Well come to the board, coopycake - pleased to have you with us. And to start with such an interesting question.

These might be of interest

http://www.antiquesonline.com/pages/102064.html
print of the ruination of a Man – price 4150 !!

http://
http://biblioteca.euroweb.ro/zarif/pentru/laroch.htm

But just how they tie in with my understanding of the phrase, I am not clear! To me, "To make an honest woman" of someone means to regularise a close relationship by marrying the wench! (usuallly because of imminent parturition) A very patronising phrase, much in favour in late Victorian, and Edwardian times, when it was used in all seriousness, becoming more ironic in its use as the C20 progressed. In its ironic sense, I have also heard, "to make an honest man of him," used to a woman when she has announced that she is about to marry.