By Sara Skotzke, PLCGS
In an article on page 2 of the Detroit News’ February 9, 1904, edition, I learned how my great-great-grandfather, Anton Skotzke, was one of eleven organizers who had filed articles of association under the name, Polish American Publishing Co., to start the newspaper you are currently reading. Then it was known as Dziennik Polski (The Polish Daily). Together, those eleven invested a total of $20,000 to get this newspaper started.
At the time, Anton had lived in Detroit for almost 32 years, having arrived in New York on March 28, 1872, aboard the Hammonia ship with his bride of one year, Julianna (Lesnau). They both were from the same village of Mechau, Putzig, Westpreußen, Preußen, Deutschland (now Mechowo, Poland). Anton and Julia had six children once they arrived in Detroit, all of whom were baptized at St. Albertus Church: Marta (Martha) Elizabeth, Franciszek, Anna, Antoni, Rozalia (Rose) and Clara. Franciszek and Clara both died young.
Anton was born July 20, 1845, as one of twelve children born to Joseph Skotzke/Skoczek and Anna Priba Kreft. One of six siblings who moved to ‘the land of opportunity, Anton made the best of that opportunity. He was known as a ‘master carpenter’ in his homeland, and after arriving in Detroit, lived at 18 Silver St., working as a carpenter in 1873. Soon, Anton was working for the construction firm, Nuppenau & Clark, known for building many of Detroit’s finest homes of the time.
Anton had that entrepreneurial spirit that immigrants were known for. In 1875, just three years after arriving in America, he bought his first parcel of land in Wayne County from Walter Crane. Between 1875 and 1903, there were 44 land purchases made by Anton and Julia, either together or separately. They also sold 22 parcels of land during that time.
By 1880, Anton was living with his family on Riopelle St. near his siblings, Joseph Skotzke with his wife, Maryanna; Julia (Skotzke) with her husband Jacob Dettlaf, and their brother Jacob Skotzke. Anton had two other siblings who also immigrated to Detroit but were living in Dakota Territory by 1880, Franz Skoczek with his wife Constantia (Zelewski) and Veronica (Skotzke) with her first husband, Michael Zelewski.
In 1881, Anton Skotzke moved his family to 690 (3740) Dubois and opened a grocery store on the first floor. Over the next 12 years, this location was known for being a grocery store and even a saloon, all under Anton’s care. This was the start of a family of grocers. Anton’s son, Anthony, as well as two of his sons-in-law, John Gutha and Frank Michaels, all became grocers for at least part of their lives.
Anton & Julia (Lesnau) Skotzke at their home/store, 1880s (690 Dubois St, Detroit, MI)
(photo printed with permission: Sara Skotzke)
By 1905, Anton and Julia had moved to 1389 (6231) Jos. Campau Ave. where they lived the rest of their lives. It was during this time that Anton continued buying and selling properties all over Detroit and around Hamtramck. Some, he turned into land contracts where he was the lender for those wishing to purchase the home and others he used for rental income.
Julianna (Lesnau) and Anton Skotzke, early 1910s
(photo printed with permission, Sara Skotzke)
Julia (Lesnau) Skotzke died on November 19, 1913, from carcinoma of the liver. Her funeral was the following Saturday, November 22nd, at St. Stanislaus Church. Julia was buried at Mt. Elliott Cemetery, Section V, Lot 9, Grave 2 in Detroit, MI.
Julia Skotzke’s obituary, Detroit Times, 21 Nov 1913, p. 15
(printed with permission: Karen Skotzke Macary)
The following spring, Anton decided to remarry. His bride was a widow who lived three blocks from Anton so maybe that is how they met. Anthony Skotzke married Frances (Brechel) Drzezdzon on April 29, 1914, at St. Stanislaus Parish officiated by Rev. Francis Gzella. Anton and Frances had a pre-nuptial agreement, which was not the norm in 1914. In the 1928 Detroit City Directory, Anton was listed as Vice President of Guarantee Trust & Loan Co., Ltd.
Guarantee Trust & Loan Co., Ltd., 2126 East Canal Blvd, Detroit, MI
(printed with permission: Sara Skotzke)
Anthony Skotzke died on April 24, 1929, from lobar pneumonia. His funeral was at St. Stanislaus Church three days later. Anton was buried, next to his first wife, Julia, at Mt. Elliott Cemetery, Section V, Lot 9, Grave 3 in Detroit, MI where there is a family monument.
Anthony Skotzke, obituary (printed with permission, Karen Skotzke Macary)
Skotzke family monument, Mt. Elliott Cemetery
(both printed with permission: Sara Skotzke)
After Anton’s death, his executors filed his probate with Wayne County, MI. According to the inventory filed on behalf of the estate, Anton’s estate was worth over $360K (today’s value is more than $7 million), an impressive estate for an immigrant. At the time of his death in 1929, he still owned 50 land contracts. Anton left behind three daughters and one son. Each of his daughters inherited a few of Anton’s properties, but his son, Anthony, inherited the bulk of his estate. Anthony was murdered in 1950 during a botched burglary at his Detroit home. He was 72 years old.
From the editor, Alicja Karlic: Sara Skotzke is a Genealogist, Author, and Photographer.
Sara began her career as a professional genealogist in 2002 after several years spent researching her own family tree. Sara’s interest in genealogy piqued after learning of her great-grandfather’s unsolved murder in Detroit in 1950.
Sara believes continuing education is a fundamental part of enhancing each client’s family history experience. With this in mind, she earned the Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies with distinction from the International Institute for Genealogical Studies. Sara is constantly taking new courses to keep up with the ever-evolving DNA technology of genealogy research.
Source: https://sarasgenealogyresearch.com/saras-genealogy-research-1
Sara
Thank you for sharing your stories with us, I have learned more from you about our family history than all of our family combined.
Sincerely
Renee Loncar