Allen County OhArchives ..... Divorce Petitions and Decrees, Allen Co., 1897

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From the Lima Times Democrat
Divorce Petitions and Decrees
Common Pleas Court
 
January 6, 1897
 
Arthur J. Haight vs Dora Haight:   Arthur J. Haight, a resident of this county, has entered suit for a 
divorce against Dora Haight, to whom he was married on the fourth day of January, 1894, in 
Chautauqua county, New York.  The plaintiff, in his petition, alleges that the defendant has been 
guilty of gross neglect of duty in that she has failed and refused to perform her ordinary household 
duties and that he was compelled, in addition to his manual work, to assist in the cooking, washing 
and keeping of the house.  He further alleges that his wife has been guilty of extreme cruelty in that 
she continually scolded him and used profane language towards him and that defendant would 
attempt to disgrace and dishonor him by attempting to have him give bonds to keep the peace when 
he had neither committed nor threatened her with any violence and that she, without any cause, on 
the 16th day of August, 1895, abandoned her home, since which time they have not lived together.  
He asks the court to decree on these grounds a divorce and such other relief as is proper and just.
 
Peppell vs. Peppell:   The divorce suit of William Peppell against Anna Peppell came up for 
hearing this morning before Judge Robb.  The parties interested in the suit are citizens of Bluffton.  
When the case was called this morning the plaintiff failed to make an appearance.  The petition of 
the plaintiff avers that they were married on May 2, 1892, and that one child has been born to them.  
He claims gross neglect of duty and that when he got sick in July, 1893, she neglected and forsook 
him, and since then they have lived separate.  He avers that he is the owner of 60 acres of land in 
Hancock county, and asks this court that the defendant may be barred the right of dower in his real 
estate.  The defendant filed a cross-petition and, with the exception of their marriage and the birth 
of their child, denied all allegations made by her husband.  She claims to have no means of support 
for herself and child, and asserts that the charges made against her character are made to injure her 
reputation in the community in which she lived.  For this she claims gross neglect of duty, and asks 
the court for a divorce and reasonable alimony.
 
January 7, 1897
 
Mary M. Swallow vs. Frank O. Swallow:    Divorce is granted eighteen years after they had been 
married.   Mary M. Swallow was this morning granted a divorce from Frank O. Swallow, to whom 
she was married on Feb. 3rd, 1879, at Middlepoint, Van Wert county.  Six children were born to 
them.  She was granted a divorce because of the defendant's willful absence of more than three 
years.
 
January 13, 1897
 
George McGee vs. Amanda McGee:   George McGee has been granted a divorce from his wife, 
Mrs. Amanda McGee.  The suit was brought on the grounds of willful absence for more than three 
years.
 
Anna B. Shank vs. Joseph B. Shank:   Anna B. Shank was to-day granted a divorce from Joseph B. 
Shank on the grounds of habitual drunkenness.  (Note:  Correct surname spelling is SCHENCK.)
 
January 23, 1897
 
Drover vs. Drover:   Divorce Granted in the suit of Mr. Drover against Mrs. Drover, of Delphos.  
Mr. Drover had applied for a divorce and the custody of their child.  He was given the divorce, but 
to the mother was given custody of the child.  Drover was ordered to pay $10 a month for three 
years to the mother of the child for its care and protection.
 
February 17, 1897
 
Matilda Slygh vs. T. L. Slygh:   Matilda Slygh has been granted a divorce from her husband, T. L. 
Slygh, who has been absent from her for seven years.
 
March 6, 1897
 
Bayes vs. Bayes:   Ora Bayes was granted a divorce from his wife this morning by Judge Robb.
 
March 13, 1897
 
Ethel L. Williams vs. Joseph P. Williams:   Mrs. Ethel L. Williams, of Delphos, who was refused a 
divorce last June, was this week granted a divorce from her husband, Joseph P. Williams, on the 
grounds of extreme cruelty and drunkenness.  The opening of the case occupied but a short time 
and Judge Sheets, of Ottawa, granted the decree and restored her to her maiden name of Brown.
 
May 3, 1897
 
William J. Dagoner vs. Lottie A. Dagoner:   The divorce suit of William J. Dagoner against Lottie 
A. Dagoner came up for hearing this morning before Judge Robb.  The case was continued for want 
of evidence.  The petition states that they were married in 1890, and that that in 1894 Mrs. Dagoner 
left her husband and has since been traveling in New York state and has refused to live with her 
husband or to assist in caring for their child.  The petition claims a right to a divorce on the grounds 
of desertion and gross neglect of duty.
 
May 11, 1897
 
Rosa Peck vs. Robert Peck:   A sensational divorce suit has been filed in probate court in which 
Mrs. Rosa Peck is the plaintiff and Robert Peck is the defendant.  Mrs. Peck accuses her husband of 
brutal and cruel treatment and for a division of their property and money.
 
May 26, 1897
 
Jessie Webb vs. Elias Webb.  Legal Notice:  Elias Webb, whose place of residence is unknown, 
will take notice that on the 19th day of April, A.D. 1897, Jessie Webb filed her petition in the 
Probate Court of Allen county, Ohio, being cause number __51 praying for a divorce from said 
Elias Webb, on the ground of gross neglect of duty and for such relief as is proper, and that said 
cause will be for hearing on and after six weeks notice.  JESSIE WEBB, Plaintiff.
  Lima, Ohio, April 19, 1897
  By Copeland & Rogers, her attorneys.
 
June 9, 1897
 
George M. Pierce vs. Christina Pierce:   George M. Pierce has filed a suit for divorce against 
Christina Pierce.  The petition recites that they were married May 14, 1882, at Boonville, Ind.  It is 
claimed that the defendant has been guilty of extreme cruelty, in that she has at divers times called 
him disrespectful and vulgar names, and that she was quarrelsome and jealous and utterly destroyed 
the objects of matrimony, and that since June, 1895, she has tried to alienate the affection of the 
children from him.  He also alleges that she deserted him June 15, 1895, and has since refused to 
live with him; that she contracted debts and compelled his children to go to saloons and purchase 
beer and also compelled them to drink of the same.  By false accusations, she caused his employer 
to discharge him, on account of all which a divorce is prayed for and the custody of the children 
granted him by the court.
 
July 21, 1897
 
Coonie Bainer vs. Anna Bainer:   Coonie Bainer has entered suit for divorce against his wife, Anna 
Bainer.  The petition recites that they were married in this city in February, 1892, and that they 
lived together until June, 1892.  The petition alleges that she has been guilty of conduct 
unbecoming a wife, and prays the court that he be granted a divorce and such other relief as he may 
be entitled to.
 
July 29, 1897
 
Alta Young vs. Elmer Young:   Alta Young, through her attorney, John Klatte, has filed a suit 
against her husband, Elmer Young, for a divorce.  The petition states that they were married 
February 15, 1891.  She sues for a divorce on the grounds that her husband has been guilty of 
extreme cruelty in beating and otherwise abusing her on divers occasions.  September 4, 1894, he 
deserted her and since then has failed to provide her with the necessaries of life.  She asks for a 
divorce and the restoration of her maiden name, Alta Harmon.
 
August 5, 1897
 
Adaline Anderson vs. William Anderson:   Adaline Anderson has entered suit against William 
Anderson for a divorce.  The petition alleges that they were married April 25, 1878, and that ever 
since their marriage he has failed to provide for her.  He represented that he was a wealthy man and 
was able to provide for her, when in fact he was without means and physically disabled so that he 
was unable to provide for her.  She asks for a divorce and the restoration of her maiden name.
 
William Davis vs. Sarah M. Davis:  Divorce Granted.  William Davis was to-day granted a divorce 
from his wife, Sarah M. Davis, by Judge Robb.  The husband brought the suit on the grounds of 
gross neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming a wife.
 
Clara Anderson vs. Clifford Anderson:   Clara Anderson entered suit yesterday afternoon against 
Clifford Anderson for a divorce.  The petition recites that they were married in July, 1878, and that 
one daughter, now eighteen years old, has been born to them.  The plaintiff claims gross neglect of 
duty on the part of her husband and alleges that on July 30th, last, he struck her and otherwise 
maltreated her.  She asks the court to restrain him from disposing of their household goods.  At the 
final hearing she prays for a divorce and reasonable alimony.
 
October 20, 1897
 
Ettie Updike vs. Bert Updike:   Deserted By Her Husband.  Ettie Updike, through her attorney's, 
Bently & Hamilton, has entered suit for divorce against her husband, Bert Updike.  The petition 
states that they were married at North Baltimore, June 7th, 1893.  She alleges that her husband has 
been willfully absent from her for more than three years.  She asks for a dissolution of the marriage 
contract and restoration of her maiden name, Ettie Fox.
 
December 3, 1897
 
Ettie Updike vs. Bert Updike:   The divorce suit of Etta Updike against her husband, Bert Updike, 
was heard today and a divorce was granted the plaintiff.
 
Cora B. Clark vs. Edgar A. Clark:   This morning the divorce suit of Cora B. Clark against Edgar 
A. Clark came up for hearing before probate judge Robb.  The plaintiff, in her petition, states that 
they were married May 28, 1896, and that one child was born to them.  She claims that her husband 
has been guilty of conduct unbecoming a husband, and that he has neglected her and has failed to 
provide her with the necessaries of life, and in other ways has been guilty of extreme cruelty.  She 
asks the court for the custody of the child and the possession of their household goods.  The 
defendant filed a cross-petition and denied all the allegations except that of the marriage and the 
child.  He claims that she neglected him, and that for long periods she would live with her parents, 
Mr. and Mrs. Dawson, of Wapakoneta, who afterwards moved to Lima and occupied the same 
house with his wife and family.  Their influences were domineering, he states, and also alleges that 
she has been guilty of extreme cruelty in falsely accusing him of improper conduct and in giving 
him tongue-lashings.  He asked the court that he may be given the care and custody of the child and 
all other relief that the court may deem proper.
 

