Ferington Mead Barker

Narrative:

     Ferington Mead Barker was born on 30 Nov 1876 in Huntington Twp., Huntington Co., Illinois.^9,10,11
     He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Huntington Twp., Huntington Co., Indiana, in the household of his parents, Thomas K. Barker and Mary Cochran.⁴ He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Huntington Twp., Huntington Co., Indiana, in the household of his parents.⁵
     On Sunday, 3 May 1903, Ferington spent the day near the old stone quarry on West Matilda St. with a group of companions, drinking freely. About 8:00 in the evening he and blacksmith Harry Linn got into a fight. Ferington received several serious knife wounds, and Linn was arrested and charged with assault and battery with intent to murder. After spending several days in jail, Linn was released 12 May when Ferington, who recovered from his wounds, declined to prosecute.^27,28
     Ferington was arrested for intoxication 18 May 1906. The next day he pleaded gulty and paid a fine.²⁹

Getting Married --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Ferington married Daisy May Kuhlmann, daughter of Nathan Henry Kuhlman and Mary C. Glick, on 30 Nov 1907 in Huntington Co., Indiana, with Rev. R. Hammond officiating.^12,13
     He was a laborer when he married, but a brick mason by 1910. He reported in 1940 he had worked hours the last week of March, and 52 weeks the prior year, earning $600.^{30,31,32,33,34,35}
     Ferington and Daisy appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Huntington, Huntington Co., Indiana, at 913 Clark St., enumerated 22 Apr 1910, reporting they owned their home, which was mortgaged. His father, and his brother Morton, were listed as living with them.³⁶
     On 16 Sep 1915 Ferington was declared guilty of a charge of provoke after he remonstrated a shop girl "in very lurid language and with threatening gestures." He accused her of providing tub butter rather than the cremery butter he had sent his step-daughter to purchase. He was fined $5 and costs.³⁷
     Ferington registered for the draft for World War I on 9 Sep 1918, while living at Huntington, Indiana, reporting he was employed as a bricklayer for the Austin Co. in Logansport, Indiana.²

Divorce Proceeding --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Daisy filed suit for divorce from Ferington in Huntington Co. circuit court 18 Nov 1919. She alleged cruel and inhuman treatment, stating he had struck her, cursed her, and called her vile names. She stated he was not fit to have custody of their two children, and asked for custody. She said she could earn $48 per week, and asked for $20 per week support, $500 alimony, and the household goods.^38,39
     Ferington and Daisy appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Huntington, Huntington Co., Indiana, at 851 Etna Ave., enumerated 8 Jan 1920, reporting they rented their home. Their children Ferdinand and Thomas were listed as living with them.⁴⁰
     Daisy was granted a divorce from Ferington 19 Jan 1920, in Huntington Co. He was granted custody of their two sons.^14,15

Re-Marrying the Same Wife --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Ferington remarried Daisy on 2 Apr 1920 in Akron, Summit Co., Ohio, with Frank G. Marsh, municipal judge, offciating.^16,17,18
     Daisy filed suit for divorce against Ferington on 28 May 1922, in Huntington Co. circuit court. She stated they separated 1 May, and alleged cruelty, saying he drinks and abuses her. She asked for a weekly allowance of $10 and $1,000 alimony and restoration of her maiden (actually first married) name of Daisy M. Jackson. They apparently reconciled and the suit dropped as a new suit was filed a few months later.⁴¹
     Daisy filed suit for divorce against Ferington again on 3 May 1924, in Huntington Co. circuit court. She alleged he was associated with other women on numerous occasions and was in other ways guilty of cruel and inhuman treatment. She stated he was an able-bodied man, a brick layer, and capable of earning $12 per day. She asked for a weekly allowance of $10 and $1,000 alimony and restoration of her maiden name of Daisy M. Jackson, and a restraining order preventing him from disposing of any property. No further record of this suit has been found, but it was apparently dropped as they remained married.⁴²
     Daisy filed suit for divorce against Ferington once more on 16 Jul 1924, in Huntington Co. circuit court. She stated they separated 10 Jul, and alleged cruelty and inhuman treatment. She said he was a hibitual user of alcoholic beverages, came home intoxicated, associated with other women, refused to support her or the children, and hit and cursed her. She also said he insisted that his brother Morton live with them, forced her to cook and wash for him, and when the brother was cruel and struck her he never tried to protect her. She asked for a weekly allowance of $10 and $1,000 alimony, and restoration of her maiden name of Daisy M. Jackson. The suit was reported dismissed in September, with her charged with costs, but in November it was reported it was dismissed in favor of a new suit.^43,44,45,46

Divorce Again, and Re-Marrying Again --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Daisy filed yet another suit for divorce against Ferington on 14 Nov 1924, in Huntington Co. circuit court. She charged he was in the habit of abusing her when under the influence of intoxicants. She asked for custody of the children, a weekly support of $15 and $1,000 alimony. An absolute divorce was granted to her 17 Jan 1925, with custody of the two children and possession of household goods she had owned before the marriage. He was ordered to pay the cost of trial and $35 attorneys fees, and given possession of household goods purchased since they married.^19,20
     Ferington remarried Daisy on 7 Feb 1925 in Hillsdale, Hillsdale Co., Michigan, with Arthur L. Guernsey, judge of probate, offciating.^21,22
     On 17 Mar 1926 Ferington was fined $10 and costs amounting to $40, and sentenced to 30 days in jail, on a charge of intoxication.⁴⁷
     Ferington and Daisy appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Huntington Twp., Huntington Co., Indiana, enumerated 25 Apr 1930, reporting they owned a home valued at $600, and did not own a radio. Their children Ferdinand and Thomas were listed as living with them, as was his brother Thomas.⁴⁸
     By 1931 Daisy was living with her daughter Mary on South Jefferson St., on the outskirts of Huntington. No evidence has been found that she lived with Ferington after that.^49,50
     Ferington appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Huntington, Huntington Co., Indiana, at Lower Andrews Road, enumerated 9 Apr 1940, in the household of his older brother Thomas. His son Ferdinand and his wife, Lucille, were also listed in the household. They all reported that they had lived in the same house in 1935.⁵¹
     It appears that Ferington and Daisy were divorced a third time, but when, or even if, that happened not clear. He is shown in the 1940 census as married. His death certificate, with their son as informant, shows him as divorced when he died. Her death certificate, with her daughter as informant, shows her as widowed.^23,24,25
     Ferington died on 15 Jan 1946 in Huntington Co., Indiana, at age 69.²⁶ He was buried on 18 Jan 1946 in Greenwood Cemetery, Huntington, Huntington Co., Indiana.³