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GRACZ Family History, Part II

June 2023
Acknowledgements
Thanks to cousin Robert Nowak who contributed research and photographs to our family history.

Frances W. (GRACZ) NOWAKΔ (1889-1989)

Frances (GRACZ) NOWAK, 194011A.Franciszka "Frances" W. Gracz was born on March 9, 1889, in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. She and married John F. Nowak on June 26, 1911, in a double wedding with her younger sister Maryann and John's younger brother. They had eight children:

11A1. Alice Nowak 30 Mar 1912 2 Jan 1974 (61)
11A2. Edwin V. Nowak 29 Dec 1913 14 Apr 1971 (57)
11A3. Emily Nowak 13 Jun 1915 24 Jan 2001 (85)
11A4. Ewelina Nowak (Feb) 1917 (Mar 1922) (5)
11A5. Esther B. Nowak 30 Nov 1918 15 Sep 2016 (97)
11A6. Norbert Eugene NowakBlue Star 7 Jan 1922 6 Mar 2001 (79)
11A7. Virginia Ann NowakΔ 17 Oct 1923 29 Dec 2014 (91)
11A8. John J. NowakBlue Star 28 Sep 1928 26 Jun 2006 (77)
John & Maryanna (GRACZ) NOWAK Family, 1947
Nowak Family, 1940
Brother Tony Grace (center), Frances (right), and John Nowak (right, on bicycle).

Before Frances married, she and her younger sisters Mary and Cecilia (Praxeda) worked as machine operators at a knitting works.[Cen 1910]

Frances and her family lived with her mother and younger brothers at 1299 4th Avenue in 1920. She worked as an inspector at a knitting factory while her brother Frank worked as a packer at a knitting factory. Husband John was a foreman at a machine shop and brother Roman worked as a machinist at a machine shop.[Cen 1920]

Frances's mother died in 1923 and her family remained at 1299 4th Avenue through 1930. John worked as a machine setter at a machine shop while she worked at home as a dressmaker and eldest daughter Alice worked as a milliner at a hat shop. Interestingly, in 1930, daughter Esther's future husband Casimer Falkiewicz and his family lived next door at 1297 4th Avenue.[Cen 1930]

The Nowak family ultimately moved to 2825 South 9th Street, in the modern-day neighborhood of Polonia, by 1940, and lived there through John's death in 1967. John worked as a set up man at a farm implement factory and son Norbert, who was marked as absent, worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps. Frances's brother Raymond and her nephew Harvey LaBoy also lived with them that year. Raymond worked as a salesman at a retail store and Harvey worked as a pin boy at a bowling alley.[Cen 1940]

Son Norbert enlisted as a Private in the U.S. Army on October 14, 1942.[WWII] Youngest son John also served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

John F. Nowak died on February 16, 1967, in Milwaukee, at the age of 82. He was buried at Saint Adalberts Cemetery in Milwaukee.[Grave]

Frances (Gracz) Nowak died on May 14, 1989, in Milwaukee, at the extraordinary age of 100. She was buried with John at Saint Adalberts Cemetery.[Grave]

Sources
  • Birth 1889: 9 Mar 1889 Birth, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1900: 8 Jun 1900 Census, 1062 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1905: 1905 Wisconsin State Census, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1910: 20 Apr 1910 Census, Lake Township, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1920: 9 Jan 1920 Census, 1299 Fourth Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1930: 9 Apr 1930 Census, 1299 Fourth Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1940: 8 Apr 1940 Census, 2825 South 9th Street, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • WWII: World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1936-1946, Wisconsin
  • Grave: Saint Adalberts Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Find A Grave <http://www.findagrave.com>

Anton "Tony" GRACZ/GRACE (1890-1996)Blue Star

Tony S. GRACE, 194011B.Anton "Tony" Gracz/Grace was born on June 10, 1890, in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. He moved west to Arizona and Washington, and eventually married Viola Christine Hansen on May 27, 1929, in Driggs, Teton County, Idaho. They had two sons:

11B1. Anthony Grace, Jr. --  --  -- 
11B2. Richard Grace --  --  -- 

Anton and his father worked as day laborers in Milwaukee in 1910.[Cen 1910]

After Anton left home he Anglecized his name as Anthony "Tony" Stanley Grace and moved west to Seligman, Yavapai County, Arizona, by 1914, when he registered to vote. His voter registration described him as 5' 8" tall, 140 pounds, and with light hair; he worked as a laborer.[Vote 1914] He later worked as a cowboy for the Anvil Rock Pool Company. His draft registration described him as of medium height, slender build, with blue eyes and brown hair.[Draft 1917]

Tony subsequently enlisted as a Private on October 25, 1917, and was assigned to Auxiliary Remount Depot 331 at Camp Lewis, Pierce County, Washington, which had been constructed earlier that same year. Remount depots were veterinary units dedicated to cavalry horses. The auxiliary units stayed home and supplied the field units with healthy horses for the battlefields of France. Tony was discharged after 14 months of service on January 17, 1919.[Vet]

The Danny Ranch

See the Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum's overview of the Danny Ranch:
https://jacksonholehistory.org/danny-ranch/

Two books were also written about Tony and his dude range: "The Last Cowboy: Twilight Era of the Horseback Cowhand, 1900-1940" by Jo Rainbolt and "The Danny Ranch" by Mary McKinney[McKinney].

Tony moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he worked for Benjamin D. Sheffield's Teton Lodge at Moran for three years; and later at Maxwell Struthers Burt's Bar BC Dude Ranch, north of the town of Morse and Menor's Ferry across the Snake River. Tony filed for a homestead on the eastern shore of String Lake, just north of Jenny Lake, on June 3, 1922. With financial backing from Albert Bruton Strange, he started up his own dude ranch, The Danny Ranch, which he named after Strange's daughter, Mary Danforth "Danny" Strange. Tony's dude ranch thrived and he completed his five-year homestead term on January 17, 1928.[McKinney]

The following year Tony married Viola, a native of Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, Idaho, on May 27, 1929, in Driggs, on the other side of Grand Teton. He was nearly 39 years old and she was 25. Witnesses to their marriage were Ralph R. Gesas and Mildred Brock.[Mar 1929]

Concurrently, President Coolidge signed the executive order establishing Grand Teton National Park in 1929 and park advocate John D. Rockefeller, Jr., began buying up Jackson Hole valley through the Snake River Land Company to later turn the property over to the park. The success of The Danny Ranch and its scenic location made it a target for the Snake River Land Company. Tony eventually bent to the relentless pressure and sold out for $24,000 on September 19, 1930. The sale included a lease that allowed Tony to continue operating the ranch until June 1, 1932; however, with a drop in attendance during the Great Depression, Tony and Viola left for Montana in the Fall of 1931[McKinney] and resettled in Horse Butte, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County, Montana, where Tony ranched.[Cen 1940, 1950]

The Danny Ranch was renamed to the Jenny Lake Ranch in the Spring of 1937 after the Snake River Land Company leased it to the Grand Teton Lodge and Transportation Company. When it was again renamed, to the present Jenny Lake Lodge, Tony was invited as an honored guest to its inauguration banquet on June 22, 1958.[McKinney]

Viola Christine (Hansen) Grace died on September 29, 1990, in Ravalli County, Montana. She was buried at Lone Pine Cemetery in Darby, Ravalli County. She was 85 years old.[Grave]

Anthony Stanley Grace died on January 8, 1996, in Hamilton, Ravalli County, at the astounding age of 105 years! He was buried with Viola at Lone Pine Cemetery.[Grave]

Sources
  • Birth 1890: 10 Jun 1890 Birth, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1900: 8 Jun 1900 Census, 1062 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1905: 1905 Wisconsin State Census, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1910: 20 Apr 1910 Census, Lake Township, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Vote 1914: 13 Jul 1914 Register, Seligman Precinct, Yavapai County, Arizona
  • Draft 1917: 5 Jun 1917, World War I Draft Registration, Yavapai County, Arizona
  • Vet: Veterans Administration Master Index
  • Mar 1929: 27 Mar 1929, Marriage License, Teton County, Idaho
  • Cen 1930: May 1930 Census, Election District 4, Teton County, Wyoming
  • Cen 1940: 8 May 1940 Census, Horse Butte, West Yellowstone, Gallatin County, Montana
  • Cen 1950: 8 May 1950 Census, Precinct 16, Gallatin County, Montana
  • Grave: Lone Pine Cemetery, Darby, Ravalli County, Montana, Find A Grave <http://www.findagrave.com>
  • McKinney, Mary. The Danny Ranch, Jenny Lake Ranch, Jenny Lake Lodge.

Maryann (GRACZ) NOWAK (1891-1960)

Maryann (GRACZ) NOWAK, 194711C.Maryann Gracz was born on August 20, 1891, in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. She married Walenty "William/Valentine" Nowak, a native of Buffalo, Erie County, New York, on June 26, 1911, in a double wedding with her elder sister Frances and William's elder brother. They had eight children, including a pair of fraternal twins:

11C1. Raymond Nowak 2 May 1912 17 Nov 1951 (39)
11C2. Edward Stanley Nowak 21 May 1914 17 Nov 1994 (80)
11C3. Nettie Anastasia Nowak 4 Feb 1917 29 Aug 1996 (79)
11C4. Leonard Nowak --  --  -- 
11C5. Clemence Edward NowakBlue Star 18 Dec 1922 31 Dec 2010 (88)
11C6. Esther Nowak --  --  -- 
11C7. Florence Nowak --  --  -- 
11C8. Florian Nowak 30 Dec 1927 30 Nov 1989 (61)

11C31. Gerald Nowak --  --  -- 
Walenty & Maryanna (GRACZ) NOWAK Family, 1947
Nowak Family at Florian's Wedding, 1947
Left to Right: Esther, Eddie, Leonard, Ray, Walenty, Maryann, Florian, Florence, Clemence, and Nettie.

After their wedding, Maryann and William moved 130 miles north to Chase, Oconto County, Wisconsin, where William's family had lived since before 1905[Cen 1905B] along South Town Line Road[Cen 1910B]. Their children referred to nearby Pulaski, Brown County, as their place of birth. There William farmed and his 60-year-old father lived with the family in 1920.[Cen 1920, 1930]

The Nowaks returned to Milwaukee by 1935 where they rented at 3127 South 16th Street. There William worked as as a road construction laborer for the Depression era Works Projects Administration (WPA).[Cen 1940]

Grandson Gerald Thomson also lived with the Nowaks in 1940, and by 1950 he took the name Nowak.[Cen 1940, 1950]

January 2023Son Clemence served as a Private First Class in the U.S. Army during World War II.

William began using the name Valentine by 1949 when he and Maryann lived at 2522 East Morgan Avenue. Valentine worked in heat treating for a big machine company.[Cen 1950]

Son Raymond was mistakenly shot and killed during a deer hunting accident in northern Wisconsin on November 17, 1951, the first day of deer season. Raymond was 39 years old. He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Milwaukee.[Grave]

The Nowaks later moved to 3820 South Kansas Avenue by the time Maryann passed away in 1960.

Maryann (Gracz) Nowak died on February 12, 1960, at the age of 68. She was buried at Saint Adalberts Cemetery in Milwaukee.[Grave]

Walenty Nowak died on November 19, 1985, in Milwaukee, and was buried with Maryann at Saint Adalberts Cemetery. He was 97 years old.

Sources
  • Birth 1891: 20 Aug 1891 Birth, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1900: 8 Jun 1900 Census, 1062 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1905A: 1 Jun 1905 Wisconsin State Census, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1905B: 1 Jun 1905 Wisconsin State Census, Chase, Oconto County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1910A: 20 Apr 1910 Census, Lake Township, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1910B: 18 Apr 1910 Census, South Town Line Road, Chase, Oconto County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1920: 14 Jan 1920 Census, Chase, Oconto County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1930: 10 Apr 1930 Census, Chase, Oconto County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1940: 4 Apr 1940 Census, 3127 South 16th Street, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1950: 3 Apr 1950 Census, 2522 East Morgan Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Grave: Saint Adalberts Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Find A Grave <http://www.findagrave.com>
  • Grave: Woodlawn Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Find A Grave <http://www.findagrave.com>

Stanisław GRACZ (1893-1928)

11D.December 2020Stanisław "Stanley" Gracz was born on May 6, 1893, in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. He married Amelia "Emily" Cyskowska by 1917 and had three children before Stanley's early death:

11D1. Harvey Victor Gracz (21) May 1917 7 Sep 1987 (70)
11D2. Genevieve E. Gracz (15) Jan 1919 23 Oct 2018 (99)
11D3. Eugene S. Gracz 11 Dec 1920 4 Aug 2014 (93)

The Gracz family settled at 1306[Draft 1917] or 1310[Cen 1920] 3rd Avenue in Milwaukee. Stanley was described in his military draft registration as short, with a medium build, brown eyes, and brown hair. He was an unemployed motor assembler in 1917[Draft 1917] but by 1920 he was working as a press hand in a machine shop.[Cen 1920]

Stanisław "Stanley" Gracz died on March 10, 1928, in Milwaukee at the young age of 36. He was buried at Saint Adalberts Cemetery in Milwaukee. His headstone uses the Latin spelling "Stanislaus."[Grave]

Emily and her three children, age 9 through 12, lived at 1282 Midland Avenue, which she owned and ran the Rainbow Restaurant[City 1929], which was valued at $2,000 in 1930. Her brothers-in-law Roman and Raymond rented from her and worked as machinists at a machine shop.[City 1929, 1930; Cen 1930]

Emily and son Eugene moved to a rental at 2121 West Forest Home Avenue by 1940.[Cen 1940]

Amelia apparently remarried and was widowed again by 1950, when she, enumerated as Amerlia Pryzbyl, was living with daughter Genevieve and her Amrozewicz family, and son Eugene at 1936 South 15th Place.[Cen 1950]

Amelia (Cyskowska) Gracz reportedly died on September 15, 1960, in Yuma, Yuma County, Arizona, at the age 66. She was buried with Stanley at Saint Adalberts Cemetery.[Grave]

Sources
  • Birth 1893: 6 May 1893 Birth, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1900: 8 Jun 1900 Census, 1062 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1905: 1905 Wisconsin State Census, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1910: 20 Apr 1910 Census, Lake Township, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Draft 1917: 5 Jun 1917, World War I Draft Registration, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1920: 14 Jan 1920 Census, 1310 3rd Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • City 1929: U.S. City Directories, 1821-1995, 1282 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1930: 9 Apr 1930 Census, 1282 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • City 1930: U.S. City Directories, 1821-1995, 1282 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1940: 11 Apr 1940 Census, 2121 West Forest Home Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1950: 12 Apr 1950 Census, 1936 South 15th Place, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Grave: Saint Adalberts Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Find A Grave <http://www.findagrave.com>

Praxeda (GRACZ LABOY GLEMBIN) WEDORΔ (1894-1970)

11E.Praxeda "Sadie" Gracz was born on October 31, 1894, in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.[Birth 1894] She first married Frank Stanislaus (Labaj) LaBoy, a native of Gębiczyn, Czarnków, Poland, in 1914, and had two children before they divorced. She afterward married John Jacob Gemblin and had five more children:[Cen 1940]

11E1. Alice LaBoy (1914) (> 1930) (> 16)
11E2. Harvey Joseph LaBoyBlue Star 12 Jul 1919 12 Dec 1947 (28)

11E3. Rita Gemblin (1928-1929) 17 Sep 1922 (93)
11E4. Marcella Gemblin --  --  -- 
11E5. Rosemarie Gemblin 17 Aug 1931 11 Jul 2018 (86)
11E6. Gordon J. GemblinΔ 5 Oct 1933 (19) Apr 2013 (79)
11E7. Carol Gemblin 25 Dec 1939 2 Mar 2012 (72)

Sadie and Frank married in Milwaukee on June 23, 1914.[Nat 1930] By 1918 they lived at 1328 Midland and Frank worked as a clerk for Eagle Tea Company at 413 Mitchell Street.[Draft 1918]

The LaBoy family bought a home at 805 7th Avenue by 1920. The John & Clara Sarnowski family lived at the same address.[Cen 1920]

The LaBoys moved to 902 Windlake Avenue by 1924 when Frank made his first declaration of intention to naturalize, which was denied in 1929.[Nat 1924] Frank filed a second declaration of intention in 1930.[Nat 1930]

Sadie and Frank divorced by 1930 when Sadie and her two children rented a home at 537 Lincoln Avenue. She was unemployed at the time.[Cen 1930A]

Milwaukee Street Renumbering
Numbered avenues along Mitchell Street were all renumbered as streets such that Fifth and Sixth Avenues became South 10th and 11th Streets.

Sadie reportedly married John Gemblin on April 12, 1930, in Milwaukee, five days after the census was taken. At the time John was living with his mother and sister at 1318 4th Avenue where he worked as a machinist in a machine shop.[Cen 1930B]

The Gemblin family lived at 1818 South 11th Street by 1940. John worked as a shovel operator for an excavation company.[Cen 1940A]

Son Harvey lived with Sadie's sister Frances in 1940 and worked as a pin boy at a bowling alley.[Cen 1940] Later that year, Harvey registered for the draft and was described as 5' 7" tall, 140 pounds, with brown eyes, brown hair, and a ruddy complexion.[Draft 1940]

Harvey enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1942 and was assigned to the 35th Infantry Division's 134th Infantry Regiment.[Grave] The 134th and its sister regiments, the 137th and 320th, deployed to England in May 1944 and then landed at Omaha Beach in the Normandy Invasion in July. From Normandy the 134th and 137th pushed back the enemy from Saint-Lô and went on to liberate or capture 124 towns. The 134th returned to the U.S. aboard the Queen Mary in September 1945 and Harvey was discharged on September 17. Harvey attained the rank of Technician 5th Grade (TEC 5)[Grave], which was also called "Tech Corporal," and was awarded a Purple Heart.[Vet 1948]

The Gemblins moved two blocks south to 1125 West Windlake Avenue by 1947 and while there son Harvey died on December 13, 1947, at the young age of 28.[Vet 1948] The family continued at that residence through 1950 when John worked as a bench assembler at a bottle manufacturing company, daughter Rosemary worked as a stenographer at an attorney's office, son Gordon worked as a pin setter at a bowling alley, and son-in-law Gilbert Magolan worked as a railroad car inspector.[Cen 1950]

John Jacob Gemblin died on January 21, 1958, at the age of 58. He was buried at Saint Adalberts Cemetery in Milwaukee.[Grave] He had been living at 9521 West Arthur Avenue in West Allis, Milwaukee County, at the time.

Sadie remarried to Joseph R. Wedor, who was widowed in 1956 and had two grown children.[Grave]

Praxeda "Sadie" (Gracz Gemblin) Wedor died on June 19, 1970, at the age of 75. She was buried at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Milwaukee.[Grave] She had been living at 4646 South Lenox Street at the time.

Joseph R. Wedor died on November 19, 1986, in Milwaukee, and was buried with his first wife at Holy Trinity Cemetery. He was 91 years old.[Grave]

Sources
  • Birth 1894: 31 Oct 1894 Birth, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1900: 8 Jun 1900 Census, 1062 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1905: 1905 Wisconsin State Census, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1910: 20 Apr 1910 Census, Lake Township, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Draft 1918: 12 Sep 1918, World War I Draft Registration, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1920: 2 Jan 1920 Census, 805 7th Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Nat 1924: 15 Feb 1924 Naturalization Declaration, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1930A: 5 Apr 1930 Census, 537 Lincoln Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1930B: 10 Apr 1930 Census, 1318 4th Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Nat 1930: 21 Aug 1930 Naturalization Declaration, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1940A: 6 Apr 1940 Census, 1818 South 11th Street, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1940B: 8 Apr 1940 Census, 2825 South 9th Street, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Draft 1940: 16 Oct 1940, World War II Draft Registration, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Vet 1948: 8 Jan 1948 Application for Headstone, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1950: 6 Apr 1950 Census, 1125 West Windlake Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Grave: Saint Adalberts Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Find A Grave <http://www.findagrave.com>
  • Grave: Holy Trinity Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Find A Grave <http://www.findagrave.com>

Roman GRACZ (1897-1974)

Roman GRACZ, circa World War I11F.Roman Gracz was born on July 14, 1897, in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.[Birth 1897] He married Anna Brzezinska around 1922. They are not known to have had any children.

Brzezinski Relations?
Roman's paternal grandmother was also a Brzezinski but it is not yet known if Roman and Anna were related.

Roman's birth record gives his birth date as July 21[Birth 1897], however, his draft registration[Draft 1918] and death records both state July 14.

Roman registered for the draft the day after his father died in August 1918. He was living at home with his mother at 1299 4th Avenue and worked as a machine hand for the International Harvester Company. He was described as of medium height with a medium build, brown eyes, and brown hair.[Draft 1918]

Roman and Anna married around 1922 and by 1929 they rented from Roman's widowed sister-in-law for $30. His youngest brother Raymond lived with them and both worked as machinists at a machine shop.[City 1929, 1930; Cen 1930]

Roman and Anna moved to a rental at 2727 South 15th Street by 1940 where Anna's widowed younger sister Martha (Brzezinska) Mucherheide and divorced younger brother Michael Brzezinski lived with them. Roman continued work as a set-up man at a machine shop and Martha and Michael worked at a hosiery manufacturer.[Cen 1940, 1950]

Anna (Brzezinska) Gracz died on August 4, 1968, at the age of 71. She was buried at Saint Adalberts Cemetery.[Grave]

Roman Gracz died five years later on February 27, 1974, in Milwaukee, at the age of 76. He was buried with Anna at Saint Adalberts Cemetery.[Grave]

Sources
  • Birth 1897: 21 Jul 1897 Birth, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1900: 8 Jun 1900 Census, 1062 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1905: 1905 Wisconsin State Census, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1910: 20 Apr 1910 Census, Lake Township, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Draft 1918: 24 Aug 1918, World War I Draft Registration, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1920: 9 Jan 1920 Census, 1299 Fourth Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • City 1929: U.S. City Directories, 1821-1995, 1282 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1930: 9 Apr 1930 Census, 1282 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • City 1930: U.S. City Directories, 1821-1995, 1282 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1940: 4 Apr 1940 Census, 2727 South 15th Street, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1950: 1 Apr 1950 Census, 2727 South 15th Street, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Grave: Saint Adalberts Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Find A Grave <http://www.findagrave.com>

Simon P. GRACZ/GRACE (1899-1973)

11G.Szymon "Simon"/"Sam" P. Gracz/Grace was born on October 1, 1899, in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Simon moved west to Idaho by 1934 and married Mary Jane (Haddox) Pope, a divorcée, on April 8, 1934, in Pasco, Franklin County, Washington. She had three sons from her first marriage and they had one son together:

 -- Wesley Wayne Pope 8 Nov 1922 --  -- 
 -- Charles William Pope, Jr. 18 Nov 1923 --  -- 
 -- Robert Ray Pope 20 Mar 1925 23 Mar 2015 (90)

11G1. Simon Phillip Grace, Jr. 20 May 1945 26 Sep 1954 (9)

Simon's father died in 1918. Afterward he continued to live at home with his mother and siblings through at least 1920, when he worked as a packer at a tannery.[Cen 1920]

Simon moved west to Salmon, Lemhi County, Idaho, by 1934, and married Mary J. (Haddox) Pope, a native of Camden, Missouri, and a divorcée with three sons. She had been residing in Everett, Snohomish County, Washington, at the time. They wed on April 8, 1934, in Pasco, Franklin County, Washington,[Mar 1934] and afterward they spelled their name as Grace, rather than Gracz.

They moved to Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, by 1935, where her widowed father lived, but continued northwest to Snohomish County, where they resettled by 1940. There Simon worked at a Works Progress Administration (WPA) warehouse and Mary worked as a waitress at a cafe.[Cen 1940]

Son Simon was born in Alameda County, California, in 1945, perhaps indicating that the family moved there for a time for wartime employment.

Next the Grace family moved to Cow Creek Election Precinct (roughly around the town of Azalea), Douglas County, in southwest Oregon by 1950, where they lived next to Mary's ex-husband and his wife. Simon worked as a laborer at a saw mill.[Cen 1950]

Nine-year-old son Simon "Butch" Grace died on September 26, 1954, reportedly in nearby Glendale. He is buried at Glendale Memorial Cemetery, Glendale, Douglas County, Oregon.[Grave]

Simon P. Grace died on June 12, 1973, in Springfield, Lane County, Oregon, at the age of 73 years. He is also buried at Glendale Memorial Cemetery.[Grave]

Mary Jane (Haddox Pope) Grace died on December 4, 1989, in Riverside County, California, at the age of 84.[Dth 1989] She is buried with Simon at Glendale Memorial Cemetery.[Grave]

Sources
  • Birth 1899: 1 Oct 1899 Birth, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1900: 8 Jun 1900 Census, 1062 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1905: (May) 1905 Wisconsin State Census, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1910: 20 Apr 1910 Census, Lake Township, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1920: 9 Jan 1920 Census, 1299 Fourth Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Mar 1934: 8 Apr 1934 Register of Marriage, Franklin County, Washington
  • Cen 1940: 29 Apr 1940 Census, Route 2, Snohomish Road, Lincoln Election Precinct, Snohomish County, Washington
  • Cen 1950: 24 May 1950 Census, Cow Creek Election Precinct, Douglas County, Oregon
  • Dth 1989: 4 Dec 1989 California Death Index, Riverside County, California
  • Grave: Glendale Memorial Cemetery, Glendale, Douglas County, Oregon, Find A Grave <http://www.findagrave.com>

John GRACZ/Grace (1902-1970)

11H.Jan "John" Gracz/Grace was born at 10:00 p.m. on March 27, 1902, at the family home at 1171 Windlake Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.[Birth 1902] He married Lorraine Balcerzak on October 18, 1928, in Milwaukee, but they divorced after having one son together. John later remarried to a woman named Dorothy.

11H1. Daniel John Gracz 11 Jan 1931 17 Aug 1983 (52)

John left Milwaukee and enlisted in the Army at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, on April 13, 1920. He served with the 13th Field Artillery Regiment, Battery C. The regiment reportedly was assigned to the Hawaiian Division (24th Infantry Division) on March 1, 1921, but it is unclear if John was reassigned to Hawaii. John was discharged after a year's service on April 28, 1921, at Fort McDowell, California, on Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay.[Vet 1931]

John married Leokadya "Lorraine" Balcerzak on October 18, 1928, in Milwaukee. They lived at 900 Windlake Avenue where John reportedly worked as a confectioner.[City 1929, 1930]

John and Lorraine divorced by around 1931[Vet 1931] and Lorraine remarried on July 28, 1934, to Anthony J. Fedorowicz. Son Daniel lived with Lorraine and Anthony in Milwaukee.

After John and Lorraine divorced, John moved west to California and changed the spelling of his family name to Grace. The first record with that name was when he was admitted to the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers at Sawtelle, Los Angeles, on July 20, 1931. He suffered from "kydroelle (right)" (meaning unknown) and an unspecified laceration. John was recorded as single and described as 66½" tall with brown eyes, brown hair, and ruddy complexion. He had been working as a cook in Los Angeles.[Vet 1931]

February 2023John lived at 1144 East 58th Drive by 1940 where he lodged with Alice Cosyns, a 62-year-old widow from Belgium. There John worked as a laborer for stable products and was recorded as having been divorced.[Cen 1940]

By 1942, John had moved a mile west to 5910 Mettler Street in Los Angeles and was working for the California Shipbuilding Company (CalShip), 20 miles to the south in Wilmington. His World War II draft registration described him as 5' 8" tall, 170 pounds, brown eyes, brown hair, light complexion, a scar over his left eye, and tattoos on his right arm, upper and lower, and upper left arm.[Draft 1942]

February 2023John married Dorothy by 1950 and the two lived at 1120-½ East 68 Street, about a mile to the southeast of Mettler Street. John worked as a cafe bartender and Dorothy waited tables at a restaurant.[Cen 1950]

John Grace died on November 20, 1970, at the age of 68. He was variously reported as having died in Ehrenberg, La Paz County Arizona[Dth 1970B], or across the river in Riverside County, California.[Dth 1970A] He is buried at Palo Verde Cemetery, in Blythe, Riverside County.[Grave]

Sources
  • Birth 1902: 27 Mar 1902 Birth, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1905: (May) 1905 Wisconsin State Census, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1910: 20 Apr 1910 Census, Lake Township, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • City 1930: U.S. City Directories, 1821-1995, 900 Windlake Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Vet 1931: 20 Jul 1931, Disabled Volunteer Soldiers Admissions Register, Sawtelle, Los Angeles County, California, 38310
  • Cen 1940: Apr 1940 Census, 1144 East 58th Drive, San Antonio Township, Los Angeles County, California
  • Draft 1942: 15 Feb 1942, World War II Draft Registration, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California
  • Cen 1950: 28 Apr 1950 Census, 1120-1/2 East 68, San Antonio Township, Los Angeles County, California
  • Dth 1970A: California Death Index, Riverside County, California
  • Dth 1970B: Social Security Death Index, Ehrenberg, La Paz County, Arizona
  • Grave: Mount Olivet Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Find A Grave <http://www.findagrave.com>

Frank Casimer GRACZ (1905-1991)

11I.Franciszek "Frank" Casimer Gracz was born on February 15, 1905, in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.[Birth 1905, Draft 1940] He married Helen Jeka around 1925 or 1926[Cen 1930] and had at least two sons:

11I1. Conrad Frank Gracz 20 Feb 1931 27 Mar 2007 (76)
11I2. Thomas Gracz --  --  -- 

Frank completed the 8th grade[Cen 1940] and started working as a packer at a knitting factory by the age of 14.[Cen 1920]

After Frank and Helen wed they rented a home at 589 Oklahoma Avenue by 1929.[City 1929] Helen's 16-year-old niece Irene Rutowski lived with them and both she and Frank worked at a hosiery mill, Frank as a knitter and Irene as a spooler.[Cen 1930] They soon after moved to 1367 1st Avenue.[City 1930]

The Gracz family bought a house at 2057 South 34th Street in the late 1930s. Both Frank and Helen worked at the hosier mill, Frank as a knitter and Helen as a topper.[Cen 1940] In 1940, the Joseph and Pearl Beyer family rented the upper floor, but by 1950, Frank's niece Virginia (Nowak) Gould and her family rented the unit.[Cen 1940, 1950]

During the draft, Frank was described as 5' 6½" tall, 138 pounds, with brown eyes, brown hair, and light complexion. He was working as a full-fashioned knitter at the Phoenix Hosiery Company at 320 East Buffalo Street.

Frank Gracz died on October 6, 1991, in Milwaukee, at the age of 86. He was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Milwaukee.[Grave]

Helen (Jeka) Gracz died a year and a half later on May 22, 1993, in Milwaukee. She was buried with Frank at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Helen was 90 years old.[Grave]

Sources
  • Birth 1905: 15 Feb 1905 Birth, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1905: (May) 1905 Wisconsin State Census, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1910: 20 Apr 1910 Census, Lake Township, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1920: 9 Jan 1920 Census, 1299 Fourth Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • City 1929: U.S. City Directories, 1821-1995, 589 Oklahoma Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1930: 19 Apr 1930 Census, 589 Oklahoma Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • City 1930: U.S. City Directories, 1821-1995, 1367 1st Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1940: 11 Apr 1940 Census, 2057 South 34th Street, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Draft 1940: 16 Oct 1940, World War II Draft Registration, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1950: 3 Apr 1950 Census, 2057 South 34th Street, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Grave: Mount Olivet Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Find A Grave <http://www.findagrave.com>

Raymond Michael GRACZ (1910-1944)

11J.Raymond "Jerry" Michael Gracz was born on August 31, 1910, at the family home at 1286 4th Avenue in Lake Township, South Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. He is not known to have married or had any children and died at the young age of 34.[Grave]

Raymond lived with his elder brother Roman, who rented from their widowed sister-in-law. Both worked as machinists at a machine shop.[Cen 1930]

Raymond worked as a saleman at a retail store and lived with his eldest sister Frances and her family in 1940.[Cen 1940] Later that same year he registered for the draft and was described as 5' 7" tall, 154 pounds, with brown eyes, brown hair, and a ruddy complexion. It was also noted that he had one eye crossed.[Draft 1940]

Raymond Gracz died on Friday, December 22, 1944, in Milwaukee, at the young age of 34. He was buried on Tuesday, December 26, in Saint Adalberts Cemetery in Milwaukee. His headstone addresses him as "Brother."[Grave]

Milwaukee Journal, December 24, 1944
"Gracz: Raymond (Jerry), passed away Friday Dec 22, aged 34 years, residence, 2825 S. 9th st., beloved brother of Francis Nowak, Mary Nowak, Sadie Glembin, Anton in Montana, Roman, Simon in California, John, Frank; also survived by brothers-in-law John and William Nowak, John Glembin; sisters-in-law Viola, Anna, Mary, Helen, nieces and nephews. Funeral Tuesday from the funeral home of Edmund Fennig & Son, 2006 S 9th pl. at 8:45 a. m. Services at St John Kanty's church, interment at St Adalbert's cemetery In state 10 o'clock Sunday morning.""
Sources
  • Cen 1920: 9 Jan 1920 Census, 1299 Fourth Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • City 1929: U.S. City Directories, 1821-1995, 1282 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1930: 9 Apr 1930 Census, 1282 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • City 1930: U.S. City Directories, 1821-1995, 1282 Midland Avenue, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Cen 1940: 8 Apr 1940 Census, 2825 South 9th Street, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Draft 1940: 16 Oct 1940, World War II Draft Registration, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
  • Grave: Saint Adalberts Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Find A Grave <http://www.findagrave.com>