Gazlay Family History
 

FamilyJohn J. ‘Jack’ Voelker

Parents

FatherJoseph George Voelker (4 August 1868 - 30 January 1915)
MotherMargaret Percy (11 April 1874 - 13 October 1945)

Personal Information

Record Created: 26 April 2015; Last Edited: 3 February 2022 
Person ID7950
NameJohn J. ‘Jack’ Voelker
GenderMale
Born 16 April 1897 in Essex County, New Jersey1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Married ca. 1921 to Mae Cronin7
Died 8 November 19409, 10
Buried in Bloomfield Cemetery, Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey9

Biography

Jack’s brother David recalled that Jack’s wife Mae died around 1938, and that Jack died in 1940. Thereafter, their five children, whose names he remembered, were raised in a few different households, probably foster homes. He thought that one or more of the children eventually moved out west. David also recalled that their daughter Peggy contacted him by telephone from Columbus, Ohio, in 1983, and they had a somewhat awkward conversation.10

The 1940 US Census shows sons John and Charles living with a Tully family, while daughters Margaret (Peggy) and Joan were living with a Tracy family, the families living next door to one another, on 475 and 473 Valley Street, respectively, in Orange, New Jersey.

Person/Family

Spouse 1FamilyMae Cronin
Born ca. 1901 in New Jersey
Married ca. 1921 to John J. ‘Jack’ Voelker
Died ca. 1938
  
Children of John J. ‘Jack’ Voelker and Mae Cronin:
  
1.FamilyVeronica ‘Ronnie’ Voelker
Born ca. 1925 in New Jersey
  
2.FamilyMargaret ‘Peggy’ Voelker
Born ca. June 1928 in New Jersey
  
3.FamilyJohn J. Voelker, Jr.
Born 12 November 1929 in New Jersey
Married to Nobuko F. _____
Died 9 February 1996
  
4.FamilyJoan Voelker
Born ca. 1932 in New Jersey
  
5.FamilyCharles Richard Voelker
Born ca. 1933 in New Jersey
  

Sources

  1. New Jersey Births and Christenings, 1660-1980; Volker, male, born: 16 April 1897 in Essex County, New Jersey; father: Joseph G. Volker, age 28; mother: Margaret Percey, age 23.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, New Jersey, Essex County, Bloomfield City, Enumeration District 201, Sheet No. 20A, family of Joseph Volker (31, Germany, Aug 1868, wool carder, immigrated in 1872); wife of 7 years Margaret Volker (25, Pennsylvania, April 1875, 3 children, 3 living); daughter Fannie Volker (7, New Jersey, Nov 1892); daughter Mary Volker (5, New Jersey, April 1895); son John Volker (3, New Jersey, April 1897); mother Mary Volker (75, Germany, Oct 1824, widow, 9 children, 1 living, immigrated in 1872).
  3. New Jersey State Census, 1905, Essex County, family of Joseph Volker (37); Margurett Volker (31); Faney T. Volker (12); John J. Volker (8); Margurett E. Volker (2); Josephine C. Volker (1).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, New Jersey, Essex County, Bloomfield City, Enumeration District 152, Sheet No. 18B, family of Joseph Volker (41, Germany, carpenter, house); wife of 13 years Margaret Volker (35, New Jersey, 5 children, 5 living); daughter Fannie Volker (17, New Jersey); daughter Margaret Volker (7, New Jersey); daughter Josephine Volker (6, New Jersey); son Jack Volker (13, New Jersey); son Percy Volker (2, New Jersey).
  5. New Jersey State Census, 1915, Essex County, Bloomfield Township, E.D. 4, Sheet No. 10A, Margaret Voelker, 41, Penna., Ap. 1874; John Voelker, 18, New Jersey, Ap. 1897; Marguerite Voelker, 12, New Jersey, May 1903; Josephine Voelker, 11, New Jersey, July 1903; Percy Voelker, 7, New Jersey, Aug. 1907.
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, New Jersey, Hudson County, Jersey City, Enumeration District 120, Sheet No. 22B, U.S. Government Barrack (Motor Transportation Co. No. 515); Private John Voelker (23, New Jersey, soldier).
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, New Jersey, Essex County, Newark, Enumeration District 7-220, Sheet No. 9A, family of John Voelker (34, New Jersey, first married age 25, salesman, golf equipment); wife May Voelker (29, New Jersey, first married age 19); daughter Veronica Voelker (5, New Jersey); daughter Peggy Voelker (1 10/12, New Jersey); son John Voelker, Jr. (4/12, New Jersey).
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, New Jersey, Essex County, East Orange, Enumeration District 7-88, Sheet No. 5A, family of Percival Voelker (31, New Jersey, stock clerk, electric mfg.); wife Gladys Voelker (30, New Jersey); brother John Voelker (42, New Jersey, widow, porter, electric mfg.).
  9. Find a Grave (website). Bloomfield Cemetery, Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey, John J. Voelker, John J. / Voelker / New Jersey / Pvt. 113 Inf. / 29 Div. / November 8, 1940 [from grave marker].
  10. Records of Conversations between Lee Gazlay and Percy David Voelker on various dates in May and June, 1984.