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People
Meet the many people who argued for and against carceral, institutional, and interpersonal confinement in the petitions filed in County and District Courts throughout the American West over the long nineteenth century. Browse or search people by name, demographic characteristics, case role, and/or relationships described in each petition. Our encoding practice for people features data pulled from the available case files and in some instances additional data from supplemental sources is also included. Only people with case roles are indexed here, while all persons named in a case are listed on the case page. The Glossary defines the attributes used to structure data from the habeas petitions. The Code Book explains the relational structure of the data and functionality of the database website.
Featured story: Lucía Martínez: Yaqui Arizona, 1854-1900
Basic Search
Simply enter the word you wish to find and the search engine will search for every instance of the word in the journals. For example: Fight. All instances of the use of the word fight will show up on the results page.
Wildcard Searches
Using an asterisk (*) will increase the odds of finding the results you are seeking. For example: Fight*. The search results will display every instance of fight, fights, fighting, etc. More than one wildcard may be used. For example: *ricar*. This search will return most references to the Aricara tribe, including Ricara, Ricares, Aricaris, Ricaries, Ricaree, Ricareis, and Ricarra. Using a question mark (?) instead of an asterisk (*) will allow you to search for a single character. For example, r?n will find all instances of ran and run, but will not find rain or ruin.
Capitalization
Searches are not case sensitive. For example: george will come up with the same results as George.
Phrase Search
Searching for a specific phrase may help narrow down the results. Rather long phrases are no problem. For example: "This white pudding we all esteem".
Subsequent Searches
Because of the creative spellings used by the journalists, it may be necessary to try your search multiple times. For example: P?ro*. This search brings up numerous variant spellings of the French word pirogue, "a large dugout canoe or open boat." Searching for P?*r*og?* will bring up other variant spellings. Searching for canoe or boat also may be helpful.
Filter by:
Case Roles
- respondent 191
- bound party 186
- holding party 184
- responding party 169
- petitioner 22
- interested party 6
- judge 1
- respondent attorney 1
Race or Ethnicity
- Unknown 265
- White 109
- German 9
- Black 7
- Chinese 4
- Multiracial 3
- Indigenous 2
- Irish 2
- Czech 1
- Hawaiian 1
- Kanaka 1
- Pacific Islander 1
Birth Place
- Unknown 264
- Nebraska 44
- United States 29
- Iowa 11
- Illinois 6
- Pennsylvania 4
- Germany 3
- Ireland 3
- Kansas 3
- Ohio 3
- Washington 3
- Washington Territory 3
- Arizona 2
- Astoria, Washington 2
- Kentucky 2
- Missouri 2
- New York 2
- North Dakota 2
- Alaska 1
- California 1
- Creek, Nebraska 1
- England 1
- France 1
- Hemme, Germany 1
- Kappeln, Germany 1
- Minnesota 1
- Omaha, Nebraska 1
- Oregon 1
- Prussia 1
- Sweden 1
- West Virginia 1
- Wisconsin 1
Birth Year
- 1888 8
- 1861 5
- 1878 5
- 1895 5
- 1900 5
- 1908 5
- 1874 4
- 1881 4
- 1892 4
- 1897 4
- 1907 4
- 1912 4
- 1914 4
- 1841 3
- 1863 3
- 1868 3
- 1879 3
- 1883 3
- 1893 3
- 1896 3
- 1899 3
- 1902 3
- 1904 3
- 1909 3
- 1843 2
- 1845 2
- 1847 2
- 1852 2
- 1854 2
- 1860 2
- 1862 2
- 1865 2
- 1867 2
- 1873 2
- 1877 2
- 1884 2
- 1901 2
- 1905 2
- 1906 2
- 1911 2
- 1913 2
- 1921 2
- 1814 1
- 1821 1
- 1823 1
- 1830 1
- 1832 1
- 1837 1
- 1842 1
- 1844 1
- 1848 1
- 1849 1
- 1850 1
- 1851 1
- 1855 1
- 1856 1
- 1857 1
- 1858 1
- 1864 1
- 1870 1
- 1871 1
- 1875 1
- 1876 1
- 1880 1
- 1885 1
- 1886 1
- 1889 1
- 1890 1
- 1891 1
- 1903 1
- 1910 1
- 1915 1
- 1916 1
- 1918 1
Age Category
- Adult 181
- Minor 160
- Unindicated 57
Relationships
- in the disputed interpersonal custody of 399
- judged by 217
- parent of 214
- attorney against 158
- attorney for 105
- married to 81
- child of 57
- grandparent of 53
- sibling of 45
- presumed relative of 43
- relative of 35
- inlaw of 30
- formerly married to 23
- adoptive parent of 14
- an institutional ward of 14
- next friend of 9
- presumed inlaw of 8
- guardian of 7
- court-appointed guardian of 6
- stepparent of 6
- in the temporary custody of 5
- jailed by 5
- kidnapper of 5
- parent-appointed guardian of 5
- self-appointed guardian of 5
- cohabitating with 4
- detained by 4
- former inlaw of 4
- stepchild of 4
- alleged parent of 3
- represented by 3
- disputed spouse of 1
- enslaved by 1
- friend of 1
- in legal custody of 1
Cases
- In the matter of the application of James E. Warden for a writ of Habeas Corpus 7
- Habeas Corpus of Myrtle Johnson for F.E. Wright against Frank Wright and Mattie Smails 5
- In the matter of application of Ethel Siefken for and on behalf of Marvel Siefken, Elmo Siefken and Kennard Siefken, minors for writ of Habeas Corpus 5
- In the Matter of the Application of Leta Eshom, formerly Leta Bassett, for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Wilber Bassett, age 11 years, and Alma May Bassett, age 8 years 5
- In the Matter of the Application of Maria L. Peterson for Writ of Habeas Corpus 5
- State of Nebraska ex rel Agnes Donohue, et al. vs. Kittie F. Noonan, et al. 5
- State of Nebraska ex rel Ellen Kinnison, Relator, vs Henry Kinnison and Iva Kinnison, his wife, George Kinnison and Ruby Kinnison, his wife, Respondents 5
- The State of Nebraska On the Relation of Hermann Reiter, Complainant vs. Johanna Reiter, Respondent 5
- Habeas Corpus of George Hanson for Florence Hansen against Louis Hansen et al 4
- In re application for George W. Hahne and Elsie M. Hahne for writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Fred E. Sawtell and Mary A. Sawtell 4
- In the Matter of Application for writ of Habeas Corpus for Harry Carr and Herbert Carr minor children of Sam'l L. Carr 4
- In the matter of the application of Eddy Cramer, Willie Cramer, and Clarence Cramer, by George H. A. Cramer, for a writ of Habeas Corpus 4
- In the matter of the Application of Ella Bevington Habeas Corpus of F. R. Day 4
- In the matter of the application of J. J. Blevins for writ a [sic 4
- In the matter of the Application of Josie Martin in Habeas Corpus 4
- In the Matter of the Application of Lemuel M. Dobbs, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 4
- In the Matter of the application of Nora Leon Gantz, for a writ of Habeas Corpus to obtain the custody of her minor son, Lester William Teter 4
- In the matter of the application of Peter Wurtz for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Robert Wurtz, a minor 4
- In the matter of the application of Wong Yuen for a writ of habeas corpus 4
- In the Matter of the Petition of Celia I. Dougherty for Habeas Corpus 4
- Matter of the Application by Henry Burman for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for May Burman 4
- State of Nebraska ex rel Richard Seward by Kittie F. Noonan, his next friend, etc. vs. Agnes Donohue, et al. 4
- In the matter of the illegal confinement of Nellie Louisa Lopez 3
- Application for the Writ of Habeas Corpus for Mary Plunkett 3
- Application of Eva Miller & Jessie Miller (Minors) for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- Charles Gahres and Martha J. Gahres v. Isabella Sutton and W. H. Barrett 3
- Ellis M. Harrison vs. Eillen M. Harrison 3
- Ex Parte Joseph Scheiber 3
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of William M Parkinson 3
- Habeas Corpus of Alex Petosky against Edward Cudihee Shf. 3
- Habeas Corpus of Louisa Tubbs for Samuel Tubbs against Charles and Caroline Spink 3
- Habeas Corpus of Oscar Ralph against John J. Golliet 3
- In Matter of Application of John C. Verbiest for writ of Habeas Corpus for body of Susie M. Verbiest an Infant 3
- In Re application of Theodore Hill for a Writ of Habeas Corpus by his mother Zoa G. Zeroz in his behalf 3
- In re Hazel Allsman, Habeas Corpus 3
- In re-application of Edna Lambert for Writ of Habeas Corpus vs. W. G. Seeley and Mrs. W. G. Seeley, his wife 3
- In the Matter of the application for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Lillian Lee, a minor 3
- In the matter of the application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Mollie A. Calhoun, a minor 3
- In the matter of the application for Joseph Hajek for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In The Matter Of The Application For Writ Of Habeas Corpus For Kramer Whose First Name Is Unknown And Standish First Name Unknown By A E Howard 3
- In the Matter of the Application of Addaline A. Wilson and Oliver Perry Wilson for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Application of Alice McKay for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Application of Alice McKay for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for the Body of Mary McKay Her Infant Daughter 3
- In the matter of the application of Alma Zerbst for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Application of Annie Davis, Clarence W. Davis, and Carrie B. Davis for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the application of Belden Finley for writ of Habeas Corpus for Verne A. Finley 3
- In the matter of the application of Bonnie Manion for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Lera Manion and Howard Manion 3
- In the matter of the application of Edith Uhling, for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the application of Elmer Estes in behalf of his minor daughter, Rosa May Estes, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Application of F. Vetter for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the application of Flow Morton and Leona P. Morton husband and wife, in behalf of their minor children William LaVearl Morton and Gladys Lucile Morton 3
- In the matter of the application of Fred O. Lane for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the application of George H. Place on Behalf of his two minor children Howard D. Place and Zella V. Place for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the application of Hew G. Durham for a writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Sylvia May Durham 3
- In the Matter of the Application of John P. Whitney for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Application of Joseph Thomas Williams, by Joseph Lafayette Williams, his father and next friend for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the Application of Loran L. Paine for writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Application of Lorimer Ells for Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Application of Lucile Dawson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus by Lulu Dawson 3
- In the matter of the application of Mary Marshall mother of Wm. Marshall an infant for a petition of habeas corpus 3
- In the matter of the application of Mary V. Cunningham for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Ruby L. Lanham, Her minor Daughter 3
- In the Matter of the Application of Mrs Cora Cummings nee Datson 3
- In the matter of the application of Mrs. Jennie Wingate for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the application of Ray Rickard for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Application of Robert Volwiler and Lillian Volwiler Minors, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the application of Susan M. Horn the mother and natural guardian of Nora E. Horn and Rapsie Horn for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the application of Thomas Francis Smiley, for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Habeas Corpus of Caroline Dyer and John Dyer 3
- In the Matter of the Petition of John S. Burnell for Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the petition of Stella Williams for a writ of habeas corpus for Howard Edward Godden 3
- Joseph Wells v. William A Church & Martha Church 3
- Lucia Martinez vs. Thomas Barrman, K. S. Woolsey, John Ammerman & Mrs Ammerman 3
- State of Nebraska on the relation of Samuel J. Coffman vs. India A. Coffman 3
- In the Matter of the Application for Writ Habeas Corpus W. B. Cowing Jr. 2
- In the matter of the Application of Anna Berg et al for Writ of Habeas Corpus, Wasgreu 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Mabelle S. Keller for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- Andrew H. Derrick v. Mary J. Whitesides 2
- Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus by Elizabeth Bird 2
- Application of Gertrude Bloomfield, on Behalf of Pearl Proto (infant) for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- Application of Minnie Hall Riley for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- By the Habeas Corpus Act in the matter of Horatio Napoleon Marsden 2
- Catharine L. Martin v. Jesse Martin 2
- Eugene Crowne v. James McAuliff 2
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Alice Tully 2
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Augusta Krause 2
- Habeas Corpus in the Matter of Bridgett Halpin 2
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Ellen Ryan 2
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of James D. Lloyd 2
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of John Medford 2
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Lucy A Rogers 2
- Habeas Corpus of Frank Lagerquist against Peter A. Swanson 2
- Habeas Corpus of Shella Hoffman against Mary D. Martin 2
- In re application of Estella Lyell for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In re application of Mary Harmon for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In Re application of Rosie Nichols for a Writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Addassa F. Maxson 2
- In Re Application of Russell and Nettie Watson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In re application of Virginia May LaVonne, by Grace LaVonne, her mother and next friend, for a writ of habeas corpus 2
- In re-application of Grace Baker for writ of habeas corpus 2
- In the Application of Maud Ely by J. O. Ely her father for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of Application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus on Behalf of Thomas Nelson Overnell, a small child about 14 months old in Island County 2
399 results
Download JSON Download CSVResser, Francis
- Birth date: January 1, 1814
- Birth place: France
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Painter, Hattie R. (Hattie Kersey Painter)
- Birth date: January 1, 1821
- Birth place: Pennsylvania
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Goodhard, Elsaba (Emma Guthard)
- Birth date: November 19, 1823
- Birth place: Hemme, Germany
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White, German
- Case role(s): Holding party, respondent, responding party
Hamilton, Leuvica O.
- Birth date: January 1, 1830
- Birth place: Kentucky
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
Davis, Sarah M.
- Birth date: January 1, 1832
- Birth place: Kentucky
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
Marsden, Horatio Napoleon
- Birth date: January 1, 1837
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Halpin, Bridgett (Halfpeney)
- Birth date: January 1, 1841
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Church, Martha (Martha Wright)
- Birth date: January 1, 1841
- Birth place: Ohio
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Tully, Alice
- Birth date: September 20, 1841
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Tharpe, Nathan D.
- Birth date: May 1, 1842
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Prey, Martha J.
- Birth date: January 1, 1843
- Birth place: Ohio
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Parkinson, William M.
- Birth date: January 1, 1843
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Krause, Augusta
- Birth date: January 1, 1844
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Medford, John
- Birth date: January 1, 1845
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Tharpe, Irena
- Birth date: May 1, 1845
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Gieselman, William
- Birth date: January 1, 1847
- Birth place: Germany
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: German, White
- Case role(s): Responding party, holding party
Vanhorn, Frances
- Birth date: November 11, 1847
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Noonan, Fannie
- Birth date: January 1, 1848
- Birth place: New York
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White, Irish
- Case role(s): Holding party, respondent, responding party
Edwards, Martha Adaline
- Birth date: January 1, 1849
- Birth place: Missouri
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Bound party
Quivey, Elmer P. (Quivy)
- Birth date: January 1, 1850
- Birth place: United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Gieselman, Dora
- Birth date: January 1, 1851
- Birth place: Germany
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: German
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party
Derrick, Louisa Jane
- Birth date: January 1, 1852
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Miller, Clara
- Birth date: August 1, 1852
- Birth place: Iowa, United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Sawtell, Fred E.
- Birth date: January 1, 1854
- Birth place: Illinois
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent
Raphael, Mother Superior (Sister M. Raphael, Mary of St. Raphael Moran, Mother Raphael, M. Raphael Moran)
- Birth date: January 1, 1854
- Birth place: United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Holding party, responding party, respondent
Miller, William E.
- Birth date: January 1, 1855
- Birth place: Pennsylvania, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
Seeley, William G.
- Birth date: January 1, 1856
- Birth place: Illinois, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Teter, Harvey (Howard)
- Birth date: January 1, 1857
- Birth place: Illinois
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Doyle, Dora
- Birth date: January 1, 1858
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Hume, Leuvica
- Birth date: January 1, 1860
- Birth place: Washington Territory
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
Teter, Laura
- Birth date: January 1, 1860
- Birth place: Illinois
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Guthmann, Anna
- Birth date: January 1, 1861
- Birth place: Wisconsin, United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent
Blevins, Henry C.
- Birth date: January 1, 1861
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Sawtell, Mary A.
- Birth date: January 1, 1861
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent
Seeley, Della (Mrs. W. G. Seeley)
- Birth date: January 1, 1861
- Birth place: Iowa, United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Overnell, Thomas Nelson
- Birth date: August 1, 1861
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Gregory, Sarah B.
- Birth date: January 1, 1862
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Blevins, John A.
- Birth date: January 1, 1862
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Wells, Martha (Maty, Matty, Mattie)
- Birth date: January 1, 1863
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Blevins, Thomas H. S.
- Birth date: January 1, 1863
- Birth place: Oregon, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Reiter, Johanna
- Birth date: April 1, 1863
- Birth place: Kappeln, Germany
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
Vetter, Susannah
- Birth date: January 1, 1864
- Birth place: New York
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White, German
- Case role(s): Bound party
Carter, Jesse
- Birth date: January 1, 1865
- Birth place: Ohio
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Martin, Martha M. (Mary)
- Birth date: January 1, 1865
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Uhling, Edith O. (Uhlig)
- Birth date: January 1, 1867
- Birth place: Pennsylvania
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Bound party
Martinez, Clara A.
- Birth date: January 1, 1867
- Birth place: Arizona
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Indigenous, Multiracial, White
- Case role(s): Bound party
Martinez, Johana
- Birth date: January 1, 1868
- Birth place: Arizona
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Indigenous, White, Multiracial
- Case role(s): Bound party
Carter, May
- Birth date: January 1, 1868
- Birth place: Pennsylvania
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Cramer, Emma
- Birth date: January 1, 1868
- Birth place: Sweden
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Coffman, India A.
- Birth date: September 1, 1870
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
