James was born to Almir Boss Krakofsky and Rose Foley in Waterford, Racine County, Wisconsin on Sep. 5, 1906. His birth name was Leroy James Krakofsky. He was to be Almir and Rose's only child.
His father had a barber shop in Waterford and James learned this trade in his father's shop. (This barber shop still exists in Waterford, with the same old spiral pole... of course under new family ownership).
In about 1928, he married Madolin White in Waterford and is listed in the 1930 census as working in his father's barber shop. He and Madolin were the parents of infant twins, that died soon after birth on Feb. 15, 1936, and are buried in the Waterford cemetery. His father's obituary makes reference to two grandson's, Larry and Patrick, that would have to be James' children since he was an only child. It is thought that these children were born in 1937 and 1942.
It is assumed that he made his name change to James Leroy Kray in about 1935, although his father's name is still "Krakofsky" on the 1942 World War II draft registration record.
In 1948, he was married to Charlotte Wakeley, and had moved to Glendale, California. He and Charlotte are listed in the Glendale City Directories though the 1950's. James is, of course, listed as a barber in these city directories.
James died on Apr. 27, 1956, at the age of 49. The California death records have verified that this James is indeed the son of Almir Boss Krakofsky and Rose Foley.
James' grandfather was Charles Krakofsky (1838-1905). Charles and his brother Frederick, both served in the Civil War and their Union Army soldier artifacts are on display in the Burlington Historical Society Museum.
His father had a barber shop in Waterford and James learned this trade in his father's shop. (This barber shop still exists in Waterford, with the same old spiral pole... of course under new family ownership).
In about 1928, he married Madolin White in Waterford and is listed in the 1930 census as working in his father's barber shop. He and Madolin were the parents of infant twins, that died soon after birth on Feb. 15, 1936, and are buried in the Waterford cemetery. His father's obituary makes reference to two grandson's, Larry and Patrick, that would have to be James' children since he was an only child. It is thought that these children were born in 1937 and 1942.
It is assumed that he made his name change to James Leroy Kray in about 1935, although his father's name is still "Krakofsky" on the 1942 World War II draft registration record.
In 1948, he was married to Charlotte Wakeley, and had moved to Glendale, California. He and Charlotte are listed in the Glendale City Directories though the 1950's. James is, of course, listed as a barber in these city directories.
James died on Apr. 27, 1956, at the age of 49. The California death records have verified that this James is indeed the son of Almir Boss Krakofsky and Rose Foley.
James' grandfather was Charles Krakofsky (1838-1905). Charles and his brother Frederick, both served in the Civil War and their Union Army soldier artifacts are on display in the Burlington Historical Society Museum.
James was born to Almir Boss Krakofsky and Rose Foley in Waterford, Racine County, Wisconsin on Sep. 5, 1906. His birth name was Leroy James Krakofsky. He was to be Almir and Rose's only child.
His father had a barber shop in Waterford and James learned this trade in his father's shop. (This barber shop still exists in Waterford, with the same old spiral pole... of course under new family ownership).
In about 1928, he married Madolin White in Waterford and is listed in the 1930 census as working in his father's barber shop. He and Madolin were the parents of infant twins, that died soon after birth on Feb. 15, 1936, and are buried in the Waterford cemetery. His father's obituary makes reference to two grandson's, Larry and Patrick, that would have to be James' children since he was an only child. It is thought that these children were born in 1937 and 1942.
It is assumed that he made his name change to James Leroy Kray in about 1935, although his father's name is still "Krakofsky" on the 1942 World War II draft registration record.
In 1948, he was married to Charlotte Wakeley, and had moved to Glendale, California. He and Charlotte are listed in the Glendale City Directories though the 1950's. James is, of course, listed as a barber in these city directories.
James died on Apr. 27, 1956, at the age of 49. The California death records have verified that this James is indeed the son of Almir Boss Krakofsky and Rose Foley.
James' grandfather was Charles Krakofsky (1838-1905). Charles and his brother Frederick, both served in the Civil War and their Union Army soldier artifacts are on display in the Burlington Historical Society Museum.
His father had a barber shop in Waterford and James learned this trade in his father's shop. (This barber shop still exists in Waterford, with the same old spiral pole... of course under new family ownership).
In about 1928, he married Madolin White in Waterford and is listed in the 1930 census as working in his father's barber shop. He and Madolin were the parents of infant twins, that died soon after birth on Feb. 15, 1936, and are buried in the Waterford cemetery. His father's obituary makes reference to two grandson's, Larry and Patrick, that would have to be James' children since he was an only child. It is thought that these children were born in 1937 and 1942.
It is assumed that he made his name change to James Leroy Kray in about 1935, although his father's name is still "Krakofsky" on the 1942 World War II draft registration record.
In 1948, he was married to Charlotte Wakeley, and had moved to Glendale, California. He and Charlotte are listed in the Glendale City Directories though the 1950's. James is, of course, listed as a barber in these city directories.
James died on Apr. 27, 1956, at the age of 49. The California death records have verified that this James is indeed the son of Almir Boss Krakofsky and Rose Foley.
James' grandfather was Charles Krakofsky (1838-1905). Charles and his brother Frederick, both served in the Civil War and their Union Army soldier artifacts are on display in the Burlington Historical Society Museum.
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