I’m trying something new on Fridays… posting family tree items related to crime. I haven’t found many to-date (thankfully), but will eventually post them all.

Clinton and Margaret Waits Divorce Article

This Friday, I have chosen the divorce of my 2nd great grand uncle, Clinton Morris “Clint” Waits, from his wife, Margaret (Kramer) Waits Yontz. The two were married on 4/15/1896 in Pickaway County, Ohio. They had three children, Claude, Mildred, and Helen. Mildred died at the age of three from Whooping Cough, and Helen was stillborn.

Clinton and Margaret divorced in 1926, with the above article appearing in the 11/8/1926 issue of the Lancaster Daily Eagle.  The grounds for divorce was Margaret’s infidelity.  Due to the divorce, she was barred from her dower interest in Clinton’s property.

Clinton Waits Arrest Article

On 12/9/1926, Margaret charged Clinton with attempted murder, and he was arrested by the sheriff in Lancaster, Ohio. Clinton posted $700 bond and his case was bound over to the grand jury. The above article appeared in the 12/10/1926 edition of the Lancaster Daily Eagle.

I have been unable to find any additional articles on the murder charges, but did find Clinton living in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, Ohio in 1930 as a farm hand, with Jesse Carpenter and his family.  I’m assuming that the case was settled or the charges were dropped. Prior to 1930, Clinton was a glass worker at the Lancaster (OH) Lens Company.

Margaret would later remarry Hamilton Yontz, also a glass worker, on 5/6/1928 in Franklin County, Ohio.  In 1930, they lived in Circleville, Ohio.  Margaret was employed as a restaurant cook.

Clinton Morris Waits Portrait

Clinton died 3/13/1943 in Lancaster, Ohio from a coronary thrombosis. Margaret died 4/20/1953 in Lancaster, Ohio from coronary occlusion. They, along with their daughters, are buried in Reber Hill Cemetery in Walnut Township, Pickaway County, Ohio.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits) – Harmon Clay Waits (brother of Clinton Morris Waits)

This obituary is of my 3rd great grandfather, George Milligan, and was featured in the 7/30/1907 edition of the Lancaster Daily Eagle:

DEATH OF OLR SOLDIER

Mr. George Milligan, aged about 60 years, a veteran of the Civil war, died today at his home in Oakland, after only a few days’ illness. He leaves a wife and five children to mourn. He was also a brother-in-law of Mrs. William Rogers of Lancaster. Mrs. Rogers will go to Oakland Wednesday morning.

The following appeared in the 8/1/1907 edition of the Lancaster Daily Eagle:

The following persons were called to attend the funeral of Mr. George Milligan, which was conducted this forenoon at 10 o’clock: Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Rodgers, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Cave, Mrs. Ned Wait, Mrs. Andrew Saum.

Many thanks to Charlotte Dittmar for her assistance in locating and mailing the final Lancaster, Ohio obituary. She has been an enormous help with my research.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits) – Mellie Waits (Milligan) – George Milligan

Catharine Milligan (Woodring) Obituary

Today’s obituary is of my 3rd great grandmother, Catharine Milligan (Woodring), and was featured in the 7/28/1915 edition of the Lancaster Daily Eagle:

75 Years Old: Mrs. George Milligan, Well Known in This City, Dies in Oakland.

Mrs. George Milligan, aged 75, died Monday evening at 4 o’clock of urasitic poisoning, at her home in Oakland, Ohio.

She is survived by two sons and three daughters and a sister, Mrs. William Rogers, of this city.

The funeral will be held Wednesday morning at Oakland church and burial will take place in the Stoutsville cemetery. She had visited in Lancaster and was well known here.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits) – Mellie Waits (Milligan) – Catharine Milligan (Woodring)

Today’s obituary is of my 3rd great grandfather, Eli D. Waits, and was featured in the 5/14/1934 edition of the Lancaster Daily Eagle:

Taps Sound For Civil War Veteran

Eli D. Waits, 86, retired farmer, passed away at the home of his son, Herman [Harmon] C. Waits, 702 Eastwood avenue, at 2:45 a. m. today following a ten months illness of complications.

Three other sons, Perry R. Waits, Clinton M. Waits, of Lancaster and William H. Waits of Columbus, one daughter, Mrs. Mary L. Hedges of Drinkle, two half-brothers, William Hedges of Lancaster and Allen Hedges of Commercial Point survive.

Funeral services will be held from the Mills Memorial United Brethren church Wednesday at 10 a. m. with the Rev. P. E. Wright officiating.

Burial in Maple Hill cemetery at Stoutsville by Crites and Van Cleve, Stoutsville funeral directors.

The deceased was a Civil War veteran, serving in Company G, Regiment 88 of the Union army.

Friends may call at the home any time from 2:30 Tuesday to time of funeral.

Many thanks to Jane Mason (Miller) and Martie Essebaggers (Miller) for all of their contributions, including the picture of the Waits family home above.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits) – Harmon Clay Waits – Eli D. Waits