George Nicholas DeGross was born December 2, 1897 in New York, the son of Rosa DeGross. His parents were both Italian immigrants, and his father died very early in George's life, sometime before 1910. Some of his siblings were Jennie, John, Mary, Norman, Kate and Anna.
In 1910 the family was living on Chestnut Street in Queens. George and Annie attended school, mother Rosa managed the household, and all of the other children worked various jobs to support the family. Jennie worked as a sewing machine operator, John a porter in a store, Mary a dressmaker, Norman a plumber's helper, and Kate running a "handkerchief machine."
George's World War I draft card shows him living at 43 Brazil Street in Richmond Hill, Queens, with his mother Rosa as his next of kin. He was employed as the assistant manager at Wilson and Company.
By 1925 the family was living at 10219 102nd Street in Queens. George was one of for adult children still at home. Anna worked as a clerk for the telephone company, John as a truck driver, Norman in a laundry, and George was a private secretary. Rosa's 10 year old niece Helen was living with them and attending school.
Another fifteen years later found brothers George and Norman living with their uncle, John DeGross. John worked as a taxi driver, Norman (who was now widowed) still worked as a handyman in a laundry, and George (still single at 42) was a meat salesman, with an annual income of approximately $1200.
When George signed up for the draft in World War II, he was self-employed, 5'6" tall, weighed 175 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, and a light complexion.
George's Social Security number was issued in New York state in 1963. His last residence was in Jamaica, Queens.
George DeGross died on January 14, 1986. He was buried June 18, 1986 on Hart Island.
Sources: Ancestry.com; US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; NY, US, State Census, 1925; 1910 and 1940 US Federal Censuses; US, WWI Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; US, WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.
In 1910 the family was living on Chestnut Street in Queens. George and Annie attended school, mother Rosa managed the household, and all of the other children worked various jobs to support the family. Jennie worked as a sewing machine operator, John a porter in a store, Mary a dressmaker, Norman a plumber's helper, and Kate running a "handkerchief machine."
George's World War I draft card shows him living at 43 Brazil Street in Richmond Hill, Queens, with his mother Rosa as his next of kin. He was employed as the assistant manager at Wilson and Company.
By 1925 the family was living at 10219 102nd Street in Queens. George was one of for adult children still at home. Anna worked as a clerk for the telephone company, John as a truck driver, Norman in a laundry, and George was a private secretary. Rosa's 10 year old niece Helen was living with them and attending school.
Another fifteen years later found brothers George and Norman living with their uncle, John DeGross. John worked as a taxi driver, Norman (who was now widowed) still worked as a handyman in a laundry, and George (still single at 42) was a meat salesman, with an annual income of approximately $1200.
When George signed up for the draft in World War II, he was self-employed, 5'6" tall, weighed 175 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, and a light complexion.
George's Social Security number was issued in New York state in 1963. His last residence was in Jamaica, Queens.
George DeGross died on January 14, 1986. He was buried June 18, 1986 on Hart Island.
Sources: Ancestry.com; US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; NY, US, State Census, 1925; 1910 and 1940 US Federal Censuses; US, WWI Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; US, WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.