Flew the Coop

 This week's prompt is "Flew the coop," which immediately makes me think of chickens. Over the years I've acquired a small collection of chicken knick-knacks. I was surprised, and delighted, when I found out that my Grandma Henrickson also had a small collection of chicken items in her kitchen. In my current neighborhood we have a band of wild, wandering, free range chickens. There's nothing quite like waking up every morning to a rooster crowing. 

But, this prompt mostly made me think of my paternal 2x great uncle, George Herman Karg. George was the uncle of my great grandmother Emily Dobbratz Ashley, on my Dad's side. George was born in Germany in 1866 and immigrated to America with his family, and led quite the life. He lived in Chicago and Los Angeles. He was a life long bachelor. He liked to travel. He was a pharmacist and is the uncle who introduced cousin George Remus to becoming a pharmacist, before Remus became a bootlegger. Uncle George was an actor at one point, and, near the end of his life, he helped operate and run a chicken ranch in California.

In 1930 George Karg decided to move to California. I'm not sure what made him decide to move, or what prompted it. Maybe a change of scenery? I found this article in the Monrovia News, from February 21, 1930.

I found some pictures that Uncle George sent to his niece Emily, my great grandmother. They're very cool.

George Herman Karg, 1930

The 1930 Federal Census gives us a few more clues about George's chicken venture. He's listed as being a boarder and living with the Berlin family. A husband and wife, child, and mother in-law, and boarder George, all living at the same house. Unfortunately for George, the chicken ranch didn't seem to work out. In 1933 I found a foreclosure sale for the property in the local newspaper. For nonpayment of debt.

I know Uncle George went back to Chicago for a bit, but then later returned to California as he was living in Los Angeles when he passed away in 1948. He was 81 years old when he passed away. From a family history book I have on my Dobbratz and Karg relatives, it was stated that Uncle George was "highly thought of" by my great grandmother and her brother and sisters. In addition to these pictures, I also have postcards that Uncle George sent to Emily from his travels to Canada. She must've thought highly of him if she kept his pictures, letters and postcards. 

I did some research on Monrovia and Duarte California. The land where the chicken ranch was on was originally part of a much larger plot of land deeded to Andres Duarte after he retired from the Mexican army. When the land was handed over to America he was validated as the landowner and kept his land. He later became unable to pay the taxes on his land and it was developed and sold off. It sits in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains. The land was primarily used as agricultural land until the end of World War II. I wasn't able to find an exact address for George's house so I couldn't google it to see what the land looks like today. I'm pretty sure there's no chicken ranch left though. :)

Helen Lucille Bellingar

The prompt for this week is "Starts with a vowel." So, I'm writing about Mildred Bellingar Strand's younger sister, Helen Lucille Bellingar, who moved to Los Angeles. (Angeles begins with an "A".  It's a stretch. :) )

Helen Lucille Bellingar was born August 25, 1903 in Allegan, Michigan. She was the third child and second daughter born to Charles and Elnora Bellingar. Whereas Mildred is described as shy and reserved, Helen is described as vivacious and outgoing. Mildred is remembered as having said she was surprised Carl Strand asked her to marry him as she always thought he was more interested in the lively Helen. 

Here is a picture of Helen at age 3 in 1906.

Helen Bellingar 1906. Colorized photo.

On the 1920 Federal census, dated January 27, 1920, Helen is living with Thomas Young and his wife. Helen is 16 and listed as a servant in the household. She did not attend school but knew how to read and write. She was employed for wages and worked as an operator for the phone company. She lived a few houses down from Fred Germain, who would be such a big help to Carl and Mildred in later years. On August 14, 1920 she married Archie Keith Kent. 

Archie Keith Kent was born in Allegan, Michigan on April 3, 1899. He is also related to me through my paternal side. He's my cousin through my 3x great grandmother Hannah Kent Thompson. At sometime Archie left Michigan and moved to live with an older brother in Los Angeles, California. On his draft card for World War I he lists LA as his address and assistant tech switchboard operator as his job. However on the 1920 Federal census he is living back in Allegan as a boarder at a boarding house. His job is listed as laborer with an automotive company. On the marriage certificate he's listed as being in War Service Against Germany and his address is listed as Los Angeles. Helen's age is listed as 18. She was actually a few days shy of her 17th birthday. Witnesses to the marriage were Carl and Mildred Strand.

I believe that Archie and Helen move back to Los Angeles soon after getting married. I've found Archie registered to vote in California in 1924. He's registered as a Democrat. There is a Helen L. Kent listed in the city directory for Los Angeles who works as a telephone operator but I can't be sure it's her. LA is a big city. The next verified finding of either one occurs on April 23, 1926. Archie places an ad in the Los Angeles Times saying that he will no longer be responsible for any debts incurred by his wife Helen. 

The next is October 22, 1926 when Archie files for divorce from Helen. The divorce is granted on December 10, 1926. Archie stays in California and remarries at least one more time. He passes away in 1977, living in Apple Valley, San Bernardino County. He never had any children.

Meanwhile Helen remarried the very next year on December 17, 1927 to a Robert Earle Jodon. Robert was listed as a switchboard manager in the city directory and the 1930 Federal census. Robert was born and raised in California. His marriage to Helen was his first. His father was an electrical engineer with Edison Company. I've found newspaper articles in the social section talking about elaborate holiday dinner parties that Robert and Helen, along with Robert's parents were invited to.

Dec. 2, 1933.

In the 1940 Federal census Helen and Robert are still living in Glendale, California. Robert is now a district wire supervisor with the Southern California phone company. Their neighbors include public school teachers, radio singers, a claims attorney and even a playwright. Helen shows having a high school education through the 1st year.

The 1950 Federal census shows they have moved but are still in Glendale. Robert is a District Supervisor with the phone company. Helen does not work and is not seeking work. Helen used to send boxes of her unwanted clothes to Mildred, and Joyce would wear some of them. Howard would fly out to California and visit with Helen when he was earning his flying hours. Mildred always used to look forward to getting letters from Helen. I imagine living in Los Angeles in the 1920's and 30's was much more exciting than living in Allegan, Michigan. Joyce wrote that one time during the 1930's Charles and Elnora decided to drive out to California to visit Helen. They followed son Ray who drove on ahead. At some point Charles lost track of Ray and ended up getting lost in New Mexico. Charles wanted to turn back but Elnora said, "No." and they drove on to Albuquerque where they found Ray and continued their journey. Helen came back to Michigan once, in the 1950's. 

Helen passed away January 10, 1980 at the age of 76. She and Robert lived in San Bernardino County. During the 1960's Robert sold their Glendale home to the local library and the land was turned into additional parking for the library. I haven't been able to find an obituary but Helen died after having cancer. Robert passed away in 1989. They never had any children. 

Helen's life was definitely different than Mildred's. Helen married twice, never had children, lived a comfortable life and lived in Los Angeles, California. Mildred might have been envious of Helen and her lifestyle, but who can say for sure. I know I would definitely loved to read Helen's letters from LA.