MICHAEL JOHN YURKUS (MIKOLAS YURKUS)

(NO GRAVESTONE)

B. August 17, 1877 in Kartina, Lithuania
D. April 12, 1936 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

Additional Information:

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Chicago Heights City, Bloom Township, Cook County, IL living at 1420 Wentworth Ave, the household members were:

“Mike Yourkis, lodger, age 33, single, born in Russia Lith, parents born in Russia lith, immigration year: 1906, alien, Occupation: Moulder – Brake Shoe”

According to the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918:

“Name: Michael John Yurkus; Permanent Home Address: 3347 Auburn Ave., Chicago, Cook County, Ill.; Age in Years: 42; Date of Birth; August 17th 1877; Race: White; Alien: Non-declarant; If not a citizen of the U.S., of what nation are you a citizen or subject?: Lithuania Russia; Present Occupation: Moulder; Employer’s Name: American Breakege Co.; Place of Employment: 24th Western, Chicago, Cook County, Ill; Nearest Relative: John Yurkus, 1838 W. 46th St., Chicago, Cook County, Ill; Height: Tall; Build: Medium; Color of Eyes: Blue; Color of Hair: Light; Has person lost arm, leg, hand, eye, or is obviously physically disqualified? No (Bothered with Rumathism); Signed: Sept 12, 1918”

According to the Illinois, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991:

“U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
NATURALIZATION SERVICE
——–
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
——–
DECLARATION OF INTENTION
Invalid for all purposes seven years after the date hereof

State of Illinois, } ss: In the Superior Court of Cook County
County of Cook, }

   I Mikolas Yurkus, age 45 years, occupation Molder, do declare on oath that my personal description is ” Color white, complexion Fair, height 5 feet 11 inches, weight 175 pounds, color of hair Brown, color of eyes Blue other visible distinctive marks none. I was born in Kartina Lithuania on the 17 day of August, anno Domini 1877; I now reside at 936 W 34th St., Chicago, Ill. I emigrated to the United States of America from Hamburg, Germany on the vessel Kaiserin Augusta Victoria; my last foreign residence was Kartina Lithuania, I am not married;…. It is my bona fide intention to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and to particularly to The Republic of Lithuania, of whom I am now a subject; I arrived at the port of (blank), in the State of (blank), on or about the 15 day of March, anno Domini 1909; I am not an anarchist; I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy; and it is my intention in good faith to become a citizen of the United States of America and to permanently reside therein: SO HELP ME GOD.

     Signed: Mikolas Yurkus
     Subscribed and sworn to before me in the office of the Clerk of said Court at Chicago, Ill., this 14 day of July anno Domini 1923 – Samuel E. Erickson, Clerk of the Superior Court.”

According to the U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes, 1791-1992 (Indexed in World Archives Project):

“Family name: Yurkus; Given name: Mikolas; Address: 930 W. 34th St. Chgo. Ill; Certificate no.: P 37218 CN 2507774; Title and location of court: U.S. Dist. Chgo.; Country of birth or allegiance: Lithuania; When born (or age): Aug 17, 1877; Date and port of arrival in U.S.: Mar 1, 1909 N.Y.; Date of naturalization: Oct 21, 1927; Name and addresses of witnesses: William Mitchell, 942 34th St. Chgo. and Stanley W. Banes, 3203 S. Halsted, Chgo.”

According to the Illinois, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991:

“U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
NATURALIZATION SERVICE
——–
UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN
——–
PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION

To the Honorable the District Court of the United States, Northern District of Illinois:
   The petition of MIKOLAS YURKUS, hereby filed, respectfully showeth:
   First. My place of residence is 930 W. 34th St.,Chicago, Illinois.
   Second. My occupation is Molder
   Third. I was born on the 17th day of August, anno Domini 1877, at Kartina, Lithuania
   Fourth. I emigrated to the United States from Hamburg, Germany, on or about the 26th day of February anno Domini 1909, and arrived in the United States, at the port of New York, on the 1st day of March anno Domini 1909, on the vessel Pretoria
   Fifth. I declared my intention to become a citizen of the United States on the 14th day of July, anno Domini 1923 at Chicago, Illinois, in the Superior Court of Cook County
   Sixth. I am not married. I have no children.
   Seventh. I am not a disbeliever in or opposed to organized government or a member of or affiliated with any organization or body of persons teaching disbelief in or opposed to organized government. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I am attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and it is my intention to become a citizen of the United States and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiances and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particularly to The Republic of Lithuania, of whom at this time I am a subject, and it is my intention to reside permanently in the United States.
   Eight. I am able to speak the English language.
   Ninth. I have resided continuously in the United States of America for the term of five years at least immediately preceding the date of this petition, to wit, since the 1st day of March, anno Domini 1909, and in the State of Illinois, continuously next preceding the date of this petition, since the 3rd day of March, anno Domini 1909, being a residence within the State of at least one year next preceding the date of this petition.
   Tenth. I have not heretofore made petition for citizenship to any court.
Signed: Mikalos Yurkus

Declaration of Intention No. 155 128 and Certificate of Arrival from Department of Labor filed this 21st day of May, 1927

ORDER OF COURT ADMITTING PETITIONER

   Upon consideration of the petition of Mikolas Yurkas, and affidavits in support thereof, and further testimony taken in open Court, it is ordered that the said petitioner, who has taken the oath required by law, be, and hereby is, admitted to become a citizen of the United States of America, this Oct 21 1927″

According to the Lake County Illinois Genealogical Society. “Strang Funeral Home – Grayslake, Illinois – 1908-1964”. Mundelein IL. 2015:

“Surname: YOURKAS; Name: Mike; Birth Date/Place: Sgilaly, LTU; Death Date/Place: 12 Apr 1936, Waukegan; Cause of Death: Ruptured Ulcer; About 59 yrs, Married; Occupation: Farmhand; Minister – Funeral Home: Rev. SHERBE, Funeral Home; Burial Place – Next of Kin: Fort Hill”