Dora Belle Blake
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Charles Herbert Lovell was born February 6, 1869 in Richland Co., WI and died June 27, 1948 in Madison, Dane Co., WI at age 79. He was the son of Edwin O. Lovell of Massachusetts and Ellen T. (Unknown) of Massachusetts.

Dora Belle Blake was born January 22, 1873 in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI and died October 17, 1941 in Madison, Dane Co., WI at age 68. She was the daughter of Simon S. Blake and Mary Magdalena Ambrose of Pennsylvania.

Charles and Dora were married September 27, 1891 in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI.

Charles and Dora had five children:

  1. Ralph Herbert Lovell: Born July 15, 1892 in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI; Died about September 16, 1929 in Cavalier Co., ND (age 37). a/k/a/Walter Dale, murdered. Married July 11, 1918 to Ellen Boobyer: Born April 9, 1891 in Curload, England; Died August 1983 in Madison, Dane Co., WI (age 92).
  2. Orren Blake Lovell: Born May 13, 1894 in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI; Died April 30, 1968 in Little Rock, Pulaski Co., AR (age 73). Married December 25, 1917 to Vera E. Clark: Born July 1, 1892 in Muscoda, Grant Co., WI; Died July 8, 1989 in Little Rock, Pulaski Co., AR (age 97).
  3. Malcolm Harold Lovell: Born December 13, 1898 in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI; Died June17, 1950 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL (age 51). Married February 19, 1945 to Pearl Murphy: Born October 5, 1911; Died July 1973 (age 61).
  4. Glenn Ayres Lovell: Born January 4, 1901 in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI; Died November 25, 1991 in Normal, McLean Co., IL (age 90). Married June 25, 1924 at the First Methodist Church, Madison, Dane Co., WI to Mona Elizabeth "Betty" Williams: Born November 19, 1903 in Lafayette Co., WI; Died September 27, 1989 in Normal, McLean Co., IL (age 85).
  5. Dorothy B. Lovell: Born October 4, 1904 in Muscoda, Grant Co., WI; Died March 29, 1988 in Mansfield, Richland Co., OH (age 83). Married September 1, 1928 to George S. Love: Born August 16, 1903 in Pewaukee, Waukesha Co., WI; Died May 16, 1984 in Mansfield, Richland Co., OH (age 80).



TIMELINE

Charles Herbert Lovell was born February 6, 1869 in Richland Co., WI.

Dora Belle Blake was born January 22, 1873 in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 1, 1880 shows Simon S. Blake (age 50) born in Pennsylvania of Virginia and Maryland-born parents is a farmer living in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Mary M. Blake (age 44) born in Pennsylvania of Pennsylvania-born parents. Also there are their children: Sylvester F. Blake (age 23) helping on the farm; Salome C. Blake (age 14); Cora J. Blake (age 9); Dora B. Blake (age 7); and Edna P. Blake (age 3). All children were born in Wisconsin. Simon was the census enumerator for Orion Twp. this year.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 17, 1880 shows Edwin Lovell (age 37) born in Massachusetts to Vermont and Massachusetts-born parents is a Trav. Agent living at 100 Tenth Street, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Ellen Lovell (age 35) born in Massachusetts to Maine and Massachusetts-born parents, who is Keeping House. Also living there are his children, all born in Wisconsin to Massachusetts-born parents: Arthur I. Lovell (age 12); Charles H. Lovell (age 11); Anna C. Lovell (age 9); Gracie E. Lovell (age 7); Frank O. Lovell (age 5); Raymond A. Lovell (age 3); and Luella M. Lovell (age 1).

The 1890 Milwaukee Telephone Directory shows Ellen T. Lovell is a widow.

Charles and Dora were married September 27, 1891 in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI.

The 1895 Wisconsin State Census taken on June 20, 1895 shows Chas. Lovell is the Head of Household and is living in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI. There are 4 Males and 1 Female living there.

The 1895 Wisconsin State Census taken on June 20, 1895 shows Ellen T. Lovell is the Head of Household and is living in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI. There is 1 Male and 1 Female living there.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 19, 1900 shows Charles H. Lovell (age 31) born February 1869 in Wisconsin to Massachusetts-born parents is a Farmer owning his own farm in Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI. Living with him is his wife of 9 years, Dara B. Lovell (age 27) born January 1873 in Wisconsin to Pennsylvania-born parents, with all three of her children alive and born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents: Ralph H. Lovell (age 7) born July 1892; Orrin B. Lovell (age 6) born May 1894; and Harold M. Lovell (age 1) born December 1898. Also living in the house is Dora's cousin, Elbien G. Ewing (age 16) born December 1883 in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents who is a servant.

The 1905 Wisconsin State Census taken on June 1, 1905 shows Charles H. Lovell (age 36) born in Wisconsin to Massachusetts-born parents is a Bridge Tender renting his home in the Village of Muscoda, Grant Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Belle Lovell (age 32) born in Wisconsin to Indiana and Pennsylvania-born parents. Also living there are his five children, all born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents: Ralph H. Lovell (age 12); Orren Lovell (age 12); Harold M. Lovell (age 6); Glenn A. Lovell (age 4); and Dorothy Lovell (age 6/12).

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 21, 1910 shows Charles Lovell (age 41) born in Wisconsin to Massachusetts-born parents is a Rural Mail Carrier owning his own home in the Village of Muscoda, Grant Co., WI. Living with him is his wife of 18 years, Dora B. Lovell (age 37) born in Wisconsin to Pennsylvania-born parents, with all five of her children alive. Four children are living at home and born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents: Orrin Lovell (age 15); Harold Lovell (age 11); Glen Lovell (age 10); and Dorothy Lovell (age 5).

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 16, 1910 shows Ralph Lovell (age 17) born in Wisconsin to Massachusetts and Wisconsin-born parents is an unmarried Hired Hand Farm Laborer living in the Herman Bremmer household, Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 7, 1920 shows Charley Lovell (age 50) born in Wisconsin to Massachusetts-born parents is a school janitor owning his own home in the Village of Muscoda, Grant Co., WI. Living with him is his wife Dortha Lovell (age 46) born in Wisconsin to Pennsylvania-born parents. Three children are living at home and born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents: Harold Lovell (age 21); Glen Lovell (age 18); and Dorothy Lovell (age 15).

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 8, 1920 shows Ralph Lovell (age 27) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents is a Furniture Store Salesman renting his home in the Village of Muscoda, Muscoda Twp., Grant Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Helen Lovell (age 28) born in England to English-born parents and having emigrated in 1908 and a Naturalized citizen.


The Capital Times, Madison, WI, May 24, 1928

Authorities Still Seek Ralph Lovell, Missing Cab Driver

GLENCOE, ILL. - Mrs. Ralph Lovell is keeping her little family of two children together while authorities seek her husband, a taxi-cab driver, missing since May 1. Lovell's car was found in Evanston. The windows of the machine were broken and the chauffeurs cap, order book, and keys beside the road strengthened the belief that he had been beaten and kidnapped or killed and the body removed. The last seen of the man was when he drove west from Glencoe, a Chicago suburb, late in the afternoon of May 1. He had a male passenger.


The Bismarck Tribune, Bismarck, ND, Tuesday, September 17, 1929

MURDERED MAN'S BODY FOUND NEAR MUNICH

Decomposed Body of Transient Found Hidden in a Strawstack; Brutally Slain

Discovery of the body of an unidentified man in a straw stack near Munich yesterday raised North Dakota's death by assassination to three in the past 10 days. A partially decomposed body of a man, who police authorities believe had been brutally slain, was found about half a mile south of Munich, Cavalier county. In the other two murders, Ernest Boe, 28, York filling station attendant, was shot dead by Fred J. Pffafflin, 36, Saturday night, and Bernado Bascon, a Filipino, was found dead Sept. 8 under a straw stack near Kelly's. Discovery of the body was made while Abe Pricken, Munich, was walking through a field near Highway No. 20. The feet were seen protruding from a straw stack. Investigation revealed the body, wrapped in a tent with a shirt tied tightly over the head and knotted at the throat. A cap was pulled tightly over the head. Several large gashes, a wound in the throat, and a hole in the temple indicate authorities said, that the man had been slain about two weeks ago.

Robbery Possible Motive

Robbery has been advanced as a possible motive. Both shoes were removed and laid near the head, but the insoles were missing. A penny and a dance hall advertisement were found in the pockets while a fountain pen, pipe, and snuff box were piled near the body. Identification has not been made. The man was about 40 years old and apparently a transient harvest worker. A vest may lead to identification, Dr. G. H. Kirkham, acting coroner said. It is of blackknit, bound on the edge with tape about a half an inch wide and has buttons bearing the mark "Brom's bench vest." Both hands were clinched tight as though he died after a struggle. Dr. Kirkham expressed the opinion that the man had been killed in some other community and his body transported bu automobile and placed in the straw stack here.


The Bismarck Tribune, Bismarck, ND, Wednesday, September 18, 1929

MAN MURDERED AT MUNICH IS UNKNOWN

May Be Missing Sutton Farmer or Iowa Banker; Officials Follow Clues

Two clues to the identity of a man whose mutilated body was discovered in a straw stack near Munich were under investigation by Cavalier county officials today. Walter King, Fargo, informed a newspaper reporter that the published description of the dead man fits that of a man named F. W. Bisbee, Turin, Iowa. Relatives of Walter Dale, Sutton farmer, who disappeared from Jamestown, are en route to Langdon to view the body. King said Bisbee was a former Iowa banker and had left Fargo several weeks ago in search of work. Last year was the first time Bisbee had worked in harvest fields. A dental chart will be sent to Turin in an effort to check King's theory.


The Bismarck Tribune, Bismarck, ND, Thursday, September 19, 1929

STRAWSTACK DEATH MYSTERY UNSOLVED

Three Men Fail to Identify Mutilated Body Found Near Munich Farm

Langdon, N. D. Sept 19. - The straw stack mystery which has baffled Cavalier county authorities four days became more complex today as hopes of identifying the mutilated body of a man found near Munich were blasted. Three men failed to identify the body as that of Walter Dale, formerly of Jamestown, and further information from Walter King, Fargo, who informed newspaper reporters the body might be that of F. W. Bisbee, Turin, Ia., indicated a check with Iowa officials would be necessary to ascertain whether the body might be that of the Iowan. While authorities awaited information from Iowa, a theory that possible the slain man might have been Dan Stokes, Glyndon, who disappeared from Valley City, also was being investigated.


The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 3, 1930 shows Charles H. Lovell (age 61) born in Wisconsin to Massachusetts-born parents is a church custodian renting his home in the City of Madison, 5th Ward, Dane Co., WI. Living with him is his wife Dora B. Lovell (age 57) born in Wisconsin to Pennsylvania-born parents who is a cook in a home for crippled children. One child is living at home and born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents: Malcom H. Lovell (age 30) who is an unmarried bookkeeper in an office supply house.

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 14, 1930 shows Ellen Lovell (age 39) born in England to English-born parents and having emigrated in 1908 and a naturalized citizen and having first married at age 25 is a widow renting her home for $35/month and living at 311 Russell Street, 6th Ward, City of Madison, Dane Co., WI. Living with her are her children, all born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin and English-born parents: Kieth C. Lovell (age 8); Malcom C. Lovell (age 5); and Suzette M. Lovell (age 1). Also living there is a roomer, Bert Wilson (age 30), who is a Laborer.


The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI, Sunday, May 3, 1936

Murder Will Out, Even After 7 Years

Murder will out, say the mystery story writers. Some picked sleuth bobs up sooner or later with the solution for the last chapter. But in real life murderers sometimes roam at large for years afterward, and a Madison woman, Mrs. Ralph H. Lovell, 423 W. Washington ave., and a Madison attorney, O. A. Stolen, know only too well that that's true. It's now seven years since Mrs. Lovell's husband was murdered, and yet she only learned about it a week ago. As a result of her discovery, that a man who wandered around under the name of "Walter Dale" was really her husband, Mrs. Lovell has only now discovered that her missing husband was murdered. The whole story first began to interest Madison people Friday when a woman, later identified as Mrs. Ralph H. Lovell, dropped around at The State Journal office to leave an obituary notice that she had just received word of the death of her husband in 1929. "Just received notice of a death in 1929?" The State Journal communicated with the chief of police and sheriff in the town in which he was supposed to have died, and the attorney in Madison, Stolen, who was representing Mrs. Lovell, with these results:

A Crash in Evanston

Early in the morning of an April day in 1928, policemen in Evanston, Ill., ran into a taxi whose motor had been running all night. Lovell lived in Glencoe, Ill., at the time. His wife, who has since 1929 joined her family in Madison, couldn't find out what had happened to her husband. Nobody seemed to have seen him after that night; he had dropped completely out of sight. Mrs. Lovell moved to Madison, where Mr. Lovell's parents and two brothers lived. In July, 1935, Mrs. Lovell had Stolen appoint the Madison Trust co., administrator of her husband's estate. It was seven years since he had disappeared. By law he was now dead. It was only this week that Mrs. Lovell discovered that he was actually, as well as legally, dead.

Not Dead, U. S. Claim

Lovell had four insurance policies at the time he disappeared and a claim on the soldier's bonus as a World war veteran. Stolen started his job of trying to collect for the widow. In Washington, where he had written for the bonus money, officials of the veteran's administration informed him that Lovell was not dead, but was still living in Jamestown, North Dakota. Stolen wondered about the man, began to speculate on what the man was doing. He investigated, and this is what he found: Lovell had wandered out to North Dakota, after his strange disappearance that night in Evanston. He had disappeared that way before. When he arrived at Sutton, N. D., he bought a threshing machine and proceeded to hire out his services to farmers. Two days later, Lovell, then known as Walter Dale, left the farm on which he was working at Sutton and announced he was out to hire some help to run the machine. He was never seen alive after that. Three weeks after he left, his mangled body was found in his own canvas sack, near Munice, N. D., 100 miles away, an iron bar lying near the body. Lovell's watch, cash, and identification papers were gone. North Dakota coroner's jury determined that death resulted from a "blunt instrument in the hands of unknown persons." The dead man's body was identified by the gold tooth and a finger injury as that of the man known as Walter Dale. Only a little while ago, Stolen, Mrs. Lovell's attorney in Madison, got the idea that the murdered man might be Lovell. He went out to North Dakota, showed a picture of Lovell around and proved the man really was the husband of the Madison woman. He found there was no blood around, no evidence of a struggle, but there was no question the man had been murdered. As a result of Stolen's identification, the attorney general's department of North Dakota has announced it will reopen investigation of the death of Walter Dale, whose real name is Ralph Lovell, son of Madison parents and brother of two Madison men.


Ralph Herbert Lovell and his alias, Walter Dale, have the same death certificate in North Dakota: Died September 16, 1929 in Cavalier Co., ND (age 55). a/k/a/Walter Dale.

Dora Belle (Blake) Lovell and died October 17, 1941 in Madison, Dane Co., WI at age 68.


The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI, Friday, October 17, 1941

Obituaries

Mrs. C. H. Lovell

Mrs. Charles H. Lovell, 68, of 214 N. Orchard st., died today at a Madison hospital after a long illness. Survivors include the widower, four sons, Ralph H. and Orin B., Madison; Glenn A., Chicago, and M. H., Washington, D. C., and one daughter, Mrs. George S. Love, Cleveland, Ohio. Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p. m. in the Frautschi funeral home with the Rev. C. A. Puls of Luther Memorial church officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial park.


The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI, Thursday, March 19, 1942

DIVORCES GRANTED

Ellen Lovell, 50, of 2742 Hermina st., from Ralph H. Lovell, 49, address unknown, on grounds of non-support and desertion.


Charles Herbert Lovell died June 1948 in Madison, Dane Co., WI at age 79.


The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI, Monday, June 28, 1948

Obituaries

Charles Lovell

Charles H. Lovell, 79, of 2520 Norwood pl., died Sunday at a Madison hospital after a brief illness. Mr. Lovell, a retired mail carrier at Muscoda, had lived in Madison for 20 years. He was a member of Luther Memorial church and of Commonwealth Masonic lodge, No. 325. His wife died Oct. 17, 1941. Survivors are three sons, Orren B., Madison, and Malcolm H. and Glenn A., Chicago; a daughter, Mrs. Dorothy B. Love, Cleveland, O.; 10 grandchildren; four brothers, Dr. Arthur I., Lincoln, Neb.; Frank, O., Milwaukee; Raymond, Knoxville, Tenn., and Ralph O., realtor, Calif., and two sisters, Grace E. Lovell, Milwaukee, and Mrs. Edgar Lovell, Orlando, Fla. Funeral services will be held in Frautschi funeral home at 2 p. m. Tuesday with Rev. Charles A. Puls officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial park. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 tonight.


The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI, Sunday, June 18, 1950

Obituaries

M. Harold Lovell

M. Harold Lovell, 52, Chicago, former Madison resident and a brother of Orren B. Lovell, comptroller of the First National bank here, died Saturday afternoon in a Chicago hospital after a long illness. Mr. Lovell was born in Muscoda. He married Pearl Murphy, Madison, Feb. 19, 1945. Mr. Lovell was a veteran of World War I, a member of Commonwealth Masonic lodge No. 325, and a member of the Chicago Moose lodge. He had been employed by the federal government at the time of his death. Survivors include his wife; another brother, Glenn A., Oak Park, Ill., and a sister, Mrs. George Love, Cleveland, O. The body will arrive at the Frautschi funeral home Monday night and friends may call after noon Tuesday. Funeral services have been tentatively set for Wednesday afternoon in the funeral home.