Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - William H. Locker


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 William H. Locker and one of his descendants down to the second generation.


First Generation
1. William H. Locker,1 born ____ (parents not determined). William married Hannah J. Tatum (born ____, parents not determined).

Child of William H. Locker and Hannah J. Tatum:

+2i. Peyton Beattie Locker, born 11 January 1873 in Rivanna, Albemarie County, Virginia; died 3 July 1955 in Bronxville, Westchester County, New York. Married Madge Ricker (née Voe) (born Marion Seaman).

Second Generation
2. Peyton Beattie Locker2 (William1), born 11 January 1873 in Rivanna, Albemarie County, Virginia;1, 2 died 3 July 1955 in Bronxville, Westchester County, New York.3 Peyton married, 28 July 1921 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, Madge Ricker (née Voe) (born Marion Seaman)2 (born ca. 1884 in Illinois, the daughter of John Seaman and Jessie Devoe4, 5, 6). Their marriage ended in divorce in ca. 1934.7

Her birth surname was Seaman, as evidenced in the records of her two marriages, the marriage to Peyton Locker also showing the names of Marion’s parents. The 1910 and 1920 U.S. Federal Census records show her birthplace as Illinois. Those records, plus the 1911 Canada Census, show her age corresponding to a birth date in the range of 1884 (1910 census) to 1889 (1920 census). The Canada Census shows her birth date as December 1886.2, 4, 5, 6, 8

Marion was a vaudeville actress, performing under the names Madge Voe (undoubtedly taken from her mother’s maiden name Devoe) and later Marion Vantine. Her early work was in a theatrical road company in the mid-west states. The earliest works found where she is named as a cast member are “The Woman in the Case” (1907), and “A Knight for a Day” (1907). Her earliest Broadway credit is for her performance as Sing Wee in “A Broken Idol” (1909). Other credits include Marie Dressler’s “All Star Gambol” (1913), and “The Green Beetle” (1913). She is credited as Marion Vantine in “Fast and Grow Fat” (1916) and “Over the ’Phone” (1917).

In early 1918 she moved to Los Angeles where a 21 March, 1918 article in the Los Angeles Times stated, “Miss Vantine comes with the reputation of being a good actress—and a crackerjack golfer.” While there, she performed in “Yes or No” (1918), “Mary’s Ankle” (1918), “Under Fire” (1918), “Look Pleasant” (1918), and one of the two leading roles in “Civilian Clothes” (1919). She returned to the New York stage in 1919 again in “Civilian Clothes” (1919), and is credited with performances in “Dodo” (1920), “Seeing Things” (1920), “Beware of Dogs!” (1921), “His Queen” (1925), “Queen Mab” (1925), and “Head First” (1926).

A casting directory published for December 1932 — January 1933 lists her as Marion Vantine and Marion Vantine Locker, both with a Hollywood phone number (probably for her agent, since the number is common to many actors and actresses in the directory), although she has not been found as a cast member in any performances under the Locker name.9


  1. Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917, Peyton B. Locker, born: 11 January 1873 in Rivanna, Albemarie County, Virginia; father: Wm. H. Locker; mother: Hannah Locker.
  2. New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940, Peyton Beathe [sic, Beattie] Locker, age 47, father: William H. Locker; mother: Hannah J. Tatum; and Madge Seaman Ricker, age 32, father: John Seamon [sic]; mother: Jessie Devoe; married on 28 July 1921 in Manhattan, New York County, New York.
  3. New York, State Death Index, 1880-1956, available at familysearch.org. 1955, Peyton B. Locker, died: 3 July 1955 in Bronxville, New York, age 82 years 1 month.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New York, New York County, New York City, E.D. 787, Sheet No. 6A, Marion Vantine, 31, Illinois, single, actress. The address, 123 West 43rd Street, corresponds with The Town Hall, a performance space that opened on 21 January 1921. At the time of the 1920 census, seven people, including Marion and four other actors and actresses, were enumerated at that address.
  7. Divorce Filing, Nevada State Journal, Reno, Nevada, 28 June 1934, Marion V. Locker vs. Peyton B. Locker.
  8. Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008, County of King, Certificate of Marriage, No. 29823, D. Ricker of County of King, and Madge Seaman of New York City, married on 18 November 1909 in Seattle, King County, Washington.
  9. The Standard, Standard Casting Directory, Volume 10, Number 3, December 1932 - January 1933, Hollywood, California. Available at Margaret Herrick Library, Digital Collections (website: digitalcollections.oscars.org). Pages 64, 112, and 145.