Gapinski, Michael

Michael GAPINSKI and Agnes ZALAZINSKI were my (biological) gg-grandparents. I don't know anything about them, except that they had at least 3 children, and probably lived in Wąwelna, Poland (German: Lindenwald). This is a small village in northwest Poland, about 150 km (100 miles) SW of Gdańsk (Dantzig/Danzig), a major port on the Baltic Sea.

The 3 children that I know about were born in 1860, 1867, and the youngest between 1876 and 1880, so Michael and Agnes were probably born between 1830 and 1845.

Wąwelna, Poland (German: Lindenwald)

This area was part of Germany or Prussia periodically, and all the places have names in German and Polish. The place names and boundaries have also evolved over the centuries. It is sometimes difficult to find any common feature on two different maps of the same area. Wąwelna (Lindenwald) and Koronowo (Crone) were in the Poznan (Posen) Province, close to the boundary with the Province of West Preußen (West Prussia). Both Poznan and West Preußen were in the Kingdom of Prussia from 1871 to 1918.

Descendants of Michael and Agnes

Michael and Agnes had 3 children, who emigrated to the US. The children are:

Mary, b. 23 Dec 1860, imm. 1883, m. Joseph ZEHNER abt. 1884; Mary d. on 17 Apr 1950 in Lincoln, Berrien, MI
John, b. 1 Jan 1867, imm. 1892, m. Louisa (HAUSLEIN) HUMBRACHT on 21 Jun 1901 in Kane County, IL
Genevieve, b. 1876-80, imm. 1893-5, m. Philip WOLSKI about 1905

The only evidence I have that connects these people are the death record of Mary, and the marriage records of John and Genevieve, which list the names of parents.

The parents of Mary (GAPINSKI) ZEHNER were Michael GAPINSKI and Agnes ZABCINSKI.
The parents of John GAPINSKI were Michael GAPINSKI and Agenes ZALAZINSKI.
The parents of Genowefa/Genevieve (GAPINSKI) WOLSKI were Michael GAPINSKY and Agnes ZAPCZINSKI.

The different spellings of ZA***INSKI may be attributed to poor handwriting, inaccurate transcription or semi-literacy. I think these are the same Michael and Agnes.

Mary GAPINSKI came to America about 1882-3, married about 1883-4, and lived in IL, probably Chicago, until the family moved to Berrien County, MI between 1891 and 1895.
John GAPINSKI immigrated in 1892, and went immediately to IL. He married in 1901, in Kane County, IL, and raised a family there.
Genowefa GAPINSKI immigrated about 1893-5, possibly married, had a child in 1900, in IL, again probably Chicago, and married again in 1905, and lived in Chicago.

The connection to Wąwelna (Lindenwald), Poland comes only from the declaration and petition for US citizenship of John GAPINSKI.

There must also be some connection to Michael GAPINSKI and Rosa SZAYKOWNA, grandparents of Andreas GAPINSKI, who immigrated to Chicago in 1881, and settled in Benton County, MN in 1882. They are said to have lived in Koronowo (Crone), which is 18 km east of Wąwelna. See the GAPINSKI page.

Michael and Rosa were probably born between 1750 and 1780, so they could have been parents or grandparents of Michael who married Agnes.

The sections below will cover Mary, John, Genevieve and their families.

1. Mary GAPINSKI was born 23 Dec 1860, in Poland/Germany, probably Wąwelna. She died on 17 Apr 1950 in Lincoln township, Berrien County, MI. Her death record gives her parents' names as Michael GAPINSKI and Agnes ZABCINSKI. About 1884, Mary married Joseph ZEHNER, who was born on 31 Jan 1856 in Poland/Germany, and died on his 87th birthday, on 31 Jan 1943, in Stevensville, Berrien, MI.

Both Mary and Joseph both came to America about 1881-3, before they were married. The 1900 US Census (below) says they had been married 16 years, as of 1 Jun 1900, so they married between 2 Jun 1883 and 1 Jun 1884. They had both been in the US for 17 years, so they both immigrated between 2 Jun 1882 and 1 Jun 1883. Judging by the birthplaces of their children, the family was in IL, probably Chicago, about 1884 to 1892. They settled near Stevensville, Lincoln Township, Berrien County, MI by 1894. Stevensville is less than 90 miles from Chicago.

This (above, left) looks like the right Josef ZEHNER. He traveled on the ship Wega, with Franz ZEHNER, probably a brother. They departed from Hamburg on 6 Apr 1882, and went to London, and on to NYC, probably in April or May.

There was a Frank ZEHNER in Chicago, who may be the Franz ZEHNER who traveled with Josef. This Frank was born 19 Feb 1859 in Poznan, and immigrated about 1882, according to the 1900 US Census. He sometimes spelled his name CEJNER. Note that Joseph ZEHNER was called Joseph CEHNER in the 1930 US Census (below). More information on Frank ZEHNER/CEJNER can be found on the Oddie Family Tree.

Berrien County is in the southwest corner of Michigan, not far from Chicago. Lincoln Township is on the shore of Lake Michigan, and contains the city of Stevensville.

Mary (GAPINSKI) ZEHNER appears as Mary ZAHNER in the 1900 Census, with a large family.

The 1900 Census records that Joseph and Mary had been married 16 years, so they were married about 1884. It also says that they both immigrated in 1883. Recall that John GAPINSKI immigrated in 1892, and Genevieve in 1893 or 1895. So Mary, the oldest, with the first one of the 3 to immigrate. Joseph was a farmer, and the children between 5 and 15 were attending school. The birthplaces indicate that the family was in Illinois from Nov 1884 to Nov 1891, and moved to Michigan between Nov 1891 and Feb 1895.

Mary had 9 children, with all 9 still living, and all listed. Jerome Peter ZEHNER should have been almost 11, but he is missing. Maybe he was also called Chester.

This census records the month and date of birth, and age at the time of the census. There seems to be a mistake: either Bernia was born in Feb 1893 of else she was 5, not 7. In the former case, the move from IL to MI was between Nov 1891 and Feb 1893.

In the 1904 Directory for St Joseph, MI, Joseph ZEHNER had 20 acres in Section 16, Lincoln Township, valued at $950.

In the 1910 Census, Joseph has a Fruit Farm, with a mortgage. Joseph and Mary have been married 26 years, consistent with the marriage date of 1844. Mary has had 11 children, all 11 still living--which is pretty unusual! I think this is a mistake, since the first Joseph Jr died in 1900, so Mary actually had 12 children, with 11 still living in 1910.

This census says that Joseph and Mary both immigrated in 1885, which would be after they married. Bronis must be Bernia, later called Bernice. I don't know who Amelia KOENIG is. She is not the mother of Joseph or Mary. Amelia is a widow, who has had 8 children, with 4 still living.

The 1920 US Census has Joseph and Mary with 5 of their children still at home. Joseph owns a fruit farm on Ridge Road. Mary is not called a Housewife, but a Laborer on the fruit farm. Three of the grown children are Teachers in public school, and none a farm workers. Joseph and Mary and their parents were all born in Germany, and their native tongue was Polish. Both immigrated in 1881 (conflicts with earlier censuses) and both were naturalized in 1913.

In the 1930 US Census the surname is spelled CEHNER, but this is clearly the same couple. The children had all left home. It says that both immigrated in 1881, and Joseph was naturalized, but Maria was still an alien. They were 74 and 69, and at first marriage they were 27 and 22, so they were married about 1883, consistent with other records. Joseph owned the farm, on Washington Ave. (This seems to be a new farm, about 2 miles west of Ridge Road.)

The 1940 US Census has Joseph and Mary, still on the fruit farm on Washington Ave. Bernice and Alex had moved back home with their parents. All 4 lived in the same house in 1935. Joseph and Mary were both naturalized citizens, but a supplementary question reveals that Mary did not have a Social Security number, and had given birth to 13 children.

Joseph and Mary had about 13 children. Only 6 were still living in 1943, when Joseph's obituary was written. I will try to give a brief summary of each one, below.

i. Charles F. ZEHNER was born 1 Sep 1884 in IL. He died on 25 Dec 1964 at Elkhart General Hospital, Elkhart, IN, at age 80. The 1900 US Census says he was born in Nov 1884. However, his WWI draft card and his death certificate give the date 1 Sep 1884.

He married Clara BOWE on 27 Nov 1914, in Berrien County, MI. Charles was 30 and Clara was 31. Clara's father was William BOWE, and her mother's maiden name was CHILDS. They were from Mishawaka, IN. Charles was a machinist at a sewing machine company. His last address was 720 Grand Blvd, Mishawaka, IN. This is from his death certificate. The cause of death was pulmonary embolus (embolism?).

ii. Anna C. "Annie" ZEHNER was born in Apr 1887 in IL, according to the 1900 US Census (above). The city directory for St Joseph, MI, 1907-8 has Anna ZEHNER, domestic, 1109 Lake boul. She is not with her parents in the 1910 US Census. Anna married Robert D. BROWN of Stevensville in Aug 1909. She was 22 and he was 24. She is Mrs Anna GEPHARDT in her father's obituary, in Feb 1943 (above).

iii. Jerome Peter ZEHNER, was born 9 Jul 1889 in IL, and died 8 May 1983 in Kokomo, Howard, IN.

Jerome is missing from the 1900 US Census (above), and he must be the one named Chester, with birth date Jul 1888.

iv. Lillian "Lilly" ZEHNER was born about 1892 in Stevensville, Berrien, MI, and died 9 Jul 1946 in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, MI. She married Walter Clyde HANSELL some time between 23 Sep 1940 and 01 Feb 1943, and later divorced. Walter C. HANSELL was born 15 Dec 1880, and died 4 Mar 1968, age 87.

Lilly's birth date is in doubt. The obituary, below, reports 27 Nov 1892. However, her sister, Bernice, was born 6 Feb 1893, and that date is on her gravestone. These dates can't both be right. Lilly's gravestone says 1893. Maybe Lilly and Bernice were twins? But Lilly was 8 and Bernice was 7 in the 1900 US Census (above). This census also says Lilly was born in Nov 1891. Lilly's death record (below) says she was born in 1892, but it also says she died at age 56, on 9 Jul 1946, which would mean she was born between 10 Jul 1889 and 9 Jul 1890.

Lilly and Walter had 2 daughters, Evelyn and Marion, who both married men named BERTOG. The death record for Lilly (ZEHNER) HANSELL says her mother's name was also Lilly. Maybe it was a nickname.

v. Bernice ZEHNER was born 6 Feb 1893 in MI, and died 17 Oct 1979. These dates appear on her gravestone in Resurrection Cemetery, Saint Joseph, Berrien County, MI. She became a teacher. She never married or had children.

This newspaper item seems to give us Joseph Sr's middle initial, M. However, since the last name was misspelled, I hesitate to believe it.

The 1930 US Census has Bernice as a boarder in the Walton E. BECKER household, Chikaming Township, Berrien County, MI. She was 37, still single, still a public school teacher.

vi. Helen ZEHNER was born Jun 1894 in MI, and died Dec 1914 in MI, at age 20.

vii. Isabel G. ZEHNER was born 8 May 1896 in Lincoln, Berrien, MI, and died 25 May 1982 in Cook County, IL, age 86. She married William C. LE MAIRE on 19 Jun 1920 in Berrien County, MI. William was born 16 May 1889 in Bay City, Bay County, MI, and died 18 Jan 1962 in Chicago, Cook, IL, age 72.

They had 1 son and 2 daughters, and lived at 12018 S State Street, Chicago. This is in the Pullman neighborhood on the south side. William was a steel worker. He was laid off by the C&NW railroad in 1937, and in 1942 he worked for the General American Transportation Corporation, in East Chicago, IN.

The daughters were Jean (1925) and Charmaine (1932). Charmaine married and had 4 children, in Oak Lawn, Cook, IL. Jean was a teacher for 50 years in Cedar Rapids, IA, at LaSalle High School and at St Patrick school, where she was known as Sister Charmaine. It is confusing, but it seems that Sister Charmaine had a sister, Charmaine.

1 Isabelle G. ZEHNER (b. 8 May 1896-Lincoln, Berrien, MI d. 25 May 1982-Cook County, IL)
+ William C. Le MAIRE b. 16 May 1889 in Bay City, Bay, MI, m. 19 Jun 1920 in Berrien, MI, d. 18 Jan 1962 in Chicago, Cook, IL
...... 2 Jean "Sister Charmaine" Le MAIRE b. 25 Nov 1925 in Blue Island, Cook, IL, d. 27 Feb 2010 in Dubuque, IA
...... 2 Charmaine Le MAIRE b. 5 Aug 1932 in Cook County, IL, possibly still living
....... + Anthony ERRICO b. 10 Dec 1933 in Italy, m: 26 Jun 1956 in Cook, IL, d. 24 Dec 2020

vii. Joseph ZEHNER Jr was born Aug 1897 in MI, and died 9 Nov 1900 in Lincoln, Berrien, MI , at age 3. The cause of death was acute tonsillitis. The family tried again with a Joseph Jr, who also died in childhood (below).

ix. Alexander Donald "Alex" ZEHNER was born 7 Apr 1899 in Stevensville, Berrien, MI, and died 18 May 1990 in Benton Harbor, Berrien, MI, age 91. He does not seem to have married or had children. He traveled from NYC to San Juan, Puerto Rico, arriving 26 Aug 1927 on the ship Porto Rico. Almost a year later, he returned from San Juan to NYC, arriving on 18 Jun 1928 on the ship San Juan. In the 1940 US Census Alex and his sister Bernice were still living with their parents on Washington Ave in Stevensville. In WWII Alex enlisted as a Warrant Officer in the US Army on 26 Sep 1942, at age 43. He was a laborer on fruit farms, and had 4 years of college.

x. Roman D. ZEHNER was born 18 Jul 1900 in Lincoln, Berrien, MI, and died 21 Sep 1940 in St Joseph, Berrien, MI. He married Margaret JARVIS on 14 Jul 1931 in St Joseph, Berrien, MI.

Roman ZEHNER was born just 6 weeks after the 1900 Census (above) was taken. He died on 21 Sep 1940, at age 40, after eating poisonous mushrooms. We know from his obituary, above, that he married Margaret, and had 4 children. The obituary also tells us of 4 brothers, but only names 3: Alex, living at Washington Avenue, St. Joseph, Berrien, MI; Charles, at Mishawaka, St Joseph, IN; Isadore, at Watervliet, Berrien, MI. The obituary also mentions 4 sisters: Mrs. Anna GEPHARDT, Chicago; Mrs. Lillian HANSEL, Chicago; Mrs. Isabel LAMARIE, Chicago; and Miss Lillian ZEHNER, Washington Ave, St Joseph, presumably with her parents. There must be some mistake, unless Roman had 2 sisters named Lillian, one married and one single. Roman was a school teacher in St Joseph, and then worked as a mail carrier in St Joseph.

.........3 Margaret Ann ZEHNER
.........3 Mary Sedith ZEHNER
.........3 Gerald Roman ZEHNER
.........3 Roman Irvin ZEHNER

xi. Isidor ZEHNER was born 20 Mar 1903 in St Joseph, Berrien, MI and died 23 Jan 1959 in Watervliet, Berrien, MI age 55. He married (1) Loretta HENLE on 3 Jul 1928 in Florence, Codington County, SD. Loretta Anna HENLE was born 26 Sep 1907 in St Paul, Ramsey, MN, child of Joseph B. and Annie HENLE. Loretta died on 5 Nov 1981 in Ramsey County, MN, age 74.

Isidor and Loretta were divorced by 4 Apr 1930, as the 1930 US Census, recorded on that date, has Loretta listed as divorced, living with her mother and sister, at 14 Fifth Street Northeast, Watertown, Codington, SD. Also in the household was Andrew J. ZEHNER, age 11 months. Loretta used her maiden name, Loretta HENLE.

The 1930 US Census has Isidor living with his sister Isabel, and her family, in Chicago. He worked as a Cementer, listed as Single. Isabel's husband, William LEMAIRE, was a Steelworker, who owned the home, valued at $6,500, at 12018 State Street.

Before 1940, Loretta remarried, to Alfred L. NESS, a worker in the Forestry department of WPA. The 1940 US Census has Alfred, Loretta and Andrew at 1602 Clinton Ave, Minneapolis. They had an apartment for $18/month.

Andrew John ZEHNER, only child of Isidor, was born 13 Apr 1929 in Watertown, Codington, SD. He enlisted in the US Air Force on 24 Jun 1950, and became a Corporal. He died on active duty on 3 Jul 1951, at age 22, and is buried at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery, in Minneapolis. I don't believe he ever married or had children.

Loretta had a second child, after the divorce. Joseph Raymond HENLE was born 13 Oct 1931 in Minneapolis, Hennepin, MN. Loretta must have gone back to MN to have the baby. She returned to Watertown, SD to nurse her sick mother. Loretta gave Joseph up for adoption, in Dec 1931, to Ed and Nellie NYDAM, of Darlington, Charles Mix County, SD. Joseph's name became William Bruce NYDAM. He died in 1988 and is buried in Mission Garden of Memories Cemetery, Clovis, Curry County, NM. The adoption papers reveal that he was the son of Willis PLONT, who was 3 years older than Loretta, with a wife and 4 children. Willis PLONT worked at the Anderson Grocery Store in Watertown. So Joseph (William) was not a son of Isidor ZEHNER. The adoption papers also contain the claim that Loretta was abandoned by Isidor, hence the divorce, which was rare for Catholics!

Isidor married (2) Altha M. CLEMENTS, born 5 Jan 1898 in IL, died 25 Jul 1965 in Watervliet, Berrien, MI, age 67, after being stuck by a car. The 1940 US Census has them living on Bridgeford Rd, Bainbridge, Berrien, MI. Both were age 36, which contradicts Altha's gravestone, which says she was born in 1898. Altha had a 7th grade education, but Isidor had completed 4 years of college. Isidor was employed as a Moulder at a Form Factory. They must have been married by 1935, since they had lived in the same house at that time. I don't think they had any children together, although Isidor's obituary does mention a surviving stepson, Charles L. SMITH. Isidor and Altha are buried at Saint Josephs Catholic Cemetery, Watervliet, Berrien County, MI.

xii. Joseph ZEHNER Jr was born 9 Nov 1906 in Berrien County, MI, and died 22 Feb 1914 in Lincoln, Berrien, MI, age 7. This was at least the second try for a Joseph Jr.

2. John GAPINSKI was born 1 Jan 1867 in Wąwelna. See the John GAPINSKI page.

This is the second marriage of Louisa HAUSLEIN. Another version has Agnes and Maria in place of Agenes and Marla. It is not clear whether John's parents ever came to America, but we know that John immigrated in 1892, at the age of 22, and Louisa was born in Illinois.

3. Genowefa "Genevieve" "Jeannie" GAPINSKI was born between 1875 and 1880, in Poland/Germany. She immigrated in 1893-5. She married (1) Wladyslan WARONIECZANK/WARYNAZAK/WARENCZAK, on 22 Nov 1897 in Chicago. He was one year older, born about 1874.

Genevieve and Wladyslan had a daughter, E. WARENCZAK, born 22 Jun 1898 in Chicago. It appears that she was adopted by Genevieve's second husband, and called Freda or Freda WOLSKI.

About 1905 Genevieve married (2) Teofil "Philip" WOLSKI, who had also immigrated in 1892. Philip was born on 24 Jun 1881 in Poland. Both Jeannie and Philip were still living in 1950, but I have no record of them after that.

name sex race age birth
Lukas Wolski Male Polish 60 1832
Barbora Wolski Female Polish 65 1827
Max Wolski Male Polish 23 1869
Michaline Wolski Female Polish 11 1881
Exvera Wolski Female Polish 10 1882
Thofila Wolski Female Polish 8 1884
Stanislav Wolski Male Polish 4 1888

The ship's manifest, above, seems to have a few mistakes. I think that Thofila, 8-year-old female, is Teofil, 10-year-old male. Also, Barbora was closer to 49 than 65. If she was born in 1827, the children can't have been hers.

The WOLSKI family arrived in Baltimore on 20 Apr 1892. Their last residence was Bukovetz, and their destination was IL. Bukovetz is probably Bukowiec, Poland, which is less than 40 km from Wąwelno, ancestral home of the GAPINSKIs.

Lucas WOLSKI, Teofil's father, became a US Citizen on 20 Oct 1898. The family lived at 38 Lubeck St, Chicago.

In 1900 Philip (Teofil) was living with his parents, at 38 Lubeck St, Chicago. His parents, Lucas and Barbara, had been married 39 years, so they were 34 and 18 when they married. Barbara had 11 children, with 10 still living. Barbara was the only one present who was illiterate and unable to speak English.

I have not found Lubeck Street in Chicago. The 1902 Chicago City Directory has a Lucas WOLSKI, car repr (which probably means he worked for a railroad), living in the rear of 1024 Girard. There was also an Antone WOLSKI, cabinetmkr, at 946 Girard, less than a block away.

I have not found Genowefa in the 1900 US Census, or in any records before 1910. She was between 13 and 19 when she came to America, so she and Freda were probably with family members until her marriage, about 1905.

The 1910 US Census has the family at 1725 Winchester Ave, Chicago. They shared that address with the James NOVAK family of 8. James was the home owner, and the WALSKI/WOLSKI family rented. Philipp and Jeannie had been married 5 years, the first marriage for Philipp, and the second for Jeannie. So they were married about 1905. Maybe Frida was Jeannie's daughter from her first marriage, adopted by Philipp. They also had a boarder, who spoke only Polish. Jeannie had had 2 children, both still living, clearly the 2 listed. Philipp and Jeannie and their parents were all born in "Ger-Polish" which must mean the part of Poland controlled by Germany. Philipp was a shipping clerk at a department store. Philipp immigrated in 1890, which contradicts the 1920 Census, but agrees with the 1930 Census.

The record below seems to indicate that Philip and Genevieve were remarried in 1924. Between 1910 and 1918, they moved to 2204 N. Talman, only about a mile from 3002 N. California Ave, where John GAPINSKI and family lived in 1930.

Now Agnes ZAPCZINSKI is surely the same as Agnes ZABCINSKI from the death record of Mary (GAPINSKI) ZEHNER, and probably the same as Agnes ZALAZINSKI in the first record. In this case, John and Mary have another sibling, Genevieve, born about 1876, in Germany. Apparently Genevieve first married a WARONIECZANK, and then at age 48, married Philip WOLSKI. They lived in Chicago (I suppose this refers to their residence after the marriage, not that they both lived in Chicago before the marriage), but were married in Michigan.

She was Genevieve WARONIECZANK when she married in 1924, but she was already Genevieve WOLSKI in 1920. Maybe she was not actually married to Philip in 1920.

They lived at 2204 Talman Ave, in a dwelling shared with another couple, John and Minnie KREJIE, and a boarder, Felisa NEFF. Philip was the homeowner, with a mortgage, and John was a renter. Philip and Genevieve had both immigrated in 1895, and were both naturalized citizens, Philip in 1900. They and their parents were born in Germany, and their native tongue was Polish.

In 1930, Phillip WOLSKI still owns his home at 2204 Talman, and rents to two other families. The home is valued at $2000, and both renters pay $32 per month, although one couple is childless, and the other has 5 children.

They are now in Ward 38 instead of 28. This census says that Genevieve was born in Poland, not Germany, and that both of Phillip's and Genevieve's parents were born in Poland. Their native language is now German, and their immigration dates have changed. Phillip is still a shipping clerk at a department store, but his wife and 25-year-old son have no occupation or employment.

The 1940 US Census has 3 families at 2204 Talman Ave. The next census page clarifies that it is N. Talman. Philip WALSKI/WOLSKI is the owner of the property, valued at $1,000, and he rents to the BLUM and GACY families, each for $18 per month. Philip had earned wages of $1,250 the previous year. Genevieve had not earned anything, and Henry had no wages, but had other income, and was fully employed. Henry is a college graduate, working in Real Estate & Insurance. I'm not sure what the "Booked" industry is. The last 2 letters are unclear.

Summary: Genevieve GAPINSKI was born about 1877, probably in Wąwelna, Poland. She immigrated as a teenager, around 1894. She married WARONIECZANK, possibly in Poland. In 1920 she was living with Philip WOLSKI and his 2 children, in Chicago. On 28 Aug 1924 she married Philip WOLSKI in South Haven, Van Buren, MI. This is just 25 miles northeast of St Joseph, where Mary (GAPINSKI) ZEHNER and her family lived. It was the 1st marriage for Philip, the 2nd for Genevieve. In 1930 they were still in Chicago.

Philip WOLSKI was a shipping clerk at The Fair Store, Chicago, in 1918 and 1942, and probably all the years in between. He worked at the flagship store, which was was the largest store in the world, when it was built in 1891. This enormous building occupied the block bounded by State Street on the east, Adams on the south, Dearborn on the west, and Marble Place on the north.

1n 1950, Philip and Genevieve were still living at 2204 N. Talman Ave, rear. Philip was still employed as a shipping clerk, at age 68.

Genevieve had 2 children.

i. Freda or Frida WOLSKI was 11 in 1910 and 20 in 1920, so she was born about 1899-1900, in IL, probably Chicago. I believe she was the daughter of Genevieve and her first husband, born 22 Jun 1898, and adopted by Philip. She was a cashier at a department store, probably the same store where her father worked, in 1920. I have not found any other record of her. Since she was born before Philip and Jeannie were married, she may have been Jeannie's child from her first marriage, and adopted by Philip.

ii. Henry WOLSKI was born 24 May 1905, in Chicago. The record below spells Genowefa's name LAPIENSKA instead of GAPINSKI, but matches pretty well otherwise.

Henry was still single, and living with his parents in Chicago, in 1940. He was in the real estate and insurance business.

There was a "Wolski Realty" that placed hundreds of ads from 1951 to 1977. They were located at 1947/1949/1941 W 35th Street, in the McKinley Park neighborhood, Chicago.

Summary - Descendants of Michael and Agnes

1 Michael GAPINSKI res: Wąwelna, Poland
... + Agnes ZALAZINSKI res: Wąwelna, Poland

......2 Mary GAPINSKI b: 23 Dec 1860 in Germany, d: 17 Apr 1950 in Lincoln, Berrien, MI
...... + Joseph ZEHNER b: 31 Jan 1856 in Poland, d: 31 Jan 1943 in Lincoln, Berrien, MI
.........3 Charles F. ZEHNER b: 1 Sep 1884 in IL, d: 25 Dec 1964 in Elkhart, Elkhart, IN
......... + Clara Belle BOWE b: 3 Apr 1883 in MI, m: 27 Nov 1914 in Berrien, MI, d: 1980 in IN
.........3 Anna C. "Annie" ZEHNER b: Apr 1887 in IL, d: aft. 23 Jan 1959
......... + Robert D. BROWN, b: 1885, m: Aug 1909
......... + GEPHARDT
.........3 Jerome Peter ZEHNER b: 9 Jul 1889 in IL, d: 8 May 1983 in Kokomo, Howard, IN
......... + Elizabeth Mary MINNICK b: 18 Feb 1886 in Bryant, IN, m: 29 May 1914 in IN, d: 12 Dec 1947 in Kokomo, Howard, IN
.........3 Lillian "Lelia" ZEHNER b: abt. 1892 in IL, d: 9 Jul 1946 in Kalamazoo, MI
......... + Walter Clyde HANSELL b: 15 Dec 1880, m: Bet. 23 Sep 1940–01 Feb 1943, d: 4 Mar 1968
.........3 Bernice ZEHNER b: 6 Feb 1893 in MI, d: 17 Oct 1979
.........3 Helen ZEHNER b: Jun 1894 in MI, d: Dec 1914 in MI
.........3 Isabel G. ZEHNER b: 8 May 1896 in Lincoln, Berrien, MI, d: 25 May 1982 in Cook, IL
......... + William C. Le MAIRE b: 16 May 1889 in Bay City, Bay, MI, m: 19 Jun 1920 in Berrien, MI, d: 18 Jan 1962 in Chicago, Cook, IL
.........3 Joseph ZEHNER b: Aug 1897 in MI, d: 19 Nov 1900 in Lincoln, Berrien, MI, age 3
.........3 Alexander D. ZEHNER b: 7 Apr 1899 in Stevensville, Berrien, MI, d: 18 May 1990 in Benton Harbor, Berrien, MI
.........3 Roman D. ZEHNER b: 18 Jul 1900 in Lincoln, Berrien, MI, d: 21 Sep 1940 in St Joseph, Berrien, MI
......... + Margaret JARVIS m: 14 Jul 1931 in St Joseph, Berrien, MI
.........3 Isidor ZEHNER b: 20 Mar 1903 in St Joseph, Berrien, MI, d: 23 Jan 1959 in Watervliet, Berrien, MI
......... + Loretta Anna HENLE b. 26 Sep 1907 in St Paul, Ramsey, MN, m. 3 Jul 1928, d. 5 Nov 1981 in Ramsey, MN
......... + Altha M. CLEMENTS b. 5 Jan 1898 in Urbana, Champaign, IL, m. 1935, d. 25 Jul 1965 in Watervliet, Berrien, MI
.........3 Joseph ZEHNER Jr b: 9 Nov 1906 in Berrien, MI, d: 22 Feb 1914 in Lincoln, Berrien, MI, age 7

......2 John GAPINSKI b: 01 Jan 1867 in Wąwelna, Poland, d: aft. 1948
...... + Louisa HAUSLEIN b: 11 Nov 1882 in South Elgin, Kane, IL, m: 15 Jun 1901 in Kane, IL, d: 5 Dec 1933 in Cook, IL
.........3 Frank Karl John GAPINSKI b: 03 Jun 1901 in Hampshire, Kane, IL, d: 9 Aug 1986 in San Diego, CA
......... + Emma MOHRMANN b: 1904 in IL, m: abt. 1926
.........3 Fred Albert GAPINSKI b: 01 Jan 1903 in Hampshire, Kane, IL, d: 30 May 1988 in Chicago, Cook, IL
......... + Dora M. EATON b: 05 Feb 1905 in IL, m: 1926, d: Jul 1970 in Cook, IL
......... + Catherine HISLOP m: 09 Jan 1954 in Cook, IL
.........3 Martha GAPINSKI b: 08 Dec 1904 in Hampshire, Kane, IL, d: 14 Sep 1927 in Chicago, Cook, IL
......... + Henry LOEFFLER b: 21 Aug 1927 in Chicago, Cook, IL, d: 29 Oct 1906 in DuPage, IL
.........3 August Thomas GAPINSKI b: 20 Jul 1908 in Burlington, Kane, IL, d: 23 Sep 1984 in Rockford, Winnebago, IL
......... + Mabel Dorothy LOFTHOUSE b: 1 May 1912 in Chicago, Cook, IL, m: 3 Sep 1931 in Cook, IL, d: 30 Apr 1991 in Rockford, Winnebago, IL
.........3 Walter George GAPINSKI b: 10 Jun 1911 in Hampshire, Kane, IL, d: 27 Jul 1967
......... + Laura DIETERLEN b: 23 Dec 1914 in IN, m: 24 Aug 1944 in Kirkland, DeKalb, IL, d: 28 Feb 1955 in Jeffersonville, Clark, IN
.........3 Juliana "Jules" GAPINSKI b: 20 Jun 1913 in Hampshire, Kane, IL, d: 22 Mar 1993 in Santa Clara, CA
......... + QUINN
.........3 John Adolph GAPINSKI 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
.........3 Edward Earnest GAPINSKI b: 05 May 1918 in Plato Center, Kane, IL, d: aft. 23 Sep 1984
.........3 Helen GAPINSKI b: 10 May 1920 in Plato Center, Kane, IL, d: 6 May 1988 in Cook, IL
......... + John Russell BRAMWELL b: 12 Jan 1916 in England, m: 21 Feb 1942 in Cook, IL, d: 24 Aug 1982 in Cook, IL

......2 Genowefa "Genevieve" GAPINSKI b: Bet. 1876–1880 in Germany, d: aft. Apr 1950
...... + WARONIECZANK
...... + Teofil "Philip" WOLSKI b: 24 Jun 1881 in Germany, m: 1905, and 28 Aug 1924 in South Haven, Van Buren, MI, d: aft. Apr 1950
.........3 Freda WOLSKI b: 1900 in IL, d: aft. 1920
.........3 Henry WOLSKI b: 24 May 1905 in IL, d: aft. 1940

Updated 8 May 2022 by William Haloupek. Contact haloupek at gmail dot com.