Anton Florian "Lawrence" Zielinski

(click here to go to Lawrence and Lena page)

Lawrence approx 1912

early life
Anton Florian Zielinski was born on May 14, 1896 in Menasha, Wisconsin, the second child of Frank Peter Zielinski and Margaretta "Sophia" Brodzinski. He was baptized at St. John's Catholic Church on May 24, 1896 by the Reverend Lucas Pescinski. Sponsors were Julian Pogalinski (aunt?) and Elizabeth Zielinski (grandmother?).

Anton's Civil Birth Record	Anton's Baptism Record

According to the Menasha City Directory of 1895, the family resided at the northwest corner of 3rd and Depere Streets. On April 16, 1908, Frank and Sophia purchased the lot at what later became 631 5th Street in Menasha.

NW corner of 3rd and Depere - 1889	631 5th Street 1889	Warranty deed for purchase of property at 631 5th Street

At some point, Anton Florian became known as Lawrence. He had been called by his middle name - Florian. But, with the Polish dialect spoken at the time, gradually it began  to turn into an Americanized "Lawrence". On the 1905 Wisconsin state census, he is listed as "Floydice". But, on the 1910 U.S. federal census, he is listed as "Lorens". Lawrence only attended school for one day. The story goes that a nun came to the house and suggested to Frank and Sofia that Lawrence should attend school. They agreed, and the next day Lawrence was sent to school. In the days following, he did not return to school, and again, the nuns appeared at the house questioning why Lawrence was not attending school. Frank and Sofia exclaimed that he had attended. The nuns then explained that he should attend school every day, not just once! But, they would have none of that, and Lawrence never again attended school.


1910 U.S. census depicting the Frank Zielinski family
military service
Lawrence took a job as a hooper at Menasha Wooden Ware Company. The Great War had begun in 1914, and by 1917 was raging throughout Europe. The United States had maintained its neutrality, but on April 6, 1917, Congress declared war on Germany. Shortly thereafter, Lawrence joined the Wisconsin National Guard, entering as a private 1st class in the infantry. Click here for a complete account of his exploits during World War I.

return to civilian life
Lawrence was discharged from military duty on May 19, 1919. He returned to Menasha, and the 1920 U.S. federal census records him living at home once again at 631 5th Street. On this census, he was recorded as "Toney".


1920 U.S. census depicting the Frank Zielinski family
Shortly after returning to Menasha from the war, Lawrence met Appolonia "Lena" Jankowski at his home when Lena accompanied Appolonia Danowski on a visit to Lawrence's mother, Sofia. The couple began dating, and the rest, as they say, is history...



see the Lawrence and Lena page for the continuation of this story...