Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Margaret Brown ‘Reta’ McGregor


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 Margaret Brown ‘Reta’ McGregor and 40 of her descendants down to the fifth generation.


First Generation
1. Margaret Brown ‘Reta’ McGregor,1 born 16 February 1893 in Roseville, Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of David McGregor and Nellie Birrell Patterson;1, 2, 3 died ca. May 1975 in Toms River, New Jersey.1 Reta married, ca. 1915, John Preston Mailler (born 25 September 1890 in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, the son of William Henry Mailler and Sophia Jane Preston;2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 John died ca. September 1960).

Preston worked for New Jersey Central Power and Light as an engineer.


Children of Margaret Brown ‘Reta’ McGregor and John Preston Mailler:

+2i. Helen Jane Mailler, born 9 March 1916 in New Jersey; died 6 May 1996 in Gainesville, Georgia. Partnered with (1) (unidentified) Married (2) Robert Harris MacPherson Married (3) Theodore Dwight ‘Ted’ Hoffman.
+3ii. John Preston ‘Jack’ Mailler, Jr., born 5 June 1918 in Madison, Morris County, New Jersey; died 27 June 1994 in Escondido, California. Married Mary DeGroff.
+4iii. William David Mailler, born 30 July 1920 in New Jersey; died 29 June 1981 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Married (1) June Kathryn Dobbs Married (2) Marie T. Paroline.

  1. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Margaret Mailler, no. 151-36-9021
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New Jersey, Essex County, Orange, Enumeration District 299, Sheet No. 7B, family of John Mailler (28, New Jersey, machinist, Edison); wife Margaret Mailler (26, New Jersey); daughter Helen Mailler (3, New Jersey); son Jack Mailer (1, New Jersey); border Wilson Roby (30, New Jersey, clerk, grocery store). They are living next door to Margaret’s parents.
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New Jersey, Morris County, Borough of Madison, Enumeration District 14-30, Sheet No. 5B, family of John P. Mailler (39, New York, engineer, public utility, first married age 23); wife Margaret B. Mailler (34, New Jersey, first married age 19); daughter Helen J. Mailler (14, New Jersey); son John P. Mailler Jr. (11, New Jersey); son William D. Mailler (9, New Jersey).
  4. Draft Registration Card, World War I, John Preston Mailler, Serial No. 20, born 25 September 1890 in Cornwall, N.Y. Living in Brooklyn, NY, with wife and child.
  5. Draft Registration Card, World War II, John Preston Mailler, Serial No. U364; born 25 September 1890 in Cornwall-on-Hudson, Orange County, N.Y.; lives in Madison, Morris [County], New Jersey; employed by Northeastern Water and Electric Service Co., New York, N.Y.; Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mrs. J. P. Mailler.
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New York, Orange County, Enumeration District 4, Sheet 11
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, New York, Orange County, Cornwall Town, Enumeration District 8, Sheet No. 1A, family of W. Henry Mailler (49, New York, butcher, own shop); wife of 22 years Sophia Mailler (45, New York, 3 children, 3 living); son J. Preston Mailler (19, New York); son Harold W. Mailler (17, New York); son Lee B. Mailler (12, New York).
Second Generation
2. Helen Jane Mailler2 (Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 9 March 1916 in New Jersey;1, 2, 3 died 6 May 1996 in Gainesville, Georgia.1 Helen partnered with, first, (unidentified) (born ____, parents not determined). Helen married, second, Robert Harris MacPherson (born 2 October 1912, parents not determined;4, 5, 6, 7 Robert died 5 December 1979 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida4, 6, 7). Their marriage ended in divorce in after 1940. Both Robert and Helen appear in a 1940 McGregor family photograph. Helen married, third, ca. 1947, Theodore Dwight ‘Ted’ Hoffman (born 7 August 1915, the son of Grayden D. Hoffman and Helen W. _____;5, 8, 9 Ted died March 1987 in Gainesville, Georgia8). Robert is buried in Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida.4

As a young woman, Helen lived and worked in New York City apparently in a professional art firm. As an adult, Helen was known by her middle name Jane to many people outside the Mailler family. Helen worked in a J.C. Penney’s department store, first in sales and later as a bookkeeper.

Ted served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in the Aleutian Islands for a time. Helen and Ted lived for many years in White Heron Lake, Marshall’s Creek, Pennsylvania, where Ted worked in his father’s store, Hoffman Lumber Company. In the early 1970s they moved to Gainesville, Georgia, where Ted continued employment in a building supplies company.


Child of Helen Jane Mailler and (unidentified):

+5i. David William Mailler, born 13 May 1935 in New York, New York; died 12 November 2023 in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia. Married Margaret Maud ‘Peggy’ Hobart.

Children of Helen Jane Mailler and Theodore Dwight ‘Ted’ Hoffman:

+6i. Judith Ann ‘Judi’ Hoffman, born 20 April 1948; died 29 June 2004 in Gainesville, Georgia. Married (1) Thomas George Transue Partnered with (2) Robert Mitchell O’Shields.
 7ii. Jill Hoffman, born ca. 1950; died ca. 1951.

3. John Preston ‘Jack’ Mailler, Jr.2 (Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 5 June 1918 in Madison, Morris County, New Jersey;2, 3, 10, 11 died 27 June 1994 in Escondido, California.10, 12 Jack married, 7 June 1941 in Hanover, New Jersey, Mary DeGroff10, 11 (born 4 January 1918, the daughter of Arthur Dashiell DeGroff and Helene Tonkin11).

Children of John Preston ‘Jack’ Mailler, Jr. and Mary DeGroff:

+8i. Barbara Lee ‘Bobby’ Mailler, born 11 February 1943; died 6 October 2020. Married Nicholas Arnold Knapp.
+9ii. John Preston Mailler III, born 8 August 1944. Married (1) Phyllis M. McCraw Married (2) Donna Jean McMillan.
 10iii. Peter DeGroff Mailler, born 12 March 1947.13

4. William David Mailler2 (Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 30 July 1920 in New Jersey;3, 14, 15, 16 died 29 June 1981 in Springfield, Massachusetts.14, 15, 16 William married, first, June Kathryn Dobbs (born 12 September 1919 in New York, New York, the daughter of Clarence Wiley Dobbs and Helen K. Morrison17, 18, 19, 20). Their marriage ended in divorce. William married, second, Marie T. Paroline21 (born 22 April 1937, the daughter of Paul Paroline and Marie Lafrance;21, 22 Marie died 28 April 2009 in Needham, Massachusetts21, 22). William is buried in Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam, Hampden County, Massachusetts.14 Marie is buried in Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam, Hampden County, Massachusetts.21

William served in the U.S. Army as a TEC5 during World War II.

Marie was one of ten children. She served as a Big Sister for many years.22


Children of William David Mailler and June Kathryn Dobbs:

+11i. William David ‘Billy’ Mailler, Jr., born 15 December 1947. Married Lee Elyse Phylborn (born Nancy Rebecca Hewey).
 12ii. Patricia Ann ‘Patty’ Mailler, born 7 March 1950.13
+13iii. Susan Diane Mailler, born 25 July 1954 in Massachusetts. Married James Carmalt Adams.
+14iv. Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Mailler, born 21 June 1956. Married Kurt A. Feichtinger.

  1. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Helen M. Hoffman, no. 137-03-6672
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New Jersey, Essex County, Orange, Enumeration District 299, Sheet No. 7B, family of John Mailler (28, New Jersey, machinist, Edison); wife Margaret Mailler (26, New Jersey); daughter Helen Mailler (3, New Jersey); son Jack Mailer (1, New Jersey); border Wilson Roby (30, New Jersey, clerk, grocery store). They are living next door to Margaret’s parents.
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New Jersey, Morris County, Borough of Madison, Enumeration District 14-30, Sheet No. 5B, family of John P. Mailler (39, New York, engineer, public utility, first married age 23); wife Margaret B. Mailler (34, New Jersey, first married age 19); daughter Helen J. Mailler (14, New Jersey); son John P. Mailler Jr. (11, New Jersey); son William D. Mailler (9, New Jersey).
  4. U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006; Robert Harris MacPherson, Col., US Army, World War II, Korea, Vietnam; Born: 2 October 1912; Died: 5 December 1979; Service Start Date: 13 May 1951; Cemetery: Section 33, site 231, Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air Station, 80 Hovey Road Pensacola, FL 32508.
  5. Daily Manna for Christian Pilgrims, datebook owned by Nellie (Patterson) McGregor (see Sources);
  6. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Robert MacPherson, no. 121-09-3161
  7. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010; Robert MacPherson, SSN: 121093161, born 2 October 1912, died 5 December 1979.
  8. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Theodore Hoffman, no. 189-09-2198
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Pennsylvania Monroe County, Enumeration District 11, Sheet 25B
  10. Obituary, San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego, California, John P. Mailler, Jr., 27 June 1994
  11. Genealogy, Rootsweb (website), The Degroff’s and Related Families.
  12. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). John P. Mailler, no. 144-07-3188
  13. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
  14. Find a Grave (website). Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam, Hampden County, Massachusetts, William D. Mailler.
  15. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). William Mailler, no. 140-14-4748
  16. Massachusetts Death Index 1970-2003 (available at Ancestry.com and familysearch.org), William D. Mailler, died 29 June 1981 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Birth is shown as 30 July 1920 in New Jersey (the birth day differs from that shown in the Social Security Death Index).
  17. Email from Susan Mailler to Lee Gazlay, December 2013, providing information on her Mailler and Dobbs ancestors.
  18. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New York, New York County, New York City, Enumeration District 1509, Sheet No. 28B, family of Clarence W. Dobbs (31, New Jersey, reporter, newspaper); wife Helen Dobbs (33, Canada); daughter June Dobbs (4/12, New York).
  19. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Massachusetts, Hampden County, Springfield City, Enumeration District 7-86, Sheet No. 13A, family of Effie M. Vann (47, Canada, trained nurse, private, widow); sister Helen K. Dobbs (45, Canada, nurse graduate, divorced); niece June K. Dobbs (10, New York); nephew Bruce M. Dobbs (7, Canada).
  20. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Massachusetts, Hampden County, Springfield City, Enumeration District 22-16, Sheet No. 85A, June K. Dobbs (20, New York, clerical, life insurance, lived in Boonton, Morris County, New Jersey on 1 April 1935).
  21. Find a Grave (website). Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam, Hampden County, Massachusetts, Marie T. Mailler.
  22. Obituary, The Republican, Springfield, Massachusetts, www.masslive.com, Marie T. Mailler, 7 June 2009.
Third Generation
5. David William Mailler3 (Helen,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 13 May 1935 in New York, New York;1 died 12 November 2023 in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia.1 David married, November 1962 in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, Margaret Maud ‘Peggy’ Hobart2 (born 16 November 1940 in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, the daughter of Richard Townley Hobart and Margaret Maud Goldschmidt).

Children of David William Mailler and Margaret Maud ‘Peggy’ Hobart:

+15i. David Lee Mailler, born 3 April 1964 in Kenitra, Morocco. Married Lesley Young.
+16ii. Townley Hobart Mailler, born 21 February 1969 in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa. Married (1) Michael Thomas Hritz Married (2) Wade Edward Knudson.

6. Judith Ann ‘Judi’ Hoffman3 (Helen,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 20 April 1948;3 died 29 June 2004 in Gainesville, Georgia.3, 4 Judi married, first, Thomas George Transue (born ____, parents not determined). Judi partnered with, second, Robert Mitchell O’Shields (born ____, parents not determined).

Children of Judith Ann ‘Judi’ Hoffman and Thomas George Transue:

+17i. Candi Transue, born ca. 1966. Married Ryan Grissom.
+18ii. Donnette Yvonne Transue, born 1 November 1968. Married (1) _____ Prater Married (2) George E. Bowman.
+19iii. Thomas George Transue, Jr., born ca. 1970. Married Tina _____.
+20iv. Theodore D. Transue, born 11 July 1971. Married Shannon _____.

8. Barbara Lee ‘Bobby’ Mailler3 (John ‘Jack’,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 11 February 1943;5 died 6 October 2020. Bobby married Nicholas Arnold Knapp (born 19 February 1937, parents not determined5).

Children of Barbara Lee ‘Bobby’ Mailler and Nicholas Arnold Knapp:

+21i. Michael Degroff ‘Mike’ Knapp, born 19 January 1966. Married Cortney Lyn Choate.
+22ii. Paul Mailler Knapp, born 16 May 1969. Married Wendy Sue Watson.
+23iii. Elizabeth Holly Knapp, born 29 December 1970 in Newport Beach, California. Married Jerry Ray Lisk.

9. John Preston Mailler III3 (John ‘Jack’,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 8 August 1944.5 John married, first, 21 April 1972 in Washoe County, Nevada, Phyllis M. McCraw6 (born 15 November 1946, parents not determined5). Their marriage ended in divorce. John married, second, Donna Jean McMillan (born 17 February 1947, parents not determined5).

Children of John Preston Mailler III and Phyllis M. McCraw:

 24i. Sheri Degroff Mailler, born 1 April 1976 in Orange County, California.7
 25ii. John Preston Mailler IV, born 22 August 1977 in Orange County, California.8

11. William David ‘Billy’ Mailler, Jr.3 (William,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 15 December 1947.5 Billy married Lee Elyse Phylborn (born Nancy Rebecca Hewey) (born 27 October 1951, parents not determined5).

Children of William David ‘Billy’ Mailler, Jr. and Lee Elyse Phylborn (born Nancy Rebecca Hewey):

 26i. Christen L. Mailler, born 10 November 1982.5
 27ii. Linsi E. Mailler, born 20 October 1984.5

13. Susan Diane Mailler3 (William,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 25 July 1954 in Massachusetts.9 Susan married, 29 June 2000 in Brattleboro, Windham County, Vermont, James Carmalt Adams9 (born 1 June 1944 in Indiana, the son of James Carmalt Adams and Alice Andre Vonnegut9).

14. Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Mailler3 (William,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 21 June 1956.5 Betsy married Kurt A. Feichtinger10 (born 12 December 1951, parents not determined5).

Child of Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Mailler and Kurt A. Feichtinger:

 28i. Heidi Feichtinger, born 12 April 1981.5

  1. Obituary, Fauquier Times, Warrenton, Virginia (website: fauquier.com), 19 December 2023, updated 11 January 2024, David William Mailler, died: 12 November 2023 in Savannah, Georgia; born: 13 May 1935 in New York City. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of the parents who raised him, and his wife, and children and their spouses.
  2. New Jersey Marriage Index, by Reclaim the Records (available at: archives.org), David W. Mailler and Margaret M. Hobart, married in November 1962 in location 07526 (corresponding to Montclair [Township], New Jersey).
  3. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Judi H. Transue, no. 162-38-9998
  4. Obituary, The Jackson Herald, Georgia, 30 June 2004. Obituary for Judi Hoffman Transue. Website: mainstreetnews.com.
  5. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
  6. Nevada Marriage Index, 1956-2005, available at Ancestry.com and familysearch.org, marriage of John P Mailler III and Phyllis M. McCraw, 21 April 1972 in Washoe County, Nevada.
  7. California Birth Index, 1905-1995, available at ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Sheri D. Mailler, born 1 April 1976 in Orange County, California.
  8. California Birth Index, 1905-1995, available at ancestry.com and familysearch.org, John P. Mailler, born 22 August 1977 in Orange County, California.
  9. Marriage Certificate, Vermont License and Certificate of Marriage, Department of Health, James Carmalt Adams and Susan Diane Mailler, no. 072893. Copy available at Ancestry.com. The certificate lists their birth dates and locations (state) and the names of their parents.
  10. Marriage is implied by information found at various people finding websites
Fourth and Fifth Generations
15. David Lee Mailler4 (David,3 Helen,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 3 April 1964 in Kenitra, Morocco. David married, 18 April 1993, Lesley Young1 (born 28 July 1965, parents not determined).

Child adopted by David Lee Mailler and Lesley Young:

 29i. Christopher West Mailler, born 10 August 2002 in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia.

Child of David Lee Mailler and Lesley Young:

 30ii. Kaylee Beatrice Mailler, born 31 March 2004 in Savannah, Chatham, Georgia.

16. Townley Hobart Mailler4 (David,3 Helen,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 21 February 1969 in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa. Townley married, first, 20 May 1995 in Casanova, Virginia, Michael Thomas Hritz (born 30 July 1962 in Neubrucke, Germany, the son of Thomas Michael Hritz and Suzanne Elizabeth Daschbach). Townley married, second, 28 December 2002 in Sante Fe, Sante Fe County, New Mexico, Wade Edward Knudson1 (born 17 November 1962, parents not determined1).

17. Candi Transue4 (Judith ‘Judi’,3 Helen,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born ca. 1966. Candi married Ryan Grissom (born ____, parents not determined).

Children of Candi Transue and Ryan Grissom:

 31i. Carley Grissom, born ca. 1988.
 32ii. Cody Grissom, born ca. 1991.

18. Donnette Yvonne Transue4 (Judith ‘Judi’,3 Helen,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 1 November 1968.1 Donnette married, first, _____ Prater (born ____, parents not determined). Donnette married, second, George E. Bowman (born ____, parents not determined).

Children of Donnette Yvonne Transue and _____ Prater:

 33i. Bethany Prater, born ca. 1987.
 34ii. Bradley Prater, born ca. 1989.

19. Thomas George Transue, Jr.4 (Judith ‘Judi’,3 Helen,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born ca. 1970. Thomas married Tina _____ (born ____, parents not determined).

Child of Thomas George Transue, Jr. and Tina _____:

 35i. Taylor Transue, born ca. 1993.

20. Theodore D. Transue4 (Judith ‘Judi’,3 Helen,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 11 July 1971.1 Theodore married Shannon _____ (born ____, parents not determined).

Child of Theodore D. Transue and Shannon _____:

 36i. Theodore D. Transue, Jr., born ca. 1995.

21. Michael Degroff ‘Mike’ Knapp4 (Barbara ‘Bobby’,3 John ‘Jack’,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 19 January 1966. Mike married Cortney Lyn Choate (born 30 June 1965 in Travis County, Texas, the daughter of Mark Wade Choate and Cynthia Jean Pierce2).

Children of Michael Degroff ‘Mike’ Knapp and Cortney Lyn Choate:

 37i. Michael Degroff Knapp, Jr., born 13 February 1993 in Ventura County, California.3
 38ii. Hayley Choate Knapp, born 23 August 1995 in Ventura County, California.4

22. Paul Mailler Knapp4 (Barbara ‘Bobby’,3 John ‘Jack’,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 16 May 1969.1 Paul married Wendy Sue Watson (born 3 December 1972, parents not determined1).

Children of Paul Mailler Knapp and Wendy Sue Watson:

 39i. Jared Knapp.
 40ii. Jake Knapp.
 41iii. Sadie Knapp.

23. Elizabeth Holly Knapp4 (Barbara ‘Bobby’,3 John ‘Jack’,2 Margaret ‘Reta’1), born 29 December 1970 in Newport Beach, California. Elizabeth married, 22 October 1994 in Crossville, Tennessee, Jerry Ray Lisk (born 5 August 1959, the son of Elva Lisk and Ella Hileman).

  1. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
  2. Texas Birth Index 1903-1997, Courtney Lyn Choate, born 30 June 1965 in Travis County, Texas.
  3. California Birth Index, 1905-1995, available at ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Michael Degroff Knapp, born 13 February 1993 in Ventura County, California.
  4. California Birth Index, 1905-1995, available at ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Hayley Choate Knapp, born 23 August 1995 in Ventura County, California.