Gapinski, John

John GAPINSKI (1867 - 1951) and Louisa HAUSLEIN (1879 - 1933)

my biological great-grandparents

John GAPINSKI was born on 1 Jan 1867 in Poland, probably Wąwelna (German: Lindenwald) in northwestern Poland. His parents were Michael GAPINSKI and Agnes ZALAZINSKI. A single man of age 25, he left Germany on 1 Aug 1892, arrived in NY on 11 Aug 1892, and was in IL on 13 Aug 1892. He was my most recent immigrant ancestor. He died on 8 Sep 1950 in Cook County, IL, age 83.

Louisa (or Louise) HAUSLEIN was born about 1880 in South Elgin, Kane, IL, and died 5 Dec 1933 in Cook County, IL, age 54. She married (1) on 24 Oct 1899 in Kane County, to Charles HUMBRACHT, born about 1858, killed by a train on 15 Feb 1901 in Kane County. They were married less than 16 months, and had no known children. Louisa's parents were Frederick "Fritz" HAUSLEIN and Maria BAUERS. Just 4 months Charles' death, Louisa married (2) John GAPINSKI.

John GAPINSKI married Louisa (HAUSLEIN) HUMBRACHT, widow of Charles HUMBRACHT, on 15 Jun 1901 in Kane County, IL. They lived in Kane County, and had 10 children. In the early 1920s the family moved to Chicago.

This family should be easy to research, since the surname is unusual, and since John listed his 8 children surviving in 1928, including birth dates and places, in his naturalization petition (below). However, scarcity of records, misspellings, and use of middle names have complicated the effort. The name GAPINSKI is often spelled GAPINSKE or GAPINSKY, and some of John and Louisa's children changed to GAPINSKE. However, I believe John used the spelling GAPINSKI.

This map above shows the locations of places mentioned on this page. I left out Wąwelna, Poland, which is the birth place of John GAPINSKI.

John before Louisa

John GAPINSKI recorded his exact date and place of birth twice. On his Declaration of Intention to become a US citizen, dated 12 Jun 1925, he says he was born on 1 Jan 1867 in Wonwelno, Poland. Then on his Petition for Naturalization (below), dated 7 Jan 1928, he again says he was born 1 Jan 1867, in Wanwelna, Poland. (I'm no expert, but in Polish a and ą are different vowels, and the latter is sometimes translated as an. Also, every word can have many different endings.) I have not found any Wanwelna in Poland, but there is a Wawelno in southwestern Poland, and Wąwelna (German: Lindenwald) in northwestern Poland. I believe the latter place is the right one. More information about this can be found on the Michael GAPINSKI page.

John was the son of Michael GAPINSKI and Agnes ZALAZINSKI. I don't know anything about their life in Poland, except that John had two sisters, who emigrated - Mary in 1883 and Genevieve about 1894. See the Michael GAPINSKI page.

At age 25, John departed from the port of Bremen, Germany on 1 Aug 1892, arrived in New York on 11 Aug 1892, and he was in Illinois by 13 Aug 1892, according to his Petition for Naturalization (below).

I have not found John in the 1900 US Census, and I'm not sure what he was doing between 13 Aug 1892 and 15 Jun 1901, besides that he was in IL. John's sister Mary (GAPINSKI) ZEHNER was in IL from 1884 to 1891, but moved to MI by 1894. John's sister Genevieve (GAPINSKI) WOLSKI immigrated about 1894, and was probably in Chicago. 

There was a John GAPINSKI in the 1898, 1899, 1900 and 1901 Chicago city directories, living at 3 W 20th Place. (After the renumbering of 1909, it became 538 W 20th Place.) That is in East Pilsen, a Polish neighborhood in southwest Chicago. The directories in 1902-8 that are available on Ancestry only seem to have business listings, so I don't know if this John GAPINSKI was still in Chicago, or if he is the one who married Louisa and moved to Kane County in 1901.

Since John GAPINSKI went directly to Illinois after arriving in New York, it may be that he knew someone there, or he may have gone to Chicago because it had a large community of Polish immigrants. His petition for naturalization says that he "Resided in Illinois continuously since: 13 Aug 1892". 

John had been in Illinois less than a year when the Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, opened on the south side of Chicago. It ran from 1 May to 30 Oct 1893, and surely must have affected everyone who lived in the area.

Louisa before John

Louisa (or Louise) HAUSLEIN was born about 1880 in South Elgin, Kane, IL, and died 5 Dec 1933 in Cook County, IL. Her parents were Fred HAUSLEIN and Maria BAUERS. She married (1) Charles HUMBRACHT on 23 Oct 1899 in Kane, IL, and (2) John GAPINSKI on 21 Jun 1901, in Kane, IL. She had 10 children with John.

I've made more progress on Louisa' ancestry than on John's. Surprisingly, her grandmothers have been easier to track than her grandfathers. It's usually the opposite. Adam DUMERAUF was the adoptive father of Maria BAUERS. Her biological father is not known. Several men named Johann AWE lived in or near Gnoien, Mecklenburg, and I'm not sure which one was Fred's father. 

There is some ambiguity in the records regarding Louisa's birth date. They range between 27 Oct 1879 and 11 Nov 1882. Her parents were married in Sep 1881, in Kane County. Her birthplace is recorded twice as South Elgin, Kane County, IL, and none of the other records contradict this. 

She grew up in Elgin and/or Hampshire Township. Her mother Maria (BAUERS) HAUSLEIN died 17 Sep 1894, and her father Fred HAUSLEIN died on 11 Feb 1899 in Henpeck, Hampshire Township. So she had lost both parents by the time of her first marriage, when she was about 19. Her first husband was only 2 years younger than her father would have been,

The 1900 US Census has Charles and Louisa in Kane County, IL. The census taker has been very sloppy, so the information is questionable. Charles was a day laborer, with a rented house. Both were in their first marriage, and Laisa (Louisa) had not had any children. We have yet another possible birthdate for Louisa.

Charles/Carl HUMBRACHT was born in 1858 and died in 1901, and his grave is in Harmony Cemetery Harmony, McHenry County, IL. He and Louisa were only married 15 months when he was killed by a train. I don't think they had any children. The article below says that Charles left a wife and 4 children, but I think they were his children from a previous marriage, and they didn't live with him in 1900.

John and Louisa

Louisa (HAUSLEIN) HUMBRACHT married John GAPINSKI on 21 Jun 1901, in Kane County, just 4 months after her first husband was killed. They lived in Hampshire Township at first, and remained in northwestern Kane County, IL until the 1920s, when they moved to Chicago. Louisa had a large sum of cash from an insurance settlement after her first husband's death, but by 1906 the family had some financial problems.

The marriage record gives the names of John and Louisa's parents! The parents of John GAPINSKI were Michael GAPINSKI and Agenes ZALAZINSKI. The parents of Louisa HAUSLEIN were Fritz HAUSLEIN and Marla BAUERS.

Addie M LAWRENCE and Della A LAWRENCE were sisters. The 1900 US Census has 3 LAWRENCE sisters: Mary (24), Addie M (22) and Della A (20) at 339 Ryerson, Elgin Ward 6, Kane County, IL. The 1910 US Census has them still at 339 Ryerson. This is a half mile south of the Elgin business district, on the west side of the Fox River. In 1910 they had renters: a couple, Joseph A and Anna A FULMER. So this is probably where John and Louisa lived in 1906.

The family had some trouble with a landlord in 1909 (above). There is no mention of John GAPINSKI in the article.

According to the 1910 Census, Albert is the second of 4 children, of John and Louisa GAPINSKI. John is an immigrant, from Germany, coming to America in 1892, and Louisa was born in Illinois, the child of German immigrants. John is not yet a naturalized citizen. They have been married 8 years, so the marriage was about 1902. It is the first marriage for John, but the second for Louisa. Louisa has had 5 children, with 4 still living. John is an illiterate farmer, but Louisa is literate, and they live in a rented home. The child who was not still living had died as an infant, on 26 Feb 1907. 

In 1920 the family had grown to include 6 sons and 2 daughters. They lived on a rented farm. John's immigration date is again 1892, but his status is confusing. Instead of Alien or Naturalized it says 9A, with naturalization date 191? (maybe 1911). Louisa has an X for immigration year, and Al for Alien, although she was born in Illinois. So I think this part is mistaken. John, and the rest of the family over 5, were able to read and write. John's native language is Polish/German. It's strange that 11-year-old August was listed as a Farm Operator, but 16-year-old Albert had no occupation. The census enumerator has made some effort to distinguish between Poland and Germany.

Louise GAPINSKI petitioned for bankruptcy in Jan 1923. She had liabilities $2,473.97 and assets $60. [Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan 1923, page 32] Her residence is not stated, and her husband is not mentioned.

John GAPINSKI, presumably with his family, moved from Plato to Chicago between 1920 and 1925. Their home in Chicago was 1.5 miles N of the home of John's sister, Genevieve (GAPINSKI) WOLSKI in 1920, 30 and 40. See the Michael GAPINSKI page for the WOLSKI family.

John GAPINSKI filed his intention to apply for US Citizenship on 12 Jun 1925. His address at the time was 3130 N Richmond St, Chicago. This is on the NW side, in the Avondale neighborhood. His naturalization petition was filed on 7 Jan 1928, and granted on 10 Apr 1928. His address was still 3130 N Richmond.

This gives us exact birth dates and places for the entire family as it was in 1928. It is very helpful in compiling a list of all 10 children, below. Several of the dates conflict with other records. I think John's memory was not the best. Still, I'm sure he knew who his children were, and the approximate time and place of their birth. 

It also helps trace the movements of the family in Kane County from 1901 to 1920. They were in Hampshire Township on 3 Jun 1901 and 1 Jan 1903. John GAPINSKI, presumably with his wife and 2 eldest children, lived on the SW side of Elgin, in Elgin Township, in Jul 1906. Then in Mar 1907, when their infant son died, the family was in Burlington Township. They were still in Burlington on 20 Jan 1908. In Mar 1909, the newspaper article above says they were in Hampshire Township, probably on or near the HAUSLEIN farms. In Apr 1910 the census above has them in Plato Township. On 10 Jun 1911 and 20 Jun 1913 they were back in Hampshire. By 15 May 1916 they were in Plato Center, Plato Township, and they were still in Plato in Jan 1920.

In the 1930 Census, the 4 youngest children are still at home. John GAPINSKI owns the home, at 3130 N. Richmond St, Chicago, valued at $4,000. This is the same place where they lived in 1925, when John declared his intention to become a US citizen. Two other families were living in the same dwelling, so maybe John was charging them rent. All members of the family have occupation: none. John's immigration date is 1893, not 1892, and he is a naturalized citizen. All are unemployed except August, who is a chauffeur in the building trade. [The record for August was added later, and appears 2 pages after the others, but is referred to this family.]

The marriage was unusual. John and Louisa appear with their children in the censuses of 1910, 1920 and 1930. But John was not mentioned when Louisa and her children were evicted in 1909, or when Louisa filed bankruptcy in 1923.

Louisa (HAUSLEIN) GAPINSKI died on 5 Dec 1933 in Cook County, IL, at age 54. I don't know the cause of death. Her 8 surviving children ranged in age from 13 to 32.

In 1940, there are again 3 families at 3130 N. Richmond Street, Chicago. John GAPINSKI Sr is the owner of the property, now valued at $1,000 (down from $4,000 in 1930). The JORDAN family rents for $22/month, and the EUMIE family rents for $15/month. Everyone over 5 was in the same place in 1935. John GAPINSKI Sr is Widowed. His younger children are now grown, but still living with him. John GAPINSKI Jr has married Charlotte JORDAN, and they have a son, John GAPINSKI III, all living in the household of her father, Charles JORDAN, in the dwelling of his father, John GAPINSKI Sr. Also in the same dwelling is Nicholas EUMIE, an interior decorator from Romania, and his family.

I think the record above indicates that one John GAPINSKI applied for a Social Security Number in Aug 1939. No place of residence is mentioned. The birth date is 17 Jan 1867 instead of 1 Jan 1867, so it's possible that this is the wrong person. However, it is worth considering that John's parents might have been John GAPINSKI and Catherina BARTVSEK. But I really think this is the wrong John GAPINSKI, or there is an error in the record, because the marriage record for John and Louisa names different parents.

A newspaper article (in the Walter GAPINSKI section, below) dated 26 Aug 1948 tells us that John was visited in Chicago by his son, Walter, showing that he was still in Chicago on that date.

John GAPINSKI died shortly before 18 Feb 1951, as shown by the following newspaper ad.

Descendants of John GAPINSKI and Louisa HAUSLEIN

As mentioned above, it should be easy to enumerate the children of John and Louisa, since most are named in John's naturalization petition [NP], with exact birth dates and places. However, [NP] seems to have several mistakes. Also, some of the children have made it a little more difficult by using middle names, and alternate spelling. I think I have identified the 10 children. Details are summarized below, followed by a section for each.

Louisa HAUSLEIN b: 27 Oct 1879 in South Elgin, Kane, IL, d: 05 Dec 1933 in Cook, IL

 + Charles HUMBRACHT b: 1858, m: 24 Oct 1899 in Kane, IL, d: 15 Feb 1901 in Kane, IL

 + John GAPINSKI b: 1 Jan 1867 in Wąwelna, Poland, m: 15 Jun 1901 in Kane, IL, d: Feb 1951
......1. Frank Carl John GAPINSKI b: 3 Jun 1902 in Hampshire, Kane, IL, d: 9 Aug 1986 in San Diego, CA
......   + Emma MOHRMANN b: 12 Jan 1904 in IL, d: 10 May 1987 in San Diego, CA
......2. Fred Albert GAPINSKI b: 1 Jan 1904 in Hampshire, Kane, IL, d: 30 May 1988 in Chicago, Cook, IL
......   + Dora M. EATON b: 5 Feb 1905 in Plato, Kane, IL, m: 21 Oct 1926 in Kane, IL, d: Jul 1970 in Cook, IL
......   + Catherine HISLOP m: 9 Jan 1954 in Cook, IL
......3. Martha GAPINSKI b: 8 Dec 1904 in Hampshire, Kane, IL, d: 14 Sep 1927 in Chicago, Cook, IL
......   + Henry LOEFFLER b: 7 May 1901 in Hausen, Germany, m: 1927, d: 1976
......4. (son) GAPINSKI b: 1907, d: 26 Feb 1907 in Burlington, Kane, IL
......5. August Thomas "Gus" GAPINSKI b: 20 Jul 1908 in Burlington, Kane, IL, d: 23 Sep 1984 in Rockford, Winnebago, IL
......   + Mabel Dorothy LOFTHOUSE b: 1913 in IL, m: 3 Sep 1931 in Cook, IL, d: aft. 23 Sep 1984
......6. Walter George GAPINSKE b: 10 Jun 1911 in Hampshire, Kane, IL, d: 27 Jul 1967
...... + Laura D. DIETERLEN b: 23 Dec 1914 in IN, m: 24 Aug 1944 in Kirkland, De Kalb, IL, d: 28 Feb 1955 in Jeffersonville, Clark, IN
......7. Juliana Juelia "Jules" GAPINSKI b: 20 Jun 1913 in Hampshire, Kane, IL, d: 22 Mar 1993 in Santa Clara, CA
......8. John Adolph GAPINSKI JOHNSON b: 15 May 1916 in Plato Center, Kane, IL, d: 19 Jul 2003 in Arlington Heights, Cook, IL
......   + Charlotte Ursula JORDAN b: 8 Aug 1918 in Chicago, Cook, IL, d: 7 Dec 1990 in Arlington Heights, Cook, IL
......9. Edward Earnest GAPINSKI b: 5 May 1918 in Plato Center, Kane, IL, d: aft. Sep 1984
......10. Helen GAPINSKI b: 04 May 1920 in Plato Center, Kane, IL, d: 6 May 1988 in Cook, IL
......   + John Russell BRAMWELL b: 12 Jan 1916 in Easington, Durham, England, m: 21 Feb 1942 in Cook, IL, d: 24 Aug 1982 in Cook, IL

1. Frank Carl John GAPINSKI was born on 3 or 8 Jun 1902, in Hampshire, Kane, IL. Since he used all 3 names, it is necessary to show that all the relevant records refer to the same person.

Karl GAPINSKI was born 3 Jun 1901 in Hampshire, IL, son of John and Louisa, according to [NP]. He must be the same one who appeared with the family as Carl (1903) in the 1910 US Census (above), and Carl J (1903) in the 1920 US Census (above). The WWII draft card (below) for Carl John GAPINSKE has his birth date 3 Jun 1902 in Hampshire, and his next-of-kin was Emma GAPINSKE. The death record (below) for Frank Carl GAPINSKI has his birth 8 Jun 1902 in IL, and his mother's maiden name is HAUSLEIN. The 1930 US Census (below) for Chicago has Frank and Emma GAPINSKI. Frank was 28, born about 1902, in IL. His middle initial is hard to read, but this must be the same Frank as in the draft card. 

Although there are slight differences in the dates, I think this is enough evidence to show that Karl, Frank Carl and Carl John are all the same person. He was born either 3 or 8 Jun 1902 in Hampshire, Kane, IL. If the 3 Jun 1901 birth date is correct, then he was probably the son of Charles HUMBRACHT, adopted by John GAPINSKI. This would also mean that he was born 12 days before his mother's second marriage! 

Carl John GAPINSKE was born 3 Jun 1902 in Hampshire, Kane, IL. He lived in Chicago when he registered for the draft on 16 Feb 1942. His wife's name was Emma.

The 1930 US Census (below) has Frank GAPINSKI, born about 1902 in IL. He lived in Chicago in 1930, and his wife was Emma. His middle initial is unclear:

In 1930, three families lived at 3002 N. California, Chicago. The property, valued at $3,000, was owned by William C. WITTENBERN. Along with his family were the Frank GAPINSKI family, paying $23/month rent, and the Gottlieb FREDRICKSEN family, paying $50/month. Each of the families owned a radio set! Frank's middle initial looks like a backward C, or the lower part of a 5. His wife is Emma MOHRMANN, and they married when he was 24 and she was 22, so about 1926. They have a son, George C. GAPINSKI, and Emma's mother, Augusta MOHRMANN, lives with them. Augusta was born in Germany, immigrated in 1892, is a naturalized citizen, and is widowed. She speaks German, no English. Note: 3002 N. California Ave is a little over 2 blocks from 3130 N. Richmond Street, where the John GAPINSKI family lived in 1930.

The 1940 US Census has Frank and Emma (Ermia) at 5423 Mont Clair, Chicago. Frank owns the home, valued at $3,500. He is a meat cutter, currently out of work, having worked 45 weeks in the past year. The family was in the same house in 1935. George is in the 5th grade. 

The address 5423 Mont Clair must be 5423 N Mont Clare Ave, in the Union Ridge neighborhood, NW Chicago.

George Carl GAPINSKI was born on 4 Nov 1927, in Chicago, and died 11 May 1984 in Baltimore, MD, age 56. His wife was Mary E. They lived in Essex, Baltimore County, MD, and had a son, George C. GAPINSKI Jr.

George enlisted in the US Navy on 9 Feb 1945, age 17, and was discharged 19 Jul 1946, age 18. The war effectively ended with the armistice of 14 August 1945 (V-J Day).

The 1950 US Census has Frank and Emma, still at 5423 Montclare, Chicago. Frank was working as a butcher. He was also selected for one of the "special lines" in the census, which tells us that his father was born in Poland, and his mother in IL. Curiously, he declined to answer all of the questions, and the census taker noted that he "left a confidential report." It seems that the question he refused to answer was regarding his highest level of education. I don't know why he was secretive about that.

1. Frank Carl John GAPINSKI b. 3 Jun 1902 in Hampshire, Kane, IL, d. 9 Aug 1986 in San Diego, CA
  +  Emma MOHRMANN b. 12 Jan 1904 in IL, m. abt 1926, d: 10 May 1987 in San Diego, CA
..... i. George Carl GAPINSKI b. 4 Nov 1927 in Chicago, Cook, IL, d. May 1984 in Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
....... + Mary E
.......... a. James GAPINSKI
............. + Rosemary WILEY m. 19 May 1991
.......... b. George C GAPINSKI b. 4 Sep 1956

2. Fred Albert GAPINSKI is covered on the Fred GAPINSKI page. He was known as Albert as a child, and Fred as an adult.

3. Martha GAPINSKI was born on 8 Dec 1904, in Hampshire, Kane, IL, and died on 12 Sep 1927, in Chicago, at age 22, just 3 weeks after giving birth to her only child. She appears with her parents and siblings in the 1910 and 1920 US Censuses (above). She doesn't appear in [NP] because she died the year before.

The death record for Martha LOFFLER says her birth date was 8 Dec 1904, and the place is Hanichier, IL, but that must be Hampshire, IL. Her parents were John GAPINSKI  and Loucett HAUSLIN. Maybe Loucett is a form of Louisa? Her husband was Henry LOEFFLER. 

The 1922 City Directory for Oak Park, IL has a Martha GAPINSKI, who worked as a maid at 715 Clinton Ave, Oak Park, which is on the west side of Chicago.

Heinrich "Henry" LOEFFLER was born in Hausen, Germany, on 7 May 1901. He was always called Henry in the US. He was single when he filed his in for naturalization on 14 Apr 1927, in Chicago. His petition for naturalization dated 4 Jun 1929, says he was born 7 May 1901 in Hausen, Germany, and emigrated on the Seydlitz, leaving Bremen, Germany on 5 Jan 1924, and arriving in Boston, MA on 21 Jan 1924. Henry called himself a butcher and an engineer, living at 2128 Cleveland Ave in 1927-29. The application ways that Henry was a widower, and his wife, Martha, was born 12 Sep 1903, in Elgin, IL. This birth date doesn't quite agree with the death record, which is probably more reliable. Finally, the application tells us that Henry had a son, Henry Jr, born 21 Aug 1927, in Chicago. So Martha died when her son was 3 weeks old.

The 1930 US Census for Chicago, District 1662, has Henry LOFFLER in a rooming house at 2134 Cleveland Ave. He was 28, widowed, 26 at first marriage, literate, able to speak English, and a naturalized citizen, having immigrated in 1924. He was a refrigeration engineer. He must have sent Henry Jr to live with relatives.

Martha's gravestone, in Irving Park Cemetery, Chicago, shared with Henry LOEFFLER (not LOFFLER, as in the death record) has the inscription:

4. (son) died in infancy on 26 Feb 1907, probably born in 1906, in Burlington Township. Not mentioned in [NP].

5. August Thomas "Gus" GAPINSKE was born 21 Jul 1908 in Kane County, IL. He died in 23 Sep 1984, in Rockford, IL, age 76. As an adult, he usually spelled his name GAPINSKE.

In [NP] we have August GAPINSKI, son of John and Louisa, born 20 Jan 1908 in Hampshire, Kane, IL. His obituary (below) says August T. GAPINSKI was born July 21, 1908, in Maple Park, which is a village, previously called Lodi, in Virgil Township, Kane County, IL. The WWII draft card for August Thomas GAPINSKE also says he was born 21 Jul 1908 in Maple Park. August appears with his parents in the 1910, 1920 and 1930 US Censuses (above). In 1930, at age 22, he was a chauffeur in the building trade. His death record (below) says he was born 21 Jul 1908.

August GAPINSKE and Mabel Dorothy LOFTHOUSE were married on 3 Sep 1931 in Cook County, IL. He was 23 and she was about 18. They lived in DeKalb County, IL, and had 2 sons.

Mabel was born 1 May 1912 in Chicago, daughter of John and Emma LOFTHOUSE. She died 30 Apr 1991, age 78, in Rockford, Winnebago, IL.

August and Mabel are found in Malta, DeKalb, IL in 1940. They had a house in town, rented for $7/month. August was a service man, making $910/year, at a motor sales business. The family had lived in Chicago in 1935.

The WWII draft card for August Thomas GAPINSKE, dated 16 Oct 1940, has birth 21 Jul 1908 in Maple Park, which agrees with the obituary (below). His residence was Malta, DeKalb, IL and his employer was David KATZ. On 10 May 1943 his address was updated to 1446 Clark St, DeKalb city, DeKalb, IL.

The 1950 US Census has August and Mabel, living at 722 N. 6th Street, in the city of DeKalb. August was owner of a tractor repair shop. 

August T. GAPINSKI had an auto repair shop at 1836 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, DeKalb, IL, as listed in the 1948 City Directory for DeKalb. The 1950 Directory has August with a tractor repair business, at the same address. It also tells us that his wife was Mabel D. GAPINSKI, and they lived at 722 N 6th St, DeKalb. The 1953 Directory has the same information, and includes an August P. GAPINSKI, a student, living at the same address. In 1955 August Sr or Jr was a real estate salesman.

Timeline of August and Mabel

1908 Jul 12 - August Thomas "Gus" GAPINSKI born in Maple Park, Virgil, Kane, IL
1912 May 1 - Mabel Dorothy LOFTHOUSE born in Chicago
1931 Sep 3 or 5 - August and Mabel married in Chicago
1932 Jul 12 - August P. "Augie" GAPINSKI born in Chicago
1935 - August and Mable and August Jr lived in Chicago
1935 Nov 16 - Ronald Edward GAPINSKI born in Chicago
1939 - Lived in Pingree Grove, mechanic at Triangle Garage, Elgin
1940 - Family of 4 lived in Malta, DeKalb, IL. August was a service man at a motor sales business.
1940 Oct 16 - WWII draft card shows that they lived in Malta. Employed by David KATZ.
1943 - Lived at 1446 Clark St, DeKalb
1948 - Owned an auto repair shop at 1836 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, lived at 722 N 6th St,  DeKalb
1950 - Owned a tractor repair business at 1836 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb
1950 - Lived at 722 N 6th St,  DeKalb
1955 - Still owned a tractor repair business at 1836 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb
1955 - Real Estate agent for FARLEY Realty, DeKalb (Not sure if this was August Jr or Sr)
1956 - Lived at 722 N 6th St, DeKalb
1956 Apr 28 - August GAPINSKE Jr involved in a car crash.
1957 - Still lived at 722 N 6th St, DeKalb, mechanic at Standard Oil in Rochelle|
1959 -  Lived at 1503 Dresser Rd, DeKalb, mechanic at Sproute & Davis, Rochelle
1964 - Moved to Rockford, IL, employed by the Waddell Truck Center
1968 - August Sr was Sales Manager at Waddell, August Jr was Service Manager at Waddell.
1974 - Retired from Waddell Truck Center
1984 Sep 23 - August Thomas GAPINSKI died at hospital in Rockford, IL, buried in Fairview Cemetery, DeKalb.
1991 Apr 30 - Mabel (LOFTHOUSE) GAPINSKI died in Rockford, IL.

August and Mabel moved several times: from Chicago to Pingree Grove, Kane, IL in the late 1930s, to Malta, DeKalb, IL about 1940, to DeKalb, DeKalb, IL by 1948, and finally to Rockford, Winnebago, IL in 1964. August worked as a mechanic at auto/truck/tractor repair shops, and had his own shop from 1948 to 1955. The two ads below, from the same page of a newspaper in 1968, show that August was Sales Manager at Waddell, and his son was Service Manager. August Sr, age 60, was called "Gus" and August Jr, age 36, was "Augie".

August P "Augie" GAPINSKE Jr was born 12 Jul 1932 in Chicago. He married Carolyn E HOLLEY on 7 May 1955 in IN. He joined the US Marines, and mustered as a Private in Oct 1951. 

Ronald Edward GAPINSKE was born 16 Nov 1935 in Chicago. He was hired at age 16 by the C&NW railroad. (The record from the railroad has his birth date in 1935. Maybe he claimed to be 18 in order to get the job.) He married Joyce L. JONES on 18 Jul 1954 in IL.

6. Walter George GAPINSKE was born 10 Jun 1911 in Hampshire, Kane, IL, and died 27 Jul 1967, at age 56. I don't know the place of death, but he was buried in St. James Cemetery, Sauk Village, Cook, IL. He appeared with his parents in the 1920 US Census (above). Walter and his brother August appear to have been the first to change from GAPINSKI to GAPINSKE.

In 1930, Walter GAPINSKE was 19, living and working on a dairy farm in Plato Township, owned by William F. ROHRSEN. (I've left out the ROHRSEN family because I don't think they're related to Walter.) 

Walter's daughter Mary told me that she "was told by my mother's sisters that my dad was married before my mother and she died in childbirth. He gave the boy to her parents to raise..." I don't have any record of this marriage or child.

I have not found Walter in the 1940 US Census. However, his WWII draft card (above) has some useful information. He worked for Chester PETERSON, a farmer who owned a large farm between Belvidere and Kirkland. He listed a friend, Henry Carl HARTMAN, instead of a family member. The residence "Seneca Township, Woodstock, Illinois" must be Seneca Township, McHenry County, which includes a small part of the city of Woodstock.

An attachment to the draft card gives several addresses for Walter. He moved around quite a bit!

Walter GAPINSKI and family moved from DeKalb County to Boone County, Illinois, near the Wisconsin border, in 1943. Who was in the Walter GAPINSKI/GAPINSKE family in 1943?

Marriage records above, from U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947.

Walter GAPINSKE married Laura DIETERLEN on 24 Aug 1944 in Kirkland, DeKalb, IL. They had 2 children, Mary and Melvin. Mary (GAPINSKE) BAKER supplied me with some of the information on this page.

Laura DIETERLEN had a son, Marvin BAKER, from a previous marriage. Marvin was adopted by Walter, and became known as Marvin L. GAPINSKE. He was born on 2 Feb 1935 or 1 Oct 1936 - different address records disagree. (Michael GAPINSKE tells me that 2 Feb 1935 is correct.) Marvin married Eunice ABBOTT, and moved to the area of Scott County and Clark County, in southern Indiana, by 1957. 

Walter GAPINSKE "and family" moved from De Kalb County, IL to Boone County, IL around Mar 1943, then Walter married Laura DIETERLEN on 24 Aug 1944 in Kirkland, DeKalb, IL, and the clipping above shows that Walter and Laura moved to Henryville (not Hennyville), Clark County, IN by Dec 1944. Laura was the daughter of Robert DIETERLEN and Mary Elizabeth LINDENMAYER, of Henryville.

In the article above, I'm not sure why the section is headed "Hebron." There is a Hebron, IN near Chicago.

Walter visited his father in Chicago in Aug 1948, which established that John GAPINSKI was living in Chicago at that time.

Laura (DIETERLEN) GAPINSKE died on 28 Feb 1955, at age 40, at Clark County Hospital in Jeffersonville, IN. She left children Marvin (18 or 20), Melvin (9), Mary (6), and her husband Walter (43).

The short article above tells us that Walter and his children, Melvin and Mary, had moved to Crystal Lake, near Woodstock, in McHenry County, IL, by 10 Apr 1958. 

Walter married (2) in Jun 1959 to Clara H PETERS. I don't know of any children from this union. The short article below also gives a middle initial S for John.

Walter's adopted son, Marvin Leroy GAPINSKE, married Eunice Kay ABBOTT on 26 Jun 1955 in Henryville, Clark, IN. Marvin, Eunice and their son Gary were still "of Scottsburg" in 1958. Similar articles have Marvin, his wife, and children Gary and Debra Kay until 1960. 

By 1962 Marvin and family had moved to Sycamore, DeKalb, IL. Around May 1959, Melvin GAPINSKE, and presumably his father and younger sister, moved away from Crystal Lake. The next place Melvin is found is back in Scottsburg, IN.

In 1963 Melvin GAPINSKE was a high school senior in Hammond, IN. Again, presumably, his father and younger sister were also in Hammond, which was a city of about 120,000 in Lake County, northwestern Indiana, near Chicago. Melvin married Velvalee Elizabeth "Velva" MCCLAIN, as her second husband.

Walter GAPINSKE died on 27 Jul 1967, and is buried in St James Cemetery, Sauk Village, Cook, IL. His gravestone says he was born in 1914, but all other records have 1911. 

Laura DIETERLEN b: 23 Dec 1914 in IN, d: 28 Feb 1955 in Jeffersonville, Clark, IN

+ Unknown
......2 Marvin Leroy GAPINSKE b: 02 Feb 1935  (original surname unknown)
......  + Eunice Kay ABBOTT b: 24 Dec 1936 in IN, m. 26 Jun 1955 in Henryville, Clark, IN
.........3 Gary GAPINSKE b: 14 Aug1956
.........3 Debra Kay GAPINSKE b: 25 Jan 1959 in Scottsburg, Scott, IN
.........3 Dale GAPINSKE

+ 6. Walter George GAPINSKE b: 10 Jun 1911 in Hampshire, Kane, IL, m: 24 Aug 1944 in Kirkland, DeKalb, IL, d: 27 Jul 1967
......i. Melvin B. GAPINSKE b: 30 Jun 1945, d: 28 Jan 1992 in De Kalb, Dekalb, IL
......  + Velvalee Elizabeth "Velva" MCCLAIN b: 12 Aug 1944 in Kingsport, Sullivan, TN, d: 13 Dec 2006
.........a, Melvin GAPINSKE b: Oct 1969 in De Kalb, IL
......ii. Mary Louise GAPINSKE b: 1948
......  + William BAKER d: 2010
.........b. Dan BAKER
.........c Eric BAKER
.........  + Daniell
............I. Theresa BAKER b: 2003
............II. Mary Elizabeth BAKER

7. Julia Bertha "Jules" GAPINSKI was born 26 Jul 1913. Once again, the citizenship application of John GAPINSKI (above) has the wrong date, 20 Jun 1913. It says she was born in Hampshire, IL, while the birth record says Chicago. I don't know which to believe here. Hampshire is more believable, since they didn't move to Chicago until after 1920. I think the Julia GAPINSKI in the death record (below) is the right one, because it has the mother's maiden name, HAUSLIN. 

Although curiously, another birth record has the same dates, but the mother's maiden name is now LAFFLER. It sounds similar to her sister's name, Mabel (GAPINSKI) LOEFFLER.

Julia appeared with her parents in the 1920, 1930 and 1940 censuses. By 1940 she was still single, and working as a housekeeper, for a private family. Since she has the same surname in her death records, she probably never married. 

The obituary of August T GAPINSKE (above) says he was survived by his sister, Julia GAPINSKI, of Chicago, so she was still in Chicago on 23 Sep 1984. I don't know when she moved to CA, but she was there in 1989. She died on 22 Mar 1992 in Santa Clara County, CA.

8. John Adolph GAPINSKI Jr was born 22 Mar 1916 in Plato Center, IL. In [NP] the birth date is 15 May 1916, but the draft card (below) says 22 Mar 1916, and I'm inclined to believe the latter. John lived with his parents in 1920 and 1930, and in 1940 (see below).

In 1940 John GAPINSKI Jr and his wife, Charlotte JORDAN, and child, John GAPINSKI III, were living in a home with both their parents. These records are shown, above. So John Jr and his wife and son not only lived with his parents, but they brought in her parents, and they all lived in the big house at 3130 N Richmond St, Chicago. The part with the JORDAN family is repeated, below.

The Charles JORDAN family of 6 is in the same residence as John GAPINSKI Sr. It is clear that John GAPINSKI Jr is the son of John GAPINSKI Sr and son-in-law of Charles JORDAN. So his wife was Charlotte (JORDAN) GAPINSKI, born about 1919 in IL. She worked as a candy clerk in a department store, and he was an Assorter (mail sorter?) at a mail order house. Their son John was 2, born about 1938, in IL.

Mary (GAPINSKE) BAKER told me that John had a falling out with the rest of the family, and changed his last name to JOHNSON. This was evidently after 1940. He moved his family to Arlington Heights about 1955, and stayed there the rest of his life.

John A. JOHNSON (1916 - 2003) and Charlotte U. JOHNSON (1918 - 1990) are buried in Saint John Cemetery, Arlington Heights, Cook County, IL. Those are the names and dates on the stone. The poster has further supplied: Charlotte Ursula JORDAN JOHNSON, born 8 Aug 1918 in Chicago, Cook, IL, died 7 Dec 1990 (aged 72) in Arlington Heights, Cook, IL, and John A JOHNSON, born 22 Mar 1916 in Plato Center, Kane, IL, died 22 Jul 2003 (aged 87) in Arlington Heights, Cook, IL.

John's mother is called Louise SYLVIS instead of HAUSLEIN. Possibly a mixup with two of her sisters, who married into the SILVIUS family. Or maybe it has something to do with John's name change.

There was another John GAPINSKI, born about 1916 in IL, son of John and Angelina GAPINSKI. They lived at 5061 Sunnyside Ave, Chicago. I hope I have provided enough evidence to show that he was not the one who married Charlotte JORDAN.

There was another John A. JOHNSON, with a wife named Charlotte, in Rockford, IL. However, she was Charlotte P. KREPS. I make this note in an effort to keep the two unrelated couples distinct.

9. Edward Earnest GAPINSKI born 5 May 1918 in Plato Center, Kane, IL. He was with his parents in the 1920, 1930 and 1940 censuses, above. He was called Earnest in the 1920 US Census, and Edward in 1930 and 1940. In 1940 he was 22, single, and employed as a Stratch Brusher, in a metal picture frame factory. There were several Edward GAPINSKIs in Chicago of about the same age.

In 1950, Edward was a lodger in the home of Otto GAJEWI, at 3553 Elston, Chicago. Edward was a maintenance worker and painter, in a factory. He was divorced. Also in the household was Edward's nephew, George GAPINSKI, son of Frank and Emma. George was married, but separated.

The obituary of August T GAPINSKE (above) says he was survived by his brother, Ed, of Chicago. He was still in Chicago on 23 Sep 1984.

Mary (GAPINSKE) BAKER told me that Ed had no kids of his own, but that he was married later in life, to a woman with two sons. He is buried in Chicago.

10. Helen GAPINSKI was born 4 May 1920 in Plato Center, Kane, IL. The application for citizenship of John GAPINSKI said 10 May 1920. She appeared with her parents and siblings in the 1930 US Census (above) and with her father and siblings in the 1940 US Census (above). Helen married on 21 Feb 1942 in Cook County, IL, to John Russell BRAMWELL. He was 26 and she was 21. She died on 6 May 1988, in Cook County, IL, just 2 days after her 68th birthday.

John Russell BRAMWELL was born 12 Jan 1916 in Easington, Durham, England, and died 24 Aug 1982 in Cook County, IL. He was single on 19 Jul 1941, when he enlisted as a Private in the US Army Air Corps.

The 1950 US Census has John and Helen at 3307 Sacramento, in Chicago. This is 1/4 mile north of 3130 N Richmond, where Helen grew up. John and Helen both worked in manufacturing. John was a punch press operator at a radio manufacturing company, and Helen was an assembler at a company that manufactured coin-operated machines. They had a 6-year-old son, John BRAMWELL Jr.

The obituary of August T GAPINSKE (above) says he was survived by his sister, Helen BRAUMELL of Chicago. This gives an alternate possible spelling, and tells us that she was still in Chicago by 23 Sep 1984, age 64. 

The death record, above right, tells us she died in Cook County on 6 May 1988, age 68 and 2 days. 

The funeral notice, above left, names her siblings: Fred GAPINSKE, Julia QUINN and John JOHNSON. Fred died on 30 May 1988, just 24 days after Helen. Juila must have married a man named QUINN. John had changed his name to John JOHNSON, as mentioned earlier. The funeral notice also names her sons: "Joseph and James Schnur". Mary (GAPINSKE) BAKER told me that Helen had twin boys. Apparently she had another husband, named SCHNUR. Or perhaps the sons were Joseph BRAMWELL and James Schnur BRMWELL?

Sources

[FC] Forgotten Chicago has maps

[AL] The Hauslein family of Illinois (1993) by Adele Loudemilk (on Worldcat) 

[NP] Naturalization Petition for John GAPINSKI, filed 7 Jan 1928, granted 10 Apr 1928

[PCMC] The Polish Community in Metro Chicago/A Census 2000 Report, published by The Polish American Association a community profile of strengths and needs (2004)

Updated 5 Mar 2023 by William Haloupek. Contact haloupek at gmail dot com.