Johann Adalberth Coski

http://idgenweb.org/legacy_roots/coski-scott-blackwell.html

Johann Adlebert von Kukowski was born April 18, 1854 in Dziemian, West Prussia to Franz von Kukowski, an estate owner, and Victoria von Czapiewski. The "von" in their names meant that both of these families were members of the nobility but that did not mean rich, it simply meant that they were perhaps better off than many in the Lippusch parish. According to the 1900 U.S. Census, Johann immigrated to the United States in 1869 and the first record of him here shows his name as John Coski (with a "C" but often spelled with a "K"). We don't have documentation where he entered the U.S but family lore says that he was starving in New York so he sold his "title"---the von---for a bowl of soup. According to Don Coski's memoir, Don's father, Dave, said his dad spoke six languages. Don quotes his father that John was alone and destitute in New York City when a shoe cobbler took John in and taught him the trade. This is quite likely as John was a harness maker and, according to the 1912-1913 Idaho Gazetteer, he is listed as a shoemaker and later as a saddle maker in Glenns Ferry. His Declaration for Citizenship was made in 1875 in Winona, Minnesota. He became a naturalized citizen in 1901 in Washington County, Idaho. After the citizenship declaration of 1875, the next record of him is in Chicago where he married Antonia Knitter, November 28, 1877. She also was from Prussia and had immigrated to the U.S. in 1870 with her parents and siblings. They lived in Chicago, and at least three children were born there: Louie, Frank, and Paul.

John imigrated in 1869 & Antonia in 1870. They had 11 children - 8 living in 1900.

1872 (8 July) Andreas Kukowsky (40yrs), Rosalia Kukowsky (37yrs), Franska Kukowsky (17yrs), Vincent Kukowsky (14yrs), Leon Kukowsky (11yrs) & Marianna Kukowsky (7yrs) arrived in New York from Bremen/Geestemunde on the ship "Orpheus", with the destination of Minnesota. Also on board the ship were Rosalia Kukowsky (20yrs), Johann Kukowsky (18yrs) & Jacob Kukowsky (17yrs).

1880 census John Kowfski (born 1855 Poland), Antonia Kowfski (born 1859 Poland) & son, John Kowfski (born 1879 Illinois) were living at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States.

1900 census John Koski (born Apr., 1854 Germany - married 1876 - immigration 1869) was living at Council Bear Precinct, Washington County, Idaho, United States.

1920 census John Coski (born 1846 Germany/Poland - widower - immigration 1868) was living at Manard, Camas County, Idaho, United States.

1930 censu John Coski (born 1853 Poland - widower - immigration: 1870) is an inmate at the Polish Orphan Asylum in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, United States.