Bio: Chesak Families

Contact: Stan

Surnames: Chesak, Sigmond, Schreiber, Masak, Blecha, Wilger, Hentz, Miller, Bellon, Schwager, Braun, Hurt, Smith, Halsey, Allen, Schlaegel, Degner, Kreutzer, Penegor, Wiley, Munes, Stahnke, Shara, Becker, Braun, Wilger, Penegor, Korab, Brown, Kraetsch, Ahner

----Source: Rietbrock Centennial (1880 - 1980), pg. 25

Chesak Family Biographies

Bio: Chesak, Martin (22 Apr 1824 - 9 Mar 1906)

Martin Chesak and wife Mary (Sigmond) Chesak were born, reared, and married in Austria; and from that country they came with their children to the United States in 1857 and settled in the town of Trenton, Washington County, Wisconsin. For three years after coming to Wisconsin he followed his trade of brickmaker. Then when he moved to Marathon County in 1880, and for a number of years afterward, he was in partnership with his son Joseph in the mercantile business, and also, worked with all his sons in lumbering.

Mary and Martin had the following children: Joseph, Barbara (Herman Schreiber), John H., Mary (Joseph Masak), Frank F., a prominent business man and politician in Marathon County, and Josephine (John A. Blecha). when his father emigrated to Trenton, Wisconsin. He received the common school education in that town. Until he was sixteen years of age, Joseph was mainly interested in his school books and the sports and occupations of boyhood; but then he was deemed old enough to begin the work of a man in the lumber regions, where he worked as a laborer until he was twenty-one years old. Then, after completing a business course in the Spencerian College at Milwaukee, he started a general store at Newberg, Wisconsin, which he continued from 1875 until the time he came to Poniatowski in 1880. The Chesak's then built a store at Poniatowski and engaged in the general merchandise business which is now owned by John R. Gesicki.

In 1876, Mr. Joseph Chesak was married to Miss Mary S. Wilger, who was born in Washington County, Wisconsin, a daughter of Mathias and Susan (Hentz) Wilger. To Joseph and wife Mary were born five children, namely: Mary B. (George M. Blecha), John C., Thomas M., Agnes J. (Joseph N. Miller), and Anna R. (Joseph Bellon). Mr. Chesak and family belonged to the Catholic church and in politics he was a Republican. While living in the town of Trenton, he served as town clerk and for twenty-two years was clerk of the Town of Rietbrock, for fourteen years was justice of the peace; and in 1888 was elected to the General Assembly for two years. He was also trustee of the village of Athens in 1907 and 1908, supervisor of the village 1909 and 1910, trustee of the Marathon County Insane Asylum from 1894 to 1897, being elected president of that body.

When Joseph arrived in the town of Rietbrock, some roads had already been opened, but they were new and impassable at times. The settlers were all beginners and poor, of course; and it took a long time and much hard work to make a farm. However, Mr. Chesak had faith in the industry and honesty of these hardworking, frugal beginners, and assisted them to the best of his ability, by extending credit to them, and was their advisor in a general way. The fact that he could speak four languages made his store the center of intelligence in the community. He was elected and re-elected town clerk for twenty-two years, Seated Joseph Chesak, in back daughter Agnes (Miller), her son Earl and grand- children Audrey and Tom Miller.

and was also school treasurer and justice of the peace. His business was carried on under some difficulties first, he having to bring his merchandise from Wausau by surrey and two horses over poor country roads, take all sorts of farm produce in exchange and carry them in the same way to Wausau and market them. He carried along the mail from Wausau to Poniatowski three times a week, and sometimes passengers, too, were carried by his horses and surrey.

Succeeding L. Schwager, Joseph Chesak was post- master of Poniatowski from August, 1881 to April, 1906, at which time he retired and moved to Athens, Wisconsin.

In the year 1891 the three Chesak brothers, Joseph, Frank and John, started the lumber mill at Athens, Wisconsin, which was one of the important business enterprises of that era. It was this mill that was purchased by Braun Bros. & Co. in 1914, and is in the building business today.

Frank married Anna Blaszka September 13, 1894. He 'vas a prominent business man and politician in Marathon County.

John H., pioneer lumberman of this section of the county, was prominently identified with the early Frank Chesak and wife Anna history of Poniatowski and Athens communities, both in a business way and as a public servant. He was born in the town of Trenton, near Newburg, in Washington County, April 13, 1860.

Bio: Chesak, John H. (13 Apr 1862 - ?)

John H. Chesak

In 1885 he attended Oshkosh Normal, taking a three-year teachers course; completing this, he took a commercial course at Wausau. Then followed six years of teaching - four years at School District No. I, known as the "green school" south of Poniatowski, and two years at Poniatowski school district No. 3.

Mr. Chesak was married in Toledo, Ohio, to Tena Hurt, in 1889. Seven children -- six boys and one girl -- were born to this union. Five of the boys died in infancy, while Helen, a daughter, died February 4, 1918, at the age of eighteen. One son, George, lived at Athens, Wisconsin.

Tena died November 4, 1904. Next year on November 14, 1905, he was married to Miss Emily Penegor of Rockland, Michigan. To this union one child was born -- Dorothy (Wiley), who presently lives at Chippewa, Wisconsin.

In 1890, John Chesak moved to Athens. Here he was superintendent of the Chesak & Munes Lumber Co.; and when this firm became the Athens Manufacturing Co., he continued at this position until its sale to Braun Bros. & Co. in 1916.

He was also a director of the bank of Athens for a number of years. Like nearly all persons whose time is occupied with business and community activities, Mr. Chesak found time to cultivate a hobby. In his case it was the playing the violin. At school he studied this instrument, and later he often found relaxation and enjoyment in playing his favorite selection, "The Mocking Bird".

George and Helen, children of John On rare occasions, Mr. Chesak would recall numerous interesting anecdotes and happenings of the sturdy pioneer life whose hardships and struggles he shared with other early settlers, and to listen to these recitals was a privilege greatly appreciated. Mr. Chesak has been a dependable and conscientious citizen, ready and willing at all times to devote his time and energy for the advancement of the community.

Bio: Chesak, John H. (1862 – 19??)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon
E-mail: eldolken@potc.net
 
Surnames: Chesak, Sigmond, Schrieber, Masak, Blecha, Hurt, Penegor

---Source: History of Marathon County Wisconsin and Representative Citizens, by Louis Marchetti, 1913.

Chesak, John H. (13 April 1862 – 19??)

John H. Chesak who, for the last fifteen years has been secretary of the Board of Education at Athens, Wis., for many years has been engaged in the lumber industry, and is one of three brothers, owning the Athens Manufacturing Company, a firmly established and highly prosperous business enterprise of Marathon County. He was born in Washington County, Wis., April 13, 1862, and is a son of Martin and Mary (Sigmond) Chesak.

Martin Chesak and wife were natives of Austria. They came with their children to America in 1857 and sought a home in Washington County, Wis., and for three years Martin Chesak followed his trade of brick-maker. He then engaged in farming until 1884, when he came to Marathon County and afterward, until his death, was interested in lumber and merchandising. His children were: Joseph; Barbara, who is deceased, was the wife of Herman Schrieber; John H.; Mary, who is the wife of Joseph Masak; Frank F., who is prominent in public affairs in Marathon County; and Josephine, who is the widow of John A. Blecha.

John H. Chesak has been a resident of Marathon County since he was nineteen years of age, and has spent twenty-one years at Athens, Wis. He was given excellent educational advantages, attending the Normal School at Oshkosh, Wis., for three years and taking a commercial course of one year at Wausau, and for eight years before embarking in the lumber business was a school teacher, teaching a district school one year and one village school six years.

Mr. Chesak was married September 24, 1889, to Miss Tena Hurt, a daughter of Frank Hurt, of Iowa, and at death she left two children: George J. and Helen A. The second marriage of Mr. Chesak was to Miss Emily E. Penegor, who was born in Michigan, a daughter of Jeremiah Penegor, and they have one daughter, Dorothy. In his political sentiments Mr. Chesak is a Republican. For six years he served in the office of a notary public and has always been a dependable, conscientious citizen. He is identified with the National Fraternal League, the F. O. E., the Beavers and the Polish National Alliance, while, with his family he belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.

Bio: Chesak, Joseph (1854 - ?)

Joseph Chesak (8 Dec 1854 - ).

----Source: History of Marathon County Wisconsin and Representative Citizens, by Louis Marchetti, 1913. 

Joseph Chesak was bom in Pilsen, Bohemia, Austria, on December 8, 1854; his father emigrated to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Trenton, Wisconsin  

RESIDENCE STEEET IX EDGAR, WIS.  

WAUSAU GAS CO.'S OFFICE AND GRAND OPERA HOUSE  

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 231  

Washington county, when Joseph was three years of age. He received the common school education in that town, and later took a course in the Spencerian College at Milwaukee. He engaged in mercantile business and hotel-keeping and held the office of town clerk for the last three years in that town, before his migration to Marathon county in 1881. It .was at the time that J. M. Smith and Fred Rietbrook, through intelligent and judicious advertising brought many new settlers to Marathon county, mainly in the present town of Rietbrook, Wisconsin, the majority being Polish people coming from Milwaukee. Mr. Chesak built a store and engaged in general merchandise business; was appointed postmaster, the postoffice being named "Poniatowski." When he arrived there, some roads had already been opened, but they were new and impassable at times ; the settlers were all beginners and poor, of course, and it took a long time and hard work to make a farm. However, Mr. Chesak had faith in the industry and honesty of these hard-working, frugal beginners, and assisted them to the best of his ability by extending credit to them, and was their advisor in a general way. The fact that he could speak four languages made his store the center of intelligence in that community. He was elected and reelected town clerk for years, and school treasurer and justice of the peace. His faith in the new country and the people was fully justified by events. His business was carried on under some difficulties first, he having to bring his merchandise from Wausau out by wagon or sleigh over poor country roads, take all sorts of farm produce in exchange and carry them in the same way to Wausau and market them; but the settlement grew, the farms became larger, and his business too grew up to big dimensions and brought him prosperity and honors.

When his sons had grown up, he turned his business in Poniatowski over to them, and with his two brothers, John and Frank, built and still operates a saw mill and engaged in general lumber business in the village of Athens, where he took up his residence. He is also interested in the Athens Bank. He has done his full share in the upbuilding of that part of Marathon county, and can look back with contentment upon his achievements. Affable, kind and courteous, he is an excellent companion and enjoys society and is held in the highest esteem by the people of that section and his many acquaintances throughout the county.

OBITUARIES

Obit: Chesak, John Charles (1879 - 1918)

The Athens Record, 28 Feb 1918

OBITUARY -  JOHN C. CHESAK - 1879 - 1918

Passed away Early Thursday Morning Following An Illness of Four Days with Pneumonia

John C. Chesak died at 3:30 oclock Thursday morning at his home in Wausau after an illness of only four days with pneumonia. Funeral services were conducted at nine oclock Saturday morning at St. Marys church by Rev. Father J. B. Hauck, interment being made in the mausoleum in Pine Grove cemetery.

The deceased was born April 11, 1879, in Newberg, Washington County, Wisconsin. He was married in Milwaukee to Miss Katherine Braun about thirteen years ago. For many years he was associated with his father Joe Chesak in the mercantile business at Poniatowski. In the year 1912 he moved to Wausau where he was engaged in the grocery business until about three years ago.

Surviving him are his widow, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Chesak of Milwaukee, and three sisters, Mrs. Geo. Blecha of Athens, Mrs. Jos. Miller of St. Paul and Mrs. Joe Bellon of Milwaukee.

Those who attended the funeral from Athens are Mrs. Celia Braun, Mrs. Wm Braun, Mr. John Braun, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Philippi, John H. and Frank Chesak, Art Blecha, and Nick Searing.

1900 Federal Census, ED 94 Rietbrock town, Marathon, Wisconsin, United States, pg. 5, family 80

John H Chesak, white, male
father's birthplace: Bohemia Austria
mother's birthplace: Bohemia Austria
marital status: Married
years married: 10

Household Members
head John H Chesak M 38 (Apr 1862) Wisconsin
wife Tena Chesak F 31 (Jul 1869) Bohemia Austria
son George Chesak M 7 (Sep 1893) Wisconsin
daughter Helen Chesak F 1 (Oct 1899) Wisconsin
boarder Joseph Shara M 40 (Feb 1860) Bohemia Austria
servant Anna Stahnke F 14 (Aug 1886) Wisconsin

1900 Federal Census, ED 94 Rietbrock town, Marathon, Wisconsin, United States, pg. 11, family 180

John C Chesak, white, single male
father's birthplace: Bohemia
mother's birthplace: Wisconsin

Household Members
head Joseph Chesak M 47 (Dec 1853) Bohemia
wife Mary S Chesak F 46 (Dec 1854) Wisconsin
daughter Mary B Chesak F 23 (Aug 1877) Wisconsin
son John C Chesak M 21 (Apr 1879) Wisconsin
daughter Agness J Chesak F 16 (Jun 1884) Wisconsin
daughter Anna J Chesak F 10 (Jul 1890) Wisconsin

1905 Wisconsin State Census, Athens, Marathon, Wisconsin, pg. 12, family 119

Martin Chesak, white, married, male
age: 81y
estimated birth year: Abt 1824
birthplace: Bohemia
relationship to head of household: Father
race: White
gender: Male
marital status: Married
both parents born in Bohemia

Household Members
head Frank F Chesak M 38y Wisconsin
wife Anna Chesak F 35y Wisconsin
father Martin Chesak M 81y Bohemia
mother Mary Chesak F 78y Bohemia

1905 Federal Census, Athens, Marathon, Wisconsin, pg. 11, line 10

John H Chesak, white, widowed, male
father b. Bohemia

Household Members
head John H Chesak M 43y Wisconsin
son George Chesak M 11y Wisconsin
daughter Helen Chesak F 5y Wisconsin
housekeeper John Nowecki M 24y Wisconsin
housekeeper Frances Nowecki F 22y Wisconsin
boarder Louise Foester F 18y Wisconsin

1905 Federal Census, Rietbrock, Marathon, Wisconsin, family 176, pg. 612, line 74

John C Chesak, white, married male
place of birth: parent 1: Bohemia
place of birth: parent 2: Wisconsin

Household Members
head John C Chesak M 26y Wisconsin
wife Catherine Chesak F 26y Wisconsin

1910 Federal Census, Athens, Marathon, Wisconsin, pg. 5, family 88

Joseph Chesak, white, married, male
immigration year: 1857
father's birthplace: Austria
mother's birthplace: Austria

Household Members
self Joseph Chesak M 56y Austria
wife Mary Chesak F 55y Wisconsin

1920 Federal Census, Marathon, Wisconsin

John H Chesak, white married, male
father's birthplace: Bohemia
mother's birthplace: Bohemia

Household Members
self John H Chesak M 57y Wisconsin
wife Emily E Chesak F 40y Michigan
son George G Chesak M 26y Wisconsin
daughter Dorothy G Chesak F 12y Wisconsin
Lucy Litzer F 28y Wisconsin

1930 Federal Census, enumeration district number: 0002, Athens, Marathon, Wisconsin, family 190

John H Chesak, white, married male
father's birthplace: Bohemia
mother's birthplace: Bohemia

Household Members
head John H Chesak M 67 Wisconsin
wife Mary Chesak F 49 Michigan
daughter Dorothy Chesak F 22 Wisconsin

1930 Federal Census, Milwaukee (Districts 251-337), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, enumeration district number: 0291, family 26, line 2

Joseph Chesak, white, widowed, male
father's birthplace: Austria
mother's birthplace: Austria

Household Members
head Joseph M Bellon M 40 Germany
wife Anna Bellon F 39 Wisconsin
daughter Maxine Bellon F 13 Wisconsin
son Francis Bellon M 12 Wisconsin
father-in-law Joseph Chesak M 76 Austria

Wisconsin Birth Records

John Chesak
gender: Male
birth date: 20 Aug 1890
birthplace: Rietbrock, Marathon, Wisconsin
race: White
father's name: John Chesak
father's birthplace: Bohemian
mother's name: Tina Hut (Hurt)
mother's birthplace: American

Wisconsin Marriage Records

Joseph Chesak
groom's birthplace: Trenton, Wash. Co.
bride's name: Nora Kraetsch
bride's birthplace: Trenton, Wash. Co.
marriage date: 03 Dec 1892
marriage place: Trenton, Washington, Wisconsin
groom's father's name: Jacob Chesak
groom's mother's name: Anna Chesak
bride's father's name: Julius Kraetsch
bride's mother's name: Eva Ahner
groom's race: White
bride's race: White

John Chas. Chesak
bride's name: Kate Gertrude Braun
marriage date: 07 May 1904
marriage place: Marathon, Wisconsin
groom's father's name: Joseph Chesak
groom's mother's name: Mary S. Wilger
bride's father's name: Mathias Braun
bride's mother's name: Becker

Wisconsin Death Records

Tena Chesak
gender: Female
burial date: 07 Nov 1904
burial place: Athens, Wisconsin
death date: 04 Nov 1904
death place: Home, Wisconsin
age: 36
birth date: 16 Jul 1868
birthplace: Bohemia
occupation: Housewife
race: White
marital status: Married
spouse's name: John H. Chesak
father's name: John Hurt
father's birthplace: Bohemia
mother's name: Mary Hurt
mother's birthplace: Bohemia

John H. Chesak
bride's name: Emile E. Penegor
marriage date: 14 Nov 1905
marriage place: Marathon, Wisconsin
groom's father's name: Martin Chesak
groom's mother's name: Mary Korab
bride's father's name: Jerry Penegor
bride's mother's name: Brown

Martin Chesak
gender: Male
burial date: 10 Mar 1906
burial place: Village Athens, Wisconsin
death date: 09 Mar 1906
death place: Village Athens, Wisconsin
age: 81
birth date: 22 Apr 1824
birthplace: Bohemia
occupation: Manufacturer
race: White
marital status: Widowed
spouse's name: Mary Zickimund (Sigmond)
father's name: John Chesak
father's birthplace: Bohemia
mother's name: May
mother's birthplace: Bohemia

1917-1918 World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards

George John Chesak
event place: Marathon County no 1, Wisconsin, United States
gender: Male
birth date: 16 Sep 1893
birthplace: Athens, Wisconsin, United States
country of citizenship: United States