Frank A Blawat

Frank and Elizabeth Blawat

Frank Blawat was born October 9, 1864, in Kościerzyna, Poland and came to the United States at the age of 19 years in 1883 as a stow-a-way on a ship, leaving his parents, three brothers and one sister in Poland. Elizabeth Gerszewski Blawat was born November 15, 1865, in Poland and came to the United States with her parents, two sisters and six brothers.

Frank and Elizabeth were married January 19, 1892, by Father Matthew Grochowski in Pulaski Township, Warsaw, ND. Frank helped build a railroad from Ardoch, ND to Neche, ND with Elizabeth's brothers while Elizabeth cooked for the men. In August 1901, they homesteaded a farm in Barto Township and farmed until their son, Severyn, took over when Elizabeth died on August 5, 1923. Frank continued to live with Severyn until he died on May 4,1947.

Some original buildings remain on the farm which is still owned by a grandson, Rafine Blawat. Frank and Elizabeth traveled to Stephen, MN with horses and wagons to sell their grain and to purchase supplies. They bought their first car in 1919.

Their children were Leonard (Frances Perkerewicz), Mary (Albert St. Antoine), Severyn (Victoria Perkerewicz), Floyd (Mary Marynik), Victoria (1. B. Efta), John (Sylvia Fleshman), Bill (Albina Novacek), Lucy (Max Duray), Elizabeth (Alex Wojciechowski) and Joe Clement, who died as an infant. Submitted by Lorraine Blawat.