Michael Strauss was born on September 11, 1869 in Poslugowo*, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland. Michael and his parents left Hamburg on the SS Lessing on April 24, 1886 and arrived at Castle Garden, New York on May 6, 1886.
* also spelled Poslazawo and Poslazawe. (52.7541, 17.5349).
Michael became a mason, but he would go on to work in horticulture. The 1920 census states his occupation is a gardener.
Johanna Mary Makowski was born on May 24, 1874 in Poland to father Vincent Makowski. She emigrated in 1892. She had relatives in Glen Cove, NY.
How Michael met Johanna is still a mystery to us, but it was likely through their church. They married on February 4, 1894. They first lived in Hempstead, NY.
Michael worked at Childs Garden Center. The garden center was owned by horticulturist John Lewis Childs. Childs purchased thirteen acres of land in 1874 to grow and sell flowers and vegetables. He started the first mail-order seed catalog in the country.
In 1899, as part of a marketing campaign for his business, Childs suggested renaming the neighborhood from Hinsdale to Floral Park. The name change was approved and became official in 1901. It was Childs who gave the streets floral names, such as Tulip Avenue.
Michael built a house at 414 First Ave, New Hyde Park, NY in the early 1900s. During construction, Leon Lubowiecki, who was working at the store across the street, asked Michael if he needed help and Michael accepted. This is how Leon met Michael's daughter Kinga, who he later maried.
Michael, his wife, and five daughters moved in to the new house sometime around 1920.
Johanna died on January 5, 1936 of post-operative issues following gall bladder surgery. She's buried in Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, New York (plot 15-J-114).
After Johanna's death, Michael sold the house to Hedwig (Hady) after being urged to do so by Lillian. He then lived at the homes of his daughters.Michael died on June 27, 1951 in New Hyde Park, New York. He's buried in Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, New York (Plot 15-J-114).
Letters
This is a letter from Michael Strauss to William Gozelski on February 14, 1951. An easy to read transcript follows.
February 14, 1951
Mr. William Gozelski
Dearly beloved Son in law
I have received your letter yesterday that is February 14th and appreciate very much; for I never received any letter from any of my Son-in laws in such nice tone, to his Father in law.
I am glad to hear that everybody is well in your family except Jane, of course in her case it will take time before she'll be right again.
I am feeling pretty good as good as I can expect, considering the rotten weather we got here on Long Island. In daytime comes up to 60 and at night time comes down to zero again, then rain and snow - and slush and so on. One day you get to put on heavy overcoat, and the next dayyou can't pull your shoes out of the mud.
Everybody is OK except Betty is still home from school.
We had a very nice time at Gozelski's 25th wedding anniversary everything was very nice. ... some of the others could do that.
I don't think I will be able to potato cutting vacation this year. I think I'm getting weaker every day and I don't think I could make it.
May God bless you all. Lovingly your Father in law.
Michael Strauss
[This PS was written in Polish and this is our best translation:]
PS: Dear Cosko, Joanna If you are trying to write a post, please tell me that you have a nice job for me, and I will write to you, your wife, she also wrote me a nice letter, and she told me that she wrote it herself. It's not God's fault that he will stop you and I will take care of you.
This is a letter from Michael Strauss to Jane and William Gozelski on June 18, 1951. He died on June 27—nine days later.
June 18-1951
My Dear Daughter and Son in Law,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the Fathers day gift. You shouldn't have done it. I wish we had a Fathers day more often, than maybe I would feel much better. I hope that Hady will write you more about me, so I will close my letter wishing you Best of health and prosperity also to all the children. May God Bless you all.
Dad
Timeline
This timeline is for Michael Strauss, his immediate family, and sons-in-law. We use this to keep track of things.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1894 Feb 4 | Michael and Johanna marry |
| 1894 Dec 1 | Frank born |
| 1896 | Mary born |
| 1899 Mar 3 | Helena "Helen" born |
| 1903 Apr 1 | Kinga born |
| 1904 Oct 5 | Hedwig "Hady" born |
| 1906 Mar 15 | Lillian born |
| 1907 | Daughter Johanna "Jane" born |
| 1908 | Sons Michael and Vincent died at three months old |
| 1915 Jul 27 | Frank dies |
| 1921 Nov 20 | Kinga and Leon marry |
| 1923 Jun 24 | Hady and Tony marry |
| 1926 Feb 24 | Lillian and John marry |
| 1933 Jan 29 | Bill and Jane marry |
| 1936 Jan 5 | Johanna dies |
| 1949 Jan 10 | Helen dies |
| 1951 Jun 27 | Michael dies |
| 1956 Mar 21 | John Joseph Gozelski (Lilian's husband) dies |
| 1957 Oct 5 | Mary dies |
| 1958 | Helen's husband Edward dies |
| 1963 Oct 5 | Tony (Hady's husband) dies |
| 1977 Feb | William (Jane's husband) dies |
| 1980 Feb 14 | Hady dies |
| 1982 May 3 | Kinga dies |
| 1989 Oct 3 | Lillian dies |
| 2000 May 27 | Jane dies |
Photos
Instructions
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