Gustie is my Great-Grandmother who came from Poland to Chicago in 1875 and was a resident of Stevens Point for 45 years.
1. Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Hull, Portage, Wisconsin; Roll: T623 1812; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 104.
2. Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Hull, Portage, Wisconsin; Roll: T624_1733; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 53; Image: 785.
3. Source Citation: Year: 1920;Census Place: Stevens Point Ward 4, Portage, Wisconsin; Roll: T625_2010; Page: 12B; Enumeration District: 81; Image: 1085.
4. Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Stevens Point, Portage, Wisconsin; Roll: 2606; Page: 19A; Enumeration District: 30; Image: 438.0.



The Gazette

Stevens Point, Wis., Feb. 20, 1907.

OLDEST PERSON IN STATE

Mrs. Ernestine Hannig, of Casimir, Over 108 Years of Age -- Once Served in Homes of Nobility

In a small, scantily furnished room of a lonely farmhouse eight miles north of the city, a rosary, crucifix and a large prayerbook as her constant and only companions, lies, undoubtedly never again to tread across the threshold of that room, a person who on Christmas day, Dec. 25, 1899, eight years ago, saw the morning sun dawning upon the centennial of her existence. To this person, probably the oldest in the state, Father Time has been kind in every respect. The joys and sorrows, cares and experiences, as well as trials and tribulations of over five score years have left but slight evidences upon their victim. The person is Mrs. Ernestine Hannig, a woman who until six months ago had full possession of all her mental faculties, made daily use of all her senses and toiled almost daily among others of the household. Now over 108 years of age, Mrs. Hannig would be glad to welcome death, yet in her present illness wherein she feels no pain or discomfort, she is patient and brave. For the past three years she has spent most of the time in bed, but during the mild days of summer she had been wont to walk four miles every Sunday to the little Casimir chapel and there at the side of her husband, also near the century mark, thank God for the long life with which she had been favored. The death of her husband last August, at the age of 97 years, proved a serious blow to her in her advanced years.

Though her countenance is a picture of health, full, round cheeks, colored as in girlhood, small blue eyes, glistening and showing the presence of a mind alert and attentive to whatever occurs, Mrs. Hannig is at last showing indications that the final summons will not be long deferred. Her limbs refuse to do her bidding; she is unable to walk, and moves her arms with difficulty. Her sense of hearing is slowly flickering. The eyes are the strongest and most reliable of the active organs. She reads much and frequently without glasses. The hands, arms, and feet are badly emaciated, there being apparently no life blood.

Though she must be questioned with shouts, the elderly lady responds readily and with interest. Her mind, however, cannot be guided into any certain line of thought, but she talks in a rambled discourse and in one moment will turn from the narrative of events in her native land to those of a more recent date. Mrs. Hannig, no doubt, has an interesting personal history to relate but her present state of mind permits one to learn but few facts.

She gave the following in the Polish language and seemed rather enthusiastic in her response to questions:

Mrs. Hannig was born of German parentage on Dec. 25, 1799, in Balleszin, German-Poland. Her father died when she was three years of age, a year after the death of her mother. Kind neighbors took care of her and a family adopted her. At about 18 years of age she became a servant in the homes of royal families. Mrs. Hannig says, "It was good in the old country; we had all we wanted; bread, fruit and meat was plentiful, but after I was taught Polish and had to learn German in our schools, and when people started to fight -- I don't know why -- everybody wanted to go to Chicago and New York in America. I wanted to go but not knowing how, I married first. Then my husband and I went to Chicago, where he died.

Mrs. Hannig lived in Chicago for over 30 years. After the death of her first husband, a Mr. Brunko, she married Mr. Hannig, a German. Four children, one son and three daughters, were born to them, one of the latter being a woman far past middle age, Mrs. Valentine Pionke, with whom she has made her home for the past forty years at Casimir. Her posterity numbers 28 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Hannig speaks, reads and writes Polish and German and understands a little English. She speaks Polish with a peculiar German accent. Though remembering early experiences and being able to describe them, she does not remember dates or names of either people or places.

Naturally one would expect a person of 108 years to be eccentric. Mrs. Hannig is: she has many peculiar traits. To her every person is a priest or a nun. She believes her son-in-law will be munificently rewarded by the state for taking care of her.



Happy 175th Birthday Augustyna "Gustie" Pionek
Wife of Walenty William Sr. "Valentine" Pionek
Valentine & Gustie were the first Pionek's to put there foot prints on the Stevens Point Homestead

Great Great Great Grand Parents to:

Morgan Robinson (16.4)

Carissa Krueger (15.4)

Kendall Robinson (14.9)

Cierra Krueger (14.8)

Thomas Savas (12.6)

Mia Thompson (11.2)

Jason Savas (10.8)

Demitirius Murphy (9.7)

Andrew Thompson (9.5)

Julia Gear (9.4)

Joshua Krueger (7.2)

Alia Bayer (5.9)

James Gear (5.4)

Rhett Martin (4.2)

Alice Gear (2.5)

Peter Van Gumpel

Bethany Van Gumpel

Andrew Peters

Amanda Tuma