Surnames: Switalski, Bentley, Dahl, Libby, Seguin

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 11/10/1949

Switalski, Joseph (21 FEB 1858 - 2 NOV 1949)

Graveside services were conducted at the Riverside Cemetery at 12:30 Sunday forenoon for Joseph Switalski, a pioneer resident of this community (Owen, Clark Co., Wis.), who of late years has resided in Chicago, Ill. Mr. Switalski passed away at his home in Chicago Saturday morning and then his remains were shipped to Owen for burial.

Born in Poland in 1858, he spent his early boyhood in Europe before coming to America in 1890. Twelve years before leaving Europe he was united in marriage when 20 years of age at Essen, Germany. After arriving in America he settled in the vicinity of Thorp. About 10 years later he moved to Owen, which was just then in a state of infancy as far as its present development is concerned. The first house ever build in Owen was built by Mr. Switalski and more than half of the gravel used in the building of sidewalks and other cement work was supplied by him as many old timers remember how he would make many trips daily with his team and wagon loaded with building material, to the city from his farm south of the city.

Surviving him are nine children, four of whom were born in Germany and five in this country; Joe, Madison; Albert, Brooklyn, Wis.; Ted, Adams, Wis.; Wanda, Los Angeles, Calif.; Katherine (Mrs. Bentley), Chicago, Ill.; Hedwig (Mrs. Dahl), Chicago, Ill.; Irene (Mrs. Seguin), Chicago, Ill., and Stella (Mrs. Libby), Sturgeon Mich.

Death struck twice in this family within two days, as Mr. Switalski’s daughter, Irene, lost her husband two days after her father’s death. She and her husband had been to the funeral home Friday evening and upon their return to their apartment later that night, he collapsed and died as a result of a heart attack. He was in his early 50’s.

Funeral services were conducted for Mr. Seguin earlier this week in Chicago.