Divorces in Jasper Co., IL
Transcribed by ©Kim Torp from original microfilm in my possession

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Wedded Woes

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Pre-1887 Divorces

Dates refer to the date the notice was published in the newspaper.....NOT the date the divorce was granted. And remember, sometimes the divorce petition was denied!!!!

¹ Published in "The Jasper County Clipper" Newspaper

² Published in "The Jasper County Times" Newspaper

³ Published in "The Newton Enquirer" Newspaper

⁴ Published in "The Newton Mentor" Newspaper

⁵ Published in "The Western Star" Newspaper (Jasper County's first newspaper)

⁶ Published in the Charleston Courier, Coles County newspaper

⁷ - Contributed by June Swick Kessinger

1888 Divorces

Reported in the Newton Press on May 9, 1888

The May term of the circuit court, which convenes of the 21st inst. will try a number of cases of mismated marriages. The following divorces are prayed.

Will W. Moulden asks to be released from Lucy J., his wife, on the ground of "extreme and repeated cruelty" and desertion. They were married Aug. 11, 1875 and have three children which plaintiff asks the court to give him custody of.

Anna Kershner asks a divorce from Warren, her husband, and alleges that the latter eloped with Amanda M. Miller on Feb. 13, 1886. They were married on Feb. 12, 1881, have three children and some real estate which Mrs. K. asks the court to give her.

Lizzie Deboard states that Wm. H. Deboard, to whom she was married on Oct. 26, 1882, deserted her at or near Aug. 20, 1884; that two children are the fruits of the marriage; wherefore she asks the custody of the children and a share of the property. Deboard counters with a denial of desertion and charges ill treatment.

Percilla E. asks to be freed from James W. Thomas to whom she was married on Nov. 11, 1882. Desertion is charged; one child, their only offspring, is asked.

Josephine Taylor states that she married Andrew J. Taylor June 7, 1886; that her husband was guilty of improper conduct with diverse lewd women wherefore she asks a divorce and alimony during the pendency of the suit.

Edith Chapman sues for a divorce and an injunction to restrain her husband, James W. Chapman, from disposing of his property. Drunkenness, cruelty and adultery are charged. The were married in 1860; she asks a division of the property.

Susan C. Songer says that she was married to Perry M. Songer June 10, 1883; that the said Perry M. was guilty of frequent intoxication and deserted her for more than two years. She asks a divorce and that she be restored to her maiden name - Susan C. Davis.

Lula M. wants a divorce from A. Oscar Brown whom she married May 5, 1885; Mrs. B. prays the custody of their only child. Desertion is charged.

Charles V. Bickers avers that he married Matilda Brown in January 1871; was at all times kind and affectionate toward her; that the said Matilda departed between two days on or about Jan. 11, 1884 with a "coon" by the name of Peter Rickman. He therefore asks a divorce and such other relief as the court sees fit to grant.

Judy Freeles represents that she married C.E. Freeles March 10, 1877; that he deserted her Sept. 1, 1880; she therefore comes to the court for relief and a divorce.

Timothy Woods informs the court that he married Jane Pinnick May 10, 1880; that the aforesaid Jane faithlessly absented herself from his bed and board in 1885 and has remained away up to and including this date; therefore he asks for a divorce.

Jackson Wisemore asks that the bonds of matrimony which bind him to Matilda his wife, be severed on the ground of crim con with various parties. He asks a divorce and the care of their only child. They were married May 10, 1880.

Bob Hardy asks a divorce from Cathorine Hardy on the charge of adultery and general bad conduct. They were married Jan. 11, 1876 and have four children whom Bob claims that he is the only one competent to properly keep.

James M. Hawley would ask to be released from providing for Mary A. Hawley, his lawful wife. He says they were married in October 1883, and that thereafter she left him in 1886.

Frances Hensley states that she married William C. Hensley March 8, 1877 and that he has treated her bad at times ever since and she asks a legal separation. Hensley comes back at her with a charge of adultery which she denies.

W.L. Hayner prays for a divorce from Rosa, his wife, alleging that they were married Dec. 12, 1883; he charges adultery and diverse other things calculated to make married life a burden.

Reported May 30, 1888:

Chancery Docket:

Divorces were granted as follows:

• Frances from Wm. C. Hensley
• Percilla E. from James W. Thomas
• Anna from Warren Kershner
• W.W. from Lucy J. Moulden
• Lulu M. from A.O. Brown
• Charles from Matilda Bickers
• T.J. from Mary E. Lenox
• Edith from James W. Chapman (The latter soon afterward got a license from the county clerk and married Julia Sanders.)
• Judy from C.E. Freeles
• Jackson from Matilda Wisemore
• Sanford C. from Elizabeth Stewart.

Reported June 6, 1888

• The divorce case of James Fowler vs. Elizabeth Fowler was dismissed
• Lizzie Deboard was granted a divorce from W.H. Deboard.

Reported on December 5, 1888

• Susan Songer vs. Perry M. Songer, divorce. Dismissed.
• W.H. Willis vs. Angeline Willis, divorce. Granted for adultery. Custody of child awarded.
• Mary l. or L. Fulkerson vs. Michael Fulkerson, divorce. Granted for desertion.
• Daniel Gray vs. Sarah F. Gray, divorce. Dismissed.
• Catharine Lambird vs. Wm. Lambird, divorce and injunction. Dismissed.

1889 Jasper County, IL Divorces

as reported in the Newton Press

• Emerson C. Milburn vs. Nancy C. Milburn - N.P., May 1, 1899
• Georgia A. Eador vs Charles Eador, divorce; granted for desertion. N.P. May 22, 1889
• Amanda J. Jackson vs. Alexander M. Jackson - N.P., 23 Oct 1889
• Ross Pulliam vs. Geo. W. W. Pulliam, divorce. Granted. N.P. December 11, 1889
• Emma Griffey vs. Charles A Griffey, divorce. Granted on the ground of habitual drunkenness. Mrs. Griffey gives the custody of Roy, a three year old boy. - N.P., December 11, 1889
• Carrie Allison vs. John C. Allison, divorce. Granted on the ground of the excessive use of intoxicants. - N.P., December 11, 1889
• James Spurry vs. Lucinda Spurry, granted. - N.P., Dec. 18, 1889
• Catharine Hardy from Robert Hardy, desertion and drunkenness. Custody of child awarded Mrs. Hardy. - [N.Press, May 29, 1889]
• Sarah A. Smith from Wm. E. Smith, desertion. Custody of children awarded to her. [N.Press, May 29, 1889]
• Mary J. Rodgers from John Rodgers, extreme and repeated cruelty. [N.Press, May 29, 1889]
• Mary J. Heady from Jeremiah Heady, desertion. [N.Press, May 29, 1889]
• Clara A. Green from Wm. M. Green, desertion. [N.Press, May 29, 1889]
• Martha S. Price from George Price, desertion. [N.Press, May 29, 1889]
• Edward Wise from Catharine Wise, desertion. [N.Press, May 29, 1889]

1890 Jasper County, IL Divorces

as reported in the Newton Press

1891 Jasper County, IL Divorces

as reported in the Newton Press

Apr. 15, 1891: Mary F. Carroll vs. Wm. Carroll

May 27, 1891

• Marion Hayes vs. Rosa Hayes
• Geo. E. Adamie vs. Mary Adamie
• James Phillips vs. Mary Phillips
• Wm. R. Hash vs. Nettie J. Hash
• Sarah M. Bartholomew vs. John B. Bartholomew

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Apr. 1, 1891: Mrs. Mary Barbee was granted a divorce in the circuit court of Effingham county last week, from her husband, S.G. Barbee.

October 28, 1891:

• John Uhl vs. Frances Uhl
• John Isom vs. Jennie Isom
• John H. Dugan v. Dora E. Dugan
• John R. Burns vs. Lydia A. Burns
• Joseph E. Rowe vs. Mary Rowe
• Perry M. Songer v. Susan C. Songer

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Dec. 16, 1891:

• Marsalinas Miller vs. Barbara A. Miller, divorce. Granted and each debarred from claiming dower of the other.
• John H. Dugan vs. Dora E. Dugan, divorce. Granted for adultery with one Tom Conley.
• Cynthia Moore vs. C.C. Moore divorce. Dismissed at complainant's cost.
• John R. Burns vs. Lydia A. Burns, divorce. Granted for Desertion.
• Laura E. Hunt vs. James H. Hunt, divorce. Granted and complainant restored to her maiden name of Laura E. King.

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December 23, 1891

• America McVeigh vs. Hiram McVeigh. Divorce refused
• John M. Isom vs. Jennie Isom. Divorce granted for desertion

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1892 Jasper County, IL Divorces

as reported in the Newton Press

Newton Press, May 25, 1892: The following divorces were granted:

• Perry M. Songer divorce granted from wife Susan Songer. She deserted him two years ago.
• Irene Lyda divorce granted from husband John W. Lyda. He deserted her 7 years ago.
• Martha T. Smith (nee Smallwood) divorce granted from husband Francis M. Smith on the grounds of cruelty.
• Esther E. Sparks divorce granted from Nathan V. Sparks. He was shiftless and failed to provide decent housing.

Newton Press, June 29, 1892:

• Mary Middleton vs. Isaac Middleton

Newton Press, October 19, 1892

• Ida M. DeNeMours vs. Pierre DeNeMours (Ida later applied for a marriage license with Wiley Harmon on December 14, 1892)
• Ollie Pratt vs. Wallace Pratt

Newton Press, Dec. 14, 1892: The following divorces were granted:

• Mary King vs. Wm. M. King, desertion. Custody of child awarded to Mrs. King
• Cynthia Moore vs. C.C. Moore, desertion
• George Goodson vs. S.A. Goodson, desertion
• Mary Middleton vs. Isaac Middleton, desertion. Custody of children awarded
• Geo. F. Howard vs. Nancy A. Howard, desertion.
• Ida M. De Ne Mours vs. Pierre De Ne Mours, desertion
• Ollie Pratt vs. Wallace Pratt, desertion
• John d. Mullins vs. Caroline Mullins, adultery.

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©1998 Kim Torp