FRANK PETER ZIELINSKI was born November 3, 1872 in Poland, the 3rd child of JOHN ZIELINSKI and ELIZABETH WITKOWSKI. The exact location of his birth has not been determined, but most likely it was either Ellerbruch or Gross Waplitz. Very little is known about his early childhood. However, it is believed that sometime around 1884-1885, he and his family immigrated to the United States from Poland.

MARGARETTA "SOFIA" BRODZINSKI was born February 25, 1870, the eighth and last child of NICHOLAS BRODZINSKI and MARGA KLONOWSKA. It is likely that she was born in the tiny hamlet of Szucie, Poland. This is where she and her family were living when they immigrated to America, sometime around 1887.

It is not known how they met, but Frank and Sofia were married on Halloween -  October 31, 1893 in Menasha, Wisconsin. Officiating was the Reverend I. Zielinski, and witnesses were Michael Frzdizelowski and Joseph Wroblewski. In 1895, the couple was listed in the Menasha City Directory as residing at the corner of 3rd Street and Depere. Frank filed a Petition for Naturalization and became a naturalized citizen of the United States on April 11, 1906. On April 17, 1908, for the sum of $200, Frank and Sofia purchased the land at 631 5th Street.

Frank and Sofia had 9 children over a span of 14 years. Three children died at young ages. ANTON FLORIAN, later better known as LAWRENCE, our Grandpa Z, was their second child, born on May 14, 1896. In 1918, Frank's brother John died unexpectedly leaving behind 3 children between the ages of 3 and 12 (the mother have previously passed). Frank and Sofie were appointed guardianship of all 5 children: Agnes, Mary, Clara, Celia, and Susie Zielinski.

In 1923, Frank ran afoul of the law. On the evening of January 17th, Federal and local authorities conducted a large prohibition raid in Menasha. Frank was among those arrested. He was charged with operating an illegal moonshine still in his back yard at 631 5th Street!

Son Lawrence purchased the lot next door to his parents in 1924 and built a house on it prior to marrying Lena. This was 635 5th Street and the house became the home of Lawrence and Lena for the rest of their lives. Reportedly, Lena and Sofia didn't get along all that well and Lena rarely visited, even though they were next-door neighbors!

In addition to the house on 5th Street, Frank owned a farm on Old Plank Road. Sofia refused to live there, so they were effectively separated. By all accounts however, they had a good relationship. In the 1930 census, Frank is recorded as renting a room on Old Plank Road, so the farm must have been sold by then. Sofia is recorded as living on 5th Street. Frank, called "Jadisch" by his grandkids ("Grandpa" in Polish) never owned a car. One night while walking home to the farm from a bar, Frank was tragically struck by a hit and run driver and killed. He died on May 28, 1937. He was 64 years old. The perpetrator was never found.

Sofia, called "Busha" ("Grandma" in Polish) remained in the house on 5th Street until her death 10 years later on October 17, 1947 at the age of 77. Both Frank and Sofia are buried in St. John's cemetery in Menasha. 

1893 Frank and Sofia's Marriage Record
1905 Wisconsin State Census
1906 Naturalization Petition
1908 Warranty Deed for 631 5th Street
1910 U.S. Federal Census
1917-18 WWI draft registration cards:  Frank  -  Lawrence  -  Joseph 
1920 U.S. Federal Census
1930 U.S. Federal Census:  Frank  -  Margaretta
1940 U.S. Federal Census (Sofia)