Jan "John" Hieronim Cieszynski, Rev.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=117904973

In 1883, Reverend Henry Jadzewski, was sent to take care of the Mission at Wells. Three years later, Reverend John Hanak became the first resident priest of Wells, and Minnesota Lake became a mission of Wells. The history of the Polish congregation of Wells would be quite inadequate if one were to overlook the efforts of Father J. Cieszynski, who was appointed pastor in 1889.

Father J. Cieszynski, born in Eastern Pomerania, was a man of many interests. He "went up to the North woods with the lumbermen to earn the money necessary to secure the education he desired." Having learned the English language in a comparatively short time, he attended the Winona Normal School, the Pillsbury Academy in Owatonna, and finally St. Paul Seminary.

His influence was felt in three counties - Fairmont, Martin, and Jackson - where he built churches, helped and coached the Polish youth in their high school subjects, encouraged parents to send their children to colleges and academies for general education as well as for religious training. Father Cieszynski's fondest dream was "to establish a Polish colony in North Dakota, but ill health prevented the realization of these plans."

1900 census John H Cresgynski (born Sep., 1854 Poland - Immigration: 1872) is living at Clark Township - Wells village, Faribault County, Minnesota, United States, with niece Lizzie (born Sep., 1878 Poland).