Did James Slocum Die in the Williams County, Ohio Jail? - 1879

By Pamela Pattison Lash

I found this interesting series of old newspaper articles and tried to piece together what happened to James Slocum – did he die in a Williams County jail or was he sent away and died at the Ohio Penitentiary?  I’ve determined he was sent to Columbus but I don’t know if he died there.  It’s interesting how the newspapers zip back and forth with errors – so lesson here is don’t believe everything you read in the newspaper!

Fountain City Argus (Bryan, OH), 6 Mar 1879 p3

James Solcum, who has been confined in the county jail for four or five months, charged with fraudulently obtaining a signature to a note was brought into court last Friday and pleaded guilty.  Slocum has been sick ever since his arrest and is still in poor health.  His Honor, Judge Owen, sentenced him to one year’s imprisonment in the Penitentiary.  This with the time he has served in jail will make his term about eighteen months.

Bryan Democrat, 6 Mar 1879 p5 c2

Probably the End

James C Slocum was arraigned before Judge Owen on Friday last plead guilty to the indictment of obtaining money by false representation and was sentenced to one year’s confinement in the state prison.  Slocum was brought here several months ago from Hannibal, Missouri where he was under arrest for bigamy, having there recently married a widow while having a wife living at Elmira, NY to whom he was married more than twenty years ago in Michigan.  Slocum was once a prominent business and railroad contractor.  He was for a time a division superintendent of the Hannibal and St Joseph Railroad.  In 1865 he was superintendent of the western division of the Erie Railroad.  In 1869 he built a railroad in Michigan, Judge, now ex-Senator Christiancy being his attorney, with whom also he engaged in oil speculations in VA.  In 1872 a company of which he was a member secured the contract for building the Rochester and State Line Railroad.  That almost ruined him. With a hope of retrieving his fortunes he embarked in speculation in Wall Street, but failed to strike any pay dirt.  Some time ago he came to Williams County, and meeting John G Rumsey, of Stryker, whom he had known in his better days, induced him by false representation to endorse a draft, secured the money and skipped.  Subsequently he went further West, married the widow, was arrested and brought back here on a requisition, resulting as above stated.  During nearly the full time of his imprisonment in the county jail Slocum has been quite ill as to necessitate a continuance of his trial and he is now so thoroughly broken down in health that scarcely any one believes he will live through a year of penitentiary life.  Mrs Slocum lives at Elmira, NY and has supported herself and two children for 2-3 years.

Bryan Democrat, 13 Mar 1879, p3 c1

The Unity Eagle got a little mixed last week in its Slocum obituary.

Sheriff Kober turned over J C Slocum to the care of the Ohio Penitentiary officers last Monday.

Fountain City Argus (Bryan, OH), 13 Mar 1879 p3

The West Unity Eagle of last week says that James Slocum died at the county bastille a little over a week ago.  After his reported death Judge Owen sentenced him to the Penitentiary for one year.  He has his name registered at the O P.

Civil and Criminal Court, Roll 34 #648

Bryan Democrat, 18 Mar 1879 p4 c1

Over the Road

Sheriff Kober went to Columbus Monday taking with him James W Slocum, sentenced to the state prison for one. Year.  Jas Low accompanied the party.

James Slocum was born in Vermont c1833; Margaret Augusta Calkins/Gankins/Ganghan was born in Elmira, NY on 20 Aug 1833; according to her death certificate online she was the daughter of John Gankins and *** Tompkins, both natives of NY; she died 26 Dec 1919 in Cygnet, Wood Co, OH and was buried in the Bowling Green Mausoleum.

James Slocum married Margaret Calkins; her maiden name obtained from son, Charles’ death certificate online.

Note – Calkins could be Gankin or Ganghan

Children

1. Georgia A (1864 IL -)

2. James Levi (1868 MI -)

3. Charles Webster (25 Apr 1873 Elmira, Chemung Co, NY – 14 Feb 1941 Wood Co, OH) m Cora B Burford

1870 Elmira Ward 4, Chemung, New York; Roll: M593_914; Page: 237B; Image: 479; Family History Library Film: 552413.

h/h 280/336 Slocum, James 37 railroad contractor VT

Margaret 31 SC

Georgie 6 (f) IL

Levi 2 MI

1879 – arrest of James Slocum

1880 Elmira, Chemung, New York; Roll: 817; Family History Film: 1254817; Page: 257A; Enumeration District: 069; Image: 0093.

h/h 125/134 Slocum, Maggie 37 SC-Ire-Ire married

Georgia A 15 IL-VT-SC

James L 12 IL-VT-SC

Charles W 7 NY-VT-SC

And 7 boarders

1896-1899 (James) Levi Slocum lived in Detroit, MI (city directories)

1900 Detroit Ward 13, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: 752; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 144; FHL microfilm: 1240752.

250 McDougall Avenue

h/h 201/220 Slocum, Levy 32 (Jan 1868) single, cabinet maker MI-don’t know-don’t know boarder of Jane Leek

1900 Bloom, Wood, Ohio; Roll: 1333; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 137; FHL microfilm: 1241333.

h/h 146/149 Slocum, Margaret 59 (Aug 1840) widow 6/3 ch NY-Eng-Eng landlady in hotel

Chas son 27 (Apr 1873) NY-VT-NY clerk in hotel

With boarders; also living next door to Cora Burford and her mother

1910 Bloom, Wood, Ohio; Roll: T624_1240; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0178; Image: 279; FHL microfilm: 1375253.

h/h Slocum, Margaret 63 widow 3/3 ch NY-Eng-Eng own income

Charles W 37 son telegrapher NY-VT-NY

Ruff, Elizabeth 60 servant

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Calvin

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Pearl I (Boisher) Calvin v Parker Eldon Calvin

Bryan Democrat, 14 Jan 1908 p1 c2

Pearl I Calvin of Edon received a divorce from Park.  The couple was married on 24 Mar 1900 and had one child.  She charged Park with extreme cruelty.  Henry Boisher was appointed trustee for the child.  Park was permitted visitation one day per week and he was to pay court costs.  Pearl was allowed $25 alimony.  CA Bowersox was her attorney.

This is what I had to work with so after sifting through a few sources, I believe this is the family.

The couple was married on 24 March 1900 in Williams Co, OH (Marriage V 8 p130).

Note – marriage license stated Do Not Publish.  Pearl’s age might be the reason as she was 16 years of age but the 1900 census below stated her age as 15.

Child:

Ethel Luree Calvin, (born 29 Aug 1901, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH); mar Vernon Charles Mumaw, 3 Aug 1921, Hillsdale Co, MI

Parker Eldon Calvin (16 May 1875 Williams Co, OH – 27 Sept 1958, Montpelier, Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH; burial at Edon Cemetery, Florence Township); son of Lewis G and Mary A Davis Calvin

Pearl I Boisher (27 Dec 1883, Edon, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH – 19 Aug 1970, Williams Co, OH) daughter of John Henry and Katherine Kaiser Boisher, both buried in Edon Cemetery

1900 Florence, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1332; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 104; FHL microfilm: 1241332.

h/h 96/97 Calvin, Park 25 (May 1875) mar 0Y OH-PA-OH day laborer

Pearl wife 15 (Dec 1884) 0/0ch OH-OH-OH

Note – the couple lived a few doors down from his parents

Divorce action c14 Jan 1908

Mrs Pearl Calvin married Emmet Porter on 31 May 1908 in Williams Co, OH (Marriage V9 p503); Emmet was born 22 June 1876, Montpelier, Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH, son of Abraham and Elizabeth Metzler Porter (see divorce on Porter parents in other postings); he died 21 Mar 1940, Allegan Twp, Allegan Co, MI; according to marriage license they had each been married once before – Do Not Publish was listed on license; Emmet had been previously married Lettie Maud Cochran on 9 Jan 1897 at Butler, DeKalb Co, IN

Child:

Warner E Porter (born 1910 St. Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH); mar Minnie M Wanstitler, 16 Feb 1931, Kalamazoo Co, MI; Warner was a baker

1910 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 0132; Image: 994; FHL microfilm: 1375254.

h/h 252/253 Porter, Emmet 33 mar 1 mar 1Y OH-unkn-OH baker, owns shop

Pearl wife 26 mar 2x 2/2ch OH-OH-Germ

Warner E son 7/12 OH-OH-OH

Calvin, Ethel step-dau 8 OH-OH-OH

Park E Calvin married Mary Wisman on 24 Nov 1909 in Williams Co, OH (Marriage V10 p129); Mary (3 Apr 1889 OH – 27 Dec 1970, Williams Co, OH) was the daughter of Levi and Elizabeth McElroy Wisman

Children:

Carl Lewis (2 Oct 1910-17 Jan 1911; buried in Edon Cem), Florence, Dale, Bessie, Idella

1920 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T625_1450; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 166; Image: 390.

Pearl and Emmet Porter reside with children Ethel Calvin and Warner Porter

1930 Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan; Roll: 998; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 38; Image: 492.0; FHL microfilm: 2340733.

Warner 20 and Emmet 53 are living with Maude and Lucy Defluent; Emmet is 53 single, lodger, baker in bakery

Pearl Porter married *** Warrick, sometime after 1920; by her death in 1970 she was listed as a widow; obit Leader Enterprise, 20 Aug 1970 p1

Divorce Action in Williams Co, OH - McCurdy, 1907

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Ida (Triplett) Huffman McCurdy v Irving McCurdy

Bryan Democrat, 11 Feb 1908 p1 c1

“The Edon Commercial said last week that Mrs Irving McCurdy of Jackson, MI accompanied by two of their children arrived at Edon on Tuesday in search of her husband.  He had secured a divorce, had remarried, and lived nearby.  She hired a rig and drove to his home but she found herself rejected by her former husband whereupon Constable Dagen brought her back to Edon.  A purse was raised by Mayor Lacer and she was sent back to Jackson. 

Irving McCurdy was granted a divorce from Ida McCurdy by Judge Killits on 30 Dec 1907.  He charged that she left his home in St Joseph Twp on 28 Oct and went to Michigan in the company of another man.  The couple was married on 17 June 1907.”

This newspaper account was all I had to go on, so here’s what I discovered while trying to untangle the data:

Irving McCurdy (Jan 1868 OH – aft 1914) son of James McCurdy (Sept 1843 OH/PA – 18 May 1905, Edgerton, St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH ) and Eliza Miranda Cornell (17 Nov 1843/1845 St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH – aft 1910)

Parents, James McCurdy and Miranda Cornell, were married in Williams Co, OH on 8 Nov 1866; Amanda McCurdy, the daughter of Benjamin Cornell and Elizabeth Bowersox, married Benjamin H Smith on 9 Sept 1909 in Williams Co, OH – he was 54 and she was 64 and they appear together in 1910 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 0131; Image: 968; FHL microfilm: 1375254.

Note – Amanda McCurdy is the mother of Irving McCurdy; she’s identified in different records as Eliza, Miranda, and Amanda, which could confuse a researcher.

Note – In 1910 census Mrs. Miranda McCurdy was a widow, 64, and Benjamin Smith, who lived with her, was divorced and 56 years of age.  They should have been M/M Smith but were not so identified.

Note – There is a Miranda Smith probate in Williams Co, OH so it’s likely they did marry.  Anyone looking for her should check out the probate data.

Ida Triplett Huffman McCurdy (June 1878, prob Indianola, Warren Co, IA – aft 1919); she was the daughter of George W Triplett and Minerva McClintock

1870 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 233A; Image: 471; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 32/32 McCurdy, James 24 OH farmer

Miranda 24 OH

Irvin 1 OH

1880 Saint Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 585B; Enumeration District: 009; Image: 0031.

h/h 13/13 McCurdy, James 37 OH-MA-PA farmer

Eliza wife 37 OH-MD-MD

Irvin son 11 OH-OH-OH

Adrian son 7 OH-OH-OH

1880 Indianola, Warren, Iowa; Roll: 368; Family History Film: 1254368; Page: 386D; Enumeration District: 232; Image: 0394.

Triplet, Ida 4 IA with parents and siblings

1885 Indianola, Warren Co, IA State Census

Ida B Triplett 8 IA with parents and siblings

Erving McCurdy married Anna Skelton on 25 Dec 1894 in Williams Co, OH

1900 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1332; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 114; FHL microfilm: 1241332.

h/h McCurdy, James 56 (Sept 1843) mar 33Y OH-OH-OH farmer

Eliza wife 56 (Nov 1843) 3/3 ch OH-MD-MD

Benjamin J son 32 (Jan 1868) mar 5Y OH-OH-OH day laborer

Nathan H son (May 1883) single OH-OH-OH day laborer

Joanna dau-in-law (Oct 1873) mar 5Y 1/1ch OH-OH-IN

Wanda granddau (Nov 1898) OH-OH-OH

Note – Benjamin J McCurdy is Irvin so maybe it’s an I and not a J; Joanna, his wife, is Anna (Skelton) – again confusing the data

Children of Irving McCurdy and Anna Skelton

1. Wanda (Nov 1898, Edon, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH - ) mar Floyd E Poole on 20 Mar 1917 in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co, MI; on her marriage license her parents are listed as Erwin McCurdy and Anna Skelton

2. Goldy/Goldie (21 Sept 1900 Edon, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH - ) mar Charles A Garnett, 27 Nov 1918, Battle Creek, Calhoun Co, MI; her parents named on the marriage license were Irving McCurdy and Anna Skelton; on 3 Dec 1927 Goldie married August Stephen Dyke in Steuben Co, IN – on this marriage license she stated her birth date as 21 Sept 1906 with Irving McCurdy and Anna Skelton as her parents.

Note – if she was born in 1906 she would have been 12 years old at the time of her first marriage, so obviously the second marriage info has some errors.

1900 Indianola, Warren, Iowa; Roll: 463; Page: 33A; Enumeration District: 146; FHL microfilm: 1240463.

h/h 742/760 Triplett, George W

Minerva A wife

Ida B  dau 21 single (June 1878) IA-IA-IA

Connie C son

Charles D son

Ida Triplett married Arthur Huffman on 20 Jan 1902 in Iowa. Arthur was the son of Samuel Huffman and Clara Taylor, born 1868; he was 34 and she was 27

Mrs. Anna McCurdy (widow) married Edward Siebenaller on 10 June 1903 in Edgerton, Williams Co, OH; it looks like Anna Skelton McCurdy divorced Irvin McCurdy sometime between 1900 and 1903.

Irving McCurdy married Mrs. Ida Huffman on 17 June 1907 at Indianola, Warren Co, IA; she was a widow and 27 years old, born in Indianola, IA, the daughter of GW Triplett and Minerva McClintoc(k); Irving, the son of James McCurdy and Eliza Cornell, was 37 years old and born in Williams Co, OH

From the original newspaper account:

1. Ida left Irving on 28 Oct 1907

2. Irving divorced Ida on 30 Dec 1907 in Williams Co, OH

3. Irving married again sometime between 30 Dec 1907 and 11 Feb 1908.

1910 Superior, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 0137; Image: 1104; FHL microfilm: 1375254.

McCurdy, Jevan 40 mar 2x mar 1Y OH-OH-OH stationery engineer…….Jervan is Irving

Louise C 29 mar 2x mar 1Y MI-MI-IL

Manda E 11 OH-OH-OH………probably Wanda

Golda F 8 OH-OH-OH

Sometime between 1910 and 1914 Irving married again.

Irving McCurdy married Lena Fisk Tool on 8 Aug 1914 in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co, MI.  Irving was 39, born in Williams Co, the son of James McCurdy and Miranda Cornell’ Lena was 22, born in Chicago, IL, the dau of Sherman Fisk and Emelie Heintz. Their marriage license states they were each married once before and both are housekeepers. Their witnesses were Mrs M and Mrs L Lybarger with Roy M Young as officiating clergyman.

Meanwhile, back to Ida, after her return to Jackson, MI she evidently left her children with her parents back in Iowa.

On 19 May 1908 Ida (Wilson) McCurdy married Thomas S. Robinson in Jackson Co, MI; he was 45, born in Detroit, MI, son of Thomas Robinson and *** Hall; he was married once before; she was 30, born in IA and was married twice before; he’s an engineer and she’s a domestic.  She did not identify her parents and they were married by a JP, so it almost seems like Ida wanted to hide this marriage.  (Wilson) was inserted into the record after her name, Ida McCurdy.

1910 Indianola Ward 1, Warren, Iowa; Roll: T624_426; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 0220; Image: 1246; FHL microfilm: 1374439.

h/h 17/17 Triplett, George W 70 IL-KY-IL mar 37Y cattle and hog dealer

Minerva wife 60 9/6 ch  IA-IL-IA

Charles A son 21 IA-IL-IA

Huffman, Paul grandson 8 IA-IA-IA

Huffman, Harold grandson 5 IA-IA-IA

So now we know the identity of Ida’s children (newspaper article stated that she came to Edon with two of her children):

1. Paul Huffman, born 13 Mar 1902, Indianola, Warren Co, IA, son of Art Hoofman and Ida Triplett

2. Harold Huffman, mar Margie Van Tyl, 10 Nov 1930, Springport, Jackson Co, MI

Ida Triplett took out a marriage license with Henry Hoff on 19 July 1919 in Genesee Co, MI; she was 43, born in Iowa, the daughter of George W Triplett and Minerva McClintic; she was previously married three times; Henry was 62 and born in Holland; both were residents of Eaton Rapids, MI

Note – the license was not returned so this might indicate there was no marriage performed

Old Newspaper - Suicide of John C Cheppius, 1907

By Pamela Pattison Lash

John C Chappouis (various spellings)

(1827 France – 31 March 1907 Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH); burial Boynton Cem; son of Nicholas and Catherine Teiseau Chappius and brother to Justin Constant and Joseph; married to Virginia E/Lydia Richard

Bryan Democrat, 2 Apr 1907 p1

Despondent From Ill Health

Aged Farmer Committed Suicide

John Cheppius Threw Himself into Tiffin River Five Miles from Bryan Early Sunday Morning; Difficulties Experienced in the Search for Body; 81 Years Old

From all indications John Cheppius, an aged farmer living five miles east of Bryan, committed suicide early Sunday morning by throwing himself into the Tiffin River.

Mr Cheppius had become despondent over ill health and being 81 years old was badly crippled from rheumatism.  He left the home of his son-in-law Charles Clark about 5 o’clock Sunday morning.  Not returning for some time it was feared the aged man had gone to the river nearby and ended his life.  After a search along the banks of the stream, the man’s crutch and cane were found and his steps were traced to the edge of the water.  Neighbors immediately began a search of the river with poles.  Dynamite was also used.  The search for the body was continued all day Sunday but up to 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon the body had not yet been recovered or further trace of the missing man found.

Once before Mr Cheppius had attempted suicide in a similar manner but he was discovered in the act.  At that time he said he was tired of living but would not again attempt to end his life.  He was highly respected in the community and had been living with his wife at the home of Mr Clark for some time.  Mr Cheppius also leaves five children. (Note - he left six children as mentioned in the next article)

On account of the high and swift water in the Tiffin River, the search for the body became difficult problem Sunday.  The water is quite deep at certain points and the searchers were almost unable to reach the bottom of the stream with long poles.  Dragging the river was also impossible on account of the swiftness of the water.  It is feared that the body has been carried down the stream a considerable distance and will not be recovered for some time.

Bryan Democrat, 5 Apr 1907 p1

Remains of Mr. Cheppius Recovered Wednesday

Aged Farmer had Many Relatives in Springfield Township; Funeral Thursday

The body of John Cheppius, who committed suicide by jumping into the Tiffin River 5 miles east of Bryan as first mentioned in the Democrat Tuesday was not found until about 8 o-clock Wednesday morning.  The aged farmer’s body had been carried down stream over 2 miles by swift current and was washed ashore.

The funeral services over the remains were held yesterday afternoon at his late home with his son-in-law Charles Clark.  Interment in the French Cemetery at Stryker.

Mr. Cheppius was a highly respected and well-known resident of  Springfield Township where he had resided over 50 years.  He was born in France 81 years ago coming to this county when about 30 years of age.  Mr. Cheppius conducted a grist and saw mill on the old Boynton place along the Tiffin River for 10 years when he exchanged the place for the farm owned by him at the time of his death.

Mr. Cheppius leaves an aged wife and six children, all of whom are married.  These are Mrs. Gigax, Mrs. Byrow, Mrs. Charles Clark, Mrs George Barber, Mrs. Cooly, and John Cheppius.  All are residents of Springfield Township except Mrs Gigax who resides in Archbold.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - McClure (James)

James McClure v Harriett McClure (Journal 13 p293 - 5 Dec 1885; Journal 14 p276 - 6 Mar 1888; p379 - 23 June 1888; p460 - 28 Nov 1888; Roll 42 Box 139 case number 1533 - 16 Oct 1885) – see Samuel Edward McClure

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 30 September 2012)

The couple was married on 1 Apr 1845 according to James, with no location mentioned.  New information suggests the marriage may have taken place in Beaver Co, PA.


Name: James Mcclure
Gender: Male
Birth Year: 1828
Spouse Name: Harriet Mathild Mchaffie
Spouse Birth Year: 1828

1 Apr 1845 marriage 
An interesting possibility exists that Harriet’s brother, William McHaffie married Margaret Jane McClure, possibly James’ sister c1854 in Beaver Co, PA; this couple was enumerated in Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, PA in 1880, but before and after this census they lived in Beaver Co, PA.

1850 Greene, Beaver, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_750; Page: 288A; Image: 568.
h/h 306/318 McClure, James 28 PA tailor
Harriet M 22 PA
William J 1 PA

1860 Hookstown, Beaver, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1071; Page: 352; Image: 358; Family History Library Film: 805071.
h/h 108/101 McClure, James 34 OH tailor
Harriet 32 PA
William 11 PA
George 7 PA
Mary 5 OH

US Draft Registration for Greene Twp, Beaver Co, PA – James McClure 34 PA married

Name: James McClure
Residence: Beaver County, Pennsylvania
Enlistment Date: 27 Jun 1863
Side Served: Union
State Served: Pennsylvania
Service Record: Enlisted as a 1st Lieutenant on 27 June 1863.
Commission in Company H, 56th Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania on 27 Jun 1863.
Mustered Out Company H, 56th Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania on 13 Aug 1863.

28 Nov 1888 Fulton Co, OH divorce action

Children
William Jackson (July 1848 pos Beaver Co, PA - )
George (July 1852 pos Beaver Co, PA - )
Mary (c1855 PA - )
Samuel Edward (Jan 1861 Beaver Co, PA – 2 July 1936 Concord Twp, Elkhart Co, IN)
Hiram W (c1864 PA - ) in 1889 Hiram was a tailor, living in Fort Wayne, Allen Co, IN

Fort Wayne Gazette, 7 Feb 1895 p5 c1
A telegram was received in the city by Hiram McClure, of Wells Street, announcing the death of his father at Ashley, Ohio.  The funeral will be at Bryan, Ohio and Mr McClure left to be in attendance.

James C McClure was born c1826 in Holmes Co, OH and died c1895 in Ashley, DeKalb Co, IN; his military pension information corresponds with the 1883 pension application as certificate #163062.  His physical description was as follows: 5’10” in height with dark hair and dark complexion, tailor as occupation; service in Co G 101st PA Infantry and Co H 140th PA Infantry

Bryan Democrat, 12 April 1866
Burglary – On Friday night McLure’s Merchant Tailor Shop was entered through a back window and robbed of clothing to the value of $250.  The villains executed the job with consummate skill, removing the glass from the sash without breaking it.  No clue to the perpetrators has been discovered.

(right below this)
Arrested – Since writing the above a fellow calling himself Davis was arrested near Stryker on suspicion of being concerned in the robbery of McLure’s Tailor Shop.  All the missing clothing, except one coat, was recovered and the fellow brought to this place and committed to jail to await an examination.  From the circumstances connected with the arrest there can be little doubt of a conviction.

Note - I am fairly sure this is McClure even though the article names the tailor as McLure.

In the 1870 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census, p36, the family was listed as James 45 OH tailor, Harriet 42 PA, William (no age) PA, George 18 PA, Mary 15 PA, Etta Wright 19 PA, Eddie McClure 10 OH, and Hiram McClure 6 PA.  James may have been a Civil War soldier, but that has not been confirmed; if so, he applied for and received as a resident of Bryan, OH a CW veteran’s pension for disability to his knees and received as of Oct 1879 a payment of $12 per month.  The McClure family was enumerated in the 1880 Bryan, Pulaski Twp federal census  p647B, as James McClure 50 OH tailor, Harriet 51 PA, Edward 19 PA, James 16 PA.  Note that their youngest child’s name changed from Hiram to James.

In the 1883 Military Pensioners book there is a listing for James McClure of Bryan, OH who suffered from synovitis of the knees; he was born in 1831 and died in 1895 with burial in Brown Cemetery, Center Twp, Williams Co, OH.  His CW service was enumerated as Co G 101th and Co H 140th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (cert # 163, 062).

Bryan Democrat, 10 Jan 1884

J. McClure, merchant tailor, Lockhart’s block, has a fine assortment of piece goods, from which he is prepared to make to order single garments or full suits in any style desired and guarantee fits.

In the Bryan newspapers, such as The Bryan Democrat, 4 Mar 1886, p5 c1, Jas. McClure, merchant tailor, was located on Lockharts Block, the southwest corner of the court square in Bryan.

James charged Harriett with being willfully absent for three years or more and gross neglect.  He brought RA Scott and AL Miller to court as witnesses.  A divorce was granted and Harriet was given $15 as alimony.  On 30 Oct 1886 in Wms Co James McClure remarried Mrs. Harriett M. McClure (Marriage V5 #893) so evidently the couple reconciled, but it appears to be only temporary because on 6 Mar 1888 James brought a suit for divorce again.  On 28 Nov 1888 he asked that the court papers be sent to Fulton Co, OH; nothing further is known.

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - McGlennan, 1879

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Jennie (Dye) McGlennan v William McGlennan – Williams Co, OH Civil and Criminal Court (Roll 33 case number 563- 1879)

When I began researching the early divorces of Williams County, OH I thought I had them all accounted for from 1830-1886 but apparently I missed this one.  I stumbled upon it just recently while looking at old newspapers. The only information supplied in the Bryan Democrat, 6 Mar 1879 was an announcement of the divorce decreed by the Common Pleas Court.  Jennie McGlennan was awarded alimony of $600.

So then I went back to the Civil and Criminal Court records and found the case number.  This research also had to take into account the variety of spellings of McGlennan/McGlenan/McGlennen/McGlenen, etc.

William H McGlennen (1842 Galion, OH -  17 Feb 1887); apparently parts of Galion, OH are in Crawford, Morrow, and Richland Cos, OH

William McGlenen married Jane L Dye on 24 Nov 1861 in Lenawee Co, MI.

Jane/Jennie L Dye (12 Oct 1845, Fulton Co, OH - 19 Feb 1911 Vestaburg, Richland Twp, Montcalm Co, MI; burial in Fountain Grove Cem, Bryan, Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH) dau of William Dye Jr and Martha Reynolds; pos obit as Jennie Savory, 23 Feb 1911 and 2 Mar 1911, Bryan Press, however I did find her obit in

Bryan Democrat, 3 Mar 1911 p1 as follows:

Jennie Dye McGlennen was born in Fulton Co, OH 12 Oct 1845 and died at the home of her sister at Vestaburg, (Montcalm Co) MI, 19 Feb 1911 @65Y 4M 7D.  She was married to William H McGlenen in 1862 and has three living children – Clyde E of Bryan, W Eugene of Kokomo, IN, and Mrs Daisy Barnheiser of Toledo, OH.  Her husband died on 17 Feb 1887 and in 1902 she was again married to William Savory of Toledo who died in Sept 1908.  She with her children resided in Bryan for about 25 years but for sometime she has been a resident of Toledo. She was a member of the ME Church.

Note – William is not found in the death records for this county nor does he have any probate for 1887; however there is a court action against him in 1873 (see below)

Note – There was no mention of a divorce between this couple.

Note – Jennie is buried as Jennie Savory in Fountain Grove Cem next to her son Clyde E and his wife Alverda.  Several online sources have an incorrect death date for Clyde.

Children

1. Clyde Everett (10 June 1864/1867 Pettisville, Fulton Co,OH -1 Feb 1923, Bryan, Williams Co, OH @59Y 7M 21D, widower of Alverda, influenza, laborer, burial at Fountain Grove Cem, Bryan, OH; death certificate states his father was William McGlennen born in Gallion, OH and mother was Jennie Dye born in Fulton Co, OH; informant was Darius McGlennen of Bryan); mar Alverda Oliver; obit 6 Feb 1923 and 9 Feb 1923 Bryan Democrat p1c3 and p7c2, respectively; note on death certificate his birth date is 10 June 1859 which is an error

2. W. Eugene (Jan 1866 OH-Dec 1923); pos lived in Kokomo, Howard Co, IN,1900; obit 27 Dec 1923 Bryan Press

3. Daisy (26 Oct 1871 Stryker, Springfield Twp, Williams Co, OH – pos 1941-1942) d/o William and Jane Dyer McGlennen (Births, V1 p32)

1850 Clinton, Fulton, Ohio; Roll: M432_681; Page: 327B; Image: 123.

h/h Dye, Jane 6 OH living w/father, step-mother and siblings

1860 Congress, Wayne, Ohio; Roll: M653_1051; Page: 355; Image: 297; Family History Library Film: 805051.

h/h 1504/1490 McGlennen, William 19 journeyman cabinet maker OH living with the James and Rebecca (Hasler) Pershin family

1870 Springfield, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 221B; Image: 448; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 252/252 McGlenen, William 28 cabinet maker OH

Jenney 25 OH

Clyde 8 OH

Eugene 4 OH

Williams Co, OH Probate Index – William McGlenen, 2 Sept 1873 - #1597 – Ohio v McGlenen

Divorce action - 1879

1880 Stryker, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 667B; Enumeration District: 013; Image: 0196.

h/h 394/419 McGlenen, William 39 divorced painter OH-NY-PA

1880 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 637B; Enumeration District: 012; Image: 0136.

h/h 140/156  McGlenen, Jennie 33 divorced OH-MD-PA

Clyde son 16 OH-OH-OH

Eugine son 13 OH-OH-OH

Daisy dau 6 OH-OH-OH

Martin, GS 34 boarder, plasterer NY-VT-VT

White, WW 29 boarder, plasterer OH-PA-OH

1910 Toledo Ward 2, Lucas, Ohio; Roll: T624_1207; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 0041; Image: 633; FHL microfilm: 1375220.

935 Superior St

h/h 23/26 Savory, Jennie 59 OH-MD-MD widow 3/3 ch, living with her dau Daisy Barnheiser and her husband Fred

Williams County, Ohio Probate – Jennie Savory, 8 Mar 1911, case number 5483 - estate

Divorce Action in Williams County, Ohio - Hughes/Lees, 1908

By Pamela Pattison Lash

This divorce action is an excellent example of how records have many different dates and different name data so one has to sift through this carefully.

Hattie E Lees Hughes v Leo A Hughes

Bryan Democrat, 14 Jan 1908 p1 c2

Hattie E Lees Hughes of Edon received a divorce from Leo.  The couple was married in Michigan following a few days acquaintance at a summer resort last July.  Less than a month after they married Hattie filed for divorce with the charge of a fraudulent marriage contract.  Leo unduly and improperly influenced her.  Hattie was restored to her maiden name and paid the court costs.  CA Bowersox was her attorney.

Here’s what I found on this couple:

They were married on 23 July 1907 in Marshall, Calhoun Co, Michigan by Charles J Lane, JP.  Hattie was 21 and Les Hughes was 23; she was born in Ohio and he was born in Detroit, MI; Les was the son of William P Hughes and Lydia Ettey; Hattie was the daughter of John Lees.  The parties were both single. He was a salesman, while she was a milliner.  He resided in Battle Creek, MI and she lived in Edon, OH.  Their witnesses were Bertha Avery and William H Porter, both of Marshall, MI. Note than a William P Hughes married a Lydia A Utley on 31 Dec 1869 in Genesee, MI.  One of their sons was Andrew L Hughes, born 2 Nov 1883 in Flint, Genesee, MI. Note the bolded info seems not to be accurate.

1900 Venice, Shiawassee, Michigan; Roll: 744; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 98; FHL microfilm: 1240744.

h/h 256/257 Hughes, William 45

Lydia wife 42

Leo son 16 (Sept 1883) MI-MI-MI clerk in hardware store

Bertha dau

Mable dau

Online info stated this:

WWI Draft Registration

Leo Andrew Hughes

resides: 22 Lincoln, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan

age 37 Y

b 03 Sep 1881

occupation: conductor of Detroit United Railway, Detroit, Michigan

next of kin: Mrs. Sarah Hughes, same address

registered 12 Sep 1918 at Detroit, Wayne, Michigan

In 1920 he was a motor man for a street car with wife Sarah B; they lived in San Bernardino, CA

Birth record name is Andrew L. Hughes.

1910 census resides with sister Margaret, listed as widowed, listed as Leo A.

1920 and 1930 census listed as Leo A.

California death record listed as Andrew Louis Hughes.

Birth is registered in Genesee County as 03 Nov 1883.

He gave 03 Sep 1881 on draft card.

Death record gives birth as 09 Sep 1883.

Hattie Eugenia Lees was the daughter of Elmer E Lees and Elizabeth Carey.   She was born on 22 July 1886 in Edon, Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH and died on 1 Feb 1946 in Williams Co, OH

1910 Florence, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 0120; Image: 686; FHL microfilm: 1375254.

h/h 117/118 Lees, Elmer E 47 mar 27Y OH-Ire-IN livestock, horse dealer

Eliza 45 wife 6/4 ch IN-NJ-NY

Hattie 23 dau single OH-OH-IN

Edith E 14 dau OH-OH-IN

On 16 Sept 1911 Hattie E Lees married Clifford Maxwell, the son of Samuel Maxwell and Elizabeth J Parrott; Clifford was born on 15 Nov 1879 in Steuben Co, IN and died in Edon, Williams Co, OH on 8 Nov 1939.  In the 1920 Florence Twp, Williams Co, OH federal census the Maxwells lived next door to her parents.  Hattie had two sons, Richard and Robert Maxwell. On their marriage license it stated that Hattie was once previously married and was divorced.

The Lesser Known Brother of Master's Corners - James Masters

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Some local histories mention a place called Master’s Corners which is very close to the Fulton-Williams County, OH line.  A great deal of information exists on Ezekiel Masters who was very active in politics, but there was not much available on his brother, James Masters.  With that in mind I set out to find out what I could about the lesser known brother.

James Masters (c28 Oct 1825 pos Knox Co, OH - 4 Sept 1890 Wright Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI @64Y 10M 20D, married, farmer; burial Walnut Grove Cem, Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH); son of Robert Masters (19 Sept 1790 Alexander, Upshur Co, VA – 27 Sept 1834 Morrow Co, OH) and Hannah Boyle (c3 June 1798 VA – 7 Nov 1861 (online) or 8 Dec 1861 (tombstone), Fulton Co, OH; buried West Franklin Cem, Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH @63Y 4M 5D; Hannah lived with son Ezekiel at the time of her death); Robert and Hannah Boyle Masters married c1815 in Knox Co, OH and lived in the Mt Vernon, Knox Co, OH area c1816

James Masters’ ancestry - Benjamin Masters (1761 Hardyston, Sussex Co, NJ – 15 July 1835 Tully, Marion Co, OH) and Hannah McPeek (1765 Sussex Co, NJ – 19 Dec 1853 Belmont Co, OH); Masters genealogy – William Masters (1740 - ) and Elizabeth; Richard Masters (1700-1761) and Mary Harlan (1708-1761); McPeek genealogy – Ezekiel McPeek (1730-1808) and Margaret Masters (1730-1792); Boyle genealogy - Jonathan Boyle married Elizabeth Hunt possibly natives of NJ, coming from the Green and Washington Co, PA area to Knox Co, OH c1806.  Jonathan Boyle died in 1807 in Clinton Twp, Knox Co, OH

Siblings of James Masters – Elizabeth, Ezekiel, William, Johnathan, (James), Cassandra, Robert, Tryphena, and Hannah

In the fall of 1826 the Masters family moved from Knox Co, OH to Marion Co, OH (now Morrow Co) and in 1845 they located in Fulton Co, OH and Williams Co, OH (data from obituary of Ezekiel Masters).  Evidently the family was active with the ME Church c1840 and the present day Franklin Church was once known as the Masters Church. 

While searching the land records at the Williams Co, OH Recorder’s Office, I found several records of land sales in Williams County for brother Ezekiel Masters:

Thomas M Axtell of Richland Co, OH to Ezekiel Masters of Marion Co, OH $300 on 1 Mar 1844 e fraction ½ e1/2 Section 11 60 Acres, received of Asher Ely of Knox Co, OH for $80 who applied for patent on 10 July 1835 at Monroe Land Office

Charles Bird and wife Mary of Marion Co, OH to Ezekiel Masters of Marion Co, OH in V7 p663 for e ½ w1/2 w1/2 e1/2 Section 11 126 Acres on 21 Mar 1844

William G Adams and wife Catherine to Ezekiel Masters V10 p167 for $800 in Brady Twp nw1/4 Section 11 of 160 Acres on 24 Oct 1849

William Miller and wife Mary to Ezekiel Masters V10 p168 for $1 se1/4 Sec 30 of 100 Acres on 17 Nov 1849

This is the first land record I have found naming James Masters in Williams Co, OH:

Ezekiel Masters and wife Mary of Williams Co, OH to James Masters of Williams Co, OH V10 p382 for $200 se1/4 Sec 30 T9S R1W 80 Acres on 20 Mar 1850

James Masters married

M1 Sarah T (unknown surname) c1851 (c28 Feb 1831 OH - 30 Apr 1859 prob from complications of childbirth (see Sarah E); buried West Franklin Cem, Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH @28Y 2M 2D – wife of James Masters)

Checking the Williams Co, OH Probate, I found a guardianship set for Isabelle, Emily, and Erosa (would be Isora) Masters, case #1030 recorded on 21 Feb 1866.  These are the surviving children of James Masters and his first wife, Sarah T.  This may suggest that the children were heirs of someone and/or named in an estate – further research needs to be done here.

Children

1. Isabelle “Belle”  (c24 Nov 1851 Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH – 29 July 1883 @31Y 8M 6D (Deaths V2 p23); buried West Franklin Cem, Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH; mar Samuel Fairchild, 16 Mar 1876 Morrow Co, OH; 1880 Richland Twp, Marion Co, OH; widower Samuel Fairchild married Hattie Shaffer in Waldron, Hillsdale Co, MI on 17 June 1885; he was born in Marion Co, OH on 14 Feb 1848 and resident of Alvordton, Williams Co, OH where he later died on 30 Apr 1926; Hattie was born in Spencerville, OH and resident of Ottawa Co, OH; he was 34 and she was 27; they are both buried at Walnut Grove Cem, Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH

2. Emily/Emma (c30 Aug 1853 Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH – 18 July 1891, Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH @37Y 10M 18D; buried Walnut Grove, Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH ; mar Thomas Douglas, 2 May 1875 Williams Co, OH – Marriage V4 p399); living in 1880 Mill Creek, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 489A; Enumeration District: 004; Image: 0613, next door to her father James Masters; she’s 25 OH w/husband and son Arthur M Douglas, 4 OH (born 17 Jan 1876, Millcreek Twp); Emma Douglas, accidental shooting (Williams Co, OH Deaths V2 p64).

While researching Emily I found this newspaper article which tells of a tragedy at her home involving her son and a gun:

Bryan Democrat, 23 July 1891, p5

Mrs. Thomas Douglass, residing in Millcreek Twp, was almost instantly killed Saturday afternoon by a shot from a revolver in the hands of her thirteen-year old son.  The boy was fooling with the gun when it was accidentally discharged, the ball striking his mother in the groin, causing death in fifteen minutes.

Another report says that Mr Douglass having a little spare time took down his gun to shoot birds.  Finding it foul he picked some powder in the tube, put on a cap and giving the gun to his son told him to take it into the yard and snap the cap.  The boy supposing as did his father that the gun was not loaded pulled the trigger.  The gun was loaded and the muzzle happened to be in range with a board shanty used as a summer kitchen.  Mrs Douglass was in the shanty and the bullet, penetrating a board struck her in the back near the spine inflicting a wound from which she died in about twenty minutes.  The sad accident caused a gloom throughout the entire community.

3. Mary Ann (c2 Apr 1855 Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH- 5 Mar 1858 @3Y 11M 3D; buried West Franklin Cem, Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH – d/o James and Sarah T Masters)

4. Isora/Adora (1857 Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH – pos Woodburn, OR; mar Henry L Barkley, 11 Oct 1879 Williams Co, OH – Marriage V4 p644) Note age doesn’t line up with census info for woman in OR but this probably is her (wife of Henry Barkley).

5. Sarah E (c25 Mar 1859 Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH - 17 July 1859 @3M 22D, buried West Franklin Cem, West Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH – d/o J and ST Masters)

M2 Ellen Poulson, 8 Nov 1860, Williams Co, OH (Marriage V3 p138); (Sept 1840/1841 OH – 1928; burial Walnut Grove Cem, Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH) d/o Nelson Poulson and Elizabeth A Kohlhauer

Children

6. Lewis Nelson (3 Oct 1861 Williams Co, OH- Nov 1946 Monroe Co, MI; burial Floral Grove Cem, Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH; mar Mattie Tressler, 3 Aug 1881 Williams Co, OH – Marriage V5 p10); mar 2 Emma Witzel, 28 Feb 1913, Waldron, Hillsdale Co, MI

Leader Enterprise (Montpelier, OH), 14 Nov 1946

Former Pioneer Resident Succumbs

Lewis Masters, 85, of Monroe, a former Pioneer resident passed away Wednesday in the Monroe hospital of pneumonia. He was a carpenter by trade and erected many of the homes in Pioneer and helped in the construction of the United Brethren church, which was destroyed by fire seven years ago. Services were held in the United Brethren church in Pioneer Friday afternoon, with the Rev. O. G. Braddock conducting. Interment in Floral Grove Cemetery.

Surviving are four sons, Clyde of Pontiac; E. Nelson of Jackson; Clair of Monroe and Leland of Clarkson, Mich.; two brothers, George M. of Pioneer and Erastus of Findlay; 10 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

7. James Marion (Feb 1864 Williams Co, OH-1930; mar Hulda J Crum, c1886); in 1920 Wright Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI there appears to be an Ellen Masters 78 with son JM 55

8. George Andrew (7 Sept 1866 Williams Co, OH – 4 July 1948; buried Lauber Hill, German Twp, Fulton Co, OH; mar Elizabeth E Towne, 13 Nov 1887)

9. Autha Jane (9 May 1868 Williams Co, OH-16 Aug 1930 Montpelier, Superior Twp, Williams Co, OH; mar David Orlando Fackler, Dec 1886)

There is a birth entry for Nelly Masters, d/o Masters and Masters, 24 July 1869 (Birth V1 p7) but as no first names of parents were listed, Nelly may not belong to this family

10. Johnathan Erastmus (27/30 Aug 1871 Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH – Birth V1 p27-6 Feb 1953 Toledo, Lucas Co, OH; bur Morenci, Lenawee Co, MI; mar Elizabeth E Gibbs, 25 Mar 1894, Waldron, Hillsdale Co, MI); in 1910 Wright Twp, Hillsdale Co, MI there appears to be an Erastus J 38 with wife Elizabeth 40

1850 Madison, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M432_741; Page: 33A; Image: 69.

h/h 426/428 Masters, James 22 OH farming $6,000

Sarah 20 OH

Sarah 65 OH

Hannah 15 OH

1860 Millcreek, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M653_1052; Page: 133; Image: 271; Family History Library Film: 805052.

h/h 145/132 Masters, James 37 OH farmer

Isabel 8 OH

Emily 6 OH

Adora 3 OH

Hannah 62 VA

James’ next door neighbors were Eli Rogers and wife Tabitha (Poulson) Rogers.  Tabitha was sister to James’ future wife, Ellen M Poulson.  After James Master’s death, Ellen Poulson Masters married James S Rogers.  Perhaps this James was a relative of Eli Rogers?

1864 Williams Co, OH Atlas – J Masters, Millcreek Sections 29 and 30 with 80A in Sec 30 and 40A in Sec 29; also just north of Hamer, Millcreek Twp there is a Mrs Masters shown and a Mrs Masters with 80A in Section 18

1870 Mill Creek, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 127B; Image: 258; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 74/74 Masters, James 43 OH farmer $4500/$600

Ellen 27 OH

Isabella 19 OH

Emily 17 OH

Isora 13 OH

Lewis 8 OH

James 6 OH

George 4 OH

Antha 2 OH

1874 Williams Co, OH Atlas – James Masters Section 30 of 80A and James Douglas named as property owner of Section 29 (owned by James in 1864)

1880 Mill Creek, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1077; Family History Film: 1255077; Page: 489A; Enumeration District: 004; Image: 0613.

h/h 129/140 Masters, James 54 OH-MD-VA

Ellen wife 38 OH-OH-MD

James son 16 OH-OH-OH

George son 14 OH-OH-OH

Antha dau 12 OH-OH-OH

Johnathan son 8 OH-OH-OH

James died on 4 Sept 1890 – no probate found in Williams Co, OH

Ellen Poulson Masters married James S Rogers on 8 Apr 1894 in Waldron, Hillsdale Co, MI; James was the son of FS Rogers and Sarah Thompson; he was 65 and she was 52, both natives of Ohio; witness was GE Masters; each party had been married once before; Ellen married a few weeks after her son Johnathan Masters married (also in Hillsdale Co, MI) and their marriage particulars are on the same page in Hillsdale Co, MI records; both marriages were officiated by John S Smith, clergyman.

1900 Wright, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: 713; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 102; FHL microfilm: 1240713

h/h 103/105 Rogers, JS 73 (July 1826) mar 6Y OH-PA-OH

Ellen wife 59 (Sept 1840) 5/5 ch OH-PA-PA

Note that Ellen reverts to surname Masters in 1910; according to online sources James S Rogers was living in Harrison Co, IA in 1910 so either they were separated or divorced sometime between 1900 and 1910.

1910 Mill Creek, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0125; Image: 791; FHL microfilm: 1375254.

Ames St

h/h 10/10 Masters, Ellen widow 68 5/5 ch OH-Germ-Germ

James son 46 widower OH-OH-OH stock buyer of horses and cattle

Crum grandson 11 OH-OH-OH

1920 Wright, Hillsdale, Michigan; Roll: T625_768; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 138; Image: 579.

Main St

h/h 8/8 Masters, JM 55 OH-OH-OH stock buyer

Ellen mother 78 OH-OH-OH

Crum son 20 OH-OH-OH laborer

Accidental Finding of Divorce and Toledo State Asylum Referencing - Balthasar and Rebecca Myers Hoffman

By Pamela Pattison Lash

It seems I can’t go anywhere without bumping into divorce material (and as I discovered asylum inmate info). In a volume at the Williams Co, OH Recorder’s Office titled Miscellaneous Record #1 p5 I found the following:

Balthasar Hoffman to Rebecca M Hoffman

“Article of marital separation

They can no longer live together and cohabit together.”

Balthasar gives a deed of warranty to their son Jacob Hoffman as trustee to land in St Joseph Twp on the sw corner of east ½ se ¼ of Section 36, T6N R1E of 10 acres on 21 Nov 1895.

Battes Hoffman, born on 15 April 1845, Wurtemburg, Germany, married Rebecca Myers in Crawford Co, OH on 21 December 1871. (possibly daughter of John G and Margaret Myers, both natives of Germany, living 1850 in Liberty, Crawford, Ohio; Roll: M432_671; Page: 416B; Image: 200 as John G 47, Margaret 44, Rebecca 2 OH and many siblings: Henry, John, David, Susanna, Jacob, William, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Daniel)

1860 Bucyrus, Crawford, Ohio; Roll: M653_951; Page: 47; Image: 51; Family History Library Film: 803951.

h/h 348/353 Hoffman, Charlotte 56 Wurtem

Jacob 22 Wurtem day laborer

Bartis 15 Wurtem day laborer

1870 Holmes, Crawford, Ohio; Roll: M593_1186; Page: 431B; Image: 248; Family History Library Film: 552685.

h/h 281/284 Myers, Daniel 21 OH farmer

Margaret 62 Wurtem

Caty 25 OH

Rebecca 22 OH

Eli 19 OH works on farm

1870 St Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: M593_1282; Page: 233A; Image: 471; Family History Library Film: 552781.

h/h 24/34 Hoffman, Baltes 23 Wurtem farmer

Charlotta 67 Wurtem

George Hoffman, son of Baltz Hoffman and Rebecca Miers, was born on 9 Aug 1876 in St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH (Births V1 p101)

1880 Saint Joseph, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 591A; Enumeration District: 009; Image: 0042.

h/h 127/128 Hoffmann, Baltus 35 Wurtem-Wurtem-Wurtem farmer

Rebecca 33 wife OH-Wurtem-Wurtem

Jacob 7 son OH-Wurtem-OH

George 4 son OH-Wurtem-OH

Charlotte 77 mother, widow Wurtem-Wurtem-Wurtem

Edward Huffman, son of B Huffman and Rebecca Miers, was born on 22 Mar 1881 in St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH (Births V2 p24)

Daniel Hoffman, son of Baltes Hoffman and Rebecca Myers, was born on 9 Dec 1883 in St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH (Births V2 p61)

Charlotta Hoffman died in St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH on 12 Dec 1885, widow, born in Germany, age 82Y (Deaths V2 p35)

Baltasser Hoffman married Katie Mavis in Williams Co, OH on 3 December 1896 by Rev F Heckleman. (Marriages V7 p86); it appears that Catherine Mavis was born on 3 May 1872 probably in Defiance Co, OH, the daughter of Abraham Mavis and Caroline Stahl.

1880 Farmer, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: 1011; Family History Film: 1255011; Page: 222A; Enumeration District: 240; Image: 0669.

h/h 123/129 Mavis, Abraham J 40 OH-OH-OH farmer

Caroline wife 35 OH-PA-PA

Jenne dau 12 OH-OH-OH

Charles P son 10 OH-OH-OH

Catherin dau 8 OH-OH-OH

Nettie dau 6 OH-OH-OH

Elsworth son 5 OH-OH-OH

Mellie dau 3 OH-OH-OH

Beulah S Hoffman, daughter of B Hoffman and Kathryn Mavis, was born in Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH on 20 July 1898 (Births V 3 p88)

Charles Hoffman, son of B Hoffman and Kate Mavis, was born in Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH on 28 Feb 1900 (Births V 3p89)

1900 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1332; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 110; FHL microfilm: 1241332.

h/h 207/209 Hoffman, Baltser 54 (April 1846) mar 3Y Germ-Germ-Germ to USA 1856 and naturalized, farmer, renting land

Katie A 28 wife (Mar 1872) 3/3 ch OH-OH-PA

Daniel C 7 son (July 1892) OH-Germ-OH

Beulah C 1 dau ((July 1898) OH-Germ-OH

Charles R 3/12 son (Feb 1900) OH-Germ-OH

Jake 25 son (Nov 1874) OH-Germ-OH farmer, single

On 27 January 1902 Rebecca Hoffman (Williams Co, OH Probate #4316 misc – aka probably confined to Toledo State Asylum) Note I did not find her in the 1900 federal census.

Franklin A Hoffman, son of B Hoffman and Katie Mavis, was born in Center Twp, Williams Co, OH on 24 March 1902 (Births V3 p91)

On 10 May 1906 Naomi Mildred Hoffman, daughter of Baltosser Hoffman and Katherine Mavis was born in Defiance Co, OH

1910 Farmer, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: T624_1177; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0011; Image: 249; FHL microfilm: 1375190.

h/h 112/114 Hoffman, Baltharsa 64 mar 2x mar 13Y Germ-Germ-Germ general farmer

Catherine wife 38 mar 13Y 6/6 ch OH-OH-OH

Beulah dau 11 OH-Germ-OH

Charles son 10 OH-Germ-OH

Franklin A  son 8 OH-Germ-OH

Burnell son 6 OH-Germ-OH

Mildred dau 4 OH-Germ-OH

Swager, Darrel step son 17 OH-OH-OH farm laborer, working out

1910 Toledo Ward 10, Lucas, Ohio; Roll: T624_1209; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 0131; Image: 1151; FHL microfilm: 1375222.

Rebecca Hoffman 65 inmate of Toledo State Asylum, divorced OH-OH-OH, mother of 5 children, unknown how many are living

Rebecca Hoffman, born 1845, died in the Toledo State Hospital, Lucas Co, OH on 28 June 1913; burial in Edgerton, St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH; her death certificate says cause of death was exhaustion and senile dementia @68years of age; there is no tombstone to mark her burial

Rebecca Hoffman, Williams Co, OH Probate, 11 Aug 1913, estate  #5782

Baltoser Huffman died on 19 January 1914 at St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH at 68Y 9M 4D (born 15 Apr 1845 in Germany); he was married, a farmer; buried in Edgerton, St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH; father Baltoser Hufman and mother Charlotta Schwartz, both of German birth. Note there are tombstones for Baltoser and his mother Charlotta, but none for his wives, Rebecca or Catherine/Katherine.

Baltosser Hoffman, Edgerton Earth, 23 Jan 1914, p2 c2 obit

Ballis Hoffman, Williams Co, OH Probate, 17 June 1915 estate #5985 1/2

Caroline Mavis died on 1 Aug 1915 in Defiance Co, OH; daughter of Peter Stahl and Catherine Conrath.

Katherin M Hoffman died in Defiance Co, OH on 14 Jan 1916.

Jacob Hoffman, son of Baltasser Hoffman and Rebecca Myers, married Susie Mathias, daughter of Jacob Mathias and Mary Siraies, in Milford Twp, Defiance Co, OH on 1 March 1917. He was born in St. Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH and was 43 years old; she was born in Milford Twp, Defiance Co, OH and was 23 years old. (Marriages V7 p403)

Abraham J Mavis died on 15 May 1927 in Farmer, Defiance Co, OH at 77Y 3M 12D; he was born on 3 Feb 1840 in Knox Co, OH, the son of Andrew Mavis and Mary Husted; burial in Farmer Twp, Defiance Co, OH; widower; spouse Caroline.

Williams County, Ohio Early Wills - Alexander McClure #2

By Pamela Pattison Lash

The parent county of Williams County, Ohio was Darke County.  If one looks at the sources for the timeline of this family, one will see the ever present Darke County named.  This was the second will in the collection of early wills for Williams County, but strictly speaking the resources were found elsewhere and the participants did not appear to ever live within the confines of present day Williams County.

McClure, Alexander 2 – 29 Sept 1827 

·       Of Williams Co, late of Darke Co; will written on 18 Sept 1827; mentions wife Nancy, only son Samuel age c7Y; daus – Elizabeth Ramsey, Jane McClure, Martha McClure, Rosana McClure; owned 110A on east fork Whitewater in Darke Co which he grants ½ to Samuel when of age and wife and 116A on Auglaize in Williams Co to be divided equally among the daughters; executors wife and Jonathan Thomas; he signed will; witnesses Christopher Stroufe and John Evans

Alexander McClure (c1782 pos Rockbridge, VA – bet 18-29 Sept 1827 Williams Co, OH); s/o Samuel and Rosannah Steele McClure who mar 24 Jan 1782 Rockbridge, VA; both buried in Friendship Cem, Hollansburg, Darke Co, OH

Alexander’s father was a Revolutionary War soldier. This McClure family appears to have traveled to Woodford Co, KY and in 1812 moved again to Darke Co, OH. In Samuel McClure’s will (1818) he mentioned wife, Rosannah, and son Alexander, who is of age but still lives with parents – he gets management of the farm in Darke Co, OH until he marries and other land.

1820 Harrison Twp, Darke Co, OH p74

Alexander McCluer 100010-10010; his mother widow Rosanna McCluer on p75

1825 Adult Males in Darke Co, OH – Alexander McClure (History of Darke County Ohio, Frazier, Wilson, 1997, V1 p161-163)

Agnes Nancy McClurken (3 Jan 1794 SC – 22 Jan 1875 Harrison Twp, Darke Co, OH; bur Providence Cem, Darke Co, OH); d/o Matthew and Jennet McClurken who mar c1786 Laurens Co, SC (pos first cousins); later widower father mar Mary Gaston Elliott, c1800 SC

M1 Nathan Ramsey, 3 Jan 1811, Preble Co, OH; he died 8 Dec 1812 OH

Child – Elizabeth (1812 OH – 23 Sept 1878 pos Fayette Co, IL; mar James D Atkins, 30 Oct 1832, Darke Co, OH)

M2 Alexander McClure, 25 June 1819, Franklin Co, IN (Indiana Statewide Marriage Index through 1850)

Children

Samuel (6 Apr 1820 OH – 14 Apr 1873; mar Mary Davidson, 1 June 1849)

Jane  (20 Jan 1822 OH – 18 Mar 1907; mar Andrew Scott, 5 Jan 1843, Darke Co, OH))

Martha (1824 OH – aft 1910 Preble Co, OH) 1880 living in Harrison Twp, Darke Co, OH w/sister Mary Ann and her husband William Ellis

Rosana (1827 OH)

M3 George Adkins, 8 Oct 1830 OH, Darke Co, OH

Children

William R (Sept 1831 Harrison Twp, Darke Co, OH; mar Adeline Hart, 16 Nov 1855, Darke Co, OH)

David H (4 Nov 1833 Harrison Twp, Darke Co, OH; mar Margaret Mullenix)

Mary Ann (Jan 1836 Harrison Twp, Darke Co, OH; mar William H Ellis, 2 Sept 1875, Darke Co, OH)

James M (June 1837 Harrison Twp, Darke Co, OH; mar Mary Eliza Hart, 26 Sept 1860 Darke Co, OH)

George H (20 Oct 1841 Harrison Twp, Darke Co, OH – 29 Mar 1842 Harrison Twp, Darke Co, OH)

1830 Harrison Twp, Darke Co, OH p19 – Nancy McCluer 001-120101

1840 Harrison Twp, Darke Co, OH p26 – George Adkins 1201101-0102001

1850 Harrison, Darke, Ohio; Roll: M432_674; Page: 369B; Image: 259.

h/h 257/262 Adkins, George 50 OH farmer (under household of Phillip Eddington)

Nancy 60 NC

McClure, Martha 24 OH

Adkins, William 19 OH

David 17 OH

Mary Ann 16 OH

James 12 OH

1860 Harrison, Darke, Ohio; Roll: M653_956; Page: 2; Image: 6; Family History Library Film: 803956.

h/h 3/3 Adkins, George 60 MD farmer

Nancy 55 NC

McClure, Martha 35 OH

Adkins, Mary A 22 OH

James M 21 OH farmer (1900 White River, Randolph Co, IN James says father born Delaware, mother born in SC)

1870 New Madison, Harrison, Darke, Ohio; Roll: M593_1194; Page: 203B; Image: 411; Family History Library Film: 552693.

h/h 74/74 Adkins, George 69 DE farmer

Nancy 76 SC

Martha 46 OH

Mary 37 OH

The First Will Probated in Williams County, OH, 1825 - James Jolly

By Pamela Pattison Lash

As a part of a new project I've taken on, I am investigating the early wills that were probated in what was officially deemed as Williams Co, OH.  The first probated will was that of James Jolly.  Here's what I've pieced together.  Please note that Jolly's actual residence was likely to have been in Defiance Co, OH, which became a county from land in Williams County as of 1845.  If someone can show proof of direct ancestry to James and/or Agnes Buchannan Jolly, he/she would be eligible for First Families of Williams Co, OH (through the Williams County Genealogical Society).

Williams County, OH Will Book #1 (1824-1852) Jolly, James p1 – 13 May 1825 #1

Of Highland Co, OH; will written on 16 Aug 1809; mentions wife Agnes, 6 children not of age and not named; executors wife and James M. Connell or Conrad.  Witnesses were Augustus Richard and Bigger Head.

James Jolly (1778 Washington Co, PA – 30 May 1825 Defiance, Williams Co, OH); s/o David Jolly and Elizabeth Kelly; m 1798, Highland Co, OH, Agnes Buchanan (25 Dec 1778 OH – 3 Oct 1825 Williams Co, OH; d/o James Buchanan and Agnes Turner)

Note his will mentions six unnamed, under age children so they might be – Elizabeth, Thomas, Mahala, Agnes, Sarah, and David; however, online sources state that Mahala was born in 1820, so at this point the identity of the children and their birth order is unknown.

Possible Children (from online sources):

1. Elizabeth (20 Apr 1799 Hillsboro, Highland Co, OH – 5 Sept 1887 Benton Co, IN; mar Robert S Young, 1829 Highland Co, OH)

2. Thomas (30 May 1800 - )

3. Agnes (25 Jan 1802 - ; mar James Williams)

4. Sarah (4 Dec 1803 -; mar James Craig, 31 Oct 1825 Williams Co, OH – Marriage V1 p2)

5. David (23 Oct 1806 - )

6. Jane (10 Apr 1811 Hillsboro, Highland Co, OH – 1861 Benton Co, IN; mar Samuel Addison Keyes)

7. Margaret (4 May 1813 - )

8. James Turner (1814 -16 Sept 1860 Defiance, Defiance Co, OH; mar Rebecca Ann Travis, 15 June 1843 Williams Co, OH – Marriage V1 p67)

9. Cyrus (5 Apr 1818 - )

10. Mahala 1800 or (24 Aug 1820 – ); mar Neal Dougherty, 9 June 1840 Highland Co, OH)

This information was taken from the History of the Early Settlement of Highland Co Ohio, 1890 by the Gazette office, Chapter XX111

Father David Jolly Sr. was among the first settlers in Wheeling, Virginia. His dwelling was on a hill about 3 miles from the mouth of Wheeling Creek, and the site of his cabin is still pointed out by old residents not far from the turnpike road which crosses the hill from the old toll gate to the river. His family consisted in 1790 when he lived at that place of himself, wife, and six children, with one grandchild.  From the time he made his settlement there and up to Wayne’s Treaty in 1795 the border line of civilization was in constant danger and consequent dread of Indians and not a year passed that did not witness conflicts and massacres more or less sanguinary. The fort at Wheeling afforded protection only to those within its gates.

On 8 June 1790 in Wheeling, Ohio Co, VA (now WVA) his family was attacked by Indians. James Jolly had gone to the spring some distance from the house for a bucket of water. Mrs. Jolly was standing in the door waiting for James to come with the water and when the Indians no doubting but all the family had arrived to dinner, fired from their well-chosen ambush into the house. Mrs. Jolly fell dead instantly, John was shot in the mouth and fell, very badly wounded, a daughter and grandson were also wounded at the first fire, Immediately after the fire the Indians rushed in and scalped them with their tomahawks while they were in their death struggle. James had heard the alarm and hurried making his escape and the remaining members of the family at home, who had not been injured, were William, the youngest son and his cousin Joseph McCune who was at the house on a visit. The Indians took these boys prisoners, they pillaged and fired the house and made a rapid retreat. David Jolly Sr. arrived at his desolate and burning home only in time to drag the remains of his murdered friends from the flames, which soon consumed the building. He ran to the nearest neighbor and gave alarm.

James Jolly married Agnes Buchanan c1798 in Highland Co, OH.

Early in June 1805 David Jolly and James Jolly with their families, moved up from the vicinity of Chillicothe and settled on the Rocky Fork east of present town of Hillsborough, on the farm recently owned by John H. Jolly. The Jollys were among the first settlers of Chillicothe, having emigrated to that neighborhood in the fall of 1790 from Virginia (West VA now).

Wife Mary Ann Warnock and her brother James Jolly were appointed administrators of William Warnock’s estate on December 22, 1805. He left children David, Elizabeth and Rebecka. Mary Ann as his widow and her brother James Jolly were appointed guardians on June 28, 1809.  On 16 August 1809 James Jolly wrote his will as James Jolly of Highland Co, OH.

1810 Liberty Twp, Highland Co, OH Tax List

James Jolly was a tanner, who worked at his trade on a farm in Marshall Township, afterward owned by Judge Delaplane, but now in possession of Judge Huggins. James as a tanner moved to Ft Defiance c1823.  He died c13 May 1825.  On 12 Oct 1825 Agnes Jolly has an estate probated (Probate case number 2).  These are the only two Jolly probates found in (1824-1900) Williams Co, OH probate.

According to The History of Williams Co, OH, Weston Goodspeed, 1882, p352, in St. Joseph Twp there was a Turner Jolly, a young man with no permanent abode, c Aug 1835.

US General Land Office Records, 16 Oct 1835, Land Office in Wapakoneta, Sec 14 T6N R1E, 1^st PM, Williams Co, OH – James Turner Jolly of Williams Co, OH, 40A.

US General Land Office Records, 16 Mar 1837, Land Office in Lima, Sec 23 T6N R1E, 1^st PM, Williams Co, OH – James Turner Jolly of Williams Co, OH, 40A. Note this James Turner Jolly was most likely the son of James Jolly.

James T. Jolly married Rebecca Travis, 15 June 1843 Williams Co, OH – Marriage V1 p67)

1850 Noble, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: M432_674; Page: 42B; Image: 597.

h/h 575/575 Jolly, James T 30 OH farmer $400 (could possibly 36 as age)

Rebecca 25 OH

Sarah 5 OH

William C 1 OH

1860 Noble, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: M653_947; Page: 340; Image: 131; Family History Library Film: 803947. PO Brunersburg

h/h 926/9191 Jolly, James 46 OH farmer $150

Rebecca 35 OH

Sarah 17 OH domestic

William 11 OH

Thomas 9 OH

Dills 7 OH

Catharine 5 OH