Divorce News and Records, Allen Co., Indiana

Some of the cases listed were dismissed and others resulted in divorce decrees.

1887

Fort Wayne Daily News (FWDN)
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (FWJG)
Fort Wayne Sentinel (FWS)

• 05 Jan 1887 Geo T. Bruebach had filed suit for divorce from Amelia Bruebach in Circuit Court. (FWJG)
• 06 Jan 1887 Riley Smith has filed suit for divorce from Amanda B. Smith, alias Amanda B. Rice in Superior Court. (FWJG)
• 13 Jan 1887 Lizzie Hockemeyer has filed suit for divorce from Ernest Hockemeyer in Circuit Court. (FWJG)
• 15 Jan 1887 Matilda Reeder asks for a divorce from her husband, John Reeder. She alleges cruel treatment, and last night Deputy Sheriff Clausmeyer served personal notice on Reeder, who is inclined to ensconce too much liquor and might leave town. (FWS)
• 15 Jan 1887 Mary Ellen Pulver vs. Thomas E. Pulver, divorce to plaintiff for failure to provide. (FWS)
• 17 Jan 1887 In the Superior Court the divorce suit of Louisiana Keller vs. Wm Keller, for divorce was discharged for want of prosecution. (FWDN)
• 24 Jan 1887 In the Allen Circuit Court, the sensational divorce case, brought by Dr. George F. Bruebach, against Amelia Bruebach, has come to an unexpected termination by Judge O’Rourke granting to Mrs. Bruebach a divorce, alimony to the amount of $3,600, and the right to assume the name of Amelia Lindman, which she acquired some eight ago by her marriage with Joseph Lindman, a young Hebrew and a wholesale liquor dealer of Fort Wayne. (FWDN)

• 04 Feb 1887 Judge Chapin has dismissed the divorce case of Matilda Reeder vs. John Reeder. (FWDN)
• 18 Feb 1887 Papers in the divorce case of Elizabeth Robbins vs. John Robbins were filed yesterday. (FWS)
• 22 Feb 1887 Fritz Denikes has filed suit for a divorce from Anna Denikes in Superior Court. (FWJG)

• 02 Mar 1887 Dr. David J. Coyle, the dentist, today obtained a divorce from his wife, Mary J. Coyle, on the grounds of abandonment. They were married in 1862 and lived together until 1881. Mrs. Coyle was in court and looked with favor on the proceedings. (FWS)
• 10 Mar 1887 Constable John Robbins has filed a cross complaint in the suit of his wife for divorce that may cause considerable uneasiness in the minds of certain men who are more licentious than sensible. He charges his wife with drunkenness, with associating in saloons with strange men, with calling him bad name, and even advising him, when he protested, to go to the wood shed and hang himself. She is charged with taking rides with strange men whose company she left at a late hour, and when felling remarkably joyful. These charges the defendant feels constrained to make in the hopes that if he can substantiate them the petition of his wife for divorce may be defeated. But will this restore happiness to him and his. (FWJG)
• 12 Mar 1887 Matilda N. Lewis has brought suit in the Circuit Court for divorce from David N. Lewis. (FWDN)
• 23 Mar 1887 In the circuit court yesterday the defendants cross complaint in the suit of Elizabeth Robbins against John E. Robbins was withdrawn as well as the appearance of Jacob R. Bittinger, defendant’s attorney. Thereupon the court rendered a judgment in default, gave Mrs. Robbins a divorce and awarded her the custody of their two children. Mr. Robbins retains possession of the household furniture and personal property heretofore held by them in common. It was an unhappy ending of a long married life. (FWJG)
• 24 Mar 1887 Judge Chapin has refused to grant a divorce to A. Riley Smith from his wife. The fellow claimed that she had deserted him, had resumed her maiden name without authority from the court, and had then married a man named Rice with whom, he said, she was living at Milan, Ohio. The court was not satisfied with the truth of the man’s statements. He lives in Milan township and his neighbors do not give him the best reputation. (FWJG)

• 06 Apr 1887 Agnes E. Bradberry has applied for a divorce from Thomas Bradberry. The case will be heard by Judge O’Rourke in the circuit court. (FWJG)
• 10 Apr 1887 Clay B. Hoagland has entered suit against Adelia R. Hoagland for divorce. (FWJG)
• 10 Apr 1887 Mrs. Langtry cannot marry anybody, Mr. Langtry receives an allowance from his wife for keeping away from her, but he flatly refuses to be a party to any divorce proceedings. FWGJ
• 22 Apr 1887 Louis Schoppal has applied for a divorce from Edith Schoppal. (FWDN)
• 26 Apr 1887 Judge O’Rourke yesterday afternoon dismissed the divorce case of Arvilla Craig vs. Enoch Craig. (FWDN)
• 28 Apr 1887 Yesterday Judge O’Rourke dismissed the divorce suit of Rose Mooney against Julius C. Monney. (FWJG)

• 10 May 1887 Mary C. Harring wants a divorce from Lem Harring and custody of child. For this she brings suit in the Circuit Court. (FWDN)
• 10 May 1887 Wm. A. Fowler sues Rachael A. Fowler for divorce. The parties were married 1863, and seventeen years ago Rachael abandoned her husband. (FWS)
• 16 May 1887 Martha B. Rank wants a divorce from Eli Rank, in the Circuit Court. The plaintiff alleges cruelty, abandonment and failure to provide. She has been married to the defendant twenty-one years, and has three minor children, all of whom she desires custody. (FWDN)
• 18 May 1887 Michael Ryan, who has forsaken his wife, who wants a divorce, was on a big drunk yesterday, and made thigs very lively around his domicile. (FWDN)
• 18 May 1887 Mary Ryan was this morning granted a divorce from Michael Ryan in the Superior Court. (FWDN)
• 22 May 1887 Yesterday in the circuit court Judge O’Rourke granted Edith Shoffel a divorce from Louis Shoffel on the grounds of failure to make proper provision for her support. (FWJG)
• 25 May 1887 Malissa Zentner sues Charles L. Zentner for divorce. The charges are abandonment and failure to provide. The defendant resides in Huntington. One child is the issue of the unhappy wedlock. (FWJG)
• 28 May 1887 Lulu Ward has instituted proceedings for divorce from Edgar J. Ward. Mrs. Ward is the daughter of L. M. Jones, the real estate man, and was married to Mr. Ward some four years ago, he being then a jeweler at Richmond. Colonel R. S. Robertson has the complaint and its contents are unknown. Mr. Ward is not now a resident of Indiana. (FWJG)
• 28 May 1887 The Ward divorce case excites much comment on account of the prominence of the young people. Mrs. Ward is not the daughter, but step-daughter of Mr. L. M. Jones, while her husband belongs to a very wealthy family. In the complaint Mrs. Ward charges her husband with cruelty, the use of angry language to her and threatening in a manner to compel her to seek her mother’s home for shelter. She says Mr. Ward have neglected or failed to provide for her by reason of his bad habits and closes by asking Judge Chapin to separate her from Edgar Ward and to five her the custody of their two children. (FWS)
• 28 May 1887 Judge O’Rourke has divorced Martha B. Rank from Eli Rank and gave her their three children. (FWS)

• 01 Jun 1887 In the circuit court yesterday Dora Bowen begun suit against John Bowen for divorce. The defendant in Adams county. The complaint charges abandonment, failure to provide and intemperance. The parties were married in October 1876. The child of nine years is the only issue of the wedlock. (FWJG)
• 03 Jun 1887 Josephine Kline sues Geo. Kline for divorce. (FWS)
• 17 Jun 1887 Annie Craig has withdrawn her suit for divorce against Augustus Craig. The parties live in Washington township. (FWJG)
• 25 Jun 1887 Judge O’Rourke granted a divorce to Simon Mottinger from Hattie E. Mottinger today. (FWS)

• 15 Jul 1887 Franchon M. Thompsen sues Peter W. Thompsen for divorce. She alleges Peter was cruel to her. (FWS)
• 15 Jul 1887 The divorce suit of Mrs. Lulu D. Ward against Edgar J. Ward has been dismissed at the instance of Mrs. Ward. (FWS)
• 20 Jul 1887 Peter Razet has filed proceedings for a divorce from Madoline Razet. (FWDN)
• 25 Jul 1887 Tunis B. Stryker asks for a divorce from Emma Stryker, on the ground of adultery. (FWDN)
• 28 Jul 1887 Joseph C. Cole sues for a divorce from Susannah Cole, whom he says is an opium eater, exceedingly quarrelsome, was lewd, afflicted with disease and is now an inmate of the daughter’s bagnio at Columbus, Ohio. (FWS)
• 28 Jul 1887 Phebe M. Creager sues for a divorce from Thomas F. Creager. Mrs. Creager resides in Jackson township and alleges her husband was cruel, improvident and addicted to drinking. She asks the custody of three children, two of whom are recent twins.

• 05 Aug 1887 Hennie Lyman sues for a divorce from Hymer J. Lyman. (FWS)
• 06 Aug 1887 Catherine Charter was granted a divorce from John H. Charter, on a charge of drunkenness, abuse and abandonment. She was given the right to assume her former name Catherine Meyers. (FWDN)
• 06 Aug 1887 Franchen M. Thompson was granted a divorce from Peter W. Thompson on a charge of drunkenness, abuse and abandonment. She was given the custody of her children, two in number. (FWDN)
• 10 Aug 1887 William P. Duck has brought suit in the Superior Court for a divorce from Francis Duck. It is charged that on the night of August 2nd, 1887, the defendant committed adultery with Samuel Barnett, a tailor. Duck is a railroad fireman and was fined a few days ago for abusing Barnett. FWGJ
• [16 Aug 1887] Sarah Freece vs. Isaac Freece, Circuit Court, Case File]
• 16 Aug 1887 Ida B. Price sues Enoch M. Price for divorce and alimony. (FWJG)
• 22 Aug 1887 Alberta Debendorf has commenced an action in the circuit court to obtain a divorce from Harry C. Debendorf. She alleges abandonment in her petition. (FWS)
• 25 Aug 1887 Alberta C. Lininger filed suit today for a decree of divorce from Conductor Frank E. Lininger, of the Pittsburg road. Mrs. Lininger charges that her husband abused and beat her, closing the cruel program by removing their household goods to the home of Frank McCulloch. She asks the custody of one child, and such alimony as the court decides on. Judge O’Rourke issued a restraining order. (FWS)
• 29 Aug 1887 Nancy Bruce asks for a divorce from Samuel W. Bruce on charge of adultery and failure to provide. (FWDN)
• 31 Aug 1887 Annie L. Craig sues Augustus C. Craig for divorce and $1,000 alimony. (FWJG)

• 02 Sep 1887 Julia Smith has applied for a divorce from Charles Smith, on alleged failure to provide and brutal treatment. The defendant is serving a term in Michigan City prison for larceny. (FWDN)
• 05 Sep 1887 Judge O'Rourke granted a divorce to Fred Neadstine from Emaline Neadstine. (FWS)
• 05 Sep 1887 Judge O'Rourke granted a divorce to Wm. A. Fowler from Rachel Fowler. (FWS)
• 06 Sep 1887 Tinis Stryker was granted a divorce from Emma Stryker today in Circuit Court. (FWDN)
• 06 Sep 1887 In Circuit Court today, Dora Bowen was granted a divorce from John Bowen. (FWDN)
• 10 Sep 1887 In Circuit Court this morning the divorce suit of Amy Bice vs David Bice was dismissed. (FWDN)
• 12 Sep 1887 The divorce suit of Robert Ogden from Wilhelmina Ogden was dismissed. (FWS)
• 12 Sep 1887 The Wm. P. Duck divorce from Francis Duck was dismissed. (FWS)
• 13 Sep 1887 Fred W. Smith enters proceeding in the superior court against Lucy Smith for divorce. The plaintiff charges the defendant with cruel and inhuman treatment; that she fails to perform the household duties; that she has threatened to kill him, etc. (FWDN)
• 13 Sep 1887 Truman Davis, of Whitley county, sues Mary J. Davis, of Allen county, for a divorce. (FWJG)
• 14 Sep 1887 Frederick W. Smith has commenced proceedings in the Superior court to obtain a divorce from Lucy Smith. The charges are made of cruelty, inhuman treatment, failure to perform household duties, threats to kill him and about everything else that is the opposite of affectionate treatment. (FWJG)
• 17 Sep 1887 Susan W. Frisbie enters suit against Frederick H. Frisbie, for divorce. (FWDN)
• 23 Sep 1887 In the Circuit Court today Ida B. Poince was granted a divorce from Enoch M. Poince and $400 alimony and custody of the child. The parties reside in Cedar Creek township. (FWDN)
• 23 Sep 1887 The divorce suit of Susan W. Friesbie vs. Frederick H. Friesbie was dismissed. (FWJG)
• 23 Sep 1887 Peter Razot was granted a divorce from Madaline Razot. (FWJG)
• 23 Sep 1887 Rosa Housbach sues for a divorce from Nicholas Housbach and the custody of their child. (FWS)
• 24 Sep 1887 Mary J. Snyder applied for a divorce today from Jacob Snider. She says he shot at her, pursued her with a razor, and threatened to kill her. She asks for alimony, and Judge O’Rourke restrained Mr. Snider from selling his property until the case is heard. (FWS)

• 01 Oct 1887 Sophia Kennedy asks the court to grant her a divorce from James Kennedy. (FWDN)
• 04 Oct 1887 Frank Kickley was granted a divorce from Olive Kickley on a charge of cruel treatment. (FWJG)
• 06 Oct 1887 Mattie T. Lane sues for a divorce from John Lane. It is alleged that John was cruel to his wife, beating and striking her and also failing to provide for her wants. (FWS)
• 08 Oct 1887 Joseph C. Cole was granted a divorce from Susannah Cole on a charge of abandonment. (FWS)
• 08 Oct 1887 Pheobe M. Creager was granted divorce from Thomas F. Creager on the charge of abandonment. (FWJG)
• 09 Oct 1887 In the Circuit Court yesterday Almira C. Lininger was granted a divorce from Francis E. Lininger. She was also awarded the custody of their infant child, and $500 alimony payable in monthly installments of $20.00 each. Cruet treatment was charged. Lininger is a freight conductor on the P. F. W. & C. Ry. (FWJG)
• 12 Oct 1887 Mary A. Gardner has applied to the Superior Court for a divorce from Melvin R. Gardner. The defendant is an employee of the Nickel Plate. (FWJG)
• 13 Oct 1887 Jenny Lyman has filed suit for divorce from Homer J. Lyman on a charge of abandonment and failure to provide. (FWJG)
• 14 Oct 1887 Judge O’Rourke yesterday granted Egan N. Smith, the taxidermist and ex skating rink professor a divorce from Lena L. Smith, on the grounds of cruel treatment. The parties were married in 1879 by William T. Pratt, J. P. (FWJG)
• 18 Oct 1887 Ella Kemler, through her attorney, A. H. Bittinger, asks for a divorce from Chas. Kemler. The defendant is a cigarmaker. (FWDN)
• 18 Oct 1887 James Bailey sues Vionia Bailey for a divorce. (FWS)
• 19 Oct 1887 Abbie L. Miller has brought suit for divorce against Jerome Miller. The complaint charges abandonment and intoxication. (FWJG)
• 20 Oct 1887 Harriet Hamilton sues Franklin D. Hamilton for divorce. The complaint alleges abandonment. (FWS)
• 22 Oct 1887 Elizabeth A. Flaglea sues Shepard O. Flaglea for divorce on the ground of cruelty. (FWS)
• 22 Oct 1887 Mary A. Gardner was granted a divorce from Melvin R. Gardner on the ground of cruelty and failure to provide; plaintiff was also given the custody of their minor child. (FWS)
• 26 Oct 1887 Anniette S. Sears has brought a suit for divorce against Leonard Sears. The complaint charges abandonment, cruelty, failure to provide and habitual intoxication, which is probably enough, if the charges can be proven. (FWJG)
• 26 Oct 1887 Nancy Buce was divorced from Samuel W. Buce on a charge of cruel treatment in Circuit Court. (FWJG)
• 27 Oct 1887 John W. Patrick sues Sarah E. Patrick for divorce. (FWS)
• 29 Oct 1887 Ella Kemler was yesterday granted a divorce from Charles Kemler. (FWJG)

• 01 Nov 1887 Linnie E. Ford files suit for divorce from Charles A. Ford. (FWS)
• 01 Nov 1887 Sarah Jane Sullivan sues for a divorce from Nathaniel Sullivan and $1,000 alimony. The parties were married in 1877, but six months ago Sullivan abandoned his wife to sport around with females of questionable character. (FWS)
• 02 Nov 1887 Caroline Fitzpatrick sues Fred Fitzpatrick for a divorce. She says Fred abandoned her in 1882, after abusing and beating her, wherefore she sues for a legal separation and the custody of their children. (FWS)
• 05 Nov 1887 Elizabeth Haas has brought suit for divorce against John Haas. (FWJG)
• 08 Nov 1887 Alberta Devendorf has brought suit for divorce against Harry C. Devendorf in Circuit Court. The charge is abandonment. (FWJG)
• 08 Nov 1887 James Bailey vs. Vinna Bailey, judgment in favor of defendant on a cross complaint granted her a decree of divorce and the custody of their minor children, and $250 alimony payable in installments. (FWS)
• 16 Nov 1887 Annettie S. Sears was granted a divorce from Leonard Sears on the grounds of drunkenness and inhuman treatment, and other grave charges not calculated to promote the peace and happiness that should exist between husband and wife. (FWJG)
• 16 Nov 1887 Christian Eix, a well-known St. Joe township farmer sues for a divorce from his wife, Charlotte Eix. He says she was cruel to him and asks the court to take from her and hold in trust, certain real estate. (FWS)
• 17 Nov 1887 Carrie B. Hill sues John D. Hill for divorce. The complaint charges cruelty and failure to provide. The parties were married on November 18, 1880. Hill is said to live in Antwerp. (FWJG)
• 22 Nov 1887 Yesterday Judge Chapin divorced Elizabeth Hass from Jacob Hass. (FWJG)

• 05 Dec 1887 In the circuit court John B. Kelly has brought suit for divorce against Rachel A. Kelly. The parties reside in Wayne township. Mrs. Kelly filed a racy cross complaint and charges her husband with adultery and abandonment. He cannot sell his property until the case is heard. (FWS)
• 09 Dec 1887 Francis Houppert vs. Charles Houppert, divorce and custody of child to plaintiff, with permission to reassume her maiden name, Frances Manier. (FWJG)
• 13 Dec 1887 Cy Fyke, the transfer man, has been granted a divorce from his wife, from whom he has been separated for eight years. (FWJG)
• 13 Dec 1887 Julia A. Barley vs. Alexander Barley. Petition for divorce on the ground of cruel treatment filed, and a restraining order issued. (FWJG)
• 13 Dec 1887 Emma G. short yesterday filed a petition for divorce from her husband, Henry A. Short, and a temporary order was issued restraining the nickel Plate railroad from paying over to him some money due as wages.
• 13 Dec 1887 Joseph Farrell asks for a divorce from Mary S. Farrell, alleging abandonment. The parties reside at Sheldon. (FWDN)
• 17 Dec 1887 Annie M. Oswald seeks a divorce from Fidel Oswald. She alleges in her complaint that her husband abandoned and failed to support her. (FWDN)
• 23 Dec 1887 This morning, Judge Chapin convened the superior court, and called up the divorce proceedings of Emma J. Short vs. Henry A. Short. The defendant is a brakeman on the Nickel Plate rail road. The complaint charged that defendant failed to support his wife and child, for which particular reason she asked for a legal separation. This was granted, giving the plaintiff custody of her child and $300 alimony. (FWDN)
• 28 Dec 1887 In the superior court Judge Chapin granted C. G. Knobel a divorce from his wife, Matilda. (FWJG)
• 30 Dec 1887 Elizabeth Morris yesterday filed a petition for divorce from her husband, John Morris. She asks for $500 alimony. (FWJG)

Some of the cases listed were dismissed and others resulted in divorce decrees.