Clifford Franklin Helms (1898 - 1956)

Born 29 May 1898 in Fayette County, Illinois, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Mable Captola (Wood) Stotts — married 2 Mar 1918 in Marion County, Indiana, United States

Died 9 Jul 1956 at age 58 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, United States

Biography

Clifford Franklin Helms, the son of Benjamin Franklin Helms and Ida Belle (Reavis) Helms, was born on May 29, 1898 in Fayette County, Illinois. ^{(See Research Note #1 below)}

In June 1900, 27 year old Benjamin Helms, a farmer, his wife Belle, age 31, and children Orville, age 9, Clarence, age 7, and Clifford, age 2, were living in Seminary Township, Fayette County, Illinois. The two older boys had attended school. ^{[1] (See Research Note #3 below for full details)}

In April, 1910, 37 year old Benjamin, a farmer, his wife Ida B Helms, age 40, and children Clifford Helms, age 11, and Orville Reavis, age 19, were living in Seminary Township, Fayette County, Illinois. Both boys had attended school, and Orville was also working on the home farm. ^{[2] (See Research Note #3 below for full details)}

In 1917 or 1918 Clifford was living in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. ^{[3] (Also see FamilySearch source below)}

Clifford married Mable Captola Wood, the daughter of Achron Wood and Lillie Ward, on March 2, 1918 in Marion County, Indiana. ^{[4] (Also see FamilySearch source below)}
Their children included

• Alma Virginia Helms (1918-1988), married Virgil Brown, had children
• Eugene Franklin Helms (1921-1988), married Hope Luckey in 1951
• William Marvin Helms (1927-1998), married Wilma Tryon

In January, 1920, Benjamin Helms, age 45, was living in a rented home at 2157 Gale Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, with his wife Ida B. Helms, age 50, son Clifford Helms, age 21, and Clifford's wife Mabel C. Helms, age 20, and their year old daughter Alma V. Helms. Benjamin was working as a foreman for an Express Co., Clifford as a driver for a bottling works, and Alma as a machine operator for a chain works. ^{[5] (See Research Note #3 below for full details)}

In April, 1930, 31 year old Clifford Helms was living in a rented house at 2418 Stewart Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. The household included his wife, 30 year old Mable Helms, 11 year old daughter Virginia, 8 year old son Eugene, and the toddler William, age 1 year and 5 months. Clifford's parents Benjamin Helms, age 57, and Ida Helms, age 61, were also living with them. Clifford was working as a taxi driver, and Benjamin was a laborer in an automotive shop. The two older children had attended school. ^{[6] (See Research Note #3 below for full details)}

Residence (1935) Center Township, Indianapolis, Ward 2, Marion County, Indiana ^{(See FamilySearch source below)}

A January 1938 obituary for Ida Helms of 2154 Station St., Indianapolis, Indiana mentions Clifford Helms as her surviving son. ^[7]

Residence (1940) Center Township, Indianapolis, Ward 2, Marion County, Indiana ^{(See FamilySearch source below)}

Clifford died on July 9, 1956 at the age of 58 at his residence at 3306 East 22nd Street in Indianapolis, Indiana. ^{[8] (See Research Note #4 below) (Also see FamilySearch source below)}

Clifford was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. ^{[8] [9]}
Clifford's obituary was published on July 10, 1956 in The Indianapolis (IN) Star. ^[8]

Research Notes

1. Birth and Parentage

Direct, primary sources for Clifford's date and place of birth have not yet been found, nor have those proving his parentage. However, secondary sources may be available that speak to his date of birth and/or parentage.'

• Jun 1900 census: Clifford Helms, son of Benj Helms and presumed son of Belle Helms, born May 1898 in Illinois, age 2 ^[1]
• Apr 1910 census: Clifford Helms, son of Benjamin Helms and presumed son of Ida B Helms, age 11, born in Illinois ^[2]
• Jan 1920 census: Clifford F Helms, son of Benjamin F Helms and presumed son of Ida B Helms, age 21, born in Illinois ^[5]
• Apr 1930 census: Clifford Helms, son of Benjamin Helms and Ida Helms, age 31, born in Illinois ^[6]
• Jan 1938 obituary for Ida Belle Helms names Clifford Helms as her surviving son. ^[7]
• Jul 1956 obituary gives age and place of death

2. Marriage and Children

• Clifford Franklin Helms in the Indiana, U.S., Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993 ^[4]
  Abstracted by Ron Johnson on 17 Mar 2022
  • Name: Clifford Franklin Helms
  • Gender: Male
  • Race: White
  • Marital Status: Single
  • Birth Date: 29 May 1898
  • Birth Place: Fayette County, Illinois
  • Marriage Date: 02 Mar 1918
  • Marriage Place: Marion County, Indiana
  • Marriage Age: 20
  • Father: Benjamin Franklin Helms
  • Mother: Ida Revis
  • Spouse: Mabel C. Wood
  • FHL Film Number: 499413
  • Reference ID: Pg 389

See also

• Jan 1920 census: Clifford F Helms, son of Benjamin F Helms, with daughter-in-law Mabel C Helms and granddaughter Alma V Helms. Mabel and Alma presumably wife and daughter of Clifford ^[5]
• Apr 1930 census: Clifford Helms and Mabel Helms were married when he was 18 and she was 19. Children Virginia, age 11; Eugene, age 8; William, age 1 yr 5 mo ^[6]
• July 1956 obituary gives names and places of residence of his widow, his 3 children, and his two half-brothers. ^[8]

3. Census and Other Records

1900 census of Seminary Township, Fayette County, Illinois ^[1]
Census date 1 Jun 1900; actual enumeration date 8 Jun 1900
Abstracted by Ron Johnson on 28 Feb 2022.

• Benj Helms, head of house, white, male, born June 1872, age 37 [?? should be 27], married 3 years, born in Indiana, both parents born in Indiana, occupation is farmer, can read, can write, can speak English, rents a farm
• Belle Helms, wife, white, female, born Feb 1869, age 37, married 3 years, mother of 1 child, 1 child still living, born in Indiana, both parents born in Indiana, can read, can write, can speak English
• Orvill Helms [sic], son [sic], white, male, born Oct 1890, age 9, single, born in Illinois, father born in Indiana, mother born in Illinois, attended school 4 months
• Clarence Helms [sic], son [sic], white, male, born Sep 1892, age 7, single, born in Illinois, father born in Indiana, mother born in Illinois, attended school 2 months
• Clifford Helms, son, white, male, born May 1898, age 2, single, born in Illinois, father born in Indiana, mother born in Illinois

1910 census of Seminary Township, Fayette County, Illinois ^[2]
Census date 15 Apr 1910; actual enumeration date 10 May 1910
Abstracted by Ron Johnson on 1 Mar 2022.

• Benjiman [sic] F Helms, head of house, male, white, age 37, married once, this marriage 13 years, born in Indiana, both parents born in Indiana, occupation is farmer on a farm on his own account, rents farm
• Ida B Helms, wife, female, white, age 40, married twice, this marriage 13 years, mother of 3 children, 3 children living, born in Illinois, both parents born in Illinois, speaks English, can read and write
• Clifford Helms, son, male, white, age 11, single, born in Illinois, father born in Indiana, mother born in Illinois, speaks English, can read and write, attended school
• Orville Reavis, son, male, white, age 19, single, born in Illinois, both parents born in Illinois, speaks English, occupation is laborer on home farm, can read and write, attended school

1920 census of Central Township, Indianapolis Ward 1, Marion County, Indiana ^[5]
Census date 1 Jan 1920; actual enumeration date 3 Jan 1920
Abstracted by Ron Johnson on 1 Mar 2022.

• Benjamin F. Helms, head of house, rents, male, white, age 45, married, can read and write, born in Indiana, both parents born in Indiana, can speak English, occupation is a foreman for an Express Co.
• Ida B. Helms, wife, female, white, age 50, married, can read and write, born in Illinois, both parents born in Illinois, can speak English
• Clifford F Helms, son, male, white, age 21, married, can read and write, born in Illinois, father born in Indiana, mother born in Illinois, can speak English, occupation is a driver for a bottling works
• Mabel C. Helms, daughter-in-law, female, white, age 20, married, can read and write, born in Indiana, both parents born in Indiana, can speak English, occupation is a machine operator for a chain works
• Alma V. Helms, granddaughter, female, white, age 1 year, 2 months, single, born in Indiana, father born in Illinois, mother born in Indiana

1930 census of Central Township, Indianapolis Ward 1, Marion County, Indiana ^[6]
Census date 1 Apr 1930; actual enumeration date 19 Apr 1930
Abstracted by Ron Johnson on 3 Mar 2022.

• Clifford Helms, head of house, rents, owns radio, male, white, age 31, married, first married age 18, can read & write, born in Illinois, father born in Indiana, mother born in Illinois, occupation is chauffer of a taxi, is not a war veteran
• Mabel Helms, wife, female, white, age 30, married, first married age 19, can read & write, born in Indiana, both parents born in Indiana
• Virginia Helms, daughter, female, white, age 11, single, attended school, can read & write, born in Indiana, father born in Illinois, mother born in Indiana
• Eugene Helms, son, male, white, age 8, single, attended school, can read & write, born in Indiana, father born in Illinois, mother born in Indiana
• William Helms, son, male, white, age 1 yr 5 months, single, born in Indiana, father born in Illinois, mother born in Indiana
• Benjamin Helms, father, male, white, age 57, married, can read & write, born in Indiana, father born in Indiana, mother born in Illinois, occupation is laborer in automotive shop, is not a war veteran
• Ida Helms, mother, female, white, age 61, married, can read & write, born in Illinois, both parents born in Illinois

4. Death and Burial

Direct, primary sources for Clifford's date and place of death have not yet been found. However, secondary sources may be available that speak to his death.

• Text of obituary ^[8]

Clifford F. Helms, 58 years old, 3603 East 22d Street, a resident of Indianapolis 45 years, died yesterday in his home. Born in Fayette County, Illinois, Mr. Helms was custodian of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church for 11 years. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in Moore & Kirk Northeast Chapel, with burial in Crown Hill Cemetery. Mr. Helms is survived by the widow, Mrs. Mable Woods Helm; a daughter, Mrs. Alma Virginia Brown, and two sons, Eugene F. and William M. Helms, all of Indianapolis; two half brothers, Horace Revis of Portland, Ore., and Clarence Smith of Mulberry Grove, Ill., and one grandchild.

• Find a Grave ^[9]
  Abstracted by Ron Johnson on 3 March 2022
  • Clifford Franklin Helms
  • Birth: 29 May 1898 Fayette County, Illinois, USA
  • Death: 9 Jul 1956 (aged 58) Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA
  • Burial: Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA
  • Plot: Sec: 223, Lot: 232
  • Memorial #: 45943809
  • burial: JUL 12,1956
  • Family Members
    • Parents
      • Benjamin Franklin Helms 1874-1962
      • Ida Belle Reavis Helms 1869-1938
    • Siblings
      • Horace Orville Reavis 1890-1967
    • Children
      • Alma Virginia Helms Brown 1918-1988
      • Eugene Franklin Helms 1921-1988
      • William Marvin Helms 1927-1998
  • Created by: John C. Anderson (47208015)
  • Added: 27 Dec 2009

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} United States Census, 1900, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS7B-M63: accessed 24 Feb 2022), Clifford Helms in entry for Benj Helms, 1900. Citing Seminary Township, Fayette County, Illinois, United States; citing ED 25, sheet 5-B, family 98; NARA Series T623, roll 300, FHL microfilm
   Right-click HERE to view original census page.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} United States Census, 1910, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKD9-JMT: accessed 1 March 2022), Cifford Helms in household of Benjiman F Helms, Seminary, Fayette, Illinois, United States; citing ED 69, sheet 17A, family 256, NARA film T624, roll 287; FHL microfilm 1,374,300.
   Right-click HERE to view original census page.
3. ↑ Ancestry.com: U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005; United States, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. Film M1509, roll 1504014. Draft Board 1. Record for Clifford Franklin Helms.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Ancestry.com: Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941, database, no images: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005, Record for Clifford F Helms.
   Ancestry Record 60281 #553779 (may require subscription)
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3} United States Census, 1920, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFWJ-YDJ: accessed 1 March 2022), Clifford F Helms in entry for Benjamin F Helms, Center Township, Indianapolis Ward 1, Marion County, Indiana. ED 28, page 3D, family 73. Citing NARA film T625, roll 451
   Right-click HERE to view original census page.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3} United States Census, 1930, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH9R-255: accessed 3 March 2022), Clifford Helms, Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, United States; citing ED 294, sheet 6A, family 79, NARA microfilm T626, roll 606
   Right-click HERE to view original census page.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} The Indianapolis (IN) News 22 Jan 1938, Page 5 column 1. Clifford Helms in obituary for Ida Belle Helms. Clipped on 4 Mar 2022
   Right-click HERE to view original clipping
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4} The Indianapolis (IN) Star 10 Jul 1956, Page 10 Column 7. Obituary for Clifford F. Helms. Clipped on 4 Mar 2022
   Right-click HERE to view original clipping
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 3 March 2022), memorial page for Clifford Franklin Helms (29 May 1898–9 Jul 1956), Find A Grave: Memorial #45943809, citing Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA; Maintained by John C. Anderson (contributor 47208015). No photos or sources.

• "Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (accessed 1 Mar 2022), entry for Clifford Franklin Helms (PID https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:LKRV-QN8); contributed by various users. Has multiple sources that need to be checked for accuracy and added to profile.
  • Clifford Franklin Helms in Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992. Database no image. 1918
  • Clifford Franklin Helms in United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Database and images. 1918.
  • United States Census, 1940. Database and images.
  • Clifford Franklin Helms mentioned in the record of William Marvin Helms and Wilma Elizabelle Cox. Indiana Marriages, 1811-2019. Database and images. 1957