John Joseph Scieszinski (1884 - 1918), son of Anistasia* (1845 - 1941) and Mary (Ciskey) Scieszinski (1853 - 1943), was born near Melrose, IA on his mother's 31st birthday, February 6, 1884.

On April 30, 1907 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Melrose, IA, John married Teresa Foley (1885* - 1916), daughter of James M. (1850 - 1924) and Mary Ann (Coleman) Foley (1854 - 1934). John and Theresa lived on a farm north of Melrose and had three sons and one daughter; John Arthur (1908 - 1982), Emmett William (1910 - 1948), Helen Patricia "Nellie" (1912 - 1914) and James Joseph (1914 - 1969). Both John and Teresa suffered from Diphtheria and died young leaving their three surviving children to be raised by the Scieszinski family.

John Joseph was widowed at the age of thirty-two and left to raise eight year old John Arthur, six year old Emmett William and five month old James Joseph; daughter Nellie having passed away three months before her third birthday the day after Christmas 1914. Two months after the death of John's wife Teresa, youngest son James Joseph (1914 – 1969) was sent to live with John Joseph's sister, Kate (Scieszinski) McLamar (1886 – 1971) and her husband Edward Joseph McLamar (1881 - 1963)in Ottumwa, IA.

Less than three years after Teresa's death, on October 15, 1918, John Joseph Scieszinski passed away at the age of thirty-four. Sons John Arthur and Emmett William were sent first to live with their grandparents Anistasia and Mary (Ciskey) Scieszinski (1895 - 1983) and John Arthur later lived in the homes of Daniel James (1892 - 1974) and Mary (Comer) Scieszinski (1895 - 1983) and William Sylvester (1879 - 1963) and Teresa (Fitzgerald) Scieszinski (1882 - 1957). Emmett William later joined his brother James Joseph in the home of Ed and Kate (Scieszinski) McLamar.

The contents of John and Teresa's family farm were sold at auction on October 29, 1918, nine days after John Joseph's death and their 200 acre farm was sold at auction on December 1, 1923, five years after John Joseph's death.

NOTE: John Joseph's father Anistasia Scieszinski was born Anastasius Sciesinski at Trzeciewiec, Poland; Teresa Foley's birth year is reflected as 1885 in St Patrick's Church, Melrose, IA Baptismal Records but her obituary and tombstone reflect 1884.
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Monroe County News, Thursday, May 9th, 1907
TYRONE
The marriage of John Scieszinski to Miss Teresa Foley of Wayne township was solemnized at the Catholic church in Melrose on Wednesday. Father Thomas Brownrigg officiating at the ceremonies that joined the youthful couple for life. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Scieszinski and the bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Foley of Wayne township, both coming from a highly respected and well-to-do family. The groom was attended by his brother, Martin Scieszinski, while the bride was accompanied to the altar by her sister, Miss Florence Foley. The happy couple will settle down housekeeping in the new home recently erected by the groom on his farm in Wayne township.

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Monroe County News, October 17, 1918

John Scieszinski died at his home Tuesday October 15th, at 6 o'clock (hour not completely clear in the obituary). He was taken sick Monday noon with Spanish Flu and pneumonia. His friends did not know he was sick until Tuesday afternoon when Father McCormack and Dr. Moran were called.

He is survived by three little sons now left entirely orphans. His parents Mr. and Mrs. A. Scieszinski, five brothers, Frank, William, Joseph, Daniel and Edward. Two sisters, Mrs. M.C. Judge and Mrs. E. J. McLamar of Ottumwa.

The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon and on account of the disease was private. Interment was in Mt. Calvary cemetery beside his young wife who died a few years ago.