The Story of Orson Bellamy of Saratoga, New York, and Some of his Descendants - Part 3
Second Half of the Third Generation
See Part One for Generations 1 & 2.
See Part Two for the first half of Generation 3.
The Bellamy Project is currently getting a rewrite - 13 June 2025
Third Generation Continued
The Children of Arthur J. Bellamy and Mary Margaret Nooning
Ralph Erskin Bellamy
Ralph Erskin Bellamy married Dora A. Knauer on 18 May 1919 in Troy, Rensselaer, New York.1 They lived with her parents in Brunswick, Rensselaer, New York, and Dora gave birth to their daughter Elizabeth Margaret on 22 December 1919.2 The old biddies counting on their fingers probably couldn’t wait to spread the gossip. Ralph was working as a turner at a collar shop to support his little family, and he didn’t stay with his in-laws for long.3 In 1923, he was living on Lewis Street, probably with his father, and working as a machinist.4 Finally, in 1925, Ralph was able to provide a home for his family in Troy at 248 Second Street.5 Ralph was now working in the radiator department of the Ford plant.6
When Elizabeth was ten years old, her sister Ann Mary was born and another child was born two years later.7 Two years after that, Ralph was separated from Dora; she was living in Troy, and he was living with his father in Schenectady.8 His father, Arthur, moved to Albany around 1940, and Ralph and his two younger children moved in with him.9 Ralph was working as a painter for the W.P.A. at the Watervliet Arsenal in Albany.10 Ralph died on 7 July 1943, probably in Albany, Albany, New York; Ann Mary appears to have returned to Troy and was living with her mother in 1948, and the youngest child was living with Arthur prior to marrying.11
The Children of John Stophilbeen and Lillian Bellamy
Roy J. Stophilbeen
The Stophilbeen family left Canada and moved to Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, around 1909, and the following year, Roy, at age seventeen, was apprenticed to a “milk shop.”12 While Minnesota had a large milk industry, and Hennepin had several dairy farms, the transcription of the 1910 U.S. census is probably incorrect and probably should be “mechanic” shop, as Roy became an auto mechanic and never changed professions. Roy married Vera Wilson on 18 November 1914 in Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota.13
Roy moved his family to the suburbs of Minneapolis. They were living in Rockford, Wright, Minnesota, sharing their home with Vera’s sister Edith and with Vera’s sister Gertrude and her family.14 Roy was the only one working, so he would have been supporting the entire household.15 Roy moved around Minnesota, first to Rockford, Wright, Minnesota, to Walnut Grove, Redwood, Minnesota, to Truman, Martin, Minnesota, to Westford, Martin, Minnesota, to Wilmar, Kandike, Minnesota, to Wadena, Wadena, Minnesota, to Moorhead, Clay, Minnesota, and a few more towns in between before going to Coulee City, Grant, Washington.16 He again moved every couple of years until he passed away on 25 October 1965 in Colefax, Whitman, Washington.17
Lillie M Stophilbeen
Lillie was twenty years old when she married George Wachsmith on 17 June 1914 in Hennepin County, Minnesota.18 As with many of her Bellamy relatives, her first marriage failed, but her mother may have been a large contributing factor. George applied for a restraining order against his mother-in-law because “Mrs. Wachsmuth’s mother has been visiting the home and taking her daughter to other places and urging her to leave her husband.”19 This had been going on for their entire marriage.20 In 1920, Lillie was divorced and living with her parents as Lillie Stophilbeen, working as a cashier at the New England Furniture & Carpet Company.21 She appears to have moved with her parents to Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.22 In 1921, an announcement appeared in the Hollywood Citizen that “Mrs. Lillian Bellamy, a widely known soprano, who has recently come from Minneapolis, will give several solos, and her sister, Miss Myrtle Bellamy, will give a group of readings.”23
Lillie had one child with George, who was known as Earl Arthur Bellamy and was raised by her parents.24 Perhaps this is why the family changed the surname to Bellamy when they moved to Los Angeles.25 Lillie was living with her parents in 1920, but her son, who would have been three, was not listed with them.26 Nor was the boy listed as living with his father.27 The Stophilbeens may have taken the child and were making it hard for George Wachsmuth to find them. Or perhaps they changed the name in order to fit in better with their California neighbors.
In California, Lillie was a Hollywood hostess and a musical performer.28 “She is a dramatic soprano of considerable reputation having appeared at the Bowl in ‘Aida’ and before clubs and other organizations.”29 She met and married William Andrew Black on 17 December 1927, with whom she had one son.30 William worked as a property man, probably at First National Studios, to support his family.31 Lillie passed away on 23 April 1994 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.32
Myrtle Stophilbeen
Myrtle also went with her parents to Los Angeles and changed her name to Bellamy.33 And she was involved with her sister in entertaining and performing, but she was working as a nurse when her mother threw an engagement party for her and Philip Harlow on 9 April 1925.34 The party was worthy of four paragraphs in the Hollywood Daily Citizen.35 Philip was working as a bookkeeper and living in Oakridge, Lane, Oregon.36 Myrtle, accompanied by her soon-to-be mother-in-law, joined him there, where they married on 16 June 1925.37
The couple returned to California, where their only child was born, and eventually, made their way back to Los Angeles.38 At age 96, Myrtle moved to Escondido, San Diego, California, probably to be closer to her child.39 Myrtle passed away on 31 July 1993 in San Diego County, California.40
See Part Three for the first half of Generation 4.
New York State Marriage Index 1919, 91 [faded, alphabetical order], Ralph E. Bellamy, certificate 7924, 18 May 1919; imaged in “New York State, Marriage Index, 1881-1967,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61632/images/48576_556171-00092 : accessed 17 February 2023), image 93; New York State Department of Health, Albany. Also, New York State Marriage Index 1919, [faded and illegible, alphabetical order], Dora A. Knauer, certificate 7924, 18 May 1919.
1920 U.S. census, Rensselaer County, New York, population schedule, Town of Brunswick, ED 2, sheet 8A, dwelling 169, family 182, Frank Knauer household; imaged in “United States, Census, 1920,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRXW-352 : accessed 17 February 2023), group number 004966750, image 15. Also, New York State Birth Index 1919, 91, Elizabeth M Bellamy, certificate [illegible], 22 December 1919; imaged in “New York State, Birth Index, 1881-1942,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61667/images/48877_556559-00092 : accessed 17 February 2023), image 93; New York State Department of Health, Albany.
1920 U.S. census, Rensselaer County, New York, population schedule, Town of Brunswick, ED 2, sheet 8A, dwelling 169, family 182, Frank Knauer household.
The Troy Directory Also Choes and Waterford and Watervliet and Green Island, N.Y. 1923 (Troy, New York: Sampson & Murdock Company, Inc., 1923), Vol. XCIV, 78, entries for Arthur J Bellamy and Ralph E Bellamy; imaged in “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/2251246 : accessed 17 February 2023), image 48.
1925 New York census, Rensselaer County, population schedule, Town of Troy, ED 1, Ward 11, 8, lines 31–33, Ralph Bellamy household; imaged in "New York, U.S., State Census, 1925," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2704/images/32849_b094402-00298 : accessed 17 February 2023), image 5; New York State Archives, Albany.
1925 New York census, Rensselaer County, population schedule, Town of Troy, ED 1, Ward 11, 8, lines 31–33, Ralph Bellamy household.
1930 U.S. census, Rensselaer County, New York, population schedule, Town of Troy, ED 87, sheet 3B, dwelling 43, family 74, Ralph Bellamy household; imaged in “United States, Census, 1930,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RZX-CDC : accessed 17 February 2023), image 6. Because the youngest child is still living, no identifying information will be published due to privacy concerns.
The Troy Directory Also Cohoes and Waterford, Watervliet and Green Island, N.Y. for the Year Commencing September 1, 1934 (Boston, Massachusetts: Sampson & Murdock Company, Inc.., 1934), Vol. CV, 154, Mrs Dora A Bellamy; imaged in “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/2483404 : accessed 17 February 2023), image 57. Also, Schenectady and Sciotia (New York) Directory for Year Beginning March, 1935 (Schenectady, New York: H. A. Manning Company, 1935), Vol. LIV, 141, entries for Arthur J Bellamy and Ralph Bellamy; imaged in “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/1942625 : accessed 17 February 2023), image 71.
1940 U.S. census, Albany County, New York, population schedule, Town of Albany, ED 63-84, Ward 13, sheet 2A, household 38, Arthur Bellamy household; imaged in “United States, Census, 1940,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9MB-38Q : accessed 12 January 2023), image 3.
1940 U.S. census, Albany County, New York, population schedule, Town of Albany, ED 63-84, Ward 13, sheet 2A, household 38, Arthur Bellamy household.
Albany (Albany County, N. Y.) City Directory 1944 Including Rensselar and Menands (Boston, Massachusetts: R. L. Polk & Company, Inc., 1944), Vol. CXXXI, 49, Ralph E Bellamy died 7 July 1943; imaged in “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/1570196 : accessed 17 February 2023), image 25. Also, Albany (Albany County, N. Y.) City Directory 1948–49 Including Rensselar and Menands (Boston, Massachusetts: R. L. Polk & Company, Inc., 1944), Vol. CXXXV, 52, Ann M Ballamy [sic]; imaged in “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/1572410 : accessed 17 February 2023), image 28. Also, Troy City Directory 1947 ([publication place not listed, probably Livonia, Michigan]: R. L. Polk & Co., INc., 1947), 49, Dora Bellamy wid Ralph; imaged in “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/1713878 : accessed 17 February 2023), image 45.
Minneapolis City Directory 1909 (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Minneapolis Directory Company, 1909), Vol. XXXVII, 1530, John Stophilbeen; imaged in “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/13217170 : accessed 17 February 2023), image 755 of 990. Also, 1910 U.S. census, Hennepin County, Minnesota, population schedule, Town of Minneapolis, ED 81, sheet 19B, [dwelling and family left blank], John Stophilbur [sic] household [the family starts on line 88, but the head of the family is listed on line 92]; imaged in “United States, Census, 1910,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RVK-943R : accessed 17 February 2023), group number 004972536, image 38.
“Minnesota, U.S., Marriages Index, 1849-1950,” database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/455634:2561 : accessed 18 February 2023), entry for Roy J Stophilbeen.
1920 U.S. census, Wright County, Minnesota, population schedule, Town of Rockford, ED 98, sheet 1B, dwelling 22, family 25, Roy J. Stophilbeen household; imaged in “United States, Census, 1920,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RX8-3SD : accessed 18 February 2023), group number 004966245, image 2.
1920 U.S. census, Wright County, Minnesota, population schedule, Town of Rockford, ED 98, sheet 1B, dwelling 22, family 25, Roy J. Stophilbeen household.
1920 U.S. census, Wright County, Minnesota, population schedule, Town of Rockford, ED 98, sheet 1B, dwelling 22, family 25, Roy J. Stophilbeen household. Also, the birth of a child in Walnut Grove who is still living, so no details will be provided. Also, Whitman County, Washington, 1955, Marriage Applications 2720–2820, application 2776, Harvey Eugene Schneidmiller and Dona Ruth Stophilbeen, 3 June 1955; imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TT-67B1-V : 24 April 2025), group number 101169675, image 1270; Washington State Archives, Olympia. Also, 1930 U.S. census, Martin County, Minnesota, population schedule, Town of Westford, ED 29, sheet 1B, dwelling 13, family 17, Roy J. Stophilbeen household; imaged in “United States, Census, 1930,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RHZ-881 : accessed 18 February 2023), image 2. Also, 1940 U.S. census, Wadena County, Minnesota, population schedule, Town of Wadena, ED 80-19B, Ward 1, sheet 61A, household 69, Roy J. Stophilbeen household; imaged in “United States, Census, 1940,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89MT-8WY : accessed 18 February 2023), group number 005454996, image 23. Also, Moorhead (Clay County, Minn.) and Fargo (Cass County, N.D.) City Directory 1942 (St. Paul, Minnesota: R. L. Polk & Co., 1942), 139, Roy J Stophilbeen; imaged in “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1955,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/13061053 : accessed 18 February 2023), image 68. Also, 1950 U.S. census, Grant County, Washington, population schedule, City of Coulee, ED 13-10, sheet 13, dwelling 125, Roy Stophelblen [sic] household; imaged in “United States, Census, 1950,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHK-SQHW-FSFM-W : accessed 18 February 2023), group number 108914924, image 14.
“Roy J. Stophilbeen,” Spokane Daily Chronicle (Spokane, Washington), Tuesday, 26 October 1965, p. A3, col. 5; imaged, subscription site, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/564576141 : accessed 18 February 2023).
Hennepin County, Minnesota, Marriage Licenses, Book 174, 210, George Wachamuth and Lillie M. Stophilbeen, married 17 June 1914; imaged in "Minnesota, County Marriages, 1860-1949," FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-R2V2-B : accessed 21 February 2023), group number 004703818, image 1276; Hennepin County Courthouse, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“Injunction is Asked to Restrain Mother-in-Law,” The Minneapolis Morning Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota), Sunday, 12 September 1914, p. 13, col. 2; imaged, subscription site, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119361116/george-wachsmith-seeks-injunction-again/ : accessed 21 February 2023).
“Injunction is Asked to Restrain Mother-in-Law,” The Minneapolis Morning Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota), Sunday, 12 September 1914, p. 13, col. 2.
1920 U.S. census, Hennepin County, Minnesota, population schedule, Town of Minneapolis, ED 163, sheet 3A, dwelling 46, family 57, John Stofelbend [sic] household; imaged in “United States, Census, 1920,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R65-F2P : accessed 21 February 2023), group number 004966214, image 5. Also, Minneapolis City Directory 1920 (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Minneapolis Directory Company, 1920), Vol. XLVIII, 1914, Lillie Stophilbeen; imaged in “U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/13705771 : accessed 21 February 2023), image 1005.
"Gardner Meeting to be Friday Night, June 3," Hollywood Citizen (Hollywood, California), Friday, May 27, 1921, p. 6, sec. II, col. 3; imaged, subscription site, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/682575448 : accessed 20 February 2023). Also, Deborah Carl, “The Story of Orson Bellamy of Saratoga, New York, and Some of his Descendants Part One,” Kinship Projects, Case Studies, and Genealogy Tips (https://yourfamilyquest.substack.com/p/the-story-of-orson-bellamy-of-saratoga : accessed 16 February 2023). John Stophilbeen and Lillian Bellamy were both using the Bellamy surname, as were their daughters Lillie and Myrtle. They lived at 1215 Orange Grove Avenue in Los Angeles.
"Gardner Meeting to be Friday Night, June 3," Hollywood Citizen (Hollywood, California), Friday, May 27, 1921, p. 6, sec. II, col. 3.
Minnesota People Records Search, Minnesota Historical Society (https://www.mnhs.org/search/people : accessed 21 February 2023), Search parameters - Birth Records - Last Name Wachsmuth - Related Name starts with Stoph, returns birth certificate 1917-41682, birth 11 March 1917, Hennepin County, Minnesota, mother’s maiden name Stophilbern [sic]. Also, 1930 U.S. census, Los Angeles County, California, population schedule, Beverly Hills Township, ED 19-834, sheet 3A, dwelling 36, family 61, John P. Bellamy household; imaged in “United States, Census, 1930,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GR4J-9R1 : accessed 21 February 2023), group number 004950115, image 5.
Deborah Carl, “The Story of Orson Bellamy of Saratoga, New York, and Some of his Descendants Part One.”
1920 U.S. census, Hennepin County, Minnesota, population schedule, Town of Minneapolis, ED 163, sheet 3A, dwelling 46, family 57, John Stofelbend [sic] household.
1920 U.S. census, Hennepin County, Minnesota, population schedule, Town of Minneapolis, ED 42, sheet 1B, dwelling 19, family 21, J. E. Wachsmuth household; imaged in “United States, Census, 1920,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R6P-94F : accessed 21 February 2023), group number 004966210, image 2. George Wachsmuth was the nephew of J. E. Wachsmuth (not his son as listed in the census record) and the former husband of Lillie Stophilbeen/Bellamy.
"Gardner Meeting to be Friday Night, June 3," Hollywood Citizen (Hollywood, California), Friday, May 27, 1921, p. 6, sec. II, col. 3. “Misses Bellamy are A.L. Club Hostesses,” Hollywood Daily Citizen (Hollywood, California), Wednesday, 19 November 1924, p. 7, col. 5; imaged, subscription site, Newspapers.com, (https://www.newspapers.com/image/682895623/ : accessed 20 February 2023). “Amateur Acts Will Surprise, Boosters Say,” Valley Citizen-News (Los Angeles, California), Tuesday, 26 November 1935, p. 1, col. 1; imaged, subscription site, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119369226/lillian-june-bellamy-tap-dancer/ : accessed 20 February 2023). “Crowds Attending Rehearsals for ‘A Night in Dreamland,’ ” Hollywood Daily Citizen (Hollywood, California), Tuesday, 1 May 1923, p. 1, col. 3; imaged, subscription site, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119361505/myrtle-and-lillie-bellamy-perform/ : accessed 21 February 2023). Edna L. Shaw, “Society and Clubs,” Hollywood Daily Citizen (Hollywood, California), Monday, 19 December 1927, p. 9, col. 1, story about the wedding of Lillie May Bellamy and William Black; imaged, subscription site, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119361818/lillie-bellamy-wedding/ : accessed 21 February 2023).
Edna L. Shaw, “Society and Clubs,” Hollywood Daily Citizen (Hollywood, California), Monday, 19 December 1927, p. 9, col. 1, story about the wedding of Lillie May Bellamy and William Black.
Edna L. Shaw, “Society and Clubs,” Hollywood Daily Citizen (Hollywood, California), Monday, 19 December 1927, p. 9, col. 1, story about the wedding of Lillie May Bellamy and William Black. Also, 1940 U.S. census, Los Angeles County, California, population schedule, City of Los Angeles, ED 60-1306, sheet 1A, household 3, William A Black household; imaged, “United States, Census, 1940,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9MT-67D2 : accessed 21 February 2023), group number 005456458, image 1.
Edna L. Shaw, “Society and Clubs,” Hollywood Daily Citizen (Hollywood, California), Monday, 19 December 1927, p. 9, col. 1, story about the wedding of Lillie May Bellamy and William Black. Also, 1940 U.S. census, Los Angeles County, California, population schedule, City of Los Angeles, ED 60-1306, sheet 1A, household 3, William A Black household.
"California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPF3-RY2 : accessed 21 February 2023), entry for Lillie May Black, 23 Apr 1994; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento, California.
"Gardner Meeting to be Friday Night, June 3," Hollywood Citizen (Hollywood, California), Friday, May 27, 1921, p. 6, sec. II, col. 3.
"Gardner Meeting to be Friday Night, June 3," Hollywood Citizen (Hollywood, California), Friday, May 27, 1921, p. 6, sec. II, col. 3. Also, “Misses Bellamy are A.L. Club Hostesses,” Hollywood Daily Citizen (Hollywood, California), Wednesday, 19 November 1924, p. 7, col. 5. And, “Crowds Attending Rehearsals for ‘A Night in Dreamland,’ ” Hollywood Daily Citizen (Hollywood, California), Tuesday, 1 May 1923, p. 1, col. 3. And, Elena Binckley, “News of Engagement Revealed at Smart Tea On Monday,” Hollywood Daily Citizen (Hollywood, California), Thursday, 9 April 1925, p. 3, col. 2; imaged, subscription site, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/682859816 : accessed 18 February 2023).
Elena Binckley, “News of Engagement Revealed at Smart Tea On Monday,” Hollywood Daily Citizen (Hollywood, California), Thursday, 9 April 1925, p. 3, col. 2.
Oregon, Marriages, 1925, Har–Haz, alphabetical by last name of the husband or the wife [there are some page numbers but pages are skipped while the numbering isn’t], 2555, Philip S. Harlow and Myrtle Bellamy, 16 June 1925; imaged in “Oregon, U.S., State Marriages, 1906-1968,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61677/images/61677_302022005610_0108-00037 : accessed 21 February 2023), dated 16 June 1925; Oregon Center for Health Statistics, Portland.
Elena Binckley, “Miss Bellamy Hostess at Trousseau Tea,” Hollywood Daily Citizen (Hollywood, California), Monday, 15 June 1925, p. 3, col. 3; imaged, subscription site, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119363478/myrtle-bellamy-to-marry-in-oregon/ : accessed 21 February 2023).
Because the child is still living, no identifying information will be published due to privacy concerns. 1940 U. S. census, Los Angeles County, California, population schedule, City of Los Angeles, ED 60-1129, Assembly District 54, sheet 1B, household 33, Phillip [sic], Harlow household; imaged in “United States, Census, 1940,” FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89MT-FSK7 : accessed 22 February 2023), 005456468, image 2.
“Obituaries,” Times Advocate (Escondido, California), Friday, 6 August 1993, p. B6, col.1, Myrtle Harlow; imaged, subscription site, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119367213/myrtle-stophilbeen-harlow-obituary/ : accessed 21 February 2023).