Bio: Brezic, John and Mary

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Brezic, Marinsek, Gemmeke. Lamovec

----Source: Family Scrapbook

John Brezic was born in Stara, Austria in 1884, in the Parish of Hrenovice. He came to America in 1907. His first stop was at Meadow Lands Pennsylvania where he worked in the coal mines.

His wife, Mary Marinsek, was born in Smikel, Austria, Parish of Hrenovice on September 16 1891. She came to America, in 1910, to Washington, Pennsylvania. Her first jobs were housekeeping, and from here she went to Milwaukee. In 1912 John came to Milwaukee, and later they were married there.
In 1914 they purchased their forested farm five mile northeast of Willard. They did their trading and attended church in Willard, although Greenwood was a half mile closer and the mail route service was also from Greenwood.

The farm was woods, brush and stones, so it took many ('ears to develop, but through hard work and much sweat t became a modern farm. After purchasing their first few cows, they carried their milk to the Gemmeke corner which *vas about a half mile. This chore lasted about a year, then they bought a horse.

The Brezic’s bought their first Model T Ford in 1922. Their adopted daughter Helen came into their life in 1923 at the age of 14 months. She was met at the railroad depot in Owen, Wisconsin with horse and buggy. They often walked to church which was five miles away. William Abel made the new house for them. The Brezic's were very active in all community affairs. After retirement they moved to Greenwood.

Helen married Frank Lamovec and lives in Greenwood. John died in 1962 and his wife Mary Brezic still enjoys life at the Black River Apartments in Greenwood and she celebrated her 90th birthday in September 1981.