On 3 Mar 1885 when John D. was 24, he first married
Mary Ellie Omans, daughter of
George Washington Omans (10 Mar 1841-19 Jan 1922) &
Melissa Susan Nelson (18 Apr 1847-30 May 1930), in Detroit Lake, Becker County, Minnesota.
Born on 27 Jun 1866 in Richland, Oswego County, New York. Mary Ellie died in Rogersville, Webster County, Missouri, on 21 Dec 1895; she was 29.
John and Mary were first cousins once removed; his mother and her paternal grandfather were siblings.