By: Charles Ciechanowski-Chinoski-Chase & Evelyn Osentoski-Clor

Anton Slawik (1824-1899) was the 3^rd child born to Johann Slawik and Francisca Wiatrek. He was born in Boronow, which is an old historic town dating back to the 13^th century. Boronow is located in south-central Poland about 20 miles southwest of Częstochowa (home of The Black Madonna) and about 70 miles northwest of Krakow. Boronow is a village (today’s population about 2,500) in Lubliniec County in Śląsk Voivodship on the Liswarta River in Silesia, Poland.

It is believed that Anton’s father, Johann, was the brother of Valek Slawik who was the son of Bartholemew (Bartek) Slawik and Marianna Warczokin. Valek (Valentin) married Francisca Borón and together they had several children, one of whom was Josephine (Josefa) Slawik who was born in Dembowa Gora, Lubliniec, Poland in 1819. Josephine, a 1^st cousin of Anton, later married Francis Polk who was also an important pioneer in the founding of the town of Parisville in Paris Township, Huron County, in the “Thumb” of Michigan.

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By: Charles Ciechanowski-Chinoski-Chase and Evelyn Osentoski-Clor

The following tells some of the history of the great-great grandfather of Evelyn Clor and Charles Chase.

At the tip of the “Thumb” of the Michigan’s Lower Peninsula can be found Huron County. Within this county is Paris Township which contains the historic town of Parisville. Parisville is, arguably, the first Polish community within the United States. One of the founders of Parisville was a Polish farmer by the name of Francis (Franz) Polk who left the tyranny of Poland to provide a better life for his family.

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