George J. Mozdyniewicz — 1st generation Polish-American

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GEORGE MOZDYNIEWICZ's FAMILY

His Wife:

Bertha V. (Hudzinska) Mozdyniewicz 1890-1965 [age 75]

married May 19, 1909, at St. Casimir's Church in Shenandoah

At the time of George's death, he and Bertha had been married 25 years.

Their 5 Children:

► Regina W. 'Jean' (Mozdyniewicz) Maher 1909-1989 [age 79]

► Mildred B. 'Millie' (Mozdyniewicz) Marshall 1910-1999 [age 89]

► Frank Mozdyniewicz 1914-1917 [age 3]

► Elizabeth C. 'Isabel' (Mozdyniewicz) Ogonek/Taylor 1918-2012 [age 94]

► George W. Mozdyniewicz 1922-1974 [age 51]

His Parents:

Jacob Mozdyniewicz 1859-1931 [age 72]

and Victoria (Klocek) Mozdyniewicz 1862-1949 [age 87]

His 10 Siblings:

► Agnes (Mozdyniewicz/Mozdy) Ufir 1893-1930 [age 37]

► Mary Anna (Mozdyniewicz/Mozdy) Twardzik 1895-1967 [age 72]

► Jacob G. 'General' Mozdyniewicz 1896-1973 [age 77]

► Stanisław 'Stiney' Mozdyniewicz 1897-1897 [4 weeks]

► Julia Mozdyniewicz 1897-1898 [age 1]

► Michael F. Mozdyniewicz 1899-1977 [age 77]

► Louis S. [Mozdyniewicz] Mozdy 1901-1993 [age 91]

► Sophia L. (Mozdyniewicz/Mozdy) Baker 1909-1967 [age 58]

Note: George had 2 other siblings, names unknown, one of whom was born before 1900, and the other between 1900-1910. Both died as infants or at a young age.

TELL THE STORY · REMEMBER THE LIFE

In the 1900 U.S. Census, George 'Moscanavage' (terribly misspelled) was enumerated as a first generation Polish-American who'd been born in 'April' of '1888'. At that time, the Mozdyniewicz family was living in a rented house on South Main Street in the Borough of Shenandoah, and George was listed as the eldest child. The report further indicates that along with two of his four younger siblings George was in school — and that he had learned to read, write, and speak the English language.

By the spring of 1909, George had fallen in love with a local girl named Bertha Hudzinska; and on Wednesday evening, May 11th, the two were married. Here's how one of the local newspapers described that day.

MOZDYNIEWICZ AND HUZENSKA WEDDED

George Mozdyniewicz, and Miss Bertha Huzenska, a popular young couple of town, were married at six o'clock last evening in St. Casimir Church by Rev. Dr. John A. Godrycz.

The ceremony was a beautiful and impressive one and was witnessed by a large gathering of the relatives and friends of the contracting parties. The bride is a charming young woman who is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. She appeared handsome in a white embroidery dress and carried a large bouquet of roses. Miss Agnes Mozdyniewiez, a sister of the groom, was maid of honor and was becomingly attired in a white silk gown and carried a bouquet of carnations. Misses Ella Winopsky and Frances Crushek acted as bridesmaids and looked pretty attired in white dresses, each carrying a large bouquet. The groom and his attendants, Peter Danowsky and Frank Zemba, wore conventional black. As the bridal party entered the church and took their places at the altar appropriate wedding music was played on the organ by the organist. They left the church keeping time to the strains of Mendelssohn's beautiful march.

After the ceremony the bridal party driven to the home of the groom's parents at South Main Street, where a bountiful bridal feast was served and received the congratulations of their host of friends, after which they adjourned to Danowsky's Hall and continued the festivities until a late hour. They were the recipients of many beautiful presents.

The groom is a very prominent young man and is well known. He is employed as driver for J. A. Mandour, the cigar manufacturer, and is a member of the Warsaw band; and with his bride, who was employed in the factory at Mandour's, he has the best wishes of many friends.

They were given a serenade last evening by the Warsaw band. McDemus's orchestra furnished the music for the wedding party.

[The Evening Herald (Shenandoah, Pa.) - May 20, 1909, front page]

After their wedding, the newly married couple lived for a time with George's parents; and in the fall of that year, Bertha gave birth to the first of their five children — a daughter named Regina, who was also the first Mozdyniewicz grandchild.

Near the end of April the following year, George and his wife and their 6-month-old daughter were enumerated in the 1910 census, still residing with his parents (and once again, the family name was mangled as 'Mosdamavich'). It was a full house at 339 South Main Street, 11 people in all — George and Bertha and Regina, his parents, and his six younger brothers and sisters. By then, George was working as a driver for a local liquor store; and it was apparent that the 22-year-old had chosen not to follow in the footsteps of most local men, laboring in the coal mines. At the turn of the century, George's immigrant father (Jacob) had been employed in the mines; but in the early 1900s, in pursuit of the American Dream, he had quit his job to open a local saloon.

By the end of 1910, George and Bertha's family had grown to include yet another daughter (Mildred); and in October of 1914, they welcomed their firstborn son (Frank). That same week, a local newspaper announced that George Mozdyniewicz had become the borough's newest hotelier.

Now in Hotel Business

George Mozdyniewicz, a well known young man, has assumed charge of the hotel at the southeast corner of Jardin and Centre streets. He added many improvements and will handle none but the best brands of wet goods and cigars. He is popular and has a thorough knowledge of the business, so that there is little doubt of his success.

In 1917, as the U.S. prepared to enter World War I, George Mozdyniewicz dutifully regis- tered for the draft — identifying himself as a married man with three children, living at 40 West Centre Street in Shenandoah. He stated that he'd been born on April 1, 1888, listing

his occupation as a 'hotel keeper'; and he was described as a 'stout' man of medium height, with brown hair and blue eyes. Three years later, in the Census of 1920, George and his family were still renting at the same address; but by then he'd decided to become his own boss and was listed as a 'retail merchant' — more specifically, a 'saloon-keeper' with his own bar.

The 1930 Census (the last in which George would be enumerated ) shows that the Moz- dyniewicz family had moved to a rental at 23 West Coal Street — and that George's wife had given birth to their second son, George W., after the earlier births of three daughters and the death of a three-year-old son named Frank. Although it seems that George didn't have much in the way of personal assets, he was identified as being the owner and proprietor of a restaurant.

For reasons unknown, George Mozdyniewicz passed away at age 46 — just a few months after he and his wife had observed their 25th wedding anniversary. His name, however, was recorded in the Pennsylvania death records as 'George Mozdy' — an abbreviated version of the original name, which some family members readily adopted in the twentieth century.

Newspaper Announcement of George's Passing

Record and Herald (Pennsylvania) - October 31, 1934, p.1, p. 4 [edited]

LOCAL STREET COMMISSIONER DIES AT PHILLY

George Mozdyniewicz Passes Away

At Jefferson Hospital In Philly Early This Morning

POPULAR BOROUGH OFFICER TAKEN ILL SIX WEEKS AGO

Cafe Owner - Also Active Fireman and Widely Known in Fraternal Activities

One of the most widely known figures in the business, political, and social life of the community passed away early this morning at the Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, when Borough Highway Commissioner George Mozdyniewicz succumbed to a malady with which he was stricken about six weeks ago. Mr. Mozdyniewicz was taken ill while he and his family were visiting with relatives at Erie, during his summer vacation. A short time after arriving home, he became bedfast, and about two weeks ago was taken to the hospital.

At times he showed improvement, but despite the best medical attention his decline during the past week was rapid. During his stay at the hospital, his wife, the former Miss Bertha Franks [sic], and his daughter, Mrs. Edward Marshall, were almost constantly at his bedside.

Yesterday his brothers, Councilman Michael Mozdyniewicz, and Louis Mozdyniewicz, visited him. They found the patient in a coma, with little hope entertained for his recovery. The Mozdyniewicz home at 138 North White street was visited today by many persons in all walks of life to extend their condolences, as news of Mr. Mozdyniewicz's passing spread quickly throughout the community.

George Mozdyniewicz was born in Shenandoah, a son of Mrs. Victoria and the late Jacob Mozdyniewicz. He attended the public schools, and early in life he took up the occupation of mining. Later, he became employed as a salesman for the Mandour Wholesale Liquor Store in town. His first business enterprise was at Mahanoy City, where he opened a liquor store on North Main Street. Later, he worked for the Home Brewing Company; and for a number of years past, he engaged in the cafe business at the corner of Jardin and Centre Streets, subsequently moving to Coal and Ferguson, and then about a year ago he opened his cafe at the corner of Coal and White Streets.

In 1928, Mr. Mozdyniewicz was a candidate for chief burgess on the Republican ticket, of which party he was a lifelong and active worker. He ran second in the race, being defeated by only a small majority, in one of the most lively municipal contests in many years, with a large number of candidates in the field. On January 1, 1934, George was elected highway commissioner of the borough; and during his short tenure of office, he did much to improve the streets of the community. In fact, officials point out that George was almost constantly on the job in his efforts to have every street in the town paved. In firemen's circles, he was widely known, and was one of the organizers and charter members of the Polish American Fire Company. He served as fire chief of the borough three times and enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most skilled firemen in the region. Although he was a member of the Polish American Company, he held deep and sincere interest in the activities of every fire company in the department.

George was affectionately known to countless acquaintances as 'Mozdy', and all who had the pleasure of his association at all times enjoyed his pleasant and cheery disposition. Nothing was too much for "Mozdy" to do on behalf of a friend and neighbor. He was imbued with the altruism that makes him 'a man among men'.

In his passing, the community not only loses a highly regarded citizen, but the esteem with which he was held throughout the county was attested to today by the hundreds of messages of sympathy received by the members of his family from almost every community in the county.

Mr. Mozdyniewicz was a member of St. Casimir's Church, and fraternally he belonged to the Polish American Fire Company, the Elks, the Eagles, and the Moose. Surviving are his grief-stricken widow; three daughters, Mrs. Thomas Maher, of Waterbury, Conn., Mrs. Edward Marshall, in town, and Miss Isabelle, at home; a son, George, also at home; his mother, Mrs. Victoria Mozdyniewicz, in town; three brothers, Jacob Mozdyniewicz, Councilman Michael Mozdyniewicz, and Louis Mozdyniewicz, garage-man, all in town; two sisters, Mrs. Joseph Twardzik and Mrs. George Baker, of Shenandoah; and three grandchildren.

Undertakers Wentz & Son left early this morning for Philadelphia to bring the body back to Shenandoah. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.