Wojciech 'George' Magdon
➤ Click 'Read More' below for George's complete bio.
GEORGE MAGDON's FAMILY
His Wife:
Elizabeth A. (Dubiel) Magdon 1893-1972 [age 78] - 'Elžbieta' in her native Polish
married on Monday, February 14, 1916,
at St. Joseph's Church in Hatfield, Massachusetts;
he was 24, she was 22
After having been married for almost 56 years, George was widowed the day before his 80th birthday, and he survived his wife by nearly seven years.
Note: In 2010, Saint Joseph's Church was merged with Holy Trinity Church, and its name was changed to Our Lady of Grace. Holy Trinity was subsequently closed and sold, and is now a distribution facility for skin care products.
Their 7 Children: [ 2 sons & 5 daughters ]
► Józef W. [Joseph W.] 'Joe' Magdon 1916-1971 [age 54]
married September 7, 1942, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Josephine G. (Creddo) Magdon 1916-1984 [age 67]
► Julia A. (Magdon) Platt 1918-1999 [age 80]
married February 8, 1947, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to William G. 'Bill' Platt 1922-2003 [age 80]
► Bronisława K. [Bertha C.] (Magdon) Faustine 1920-1977 [age 57]
married May 27, 1950, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to John J. Faustine 1920-2002 [age 81]
► Walerya J. [Valerie J.] (Magdon) Malok 1922-1984 [age 62]
married May 1, 1943, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to John J. Malok, III 1923-1985 [age 62]
► Franciszek F. [Francis F.] 'Frank' Magdon 1924-1988 [age 64]
married May 31, 1947, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Elizabeth J. 'Betty Jane' (Doran) Magdon 1923-1980 [age 57]
► Florence E. (Magdon) Cholewinski 1928-2023 [age 94]
married June 12, 1948, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Theodore 'Ted' Cholewinski, Jr. 1925-1998 [age 73]
► Cecilia M. (Magdon) Dzialo
married May 16, 1953, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Walter L. 'Larry' Dzialo 1926-2010 [age 84]
Their 24 Grandchildren: [ 9 grandsons & 15 granddaughters ]
► Carol A. (Magdon) Bauscher 1947-2012 [age 64] [Bernard R. Bauscher, Jr.]
married September 7, 1968, in Bridgeport, Connecticut
► Judith A. (Platt) Ostrow [Samuel D. Ostrow]
married May 11, 1980, in Manhattan (New York City), New York
► John J. Malok, IV 1948-2020 [age 71] [Joy B. Manende]
married December 28, 1968, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Theodore Cholewinski, III 1949-2000 [age 50] [Eileen M. Brennan]
married April 16, 1982, in Derby, Connecticut
► Richard J. Magdon 1949-2016 [age 66] [Julie A. Tuttle 1950-2013]
married February 13, 1982, in Fairfield, Connecticut
► George F. Magdon [Susan M. Becker]
married July 30, 1983, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Patricia A. (Malok) Loso
► Diane E. Platt
► Arlene F. (Magdon) Carrafiello 1951-2018 [age 67] [Michael A. Carrafiello]
married May 26, 1973, in Bridgeport, Connecticut
► Michael J. Malok [Jill S. Henderson]
married July 23, 1977, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Barbara E. Faustine
► Francis F. 'Junie' Magdon, Jr. 1953-2005 [age 51] [Martha M. Amendola]
married August 8, 1982, in Bridgeport, Connecticut
► Laura M. (Dzialo) Otzel 1954-2015 [age 60] [Michael L. Otzel]
married August 29, 1987, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Margaret M. 'Peggy' Magdon
► Nancy E. (Cholewinski) [Zera] Eads 1955-2007 [age 52] [George G. Eads 1945-2017]
married October 1, 1995, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Joan E. (Platt) Spear
► Karen B. (Dzialo) Stempel [Arthur B. Stempel]
married January 3, 2004, in Hamden, Connecticut
► Valerie G. (Magdon) Cormier [Ronald F. Cormier]
married February 6, 1999, in Naugatuck, Connecticut
► Penelope I. 'Penney' (Malok) Kimpel
► Stephen J. Dzialo [Linda J. Smallwood]
married October 9, 1983, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Janet L. (Dzialo) Baranyai
► Kenneth G. Cholewinski [Lynn L. Durand]
married October 6, 1990, in New Haven, Connecticut
► Michele L. (Magdon) Smith 1963-2023 [age 60]
► Joseph W. Cholewinski [Marsha J. Lanier]
married March 19, 2004, in Durham, North Carolina
His Parents:
Wawrzyniec [Lawrence] Magdoń - born in 1856
and Žofia [Sophie] (Filipek) Magdoń 1858-1905 [age 47]
presumably married in the mid 1880s, in Iwierzyce, Galicja
His Stepmother - Wawrzyniec Magdoń's 2nd Wife
Marianna (Róg) Magdoń - born in 1873
married May 28, 1905, in Iwierzyce, Galicja
Note: Neither Lawrence nor Sophie nor Marianna ever immigrated to America. All died in Poland.
His 12 (known) Siblings & Half-Siblings:
► Andrzej [Andrew] Magdoń c1886-1908 [age 22] - died in Iwierzyce, Galicja (Poland)
Note: Andrzej was the first of the three Magdoń brothers to emigrate from Europe and settle in Bridgeport. It's presumed that he never married; and following his untimely death, he was buried in a local cemetery in his hometown, Iwierzyce.
► Franciszek J. 'Frank' Magdoń 1888-1942 [age 54]
married June 6, 1915, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Anna Syryla 1893-1947 [age 54]
Note: In addition to his brothers Andrew and Frank, George had at least 10 more siblings and half-siblings — all of whom were born in Galicia (Poland), six of whom died as infants or children, none of whom are known to have immigrated to America.
► Katarzyna [Katherine] Magdoń c1889-1894 [age 5]
► Marianna Magdoń - born in 1893 - fate unknown
► Wiktoria [Victoria] Magdoń 1896-1896 [age 7½ months]
► Antoni [Anthony] Magdoń 1898-1899 [age 3½ months]
► Piotr [Peter] Magdoń 1900-1955 [age 54] - died in Iwierzyce, Poland
► Jan [John] Magdoń 1902-1903 [age 8½ months]
► Apolonia Magdoń - born in 1904 - fate unknown
► Józef [Joseph] Magdoń 1906-1906 [age 1 week] - a half-brother
► Jan [John] Magdoń 1908-1908 [age 3½ months] - a half-brother
► Józef [Joseph] Magdoń - born in 1909 - a half-brother; fate unknown
TELL THE STORY · REMEMBER THE LIFE
© 2022 The Acadien
Wojciech Magdoń was a Polish-American immigrant who hailed from the now-defunct Austro-Hungarian Empire in central Europe. Historic documents reveal that Wojciech was born and raised in the rural village of Iwierzyce, in a relatively poor agricultural province called Galicia (in Polish, Galicja), and that his family had been there since the early 1800s. Iwierzyce, today, is a small village in southern Poland (population 940), about 75 miles east of Kraków. It's in the administrative district (gmina) of Iwierzyce, in the county (powiat) of Ropczyce-Sędziszów, in the province (voivodeship) of Subcarpathia. Wojciech's baptismal record further reveals that he was christened on January 17, 1892, two days after his birth, and that he was a son of Wawrzyniec and Žofia (Filipek) Magdoń. Although here in the U.S. some documents later claimed that Wojciech had been born on January 13 or 18 (in either 1892 or 1893), none of these sources are accurate. For additional clarification, Wojciech's baptismal record was written in Latin (as was the Roman Catholic custom in that era), and his name was recorded as 'Adalbertus', which is Latin for 'Wojciech'.
Note: Map coordinates for Iwierzyce, Poland: 50°01'46.5"N 21°45'14.3"E (copy and paste)
On January 7, 1905, Wojciech Magdoń was a week shy of his 13th birthday when his mother passed away at age 47; and by the end of spring, his father had remarried. Around that time (shortly before or after his mother's death), Wojciech's eldest brother Andrzej immigrated to America, establishing himself in Bridgeport, Connecticut; and in 1906, his brother Franciszek followed suit. At some point between the summer of 1906 and the end of 1907, Andrzej Magdoń returned to Iwierzyniec (perhaps for a family visit); and died there, on January 7, 1908, at age 22. Two and a half years later, in the summer of 1910, Wojciech left home for the 600-mile trek to the port of Bremerhaven in Germany, where on August 9, at age 18, he boarded the transatlantic vessel 'Kronprinzessin Cecilie', which was headed for Ellis Island. The Cecilie was a luxurious 700-foot ship which could accommodate nearly 2,000 passengers; but the vast majority of U.S.-bound emigrants traveled 3rd-class [or steerage], at a cost of $25. Moving along at about 25mph, it took seven days for the Cecilie to make the 3,000-mile crossing; and on the 16th of August, Wojciech arrived in New York. According to the ship's manifest, he was a single Polish male from Galicia, Austria, who had never previously been to America, and he was 5'2" tall with brown hair and blue eyes. He arrived in America with the equivalent of $16 in his pocket; and his final destination was Bridgeport, Connecticut, to meet up with his elder brother Francizek, who was residing as a boarder at 66 Hallam Street in Bridgeport's predominantly Polish east end.
In America, Wojciech Magdoń came to be known as 'George Magdon', although he interchangeably used both names (and answered to either), which no doubt allowed him to retain a sense of pride in his Polish heritage. He stayed for a time in Bridgeport but eventually decided to move north, to the heavily Polish agricultural town of Hatfield in west-central Massachusetts (about 25 miles north of Springfield); and it was there that he met a young Polish woman, Elžbieta Dubiel, who had emigrated in 1911 from the same region as he. On Valentine's Day in 1916, Wojciech and Elžbieta became husband and wife at St. Joseph's Church in Hatfield, in a ceremony officiated by Reverend John J. O'Malley, the parish pastor. Together, George and Elizabeth would eventually become the parents of seven children, five girls and two boys, all born in Hatfield except for the last two; and there in Hatfield, for more than a decade, George would toil as a farmhand to support his growing family.
Note: Click the 'See 5 More' tab under their wedding photo to see and read a 1916 newspaper article announcing their marriage.
In the spring of 1917, the United States entered World War I; and within a month, Congress had passed a new Selective Service Act. After having lived in the U.S. for seven years, Wojciech dutifully registered for the military draft on 5 June 1917, in Hatfield, Massachusetts, under the name 'George Magdon'. Fortunately, however, Magdon was never called upon to serve, though his registration card offers a glimpse into his life at that time. Described as being of medium height and build with brown hair and brown eyes, George was a 25-year-old married man with two dependents — his wife and one child. He was living on Elm Street and working as a farmer for a man named William Boyle. His date of birth was erroneously recorded as January 18; his place of birth was generically documented as Ropczyce; and his signature on the card indicates that he was literate. He was well on his way to becoming a U.S. citizen.
In searching the 1920 U.S. Census, it appears that the Magdons had by then disappeared from Hatfield; but a careful reading of the town's 46-page report shows that the local census enumerator was unfamiliar with Polish name spellings and obviously found it difficult to understand the Slovak accent. Nonetheless, George and his family were still in town, enumerated on January 21 [page 13B] as Max & Elizabeth Wodotaveski [sic] with their children Joseph, age 3, and Julia, age 19 months. Still residing on Elm Street, they were renting a place from Max LaMountain [sic] [Magloire Lamontagne], a French-Canadian farmer. The report further states that both George and Elizabeth were Polish immigrants from Galicia who had learned to speak English, that George was able to read and write, and that he was a wage earner employed as a farm laborer.
By the end of 1925, George and Elizabeth's family had grown to include five children, ranging in age from 2 to 9. George had applied for U.S. citizenship; and on December 30, 1925, at age 33, in the Superior Courthouse at Northampton, Massachusetts, 'Wojciech Magdon' was awarded that coveted document. Said to be 5'8" tall, he had brown eyes and dark brown hair, and he was the father of five children — Joseph, Julia, Bronisława, Walerya, and Frank.
In the late 1920s (circa 1928), George decided to return to Bridgeport, Connecticut, with his wife and their young family; and there they would establish permanent roots and welcome two more children into the family fold. In the U.S. Census of 1930, the 'Mandon' family [sic] was living at 59 Hallam Street on the city's east side, in a rented apartment which cost them $15 a month (about $500 today); and George was employed as a machine operator in a local valve factory [Note: Hallam Street no longer exists. It used to run east to west between Pembroke Street and Waterview Avenue.] Within a year of the census enumeration, the Magdons had moved two blocks south to an apartment at 49 Goodwin Street (at the intersection of Hallett). By 1936, George had swapped his factory job for a janitorial position; and the Magdon family had moved yet again — about half-a-mile west to 145 Clarence Street off lower East Main, just around the corner from St. Michael the Archangel Church (a Catholic parish which was predominantly Polish). George and Elizabeth remained at this location for at least five years, but it wouldn't be their final move.
In 1940, the U.S. Census indicates that the Magdons were still residing on Clarence Street, paying $18 a month for rent (the equivalent, once again, of about $500 today). The census report also states that George's wife had by then been naturalized, that all seven of their children were still at home (ranging in age from 7 to 23) , and that George was employed as the manager of a private club, earning almost $30 a week (about $1300 today). To the family's benefit no doubt, the Magdons' three eldest children were by then in the workforce, bringing an additional combined $44 a week into the household till (nearly $2000 today).
In many ways, the 1940s would be an eventful decade for George and Elizabeth, as their lives began to change. In 1941, they were both in their late 40s when they purchased a duplex home at 628 William Street, at the corner of Stillman, about half-a-mile north of Clarence Street. It was, without a doubt, one of the couple's happier moments, as they realized an American dream. The following spring, on 27 April 1942, 50-year-old 'Wojciech Magdon' registered for the World War II military draft; and once again, his date-of-birth was incorrectly recorded, as 'January 13, 1893'. The document does, however, offer additional information regarding George's employment as a club manager, stating that he worked for the White Eagle Society at 595 East Washington Street. [Note: In that era, the White Eagle was a private Polish-American social club. Although the Bridgeport club is still in business today (and at the same location too), most of the White Eagles are no longer restricted to people of Polish descent.]
Having been away from his native Poland for more than three decades, George had only one family tie to the old country — his elder brother Frank. Along with his wife and children, Frank had established himself on Halley Avenue in Fairfield, just over the Bridgeport city line, about 4 miles west of where George lived; but one might presume that the brothers found comfort in maintaining a close connection. Unfortunately, however, George would be left to carry the Magdon family torch when on May 19, 1942, Frank passed away at age 53.
Four months later, on September 7, 1942, George and Elizabeth celebrated their first family wedding, when their elder son Joe married Josephine Creddo. Though more than a decade would pass before the Magdon nest was empty, all of the children eventually went on to marry and raise families of their own, and all would remain in the Greater Bridgeport area where they themselves had been raised. By the end of the 1940s, four more weddings had come and gone and six grandchildren had been born into the family — the first of which was Carol, to Frank and Betty Jane Magdon, in 1947.
By the mid 1960s, George and Elizabeth's family had grown to include 2 daughters-in-law, 5 sons-in-law, and 24 grandchildren; and in 1966 the couple was feted at a family gala marking their 50th wedding anniversary. By the close of the decade, some of the elder grandchildren had married; and in June of '71, George and Elizabeth welcomed their first great-grandchild, Tommy Bauscher, born to Carol (Magdon) Bauscher and her husband Buddy. For the moment, life was grand; but three months later, George and Elizabeth would grieve for their elder son Joe, who died unexpectedly at age 54.
On January 12, 1972, just four months after his son's untimely death, George Magdon's life was forever changed. After nearly 66 years of marriage, his beloved wife Elizabeth passed away at home, at age 78; and she was buried three days later, on George's 80th birthday. George would survive his wife by nearly seven years, attend more family weddings, and celebrate the births of more great-grandchildren. In 1977, shortly after Thanksgiving, he would mourn the loss of yet another child, when his daughter Bertha passed away at age 57. Though he had surely been blessed with a full and rewarding life, he was undoubtedly grateful when his time came to be reunited with those who had gone before him.
Nearly seven decades after leaving his homeland, Wojciech 'George' Magdoń passed away in Bridgeport the day after Christmas in 1978, a few weeks shy of his 87th birthday (and only six weeks after the death of his daughter Bertha). He proudly left behind a family which numbered in the dozens, and his two sons had perpetuated the Magdon family name. Among his survivors were 5 of his 7 children, 24 grandchildren, and an ever-growing number of great-grandchildren.
Rest in peace, Wojciech. Job well done.
Cemetery & Burial Information
Type of Marker: Crypt Faceplate (mausoleum)
Location: George and his wife Elizabeth are entombed in the Chapel Mausoleum, which is on the west side of the cemetery (facing Bruce Boulevard). Enter the mausoleum, go up one flight of stairs to the middle level, and walk to the right. Their vault is near the end of the hall on the righthand side, near the top, next to their son and daughter-in-law (Joe and Josephine Magdon).
Note: There's a passenger elevator in this mausoleum, which can be accessed from the side of the building (or from inside, on each level).
A special note of thanks and acknowledgment to Find A Grave contributor Eric C [#50510509], for his extensive research of the Magdon family's roots in 19th-century Galicia.
➤ Click 'Read More' below for George's complete bio.
GEORGE MAGDON's FAMILY
His Wife:
Elizabeth A. (Dubiel) Magdon 1893-1972 [age 78] - 'Elžbieta' in her native Polish
married on Monday, February 14, 1916,
at St. Joseph's Church in Hatfield, Massachusetts;
he was 24, she was 22
After having been married for almost 56 years, George was widowed the day before his 80th birthday, and he survived his wife by nearly seven years.
Note: In 2010, Saint Joseph's Church was merged with Holy Trinity Church, and its name was changed to Our Lady of Grace. Holy Trinity was subsequently closed and sold, and is now a distribution facility for skin care products.
Their 7 Children: [ 2 sons & 5 daughters ]
► Józef W. [Joseph W.] 'Joe' Magdon 1916-1971 [age 54]
married September 7, 1942, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Josephine G. (Creddo) Magdon 1916-1984 [age 67]
► Julia A. (Magdon) Platt 1918-1999 [age 80]
married February 8, 1947, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to William G. 'Bill' Platt 1922-2003 [age 80]
► Bronisława K. [Bertha C.] (Magdon) Faustine 1920-1977 [age 57]
married May 27, 1950, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to John J. Faustine 1920-2002 [age 81]
► Walerya J. [Valerie J.] (Magdon) Malok 1922-1984 [age 62]
married May 1, 1943, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to John J. Malok, III 1923-1985 [age 62]
► Franciszek F. [Francis F.] 'Frank' Magdon 1924-1988 [age 64]
married May 31, 1947, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Elizabeth J. 'Betty Jane' (Doran) Magdon 1923-1980 [age 57]
► Florence E. (Magdon) Cholewinski 1928-2023 [age 94]
married June 12, 1948, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Theodore 'Ted' Cholewinski, Jr. 1925-1998 [age 73]
► Cecilia M. (Magdon) Dzialo
married May 16, 1953, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Walter L. 'Larry' Dzialo 1926-2010 [age 84]
Their 24 Grandchildren: [ 9 grandsons & 15 granddaughters ]
► Carol A. (Magdon) Bauscher 1947-2012 [age 64] [Bernard R. Bauscher, Jr.]
married September 7, 1968, in Bridgeport, Connecticut
► Judith A. (Platt) Ostrow [Samuel D. Ostrow]
married May 11, 1980, in Manhattan (New York City), New York
► John J. Malok, IV 1948-2020 [age 71] [Joy B. Manende]
married December 28, 1968, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Theodore Cholewinski, III 1949-2000 [age 50] [Eileen M. Brennan]
married April 16, 1982, in Derby, Connecticut
► Richard J. Magdon 1949-2016 [age 66] [Julie A. Tuttle 1950-2013]
married February 13, 1982, in Fairfield, Connecticut
► George F. Magdon [Susan M. Becker]
married July 30, 1983, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Patricia A. (Malok) Loso
► Diane E. Platt
► Arlene F. (Magdon) Carrafiello 1951-2018 [age 67] [Michael A. Carrafiello]
married May 26, 1973, in Bridgeport, Connecticut
► Michael J. Malok [Jill S. Henderson]
married July 23, 1977, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Barbara E. Faustine
► Francis F. 'Junie' Magdon, Jr. 1953-2005 [age 51] [Martha M. Amendola]
married August 8, 1982, in Bridgeport, Connecticut
► Laura M. (Dzialo) Otzel 1954-2015 [age 60] [Michael L. Otzel]
married August 29, 1987, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Margaret M. 'Peggy' Magdon
► Nancy E. (Cholewinski) [Zera] Eads 1955-2007 [age 52] [George G. Eads 1945-2017]
married October 1, 1995, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Joan E. (Platt) Spear
► Karen B. (Dzialo) Stempel [Arthur B. Stempel]
married January 3, 2004, in Hamden, Connecticut
► Valerie G. (Magdon) Cormier [Ronald F. Cormier]
married February 6, 1999, in Naugatuck, Connecticut
► Penelope I. 'Penney' (Malok) Kimpel
► Stephen J. Dzialo [Linda J. Smallwood]
married October 9, 1983, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Janet L. (Dzialo) Baranyai
► Kenneth G. Cholewinski [Lynn L. Durand]
married October 6, 1990, in New Haven, Connecticut
► Michele L. (Magdon) Smith 1963-2023 [age 60]
► Joseph W. Cholewinski [Marsha J. Lanier]
married March 19, 2004, in Durham, North Carolina
His Parents:
Wawrzyniec [Lawrence] Magdoń - born in 1856
and Žofia [Sophie] (Filipek) Magdoń 1858-1905 [age 47]
presumably married in the mid 1880s, in Iwierzyce, Galicja
His Stepmother - Wawrzyniec Magdoń's 2nd Wife
Marianna (Róg) Magdoń - born in 1873
married May 28, 1905, in Iwierzyce, Galicja
Note: Neither Lawrence nor Sophie nor Marianna ever immigrated to America. All died in Poland.
His 12 (known) Siblings & Half-Siblings:
► Andrzej [Andrew] Magdoń c1886-1908 [age 22] - died in Iwierzyce, Galicja (Poland)
Note: Andrzej was the first of the three Magdoń brothers to emigrate from Europe and settle in Bridgeport. It's presumed that he never married; and following his untimely death, he was buried in a local cemetery in his hometown, Iwierzyce.
► Franciszek J. 'Frank' Magdoń 1888-1942 [age 54]
married June 6, 1915, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Anna Syryla 1893-1947 [age 54]
Note: In addition to his brothers Andrew and Frank, George had at least 10 more siblings and half-siblings — all of whom were born in Galicia (Poland), six of whom died as infants or children, none of whom are known to have immigrated to America.
► Katarzyna [Katherine] Magdoń c1889-1894 [age 5]
► Marianna Magdoń - born in 1893 - fate unknown
► Wiktoria [Victoria] Magdoń 1896-1896 [age 7½ months]
► Antoni [Anthony] Magdoń 1898-1899 [age 3½ months]
► Piotr [Peter] Magdoń 1900-1955 [age 54] - died in Iwierzyce, Poland
► Jan [John] Magdoń 1902-1903 [age 8½ months]
► Apolonia Magdoń - born in 1904 - fate unknown
► Józef [Joseph] Magdoń 1906-1906 [age 1 week] - a half-brother
► Jan [John] Magdoń 1908-1908 [age 3½ months] - a half-brother
► Józef [Joseph] Magdoń - born in 1909 - a half-brother; fate unknown
TELL THE STORY · REMEMBER THE LIFE
© 2022 The Acadien
Wojciech Magdoń was a Polish-American immigrant who hailed from the now-defunct Austro-Hungarian Empire in central Europe. Historic documents reveal that Wojciech was born and raised in the rural village of Iwierzyce, in a relatively poor agricultural province called Galicia (in Polish, Galicja), and that his family had been there since the early 1800s. Iwierzyce, today, is a small village in southern Poland (population 940), about 75 miles east of Kraków. It's in the administrative district (gmina) of Iwierzyce, in the county (powiat) of Ropczyce-Sędziszów, in the province (voivodeship) of Subcarpathia. Wojciech's baptismal record further reveals that he was christened on January 17, 1892, two days after his birth, and that he was a son of Wawrzyniec and Žofia (Filipek) Magdoń. Although here in the U.S. some documents later claimed that Wojciech had been born on January 13 or 18 (in either 1892 or 1893), none of these sources are accurate. For additional clarification, Wojciech's baptismal record was written in Latin (as was the Roman Catholic custom in that era), and his name was recorded as 'Adalbertus', which is Latin for 'Wojciech'.
Note: Map coordinates for Iwierzyce, Poland: 50°01'46.5"N 21°45'14.3"E (copy and paste)
On January 7, 1905, Wojciech Magdoń was a week shy of his 13th birthday when his mother passed away at age 47; and by the end of spring, his father had remarried. Around that time (shortly before or after his mother's death), Wojciech's eldest brother Andrzej immigrated to America, establishing himself in Bridgeport, Connecticut; and in 1906, his brother Franciszek followed suit. At some point between the summer of 1906 and the end of 1907, Andrzej Magdoń returned to Iwierzyniec (perhaps for a family visit); and died there, on January 7, 1908, at age 22. Two and a half years later, in the summer of 1910, Wojciech left home for the 600-mile trek to the port of Bremerhaven in Germany, where on August 9, at age 18, he boarded the transatlantic vessel 'Kronprinzessin Cecilie', which was headed for Ellis Island. The Cecilie was a luxurious 700-foot ship which could accommodate nearly 2,000 passengers; but the vast majority of U.S.-bound emigrants traveled 3rd-class [or steerage], at a cost of $25. Moving along at about 25mph, it took seven days for the Cecilie to make the 3,000-mile crossing; and on the 16th of August, Wojciech arrived in New York. According to the ship's manifest, he was a single Polish male from Galicia, Austria, who had never previously been to America, and he was 5'2" tall with brown hair and blue eyes. He arrived in America with the equivalent of $16 in his pocket; and his final destination was Bridgeport, Connecticut, to meet up with his elder brother Francizek, who was residing as a boarder at 66 Hallam Street in Bridgeport's predominantly Polish east end.
In America, Wojciech Magdoń came to be known as 'George Magdon', although he interchangeably used both names (and answered to either), which no doubt allowed him to retain a sense of pride in his Polish heritage. He stayed for a time in Bridgeport but eventually decided to move north, to the heavily Polish agricultural town of Hatfield in west-central Massachusetts (about 25 miles north of Springfield); and it was there that he met a young Polish woman, Elžbieta Dubiel, who had emigrated in 1911 from the same region as he. On Valentine's Day in 1916, Wojciech and Elžbieta became husband and wife at St. Joseph's Church in Hatfield, in a ceremony officiated by Reverend John J. O'Malley, the parish pastor. Together, George and Elizabeth would eventually become the parents of seven children, five girls and two boys, all born in Hatfield except for the last two; and there in Hatfield, for more than a decade, George would toil as a farmhand to support his growing family.
Note: Click the 'See 5 More' tab under their wedding photo to see and read a 1916 newspaper article announcing their marriage.
In the spring of 1917, the United States entered World War I; and within a month, Congress had passed a new Selective Service Act. After having lived in the U.S. for seven years, Wojciech dutifully registered for the military draft on 5 June 1917, in Hatfield, Massachusetts, under the name 'George Magdon'. Fortunately, however, Magdon was never called upon to serve, though his registration card offers a glimpse into his life at that time. Described as being of medium height and build with brown hair and brown eyes, George was a 25-year-old married man with two dependents — his wife and one child. He was living on Elm Street and working as a farmer for a man named William Boyle. His date of birth was erroneously recorded as January 18; his place of birth was generically documented as Ropczyce; and his signature on the card indicates that he was literate. He was well on his way to becoming a U.S. citizen.
In searching the 1920 U.S. Census, it appears that the Magdons had by then disappeared from Hatfield; but a careful reading of the town's 46-page report shows that the local census enumerator was unfamiliar with Polish name spellings and obviously found it difficult to understand the Slovak accent. Nonetheless, George and his family were still in town, enumerated on January 21 [page 13B] as Max & Elizabeth Wodotaveski [sic] with their children Joseph, age 3, and Julia, age 19 months. Still residing on Elm Street, they were renting a place from Max LaMountain [sic] [Magloire Lamontagne], a French-Canadian farmer. The report further states that both George and Elizabeth were Polish immigrants from Galicia who had learned to speak English, that George was able to read and write, and that he was a wage earner employed as a farm laborer.
By the end of 1925, George and Elizabeth's family had grown to include five children, ranging in age from 2 to 9. George had applied for U.S. citizenship; and on December 30, 1925, at age 33, in the Superior Courthouse at Northampton, Massachusetts, 'Wojciech Magdon' was awarded that coveted document. Said to be 5'8" tall, he had brown eyes and dark brown hair, and he was the father of five children — Joseph, Julia, Bronisława, Walerya, and Frank.
In the late 1920s (circa 1928), George decided to return to Bridgeport, Connecticut, with his wife and their young family; and there they would establish permanent roots and welcome two more children into the family fold. In the U.S. Census of 1930, the 'Mandon' family [sic] was living at 59 Hallam Street on the city's east side, in a rented apartment which cost them $15 a month (about $500 today); and George was employed as a machine operator in a local valve factory [Note: Hallam Street no longer exists. It used to run east to west between Pembroke Street and Waterview Avenue.] Within a year of the census enumeration, the Magdons had moved two blocks south to an apartment at 49 Goodwin Street (at the intersection of Hallett). By 1936, George had swapped his factory job for a janitorial position; and the Magdon family had moved yet again — about half-a-mile west to 145 Clarence Street off lower East Main, just around the corner from St. Michael the Archangel Church (a Catholic parish which was predominantly Polish). George and Elizabeth remained at this location for at least five years, but it wouldn't be their final move.
In 1940, the U.S. Census indicates that the Magdons were still residing on Clarence Street, paying $18 a month for rent (the equivalent, once again, of about $500 today). The census report also states that George's wife had by then been naturalized, that all seven of their children were still at home (ranging in age from 7 to 23) , and that George was employed as the manager of a private club, earning almost $30 a week (about $1300 today). To the family's benefit no doubt, the Magdons' three eldest children were by then in the workforce, bringing an additional combined $44 a week into the household till (nearly $2000 today).
In many ways, the 1940s would be an eventful decade for George and Elizabeth, as their lives began to change. In 1941, they were both in their late 40s when they purchased a duplex home at 628 William Street, at the corner of Stillman, about half-a-mile north of Clarence Street. It was, without a doubt, one of the couple's happier moments, as they realized an American dream. The following spring, on 27 April 1942, 50-year-old 'Wojciech Magdon' registered for the World War II military draft; and once again, his date-of-birth was incorrectly recorded, as 'January 13, 1893'. The document does, however, offer additional information regarding George's employment as a club manager, stating that he worked for the White Eagle Society at 595 East Washington Street. [Note: In that era, the White Eagle was a private Polish-American social club. Although the Bridgeport club is still in business today (and at the same location too), most of the White Eagles are no longer restricted to people of Polish descent.]
Having been away from his native Poland for more than three decades, George had only one family tie to the old country — his elder brother Frank. Along with his wife and children, Frank had established himself on Halley Avenue in Fairfield, just over the Bridgeport city line, about 4 miles west of where George lived; but one might presume that the brothers found comfort in maintaining a close connection. Unfortunately, however, George would be left to carry the Magdon family torch when on May 19, 1942, Frank passed away at age 53.
Four months later, on September 7, 1942, George and Elizabeth celebrated their first family wedding, when their elder son Joe married Josephine Creddo. Though more than a decade would pass before the Magdon nest was empty, all of the children eventually went on to marry and raise families of their own, and all would remain in the Greater Bridgeport area where they themselves had been raised. By the end of the 1940s, four more weddings had come and gone and six grandchildren had been born into the family — the first of which was Carol, to Frank and Betty Jane Magdon, in 1947.
By the mid 1960s, George and Elizabeth's family had grown to include 2 daughters-in-law, 5 sons-in-law, and 24 grandchildren; and in 1966 the couple was feted at a family gala marking their 50th wedding anniversary. By the close of the decade, some of the elder grandchildren had married; and in June of '71, George and Elizabeth welcomed their first great-grandchild, Tommy Bauscher, born to Carol (Magdon) Bauscher and her husband Buddy. For the moment, life was grand; but three months later, George and Elizabeth would grieve for their elder son Joe, who died unexpectedly at age 54.
On January 12, 1972, just four months after his son's untimely death, George Magdon's life was forever changed. After nearly 66 years of marriage, his beloved wife Elizabeth passed away at home, at age 78; and she was buried three days later, on George's 80th birthday. George would survive his wife by nearly seven years, attend more family weddings, and celebrate the births of more great-grandchildren. In 1977, shortly after Thanksgiving, he would mourn the loss of yet another child, when his daughter Bertha passed away at age 57. Though he had surely been blessed with a full and rewarding life, he was undoubtedly grateful when his time came to be reunited with those who had gone before him.
Nearly seven decades after leaving his homeland, Wojciech 'George' Magdoń passed away in Bridgeport the day after Christmas in 1978, a few weeks shy of his 87th birthday (and only six weeks after the death of his daughter Bertha). He proudly left behind a family which numbered in the dozens, and his two sons had perpetuated the Magdon family name. Among his survivors were 5 of his 7 children, 24 grandchildren, and an ever-growing number of great-grandchildren.
Rest in peace, Wojciech. Job well done.
Cemetery & Burial Information
Type of Marker: Crypt Faceplate (mausoleum)
Location: George and his wife Elizabeth are entombed in the Chapel Mausoleum, which is on the west side of the cemetery (facing Bruce Boulevard). Enter the mausoleum, go up one flight of stairs to the middle level, and walk to the right. Their vault is near the end of the hall on the righthand side, near the top, next to their son and daughter-in-law (Joe and Josephine Magdon).
Note: There's a passenger elevator in this mausoleum, which can be accessed from the side of the building (or from inside, on each level).
A special note of thanks and acknowledgment to Find A Grave contributor Eric C [#50510509], for his extensive research of the Magdon family's roots in 19th-century Galicia.
Wojciech 'George' Magdon
➤ Click 'Read More' below for George's complete bio.
GEORGE MAGDON's FAMILY
His Wife:
Elizabeth A. (Dubiel) Magdon 1893-1972 [age 78] - 'Elžbieta' in her native Polish
married on Monday, February 14, 1916,
at St. Joseph's Church in Hatfield, Massachusetts;
he was 24, she was 22
After having been married for almost 56 years, George was widowed the day before his 80th birthday, and he survived his wife by nearly seven years.
Note: In 2010, Saint Joseph's Church was merged with Holy Trinity Church, and its name was changed to Our Lady of Grace. Holy Trinity was subsequently closed and sold, and is now a distribution facility for skin care products.
Their 7 Children: [ 2 sons & 5 daughters ]
► Józef W. [Joseph W.] 'Joe' Magdon 1916-1971 [age 54]
married September 7, 1942, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Josephine G. (Creddo) Magdon 1916-1984 [age 67]
► Julia A. (Magdon) Platt 1918-1999 [age 80]
married February 8, 1947, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to William G. 'Bill' Platt 1922-2003 [age 80]
► Bronisława K. [Bertha C.] (Magdon) Faustine 1920-1977 [age 57]
married May 27, 1950, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to John J. Faustine 1920-2002 [age 81]
► Walerya J. [Valerie J.] (Magdon) Malok 1922-1984 [age 62]
married May 1, 1943, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to John J. Malok, III 1923-1985 [age 62]
► Franciszek F. [Francis F.] 'Frank' Magdon 1924-1988 [age 64]
married May 31, 1947, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Elizabeth J. 'Betty Jane' (Doran) Magdon 1923-1980 [age 57]
► Florence E. (Magdon) Cholewinski 1928-2023 [age 94]
married June 12, 1948, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Theodore 'Ted' Cholewinski, Jr. 1925-1998 [age 73]
► Cecilia M. (Magdon) Dzialo
married May 16, 1953, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Walter L. 'Larry' Dzialo 1926-2010 [age 84]
Their 24 Grandchildren: [ 9 grandsons & 15 granddaughters ]
► Carol A. (Magdon) Bauscher 1947-2012 [age 64] [Bernard R. Bauscher, Jr.]
married September 7, 1968, in Bridgeport, Connecticut
► Judith A. (Platt) Ostrow [Samuel D. Ostrow]
married May 11, 1980, in Manhattan (New York City), New York
► John J. Malok, IV 1948-2020 [age 71] [Joy B. Manende]
married December 28, 1968, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Theodore Cholewinski, III 1949-2000 [age 50] [Eileen M. Brennan]
married April 16, 1982, in Derby, Connecticut
► Richard J. Magdon 1949-2016 [age 66] [Julie A. Tuttle 1950-2013]
married February 13, 1982, in Fairfield, Connecticut
► George F. Magdon [Susan M. Becker]
married July 30, 1983, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Patricia A. (Malok) Loso
► Diane E. Platt
► Arlene F. (Magdon) Carrafiello 1951-2018 [age 67] [Michael A. Carrafiello]
married May 26, 1973, in Bridgeport, Connecticut
► Michael J. Malok [Jill S. Henderson]
married July 23, 1977, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Barbara E. Faustine
► Francis F. 'Junie' Magdon, Jr. 1953-2005 [age 51] [Martha M. Amendola]
married August 8, 1982, in Bridgeport, Connecticut
► Laura M. (Dzialo) Otzel 1954-2015 [age 60] [Michael L. Otzel]
married August 29, 1987, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Margaret M. 'Peggy' Magdon
► Nancy E. (Cholewinski) [Zera] Eads 1955-2007 [age 52] [George G. Eads 1945-2017]
married October 1, 1995, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Joan E. (Platt) Spear
► Karen B. (Dzialo) Stempel [Arthur B. Stempel]
married January 3, 2004, in Hamden, Connecticut
► Valerie G. (Magdon) Cormier [Ronald F. Cormier]
married February 6, 1999, in Naugatuck, Connecticut
► Penelope I. 'Penney' (Malok) Kimpel
► Stephen J. Dzialo [Linda J. Smallwood]
married October 9, 1983, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Janet L. (Dzialo) Baranyai
► Kenneth G. Cholewinski [Lynn L. Durand]
married October 6, 1990, in New Haven, Connecticut
► Michele L. (Magdon) Smith 1963-2023 [age 60]
► Joseph W. Cholewinski [Marsha J. Lanier]
married March 19, 2004, in Durham, North Carolina
His Parents:
Wawrzyniec [Lawrence] Magdoń - born in 1856
and Žofia [Sophie] (Filipek) Magdoń 1858-1905 [age 47]
presumably married in the mid 1880s, in Iwierzyce, Galicja
His Stepmother - Wawrzyniec Magdoń's 2nd Wife
Marianna (Róg) Magdoń - born in 1873
married May 28, 1905, in Iwierzyce, Galicja
Note: Neither Lawrence nor Sophie nor Marianna ever immigrated to America. All died in Poland.
His 12 (known) Siblings & Half-Siblings:
► Andrzej [Andrew] Magdoń c1886-1908 [age 22] - died in Iwierzyce, Galicja (Poland)
Note: Andrzej was the first of the three Magdoń brothers to emigrate from Europe and settle in Bridgeport. It's presumed that he never married; and following his untimely death, he was buried in a local cemetery in his hometown, Iwierzyce.
► Franciszek J. 'Frank' Magdoń 1888-1942 [age 54]
married June 6, 1915, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Anna Syryla 1893-1947 [age 54]
Note: In addition to his brothers Andrew and Frank, George had at least 10 more siblings and half-siblings — all of whom were born in Galicia (Poland), six of whom died as infants or children, none of whom are known to have immigrated to America.
► Katarzyna [Katherine] Magdoń c1889-1894 [age 5]
► Marianna Magdoń - born in 1893 - fate unknown
► Wiktoria [Victoria] Magdoń 1896-1896 [age 7½ months]
► Antoni [Anthony] Magdoń 1898-1899 [age 3½ months]
► Piotr [Peter] Magdoń 1900-1955 [age 54] - died in Iwierzyce, Poland
► Jan [John] Magdoń 1902-1903 [age 8½ months]
► Apolonia Magdoń - born in 1904 - fate unknown
► Józef [Joseph] Magdoń 1906-1906 [age 1 week] - a half-brother
► Jan [John] Magdoń 1908-1908 [age 3½ months] - a half-brother
► Józef [Joseph] Magdoń - born in 1909 - a half-brother; fate unknown
TELL THE STORY · REMEMBER THE LIFE
© 2022 The Acadien
Wojciech Magdoń was a Polish-American immigrant who hailed from the now-defunct Austro-Hungarian Empire in central Europe. Historic documents reveal that Wojciech was born and raised in the rural village of Iwierzyce, in a relatively poor agricultural province called Galicia (in Polish, Galicja), and that his family had been there since the early 1800s. Iwierzyce, today, is a small village in southern Poland (population 940), about 75 miles east of Kraków. It's in the administrative district (gmina) of Iwierzyce, in the county (powiat) of Ropczyce-Sędziszów, in the province (voivodeship) of Subcarpathia. Wojciech's baptismal record further reveals that he was christened on January 17, 1892, two days after his birth, and that he was a son of Wawrzyniec and Žofia (Filipek) Magdoń. Although here in the U.S. some documents later claimed that Wojciech had been born on January 13 or 18 (in either 1892 or 1893), none of these sources are accurate. For additional clarification, Wojciech's baptismal record was written in Latin (as was the Roman Catholic custom in that era), and his name was recorded as 'Adalbertus', which is Latin for 'Wojciech'.
Note: Map coordinates for Iwierzyce, Poland: 50°01'46.5"N 21°45'14.3"E (copy and paste)
On January 7, 1905, Wojciech Magdoń was a week shy of his 13th birthday when his mother passed away at age 47; and by the end of spring, his father had remarried. Around that time (shortly before or after his mother's death), Wojciech's eldest brother Andrzej immigrated to America, establishing himself in Bridgeport, Connecticut; and in 1906, his brother Franciszek followed suit. At some point between the summer of 1906 and the end of 1907, Andrzej Magdoń returned to Iwierzyniec (perhaps for a family visit); and died there, on January 7, 1908, at age 22. Two and a half years later, in the summer of 1910, Wojciech left home for the 600-mile trek to the port of Bremerhaven in Germany, where on August 9, at age 18, he boarded the transatlantic vessel 'Kronprinzessin Cecilie', which was headed for Ellis Island. The Cecilie was a luxurious 700-foot ship which could accommodate nearly 2,000 passengers; but the vast majority of U.S.-bound emigrants traveled 3rd-class [or steerage], at a cost of $25. Moving along at about 25mph, it took seven days for the Cecilie to make the 3,000-mile crossing; and on the 16th of August, Wojciech arrived in New York. According to the ship's manifest, he was a single Polish male from Galicia, Austria, who had never previously been to America, and he was 5'2" tall with brown hair and blue eyes. He arrived in America with the equivalent of $16 in his pocket; and his final destination was Bridgeport, Connecticut, to meet up with his elder brother Francizek, who was residing as a boarder at 66 Hallam Street in Bridgeport's predominantly Polish east end.
In America, Wojciech Magdoń came to be known as 'George Magdon', although he interchangeably used both names (and answered to either), which no doubt allowed him to retain a sense of pride in his Polish heritage. He stayed for a time in Bridgeport but eventually decided to move north, to the heavily Polish agricultural town of Hatfield in west-central Massachusetts (about 25 miles north of Springfield); and it was there that he met a young Polish woman, Elžbieta Dubiel, who had emigrated in 1911 from the same region as he. On Valentine's Day in 1916, Wojciech and Elžbieta became husband and wife at St. Joseph's Church in Hatfield, in a ceremony officiated by Reverend John J. O'Malley, the parish pastor. Together, George and Elizabeth would eventually become the parents of seven children, five girls and two boys, all born in Hatfield except for the last two; and there in Hatfield, for more than a decade, George would toil as a farmhand to support his growing family.
Note: Click the 'See 5 More' tab under their wedding photo to see and read a 1916 newspaper article announcing their marriage.
In the spring of 1917, the United States entered World War I; and within a month, Congress had passed a new Selective Service Act. After having lived in the U.S. for seven years, Wojciech dutifully registered for the military draft on 5 June 1917, in Hatfield, Massachusetts, under the name 'George Magdon'. Fortunately, however, Magdon was never called upon to serve, though his registration card offers a glimpse into his life at that time. Described as being of medium height and build with brown hair and brown eyes, George was a 25-year-old married man with two dependents — his wife and one child. He was living on Elm Street and working as a farmer for a man named William Boyle. His date of birth was erroneously recorded as January 18; his place of birth was generically documented as Ropczyce; and his signature on the card indicates that he was literate. He was well on his way to becoming a U.S. citizen.
In searching the 1920 U.S. Census, it appears that the Magdons had by then disappeared from Hatfield; but a careful reading of the town's 46-page report shows that the local census enumerator was unfamiliar with Polish name spellings and obviously found it difficult to understand the Slovak accent. Nonetheless, George and his family were still in town, enumerated on January 21 [page 13B] as Max & Elizabeth Wodotaveski [sic] with their children Joseph, age 3, and Julia, age 19 months. Still residing on Elm Street, they were renting a place from Max LaMountain [sic] [Magloire Lamontagne], a French-Canadian farmer. The report further states that both George and Elizabeth were Polish immigrants from Galicia who had learned to speak English, that George was able to read and write, and that he was a wage earner employed as a farm laborer.
By the end of 1925, George and Elizabeth's family had grown to include five children, ranging in age from 2 to 9. George had applied for U.S. citizenship; and on December 30, 1925, at age 33, in the Superior Courthouse at Northampton, Massachusetts, 'Wojciech Magdon' was awarded that coveted document. Said to be 5'8" tall, he had brown eyes and dark brown hair, and he was the father of five children — Joseph, Julia, Bronisława, Walerya, and Frank.
In the late 1920s (circa 1928), George decided to return to Bridgeport, Connecticut, with his wife and their young family; and there they would establish permanent roots and welcome two more children into the family fold. In the U.S. Census of 1930, the 'Mandon' family [sic] was living at 59 Hallam Street on the city's east side, in a rented apartment which cost them $15 a month (about $500 today); and George was employed as a machine operator in a local valve factory [Note: Hallam Street no longer exists. It used to run east to west between Pembroke Street and Waterview Avenue.] Within a year of the census enumeration, the Magdons had moved two blocks south to an apartment at 49 Goodwin Street (at the intersection of Hallett). By 1936, George had swapped his factory job for a janitorial position; and the Magdon family had moved yet again — about half-a-mile west to 145 Clarence Street off lower East Main, just around the corner from St. Michael the Archangel Church (a Catholic parish which was predominantly Polish). George and Elizabeth remained at this location for at least five years, but it wouldn't be their final move.
In 1940, the U.S. Census indicates that the Magdons were still residing on Clarence Street, paying $18 a month for rent (the equivalent, once again, of about $500 today). The census report also states that George's wife had by then been naturalized, that all seven of their children were still at home (ranging in age from 7 to 23) , and that George was employed as the manager of a private club, earning almost $30 a week (about $1300 today). To the family's benefit no doubt, the Magdons' three eldest children were by then in the workforce, bringing an additional combined $44 a week into the household till (nearly $2000 today).
In many ways, the 1940s would be an eventful decade for George and Elizabeth, as their lives began to change. In 1941, they were both in their late 40s when they purchased a duplex home at 628 William Street, at the corner of Stillman, about half-a-mile north of Clarence Street. It was, without a doubt, one of the couple's happier moments, as they realized an American dream. The following spring, on 27 April 1942, 50-year-old 'Wojciech Magdon' registered for the World War II military draft; and once again, his date-of-birth was incorrectly recorded, as 'January 13, 1893'. The document does, however, offer additional information regarding George's employment as a club manager, stating that he worked for the White Eagle Society at 595 East Washington Street. [Note: In that era, the White Eagle was a private Polish-American social club. Although the Bridgeport club is still in business today (and at the same location too), most of the White Eagles are no longer restricted to people of Polish descent.]
Having been away from his native Poland for more than three decades, George had only one family tie to the old country — his elder brother Frank. Along with his wife and children, Frank had established himself on Halley Avenue in Fairfield, just over the Bridgeport city line, about 4 miles west of where George lived; but one might presume that the brothers found comfort in maintaining a close connection. Unfortunately, however, George would be left to carry the Magdon family torch when on May 19, 1942, Frank passed away at age 53.
Four months later, on September 7, 1942, George and Elizabeth celebrated their first family wedding, when their elder son Joe married Josephine Creddo. Though more than a decade would pass before the Magdon nest was empty, all of the children eventually went on to marry and raise families of their own, and all would remain in the Greater Bridgeport area where they themselves had been raised. By the end of the 1940s, four more weddings had come and gone and six grandchildren had been born into the family — the first of which was Carol, to Frank and Betty Jane Magdon, in 1947.
By the mid 1960s, George and Elizabeth's family had grown to include 2 daughters-in-law, 5 sons-in-law, and 24 grandchildren; and in 1966 the couple was feted at a family gala marking their 50th wedding anniversary. By the close of the decade, some of the elder grandchildren had married; and in June of '71, George and Elizabeth welcomed their first great-grandchild, Tommy Bauscher, born to Carol (Magdon) Bauscher and her husband Buddy. For the moment, life was grand; but three months later, George and Elizabeth would grieve for their elder son Joe, who died unexpectedly at age 54.
On January 12, 1972, just four months after his son's untimely death, George Magdon's life was forever changed. After nearly 66 years of marriage, his beloved wife Elizabeth passed away at home, at age 78; and she was buried three days later, on George's 80th birthday. George would survive his wife by nearly seven years, attend more family weddings, and celebrate the births of more great-grandchildren. In 1977, shortly after Thanksgiving, he would mourn the loss of yet another child, when his daughter Bertha passed away at age 57. Though he had surely been blessed with a full and rewarding life, he was undoubtedly grateful when his time came to be reunited with those who had gone before him.
Nearly seven decades after leaving his homeland, Wojciech 'George' Magdoń passed away in Bridgeport the day after Christmas in 1978, a few weeks shy of his 87th birthday (and only six weeks after the death of his daughter Bertha). He proudly left behind a family which numbered in the dozens, and his two sons had perpetuated the Magdon family name. Among his survivors were 5 of his 7 children, 24 grandchildren, and an ever-growing number of great-grandchildren.
Rest in peace, Wojciech. Job well done.
Cemetery & Burial Information
Type of Marker: Crypt Faceplate (mausoleum)
Location: George and his wife Elizabeth are entombed in the Chapel Mausoleum, which is on the west side of the cemetery (facing Bruce Boulevard). Enter the mausoleum, go up one flight of stairs to the middle level, and walk to the right. Their vault is near the end of the hall on the righthand side, near the top, next to their son and daughter-in-law (Joe and Josephine Magdon).
Note: There's a passenger elevator in this mausoleum, which can be accessed from the side of the building (or from inside, on each level).
A special note of thanks and acknowledgment to Find A Grave contributor Eric C [#50510509], for his extensive research of the Magdon family's roots in 19th-century Galicia.
➤ Click 'Read More' below for George's complete bio.
GEORGE MAGDON's FAMILY
His Wife:
Elizabeth A. (Dubiel) Magdon 1893-1972 [age 78] - 'Elžbieta' in her native Polish
married on Monday, February 14, 1916,
at St. Joseph's Church in Hatfield, Massachusetts;
he was 24, she was 22
After having been married for almost 56 years, George was widowed the day before his 80th birthday, and he survived his wife by nearly seven years.
Note: In 2010, Saint Joseph's Church was merged with Holy Trinity Church, and its name was changed to Our Lady of Grace. Holy Trinity was subsequently closed and sold, and is now a distribution facility for skin care products.
Their 7 Children: [ 2 sons & 5 daughters ]
► Józef W. [Joseph W.] 'Joe' Magdon 1916-1971 [age 54]
married September 7, 1942, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Josephine G. (Creddo) Magdon 1916-1984 [age 67]
► Julia A. (Magdon) Platt 1918-1999 [age 80]
married February 8, 1947, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to William G. 'Bill' Platt 1922-2003 [age 80]
► Bronisława K. [Bertha C.] (Magdon) Faustine 1920-1977 [age 57]
married May 27, 1950, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to John J. Faustine 1920-2002 [age 81]
► Walerya J. [Valerie J.] (Magdon) Malok 1922-1984 [age 62]
married May 1, 1943, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to John J. Malok, III 1923-1985 [age 62]
► Franciszek F. [Francis F.] 'Frank' Magdon 1924-1988 [age 64]
married May 31, 1947, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Elizabeth J. 'Betty Jane' (Doran) Magdon 1923-1980 [age 57]
► Florence E. (Magdon) Cholewinski 1928-2023 [age 94]
married June 12, 1948, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Theodore 'Ted' Cholewinski, Jr. 1925-1998 [age 73]
► Cecilia M. (Magdon) Dzialo
married May 16, 1953, in Bridgeport, Connecticut,
to Walter L. 'Larry' Dzialo 1926-2010 [age 84]
Their 24 Grandchildren: [ 9 grandsons & 15 granddaughters ]
► Carol A. (Magdon) Bauscher 1947-2012 [age 64] [Bernard R. Bauscher, Jr.]
married September 7, 1968, in Bridgeport, Connecticut
► Judith A. (Platt) Ostrow [Samuel D. Ostrow]
married May 11, 1980, in Manhattan (New York City), New York
► John J. Malok, IV 1948-2020 [age 71] [Joy B. Manende]
married December 28, 1968, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Theodore Cholewinski, III 1949-2000 [age 50] [Eileen M. Brennan]
married April 16, 1982, in Derby, Connecticut
► Richard J. Magdon 1949-2016 [age 66] [Julie A. Tuttle 1950-2013]
married February 13, 1982, in Fairfield, Connecticut
► George F. Magdon [Susan M. Becker]
married July 30, 1983, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Patricia A. (Malok) Loso
► Diane E. Platt
► Arlene F. (Magdon) Carrafiello 1951-2018 [age 67] [Michael A. Carrafiello]
married May 26, 1973, in Bridgeport, Connecticut
► Michael J. Malok [Jill S. Henderson]
married July 23, 1977, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Barbara E. Faustine
► Francis F. 'Junie' Magdon, Jr. 1953-2005 [age 51] [Martha M. Amendola]
married August 8, 1982, in Bridgeport, Connecticut
► Laura M. (Dzialo) Otzel 1954-2015 [age 60] [Michael L. Otzel]
married August 29, 1987, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Margaret M. 'Peggy' Magdon
► Nancy E. (Cholewinski) [Zera] Eads 1955-2007 [age 52] [George G. Eads 1945-2017]
married October 1, 1995, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Joan E. (Platt) Spear
► Karen B. (Dzialo) Stempel [Arthur B. Stempel]
married January 3, 2004, in Hamden, Connecticut
► Valerie G. (Magdon) Cormier [Ronald F. Cormier]
married February 6, 1999, in Naugatuck, Connecticut
► Penelope I. 'Penney' (Malok) Kimpel
► Stephen J. Dzialo [Linda J. Smallwood]
married October 9, 1983, in Stratford, Connecticut
► Janet L. (Dzialo) Baranyai
► Kenneth G. Cholewinski [Lynn L. Durand]
married October 6, 1990, in New Haven, Connecticut
► Michele L. (Magdon) Smith 1963-2023 [age 60]
► Joseph W. Cholewinski [Marsha J. Lanier]
married March 19, 2004, in Durham, North Carolina
His Parents:
Wawrzyniec [Lawrence] Magdoń - born in 1856
and Žofia [Sophie] (Filipek) Magdoń 1858-1905 [age 47]
presumably married in the mid 1880s, in Iwierzyce, Galicja
His Stepmother - Wawrzyniec Magdoń's 2nd Wife
Marianna (Róg) Magdoń - born in 1873
married May 28, 1905, in Iwierzyce, Galicja
Note: Neither Lawrence nor Sophie nor Marianna ever immigrated to America. All died in Poland.
His 12 (known) Siblings & Half-Siblings:
► Andrzej [Andrew] Magdoń c1886-1908 [age 22] - died in Iwierzyce, Galicja (Poland)
Note: Andrzej was the first of the three Magdoń brothers to emigrate from Europe and settle in Bridgeport. It's presumed that he never married; and following his untimely death, he was buried in a local cemetery in his hometown, Iwierzyce.
► Franciszek J. 'Frank' Magdoń 1888-1942 [age 54]
married June 6, 1915, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Anna Syryla 1893-1947 [age 54]
Note: In addition to his brothers Andrew and Frank, George had at least 10 more siblings and half-siblings — all of whom were born in Galicia (Poland), six of whom died as infants or children, none of whom are known to have immigrated to America.
► Katarzyna [Katherine] Magdoń c1889-1894 [age 5]
► Marianna Magdoń - born in 1893 - fate unknown
► Wiktoria [Victoria] Magdoń 1896-1896 [age 7½ months]
► Antoni [Anthony] Magdoń 1898-1899 [age 3½ months]
► Piotr [Peter] Magdoń 1900-1955 [age 54] - died in Iwierzyce, Poland
► Jan [John] Magdoń 1902-1903 [age 8½ months]
► Apolonia Magdoń - born in 1904 - fate unknown
► Józef [Joseph] Magdoń 1906-1906 [age 1 week] - a half-brother
► Jan [John] Magdoń 1908-1908 [age 3½ months] - a half-brother
► Józef [Joseph] Magdoń - born in 1909 - a half-brother; fate unknown
TELL THE STORY · REMEMBER THE LIFE
© 2022 The Acadien
Wojciech Magdoń was a Polish-American immigrant who hailed from the now-defunct Austro-Hungarian Empire in central Europe. Historic documents reveal that Wojciech was born and raised in the rural village of Iwierzyce, in a relatively poor agricultural province called Galicia (in Polish, Galicja), and that his family had been there since the early 1800s. Iwierzyce, today, is a small village in southern Poland (population 940), about 75 miles east of Kraków. It's in the administrative district (gmina) of Iwierzyce, in the county (powiat) of Ropczyce-Sędziszów, in the province (voivodeship) of Subcarpathia. Wojciech's baptismal record further reveals that he was christened on January 17, 1892, two days after his birth, and that he was a son of Wawrzyniec and Žofia (Filipek) Magdoń. Although here in the U.S. some documents later claimed that Wojciech had been born on January 13 or 18 (in either 1892 or 1893), none of these sources are accurate. For additional clarification, Wojciech's baptismal record was written in Latin (as was the Roman Catholic custom in that era), and his name was recorded as 'Adalbertus', which is Latin for 'Wojciech'.
Note: Map coordinates for Iwierzyce, Poland: 50°01'46.5"N 21°45'14.3"E (copy and paste)
On January 7, 1905, Wojciech Magdoń was a week shy of his 13th birthday when his mother passed away at age 47; and by the end of spring, his father had remarried. Around that time (shortly before or after his mother's death), Wojciech's eldest brother Andrzej immigrated to America, establishing himself in Bridgeport, Connecticut; and in 1906, his brother Franciszek followed suit. At some point between the summer of 1906 and the end of 1907, Andrzej Magdoń returned to Iwierzyniec (perhaps for a family visit); and died there, on January 7, 1908, at age 22. Two and a half years later, in the summer of 1910, Wojciech left home for the 600-mile trek to the port of Bremerhaven in Germany, where on August 9, at age 18, he boarded the transatlantic vessel 'Kronprinzessin Cecilie', which was headed for Ellis Island. The Cecilie was a luxurious 700-foot ship which could accommodate nearly 2,000 passengers; but the vast majority of U.S.-bound emigrants traveled 3rd-class [or steerage], at a cost of $25. Moving along at about 25mph, it took seven days for the Cecilie to make the 3,000-mile crossing; and on the 16th of August, Wojciech arrived in New York. According to the ship's manifest, he was a single Polish male from Galicia, Austria, who had never previously been to America, and he was 5'2" tall with brown hair and blue eyes. He arrived in America with the equivalent of $16 in his pocket; and his final destination was Bridgeport, Connecticut, to meet up with his elder brother Francizek, who was residing as a boarder at 66 Hallam Street in Bridgeport's predominantly Polish east end.
In America, Wojciech Magdoń came to be known as 'George Magdon', although he interchangeably used both names (and answered to either), which no doubt allowed him to retain a sense of pride in his Polish heritage. He stayed for a time in Bridgeport but eventually decided to move north, to the heavily Polish agricultural town of Hatfield in west-central Massachusetts (about 25 miles north of Springfield); and it was there that he met a young Polish woman, Elžbieta Dubiel, who had emigrated in 1911 from the same region as he. On Valentine's Day in 1916, Wojciech and Elžbieta became husband and wife at St. Joseph's Church in Hatfield, in a ceremony officiated by Reverend John J. O'Malley, the parish pastor. Together, George and Elizabeth would eventually become the parents of seven children, five girls and two boys, all born in Hatfield except for the last two; and there in Hatfield, for more than a decade, George would toil as a farmhand to support his growing family.
Note: Click the 'See 5 More' tab under their wedding photo to see and read a 1916 newspaper article announcing their marriage.
In the spring of 1917, the United States entered World War I; and within a month, Congress had passed a new Selective Service Act. After having lived in the U.S. for seven years, Wojciech dutifully registered for the military draft on 5 June 1917, in Hatfield, Massachusetts, under the name 'George Magdon'. Fortunately, however, Magdon was never called upon to serve, though his registration card offers a glimpse into his life at that time. Described as being of medium height and build with brown hair and brown eyes, George was a 25-year-old married man with two dependents — his wife and one child. He was living on Elm Street and working as a farmer for a man named William Boyle. His date of birth was erroneously recorded as January 18; his place of birth was generically documented as Ropczyce; and his signature on the card indicates that he was literate. He was well on his way to becoming a U.S. citizen.
In searching the 1920 U.S. Census, it appears that the Magdons had by then disappeared from Hatfield; but a careful reading of the town's 46-page report shows that the local census enumerator was unfamiliar with Polish name spellings and obviously found it difficult to understand the Slovak accent. Nonetheless, George and his family were still in town, enumerated on January 21 [page 13B] as Max & Elizabeth Wodotaveski [sic] with their children Joseph, age 3, and Julia, age 19 months. Still residing on Elm Street, they were renting a place from Max LaMountain [sic] [Magloire Lamontagne], a French-Canadian farmer. The report further states that both George and Elizabeth were Polish immigrants from Galicia who had learned to speak English, that George was able to read and write, and that he was a wage earner employed as a farm laborer.
By the end of 1925, George and Elizabeth's family had grown to include five children, ranging in age from 2 to 9. George had applied for U.S. citizenship; and on December 30, 1925, at age 33, in the Superior Courthouse at Northampton, Massachusetts, 'Wojciech Magdon' was awarded that coveted document. Said to be 5'8" tall, he had brown eyes and dark brown hair, and he was the father of five children — Joseph, Julia, Bronisława, Walerya, and Frank.
In the late 1920s (circa 1928), George decided to return to Bridgeport, Connecticut, with his wife and their young family; and there they would establish permanent roots and welcome two more children into the family fold. In the U.S. Census of 1930, the 'Mandon' family [sic] was living at 59 Hallam Street on the city's east side, in a rented apartment which cost them $15 a month (about $500 today); and George was employed as a machine operator in a local valve factory [Note: Hallam Street no longer exists. It used to run east to west between Pembroke Street and Waterview Avenue.] Within a year of the census enumeration, the Magdons had moved two blocks south to an apartment at 49 Goodwin Street (at the intersection of Hallett). By 1936, George had swapped his factory job for a janitorial position; and the Magdon family had moved yet again — about half-a-mile west to 145 Clarence Street off lower East Main, just around the corner from St. Michael the Archangel Church (a Catholic parish which was predominantly Polish). George and Elizabeth remained at this location for at least five years, but it wouldn't be their final move.
In 1940, the U.S. Census indicates that the Magdons were still residing on Clarence Street, paying $18 a month for rent (the equivalent, once again, of about $500 today). The census report also states that George's wife had by then been naturalized, that all seven of their children were still at home (ranging in age from 7 to 23) , and that George was employed as the manager of a private club, earning almost $30 a week (about $1300 today). To the family's benefit no doubt, the Magdons' three eldest children were by then in the workforce, bringing an additional combined $44 a week into the household till (nearly $2000 today).
In many ways, the 1940s would be an eventful decade for George and Elizabeth, as their lives began to change. In 1941, they were both in their late 40s when they purchased a duplex home at 628 William Street, at the corner of Stillman, about half-a-mile north of Clarence Street. It was, without a doubt, one of the couple's happier moments, as they realized an American dream. The following spring, on 27 April 1942, 50-year-old 'Wojciech Magdon' registered for the World War II military draft; and once again, his date-of-birth was incorrectly recorded, as 'January 13, 1893'. The document does, however, offer additional information regarding George's employment as a club manager, stating that he worked for the White Eagle Society at 595 East Washington Street. [Note: In that era, the White Eagle was a private Polish-American social club. Although the Bridgeport club is still in business today (and at the same location too), most of the White Eagles are no longer restricted to people of Polish descent.]
Having been away from his native Poland for more than three decades, George had only one family tie to the old country — his elder brother Frank. Along with his wife and children, Frank had established himself on Halley Avenue in Fairfield, just over the Bridgeport city line, about 4 miles west of where George lived; but one might presume that the brothers found comfort in maintaining a close connection. Unfortunately, however, George would be left to carry the Magdon family torch when on May 19, 1942, Frank passed away at age 53.
Four months later, on September 7, 1942, George and Elizabeth celebrated their first family wedding, when their elder son Joe married Josephine Creddo. Though more than a decade would pass before the Magdon nest was empty, all of the children eventually went on to marry and raise families of their own, and all would remain in the Greater Bridgeport area where they themselves had been raised. By the end of the 1940s, four more weddings had come and gone and six grandchildren had been born into the family — the first of which was Carol, to Frank and Betty Jane Magdon, in 1947.
By the mid 1960s, George and Elizabeth's family had grown to include 2 daughters-in-law, 5 sons-in-law, and 24 grandchildren; and in 1966 the couple was feted at a family gala marking their 50th wedding anniversary. By the close of the decade, some of the elder grandchildren had married; and in June of '71, George and Elizabeth welcomed their first great-grandchild, Tommy Bauscher, born to Carol (Magdon) Bauscher and her husband Buddy. For the moment, life was grand; but three months later, George and Elizabeth would grieve for their elder son Joe, who died unexpectedly at age 54.
On January 12, 1972, just four months after his son's untimely death, George Magdon's life was forever changed. After nearly 66 years of marriage, his beloved wife Elizabeth passed away at home, at age 78; and she was buried three days later, on George's 80th birthday. George would survive his wife by nearly seven years, attend more family weddings, and celebrate the births of more great-grandchildren. In 1977, shortly after Thanksgiving, he would mourn the loss of yet another child, when his daughter Bertha passed away at age 57. Though he had surely been blessed with a full and rewarding life, he was undoubtedly grateful when his time came to be reunited with those who had gone before him.
Nearly seven decades after leaving his homeland, Wojciech 'George' Magdoń passed away in Bridgeport the day after Christmas in 1978, a few weeks shy of his 87th birthday (and only six weeks after the death of his daughter Bertha). He proudly left behind a family which numbered in the dozens, and his two sons had perpetuated the Magdon family name. Among his survivors were 5 of his 7 children, 24 grandchildren, and an ever-growing number of great-grandchildren.
Rest in peace, Wojciech. Job well done.
Cemetery & Burial Information
Type of Marker: Crypt Faceplate (mausoleum)
Location: George and his wife Elizabeth are entombed in the Chapel Mausoleum, which is on the west side of the cemetery (facing Bruce Boulevard). Enter the mausoleum, go up one flight of stairs to the middle level, and walk to the right. Their vault is near the end of the hall on the righthand side, near the top, next to their son and daughter-in-law (Joe and Josephine Magdon).
Note: There's a passenger elevator in this mausoleum, which can be accessed from the side of the building (or from inside, on each level).
A special note of thanks and acknowledgment to Find A Grave contributor Eric C [#50510509], for his extensive research of the Magdon family's roots in 19th-century Galicia.
Inscription
MAGDON
WOJCIECH
1893 1978
For the record, Wojciech's year of birth is incorrect. It should be 1892.
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