Person Page - 68

     Joseph Kleinsmith was born in March 1862 at Portage Co, WI.¹ He was the son of Adam Kleinsmith and Catherine Dera.¹ Joseph Kleinsmith appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI, in the household of his father Adam Kleinsmith.² Joseph Kleinsmith appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI, in the household of Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.¹ Joseph Kleinsmith died on 10 April 1914 at Town of Stockton, Portage Co, WI, at age 52.³

The following obituary appeared 18 April 1914 in the Stevens Point Daily Journal, Stevens Point, Portage Co, WI:

Deaf Mute Killed by Soo Line Train
Joseph Klesmith Meets Instant Death When Run Down at Stockton this Morning
Joseph Klesmith, aged sixty, was struck and instantly killed by Soo line passenger train No. 1 at Stockton at 9:18 last Friday morning. Klesmith was a deaf mute and had been employed about the farm of the Misses Mary and Honora Tovey at Stockton since last fall. This morning he had gone to the potato warehouse of A. W. Breitenstein, a short distance northwest of Stockton station, to secure a small two-wheel truck to be used in loading a car with potatoes. With the truck on his back and his head down to protect his face from the driving snowstorm that was raging, he was walking along the main track of the Soo line, returning to the Tovey farm, when train No. 1, which does not stop at Stockton, bore down upon him at a high rate of speed from the opposite direction. The pilot of the locomotive struck him and carried him about fifty feet. He was dead before anyone got to him, his head and chest being badly crushed and both arms and legs broken. The train, which was in charge of Conductor J. E. Leary and Engineer W. J. Coakley was brought to a standstill and the body was placed in charge of Station Agent Arndt Fonstad. Coroner Boston was called and brought the remains to this city to be prepared for burial. Under the circumstances there is no necessity for an inquest. Klesmith was born in the town of Sharon and always lived on the old homestead about a mile north of Poland Corners until twelve years ago, when he went to make his home on the farm of his brother, Martin Klesmith, about a mile and a half northwest of Stockton station. The latter died eleven years ago, since which time his farm has been operated by his son, Frank, with whom the deceased continued to reside much of the time.

     John Klejsmit married Frances Lepak on 15 February 1911 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹

     Martha Klejsmit married John Kirshling on 5 November 1906 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹

     Rosalia Klejsmit married Francis Puzdrowski on 16 January 1905 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹

     Joseph Kleman married Frances Barton on 29 January 1883 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹

     Maria Kleman was born on 25 July 1875 at Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹ She was baptized on 26 July 1875 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹ She was the daughter of Theodore Kleman and Carolyne (?)² Maria Kleman married Adalbert (George) Adamski, son of Joseph Adamski and Hedwig Przybylska, in November 1892 at Bevent, Marathon Co, WI.^2,3 Maria Kleman died on 7 October 1938 at Town of Dewey, Portage Co, WI, at age 63.² She was buried on 10 October 1938 at St. Casimir Cemetery, Town of Hull, Portage Co, WI.^2,3

     Nicodem Kleman married Rosalia Meronek on 28 October 1889 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹

     Theodore Kleman married Carolyne (?)¹

     Eva Kleschmidt was born on 11 February 1852 at Msciszewice, Kartuzy, Gdansk, West Prussia.^2,3 She was the daughter of Adam Kleinsmith and Catherine Dera.¹ Eva Kleschmidt was baptized on 15 February 1852 at Stezyca, Kartuzy, Gdansk, West Prussia.³ She emigrated in 1858 aboard the S.S. Atlantic along with her parents Adam Kleinsmith and Catherine Dera, having departed from Bremen, Germany. The ship arrived at the Port of New York on 9 Aug 1858.² Eva Kleschmidt appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI, in the household of her father Adam Kleinsmith.⁴

     Josepha Klesmet married John Kutela.¹

     Frances Klesmit married John Wyta on 13 February 1881 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹

     Francis Klesmit married Julianna Rozek on 31 January 1898 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹

     Francisca Klesmit married Joannem Wyta on 14 January 1881 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹

     Martha Klesmit married Appoll. Piotrowski on 17 January 1898 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹

     Victoria Klesmit married Bernard Cysewski on 8 November 1897 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹

     Anastasya Klesmith was born on 31 December 1888 at Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹ She was the daughter of Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska. Anastasya Klesmith was baptized on 6 January 1889 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹ She appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI in the household of her parents, Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.² Anastasya Klesmith married Neufrey Kirschling, son of August Kirschling and Elizabeth Zynda, on 4 May 1909 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.³ Anastasya Klesmith died on 10 April 1964 at age 75.³

     Annie Klesmith was born in January 1882 at WI.¹ She was the daughter of Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.¹ Annie Klesmith appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI in the household of her parents, Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.¹ Annie Klesmith married Leo Bojar on 13 November 1900 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.²

     August Klesmith was born on 14 February 1896 at Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI.² He was the son of Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.¹ August Klesmith was baptized on 16 February 1896 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.² He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI in the household of his parents, Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.³

     Catharina Klesmith was born on 12 October 1890 at Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹ She was the daughter of Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska. Catharina Klesmith was baptized on 19 October 1890 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹ She appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI in the household of her parents, Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.²

     Elisabeth Klesmith was born on 1 April 1899 at Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI.¹ She was the daughter of Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.¹ Elisabeth Klesmith was baptized on 4 April 1899 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹ She appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI in the household of her parents, Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.²

     Eva Klesmith was baptized on 10 December 1897 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹ She was born on 10 December 1897 at Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI.¹ She was the daughter of Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska. Eva Klesmith died on 17 May 1898 at Polonia, Portage Co, WI.² She was buried on 19 May 1898 at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.²

     Francis Klesmith was born on 5 May 1885 at Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹ He was the son of Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska. Francis Klesmith was baptized on 17 May 1885 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹ He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI in the household of his parents, Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.²

     Helen Klesmith was born on 28 April 1894 at Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹ She was the daughter of Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska. Helen Klesmith was baptized on 3 May 1894 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹ She appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI in the household of her parents, Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.²

     John Klesmith was born on 21 June 1883 at Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹ He was the son of Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska. John Klesmith was baptized on 1 July 1883 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.¹ He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI in the household of his parents, Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.²

     Leo Klesmith was born on 20 February 1901 at Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI.² He was the son of Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.¹ Leo Klesmith was baptized on 3 March 1901 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.² He married Emma Bronk on 14 October 1929 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.³ Leo Klesmith died on 3 April 1975 at Town of Buena Vista, Portage Co, WI, at age 74.³ He was buried on 5 April 1975 at St. Bronislava's Cemetery, Plover, Portage Co, WI.³

     Martha Klesmith was born on 9 April 1887 at Polonia, Portage Co, WI.^1,2 She was the daughter of Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.³ Martha Klesmith was baptized on 17 April 1887 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.² She appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI in the household of her parents, Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.⁴ Martha Klesmith married John Germain Kirschling, son of August Kirschling and Elizabeth Zynda, on 5 November 1906 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.^3,5 Martha Klesmith and John Germain Kirschling appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Great Scott, St. Louis Co, MN, enumerated 18 April 1910. Their children Edward Martin and Stanley were listed as living with them.⁶ Martha Klesmith and John Germain Kirschling appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Town of Stockton, Portage Co, WI, enumerated 27 January 1920, reporting the family owned their home but it was mortgaged.. Their children Edward Martin, Stanley, Regina, Lucille and Frank Hubert were listed as living with them.⁷ Before her death in 1950, the children gathered together for a group photo.

The following obituary appeared 15 July 1950 in the Stevens Point Daily Journal, Stevens Point, Portage Co, WI:



     Mrs. Martha V. Kirschling, 63, of Polonia, died at 8:15 o'clock this morning at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Netzel, 408 Peck Street. She had been in ailing health for several years. Mrs. Kirschling, whose maiden name was Martha Klesmith, was born April 9, 1887, in the town of Sharon, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Klesmith. The family moved to the town of Stockton when she was a child. She married John Kirschling on Nov 6, 1906. They resided at Arnott for three years, then moved to Hibbing, Minn., where the family remained eight years after which they returned to Stockton. Mrs. Kirschling resided on a farm in Stockton until three years ago when she moved to Polonia. She is survived by the following sons and daughters: Mrs. Clayton Ostrowski, Mrs. Steve Dulak and Mrs. Netzel of Stevens Point, Mrs. Florian Wroblewski of Polonia, Edward and Raymond of Stevens Point, Stanley of Arnott, Frank of the town of Stockton and Chester of the town of Hull; three sisters, Mrs. Frank Jurgella of Stevens Point and Mrs. Neufrey Kirschling and Mrs. Kathryn Kalebackey of Hibbing; one step-sister, Mrs. Theresa Puzdrowski of Milwaukee; three brothers, Nick Klesmith of Stockton, August Klesmith of Stockton of Hibbing and Leo Klesmith of Bancroft, and one step-brother, Edward Puzdrowski whose address is unknown. There are 16 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters and two brothers. Mrs. Kirschling was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic church at Polonia and its Rosary society. The funeral will be held Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock at Sacred Heart church, with burial following in the parish cemetery. The body may be viewed a the Crosby funeral home after noon on Sunday. The rosary will be said Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings at 8 o'clock. Council No. 1170, Knights of Columbus, will say the rosary Monday at 7:30 p.m.

Martha Klesmith died on 15 July 1950 at 408 Peck Street, Stevens Point, Portage Co, WI, at age 63.¹ She was buried on 19 July 1950 at Guardian Angel Cemetery, Stevens Point, Portage Co, WI.¹

The following funeral announcement appeared 20 July 1950 in the Stevens Point Daily Journal, Stevens Point, Portage Co, WI:



     Funeral services for Mrs. Martha V. Kirschling of Polonia, who died Saturday, were held Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock at Sacred Heart Catholic church at Polonia. Rev. J. B. Guna officiated and burial took place in Guardian Angel cemetery. Pall bearers were six nephews of Mrs. Kirschling, Neufrey Check, Alex Kirschling, Clarence Peplinski, Neufrey Jurgella and Ben and Henry Klesmith. Lorraine Netzel and Mary Ann Ostrowski were in charge of the flowers. The Rosary society of Sacred Heart church attended the funeral services in a body. Those from away who attended the funeral included Mrs. and Mrs. Neufrey Kirschling, Louis Kirschling and Mrs. Catherine Kalebackey of Hibbing, Minn; Mrs.. Ray Ingersoll and daughters, Judy and Amelia of Casper, Wyo; Mr. and Mrs. William E. Kovalcik and Mrs. Sever Tehozewski of Muskegon, Mich; Mr. and Mrs. Alex Kirschling and family of De Pere; Mr. and Mrs. Neufrey Check of Manitowoc. Mr. and Mrs. Ben Klesmith and son, Bobby, of Kewaskum; Henrietta Jurgella and August Printz of Milwaukee; Mr. and Mrs. John Kirschling, Mr. and Mrs. Roman Kirschling and daughter, Diane, Mrs. Hartley Arsta, Felix Kirschling, Mr. and Mrs. Arikon Dallman and Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Sweeney, all of Wisconsin Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Stankey and Mr. and Mrs. William A. Sarna of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Ben Slagowski, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Dulak, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Podjaski and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Stankey of Hatley and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kaszykoski and son, Clifford, of Wausau.

     Martin Klesmith was born on 19 January 1856 at Msciszewice, Kartuzy, Gdansk, West Prussia.² He was the son of Adam Kleinsmith and Catherine Dera.³ Martin Klesmith was baptized on 21 January 1856 at Stezyca, Kartuzy, Gdansk, West Prussia.² His baptism name was Mathias Albrecht.² He emigrated in 1858 aboard the S.S. Atlantic along with his parents Adam Kleinsmith and Catherine Dera, having departed from Bremen, Germany. The ship arrived at the Port of New York on 9 Aug 1858.⁴ Martin Klesmith married Rosalia Przytarska, daughter of Michael Przytarski and Anna Chelmowska, circa 1880.⁵ Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI, enumerated 7 June 1880, living with Martin's father Adam.⁶ Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI, enumerated 6 June 1900. Their children Mary D., Annie, John, Francis, Martha, Anastasya, Catharina, Nick, Helen, August and Elisabeth were listed as living with them, as was Martin's brother Joseph.⁷ Martin Klesmith died on 22 April 1903 at Polonia, Portage Co, WI, at age 47.⁸ He was buried on 25 April 1903 at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.⁸

     Mary D. Klesmith was born circa 1880 at WI.¹ She was the daughter of Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.¹ Mary D. Klesmith appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI in the household of her parents, Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.¹

     Nick Klesmith was born on 19 August 1892 at Polonia, Portage Co, WI.² He was the son of Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.¹ Nick Klesmith was baptized on 21 August 1892 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Polonia, Portage Co, WI.² He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Town of Sharon, Portage Co, WI in the household of his parents, Martin Klesmith and Rosalia Przytarska.³ Nick Klesmith died in June 1967 at age 74.⁴

     Anton Kleszczynski married Cecilia Adamska, daughter of Jacob Adamski and Catharina Nowak, on 17 February 1896 at St. Casimir Church, Town of Hull, Portage Co, WI.¹