These families were Lutheran. Most records on this page come from metryki.genbaza.pl, located with the help of ptg.gda.pl. My public Ancestry.com tree includes links, photos, and full source citations.
Historical Context
Between 1772 and 1795, the Partitions of Poland divided the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth among neighboring powers. The Kingdom of Prussia absorbed much of northern Poland, including the Kashubian and Slavic communes of West Prussia. While some families adapted to the new political and cultural order, many—particularly those of Slavic origin—retained distinct folk traditions, language, and spiritual practices.
One such example is found in a family history written circa 1880 by Mollie Kapitzke, a granddaughter of my 4th great-grandfather Martin Opor, as part of an 8th-grade school project. It's believed she received assistance from Louise (née Reimer) Opor, her grandmother. The account describes a deeply Slavic, tradition-rich life in the communes surrounding Putzig, a region known for sheltering those unwilling to fully assimilate into Germanized Catholicism. West Prussia was established into the German Empire in 1871. By 1900 quite a few immigrated to the United States, namely Wisconsin.
Between my DNA results and my 4th great-grandmother, Martin's first wife Maria Kolodzik's, maiden name I believe this cultural mix included the Polska Romani community as the surname's original spelling was Kołodziej, the Polish word for wheelwright. Kolodziejs were also a higher respected family in the communes dating back to the 15-1600's, indicating they were founders and settled there before many others.
SOSA 8
Otto August Kutska
🇩🇪 Born: 18 Aug 1879 Gelsin, Putzig, West Prussia, German Empire
🇩🇪 Emigration: 20 Mar 1891 Bremen, Germany
(S.S. München)
🇺🇸 Immigration: 9 Apr 1891 Baltimore, MD, USA
📜 Naturalization: 21 Nov 1913 Green Bay, Brown, WI, USA
🪦 Death: 30 Dec 1945 Green Bay, Brown, WI, USA
Son of August Kutschke & Henriette Dorothea Reimer
⛪ Baptized: 20 Aug 1879 Krackow, Neustadt, West Prussia, German Empire
💍 Marriage 1: 10 Sep 1906 Brown County, WI, USA Minnie Pelegrin (she d. in 1915)
💍 Marriage 2: 2 Jun 1919 Brown County, WI, USA 🧬Ella Louise Wenneshiemer
(see German immigrants chart for Ella's info)
🍻 Occupation: Owner, Kutska's Tavern; its legacy continued with his son Bob, who ran Kutska's Hall, a haven for the punk rock community in the 80's and 90's. Kutska's Hall and Bob are memorialized in Green Bay's local punk rock history and community.
Children from First Marriage:
-Joseph Clarence b. 22 May 1908 in Howard. D. 5 May 1895 in Brown County. M. 12 May 1945 in Green Bay (Dorothea Angeline Uphill). They had 1 daughter.
Children from Second Marriage:
- Clara Florence b. 1910 d. of scarlet fever 10 Aug 1939 in Green Bay m. 17 Jun 1935 in Green Bay Peter Chester Dyminski. They had one son that appeared on Ella's census after Clara's death.
- Ruth Viola b. 18 Feb 1913 in Brown County d. 14 Nov 1951 in Milwaukee County. m. 7 Jun 1932 in Howard Frank Anthony Laskowski. Two children.
- Valeria Marian b. 21 Jul 1920 in Duck Creek d. 15 Jul 2011 in Green Bay. m. 14 Feb 1946 Albert Victor Motiff. Three children.
- 🪖🎖️🫡 T/5 Orville George b. 9 May 1922 in Green Bay d. 17 Dec 1944 KIA while serving in WWII in Germany. No spouse or children.
- Henrietta Matina- 23 Aug 1923 d. 30 Jun 2004 both in Green Bay. m. 10 Sep 1951 Lloyd Henry Erdmann. No children.
- 🪖Pvt. Robert Otto b. 18 Aug 1925 in Howard d. 22 Sep 2001 in Brown County. m. 20 Sep 1956 Gladys Elizabeth Miller. No children. Was stationed in Japan during WWII.
- 🧬🪖Pvt. Norman "P-Nuts" Clarence b. 30 Jul 1927 d. 11 Oct 1999 both in Green Bay. (1)m. 25 Jun 1949 in Brown County Nathalie Mae Judkins. (2)m. 23 Jul 1983 Jean Margaret Arts
.
SOSAs 16 & 17
August Kutschke
Son of Martin Kutschke & Caroline Gniech
✠ Born: 31 Jul 1849 Glinke, Putzig, West Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia
🇩🇪 Emigration: 20 Mar 1891 Bremen, Germany (S.S. München)
🇺🇸 Immigration: 9 Apr 1891 Baltimore, MD, USA
🪦 Death: 27 Jul 19095 Suamico, Brown, WI, USA
✍️ Probate: 16 Dec 1912 Brown County, WI, USA
Dorothea Henriette Reimer
Daughter of Friederich Reimer & Albertine Opor
✠ Born: 5 Jun 1848 West Prussia, German Empire
🇩🇪 Emigration: 20 Mar 1891 Bremen, Germany (S.S. München)
🇺🇸 Immigration: 9 Apr 1891 Baltimore, MD, USA
✍️ Will 9 Jan 1912 Brown County, WI, USA
🪦 Death: 15 Feb 1912 Brown County, WI, USA
✍️ Probate: 3 Apr 1912 Brown County, WI, USA
⛪ Baptized: 8 Jun 1848
💍 Marriage: Nov 1875 Rynbo, Neustadt, West Prussia, German Empire
🏡 Occupation: Homemaker
⛪ Baptized: 12 Aug 1849
💍 Marriage: Nov 1875 Rynbo, Neustadt, West Prussia, German Empire
🧵🌾 Occupation: farmer (in Wisconsin)
Children:
- Adolph Albert b. 23 Sep 1876 in Kracow, Neustadt, West Prussia d. 24 Feb 1959 in Green Bay, Brown, WI. Never married, no children. He got a liquor license with Ella after Otto passed. The headstone is shared between the three of them left to right Adolph, Otto, Ella. Adolph executed Henriette's will.
- 🧬 Otto August b. 18 Aug 1879 in Gelsin, Putzig, West Prussia d. 30 Dec 1945 in Green Bay. (1)m. 10 Sep 1906 Minnie Pelegrin (2) m. 2 Jun 1919 Ella Louise Wennesheimer, both marriages in Brown County, WI. One son with his first wife who d. 1915 and 7 children with his second wife. He opened Kutshka's Tavern after Henriette's death, probably with his inheritance. He executed August's will.
- 👼 Bertha Auguste Wilhelmine b. Aug 1881 probably d.y., maybe before Jun 1883.
- 👼 Auguste Bertha Wilhelmine b. Jun 1883 d. May 1884 both in Neuhof, Putzig, West Prussia.
- 💒 Sister Johanna Louise Henriette b. Jan 7 1886 Neuhof, Putzig, West Prussia d. 5 May 1960 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI. She was a deaconess who published a book "Hymns I Live By" in 1959. She remained active in clergy duty after an amputation due to her diabetes. Her mission trip was in Zelienople, Pennsylvania. She was a teacher, cook, and nurse at orphanages, asylums, and nursing homes.
There may have been one more child who died in West Prussia; both Hentiette's 1900 and 1910 censuses state she had 3 deceased children.
Caroline Gneisch
Son of Johann Kutschke & Anna Jungin
✠ Born: abt 1802
⛪ Baptized: UNKNOWN
🔧 Occupation: Laborer
🪦 Death: 23 Aug 1891 Glinke, Putzig, West Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia
Daughter of Marcin Gneich & Catherine Oporowna
✠ Born: abt. 1806 prob. Kries Putzig, West Prussia
⛪ Baptized: UNKNOWN
💍 Marriage: UNKNOWN
🪦 Death: 1 Feb 1884 Glinke, Putzig, West Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia
SOSAs 32 & 33
Martin Kutschke
Children:
- Louise Caroline b. 15 May 1838
- 👼 Karl, d.y.
- Martin Friederich bap. 18 Jul 1841
- Caroline Henriette b. 23 Apr 1844 Mechau, Altmark, Province of Saxony, Kingdom of Prussia, bap. 1 May 1844 in Kries Putzig.
- 🧬 August b. 31 Jul 1849 Glinke, Putzig, West Prussia d. 27 Jun 1909 Suamico, Brown County, WI, USA. m. Nov. 1875 Rynbo Henriette Dorothea Riemer. 3 children immigrated to the US with them in 1891. 2-3 d.y.
Friedricka Albertine "Tena" Opor
Son of Gottfried Reimer & Maria Elisabeth Mierou
✠ Born: Jun 1822 in Gohra, Neustadt, West Prussia
⛪ Baptized: UNKNOWN
🔧 Occupation: Laborer
🪦 Death: 15 May 1901 in Lissau, Putzig
Daughter of Martin Opor & Maria Kolodzik
✠ Born: 10 Apr 1827 Lissau, Putzig, West Prussia
⛪ Baptized: 13 Apr 1827
💍 Marriage: 2 May 1848 in Sapalla, Putzig
🪦 Death: 6 Feb 1866 in Tillau, Putzig
SOSAs 34 & 35
Friederich Wilhelm Reimer
Children:
- 🧬Henriette Dorothea m. August Kutschke
- Louise Marie m. Adam Friederich Kolodzik
- August Ludwig m. Augusta Lewonau
- Friederich Wilhelm m. Elisabeth Ulrike Friederike Gorelitz
-Karl Johann
- Wilhelmine Juliane
Catharina Oporówna
Son of Jakubwi Gniechwi & Marianna Jewa Klauzowa
🇵🇱 Born: 13 Oct 1748 Getautten, Putzig, Royal Prussia, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
⛪ Baptized: 16 Oct 1748 Getautten
🔧 Occupation: Laborer
🪦 Death: 2 Feb 1820 Glinke, Putzig, West Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia
Daughter of Anna ___ (brick wall)
🇵🇱 Born: abt. 1768
⛪ Baptized: UNKNOWN
💍 Marriage: 15 Nov 1789 Getautten, Putzig, West Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia
🪦 Death: 15 Sep 1807 • Lissau, Putzig, West Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia
SOSAs 66 & 67
Marcin Gniech
Children:
- Friederich
- 👼 Karl, d.y.
- Johann.
- 🧬 Caroline b. abt. 1806 d. 1 Feb 1884 Glinke, Putzig, West Prussia m. Martin Kutschke. At least 4 children.
- Lovica
Anna Maria Kolodzik
Son of Matthias Opor & Catharina Januschkin
✠ Born: 30 Jan 1802 Liseau, Putzig, West Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia
⛪ Baptized: UNKNOWN
💍 (2) Marriage: 1834 Augusta Louise Reimer
🚢 Immigration: 7 Jul 1869 New York, New York, USA.
(S.S. Coriolan, left Bremen, Germany)
🔧 Occupation: Register, military draft informant, caretaker for kaiser's forest**
🪦 Death: 1873 Wisconsin, USA (prob. Waupaca County)
Daughter of Michel Kolodzik & Maria Grabowska
✠ Born: 14 Mar 1803 Lankwitz, Putzig, West Prussia
⛪ Baptized: 20 Mar 1803
💍 Marriage: 13 Feb 1825 Krokow, Putzig
🪦 Death: 19 Apr 1834 Lissau (child birth)
SOSAs 70 & 71
Martin Opor
Children:
- Emilie Henriette "Hattie"
- 🧬 Friedricka Albertine "Tena" m. Friederich Reimer
-Dorothea Luise
- Anna Maria
- 👼Baby Boy (19 Apr 1834)
Martin's children with Louise:
-🚢 Wilhelmina Erustina b. 8 Feb 1836 d. 1 Dec 1912 Waupaca County, WI. (1)m. Anton Kapitzke (2)m. Frederick Rach. 6 children by first marriage, 3 by second.
-🚢 Louise C b. Sep 1837 d. 23 Nov 1911 Waupaca County, WI. m. Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Elendt. 6 children.
-🚢 Julia b. 24 Mar 1844 d. 2 Mar 1913 m. August Carl Hochschcultz. 5 children.
-Amelia b. 25 May 1847 d. 10 Mar 1910, probably Washington state. m. 8 Oct 1872 in Oshkosh, Winnebago, WI Pvt. Allen Moran. 5 children.
-🚢Bertha E- b. 26 May 1858 Jägerhof, Putzig, West Prussia d. 13 Apr 1944. m. 11 Apr 1879 Peshtigo, Marinette, WI William Loux Suits. 5 children.
-🚢 Gustav b. 28 Sep 1859 d. 17 Apr 1905 Waupaca County, WI. m. Melanie S Neuschafer. 9 children.
-👼 Ulricka infant death
-Augusta
-Friedericka
-Friederich
**According to Mollie's family history report
Marianna Jewa Klauszowna
Son of Andrzeia Gniech
🇵🇱 Born: UNKNOWN
🔧 Occupation: UNKNOWN
🪦 Death: UNKNOWN
Daughter of Hanes Klausz & Marya Hartzowa
🇵🇱 Born: UNKNOWN
💍 Marriage: 7 Nov 1747 Krokowa, Putzig, Royal Prussia, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
🪦 Death: UNKNOWN
SOSAs 132 & 133
Jakobowi Gniechowi
Children:
- 🧬 Marcin
- 👼 Katarzyna b. abt. 1752 d. 5 Aug 1759
- Jewa b.10 Dec 1755
- Marya
- 👼 Jakub b. abt. 1762 d. 11 Dec 1768
- Michat
Catharina Januschkin
Son of Adam Opor (brick wall)
🇵🇱 Born: abt. 1770
🔧 Occupation: UNKNOWN
🪦 Death: 10 Sep 1823
Daughter of Adam Janush (brick wall)
🇵🇱 Born: abt. 1764
💍 Marriage: 6 Nov 1800 Liseau, Putzig, West Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia
🪦 Death: UNKNOWN
SOSAs 140 & 141
Matthias Opor
Children:
- Rosina b. 1802 Lisau
- 🧬 Martin Wilhelm b. 20 Jan 1802 Lisau
- Constantina b. 18 Aug 1802 Liseau
*I need to double check this one as they surely all weren't born in 1802.
Maria Grabowska
🇵🇱 Born: abt. 1746
🔧 Occupation: Proprietor/landowner
He is also listed as a "respectable citizen" inferring additional social clout or privilege.
🪦 Death: 13 Jan 1806 Żarnowiec, Putzig, West Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia
🇵🇱 Born: UNKNOWN
💍 Marriage: 14 Mar 1802 Karwenbruch, Putzig, West Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia
🪦 Death: UNKNOWN
SOSAs 142 & 143
Michel Kolodzik
Children:
- 🧬 Anna Maria b. 20 Jan 1803 Lisau d. abt. 1830 m. Martin Wilhelm Opor. 4 children.
- Martin
- Lovisa
Marya Hertzowa
Son of Tomasz Klausz & Elżbieta (brick wall)
🇵🇱 Born: Sep 1689 prob. Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
🪦 Death: 2 Mar 1758 Uryzi, Putzig, Royal Prussia, Crown of the Kingdom of Poland
🇵🇱 Born: UNKNOWN
💍 Marriage: UNKNOWN
🪦 Death: UNKNOWN
SOSAs 266 & 267
Hanes Klausz
Children:
- 🧬 Marianna Jewa m. Jakob Gniesch
- Marya
- Michal
- Nusza
- Jurk
- Rosina
- Christina
Elżbieta _
🇵🇱 Born: UNKNOWN
🪦 Death: UNKNOWN
BRICK WALL
🇵🇱 Born: UNKNOWN
💍 Marriage: UNKNOWN
🪦 Death: UNKNOWN
BRICK WALL
SOSAs 532 & 533
Tomasz Klausz
Children:
- 🧬 Hanes b. abt. 1690 d. 2 Mar 1758 Uryzi, Putzig, Royal Prussia, Crown of the Kingdom of Poland. m. Marya Hertzowa