John Drabik (1894-b. 1988)

John Drabik was born on 24 Dec 1894 in Urzegowice, Austria. He was the oldest of 11 children, the son of Wojzick Drabik and Kataryna. He is not related to me, but he is the grand-uncle of an aunt of some of my grandchildren. Acc. to the 1930 census, he and his wife Anna immigrated in 1913, but that census lists them as being born in Poland. However, his draft registration says he was born in Austria, and as he filled that one out himself, one might assume that that is correct. Present day Urzejowice is about 60 km from the border with the Ukraine.

His mother came to the US in 1914 with the seven younger children, ranging in age from 14 down to 2. I can’t imagine travelling alone with that many kids. Just keeping track of them must have been a full-time job. Her husband was already here, he was listed as her US contact. Acc. to the 1920 census, he like John, came in 1913; but I have not been able to find the passenger list so far.

The family did well in Jersey City, the five oldest boys all marry and have children; I have not followed up on them and their other siblings past the 1940 census. Brother Karol died in 1988, his obituary only lists one surviving sister; so John must have died before 1988