30AB.  Iva Tenbroeck was born in _____ _____, and died in Berrien County, Michigan, on March 10, 1916. Her husband was George (Fred) Wright She is the daughter of Jeremiah VanRansselear and Nettie A. (Weed) Ten Broeck. They had one child:

i. Ardys Ruth Wright: she was born in 1908.

The following is a newspaper clipping in the possession of Emma Youngblood Duffy. It is from a Berrien County, Michigan, newspaper printed in June of 1916, probably on the 16th. Each place the name George Wright appeared, it was crossed out in pencil and the name, Fred, written above it. The deceased mother in the article is Iva Tenbroeck Wright although her name is never mentioned. For an unknown reason, she was given up for adoption; perhaps her mother died and her father could not keep her and also work.

STRANGE CASE UP BEFORE JUDGE R. E. BARR OF PROBATE COURT
FOSTER PARENTS [OF] DECEASED MOTHER SEEK ADOPTION
  For the first time in the history of Berrien county probate court records a contested adoption case involving the father of the child in question and others not in the family has developed.
  The case in question is that of George Wright vs. Mr. and Mrs. Melvin J. Nelson. Wright, formerly a resident of Niles, now of California, is the father of seven-year-old Ardys Wright. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson of Berrien Center are the foster parents of the little girl's mother [Iva], now deceased.
  They seek to adopt the child, and the father contests the action.
  Unusual in many respects, the case has proven quite sensational. According to the father's own admission on the stand he has led a dual moral life in relationship to women—but he now claims that he has reformed and is entitled to the control of his child.
  Throughout the case is sad. On the stand Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, both aged, told a pitiable story. To them, nearly 25 years ago came a little child whom they reared to womanhood—this was the mother of the child whose case is now contested.
  Then George Wright came into the story; he married the foster child and took her to live with him in Niles. The baby was born and the home was split with domestic troubles. Finally the mother gained a divorce on charges of abuse, cruelty and nonsupport. She took her child with her to Chicago, where she gained employment in a department store. The aged foster parents heard of this an going to the city brought back the girl mother and deserted child. 		They made their home in Berrien Center with Mr. and Mrs. Nelson. The father was west in California. Nothing was heard of him. He made no provision for child or divorced wife.
  Suddenly on March 10 last the mother, taken ill with an attack of appendicitis, died; before death she asked that a guardian be appointed for the child in order that she might not go to the father. John J. Murphy of Berrien Center was appointed guardian. The mother died with this off her mind.
  Then the foster parents again took a hand in the case. They made application to adopt the child, now seven years old, as they had done the mother. Here the father returned to "life." He protested the action.
  The case was brought to court yesterday. Attorneys Cooledge & White appeared for Wright, O'Hara & O'Hara for the Nelsons.
  Chief issue involved is the character of the father. Not only has he shown no particular interest in the child since he was divorced by the mother—but he admitted on the stand that three years ago he took another woman to the home of his parents in Niles and lived with her as his lawful wife. His mother did not know this to be true until she heard it in court Wednesday afternoon.
  The father now claims that he has reformed. He operates a farm in California and while he does not see fit to take his daughter with him he wants her placed in the keep of his parents.
  Judge Barr had continued the case until attorneys file briefs.

Also in the possession of Emma Duffy was a post card dated December 6, 1909, from Iva at 614 Barry Ave., Chicago, Ill., to Mrs. B. F. Youngblood, R.F.D. #2, South Haven, Michigan. The front of the post card is a photograph of Ardys Ruth Wright and the message is: Dear Aunt and all: How would you like to see the original of this picture? She is sweet as a peach. She was 13 mo. old when this was taken. The last time she was weighed she weighed 28 lbs. Lovingly, Iva.