Jan Guza 1824 - Apr. 9, 1898
Most immigrants came to America in search of a better life. Jan Guza and family were originially from Crackow, Poland. When he was young, he served in the Prussian Army. Then he worked on a wealthy estate as overseer. He had a good position and must have earned good wages, because when he arrived here, he had a thousand dollars hidden around his waist in a money belt. Why would a man in his positition leave his home? The story was handed down is this.... Young Leon Guaz about seven years old, was swinging on a gate belonging to the wealthy landowner, on whose estate Jan worked and his family lived, just north east of Warsaw. The man insisted Jan discipline his son. Jan refused! Quite an argument followed, with Jan declaring his family would leave for America. The landowner stated they had eveything right there, because they were not of the peasant class. For Jan and Marcyanna it could have been a streak of stubborn independance. Undaunted they set off, first to Hamburg, then aboard a Clipper Ship to America. The voyage took seven weeks. It was Sept. 1871 when they arrived in Chicago. The great Chicago fire was still smoldering, as they drove into town in a horse and buggy.		They stayed there, working for several years. Land agents helped immigrants locate property. The family Jan, Marcyanna, children John, Leon and Frances left for Huron county, Parisville township. Catherine stayed in Chicago with her half brother and his family. When the Jan Guzas moved to Huron county, they lived close to Ignatz and John Kubacki. This brought about the arranged marriage of John and Catherine (Guza) Kubacki. The land was cleared, a log cabin was built. The fire of 1881 destroyed their homes and suffocated Catherines young son Leo and her mother Marcyanna Guza. The death certificate showed imflamation of the lungs. Jan Guza had a life lease on his forty acres, and deeded it to Leon on the condition he would live there for the rest of his life. Reportedly Leon, Frances and Jan found the arrangement unsatisfactory. Jan moved out of the farmhouse and went to live with his youngest daughter Frances and her husband Martin Dropiewski, until his death April 9,1898. He is buried in St. Mary's cemetery Parisville Mi. Although he was often called John, his headstone reads 'Jan Guza'.