John Elijah Belyea (abt. 1850 - 1939)

Born about 9 Feb 1850 in Bronte, Halton, Ontario, Canada

Ancestors

Died 6 Nov 1939 at about age 89 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: John Billingham [send private message]

This profile is part of the Bridgeland-Riverside, Alberta One Place Study.

Biography

John E Belyea was the son of James Carpenter Belyea and Elizabeth Sovereign. He was born at Bronte, Halton, Ontario, on 9 February 1850. His father was a merchant. However, by 1870, the family was living at St. Joseph, Berrien, Michigan and his father had become a fruit farmer. The 1875 Kansas census shows the family now farming at Rock Creek, Nemeha, Kansas. They were still at that location for the 1880 U.S. census.

Some time between 1880 and 1891, the family returned to Ontario. John married Sarah Jane Ludwig at Penetanguishene, Simcoe, Ontario, on 2 April 1891 and his father died at Penetanguishene a month later. His mother Elizabeth died in 1892.

Sarah Jane Ludwig was the daughter of Samuel Ludwig and Sarah Hoover. Her sister Anna Mary married John's brother William Nelson Belyea. The women were born in Pennsylvania but had lived in Rock Creek, Nemeha, Kansas, where they must have met their future husbands.

John and Sarah had the following children:

Dora Evelyn Belyea (1899-1980) m. William Donald Bruce MacLeod

Roy Ludwig Belyea (1893-1959) m. (1) Elma Doris Gowdy; (2) Phyllis

Arthur F Belyea (1894-1918)

Maude Elizabeth Thompson (1905-1981) m. (1) Robert H Reynolds; (2) William Isaac Thompson

William Charles Belyea (1908-1986) m. Maude Smith

In 1918 the family suffered the loss of Arthur F Belyea, in a flying accident at Hampshire, England. He had enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps about a year earlier.

It seems that once he returned to Ontario, John became employed as a mariner. Unfortunately, there is not much information available about this new occupation at which he must have been successful.

Excerpt of letter from: The Canadian Association of Masters and Mates, Penetanguishne Branch, No. 4, Penetanguishne, Ont., February 20, 1909; as found on Ancestry:

Dear Sir & Bro.

Having recently heard of your intended removal from our midst, we, the members of Penetanguishne Branch, No. 4, Canadian Association of Masters and Mates, wish to express to you our regrets at your removal from among us. You have always been a most estimable citizen, and most capable and highly respected captain, who held the respect of your employers, as well as the officers and crew who were at any time under your command....

The family arrived in Alberta not along afterwards. Of course there is little shipping on Alberta rivers and John returned to his agricultural background. In the 1911 Canada census, his occupation is horse dealer. The early Henderson directories also show him as a contractor. By 1914 he is a member of a family firm called Commercial Cartage. It looks like his nephews are part of this new enterprise. It wasn't until the mid-teens that he was joined by his son Roy. Eventually the firm became just father and son and the other individuals seem to have dropped away.

In the 1920's the Commercial Cartage business looks like it was doing well. In 1923 the business took over the former Pioneer Stables site at 508 Riverside Boulevard (later called Memorial Drive) located in the community of Bridgeland-Riverside.

But 1932 must have been a very bad year. In September of that year, John's daughter-in-law, Elma Doris Goudy Belyea, wife of Roy, commenced a lawsuit against her in-laws.

From: The Province (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) 19 Sep 1932, Mon, p. 4; as found on Newspapers.com:

HUSBAND'S PARENTS SUED BY HIS WIFE

Alleges They Alienated His Affections From Her; Claims $75,000

Calgary, Sep. 19 - (CP) - Mrs. Elma Doris Belyea is seeking $75,000 from her father-in-law, mother-in-law and their two daughters, alleging alientation of her husband's affections....

Mrs. Belyea charges she was compelled to leave her husband as a result of the "untrue statements.

By October Elma had dropped the suit but was taking new action against her husband in regards to a property transfer. Needless to say, this was the end of their marriage.

Unfortunately Commercial Cartage itself was also in trouble.

From: The Calgary Albertan (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) 7 December 1932, Wed, page 7; as found on Newspapers.com:

COMMERCIAL CARTAGE FAILS

Assignment in Bankruptcy Made By R. L. and J. E. Belyea as Operators of Concern

With assets of $291,000 as against liabilities of $85,000, assignment in bankruptcy of Roy Ludwig Belyea and John Elijah Belyea, carrying on business as Commercial Cartage Company, was filed Tuesday.

The preliminary short statement of affairs list accounts receivable at $115, 495; fixtures, $1,000; machinery, $170, 000; real estate, $5,000; and on the liability side, accounts payable, $78,557.27; outstanding cheques, $5,224.31; payroll outstanding November 15, $1,804.29. There are no secured creditors.

Trusts and Guarantee Company has been appointed custodian.

In 1937, at the age of 87, John, accompanied by his wife, Sarah, journeyed to Vancouver via Portland and perhaps Frisco. John died in Vancouver in 1939. Sarah died in 1943. They are buried at Pacific Heritage Cemetery at Burnaby.

Obituary

From: The Province, (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) 08 Nov 1939, page 17; as found on Newsapers.com:

BELYEA - PASSED AWAY NOV. 6, 1939, Capt. John E. Belyea of 3125 W. 33rd Ave., in his 90th year. Survived by his loving wife, 2 sons, Charles and Roy L., in Calgary, 2 daughters, Mrs. R. H. Reynolds, in Calgary, and Mrs. Bruce MacLeod, in Vancouver; 1 sister, Mrs. Annie Perkins, in Calgary. Funeral service Thurs., Nov. 9, at 2:30 o'clock, in Dunn & Thompson's Chapel, 10th and Gambie, Rev. George Hamilton officiating. Interment Masonic Cemetery, Burnaby.

Henderson Directories

Henderson's Calgary City Directory, 1910, page 256: ; Belyea John master mariner h 1614 - 14th Ave W

Henderson's Calgary City Directory, 1911, page 294: Belyea John E gen contr 1614 4th Ave W h same

Henderson's Calgary City Directory for 1913, page 410: Belyea John E contr h 1614 14th Ave W

Henderson's Calgary City Directory for 1914, page 434: BELYEA & BELYEA/ Proprietors/COMMERCIAL CARTAGE CO.,/326 SEVENTH AVE E. PHONE M2896

Henderson's Calgary City Directory for 1914, page 434: Belyea Ellis with Commercial Cartage Co lvs 3034 5th St W (at same address: Belyea James S of Commercial Cartage; Belyea Wm M of Commercial Cartage)

Henderson's Calgary City Directory for 1914, page 434: Belyea John E of Commercial Cartage Co h 1614 14th Ave W (at same address: Belyea Roy tmstr)

Henderson's Calgary City Directory, 1915, page 416:BELYEA & BELYEA/(John E. and James S.)/Proprietors/ COMMERCIAL CARTAGE CO.,/326 SEVENTH AVE. E. PHONE M 2896

Henderson's Calgary City Directory, 1915, page 416: Belyea David bkpr Comml Cartage Co h 1624 3rd St NW

Henderson's Calgary City Directory, 1915, page 416: Belyea James S of Commercial Cartage Co h 3034 5th St W (Rideau Park) (at same address: Belyea W Ellis of Commercial Cartage Co)

Henderson's Calgary City Directory, 1915, page 416: Belyea John E of Commercial Cartage Co h 1736 14th Ave W (at same address: Belyea Roy of Commercial Cartage Co)

Henderson's Calgary City Directory, 1917, page 260; Belyea David D with Commercial Cartage Co h 1624 3rd St NW

Henderson's Calgary City Directory, 1917, page 260: Belyea James S of Commercial Cartage Co h 3034 5th St W

Henderson's Calgary City Directory, 1917, page 260: Belyea John E of Commercial Cartage Co h 333 15th Ave W (at same address: Belyea Roy L of Commercial Cartage Co)

Henderson's Calgary City Directory, 1919, page 304: Belyea John E of Commercial Cartage Co, h 521 15th Ave W (at same address: Belyea Roy L of Commercial Cartage Co)

Henderson's Calgary Directory, 1921, page 286: Belyea John E of Commercial Cartage Co h 521 15th Ave W

Henderson's Calgary Directory, 1921, page 286: Belyea Roy L of Commercial Cartage Co h 925 3rd Ave NW

Henderson's Calgary Directory, 1921, page 342: COMMERICAL CARTAGE COMPANY/BELYEA & BELYEA Proprietors/CARTAGE, DRAYING, TRUCKS, ETC.,/DEALERS IN WASH SAND AND GRAVEL/326 SEVENTH AVENUE EAST/PHONE M2896

Henderson's Greater Calgary Directory, 1923, page 244: Riverside Blvd/4th St SE begins/508 - Commercial Cartage; Riverside Lumber Yard; Wpg Paint & Glass Co

Henderson's Greater Calgary Directory, 1923, page 275: Belyea John E of Commercial Cartage h 521 15th Ave W

Henderson's Greater Calgary Directory, 1923, page 275: Belyea Roy L of Commerical Cartage h 925 3rd Ave NE

Henderson's Greater Calgary Directory, 1923, page 328: Commerical Cartage Co W Fraser mgr 6th St E stables 326 7th Ave E

Henderson's Greater Calgary Directory, 1925, page 263: Belyea John E prop Coml Cartage Co h 521 15th Ave W

Henderson's Greater Calgary Directory, 1925, page 263: Belyea Roy L mgr Coml Coal I& Cartage Co h 925 3rd Ave NW

Henderson's Greater Calgary Directory, 1925, page 316: Commercial Cartage Co R L and J E Belyea props 508 Riverside Boul SE

Henderson's Greater Calgary Directory, 1925, page 316: Commercial Coal & Cartage Co Roy Belyea mgr 6th St E cor 5th Ave E

Henderson's Greater Calgary Directory, 1930, page 282: Belyea John E of Coml Cartage h 521 15th Ave W

Henderson's Greater Calgary Directory, 1930, page 282: Belyea Roy L mgr Coml Cartage Co h 201 724 7th Ave W

Henderson's Greater Calgary Directory, 1930, page 349: Commercial Cartage Co R L Belyea mgr 118, 237 8th Ave E stables 508 Commercial Dr NE

Henderson's Greater Calgary Directory, 1930, page 239: 508 Memorial Drive NE - Commercial Cartage Co stables

Sources

• Henderson Directories. Henderson's Calgary Directory:http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/bibliography/2961.html

• http://www.eastboldre.org/wargraves.html#ArthurFBelyea"Recensement du Canada de 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV39-ZYCM : 16 July 2016), John E Belyea, 1911; citing Census, Calgary Sub-Districts 1-59, Alberta, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,651.

• http://sites.rootsweb.com/~nbpast/myfam/belyea/louisboulier/aqwg30.htm#9815

• Name: John E Belyea; Gender: Male; Age Next Birthday: 2; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1849; Birthplace: Canada; Census Year: 1851; Enumeration District: Halton County; Enumeration District Number: 14; Sub-Enumeration District: Trafalgar; Sub-Enumeration District Number: 117; ResidencePlace: Halton, Canada West (Ontario), Canada; Religion: Methodist; Household Members: James Belyea (47) Merchant; Elizabeth (47); Caroline (16); William (14); James (12); Mahala (11); Susannah (9); Mary (7); Nancy (5); John E (2). Source Citation: Year: 1851; Census Place: Halton, Canada West (Ontario); Schedule: A; Roll: C-11726; Page: 206; Line: 26. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1851 Census of Canada East, Canada West, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

• Name: John E Belyea; Gender: Male; Age: 11; Birth Date: 1850; Birth Place: Upper Canada; Home in 1861: Trafalgar, Halton, Canada West; District Number: 05; Relation to Head: Head; Religion: Episcopal Methodist; Page number: 108: Household Members: Parents and siblings. Source Citation: Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Census Returns For 1861; Roll: C-1031. Source Information: Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1861 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009.

• Name: John E Belyea; Age in 1870: 14; Birth Date: abt 1856; Birthplace: Canada; Dwelling Number: 59; Home in 1870: Saint Joseph, Berrien, Michigan; Race: White; Gender: Male; Post Office: Saint Joseph; Father of Foreign Birth: Yes; Mother of Foreign Birth: Yes; Household Members: James Belyea (65) Fruit Farmer: Elizabeth (65); Willie (25) Farm Laborer; Anna (23); Mary (20); John E (14); Wm W (14). Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Saint Joseph, Berrien, Michigan; Roll: M593_664; Page: 397A. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

• Name: Jno Belyea; Census Date: 1 Mar 1875; Residence County: Nemaha; Residence State: Kansas; Locality: Rock Creek; Birth Place: Canada; Family Number: 7; Gender: Male; Age: 25; Birth Year: abt 1850; Race: White; Household Members: Jas Belyea (69; Elizabeth (69); Jno (25); Mary (27); Flora M Robinson (10). Source Citation: Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, Kansas; 1875 Kansas Territory Census; Roll: ks1875_14; Line: 40. Source Information: Ancestry.com. Kansas, U.S., State Census Collection, 1855-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.

• Name: John Belyea; Age: 29; Birth Date: Abt 1851; Birthplace: Canada; Home in 1880: Rock Creek, Nemaha, Kansas, USA; Dwelling Number: 156; Race: White; Gender: Male; Relation to Head of House: Self (Head); Marital Status: Single; Father's Name: James Belyea; Father's Birthplace: Canada; Mother's Name: Elisabeth Belyea; Mother's Birthplace: Canada; Occupation: Farming; Household Members: John Belyea (29); James (75); Elisabeth (75); Mary Young (33); Arthur Young (3) Nephew. Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Rock Creek, Nemaha, Kansas; Roll: 390; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 188. Source Information: Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

• Name John E Belyen [Belyea]; Age: 40; Birth Year: abt 1851; Birth Place: Bronte, Ontario; Marriage Date: 2 Apr 1891; Marriage Place: Simcoe, Ontario, Canada; Father: Jame Belyen; Mother: Elizabeth Belyen; Spouse: Sarah Jane Ludwig. Source Citation: Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Registrations of Marriages, 1869-1928; Reel: 72. Source Information: Ancestry.com and Genealogical Research Library (Brampton, Ontario, Canada). Ontario, Canada, Marriages, 1826-1938 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.

• Name: John E Belyea; Gender: Male; Racial or Tribal Origin: English; Nationality: Canadian; Marital Status: Married; Age: 51; Birth Date: 7 Feb 1850; Birth Place: Ontario; Residence Date: 1901; Province: Ontario; Residence Place: Canada; Relation to Head of House: Head; Religion: Methodist; Occupation: Farmer; Hourly Wage: 500; Can Read: Y; Can Write: Y; Can Speak English: Y; District: Simcoe (East/Est); District Number: 113; Sub-District: Tiny; Sub-District Number: 5; Dwelling Number: 52; Family Number: 52; Household Members: John E Belyea (51); Sarah J (33); Roy L (7); Arthur F (6); Dora E (1). Source Citation: Year: 1901; Census Place: Tiny, Simcoe (East/Est), Ontario; Page: 6; Family No: 52. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1901 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

• Name: John C Belyea; Gender: Male; Marital status: Married; Race or Tribe: German; Nationality: Canadian; Age: 61; Birth Date: Feb 1850; Birth Place: Ontario; Census Year: 1911; Relation to Head of House: Head; Province: Alberta; District: Calgary; District Number: 1; Sub-District: 48 - Calgary; Sub-District Number: 48; Place of Habitation: 1614 - 14 Av W; Religion: Presbyterian; Occupation: Horse Dealer; Employer: No; Employee: Yes; Own Account: No; Life Insurance: 2000; Insurance Cost: 40; Can Read: yes; Can Write: yes; Language: E; Family Number: 155; Household Members: John C Belyea (61); Sarah (42); Roy (18); Arthur (16); Dora (11); Maud (5); Charley (2). Source Citation: Year: 1911; Census Place: 48 - Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Page: 15; Family No: 155. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1911 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

• Name: John E Belyea; Gender: Male; Racial or Tribal Origin: French; Nationality: Canada; Marital Status: Married; Age: 70; Birth Year: abt 1851; Birth Place: New Brunswick; Residence Date: 1 Jun 1921; House Number: 55; Residence City, Town or Village: Calgary; Residence District: Calgary West; Residence Province or Territory: Alberta; Residence Country: Canada; Relation to Head of House: Head; Spouse's Name: Sarah J Belyea; Father Birth Place: New Brunswick; Mother Birth Place: New Brunswick; Can Speak English?: Yes; Can Speak French?: No; Religion: Methodist; Can Read?: Yes; Can Write?: Yes; Occupation: Cartage; Employment Type: Own Account; Nature of Work: Own Buss; Section: 521 15th Ave West; Municipality: P S D 37; Enumeration District: 4; Sub-District: City of Calgary (Part); Sub-District Number: 34; Home Owned or Rented: Owned; Class of House: Single House; Materials of Construction: Wood; Number of Rooms: 7; Enumerator: H J Hunt; Line Number: 26; Family Number: 70; Household Members: John E Belyea (70); Sarah J (52); Dora S (21); Maud (15); Charles W (12). Source Citation: Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 4; Census Place: 4, Calgary West, Alberta; Page Number: 6. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.

• Name: John Belyea; Gender: Male; Age: 87; Record Type: Cards; Birth Date: abt 1850; Birth Place: Bronte Ont; Arrival Date: 29 May 1937; Port of Arrival: Eastport, Idaho, USA. Source Information: Ancestry.com. U.S., Border Crossings from Canada to U.S., 1895-1960 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.

• Name: Cpt John Elija Belyea; Birth Date: 9 Feb 1850; Birth Place: Ontario, Canada; Death Date: 6 Nov 1939; Death Place: Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Cemetery: Pacific Heritage Cemetery; Burial or Cremation Place: Burnaby, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Has Bio?: Y; Father: James Carpenter Belyea; Mother: Elizabeth A. Belyea; Spouse: Sarah Jane Belyea; Children: Roy Ludwig Belyea; Charles William Belyea; Maude Elizabeth Thompson. Source Information: Ancestry.com. Canada, Find a Grave™ Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179045431/john-elija-belyea