Family of Franz Pionk and Josephine Perschon

This post is the seventh in a series examining the nine early Pionke, Pionk, Pionek, and Piontke family groups in Chicago, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. Today's post continues with the descendants of Johann Pionk and Marianna Małoszycka of Będargowo, focusing on their son Franz.


Franz Pionk or Pionke was, I believe, the second child and eldest son of Johann Pionk and Marianna Małoszycka. He was born on 21 March 1815 in Będargowo and baptized in Strzepcz Catholic parish (St. Mary Magdalene).

There appears to be an error in his baptism record; his mother's surname is recorded as "Łystowa" or maybe "Tystowa". Neither of these is a surname found in this parish. There were two different couples named Johann and Marianna Pionk in the early Strzepcz and Kielno baptisms; the two Mariannas had surnames Müller and Małoszycka. Further analysis reveals the connection of our Franz Pionk to the family of Johann Pionk and Marianna Małoszycka and thus I am confident that these are in fact his parents.

Franciscus Pionk, 1815 baptism record, Strzepcz parish

Franz Pionk was married twice—first to Franciska Ritt or Ritter and later to Josephine Perschon. Unlike many of his siblings, he did not remain in the vicinity of his birthplace for his entire life. This map shows the locations of the parishes Strzepcz, Luzino, Rozłazino, and Chwaszczyno; and the villages and towns Będargowo, Łebno, Barłomino, Bożepole Małe, and Mały Kack.

Franz Pionk and first wife Franciska Ritt

Franz Pionk's first wife was Franciska Ritt or Ritter, daughter of Paul and Anna (née Cierocka). She was born on 15 September 1815 in Łebno and baptized in Strzepcz parish.

Franz Pionk and Franciska Ritt were probably married in Strzepcz parish, about 1838. At first they lived in Łebno, where their first three children were born. Around 1843, they moved to Barłomino in Luzino parish. They had eight children in 15 years. Unfortunately, most of their children did not survive to adulthood.

• Michael Pionk was born on 10 September 1839 in Łebno and died before 1844.
• Marianna Pionk was born on 23 February 1841 in Łebno and died on 7 April 1847 in Barłomino.
• Johanna Pionk was born on 11 October 1842 in Łebno. She died on 9 April 1864 in Bożepole Małe at age 21.
• Augustina Pionk was born on 15 December 1844 and died on 5 January 1846 in Barłomino.
• Franciska Pionk was born on 16 February and died on 27 March 1847 in Barłomino.
• Emilie (or Wilhelmine) Pionk was born on 28 Sep 1848 and died on 30 August 1849 in Barłomino.
• Eva Pionk was born on 7 July 1850 and died on 25 July 1852 in Barłomino.
• Adam Franz Pionk was born on 28 April 1853 in Barłomino.

Franciska (Ritt) Pionk died in Barłomino on 1 May 1853, a few days after her last child was born. Her husband Franz was left with one daughter, Johanna, and baby Adam. At this point, I believe Franz moved back to Będargowo where his parents and several siblings resided, perhaps seeking help with the care of his infant son.

Franz Pionk and second wife Josephine Perschon

Franz Pionk married Margaretha Josephine Perschon (Perszon, Perszonka) on 7 October 1855 in Strzepcz parish. Both were residents of Będargowo. Franz was 40 and Josephine was 28 and single. Josephine was born in Dargolewo on 27 May 1827 to parents Mathias Perschon and Franciska Łaga.

Franz Pionk - Josephine Perschon 1855 marriage record, Strzepcz parish (item #16)

After their marriage, Franz and Josephine settled in Bożepole Małe in the Rozłazino parish, where their first five children were born. They moved to Mały Kack (Chwaszczyno parish) around 1865 and later to Gdynia.

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.