https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/158162040/michael-f-mottley
When Michael Francis Mottley was born on November 22, 1898, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, his father, William, was 38 and his mother, Julia, was 28. Both of Michael’s parents were born in Ireland. His father died when Michael was only 15 years old.
Michael married Helen Gertrude Martin in his hometown. He was 11 years her senior. They had three children during their marriage. He died on May 31, 1962, in East Orange, New Jersey, at the age of 63, and was buried in Newark, New Jersey at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Military records for Michael indicate that he must have been enlisted by age 18.
In 1923, Michael was working as a Police Officer. See how he handled the capture of those making a jail break from an article of 18 Jul 1923 /Times Union Brooklyn NY.
Here is an article below from 1924.
Michael’s first child, Helen Barbara Mottley, was born when he was 26 years old. Helen was born on December 4, 1924 and she died on March 22, 2001. Here is her obit:
Michael’s son John Robert Mottley was born on 29 Aug 1926 and died on 20 Aug 1989.
Michael’s third child was his daughter Barbara Joan Mottley. She was born on March 23, 1932 and died on May 11, 2020.
By the time of the 1930 US census, Michael was living with his wife Helen and his daughter Helen (age 5) and son John (age 3). In this census the family is living at 11 West End Place, Elizabeth, NJ. He is a veteran and he is still occupied as a Police Officer.
The article below is from 1939. There are actually many articles that I found relating to his work.
In the 1940 US census, Michael states that his highest level of education was completing 8th grade and yet he is a police detective.
In the 1950 telephone directory Michael and Helen are living at 1041 Coolidge Rd., Elizabeth, NJ.
On February 14, 1942, Michael filled out a WWII draft registration card. He would have been 44 years old and this would have been required of him.
telling life stories 