John Orlasky appears to be the
patriarch of the Orlasky families in Berrien County, Michigan. The name may be
of Polish origins but from records here he seems to be of German ancestry but
came to America from Russia. The name here gets spelled a variety of ways:
Orlasky, Orlosky, Orlaskey, Orloskey, Orlaski, Orloski, Orlaske, Orlaskee,
Orlaskie, Orlsky, Orlaska
The 1900 census of Benton Harbor
includes:
John Orlaskee, 49 years of age,
born Jan 1851 in Germany
Hattie Orlaskee, 46 years of age, born Dec 1853 in
Germany
Julius Orlaskee, 21 years of age, born Apr 1879 in Germ Russ
Gustav Orlaskee, 19 years of age, born Jan 1881 in Germ Russ
August
Orlaskee, 17 years of age, born Oct 1882 in Germ Russ
The 1910 census of Lake Township
includes:
John Orlaksy, 59 years of age,
born in Russ Germ
Hattie Orlasky, 63 years of age, born in Russ Germ
Gustav Orlasky, 26 years of age, born in Russ Germ
The 1920 census of Sodus
includes:
John Orlsky, 68 years of age, born
in Russia
Dora Orlsky, 59 years of age, born in Russia
The 1930 census of Benton Harbor
includes
John Orlaskie 79 years of age,
born in Russia living in a boarding house
Hattie must have died and in 1919
John remarried to Dora (Herman) Fritz. This marriage record gives his father as
Christian Orlaske and his mother’s maiden name as “Glaske”.
John “Orlakse” age 67 married on 22 Nov 1919 in Sodus, Michigan to
Dora Fritz age 59, whose maiden name was Herman. John Orlaksy died on 05 Jun
1933. His death record gives his age at the time of death as 82 years, 4 months
and 22 days, which would make his birthdate 14 Jan 1851. Census records
indicate John Orlasky immigrated in 1894. Besides those show in the census
records John appears to also be the father of Adolph Orlasky and Ernestine
(Orlaksy) Reich.
There was an obituary for John
Orlaske carried in the News Palladium on Monday 05 Jun 1933 and it reads:
“John Orlaske, Old Baroda Resident Dies This Morning Baroda, June 5-John
Orlaske, resident of Baroda and vicinity since he came to this country from
Russia in 1894, died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. August Reich of Baroda. He
was 82 years old last February and had been in failing health for about a year.
He came to make his home with his daughter last February 18. For many years Mr.
Orlaske resided on a farm two and a half miles west of Baroda and in his
earlier life he was a member for many years of the Lutheran church at Bridgman.
Funeral services will be held at Zion Evangelical church in Baroda on Wednesday
afternoon at 2 o’clock with the Rev. C. A. Haneberg officiating.
Surviving the well known Baroda man are his daughter, Mrs. Reich, and three
sons, Herman Orlaske of Sodus; Julius Orlaske, Wauwautosa, Wis., and August
Orlaske of Michigan City, Ind. Mr. Orlaske’s wife, the former Henrietta
Laske, to whom he was married in Russia, died in January
1919.”
Neither John’s obituary nor
his death record gives his place of burial. It is most likely he was buried in
Ruggles Cemetery near Baroda. His wife is buried there as is his son Gustof and
the daughter he was living with when he died, Ernestina Reich.
Henrietta
Orlosky, wife of John, died on 17 Jan 1919 and was also buried in the Ruggles
Cemetery. Henrietta Orlosky’s death record gives her parents as Wm
Schrader of Germany and “Vat” Kramer. In most records her maiden
name is seen as Glaske.
Ernestina Orlasky was born on 18
Oct 1882 and she married August Reich. She died on 29 Feb 1956 and was buried
in the Ruggles cemetery near Baroda. Her death record gives her father as John
Orlosky and her mother as Henrietta Glaske.
There was an August
“Orlaska” who was 36 years of age who married on 15 Mar 1919 in
Benton Harbor to Hazel Folk who was 20 years of age. August’s father is
given as John and his mother’s maiden name is given as
“Glasske”. Records indicate he was a son of John Orlasky and he
later lived in Michigan City, Indiana. This may be the same August John Orlaske
who has a draft registration card which lists his address as 616 Hoyt Street,
Michigan City, Indiana. This registration gives his birth date as 18 Oct 1882
and birth place as Russia.
Julius Orlakse appears to be the
same person who married Martha Konig on 19 Nov 1904 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
This marriage record gives his father as Johann Orlaske and mother as Henrietta
Glaske. Martha’s parents are given as Karl Konig and Marie Raguse.
Gustave Orlosky was born on 03 Feb
1880 and died on 01 May 1926. He is buried in the Ruggles Cemetery in Baroda
Township. His death record gives his father as John Orlosky who was born in
Russia and his mother as Harriett Klamposki who was born in Germany. Since he
was born before Henrietta (Glakse) Orlasky died it is likely she was his
mother.
The 1920 census of Buchanan
Township includes:
Gustus Orlsky, 39 years of age
born in Russia and he is living in the household of his brother-in-law, August
Reich. According to this census record his sister appears to have been named
Erenestina. Erestine Orlosky, 18 years of age, married August Reich,23 years of
age, on 25 Jan 1900 in Benton Harbor.
The 1900 census of Lake Township
includes:
Adolf Orlosky, 24 years of age,
born Mar 1876 in Russia
Bertha Orlosky, 23 years of age, born Jul 1877 in
Russia
Henry Orlosky, 2 years of age, born Apr 1898 in Mich
Luisa
Orlosky, 1 year of age, born May 1899 in Mich
The 1910 census of St. Joseph
includes:
Adolph Orloskey, 36 years of age,
born in Russ Germ
Bertha Orloskey, 35 years of age, born in Russ Germ
Henry Orloskey, 12 years of age, born in Mich
Charles Orloskey, 9 years
of age, born in Mich
Julius Orloskey, 7 years of age, born in Mich
Sophia Orloskey, 5 years of age, born in Mich
Edward Orloskey, 10
months old, born in Mich
The 1920 census of In St. Joseph
includes:
Adolph Orlaskey, 46 years of age,
born in Russia
Bertha Orlaskey, 45 years of age, born in Russia
Charles
Orlaskey, 19 years of age, born in Michigan
Julius Orlaskey, 17 years of
age, born in Michigan
Sophia Orlaskey, 14 years of age, born in Michigan
Edward Orlaskey, 11 years of age, born in Michigan
Agard Orlaskey, 6
years of age, born in Michigan
Adolph Orlaksy married Bertha
Hauch in 1897 in Lake Township. Adolph died on 26 Jan 1929 and his death record
gives his father as John Orlaksy and his mothers as Hattie
“Gileske”.
I checked for a marriage license and there is one for Adolph "Oilsky"
age 21 who married Bertha "Howe" (should be Hauch) who was 19 years of
age on 06 Aug 1897 in Bridgman (Lake Township). A witness was
Paulina Hauch. Adolph's father is given in this record as John and
mother's maiden name as "Glasgy". Records indicate Adolph Orlasky
immigrated in 1896.
Survivors included in Bertha
(Hauch) Orlasky’s obituary are five sons and a daughter: Henry, of the
U.S. Army at Fort Worth, Tex.,; Charles, Edward and Victor of Benton Harbor;
Julius of Mishawaka, Ind.; and Mrs. Sophie Ashcraft, Muskegon, Eleven
grandchildren and one great grandchild also survive. Her brothers and sisters
are: Fred Hauch, St. Joseph Township; Otto Hauch, Baroda; Mrs. Pauline Schutlz,
Benton Harbor; and Mrs. Tena Neering, Lydick, Ind.
On
seekingmichigan.org there is a death record for
“Lanesa” P. Orlosky who was born 22 May 1899 and died on 27 Jul
1907 in Berrien County of an accidental gunshot wound. Her father is
given as Adolph Orlosky and mother as Bertha Hauch. She is buried in
Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor. This is probably the Luisa seen in
the 1900 census record. A family story shared with me indicates her brothers
had found a pistol and did not know it was loaded. When the gun fired the
bullet struck Luisa as she was hanging up clothes.
An obituary for Adolph Orlasky was
carried in the News Palladium on 28 Jan 1929 and it reads: “Death Takes
A. Orlasky, St. Joe Twp. Adolph Orlasky, for 35 years a resident of St. Joseph
township, died in his home at 11 o’clock Saturday night following an
illness of two years’ duration. Funeral services will be held at the
Slaughter Chapel, Benton Harbor at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon. Burial
will follow at Crystal Springs cemetery. Deceased was born in Russia on March
4, 1877. He is survived by his wife Bertha, five sons, Charles, Henry, Julius,
Edward and Egert, and a daughter Sophia. He also leaves three brothers, Herman,
Julius and August, and a sister Mrs. August Reick.”
The News Palladium carried the
obituary for Bertha Orlasky on 26 Jan 1943 and it reads: "Death Takes Bertha
Orlasky At Age Of 66 Mrs. Bertha Orlasky, 66, of 1065 Union street, who had
been in ill health for some time, died at 4:45 o'clock this morning at Mercy
hospital. She was born July 9, 1877 in Moscow, Russia, coming to the United
States in 1896. She lived for a short time in Baltimore, Md., and in 1897 was
married to Adolph Orlasky in Benton Harbor, who preceded her in death in 1929.
Survivors include her five sons and a daughter: Henry, of the U.S. Army at Fort
Worth, Tex.,; Charles, Edward and Victor of Benton Harbor; Julius of Mishawaka,
Ind.; and Mrs. Sophie Ashcraft, Muskegon, Eleven grandchildren and one great
grandchild also survive. Her brothers and sisters are: Fred Hauch, St. Joseph
township; Otto Hauch, Baroda; Mrs. Pauline Schutlz, Benton Harbor; and Mrs.
Tena Neering, Lydick, Ind. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock
Thursday afternoon from the Reiser Mortuary chapel. Burial will take place in
Crystal Springs cemetery."
Charles Louis Orlasky was born on
14 Oct 1901 and was the son of Adolph Orlasky. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery
in Benton Township. His father is given in his death record as Adolph and his
mother’s maiden name as Schultz instead of Hauch. His mother was Bertha
(Hauch) Orlasky and it appears whoever provided this last name for the death
record was mistaken.
An obituary for Charles Orlaksy
was carried in the News Palladium on 10 Oct 1950 and it reads: “Charles
L. Orlasky The Rosary will be recited at 8 o’clock this evening at the
Reiser chapel for Charles Louis Orlasky, well known Benton Harbor tavern
operator who died Monday morning at Mercy hospital. Requiem high mass will be
held at 9 a.m. Wednesday at St. John’s Catholic church, and burial will
follow in Calvary cemetery. Mr. Orlasky operated the grand Crossing tavern at
1010 Pipestone street. The Benton harbor Elks Lodge, no. 544 will meet at the
church to attend the funeral services in a group and will conduct the
Elk’s rituals at the graveside in Calvary cemetery.”
Victor Orlaski died on 29 Mar 1965
in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Victor married Bertha Wills. Victor died in a house
fire with two of his children, Barbara and Vincent. They are buried in the
Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Also buried there is another son,
Adolph Orlaksi who was born on 25 Jun 1955 and died on 30 Jun 1955.
Adolph’s death record gives his father as Victor A. Orlaski and his
mother as Bertha Wills. Victor Orlaski was the son of Adolph and Bertha (Hauch)
Orlasky.
The 1910 census of Berrien
Township includes:
Herman Orlaska, 37 year of age,
born in Russ Germany
Pauline Orlaska, 34 years of age, born in Russ Germany
Melitta Orlaska, 11 years of age, born in Michigan
Blundene Orlaska, 10
years of age, born in Michigan
Walter Orlaska, 7 years of age, born in
Michigan
Lillie Orlaska, 5 years of age, born in Michigan
Elma Orlaska,
8 years of age, born in Michigan
Ruth Orlaska, age illegible, born in
Michigan
The 1930 census of Oronoko
Township includes:
Herman Orlaske, 58 years of age,
born in Russia
Pauline Orlaske, 50 years of age, born in Russia
Walter
Orlaske, 28 years of age, born in Michigan
Olga Orlaske, 18 years of age,
born in Michigan
Peter Orlaske, 16 years of age, born in Michigan
Junior Orlaske, 13 years of age, born in Michigan
Raymond Orlaske, 8
years of age, born in Michigan
Herman Orlaske was born on 12 May
1872 in Russia. Herman married Paulina Klann. Herman died on 07 Jan 1943 at the
age of 70 years 7 months and 26 days. His parent’s names are not included
on his death record but obituaries found show he was the son of John Orlaksy.
Paulina was born on 06 Jan 1878 in Russia and was the daughter of Peter and
Rosalia (Fabich) Klann or Klaun who were also born in Russia. She died on 25
Dec 1942. Herman and Paulina Orlaske are buried in the Crystal Springs Cemetery
in Benton Harbor.
An Obituary for Herman Orlakse was
carried in the News Palladium on 07 Jan 1943 and it reads: “Herbert
Orlaske Dies Funeral To Be Sunday Herbert Carl Orlaske, whose wife was buried
Christmas week, died at 6 o’clock this morning at his home, 265 Parker
street, Benton Harbor. He was born May 11, 1872 in Russia, coming to Benton
Harbor in 1895. Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. Louis Hauht, St. Joseph,
Mrs. William Nitz, Mrs. Floyd Baushke, Mrs. R. Keene Evans, Mrs. George
Karsten, also of St, Joseph and Mars. Fred Lutz, Sodus; four sons, Walter, St.
Joseph, Theodore, Benton Harbor, Herman Jr., Sodus, and Raymond, St. Joseph; a
brother, August, Michigan City; a sister, Mrs. August Reich, Baroda, and 16
grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 Sunday from St.
Paul’s Lutheran church on Sodus, with the Rev. A. J. Fischer officiating.
Burial will be made in the vault ay Crystal Springs cemetery. The body will be
taken from Kerlikowske funeral home to the church to lie in state from 1
o’clock until the hour of the services.” Note the name on this
obituary should be Herman not Herbert. The following day this article was
carried in the News Palladium. “Announces Change In Hour Of Orlaske Rites
Funeral services for Herman C. Orlakse who died yesterday morning at his home,
265 Parker, Benton Harbor, will be held at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon
from St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Sodus. Originally the funeral was
scheduled for 2:30, but the Rev. A. J. Fischer today announced the change in
time.”
Blondena Orlaske, 21 years of age,
married William Nitz, 22 years of age in Sodus, Michigan on 03 Sep 1921. Her
father’s name is given in this record as Herman and her mother’s
maiden name is given as Klaun. Blondena was born on 06 Mar 1900 and died in
December of 1970
Raymond A. Orlakse was born on 14
Aug 1921 and died on 18 Aug 1982. He was the son of Herman and Paulina (Klann)
Orlakse.
An obituary for Raymond Orlaske
was carried in the Herald Palladium on August 19 and 20, 1982 and they read:
“Raymond A. Orlakse, 61, of 716 Hickory Lane, Benton Harbor, died Tuesday
at Tuality Hospital, Hillsboro, Ore. Funeral services were incomplete this
afternoon at Kerley and Starks Funerla Home, St. Joseph. Mr. Orlaske was born
Aug. 14, 1921 in Sodus. He was retired as a maintenance foreman for Whirlpool
Corporation. Survivors include: his wife, the former Ellen Marcellous; one son,
Raymond Jr. of Hillsboro; two daughters-Mrs. Roger (Andrea) Dieckman of Niles
and Sue Ellen Orlakse of Hillsboro; two grandchildren; two brothers-Theodore of
Watervliet and Herman of Stevensville; and four sisters-Mrs. Lillian Bauschke
of Watervliet, Mrs. Fed (Alma) Lietz and Mrs. Olga Karstens, both of Sodus, and
Mrs. R. K. (Ruth) Evans of Benton harbor.” August 20, “Orlakse
Rites Funeral services for Raymond a. Orlaske, 61, of 716 Hickory Lane, Benton
Harbor will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Trinty Lutheran Church, St. Joseph.
Burial will be in North Shore Memory Gardens with graveside services by the
Stevensville American Legion Post 568. Friends may call beginning 7 p.m.
Saturday at Kerley and Starks Funeral Home, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made
to Berrien County Cancer Service, Berrien County Arthritis Foundation, or to
the Church.”
There was a Herman Orlaske (Jr.)
who was born on 28 Apr 1916 who died on 16 Apr 1989 and his wife, Carmelita
Orlaske who was born on 06 Jan 1916 and died on 07 Jul 2000. They are buried in
the Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville, Michigan. He was the son of Herman
and Paulina (Klann) Orlaske.
An obituary for this Herman
Orlaske was carried in the Herald Palladium on 17 Apr 1989 and it reads:
“Herman Orlaske, 72 died Sunday at his home in Stevensville. The funeral
will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph. Burial
will be in Hickory Bluff Cemetery, Stevensville. Friends may call at Kerley
& Starks Funeral Home, St. Joseph, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today.
Memorials may be made to the church or to Berrien County Cancer Service. Mr.
Orlaske was born April 28, 1916, in Benton Harbor. He retired in 1980 as
manager of the shipping and receiving department of All Phase Electric Supply,
Benton Harbor. He formerly owned Orlaske Grocery Store in Sodus. Survivors
include: his wife, the former Carmelita Griffin, whom he married June 26, 1938;
one daughter, Linda Greening of St. Joseph; one son, David of St. Joseph; four
grandchildren; and three sisters-Lillian Baushke of Riverside and Alma Leitz
and Olga Karstens, both of Sodus.”
The cemetery listing for Crystal
Springs in Benton Harbor includes:
Adolph Orlasky b. 1877 d. 26 Jan
1929 buried 31 Jan 1929
Bertha Orlasky b. 09 Jul 1877 d.
26 Jan 1943 buried 28 Jan 1943
Herman Orlaske b. 12 May 1872 d.
07 Jan 1943 buried 11 Jan 1943
Louisa Orlasky buried 29 Jul
1907
Otto Orlasky b. 21 Jun 1892 d. 22
Oct 1948 buried 25 Oct 1948
Pauline Orlaske b. 06 Jan 1878 d.
25 Dec 1942 buried 29 Dec 1942
Walter Orlaske b. 20 Aug 1902 d.
30 Mar 1972 buried 03 Apr 1972
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