Irvin Benjamin Smith

Documented History

Irvin Benjamin Smith was born on 15 March 1885 in Lawrence, Indiana, per the Indiana Marriage Index, 1800-1941.  Mr. Smith has presented some challenges in verifying facts.  There are multiple census and marriage records with multiple spouses for Irvin or Erwin Benjamin Smith, who has the exact birthdate and similar parents.  So, I will list them all and their discrepancies, assuming they are the same guy until I can prove otherwise.

The only facts I know for sure are the ones that reference his wife, Helen Marie Blake.

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Marriage

The Indiana Marriage Collection shows Irvin B Smith marrying Edna Dugan on August 24, 1908, in Marion, Indiana.  Irvin was 23 years old; his birthdate was March 15, 1885.

On June 5, 1909, Irvin Benjamin Smith and Edna Con Dugan gave birth to a daughter named Mabel Irene Smith. They were living at 1456 South East Street in Indianapolis and gave birth in their home at 9:20 a.m. Irvin’s birthplace is listed as Lawrence, Indiana, and his occupation was Drayman. Edna was 16 years old at the time, and Irvin was 24.

Based on information from the 1910 United States Federal Census, Ervin B Smith, a 25-year-old white male born in Indiana in 1885, resided in Indianapolis Ward 12 in 1910. He was the head of the household, married to Edna C Smith, aged 18, with a newborn daughter named Mabel I Smith. Ervin worked as a laborer in a machine shop, indicating a blue-collar occupation.

The family lived in a rented house on So Meridian St, with two boarders, Lennard Loses aged 35 and Wm Ryaner aged 25, suggesting a shared living arrangement to make ends meet. Despite being young, Ervin could read and write, highlighting his literacy in a time when not everyone had such skills. The household comprised five members, showcasing a small but interconnected group navigating life in early 20th-century America.  His age and place of birth match that of his Marriage record with Helen Marie Blake in this record.

According to Indiana, Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993 and Indiana, Marriage Index, 1800-1941, Irvin Ben Smith married Lulu Sanders on 16 April 1913 in Marion County, Indiana. His parents are listed as John M. Smith and Nancy C. Newhouse.

According to U.S. City Directories, Irvin Benjamin Smith lived at 1456 S. East Street in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1914. He worked as a laborer and appeared to be single.

According to the New York State Census in 1915, Irvin B. Smith was 30 years old, single, and living at 36 59th Street West in New York, New York. He had no occupation at the time.

Irvin Ben Smith married Helen Marie Blake on 8 November 1916 in Marion County, Indiana, according to Indiana, Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993 and Indiana, Marriage Index, 1800-1941.  The marriage record lists Irvin as Divorced and his parents as John Arthur Smith and Nancy Newhouse.  Irvin’s birthplace is listed as Lawrence, Indiana, on March 15, 1885.

Irvin registered for the World War I draft on 12 September 1918, per U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. His permanent address was 602 Woodlawn, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. He worked as a Welder at a Metal Company. His wife was Helen Smith, who lived at 1456 Naomi Street. Irvin described himself as short with a medium build, blue eyes, and medium hair.

Based on information from the 1920 United States Federal Census, in 1920, in Indianapolis Ward 13, a diverse household was bustling on S Meridian Street. Among the residents was Irvin B Smith, a 34-year-old widowed mechanic in the auto parts industry. Irvin, a boarder in the household, shared the space with the head of the house, Charles A Haffner, his wife Frances E Haffner, and their children Charles and Marie.

Frederick J Kippel and Clarence F Kippel also resided in the home, adding to the dynamic mix of individuals under one roof. Despite being widowed, Irvin seemed to have found a place of camaraderie and community within this bustling household in the heart of Indianapolis.  His age and birthplace in this record fit with his and Helen’s marriage records.  The street and status of being a boarder also fit with the 1910 census record.  Perhaps he returned to the boarding house he started with when Helen died?

An article in The Indianapolis Star dated October 9, 1933, tells us that Irvin and Edna’s daughter, Mabel Irene, passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 1933. Mabel was the beloved wife of Dominic Mignano and mother of infant Mabel. Her stepfather is listed as Charles D. Cunningham, indicating that Edna remarried to become a Cunningham. Mabel was only 24 years old when she died. She now rests at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Irvin registered for the World War II draft when he was 57, per U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942. The draft registration card confirms his birthdate as 15 March 1885 and lists Alta M. Smith as someone who will always know his address. He was self-employed and lived at RR10 Box 553, Warren, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.

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Death

Irvin B. (Tom) Smith passed away on 26 January 1947 at 6 a.m. due to bilateral Pulmonary Tuberculosis. He had been in the hospital undergoing treatment from 3 October 1946 until his death. He was 61 years, 10 months, and 11 days old when he passed. He had been divorced, and his usual occupation was Transfer and trucking. He was self-employed.

Irene McCarty was the informant. Irvin was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery on 29 January 1947.  His parents are John F Smith from Ohio and Nancy Ann Newhouse from Indiana.  His parents’ first and last names match the marriage record with Helen, as do their birthplaces, but the middle names are different.  Irvin’s birthdate and place are the same.

The Find A Grave record for Irvin Benjamin Smith confirms his birth and death dates, places, and parents. It also includes two obituaries for him that give us a new name for a fourth potential wife, Alsa Mae, and a son, Monty. These two names don’t appear in his census records or city directory, so it is difficult to tell when they occurred and if this is the same Irvin Benjamin Smith. However, it appears to be since it refers to his granddaughter Mabel Irene Marango.

That’s it for now; there is not much verified information on Irvin Benjamin Smith. Of course, if you knew him or have memories you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments below to keep his memories alive. As always, I’ll update this page as I find additional information.

Take care,

~Kris