More Early Pionke and Related Families in Chicago, Wisconsin, and Michigan

This is the first post in a second series about early Pionke and related families in Chicago, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

This survey of Pionke families will expand on my original post, Early Pionke and Pionek Families in Chicago and Wisconsin. I am now including families who settled in Detroit as well as those who immigrated to Chicago or Wisconsin. In addition, I will look at families with a female Pionke ancestor—families who did not carry the Pionke surname when they came to the U.S.

Like my own Pionke ancestors, all of these families descend from our own Adam and Eve Pionk of Strzepcz parish. Some of them have a close relationship to the Pionke families from the original series. They lived in former West Prussia, now in northern Poland, in villages near the parishes of Strzepz (Strepsch) and Kielno (Kölln).

These eight Pionke and Pionke-descent families are outlined below.

This map shows the villages (Będargowo, Łebieńska Huta, Łebno, Zęblewo) and parishes (Kielno, Strzepcz, Szemud) mentioned in the outlines of families 1-5 below.

1. Descendants of Joseph Rhode and Anna Pionk

I believe that Anna Pionk or Pionke was the daughter of my ancestors Paul Pionk and Anna Bazowa*—and thus the sister of Valentin Pionke and Jacob Pionke. Anna was born in Zęblewo in 1823 and was baptized in Strzepcz parish. She married Joseph Rhode (Rohde, Roda) in Kielno parish in 1846. Their children were baptized in Strzepcz, Kielno, and Szemud.

As far as I know, only one of Joseph and Anna's children emigrated. Their daughter Antonina emigrated in 1889 with her husband Franz Labuda. They settled in Detroit's Poletown. There were many other Kashub families in their neighborhood, as well as other Poles. Frank and Antonina remained in Detroit until their deaths.

• Antonina Pionke married Franz (Frank) Labuda - 10 children.

*I will discuss the evidence for my theory that Anna Pionke was the daughter of Paul in a separate article.

2. Descendants of Franz Hennig and Marianna Pionk

Marianna Pionk or Pionke was the daughter of Johann Pionk and Marianna Małoszycka—and the sister of Franz Pionke and Joseph Pionke. Marianna was born in Będargowo in 1813 and was baptized in Strzepcz. She married first husband Johann Derla about 1835, probably in Strepcz. After his death, she married second husband Franz Hennig (Frank Henik or Hejnik) in Strzepcz in 1846. All of their children were baptized in Strzepcz.

I believe Frank and Marianna (Pionke) Hennig immigrated to Chicago in 1881, a half year after their daughter Augustina (Hennig) Pionke arrived there. Marianna probably died around 1884; Franz married second wife, the widow Augustina (Kunat) Brunke, in 1885. Marianna's family belonged to St. Stanislaus Kostka and St. Josaphat parishes in Chicago. Daughter Augustina moved to Portage County, Wisconsin, while the family of daughter Helena (Derla) Heymann remained in Chicago.

• Helena Derla married (1) Michael Lange - 6 children; (2) Franz Heymann - 4 children.
• Augustina Hennig (Henik, Hejnik) married (1) Franz Paluch - no children; (2) Valentin Pionke (Valentine or Wałenty Pionek) - 9 children; she also had one child before her first marriage.

Family of Johann Pionke and Anna Marianna Janke

This is the eleventh and final post in a series examining the nine early Pionke, Pionk, Pionek, and Piontke family groups in Chicago, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. But don't worry—we still have a lot more Pionke research to share!


Of all the early Pionke families in Wisconsin and Chicago, only this one came from Posen, not West Prussia. This family lived Wilanowiec (Wilhelmshöhe) in the parish of Ujście (formerly Usch, kreis Kolmar, Posen, Prussia).

Johann Pionke (Piontke, Piontek), son of Martin, married Anna Marianna Janke (Yonke), daughter of Gottlieb, in Ujście Catholic parish in 1856. According to the marriage record, he was 26 and she was 21. Johann's birth year is not certain, however; the birth date recorded on his tombstone is 21 April 1826.

The map below shows the villages Wilanowiec and Ujście.

Johann Pionke and Anna Marianna Janke had three children who later immigrated to Wisconsin. There were probably other children, but I have not seen the Ujście parish records.

• Martin Francis Pionke was born about 1860.
• Julianna (Julia) Pionke was born about 1864.
• Joseph Ernest Pionke was born in Ujście on 29 November 1869.

Johann's son Martin Pionke was married in Ujście before the family emigrated. He married Cecelia Brocka (Brotski), daughter of Anton Brocki and Marianna Goitsmacher, on 29 May 1883. Their first two sons, Franz and Martin, were both baptized in Ujście.

Anna Marianna (Janke) Pionke did not emigrate with her family. Most likely she died in or before 1885.

Emigration

Martin Pionke and his sister Julia emigrated first. They departed from Hamburg on 12 April 1885 on the Lessing and arrived in New York on 25 April. According to the passenger list, their last residence was Wilhelmshöhe, Posen, now Wilanowiec (see map above). Martin's wife was pregnant with their second child when her husband left for the new world.

Siblings Martin and Julianna Pionke of Wilhelmshöhe, Posen,
Hamburg passenger list, 12 April 1885
ship - Lessing

A few months later, Martin and Julia were joined by their father and brother, along with Martin's wife and infant son. Johann, Joseph, Cecelia (Brotski), and baby Martin Pionke left Hamburg on 12 August 1885 aboard the Frisia and arrived in New York on 27 August. This passenger list confirms that the family resided in Wilanowiec.

Johann Pionke of Wilhelmshöhe, Posen, and family,
Hamburg passenger list, 12 August 1885,
ship - Frisia

Although there are some errors in this record—surname seemingly spelled "Pirnke" and baby Martin's name recorded as Josef—this is clearly the same family. Indeed, Joseph Pionke's obiturary confirms that he came to the U.S. at age 15 with his father and sister-in-law.

Life in Wisconsin

Unlike the other Pionke families in this series, there is no evidence that this family lived in Chicago prior to settling in Wisconsin. Johann Pionke and his sons were no doubt drawn to Wisconsin by the prospect of owning and farming their own land. There they joined a thriving Polish-American community in Portage County, many of whom came from West Prussia and Posen.

Because Johann Pionke died before the 1900 census, there is little record of his life in Wisconsin. He resided in Almond, Portage County, where presumably he was a farmer. Johann died on 7 January 1900 in Almond.

Family of Michael Pionk and Christine Dominik

This post is the tenth in a series examining the nine early Pionke, Pionk, Pionek, and Piontke family groups in Chicago, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.


Today's post is our first look at a Pionk family whose origin lies outside the Strzepcz parish. Michael Pionk (or Piontke) was born in Połczyno (Polzin) on 1 October 1826 and baptized in the Puck (Putzig) parish. His parents were Michael Pionk and Marianna Hewelt.

Michael Piontke - 1826 baptism, Puck parish

Michael Pionk's father (Michael) was also baptized in Puck. He was born in Puck on 11 September 1792 to parents Nicholas Pionk (Piontk, Piontke) and Magdalena Schomburg. Nicholas Pionk and Magdalena were married in Puck in 1783. Thus Michael Pionk's family was in the Puck parish since at least the 1780's.

Michael Pionk and first wife Magdalena Kandau

Michael Pionk married Magdalena Kandau, daughter of Johann Kandau and Rosalia Paczocha, in Swarzewo parish in 1855. Magdalena was a resident of Władysławowo (formerly Grossendorf or Wielka Wieś), a village on the Baltic coast. Michael's elder brother Johann had resided there in 1840; perhaps Michael met his bride through his brother.

Michael and Magdalena had one daughter, Rosalia Franciska, born in 1856. Sadly, Magdalena died that year and Rosalia died a few years later, at less than three years of age.

Michael Pionk and second wife Christine Dominik

Michael Pionk married second wife Christine Dominik in Swarzewo parish in 1858. Bride and groom were both residents of Władysławowo. He was 27 and she was 23. Christine may have been the daughter of Matthaeus Dominik and Veronica Trendel, a couple from Starzyno parish. Michael and Christine had eight children in 20 years, all born in Władysławowo and baptized in Swarzewo. Michael was an Einwohner, an agricultural laborer renting from a farmer.

The map below shows villages Połczyno and Władysławowo, and parishes Puck, Swarzewo, and Starzyno.

Children of Michael Pionk (Piontke) and Christina Dominik:

• Anna Marianna Pionk was born in 1859.
• Jacob Joseph Pionk was born in 1861.
• Michael Martin Pionk was born 1863. He died on 15 August 1881 in Władysławowo.
• Christine Julianne Pionk was born in 1866.
• Marianna (Mary) Pionk was born in 1870.
• Joseph Johann Pionk (Pionek) was born in 1872.
• Johann Pionk was born on 19 February 1875. He died on 7 July 1885 in Chicago.
• Franciska Pionk was born on 23 August 1877 and died on 15 August 1881 in Władysławowo.

Michael Pionk or Piontke died on 26 June 1881 in Władysławowo. As you can see above, two of his children died only two months later. The family began to emigrate the following year.

Emigration and life in Chicago

Michael and Christine's eldest son Jacob was the first to emigrate. He sailed from Bremen, Germany in April 1882 aboard the Baltimore, and arrived in Baltimore on 8 May. According to the passenger list, his destination was Chicago. Interestingly, his surname was spelled "Pionke" in this record.

Jacob Pionk was joined by the rest of his family the following year. His mother Christine and siblings Anna, Christine, Marianna, Joseph, and Johann traveled together on the Braunschweig and arrived in Baltimore on 22 March 1883.

Jacob Pionke - 1882 Baltimore passenger list

Christine (Dominik) Pionk and her family settled in Chicago's St. Stanislaus Kostka parish, Chicago's first Polish parish. Her son Johann died at age 10, only two years after coming to the U.S. He was buried at St. Adalbert Cemetery.

Michael and Christine's three daughters were all married at St. Stanislaus Kostka. Anna married August Schultz, son of Johann Schultz and Franciska Koss, only seven months after arriving in the U.S. August may have been from Łebcz in Swarzewo parish (the handwriting in the marriage record is unclear). Christine married Joseph Elwart, son of Christine Elwart, the following year. Joseph was also from Władysławowo. Marianna married Anton Kuhr, son of Franz Kuhr and Marianna Górska of Wejherowo, in 1888.

Family of Jacob Pionk and Augustina Orzeszk

This post is the ninth in a series examining the nine early Pionke, Pionk, Pionek, and Piontke family groups in Chicago, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.


Jacob Pionk was born around 1818 in West Prussia. His origins are a bit of a mystery. According to his marriage record, he lived in Milwino (Luzino parish) in 1843. However, he was not baptized in that parish; in fact, there are no Pionk baptism records to be found in Luzino parish records between 1800 and 1844.

So where did Jacob come from? If you look at the map, you can see that Milwino is not too far away from some familiar villages, such as Łebno and Donimierz, in the Strzepcz and Kielno parishes. Indeed, there were three Jacob Pionks baptized in those parishes between 1816-1822. I believe one of them must be this Jacob Pionk.

The map below shows the villages Wyszecino, Milwino, Donimierz, Łebienska Huta, and Szemudzka Huta.

Parents of Jacob Pionk: three theories

1. Thomas Pionk and Marianna Starosta

Thomas Pionk and Marianna Starosta had three children (Johann, Jacob, and Eva), all born in Bagielnica (south of Będargowo) and baptized in Strzepcz. Son Jacob was born on 1 May 1816.

Thomas Pionk died about 1818 and his widow Marianna (Starosta) married Anton Kreft by 1819. Anton and Marianna had three more children in Bagielnica before moving to Wyszecino in Luzino parish around 1825. Wyszecino is very close to Milwino where Jacob Pionk lived in 1843. However, I have found nothing that specifically connects Jacob to this family or to Wyszecino. The only possible clue: a Franciska Starosta was named godmother to son Jacob in 1852. But again, I do not know if this Starosta has any connection to the elder Jacob's possible mother Marianna Starosta.

Nonetheless, the proximity of the two villages and the similarity in ages makes this family a good possibility.

2. Jacob (Johann?) Pionk and Marianna

Jacob Pionk, son of Jacob and Marianna, was born on 26 April 1818 in Donimierz and baptized in Kielno. This is the only record of a couple named Jacob and Marianna Pionk at this time and place. Because there are no further baptism records for these parents, I suspect that an error was recorded in the church book. Unfortunately, there are numerous such errors.

It is possible that these parents are actually Johann Pionk and Marianna Müller, who appear in the Strzepcz and Kielno baptism records during this time. This child's birth would fit quite well into the family of Johann and Marianna. They had two children born in Łebienska Huta (1814, 1816) and then two born in Donimierz (1820, 1823). The child Jacob born in 1818 would fit perfectly into the gap between 1816 and 1820 and may have been their first child born in Donimierz.

But again, I have found nothing specific to connect our Jacob to Johann and Marianna or their other children. This family remains a strong possibility, though, because this Jacob's birth year matches our Jacob's marriage and death records perfectly.

Jacob Pionk & Anna Pozenck

Jacob Pionk, son of Jacob and Anna, was born on 29 April 1822 in Szemudzka Huta and baptized in Kielno. Personally, I believe this Jacob is a bit too young to be a match. However, we cannot entirely eliminate the possibility either. As with the other two possibilities, I have found nothing to connect our Jacob Pionk to this family.

Marriage and children

Jacob Pionk married Augustina Orzeszk in Luzino on 16 January 1843. The groom was 24 and the bride was 29 and both lived in the village Milwino. Augustina Orzeszk was the daughter of Adalbert Orzeszk and Dorothea v. Mach. She was born in Dąbrowka (Damerkau) on 23 October 1813 and baptized in Luzino parish (St. Lawrence). After their wedding, Jacob and Augustina resided in Milwino, where all but one of their children were born.

Jacob Pionk - Augustina Orzeszke
1843 marriage record, Luzino parish

Jacob Pionk and Augustina Orzeszk had seven children in 14 years, five of whom lived to adulthood. All were baptized in Luzino parish.

• Johann Bernard Pionk was born on 22 June 1843 in Milwino.
• Albertine (Bertha) Pionk was born on 16 November 1844 in Milwino.
• Albert Franz Pionk (Pionek) was born on 1 May 1847 in Milwino.
• Alexandra Mathilda Pionk was born on 26 August 1849 in Milwino.
• Jacob Theophil Pionk was born on 9 January 1852 and died on 5 July 1852 in Milwino.
• Alexander Pionk (Pionek) was born on 20 April 1853 in Milwino.
• Jacob Pionk was born 28 May 1857 in Dąbrowka. He died later that day.

Jacob Pionk died on 8 April 1863 in Dąbrowka at age 45. His widow and five surviving children remained in that village until they began to emigrate in 1873.

Jacob Pionk death record, 1863 Luzino parish

Bernard, Jacob Pionk's eldest son, married Antonina Tobiaska in Luzino in 1871. He likely emigrated soon thereafter. His sister Mathilda (Matylda) married Joseph Rohde (Rhode, Roda) in 1874, also in Luzino. They had four children before emigrating.

Family of Johann Pionk and Marianna Uzdrowk

This post is the eighth in a series examining the nine early Pionke, Pionk, Pionek, and Piontke family groups in Chicago, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.


Johann Pionk or Pionke was born around 1805, presumably in or near Będargowo or Łebno. He married Marianna Uzdrowk around 1833, most likely in Strzepcz parish (St. Mary Magdalene). Unfortunately, as the relevant parish records are missing, I do not know Johann and Marianna's birth dates or places, their parents' names, nor their marriage date.

As a newlywed couple, Johann and Marianna Pionke resided in Łebno, where their first two children were born. Around 1837, they moved to Mały Donimierz, about 4 km away. Five more children were born to them in that village. Later baptism records indicate that Johann was a Käthner, someone who rented a small piece of land with a house and a garden.

This map shows the parishes Strzepcz, Szemud, and Kielno and the villages Będargowo, Łebno, and Mały Donimierz. Mały Donimierz belonged to Kielno parish (St. Wojciech) and later to Szemud parish (St. Nicholas).




Interestingly, Johann Pionk's family must have moved to Mały Donimierz around the same time my ancestor Paul Pionk moved there with his family. This coincidence, together with some overlap in their children's godparents, makes me wonder whether they were closely related. Perhaps they were brothers, uncle and nephew, or first cousins.

Johann Pionk and Marianna Uzdrowk had seven children in 16 years. The first two were baptized in Strzepcz parish; the rest in Kielno.

• Anna Pionk was born on 7 January 1834 in Łebno.
• Johann Pionk was born on 11 January 1835 in Łebno.
• Josephine Pionk was born on 16 October 1837 and died on 10 December 1840 in Mały Donimierz.
• Michael Pionk was born on 29 October 1840 in Mały Donimierz.
• Barbara Pionk was born on 3 June 1843 in Mały Donimierz.
• Franciska Pionk was born on 17 January 1846 in Mały Donimierz.
• August Pionk was born on 1 January 1849 in Mały Donimierz.

Johann Pionk died on 10 October 1872 in Mały Donimierz at age 67. He was survived by his wife Marianna and four adult children. I have not found a death or remarriage record for Johann's widow Marianna. Nor do I know exactly which four children survived him.

Johann Pionk, 1872 death record, Szemud parish

It is certain, however, that Johann and Marianna's two youngest sons were among those four. Michael Pionke married Marianna Rybandt in Strzepcz parish in 1869. They had at least four children. August Pionke married Wilhelmine (Amelia) Klotzke in Strzepcz parish in 1875. August and Amelia had two daughters before emigrating to the U.S.

August Pionke and Amelia Klotzke in Chicago

In 1879, August and Amelia Pionke came to Chicago with their two daughters and some of Amelia's relatives. Seven more children were born in Chicago.

Unlike the rest of the Chicago Pionkes, this August Pionke settled on the South Side, in St. Adalbert parish. St. Adalbert's was Chicago's third Polish parish. The family moved to St. Mary of Perpetual Help parish—which was closer to their home—when it opened in 1887. In the early years, both parishes include a notable number of Kashubs as well as other Poles.

The below map shows the locations of St. Josaphat parish (where my Pionkes lived) and the parishes of St. Adalbert and St. Mary of Perpetual Help.



Also distinguishing this Pionke family from the rest is their choice of surname spelling. As with all Pionkes, one can find a large varieties of spellings in the records—from Piąk in church records to Piontki on August's death certificate to the standard Pionke on his headstone. However, this family mostly used the unique spelling Pionkey, which is what August and Amelia's descendants are called today.

A future post will cover the family of August Pionkey or Pionke in greater detail.

Pionke Friday: We will post more about the Pionkes next Friday. This is the eighth post in a series about the Pionke, Pionk, and Pionek families here in the U.S. and back in the home country. Next week: a guest article by Michael Pionke.

Related posts:

• Early Pionke and Pionek Families in Chicago and Wisconsin
• More Early Pionke and Related Families in Chicago, Wisconsin, and Michigan
• Będargowo - Part I: A different story of Adam and Eve
• Będargowo - Part II: What the Prussians tell us
• On the trails of our ancestors
• Pionke — The mystery of a name

© TreeQuest: An Unexpected Journey 2016.

Reference:

• Family History Library Films: 162398. Katholische Kirche Strepsch (Kr. Neustadt).
• Family History Library Films: 742703, 529815. Kościół rzymsko-katolicki. Parafja Kielno (Wejherowo).
• FamilySearch.com: Illinois, Chicago, Catholic Church Records, 1833-1925 [must login to view images]
• GenBaza.com: AP Gdansk, Urzedy Stanu Ciwilnego, Strzepcz (2098/4); Parafie katolickie, Szemud (1442/1). [account and login required]
• PTG Pomorskie Towarzystwo Genealogiczne (Pomeranian Genealogical Association) - birth, marriage, death indexes.

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Family of Joseph Pionke and Susanna Mrozewska

This post is the sixth in a series examining the nine early Pionke, Pionk, Pionek, and Piontke family groups in Chicago, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.

Today's post is our first look at the descendants of Johann Pionk and Marianna Małoszycka of Będargowo. Three of their children—Marianna, Franz, and Joseph—were parents of Pionke and Pionek immigrants in Chicago and Wisconsin. I will begin with the family of their son Joseph Pionke and his wife Susanna Mrozewska.

Joseph Pionk or Pionke was the fourth of six children born to Johann and Marianna. He was born on 28 February 1819 in Będargowo and baptized in Strzepcz Catholic parish (St. Mary Magdalene). His siblings were born in the same village, and his parents remained there until his father's death.

Joseph Pionk, 1819 baptism record, Strzepcz parish

Susanna Magdalena Mrozewska was the daughter of Adam Mrozewski and Marianna Belgrowa or Belgraf. She was born in 1825 and baptized in Sierakowice Catholic parish (St. Martin). By the time Susanna got married, her family had moved from Sierakowice parish to Strzepcz parish. After Susanna's father died, her mother married Johann Cyman (Ziemann), which is why Susanna's surname is recorded as Cyman in some records.

Joseph Pionke married Susanna Mrozewska on 26 January 1846 in Strzepcz parish. He was a day laborer, age 26, and she was 21. Both were residents of Będargowo. Their first four children were all born in this village.

Joseph Pionk - Susanna Mrozewska
1846 marriage record, Strzepcz parish (item #5)

Children of Joseph Pionke and Susanna Mrozewska

Joseph and Susanna had seven children in 20 years. All but Antonina were baptized in Strzepcz; she was baptized in Sianowo. Son Albert's baptism was recorded in both Strzepcz and Sianowo parish books. By the time their youngest children were born, Joseph and Susanna had moved from Będargowo to nearby Łebno.

• Marianna was born on 23 March 1847 in Będargowo.
• Martianna was born on 12 October 1849 in Będargowo.
• Johann (John Pionek) was born on 1 November 1852 in Będargowo.
• Adalbert (Albert Pionek) was born on 20 December 1855 in Będargowo.
• Franz was born on 27 February 1860 in Łebno.
• Antonina (Antonia) was born on 18 October 1863. (I have not yet seen her baptism record and thus do not know her birthplace.)
• Rosalia (Rose) was born on 28 September 1866 in Łebno.

Susanna (Mrozewska) Pionke died on 19 March 1870 in Łebno of an apoplexy or stroke. She was only 45 years old. Joseph was left with seven children, three of whom were under age 10.

Joseph Pionke married second wife Julianna Leik on 1 October 1871. According to the marriage record, Julianna was about 40 years old and unmarried. Joseph and Juianna had one child:

• Ignatz Joseph Pionke was born on 8 February 1878 in Gowino. He died on 5 March 1878 in that same village.

By the late 1870s, Joseph and his family had moved from Łebno to Gowino, in the Luzino parish. Between 1882 and 1892, Johann, Albert, Antonina, and Rosalia all immigrated to the U.S. Marianna and Franz both remained in Poland. I do not know what became of their sister Martianna; thus far I have not found her marriage or death record.

Joseph Pionke died on 28 August 1893 in Gowino at age 74. His wife Julianna died on 19 March 1906 in Gowino at about age 75.

This map shows the location of the parishes of Sierakowice, Strzepcz, Luzino, and Wejherowo; and the villages Będargowo, Łebno, Gowino, Rekowo, and Lisewo.

Family of Jacob Pionke and Franciska Leik

This post is the third in a series examining the nine early Pionke, Pionk, Pionek, and Piontke family groups in Chicago, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. Today's topic is the family of Jacob Pionke and Franciska Leik. Jacob was the brother of my 3rd-great-grandfather, Valentin Pionke.

Jacob Pionk or Pionke was the youngest child of Paul Pionk and Anna Bazowa. He was born on 2 August 1830 in the small village Zęblewo and was baptized in Strzepcz Catholic parish (St. Mary Magdalene). This region is now in north central Poland, but at that time it was part of West Prussia.

Franciska Leik was the eldest daughter of Franz Leik and Franciska Samp. She was born in Dąbrowka on 4 August 1825 and was baptized in Luzino Catholic parish (St. Lawrence).

Jacob Pionke married Franciska Leik on 20 November 1853 in Strzepcz. The groom was a resident of Mały Donimierz; the bride resided in Smażyno. Their first child was born in Mały Donimierz.

Children of Jacob Pionke and Franciska Leik

Jacob was a laborer, and his work — or perhaps a search for work — must have taken him and his wife to various villages in the area. They had eight children in 15 years, born in seven different villages. Their children were baptized in Strzepcz and Kielno (St. Wojciech) Catholic parishes.

This map shows the villages where the children were born (Mały Donimierz, Pobłocie, Łebno, Załączne, Donimierz, Szemud, and Szemudzka Huta) and also the locations of the parishes Strzepcz and Kielno. Załączne is not on the map; it was a small settlement southeast of Szemud.

Family of Valentin Pionke and Josephine Stefanowska

This post is the second in a series examining the nine early Pionke, Pionk, Pionek, and Piontke family groups in Chicago, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. Today's topic is the family of Valentin Pionke and Josephine Stefanowska, my 3rd-great-grandparents.

Valentin Pionke family - the beginning

Valentin Pionk or Pionke was the third of five children born to Paul Pionk and Anna Bazowa. He was born in Zęblewo on 14 January 1825 and baptized in Strzepcz Catholic parish (St. Mary Magdalene). His siblings were all born in the same village. The family later moved to nearby Mały Donimierz.

Josephine Stefanowska was the daughter of Johann Stefanowski and Anna Kankowska, the seventh of their ten children. She was born on 7 February 1833 in Donimierz and baptized in Kielno Catholic parish (St. Wojciech). Josephine's mother died when she was only five years old. Her father soon remarried, and Josephine was raised by her stepmother, Marianna (née Kipke). By the time Josephine was married, her family lived in Mercestwo, a very small settlement near Szemud.

On 22 November 1852, at the age of 27, Valentin married Josephine, age 19, in Kielno Catholic parish. It was very common in those days for people to marry late in the year, after the harvest season. Valentin's elder brother August was a witness to the marriage.

Excerpt - Valentin Pionk - Josephine Stefanowska
1852 marriage record, Kielno parish

Children of Valentin and Josephine Pionke

Once married, the Pionkes lived in Mały Donimierz, where Valentin was a farm laborer. They had eight children in 20 years, all born Mały Donimierz, and all but Anastasia were baptized in Kielno (she was baptized in Szemud). August and Anastasia both died at just 1½ years old.

• Anna was born on 15 November 1853.
• Joseph was born on 10 February 1856.
• Mathilda was born on 29 November 1858.
• Josephine was born on 19 October 1861.
• Johann (John) was born on 29 May 1864.
• August was born on 2 March 1867 and died on 19 August 1868.
• Franz (Frank) was born on 13 June 1870.
• Anastasia was born on 27 June 1873 and died on 8 December 1874.

Pionke sisters Anna Sychowski,
Josephine Piefke, and Mathilda Specht

Their three daughters all married in Poland (formerly West Prussia). Anna Pionke married Franz (Frank) Sychowski, a day laborer from Zęblewo, in 1870 in the Szemud Catholic parish (St. Nicholas). Their first three children were born in Zęblewo; the next three in Tępcz.

Mathilda Pionke married Franz (Frank) Specht, a laborer from Donimierz, in 1877 in Szemud. They resided in Donimierz, where their first five children were born.

Valentin's wife Josephine died at age 48, on 22 October 1881, after 29 years of marriage. I believe their unmarried daughter Josephine then took care of the household and younger brother Franz. Valentin did not remarry.

Daughter Josephine Pionke married two years after her mother's death. She and Albert Piefke (Piwka), a laborer from Zęblewo, were married in 1883 in Szemud. They resided in Mały Donimierz, likely with Valentin and Franz Pionke in the same household. Their first three children were born in that village.

Who Were Our Immigrant Ancestors?

August Kunkel naturalization

Since we celebrate our country's birth today, I decided to look at the beginnings of our U.S. family.

There are so many questions to ask about our immigrant ancestors: When did they arrive and where did they come from? How long was the journey? Why did they leave? How did they pay for the trip? Did they miss the old country? Did they ever return to visit?

Unfortunately I don't have answers to most of those questions. What I do have, however, are some interesting facts and documents.

Eight of our direct ancestors immigrated to the U.S. Every one of them came directly to Chicago from various ports on the east coast. Six of these became naturalized citizens - four in their own right and two by virtue of their husbands' naturalizations.

Our 8 Immigrant Ancestors

1. Joseph Pionke (great-great-grandfather)
2. Marianna (Freibis) Pionke (great-great-grandmother)
3. Paulina (Abraham) Freibis (3rd-great-grandmother)
4. August Kunkel (great-great-grandfather)
5. Helene (Klawikowska) Kunkel (great-great-grandmother)
6. Valentin Pionke (3rd-great-grandfather)
7. Grzegorz Walczyk (great-grandfather)
8. Zofia (Waclawik) Walczyk (great-grandmother)