Helen Isaac Theodore Pego

 Helen was born in 1897, the daughter of Charles Isaac and Jennie Antoine. Her father, Charles, died in 1901. Her mother, Jennie, married John Theodore on 4 Apr 1903 in Ludington, Mason, Michigan.

Helen was married to Burt Motay Pego, date unknown. His previous wives were Emma Cary who he married on 24 Jun 1895, she died in Dec 1895; Nancy Lewis, who he married on 10 Feb 1902, she died 15 Oct 1909, their daughter Ida was born 12 Sep 1909 and died 14 Oct 1909; and Maud Wabindato, who died 23 Apr 1914,their daughter Agnes was born 17 Mar 1914 and also died 23 Apr 1914

Son Douglas was born 26 Apr 1917 in Benzie county, Michigan. Douglas was raised by Emma Jean Lewis, the sister of Bert's wife Nancy. Emma was married in 1907 to Louis Aikens, who died in 1907; in 1913 to Frank E. Pierson, who died in 1943, and to Verne Austin.

Son Charles was born 1 Apr 1919 [from death certificate]

1920 Federal Census - Elbridge township, Oceana, Michigan

House/family 89

Pe-go, Bert, head, rents, Indian, 52, farmer, famr laborer

Hellen, wife, Indian, 33

Charles, son, Indian, 1 2/12

House/family 91

Pierson, Frank, head, white, 28, farmer

Emma, wife, Indian, 29

Pego, Frankie, ward, Indian, 2 8/12

Son Dora was born 4 Mar 1922 [from death certificate]

Son Jerry was born 3 Oct 1924 [from death certificate]

Son Victor was born 22 Jan 1925 [from death certificate]

Husband Bert died 18 Mar 1925 in Elbridge, Oceana, Michigan. He was married. Date of birth and names of parents were unknown. Cause of death was lobar pneumonia, burial at Sayles Catholic cemetery. Informant was Frank Person [Pierson] of Hart.

Son Jerry died 14 Aug 1925 in Elbridge, Oceana, Michigan. His birth was given at 3 Oct 1924, parents as Burt Pego and Hellen Theodore. Cause of death was Illeo Colitis, burial in Sayles cemetery. Informant was Mrs. Hellen Thedore of Hart.

Son Victor died 3 Mar 1926 in Elbridge, Oceana, Michigan. His date of birth was given as 22 Jan 1925, cause of death as Illes colitis, burial at Elbridge Catholic. Informant was Mrs. Hellen Pego of Hart.

Son Charles died 24 Mar 1926 in Elbridge, Oceana, Michigan. His birth was given as 1 Apr 1919, parents as Burt Pego and Hellen Thedore. Cause of death "no phys called. From symptoms I judge the cause of death to be pneumonia." Burial was in Elbridge Catholic. Informant was Mrs. Hellen Pego of Hart.

Son Dora died 6 Jun 1926 in Hart, Oceana, Michigan at the county hospital. Sex was given as male, birth at 4 Mar 1922, parents as Burt Pego and Ellen Thedore. Cause of death was convulsions, burial in Sayles cemetery. Informant was Mrs. Ellen Pego of Hart.

Helen died 27 Jan 1927 in Hart, Oceana, Michigan. Her birth was given as 1896, father as Thedore, mother unknown. Cause of death was pulmonary tuberculosis, burial in Sayles cemetery. Informant was Mrs. John Pabama of Hart.

The only member of Helen's family remaining was son Douglas Pierson.

On 29 Aug 1928 Douglas was admitted to the Mount Pleasant Indian School in Mt. Pleasant, Isabella, Michigan. His tribe was Chippewa, parents Frank E. Pierson of Muskegon Heights, 1/2 blood, age 11. [Was he actually 1/2, only Helen's child, not Burt's; or was he listed as 1/2 because Frank Pierson was white?]

Register of Pupils 1929-1930 - Mt. Pleasant Indian School

Douglas was still age 11, noted as AWOL 9-8 to 9-12.

1930 Federal Census  - Union townshp, Isabella, Michigan, Mount Pleasant City, Indian School

Pierson, Douglas, 11

Register of Pupils 1930-1931 - Mt. Pleasant Indian School

Douglas was age 13. 

Register of Pupils 1931-1932 - Mt. Pleasant Indian School

Douglas was age 15.

1940 Federal Census - Muskegon, Muskegon, Michigan

Austin, Vernon, head, white, 53, born Michigan, same house in 1935

Emma, wife, white, 52, born Michigan, same house in 1935

Pierson, Douglas, foster son, white, 25, born Michigan, same house in 1935, labor at foundry

Douglas registered for the draft (date not given)

Douglas enlisted in the army on 10 Apr 1941 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Douglas was discharged from the army on 3 Oct 1945

The Muskegon Chronicle - 5 Jul 1972

Emma Lewis Austin died 28 May 1980 at Oceana, Michigan. Adopted son Douglas was not mentioned in her death notice.

The Musekgon Chronicle 29 May 1980

Son Douglas died 30 Nov 1985. His obituary named two sons and two daughters as survivors. It also mentioned 5 brothers and 1 sister as surviving. Was it possibly referencing the deceased children of Burt and Helen?

The Muskegon Chronicle - 3 Dec 1985

The Muskegon Chronicle - 4 Dec 1985

Helen's granddaughter, Debra J. Pierson, died 23 Jul 2012. 

The Muskegon Chronicle - 29 Jul 2012