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.

 

 

Thompson beginnings

Riley Thompson is my 3x great grandfather. He was born July 3, 1828 in Onondaga County, New York.  I have no further information on him in New York. The first record I have of him in Michigan is the 1850 census. He is listed as living with James and Anna Allen. Also living with him is his brother Leonard Thompson, who is around 32 years of age. No relationship is given to James and Anna Allen. I don't know if Anna is their mother and James is a stepfather? Or, if James and Anna are simply a couple who employ Riley and Leonard. James and Anna are both listed as 59 years of age so definitely old enough to be parents. They could also be other relatives too. An aunt and uncle? Cousins? Who knows? Riley is listed as a laborer with $300 worth of real estate. On a side note, he lives 2 houses down from my 4x great grandfather, Oliver Bellingar and his son, David, my 3x great grandfather on my maternal side. :)

Sometime between 1850 and 1855 Riley marries Hannah Kent, also of Allegan. Their first son, Henry, is born in August of 1855. Their second son, Andrew, is born January 25, 1859. Andrew is my 2x great grandfather. 

On the 1860 census Riley is now listed as a farmer with real estate worth $2000, and personal worth of $100. He's involved in civic affairs as I find him listed variously as chief constable, or deputy constable in Allegan village during the 1860's. He registered for the Civil War draft, but I don't find any record of him serving. 

In 1866 his brother Leonard dies. I've found very little on Leonard. I know he married, but I can't find any record of him having children. Leonard seems to be a mystery.

The 1870 census finds Riley even more prosperous. He's now listed as a real estate agent with a real estate worth of $3000 and a personal worth of $3000. In 1873 his wife Hannah passes away.

in 1876 I found a newspaper article that mentions him and another man being jailed for a couple of hours because they decided to cheer for Samuel Tilden, who was running for President, at a parade that was meant to garner support for Rutherford B. Hayes. 

The 1880 census finds Riley as a laborer, living with this 2 sons. His father and mother are both listed as being born in Vermont, and he says he was born in NY. Being born in NY is always consistent with him.

The 1900 census is interesting. Riley is now married to a woman named Mary. They were married in 1884. Occupation is Day Laborer. He lists his mother and father as being born in NY now.  He can read and write, lives in a House, and owns it. He lives in Allegan.

His second wife Mary dies in 1906. Riley dies in 1908. I found an obituary for him. It states that he was once a wealthy and prosperous man, but the evils of drink got to him and ruined him. He lived with his son Andrew and his family at the time of his death. Cause of death was listed as Uremia, which happens when the kidneys can't filter anymore. He was 80 years old. On his death certificate, which was filled out by Andrew, it lists him as the father of 4 children, of whom 2 were still alive. His father's name is listed as Allen Thompson and mother's name was first listed as unknown, but then written as Mary. 

More Namesakes

 I wanted to write briefly about some names I came across in my family tree research. Going back on the Thompson line to my great, great grandfather Andrew Thompson. His mother was Hannah Kent. Her father was James Kent. James was born in 1790 in Allegany County, New York. He died in 1850 in Watson township, Allegan, Michigan. I don't know too much about James, but he must've been very political or into politics. He names 2 of his sons after presidents. In 1824 he names his fourth son Andrew Jackson Kent. Andrew Jackson was not yet president of the United States but was very popular and well known at the time. He was a member of the Democratic-Republican party. James had another son born in 1832. This son was named Martin Van Buren Kent. He often shortened it to Martin V. Kent. Martin van Buren became Andrew Jackson's Vice President in 1833. Before that he was a governor of New York. He is considered one of the founders of the Democratic party. He became president himself in 1837. 

I just thought it was funny that James named 2 of his sons after presidents. And both were actually named after these men before they became president.