From Ontario County Journal 29 January 1892

An action for separation has been brought by Mrs. Phoebe Barber against Frank J. Barber, both of Phelps. On Monday an order was granted allowing Mrs. Barber an alimony of four dollars per week and fifty dollars counsel fee. Hon. Edwin Hicks of this village, appears for the plaintiff, and E. Miller, Esq., of Newark, for the defendant.



From Geneva Gazette 19 November 1880

Edgar V. Benham
of Canandaigua, has been granted a decree of divorce from his wife, Altha L. Benham.



From Ontario County Journal 12 February 1897

A divorce was granted Charles Mack at Supreme Court by Judge Nash, Wednesday. Mack was also given custody of his child. There was no defense. Mack is a resident of South Bristol. The Tracy House register was called into play as evidence showing that Rosa B. Mack and one Monks, occupied a room at that house last fall during one night.



From Geneva Daily Times 26 December 1907

Phelps, N. Y. - Maud Dennis Bissell
has applied for a divorce from her husband, Lorenzo Bissell, formerly of Phelps, but who resides at Detroit. The decree is asked for on statutory grounds and desertion.

From Geneva Daily Times 28 July 1908

Phelps, N. Y. -
Testimony in the divorce action brought by Maude Dennis Bissell against her husband, Lorenzo Bissell, was taken before a referee at Rochester yesterday. The divorce is asked for on statutory grounds. The plaintiff was represented by Attorney Lapham of Geneva.



From Geneva Daily Times 3 February 1902

A divorce was secured Saturday by Charles T. Brown, formerly an attache of the U. S. Express Co. in this city, from his wife, Laura Halliday Brown.  The decree was granted the plaintiff by Justice James W. Dunwell, in the special term of supreme court held at Lyons.  T. Elliott Truesdale was the attorney for Mr. Brown.



From Geneva Daily Times 1 May 1909

The case of Burrill against Burrill, the only action on the Equity calendar for the term of Supreme Court, which convenes at Canandaigua on Monday, is expected to reveal an interesting matrimonial tangle which the parties are endeavoring to straighten out. Both the parties are well known in Geneva, where they have resided. Charles Burrill is a printer and was formerly foreman at the plant of the Geneva Independent. According to his story he was married on November 6,1889, to Elizabeth F. Shanks. He continued to live with his wife for a number of years, during which time two children, a boy and a girl, were born. Trouble then appeared on the Burrill marital horizon and as a result, Burrill claims that two years ago he applied for a divorce from the woman and that he employed Attorney Lyman J. Baskin to prosecute the action and secure the necessary papers.

Mr. Baskin promised to secure the divorce and it is claimed that the parties appeared before a court and gave their evidence. The decree, for some reason or other, it is claimed, was not handed down but acting on the fact that the attorney had told him that the divorce would be granted, Burrill went to Niagara Falls, Ont., and married Mrs. Charles Clark of Geneva. This was on the 28th of March two years ago. The Burrills have been living in Canandaigua and Burrill claims that his former wife came to Canandaigua some time ago and took her two children away from him and as he desires to clear up matters so that his second marriage will be legal, he has now started an action to clear the case up. The case has been noticed for trial at the term of court which convenes at Canandaigua on Monday when it is expected the court will determine which woman he is married to and just what steps he will have to take to straighten out his matrimonial tangle so as to conform with the law.



From Victor Herald 2 May 1902

Bristol, N. Y. - Mrs. Lena Caulkins
has been granted an absolute divorce from her husband, E. Kirby Caulkins.



From Geneva Daily Times 26 February 1904

A. R. Chapman
of East Syracuse, formerly of Phelps, has been granted a divorce from his wife, Julia Carr Chapman, at the special term of Supreme court last week.  The father was granted the custody of their child, a daughter. Mrs. Chapman was formerly Miss Julia Carr, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Carr of this village.



From Geneva Gazette 29 December 1893

Mrs. Wm. R. Dryer
of Palmyra has obtained a divorce from her husband on the statutory ground.  The couple were married in 1875 and separated in 1887.  Mr. Dryer formerly hailed from Victor, and we believe is a son of the late Wm. C. Dryer.



From Geneva Gazette 14 October 1898

At a special term of supreme court, held at Auburn, Saturday, Frank G. English, of Waterloo, obtained a decree of divorce on statutory grounds, from his wife, Anna D. English, of Geneva.



From Geneva Gazette 10 August 1894

A $20,000 Windfall -
The following is communicated to the Rochester Herald from Havana:  In the fall of 1883, Mrs. Alice E. K. English made application for a divorce from her husband, Hezekiah English, both being residents of Victor, Ontario county.  Hon. William H. Adams of that village was appointed referee.  There was one child, an invalid daughter, and pending the referee's decision, Mrs. English was awarded $8 per week for the care of herself and daughter.  Mr. English swore that he was only worth $4,000, and the referee gave his decision awarding $2,500 to Mrs. English.  The family at once separated, Mrs. English and daughter moving to Havana, while Mr. English went to Ithaca and secured a position as a school teacher.  Mrs. English learned about June 1st, last, that her husband had died at Flushing, L. I., and his remains had been brought to Ithaca for burial.  She informed ex-Senator Hicks and the latter at once began an investigation which developed the fact that Mr. English had not re-married and had died without making a will.  As a result the invalid daughter was the sole heir.  He continued the work of closing up the estate and last week paid to Miss English the sum of $21,102.33, the amount which he recovered for her.



From Shortsville Enterprise 17 February 1916

A decree of interlocutory divorce was granted by Justice Benton in Supreme Court at Canandaigua on Tuesday in the action of Harry W. Frazer against his wife, Mae E. Frazer, both residents of Shortsville. The Frazers were married at Clifton Springs during the year of 1909 and have a 4-year-old daughter. Disposition of the child will be taken up by Judge Benton at a later date. John Goodwin of this village was named a co-respondent in the case. Arthur H. Smith represented Mr. Frazer, while Mrs. Frazer made no appearance.



From Geneva Daily Times 19 April 1897

A Syracuse newspaper yesterday has this account of Genevans who are seeking a divorce in that city:

Love has soured with advancing age in the case of the Gambees, and now, in the thirty-third year of their married life they find themselves in the divorce court. John H. Gambee is not accused of an overfondness for either wine or women, alleged cruelty and abandonment being the grounds set forth in Charlotte D. Gambee's petition for divorce. John is a coachman who for a long term of years has been in the employ of the Gerrit S. Miller estate of Geneva. Charlotte is at present living with one of their four children in this city. Yesterday her attorney, John R. Collins, went to Utica and before Justice Scripture asked for an allowance of attorney. D. Raymond Cobb opposed the motion. Incidentally the whole story was out. Charlotte sets forth in her complaint that she was married to John on November 30th. 1861, at Waterloo. Until August 4th, 1894, they lived together and then John left. It was a cold case of abandonment, according to Mrs. Gambee, and she was left without ample means of support. Cruelty in various forms is also set up in the complaint. But John has put in an amended answer, which goes Charlotte a few better. In public and in private, says the coachman, Mrs. Gambee's conduct toward him has been abusive, brutal and inhuman. An ungovernable and vicious temper characterizes her says John, and frequently she has made threats upon his life. In fact, he declares, she became a menace to him and to the vicinity in which she lived. Of course, Charlotte indignantly denies the truth of this arraignment. In the motion made before Justice Scripture yesterday, one of the affidavits read was that of Mrs. Gerrit S. Miller, the defendant's employer. Mrs. Miller substantiates John's counter charges of cruelty in some instances. Justice Scripture allowed $40 counsel fees, $20 a month alimony and referred the issues to Joseph Bondy of Syracuse.



From Ontario County Journal 30 October 1896

Shortsville, N. Y. -  Mrs. Sarah Harmon
has secured an absolute divorce from Frank Harmon and has been allowed the privilege of assuming her maiden name, Sarah Aldrich.



From Ontario County Journal 15 September 1893

Elizabeth Heins against Theodore F. Heins -
This case was brought on for a final hearing upon the proofs, at the Special Term, held at the court house, on the second day of the present month, and was argued and submitted by E. W. Gardner, Esq., counsel for the defendant, and S. Gooding, Esq., counsel for the plaintiff. Judge Adams handed down his decision on Saturday last, dismissing the plaintiff's complaint with costs, and granting to the defendant, Theodore F. Heins, an absolute divorce against his wife on the ground of adultery, and awarding the custody and control of the two children to him. The case has created a good deal of interest in the village, as the parties were well known here. The action has been pending for over a year, having been commenced in July, 1892. The action was originally commenced by Elizabeth Heins against her husband for a separation, on the alleged ground of cruel treatment. Mr. Heins, in his answer, denied absolutely all of these charges, and then, as the law permitted him to do, set up in his answer an affirmative cause of action, charging the plaintiff with adultery with Morgan L. Frone, of Canandaigua, and one John Livingston, of Rochester. The court holds that the proofs fully sustain the charges. . . .  The hearing before the referee was commenced in December last, and before any evidence was given, the plaintiff withdrew and abandoned her alleged cause of action against defendant for a separation and the trial proceeded upon the issue as to the adultery of the plaintiff. . . . .

The case in many respects is a very sad one. The defendant, Mr. Heins, is a man of irreproachable character. He is a German by birth, and is a florist and gardener by profession, having for many years had charge of Mrs. A. McKechnie's extensive greenhouses and gardens. He owns and occupies a comfortable home on upper Main street. His family consists of his wife, the plaintiff, and two bright daughters, over whom he has always exercised the utmost care. In August last year on his return home from an excursion to Keuka Lake with some German friends, he found his wife gone and his house stripped of his household goods. The woman temporarily stopped a short time on Chapin street, and then moved to Elmira, taking the two daughters with her, where she has since resided. Mr. Heins succeeded in reclaiming a portion of his property, but the children have been kept away by plaintiff, and Mr. Heins has not had an opportunity to see them for more than a year. The court having now awarded their custody to him, it is hoped they will return home, where they will receive the kind care and supervision they need, and which when there they have never failed to get.



From Geneva Gazette 6 May 1892

Mrs. Mary E. Hoefler
has begun an action for divorce from her husband, John C. Hoefler, both of Geneva.  The plaintiff is at present in Rochester.  The case has been referred to A. P. Rose, Esq. to take testimony and report his opinion thereon to the Supreme Court.  During the pendency of such action it is also decreed that the defendant must pay plaintiff $4 per week and $25 for counsel fees and disbursements, without prejudice however to the plaintiff's right to apply to the court upon the coming in of the report for an additional allowance of costs and alimony.  The referee is authorized to take testimony in Geneva and in Rochester.  The defendant is one of Geneva's mail carriers.



From Ontario County Journal 11 February 1910

Naples, N. Y. -
An absolute divorce has been granted to Mrs. William Karnes and she now resumes her maiden name, Miss Elizabeth Kallenbach.



From Ontario County Chronicle 16 April 1902

Cora Kinsman,
of Farmington, has been granted a divorce from her husband, John Kinsman.



From Geneva Gazette 15 December 1899

It is reported that Hiland C. Kirke, late of Phelps (where his wife now resides) has instituted proceedings against her at Washington D. C. for divorce on the ground of desertion and abandonment.  Mr. Kirke is well known as an educator and inventor of the balance thermometer.  The couple estranged are well along past middle life.



From Ontario County Journal 3 December 1897

At a term of the supreme court at Lyons on Tuesday, Justice Dunwell granted an absolute divorce on statutory grounds to Mrs. Ella Lucas from her husband, Zabina Lucas. The parties were married in Auburn in January, 1877, and lived together in Canandaigua until last spring. The plaintiff alleged that her husband committed acts of infidelity early in this year and named as one of the correspondents Lillie Adams. The plaintiff, who now lives in Lyons, was given custody of the minor son, Fred Lucas.



From Geneva Daily Times 13 July 1895

Buffalo, July 13 - Mrs. Mary McDonald,
wife of Detective Frank McDonald, who has brought an action for divorce from her on the grounds of alleged adultery, has filed a motion for alimony counsel and fees.  Some sensational developments are expected when the case comes up.

Mrs. McDonald was a Geneva girl.  Her name was Mary Fahey.  She was married to McDonald at Geneva about four years ago.  He was then engaged by the State to detect lepredators who were interfering with experiments at the State Farm, by destroying plants, etc.  Mrs. McDonald was at that time a waitress at the Kirkwood Hotel where McDonald was stopping. It was there that he became enamored of her.


 
From Geneva Gazette 10 June 1887

Catherine A. McGonegal, who has been engaged in the millinery business here in the past few years, has obtained an absolute divorce from her husband, Chas. H. McGonegal, for principal cause.  The Referee decided in favor of plaintiff, which was confirmed by Judge McComber in last special term.  She was represented by Seward French of Rochester.



From Geneva Daily Times 1 April 1910

A final decree of divorce has been entered in the action brought by Clara Radder of Lewis street against Albert Radder. The parties were married on May 26, 1891, at Brockport by Rev. Mr. Colburn, pastor of the Methodist church at that place. The interlocutory decree in the case was granted at a term of Supreme Court held in Cayuga county on November 26th last and the final decree was entered in Ontario county on March 19th. The plaintiff in the proceedings was represented by Attorney L. K. R. Laird of Auburn. The parties have not lived together for the past eight years and Mr. Radder has not been heard from in the past four years.



From Geneva Daily Times 20 October 1909

Rushville, N. Y. - Millie L. Torrey,
of Honeoye Falls, has been granted a decree of divorce from S. Holden Torrey, Jr., of Rushville by Justice Beaton in special term, in Rochester. James M. Heath appeared for Mrs. Torrey.



From Geneva Advertiser 12 February 1901

In court last week a divorce was granted Wm. VanGelder from his wife, Cora S. VanGelder.  They are reported as Geneva parties, but we hear that the woman is in Michigan, and put in no answer to the pleadings.



From Ontario County Journal 2 May 1879

In the year 1877, one Charles D. Warren came to Canandaigua from the East, and engaged with Johnson Tillotson as a farm hand in the south part of this town. At the time, Miss Harriet Hendershot, daughter of Benjamin Hendershot, was employed as a domestic in the same family. An intimacy soon sprang up between them, which developed the fact that the young lady had loved "not wisely but too well." Shortly Warren left for parts unknown. Miss Hendershot soon after procured a warrant of A. Hemenway, Esq., for the arrest of Warren, charging him with seduction under promise of marriage, which resulted in the arrest of Warren by officer Charles E. Tate, his incarceration in Ontario Co. jail and subsequent marriage of the couple. But "the course of true love never did run smoothly," and within a month after the marriage ceremony had been performed, Warren again took his leave. Shortly afterwards a summons and complaint was served upon the unfortunate wife for a divorce, the action being commenced in the city of New York. Avery Hemenway, Esq., appeared for the wife and Mr. Tubbs, a lawyer of New York, for the plaintiff. The trial was to have taken place on the 17th of April last in New York city. In the meantime, the wife of Warren procured a warrant of Delos Doolittle, Esq., of this place, for the arrest of her truant husband as a disorderly person, for abandoning his family. The warrant was placed in the hands of officer L. T. Sheldon, who proceeded to the city of New York, and arrested the truant husband as he left the witness stand, where he had just been testifying against his wife on the divorce suit. Officer Sheldon had no little difficulty in bringing his prisoner away from the city, even with the aid of a detective, as his friends made desperate efforts to restore him on writ of habeus corpus. The divorce sought appeared to be one of the "patent" kind, in which witnesses can be bought to swear to anything, and the injured wife has no chance for defense. He was brought to this place, and lodged in jail last Thursday. The examination was commenced before Esquire Doolittle on Friday, and adjourned to Tuesday of this week.  On Tuesday the prisoner was required to give bail for his good behavior for one year, and pay his wife $50 and court costs, which was readily acceded to. After the money had been paid and the prisoner discharged from custody, his injured wife approached him, and clasping her arms about his neck, and with a voice choked with emotion and with burning tears streaming down her cheeks said, "Dear Charles, forget me if you will, but for God's sake do not forget your rosy-cheeked boy, for he bears your name and image. Charley is a dear, lovely child. Adieu, Charley, Adieu!" During all this time not one dry eye was discernible in the court room.



From Geneva Gazette 25 June 1897

Love's young dream experienced a rude awakening in the supreme court, Hon. James W. Dunwell, justice, present, last Saturday in this village (Lyons) when Lillie M. Wright of Geneva instituted divorce proceedings against Charles G. Wright, asking for allowance for counsel fees and alimony pending trial of the action.  Mrs. Wright is an infant in law and appeared by her guardian, W. C. Reed, but in reality she is a full grown, bright appearing and attractive young woman.  The husband, it appears, is also an infant.  He was represented by George F. Ditmars guardian ad litem.  The wife alleged the statutory offense. Infant marriages are often disastrous.  Wayne Democratic Press



From Geneva Daily Times 4 August 1910

Affidavits which alleged out-of-the-ordinary means taken to secure a divorce were presented at a hearing before Justice Sawyer at Canandaigua yesterday. The action is one brought by Jack L. Bouslack, a Geneva Italian against May L. Bouslack, who now claims to reside in Albany. The hearing yesterday was upon an application made by the defendant to have an order commanding the plaintiff to pay her $10 per week during the pendency of the action and also counsel fees amounting to $250. H. J. Crawford of Albany, attorney for the defendant, was represented by George L. Morse of Pittsburg. P. H. Leahy represented the plaintiff. After hearing the argument Justice Sawyer ordered Bouslack to pay the defendant $35 within ten days as counsel fees. In the affidavits alleging the fraud in connection with the case, it is alleged that Bouslack tricked Samuel Lemma, a Canandaigua Italian, into certifying before an Albany notary that he had served a copy of the summons and complaint in the action upon the defendant. After swearing to this fact, Lemma alleges that he discovered the trick and demanded the summons of Bouslack so that he might serve it. He alleges that Bouslack told him that he never intended that the summons be served as he did not want the woman to know that the action was pending so that he could secure his divorce by default. Lemma then alleges that he informed the notary of the facts and also told Mrs. Bouslack. Mrs. Bouslack then demanded and received a copy of the papers and it is declared that she will fight the case. The action is brought on the grounds that the woman had another husband living at the time of the marriage to Bouslack. In her answer the woman admits this but alleges that she secured an absolute divorce from her first husband. The present action will heard in Ontario County.



From Geneva Daily Times 8 October 1910

A divorce decree signed by Justice Sawyer at a special term of the Supreme Court in Lyons has just been filed in the county clerk's office in the case of Bertha T. Lovejoy against Arthur Lovejoy of Geneva. The plaintiff is granted an interlocutory decree and is given permission to assume her own name and to marry again.



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