America is a country founded by immigrants. It was a place for immigrants to escape the religious, social, and economic hardships of their home countries. America was viewed as the land of opportunity, and a place to create a better life. This is the story of the Niedzielski and Larsen families, who became related in 1966. These two families have origins in Poland and Denmark, respectively. Ancestors of these families immigrated to America to create a better life for themselves and their future generations.

August and Anna Dombrowski were married in Poland, where they owned a mill. They immigrated to America in the late 1890's because they believed "the streets were paved in gold." They came over by boat and are believed to have entered the country through Ellis Island. They then came to the Omaha area to settle. At the time, there was a Polish settlement around 24th Street in South Omaha, and this is the area in which they made their home.

When August and Anna arrived in the Omaha area, they had discovered that America was not the way it had been presented to them in Poland. The streets were not "paved in gold;" they were "paved" in mud. It has been said that when Anna got out of the carriage in Omaha, she saw all the mud and started to cry. She was ready to pack up everything and go back to Poland. She was that disappointed by the first impression of what was to become her and August's home. Despite their disappointment, August and Anna Dombrowski decided to stay and make their home in Omaha, Nebraska.

August and Anna had one child, a daughter they named Martha. At age 16, Martha Dombrowski married Joseph Lenczowski, age 26. Joseph Lenczowski came to America, by himself, as a young man from Warsaw, Poland in the late 1890's. He settled in Omaha, Nebraska.

Joseph and Martha Lenczowski had eleven children. Their names were Agnes and Dorthy, the twins; Walter, also known as Jack, who later married Louise; Caroline, who later married Andy Urzendowski; Louis, also known as Lynx, who later married Ruby; Anne, who later married Mike Dwornicki; John; Catherine; Helen; Bernice; and Mary, who later married Edward Niedzielski.

This leads to the entrance of the Niedzielski family. Michael Niedzielski and Frances Tylski were married in Poland. They had two children, Mary and Stella. Michael immigrated to America in, it is believed, 1906. He left Poland to get away from the Russians. He went to work in a packing house in Omaha to earn enough money to send for his family.

Michael sent for his family in 1908. Frances and their two daughters, Mary and Stella, ages 7 and 5, immigrated to America from Kracewec, Poland. Frances was not allowed to enter America legally because she had poor eyesight. She spent thirty days on a "pirate" ship waiting to gain illegal entrance to the country. Frances Niedzielski entered the country in 1908 as an illegal alien, and she was never able to gain citizenship. She was allowed to stay in America, though, because Michael became an American citizen, as well as Mary and Stella, their daughters.

Michael and Frances Niedzielski had a total of six children. They were named Mary, born in Poland, who later married Lester Stone; Stella, born in Poland, who later married Walter Cwirko; John, born in America, who later married Beulah, and shortened Niedzielski to Nied; Vernie, born in America, who later married Leonard Mrsny; Leo, born in America; and Edward, born in America, who later married Mary Lenczowski.

An interesting turn of events came about with the marriage of John and Beulah. John shortened the name Niedzielski to Nied when he married Beulah because she did not want such a long name. This, of course, made Michael extremely angry with his son; he, in a way disowned his son. Michael said that no son should be born to this family to further disgrace the name Niedzielski by carrying on the name Nied. The interesting, or coincidental, point is the fact that no sons were born to John and Beulah; they had only daughters. It is also interesting to note that no sons have been born to the Niedzielski family beyond Edward and Mary's children. When the existing Niedzielski males die, so does the family name.

Edward Niedzielski married Mary Lenczowski on September 26, 1937. They had three children. They were named Donald, born August 9, 1938, who later married Elsie Larsen; Gerald, who later married Ellen Sonntag; and Cynthia.

This leads to the introduction of the Larsen family. Anna Marie came to Denmark from Sweden because she could earn better wages in Denmark. In Denmark, Anna Marie met and married Carl Mortensen. Carl Mortensen immigrated to America from Denmark in the 1880's or 1890's. He came and settled in the Benson area because he had a brother living in Omaha. He came to America because the working conditions were better than those in Denmark. Carl knew how to smoke meats, and was able to get a job at the packing house working in the smokehouse. He earned $1.00 for every eight hours of work. When he had earned enough money, Carl sent for his wife and infant daughter, Marie.

Carl and Marie Mortensen had a total of six children. They were named Marie, born in Denmark, who later married Chris; Harry, born in America, who later married Ruby; Fred, born in America, who later married Gerda; Walter, born in America, who later married Alma; Mabel, born in America, who later married Thor; and Julia, born in America, who later married John Larsen.

Rasmus Larsen married a woman named Anna in Denmark. They had two children in Denmark named Lars Peter and John. Rasmus immigrated to America from Denmark because he believed conditions were better in America. He also did not want to serve a second term in the Queen's Guard. Rasmus first went to Chicago and worked for a while before going on to Omaha. He went to Omaha because he wanted to become a farmer. Rasmus had done work as a carpenter in Denmark, and was able to get a job as a carpenter in the packing plant. He sent for his family as soon as he had saved enough money.

Anna came with her sons to America and settled with Rasmus in Omaha. Lars Peter died soon after arriving in America. John was eight years old when he immigrated to America with his mother and brother. Rasmus continued his carpentry work. He built several houses in Omaha that are still standing today.

John Larsen married Julia Mortensen on March 4, 1904 in Brownpark Omaha, a Danish community. John had many different occupations throughout his life: a carpenter, a member of the Omaha City Council for South Omaha, worked for Douglas County, worked for the state, served several terms in the Nebraska State Legislature, and worked for the Labor Department.

John and Julia had a total of four children. They were named Elmer, born March 25, 1905, who later married Ruby Stibolt; Esther, born May 13, 1907, who later married Art Bentley; Edward, born August 9, 1909, who later married Naomi Madsen; and Elsie, born October 7, 1914, who later married Virgil. Julia died in 1922, when Elmer was 17 years old. John married Mary Mommsen after Julia's death. Mary had two children from a previous marriage, Ella and Ernie.

Here enters the Andersen and Stibolt families. John and Laura Andersen were married in Denmark. They had one daughter in Denmark named Johanna. John Andersen immigrated to America from Copenhagen, Denmark. He left Denmark because of the poor political situation in Denmark, and he felt he and his family would have a better life in America. John settled in the Omaha area. He had been a "bushelman" or tailor in Denmark and was able to get a job doing the same in Omaha. He brought his family to America in late 1880's or early 1890's.

John and Laura had a total of three children. They were named Johanna, born in Denmark, who later married Warren Stibolt; Hilma, born in America; and Laura, born in America.

Warren Nicholi Delano Stibolt was born in Bornholm, Denmark, on October 27, 1872. He immigrated to America from Denmark at the age of 18 in 1890. He came to avoid mandatory military service in Denmark. He first found a job in Chicago as a die maker for a tin can company. He worked there for a couple of years. Warren then moved to Omaha, where he worked as a painter with his brother, Casper. He then went to work for a machine shop in Omaha. In 1911, Warren Stibolt founded his own machine shop, The American Machine Works, Inc. It is still in operation today.

Warren Stibolt married Johanna Andersen on June 25, 1899.

They had one child, named Ruth, in June 1900. She died in 1905. They then adopted Ruby as a baby, born January 14, 1908, who later married Elmer Larsen. They later adopted Emilie, as an infant, born July 1911. Emilie died of pneumonia in 1928.

The Larsen and Stibolt families were acquainted through relatives connected with the Blair Publishing House. Ruby's father, Warren Stibolt, and The American Machine Works did work for the Blair Publishing House. Ruby Stibolt had Sunday lunches at Marie Mortensen's house. Ray, a cousin of Elmer Larsen, who worked for the Ford Motor Company, was dating Ruby Stibolt while she was attending high school (finishing school) at Dana in Blair, instead of public high school in Omaha. Elmer Larsen met Ruby Stibolt while doing a favor for his cousin Ray.

Elmer Larsen married Ruby Stibolt on October 24, 1925. They had four children. They were named Ruby, born July 4, 1926, who later married Robert Cohn in 1951; Warren, born July 11, 1927, who later married Vita Negley; Herbert, born November 8, 1928, who later married Caryl Frazier; and Elsie, born May 27, 1933, who later married Donald Niedzielski in 1966. Elmer worked for and later bought The American Machine Works from Warren Stibolt, his father-in-law. When he retired, Elmer sold the business to his daughter, Ruby, and her husband, Robert Cohn.

Donald Francis Niedzielski married Elsie Elizabeth Larsen on August 27, 1966. They had one child, a daughter, named Debra Leigh, born on January 20, 1968.

This is where the Niedzielski and Larsen history ends, and their futures begin with the new generation. The ancestors of these two families came to America to create a better life and to live out the "American Dream." These families came to America with hopes and dreams of a better life. They survived the trials and tribulations of adjusting to a new country. The Niedzielskis and the Larsens made America their home, just as all the other immigrants that came before them and the ones to come in the future; each contributing in his or her own way to make America the country it is and will become in the future. America is the country it is because of the "melting pot" of immigrants that have created and shaped this nation.

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Interview Notes--Mary Niedzielski

Busha---Martha Dombrowski Lenczowski---Grandma's mother---born in America--parents came to America in the late 1890's---came for a better life--believed the "streets were paved in gold"--- August Dombrowski owned a mill in Poland (wife Anna)---Anna wanted to go back to Poland as soon as she saw what America was like (no gold, just mud)

---August died from a heart attack in 1908---knew he was going to die before he did

Joseph Lenczowski---came to America by himself in the late 1890's as a young man---from Warsaw, Poland

Martha Dombrowski (16) married Joseph Lenczowski (26)---they had 11 children: --Agnes and Dorthy (twins)---Walter (aka Jack) who later married Louise--Caroline who later married Andy Urzendowski---Louis (aka Lynx) who married Ruby---Anne who later Married Mike Dwornicki---John---Catherine---Helen--Bernice---Mary who married Edward Niedzielski

Michael Niedzielski and Frances Tylski were married in Poland---they had two children in Poland before coming to America (Mary and Stella)---Michael came to America around 1906 to get a job and then sent for his family--Michael went to work in the packing house---came to America to get away from the Russians

---Frances came to America about 1908 with Mary (7) and Stella (5)---Frances was not legally admitted into the country because of poor eyesight---she spent 30 days on a boat until she could gain entrance as an illegal alien (never became a citizen)---came from Kracewec, Poland

---Michael and Frances Niedzielski had 6 children---Mary (born in Poland) who married Lester Stone---Stells (born in Poland) who married Walter Cwirko--John who married Beulah and shortened the name to Nied---Vernie who married Leonard Mrsny---Leo---Edward who married Mary Lenczowski

came to Omaha right away---a Polish settlement existed around South 24th St. in Omaha

Lester Stone (Mary's husband)---was a gangster---put in prison for check forgery in Stillwater, MN

Walter Cwirko (Stella's husband) was a pharmacist---had 3 drug stores---sold boot-legged liquor during Prohibition

Mike Dwornicki (Anne's husband) was a bootlegger during Prohibition




Interview Notes--Elmer V. Larsen

Anna Marie came from Sweden to Denmark for better wages---she married Carl Mortensen

Carl Mortensen came to America because of better working conditions---had a brother in Omaha---settled in the Benson area---got a job at the packing house (the smokehouse) (earned $1.00 for 8hrs. work)---he sent for his family

---Anna Marie came to America with their baby daughter, Marie

Carl and Anna Marie Mortensen had 6 children---Marie (born in Denmark) who married Chris---Harry who married Ruby---Fred who married Gerda---Walter who married Alma---Mabel who married Thor---Julia who married John Larsen

Rasmus Larsen married Anna in Denmark---they had 2 children---Lars Peter (died at age 8)---John

Rasmus came to America because of better conditions---didn't want to serve a second term in the Queen's Guard---first came to Chicago and worked--went to Omaha---wanted to become a farmer---worked in the packing house as a carpenter---sent for his family when he had saved enough money

---family came and settled in Omaha---Lars Peter died soon after arriving--John was 8 yrs old when he came to America

---Rasmus was a carpenter---built several houses in Omaha

John Larsen married Julia Mortensen on March 4, 1904---Julia was born in America--they had 4 children---Elmer (March 25, 1905)---Esther (May 13, 1907)--Edward (August 9, 1909)---Elsie (October 7, 1914)

---John was a carpenter, Omaha city council (for South Omaha), worked for Douglas county, worked for the state, served several terms in the Nebraska State Legislature, worked for the labor dept.

---married Julia in Brownpark, Omaha (a Danish community)

---Julia died in 1922 (Elmer was 17 yrs. old)---John remarried---Mary Mommsen who had 2 children (Ella Biga and Ernie Mommsen)

John Andersen married Laura in Denmark---came to America from Copenhagen, Denmark--left Denmark because of bad political situation; better life in America--settled in Omaha---better working conditions---John was a "bushelman" a tailor

---brought his wife (Laura) and daughter (Johanna) from Denmark

---John and Laura Andersen had 3 children---Johanna (born in Denmark) who married Warren Stibolt---Laura---Hilma---(both born in America)

Warren Nicholi Delano Stibolt came to America from Bornholm, Denmark as a young man in 1890---came to avoid mandatory military service in Denmark--- had a brother (Casper) in Omaha who was a painter (worked for his brother)--stopped first in Chicago and worked as a die maker for tin cans for a couple of years---settled in Omaha---was a machinist in Denmark---worked for a machine shop then started a machine shop in Omaha in 1911 (The American Machine Works, Inc.)

Warren Stibolt married Johanna Andersen on June 25, 1899---They had 1 child named Ruth in June 1900---Ruth died in 1905

---they adopted 2 children---Ruby (born January 14, 1908) who married Elmer Larsen--Emilie (born July 1911) who died of pneumonia in 1928

The Larsen and Stibolt families were acquainted through relatives connected with

the Blair Publishing House---Ruby Stibolt had lunch at Marie Mortensen's house on Sundays (Elmer's Aunt)

---Ray (Elmer's cousin) worked for the Ford Motor Co.---family connected with the Blair Publishing House (AMW did work for the Publishing house)---was dating Ruby Stibolt while she went to high school at Dana in Blair instead of public school in Omaha

Elmer Larsen met and later married Ruby Stibolt on October 24, 1925---they had 4 children---Ruby (born July 4, 1926) who married Robert Cohn (4-29-51)--Warren (born July 11, 1927) who married Vita Negley---Herbert (born November 8, 1928) who married Caryl Frazier---Elsie (born May 27, 1933) who married Donald Niedzielski (8-27-66)

---Elmer worked at and later bought The American Machine Works from Warren Stibolt---when he retired at age 74, he sold the business to Ruby and her husband (Robert Cohn)

Elsie Elizabeth Larsen and Donald Francis Niedzielski were married on August 27, 1966---they had 1 child---Debra Leigh on January 20, 1968

---Donald went into the Marine Corps after high school (was in for 7-8 yrs.)--then he went to work at Western Electric (at the works) (where he met Elsie)---then he managed a One Hour Martenizing Dry Cleaning Store--he then became a sales manager at Modern Sound Pictures, Inc. (in Omaha)

---Elsie went to UNL for 1 yr.---then came home and went to school in Omaha after the shop was destroyed by a fire---then went to work at Western Electric (as a secretary)---became a mother---went to work as a secretary at St. Timothy's Lutheran Church---then went to work as a secretary at St. Michael's Lutheran Church

MACHINE WORKS PLAN UNCERTAIN SINCE BLAZE

---from Omaha World Herald newspaper (1952)

Plans of the American Machine Works, its building at 1210 Jackson Street gutted Friday by a 100-thousand-dollar fire, are indefinite pending a survey of salvageable equipment.

Fire Investigator Dan Mulcahey and Ralph G. Ford and Arthur Rasmussen, City Building Department inspectors, examined the debris again Monday.

"We reached no conclusion except that we still feel it started around the boiler,'' Mr. Mulcahey said.

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