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Page 15 of 73

Descendants of Thomas Okey & Elizabeth Stockley

Generation No. 5


48. William Crawford5 Okey (James Weir4, Cornelius3, Leven2, Thomas1) was born August 24, 1828 in Woodsfield, Monroe County, Ohio, and died December 31, 1911 in Caldwell, Noble County, Ohio. He married (1) Julia A. Ring December 25, 1851 in Ohio, daughter of Walter Ring and Margaret. She died 1861 in Ohio. He married (2) Ruth Caldwell 1861 in Caldwell, Noble County, Ohio, daughter of Joseph Caldwell and Margaret McKee. She was born 1832 in Noble County, Ohio, and died October 16, 1905 in Noble County Ohio.

Notes for William Crawford Okey:
Described with auburn hair and blue eyes.
Was a bank Director
In 1860 he is living with Joseph Caldwell family in Noble County, Olive TWP, Ohio.
Charter member of Masonic Noble Lodge No. 459, Oct. 17, 1872.

WILLIAM C. OKEY, familiarly known as Judge Okey, is entitled to a place in the first rank of the present lawyers of Noble County, not only by reason of seniority, but also because his achievements have won for him that position. Mr. Okey was born in Woodsfield, Monroe County, Ohio, August 24, 1828. His father, James Okey, was among the prominent citizens of that county, holding the office of magistrate for twenty-one years, and representing the county in the State legislature for two terms. The subject of this notice spent his boyhood on a farm. After receiving a common school and academic education, he engaged in teaching school during the winter months, devoting his spare time to the study of the law. In 1849, he entered the law office of Nathan Hollister, and in 1851 he was admitted to the bar. In 1852 he opened an office in Sarahsville, then the county seat of the newly-formed County of Noble, as a member of the firm of Hollister, Okey & Hollister, where he soon rose to prominence in his profession. In 1855 he was appointed clerk of courts and in the following year was elected to that office. He followed the county seat to Caldwell, thus becoming one of the first settlers of the village in which he has since resided. At the expiration of his term as clerk he resumed the practice of law, continuing until 1862 when he entered the service of his country in Company E, Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a First Lieutenant. Resigning in 1863 by reason of disability, he again took up his practice which he has followed assiduously ever since. In 1866 he formed a co-partnership with Jabez Belford, one of the most prominent attorneys of Noble County, which lasted until the decease of Mr. Belford in 1882.
Mr. Okey has never been a politician in the ordinary acceptation of the word, yet he has taken a deep interest in all matters affecting the general welfare of the country. He is a firm supporter of the Democratic party. In 1870 he was nominated for judge of the court of common pleas in opposition to Hon. F.W. Wood, of McConnelsville. The district was largely Republican, yet Mr. Okey was defeated by only a small majority, running ahead of his ticket in most of the district, and carrying his own county by 350 majority.
He is the oldest lawyer in Noble County and for many years has had an extensive practice. He is diligent and industrious and conscientiously faithful to the interests of his clients. As a lawyer he bears an unspotted reputation. He is a man of decided views; a careful, cautious counselor, and a good judge of the law. A gentleman who has known him intimately for twenty-eight years, says of him: He is a gentleman, a good lawyer and an honest, straightforward and reputable citizen.” In him the younger attorneys of the county have a faithful friend, always willing to aid the deserving in securing a start in their profession.
Mr. Okey married for his first wife Miss Julia Ring. His present wife was Miss Ruth Caldwell, daughter of the venerable Joseph Caldwell, elsewhere mentioned.

History of Noble County, Ohio Published by L.H. Watkins & Co. of Chicago 1887

IN THE NAME OF THE BENEVOLENT FATHER OF ALL: I, William C. Okey, of Noble County, Ohio, being of sound disposing mind and memory, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form that is to say:
Item 1st I order and direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my estate by my executor hereinafter named.
Item 2nd I give, devise and bequeath unto my two sons, J. A. Okey and E. F. Okey, their heirs and assigns, all my estate real, personal and mixed that I may die possessed of, to be divided between them share and share alike.
Item 3rd I hereby nominate my son, J. A. Okey, executor of this my last will. giving him full power and authority to sell all my real estate at public or private sale and deeds to execute and deliver to purchasers in fee simple. I direct that my executor be not required to give any bond, that the Probate Judge direct the omission of the same.
I hereby revoke all former wills by me made.
I request that my body be interred in the Olive Cemetery by the side of my beloved wife, Ruth Okey, who departed this life October 16th 1905.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of October A.D. 1905.
His Signature Wm C. Okey
Signed and acknowledged by the said William C. Okey as his last will and testament in our presence, and signed by us in his presence and at his request.
J.M Mc Ginnis
L. B. Frazier

Codicil
Wheras, I, Willliam C. Okey, on the 19th day of October 1905, made my last will and testament of that day do hereby declare the following to be a codicil to the same.
I do hereby give and bequeath to my housekeeper Jennie Bond the sum of One hundred Dollars, to paid out of my estate, in consideration of her ten years faithful service to my beloved wife Ruth Okey, deceased and to myself since her decease. Also I desire to state so that there can be no misunderstanding that the said Jennie Bond purhcased from me one feather bed and about ten or fifteen yards of carpet both of which articles now remain in my house; and that the said Jennie Bond is the owner of an undivided one half interest in the chickens on the premises, and it is my desire that the above property owned by her, be turned over to her upon my decease.
I hereby reaffirm all the provisions of my said will except in so far as the same are modified by this codicil.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand nine hundred and nine.
His mark William C. Okey
Signed and acknowledged by the said William C. Okey as a codicil to his last will and testament dated October 19th 1905, in our presence, and signed by us in his presence and the presence of each other
and at his request.
Mrs. M. E. Cooley
L. B. Frazier

Notes for Ruth Caldwell:
In the name of the benevolent Father of all:
I Ruth Okey of Noble County, Ohio, being of sound disposing mind and memory, and not under any unlawful restraint, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form that is to say:
Item 1 I order and direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my estate.
Item 2. I give and bequeath unto my beloved husband, William C. Okey, for and during his natural life, or so long as he remains unmarried, all the goods and chattles of which I may die possessed.
Item 3. I give and devise unto my beloved husband, William C. Okey, during his natural life, or so long as he remains unmarried, all the real estate of which I may die seized wihout impeachment for permissive waste. At the death of said husband, if he survives me, or at his marriage, the personal property mentioned in item two and the real estate mentioned in item three of this my will is to go as provided in item five of this my last will and testament.
Item 4. It is my will, and I so order and direct, that at the death of said husband, if he survives me, or at his marriage , the real estate mentioned in item three of this my will, be sold by my executor hereinafter named, either at public or private sale, and at such times and upon such terms of payment as may seem best to him, and as a whole or in tracts as in his judgment may appear to be for the best interest of my estate. I hereby authorize and empower my said executor to make, execute and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers deeds in fee simple for my said real estate.
Item 5. The proceeds of the sale of my said real estate aforesaid, I give and bequeath as follows: To my son, J. A. Okey, and his heirs forever on half part thereof , and to my son E. F. Okey and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten, I give and bequeath the other half of the proceeds of the sale of my said real estate. I hereby order and direct my said executor either to invest the share of my son E. F. Okey and the heirs of his body in the proceeds of the sale of my real estate at interest, or in real real estate as may seem best to my said executor. In case the said share of my son, E. F. Okey and the heirs of his body is invested at interest then in such case, I order and direct that my son, W. F. Okey and his wife, Cora F. Okey, receive during the life time of said E. F. Okey the income arising from the said share of said E. F. Okey and the heirs of his body in the proceeds of the said sale of real estate. In case, however, my said executor shall deem it best to invest said proceeds in real estate, then in such case, it is my will, and I so order and direct, that a life estate go to my son, E. F. Okey and his wife, Cora F. Okey and the remainder in fee is to pass to and vest in the heirs of his body. My said executor is hereby directed to take title for said real estate in the name of E. F. Okey and Cora F. Okey his wife and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten.
Item 6. At the death or marriage of my said husband, William C. Okey , I give and bequeath all my chattel property to my sons, J. A. Okey and E. F. Okey share and share alike.
Item 7. I hereby nominate and appont my son, J. A. Okey, executor of this my last will and testament hereby authorizing and empowering him to do all things necessary to fully carry out the provisions of this my last will and testament. I hereby direct that he be not required to give any bond as such executor, and the Probate Judge is requested to direct the omission of the same. I hereby revoke all former wills by me made.
In testimony hereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 12th day of August A. D. 1905.

Her signature Ruth Okey
Signed and acknowledged by said Ruth Okey as her last will and testament in our presence; and signed by us in her presence and at her request.
A. C Okey
L. B Frazier

In addition to her spouse William C. Okey she surviving next of Kin are:
J. A. Okey Son of Caldwell, Ohio
E. F. Okey Son of Dexter City, Ohio
Martha Okey age 7 granddaughter Dexter, City, Ohio
Ruth Okey age 7 granddaughter Dexter, City, Ohio
Edwin Okey age 5 Grandson Dexter, City, Ohio
William Okey age 2 Grandson Dexter, City, Ohio
The four last above mentioned are minor childten of said E. F. Okey and are devisees under said will of decedent.

J. A. Okey sold the Real Estate in the will to satisfy debts of the estate in 1906 to John Schafer for the amount of $1,350. The cattle sold for $200. She had $68.19 on hand at her death. total $1,618.19

Expenses and debts paid out.
March 28, 1905 Paid W. C. Okey, on value of life estate      $300.00
Paid Recorder                              $ .85
Paid Friedman Bros.                        $ 3.77
Paid Frank Wiley                              $ 5.00
Paid O. A. Wade                              $ 10.00
Paid Pryn Bros                              $ 4.00
Paid A. S. Bivens                              $ 12.00
Paid Samuel McKee                        $ 5.00
Paid J. H. Mills                              $ 28.42
Paid Mills Furniture Co                        $141.50
Paid E. C. Brown                              $626.25
Paid Ella Merry                              $165.00
Paid Cemetery lot                              $ 15.00
Paid Probate Judge (for Wheeler)                  $ 4.06
Paid Probate Judge                              $ 3.03
Paie Probate Judge for this account                  $ 5.00
Paid Colpitt & Boswell                        $290.00

Total                                    $1619.77
Over-paid                                    $ 1.58
     
Child of William Okey and Julia Ring is:
  i.   MARGARET6 OKEY144, b. 1854.
  Notes for MARGARET OKEY:
In 1860, living with Walter Ring age 66 and Margaret \\ age 57 in Benton TWP next to Jacob Ring age 32, Walter age 7, Margaret age 6 and Samuel age 4.


     
Children of William Okey and Ruth Caldwell are:
  ii.   JOSEPH ADDISON6 OKEY145, b. January 9, 1861, Caldwell, Noble, Ohio; d. February 27, 1936, Noble County, Ohio; m. LAURA A. COLLINS146, August 28, 1889, Noble County, Ohio147; b. November 1861, Carlisle, Noble, Ohio; d. 1940, Caldwell, Ohio.
  Notes for JOSEPH ADDISON OKEY:
BA from Ohio Wesleyan 1885. Bachelor of Laws from Cincinnati Law College 1887.
Practiced Law in Noble County from 1887 until at least 1925.
Member of Fourth Ohio Constitutional Convention in 1912.
Deacon in Baptist Church and Superintendent of Sunday School 1913-1923.
In 1910 Noble County, Caldwell TWP., Ohio, census records, his household contains: His wife Laura C age 48, Mother-in-law Elizabeth Collans age 70 and sister-in-law, Martha age 50.

  More About LAURA A. COLLINS:
Burial: Olive Cemetery
  iii.   JAMES A. OKEY148, b. Aft. 1861.
  iv.   MILTON OKEY149, b. April 2, 1864, Noble County Ohio; d. August 7, 1866, Noble County Ohio.
  v.   JOSEPHINE C. OKEY150, b. January 9, 1868, Noble County Ohio; d. March 19, 1881, Noble County Ohio.
138. vi.   EDWIN FORREST OKEY, b. March 1, 1872, Noble County Ohio; d. December 24, 1911, Noble County Ohio.


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