Background On The Grave Marker Procurement And Biography Of World War I U. S. Army Veteran Joseph Frank Bigos (January 7, 1899 – June 4, 1946)
By Barbara Misiolek Gamble
The West Side Detroit Polish American Historical Society (WSDPAHS) has participated in the Wreaths Across America program since 2020. Each year, the Society has purchased four wreaths to be placed on graves of veterans of Polish heritage who are buried at St. Hedwig Cemetery in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. In 2021, Joseph Frank Bigos was randomly chosen to receive a wreath. Mr. David A. Zielinski, Director of Operations at St. Hedwig Cemetery, let the Society know that the gravesite was identified, but there was no headstone. That began a two-year mission to obtain a headstone for Mr. Joseph Frank Bigos.
Without his discharge papers, the Society had no luck getting a military headstone through the VA. The Society then decided to purchase a headstone. Inch Memorials in Northville was contacted to see if they had any leftover granite that could be sold at a discount. Mr. Greg Grinnell, Production Supervisor at Inch Memorials, was able to convince his boss to donate the headstone. Mr. Grinnell’s grandfather was a WWI veteran, and the vets hold a special place for him. Mr. Grinnell then contacted the Director of Operations at St. Hedwig Cemetery to see if the cemetery would be able to donate the installation of the headstone. They were happy to help!
Joseph Frank Bigos was born on January 7, 1899, the son of John Bigos and Agnes/Agatha Przebienda. (His birthdate is listed as January 9, 1899, on his death certificate, which I am assuming is a typo.) The Hungarian Civil Registration is from Miskolcz, Borsod, Hungary. It indicates his family was from Warzyce, Galicia. Warzyce is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Jasło, within Jasło County.
Joseph immigrated to the United States in December 1899 with his mother Agatha. They traveled on the SS Italia, leaving Hamburg on December 6, 1899, and arriving in New York on December 28, 1899. They were joining his father, John, who was already in the Detroit area.
John and Agatha had six known children: Joseph, Frank, Wladyslaw (Walter), Ludwig, Mary, and Peter. Joseph was the only child born outside of the USA. Frank was born in 1901. Wladyslaw was born in 1905 and died in Detroit on January 10, 1918. Ludwig might have been Wladyslaw’s twin, as both were born in 1905. Ludwig died in Detroit on October 30, 1919. Both are buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan. Mary was born in 1906 and Peter in 1908.
Joseph is listed with his parents and siblings at 44 Goldner Street in Detroit on the 1910 Federal census. Paul Wrona was a boarder in John and Agatha’s home and appears on the 1910 Federal census with them.
Joseph’s father passed away on June 14, 1910, at age 36, and is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery. Six months after John’s death, on January 31, 1911, Agatha and Paul Wrona were married at St. Hedwig Church in Detroit.
Agatha and Paul were still at 44 Goldner Street in Detroit on the 1920 Federal census. Agatha and Paul have three children together, who are listed on this Federal census. Boleslaw (William) was born in 1912, Stanley was born in 1915, and Frances was born in 1916. Joseph, Frank, Mary, and Peter also reside here.
By 1930, the Bigos/Wrona family has split up—Agatha and Paul, with the children from their union, move to Pulaski, Presque Isle, Michigan, where Paul was a farmer. Joseph, now 31, is listed at 3364 Goldner Street in Detroit on the 1930 Federal census. He is a renter along with his youngest brother Peter, now 21 years of age. Brother Frank was married in 1925 and is listed with his wife and children at 3345 Goldner Street in Detroit on the 1930 Federal census. Joseph’s sister Mary is listed with her husband and daughter at 4555 Wesson Avenue on the 1930 Federal census.
At the age of eighteen, Joseph enlisted in the United States Army on May 25, 1917. His WWI Service Card indicates he went to a military post known today as Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio. Initially he was assigned to Troop C 25 Cavalry until November 1917. Then, he was assigned to Battery “B” 83rd Field Artillery, 8th Division. His WWI Service Card indicates he served overseas from October 28, 1918, to January 18, 1919. He was sent overseas on the ship SS Mongolia on October 28, 1918. He received no wounds or other injuries while in action. He was honorably discharged on February 17, 1919.
On the 1920 Federal census, Joseph reports that he works at an auto factory. In 1930, he reports he is a merchant at a radio store.
According to the 1930 City Directory for Detroit, it indicates he works at Aviation Radio Store. The store was located at 10634 W. Warren Ave. near Pinehurst in an area now known as Dearborn.
I have not been able to find Joseph in the 1940 Federal census.
On February 16, 1942, Joseph registers for the service at the office on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. He is now 43 years of age living at 7437 Pinehurst in Dearborn, Michigan. He appears to be living with his brother Frank, as Frank is listed as next of kin on the registration card with the same address. At some point prior to 1942, Joseph had to have his leg amputated.
Joseph’s Petition for Naturalization was on May 24, 1940, at the District Court in Detroit. He lists his occupation as an inspector. He has never been married or had any children, per his petition. Joseph Ziaja, of 3310 Goldner, and Joseph Szerlag, of 3357 Goldner, are listed as his witnesses on his application. Joseph takes his “Oath of Allegiance” on November 4, 1942.
Joseph Frank Bigos died on June 4, 1946, at the Veterans Administration hospital in Allen Park. The VA hospital was always visible when driving on Southfield Freeway near Outer Drive. He had been at the hospital for 120 days. His last place of residence is listed as 18787 Pinehurst in Dearborn. His occupation is listed as an inspector at Ford Motor Company. He is buried in St. Hedwig Cemetery in the old section, Section i, Lot 2, grave 287.
I am so grateful to both Inch Memorials and St. Hedwig Cemetery for the part they both played in my “mission.” In conclusion, I would like to quote the Mission Statement from Wreaths Across America:
Remember the fallen.
Honor those who serve.
Teach the next generation the value of freedom.
Thank you, Joseph Frank Bigos, for your service.
