Bio: Champa, Frank Sr. & Ursula

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Champa, Koschak, Cesnik, Clouse

----Source: Family Scrapbook

Frank Champa Sr. was born in the village of Blata Number 1 near Ribnica, Jugoslavia on October 8, 1866. He came to America in 1893. Settling in Ely, Minnesota, at the age of 27, he worked in the iron ore mines. His wages were $1.50 for a sixteen hour day - until the depression came when all the mines closed. He stayed at boarding houses during the depression (Panic of 1893). Money for food was scarce so they lived on wild food. He hunted rabbits and moose. Once he was lost in the wilds for three days and finally stumbled to a trappers cabin, who helped him back to Ely.

He became a United States citizen on July 17, 19uv, On October 4, 1902 he married Ursula Strojan, whose parents were Frank Strojan and Ursula Koschak. Ursula's home was in Ljubl jania, Jugoslavia. She traveled to America by ship, which took sixteen days to cross the ocean, arriving on February 12, 1902. In Ely she worked as a waitress at the boarding house where Frank lived, un¬til her marriage. To this union three children were born: Anna, Frank Jr., and John, all in Ely, Minnesota.

Frank worked in the mines until 1909 when he heard of the Willard land for sale. He bought 40 acres from the land agent Ignatz Cesnik, built a log cabin in the wilderness.

In 1910 the family loaded their household goods and other belongings and moved to Willard. They lived here until both passed away, Frank Sr. during World War II on May 6, 1945 and his wife Ursula later on January 11, 1952.
The farm increased from 40 acres to 200 acres. Son, John farmed for many years after the death of his father. Anna was a correspondent for the Clark County Press for about twenty-five years, until she became a Memorial Home resident. After John retired he sold the farm to Jack Clouse in the fall of 1978.

Frank Jr. moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he still lives.