Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Joseph H. Scales


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features Joseph H. Scales and three of his descendants down to the second generation.


First Generation
1. Joseph H. Scales,1 born May 1863 in New Jersey, the son of James Scales and Elizabeth E. Roberts.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Joseph married, 26 June 1889 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, Leonette Nichols4, 9 (born June 1867 in Orange County, New York, the daughter of George L. Nichols and Sophia _____;1, 4, 6, 7 Leonette died 26 December 1900 in Kearny, Hudson County, New Jersey8).

Children of Joseph H. Scales and Leonette Nichols:

+2i. Watson James Scales, born 29 June 1889 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. Married Mary E. _____.
+3ii. Harry Everett Scales, born 27 December 1895 in Harrison, Hudson County, New Jersey. Married Marguerite _____.
+4iii. Leonette Sophia Scales, born 23 May 1897 in Kearny, Hudson County, New Jersey; died 23 May 1992 in Dover Township, Ocean County, New Jersey; she died on her 94th birthday. Married William Passmore McGregor.

  1. New Jersey Births and Christenings, 1660-1980; Leonette L. Scales: born: 23 May 1897 in Hudson County, New Jersey; father: Jos. Scales, age 35; mother: Leonette Nichols, age 31.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New Jersey, Essex County, Newark, 11th Ward, Page No. 39, family of James Scales (40, Ireland, works in shoe mfty); Elizabeth Scales (38, Ireland); John W. Scales (14, New Jersey); Timothy Scales (9, New Jersey) Joseph Scales (7, New Jersey); Nellie Scales (3, New Jersey); James Scales (4/12, March, New Jersey).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New Jersey, Essex County, Newark, Enumeration District 68, Page No. 44, family of James Scales (50, Ireland, works in shoe factory); wife Eliza Scales (48, Ireland); son Timothy E. Scales (20, New Jersey, law student); son Joseph H. Scales (17, sign painter); son James W. Scales (10, New Jersey); son Arthur T. Scales (5, New Jersey).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New Jersey, Hudson County, Kearny, Enumeration District 51, Sheet No. 1B, family of Joseph Scales (37, New Jersey, May 1863, sign painter); wife of 11 years Leonette Scales (32, New York, June 1867, 3 children, 3 living); son Watson J. Scales (10, New Jersey, June 1889); son Harry E. Scales (4, New Jersey, Dec 1895); daughter Leonette Scales (2, New Jersey, May 1898); s in law Estella Nichols (29, New York, Oct 1870).
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New Jersey, Essex County, Bloomfield, Enumeration District 7-334, Sheet No. 2B, family of Joseph Scales (64, New Jersey, widow, painter, house); daughter Leonette Scales (31 New Jersey typist, lamp factory); border Estelle Nicolls [sic, Nichols] (60, New York); border Kathleen Pierson (33, England, typist, (?) factory).
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Orange County, City of Newburgh, Page 78, family of George Nichols (39, New York, tin peddler); Sophia Nichols (36, New York); Mary Nichols (17, New York, works at tailoring); Willie Nichols (14, New York, clerk in store); Charles Nichols (12, New York); Samuel Nichols (7, New York); Theodore Nichols (4, New York); Nettie Nichols (3, New York); Estella Nichols (8/12, New York); George Nichols (9, New York).
  7. New York State Census, 1875, Orange County, Newburgh, Page No. 22-23, family of George L. Nichol (45, Orange, cabinet maker); wife Sophia Nichol (41, N. York); son John W. Nichol (19, Orange, painter); Charles W. Nichol (17, Orange, painter); Gorge A. Nichol (15, Orange, painter); son Samuel W. Nichol (12, Orange); son Fred T. Nichol (8, Orange); daughter Leonett Nichol (7 11/12, Orange); daughter Estilla Nichol (5 8/12, Orange); son Frank E. Nichol (2, Orange).
  8. New Jersey Deaths and Burials, 1720-1988; Leonette S. Scales, died: 26 December 1900 in Kearny, Hudson County, New Jersey, age 33; married.
  9. Marriage, The New York Press, available at www.fultonhistory.com. 30 June 1889: Newark-Leonette, daughter of Mrs. Sophia Nichols, was married on Wednesday [26 June 1889] to Mr. Joseph Scales of the firm of Nichols & Scales.
Second Generation
2. Watson James Scales2 (Joseph1), born 29 June 1889 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey.1, 2, 3, 4 Watson married, ca. 1922, Mary E. _____4 (born ca. 1895 in Pennsylvania, parents not determined4).

3. Harry Everett Scales2 (Joseph1), born 27 December 1895 in Harrison, Hudson County, New Jersey.3, 5, 6, 7, 8 Harry married, ca. 1924, Marguerite _____7, 8 (born ca. 1899 in Connecticut, parents not determined7).

4. Leonette Sophia Scales2 (Joseph1), born 23 May 1897 in Kearny, Hudson County, New Jersey;3, 9, 10, 11, 12 died 23 May 1992 in Dover Township, Ocean County, New Jersey; she died on her 94th birthday.10 Leonette married, 6 May 1934 in Elkton, Maryland, William Passmore McGregor (born 18 July 1897 in New Jersey, the son of David McGregor and Nellie Birrell Patterson;12, 13, 14 William died 20 December 1976).

Leonette claimed she weighed only 2 1/2 pounds at birth although this is doubtful given the state of medical procedures at that time. She worked for Westinghouse Corporation for most of her adult life until her retirement in 1962. Leonette was an astute investor in blue chip stocks, and Bill and Leonette were able to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in retirement primarily due to her investments. They enjoyed traveling, especially to New England.

Bill’s middle name was in honor of a Mr. Passmore who worked with, and was well liked by, his father David McGregor. Bill enrolled in the U.S. Navy on 19 May 1917 at New York, N.Y. His enrollment records indicate ‘height 5 feet 8 1/2 inches, weight 137 pounds, eyes brown, hair brown, complexion ruddy,’ and lists several personal characteristics and marks. He was discharged as a Seaman (provisional) when his four year enrollment expired, having served honorably with active duty from 20 September 1917 to 14 December 1918, i.e., during World War I. The nature of his active service is not known, although his enrollment card indicates a ‘sea’ qualification. He was awarded the Victory Button and Victory Medal without clasp. Bill lived much of his life in Highland Park, West Orange and Bloomfield, New Jersey, although after his first wife died he was out of touch with his family for over ten years (leaving his first daughter to be raised by his parents). Bill was an automobile salesman during his working life. When Bill finally retired in 1962, he and his third wife Leonette (nee Scales) were among the first two couples to move into Cedar Glen Homes, the first senior citizen development in Ocean County, New Jersey. He served as vice chairman of the Manchester Township, New Jersey, Planning Board for many years. He was also a member of the Manchester Township Republican Club and a member of Corinthian Union Lodge No. 11, Free and Accepted Masons, following in his father’s Masonic footsteps.


  1. Draft Registration Card, World War I, Watson James Scales, Serial No. 238; born: 29 June 1889 in Newark, NJ; chauffeur; married; living in New Haven, Connecticut.
  2. Draft Registration Card, World War II, Watson James Scales, Serial Number U2176; born: 29 June 1890 in Newark, New Jersey; name/address of person who will always know your address: Mary E. G. Scales; both living at the same address in Bloomfield, New Jersey.
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New Jersey, Hudson County, Kearny, Enumeration District 51, Sheet No. 1B, family of Joseph Scales (37, New Jersey, May 1863, sign painter); wife of 11 years Leonette Scales (32, New York, June 1867, 3 children, 3 living); son Watson J. Scales (10, New Jersey, June 1889); son Harry E. Scales (4, New Jersey, Dec 1895); daughter Leonette Scales (2, New Jersey, May 1898); s in law Estella Nichols (29, New York, Oct 1870).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New Jersey, Essex County, Bloomfield, Enumeration District 7-349, Sheet No. 5A; family of Watson J. Scales (39, New Jersey, first married age 31; sign painter); wife Mary E. Scales (35, Pennsylvania, first married age 27, teacher, public school).
  5. Draft Registration Card, World War II, Harry Everett Scales, born 27 December 1895 in Harrison, New Jersey; name/address of person who will always know your address: wife Lilla; living in Boston, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New York, Suffolk County, Southold, Enumeration District 158, Sheet No. 4A, Harry E. Scales (24, New Jersey, pvt. 1cl US Army).
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Massachusetts, Norfolk County, Quincy, Enumeration District 107, Sheet No. 23B, family of Harry E. Scales (34, New Jersey, first married age 25, salesman); wife Marguerite F. Scales (31, Connecticut, first married age 22, secretary).
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Massachusetts, Norfolk County, Quincy, Enumeration District 11-227, Sheet No. 7B, family of Harry Scales (44, New Jersey, clerk, engineering); wife Marguerite Scales (41, Connecticut, secretary, sales mgr.); lodger Philip H. Ballard (33, Georgia, repairman, calc. machines).
  9. New Jersey Births and Christenings, 1660-1980; Leonette L. Scales: born: 23 May 1897 in Hudson County, New Jersey; father: Jos. Scales, age 35; mother: Leonette Nichols, age 31.
  10. Death Certificate, New Jersey, Leonette McGregor, issued by Township of Dover Department of Health, Ocean County, New Jersey. Certified copy in possession of Lee Gazlay.
  11. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New Jersey, Essex County, Bloomfield, Enumeration District 7-334, Sheet No. 2B, family of Joseph Scales (64, New Jersey, widow, painter, house); daughter Leonette Scales (31 New Jersey typist, lamp factory); border Estelle Nicolls [sic, Nichols] (60, New York); border Kathleen Pierson (33, England, typist, (?) factory).
  12. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, New Jersey, Essex County, Bloomfield, Enumeration District 7-34, Sheet No. 13B, family of William McGregor (42, New Jersey, salesman, automobile, new cars); wife Leonette McGregor (41, New Jersey, typist, electrical appliance); aunt Estelle Nichols (70, New York, housekeeper, private family); border Kathleen Pierson (45, England, photometer operator, General Electric).
  13. New Jersey State Census, 1915, Middlesex County, Perth Amboy, ED 1, Page A-11, David MacGregor, 50, Sept. 1864, Scotland, engineer; Nellie MacGregor, 46, Mar. 1868, Scotland, housewife; Ida MacGregor, 20, Aug. 1895, New Jersey, milliner; William MacGregor, 17, July 1897, scholar, high school; Grace MacGregor, 13, Apr. 1902, New Jersey, scholar, grammar school; George Patterson, 74, Aug. 1840, Scotland, retired.
  14. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New Jersey, Essex County, Orange, Enumeration District 299, Sheet No. 7B, family of David McGregor (54, New Jersey [sic, Scotland], finisher, hat works); wife Nellie McGregor (51, New Jersey [sic, Scotland]); daughter Jennie McGregor (24, New Jersey, clerical, office); son William McGregor (22, New Jersey, clerical, office). They are living next door to their daughter Margaret and her husband and family.