Leo Cassius BOCKO

2 JUL 1895 - 20 MAY 1945

• BIRTH: 2 JUL 1895, Oswego, Oswego County, New York
• DEATH: 20 MAY 1945, Plymouth, Marshall County, Indiana

1.  Leo R. BOCKO

INDEX

[N32708] Leo Cassius Bocko

Birth 2 Jul 1895
Oswego, Oswego County, New York

Death 20 May 1945 (aged 49)
Plymouth, Marshall County, Indiana

Burial
Oak Hill Cemetery
Plymouth, Marshall County, IN
Memorial ID 185840327

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Leo was the son of Alexander Bocko and Ellen LePlain, who married circa 1886. According to Ellen in 1900 and 1910, they had five children together-Ethel May (29 Apr 1886 - Feb 1973), Alexander Jr. (18 Jul 1887 - Apr 1968), Ella Elizabeth (b. Nov 1889), Frederick Joseph (b.23 May 1891), and Leo K. (2 Jul 1894 - 20 May 1945). Without the now-lost 1890 Census, it isn’t until the 1900 Census that the family appears together. They were living at 266 5th Ave. in Oswego, Oswego Co., New York. Alex Bocko, aged 53, was earning a living as a house carpenter. Ellen, aged 43, reported that she had had five children, all of them still living at home with their parents-May (aka Ethel), aged 14, Alex, aged 12, Ella, aged 10, Freddie, aged 8, and Leo, aged 3. The family was still living in Oswego when the 1910 Census takers hit the streets with their oversized notebooks. Alexander Bocko, aged 63, was still working as a house carpenter. Ellen, aged 53, again reported that all five of her children were still living. Only three were still at home with their parents-Alexander Jr., aged 22, Fred, aged 19, and Leo (Lee on the record), aged 14.Three years after that census, Leo lost his mother Ellen Bocko on 22 Jul 1913, aged 56. Leo’s father Alexander Bocko only lasted a little over a year without his helpmate and companion, following her into the light on 28 Nov 1914, aged 67. On his 6 Jun 1918 WWI registration, Leo Cassius Bocko, aged 21, reported that he was living in Erie, Erie Co., Pennsylvania, and that he was working at Union Station, employed by the NY Central Railroad Company. Leo’s brother Fred was noted as his nearest relative. Leo was described as being of medium height and build, with gray eyes and dark brown hair. I found a plausible 1920 Census record that placed Leo Brock, single, aged 23, born in New York, lodging in a residence in Bloomfield Township, Crawford Co., Pennsylvania, noted as a farm laborer. Between about 1924 and 1930, Leo married Marie Goldie Margiotta (nee Harris). Marie was the daughter of Dennis Harris and his second-wife Stella Ellen Himes. Marie had previously married Tony Margiotta (best guess using available records), and she brought sons Donald George (2 Aug 1920 -13 Aug1972) and Leo Robert (b. 17 May 1923) with her to the marriage. Leo appeared with Marie and the two boys on the 1930 Census, living at 222 Fifth St. in Plymouth, Marshall Co., Indiana. Leo Bocko, aged 34, was noted as a general laborer. Marie, aged 28, was home with sons Donald, age 9, and Leo, aged 6, noted as sons to Leo. Marie and Leo had a very-close call three years after that census. (From: The Bremen Enquirer, Bremen, IN - Thu 21 Sep 1933 pg. 3) “PLYMOUTH (From The News and The Pilot.) Mrs. Leo Bocko of S. Fifth street, was severely burned last night when she attempted to put fuel in the stove. She had taken hold of the hot stove handle with a portion of her dress and when she opened the stove the material caught fire and in an instant enveloped her in flames. Mr. Bocko, who was in the room at the time, picked up a sweater and threw it around her in an attempt to smother the flames till he could get a large blanket to entirely outen the fire. Mrs. Bocko received painful burns about the right arm and side, with deep burns on her right limb. Mr. Bocko was also painfully burned about the hands. Dr. Irey was immediately summoned and dressed the burns. Her condition was considered satisfactory today.” Yikes! The 1940 Census placed the family on W. Jackson in Plymouth, Marshall County. Leo Bocko, aged 43, was working as a laborer for the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration), a WWII recovery program. Marie, aged 38, was keeping house. There with the couple were Donald Margiotta, aged 19, and Leo Margiotta, aged 16, both noted as step-sons this time, however they both appear to have eventually established Bocko as their surname, so it seems plausible that Leo adopted the two boys. On his 27 Apr 1942 WWII registration, Leo Bocko, aged 48, reported that he was living on N. Fourth St. in Plymouth, Indiana, and that he was working for Plymouth’s Police Department. Wife Marie was noted as that person who would always know his address. He measured in at 5’ 7” tall and weighed in at 185 lbs., with gray eyes and brown hair. Also noted was a scar on his left forefinger. Three years after that census, Leo died on 20 May 1945, aged 50. Marie eventually remarried. Her third husband was Valours J. Janke, ten years her junior. He was a widower, having lost first-wife Elba in 1966. Sadly, Marie lost son Donald on 13 Aug 1972. Fifteen years later, she lost husband Valours on 19 Nov 1987. She had him laid to rest next to first-wife Elba. Marie died on 2 Jan 2002 at age 99. Had she lived for another fifteen days, she would have celebrated her 100th birthday. She was laid to rest here in Oak Hill next to her parents Dennis and Stella Harris, and first-husband Leo.