Elsie Mae Applegate

Documented History

Elsie Mae Applegate was born on 27 January 1893, per Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011.

According to the 1900 United States Federal Census, Elsie M. lived with her parents and siblings in Crothersville, Jackson, Indiana. Her father was George W. Applegate, born in Indiana in April 1857. George was 43 years old and working as a Drayman. George was married to Serilda, born in July 1872 in Indiana. She was 27 years old. George and Serilda had been married for 10 years. Serilda had five children, 4 of whom were still living.

Elsie’s brother John W was 9 years old. Elsie M was born in January 1893; she was 7 years old. Their sister Edna M was born in December 1894; she was 5 years old. Their brother George G was born in August 1899; he was 9 months old. Serilda’s sister, Cora B. White, lived with them then. She was born in August 1880 and was 19 years old.

The Applegate family had visitors at the time of the Census. The visitors are listed as Joseph E Cornish, born October 1866. Joseph’s wife was Emma, born August 1877. Joseph and Emma’s children were Von L, born April 1895, and Vera J., born May 1897. Both children were born in Tennessee.

Based on information from the 1910 United States Federal Census, in 1910, on Mill Street in Crothersville, Indiana, Elsie Mae Applegate, a 17-year-old stepdaughter, resided with the Toppe family. Living in a household of six, she shared her home with her mother Serilda, siblings Edna, George, and Charles, and the head of the house, stepfather, Henry Toppe.

Elsie, a white female born in Indiana, could read and write English. Despite not attending school at the time of the census, she was literate. The family’s close-knit dynamic is evident through the relationships outlined, showcasing a blended family unit in early 20th-century America.

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Marriage

Elsie Mae Applegate married Wilford Mann on 4 September 1912 in Marion County, Indiana, per Indiana, Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993. Her parents were listed as George W. Applegate and Serilda White. She was 19 years old at the time. Wilford’s parents were listed as Lillie B. Wheatley and John E. Mann.

Elsie May Mann (Applegate) married Orval Ray Tudor on 26 January 1917 in Marion County, Indiana, according to Indiana, Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993. Her parents were listed as George W. Applegate and Serilda White. Orval’s parents were listed as William Tudor and Viola A. Ellis.

Based on information from the 1920 United States Federal Census, in 1920, on Senate Ave in Indianapolis Ward 6, Elsie M Tudor, a 26-year-old white woman, resided with her husband, Orval R Tudor, who was 24. Both Elsie and Orval were born in Indiana and could speak, read, and write in English.

Their household consisted of just the two, creating a sense of intimacy in their marital space within the bustling city. The details hint at a young couple starting their life together, navigating the challenges and joys of marriage in the early 20th century.  Orval worked as a Salesman at a Tire Company.

Orval and Elsie lived at 2232 N. Alabama, Indianapolis, Indiana, per U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 in 1930.

Based on information from the 1930 United States Federal Census, Elsie M Tudor, a 35-year-old white woman born in Indiana around 1895, resided in a cozy home on North Alabama Street in Indianapolis in 1930. As the wife of Orval R Tudor, she embraced the role of a homemaker.

Elsie tied the knot at the age of 22 and was proficient in reading and writing. Her father was from Kentucky, while her mother was from Indiana. Living with two other household members, including her husband and a roomer named Alma Bender, Elsie navigated her daily life in the bustling city of Indianapolis with grace and efficiency. Orval was a veteran of World War I.

In 1942, according to the U.S, Orval and Elsie lived at 2110 E. 75th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. City Directories, 1822-1995. Orval was a Carpenter at the time.

Orval and Elsie lived at 2110 E. 75th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1945, according to U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Orval was a salesman at the time.

Based on information from the 1950 United States Federal Census 1950, Elsie M Tudor, a 52-year-old white woman, resided with her husband, Orval R Tudor, in Washington, Marion, Indiana. They lived at 3110 Pamela Drive in Apartment E 75th.

Elsie’s occupation was listed as “Keeping House,” indicating her role in managing their home. Despite not working or seeking employment, she had completed 10 years of schooling. The couple had no other income sources and no previous residence outside of Washington, Marion, Indiana. The household consisted of just the two, highlighting a close-knit family unit.  Orval worked as a guard at a radio manufacturer.

In 1952, Elsie and Orval lived at 2112 E. 75th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, according to U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Orval was an electrician at the time.

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Death

Elsie Mae Tudor (Applegate) passed away on 24 June 1985 in St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, per Indiana Death Certificates, 1899-2011. She was widowed when she passed.

Her parents were listed as George W. Applegate and Serilda White. Her birthdate is listed as 27 January 1893. She was 92 years old when she passed. She had previously been a Sales Lady with L.S. Ayres & Co. She died of Pneumonia that she had fought for 2 weeks.

According to her Obituary, Elsie died at St. Vincent Hospital on Monday, June 24, 1985.  She had been a sales clerk for L.S. Ayres & Company for 24 years and retired in 1964.  She was a member and past matron of Broad Ripple Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Tarum Court, Ladies Oriental Shrine 357, and American Legion Post 3 Auxiliary. 

She was the former president of the Past Matrons and Patrons Association and a deputy assessor in Washington Township for 12 years. She was also the past Republican vice precinct committeewoman for Washington Township and a former delegate to the Indiana State Republican Convention.

She was born in Crothersville but lived in Washington Township for 70 years. She was the widow of Orval Tudor, and her brother George survived her.

According to Indiana Death Certificates, 1899-2011, Elsie was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana, on 27 June 1985.

As always, I’m still looking for additional information about Elsie’s life. If you knew her or are related to her and have some memories you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments box below.

Talk soon,

~Kris