Saturday, December 6, 2008

John Paschke (Paszk) Family

In 1881 John Paschke, began homesteading in Ardoch Township, Walsh County, North Dakota. John was born June 24, 1843, in West Prussia and was educated in German schools. In 1864 at 21, he immigrated to the United States. None of the other immediate members of his family followed him here. He settled in Winona, MN, shortly after that and was the proprietor of a saloon in Winona.

On Jan. 27, 1873, he was married in Winona to Juliana Jezewski. Julianna was born Dec. 14, 1854, in Germany. As a young girl she worked in a fabric shop in Berlin. A family acquaintance of hers asked for her assistance with their small children when they immigrated to the United States. She came with the family.

Julianna had at least two brother’s who came to the US, Andrew living in Winona and John living in Drake, ND in 1931.

Juliana first settled in Chicago, Ill. In later years she recalled experiencing the Oct. 8, 1871, big Chicago fire. During the fire those imprisoned in jails were released. Confusion reigned everywhere. The people of the city, fearful of the devastating fire gathered their possessions in bundles and awaited the alarm to flee from the blazing city on a minute’s notice.

Check 1875 census may have been in Buffalo, or Trempealeau, Wis

Practically no communication was exchanged by Juliana and her parents after she came to the states, yet in a few years they, too, looked to the ‘land of promise’ and set sail for the United States, settling in Winona. MN, Juliana soon joined her parents in Winona and it was there she was married to John Paschke, Sr.

1880 Census New Posen, Swift County, Minnesota

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
John PASKI
Self M Male W 40 PRU Farmer PRU PRU
Julia PASKI
Wife M Female W 30 PRU Keeping House PRU PRU
Joseph PASKI
Son S Male W 6 WI PRU PRU
Julia PASKI
Dau S Female W 4 WI PRU PRU
Francisca PASKI
Dau S Female W 11M MN PRU PRU

For a short time the Paschke’s lived in Winona, and then moved to Appleton, MN. Appleton, Minnesota is in Swift County and that is where I located them in 1880, but both older Children were born in Wisconsin. This may be in Trempleaueau County, Wisconsin across the river from Winona or in Buffalo Wisconsin where the Wirkus and Narloch families were from.
John Joseph is listed as being born in New Posen Township, Pine Creek, Wisconsin, but New Posen is in Swift County, Minnesota. In 1879 a group of Polish people, mostly from St Paul and Hastings, settled in New Posen (now Edison Township, Swift County, Minnesota).

As in most cases the grass yonder, or more specifically, in the neighboring state seemed greener; therefore, in 1881, they headed for Dakota with their four children, Joseph, Julia, Frances, and Theodore, nine months old. They settled on their Ardoch farm bordered by Lake Ardoch.

The wagon drawn by their two horses carried their meager possessions and the cow following the wagon was one of their special assets. The following year Mr. Paschke returned to Appleton to purchase another team of horses. He envisioned increasing his acreage and during his farming years acquired 1500 acres of land.

1885 State Census: Walsh County, North Dakota

Name Age (Birth) Relation Occupation Nativity ED
Pesk, John
42 1843 Farmer Poland 04-018-21
Pesk, Julia A. 32 1853 Poland 04-018-22
Pesk, Joseph 11 1874 MN 04-018-23
Pesk, Julia A. 9 1876 MN 04-018-24
Pesk, Francesca 7 1878 MN 04-018-25
Pesk, Theadore 5 1880 MN 04-018-26
Pesk, Cela 3 1882 Dakota 04-018-27
Pesk, Frank 3/12Mar Dakota 04-018-28

On the Ardoch homestead nine more children were born. Cecilia, Frank, who died in infancy. Isadore, Mary, Barbara, Martha. John, Jr., Susanna and Frank Leonard Of this family in 1975 there are two surviving daughters, Mrs. Frances Crystal of East Grand Forks, MN,, and Mrs. Martha Warczak, Grand Forks.
For many years Mr. Paschke served as a member on the local school board and was an active church member of St. Stanislaus Parish of Warsaw.
John and Juliana continued farming on their Ardoch homestead through lean and prosperous years. In 1921 Mr. Paschke retired from the farm and with his wife moved to Minto. Their son, John, Jr., and his brothers, had learned the art of cultivating the land from their father, and it was to John, Jr., that the homestead was entrusted.

On Dec. 8, 1932, Mr. Paschke died at Minto. Juliana continued to live in Minto until her death April 7, 1936. Both John and Juliana Paschke were buried at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Minto, ND.

Children of Jan Paschke and Juliana Jezewski are:
1. Josef John Paschke, born Jul-5-1874 in New Posen Twp., Pine Creek, Trempealeau County, WS; died Feb-15-1936. He married Mary Aurelia Schultz Jun-19-1899 in St. Stanislaus Church, Warsaw, ND; born Mar-25-1884 in North Dakota; died Nov-4-1954.
2. Julia Paschke, born Jun-1877 in Poland. She married Jacob Schiller 1895; born Apr-1868 in Wisconsin.
3. Frances Paschke, born Oct-4-1878 in Appleton, MN; died Sep-7-1979. She married John Crystal Feb-11-1896 in Warsaw, ND; born Jan-3-1873 in Baruszynie, Germany; died Apr-8-1939.
4. Theodore Paschke, born Oct-29-1880 in Minnesota. He married Julianna (Gerszewski?).
5. Cecelia Paszk, born Nov-22-1882 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota; died Jul-29-1968. She married Benedict Maszk Nov-19-1901 in St. Stanislaus Church, Warsaw, ND; born Dec-20-1879 in Pulaski Twp.; died Jan-1958.
6. Isadore Paschke, born Apr-4-1887 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota; died Feb-16-1971. He married Elizabeth Eva Gerszewski Nov-24-1915 in St. Stanislaus Church, Warsaw, ND; born Nov-11-1893; died Nov-11-1975.
7. Mary Paschke, born Mar-1889 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota. She married Dietrich.
8. Barbara Paschke, born Mar-1-1891 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota; died 1969. She married Frank Czapiewski; born Dec-1884 in North Dakota; died Jan-1973.
9. Martha Paschke, born Oct-1893 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota. She married Warczak.
10. John Paschke, born Oct-28-1895 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota; died Apr-27-1966. He married Johanna Barbara Gerszewski Nov-15-1921; born May-23-1902; died Mar-1981.
11. Susanna Paschke, born Oct-1897 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota; died Apr-1971. She married Dominik J. Gerszewski Nov-1919; born Jun-17-1888 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota; died Mar-1983.
12. Frank Leonard Paschke, born 1900; died in infancy.

Thomas Wirkus

Thomas Wirkus was born July 12, 1836 in Brusy, Pomorskie, Poland (Bruß, Konitz, West Prussia), to Johann Wirkus and Regina Sigmanska or Zygmanska. Thomas married Frances Mary Bruska 1861 in Bruss, Bydgoszcz, Poland. Francisca was born March 11, 1838 in Poland. The marriage record was found at the:
Pomeranian Genealogical Association

Brusy 1861 Thomas Wirkus Francisca Bruska

Thomas was the half brother to the Gerszewski brothers who settled Walsh county and he came to the United States before them. Sometime between 1867 and 1870 the family came to the United States and was on the 1870 census for Winona, Minnesota.

WILCOSE THOMAS 35 1835 PRUS WINONA 3-WD WINONA 1870
Frances 32 1838 Prussia
Dominica 9 1861 Prussia
Julius 6 1864 Prussia
Mary 4 1866 Prussia
Tefel 12-Jun 1870 MN

In about 1872 Sara or Celia was born in Winona and then the family moved to Buffalo, Wisconsin where three children were born. It appears that Thomas was on the 1880 census in both Wisconsin and the Dakota Territory.

1880 Census Place: Buffalo, Buffalo, Wisconsin

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Thomas WIRKUS
Self M Male W 40 POL Farmer POL POL
Francis WIRKUS
Wife M Female W 40 POL Keeping House POL POL
Mary WIRKUS
Dau S Female W 13 POL POL POL
Sara WIRKUS
Dau S Female W 8 MN POL POL
Alexander WIRKUS
Son S Male W 5 WI POL POL
Francis WIRKUS
Dau S Female W 2 WI POLAND POLAND
WIRKUS
Dau S Female W 1M WI POLAND POLAND

The John, Joseph, and Anton Gerszewski brothers may be on the 1875 Winona census

Of note is Julius and Dominica (Minnie) are missing on the Wisconsin census but both appear with the familiy on the 1880 Dakota Territory Census. The 1 month old Daughter from the 1880 Wisconsin census is missing on the Dakota Territory census, but appears as Cornelie on the 1885 Walsh county census.

John Paschke ties into the Gerszewski family by his wife and he was in Swift County, MN in 1880.

Need to find John Paschke and Frank Narloch on the 1870 census
John Winona, to Wisconsin, to Appleton, Swift county MN may be on 1875 maybe get all of swift county, new posen.

Frank Narloch with John Paschke, Julius Riskey, and Thomas Wirkus came to the Dakota Territory. They made some hay, each built a sod house and they returned to Wisconsin and Minnesota. Confirm all were from Wisconsin and were the others on both censuses?

Along with Thomas on the Dakota Territory Census where his three Gerszewski half brothers.

1880 Census Place: Township 155, Harriston, Grand Forks, Dakota Territory

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Thomas WIRKUS
Self M Male W 43 POLAND Farmer POLAND POLAND
Frances WIRKUS
Wife M Female W 41 POLAND Keeping House POLAND POLAND
Minnie WIRKUS
Dau S Female W 18 POLAND At Home POLAND POLAND
Julius WIRKUS
Son S Male W 16 POLAND At Home POLAND POLAND
Mary WIRKUS
Dau S Female W 13 POLAND POLAND POLAND
Celia WIRKUS
Dau S Female W 8 MN POLAND POLAND
Alex WIRKUS
Son S Male W 5 WI POLAND POLAND
Frances WIRKUS
Dau S Female W 3 WI POLAND POLAND


Obit for Julius

Land records Mary not sure if married

WIRKUS JULIUS 15137 12/10/1895
WIRKUS MARY 13284 11/02/1889
WIRKUS THOMAS 832 06/01/1888

Name Age (Birth) Relation Occupation Nativity ED
Wirkus,Thomas
50 1835 Head Farmer Poland 04-019-39
Wirkus,Frances 48 1837 Wife Poland 04-019-40
Wirkus,Mary 19 1866 daughter Poland 04-019-41
Wirkus,Theofela 13 1872 daughter MN 04-019-42
Wirkus,Alexander 9 1876 son WI 04-019-43
Wirkus,Frances 7 1878 daughter WI 04-019-44
Wirkus,Cornelie 5 1880 daughter WI 04-019-45
Wirkus,Julius 22 1863 Head Poland 04-019-46
Geshefski,John 21 1864 servant Poland 04-019-47


Thomas died September 30, 1889 and Frances died on October 19, 1906. Both are buried in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Warsaw ND.

Children of Thomas Wirkus and Frances Bruska are:

1. Dominica (Minnie) Wirkus, born Bet. 1861 - 1863 in Poland. She married Leon Brzezinski October 31, 1880 in Pine Creek, Trempealeau, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin ; born Bet. April 09, 1853 - 1857 in Poland.
2. Julius A. Wirkus, born January 1864 in Poland; died December 1938. He married Mary Pella (Pelowski) 1887; born December 1867 in Winona, Winona County, Minnesota (Wisconsin); died January 31, 1925 in Walsh County, North Dakota.
3. Mary Wirkus, born 1866 in Poland.
4. Theofela (Celia) Wirkus, born 1872 in Winona, Winona County, Minnesota. She married Bernard Niezalewski.
5. Francis Alexander Wirkus, born July 13, 1875 in Pine Creek, Wisconsin; died June 03, 1959. He married Matilda Mary Galefski January 27, 1903; born September 14, 1881 in Warsaw, Ardoch Township, ND; died April 19, 1956 in Los Angeles, California.
6. Frances Wirkus, born 1878 in Wisconsin. She married George Kozlowski.
7. Corneie Wirkus, born 1880 in Wisconsin.

Monday, December 1, 2008

John and Lucy Chapiewski Family

John Czapiewski was born in Gdansk (Danzig) area of Poland, which was then under German rule, in 1856 and later immigrated with his parents to Quebec, Canada. He was eight years old then (1864). He had one brother, Joseph, and two sisters, Anna and Mary. His mother passed away and shortly afterwards his father and family moved to Winona, MN, and began farming between Lake City and Winona, on the Mississippi River. While his father was swimming in the river, he drowned.

John Czapiewski was then raised by the Frank Narloch family (father of B. J. Narloch, who later moved to Minto). John may be from Wiele Parish, Poland like Frank Narloch where both names are common.

I was not able to find Frank Narloch on the 1870 cencus in wisconsin, John would have been age 15 in 1870 and 25 in 1880

When John was 18 (1874) years old, he began working on the railroad between Fargo and Valley City, ND. When he was 22 years old, he heard about the rich land northwest of Grand Forks. In 1879, Joseph Wysocki, Michael Merchlewicz and he walked all the way from Fargo and filed on a homestead, four miles southeast of Minto. This land remained in the family until 1940. After settling there he met Lucille Grzadzielewski. They were united in marriage in 1884; Lucille Grzadzielewski was born in Sroda, Poland, in 1868. When she was six years old, she immigrated with her family to Calumet, MI, and lived there six years.

1885 State Census: Walsh County, North Dakota

Name Age (Birth) Relation Occupation Nativity ED
Chepeski,John
26 1859 Head Farmer Poland 04-012-05
Chepeski,Lucy 17 1868 Wife Poland 04-012-06
Chepeski,Frank 6/12Dec Son Dakota 04-012-07
Grunleski,Rosy 5 1880 Sister in Law MI 04-012-08
Luminski,John 30 1855 Servant Poland 04-012-09
Lumenski,Frances 26 1859 Servant Poland 04-012-10
Lumenski,Annie 3 1882 Servant Daughter Poland 04-012-11

I am not certain who is the familiy living with John unless it is Slominski or Lunski.

John and Lucille Czapiewski had a family of sixteen children, two passing away in infancy, they are Frank, Thomas, Estella, Lawrence, Mary, John, Margaret, Joseph, (twins) Leo and Phil, Elizabeth, Lillian, Pifie and Winslow. A childhood recollection of the older brothers and sisters was living in the old log cabin on the “east farm” by the Forest River. The family had eighty acres of timber land; their father grubbed forty acres of it for raising crops. Eventually, he acquired four hundred acres. The harvest sea son was a very hip occasion and heir father would go by earn and wagon to Oslo, MN, and bring home keg beer, putting it in the ice house to keep cool. The men working on the threshing team really enjoyed it when the day’s work was done. Their mother always had special meals and the children can remember how they would enjoy her good cooking.

In 1917 John and Lucille purchased the Guy Miller farm, a half mile west of Minto, and it remained in the family for many years.

In 1924 John Czapiewski retired from farming and moved to Minto. The children attended school there. Their childhood memories are of the beautiful park, swimming in the river, playing baseball, and those wonderful Fourth of July celebrations.

In 1936 John Czapiewski passed away. In 1940, four years later Lucille followed. They were interred in the Minto cemetery.

Andrew Czapiewski Family

Andrew Czapiewski was born February 05, 1835 in Ossowo, Wiele Parish, Poland, to Franciszek Czapiewski Zlosz and Otylia Borzyszkowska.Andrew’s baptism record seems to be on February 8, 1835 and he is listed as Joannem Andrean born to Francisis Czapiewski and Ottolie Borzyzkowska in the village of Ossowo, Wiele Parish, West Prussia.  Another baptismal record on the same day was for Andream Joannen Czapiewski also from Ossowo, but according to family history Franciszek was his father.Andrew married Clara Derdowski or Derda on January 19, 1869 in Wiele Parish.  Clara was age 16 and from the Village of Karsin (Karzyn, Karschin) and Andreas was age 34 and from Ossowo. Clara was born or baptized on August 14, 1853, in Karsin, Wiele Parish to Joseph Derda and Marianna Radomska.Andrew Czapiewski and his wife, Clara Derdowski, came to the United States from Poland in 1881, accompanied by four small children, Teofila, Josephine, John, and Ferdinand. After waiting for immigration clearances, they stayed with friends in the state of New York. Andrew came on the same ship as Vincent Pokrzywinski, Frank Lizakowski, and Andrew Landowski with other families from Wiele Parish Poland.

Andrea
Laborer
44
1837
M
6 Jun 1881
Germany
Helvetia
Clara
Wife
36
1845
F
6 Jun 1881
Germany
Helvetia
Thlopel
Child, Youngster
10
1871
M
6 Jun 1881
Germany
Helvetia
Josephine
Child, Youngster
7
1874
F
6 Jun 1881
Germany
Helvetia
Johanne
Child, Youngster
2
1879
F
6 Jun 1881
Germany
Helvetia
Ferd.
Child, Youngster
1
1880
M
6 Jun 1881
Germany
Helvetia
Hearing about territories being opened west of Chicago, they decided to go to Winona, MN, by train and stayed with relatives.

Land was well settled in Winona, so in 1882 they decided to go to new opened territory in North Dakota. They came by train to Fisher and Grand Forks. They took the steamboat to Acton with other settlers. They settled and homesteaded in Pulaski Township. Needed items were purchased at an Acton Store. Later they were able to purchase an oxen team and wagon. Andrew filed for naturalization on December, 6, 1881, in Grand Forks, ND.  Another daughter, Frances, was born between 1882 and 1883 in Dakota Territory.

Clara died in about 1885 and according to history in 1887 Andrew Czapiewski married Mary Czapiewski, born about 1845, no relation, who immigrated to the United States in 1883 from Poland, but Mary was on the 1885 census with Andrew.

1885 State Census: Walsh County, North Dakota

Name
Age
(Birth)
Relation
Occupation
Nativity
ED
48
1837
 
Farmer
Poland
04-033-29
Chapefski, Mary
40
1845
 
 
Poland
04-033-30
Chapefski, Celie
16
1869
 
 
Poland
04-033-31
Chapefski, Pauline
14
1871
 
 
Poland
04-033-32
Chapefski, Jessie
11
1874
 
 
Poland
04-033-33
Chapefski, John
7
1878
 
 
Poland
04-033-34
Chapefski, Fredrick
5
1880
 
 
Poland
04-033-35
Chapefski, Frances
3
1882
 
 
Dakota
04-033-36
In 1894 Andrew and Mary homesteaded in Walshville Township. This was all wooded area except for a small clearing for a garden. Their house was a log house.

Andrew and his 2nd wife Mary were living with Ferdinand in 1910.

According to family history Andrew died in 1911, but I have March 15, 1913 and buried in St. Stanislaus Cemetery.

Mary continued to live there until 1921, then moved to Grafton and died in 1933. 

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Franciszek Narloch Family

A number of Narloch Families from Wiele Parish settled Walsh County starting with Frank Narloch (b. 1839) who is said to have come in about 1863. Then in 1885 Andrew (b. 1820) and his son Micheal Narloch (b. 1864) and daughters came. Leon (b. 1862) came between 1884 and 1888. Adam Narloch (b. 1831) and his family came in 1889. Peter (b. 1862) came in 1890.

Frank Narloch was baptised in the village of Karsin, Wiele Parish, Poland on March 30, 1839 to Valentine Narloch and Justina Prybowna.

Other Walsh county founfers who were born in 1839 in Wiele Parish were Jan Duray, Jan Kulas, and Apolinary (Paul) Rogalla

Frank came to the Dakota Territory by way of Quebec, Chicago, Milwaukee and Pine Creek. Frank left Germany to avoid service in the German army sometime before 1864. Frank married Marianna Vaska about 1863, she was born 1843 in Poland, and died 1903. Frank farmed in Pine Creek, WS, between 1864 and 1879 where most of the children were born, before coming to Dakota to homestead near Ardoch, ND.

I was not able to find Frank on the 1870 census until I reread the history of John Chapiewski who was living with Frank Narloch after John’s parents died.

According to that history they farmed between Lake City and Winona, which Lake city is in Wabasha County, Minnesota with Buffalo County, Wisconsin on the other side of the Mississippi River.

I found Franz Nadelloch with Mary and there first three childern living as a farmer in Fountain City, Wisconsin. On the Next page of the census but listed in the same household is John Polslzeki, but it was hard to make out the spelling aged 12.

NADELLOCH FRANZ 32 1838 M W PRUS WI BUFFALO 1870

In 1879 Frank Narloch with John Paschke and Thomas Wirkus filed on adjoining claims. After making some hay for each and erecting each a shanty they returned to Pine Creek, WS. Frank filed for Naturalization on Apr-25-1879, in Grand Forks County, Dakota Territory.
In April, 1880, they came with their belongings to Grand Forks which was the end of the line. They loaded their necessary things in a sleigh for the 25 mile trip to the homestead. Frank took land in Sec. 23. Bernard Narloch his son, not being of legal age pre, empted the N. W. ½ of Sec 26.

1880 Census Place: Township 155, Harriston, Grand Forks, Dakota Territory

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Frank NORLACH
Self M Male W 42 POLAND Farmer POLAND POLAND
Mary NORLACH
Wife M Female W 35 POLAND Keeping House POLAND POLAND
Bernam NORLACH
Son S Male W 16 WI At Home POLAND POLAND
Tillie NORLACH
Dau S Female W 13 WI At Home POLAND POLAND
Mary NORLACH
Dau S Female W 11 WI At Home POLAND POLAND
Frances NORLACH
Dau S Female W 9 WI POLAND POLAND
Lizzie NORLACH
Dau S Female W 6 WI POLAND POLAND
Minnie NORLACH
Dau S Female W 2 WI POLAND POLAND
Amelia NORLACH
Dau S Female W 2M WI POLAND POLAND



1885 State Census: Walsh County, North Dakota

Name Age (Birth) Relation Occupation Nativity ED
Norlock,Frank
67 1818 Head Farmer Poland 04-019-29
Norlock,Mary 39 1846 Wife Poland 04-019-30
Norlock,D.J. 21 1864 son WI 04-019-31
Norlock,Mary 15 1870 daughter WI 04-019-32
Norlock,Frances 13 1872 daughter WI 04-019-33
Norlock,Lizzie 11 1874 daughter WI 04-019-34
Norlock,Minnie 9 1876 daughter WI 04-019-35
Norlock,Emma 6 1879 daughter WI 04-019-36
Norlock,Catherine 3 1882 daughter Dakota 04-019-37

In 1895 Frank Narloch sold his land to his son in law, Anton Valinski, and retired in Minto.
Frank had two subsequent marriages: In 1908 he married Josephine Kurkoski born Mar, 19, 1846. She died July, 13, 1912. In 1914 Frank married Marianne Klesenski, widow of Iganacz Danielski she died July, 1932.

Frank died on Aug. 29, 1918 and was buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery of Minto.

Children of Franciszek Narloch and Mary Anna Vaska are:

1. Felecia Narloch. She married Joseph Mesheski; born Mar-9-1857; died Nov-30-1897.
2. Frank Narloch died as an infant.
3. Bernard J. Narloch, born May-18-1864 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; died Sep-14-1948. He married Alvina Pulczinski Feb-4-1890; born Mar-31-1878 in Minnesota; died Sep-21-1945.
4. Tilie Narloch, born 1867.
5. Mary Narloch, born 1869 in Wisconsin; died 1934. She married Peter Rose 1890 in St. Patrick's Church, Minto; born 1863 in Saskatchewan, (Ontario) Canada; died 1953.
6. Frances Narloch, born Jul-1870 in Dodge, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin; died Oct-26-1955. She married Maximillian Warczak 1889; born Nov-1863 in West Prussia; died Apr-14-1955.
7. Elizabeth Narloch, born Jun-14-1874 in Dodge, Trempealeau County, WS; died Aug-4-1942. She married Anton Valinski Jan-18-1892 in St. Stanislaus Church, Warsaw, ND; born May-1865 in Pine Creek, Trempealeau County, WS; died Nov-1937.
8. Dominika Narloch, born Aug-4-1877 in Dodge, Trempealeau County, WS; died Aug-27-1966. She married Jacob Joseph Moga Jul-17-1894; born Jul-14-1869 in Pine Creek, Trempealeau County, WS; died Mar-1-1925.
9. Amelia Narloch, born Mar-1880 in Wisconsin. She married Adam Sprafka 1896; born Dec-1871 in Illinois.
10. Catherine Narloch, born 1882 in Dakota Territory.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

John Riske

John Riske was born July 1, 1841 in Prussian, Poland.

John was married to Augusta Betka in the villiage of Studnitz on February of 1870 in Bernsdorf Parish, Pommerania.

Augusta Florentina Betka was born in February of 1845 in Studzienice (Studnitz), Ugoszcz (Bernsdorf) Parish, Poland, to Jacobus Betker and Anna Wirkus.

John, realizing that he could not earn enough in his native land to support his family, emmigrated to America with his wife and their baby emigrated in 1873.

Below is a ships list record for the ship available online at castlegarden.org





Johann Reiske
Unknown
311842MGermany
Auguste Reiske
Unknown
281845FGermany
Josef Reiske
Laborer
241849MGermany
Auguste Reiske
Unknown
9m1872FGermany


Johann Reiske age 31 arrived in the United States from the port of Bremen, Germany April 8, 1873 on the ship Koeln. With him was his wife Auguste age 28, child Auguste 9 months, listed as female. On the same ship was Josef Reiske, age 24 listed as a labourer and may from be the same family as John. Joseph Reszka later lived in Winona, Minnesota at the same time as John and his family.

Another History states that John Riske came from Poland when there was a war between Germany and Poland. John came when he and his wife were 25, and his wife was pregnant. When John came to America his cousin Martin, who was living in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin was supposed to meet him, but after waiting for awhile Martin left.

Martin’s son Julius Riski also settled in Walsh County on a ajoining claim to John.

Since there was no sponsor for John and his wife they were going to be sent back to Europe. A women in Erie, Pennsylvania decided to sponsor John if he worked in the coal mine for a year so John signed the papers. After a year was up John and his wife and baby got on a ship to go to Lake Superior. When they arrived in Winona, Minnesota which they lived before they bought a horse and wagon and then went on to North Dakota.
John had no brothers but, one sister Petronella Sikorska, which was her husbands name. John’s sister and brother in law Jacob Sikorski later settled in Walsh County.
From the family history, John could not speak English, and when he landed in New York, had just one dollar in his pocket. From another story Martin, a relative of John’s was supposed to meet them and bring them to Winona, Minnesota, but Martin was unable to arrive in time, so John and his young wife set out for the mining state of Pennsylvania, working their way as they went.

John and Augusta’s daughter Mary is listed as being born in either Minnesota or Pennsylvania depending on the census in about 1874, but most likey she was born in Pennsylvania based on the history.

John found employment in a Pennsylvania mine and all was going well, when a terrific explosion occurred injuring him so seriously that he was ill for weeks. During this time the family felt the pinch of poverty but they struggled on. Eventually they made their way to Winona, Minnesota where they had relatives, and Augusta found work in a factory. Soon after their arrival a new sorrow fell upon them, for their baby died.

According to Winona City records August Reisky died May-15-1875 age 4 and his father is listed as John.

On the 1875 Minnesota Census in Winona is John and Augusta Reska with a daughter Mary, but there are also five more children listed that may be from another Reska family.

John Riska is listed on the 1877 City directory as a labourer living at West Chatfield. From 1876 to 1880 three more girls were born in Winona, Minnesota. During this time John may have scouted for land in the Dakota Territory, with his cousin Julius Reszka who was living across the Mississippi in Pine Creek, Wisconsin.

Between 1876 and 1880 the first settlers were venturing into the Red River Valley of the North. According to the family history, John learning of lands that could be had for settlement, left his wife and their new baby in Winona and started in 1875 for Dakota Territory by ox team. After weeks of slow travel he came to what is now Walsh County and “squatted’ on land in Ardoch Township. His homestead was on the Forest River and he set out to build a log house. Game was abundant. Deer could be had for the shooting and occasionally scattered bunches of buffalo were seen Indians roamed the plains. On his land was one of their burial grounds, and down by the river a place where they had met for their tribal dances. Winters were severe and men and beast suffered from exposure. Grand Forks was a supply station, consisting of a few rude shacks flinging the Red River. Communication with the outside world was by river or ox cart. The first spring John broke a small ground, broadcast, cut his crop with a scythe, …un it with flails, and hauled it with oxen to Pembina, the nearest market. Later a mill was built at Drayton which shortened the haul across the plain.

1880 Census Place: Township 155, Harriston, Grand Forks, Dakota Territory

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
John RISKI
Self M Male W 28 POLAND Farmer POLAND POLAND
Augusta RISKI
Wife M Female W 28 POLAND Keeping House POLAND POLAND
Mary RISKI
Dau S Female W 6 MN POLAND POLAND
Frances RISKI
Dau S Female W 4 MN POLAND POLAND
Anna RISKI
Dau S Female W 2 MN POLAND POLAND
Paulina RISKI
Dau S Female W 4M MN POLAND POLAND

John filed for Naturalization Apr-7-1885, Walsh County, ND

John and Augusta appeared in the 1880 and 1885 Dakota Census, but sometime after John’s wife Auguta died.

Augusta Betka died sometime after 1885 in Warsaw, Walsh County, ND.


1885 State Census: Walsh County, North Dakota

Name Age (Birth) Relation Occupation Nativity ED
Areski,John
39 1846 Head Farmer Poland 04-013-20
Areski,Augustine 40 1845 Wife Poland 04-013-21
Areski,Mary 12 1873 Daughter PA 04-013-22
Areski,Frances 10 1875 Daughter MN 04-013-23
Areski,Annie 8 1877 Daughter MN 04-013-24
Areski,Pauline 6 1879 Daughter MN 04-013-25
Areski,Rosy 4 1881 Daughter Dakota 04-013-26


Children of John Riske and Augusta Betka are:
1. August Reisky, born About 1871; died May-15-1875 in Winona.
2. Mary Riske, born Dec-1874 in Pennsylvania. She married Felix Kamrowski 1893; born Jan-1873 in Wisconsin.
3. Franciszka C. Riske, born Jan-28-1876 in Winona, Winona County, MN; died Mar-5-1935 in Warsaw, Walsh, North Dakota. She married Wincenty Gerszewski Oct-24-1893 in St. Stanislaus Church, Warsaw, ND; born Feb-8-1872 in Warsaw, Poland; died Jun-18-1949 in Warsaw, Walsh, North Dakota.
4. Anastasia Anna Riske, born Apr-13-1878 in Winona, Winona County, MN; died Oct-9-1896 in Walsh County, ND. She married Joseph Lizakowski Oct-26-1894; born Mar-19-1871 in Rush Lake, Chisago, Minnesota; died May-13-1932 in Walsh County, ND.
5. Pauline Antonie Riske, born Jan-17-1880 in Winona, Winona County, MN.
6. Rose Riske, born About 1881 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota. She married August Meshefski 1903; born About 1879 in Germany/Poland.

John was twice married; his second wife was Mardella Rolczinski, also a native of Poland. Mardella was born Jan-1861 in Poland, and died 1944 in Minto, Walsh County, ND.

Children of John Riske and Mardella Rolczinski are:
1. Cecelia Riske, born Nov-1886 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota; died Oct-14-1917. She married Jagielski.
2. Julia Riske, born May-1889 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota; died 1974. She married Joseph T. Reszka Nov-11-1914; born Nov-1881 in Detroit, Michigan; died 1932 in Detroit, MI.
3. Lawrence F. Riske, born Aug-9-1890 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota; died Oct-6-1978 in Polk County, MN. He married Helen Mary Reszka Jul-19-1915 in St. Stanislaus Church.; born May-4-1892 in Warsaw, Walsh County, North Dakota.
4. John F. Riske, born Jun-6-1892 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota; died Dec-1977. He married Amelia Paschke Nov-19-1919; born 1900.
5. Helen (Paulina) Riske, born Jun-1893 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota. She married Frank D. Kosmatka Nov-12-1919; born Sep-1893 in North Dakota.
6. Michael Max Riske, born Sep-9-1897 in Minto, Walsh County, North Dakota.
7. Clara Riske, born Aug-9-1899 in Ardoch Twp., Walsh County, North Dakota; died Sep-1992. She married Frank Weskel; born Oct-5-1895; died Jun-1972.
8. Amelia Riske, born 1900 in ND. She married Mishkavich.
9. Johanna Riske, born 1902 in ND. She married Tibiatowski.
10. Theodosia Riske, born May-19-1904 in ND. She married Wickstad.

As time passed and he prospered, substantial buildings replaced the log structures of pioneer days. Mr. Riske never forgot his kinfolk in Poland, and because he believed that they should have the chance that he had found in America, sent passage money to a sister and two brothers and three brothers and two sisters of his wife.

The story about John having no brother’s conflicts with other family histories, but this information was the key to tracking John back to Poland through his wife’s family.
Julius Betker was the brother of John’s first wife Augusta and Julius Betker lived in Winona, Minnesota and was from Ugoszcz Parish where the marriage and birth records are found.
Jacob Sikorski who came to Walsh County in 1892, was married to Petronella Reszka, who would be John Reszka’s sister and who was also married in Studzienice like John was.
John Riske was a real pioneer. He came to the Northwest not in quest of adventure, but to make the living for his family, denied him in his native land. His is the life story of a sober, industrious man who overcame poverty and through hard work and right living acquired a competency and won the respect of all who knew him. John disposed of his farm and bought the home in Minto where he lived three years before his death.

John Riske died Sept. 22, 1922, and funeral services were held from the Polish Catholic Church in Minto, and later from St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Warsaw, of which he was a charter member.

When John Riske died he was buried in a glass casket drawn by white horses with white plumes on there heads pulling a wagon.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

The Paul and Anton Czapiewski Families

The Czapiewski families sometimes spelled Chapiewsky, have been in the United States since the 1860’s and settled in the Winona, Minnesota area. The families most likely came from the village of Czapiewice and surrounding areas of Kaszubian Poland where the name is common.

J. and Josephine Chapiewski were on the Ship the Donau which arrived in 1859 with some of the first Kaszubian poles to the United States.

Two Czapiewski families from Marion Lake bound several families together. The families of Anton Czapiewski and Paul Czapiewski together with their sons and daughters brought the Lizakowski, Rogalla, Feltman, and Gornowicz families together.

Anton and Mary Anna Czapiewski had a daughter Eleanor who married Joseph Feltman; and a Son John married Victoria Gornowicz, who was the daughter of Martin Gornowicz from Pine Creek, Wisconsin.

Paul and Victoria Czapiewski had a daughter Augustine who married Jan Lizakowski, who had recently arrived in the United States.

Paul (Pawel) Rogalla father of three sons’, Leon, Paul, and Apolanary Rogalla, all came to Walsh County. These families lived together as shown on the 1875 Minnesota Census.


Anton Czapiewski
Farmer 58 1814 M 27 Jul 1872 Prussia Gutenberg
Maria Czapiewski
Unknown 48 1824 F 27 Jul 1872 Prussia Gutenberg
Johann Czapiewski
Unknown 20 1852 M 27 Jul 1872 Prussia Gutenberg
Julanna Czapiewski
Unknown 15 1857 F 27 Jul 1872 Prussia Gutenberg
Eleonore Czapiewski
Child, Youngster 7 1865 F 27 Jul 1872 Prussia Gutenberg

Paul Czapiewski was born on June 22, 1819 in Poland and married Victoria Zona Gerdzewski on about 1844. Victoria was the daughter of Adaur and Eva Gerdzewski and she was born in 1822 in Poland. Paul and Victoria came to America with their children on the ship Main and arrived on June 24, 1871.

Paul Czapiewskh
Farmer 53 1818 M 24 Jun 1871 Prussia Main
Victoria Czapiewskh
Unknown 50 1821 F 24 Jun 1871 Prussia Main
Justine Czapiewskh
Unknown 20 1851 F 24 Jun 1871 Prussia Main
Joh. Czapiewskh
Unknown 16 1855 M 24 Jun 1871 Prussia Main
Josephine Czapiewskh
Unknown 12 1859 F 24 Jun 1871 Prussia Main

Paul and Victoria lived in Marion Lake Township which later became the city of Perham, Minnesota. In about 1873 Jan Lizakowski immigrated to the Perham area and met and married Augustine (Justine) Czapiewski the daughter of Paul and Victoria.

1875 Census

Paul Czapiewski 55 1820 m Prussia
Victoria 53 1822 f Do

John Czapiewski 18 1857 m Prussia
Josephine 15 1860 f Do


The children of Paul Czapiewski and Victoria Gerdzewski are:
1. Josephine Czapiewski, born Abt. 1845.
2. Augustine Czapiewski, born 1848 in Poland; died Apr-6-1893 in North Dakota. She married Jan Lizakowski Abt. 1873 in Otter Tail, Minnesota; born Jun-24-1850 in Poznan, Poznanskiego, Poland; died Feb-15-1923.

3. John Czapiewski, born 1858 in Poland.

Paul Czapiewski died Jun-1-1892 and was buried in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Perham, Minnesota. In the index at the Perham History Museum is listed:

Czapiewski, Pawel - 22 CZERWCA 1819 - 1 CZERWCA 1892

In the St. Stanislaus Cemetery I found a badly worn stone CZAPIEWSKI which may be his gravestone.