Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Thomas J. Shay


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 Thomas J. Shay and six of his descendants down to the fifth generation.


First Generation
1. Thomas J. Shay,1 born ____ (parents not determined). Thomas married Ella C. Spurck (born ____, parents not determined).

Child of Thomas J. Shay and Ella C. Spurck:

+2i. Elizabeth Shay, born 17 February 1881 in Illinois; died June 1970 in Monterey County, California. Married David Swing Ricker.

Second Generation
2. Elizabeth Shay2 (Thomas1), born 17 February 1881 in Illinois;1, 2, 3, 4, 5 died June 1970 in Monterey County, California.2 Elizabeth married, 27 January 1904 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, David Swing Ricker1 (born 29 April 1878 in Oxford, Butler County, Ohio, the son of Jewett E. Ricker and Mary Ann Swing;6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 David died 2 June 1929 in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California7, 8, 15). Their marriage ended in divorce in ca. June 1909.16 David is buried in Elmhurst Cemetery, Joliet, Will County, Illinois.7

David was a newspaper journalist in Chicago, Los Angeles, the Northwest, and Canada. Born in Oxford, Ohio, he was educated in the Chicago public schools. He graduated from Harvard University in 1902, and spent two years in sociological studies in New York. David joined the staff of the Chicago Evening Post around 1902, and he was the educational editor of the Chicago Tribune 1904-7. He was a frequent contributor to economic and educational reviews and articles. In 1905 he wrote “Unionizing the Schoolteachers,” describing the movement by Margaret Haley to create a national federation of teachers, a union of working women. David “cast his imagination 66 years into the future and saw a Chicago of 10 million souls.” His article included a map showing how the metropolis would expand, and his discussion touched on the future of transportation, communications, environment, education, and public services. His essay “The Making of Millionaires” was used in a 1909 Business Administration textbook. David lived and worked in British Columbia, Canada, for several years starting in 1910, and was the editor there of a weekly news magazine, Public Opinion. An article in 1912 announcing the publication called him “one of the best known newspapermen in America,” and mentions that he was the former editor of the Chicago Daily Tribune, and founder of The Red Book, The Blue Book, Opportunity Magazine of Chicago, and the Chicago Saturday Times. He was editor of Man-to-Man Magazine (later called British Columbia Magazine). Other ventures included promotion manager for Hearst newspapers on the Pacific Coast for eight years; director of advertising and circulation for The Picture Press (1920); and western exploitation manager of the Select Pictures Corporation, distributors of Selznick Pictures.15, 17, 18

David was married at least four times. His first marriage, to Elizabeth Shay, produced his only known child and ended in divorce in mid-1909. His wife initiated the divorce, having discovered his affair with Margaret Voe (purportedly born Marion Vantine, and also called Madge Voe), a vaudeville and stage actress. The marriage in Seattle between D. Ricker and Madge Seaman in November, 1909, is believed to be David and Madge Voe, although her use of the surname Seaman has not been explained. The 1910 U.S. Federal Census shows David and “Madge S. Ricker” living together in Seattle. The middle initial “S” may imply that her middle name or surname was Seaman, either by birth or previous marriage. On 17 September 1910, David Swing Ricker (“of Vancouver publisher”) and Madge Voe Ricker (“of Vancouver, married woman”) applied for permission to purchase 640 acres of land in the Cariboo Land District, British Columbia, Canada. Although no record has been found, he must have divorced Madge in 1912-13, and married Layne Virginia Donaldson in late 1913 in Oregon. A series of newspaper articles in 1914 trace their travels by foot from Vancouver, British Columbia, to San Diego, California, associated with David’s work “for the purpose of gathering data on the preparedness of the Pacific Coast for the growth of business and population expected to follow the opening of the Panama Canal.” His reporting is generally favorable to the conditions and towns along their route, although other reporters were critical of his accounts. David and Layne lived in Los Angeles in 1920, according to the U.S. Federal Census. David’s fourth marriage, to Rosie Luetzsinger (aka Hope Dare, actress) around 1925, is alluded to in newspaper articles about her subsequent marriage in 1939 to Julius Richard “Dixie” Davis, notorious racketeer associated with Dutch Shultz, New York City mobster, and their gang.11, 16, 19, 20, 21

David died on 2 June 1929 in Santa Monica, California, after an operation for appendicitis.15


Child of Elizabeth Shay and David Swing Ricker:

+3i. Elizabeth Anne Ricker, born 10 March 1907 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; died 14 March 1968 in Santa Clara County, California. Married Charles Shepard Reed, Jr..

  1. Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1920; David S. Ricker, 25, and Elizabeth Shay, 22, married on 27 January 1904 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
  2. Sorted By Birth Date (website: sortedbybirthdate.com), Elizabeth Ricker, born: 17 February 1881 [social security number was issued in Illinois]; died: June 1970; zip code [of last residence]: 93940 [indicating Monterey County, California].
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, E.D. 1152, Sheet No. 3B, Elizabeth Ricker, 37, Illinois, widowed [sic, more likely divorced]; daughter Elizabeth A. Ricker, 12, Illinois; servant Mary A. Call, 28, Ireland, servant, private family.
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, E.D. 16-1552, Sheet No. 25A, Elizabeth S. Ricker, 49, Illinois; daughter Elizabeth A. Ricker, 23, Illinois.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Florida, Palm Beach County, Palm Beach, E.D. 50-37, Sheet No. 14B, Joan Fortune, 64, Illinois, single, retail clerk, stationery; partner Elizabeth Ricker, 59, Illinois, widowed; residence [for both] on 1 April 1935: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
  6. Draft Registration Card, World War I, David Swing Ricker, Serial Number 7262, Order Number 5182, age 38; born: 29 April 1880; occupation: newspaper, Republican Paper, Fresno, California; nearest relative: wife, Mrs. L. D. Ricker. Both the 1880 and 1900 U.S. Federal Census records indicate he was born in 1878, not 1880.
  7. Find a Grave (website). Elmhurst Cemetery, Joliet, Will County, Illinois, David Swing Ricker, born: 1878; died: 1929 (from record).
  8. California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994, Los Angeles County, Standard Certificate of Death, David Swing Ricker, died: 2 June 1929 in Santa Monica; born: 29 April 1880 in Oxford, Ohio; age: 49 years 1 month 3 days; married; wife: Rose Ricker; occupation: publisher, Los Angeles Examiner; father: Jewett E. Ricker, born in Ohio; mother: Mary Swing, born in Oxford, Ohio; place of burial: Joliet, Illinois.
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, Ohio, Butler County, Oxford Village, E.D. 27, Page No. 33, Jewett E. Ricker, 31, Ohio, bank clerk; wife Mary A. Ricker, 24, Ohio; son D. Swing [sic, erroneously indexed as Sonny] Ricker, 2, Ohio.
  10. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, E.D. 721, Sheet No. 7A, Jewett E. Ricker, 50, Ohio, November 1849; wife of 25 years Mary Ricker, 44, Ohio, March 1856, 2 children, 2 living; son David S. Ricker, 22, Ohio, April 1878 reporter; son Jewett E. Ricker, Jr., 14, Illinois, March 1886, at school; servant Anna Pearson, 23, Sweden, May 1877, servant; servant Delia Monahan, 28, Ireland, April 1872, servant.
  11. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Washington, King County, Seattle City, E.D. 95, Sheet No. 9A, border David S. Ricker, 28, Ohio, editor, magazine; border [wife of 1 year] Madge S. Ricker, 26, Illinois, no children. David’s age here is low by several years.
  12. Canada Census, 1911, British Columbia, Vancouver City, District No. 12, Enumeration District No. 7, Page 21, border David S. Ricker, 31, U. States, April 1880, adver agent; wife Madge Voe Ricker, 24, U. States, Dec. 1886.
  13. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City, E.D. 476, Sheet No. 1A, Layne D. Ricker, F, 36, Tennessee; David S. Ricker, 40, Ohio, director of publicity, motion pict. stud.
  14. The First Five Generations of the Swing Family in America, compiled by Albert H. Swing and Harry P. Swing, April 1961. Available at Heritage Quest Online. This document provides numerous biographical and vital details, but there are few references cited for any of the information.
  15. Obituary, Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois. 4 June 1929, David Swing Ricker, died 2 June 1929 in Santa Monica. Article cites a 2 June 1929 article from Los Angeles, California, which provides biographical details and the names of some of his survivors.
  16. Divorce Filing, The Chicago Daily Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, 5 June 1909, Husband’s Misconduct Told By Mrs. David Swing Ricker. The article discusses Mrs. Elizabeth Shay Ricker’s testimony in the trial of her divorce suit against her husband, David Swing Ricker, that they were married on 27 January 1904 and separated in April 1908. They have one daughter, Elizabeth Ann Ricker, age 2 years. Mrs. Ricker said she found her husband living with another woman, Margaret Voe.
  17. Business Administration, Text Prepared by 400 of the Foremost Educators, Business and Professional Men in America. Chicago, DeBower Chapline Company, Publishers of University Textbooks, 1909. Page 299, The Making of Millionaires, by David Swing Ricker. The article leads with a summary of his education and business accomplishments.
  18. The Daily News, New Westminster, British Columbia, 14 February 1912, Page Five, New Weekly Magazine. Article about the new magazine, Public Opinion, edited by David Swing Ricker. The article indicates he arrived in B.C. two years previous, and provides information about several of his business ventures.
  19. Marriage Intentions, Daily News, New York, New York, 5 March 1939, Hope Dare, Dixie Davis Will Wed, Then Separate, It Seems. The article provides details on the intention for the two to wed, prior to the sentencing of Dixie Davis after pleading guilty to conspiracy to contrive and operate a racket, and his testimony against James J. (Jimmy) Hines for racketeering. The article also provides biographical details about Hope Dare, her family background, marriage to David Swing Ricker at age 17, winning beauty contests, her work in the Follies, and meeting Dixie Davis and exposure to the world of gangsters.
  20. The British Columbia Gazette, Volume L, No. 48, Victoria, 1 December, 1910, Land Notices, pages 13706 and 13752, David Swing Ricker and Madge Voe Ricker. Available at Internet Archive (website: archive.org).
  21. The Coos Bay Times, Marshfield, Oregon, 24 January 1914, Noted Writer Reaches City. David Swing and Wife Tramping Coast, Pleased With Marshfield.
Third Generation
3. Elizabeth Anne Ricker3 (Elizabeth,2 Thomas1), born 10 March 1907 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois;1, 2, 3, 4, 5 died 14 March 1968 in Santa Clara County, California.2 Elizabeth married, 18 August 1934 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, Charles Shepard Reed, Jr.7, 9 (born 3 November 1907 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, the son of Charles Shepard Reed, Sr. and Susanne Roberts Faulkner;5, 6, 7, 8 Charles died 3 March 1960 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California7). Elizabeth and Charles are buried in El Carmelo Cemetery, Pacific Grove, Monterey County, California.2, 7

Children of Elizabeth Anne Ricker and Charles Shepard Reed, Jr.:

+4i. Barbara Reed, born 25 May 1936 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; died 16 October 2000 in Napa County, California. Married Paul D. Seidenberg.
 5ii. Michael Reed, born 20 May 1938 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.5, 10

  1. Illinois, Chicago, Catholic Church Records, 1833-1925, Page 213, Elizabeth Anne Ricker, baptized 14 April 1907; born: 10 March 1907; father: David S. Ricker; mother: Eliz. Shay.
  2. Find a Grave (website). El Carmelo Cemetery, Pacific Grove, Monterey County, California, Elzabeth S. Ricker Reed, born: 10 March 1907 in Illinois; died: 14 March 1968 in Santa Clara County, California (from record, which includes a summary of her death in the California Death Index, 1940-1997, indicating her mother’s maiden name as Shay; and provides the name and link for her spouse).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, E.D. 1152, Sheet No. 3B, Elizabeth Ricker, 37, Illinois, widowed [sic, more likely divorced]; daughter Elizabeth A. Ricker, 12, Illinois; servant Mary A. Call, 28, Ireland, servant, private family.
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, E.D. 16-1552, Sheet No. 25A, Elizabeth S. Ricker, 49, Illinois; daughter Elizabeth A. Ricker, 23, Illinois.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Illinois, Lake County, Deerfield, Charles Reed, 32, Illinois, sales manager, fire brick manuf.; wife Elizabeth Reed, 33, Illinois; daughter Margot Reed, 8, Illinois; son Charles Reed Jr., 7, Illinois; daughter Barbara Reed, 3, Illinois; son Michael Reed, 1, Illinois; plus three servants.
  6. Illinois, Cook County Birth Certificates, 1871-1940, Charles Reed III, born: 3 November 1907 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; father: Charles Shepherd Reed; mother: Susanne Roberts Faulkner
  7. Find a Grave (website). El Carmelo Cemetery, Pacific Grove, Monterey County, California, Charles Shepard Reed, Jr., born: 3 November 1907 in Illinois; died: 3 March 1960 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California (from record, which includes the death details from the California, Death Index, 1940-1997, and provides the names and links for his parents and two spouses with marriage years for each).
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, E.D. 16-1593, Sheet No. 1B, Chas S. Reed, 61, Vermont, mfg. fire brick; first married age 25; wife Susanne Reed, 58, Illinois, first married age 23; son Charles Reed, 22, Illinois, single; plus a butler.
  9. Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1920; Charles S. Reed, 26, and Elizabeth Ann Ricker, 27, married on 18 August 1934 in Chicago, Illinois.
  10. Illinois, Cook County Birth Certificates, 1871-1940, Michael Reed, born: 20 May 1938 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; father: Charles Reed, 30, born in Chicago, Illinois; mother: Elizabeth Ricker Reed, 31, born in Chicago.
Fourth Generation
4. Barbara Reed4 (Elizabeth,3 Elizabeth,2 Thomas1), born 25 May 1936 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois;1, 2, 3 died 16 October 2000 in Napa County, California.2 Barbara married Paul D. Seidenberg (born 4 April 1933, parents not determined4). Their marriage ended in divorce in November 1974 in Napa County, California.5

Children of Barbara Reed and Paul D. Seidenberg:

+6i. Laura S. Seidenberg, born 5 January 1958. Married Bartley J. Raymond.
+7ii. Steven C. Seidenberg, born 3 January 1961. Married Kay F. Dilley.

  1. Illinois, Cook County Birth Certificates, 1871-1940, Barbara Reed, born: 25 May 1936 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; father: Charles S. Reed, Jr., 28, born in Chicago, Illinois; mother: Elizabeth Ricker, 29, born in Chicago, Illinois.
  2. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Death Files, Barbara R. Seidenberg, born: 25 May 1936; died: 16 October 2000; residence zip code: 945582351 [corresponds to Napa County, California].
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Illinois, Lake County, Deerfield, Charles Reed, 32, Illinois, sales manager, fire brick manuf.; wife Elizabeth Reed, 33, Illinois; daughter Margot Reed, 8, Illinois; son Charles Reed Jr., 7, Illinois; daughter Barbara Reed, 3, Illinois; son Michael Reed, 1, Illinois; plus three servants.
  4. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
  5. California Divorce Index 1966-1984; available at ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Paul D. Seidenberg and Barbara Reed, divorced November 1974 in Napa, California.
Fifth Generation
6. Laura S. Seidenberg5 (Barbara,4 Elizabeth,3 Elizabeth,2 Thomas1), born 5 January 1958.1 Laura married, 20 July 1980 in Napa County, California, Bartley J. Raymond3 (born 9 March 1959 in Alameda County, California, parents not determined1, 2, 3). Their marriage ended in divorce on 8 June 1983 in Los Angeles, California.4

7. Steven C. Seidenberg5 (Barbara,4 Elizabeth,3 Elizabeth,2 Thomas1), born 3 January 1961.1 Steven married Kay F. Dilley (born 6 August 1950, parents not determined1).

  1. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
  2. California Birth Index, 1905-1995, available at ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Bartley J. Raymond, born: 9 March 1959 in Alameda, California; mother’s name: Rowan.
  3. California Marriage Index, 1960-1985, Bartley J. Raymond, age 21, and Laura Seidenberg, age 22, married on 20 July 1980 in Napa, California.
  4. California Divorce Index 1966-1984; available at ancestry.com and familysearch.org, Bartley J. Raymond and Laura Raymond, divorced on 8 June 1983 in Los Angeles, California.