Old Steuben Co, IN Newspapers - Mentions of Williams Co, OH People, 1870’s

Little Pickings from Some Steuben Co, IN Newspapers: Williams Co, OH People in 1870’s

By Pamela Pattison Lash

 

I was looking for some information in these Steuben Co, IN newspapers and came across a few articles on random Williams Co, OH residents.

 

Steuben Republic (Angola, IN), Wednesday, 4 November 1874 p3 c1

HS KIRK, formerly of this county, but lately of Derek Lick in Wms Co, has returned and is now in Alvarado

 

Same paper as above, Wednesday, 31 October 1877 p3 c4

Mr O”MEALEY’s barn in NW Twp was completely destroyed along with all contents (gives a list) due to careless smokers with pipes in the barn in the morning

 

Same paper as above, Wednesday, 12 December 1877, p2 c5

Joseph REEVES, former resident and early settler here, died at home in Columbia, Wms Co, OH last Friday, 7 December 1877 at age of 68; he was born in Victor, Ontario Co, NY and came to Richland Twp near Metz on 1836

 

Angola Herald (Angola, IN), Wednesday, 20 February 1878 p3 c2

Orrin J RICKERD is an energetic hoop driver and has left her to farm in NW Twp, Wms Co, OH

 

Same paper as above,  Wednesday, 2 April 1879, page and column not noted

Emily FOX died on 30 March 1879 at 29Y 3M 15D; she was wife of John FOX

 

Steuben Herald (Angola, IN), Wednesday, 23 April 1879, p5 c1/p5c4 - 2 articles in same issue

M/M John K MORROW attended the funeral of George COBLENTZ of Bryan, Wms Co, OH last Saturday.  The deceased was the father of Mrs MORROW and one of the early pioneers of Wms Co, OH; he was 80 years old/George COBLENTZ died on 17 April 1879 of bilious fever at 79Y 5M 12D (Note: it pays to look around the same issue as one can see the difference in the age from one article to another.)

 

Same paper as above, Wednesday, 23 July 1879 p5 c5

Dr GW FINCH, one of the oldest physicians in Wms Co, OH died in West Unity a week ago last Sunday of pyaemia poisoning of blood; he had an excellent reputation

 

 

The Bryan Lawyer Who Was Married and Divorced Twice - Oscar C Beechler

Oscar C. Beechler v Agnes Wright Beechler (Journal 15 p254; Roll 48 Box 160 case number 2219) – Mar 1890

 

By Pamela Pattison Lash (updated 13 October 2021)

 

The couple was married on 4 Feb 1879 in Dundee, Monroe Co, MI. (Marriage License data - She was 20 and he was 31.  Their witnesses, both from Dundee, MI were George Covell and Fred Sheer or Freer.)

 

Oscar charged that Agnes had been absent for more than three years and they had no children together.  He believed Alice lived in Glen Lord, Berrien Co, MI.  A legal notice appeared in The Tri-State Alliance beginning 13 Mar 1890 and running six consecutive weeks.  Oscar was granted a divorce.

 

Oscar, born May 1847 in Wayne Co, OH, was the son of George and Susan Hawkins Beechler. The Beechlers moved to this county c1848 and had the following children: Malona, Thomas, Mar, Elizabeth, John C, George Nicholas, Sarah, Susan, Oscar, Martha, Curtis W, and Xenophan.  His parents were Lancaster, PA natives - George Beechler (1800-1876) and mother Susan (1810-1903).  They are buried in the Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan, Williams Co, OH.

 

Agnes Wright (May 1860 Wooster, Wayne Co, OH –31 December 1943, Berrien Co, MI) was daughter of William C and Naomi Wright.  After the divorce she married Monroe Nathan Lord (1818-aft 1900), on 16 October 1890 in Benton Harbor, Berrien Co, MI; he was married before to Jane L. Austin who died in 1887; he was the father of three children. 

 

Note two things – 

1.  There is a considerable age gap between Agnes and Monroe Lord (about 42 Years) but that was not too unusual for the time.

2.  In Oscar’s divorce deposition he said Agnes lived in Glen Lord, Berrien Co, MI.  I wonder if he meant to say she was living with a Lord in Berrien.

 

Here is what I’ve found as a timeline for Agnes:

 

1900 Benton, Berrien, Michigan; Roll: T623_702; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 57.

h/h336/340 Lord, Monroe (Nov 1818) 81 mar 11Y NY-Can-Can farmer

Agnes wife (Oct 1850) 49 0/0 ch OH-OH-MA

By 1910 Agnes was a widow living in Benton, Berrien Co, MI

In 1920 Agnes was still living in Benton, Berrien Co, MI

 

Now for the Beechler family – here is a timeline of their life in Williams Co, OH.

 

The Beechlers were enumerated in the 1850 Center Twp, Wms Co, OH federal census p73, as Beechler, George 49 PA, Susan 40 OH, Malona 21 OH, Mary 17 OH, Elizabeth 15 OH, John 11 OH, George 9 OH, Sarah 6 OH, Susan 5 OH, Oscar 3 OH, Martha 1 OH. 

 

1864 Williams Co, OH Atlas – George Beechler, Center Twp Sec 21

 

By the 1870 Bryan federal census the Beechler family was listed as Beechler, George 69 PA, Susan 60 OH, Mary Dongan 32 OH, Elizabeth Beechler 23 OH, Oscar Beechler 23 OH, Xenophie 16 OH, and Agnes Dongan 3 OH. – see Mary Beechler Dongan divorce detailing

 

1874 Williams Co, OH Atlas – George Beechler, Center Twp Sec 21

 

Williams Co, OH Probate – George Beechler, 6 Mar 1876 case number 1807 estate

 

Oscar married Agnes Wright on 4 Feb 1879 in Dundee, Monroe Co, MI.

 

1880 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: 1078; Family History Film: 1255078; Page: 653B; Enumeration District: 12; Image: 0168.

h/h 486/513 Beechler, OC 30 lawyer OH-PA-OH

Agnes 21 OH-OH-OH

 

Weston Goodspeed, The History of Williams Co, OH, 1882, p243 and 590, stated that Oscar was a lawyer in Bryan.

 

Divorce proceedings to end the Beechler marriage cMarch Term 1890.

 

Oscar married Anna Goller Stailey (10 May 1865 – 13 Dec 1945, Los Angeles, CA) on 22 Jan 1891 in Defiance Co, OH. She was the daughter of John and Christina Strahley Goller and the former of wife of Thomas J Staley/Stailey. (See - Anna Stailey v Thomas J. Stailey (Journal 14 p494 - 1 Dec 1888; Roll 46 case number 1962 – 1888; Journal 15 p3 – 28 Mar 1889 case number 1961)

            The case was continued in 1888.  The action shows an infant child, Albner; a visitation schedule was set but for some reason she’s not entitled to a divorce, but she must have obtained one later.)

Anna was from the Defiance Co, OH area as evidenced by the 1870 federal census:

 

1870  Washington, Defiance, Ohio; Roll: M593_1195; Page: 195A; Image: 393; Family History Library Film: 552694.

Goller, Anna 6 OH with her parents

 

There are also two other Civil and Criminal Court Rolls where Oscar C. Beechler is named – Roll 52 #3066 (1893-1894) and Roll 61 #4372 (1899-1900)

 

30 Apr 1882, Defiance Co, OH Marriage – Anna Goller and Thomas J Stailey

26 Oct 1886, Defiance Co, OH Births – R R Stailey, son of Anna Goller and Thomas J Stailey

 

Anna Goller Stailey v Thomas J. Stailey (Journal 14 p494 - 1 Dec 1888; Roll 46 case number 1962 – 1888; Journal 15 p3 – 28 Mar 1889 case number 1961)

            The couple was married on 30 Apr 1882 in Defiance Co, OH. The case was continued in 1888.  On 26 Oct 1886 in Defiance Co, OH a son, RR Stailey, was born to Anna Goller and Thomas J. Stailey. This action shows an infant child, Albner; a visitation schedule was set but for some reason she’s not entitled to a divorce at that time but did obtain one later.

 

 

1900 Bryan, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T623_1332; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 112.

Center St

h/h 350/355 Beechler, Oscar D (May 1847) 53 mar 9Y OH-PA-OH lawyer

Anna (May 1860) 40 wife 1/1 ch OH-OH-OH

Staley, Willie (Oct 1883) 16 step-son OH-OH-OH

h/h 351 Susan mother lived next door (June 1810) 89 widow 14/5 ch OH-PA-Del

 

1910 Pulaski, Williams, Ohio; Roll: T624_1241; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0130; Image: 935; FHL Number: 1375254.

202 Lynn St

h/h 114/123 Beachler, Oscar C 61 OH-OH-OH lawyer in general practice divorced

 

1910 Los Angeles Assembly District 74, Los Angeles, California; Roll: T624_84; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0088; Image: 247; FHL Number: 1374097.

h/h 64/65 Stailey, Anna 46 widow 2/1 ch OH-unknown-Germ dressmaker

John W son 26 single OH-OH-OH carpenter

 

Oscar Beechler’s obit in the Bryan Press, 9 Jan 1913, p4, stated that he died on 5 Jan 1913 and was buried in Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan.  He was born in Center Twp 66 years before and lived in Ney and Williams Center during his early years. He was twice married and divorced from both wives.

The Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), 7 January 1913 p1 c5 told a slightly different tale of Oscar’s life: Oscar C Beechler, a well-known attorney of Bryan and practically a life-long resident of Williams county, died at the home of Mrs Connie Boothman, South Main Street, following an illness of a week’s duration.

A week before his death he was found in his office in a critical condition, having suffered a stroke of paralysis.  The attack proved serious and he never fully regained consciousness.  At the time of his death he was about 67 years of age.

Mr Beechler was born in Wayne County, OH and in the early part of his life moved to Center Township.  He taught school for a number of years and studied law in the University at Ann Arbor, MI.  After graduating he moved to Bryan and began the practice of law in 1873.  He was connected with Philetus Smith in this profession for a number of years, but for the last few years he has conducted his practice alone.  He was an industrious citizen and in his younger days was prominent in all the affairs of Williams County.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10 o’clock at the Presbyterian Church.  Rev E S Marshall will conduct the services and the chairman of the local bar association, Judge Charles E Bowersox, will also speak.  Interment will be made in the Fountain Grove Cemetery.

 

Williams Co, OH Probate – Oscar C. Beechler, 9 Jan 1913 case number 5715 estate

 

Murder and Suicide in Edgerton, OH, 1938

 Edgerton Shooting Caused by Jealousy, Officers Find

Edgerton, O, Dec 13 - Jealousy of another Edgerton woman whose name was not revealed prompted the murder and suicide tragedy here Sunday morning.  It was disclosed Monday afternoon as Williams county authorities concluded a formal inquest.

 

The persons were questioned at the investigation into the shooting of Vern Eck, 42, by Mrs Nona Goeltzenleuchter, 32, who then fatally wounded herself with the same shotgun.

 

Note Spoke of Woman

“Murder and suicide” was the formal verdict returned by Dr Howard Lucan of Montpelier, Williams county coroner.  He disclosed that the note left by Mrs. Goeltzenleuchter mentioned another woman, as well as plans for the double shooting and care by relatives of her two children, Dale Jr 13, and Dawn, 11.

 

Relatives and neighbors testified that Mrs. G was insanely jealous of Eck who had been a roomer in her home here for about a year.  Her husband, Dale E of Defiance, filed suit for divorce Dec 2 in common pleas court at Defiance.  The petition recited that Mrs G had refused frequently to go with him to live in Defiance.

 

Funeral Planned

Last rites for Mrs G was scheduled for this afternoon at 1:30 o’clock in the Church of Christ here. Burial was to take place in the Edgerton cemetery.

 

Services for Eck will be held Wednesday at 1:30 pm in the home of a brother, Frank, St Joseph Twp, Williams County.  Interment also will be in Edgerton cemetery. Note that I don’t have a full citation on this as I found it on Find-A-Grave.

 

Another newspaper article gave a few more details - Defiance Crescent News (Defiance Co, OH), Monday, 12 December 1938 p1 c6-7: Mother At Edgerton Takes Own Life

 

When the children came home from Sunday School they witnessed an argument between their mother and Eck.  They were told to go outside and play. Later they discovered the bodies.  Eck was dead but Nona was still living.  She told them to run to neighbors.  Help was given but Nona died on the way to the hospital.

 

Vern Eck had been in the process of moving his belongings into a trailer he procured for a new home. Nona had left a note telling that she had planned this action for some time and stated she wanted her children to be taken in by relatives.  She also told that husband Dale had sued her in court on December 2 for a divorce, citing gross neglect, extreme cruelty, and refusing to live with him.  She filed a countersuit.

 

As late as May 1938 Eck was in a party of people with Nona visiting her relatives.

 

After reading these old newspaper articles, I found the following information about the principals of this tragedy.

 

Vernon Eck (11 Mar 1896 Milford, Defiance Co, OH - 11 Dec 1938, Edgerton, Williams Co, OH) was the son of Andrew and Elizabeth Upp Eck.  His obit (Edgerton Earth, Thursday, 22 Dec 1938) stated he was born in Clarksville, OH, but his birth certificate listed Milford Twp.  It said he lived in Toledo in boyhood when his mother died. In 1900 Milford Twp, Defiance Co, OH Federal Census Vernon 4 OH lived with his parents.  In 1910 same place Vernon 14 OH lived with his father. According to the WWI Draft Registration, Vernon was living in Toledo; moreover, his physical description was tall, stout, brown eyes, and light hair.  By 1920 Toledo, Lucas Co, OH Federal Census record, Vernon 23 OH was living with his wife Amber 31 OH, and worked as a mechanic in a shipyard.

 

He married Amber Harriet Holloran, daughter of Lewis Phelis and Lillian Warner, in Toledo, Lucas Co, OH on 19 Feb 1918.  She was divorced from Rodrick Halloren, whom she married in Lucas Co, OH on 15 Aug 1906. In 1930 Lucas Co, OH Vernon 33 OH and Amber 39 lived together.  At the time of his murder he had been living as a boarder for a year or so that would be 1937-1938.  Amber, the widow, married Albert Strole in Williams Co, OH on 18 Feb 1939 and passed away on 1 March 1946 in Williams Co, OH, but was buried in Lake Twp Cemetery, Walbridge, Wood Co, OH.

 

Nona B. Proper, born 1906 prob Defiance Co, OH, was the daughter of Ira and Violet (Hart) Proper.  She was enumerated with her parents in the 1910 Milford Twp, Defiance Co, OH Federal Census, and the 1920 St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH records.  Nona married Dale E Goeltzenleuchter in Williams Co, OH on 30 August 1922.  They were listed in the 1930 Edgerton, St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census as Dale E 27 OH and Nona 24 OH. Dale E was born on 27 March 1903 in Edgerton, Williams Co, OH, the son of Charles and Estella (Kissinger) Goeltzenleuchter, and was listed in the 1910 St Joseph Twp, Williams Co, OH Federal Census with his parents. Sometime after this tragedy, Dale married Elizabeth “Goldie” (Shirey) Buckelman, former wife of Edgar Buckelman, whom she married on 5 April 1919 in Defiance Co, OH.  Dale died on 21 May 1953 and was buried in Sherwood Cemetery, Defiance Co, OH.

 

  

 

 

Divorce: Lucy Curtis Alderman v Martin VB Alderman, Williams County, OH - 1878

 Lucy Curtis Alderman v Martin VB Alderman, Williams County, OH Divorce 1878 (19 September 2021)

 

From the Williams County Civil and Criminal Court (Journal 9 p494, Roll 32 case number 445 - 17 Apr 1878) there was a divorce which dealt with a cruel Alderman.  Lucy Curtis (b1852 NY, daughter of James and Ellen Curtis, natives of Ireland, lived in Verona, Oneida Co, NY (1850), and Rome, Oneida Co, NY (1855-1870).  The 18 year-old school teacher married Martin Alderman in Onondaga Co, NY on 4 July 1870. 

 

Martin (b Nov 1846 NY - 23 Mar 1910 Fayetteville, Onondaga Co, NY) was the son of John and Laura (Potter) Alderman.  By the 1875 NY State census for Manlius, Onondaga Co, the Aldermans were enumerated as Martin 28 NY laborer, Lucy 22 NY, Horace 4 NY, and Minnie 1 NY along with father John Alderman 56 NY.  

 

Lucy Alderman appeared in court, a resident of Ohio for at least one year, in 1878, requesting a divorce.  She stated that on 1 Aug 1871 Martin violently beat her; on 1 Nov 1876 Martin was extremely cruel to her and willfully deserted her on that date.  She called into court the following people to substantiate her claims: Alex Gilbert, Lewis Grosvenour, Sarah J. Alderman, and Jenny Kinney. The couple had two children - Horace J (May 1872 MI - 2 Jan 1944, Toledo, Lucas Co, OH, m Iona Pitts, 1891) and Minnie M (25 Nov 1874 NY - 25 Nov 1948. Antwerp, Paulding Co, OH; m Andrew Ruger).   The divorce was granted and Lucy almost disappeared from this story, but a letter of permission to marry was attached to her daughter’s marriage license: “I am willing to have my daughter marry.  Her father hasn’t done anything for her since she was two.  I am divorced.  Signed......Lucy J. Manning.”

 

Martin married Sarah J Swingham (1845 PA) on 18 Apr 1880 in Waldron, Hillsdale Co, MI; both were residents of Fulton Co, OH.  Via the 1880 Orleans, Ionia Co, MI federal census, one finds this family as Martin 33 NY farmer, Sarah J 35 NY, Horace J 9 MI, and Minnie 6 NY.  Note - there is an error in Lucy’s aforesaid letter of marriage permission as Minnie is clearly living with her father at age of six. Two daughters have been discovered as issue of Martin and Sarah - Maryett (31 Dec 1875 - 10 Aug 1876, Amboy, Hillsdale Co, MI, and Amy B (Dec 1888, MI - . Note that Maryett was born to Sarah Alderman several years before Lucy applied for a divorce.  

 

According to the Syracuse Evening Herald (Syracuse, NY), 24 May 1893, p4 c3 Martin Alderman of Ohio while visiting his sister, Mrs Julia Hooghkirk, stole her jewels and sold them to buy a revolver.  He was sent to the NY State Penitentiary for 60 days and the revolver was confiscated.  By 25 Dec 1896 Martin and his wife were destitute and became inmates of the Onondaga Co Poor House. The couple is found living in Dewitt, Onondaga Co, NY through the 1900 federal census - Martin 53 NY and wife Harriett 53 NY; therefore sometime between 1880 and 1900 Martin has married again.  The Superintendent of the Municipal Lodging aka Poor House found work for Martin and his wife on a farm nearby near Fayetteville, NY (Post Standard, Syracuse, NY), Monday, 17 June 1901, p7 1. The 1905 Onondaga Co, NY state census showed the couple still living in the poor house as inmates. The Poor House records do show that Harriet was born in Germany, had very little education, and was a domestic.

 

The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY), Wednesday, 22 March 1910 contained a meager obit for Martin Alderman, survived by widow and a son and daughter.  He was buried beside his mother in the Fayetteville Cemetery.  Nothing is known of his widow.

 

 

 

 

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Ezekiel Masters - Early Settler of Both Williams and Fulton Counties, OH

 Ezekiel Masters - An Early Settler and Father of Many of Fulton/Williams Counties, OH

 

From an unsourced newspaper article from the West Unity Reporter c 17 August 1899 - the eighth annual reunion of the Master’s Family was held in the home of Mrs SB Masters in Pioneer, OH.

 

The Master’s home is very pleasantly situated with plenty of shade to make the home cool and inviting to the relatives who commenced to gather about 9 AM. Later after dinner they gathered on the lawn and listened to a very appropriate program that was greatly enjoyed.  It was decided that they put in a memorial window in the church at Franklin or what is commonly called Masters Corners.  In 1851 Ezekiel Masters gave the land for a church and it is a fitting tribute to him who in his earlier days did so much for the up building of a church at Masters Corners.

 

At this reunion four generations were represented.  There were 5 sons, 3 daughters, 16 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 60 relatives in all and 10 invited guests.  

 

Ezekiel Masters was born on 3 December 1811 in Martinsburg, Knox Co, OH, the son of Robert Masters and Hannah Boyle. In the fall of 1826 the Masters family moved from Knox Co, OH to Marion Co, OH.   On 13 October 1836 Ezekiel married Mary Oliver in Canaan, Marion Co, OH.  Mary, the daughter of William Oliver and Sally Summer, was born on 19 February 1819 in Marion Co, OH.  Together Mary and Ezekiel had the following children (first 4 born in Marion Co, OH with last four in Fulton Co, OH):

1. Sarah Summer (1 Aug 1837 Marion Co, OH-16 May 1885 West Unity, Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH; mar Lafayette G Ely, 12 Nov 1857; both buried West Franklin Cem, Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH)- 4 children all born in Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH

A. Charles Summer Ely (7 Mar 1859 - 13 Dec 1939 West Unity, Brady Twp, Williams Co, OH; mar Rosella J Amsbaugh, 29 Nov 1883); bur West Franklin Cem

            1. Mabel Ely

B. Alice May Ely (19 Feb 1864 - 8 Jan 1966; mar Julius W Boothman)

            1. Florence B Boothman

            2. Kenneth F Boothman

C. Luella “Louie” Ely (14 Feb 1871-7 Nov 1932; mar Edward M Clerc)

D. George Masters Ely (2 Aug 1873 - 29 Jan 1967; mar Ada Ellen Ely; mar Minnie Dell Caskey Hepker

            1. Dr Gilbert C Ely

            2. Kathryn Ely

            3. Marjorie Ely

            4. Laura Ely

            

 

2. Mahala Ann (12 Jan 1839 - 9 Mar 1911; mar Obadiah Ely, c1857

 

3. Hannah Mary (22 Feb 1840 - 23 Mar 1917; mar Charles L Stevens, 25 Dec 1860)

4. Nelson R (24 Feb 1843 - 15 Mar 1927; mar Hannah Van Buskirk, Sept 1866)

5. Lydia Oliver (Mar 1845 - 27 Nov 1897; mar Charles Gorsuch, 10 Oct 1864)

6. William (21 Jan 1847-22 Sept 1849)

7. Keziah Jane (1849-1926; mar John Hanes, 28 Nov 1867)

8. Oliver Ezekiel (22 Dec 1850-16 Apr 1925; mar Addie Hull, c1875)

 

Using the children’s birth information, one can determine the Masters family moved between 1843-1845 from Marion Co, to Fulton Co, OH. After birthing eight children, Mary Oliver Masters died on 27 December 1850 in Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH and was buried in the local West Franklin Cemetery. 

 

Looking for a helpmate and mother to his children, Ezekiel found Susannah Berniece Perkins, daughter of John Perkins and Abigail Jones, very early settlers in Pulaski Twp, Williams Co, OH.  Susannah was born in 1824, making her 13 years younger than farmer Ezekiel. They married in Williams County, OH on 21 July 1852 and proceeded to have a family of the following seven children with the last two born in Pioneer, Williams Co, OH:

1. Elliot Perkins (10 Oct 1853 - 14 Dec 1931; mar Martha Fulton, c1876

2. William Clayton (Feb 1855 - 20 July 1943)

3. Charles Homer (Mar 1856 - 28 Apr 1917; mar Alice A Joy, 17 Apr 1880)

4. Alpheus E (Oct 1857-1908; mar Lillian Parkhurst)

5. Mary Abigail (4 May 1859-23 Dec 1921; mar Walter Morse, *** Evers)

6. Ida Beatrice (Aug 1860-1937; mar Henry Barkley)

7. Francis Lincoln (27 July 1862-22 Nov 1947; mar Viola Bartoe, Laura Gilbert)

 

Ezekiel performed many good works in his life and was instrumental in establishing the West Franklin Church and its surrounding cemetery, where he, his two wives, and many children lay to rest.  The Honorable Ezekiel Masters passed away on 24 October 1886; later his wife, Susannah, would join him in 1914.  His was a life well-lived.

 

Additional Sources

1840 US Federal Census, Canaan, Marion Co, OH - Masters, Ezekiel 1m20-29, 2f under 5, 1f 10-14, 1f 20-29

1850 US Federal Census, Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH- Masters, Ezekiel 33 OH/Mary 31 OH

1860 US Federal Census, Franklin Twp, Fulton Co, OH - Masters, Ezekiel 43 OH/Susannah 35 OH

1870 US Federal Census, Pioneer, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH - Masters, Ezekiel 53 OH/Susannah B 45 OH

1880 US Federal Census, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH - Masters, Ezekiel 63 OH/Susannah 56 OH

1900 US Federal Census, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH - Masters, Susannah 75 OH widow 7/7 ch

1910 US Federal Census, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH - Masters, Susannah 85 OH widow 7/6 ch

Bryan Press (Bryan, OH), 28 October 1886 - obit of Ezekiel Masters

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), 28 October 1886 p4 c3/11 November 1886 p4 c3 - obit and tributes to Ezekiel Masters

Defiance Daily Crescent (Defiance, OH), 26 June 1908, p4c2

Find-A-Grave, Ezekiel, Mary, Susannah Masters, West Franklin Cem, Fulton Co, OH

Historical Narrative of the Ely, revel, and Stacey Families, p222/327/386-387

Western Christian Advocate (Cincinnati, OH), 12 January 1887, p15c2

Williams County, OH Deaths, V2 p37 - Ezekiel Masters

 

 

He Killed His Father and Began a Partial Life of Crime – Jackson Wonderly

He Killed His Father and Began a Partial Life of Crime – Jackson Wonderly

By Pamela Pattison Lash

     There are so many real crime stories found in old newspapers.  This particular one deals with a man who started a decade’s worth of crime in a big way – he was seventeen when he shot his father to death.
Here are the newspaper snippets:

Defiance Democrat, 20 July 1876, p3 c5
Mrs. Elizabeth Wonderly was indicted for murder with a bail of $2500.  Her trial will be in September.  Jackson Wonderly was indicted for murder of his father with a bail of $2,000.

Defiance Democrat, 20 July 1876, p3 c1
The trial of Jack Wonderly attracted more ladies than any other trial in the county.  One lady gave him a gold ring.  Jackson was 17 years old; he shot his father to death in a domestic quarrel last November.  The trial was from July 5-15 with many witnesses.  He was given seven years of hard labor for manslaughter instead of the original charge of first degree murder.

Defiance County Express, 7 March 1878, p3 c7
Under application of Seneca Wonderly and others to the Governor of Ohio on 2 April 1878 there was a plea for pardon for Jackson W. Wonderly, convicted of manslaughter at the May Term 1876 in Defiance County, OH.  His sentence was seven years.

Defiance County Express, 24 October 1879, p5 c4
Jack Wonderly returned from the penitentiary, having served 3Y 11M out of seven years.

Defiance County Express, 5 January 1882, p5 c4
Jack Wonderly was locked up in Hicksville jail for cattle stealing and forgery.

Defiance County Express, 12 January 1882, p6 c4
Jack Wonderly probably would have added a second murder to his list of crimes if allowed to run at large.

Defiance County Express, 19 January 1882, p6 c3 and 5
There is much sympathy for Jack Wonderly that was wasted a few years ago when he was on trial for killing his father.  He was arrested along with John Wonderly and George Sewell for cattle stealing.

Bryan Press, 26 January 1882, p5 c2
Jack Wonderly stole cattle and plead guilty at Defiance; he was same youth who was tried a few years ago for killing his father.

Defiance County Express, 26 July 1882, p6 c 3 and 5
Four men were taken to the penitentiary by Sheriff Foust and Coroner Aldrich.  Jack Wonderly was one of them.  He had changed his plea to guilty.

Defiance County Express, 26 November 1885, p6 c4
Sheriff Wonderly and Marshall Hepler took Jack Wonderly who was convicted of grand larceny to Columbus; he was sentenced to four years.

Defiance County Express, 10 December 1885, p3 c3
Abner Coy of Mark Twp. lost two valuable colts as friends of Jack Wonderly may have had something to do with this.  Abner’s evidence had sent Jack to the pen again.

Defiance Daily News, 8 July 1898, p4 c3
Jack Wonderly and his wife of Cygnet came here for funeral of his mother, Mrs. Lemon.

Defiance Daily News, 27 December 1899, p5 c2
At Mark Center Jack Wonderly came to spend Christmas with his relatives.

     By now the reader has a fair idea of the criminal activities of Jackson Wonderly, but who was he?
The following is what I have been able to piece together for Jack and his family:

Jackson Wonderly was born in May 1859 in Loudon Twp., Seneca Co, OH, but grew up in Mark Center, Defiance Co, OH, the son of Civil War Veteran, Joseph W Wonderly, and beloved mother Elizabeth Thom.  The parents were married on 15 December 1853, Seneca Co, OH.  They would have a large family of children – Seneca, Melissa J, Jackson, Peleg, Emma, John Madison, Chauncey, and Marietta.

Joseph, the father, was a carpenter who enlisted on 30 August 1862 – 30 June 1865, in Co K 101st Ohio Infantry.  Elizabeth, the mother, would also be indicted for her husband’s murder, but it does not appear that she was sent to jail.  She applied for and received a pension through her husband’s service on 28 June 1880.  Sometime between 1884-1887 Elizabeth married Samuel Chambers Lemmon, a hotel clerk from Garrett, DeKalb Co, IN; Samuel was also a Civil War Veteran, a musician with the WVA 1st Cavalry.   Elizabeth died July 1898 and was buried in the Forest Home Cemetery, Hicksville, Defiance Co, OH.

At some point when Jackson was no longer in prison he married Bardie Gansley, 24 November 1894, Miami Co, OH.  The couple had a daughter, Ladonna Wonderly, who would later marry Welcome Dalrymple.  Bardie died in April 1928 and later Jackson would pass away in 1932; they are buried in Shiloh Cemetery, Shiloh, Montgomery Co, OH.

Aside from the newspaper articles, other sources were employed to provide data for this tale.
1860 Loudon Twp, Seneca Co, OH
1870 Milford Twp, Defiance Co, OH
1880 Mark Center, Defiance Co, OH
Miami County, OH Marriages (1885-1895), p458
1900 Sidney, Shelby Co, OH
1910 Dayton, Montgomery Co, OH
1920 Dayton, Montgomery Co, OH
1930 Dayton, Montgomery Co, OH

Pool Room Proprietor Divorce - Gause v Gause - Williams Co, OH, 1906

Bertha M Gause v Bert D Gause, Williams Co, OH, 1906

By Pamela Pattison Lash

Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Thursday, 27 November 1906, p1 c7

Ordered to Leave Home

So Says Mrs. Bertha M Gause in Petition for Divorce from Bert D Gause

Charging among other things, that her husband, Bert D Gause, ordered her to leave home before the next afternoon, or that he would hire a dray (wagon) and move her and her clothing, Mrs. Bertha M Gause, prays for a legal separation of the marital ties that now bind her to an alleged recreant spouse.

In the petition filed in common pleas court, and sworn to by her, Mrs. Gause charges that her husband has been guilty of extreme cruelty and gross neglect of duty.  She says that for two years Mr. Gause has refused to give her any affection or attention.  That he refused her money, unless she would tell him for what purpose she wished to use it.  Mrs. Gause also says that the defendant would take his meals at a hotel and that on several occasions from the slightest provocation, cursed her before large crowds of young people.

Mrs. Gause says her husband has property in Montpelier valued at $2,000.  She asks for a divorce, suitable alimony, and that she be restored to her maiden name of Bertha M Daughton.  DA Websterr of Montpelier is her attorney.  Mr. Gause operates a pool room in that town.  The couple was married at St Joe, MI on September 27, 1903.

Here’s what I found about this couple:

Bert D Gause (31 July 1878, Roan, Wabash Co, IN – 7 December 1960. Elkhart, Elkhart Co, IN), was the son of George Gause and Kate Corder; he is buried in Rice Cemetery, Elkhart, Elkhart Co, IN.

Bertha M Daughton/Doughton (13 December 1884, Montpelier, Williams Co, OH – 24 February 1979, Toledo, Lucas Co, OH), was the daughter of Cassius/Caius Doughton and Emma S Wingert.

As stated in the newspaper article the couple was married on 27 September 1903 in St Joseph Co, MI.

Other marriages included

Bert D Gause married Mae A Deal , daughter of Silas Grier on 24 December 1920 in Elkhart Co, IN; Mae had been divorce twice before, once in 1911 and the other shortly before her marriage to Bert.  The couple had a daughter, Emeline, born 1931.

Bertha married William M Lane on 14 May 1908 in Lucas Co, OH and divorced by the 1910 federal census. She married Daniel J Rehklau in Lucas Co, OH on 4 April 1915.

From South Bend and Indianapolis, IN newspapers , starting on 9 January 1915 -5 March 1915 one learns that Bert was a naughty boy.  Melvin Long, a tramp, was arrested for stealing $200 worth of cigars from freight car on route from Florida to Chicago.  William Long, his brother, a Lake Shore trainman, is charged with receiving stolen goods.  Bert D Gauze, poolroom owner, is accused of buying some stolen cigars and Clyde Deller, laborer, is held under investigation in Elkhart, IN.

Bert had to pay a cash bond on $500 for his appearance in court.  It has been said he purchased stolen items from a gang of loafers about his place.  Bert was convicted of receiving stolen goods and fined $50 plus served 30 days in jail.

In South Bend and Indianapolis newspapers of 1916 Bert placed several ads in newspapers – he has a first class mail order or hardware specialty, full of merit, dies ready for manufacturing, price $5,00.

Free inducements offered you to locate in MI, OH, IL, and IN with some capital furnished as going concern.

Cigar and billiard room, part cash, seven years in business, will stand strict investigation, no junk, good business, well located, best reason for selling…………….Bert D Gause.

One also learns that Bert has a brother, William who was the owner of William Gause Shows and Italian Band (carnival) that toured principal cities in US, plus in 1909 had a first class restaurant in Peru, IN.

Sources

Elkhart Co, IN Marriages V 29 p593

1880 Roan, Wabash Co, IN – Bert 3 IN with parents

1900 Paw Paw, Wabash Co, IN – Bert D 21 IN with parents

1900 Montpelier, Williams Co, OH – Bertha M 15 OH with mother

1908 Toledo, Lucas Co, OH Marriages, p213 – Bertha says she’s never been married before

1910 Elkhart, Elkhart Co, IN – Bert 31 In with brother

1915 - Lucas Co, OH Marriages (1914-1917) – Bertha says she’s been divorced once from Lane; Rehklau is six years her junior

1917 WWI Draft Registration – Bert D of Elkhart Co, IN

1920 Elkhart, Elkhart Co, IN – Bert 42 IN roomer

1930 Elkhart Co, IN – Bert D 50 IN/Mae A 42 IN living with her parents

1940 Elkhart, Elkhart Co, IN – bert 60 IN/Mae 52 IN

1942 WWII Draft Registration – Bert of Elkhart Co, IN

Divorce in Defiance Co, OH - Heacock, 1849

Larkin Heacock v Mary M Sherrod Heacock - Divorce in Defiance Co, OH, 1849

By Pamela Pattison Lash

From a newspaper account one can begin to do some research on the couple known as the Heacocks or Haycocks.

Defiance Democrat (Defiance, OH), Saturday, 23 June 1849, p3 c4

Petition for Divorce

-         Larkin Heacock v Mary M Heacock

-        The defendant will take notice that on 1 February 1849 a bill was filled in the Court of Common Pleas of Defiance, Oh by the said Larkin Heacock, praying to be divorced from the said Mary M Heacock, his wife. The cause was neglect of duty, willful absence, and at the next term of said court an application will be made for a decree divorcing said complaint from said defendant.

So what do we know about this couple?  Here’s what I found:

Larkin Heacock, son of Samuel Heacock and Esther Antrim, was born on 11 April 1812 in Washington Co, PA and died on 16 October 1887 in Holgate, Henry Co, OH.  He was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance, Defiance Co, OH. Larkin appears to be a Quaker

Mary M Sherrod, the daughter of William Sherrod and Mary Polly Nicholas, was born on 18 October 1815 in Orange, Carroll Co, OH, and died c1880.  The couple was married on 20 November 1834 in Carroll Co, OH. 

In 1840 the couple lived in Warren, Tuscarawas Co, OH with head of household Larkin Haycock having the enumerated as 1male under 5, 1 male 20-29, 1female under 5, 1 female 5-9, and 1 female 20-29.  They were living next door to a John c Haycock and a Caleb Haycock.  Ten years before Mary’s father, William Sherrod, Sr was enumerated in Warren, Tuscarawas Co, OH.

On 3 October 1842 in Carroll Co, OH a will was brought to the court for probate.  The will belonged to William Sherrod, Mary’s dad.  The will was signed by his mark on 4 September 1842, giving out bequests to his beloved wife, his youngest son David B Sherrod as his executor, and his youngest daughter, Mary Haycock, wife of Larkin Haycock, in addition to what I gave her, $200 starting on 17 June 1844 setting up a promissory note and each year $25 to be taken from this sum for her, and my son-in-law Larkin Haycock is NOT to use or have any contact with the aforesaid money.

Well it looks like Larkin did not have a great relationship with his father-in-law.  Perhaps Mary was no longer living with Larkin by that time.  Larkin’s obituary stated that he moved to Defiance from a farm near Evans port about 1845 and was  for a number of years head miller at the Defiance Mill.  Later he was proprietor of the Russell House and afterwards had charge of the Larkin and Empire Hotels.

In 1850 Defiance, Defiance Co, OH shows Larkin Heacock 39 PA miller $300 real estate living with Frederick and Elizabeth Stevens.  Frederick was also a miller. 

On 19 May 1853 in Defiance Co, OH he married Susannah Hamilton.  Susannah Clarissa Iler, was born on 14 April 1824 at Kirks Mills, Washington Co, PA and died on 21 September 1894; she is buried next to Larkin in Riverside Cemetery.  She had two children from her marriage to Mr. Hamilton – John Hamilton and Emma Hamilton Booth (George).  Her obit stated that she came from Columbiana Co, OH with her widowed mother, Jane Iler and her two children to Defiance in 1854.  After a few years she married Larkin Heacock who had two children, Sherrod and Martha. Together they had Edward Byron, Ambia B, Victoria, Ulysses Grant, Alice K, and Tecumseh Sherman. 

Obviously when one examines the vital records, one finds that this narrative is incorrect as she had already married Larkin in 1853.

On the 1860 federal census for Defiance, Defiance co, OH one finds Larkin Heacock 48 running a boardinghouse PA with Susannah 36 PA, Sherrod 20 OH law student, John Hamilton 11 OH, and Heacock children Emma 8 OH, Edward 6 OH, Ambia 2 OH, and Victoria 4/12 OH.  Again Larkin was listed in 1870 Defiance, Defiance Co, OH as 58 hotelkeeper PA, Susan C 46 PA, Sherrod 30 OH, Edward B 16 OH, Ambia B 12 OH, Ulysses G 8 OH, and Hamiltons John 21 OH farm laborer and Emma J 18 OH milliner/dressmaker.

By the 1880 Defiance, Defiance Co, OH federal census L Heacock 69 PA was hotel keeper along with Susanna 56 PA, Sherrod 40 OH lawyer, EB 25 OH traveling agent, AB 22 OH, and Grant 18 OH.  In 1882 the couple moved to Holgate, Henry Co, OH where Larkin died. More information is needed about ex-wife Mary M Sherrod Heacock.

Buried Alive in Williams County, OH, 1902 - Warburton/Warberton

Buried Alive in Williams County, OH, 1902

By Pamela Pattison Lash

The following account appeared in the Bryan Democrat (Bryan, OH), Thursday, 4 December 1902, p1 c8:

Uncle James Warberton, one of the sturdy pioneers of this section, was buried alive last Friday forenoon and lives to tell the tale.  Mr. Warberton descended into an old well near his residence to remove the brick from the wall, it being no longer used as a source of water supply for the family.  He went down into the well by means of a ladder, and was engaged about his task; without a moment’s warning the earth caved in from all sides.  Before Mr. Warberton was cognizant of what had happened he found himself buried under two or three feet of very compact sand.  Fortunately, for Mr. W. members of his family were near the scene of the accident, and immediately set to work with all their might and main at exhumation.  The dirt was removed from around his head in a remarkably short time, but some moments elapsed before he was entirely extricated from his perilous position.  His escape from suffocation is considered miraculous, and he owes his life to the prompt assistance of the rescuing party.  Mr. Warberton is past eighty years and a well preserved man for one of his advanced age. – Edgerton Earth.

Here is some additional information on this survivor and his family:

James Warburton (25 September 1822, Lancastershire, England – 7 January 1907, of dropsy, Edgerton, St Joseph Twp, Wms Co, OH); buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Edgerton, St Joseph Twp, Wms Co, OH; came to the US c 2 May 1842 and married first – Dinah Salter (1824 England -1860, Medina Co, OH).

The couple had five children – Albert H, Mary E, Allice A, Frank C, and Eliza J, all of whom were born in Summit Co, OH, and all but Mary E lived in Summit Co, OH.  Mary E married Enos Vallen, 15 April 1866 in Summit Co, OH but later moved to Williams Co.

Sometime after Dinah Warburton died, James moved to Williams Co, OH c1864 and settled on 240 acres in Section 12 of St Joseph Twp.  He married Mary A (Hudson) Morris, widow of Charles Morris, on 9 December 1879, Wms Co, OH, and the couple continued to live on the Warburton homestead until about 1894 when James sold half of his land to son-in-law Enos Vallen; by 1903 Enos owned it all but James and wife Mary Ann continued to live there until James’ death.  Mary later moved to Toledo, Lucas Co, OH, until her death on 13 July 1908.  There is a stone for the couple in Maple Grove Cem, but no dates were inscribed to signify either birth or death dates.

I noted that the surname can be Warberton or Warburton.  When the above described incident happened James was just 80 years old and the rescuing party (his family members) most likely were his wife, his daughter and son-in-law, Enos Vallen.  Perhaps this event was the reason why by 1903 Enos owned all the homestead.  

1850 Bath, Summit Co, OH – James 26 Eng/Dinah 26 Eng - miller

1860 Northampton, Summit Co, OH – James 40 Eng w/children – common laborer

1870 St Joseph Twp, Wms Co, OH – Mary Morris 35 OH with daughters Hannah and Ida

1880 Edgerton, St Joseph Twp, Wms Co, OH – James 57 Eng/ Mary A 47 OH – retired miller

1900 St Joseph Twp, Wms Co, OH – James 77 Eng/ Mary A 65 OH no occupation

Medina Co, OH Marriages 1841-1855 p79 – James and Dinah Salter

Williams Co, OH Marriages V4 p660 #1962 – James and Mary Ann Morris

Williams Co, OH Atlases, 1864, 1874, 1894, 1903

Williams Co, OH Death, V3 p146

Williams County, Ohio Naturalization Record, 1836-1839, 1842, 1866 and 1860-1874

Williams County, Ohio Naturalization Record, 1836-1839, 1842, 1866 and 1860-1874

Probate Court

Microfilm Roll 37 – loose papers

Alien Name                  Arrived/Filed               Witness                 Allegiance           Resident From   Page

Kuenh, Conrad                  22 December 1836           -              King of **            Fairfield Co, OH                 A

Wrinberge, Conrad         22 December 1836           -              Hanover               Fairfield Co, OH                 A

Neidhardt, Jacob              14 June 1837                      -              France                  New York                            B

Loburen, Frederick          August 1832                       -              King of Prussia   Stark Co, OH                       C

Nees, George                    15 April 1839                       -              Alsace, France   Oneida Co, NY                   D

Schone, Rudolf                 Baltimore/June 1833      -              Hanover               Montgomery Co, OH      E

*, George                            17 November 1842          -              Republic of         Columbiana Co, OH         F

Bodell, Alexander            25 March 1866                   John Doe             -              Williams Co, OH                G

Naturalizations 1860-1874

Page Number/Alien Name

Arrived/Filed

Witnesses

Allegiance/Resident From

P2/Boos, John

17 January 1860

Predeger, Valentine/Pifer, Conrad

Hesse Darmstadt/Erie Co, PA

P3/Fehlman, Frederick

June 1852

Hellman, William/Rinkel, Frederick

Switzerland/OH

P4/Younk, Philip

6 March 1860

Anwlith, PG/Anwlith, Christian

France/Stark Co, OH

P5/Schaberg, Stephen

Arrived January 1830

Youse, Jacob/Wibist, Joseph

Prussia/OH

P6/Gates, Frank

9 March 1860

Gates, Joseph/Anwldt, PG

Bohemia/Seneca Co, OH

P7/Pike, Richard

13 March 1860

Lees, William/Bush, Joseph

Great Britain/Williams Co, OH

P8/Radenbaugh, Jacob

19 March 1860

Greisop, John/Grub, Peter

Prussia/DeKalb Co, IN

P12/Harbaugh, John

18 April 1860

Gise, Henry/Dirk, George

Prussia/Williams Co, OH

P14/Dirk, George

18 April 1860

Gise, Henry/Harbaugh, John

Belgium/Williams Co, OH

P16/Mentz, John

19 May 1860

Goll. George/Planson, Peter

France/Williams Co, OH

P18/Krommiller, Ludwig

2 June 1860

Coy, Andrew/Berey, John

Wurtemberg/Williams Co, OH

P19/Collenberger, Conrad

Arrived September 1846

Plummer, MB/Gearhart, Henry

Hesse Darmstadt/OH

P20/Snider, Henry

15 June 1860

Rinkle, F/Grub, Peter

Bavaria/Williams Co, OH

P21/Housnich, Jacob

Arrived April 1824

Plummer, MB/Lucts, E

France/OH

P22/Bavin, John

16 June 1860

Copeland, John D/Miller, BR

Great Britain/Ireland/Williams Co, OH

P23/Carey, Julius

Arrived June 1840

Planson, Peter/Carey, Valentine

France/OH

P24/Besey, John

23 June 1860

Coy, Andrew/Benner, Samuel

Switzerland/Williams Co, OH

P25/Dorriot, John

Arrived May 1840

Willet, BR/Doriot, Gustave

Switzerland/Williams Co, OH

P26/Doriot, Gustave

30 June 1860

Willet, BR/Doriot, Julius

Switzerland?Wayne Co, OH

P27/Dorrson, Henry

Arrived March 1853

Sheridan, William/Curm, Charles

Switzerland/OH