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(Courtesy of Jack Tillmany)




(Courtesy of Jack Tillmany)
 

Above - a crop/blowup of Charlie Stevens from the GERONIMO lobby card shown on the previous webpage.



The quick summary (which also appears on the prior webpage):

Charlie's mother was the second wife of George H. Stevens
Charles Stevens' father was George H. Stevens. He was born in Massachusetts circa 1844 and he served in the U. S. Infantry during the Civil War. George made his home in Arizona where he was a mail carrier, government scout, employee of the Indian Bureau, a cattleman and public official. He was a member of the legislature when Graham County, Arizona was formed. George was twice the Graham County sheriff, and was secretary of the Board/Commissioners of the Yuma Territorial Penitentiary. His nickname was "Little Steve".

Graham County Historian Danny Haralson authored the article "Charles Stevens - Gila Valleys Own Movie Star" at the Eastern Arizona Courier newspaper: http://www.eacourier.com/lifestyle/gila-valley-s-own-movie-star/article_16cd5514-6d76-11e1-abdb-0019bb2963f4.html

Below is an overview of Charlie and family from Danny Haralson:

"His father was married to Francesca first. She was the daughter of Apache White Mountain Chieftain Escetecela. George Stevens met her while he was serving the U.S. government as a mail rider at Fort Apache. She died in the county courthouse in which they were living on December 19, 1882. Sheriff George Stevens and Francesca had children James, Kittie, George H. and William.

Sheriff George Stevens was later married to Eloisa Michalana, daughter of Trinidad Michalena of Solomonville, Arizona. They had children Alberto and Carlos. Charles (Carlos) was never related to Geronimo and was actually half Hispanic rather than Native American."

(Courtesy of Danny Haralson)

Above - George H. Stevens
Children of George H. Stevens and his first wife Francesca/Francisca Stevens:

Hardly any information has been found on daughter Katarina/Kittie (born about 1875).

However, there are death certificates and interment info on the three male children of George H. and Francesca/Francisca Stevens at the Find A Grave website and the State of Arizona, Department of Health Services website:

James H. Stevens (about 1869-1947):
he passed away on October October 17, 1947 in San Carlos, Gila County, Arizona. His father was George H. Stevens (info from his death certificate). James H. Stevens is interred at Solomon Cemetery, Solomon, Graham County, Arizona: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=88227554

William Henry Stevens (about 1880-1943):
he passed away on May 24, 1943 in an automobile accident near Globe, Gila County, Arizona. His father was Geo. H. Stevens (info from his death certificate). William Henry 'Willie' Stevens is interred at San Carlos Cemetery, Gila County, Arizona: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=101208688

George H. Stevens (about 1881-1910), the son of George H. Stevens:
he passed away on October 21, 1910 in Douglas, Arizona. His father was George H. Stevens (info from his death certificate). George H. Stevens is interred at Calvary Cemetery, Douglas, Cochise County, Arizona: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=103693258

The State of Arizona, Department of Health Services website is at: http://genealogy.az.gov/

George H. Stevens married Eloisa Michelena/Michalena on January 22, 1884
in Solomonville, Arizona. Charles Stevens, future movie actor, was born in 1893.

Also available are interment information and death certificates on Charles (Carlos) and Alberto (Albert), the two sons of George H. Stevens and second wife Eloisa Michelena/Michalena.

Albert G. Stevens (1886-1963):
he passed away on June 19, 1963 in Safford, Graham County, Arizona. Parents were George H. Stevens and Eloisa Michelena (info from his death certificate.) Albert G. Stevens is interred at Solomon Cemetery, Solomon, Graham County, Arizona: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=114048390
The death certificate on Charlie's brother Albert is at the State of Arizona, Department of Health Services website at http://genealogy.az.gov/

Movie actor Charles Stevens (1893-1964):
he was born in Solomonville, Arizona in 1893. He reported his birth date as March 3, 1893 on his World War I draft registration and that date is also on his death certificate. However, his World War II draft registration has a May 15, 1893 date of birth. Charlie passed away at his home at 1926 N. Whitley Avenue, Los Angeles on August 22, 1964. (Info from his State of California death certificate.)



In Search of ... Charles/Charlie Stevens:

The Family Search website (free), Ancestry.com (subscription), Newspaper Archive, Library of Congress, death certificates, California Death Index, State of Arizona Department of Health Services, Find A Grave, various newspapers, and other sources provide more on Charlie Stevens and family.

On the prior webpage, I mentioned that the names of brothers Carlos and Alberto had been "Americanized" to Charles and Albert. In the 1900 census, Alberto and Carlos are living with mother Eloisa. For the 1910 census, Alberto had become Albert.

There's a lot of details below. There are also a couple of consistencies in the data - I've highlighted Charlie's mother Eloisa in this color; and Charlie's father George H. Stevens in this color.

For those of you who don't want to wade through all these details, key events and dates are highlighted with a

Some links below are to newspaper articles at the Library of Congress which will download a pdf file. These should open in your web browser/pdf viewer. Enter "Stevens" in your pdf viewer Search function to locate the Stevens mention.


The Stevens family prior to Charlie's 1893 birth.

  • 1870 census - 27 year old George Stevens (born Massachusetts) is a "Military Expressman" at Camp Goodwin, Pima Territory, Tucson, Arizona: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11074-154758-74?cc=1438024
  • Ancestry had a document noting the October 22, 1875 appointment of George H. Stevens as Postmaster of San Carlos, Pinal, Arizona Territory.
  • 1880 census - 35 year old G. H. Stevens (born Massachusetts; occupation farmer), his 25 year old wife Francisca (born Arizona), their 10 year old son James (born Arizona), and 6 year old daughter Katarina (born Arizona) are living in Eagle Creek, Apache County, Arizona. Five other adults (listed as "Other") are living with the Stevens family: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MH24-XXN
    Ancestry had the census takers worksheet - under the Personal Description columns, wife Francisca is listed as "I" (meaning Indian). The five adults living with the Stevens family have an occupation of "Laborer".
  • Death certificate and interment information are available on George and Francisca's other children who were born after the 1880 census: William Henry 'Willie' Stevens was born about 1880 and George H. Stevens was born circa 1881.
  • Ancestry had a document on the June 5, 1882 appointment of George H. Stevens as Postmaster of Safford, Graham County, Arizona.
  • The Arizona Historical Society Library and Archives, Tempe, Arizona has a photo and notation that Francisca Stevens (1855-1882) passed away from spinal meningitis on December 19, 1882: https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/digital/collection/ahfsaints/id/18
  • The BYU-Idaho, Special Collections and Family History, Western States Marriage Index has a January 22, 1884 marriage record (not the marriage license) of George H. Stevens and Eloisa Michelana in Solomonville, Arizona: http://abish.byui.edu/specialCollections/westernStates/westernStatesRecordDetail.cfm?recordID=98292
  • The Arizona Champion newspaper from Saturday, February 2, 1884 carried a marriage announcement. Excerpt: "The sheriff of Graham county, Hon. Geo. H. Stevens, was married at Solomonville, Sunday before last, to Miss Eloisa Michalena, of the same place." http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82016246/1884-02-02/ed-1/seq-3.pdf
  • 1890 census is unavailable - it was lost in a 1921 fire (and water damage) at the Commerce Building in Washington, D.C.


We find Charlie's mother Eloisa in the 1870 census. And Charlie (Carlos) and his older brother Albert (Alberto) with the 1900 census.

  • 1870 census - living in Tucson, Pima Territory, Arizona are 46 year old Trinidad Michalena (born Mexico), his 44 year old wife Anna M. (born Mexico), and seven children, from a newborn to twenty years of age. One of the children is 9 year old Eloisa Michalena (born Mexico about 1861): https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MC2K-QBS
    1870 census takers worksheet - most of family - including Eloisa - have Sonora, Mexico as their birth location. Father Trinidad's occupation is "Laborer": https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11074-154774-70?cc=1438024
  •  The BYU-Idaho, Special Collections and Family History, Western States Marriage Index has a January 22, 1884 marriage record (not the marriage license) of George H. Stevens and Eloisa Michelana in Solomonville, Arizona: http://abish.byui.edu/specialCollections/westernStates/westernStatesRecordDetail.cfm?recordID=98292
  •  The Arizona Champion newspaper from Saturday, February 2, 1884 carried a marriage announcement. Excerpt: "The sheriff of Graham county, Hon. Geo. H. Stevens, was married at Solomonville, Sunday before last, to Miss Eloisa Michalena, of the same place." http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82016246/1884-02-02/ed-1/seq-3.pdf
  • 1890 census is unavailable - it was lost in a 1921 fire (and water damage) at the Commerce Building in Washington, D.C.
  •  1900 census - the family is listed under Stephens, not Stevens. Living in Solomonville, Graham County, Arizona Territory are 38 year old Eloisa Stephens (born Mexico), 14 year old son Alberto (born 1886 in Arizona), 7 year old son Carolos [sic] (born 1893 in Arizona) and a boarder: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M9VH-2SZ
    The 1900 census takers worksheet lists Eloisa as head of household, widowed, occupation "House Keeper", and she owns their home: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11849-39559-18?cc=1325221
  • 1910 census - residing in Solomonville, Graham County, Arizona are 24 year old Albert G. Stevens (born Arizona) and his 45 year old mother Eloisa Stevens (born Mexico): https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MVVH-WKJ
    Ancestry had the 1910 census takers worksheet: Eloisa was married one time for 26 years (about 1884 marriage date), and she had four children, two of whom were still living. Birth place of Eloisa and her parents is "Mex Spanish" indicating Mexico. Albert's occupation is "Jailer-Solomonville". Living next door is Eloisa's 51 year old brother Pedro Michelena, his wife and six children.
  •  May 25, 1917 Los Angeles marriage license of 17 year old Lila Ethel Berry (born Kansas) to 24 year old Charles Stevens (born Arizona; occupation "farming"). His parents were George Stevens and Eloisa Gavilondo. Lila's parents were Alpheaus W. Berry and Viola Charley: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-22555-8505-83?cc=1804002
  •  World War I draft registration dated June 5, 1917 - 24 year old Charles Stevens lives at 529 W. 3rd, Los Angeles. He is married; born March 3, 1893 in Solomonville, Arizona; occupation is "Actor" and employer is "Tom Mix, Edendale, California": https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-26181-9765-58?cc=1968530
  • 1920 census - 26 year old Charles G. Stevens (born Arizona), his 17 year old wife Lila E. (born Kansas) and one month old son Douglas C. (born California) are living in Los Angeles. Charlie lists his father's birthplace as the U.S. and mother as Mexico: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MHQD-MPS
    Ancestry had the 1920 census takers worksheet - Charles, Lila and newborn son Douglas C. are renting at 2027 Reservoir (?) Street, Los Angeles. Charlie's occupation is "Actor-Movies".
  • 1930 census - 38 year old Charles Stevens (born Arizona), his 26 year old wife Lila (born Kansas) and 10 year old son Douglas (born California) are living in Los Angeles. Charlie lists his father's birthplace as the U.S. and mother as Mexico: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XC8S-2GZ
    Ancestry had the 1930 census takers worksheet - Charles, Lila and son Douglas are renting at 10620 Mt. Gleason Avenue, Los Angeles. Charlie's occupation is "Actor-Motion Pictures". And he answered "Yes" and World War I to the military veteran question.
  • 1940 census - 50 year old Charles Stevens (born Arizona) is one of several lodgers living in the home of Edwin W. and Caroline Sonntag in Los Angeles: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K9CD-C82
    1940 census takers worksheet - 50 year old Charles Stevens is a lodger residing at 6638 Odin Street, Los Angeles. He completed four years of high school; is divorced; occupation is "Actor-Motion Picture Studio", and in 1939, he worked 20 weeks and earned $5000.00+: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-27797-2972-46?cc=2000219
  • 1940 census: 37 year old Lela [sic] Stevens (born Kansas about 1903; listed as widowed) and 20 year old son Douglas (born California about 1920) are living in Los Angeles: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K9CX-F1V
    1940 census takers worksheet: Lela [sic] and son Douglas are renting at unit #353, 5957 Barton Avenue, Los Angeles. Difficult to decipher the occupation of Douglas - looks like "Fitter and Sells Costumes", and in 1939, he worked 52 weeks and earned $1000.00: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-27797-3566-66?cc=2000219
  • 1942 World War II draft registration - Charles George Stevens lives at 7733 Hampton Avenue, Los Angeles. His birth date and location are May 15, 1893 in Solomonsville, Arizona; occupation is "Free Lance Actor": and the Screen Actors Guild is his contact: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-16387-37789-55?cc=1861144
  •  Death certificate - 71 year old Charles G. Stevens was born March 3, 1893 in Arizona and under the box to identify Color or Race, he's "Amer. Indian". Occupation was "Actor - free lance - motion picture"; he was widowed; was a World War I veteran; parents were James H. Stevens (born Arizona) and Eloisa with an unknown last name and unknown birth location. He passed away at his home at 1926 N. Whitley Avenue, Los Angeles on August 22, 1964. There was a coroner's investigation and cause of death was arteriosclerotic heart disease. Funeral director was Pierce Bros. Hollywood and burial at Valhalla Cemetery. Death certificate informant was Harry L. Stevens, Phoenix, Arizona (see footnotes below).
  •  The death of Charlie Stevens was covered via AP and UPI reports in August, 1964 newpapers. A few excerpts: "'Indian Joe' Dies at 71 ... died at his home ... been in pictures since 1914 when the late Douglas Fairbanks gave him his first role ... (he was the) son of a white Indian scout and daughter of Geronimo ..."
    None of those death notices mentioned a wife, son, or any other survivors. And there was no funeral notice in ProQuest obituaries (which includes the Los Angeles Times newspaper).
  • You also may want to go to the In Search Of ... webpage on the Old Corral and then to the California Death Index which mirrors the death certificate: Charles G. Stevens, born 3/3/1893 and death date of 8/22/1964. There is a transcription error - the California Death Index has him born in Arkansas when it should be Arizona.

Death certificate footnotes:

Unsure why James H. Stevens is listed as Charlie's father (though mother Eloisa is listed correctly). And also unsure who the death informant is - probably Harry L. Stevens, born about 1904 and one of the sons of James Stevens whose parents were George H. and his first wife Francisca Stevens. Another possibility - Charlie's brother Albert had a son named Harold who was born about 1922.

Another question - where was son Douglas C. Stevens when Charlie passed away in 1964? Looks like Douglas lived his entire life in California. Were he and father Charlie estranged? Would seem like he would have been the death certificate informant and cared for the funeral and interment.

  • World War II enlistment record for Douglas C. Stevens - he enlisted October 27, 1941 in the U.S. Army; born circa 1919 in California; he was single; completed three years of high school; civilian occupation of "stock clerks": https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMKP-NFV
  • California Death Index has a record for Douglas Charles Stevens, born November 19, 1919 in California, mother's maiden name of Berry, and he passed away April 27, 1990 in the Los Angeles area: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGPV-8GS


More on Charlie's mother Eloisa Stevens, his brother Albert, Francisca/Francesca Stevens (the first wife of Charlie's father), and Charlie's father, George H. Stevens.


Charlie's mother, Eloisa Michelena/Michalena / Eloisa Stevens:

  • 1870 census - living in Tucson, Pima Territory, Arizona are 46 year old Trinidad Michalena (born Mexico), his 44 year old wife Anna M. (born Mexico), and seven children, from a newborn to twenty years of age. One of the children is 9 year old Eloisa Michalena (born Mexico about 1861): https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MC2K-QBS
    1870 census takers worksheet - most of family - including Eloisa - have Sonora, Mexico as their birth location. Father Trinidad's occupation is "Laborer": https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11074-154774-70?cc=1438024
  • State of Arizona, Department of Health Services, had the death certificate on Elosie [sic] Stevens, about 75 years old, and she passed away in Solomonville, Arizona on December 30, 1936. Her Color/Race is listed as Mexican; born in Arizona in 1861; she was a widow; husband was Geo H. Stenves [sic]; father and mother are listed as unknown; death certificate informant was Al Stevens, Solomonville, Arizona (Al was her son Albert and Charlie's brother - more on him below): http://genealogy.az.gov/
  • Find A Grave has a photo of the grave marker for Charlie's mother, Eloisa M. Stevens (1864-1937), who is interred at Solomon Cemetery, Solomon, Graham County, Arizona. The marker has her death date as December 30, 1937 while the death certificate has December 30, 1936: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=114048451



Charlie's older brother, Alberto/Albert Stevens (and note the names of his parents on the death certificate):



Francisca Stevens, the first wife of Charlie's father, George H. Stevens:

The Arizona Historical Society Library and Archives, Tempe, Arizona has a photo of Francisca Stevens (1855-1882) with an unidentified male child: https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/digital/collection/ahfsaints/id/18

The description with the photo reads:

"Several sources indicate that Francisca was the daughter of Es-Kel-Thes-e-la, hereditary Chief of the Coyotero Band of Apache Indians. It is said that her husband, George Stevens, married her for the protection it gave him during his travels in Arizona. Nevertheless, they married and were content until she died of spinal meningitis on December 19, 1882. Most of her married life she lived in the Solomonville area. She bore five children, four of whom reached adulthood."



George H. Stevens

George H. Stevens was born in Massachusetts about 1844. He served in the U. S. Infantry during the Civil War and was discharged at old Camp Goodwin, Pima Territory, Tucson, Arizona. He made his home in Arizona where he was a mail carrier, government scout, employee of the Indian Bureau, a cattleman and public official. He was a member of the legislature when Graham County was formed. George was twice the Graham County sheriff, and was secretary of the Board/Commissioners of the Yuma Territorial Penitentiary. His nickname was "Little Steve".

I found scant traces of Stevens on the free and subscription newspaper websites. But hit paydirt in the newspaper archives at the Library of Congress. Below are a few of many references/links to Stevens at the LOC.

In summary, George got into some political/money problems ... did a quick exit from Arizona and then disappeared ... wife Eloisa and family assumed he had died, or opted to have him declared dead to settle his estate and property ... George turns up owning a gambling establishment in Vancouver, British Columbia ... and he dies in 1920 in San Diego, California at age 76.
  • The Arizona Journal-Miner newspaper from October 30, 1889 carried an article about George gone missing. Excerpts: "George H. Stevens ... friends are alarmed for his safety. He left his home in Graham some time since for the ... purpose of attending a meeting of the board of prison commissioners at Yuma, since when nothing has been heard of him. ... he was known to have had $6000 belonging to the territory ...": http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85032938/1889-10-30/ed-1/seq-1.pdf
  • The Arizona Champion newspaper from November 2, 1889 had a lengthy article on George ... the missing money ... he missed the board of prison commissioners meeting at Yuma ... and his exit to British Columbia: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82016246/1889-11-02/ed-1/seq-1.pdf
  • There was another article in that November 2, 1889 Arizona Champion. Excerpt:"The absconding treasurer of the territorial prison commission, George H. Stevens, abandoned his wife and children in his hastey [sic] search for health along the northern coast.": http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82016246/1889-11-02/ed-1/seq-2.pdf
  • The Arizona Silver Belt newspaper from January 25, 1906 had an article about George in British Columbia. Excerpts: "George H. Stevens, known throughout the territory as 'Little Steve,' has been heard from. He is conducting a saloon and gambling house at Victoria, British Columbia. He was the first sheriff of Graham county, and also a member of the territorial board of prison commissioners ... He was indicted for misconduct while holding that office and left the territory to avoid prosecution.": http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84021913/1906-01-25/ed-1/seq-5.pdf
  • The Tombstone Epitaph newspaper from March 19, 1911 had a listing of Probate Court filings. Appears that the Stevens family thought George had died - or wanted him to be pronounced dead - so that his estate could be settled. Excerpts: "Estate of George H. Stevens ... hearing to show cause why whole estate should not be assigned to family of said deceased.": http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn95060905/1911-03-19/ed-1/seq-4.pdf
  • 68 year old Civil War veteran George H. Stevens (born Massachusetts) spent about six months at the Veterans Hospital in Sawtelle, California in 1912. His nearest relative is son James Stevens of Douglas, Arizona: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-21062-28079-11?cc=1916230
  • 1920 census - 76 year old George H. Stevens was born about 1844 in Massachusetts; is widowed; and resides in San Diego, California: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHWZ-1Z2
    Ancestry had the 1920 census takers worksheet dated January 2, 1920: George H. Stevens lives alone and owns his home at 3750 Mission Avenue, San Diego, California. The columns for his occupation and business is blank - not suprising since he's 76 years old.
  • The El Paso Herald newspaper from March 22, 1920 had a death announcement on George. Headline reads: "ARIZ. PIONEER DIES ON COAST" Article excerpt: "George H. Stevens, who died lately in San Diego, Calif., aged 76, was best known to pioneer Arizonans as 'Little Steve,' and was one of the most prominent of political figures in territorial days.": http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88084272/1920-03-22/ed-1/seq-11.pdf
  • California Death Index has a record for 76 year old George H. Stevens and he passed away March 16, 1920 in the San Diego, California area.


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