William Bellamy1

     

William married Martha Jane Wiltse about 1869. She was the daughter of Leonard Wiltse, Jr. and Louisa Jane Smith.1

William appeared in the Lutra, Pleasant Valley Township, Fayette County, Iowa, US census of June 14, 1880 as head of household. This census records his birth location as Illinois. His father was born in Canada and his mother in Scotland. He was 34 years old and farming.. The household also included Martha, his wife. She was 33 years old. Their five children at home at the time of this census were Hattie age ten, Orah age eight, Eva age six, and D. age four, and Lena who was two years old.2

The June 11, 1900 census of Nampa, Canyon County, Idaho, shows William as head of household. He was 54 years old.. Martha was 53 years old. Three children were living at home. They were Lena age 22 and single, Willard age 13, and Mattie who was 12 years old.3

When observing the birth locations of their children, it is obvious that the family was well traveled. Their first two children were born in Iowa and their third in Minnesota; then their fourth and fifth children were born back in Iowa, and their last two were born in Kansas. According to the 1900 census, the family finally settled in Idaho.3,2

William married Lilly M. about 1908. This was a second marriage for both of them. (There is no indication in the 1910 census as to whether William was a widower or whether he had been divorced previous to this marriage.).4

William appeared in the Nampa, Canyon County, Idaho, census of April 18, 1910 as head of household. The household also included Lilly, his second wife. They were living alone in their own home which was mortgaged. This was a second marriage for them both. They had been marred for two years. Lilly had been born in Minnesota. She is recorded as have seven children, of whom only three were still living.4

William and Lilly were living in Pocatello City, Bannock County, Idaho at the time of the January 22, 1920 US census. William had his own store and was working to his own account. They lived in a rented home..5

In sharing historical information, Lois E. Wiltse stated that as of November, 1966, three of the Bellamy children were still living, but she didn't say which ones.1

Children of William Bellamy and Martha Jane Wiltse

Citations

  1. [S283] Mildred Irene "Wiltse" Renken, "The Story and Origin of the Wiltse Family Tree, 1590-1966" (Typewritten document, Albion, Nebraska, Fall 1966). Hereinafter cited as "Wiltse Family Tree & History."
  2. [S124] 1880 US Census, www.FamilySearch.org, 1880 Iowa, Fayette County, Lutra, Pleasant Valley Twp; Series: T9 Roll: 339 Page: 166.
  3. [S126] 1900 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1900 Idaho, Canyon, Nampa Pct; Series: T623 Roll: 232 Page: 288.
  4. [S129] 1910 US Census, US Census Search, Heritage Quest Online, 1910 Idaho, Canyon, S Nampa; Series: T624 Roll: 223 Page: 277.
  5. [S130] 1920 US Census, 1920 Idaho, Bannock, 5-WD; Pocatello City, 5-PCT; Series: T625 Roll: 288 Page: 170.
 


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