The Stenzel Family

Came to the United States at age 22. Left from the port of Bremen, March 1882, on the vessel Kronprinz Friedrich Wilhelm. Arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 21, 1882. Traveled from Baltimore to St. Paul mainly on the railroad in 1882. Why did he come to the United States: Vincent may have followed his sweetheart, or poverty in the old country in varying degrees, or rebellion against state church dictations, compulsory military service, or influential letters from relatives already in the United States, or even perhaps someone sent money for them to leave Poland and come to the United States. It is possible that the Catholic Church helped with the emigration. Also communities established by the first comers were powerful pulling factors for people coming to settle where the relatives already had settled. Most immigrant groups clustered where supporting clergy spoke their own language. In pursuit of land and jobs, people were far more likely to move to places where they had acquaintances or relatives. One strong possibility is that they had cousins who settled in Minnesota Lake as early as 1877. When Vincent arrived in Minnesota Lake, the town was only 16 years old. Wells, Minnesota was only 13 years old. It seems reasonable to assume that Vincent knew Johanna in the old country. He followed her to Minnesota Lake and they were married within about a year of coming to America. Vincent married Johanna Poziembo in 1883 at the old Minnesota Lake Church, 4 1/2 miles northeast of Minnesota Lake. Johanna Poziembo was born on July 19, 1862, the daughter of Martin and Hedwig Poziembo. In 1883 Vincent and Johanna moved on a farm near Minnesota Lake and lived there for 7 years. Then in 1890 they move to a farm in Dunbar Twp, Section 15, in the Southeast quarter section, where Nic Stenzel now lives. They lived there until 1920 when Vincent and Johanna move to Wells and resided at 485 North Broadway. To the union of Vincent and Johanna there were born 8 children, Mary, (Mrs. John Kasperek), Joseph, Paul, Theodore, (Theophile), George, Alex, Mathilda, (Mrs. Felix Kosmoski), and Dorothy, (Mrs. Casimir Janka). Vincent died at the age of 64 on January 29, 1923. He is buried in the Wells cemetery. Johanna lived out her life there in Wells and died at the age of 84 on July 27, 1946. Vincent was blind when he died. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Wells, Minnesota and is buried in the St. Casimir Cemetery in Wells. Johanna had been ill for only one day before she died.