THE DeKALB COUNTY, INDIANA GENWEB PROJECT

ADOPTIONS BEFORE 1940

The State of Indiana allows pre-1940 adoptions to be copied. The Court of DeKalb County has given permission for these records to be posted on the DeKalb County, Indiana GenWeb Project web site for the use of researchers. For copies of these documents, please contact the DeKalb County Clerk’s office, DeKalb County Court House, 100 South Main Street, Auburn, IN. 46706. Please enclose a business size SASE with your request and $1.00 for each page.

Book

Page/Term

Adoptee

By Whom Adopted

Other Information.

Order Book Sept 1871-Sept. 1876

January Term 1872, Page 34

Baisby, William Franklin

Cooper William V.

"Whereupon Mary Ann Baisby appears in open court and consents to the adoption of her said son William Franklin Baisby. that the father of said William Franklin Baisby has abandoned him and that his residence is unknown and that it is for the interest of said child that he be adopted. "

Order Book 1893-1898

October Term 1897, Page 412

Ball, Gladys

Roger, John & Katie

Grant Co Orphan’s Home consents to said adoption. Name changed to Gladys Roger

Order Book 46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auburn Courier

March Term 1911 Page 73, 88, 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 17, 1911

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 23, 1911

Banner, Mirvin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banner, Mirvin Cont.

 

Darby, Frank and Neva

Thomas Banner father of infant child and files his consent for the adoption of infant child. Page 88, 89 Mirvin Banner is a child 5 years of age on August 7, 1910. Mother was Edna Banner, deceased. Child is a resident of Waterloo. Child to be known as Mirvin Banner Darby. Child is allowed at all reasonable time to visit his grandfather I. B. Smith.

Frank W. Darby and wife, by their attorney W. H. Leas today filed a suit in court petitioning for the adoption of Mervin Banner son of Thomas and Edna Banner, the latter deceased, and the petition met with opposition when attorney D. M. Link, representing Isaac Smith, who is grandfather of the child, filed objections to the said adoption. The father of the child consented to the adoption buy Mr. Smith sated as his reasons for the objection that the father had abandoned Mrs. Banner prior to the birth of said child. This is denied by Mr. Banner, who states that he was forced to leave on account of the abuses of his wife’s father.

Judge Powers took the matter under advisement until Friday morning at ten o’clock at which times the case will be argued.

Little Mervin Banner son of Thomas Banner was adopted this afternoon by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Darby as their heir at law. The grandfather, Isaac Smith of Fort Wayne, who opposed the adoption, consenting by agreement to the action. The matter was not tried in court but settled by the interested parties. An arrangement was made whereby the grand parents can visit the child at certain times. The father of the child had consented to the adoption, but Mr. Smith wanted the child, and until today fought for it. All matters have been amicably settled, however, and all concerned are friendly.

Miscellaneous Book B (Recorder’s Office)

Indenture

Pages 199, 200

Barnhart, Ettie

Barnhart, Eliza

Indenture of Apprenticeship made Mary 6,1879 between Rosetta Barnhart and Eliza Barnhart. Rosetta Barnhart the mother of Ettie Almeda Barnhart whose father is death apprentice the said Ettie Almeda Barnhart to Eliza Barnhart to be taught in the occupation of house keeping and general work. Said Ettie to live and serve as long as Eliza shall live or until Ettie reaches 18 years of age. At the time of signing the said Ettie was three years of age on November 21, 1878

Order Book 46

March Term 1911 Pages 60, 61

Black, Walter Wayne

Sibert, Philip and Mary R.

Said child was born June 23rd at Waterloo, In. The mother of said child was called Mabel Black and the father of said child as stated by its mother died in the fall of 1907. Petitioners do not know of the whereabouts of the mother of said child and have not seen or known anything of the said mother since the 9th day of July 1908 when she surrendered and gave the child to the Petitioners. The mother at that time said that if they did not want the child she would take him to the Orphans house at Fort Wayne. Court rules that the child should be adopted and given the name of Walter Wayne Sibert.

Order Book 47

October Term 1911 Page 49

Boren, Amos Henry

Imhoff, Charles W.

Case 9269 Mahlon Boren father and surviving father of Amos Henry Boren consents to adoption. Court find that the mothr is deceased, saidchild is 16 years of ge and has personal property of $175. Child to be known as Amos Boren Imhoff

Order Book 1898-1901

October Term 1899 Page 187

Bowser child.

Creager, William E. and Cora A.

Mother testifies that male child is born out of wedlock and is three months old on October 27, 1899. Name changed to Roy Creager. Mother was L? Bowser.

Auburn Courier

Thursday, July 21, 1887

Brand

 

Waterloo News, Joe Norton, better known here by the name of his father by adoption, Brand, has been at home a few days. He is working on some road in Illinois and has already had an engine for a few months. He expects soon to be a full railroad engineer.

Order Book 45

May Term 1910 Page 14, 15

Burns, Prentice

Oberlin, George E and Rosa A

Case 8861 Comes the Indiana Children’s Home and surrenders Prentice Burns to Petitioners. To be known as Gerrold Dale Oberlin See above under Dormick.

Order Book 1893-1898

May Term 1898, Page 573

Burns, Harrison Emmet

Peebles, William Henry

Friend H. Burns, the father of the child consents to the adoption. The mother is deceased. Child to be known as Harrison Burns Peebles.

Order Book 1885-1894

May Term 1894, Page 442, 544

Carr, George Freeman

Lockwood, Reuben

Father is deceased and mother gives consent for adoption of the child. Child to be known as George Lockwood. Page 544 mother is living and is the wife of Reuben Lockwood. George Freeman Carr was born September 20, 1886 and is six years old.

In Miscellaneous Book H Page 149 is the adoption of George Freeman Carr by Reuben Lockwood. George Freeman Carr was born September 20, 1886. They live in Auburn, Indiana. Sarah A. Lockwood is the Mother of George Freeman Carr and the wife of Reuben Lockwood.

Order Book Sept. 1871-Sept. 1876

May Term 1873, Page 124

Colwell, Ida M. Colwell

McFadden, Irvin J.

"Mother of Ida M. Colwell is living and the court being fully satisfied that the matters alleged in said petition are true that it would be for the interest of said child to be adopted.. Adopted.

Order Book 41

March Term 1904, Page 400 401

Courtney, Paul

Getz, William and Mary M

Adoption of Paul Courtney, a male 10 years of age. Mother of Paul is deceased. Residence of the Father is unknown. Name changed to Paul David Getz.

Order Book 32

April Term 1866, Page 402

Culbertson, Charlotte C. Application to adopt child

Draggoo, James

Charlotte C. Culbertson, whose mother is deceased, and that the residence of James Culbertson father of the child, is unknown

Order Book 1893-1898

May Term 1897, Page 366

Davidson, Carrie Belle

DeLong George F. and Josephine

Father William M. Davidson consents to the adoption. Name changed to Carrie Belle DeLong.

Order Book 1885-1894

October Term 1894, Page 452, 453

Day, Emma Catharine

Kiblinger, Martha

Father Frank P. Day died December 8, 1886 and Emma Catharine Day being 10 years October 2, 1894. Martha Kiblinger is a widow residing in Auburn, In. and she owns an estate in Auburn and is able to have the care and custody of said child. Emma M. Day, the mother is remarried and her name now is

Emma M. Penson? She resides at 101 Humboldt B---? In Chicago Illinois. Name of child changed to Emma Catharine Kiblinger

Order Book 42

December Term 1908 Page 521

Dilliman Willie

Hook Neal and Katherine

Most of document destroyed by 1913 fire. Case 8456

Order Book 45

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auburn Courier

May Term 1910 Page 14

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 1910

Dormick, Alberta May

Oberlin, George E and Rosa A.

Case 8861 Comes Cora May Dormick and John Dormick Parents of Alberta May Dormick and files their written consent for the daughter to be adopted. to be known as Alberta May Oberlin

A lady from Fort Wayne was in Auburn today negotiating to have some children adopted by a Mr. Oberlin from Butler. The lady said that arrangements had hitherto been made for the adoption of the children and no further action from the court was necessary.

Auburn Courier, July 14, 1910 states: Alberta May Dormick and Prentice Burns, who have been under the care of the Indiana Home Society, have been adopted by Mr. and Mrs. George Oberlin of Butler and by virtue of an order from the court today the names of the children will be changed to Oberlin. The parents and the Society have filed their consent to the adoption.

Order Book 1898-1901

May Term 1900 Page 314, 318

Elinger, Gertrude

Shoup Samuel and Lovina P.

Page 314 Submitted to court Page 318 Residence of father unknown. Child will be 9 yeas old on July 8, 1900. Name changed to Gertrude Shoup

Order Book (Civil) 1876-1883

February Term. 1883, Page 472

Filis Blanche

Meek, Charles M & Marcelia

The parents of said child have abandoned her. Child’s name changed to Blanche Meek.

Order Book 42

December Term 1908, Page 516, 517,

Frazier, Mary

Morehouse, Margaret

Board of Children’s Guardian consents for Margaret Morehouse to adopt Mary Frazier. Court grants adoption.

Order Book 42

December Term 1908, Page 517, 518

Frazier, Verne

Hesher, David and Amanda

Board of Children’s Guardian of DeKalb County consents for David and Amanda Hesher to adopt Verne Frazier. Court grants adoption. Case 8454

Order Book 41

December Term 1903, Page 383, 401

Frehse, Cora Alice and Vera Elwin

Mark, Bert and Dora

Adoption Notice of Pendency of this action published in the DeKalb County Herald to be heard on March 21, 1904. Page 401 The mother of the children is deceased. Residency of the father is unknown. Children to be known as Cora Alice Mark and Vera Elwin Mark.

There are some fire damaged papers in

Civil Case ?

Microfilm Roll 415 index point 0986 dated 9-12-1866

George? Annette Loden

Dean, Isaac

 

Order Book (Civil) 1876-1883

December Term 1876, Pages 89,90

Goodrich, Derward G.

Ansley Albert S. and Hannah M.

Personally appeared in open court David C. Goodrich and Marry Goodrich and consent to the adoption of the infant child.

Order Book (Civil) 1876-1883

February Term 1879, Page 356, 357

Griffith Frankie Griffith

McKee, William

The only surviving parent, the mother Elizabeth A. Griffith, consents to the adoption by William McKee

Order Book 1898-1901

October Term 1898, Page 22

Grunden Cleo C.

Groh, Maurice S. and Mary A.

Mother is deceased; Child’s father acknowledges the adoption. The child’s name to remain Cleo C. Grunden.

Order Book 46

May Term 1911 Page 203

Hilt, Opal

Kelley, Clara E.

Written consent of the Shelby County Orphans Association to adoption. Opal Hilt is three years old and was sent by the Orphans Association for custody of child. Parents of child are unknown and child his abandoned and neglect by said parents. Adoption granted and name changed to Eva May Kelley.

Order Book 45

 

 

 

 

Auburn Courier

May Term 1910 Page 27

 

 

 

July 28, 1910

Hinkle, Mary Ellen Hinkle

Cochran, Eli T. and Nora Bell

Case 8867 Mother of said child files her written consent and relieving the Grant County Indiana Home from any claim. Child to be known as Mary Lavon Cochran.

Paper states: Mr. and Mrs. Eli T. Cochran today adopted Mary Ellen Hinkle, a twelve-year-old child.

Order Book 42

Page 57

Hiscock, Samuel

Thomas William and Francis A.

Adoption decree will be found in O. B. 73 page 202

Order Book 38

December Term 1902, Page 286

Hiteshew, Beatrice

Harshman, Edward and Loma

Beatrice was born November 11, 1900. Pearle Soule the mother of Beatrice consents to the adoption. The father of the child abandoned the same about 1 year ago and does not contribute to their support. The father and mother are divorced. Adoption is granted and the child is to be known as Beatrice Harshman.

Order Book 1893-1898

May Term 1898, Page 2

Hoffman Olive May

Dohms Olla and Emma

Elizabeth Hoffman Byers files her written consent to adoption. The father of said child is deceased. Child to be known as Olive May Dohms.

Order Book 1898-1901

May Term 1900 Page 313

Justus, Audrey Lucile

Huffman, Edward

Child has no father and the residence of the mother is unknown and that the child was left by its mother at its birth with Dr. Luella Derbyshire, Superintendent of Maternity Hospital in Fort Wayne to find a home for the child. The child has been in the care and home of the petitioner since it was two months old and it’s age is now eighteen months. Name of the child changed to Audrey Lucile Justus Huffman.

Order Book 1893-1898

May Term 1898, Page 533

Latson Sarah Belle
Bills and James Robert

Graham Charles and Mary C.

Pares of Sarah Bills are deceased. Alfonso Latson father of James Robert Latson files his written consent. Adoption granted

Order Book 1885-1894

May Term 1886, Page 282

Lesh, Edger L.

Brandon Amanda

Ephraim Lesh the father of the child consents. Mother of said child is deceased Childs name changed to Edgar Lenoir Brandon

Order Book 1893-1898

October Term 1897, Page 410

Long, Bertie

Englebrecht, Albert

Flora Long, mother of said child consents to adoption.

Order Book 1898-1901

December Term 1899, Page 222

Lopshire, Lois

Zirwes, Matthias and Retta

Parents are deceased. Adoption granted and name changed to Lois L Zirwes.

Order Book (Civil) 1867-1871

May Term 1867- Page 44

Lotten, Martha H. n

Rose, Jesse

W.

The father gave consent

Order Book Sept 1871-Sept. 1876

January Term 1873

Page 97

Luce Jessie and Mynona

Jones, Calvin

Parents of said minor children are deceased and further they inherit form their father’s estate the sum of $368 each and that they are residents of DeKalb County, Indiana. Adoption granted.

Order Book Sept 1871-Sept. 1876

May Term 1873, Page 124

Luce, Florentine and Viola

Jones Calvin

Parents of said children are deceased and said infants are entitled from parents estate $200. each. Adoption approved.

Order Book 1885-1894

Put in as 1883, Page 533

Mark ?

Ludwig Countryman

Petitioner desires of adopting his wife’s one, Mark age 8 years old. Most of document is burned.( Note in the DeKalb County Marriage Records there is a marriage for Ludwig Countryman to Riah Cottell. They were married August 31, 1878.)

Order Book 42

 

 

 

 

 

Auburn Paper

December Term 1907 Page 90, 91

 

 

 

 

Feb. 1916

May, Olive Ellen

Smith, Ferry O. and Olive A.

Karl May the father of child consents to adoption. The child was born December 26, 1906. Mother of child is deceased. Child’s name is changed to Olive Ellen May Smith.

Paper States: F.O. Smith of Coldwater, Michigan was in the city Monday. He came here for the purpose of having proof of adoption papers recorded. His wife was formerly Miss Ollie May of Smithfield township, and when her brother Car’s wife died leaving a tiny babe. Mr. and Mrs. Smith took the little girl as their own.

Adoption papers were taken out at the time but they wee among the papers burned in the fire of February 8, 1913. Mr. Smith brought the duplicate papers in their possession and had them again recorded.

He visited his father-in-law, John May over Sunday in Fort Wayne and will spend until Tuesday with relatives in this vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are both former DeKalb County residents.

Order Book (Civil) 1876-1883

February Term 1883, Page 469, 470, 471

Miner, Bradford

Ralston, George C.& Mary

Child abandoned by the father, Oliver C. Miner and that the residence of the father is unknown. He has never seen said child nor sought to support or maintain the child. The child will be one-year-old May 30, 1883. Mother gives consent in court.

Order Book 43

March Term 1909, Page 251

Mortimer, Lulu

Shaffer, George

Case 8515 first part of document missing because of 1913 fire. Mike Mortimer is the father of Lulu Mortimer and appears in open court and consents to the adoption. Lulu is a young lady 17 years of age and has lived with the petitioner since she was 11 years old. Mother Almira Mortimer is a person of unsound mind. She is to be adopted and her names changed to Lulu Shaffer.

Order Book 6

March Term 1911 Page 165, 166

Murray, Harry John

Kline, Frank and Mary

Adoption of Harry John Murray who was born on the 31st day of October, 1906 and now resides at this home in the City of Garrett. The said child has not father or mother living. The Catholic Home Bureau brought said child to their home about one year ago for dependent children of $105 East 22nd Street in New York City. Court approves and child to be known as Harry John Kline

Order Book 41

May Term 1906, Page 163

Nettlehurst, Paul Lewis

Iva Laub

Father of Paul, Lewis Nettlehurst appears in court (part burned) Mother of said child is deceased. Adoption granted and name changed to Paul Lewis Colby.

Order Book 1893-1898

October Term 1897, Page 421

Osbun John Frederick

Beckner, Frances and John F.

Mother of said child, Cora Osbun Beckner consents to the adoption. Name changed to Beckner

Order Book 38

May Term 1903, Page 538

Phebus, Florence

Wilson, Morton and Fanny

Consent from the Franklin County Children’s Home of Columbus, Ohio and ex-officio guardians of said infant. Residence of the natural parents of said child is unknown Adoption granted and name of child to be Florence Irene Wilson.

Order Book 1898-1901

 

There are some fire damaged papers in

Civil Case 5849

December Term 1899, Page 216

Microfilm roll #416 index 0245

Porter, Paul

Maxwell, David

Mother is deceased and father, Emmett Porter consents to the adoption. Adoption granted and name changed to Paul Porter Maxwell

Order Book (Civil) 1867-1871

February

Term 1869, Page 263

Post, Franklin B.

Cosper, James R.

Childs name to be changed to Franklin B. Cosper. "Residence of mother and father unknown and not known if they are living or not."

Order Book 37

December Term, 1901, Page 218

Pugh, Florence Palm Lee

Crider, George E and Lillian A.

Adoption granted and child to be known as Hellen Crider.

Order Book (Civil) 1876-1883

February Term 1877, Page 119

Reed, Clara Alice.

Galling, Philip Mary A.

The only surviving parent, the father John C. Reed consents.

Order Book (Civil) 1876-1883

February Term 1877, Page 119, 120

Reed, Ada

Randall Hiram & Lydia D.

The only surviving parent, the father John C. Reed consents.

Order Book 45

 

 

 

 

Auburn Courier

May Term 1910 Page 99

 

 

 

June 30, 1910

Repta, Stephen

Moffler, George

Case 8895. Mother of said child is deceased. Father abandoned child and his residence is unknown. Child to be known as Stephen Moffler.

Paper States: Representing George Moffler of Garrett, Attorney Charles S. Smith filed a petition in court today in which Mr. Moffler asks he court for a decree authorizing him to adopt his step-child, Stephen Repts, aged thirteen. The boy has an estate in Chicago valued at five thousand dollars.

Order Book 41

May Term 1904, Page 430

Rish, Bessie

Frisinger, William H. and Jennie

Adoption of Bessie Rish Adoption granted and name changed to Bessie Frisinger.

Order Book 1898-1901

March Term 1899, Page 122

Rush Ruth LaVon

Grund, George

Frank Rush, father of said child consents to adoption. Adoption granted.

Order Book 43

May Term 1909

Scott, Dorothea May

Warner, Wallace

Case 8593 Bertha Warner is the mother of Dorothea May Scott and the residence of Fred Scott (the father) is unknown. The child is a female child seven years old July 7, 1909. Child is adopted and name changed to Dorothea May Warner..

Order Book 32

April Term 1866, Page 402 and 403

Slater, James E.

Draggoo, James

James E. Slater. Mother of child is deceased. Sanford Slater the father of the child appears in court and consents to the adoption.

Order Book 44

 

 

 

 

 

Auburn Courier

March Term 1910 Page 392

 

 

 

 

April 14, 1910

Snyder, Olive May

Snyder, Lorenzo L.

For Adoption. Emma Snyder is the mother of said child. Olive May Snyder was born April 19, 1909 Court rules for adoption. (A good part of the document destroyed by 1913 fire)

Lorenzo and Mary Snyder of Fairfield Township, today filed a petition in the circuit court asking that Olive May, daughter of Mrs. Emma Snyder, who was born in April last year be adopted as their heir at law. The child has no father and the petitioners wish to adopt her as their own.

Order Book 45

October Term 1910 Page 229, 230

Sorber, Roy (or Ray?) E.

Sorber, Ora E.

Case 8951 Adoption is granted.

Order Book 1893-1898

May Term 1898, Page 533

Stack, Clarisee Ida

Benninghoff John W. and Augusta H.

The father executed a release to the German Baptist Orphans Home and her legal guardianship in said home. Court grants adoption.

Auburn Courier

April 5, 1909

Stafford, Lewis J.

Guilford, Russell W.

In the circuit court on Thursday Judge Bratton ordered the necessary appears made out by which Russell W. Guilford adopted Lewis J. Stafford, a minor as his child and the name of the boy was changed to that of Lewis J. Guilford. The latter was the son of Frank and Ell Stafford. Frank abandoned his wife three moths before the birth of the boy and was afterward, for some offense, sent to the prison at Michigan City. The wife secured a divorce and afterward married Russell W. Guilford. Hence the desire for the adoption and the change of name.

Order Book 41

December Term 1906, Page 265, 266

Trombow? Esther

Gengnagle, Albert N.

Adoption. Father Daniel W. Trombow, files consent and showing that mother of child is deceased. Adoption granted, ed and name changed to Esther Gengnagle.

Order Book 1885-1894

December Term 1892, Page 460

Uber, Leona B.

Girardot, Charles

Mother consents to adoption and child to be known as Leona B. Girardot

Order Book 1885-1894

October Term 1887, Page 525

Vei?, Ver? Bessie

Baddock, George & Emmie

Bessie is nine months old. Born February 21, 1887. Court was not sure of her real surname. Known hereafter as Bessie Baldock. The Auburn Paper for December 1, 1887 states: The little girl, Bessie, was legally adopted by G. W. Baldock.

Order Book 46

October Term 1911 Pages 517, 518

Vian, Virgil Marie

Groh, Willis, and Artie

Case 9231 Oscar Vian father of the child signs written consent for adoption of said child. Mother of said child is deceased. Child will be seven months old on October 22, 1911. Name of child is spelled Virgin in part of document and shall be known as Virgin Marie Groh.

Order Book 41

December Term 1906, Page, 205, 206

White, Lodema Adelia

Thomas and Elva Laub

Mother of child deceased and the father appears giving his consent to the adoption. Adoption approved and child’s name changed to Lodema Adelia Laub

Order Book 38

May Term 1902, Page 85

Willard, Myrtle Ailne

Picker, Charles & Emma A.

Myrtle E. Willard is the birth mother, consents to the adoption. Earl E. Willard, the father of the child has for many years abounded the child. And his residence is unknown. Child is adopted and to be known as Myrtle Ailne Picker.

Order Book 37

December Term 1901, Page 281

Witt, Russel O.

Wherly, Adolphus W. & Mary

Adoption of Russel O. Witt. Name changed to Russel O. Wherly

Order Book 1893-1898

October Term 1897 Page 413

Wolf, Anna B.

Wolf, Clemans and Mary .

Anna B. Wolf’s parents are deceased. Adoption approved.

Order Book 1898-1900

August 26, 1901

Wolfe, Calvin C.

Johnson, Martha Murphy and Margarita

Most of document gone. Adoption granted.

Order Book 45

 

Auburn Courier

May Term 1910, Page 82

September 1, 1910

Wyatt, Harry Richard

Foot, Gerry F and Rosa M.

Case 8855? Child to be known as Harry Richard Wyatt Foot

Harry Richard Wyatt, the innocent babe less than a year old of Frank and Mrs. Mae Wyatt, was yesterday adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Gary F. Foote as their heir at law and they will endeavor to prepare the child for a useful life.

The father of the child is serving a term in the penitentiary for his having stolen a hog. The mother is unable to support the babe, and the adoption is therefore a commendable action.

Such circumstances, however, present the pathetic side of life.

It is no little task for a mother to part with her child, her own flesh and blood, yet circumstances often demand such action.

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| DeKalb County, Indiana GenWeb Project | Adoptions Before 1940 |
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| This page was revised on Tuesday 08 July 2003 by Dan Terry dangen@attbi.com |
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