Gapinski
When I found out that my birth name was Gary Lee GAPINSKI, I did a search for the name GAPINSKI in the USA, especially in Iowa and adjacent states. I found GAPINSKI scattered around the country, but before about 1900, the largest group was living in central Minnesota, near the town of Foley.
More recently, I have found that my biological great-grandfather was John GAPINSKI, born 1867 in Wąwelna, Poland (German: Lindenwald), son of Michael GAPINSKI and Agnes ZALAZINSKI. This John GAPINSKI lived in Kane County, IL, and later Chicago, and his sisters lived in MI, with one later moving to Chicago. More information on Wąwelna can be found on the Michael GAPINSKI page.
Some of my DNA close matches are descendants of Andreas GAPINSKI, who immigrated to Chicago in 1881, but after a year, removed to Benton County, MN. So I think my Chicago GAPINSKIs are related to the Benton GAPINSKIs, but I am not sure how, exactly.
Another GAPINSKI extended family lived in La Salle County, IL, not far from John GAPINSKI in Kane County. I have not found any connection, but their proximity suggests a possible relationship.
Sections below:
The GAPINSKI family of La Salle County, IL
Polish Ancestry of the GAPINSKI family of Benton County, MN
The GAPINSKI family in Benton County, MN
The GAPINSKI family of La Salle County, IL
The ship Nurnberg, with Captain A. YAEGER, departed from Bremen, Germany and arrived on 17 Apr 1885 in Baltimore, MD. On board were Victoria (50), Theodor (28) and Franzka (26) GAPINSKA. Victoria's occupation was Wife, but her husband was not present. It seems likely that Theodor and Frnazka were Victoria's son and daughter. Their nationality was German, not Polish.
The family was in La Salle County, IL by 23 Aug 1887, when Theodore GAPINSKI married Catharine SROKE or SROKA.
Illinois, U.S., Marriage Index, 1860-1920
Name: Theodore Gapinski
Gender: Male
Marriage Date: 23 Aug 1887
Marriage Place: La Salle, Illinois, USA
Spouse Name: Catharine Sroke
Spouse Gender: Female
In the 1898 directory for Peru, La Salle, IL, Victoria was the widow of Thomas GAPINSKI. She was a boarder at 1110 Prospect Ave, Peru.
The 1900 US Census has 4 families of interest in Peru, La Salle, IL. Families 155 and 156 were at 720 Sycamore St, and Family 161 was at 509 Sycamore St. Family 315 was on Locust St. The Heads-of-Household all work at a Zinc Factory. The given name of the Head of Family 161 is hard to read, but it looks like Teodor. The transcriber at Ancestry has it as George. In Family 315 the Head is Josef or John. It seems he was John in later censuses. Victoria GAPINSKI is called the Mother of John GROSSKRENTZ, but clearly she must be the Mother-in-law, and Francis GROSSKRENTZ is her daughter, called Franzka GAPINSKI in the immigration record. Stanislau, John, Teodor and Josef are naturalized citizens. Victoria and Teodor are unable to read or write, or speak English. Josef (or John) GAPINSKI immigrated in 1882. If he was another son of Victoria, he may have been the first in Peru, and the others followed in 1885.
The birthplaces of Victoria, Teodor and Josef (John) GAPINSKI was stated as Poland (Ger). That probably refers to the area that was sometimes part of Poland, sometimes part of Germany.
Polish Ancestry of the GAPINSKI family of Benton County, MN
Petrus GAPINSKI was from the Village of Drazo, Poznan Province, Wielkopolskie, Poland. The birth information also says (A Sylvator), but I have no idea what that means. Petrus's parents were Michael GAPINSKI and Rosa SZAYKOWNA, who both died in Koronowo, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland. I don't have any indication whether Petrus ever left Poland.
Agnes PORANZINSKI, wife of Petrus, was from the Village of Witorlan, Poznan Province, Wielkopolskie, Poland. Her parents were Paul PORANZINSKI (b. 1762, Mirucin) and Frances SZAPIERZANSKA (b. 1766).
Petrus and Agnes had at least 3 children:
Andreas GAPINSKI (b. 2 Nov 1823 in Witorlan, d. 13 Aug 1898 in Gilman, Benton, Minnesota)
Joseph GAPINSKI (b. 1830)
Marianna GAPINSKI (b. 1837 in Lindenwald/Wawelno)
Andreas GAPINSKI is the only person mentioned so far who is known to have immigrated to the USA. Joseph married and had a child in Poland, as late as 1869.
Andreas GAPINSKI married Marianne LOBODZINSKA in 1848, and they had 6 children, from 1853 to 1870, in Poland. Marianne LOBODZINSKA died 26 Oct 1875 in Poland.
Marianne LOBODZINSKA (b. 19 Mar 1828 in Wierzchucin Królewski, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland, d. 26 Oct 1875 in Poland) was the daughter of Ignatio LOBODZINSKA (b. ~1800) and Eva CHRAPKOWSKA (b. ~1800 in Wierzchucin).
I have not been able to find most of these places on a map, possibly because the names changed quite a bit over time. Also, most towns in Poland had a Polish name and a German name.
In 1881, Andreas GAPINSKI, along with daughters Josepha and Maria, arrived in Baltimore. By 1885, the Minnesota State Census found Andrew, Josephine, and son Frank, in Alberta Township, Benton County. The oldest daughter, Agnes, had already immigrated, in 1873, but lived in Pennsylvania until at least 1879.
1 Michael GAPINSKI d: Koronowo, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland
+ Rosa SZAYKOWNA d: Koronowo, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland
...2 Petrus GAPINSKI b: Village of Drazo, Poznan Province, Wielkopolskie, Poland; (A Sylvator)
... + Agnes PORANZINSKI b: Village of Witorlan, Poznan Province, Wielkopolskie, Poland, m: 17 Nov 1822 in Wawelno, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland
......3 Andreas "Andrew" GAPINSKI b: 02 Nov 1823 in Witorlan, Poznan Province, Germany, d: 13 Aug 1898 in Gilman, Benton, MN
...... + Marianne LOBODZINSKA b: 19 Mar 1828 in Wierzchucin Królewski, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland, m: 1848, d: 26 Oct 1875 in Poland
.........4 John GAPINSKI b: 27 Aug 1855 in Poland, Germany, d: 25 Mar 1928 in Alberta, Benton, MN
.......... + Anna Mary BALCER b: 26 Jul 1862 in Poland, m: 1883, d: 26 Oct 1943 in St Cloud, Stearns, MN
.........4 Agnes Malicki GAPINSKI b: 12 Jan 1853 in Poland, d: 14 Jun 1930 in Alberta, Benton, MN
......... + Peter P. MALICKI b: Apr 1848 in Poland, d: 24 Jun 1930 in Hennepin, MN
.........4 Franciszek "Frank" GAPINSKI b: 16 Nov 1857 in Mirjkin, Prussia, Poland, d: 16 Oct 1932 in Alberta, Benton, MN
.......... + Eva HELMIN b: 09 Dec 1870 in Lasko Wielkie, Bydgoszcze I, Kujawasko-Pomorskie, Poland, m: Sep 1886, d: 29 Mar 1946 in Gilman, Benton, MN
.........4 Josepha "Josephine" GAPINSKI b: 02 Nov 1859 in Poland, d: 29 Sep 1942 in Benton, MN
......... + Steine "Stanley" WALCHESKI b: Nov 1857 in Poland, m: 1887 in Gilman, Benton, MN, d: 30 Sep 1941 in Benton, MN
.........4 Maria GAPINSKI b: 1863 in Poland
......3 Joseph GAPINSKI b: 1830
..... + Marianna SADKA b: 1836, m: 1868 in Byszewo, Kujawien-Pommern, Polen
.........4 Anna GAPINSKI b: 1869 in Buszkowo, Kujawien-Pommern, Polen
..... + Marianna WYLANT b: 1829 in Lindenwald/Wawelno, m:1854 in Wierzchucin Krolewski, Kujawien-Pommern, Polen
.........4 Antonia GAPINSKI b: 1855 in Wierzchucin Krolewski, Kujawien-Pommern, Polen
.........4 Joannes GAPINSKI b: 1857 in Trzemietowo, Kujawien-Pommern, Polen
.........4 Piotr GAPINSKI b: 1866 in Podgorze / Papiermühle
..... + Paulina LINSKA b: 1840, m: 1870 in Byszewo, Kujawien-Pommern, Polen
.........4 Marianna GAPINSKI b: 02 Sep 1871 in Buszkowo, Kujawien-Pommern, Polen
.........4 Alexander GAPINSKI b: 1873 in Wilcze, Kujawien-Pommern, Polen
......3 Marianna GAPINSKI b: 1837 in Lindenwald / Wawelno
Most of the immigrants adopted American versions of their given names.
Joseph GAPINSKI's wife Marianna and his sister Marianna were almost the same age, so there might be some conflation between the two.
The GAPINSKI family in Benton County, MN
Andreas and Marianne GAPINSKI had 5 children in Poland. Marianne died on 26 Oct 1875, at age 47, in Poland. In 1881 Andreas and his 2 youngest daughters, Josepha and Maria, emigrated to America. They traveled on the ship Hannover, leaving Bremen, Germany and arriving in Baltimore, MD on 11 Jun 1881. The ship's manifest lists Andreas as a farmer, age 54, and has Josepha age 18 and Maria age 17. Based on birthdates from other sources, they should have been 57, 21 and 17-18. I think it's the right family.
Map of Benton County, MN from the 1874 Atlas of Benton County.
By 1885 Andreas was in Benton County, MN, where a community of Polish immigrants had recently settled.
In 1885 Andreas had become Andrew. Josephine should have been 25, not 19. Maria was missing, and Frank had appeared, probably having traveled separately.
The 1895 MN State Census has 3 large GAPINSKI families in Alberta Township. At first glance it looks like the heads of these households might be brothers: Joe (43), John (38) and Frank (37). The pages are in rough shape, and the data is suspect. In particular, I don't believe Eva was 64, but more like 24.
Family #82 is surely the family of Frank GAPINSKI, son of Andreas, who came to America in 1881. The census tells us he has been in Alberta 12 years, and in MN 12 years, so he arrived about 1883. He must have stayed elsewhere for about 2 years. Frank's obituary says that he stayed in Chicago for a year before removing to Alberta.
Joe and John GOPANSKI must be related, since they are listed consecutively in the census, and they probably live together or close. The family of John matches up well with John GAPINSKI, son of Andrew. He had only been in Alberta and in MN for 7 years, so he came about 1888. His 2 oldest children were born in IL, 1885 and 1887.
It seems likely that Joe was the older brother, or perhaps cousin, of Frank and John. He was the last of the 3 to arrive in Alberta, in about 1889, and he also lived first in IL, since his children were born there, in 1881, 2, 6 and 7. Also, Mary could be Joe's daughter, but she is too old to be his wife's child. She may be a younger sister or other relative. And she was born in IL, 1870, so she was in the US much earlier than Frank.
In 1895, Agnes and her husband and family lived in neighboring Gilmanton Township. They had lived in PA in 1876-9, and IL in 1882.
I don't know where Andreas/Andrew was in 1895, but he died in Gilmanton, on 13 Aug 1898.
In the 1900 US Census, Frank and John still had large families in Alberta. Their sister Josephine was there with her family. I don't know what happened to Joe and his family. Frank and John were still farmers, and owned their farms, free of mortgage. The immigration years make sense, compared with data from the state census. Frank and John both immigrated separate from their wives, and married in the US. Both Frank and John are naturalized citizens. All 4 adults can read and write, but Anna is unable to speak English.
Josephine and her husband, Stanley WALCHESKI, had been married 12 years, so they were married about 1888. Josephine had 2 children, both still living, and both listed in the census. Stanley was a naturalized citizen, and a farmer, who owned his farm, free of mortgage. He had immigrated in 1864, much earlier than the GAPINSKIs. The 2 sons had attended school. Josephine and Stanley were able to read and write, but she was not able to speak English, despite having been in the US for 18 years.
Frank and Eva had been married 13 years, so they married about 1887. Eva had had 7 children in 11 years, with 6 still living, and all were listed. The one deceased is probably Antoney, born Mar 1895, although I don't know how they could also have had a daughter in Jan 1895. The eldest, Mary, is the only one in her family who had been to school in the previous year, and she is marked unable to read, write or speak English.
John and Anna had been married 17 years, so they were married about 1883, probably in Chicago, soon after Anna arrived in the US. Their 2 eldest daughters were born in IL, as we knew from the state census. Anna had had 9 children in 15 years, all still living, and all listed. The 4 eldest children had attended school in the past year. Bronnie and Harry are could read, write and speak English, but Mary and Lottie could not.
The 1900 US Census has Agnes, sister of Frank and John, with her husband and family in Gilmanton, which borders Alberta. It says they both immigrated in 1848, which doesn't make any sense. It also says that Peter had been in the US 28 years, so he immigrated about 1872, and Agnes also 28 years, although the 8 is unclear. Also, they had been married 28 years. Agnes had 8 children, with 7 still living, and 6 are listed here. Peter was a naturalized citizen, and a farmer, with a mortgaged farm. The whole family, except the youngest, are able to read, write and speak English. Judging by the birth dates and places, the family was in PA in Apr 1880, then in IL by Aug 1881, and MN by Mar 1885.
1903 map of the middle of Alberta Township, Benton County, MN, from the 1903 Atlas of Benton County. The 4 siblings all have 160 acre farms. J. GAPINSKI and P. MALICKI in Section 20, F. GAPINSKI in Section 23, and S. WALCHEWSKI in Section 9.
Summary. Andreas GAPINSKI and his 4 grown children immigrated to America, and eventually settled their families in Alberta and Gilmanton Townships, Benton County, MN. Agnes and her husband, Peter MALICKI, were the first immigrants. They married about 1872, and came to America at about the same time. They first settled in PA, where their eldest children were born, in 1876 and 1880. They moved to IL and had a child there in Aug 1881. About 1880, John came to America, and settled in IL, probably Chicago. He married about 1883, and removed to Benton about 1886. In Jun 1881, Andreas arrived in Baltimore, with his daughters Jospeha and Maria. Frank arrived at about the same time, and he went first to Chicago, and was in Benton County by 1885. Andreas and his daughter Josepha may have gone directly to Benton. I don't know what happened to Maria.
John GAPINSKI obituary
Aged Resident Dies
Last Sunday morning at 1 o’clock John Gapinski who resided in Alberta, Benton county, passed away at his home after a lingering illness with which he has been suffering since last December. Mr. Gapinski was 72 years of age at his last birthday.
He was born in Germany and 35 years ago he migrated to America where for a short time he made his home in Chicago, Illinois. From there he moved to Alberta in Benton county where he has made his home since.
He is survived by his wife and eight daughters, Mrs. Vince Kujawa, Mrs. Joe Zylla, Mrs. Peter Zylla and Mrs. Robert Fisher of St. Cloud; Mrs. Henry Dam and Pauline of St. Paul, and Francis at home; three sons, Harry, who farms in Alberta, Benton county; and Joe and Frank who are running the home farm. A sister who lives in Chicago also survives.
Unknown newspaper
John GAPINSKI and family. Back: Helen, Lottie, Harry, Mary, Tillie, Pauline. Front: Frank, Joseph, John, Frances, Anna, Martin Gappa, Clara. [Thanks to Kevin GAPINSKI for the identification.]
If John GAPINSKI immigrated 35 years before his death, as stated in his obituary (above), that would be about 1893. However, the 1900 US Census (above) says he immigrated in 1880, and his first child was born in IL, Apr 1884.
Frank GAPINSKI obituary
FRANK GAPINSKI OF ALBERTA DIES; MASS WEDNESDAY
Prominent Benton Farmer Victim of Lingering Illness Sunday
Frank Gapinski, Alberta township farmer, who has been a resident of Benton County since 1880, died there at his home Sunday afternoon after an illness which became serious on August 15. He had been ailing for some time, but his condition did not become serious until a few months ago.
Mr. Gapinski was born in Poland, November 16, 1857 and came to the United States at the age of 23 years, residing for one year in Chicago and then moving to the farm in Alberta township where he farmed until his death. In September, 1886, he married Eva Helmin, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Helmin, of Gilman, and she survives him with six sons and four daughters. The children are Kasmir, Enoch, Joseph, John, Isadore and Albert, all of Alberta; Mrs. Mary Ziwicki, Alberta; Mrs. Stella Kaproth, St. George; Mrs. Tillie Lewandowski, and Mrs. Helen Lewandowski, Palmer township, Sherburne county. There is also one sister, Mrs. Josephine Walchewski of Alberta.
Funeral services were held at the SS. Peter and Paul Catholic church at Gilman at 9:30 a. m., Wednesday, with Rev. Vincent Wotzka, the pastor, officiating, and interment was made in the parish cemetery. Pallbearers were John, Walter, Ben and Bernard Helmin, and Frank and Peter Walscewski.
St. Cloud Times (Saint Cloud, MN) Thursday, 20 Oct 1932, page 11
Josephine (GAPINSKI) WALCHESKI obituary
MRS. JOSEPHINE WALCHESKI
Mrs. Josephine Walcheski of Alberta township died at her home Tuesday at 11:45 a. m. after a lingering illness. She was 83 years of age.
Fifty-four years ago she was married in Gilman to Stanley Walcheski. Mr. Walcheski was born in Poland November 2, 1859, and came to this country 64 years ago.
The family first settled in Chicago for one year and then moved to Benton County. Mr. Walcheski died in September last year.
Mrs. Walcheski is survived by her two sons, Frank and Peter of Alberta. There are 16 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the SS Peter and Paul church of Gilman. Rev. V. M. Wotzka will officiate. Interment will be made in the parish cemetery.
Unknown newspaper, Thursday, I Oct 1942
Steine "Stanley" WALCHESKI was born in Poland. His family lived in Lykens, Dauphin County, PA. His father Joseph WALCHESKI had died in Lykens, about 1873, and his mother, Mary Anna TZSCH, married Ignatz Enoch ZULAWSKI, about 1874, and they had 2 more children. The mixed family removed to Chicago, where they lost 2 to smallpox in 1880.
Smallpox Hit the ZULAWSKI/WALCHESKI family in 1880 Chicago
SMALL-POX.
A REGULAR NEST DISCOVERED.
Early yesterday morning there was considerable commotion around the Health Office on account of the discovery the day before of several new cases of small-pox at No. 82 Front street, and no time was lost in surrounding the premises and taking the necessary precautions against the spread of the disease. Five cases only had been reported, but a close examination showed that all of the inmates of the house had symptoms of coming trouble, or had been so exposed as to make it necessary to take them to the Hospital. They rebelled, as the ignorant classes generally do, and for a while the proceedings bordered upon a riot, but they were all finally captured and removed. Their names and ages, so far as could be learned, were as follows: Steine Walcheski, aged 22 years, convalescent; Peter Walcheski, 17 years, quite sick; Kate Walcheski, 13 years, sick; John Walcheski, 11 years, sick; Michael Walcheski, 8 years, sick; Julia Zulowski, 3 years, sick; Charles Zulowski, 5 years, not yet sick; Frank Zulowski, 8 months; and Mrs. Zulowski, the mother of the others.
The source of the infection could not be definitely learned, but the nearest clew to it that could be gotten was that Steine Walcheski had been taken sick about three weeks ago, and that two weeks prior he had worked in a rag-store on Lake street, near the bridge. When he was first taken sick, it appears a doctor was called, but for some reason or another he was forbidden to call a second time. He did not know what the trouble was, and made no report, but subsequently visited the premises voluntarily, when he was offered money to suppress the facts. He says he spurned the overtures made him, and, though no longer having charge of the cases, he finally reported them, not, however, until late Sunday afternoon.
After the patients had been removed the vaccinators put in an appearance, bent on vaccinating the neighborhood, but were met with the sternest opposition. The residents in the vicinity, with few exceptions, locked their doors, and in several instances, where the children were grabbed up on the street, their parents came to the rescue and drove the officers away. About thirty were vaccinated, however, whereas everybody ought to have been,—and it is a thickly populated locality,—and since the exposure had been so great Dr. De Wolf fears that he will have considerable trouble. The community is a very inviting one for the disease.
Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL) Tuesday, 4 May 1880, page 8
1 Mary Anna TZSCH b: Abt. 1836 in Poland, d: 11 Jul 1916 in Foley, Benton, MN
+ Joseph WALCHESKI b: Abt. 1821 in Prussia, d: Abt. 1873 in Dauphin, PA
......2 Steine "Stanley" WALCHESKI b: Nov 1857 in Poland, d: 30 Sep 1941 in Benton, MN
...... + Josepha "Josephine" GAPINSKI b: 02 Nov 1859 in Poland, m: 1887 in Gilman, Benton, MN, d: 29 Sep 1942 in Benton, MN
.........3 Peter WALCHESKI b: 24 Feb 1889 in MN, d: 22 Nov 1961 in Morrison, MN
......... + Julia M. LANDOWSKI b: 12 Feb 1901 in Duelm, Benton, MN, m: 22 Jun 1920, d: 08 Oct 1969 in Foley, Benton, MN
.........3 Frank J. WALCHESKI b: 21 Apr 1891 in Benton, MN, d: 18 May 1989 in Foley, Benton, MN
......... + Genevieve M. WALCHESKI b: 1912, d: 1986
......... + Louise Elizabeth ADELMAN b: 19 Sep 1908 in St Cloud, Stearns, MN, m: 11 May 1926, d: 15 Mar 1996 in Foley, Benton, MN
......2 Josephine WALCHESKI b: 1860 in Poland, d: Aft. 1920
......2 Peter WALCHESKI b: 1863 in Poland, d: 08 May 1880 in Chicago, Cook, IL; smallpox
......2 Anna WALCHESKI b: 1865 in Lykens, Dauphin, PA, d: 1880 in Chicago, Cook, IL; smallpox
......2 Katherine Elizabeth WALCHESKI b: 27 Apr 1865 in Lykens, Dauphin, PA, d: 28 Jan 1953 in Sturgeon Bay, Door, WI
...... + David S. DARROW b: 13 Aug 1845 in Perth, Ontario, Canada, m: 30 Jul 1889 in Benton, MN, d: 07 Jun 1927 in Graham, Benton, MN
......2 John WALCHESKI b: 22 Jul 1869 in Lykens, Dauphin, PA, d: 24 Aug 1951 in Mahoning, Montour, PA
...... + Anna KUTZ b: 06 Jul 1879 in Duelm, Benton, MN, m: 1899 in MN, d: 18 Nov 1934 in Armenia, Bradford, PA
......2 Michael WALCHESKI b: 15 Aug 1872 in Lykens, Dauphin, PA, d: 09 Nov 1932 in Graham, Benton, MN
...... + Anna Josephine HARY b: 01 Aug 1874 in Gilmanton, Benton, MN, m: Nov 1896 in Benton, MN, d: 24 Sep 1948 in Watertown, Codington, SD
+ Ignatz Enoch ZULAWSKI b: Mar 1843 in Poland, m: 1874 in Dauphin, PA, d: 07 Mar 1921 in Benton, MN
......2 Charles Kasimer ZULAWSKI b: 27 Oct 1875 in Lykens, Dauphin, PA, d: 06 Aug 1944 in Hennepin, MN
...... + Anna b: Nov 1875 in Poland, m: 1896 in MN, d: Aft. 192
......2 Frank A. ZULAWSKI b: 24 Aug 1879 in Lykens, Dauphin, PA, d: 04 Aug 1955 in Stearns, MN
Updated 15 Dec 2022 by William Haloupek. Contact haloupek at gmail dot com.