Mattie VAN CLEAVE granted divorce (1918)

As mentioned in Hendricks County Circuit Court Civil Order Book Volume 66 (June 1918 - February 1919), in November 1918 Mattie Van Cleave was granted a divorce from John Van Cleave (case #10134) after he failed to show up in court. She was also given custody of their children: Ava M. Van Cleave (age 14), Ernest Van Cleave (age 11), Alsenia Van Cleave (age 9) and Susanah Van Cleave (age 7). The Hendricks County Circuit Court Judge, Zimri E. Dougan, had disqualified himself and appointed an attorney, Edgar M. Blessing, to act as special judge in the case.