Helen Marie Blake

Documented History

Helen Marie Blake was born in Columbus, Indiana, on 17 June 1898, per Indiana, Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993. Her parents were Charles Arthur Blake and Mary Elizabeth Beyl.

According to the 1910 United States Federal Census, Helen Marie Blake lived at 910 Bates Street, Center Township, Indiana, with her parents, Charles Arthur Blake and Mary Elizabeth Blake, and her sister, Mary Belle Blake. Charles was 31 years old at the time, and Mary was 30. Helen was 10 years old, and Mary was 2 years old. Charles was a wagon driver for an Oil company.

Marriage

On 8 November 1916, Helen Marie Blake married Irvin Ben Smith in Marion County, Indiana, per Indiana, Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993. Helen was 18 at their marriage, and her birth is listed as 17 June 1898 in Columbus, Indiana.  Helen’s parents are listed in this record as Charles Arthur Blake and Mary Elizabeth Beyl.  Helen’s age, birth date, birth place, marriage date, marriage place, and husband are also confirmed in Indiana Marriage Certificates 1958-2005 and Indiana Marriage Collection 1800-1941.

The Indiana Marriage Certificate lists Irvin as divorced and 31 years old when he married Helen Marie Blake. His parents are John Arthur Smith and Nancy Newhouse. He was born on March 15, 1885, in Lawrence, Indiana.

Irvin was born on 15 March 1885, according to his WWI Draft Registration Card.  He was 33 when he registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in Indianapolis.  Helen was listed as his closest living relative at  1406 Naomi St.  He was short with a medium build, medium hair, and blue eyes.  He was a Welder at a Metal Company at the time, living at 602 Woodlawn in Indianapolis.  He started listing his mother as his closest living relative, whose name may have been C.C. Smith.  It’s unclear if the Naomi Street address is for his mother or his wife, Helen.

According to the 1920 United States Federal Census, Helen lived with her uncle, Grover Thomas Beyl, at 1417 Labor Street. She was 20 years old and married at the time. Grover’s wife, Katherine, and their daughter, Elizabeth, lived there. Grover’s brother Jacob Jr. also lived there at the time. Helen was working as a Packer at a Baking Company.

This is all I’ve found for Helen Marie Blake so far.  As always, if you know of her or are related to her, I would love to hear from you.  Please post any stories you remember in the comments section below.

Thanks!

~Kris