Lewandowski Timeline

Origins

Immigration

The New World

1884	The John Lewandowski family went directly to Savannah, Georgia upon arriving in the U.S., most likely by train. Why they went to Savannah is not known, but they lived there for a couple years at 7 York Street.
1885	The Savannah City Directory of 1885 shows John Lewandowski (laborer), Frank Lewandowski (baker), and Anna Lewandowski residing in Savannah at 7 York St. (1885 Savannah City Directory)
1886	The Savannah City Directory of 1886 shows John Lewandowski (laborer) and Frank Lewandowski (baker) residing in Savannah at 7 York St. (1886 Savannah City Directory)
1886	Sometime during 1886 or early 1887, the Lewandowski family moved from Savannah, Georgia to Menasha, Wisconsin. The reason for the move is unknown, but most likely it was to be closer to family or for better job prospects.
1887	The book "The First City of the Lower Fox River, Menasha, Wis." lists John Lewandowski residing on Appleton Street. He built a house there for $500.
2/24/1890	On the 24th of February 1890, the S.S. Moravia departed Hamburg, Germany bound for New York City. Onboard were 979 adults, 108 children, and 38 babies, most of whom were immigrating to the United States. Two names stand out, conspicuously listed one after the other: Michael Jankowski and Franz Lewandowski. Could Franz be Rosalia's brother? Could Michael be Rosalia's future husband? The ages listed are close, but not completely accurate, nor is the home town (Wichowa). Still, it's too big of a coincidence to ignore. It's already a given that Franz immigrated with his family in 1884. I also have a copy of a passenger list from June 1888 showing a Michael Jankowski immigrating to the US with Wisconsin as his ultimate destination. Is it possible that they both made a return trip to Poland, and ended up on the same ship coming back to the US? Is that how Michael Jankowski came to know and eventually marry Rosalia Lewandowski? We may never know, but it is certainly an interesting theory!
approx 1890-91	Apolonia Lewandowski	Rosalia Lewandowski
5/3/1892	Franz Lewandowski (son of John and Anna) married Martha Donischewski in Menasha, WI. Franz was 29 years old. On the marriage record, Franz's mother's name is spelled Pawloski. Witnesses were Anton Lingnowski and Alice Donischewski. It's interesting that Anton Lingnowski was born in Wilczewo, Poland, which is the next town over from Nikolayken, where Franz was born. However, Anton's family immigrated to the US when Anton was only 4 years old. So, it's likely the 2 boys did not know each other in Poland. According to the 1893 Menasha City Directory, they lived about 3 blocks apart in Menasha. Most likely, they came to know each other there. Being from the same region in Poland certainly would have been an impetus to a friendship. (marriage record)
10/29/1892	Franz Lewandowski (son of John and Anna) filed his Declaration of Intent to become a U.S. citizen in the Outagamie County Courthouse in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the first step in the naturalization process. (natur. declaration)
3/1893	Clara Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin. She is the first child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski, and the 1st grandchild of John and Anna Lewandowski. (1900 Census)
1893	John, Apolonia, Rosalia Lewandowski listed in the 1893 Menasha Directory residing on the southside of 5th Street, 3 east of Appleton St. Franz Lewandowski (son of John) resided at the southwest corner of Appleton and 5th, across the street from the rest of his family. Jacob Lewandowski (relationship unknown) resided at the northside of 5th Street, 3 east of Racine, about 1/2 block from the John Lewandowski family. Jacob was 5 years younger than Franz. Could he have been a cousin of Franz and Rosalia? (1893 Menasha Directory) ntf
approx 1893	left to right: unknown, Rosalia Lewandowski, Apolonia Lewandowski
2/23/1895	Joseph Herman Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 1st son and 2nd child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski. (birth record)
1895	John Lewandowski listed in 1895 Menasha Directory residing on the south side of 5th Street 2 east of Appleton. Franz Lewandowski (son of John) resided on the west side of Appleton 1 north of 5th. Jacob Lewandowski resided at the northside of 5th 3 east of Racine. Also listed as living on the northwest corner of DePere and 6th were Mrs. T. Lewandowski - widow of Michael, Agnes, and Gertrude (relationship of all unknown).
5/26/1896	Mike Jankowski (son of Constantin and Barbara) married Rosa Lewandowski (dau of John and Anna) at St. John’s in Menasha. He was 34 years old and she was 31. Rev. L. J. Pescinski performed the ceremony, which was witnessed by Francis Landig and Apolonia Lewandowski, Rosalia's sister.  (marriage record) They had met when Mike traveled from Antigo to Menasha to see about a girl (Rosa) who had rejected a previous suitor 2 days before the wedding. Mike and Rosa married after only about 3 dates. They lived on a farm on the Jankowski homestead in Rolling, Wisconsin, outside of Antigo. The young family often traveled by train to Menasha to visit Rosa’s sister Apolonia, and her husband Joe Danowski.
6/29/1896	Joseph A. Lewandowski (relationship unknown) ordained to the priesthood in Grand Rapids, MI. (65th anniv card) Joseph may have been a cousin of Rosalia. ntf
11/5/1896	Edward H. Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 3rd child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski. (birth record)
6/4/1897	John Stanley Jankowski born on the family farm in Rolling, Wisconsin, the 1st child of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski. (WWI draft card)
12/1898	Helen Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 4th child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski. The family now consists of 2 boys and 2 girls. They were living on Appleton Street in Menasha. (1910 census)
1/16/1899	Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski, expecting their second child, instead gave birth to a stillborn baby. (death record)
12/11/1899	Less than 11 months after giving birth to a stillborn child, Apolonia "Lena" Jankowski is born to Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski. Lena is Mike and Rosa's 1st daughter and 3rd child. Lena would grow up to marry Lawrence Zielinski and produce 6 children and 23 grandchildren. She is the namesake of this website. I am fortunate to say she is my grandmother. (birth record)
6/13/1900	1900 US Census - John Lewandowski (72 years old - father of Rosalia), Annie (wife-65), Lena (dau-24), lived on 5th St in Menasha. No house number was given, and at that time 5th Street was only one block long - from DePere to Racine. John and Annie had already been married 38 years. The couple bore 4 children, 3 still living in 1900. John, Annie, and Lena were all born in Poland, immigrating to the U.S. in 1884. John was a "common laborer" and Lena had a job sorting wool. (1900 Census)
6/13/1900	1900 US Census - Franz Lewandowski (37 years old - son of John and Anna), Martha (wife-27), Clara (dau-7) , Joseph (son-5), Edward (son-2), Helen (dau-1) lived on 5th Street in Menasha. Franz and Martha had been married 8 years. They had 4 children, all born in Wisconsin, and all still living. Franz immigrated in 1884, was a naturalized citizen and a baker by trade. Martha immigrated in 1885. Franz and family lived on the DePere end of 5th, while John and Annie (parents) lived on the Racine end. (1900 Census)
6/13/1900	1900 US Census – Mike Jankowski (22 - husband of Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski), Rosa (wife-33), John (son-3), Appolonia (dau-6mths), lived on a farm in Rolling, WI. Mike immigrated in 1889 and Rosa in 1884. They had been married for 4 years and had 2 children, both living. (1900 census)
1901	Agnes Ruth Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 5th child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski, exact date unknown. (1910 census)
12/24/1901	On Christmas Eve of 1901, Joseph Jankowski is born in Rolling, Wisconsin, the 4th child of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski. (birth record)
3/18/1902	John Lewandowski died in Menasha, Wisconsin at the age of 74. Cause of death and burial site unknown. (Family Bible)
12/28/1902	Joseph Jankowski (son of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski) died in Rolling, Wisconsin at the age of 1 year, 4 days. Cause of death was unknown. He was buried in St. John's Cemetery in Menasha. Rosa must have been devastated, this being the 2nd death of a child in less than 4 years. (death record)
1903	Lucy Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 6th child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski, exact date unknown. (1910 census)
12/16/1903	Anna (Polonski) Lewandowski (wife of John) died in Menasha at the age of 71. Cause of death unknown, she was buried in St, John’s Cemetery. (Family Bible)
1904	Viola Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 7th child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski. Exact date unknown (headstone)
1904	Appolonia Lewandowski (dau of John and Anna), approximately 32 years old, married Joe Danowski in Wisconsin. She was the last of the Lewandowski children to marry. Exact date unknown. (1910 census)
7/18/1904	Anna Jankowski born in Rolling, Wisconsin, the 5th child of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski. (birth record)
4/19/1905	Clara Danowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 1st child of Joe and Apolonia Lewandowski Danowski. Clara would become a Roman Catholic nun. (obit)
9/24/1906	Franz Lewandowski (son of John and Anna) filed his Petition for Naturalization and declared his Final Oath to the United States in the Winnebago County Courthouse in Oshkosh, Wi, the 2nd and 3rd steps of the naturalization process. Thus on this date, Franz became a citizen of the United States. (petition/oath)
12/3/1906	Edward F. Jankowski born in Rolling, Wisconsin, the 6th and last child of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski. The family was now complete - 2 boys, 2 girls. (Mike's naturalization petition)
1907	Helen Danowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 2nd child of Joe and Apolonia Lewandowski Danowski. Exact date unknown. Helen was not only Lena's cousin, but a life-long dear friend. (headstone)
8/1909	John Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 8th and last known child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski. Exact date of birth unknown. The family resided at 670 Appleton Street. (1910 census)
4/15/1910	1910 US Census – Mike Jankowski (49), Rosie Lewandowski Jankowski (wife-43), John (son-12), Lena (dau-10), Annie (dau-5), Edward (son-4), living on a farm in Rolling, Wisconsin. Shows Mike immigrated in 1886 and Rosa in 1884. They had been married for 14 years and had 5 children, 4 of whom were still living. (1910 census)
4/23/1910	1910 US Census - Joe Danowski (40), Apolonia Lewandowski Danowski (37 - dau of John and Anna), Clara (dau-5), and Helena (dau-3), residing at 615 5th St. in Menasha. As of 1910, the couple had been married for 6 years, and had 3 children, 2 of whom were still living. (1910 Census)
4/25/1910	1910 US Census - Frank Lewandowski (47 - son of John and Anna), Martha (wife-37), Clara (dau-17), Joseph (son-15), Edward (son-13), Helen (dau-11), Agnes (dau-9), Lucy (dau-7), Viola (dau-6), Johnnie (son-6 mths), residing at 670 Appleton St in Menasha. Frank and Martha had been married for 18 years, producing 8 children, all of whom were still living in 1910. Frank was employed as a fireman at Menasha Woodenware, Clara was employed as sales lady for a restaurant. All others were not employed. (1910 Census)
11/1/1912	Alvin A. Danowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 3rd and last child of Joe and Apolonia Lewandowski Danowski. Alvin is also the last grandchild of John and Anna Lewandowski. (funeral card)
10/6/1913	Mike Jankowski (husband of Rosa Lewandowski) was naturalized and became a citizen of the United States of America, more than 25 years after immigrating from Poland. He was then 52 years old, 5 feet 5 inches tall, with blue eyes and gray hair. With his naturalization complete, wife Rosalia and all of their children also become US citizens. (natur. certificate)

The Later Years