Frank Sachnik, Sr.

Reflections from Ed Sachnik Sr (DOB 1/27/1939): Frank Sachnik Sr was born in the 1860’s and was raised in what is now southwest Poland. At that time this area was under the rule of Prussia. (Poland had been subdivided in peace settlements after the Napoleonic wars, but the Polish people were and always will be Polish). He was a cabinet-maker and, I believe, was in business for himself. He married Granny, (about whom I know very little except for her name of Constance), and they became parents of Aunt Hattie &/or Julia. He was then soon conscripted into the German army. As recruits had to provide or pay for most of their equipment, as well as provide for family, he lost all his tools of trade and came out of the army broke.

While trying to get re-established, Frank Sachnik Jr. was born. In 1893, the opportunity arose to come here to the USA. I think they entered through the Port of Galveston. They then went to the Polish Re-settlement Organization Center in Panna Maria, Tx., (SE of San Antonio). Here they were able to be located first, as farm help, then as tenant farmers in several areas until, eventually, they were able to save enough to acquire their farm at Frydek, Tx. They lived on this farm for the rest of their lives, raising 5 children, Hattie, Julia, Frank, Martha, and August. Frank married our mother, Hattie and Julia each married a Czechlewitz brother (I believe twins, Tom and Frank); Martha married Conrad Kolodzieczyck and August remained a bachelor until his demise. One of the Czechlewitz families, (I think Aunt Julia) had 3 boys, Frank, Joe, & Conrad, and one girl, Florence. This family lost their farm in 1940 due to a fire, so Conrad and Florence stayed with us for a while as the family relocated. The other (Aunt Hattie) had girls whose names I have forgotten. Their father was killed in an accident around the time I was born. Aunt Martha had 2 children, Irene and Leonard.