The Janowiak Family Photo'

The Valentine Janowiak and (1) Bertha Gregorek, (2) Stella Przbylski Family Valentine Janowiak was born Wagrowiec, Prussian Poland in 1881 the son of Adalbert and Agnetis "Kazmierzak" Janowiak. He came to South Bend about 1900 and in 1904 he marries Bertha Gregorek in St Stanislaus Kostka church. He is a farmer in the Terra Coupe area all of his life. The marriage will give birth to eight children, seven of which will survive to adulthood. The childern are Helen, Valentine, Stella, Eleanor, Mary, Esther, Casimir and Alice. Bertha will pass in 1926 and he will marry Stella Przbylski in 1931. He will pass in January of 1967 and she will follow in April

The Gregory Janowiak & Maryanna Skibinski Family Gregory Janowiak was born in 1859 in Wagrowiec, Prussian Poland. In 1885 he marries Maryanna Skibinski a widow with two sons, Steven and Frank Drzewiecki, the marriage will give birth to eight more children including my Grandmother Constancia. They will come to South Bend in 1891, settle on Pagin street and Gregory will be employed as a Teamster and Iron Molder at Oliver Chilled Plow Works. He will pass in 1931 and she will follow in 1935. In the Picture From Left to Right Sitting: Hattie, Mary Ann Skibinski, Helen, Gregory, Constantia Standing: Frank Drzewiecki, Michael Janowiak, John, Stanley, Leo, Vincent

The Jacob Janowiak and Helen Minchowski Family Jacob Janowiak was born in 1848, in Pietrzkowice, Prussian Poland. He emmigrated in 1882 with his wife Helen Minchowski and three of his eight children; Sister Gretchen, Anthony and Stanislaus. Five more children will be born to this marriage in South Bend. Prior to his death in 1928 he had been employed in the city street department. Helen will precede him passing in 1912. They both rest in Cedar Grove Cemetery at Notre Dame. Picture Left to Right Sitting: Jacob, Helen Minchowski Janowiak, Sister Gretchen Standing, Mary Bertha Hosinski, Anthony, Eleanor, Lillian Wcisel

1 ...Unk
2...Unk
3...Claire Piechorowski Gum
4...Irene Piechorowski Siderits
5...Unk
6...Unk
7...Unk
8...Frank A Piechorowski
9 ...Stanley Janowiak
10..Frank Zygmunt Piasecki
11..Joseph John Piasecki
12..Virginia Piasecki
13..Unk
14..Eleanor Piechorowski Dixon
15..Leo Janowiak
16..Unk
17..Unk
18..Konstantia Janowiak Piechorowski/Piasecki
19..Josephine Piasecki
20..Mary Anna Skibinski Janowiak
21..Blanche Wozny Janowiak
22..Sylvia Jendrzejewski Janowiak
23..Hattie Wozny Janowiak
24..Harriet Piechorowski Kolupa
25..Unk
26..Unk
27..Unk
28..Unk
29..Unk
30..Unk
31..Unk
32..John Janowiak
33..Frank Hechlinski
34..Hattie Janowiak Hechlinski
35..Unk

Michael was the first of eight children born to Gregory and Mary (Skibinski) Janowiak in the Powiat of Wagrowiec, Poland, September 28, 1885. Michael's sister Constantia, was my paternal grandmother. Michael's father Gregory was employed at Oliver Plow and he was described as a Truck Man / Iron Molder in the 1900 census. The family lived on Pagin St. in South Bend and attended St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. On September 22, 1906 at St Stanislaus Church he will marry the former Stella Leszcz, the daughter of John and Mary (Popiolek) Leszcz who emmigrated to the Gaylord, Michigan area (abt. 1886) from Prussian Poland and then to South Bend. Eight children will be born to this union, Bronisla Maria, Bernice Alice, Genevieve Veronica, Edwin Michael, Marie, Albin Joseph, Stanley and Daniel. On March 02, 1945, Albin Joseph will fall in the Philippines protecting his squad from a Japanese ambush, he will be awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star for Valor, may he rest in peace. Michael will pass December 17, 1932 and Stella will follow July 04, 1969. They rest together in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Edwin Michael was born September 27, 1916 the fourth of eight children born to Michael & Stella Leszcz in South Bend, Indiana. He grew up on the corner of Longley and College street, was a member of St Stanislaus B & M Church, he attended South Bend Central High School and was a member of the C.C.C. during the Depression. On September 17, 1949 following service in the Army Air Corp. WW II he married the former Alice Esther Chmielewski the daughter of Joseph & Stella (Kitkowski) Chmielewski. They would reside at 738 N. Johnson and attend St.Stanislaus B & M Catholic Church. Four Children were born to this union, Lucette, Karen, Maryalice and Michael. Edwin was employed at AM General as a service inspector, was a member of VFW Post 8748, Moose Lodge 58 and Local 5 of the UAW. Edwin will pass December 29, 1989 and his wife survives. He rests at St Joseph's Cemetery.


Can you identify the unknowns?	Janowiak Family Reunion 1926-7