Myrta Z. Belknap was born on October 19, 1862. However, the exact location of her birth has remained uncertain over the years. Some sources point to Pennsylvania, while others suggest New York. This ambiguity adds a layer of mystery to a life already overshadowed by the man she would eventually marry—Herman Webster Mudgett, better known as H.H. Holmes.
Her parents were John Sands Belknap and Lucy G. Beers. What we know of Myrta’s early life is limited, pieced together mostly through census data and genealogical records. No diaries, personal writings, or direct interviews survive, so her childhood remains largely in the shadows. Yet, being born in the early 1860s placed her right in the midst of America’s post-Civil War transformation, a time that challenged women in almost every walk of life.
Life as the Wife of H.H. Holmes
Myrta Z. Belknap became Mrs. Holmes in 1887, marrying a man who would later go down in history as one of America’s first documented serial killers. But in the beginning, Holmes was a charismatic medical school graduate building his career. The two settled in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and started what, on the surface, appeared to be a conventional family life.
However, the deeper Holmes delved into his criminal enterprises, the more detached and complicated their marriage became. By 1891, Myrta had moved back in with her parents, effectively separating from Holmes. She later filed for divorce in 1894 on the grounds of abandonment—a year before Holmes was arrested.
Role in Business and Domestic Life
Though much of her identity has been tied to Holmes, Myrta played a vital role in the day-to-day functioning of his early business ventures. She helped run a drugstore in Chicago—an unusual responsibility for women at the time. While the drugstore is not as infamous as Holmes’ so-called “Murder Castle,” it was part of his early financial growth.
Myrta wasn’t just the wife behind the curtain. She was directly involved in operations, managing the bookkeeping and maintaining daily records. In a time when women were often kept away from financial matters, she showed strong competence and reliability. Her contributions may have gone unrecognized publicly, but they were clearly instrumental in managing the early stages of Holmes’ ventures.
Family Life and Personal Strength
Myrta gave birth to her only child, Lucy Theodate Holmes, in 1889. Lucy would later change her name to Lucy Theodate Hunter. She went on to become a schoolteacher, eventually marrying and leading a quiet life far removed from the notoriety attached to her father.
While Myrta’s later years were spent away from the spotlight, raising Lucy as a single mother during an era when divorce carried deep social stigma speaks volumes about her resilience. She shielded her daughter from the chaos and disgrace associated with Holmes’ trial and execution in 1896.
At the time of her death on November 10, 1924, Myrta was 62 years old. She passed away in Chicago, Illinois, and was laid to rest in Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park. Despite the media frenzy surrounding her former husband, she lived her later years in relative peace and anonymity.
Net Worth and Economic Standing
Unfortunately, there are no documented records that clearly indicate Myrta Z. Belknap’s net worth. During the 19th century, especially for women, financial records were rarely kept unless they were heiresses or widows of wealthy men. Given her modest upbringing and the time she lived in, it is likely that her financial standing remained modest.
Myrta never inherited any of Holmes’ wealth, as he had none to pass on legally. She supported herself and her daughter likely with help from her family and possibly through clerical work or domestic services. Whatever income she had, it was never publicly recorded, which was typical for women of that era.
Legacy Tied to Infamy
Myrta Z. Belknap’s life cannot be told without mentioning H.H. Holmes, but it should never be reduced to that alone. Her quiet courage in the face of betrayal, public shame, and personal turmoil speaks volumes. She didn’t capitalize on Holmes’ infamy nor did she seek the public eye. She protected her daughter, moved on with her life, and maintained dignity through difficult times.
Lucy, her daughter, remained one of the few positive legacies left behind. Her existence is a testament to Myrta’s commitment to creating a stable and loving environment despite the storm surrounding their family name.
A Woman in the Shadows
Women like Myrta Z. Belknap often disappear in history books, overshadowed by the men around them—especially when those men are notorious figures like H.H. Holmes. Yet, their stories offer an important perspective. Myrta’s life reflects the limited agency women had at the time, and how, despite those restrictions, many still found ways to support families, contribute to businesses, and remain pillars of strength.
In understanding Myrta, we get a clearer picture of the social dynamics of 19th-century America. She wasn’t just a wife or mother. She was a woman who navigated a painful chapter of history with quiet strength and resilience, refusing to let her life be wholly defined by the dark deeds of her husband.
Final Note
Though Myrta Z. Belknap’s story remains largely untold in mainstream history, her presence is a quiet echo of many women from her time—strong, enduring, and far more than the roles they were assigned. In a world where sensational stories often overshadow the silent ones, Myrta’s life remains a powerful reminder of the importance of looking beyond the headlines.