USA > Illinois > Cook County > History of Cook County, Illinois : being a general survey of Cook County history, including a condensed history of Chicago and special account of districts outside the city limits : from the earliest settlement to the present time, volume II > Part 74
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Edmund Szajkowski, engaged in real estate, loans and insurance, at 2593 Milwaukee avenue and 495 Noble street, was born in Stens-
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zewo, Province of Posen, Prussian Poland, October 24, 1874, and is a son of Teofil and Catharine (Waczynski) Szajkowski, who immi- grated to the United States in 1881, settling in Chicago, where they still reside. The father is a saddle maker by trade. The family consists of six children : Frances, Roman, Edmund, Gabriel, Sophia, wife of Joseph Wojtalewicz, and Lilian. The subject of this sketch was reared in Chicago after the age of seven years. He was educated at St. Stanislaus parochial school and the public schools of Chicago and also at the Chicago Business college. He began busi- ness as a machine operator in the saddlery house of L. Kiper & Sons in 1889 and remained thus engaged until 1895 when he embarked in his present business at the corner of Milwaukee avenue and Di- vision street with Anthony Czarnecki, which partnership existed for eighteen months, when our subject engaged in business on his own responsibility at 598 North Ashland avenue and remained thus en- gaged for one year. In 1897 he located at his present place of busi- ness. He has been successful in his commercial dealings and is well known and respected. On November 19, 1902, he married Anna, daughter of John and Elizabeth Klafta, of Chicago, and they have three children : Antoinette, Mary and Nicholas. Mr. Szajkowski is a member of the Roman Catholic church, Polish National Alliance, Polish Roman Catholic Union, Catholic Order of Foresters, Knights of Columbus and in politics is a Republican.
Edward Starzynski, a prominent contractor and builder at 852 West Oakdale avenue, was born in Grabow, Russian Poland, on Oc- tober 10, 1865, and is a son of Frank and Josie Starzynski. He was reared to manhood in his native country and educated in private schools. At the early age of fourteen years he began to learn the carpenter trade under the instruction of his father. Having learned the same he followed that occupation in his native land until 1891, when he crossed the ocean to America and came direct to Chicago and here he has since resided. He worked at his trade previous to 1902, but at that date embarked in business for himself as a general contractor and has made a notable success-he has erected from seven to twelve buildings annually-both business houses and dwellings. He gives employment to from six to fifteen hands, and has erected many large and prominent business blocks on Milwaukee avenue and vicinity. In 1908 he erected the parochial school building at Hedgewisch, Cook county, for the St. Florian Polish Roman Catholic church at a cost of $45,000. He is a member of St. Stanislaus Po- lish Roman Catholic church, Polish National Alliance, Polish Roman Catholic union, Catholic Order of Foresters, Polish Turners and King Wladislaus society. In politics he is independent. In 1892 lie married Mrs. Lizzie Halman, of Chicago, and they have six chil- dren : Celia, Lizzie, Annie, Josie. Sophia and Leo.
Rev. John Zwierzchowski, pastor of Holy Innocents' Polish Rom- an Catholic church, was born in Calumet, Mich., on May 9, 1877, and
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is a son of John and Josephine ( Maciejewska) Zwierzchowski, natives of Piotrkowo and Sroda, Poland, respectively. The parents immigrat- ed to the United States in 1870 and settled in Calumet, Mich, where they still reside and where the father is employed with the Calumet & Hecla Mine company. To these parents ten children were born, as follows: Stephen, a lawyer; Hedwig, wife of Arthur Robbilard; Theresa, wife of N. J. Tobianski ; Wladislaus, John, Casimir, Stanis- laus, Pelagia, wife of Frank Banaszewski, Frances and Teckla. John of this family was reared in his native city and was educated in the public schools, St. Viateur's college, Bourbonnais Grove, Ill., where he pursued his philosophical studies, and St. Francis seminary in 1895, where he finished his theological studies in 1899. On April 1, 1900, he was ordained to the priesthood at St. Francis seminary. His first appointment was as assistant pastor of St. Adalbert's church at Seventeenth and Paulina streets. After seven months he was ap- pointed assistant of St. Michael's church, South Chicago, where he remained five years with the present Bishop Rhode. On October 12, 1905, he was appointed pastor of his present parish, which has about 700 families and nearly 4,000 souls. The school in connection has over 500 pupils under the instruction of eight Felician sisters. Connected with the church are fourteen beneficent societies. The par- ish in a flourishing condition and is growing rapidly. There is one assistant, Rev. Felix Feldheim.
Vincent Milaszewicz, a prominent mortgage banker at 1719 West Forty-seventh street, was born in the state of Kowna, Lithuania, Russia, on January 1, 1865, and is a son of Nicholas and Barbara (Pietkewicz) Milaszewicz. He was reared to manhood in his na- tive country and was educated at the Gymnasium of Szawli. In 1890 he immigrated to the United States and spent two years at Mechanicsville, Saratoga county, N. Y. He then went to Minne- apolis and there remained for six months. In 1893 he came to Chi- cago and here he has since resided. After his arrival here his first employment was in a restaurant, where he remained for ten months. In November, 1894, he engaged in the restaurant business on his own account. This he successfully conducted until November, 1900, when he engaged in his present business. He has been usually suc- cessful and first occupied his present commodious and handsome quarters since January, 1909. He was married on June 26, 1895, to Angeline, daughter of Frank and Mary (Urbanek) Niwa, of Chi- cago, and they have six children, as follows: Sophia, Victoria, Ber- nard, Gertrude, Vincent, Jr., and Angeline. Mrs. Milaszewicz con- ducts an up-to-date millinery establishment in a room adjoining her husband's offices. Mr. Milaszewicz is a member of the Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic church, Royal Arcanum, St. Vincent's Ferr society, St. Stanislaus society. Guards of Prince Vytonita, First Division, National Alliance of Lithuanians and in politics is a Re- publican.
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Rev. Alexander. Skrypko, pastor of the Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic church at Forty-sixth street and Hermitage avenue, was born in Lithuania, Russia, on December 3, 1867. He received his elementary and classical education in the Gymnasium of Ryga on the Baltic sea and his theological cducation at Kovno seminary, Lithuania, at which latter institution he was ordained to the priest- hood on February 20, 1891. Thereafter for eleven years he occu- pied important positions in Lithuania and other parts of Europe, but in 1902 came to the United States and was soon afterward appointed pastor of SS. Peter and Paul parish at Westville, Ill. After re- maining there one and one-half years he came to Chicago and in June, 1904, organized Holy Cross parish and erected a school and church building which, with the land, cost a total of $30,000. In 1909 a fine two-story brick rectory was erected at a cost of over $20,000. Already the parish has outgrown the church and the school buildings. A new church costing over $100,000 is in contemplation. The parish now consists of about 700 families, about 4,000 souls and is in a flourishing condition. The school is under the instruction of five sisters of the Nazareth order and now numbers about 400 pupils. Father Skrypko's ability, piety, energy, high character and popularity are reflected in the unusual progress and prosperity of the parish. Under him is an able assistant, Rev. Anthony Ezerskis, who has oc- cupied his present position since July 5, 1908.
Michael J. Wachowski, real estate dealer, and land insurance agent, at 1844 North Wood street, was born in German Poland on August 24, 1855, and is a son of Frank and Josephine (Kwapiczew- ski) Wachowski. He was reared in his native land and received a liberal education. During his youth and early manhood he learned the cabinet maker's trade, and this he followed before coming to the United States. In 1881 he crossed the Atlantic and came to America and located first in Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained nearly a year, and then came to Chicago, where he has since made his home. For the first fifteen years after coming to this country he followed the cabinet maker's trade and managed to lay aside a considerable por- tion of his income. After coming to this city he conducted for two years a meat market on Wabansia avenue. Since then he has been engaged in his present business. He has built up a successful busi- ness and has the confidence of the community. He and family are members of St. Mary's of Angels Polish Roman Catholic church, and he is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1879, while yet in Poland, he married Mary, daugh- ter of Michael and Antonia Pawlek, and by her has six children, as follows: John, Frances, Stella, wife of Stephen Biezezinski, Gusta, Celia and Bronislawa.
Joseph L. Donat, a prominent and successful mortgage banker at 3817 West Twenty-sixth street, was born in this city on June 26, 1874, and is a son of Joseph and Zdeuka (Kucera) Donat, natives
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of Bohemia, who came to the United States in 1866 and located in Chicago, where the father followed the occupation of custom tailor- ing until his death in 1874, leaving his widow and unborn son, the subject of this sketch. His widow married John Prucha by whom she had two sons now living and one daughter: Bessie, wife of Anton Janata ; Ladimer and Frank. Joseph L. was reared in Chicago and here he has ever since resided. He was educated in the public schools, and early in adult life followed the occupation of architec- tural draftsman for nine years. For the succeeding seven years he was engaged in the business of plumbing, but in 1909 he engaged in the business of mortgage banking on West Twenty-sixth street, and this he has since successfully followed. He is generally known in the community and is universally respected. He is a member of Palacky Lodge No. 630, I.O.O.F., and is the secretary of the Narodni Build- ing and Loan association. In politics he is a Republican. On June 28, 1903, he married Bertha, daughter of Charles and Leopoldine Domschihitz, of Chicago, formerly of Vienna, Austria, and by her has two daughters: Grace D. and Viola.
Rev. Louis W. Grudzinski, pastor of St. John of God Polish Rom- an Catholic church, was born in Posen, Poland, on August 2, 1878, and is a son of Francis and Julia (Wozniak) Grudzinski. The parents immigrated to the United States in 1879 and settled in Chi- cago, where the father died in 1892 at the age of fifty-one years. He and wife were the parents of five children : Helen, wife of Francis Tuchocki; Wladyslawa, wife of John Manikopski; Boleslaus, Nicholas and Louis W.
The latter received his primary education in the Immaculate Con- ception parochial school of South Chicago, his classical and phil- osophical education at St. Mary's seminary at Detroit, and his theo- logical education at St. Francis seminary, Milwaukee, Wis. On July 11, 1903, he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Quigley, and was appointed assistant pastor of the Immaculate Con- ception church of South Chicago. There he remained actively at work for about four years .. On May 1, 1907, he was appointed pas- tor of Holy Rosary parish, North Chicago, where he remained four- teen months. He was then appointed administrator of St. Joseph's church, Forty-eighth street and Hermitage avenue, where he served for one year. On July 17, 1909, he was appointed pastor of his present parish, which has a membership of about 750 families, or about 4,000 souls. The parochial school has about 430 pupils under the instruction of six sisters of the Felician order. Connected with the parish are fifteen beneficial societies. The church school building and rectory were built by Rev. John G. Jendrzejek and dedicated in 1907. The buildings cost a total of about $75,000. There are thirty-six lots valued at about $18,000.
Frank Randak, architect at 1615 Ashland block and at the corner of Trumbull and West Twenty-sixth streets, was born in Bohemia on
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May 16, 1861, and is a son of Frank and Anna Randak. He was reared to manhood in his native country and in youth received a liberal education. He studied architecture and mastered all de- partments pertaining to that art. Believing that the United States afforded better opportunity for the practice of his business, he crossed the Atlantic in 1888 and located in Chicago, where he has ever since resided and labored. He has advanced steadily until now he is rec- ognized as one of the best and most successful of the younger archi- tects of the city and the west. He has designed many of the finest buildings here. He prepared the plans for the Douglas park nata- torium and gymnasium, the Bohemian Plzensky Sokol Hall gymna- sium, Ashland avenue Bohemian-American hall; Pilsen station post- office, and many other important buildings, including private resi- dences, business houses and flat dwellings. He is well and favorably known in his profession. He is a member of the Bohemian-American club, and several gymnasium societies and lodges. In 1908 he mar- ried Beda, daughter of James Dvorak, of Bohemia.
John P. Wilkowski, mason and general contractor, 3131 Monti- cello avenue, was born in this city, May 31, 1867, and is a son of John and Constantia (Rybaudt) Wilkowski. The parents were na- tives of Germany and came to the United States about the year 1865 and settled in Chicago, where the father was successfully en- gaged in the business of general contracting up to the date of his death in 1883 at the age of fifty-two. He and wife had seven chil- dren who grew to maturity : Joseph, Jolin P., Mary, wife of Anton Teis; Philip, Martha, wife of Frank Cerney; Clara and Frances.
John P. was reared in Chicago and educated mainly in St Stan- islaus Kostki parochial school. He early learned the mason trade with his father and for twenty-five years followed that pursuit as a journeyman. In 1904 he embarked in business for himself as a gen- eral contractor and thus he is successfully occupied at the present time. He and family are members of St. Viator's Roman Catholic church, and he is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. In politics he is a Republican. On June 2, 1891, he married Saloma, daughter of Albert and Theodora (Szukay) Slupekowski, pioneer Polanders of this city, and they have three children : Frances, Frank and Benjamin.
Rev. Bronislaus Czajkowski, pastor of St. Mary of Czestochowa Polish Roman Catholic church, of Hawthorne, Ill., was born in the province of Posen, German Poland, on April 4, 1874. There he grew up until his sixteenth year, attending high school for two years, and generally receiving a good preliminary education. In 1890, thinking to better his condition, he crossed the Atlantic ocean to the United States and located in South Chicago, where until 1893 he found em- ployment in various capacities. In the last mentioned year he en- tered St. Jerome college, Berlin, Ontario, Canada, and there finished his classical education in 1897. He then entered St. Mary's semi-
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nary, Baltimore, from which celebrated institution he was graduated in philosophy and theology in 1902. In June of the same year he was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Gibbons, of Baltimore, and his first appointment was as assistant pastor of St. Mary of Perpet- ual Help Catholic church, on Thirty-second street, Chicago, where he served for a little over two years. In July, 1904, he was appointed pastor of his present parish. Under his active and able ministration the parish has grown from 250 families to 700 families or about 5,000 souls. The parish was organized in 1895. The present church and school combined was erected by Father Czajkowski in 1905 at a cost of $50,000. The convent, which was erected in 1908, cost $20,000. The school has 600 pupils under the instruction of nine sisters of the Order of St. Joseph. The parish is in a most flourish- ing condition.
Stanley J. Jerozal, a successful and prominent pharmicist at Thirtieth street and Linden avenue, also at 1800 West Eighteenth street, was born in this city on November 16, 1881, and is a son of Jacob Jerozal, a native of the province of. Posen, German Poland. The father came to the United States in 1869 and settled in Chicago, but after the great fire of 1871 he removed to Minnesota, where he spent five years in farming. He then returned to Chicago and secured employment on lumber vessels traversing the great lakes, an occupa- tion he followed for several years. He then retired from active busi- ness and is now living retired at Hawthorne. He was twice married By his first wife he had two children: Helen, wife of John Bergman and Stanley J. By his second marriage he also had two children : Lucy and Celia.
Stanley J. was reared in his native city and was cducated in the public schools. Later he entered the Chicago College of Pharmacy and was duly graduated therefrom in 1902. During this period he clerked for three years in a drug store at Hawthorne. The year fol- lowing his graduation in pharmacy he purchased one of the drug stores in Hawthorne, and las successfully conducted the same ever since. On May 1, 1909, he opened another drug store at 1800 West Eighteenth street, and this venture has proved a most successful enterprise. He is a member of St. Mary of Czestochowa Polish Roman Catholic church, of Hawthorne; Polish-American Alliance, Polish Turners, National Association of Retail Druggists; Social Drug club; American Pharmaceutical association. In politics he is a Republican and takes much interest in the success of his party an'd in the progress of humanity generally.
Joseph W. Kapela was born in Chicago August 24, 1874, and is a son of Jacob and Amelia Kapela, natives of the province of Posen, German Poland, who came to the United States in the latter part of the sixties and settled in Chicago. The father was a cabinct maker by trade, but followed various other occupations until his death in 1902 at the age of sixty-eight years. His widow and five children
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survive him : Louise, wife of Louis Hochsberger, John, Josephine, wife of Leo Ricker, Sylvester W. and Joseph W. The latter was reared to manhood in Chicago and was educated at the parochial schools. He served an apprenticeship at the moulders' trade and later at the bakers' trade and followed the latter business for nine years. In 1902 he embarked in the retail liquor business in Hawthorne and is thus engaged at the present time. He has conducted the buffet at 2801 Forty-eighth avenue since 1907. On September 18, 1902, he married Mary Luka, of Chicago, and they have two children liv- ing : Joseph and Helen. Mr. Kapela is a member of St. Mary's of Czestochowa Polish Roman Catholic church, the Polish National Alliance of America, the Polish Turners and other societies and or- ganizations. In politics he is a Republican and as such was elected supervisor and treasurer ex-officio of Cicero township in 1906 and still holds those important offices.
Charles Laskowski, a successful and enterprising painting and electrical contractor, located at 1416 Noble street, was born in Rus- sian Poland, May 3, 1867, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Klep- arski) Laskowski. He was reared to manhood in his native country, and in 1886 crossed the Atlantic ocean to the United States and lo- cated in Detroit, Mich. He there learned the painting and electrical business and in 1889 came to Chicago and here he has since resided. Upon his arrival here he at once embarked in the painting and elec- trical business as a contractor and in this occupation has met with marked and merited success. Not only has he succeeded in business, but has also become well known as a public-spirited and upright citi- zen. In 1891 he married Julia, daughter of Peter and Mary Janisew- ski, pioneer Polanders of Chicago, and they have the following chil- dren : Lillian, wife of Stanley Kozael; Rosa, Angie, Martha, Wan- da, Jennie, Edwin and Stanley. Mr. Laskowski and family are mem- bers of the St. Stanislaus Polish Roman Catholic church. He is also a member of St. Michael's Roman Catholic society and the Polish National Alliance. Politically he is a stanch Republican.
John Romanowicz was born in Inowraclaw, German Poland, April 19, 1867, and is a son of Frank and Catherine (Drogowski) Roman- owicz, who came to the United States in 1887 and located in St. Louis, Mo. In 1891 they removed to Chicago and here the father still resides. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Joseph F., Tekla, wife of Martin Kurkowski, Jacob, John, Michael- ena, wife of Martin Trzeciak, and Victoria, wife of Mathew Naklas. John of this family was reared to manhood in Posen, Germany, and was educated in the public schools. In early manhood he served two years in the German army. He learned the cabinetmaker's trade, and in 1889 came to this country and first located in St. Louis where he remained two years, working at his trade. In 1891 he removed to Chicago and here he has since lived and labored. After coming here he worked at his trade one year and then embarked in business
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for himself, buying and selling billiard tables and repairing and deal- ing in billiard supplies, in which occupation he was engaged for about fifteen years. In 1906 he embarked in the theatrical business at 4650-52 South Ashland avenue, opening the first theatre in that vicinity. This he has since successfully conducted as the Union Thea- tre. In conjunction with the same he conducts a first-class buffet and the best restaurant in this portion of the city. Mr. Romanowicz was married February 22, 1898, to Mary, daughter of Anton and Mary (Siwinski) Walczak, natives of Russian Poland and residents of Chicago since 1897. Mr. Romanowicz is a member of the Roman Catholic church, Polish National Alliance, Order of Foresters and the National Protective Legion.
John Golombiewski, alderman from the 29th Ward, was born in the Province of Posen, German Poland, March 24, 1872, and is a son of Frank and Josephine (Daniel) Golombiewski, who came to the United States in 1880 and located in Chicago. The father who was a blacksmith by trade followed that vocation for a time, but later engaged in the grocery business and continued the same until his death which occurred in 1899 at the age of fifty years. His children were as follows: John, Martha, wife of Joseph Bartik, Mary, wife of John Hajnowski, and Benedictine, deceased. Of this family John was reared in Chicago after the age of eight years, and received his education in the public and parochial schools. For several years thereafter he assisted his father in the store, and later became an employe of the city under John F. Smulski. In 1893 he was elected constable and held the office for four years. In 1897 he was em- ployed in the county clerk's office and subsequently in the office of the board of review. He is now serving his second term as alderman of the 29th Ward, being first elected in the spring of 1906. On July 28, 1899, he married Teresa, daughter of Stanislaus and Mary (Genge) Witkowski, of Chicago. They have two children: Ed- ward J. and Raymond E. Mr. Golombiewski is a member of St. Joseph's Polish Roman Catholic church, Polish National Alliance, Polish Turners, National Union, Woodmen of America and other organizations. In politics he is a Republican.
Joseph Jarzembowski was born near Gradenz, West Prussia, March 3, 1874, and is a son of John and Mary (Drzynski) Jarzem- bowski, who came to the United States in 1876 and settled in Chi- cago. . Here the father worked at various occupations until 1880. when he embarked in the undertaking business and continued the same until 1903, when he sold out to his son, Joseph, and retired from business and two years later died at the age of 68 years. His wife died in 1893. They were the parents of five sons, as follows : Joseph, Stanley, Bruno, Wladislaw and Bolislaw. Of this family Joseph was reared in Chicago after the age of two years. He was educated at St. Stanislaus parochial school and at the public schools. He began his business career as a messenger for the Chicago Tele-
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phone company and rapidly made his way upward step by step until he was manager with a salary of $200 per month. He was in the employ of this company for eight years and during that time was the first man to make telephonic connection between Chicago and Boston. From 1893 to 1903 he was employed as clerk in different clothing houses here, receiving a salary of $48 per week. In March, 1903, he purchased the undertaking business owned by his father and has since successfully conducted the same. He has been married
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