William Eugene "Billy" Link Sr.

William Eugene "Billy" Link Sr. b. Nov 5 1866 Paris, Edgar, Illinois, d. Apr 17 1939 Hollywood California. He was raised in Terre Haute son of Dr. John Ephraim Link, and Mary Susan LaFoe

He scheduled appearances in Terre Huate bi-annually during a carreri that lasted into the 1920's

Billy Link's Big Vaudeville and Musical Comedy Co.

married 1st Willette Monroe Charters divorced 1908. (per the application for marriage to Blossom) Birth 29 Nov 1875 Xenia City, Greene, Ohio d. 23 Aug 1959 San Diego California married 2nd James F Holliday dau of William W. Charters and Rosa Smith

child: William Eugene "Billy" Link Jr. Birth Xenia City, Greene, Ohio Death 12 Dec 1949

1896 - JUl 14 - Billy Eberly's benefit at opera house.... Mrs Willette Charters l Link... Xenia Daily Gazette



1902 - Feb 21 - ... Billy Link Jr. made his appearance ia a cakelwalk and shows he has iinherited some of his parents fondess for stage life... Xenia Daily Gazette

Billy Link Jr. vaudevulle tours, assistant director for First National Pictures in Hollywood.

Billy Link Jr. and Co. - Presents Headline Act at Vaudevill Preformance Tomorrow... Billy Link Jr., is former assistan move director and song writer of note., being composer of the American legion song and other song hits... Brainerd Daily Dispatch, Sep 15 1928

married 2 Dec 1912 Vigo county Indiana Blossom Robinson b. 27 Oct 1886 Milwaukee, Wisconsin dau of John Robinson and Anne Harberger

1901 - Billy Link and His wife making a hit in London

We are in a receipt of a copy of the Hippedrome, published at London, Enfgland, which contains a full page devoted to Billy Link and his wife Willette Charters....

London is laughing over Billy Link, The black-faced monologuist...

Thye wife of the monolooguist... She is a singer of rare talent, and with the Califonria Opera Company was a popular favorite and in American vaudville her number is always a distinct attraction... - Xenia Daliy Gazette & Torch light

1908 - THE BILLY LINK SHOW

At Athletic Park Kokomo Ind week July 6 Billy Link and his vaudeville and comedy company offered an show at popular prices and the attendance unusually large throughout the week act on the program Is a feature in Itself and Bonnie Hazard the big pianist and tbe little dancer offer a fine musical act Dwyer the clever comedian took the town storm

Billy Link is a black face hard to beat He puts on an set by Miss Charters that Is quite a decided novelty Miss Georgia Charters coon shouter and whistler is a wonder and the clever Hudson Sisters are a show In themselves The company carries Its own scenery eachact has a finesetting Billboard, Volume 20

1913 - New Business Building

William ("Billy") Link, a well known showman, last week bought Roy Cromley's lot opposite Pontius' livery stable, for $675, and announced that next season he hould put up a two story brick business building. The first story will be used for a drug and novelty store and the second story for a theater with a seating capacity if 700. Cromley paid $500 for the lot two years ago.

1914 - JUl 16 - Billy Link, the well known vaudeville performer, accompanied by his wife, Billy Link Jr. and Ed Crawford, late of Dockstader's minstrels, have rooms at Capt. Crook's while spinding their vacation at the lake

1914 - Jul 23 - Billy link and company left this week

1915 Feb 18 - A. A. Keen has taken the contract for Billy Link' four-room bungalow to be erected this spring opposite the Miller garage.The cost, including a small rooming cottage, will be $2,000. NOTE: this is 412 Lake Shore Dr.

Vaudeville star Billy Link, a Terre Haute native, made a quick visit to his home city on March 16, 1911, but departed the next day for Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where he was the headliner at a major theater. - Terre Haut Tribune Star

1915- May 20 - New Theater in prospect

Parties who have faith in the future of Culver are talking pretty strongly of putting up a theater building near the depot next year.

Billy Link who has become an enthisiastic summer resident of Culver, is we believe, to be credited with promoting the project. It is argued that a cheap but good building with a seating capacity of 800 to 1,000 would be well patronized during th summer season.

The stage would be large enough for standard size scenery so that any attraction on the road could use it. The summer season is the actors' playspell when the city theaters are closed. Stage people of the highest ability seek summer resorts, and there would be no difficulty, it is said, in locating a colony here which would supply a first-class ebtertainment at least twice a week.

It is believed that people from Plymouth and towns even farther away would motor here on pleasant summer nights in large numbers to witness something as good as they would see in Chicago or South Bend.

A prominent Plymouth man is qouted as saying that he could easily get stock subscrided in Plymouth to put up a building as above described. But Billy Link s said to be inclinded to put the thing over without outside help. Well, here's goping.

1916 - Feb 24 - Billy Link is getting ready to pyut up a third California bunaglow on his lot

1916 - May 4 - E. J. Bergman has bought og Billy Link a strip 18 feet widi between the two houses and the little cottage and the ground on which it stands in the rear of th Link bungalow. He intends to move the cottage west to Lake View avenue, enlarge it and rent it to his brother[in-law J. H. Kestler.

1916 - Sep 7 - Mr. and Mrs. Billy Link closed their summer bungalow Saturday night and left for Erie, Pa. their first date of the winter's circuit in vaudville.

1917 - Billy Link and Blossom Robinson a couple of old vaudeville favorites wiil be back again. Link was formerly a blackface comedian. Miss Robinson makes a charming foil for Link's clever comedy - Sacramento Union 16 December 1917

1919 Jan 1 - It is rumored that Billy Link is to convert the Hayes livery barn into a moving picture theater. The building, which has been recently used as a garage by Frank Clemons, is now closed. If Billy decides to put his project through he will do it right

1919 - Feb 26 - Work has commenced on the remodeling of the HAyes barn into a picture theater for Billy Link

1919 - Mar 19 -Culver's new theater -

It will be of interest to our readers to learn something about the new theater which Billy Link is having constructed and which he personally will operate this summer.

The Hayes garage building on Scott street is being remodeled into a dandy little auditorium which will seat upwards of 800.

A large stage is being constructe which will be outfitted with first-class scenery painted by the artist who does all the work for the B. f. Keith Theater of Columbus, O.

The attractions to be presented will included No. 1 vaudelville, such as is booked by the better class of houses good music, repertoire plays and first run pict ure

1919 Apr 23 - The Links Return this week

Mr and Mrs Billy Link are to be hom e this week to put the new theater in readiness for opening...

En route, at Denver, the Time of that city gives Mrs Link the following nice mention: "A beautiful woman with a beautiful lyric soprano voice appears at the Tabor this week. Her name is Miss Blossom R, (Mrs Link)...

1919 - May 14 - Everybody out to the opening of the Liberty theater tomorrow evening. Culver is fortunate i n having a man of Billy Links ability and standing in the show wpr;d to sponsor this new undertaking

1923 - Feb 14 - Billy Link Comes up town

Billy Link of the Libery Theatre has taken a six-year least on the Main steet Home Theatre owned by John Osborn, and will take possession Saturday night

1925 - Feb 11 - Billy Link and family moved to their new home at 707 Pearl St. Plymouth, Monday

1926 - Minks Move to California - Mr. and Mrs Billy Link have sold their property in Plymouth and left Wednesday for Los Angles California where they will make teir home. They made the trip by automobile

Ohio, Births and Christenings Index, 1774-1973
Name: Willetta Charters
Gender: Female
Birth Date: 29 Nov 1875
Birth Place: Xenia City, Greene, Ohio
Father: William W. Charters
Mother: Rosa Smith
FHL Film Number: 534095

Year: 1870; Census Place: Terre Haute Ward 3, Vigo, Indiana; Roll: M593_366; Page: 477B; Family History Library Film: 545865
Name: William Link
Age in 1870: 5
Birth Year: abt 186 5
Birthplace: Indiana
Dwelling Number: 316
Home in 1870: Terre Haute Ward 3, Vigo, Indiana
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Terre Haute
Inferred Mother: Sarah Link
Household Members:
Name Age
Elkana Lane 64
Nancy Lane 56 Alice Lane 13
Sarah Link 23
William Link 5
Edward Link 2/12
George Link 27

Year: 1900; Census Place: Manhattan, New York, New York; Page: 9; Enumeration District: 0111; FHL microfilm: 1241085
Name: Willette Link
Age: 23
Birth Date: Nov 1876
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1900: Manhattan, New York, New York
Ward of City: 15
Street: East 12th St
House Number: 13
Sheet Number: 9
Number of Dwelling in Order of Visitation: 44
Family Number: 148
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital status: Married
Spouse's name: William Link
Marriage Year: 1896
Father's Birthplace: Ohio
Mother's Birthplace: Ohio
Mother: Number of Living Children: 1
Mother: How Many Children: 1
Occupation: Opera Imper
Months Not Employed: 0
Can Read: Yes
Can Write: Yes
Can Speak English: Yes

Year: 1900; Census Place: Manhattan, New York, New York; Page: 9; Enumeration District: 0111; FHL microfilm: 1241085
Name: William Link
Age: 33
Birth Date: Jan 1867
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1900: Manhattan, New York, New York
Ward of City: 15
Street: East 12th St
House Number: 13
Sheet Number: 9
Number of Dwelling in Order of Visitation: 44
Family Number: 148
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Boarder
Marital status: Married
Spouse's name: Willette Link
Marriage Year: 1896
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Occupation: Actor
Months Not Employed: 0
Can Read: Yes
Can Write: Yes
Can Speak English: Yes

Year: 1900; Census Place: Manhattan, New York, New York; Page: 9; Enumeration District: 0111; FHL microfilm: 1241085
Name: William Link
Age: 3
Birth Date: Jul 1896
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1900: Manhattan, New York, New York
Ward of City: 15
Street: East 12th St
House Number: 13
Sheet Number: 9
Number of Dwelling in Order of Visitation: 44
Family Number: 148
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital status: Single
Father's name: William Link
Father's Birthplace: New York
Mother's name: Willette Link
Mother's Birthplace: Ohio
Can Read: Yes
Can Write: Yes
Can Speak English: Yes

Year: 1910; Census Place: Seattle Ward 3, King, Washington; Roll: T624_1659; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 0096; FHL microfilm: 1375672
Name: Willetta Link [Willetta Charles]
Age in 1910: 32
Birth Year: abt 1878
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1910: Seattle Ward 3, King, Washington
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Ohio
Mother's name: Rosa Charles
Mother's Birthplace: Ohio
Native Tongue: English
Occupation: Singer
Industry: Vaudeville
Employer, Employee or Other: Wage Earner
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Number of Children Born: 1
Number of Children Living: 1
Out of Work: N
Number of weeks out of work: 0

Year: 1910; Census Place: Seattle Ward 3, King, Washington; Roll: T624_1659; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 0096; FHL microfilm: 1375672
Name: William Link
Age in 1910: 13
Birth Year: abt 1897
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1910: Seattle Ward 3, King, Washington
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Grandson
Marital status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Indiana
Mother's Birthplace: Ohio
Native Tongue: English
Attended School: Yes
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes

Indiana, Marriages, 1810-2001
Name: Blossom Robinson
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age: 26
Event Type: Marriage Registration (Marriage)
Birth Date: 27 Oct 1886
Birth Place: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Marriage Date: 2 Dec 1912
Marriage Place: Indiana, United States
Residence Place: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Father: John Robinson
Mother: Anne Harberger
Spouse: Billie Link
Page: 143
Name: Billie Link
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 46
Event Type: Marriage Registration (Marriage)
Birth Date: 5 Nov 1866
Birth Place: Paris, Illinois
Marriage Date: 2 Dec 1912
Marriage Place: Indiana, United States
Father: John E Link
Mother: Mary La Foe
Spouse: Blossom Robinson
Page: 143
U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: William E Link
Residence Year: 1889
Street address: 1710 N 7th
Residence Place: Terre Haute, Indiana, USA
Publication Title: Terre Haute, Indiana, City Directory, 1889

U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: William E Link
Residence Year: 1892
Street address: 1710 N 7th
Residence Place: Terre Haute, Indiana, USA
Occupation: Comedian
Publication Title: Terre Haute, Indiana, City Directory, 1892

Year: 1920; Census Place: Union, Marshall, Indiana; Roll: T625_456; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 182v Name: Wallion Link [William Link] [Willian Link] Age: 53

Birth Year: abt 1867
Birthplace: Indiana
Home in 1920: Union, Marshall, Indiana
Street: Toner Avenue
House Number: X
Residence Date: 1920
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital status: Married
Spouse's name: Blossom Link
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Kentucky
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Manager
Industry: Moving Picture
Employment Field: Employer
Home Owned or Rented: Owned
Home Free or Mortgaged: Free
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Wallion Link 53
Blossom Link 32

Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 Name: William E Link Jr
Birth Date: 3 Jul 1897
Birth Place: Xenia O
Death Date: 12 Dec 1949
Claim Date: 19 Dec 1949
SSN: 559142653
Notes: 06 Mar 1979: Name listed as WILLIAM E LINK JR

California, Death Index, 1940-1997
Name: William Eugene Link
Social Security #: 559142653
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 3 Jul 1897
Birth Place: Ohio
Death Date: 13 Dec 1949
Death Place: Los Angeles
Mother's Maiden Name: Charters
Father's Surname: Link

U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name: Willette M Holliday Gender: Female
Residence Year: 1954
Street address: 2101 SanDiego av
Residence Place: San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
Spouse: James F Holliday
Publication Title: San Diego, California, City Directory, 1953-1954

California, Death Index, 1940-1997
Name: Willette Monroe Holliday [Willette Monroe Charters]
Social Security #: 557144953
Gender: Female
Birth Date: 29 Nov 1875
Birth Place: Ohio
Death Date: 23 Aug 1959
Death Place: San Diego
Mother's Maiden Name: Smith
Father's Surname: Charters