Maud “Peggy O’ Wing” Wingk Batsch

Oct 17, 2024

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in 1890-1909 (Born), Asian Americans, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Entertainers, Theater and Music, Suffrage

Sept 1896 – early 1930s?

Newark Star Jun 20, 1915

Maud P Wingk lived with her mother Lena, her father a laundry dealer (William) and three sisters Janette/Lulu, Alma and Nora (names differ on census records). She was born in Brooklyn (some articles say China) but quickly moved to Newark and graduated from St. Bridget’s School, along with her sisters. Her mother died in 1908.

In 1914, while living at 30 Lafayette Street Maud P Wingk was featured in the Newark News when she applied to be a nurse for the Red Cross in Newark, but was referred to New York (she said “unless I can go from Newark I won’t go at all”). She stated, “I am a suffragette and believe…that women should have just as much chance for glory as men.”

In 1915, under the name Peggy O’Wing Maud made national news in 1915 as a dancer and an actor who wanted an American husband. The Newark Star stated she has “taken up dancing and theatrical work”. Some of the national articles spotlighted her trousers as a style choice.

The article states “Peggy O’Wing” lives at 60 East Kinney St, with her father and three sisters, the same place as Maud on the 1915 census, so we can assume “Maud P Wingk” and “Peggy O’Wing” are the same person.

William B Wingk died Jul 14, 1924 in Newark.

In 1918 Peggy Wingk married Albert Batsch, just before he served in WWI. He ran the 99 Bar in Newark. On the 1920 census she is listed as Maud Batsch, again confirming Maud and Peggy as one and the same.

In the 1929 city directory Maud Batsch is listed with Batsch’s Transportation Co., and she is still on the 1930 census with Albert. That is the last trace of her in the records so far. By the lates 1930s Albert was married to Daisy Starkey.