton, Williams Co, OH @76Y 7M 8D)

Sylvania (Friedel), wife of Andrew (1 Jan 1844, Germany – 31 Jan 1912, Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH) @68Y 30D)

1870 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 184B; Image: 372; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 171/171 Kutz, Gottlieb 21  Wurtemburg laborer

Caroline 20 Wurtemburg

Mills, Kate 20 Wurtemburg

Ebermire, Dora 8/12 Ohio born Dec 1869

All living next door to Michael Kutz 39 Wurtemburg and wife Dora 42 Wurtemburg

1880 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 645B; Enumeration District: 12; Image: 0152.

h/h 322/343 Keetz, Godlop 31 Bav-Bav-Bav laborer

Carrie 30 wife Bav-Bav-Bav

Harmon 9 son OH-Bavaria-Bavaria

William 7 son OH-Bav-Bav

Carrie 3 dau OH-Bav-Bav

1880 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 637A; Enumeration District: 12; Image: 0135.

h/h 135/151 Kuhn, Andrew 39 Bav-Bav-Bav laborer

Sophena 36 wife Bav-Bav-Bav

John 12 son OH-Bav-Bav

Louisa 9 dau OH-Bav-Bav

Mary 6 dau OH-Bav-Bav

William 4 son OH-Bav-Bav

Josephene 3 dau OH-Bav-Bav

Bryan Democrat, 6 Apr 1893 (loose notice in Tavern files from Bryan Public Library):

Herman Kurtz, who was found guilty of furnishing liquors to minors at the last term of court, and had given bonds to secure fine and costs to the amount of about $75, was arrested Monday morning for the reason that bondsmen had refused to longer stand responsibilities for him.  He was taken to the stone yard at Toledo yesterday where he will be compelled to work out the amount of the fine and costs at sixty cents per day.

(Note that with the absence of any Herman Kurtz I am making an assumption that this Herman is really Harmon because

1.  As stated, there is no other Herman that I’ve found.

2.  Harmon's father is a saloon keeper in 1900.

3.  Harmon is a laborer in a brewery in 1900.)

Harmon J Kurtz served in the Co E 6^th Reg Ohio Infantry @age 27 in War with Spain 1898

1900 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 17B; Enumeration District: 111.

h/h 413/433 Kurtz, Gotliff 50 (Oct 1849) Germ-Germ-Germ to US 1869 mar 31Y saloon keeper

Carie 50 wife (Feb 1850) 5/5 ch Germ-Germ-Germ to US 1869

Harmon J 28 son (July 1871) single OH-Germ-Germ laborer in brewery

Charlie 18 son  (Nov 1881) OH-Germ-Germ bar tender

Mary 12 dau (Jan 1888) OH-Germ-Germ

1900 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 112.

h/h 153/155 Kuhn, Andrew 58 (Sept 1841) mar 36Y OH-Germ-Germ teamster

Solviene 56 wife (Jan 1845) 10/5 ch Germ-Germ-Germ to US 1853

Rose 19 dau (Apr 1881) Oh-OH-Germ

Howard, Suviene A 4 granddau (Aug 1895) OH-OH-OH

On 30 May 1902 Harmon Kurtz married Rose D Kuhn.

On 7 Aug 1902 he applied for a pension based on his military service.

cOct 1904 Rose Kuhn Kurtz was issued a divorce from Harmon J Kurtz.

Sometime after the divorce Rose married William Phillips and they had a son, William Adrian Phillips, born on 22 June 1907.  William Phillips, born 10 Aug 1878 in Blakeslee, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH, was the son of Michael and Elizabeth Friedel Phillips.

It appears that William Phillips was married previously to Catherine Strup c1898, but there must have been a divorce action brewing as in 1900 she is not living with him (Slusser family in Bryan, OH, as a servant with her little son, William Henry Phillips) and by 1910 she has married Albert Jones and lived in Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH.

1880 Springfield, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 680A; Enumeration District: 13; Image: 0221.

h/h 319/340 Phillipps, Michael 27 OH-Germ-Germ laborer

Elizabeth 21 OH-Germ-Germ

John 4 OH-OH-OH

William 1 OH-OH-OH

1910 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 0130; Image: 942; FHL Number: 1375254.

315 North Enterprise St

h/h 206/204 Kuhn, Andrew 69 mar 46Y Oh-Germ-Germ day laborer

Silvena 66 wife 10/5 ch Germ-Germ-Germ

Phillips, Rose D 29 dau mar 1x OH-OH-Germ mar 9Y 1/1ch

Adrian P 3 grandson OH-OH-OH………William Adrian Phillips born 22 June 1907 Ashtabula, Ashtabula Co, OH; s/o William Phillips and Rose Kuhn

Birch 26 son-in-law single?? OH-OH-OH laborer in condensary

1920 Toledo Ward 6, Lucas, Ohio; Roll: T625_1408; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 79; Image: 1101.

520 Ontario St

h/h 141/141 Kurty, Harmon J 48 OH-Germ-Germ married roomer, ironworker in shipyard (no wife listed)

1920 Taylor, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: T625_821; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 786; Image: 751.

h/h 90/94 Phillips, William 41 OH-OH-OH ticket agent for steam railroad

Rose 38 wife OH-OH-OH

Adrian 12 son OH-OH-OH

Denver 8 son OH-OH-OH

Ned 5 son OH-OH-OH

Max 2 3/12 son OH-OH-OH

1930 Perkins, Erie, Ohio; Roll: 1791; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 13; Image: 246.0.

Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Home

h/h Kurtz, Harmon 58 widower Oh-unk no occup

Harmon J Kurtz died on 20 June 1944 in Sandusky, Erie Co, OH

1930 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1891; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 15; Image: 261.0.

315 Enterprise St

h/h 144/156 Phillips, William 50 mar@29Y OH-OH-OH tower man for rr

Rose 48 wife mar@24Y OH-OH-Germ

Denver 19 son OH-OH-OH

Charles 16 son OH-OH-OH

Max 12 son OH-OH-OH

Jack 8 son MI-OH-OH

Marian 7 dau MI-OH-OH

Rose D Kuhn Phillips died on 25 Apr 1958 in Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH

Update Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Yeagley (1876)

The US Centennial Spelled Freedom for a Civil War Veteran

and His Lady Dressmaker – Divorce in Williams County, Ohio, 1876

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 19 September 2011)

As more records become available, I have been able to update some of the divorce actions previously posted.  This is an example of “what happened to” the principals after their divorce.  The lady pursued the occupation of dressmaker and experienced great sorrow as both of her sons died, leaving her alone.  The Civil War Veteran remarried and lived out his days as a teacher and a notary public before his health declined and he was transferred to a veterans’ home. Whether the couple ever spoke to one another after 1876 is not known; what mattered most was they were free from each other.

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

The couple was married in Williams Center, Center Twp, Wms Co, OH on 14 Mar 1860 (Marriage V3 p96).  Mary, born on 22 Jan 1837 in Crawford Co, OH, was the daughter of Robert and Sarah Delano Mitchell Maze, who lived in Bridgewater Twp.  Charles Henry Yeagley was born in Feb 1839, also a possible Crawford County native. 

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).  A divorce was granted in May 1876.

Charles Henry Yeagley, the son of Andrew and Catherine Dougherty Yeagley, is found living in Vernon, Crawford Co, OH with his parents.

1850 Vernon, Crawford, Ohio; Roll: M432_671; Page: 338B; Image: 45.

h/h 251/252 Yeagley, Andrew 45 PA merchant

Catharine 43 PA

George W 14 PA

Henry 11 OH

Catharine 9 OH

Jas KP 6 OH

Martha A 4 OH

Supposedly the Yeagleys moved from Crawford Co, OH to Williams Co, OH c1852 according to a 1905 biography of George M Yeagley (The History of Williams County, Ohio, William Henry Shinn, 1905); therefore one now finds the Yeagley parents and siblings living in Williams County, Ohio by this census:

1860 Centre, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 78; Image: 159; Family History Library Film: 805052.

h/h 1213/1168 Yagley, Andrew 55 PA

Catherine 53 PA

Catherine 19 OH

James 15 OH

Martha 13 OH

However, Mary E Maze and her family moved from Crawford Co, OH to Williams Co, OH earlier as they appear in this federal census record:

1850 Center, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M432_741; Page: 71A; Image: 143.

h/h 91/93 Maze, Robert 52 PA farmer

Sarah 49 OH

David 17 OH

Jason 15 OH

Mary 14 OH

Andrew 10 KY

Sarah 8 OH

Mary’s father appears to have died here - Robert Maze (1797 Washington Co, PA-1855 Williams Co, OH) and her mother may have left to live with other relatives, but she died in Bridgewater Twp, Williams Co, OH on 18 Feb 1887 of old age at 85Y 15D (Williams County, Ohio Death Records, WCGS, V2 p36). Her obituary is also listed as Sarah Delano Mitchell Maze (1802 OH – c24 Feb 1887, Bryan Press).

Mary and Charles were married in Williams Co, OH on 14 Mar 1860; they were enumerated in the following federal census records and military service data online:

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

h/h 12**/1160 Yagley, Charles H 22 OH no occup listed

Mary 22 OH

Charles Henry Yeagley served his country during the Civil War  - Co E 38^th Ohio Infantry – entered 10 Sept 1861 in Bryan, OH as a private; mustered out 18 Feb 1862 in Lexington, KY as a private (filed under Henry Yagley)

NARA publication title: Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations From the State of Ohio, M552, roll number: 121, film number: 882334

1870 Center, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 56B; Image: 116; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 269/269 Yeagley, Henry 31 OH school teacher

Mary E 31 KY

James M 9 OH

Kile C 3 OH

Charles’ parents also lived in the neighborhood

1870 Center, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 53B; Image: 110; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 226/226 Yeagley, Andrew 66 PA retired farmer

Catherine 63 PA

James K 26 OH farm laborer

James C 21 OH at home

It appears that Charles’ father died about a year later.

Andrew Yeagley (1805 PA-1871 Center Twp, Williams Co, OH) and Catherine, his wife died in 1875; they are buried in the Williams Center Cemetery, Center Twp, Williams Co, OH (Center Twp Cemetery Records, WCGS, 1992, p83)

Mary filed and received a divorce decree in 1876. In her divorce action she stated that she had a lot in Edgerton and that is where one finds her in 1880. She lived out the rest of her life in Williams County, OH as show by these records:

1880 Edgerton, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 581A; Enumeration District: 9; Image: 0022.

h/h 88/89 Yeagley, Mary 42 divorced, dressmaker OH-OH-OH

James son 19 OH-OH-OH printer OH-OH-OH

Kile son 13 OH-OH-OH

Son James Yeagley died here as he is found in this online record:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.2/MXP6-4KH/p1

Name: James Yeagley

Death Date: 30 Aug 1884

Death Place: Bryan, Williams, Ohio

Age: 23

Birth Date: 1861

Birthplace: Center Tp., O.

Occupation: Printer

Race: White

Marital Status: Single

Indexing Project (Batch) Number: B05182-7

System Origin: Ohio-EASy

Source Film Number: 914034

Reference Number: v 2 p 29

Collection: Ohio Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997

From Williams County, Ohio Death Records, WCGS, V2 p29 one also learns James died of kidney trouble at 23Y 6M 23D.

Son Kyle Yeagley died about two years later – Bryan Press, 2 Sept 1886; therefore, Mary had moved from Edgerton to Bryan sometime before 1884 where she lived alone until her death in 1912.  Land records and her probate (Williams County, Ohio Probate, Case number 5630 – estate) may shed more light on her financial affairs and the distribution of her estate to her heirs.

1900 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 18A; Enumeration District: 111.

South Walnut St

h/h 430/450 Yeagley, Mary E 62 (Feb 1838) widow, 2/0 ch OH-PA-PA dressmaker

1910 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0128; Image: 886; FHL Number: 1375254.

427 Walnut Street

h/h 136/137 Yeagley, Mary E 73 OH-US-OH divorced 2/0 ch no occup

Mary E. Yeagley died on 9 Apr 1912 at the age of 76Y 2M 8D.  According to her obituary in The Bryan Democrat, 12 Apr 1912 p4, Mary was a great reader and a member of the WCTU, Eastern Star, and the local Methodist Church.  It also stated that she was married to Charles Yeagley in 1858, which is inaccurate.

Mary Yeagley (1838-1912) was buried beside her sons, Kyle Clifton (1867-1886) and James Ashley (1861-1884), in the Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan.

Obituaries for Mary Maze Yeagley:

Bryan Press, 11 Apr 1912 and Bryan Democrat, 12 Apr 1912 p4

So what happened to Charles after the 1876 divorce?

Charles H. Yeagley next married Lizzie J Wollam in Putnam Co, OH on 5 Nov 1881 (Putnam Co, OH Marriages, V3 p51).  Elizabeth J. Wollam, the daughter of Joseph and Celia Timmons Wollam of DuPont, Putnam Co, OH, was born on 3 Mar 1864 in DuPont, Putnam Co, OH.

Charles and Lizzie had the following three daughters:

Grace Yeagley (born June 1882 in Paulding Co, OH) married Harlen Lehman on 13 Feb 1901 in Paulding Co, OH.

There is an Elva S Yeagley (22 Nov 1886 – 16 Mar 1888); death at Brown Twp, Paulding Co, OH and burial in Switzer Cem, Melrose, Paulding Co, OH.  It seems likely this was their daughter.

Blanche F Yeagley (born 12 Dec 1888 in Brown Twp, Paulding Co, OH) married Harry E Wallace on 20 Aug 1905 in Paulding Co, OH.

1900 Melrose, Paulding, Ohio; Roll: T623_1312; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 44.

h/h 4/4 Yeagley, Charles 61 (Feb 1839) OH-PA-PA mar 18Y notary public

Lizzie J wife 36 (Mar 1864) 3/2 ch OH-OH-OH

Grace dau 17 (June 1882) OH-OH-OH

Blanche dau 11 (Dec 1888) OH-OH-OH

(Note that Lizzie was the mother of three children with one deceased, which would account for Elva S. Yeagley’s death in 1888.)

1910 Paulding, Paulding, Ohio; Roll: T624_1220; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0064; Image: 1092; FHL Number: 1375233.

Harrison Street

h/h 127/134 Yeagley, Charles H 71 mar 2x mar 25Y OH-PA-PA own income

Elizabeth wife 46 mar 1x 3/2 ch OH-OH-OH

Spitanangle, Celia mother-in-law 70 widow 6/6 ch OH-OH-OH

Stran, Calla boarder 21 OH-OH-OH public school teacher

Physically impaired sometime between 1910-1912, Charles Yeagley, a Civil War veteran, was transferred to the US National Home for Volunteer Soldiers in Dayton, Montgomery Co, OH.  His case notes show the following:  slight loss of vision, loss of teeth, loss of ½ part of right index finger, cardiac problems and rheumatism; cause of discharge – surgeon’s certificate; 5’ 9 ½”, blue eyes, grey hair, teacher, married to Elizabeth Yeagley, resident of Paulding Co, OH; upon death his body was shipped to Paulding Co, OH for burial.

Charles H. Yeagley died on 23 May 1912 in Dayton, Jefferson Twp, Montgomery Co, OH at the age of 73Y; he was married and a teacher. 

Widow Elizabeth J. Yeagley applied for and received a CW pension on 8 June 1912.   Elizabeth died on 28 June 1933 in Paulding, Paulding Co, OH; she was buried in Live Oak Cemetery according to her online death certificate.