Leo Arthur Enison was born August 9, 1906 in New York, the son of Daniel and Mollie (Durefsky) Enison. Both parents were Russian/Polish immigrants. Leo had at least six siblings: Sadie, Sarah, Rose, Ann, Martin and Wilfred. Their father Daniel was a tailor in his own shop.
In 1910 the family lived at 238 7th Avenue in Manhattan, and by 1920 they had moved to W. 16th Street. Three of the girls were employed: Sarah as a "typewriter" for an oil company, Rose as a bookkeeper for a mail order house, and 17 year old Ann as a folder in a calendar factory.
Before 1930 the family settled in at a two story brick home with graceful arched doorways. The home at 1649 W. 3rd Street in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn was quite new, built in 1925. Valued at $14,000 then, it still stands today.
Leo had entered the work force as a stock clerk in a jewelry store. Brother Martin worked as a packer in possibly the same jewelry store, and the youngest, Wilfred, was a salesman in an "electric shop."
Leo's mother Mollie died January 29, 1934, and was buried in the Montefiore Cemetery. In 1940 Leo, Wilfred and married sister Ann still remained at home with the widowed Daniel. Leo worked as a salesman of wholesale novelty jewelry.
One year before the United States entered World War II, Leo registered for the draft. He stated he was employed by Cahn and Company at 325 Fifth Avenue. He was described as 5'5" tall, weighed 162 pounds, with brown eyes, brown hair, a light complexion, a mole on his left cheek, and a scar under his chin.
Leo enlisted in the Navy on September 26, 1942 in New York City. In 1943 he served on the ships Haste (PG-92), and the Hambleton (DD-455). In 1944 through October 1, 1945 he served on the Holder (DE-401) and Borie (DD-704).
One month after leaving the Navy, Leo married Alice Raff on November 20, 1945 in Manhattan. Alice was the daughter of Henry and Bella Raff, and grew up in the Bronx.
From 1950 at least through 1959 Leo and Alice made their home at 442 E. 20th Street in Manhattan. They had a son, Richard, born around 1949. Leo supported the family by working as a watchmaker at a watch company. Leo was able to claim his Social Security benefits beginning July 15, 1971.
Leo Arthur Enison died on March 29, 1993 (according to Social Security records). He was buried March 3, 1995 on Hart Island, not far from his wife Alice, on the southern portion of the island.
Sources: Ancestry.com; US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; US, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; US, WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; NY, NY, US, Index to Death Certificates, 1862-1948; 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950 US Federal Censuses; US, WWII Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949; NY, NY, US, Marriage License Indexes, 1907-2018; NY, NY, Extracted Death Index, 1862-1948; US, City Directories, 1822-1995.
In 1910 the family lived at 238 7th Avenue in Manhattan, and by 1920 they had moved to W. 16th Street. Three of the girls were employed: Sarah as a "typewriter" for an oil company, Rose as a bookkeeper for a mail order house, and 17 year old Ann as a folder in a calendar factory.
Before 1930 the family settled in at a two story brick home with graceful arched doorways. The home at 1649 W. 3rd Street in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn was quite new, built in 1925. Valued at $14,000 then, it still stands today.
Leo had entered the work force as a stock clerk in a jewelry store. Brother Martin worked as a packer in possibly the same jewelry store, and the youngest, Wilfred, was a salesman in an "electric shop."
Leo's mother Mollie died January 29, 1934, and was buried in the Montefiore Cemetery. In 1940 Leo, Wilfred and married sister Ann still remained at home with the widowed Daniel. Leo worked as a salesman of wholesale novelty jewelry.
One year before the United States entered World War II, Leo registered for the draft. He stated he was employed by Cahn and Company at 325 Fifth Avenue. He was described as 5'5" tall, weighed 162 pounds, with brown eyes, brown hair, a light complexion, a mole on his left cheek, and a scar under his chin.
Leo enlisted in the Navy on September 26, 1942 in New York City. In 1943 he served on the ships Haste (PG-92), and the Hambleton (DD-455). In 1944 through October 1, 1945 he served on the Holder (DE-401) and Borie (DD-704).
One month after leaving the Navy, Leo married Alice Raff on November 20, 1945 in Manhattan. Alice was the daughter of Henry and Bella Raff, and grew up in the Bronx.
From 1950 at least through 1959 Leo and Alice made their home at 442 E. 20th Street in Manhattan. They had a son, Richard, born around 1949. Leo supported the family by working as a watchmaker at a watch company. Leo was able to claim his Social Security benefits beginning July 15, 1971.
Leo Arthur Enison died on March 29, 1993 (according to Social Security records). He was buried March 3, 1995 on Hart Island, not far from his wife Alice, on the southern portion of the island.
Sources: Ancestry.com; US, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; US, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; US, WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947; NY, NY, US, Index to Death Certificates, 1862-1948; 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950 US Federal Censuses; US, WWII Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949; NY, NY, US, Marriage License Indexes, 1907-2018; NY, NY, Extracted Death Index, 1862-1948; US, City Directories, 1822-1995.