I have a possible theory?
Was Arthur born out of wedlock and Gertrude & Hubert/Herbert were never married?
All the records from 1917-1940 seem to revolve around Edgewater, Bergen, New Jersey.
John & Gertrude Schutzler with son Arthur.
1940 census:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4PG-3Z3John & Gertrude Schutzler with son Arthur in 1930. They state they have been married 3 yrs(1927) and indicate this is the 1st marriage for both. The question was, "what age were you at your 1st marriage?"
1930 census:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X48H-6XF==================
Can't find Peterson's in 1920, but John Schutzler is single, living in Edgewater, Bergen, New Jersey.
1920 census:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4PV-4VVJohn Schutzler's WWI draft 5 June 1917.
WWI draft:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZJC-72F===========
There is a Herbert Peterson born 6 Nov 1893, listed a carpenter living in Edgewater, NJ. Patchogue is in NY, not NJ. He is listed as married with a wife and child. He registered 5 June.
WWI Draft:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZJH-VYMHim being in Edgewater, NJ at that time is significant. All the rest of his life he was in Queens, NY, before and after 1917. His life is easy to follow and documented.
In 1915, he was living in Queens with his mother(Jessie), wife(Sophie) and daughter (Jessie May Peterson).
1915 census:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9GL-HSWHis WWII Draft Card gives the same date & place of birth as his WWI draft Card. He is listed as "Herbert M Peterson". Could the "M" be for "Mayer"?
WWII Draft:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F3FT-NMF1920 census:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVMH-YZMHe died in 1948.
Death:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WGL-W6VFind A Grave:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/207725570Why was he in Edgewater, NJ?
Herbert and his wife had some marital problems around that time period (1915-1920). There are a couple articles about those problems.
Times Union
Brooklyn, New York
Wednesday, May 12, 1915
pg: 8
WILL SUPPORT HIS WIFE Herbert Peterson Given a Week
Get Back to His Family. Jamaica, May 12. On his promise to try to find work and support his wife, and baby, Herbert Peterson, of 121 Oak street, Richmond Hill, had his case adjourned until May 19, before Magistrate Conway yesterday in the Jamaica Police Court. Peterson was arrested on the complaint of his wife, Sophie, by Warrant Officer Sherry. Too much mother-in-law is young Mrs. Peterson's complaint.
The Daily Long Island Farmer
Jamaica, Queens County, New York
1915
Clip:
https://www.rootschat.com/links/01q1q/Herbert's mother died in 1919.
Summary- A lot of coincidences?
The 1930 census states Gertrude hadn't been previously married and that was her 1st marriage in 1927. There was a Herbert M Peterson in Edgewater, NJ around the time of birth/conception of Arthur. Hubert Mayer Peterson/ Herbert M Peterson? Could Hubert be Herbert, mis-transcribed or did he slightly adjust his name on the baptism record?
The story of Hubert/Herbert dying in Florida 1920-1925, is just that...cover story. The wanderer went home to wife & daughter after his mother died in 1919.
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The Eric Peterson is NOT the father of the Arthur in question. All of them from the 1920 appear together in 1930/1940 census.
1920 census:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJG1-JV81930 census:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X76M-2TY1940 census:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQBT-D14