The Piechorowski Family, the Descendents of Joseph
The Joseph Piechorowski and
Josephine Trzebiatowska Family
Joseph Piechorowski was born September
15, 1844, the first son of Andrew and Michaela Selerzynska
Piechorowski in Brzyskorzystew, Prussian
The survivors were Wladyslaw / William,
Sophia, Rozalia, Peter and Frank V.
Joseph will pass of consumption in 1893
and Josephine will follow in 1914 of heart disease. Both are
buried at
The Peter Piechorowski
and Helen Leszcz Family
Peter is born March 23, 1887 the
eighth child of Joseph and Josephine (Trzebiatowska) Piechorowski
in Terre Coupee, Indiana. He will marry Helen Leszcz September
24, 1912 at St Stanislaus B & M Church, in South Bend. The
marriage will bear thirthteen children of which six of which
survive to adulthood.
Peter was a member of the South
Bend Five Department, he served as Hydrant Man at station
8. His Son and namesake Peter Jr. will die a USMC War Hero during
the invasion of Iwo Jima in 1945. Peter will pass in 1974 and
Helen will follow in 1977. They both rest at Cedar Grove, Notre
Dame, Indiana
Added 09/09/2008
![]() |
![]() |
| Paramarines on liberty in San Diego1943. LR Johnnie Erotas, Joe Pagac, Ernie Barzyecki, Pete Piechorowski and Harlon Block. After the 1st Parachute Regiment was deactivated in 1944, most of these Marines were assigned to the 5th MarDiv at Camp Pendleton. Joe, Ernie and Pete went to the 26th Marines, and Harlon to the 28th. Joe and Ernie were wounded in action on Iwo. Pete and Harlon were killed there. As one of the Iwo Jima flag raisers, Harlon was immortalized in the Marine Corps War Memorial. With the permission of webmaster Mark Flowers http://www.ww2gyrene.org/index.htm | Peter Piechorowski and buddy Johnny Erotas in hand to hand combat training at Marine Paratroop training School, San Diego, Ca. 1943. In the picture to the (left) Peter gets the drop on Johnny. In the picture to the (right) Johnny returns the favor. Johnny is alive & well living in Arizona with his lovely bride June. He spends his time singing in a male chorus that visits homes for the elderly. Johnny is a spunky 88 and picking up speed. |
| Johnny and Pete were very proud of their tans in the summer of 1943 and billed themselves as the two darkest guys in camp. From ( L to R ) Jack, Johnny Pete & Ray |
| Photo Coming Soon |
| Added 01/08/2006 |
The Frank & Sophia (Piechorowska) Giersz / Gish Family
Frank Giersz / Gish was born March 19, 1871 in Baltimore MD to Jacob Helen (Helinska) Geirsz recently emigrated from Prussian, Poland. The family moved from Pennsylvania settled in Terre Coupe, IN. They were farmers by vocation. On June 10, 1895 he will marry the former Sophia Piechorowski the daughter of Joseph and Josephine Trzebiatowska in St Stanislaus Kostka Church in Terre Coupe. They will reside at 220 North Studebaker St. and Frank will labor in the local factories. Three children will be born to this union Josepg, Clara and Valeria Lottie. Frank will pass July 17, 1941 and Sophia will make her home with her daughter Lottie Burkowski at 759 Olive where she will succumb to an 11 month illness in 1949. They both rest together in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Wladyslaw /
William Piechorowski and Stanislawa Hosinski Family
Wladyslaw was born June 27, 1873 in Sobiejuchy, Prussian, Poland the first son of Joseph and Josephine (Trzebiatowska) Piechorowski. He will marry Stanislawa Hosinski on November 25, 1903 at St Stanislaus B & M Church in South Bend, Indiana. She is the daughter of Antoni and Rozalia Kowalska Hosinski and the first of two Hosinska sisters to marry Piechorowski brothers. William is employed as a cabinet maker at Singer Machine works and Stanislawa (true to her most industrious family) is very active in church, family and civic affairs. The marriage will bear eight children seven of which will survive to adulthood. Stanislawa will pass in 1935 and William will follow in 1941. They both rest at Cedar GroveCemetery.
Daughter's of William & Stella about 1926
Photo Caption This photo was taken when my mother (Dorothy) was about 7 yrs old. That would make it about 1926. As you can see Stella and William were blessed with daughters. In the front row seated are Margie, Clem, standing Dorothy, seated Marian, Annie. Back row William, Helene, and Stella.
Source: Jean Marie Hambidge Malone
Family of William and Stanislawa Hosinski Piech
Daughter's of William & Stella about 1989
| Left to Right: Clem Piechorowski
Williams (deceased); Dorothy Piechorowski Hambidge; Anne
Piechorowski McMinn Source: Helen Marie Goraczewski Berich - Added 09/24/2006 |
Daughter's of William & Stella about 1937
Marion Piechorowski Goraczewski (deceased) Source: Helen Marie Goraczewski Berich - Added 09/24/2006 |
Added 02/19/2006
The Thadeus C. & Marion (Piechorowska) Goraczewski Family
Thadeus C Goraczewski was born April 04, 1907 in South Bend, Ind. The son of Adam and Josephine Goraczewski of this city. He was educated at St. Adalbert parochial school, attended Polish National Alliance college, in Cambridge Springs, Pa. He received his BS dregree from the University of Notre Dame in 1931 and was graduated from the Marquette University school of Medicine in 1936. He opened his practice in South Bend in after serving his internship at St. Josephs Hospital in this city.
On August 19, 1939 he will marry the former Marion Piechorowska the daughter of William and Stanislawa (Hosinska) Piechorowski at St Stanislaus Church. Two children will be born to this union Mary Jo and Helen Marie .
Dr. Goraczewski was county physician in 1939-1940. In 1940 he was elected county coroner on the democratic ticket and served until 1946. He was elected again in 1948 and 1950. He was also the chief examiner for the draft board from 1942-1946.
He will pass of a sudden heart attack on August 24, 1951 in the prime of his life. Marion will follow him in 1969. They rest in the St. Joseph Polish Catholic Cemetery.
Wedding Day 8-19-1939 Marion Piechorowski Source: Helen Marie Goraczewski Berich - Added 09/24/2006 |
Wedding Day 8-19-1939 Thaddeus Goraczewski Source: Helen Marie Goraczewski Berich - Added 09/24/2006 |
The Ronald & Helen Marie (Goraczewski) Berich Helen Marie was born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Thaddeus and Marion (Piechorowski) Goraczewski . On April 14 1969 as Helen Marie Goraczewski she marries Ronald Berich at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in South Bend, Indiana. Two children will be born to this union Nick ( resides Pasadena, California) and Michael (resides in Salt Lake City Utah). Ron & Helen Marie currently live in Plano, Texas
The Leon S. & Majorie (Piechorowska) Przestwor Family
Spouse 2: Hidegarde Smogor (1963)
Leon S. was born March 31, 1918 the son of Joseph & Stanislava (Kendziora) Przestwor of this city. On May 30, 1946 he marries the former Sophia M. (Marjorie) Piechorowska the daughter of William and Stanislawa (Hosinski) Piechorowski of this city, in St. Hedwige Church. The couple will reside at 1305 Leeper Ave; no children are born to this union although a foster son Dennis is mentioned in Marjorie's obituary (I do not know the relationship). Leon will spend his career at Studebaker's and Bendix. Marjorie will pass in 1960 after an illness of five months. She rests in St. Joseph's Cemetery. In 1963, Leon will marry the former Hidegarde Smogor in St Hedwige Church. No children will issue from this union. Leon will pass in 1995 and rests in St. Joseph's Cemetery.
The Craig and Dorothy Piechorowska Hambidge Family
Craig Ellis Hambidge was born in Feb. 5 1916 in Benton County, Indiana the son of Charles Raymond Hambidge (June 29,1887-Sept.9,1950) and Nellie May Dunwoody(Dec.8,1883-Oct 15,1962).
Craig grew up farming with his family outside Montmorenci, Indiana. After graduating from Purdue in 1938, he went on to work for Oliver Plow in South Bend and then moved to the Bendix Corporation. My parents met at Bendix where my mother was a nurse. The family story... my father saw my mother come into the plant one day and was sure after that he had "something in his eye". So my mother dutifully examined his eyes. The rest is history.
On June 27, 1942 he married the former Dorothea Margaritta Piechorowska the daughter of Wladyslaw (William) and Stanislawa (Hosinski) Piechorowski in St. Hedwig Catholic Church. Six children were born to this union; William Raymond (January 19, 1944), Mary Helen (June 6,1945), James Craig (November 17, !950), Timothy Joseph, Jane Ann (September 12, 1952 to December 6, 1952), Richard John (January 18, 1957) and Richard John (January 31, 1959). They live happily in retirement in South Bend. Compliments of: Jean Marie Hambidge Malone (10/18/2006)
Added 01/08/2006
The Charles A. & Margaritta C. (Piechorowska) Williams Family
Charles Williams was born August 13, 1905 to Mr. and Mrs Charles R. Williams in Ruby, MT. As a young man he will come to this city from Pineville, OR.and attend the University of Notre Dame where he will obtain a degree in Chemistry in 1928. On July 23,1928 he will marry the former Margaritta Clementine Piechorowski the daughter of William and Stanislawa (Hosinski) at St. Stanislaus B & M Church in this city.They will reside at 921 Lawndale Ave. and he will pursue a career (for 25 years) as a research chemist at Uniroyal Corporation in Mishawaka. Five Children will be born to this union; Robert J., John M., Carol, Susan and Rosemary. Charles will pass August 06, 1973 a man involved in his community and church and Mary will follow March 08, 1990. They rest at Riverview Mausoleum in this city.
The Clarence E. McMinn and Anne Piechorowska Family
Clarence E. McMinn was born August 17, 1918 the son of Mr. & Mrs Robert McMinn of Peru Ind. on December 25, 1942 he will marry the former Anne Picchorowska the daughter of William and Stanislawa (Hosinski) Piechorowski of this city. Clarence will serve in WW II and return to a 25 year career as a shoe salesmen at Robertson Department Store in South Bend. He is active in his church and community. Four children will be born to this union; Barbara, Margaret, Paul and Robert. He will pass June 27, 1990 and Anne and the children survive.
Below is an account of their
beautiful Christmas Day Wedding St.
Hedwig Roman Catholic Church
December 25, 1942 The Rev. George
Szymanowski officiated Christmas Day at the marriage of Miss Ann
Piechorowski, sister of Mrs TC Gorazewski 1016 West Washington
and Private First Class Edward C Mc Minn of Fort Blanding, Fla.;
son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert McMinn of Peru, Ind. The ceremony too
place at 3:00 p.m. in St Hedwig Roman Catholic Church before an
altar banked with poinsetta, palms and Cathedral candlelabra.
Prof. C F Luzny played the nuptial music in the presense of 200
guests. The bride who was given in
marriage by Dr. T C Gorazewski wore a gown of ivory satin made
along princess lines with a full court train. Her veil was
of illusion and fell finger tip length from a coronet of orange
blossoms. She carried a bouquet of white roses, sweat peas, and
orchids. Mrs. Craig Hambidge the matron of honor chose a gown of
aqua brocaded taffeta, made with a fitted bodice and full
skirt.Her flowers were yellow and brronze chrysanthemums with
matching flowers in her hair. Craig E Hambidge was the best man
and the ushers were John Hosinski and Matt Sieracki. A reception
followed in Dr. and Mrs. Gorazewski's home. A wedding cake
centered the table, circled with white bells and small white
flowers and tapers. The couple left for a wedding trip to
Chicago, after which private McMinn will return to camp.
The out of town guests were Mr. and Mrs. Robert McMinn
and Miss Clara Jane McMinn of Peru, Ind; Mrs L C Glisinger of
Marion, Ind; the Misses Tes Marie Gorka and Angela Hosinski of
Washington DC and Miss Clara Karpinski of Detroit MI.
| Photo Coming soon |
| Added 01/08/2006 |
Helen Marie Piechorowski
Helen Marie Piechorowski was born March 04, 1912, the daughter of William and Stanislawa (Hosinski) Piechorowski of this city. After the death of both her parents she made her home in the residence of Dr. and Mrs. T. C. Goraczewski, her sister. Helen will pass December 11, 1949 of a lifelong illness. She rests in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
| Changed 01/07/2006 | Changed 01/05/2006 | 4th
Annual Police and Firemans Field Day Playland Park in 1928 (Added 10/25/2006) |
Frank V. Piechorowski and Laura Hosinski Family 1890 to 1935 Frank V. Piechorowski was born in 1890 the youngest child of Joseph and Josepha Trzebiatowska Piechorowska. His father will pass of consumption less than 60 days after his birth. In June of 1916 he marries Laura Hosinski the daughter of Antoni and Rozalia Hosinski at St. Stanislaus Church. The family resides at 1807 W Washington and following an early profession at Singers, Frank will join the South Bend Police Department in 1921. The marriage will produce five children who survive. In December of 1928 following the November, Notre Dame / Carnegie Tech football game he will pass of complications of cold. His wife Laura will pass in 1935 and the Piechorowski children will be adopted by her sister Helen Hosinski Meers (See Hosinski page for details) who will change their name to Meers ending the male line of Joseph and Josepha Piechorowski, brother of Jan, son of Andrew. Below is listed known information and or pictures as available of the Piechorowski / Meers children.
Added 11/28/2005
The Frank S Hosinski and Rose Piechorowska Family
Frank S. Hosinski is a native son of the city, his birthday being August 14, 1880. His parents, John and Mary Hosinski, were natives of Poland, but in 1879 left their native land for America,and made their way direct to South Bend. In their family were seven children, four sons and three daughters.
In 1901 he was married to Rosalia Piechorowski, the daughter of the late Joseph Piechorowski and Josephina Trzebiatowska of Sobiejuchy, Poland. They have three children, two daughters and a son Clem, who is now deceased, the daughters are Gertrude and Bertha. Mr. Hosinski is a member of the St. Stanislaus Polish society and Treasurer of the St. Joseph County Polish Society. He commands the respect of his fellow men by his sterling worth and South Bend is proud to number him among its native sons.
Here is the first of Frank & Laua's children Josephine Here is her obituary....... July 9, 1917 -- Oct. 19, 2004 Josephine Marie Meers, 87, was born on July 9, 1917, in South Bend, Ind., and died on Oct. 19, 2004, in San Francisco, Calif. Josephine graduated from Central High School in South Bend and received a B.A. degree in 1956 from Indiana University. She earned a master's degree in psychology in 1961 from George Washington University, and was elected to the Honorary Psychology Society, Psi Chi. Her father, Frank Piechorowski, a police officer, died when Josephine was 11 years old. Her mother, Laura Hosinki Piechorowski, died when Josephine was 16, leaving Josephine and three brothers with Aunt Helen, who became their legal guardian. Josephine enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and completed boot camp at Paris Island. She began active service in May 1945, and was stationed in Guam where she worked in personnel. She was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant and served in the USMC Reserve to June 1953. Josephine worked for the Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., and relocated to San Francisco in 1970. She retired from the Manpower Administration as Supervisory State Personnel Management Advisor in 1974. Her professional career was exemplary, resulting in recognition and honors from her department. Josephine was a devoted worldwide traveler, curious and respectful of the cultures she visited, and she encouraged everyone to see the world. To know Josephine was to know her love of the arts and her support of many organizations: the Sierra Club, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the San Francisco Opera, Symphony, Ballet and Public Library. Her interest in many theatre groups and her countless classes at the University of San Francisco made her a remarkable woman of any time. Her love of her church was the touchstone of her life. She was a parishioner of St. Brigid's and a loyal supporter of St. Mary's Cathedral. Josephine's independent spirit was an inspiring quality, and her compassion, generosity and positive attitude touched everyone fortunate enough to share her life. Her parents, Frank and Laura Piechorowski, guardian, Aunt Helen Meers, her cherished brothers, Frank, Henry and James Meers, and her beloved as a sister, Helen Marie Meers Timm, preceded her in death. Her love and respect for her late aunt, Helen Meers, is well-known to family and friends. Josephine was a caring sister-in-law to Nancy Meers, South Bend, Ind., Esther Meers, Anaheim, Calif., and Mary Alice Meers, Dearborn, Mich. She was a treasured aunt to her nieces and nephews and their family as well: Jean B. Grattan of Tampa, Fla., Susanne Kisner of Albuquerque, N.M.; James Meers of Dearborn, Mich., Frederick Meers of St. Clair Shores, Mich., Michael Meers of Granite Bay, Calif., Bill Meers of Fountain Valley, Calif., Laura Meers of South Bend, Ind., Kathy Kent of Folsom, Calif., Timothy Meers of Niles, Mich., and Lisa Augello of Naperville, Ill. The family of Helen Marie and Jerome Timm was always close to her heart: Anne Rimkus of Chantilly, Va., Christopher Timm of Galena, Ohio, Edward Timm of Grover, Mo., Carol Tormey of Chicago, Ill., and Mary Haynes of Columbus, Mont. A continuing joy in her life was the companionship of her cousins, the Hosinki, Ball, McMinn and Hambidge families. A memorial Mass for Josephine will be held on Saturday, Nov. 6, at The Sequoias, 1400 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, at 4 p.m. A reception will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to St. Mary's Cathedral, 111 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94105; or to the San Francisco Ballet, 455 Franklin St., San Francisco, CA 94102.
Here is the next Child of Frank V Piechorowski
Frank Meers, 49 of 1408 Francis Dr., Anahiem, Ca A. and a resident of South Bend for 33 years died at 3:25 today at St Judes Hospital Fullerton after an illness of three months. He was an engineer for the Northrup Aviation Corp. in Anahiem and served in the Pacific during WW2 with former SouthBend Mayor John. A Scott, who described him as "The Bravest Man I have ever Known" He was born on January 29, 1922, in South Bend, Indiana the son of Frank V Piechorowski and Laura "Hosinski" Piechorowski. On September 17, 1945 he married Esther Pajakowski, who survives. Also surving are his step mother, Mrs Helen Meers, of Michigan City, Indiana: two sons Michael and William at home, two brothers James of Detroit, and Henry of South Bend; two sisters, Josephine of San Francisco and Mrs. Helen Marie Timm of Michigan City and an Uncle Peter of South Bend. Services will be conducted at St. Boniface Church in Anahiem. Mr. Meers was a lieutenant colonel in the US Marine Corp Reserves.
![]() |
Added
12/21/2005 |
Added
12/21/2005 |
| His Obituary | Source: The Singer Cabinetmaker, April 1952 | Source: Singer Cabinetmaker, May 1951 |
(Added 03/22/2008)
Meers, Esther Pajakowski
Mrs. Frank J. Meers (Piechorowski)
Nov. 8, 1920 - March 17, 2008
SOUTH BEND - Our beloved mother, Esther Pajakowski Meers, quietly passed into eternity in the early hours of March 17, 2008. Esther Josephine Pajakowski was born at home in South Bend, Indiana, on November 8, 1920. She was the youngest of eight children born to Ignatius and Mary Pajakowski. Her beloved siblings, brothers, Aloysius "Ollie", Casimer "Casey" and Eugene; and sisters, Elnore, Clementine "Clemy", and Helen "Henia" predeceased her. She is survived by dear sister, Alice Pajakowski. She attended grade school at St. Adelbert's and graduated from high school at South Bend Catholic. Upon receiving Confirmation at St. Adelbert's, Esther adopted the middle name "Rose" which she used throughout her life. After high school, she entered nurse's training at St. Joseph's Hospital, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1942. As she told her children, she met her husband, Frank Joseph Meers (Piechorowski) while she and other nurses were relaxing at a bowling alley. Frank was a student attending Notre Dame University. They were married on September 13, 1945, after Frank, who was serving in the Marine Corps, returned from his first tour of duty in the South Pacific. To know Esther was to know the large, extended family in South Bend. holidays, Notre Dame football games, Polish cooking and celebrations, church activities and Democratic politics bonded this close family. Esther worked during these years at St. Joseph's Hospital. She and Frank welcomed sons Michael and William to the family. In 1955, the family of four moved to Anaheim, California, where Frank worked for Northrop. The Frances Drive home became the West Coast destination for family and friends. She continued her nursing profession, working at St. Jude's Hospital in Fullerton, California and became the Assistant Director of Nursing. Widowed in 1971, Esther found comfort and purpose continuing her profession. She was an exemplary nurse. Her high standards and dedicated commitment to her patients and her colleagues distinguished her throughout her career. She retired from St. Jude's in November, 1988. It was a timely transition, as her most delightful role as "Busia" (grandmother) was in full bloom. She was never happier than entertaining a full table of guests, first friends and family, then her children's friends and then her grandchildren's friends. She remained in her home for 53 years, enjoying her yard, her cooking, and her devotions at St. Boniface, the California weather and her family and friends. Esther will be profoundly missed by her devoted sons, Mike and wife Pat, of Granite Bay, and Bill and wife Jeanette of Fountain Valley; cherished grandchildren, Lauren of San Luis Obispo, Bryan of Huntington Beach, Kelley of Huntington Beach and Carolyn of Santa Barbara. Esther was blessed with affection from many cousins, nieces and nephews in California and the South Bend area as well as their children. Her family would like to thank her caregivers, Marcella Atherton and Jasmine Ishimine who gave Esther loving companionship and comfort. A memorial service is planned for Tuesday, March 25, beginning at 10:00 at Hilgenfeld Mortuary, 120 E. Broadway, Anaheim, CA (the corner of Broadway andAnaheim Blvd.) Interment following at Holy Sepulcher.
The third child of Frank V Piechorowski Henry Piechorowski Meers 1925 to 1967, Obituary (No Picture Available at this Time)
The Henry Piechorowski Meers & Nancy Nyikos Family
Henry is the third son of Frank V. Piechorowski and Laura Hosinski born August 25, 1925 in South Bend, Indiana. On February 26, 1949 he will marry Nancy Nyikos in Holy Cross Church, South Bend, Indiana. Four children will be born to this union all of whom will survive to adulthood, Laura, Kathy, Lisa and Tim. Henry will spend his career as a chemist and pharmacist in South Bend. He will pass in 1967 and Nancy and the children will survive.
James (Piechorowski) Meers 1918 to 1999
Death Notices 11/01/99
MEERS, JAMES F., Beloved husband of
Mary. Dear father of Jean Grattan, Sue Kisner, Jim, and Fred.
Survived by 6 grandchildren. Brother of Josephine Meers. Instate
Tuesday 9:30 a.m. at St. Albert The Great Catholic Church, 4672
Parker, Dearborn Heights, followed by 10 a.m. Funeral Mass.
Visitation Monday 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. at Querfeld Funeral Home ,
1200 Oakwood, Dearborn. Parish Rosary, Monday 7 p.m. Interment:
St. Hedwig.
Photo's sent by Jim Piechorowski
Return To: Family
Albums
Return To: Saint Joseph County, Indiana INGenWeb Site
Project Started: Thursday, November 30, 2006, 9:03:24 PM
Project Updated: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 04:10:42 PM