These sad news items tell the story and features the Joseph & Louisa Gilchrist family of Marion Twp, Plymouth County, Iowa.

Yester Year Stories, Backed with Today's Research

G*I*L*C*H*R*I*S*T

These local NEWS items are fascinating and reveal a good deal of this family's challenges and heartaches. Joseph Gilchrist was a Civil War veteran and he had several wives. Near as can be determined, his "children" were those of Joseph's union with his first wife, Anna Kearns Gilchrist and his second, wife, Elizabeth Evans Gilchrist.

Joseph's first wife, Ann Kearns Gilchrist died February 10, 1875, in Wabasha County, Minnesota.

* * *

The funeral of Mrs. Jos. Gilchrist*, who died at the family residence, six miles east of town, last Thursday, was held at her former residence this forenoon.  Rev. Sanderson preached the funeral sermon. The remains were interred in the cemetery at this place.
Source:  LeMars Daily Sentinel, Saturday, January 19, 1884

*This was Joseph's second wife, Elizabeth Evans Gilchrist.
* * *

DIED.
Mrs. Louisa Gilchrist died at her home in Marion township on Monday night of cholera morbus after a few hours sickness. The funeral will be held at home today at 10 o’clock.
Her maiden name was Louisa Nelson and she was born in Sweden forty-two years ago, coming to this country in 1877. She was united in marriage with Joseph Gilchrist in 1885.
Source: The LeMars Globe-Post, Wednesday, October 6, 1897
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Death of Mrs. Joseph Gilchrist.
Mrs. Joseph Gilchrist died Monday night at the home of the family six miles east of LeMars, aged 41. She was taken sick Friday night with stomach trouble and rapidly failed until her death. The funeral was held Wednesday forenoon. The procession left the house at 10 o’clock and proceeded to the Presbyterian Church in LeMars where the services were conducted by Rev. A. Z. Macgogney.
Source: The LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Thursday, October 7, 1897
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RESEARCH NOTES:
Per these death notices, Louisa’s date of death was Monday, October 4, 1897.
Marriage record-Plymouth County IA—Courthouse record
Marriage Date: 24 Jan 1885
Groom: James Gilchrist, age 47
Bride: Louisa Nelson

* * *
Death of Jos. Gilchrist.
Mr. Joseph Gilchrist died at his home on Friday evening in Marion township after a brief illness, the cause of death being uraemic poisoning. The deceased has been a resident of this county for
twenty-two years, coming here from Minnesota. He was a native of Scotland, but came to the states when very young. He served the Union during
the Civil war, being a member of Company
H, Eleventh Minnesota infantry.
He was married four times. He leaves
several children and a wife* to whom he
was married about three or four weeks
ago. He was 66 years old. The funeral
was held from the house in Marion
township at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon.

Source: The LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, May 9, 1898

[*His 4th wife to whom he was married 3-4 weeks at his death, was a woman named Tilly.]

NEWS ITEMS OF FAMILY INTEREST - This may be helpful to anyone researching this family today.

CHARGED WITH ASSAULT.
Earl Backer Arrested at the Insistence of Miss Gilchrist on that Charge.

Earl Backer, who works for Mrs. Joseph Gilchrist residing a few miles east of town, was arrested at the insistence of Miss Lizzie Gilchrist, sister of Joseph Gilchrist, deceased,  charged with assault, and the trial of the cause was held before Justice Steiner on Wednesday, the assault alleged having taken place on the previous Sunday at the Gilchrist homestead. 

The information was sworn out before Justice Jones on Monday and a change of venue was taken to Justice Steiner.  I.T. Martin appeared for Miss Gilchrist and Zink & Roseberry for the defendant.

The difficulty arises from the complications in the varied and various interests in the Joseph Gilchrist estate and while Backer is probably guilty of assault, it does not appear that he had any further interest in the matter than to comply with the request of Mrs. Joseph Gilchrist for whom he was working and that he in fact used no violence in complying, but simply exerted the necessary strength to carry out the request of Mrs. Gilchrist.

Miss Gilchrist was appointed guardian of the minor children by Judge Gaynor on May 31, 1898, and was thus made the custodian of their interests.  On Sunday, she said, she went to the Gilchrist house and that shortly after her arrival there she was ordered from the house, but refused to go.  Upon this refusal, Mrs. Gilchrist told Earl Backer, the hired man, to put her out of the house and that he did so.  Willie Gilchrist, one of the wards of Miss Gilchrist, interfered and Backer put him out also.

Mrs. Gilchrist said that Miss Gilchrist called her a bad woman; and that she had come to stay there and that she ordered her to leave the house and on her refusal asked Backer to eject her.

Backer testified and admitted putting Miss Gilchrist out of the house when told to do so, and said that he did not do so in a violent manner, but just exerted the necessary strength to accomplish the purpose.

Willie Gilchrist testified in about the same manner, and there appears to be no substantial difference in the testimony on either side and it is rather remarkable that there is not a much greater difference in the testimony for it is certainly unusual that under  such circumstances there is such an agreement.

In addressing the court, Attorney Martin contended that Miss Gilchrist as guardian of the children and custodian of their interests was clearly within her rights in going upon the premises and that through an injunction restraining Mrs. Gilchrist from exercising any care or having anything to do with the property of the children she was justified in being there, and presented the law to sustain his contention.

He further contended that in ejecting the guardian from the house an illegal assault had been committed and that Backer must suffer the penalty.

Attorney Zink in presenting the side of the defense pointed out that Mrs. Gilchrist, the widow, had a dower interest in the property and being in possession it was a trespass upon her rights to go upon the premises and cited the court to authorities sustaining the point.  He claimed that Backer was not guilty of an illegal assault.

Justice Steiner took the case under advisement and will render his decision today.
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, June 11, 1898
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A FAMILY ROW
Miss Lizzie Gilchrist Swears Out a Warrant Against Earl Backer for Assault and Battery.
A family row was aired in Justice Steiner’s court on Wednesday afternoon, the complaining witness being Miss Lizzie Gilchrist and the defendant, Earl Backer.  The parties reside east of town and the case in question has its origin in the settlement of the affairs of the estate of Jos. Gilchrist, who died recently. 

The warrant for Backer’s arrest was sworn out on Monday before Justice Jones and a hearing of the case set for Wednesday.  A change of venue was then taken to the court of Justice Steiner.  Attorney Martin appeared for Miss Gilchrist and T.M. Zink for the defense.  The evidence introduced in the case went to show that on Sunday last Miss Lizzie Gilchrist went to the home of the late Jos. Gilchrist, where his children are living with Mrs. Tillie Gilchrist, who was married to the late Jos. Gilchrist only a few weeks prior to his death.  Miss Gilchrist who is a sister to the deceased Gilchrist, was appointed guardian to the minor children by the judge of the district court on May 31.  On the witness stand she testified that she went to the house on Sunday and Mrs. Gilchrist ordered her out and told Earl Backer, the hired man, to put her out, which he did.

Willie Gilchrist, a boy of about sixteen, interfered and Backer put the two out. There was little or no contention on the facts introduced in evidence. 

Mrs. Gilchrist said that Miss Gilchrist called her a bad woman and told her she had come to stay and she told her to go away and when she would not, told Backer to eject her.  Backer admitted that he put the woman out of the house, but said he did not use much strength or unnecessary strength. 

The boy Willie was also put on the stand.  Attorney Martin made the point in addressing the court that Miss Lizzie Gilchrist was perfectly justified in going to the home as she was the guardian of the children Fowler S. , William L., and Daisy Gilchrist, and furthermore that she was entitled by a writ of injunction handed down by the district court, restraining Mrs. T. Gilchrist from having anything to do with the property of the said minors to be there looking after their interests and that an illegal assault had undoubtedly been committed.  Attorney Zink held that Mrs. Tillie Gilchrist had a perfect right to be on the premise and that a dower interest was invested in her and if people trespassed on her home, she had the right to order them off and if necessary to enforce their ejectment.  Mr. Zink produced a number of authorities bearing on the matter and called the attention of the court to them.  Justice Steiner took the case under advisement.
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, June 13, 1898
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Will Appeal the Case.
Judge Steiner gave his decision in the Gilchrist and Backer case on Saturday.  He fined the defendant Backer $25 and costs or in default of payment ordered him to be confined in the county jail for a term of seven days. 

If the costs in the case were promptly paid, the fine would be remitted except $10.  Attorney Zink, who appeared for Backer, gave notice of appeal and the case will go to the district court.
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, June 16, 1898
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Fined for Raising Disturbance.
Fowler Gilchrist and his cousin, Frank Evans, were arrested and brought before Justice Jones on Monday.  Gilchrist being charged with threatening to commit an offense, and Evans for creating a disturbance, the complainant being Miss Gilchrist, guardian of the Gilchrist minor children of Joseph Gilchrist. 

It was shown that they were guilty as charged and Justice Jones fined young Evans $10 and costs, while Gilchrist was placed under $100 bonds, but failing to secure bonds, he was sent to jail for ten days.
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, March 15, 1899
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For Creating a Disturbance.
Fowler Gilchrist and Frank Evans were arraigned before Justice Jones on Monday afternoon on the complaint of Miss Lizzie Gilchrist, who charged the former with threatening  to commit an offense and the latter with creating a disturbance.

The parties reside east of town and Miss Gilchrist is guardian of the minor Gilchrists. Evans is a cousin of young Gilchrist.

The two youths went home the other night and kicked up a rumpus and were going to fire the old lady out bodily and she sent for the sheriff and had them arrested.

This is another chapter in the Gilchrist family troubles which have been aired in justice court before.

Gilchrist was put under $100 bond, which he failed to get and on default was sent to jail for ten days.  Frank Evans was fined $10, which he did not pay and he went to jail for three days.
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, March 16, 1899
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The case of Gilchrist vs. Gilchrist, which is an action to quiet the title in the estate of the late Jos. Gilchrist was submitted to the court.

In his lifetime Joseph Gilchrist and his wife, Louisa, executed a deed to his children, William, Fowler and Daisy Gilchrist, for their farm of 160 acres in Marion township, it being then thought that Joseph Gilchrist was about to die.  The deed was to be recorded on Joseph’s death and the children were to have the farm on payment to Louisa, their step-mother, of $500. 

Subsequently Louisa died before Joseph.  Then Joseph asked William for the return of the deed and a few months after married Tillie Gilchrist and two months afterwards died.  The deed to the children was found among his papers and recorded. 

This action brought by F. S. Gilchrist and the other children to quiet the title to the land in William, Fowler and Daisy Gilchrist as against the last wife, Tillie, and other children by a prior marriage.  The point at issue being whether Joseph repudiated the deed when he asked William to return the deed at the time of the death of Louisa Gilchrist. 

Ira T. Martin appeared for the children and J. U. Sammis for the widow.
Source:  LeMars Globe-Post, May 10, 1899
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DISTRICT COURT.
The case of Gilchrist vs. Gilchrist which was submitted to the court was a very complicated one.  Jos. Gilchrist, who was a farmer living east of town died about two years ago.  During his life he made a deed for his farm of 160 acres in Marion township, it being then thought that Joseph Gilchrist was about to die.  The deed was to be recorded on Joseph’s death and the children were to have the farm on payment to Louisa, their step-mother, of $500.  Subsequently, Louisa died before Joseph.  Then Joseph asked William for the return of the deed and a few months after married Tillie Gilchrist and two months afterwards died.  The deed to the children was found among his papers and recorded. 

This action is brought by F. S. Gilchrist and other children to quiet the title to the land in William, Fowler and Daisy Gilchrist as against the last wife, Tillie, and other children by a prior marriage.  The point at issue being whether Joseph repudiated the deed when he asked William to return the deed at the time of the death of Louisa Gilchrist. 

Ira T. Martin appeared for the children and J. U. Sammis for the widow.
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Post, May 12, 1899
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~

OBTAINED MONEY UNDER FALSE PRETENSES.
Sheriff Herron returned last evening, having in custody Andrew Gilchrist, whom he arrested at Morehead, in Monona county.  Young Gilchrist was arrested on a warrant sworn out by his aunt Miss Lizzie Gilchrist, who charges that he obtained $200 from her on false pretenses about a year ago.  This morning Gilchrist told the sheriff he would like to see the complainant and that if he did an amicable settlement might be arrived at between the parties.
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Thursday, February 15, 1900
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PUT UNDER $500 BONDS.
Andrew Gilchrist, the young man charged by his aunt, Miss Lizzie Gilchrist, with obtaining $200 from her on false pretenses was arraigned before Justice Steiner on Friday and waived examination and was put under $500 bonds to wait the action of the grand jury.  He was unable to furnish the bonds.

Miss Gilchrist claims she gave the young man $200 with which he was to buy a team and work the farm in Marion township of which she has control and charge.  He failed to do this and went away, remaining a year.  Mr. Gilchrist claimed he was sick and used the money during his illness but had no intention of defrauding the complaining witness.  He stated that if he could get to Monona county or communicate with friends there, he could obtain enough money to settle the claim.
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, February 19, 1900
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MATTERS AT COURT
No indictment was found against Andrew Gilchrist accused of obtaining money under false pretenses and he was ordered discharged from custody.
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, February 26, 1900
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NOTICE.
In the District Court of Iowa, in and for Plymouth County.
To the unknown defendants heirs at law of Louisa Gilchrist, deceased.
You and each of you are hereby notified that there is now on file, in the office of the clerk of the district court above named, the petition of William A. Young asking judgment for the sum of $2,609.00 with interest thereon at eight percent, from December 30, 1899, and attorneys fees and costs, upon a certain promissory note executed August 30, 1894, by Louisa Gilchrist and Joseph Gilchrist; that the mortgage executed by the makes of said note to secure the payment of the same upon the northeast quarter of section, 20, township 92 north, range 41 west of the 5th P.M., in Plymouth county, Iowa, be foreclosed and the said premises sold under special execution for the satisfaction of said judgment, with interest costs and accruing costs.  And you are further notified that the said petition alleges that the said Louisa Gilchrist, now deceased, was born in Sweden about the year 1854; that her father’s name was Nels Nelson; that she afterwards came to and resided in the city of Chicago until the month of January, 1885, when she came to LeMars, Iowa, and was married to Joseph Gilchrist on the 24th day of January, 1885, at which time she was in her 31st year.  That the said Louisa Gilchrist was a tall, slim, woman of light complexion, having long and prominent front teeth, and that she died in Marion township, Plymouth county, Iowa, October 4, 1897.  It is further alleged in said petition that you have or may have or claim some right, title or interest in the said mortgaged premises by reason of a provision of certain deed executed by the said Louisa Gilchrist and Joseph Gilchrist, September 17, 1894, to Fowler S., William L., and Daisy M. Gilchrist, providing for the payment by them to the said Louisa Gilchrist of the sum of $500.00 upon the happening of the death of the said Joseph Gilchrist, which sum has never been paid.
You are further notified that the said petition prays that any right, title or claim you may have or make in or to the said premises by reason of the provision of said deed by decreed junior and inferior to plaintiff’s mortgage; that each of you be barred and forever stopped from having or claiming any interest in said premises and adverse to the title of plaintiff under said mortgage; that his said title be quoted against you and your equity of redemption in and to said premises forever barred.
Now unless you appear thereto and defend before noon of the second day of the next term of the said court which will commence and be held at LeMars, Iowa, on the 7th day of May, 1900, default will be entered against you and decree rendered as  prayed in said petition. 
MARTIN & MARTIN, Attorneys for Plaintiff.
F-23-M-2-9-16-23-29
Source:  LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, February 23, 1900

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SHERIFF’S SALE.
Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of a special execution to me directed, issued out of the clerk’s office of the District court, of the State of Iowa, in and for Plymouth County, upon a judgment in rom and decreed rendered in said court on the 20th day of February, 1900, in favor of William A. Young and against Fowler S. Gilchrist, William L. Gilchrist, and Daisy M. Gilchrist, I have levied upon the following described real estate as the property of said Fowler S. Gilchrist, William L. Gilchrist and Daisy M. Gilchrist, to-wit:
The northeast quarter of section No. twenty, (20) in township No. ninety-two, (92) north, and of range forty-four, (44) situated in Plymouth county, Iowa, and that on the
14TH DAY OF APRIL, A. D. 1900,
at 10 o’clock, a.m. of said day, at the front door of the court house in LeMars, Plymouth county, Iowa, I will proceed to sell said property, or so much thereof as may be necessary to satisfy said execution, amounting to Twenty-six Hundred Twenty-eight and 90/100 ($2628.90) dollars debt, with interest thereon at 8 per cent, per annum from February 20, 1900, and Seventy-seven and 40/100 ($77.40) dollars costs together with accruing costs, at public auction, to the highest and best bidder for cash.
Dated LeMars, Iowa, March 17, 1900
O.F. HERRON
Sheriff of Plymouth Co. Io.
MARTIN & MARTIN, Attorneys for Plaintiff.
M-20-27
Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Post, March 20, 1900
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The Gilchrist farm comprising 160 acres, situated in Marion township, was sold a few days ago at Sheriff’s sale and realized the good price of $50 per acre.  It was purchased by Henry L. Meyer.

Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, April 19, 1900

 

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