Cap
t. Arthur Joseph Gratis
Arthur Joseph Gratis was born 8 February 1920 in Seattle, Washington to Joseph Ignatz and Elsie Huettman Gratisz. Joseph emigrated in 1908 from Palanka, Hungary.
1920 Census:
Exactly one month from the day of his birth, his father and mother are enumerated in 1920 at 7417 Ranier Ave in Seattle, Washington. Joseph is 28 years old having been born in Hungary. Both his parents were also born in Hungary. He is a Taylor in a Taylor Shop owning his own home with a mortgage. His immigration status is listed as UN -likely unknown. Mother Elsie is 21 years old having been born in Illinois. Bother her parents were born in Germany. |
1930 Census:
Arthur was 10 years old born in Washington, living in Seattle, King, Washington with his parents and sibling, Henry who was 4 years old born in 1926 in Washington. Joseph Gratis age 39 born in 1891 in Yugoslavia. Both his parents also born in Yugoslavia, and Elsie H age 31 born in 1899 in Illinois. Both of her parents were born in Germany.
1938 Seattle City Directory:
Residence: r1703 12th av S -V Parents Jos (Elsie M) living at same. 1939 Seattle City Directory: Residence: 1703 12th av S -V Parents Jos (Elsie M) living at same. |
1940 Census:
Arthur was 20 years old born in Washington, living in Seattle, King, Washington at 1703 12th Ave South with his parents and sibling. He is in his first year of college. Henry who was 14 years old born in 1926 in Washington, is in his first year of High School. Joseph Gratis age 58 born in 1882 in Yugoslavia. Both his parents also born in Yugoslavia. He is listed as a Tailor. He has finished 2 years of High school. He values his home at $6000. Elsie H age 40 born in 1899 in Illinois. Both her parents were born in Germany. She completed 2 years of High school.
1940 Yearbook:
University of Washington "Tyee" - Kappa Sigma - Sophomore 1941 Yearbook: University of Washington "Tyee" - Kappa Sigma - Junior 1941 Seattle City Directory: Residence: 1703 12th Ave S. Occupation: Mechanic |
WWII Enlistment Records:
Enlistment date: 13 Jan 1942 Seattle, Washington into the Air Corps. Grade: Aviation Cadet. enlistment for the duration of the War plus six months. He is listed as single without dependents and has completed 2 years of College. Height 69" Weight 153 lbs.
Enlistment date: 13 Jan 1942 Seattle, Washington into the Air Corps. Grade: Aviation Cadet. enlistment for the duration of the War plus six months. He is listed as single without dependents and has completed 2 years of College. Height 69" Weight 153 lbs.
1942 Seattle City Directory:
Directory lists, "Gratis, Arth J USA r1703 12th av S"also lists Jos & Elsie M at the same residence
[researcher note: USA indicates United States Army as indicated in the firm abbreviations at the beginning of the book.]
1943 Seattle City Directory:
Directory lists "Gratis, Georgia (wid Arth J) r4547 W Laurel Dr."also lists Jos & Elsie M at the same address.
[researcher note: this directory was for the year prior to his death. "wid" indicates widow of....but in 1943 he was still living. Some explanations I have found for this includes the fact that while they were collecting information for a 1943 edition, they may have not collected information in 1943 - example early spring of 1944. He would have already passed at that point, and if they collected their particular information after April, then that could explain the information. I do not have any marriage information, and can not confirm this.]
Directory lists, "Gratis, Arth J USA r1703 12th av S"also lists Jos & Elsie M at the same residence
[researcher note: USA indicates United States Army as indicated in the firm abbreviations at the beginning of the book.]
1943 Seattle City Directory:
Directory lists "Gratis, Georgia (wid Arth J) r4547 W Laurel Dr."also lists Jos & Elsie M at the same address.
[researcher note: this directory was for the year prior to his death. "wid" indicates widow of....but in 1943 he was still living. Some explanations I have found for this includes the fact that while they were collecting information for a 1943 edition, they may have not collected information in 1943 - example early spring of 1944. He would have already passed at that point, and if they collected their particular information after April, then that could explain the information. I do not have any marriage information, and can not confirm this.]
Sources:
Ancestry
NARA
Fulton History
Ancestry
NARA
Fulton History