“The Lather ” was the publication for the officially named organization of the Wood, Wire and Metal Lathers International Union.
Both my father, Harry Limes, and his father – my grandfather, Winfield Scott Limes, (AKA W.S. or Scott Limes) were members of the #171 Local of the “Lather’s Union”. So it was that I was quite pleased to discover on Ebay not long ago that there was a February 1940 issue of “The Lather” up for auction. It was a year of the publication that I did not have.
Below are a few representative pages from this issue of “The Lather”. My father’s name is not in it because by 1940 he was employed with General Industries in Elyria and not active in the building trades. He, however, did keep his membership belonging to the Local #171 in Lorain County. My grandfather, on the other hand, knew of no other trade during his lifetime and was a member. My grandfather’s two brothers were Thomas Limes and John Warren Limes who were both active with their local #1 in Columbus, Ohio during this time.
Andrew & Josephine Zagorsky – Their Lorain Love Story
By:Linda Jean Limes Ellis
June, 2008 – Revised April, 2020 – Revised September 4, 2023
(Above)
Original and colorized 1908 wedding photograph of
Josephine (Jozefa) Sczcepankiewicz and Andrew Zagorsky (Andreas Zagorszky)
Lorain, Ohio – most likely at the Nativity BVM Church
Everyone loves a love story! Please join me for a glimpse of how this one began a little more than a century ago in Lorain, Ohio, and spanned 41 years in the lives of my maternal grandparents.
ANDREW ZAGORSKY:
My maternal grandfather was Andrew Zagorsky (born Andreas Zagorszky). He was born December 15, 1880 in Anina, Caras-Severin, Romania, in the town of Reșița.
Per my Aunt Irene Zagorsky Ferner, as a young lad living in the 1880’s and 1890’s, Andrew Zagorsky roamed Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and France as an orphan. He learned to speak several languages and, along the way, taught himself to play the button box.
After Andrew matured into a young adult, he became a miner by trade to earn a living. In 1904, America beckoned him to its shores, and specifically, Lorain, Ohio where his brother-in-law, Andreas Juris (Andrew Jurisch), was already living.
(Above)
1910 partial map – Caras-Severin County Romania
Resiczabanaya (Resicza or Reșița in Romanian)
To the south is Stajerlakanina (Anina).
(Above) Source typed from Ancestry.com
Description of the Baptismal record for Andreas Zagorszky (Andrew Zagorsky)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Below is the List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the U.S. Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival for the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse ocean liner.
In 1897 the German merchant marine changed everything when North German Lloyd introduced the four-stacker ocean liner .:
Part 1 of this wonderfully educational Youtube Video ends with a short disucssion of the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse.
Sagorski, Andreas; age 25 years; Gender: M for Male; Marital Status: Not sure if “M” for Married or “S” for Single;
Calling or Occupation: Miner; Able to Read or Write: No for both;
Nationality (Country of Last Permanent Residence): Hungary; Race of People: German;
Last Residence (Province, City or Town): Resica;
Final Destination (State, City or Town): Lorain, Ohio;
Whether having a ticket to such destination: No;
By Whom was such passage paid: Self;
Whether in Possession of $50, and if less how much?: $18.00;
Whether ever before in the United States, and if so when and where?: No.;
Whether going to join a relative or friend; and if so, what relative or friend, and his name and complete address: Brother-in-Law, Juris, Andreas (Andrew Jurisch) State Street 506, Lorain, Ohio. (July 24, 1909, State Street was renamed West 25th Street in Lorain.)
Line 23 lists Josef Bender, Male, age 3. Andreas Sagorski is listed as his uncle. All of the same information as Andreas Sagorski except listed as Single with no occupation. Noting the “Admitted” stamp for both Andreas Sagorski (Zagorsky) and Josef Bender.
Thus, it was almost the end of the year – December 14, 1904* when Andreas Sagorski (Andrew Zagorsky), with the sum of $18.00 in his pants pocket, was ready for the next leg of his long-distance journey. He boarded a westbound train and headed for his final stop, Lorain, Ohio, where he would spend the rest of his life.
Early Twentieth Century progress brought the hard labor industries of steel making, ship building, and railroad work to Lorain, Ohio and transformed the entire community into a manufacturing hub. Many Eastern European immigrants, among others, knew their skills would be needed by these employers making Lorain a popular destination. Andrew Zagorsky quickly gained employment there as a car repairman with the B&O Railroad Company. Later, he switched to the Lake Terminal Railroad at the National Tube Company which had bought the Lorain Steel Company in 1902. He welcomed the opportunity to learn his new trade, and learn it well he did. Andrew stayed with Lake Terminal Railroad throughout the Great Depression and until his retirement.
The record of citizenship intention and application documents for Andrew Zagorsky more than hints at his strong ambition to renounce his allegiance to Franz Joseph I, (later Charles – 1916 – 1918), Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary and become a naturalized American citizen. We can imagine that his mind may have swirled with such long-term goals when he disembarked from the ship, S. S. Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse, after it docked in New York after sailing its final voyage of the year from Bremen, Germany.
American citizenship for Andrew Zagorsky would not come for 33 years, however. After all, he was still a young man just turning 24. Finding a suitable wife who cherished raising a family, and who faithfully practiced Roman Catholic teachings, appeared to have come first with Andrew – yet he would have to wait a bit longer for that to happen as well. Another three years would pass before she would enter his life. In the meantime, he began to establish himself in work that would sustain him throughout his lifetime. In Lorain, Andrew would meet and soon marry a young illegitimate Polish immigrant girl who spoke only her native tongue. Together, they watched their family grow. Their most difficult challenges lie ahead. Their family struggle to survive one of the darkest decades in American history – a time forever defined by its name – “The Great Depression.”
JOZEFA AKA JOSEPHINE SZCZEPANKIEWICZ ZAGORSKY:
Meanwhile, Josephine Szczepankiewicz’s life in America began on July 2, 1907 when she made her way alone through the masses of immigrants who had arrived that day at Ellis Island. She had traveled on the passenger vessel, S.S. Statendam, which had departed from Rotterdam ten days earlier for its long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Josephine’s entry appears on Line No. 5 of the ship’s manifest which lists the following: Name – Jozefa Szczepankiewicz, Age – 18, Marital status – single, Occupation – servant, Last residence – Kasimiro, Russia**. Her ethnicity was “Russia Polish.” Barely readable, the writing states that she was coming to live in Lorain, Ohio with her uncle. His name was Anthony Szczepankiewicz who worked as a laborer in the car shop of the National Tube Company.
The Szczepankiewicz household of Anthony, his wife, Victoria (nee Krokos) and their four small children had become noticeably more crowded after the arrival of his teenage niece. My Aunt Irene revealed to me that her mother’s uncle, Anthony, and her father, Andrew, met through a connection with a co-worker at the National Tube Company. Did Anthony ‘play cupid’ so Josephine would find a husband and thus move her out of his house? I cannot prove he did, but if true, he was highly successful in the role!
Young Josephine quickly won Andrew’s heart as he was said to be “quite smitten” with her after their first meeting. His marriage proposal to her came shortly afterward and Josephine accepted. The couple exchanged their wedding vows at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, a Polish parish, in Lorain on January 8, 1908; just six months after her arrival in America.
By today’s standards, Andrew and Josephine’s matrimonial leap could be construed as having been an arranged marriage, but for this couple the ensuing years proved theirs was a union meant to be and would endure.
Josephine’s mother, Antonina Szczepankiewicz (maiden name), was still living in Poland. The identity of Josephine’s father was, and remains to this day, unknown. Since birth, she had taken her mother’s maiden name as her own surname.
When Josephine became Andrew’s wife her isolated world as an only child of a single mother changed forever. Their first child, Joseph, was born in October of 1908. Their second son, Frank, was born on March 4, 1910. Anthony Szczepankiewicz was the child’s godfather. Within a few years, it became necessary for Josephine’s mother to leave her Polish homeland to come to her daughter’s aid and help with raising the fast growing Zagorsky family. She died in 1918, however, at age 56 and was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain.
Andrew Zagorsky filed his first Declaration of Intention for citizenship on March 17, 1919, however seven years then passed and the record became invalid so he began the process again on January 3, 1935. Ultimately, Andrew took his Oath of Allegiance to become a naturalized American citizen on December 7, 1937. By then, though, the Austro-Hungarian Empire no longer existed. Aunt Irene vividly remembers her father expressing to her how important that day was in his life. Ironically, December 7 is also her birthday.
Yes, Andrew Zagorsky’s life had come a long way in 30 years. He had good reason to feel pleased with his accomplishments, not the least of which was supporting a wife and eleven children. That became much more difficult, however, as the Great Depression of the 1930’s relentlessly dragged on. Lake Terminal Railroad reduced Andrew’s schedule to a three day work week; yet he felt thankful because many friends of his were unemployed.
Andrew did not drive or own an automobile, but that fact mattered little to the younger children who eagerly waited for him to step off the Lorain Street Railway streetcar after work on his pay day. They knew their daddy would be bringing them candy!
The older children began working as they entered their teens and early 20s. Helen and Mary, the two oldest daughters, took jobs as dishwashers and cooks at the Park Restaurant and Antlers Hotel in Lorain. Joseph, the eldest son, began working as a drill press operator at the Thew Shovel Company. By the mid 1930’s, Irene gained employment at a West Virginia tobacco factory and was joined by Virginia and Helen who found work at the Central Glass Factory in Wheeling. Whatever earnings the trio could spare were sent back home to help support the younger children still living with their parents. Unfortunately, this meant the girls had to move away from home and did not graduate from high school.
Josephine contributed to the family circle by sewing most of the children’s clothes including their underwear. She was the household’s shopper and known to ‘drive a hard bargain’ with the neighborhood merchants, many of whom were Polish Jews. While browsing at a haberdashery to buy a better suit for one of the younger sons, Josephine might find the prices were more than she could afford. If so, she abruptly took the little boy by the hand and led him out of the store. Mother and son walked only a few steps down the street when the sales clerk bolted out of the doorway and pleaded: “Mrs. Zagorsky, please come back; let’s talk about the price!” The shop owner knew there were more sons at her home, and he hoped she would return. Josephine cooked traditional Polish fare and made such dishes as dandelion soup that cost little money. She enjoyed crocheting and hardanger embroidery – when there was time.
Andrew and Josephine owned their modest three bedroom home at 2715 Apple Avenue in Lorain during the 1940’s when their sons Floyd, Stanley, and Alex joined the U. S. Navy, and Edward entered the U. S. Army. Theresa, their youngest daughter, served in The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). Like millions of American families during WWII, the Zagorskys in Lorain fervently prayed and patiently waited for their loved ones in uniform to return home safely to them. All five did come back in good health after the war ended. Everyone was reunited, and the family photographs taken during this time prove how happy they were to be together again.
Andrew Zagorsky died at home on November 20, 1949 at age 68. His funeral was held at the family residence with religious services conducted at Holy Trinity Church in Lorain prior to his burial at Calvary Cemetery.
Josephine lived until June 7, 1960 with most of her children nearby in her final days. Andrew’s railroad pension check of $66.00 a month helped to provide for Josephine until her death. She never mastered speaking the English language but was said to have understood it quite well. Because the children had attended parochial schools at both St. Stanislaus (Polish) and Holy Trinity (Slovak) churches in Lorain, they had no trouble communicating with her.
Today, all of the Zagorsky children are deceased. My aunt, Veronica Irene “Irene” Zagorsky Ferner was the last of her 10 siblings to pass away on June 1, 2012 at the age of 93. She had warmheartedly shared many of her special childhood memories with me. Without them, I could not have come to understand and appreciate the sacrifices Andrew and Josephine made for each other and for their children.
On June 10, 1960, Josephine was laid to rest by Andrew. In death as in life, she was together with her husband. It was the last time he would have to wait for her to begin a new journey with him.
Death Certificate – Certificate # 69798 – Lorain, Ohio
Naturalization Papers – First Declaration of Intention # 4488, dated March 17, 1919;
Second Declaration of Intention # 10258, dated January 3, 1935 – marriage date recorded on document;
Petition for Naturalization #4852, dated April 16, 1937;
Oath of Allegiance – Certificate # 4100106, signed and dated December 7, 1937
Immigration records – Ship’s manifest – Microfilm publication T-715, Roll 448, page 80, line 22.
*December 14, 1904 appears as the date of arrival on the National Archives microfilm information. Andrew Zagorsky’s Declaration of Intention #10258 dated January 3, 1935, lists arrival date of December 14, 1904. However, The Ellis Island version of this ship’s manifest has “15” penciled in between December and 1904.
1920 U. S. Census – Series T625, Roll 1405, page 196, Line #6, listed as “Zagenski, Andrew, Wife: Josephine, Children: Joseph, Frank, Helen, Mary, Regina (Virginia), Florence (Floyd), Veronika (Veronica Irene).
Death Certificate – State File # 291 – Lorain, Ohio
Immigration records – Ship’s manifest – Microfilm publication T715, Roll 936, Page 30, line 5.
“Administrator’s – Executor’s – Guardian’s – Trustee’s Account” – Final Account of Joseph Zagorsky, guardian of Josephine Zagorsky – Case No. 8893, Docket # 8A, Page 8893, Lorain, Ohio – 1959 and 1960 – Assets: Railroad Retirement Board Pension – December, 1959 through May, 1960 – $66.00 per month.
**Kasimiro most likely was Kazimierz Biskupi. On my mother’s baptismal record at St. Stanislaus Church in Lorain, dated October 4, 1914, written in Latin: “Josepha Szczepankiewicz – “e loco Kazmierza, ? Kalisz Russia.” Kazimierz Biskupi is about 50 to 60 km north of Kalisz.
**********
Antonina Szczepankiewicz:
Obituary – The Lorain Times-Herald, Lorain, Ohio – Wednesday May 29, 1918 and Friday, May 31, 1918.
Death certificate – Lorain, Ohio – Volume #2597, Certificate #32861
Death Certificate – Volume #6642, Certificate #36013
Naturalization Papers – Declaration of Intention #4375, March 14, 1919
1910 U. S. Census – Series T624, Roll: 205; Page: 210, Line 34 – listed as “Antonio Stepankavisch”. Wife: Victoria, Children: Anna, Stella, Stanislaw, and Marian.
**********
Baptismal records of the Zagorsky children from St. Stanislaus Church, Lorain, Ohio (except Joseph and Theresa).
Joseph Zagorsky
(Eldest son of Andrew and Josephine Zagorsky)
Baptismal record from Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Lorain, Ohio.
Delayed Birth Register- Lorain County, Ohio. Document 14; Page 11789. Filed June 27, 1942.
Obituary – The Lorain Journal– Thursday, June 18, 1987
**********
Theresa B. Zagorsky Lieb
Obituary – The Morning Journal, Lorain, Ohio – Saturday, July 14, 2007
Stanley Zagorsky
Obituary – The Lorain Journal, Lorain, Ohio–Wednesday, February 1, 1978
Floyd S. Zagorsky
Obituary – The Lorain Journal, Lorain, Ohio–Sunday,March 20, 1994
Edward Zagorsky
Obituary – The Lorain Journal, Lorain, Ohio– Sunday,October 21, 1973
Frank Zagorsky
Obituary – The Lorain Journal, Lorain, Ohio – Friday, December 31, 1965
Alex Zagorsky
Obituary – The Lorain Journal, Lorain, Ohio – Monday, October 29, 1984
Helen Zagorsky Hendry
Obituary – The Lorain Journal, Lorain, Ohio – Saturday, March 17, 1990
Mary Stella Zagorsky Stitak
Obituary – The Morning Journal, Lorain, Ohio – Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Virginia Harriet Zagorsky Limes
Obituary – The Lorain Journal, Lorain, Ohio – Sunday, February 5, 1995
**********
Interviews with my mother, Virginia Harriet Zagorsky Limes; my aunts, Mary Stella Zagorsky Stitak, and Irene Zagorsky Ferner.
**********
Polk’s Lorain, Ohio City Directory, 1929 – page 227
Polk’s Lorain, Ohio City Directory, 1931 – page 255 (surname listed incorrectly as “Jagorsky”)
Polk’s Lorain, Ohio City Directory, 1933 – page 198 (surname listed incorrectly as “Jagorsky”)
Recapping the August, 2023 “Scioto Post Videos” about the Floral Hills Memory Gardens, Huntington Township Trustees, David Robertson, Jeff Marks, Ross County Prosecutor.:
“The Scioto Post” – Floral Hills Memory Gardens videos – August 2023:
2023 08 17 Floral Hills 3 Jeff Marks & Huntington Township – 6:19 minutesInterview with Jeff Marks Ross County Prosecutor and John Cottrill, a Huntington Township Trustee. Jeff Marks stated: “that all 3 parties came to the agreement that Floral Hills Memory Gardens should be considered a public cemetery according to the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code dealing with townships. That takes away the biggest legistical hurdle to resolving this matter. Because of that decision that the statues are pretty clear that in a situation like this the cemetery would flow to the township.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DV1jYp0W6w
David Robertson mentions six Attorney General Opinions he can cite going back to 1966 that apply to situations impacting cemeteries like Floral Hills Memory Gardens that ultimately led them to becoming abandoned with no legal owners. He discusses the “may and can” choice of words used instead of the “will and the shall” wording that was written into the Ohio Revised Codes during the 1950s and the 1960s; some being revised in the 1970s that was made at a time when the law makers felt they wouldn’t have to force it to make things happen. Thus, disputes ended up as court cases where attorneys on both sides can interpret them differently and thus leave a cemetery in limbo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ2d-LgqVJE
“Aug 14, 2023 – Ross County Prosecutor Jeff Marks explains the discussion between the Huntington Township Trustees and Ross County Commissioners on the Floral Hills Memory Gardens situation. “
David Robertson – No. 1, champion of Floral Hills Memory Garden, explains the issues with the cemetery on US 23 South to Kevin Coleman, after speaking to the Ross County Commissioners July 24th, 2023.
David Robertson, “But, you also got to understand its been 12 years, I think its been long enough. I don’t know how people can sleep at night with the condition of Floral Hills.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
David Robertson – No. 2 – Plat Maps of Floral Hills
– 1:09 minutes
20232023-07-24 David Robertson shows plat of Floral Hills Memory Garden David Robertson, champion of Floral Hills Memory Garden.
Shows the 1960s plat of the cemetery on US 23 South to Kevin Coleman, after speaking to the Ross County Commissioners July 24th, 2023.
David Robertson shows two 1960s era plat maps of the Floral Hills Memory Gardens that he had especially enlarged. David Robertson submitted them to the Ross County Recorder’s Office so they would be officially filed with them.
"Limesstones" 