|
|
|
John Adolph Leistikow, eldest son of Jan Fryderk and Luiza Leistikow, was born in 1858 in Konin, West Prussia, Poland. He immigrated in 1898 and changed his last name to Leistiko at that time. John arrived in Halifax, July 6, 1898, having travelled from Hamburg, Germany on the SS Christiania, of the Hansa Line, along with many Austrian passengers bound for Winnipeg. (The list of passengers can be viewed here.)
|
Prior to immigrating, the Leistikow’s were living on Russian land that had been deeded to the Germans. Adolph and his brother Albert were both drafted into the Russian army. Adolph served 10 years and Albert served 5. Adolph's brother Fred slipped across the Russian border to avoid being drafted.
Christina E. "Tina" Josef, daughter of George Louis and Christine (White) Josef, was born in 1875 in Warsaw, Poland. Her family emmigrated in 1897 and they changed their last name to Joseph at that time.
From Poland, Adolph and Tina both first emmigrated to Canada, and then to the United States. Adolph and Tina were married in 1898 in Havre, Montana. They then moved to Great Falls, Montana. They were listed in the 1900 census in Great Falls, along with Adolph's brother Fred and wife Augusta, his brother Albert and wife Elizabeth, his sister Mathilda and husband John Henschel, and his brother Otto and wife Mary. They then moved to Livingston, Montana, where Herman Alfred was born.
Sometime later they moved to Anaconda, Montana, where they lived the rest of their lives. Adolph worked as a machinist for the B.A.P.R.R. (Butte Anaconda Pacific Railroad). Tina was said to have been a midwife and birthed many children in the Anaconda area. She also worked many years as housekeeper and cook for the priest at St. Peter's Catholic Church.
Adolph and Tina were said to have had 15 children, but to-date, only seven have been identified. (If anyone has any information regarding the missing children of Adolph and Tina Leistiko please contact Pegge Goodwillie at nanapdo@mcn.net).
| Herman Alfred "Al" Leistiko | Born May 20, 1903 in Livingston, Montana. Al Leistiko grew up to become a smelter man for the Anaconda Company. He never left the Anaconda area and never married. He lived with his mother until his death in 1955. |
| Otto Leistiko | Otto's place of birth is unknown. There are no birth record in Anaconda and no death certificate. However he died young and is buried in Anaconda, along with two other baby brothers. |
| Adolph Leistiko | Born January 1, 1907, in Anaconda. Adolph lived for five weeks. According to his death certificate he died from cancer. He was buried with his brother Otto. |
| Earl John Leistiko | Born October 19, 1908, in Anaconda. Earl lived for just over a year. He died of pneumonia and is buried with his brothers Otto and Adolph. |
| Lediga Leistiko | Born January 3, 1910, in Anaconda. |
| Louise Pauline Leistiko | Born in 1912 in Anaconda. |
| Adolph William Leistiko | Born July 21, 1915, in Anaconda. |
After the death of Adolph, Tina remarried to John Levick, who was born in 1873 in Poland. John and Tina were married in Anaconda, Montana in 1918 and had one child together:
| Mary Alice Levick | Born in 1921. |
Back: Rose Levick (daughter of John Levick by previous marriage), Veronica Joseph and husband Rudolph (possibly brother of Tina and Sam), Alfred Leistiko (15 years old), Mr. John Levick (2nd husband of Tina), Christina “Tina” (Joseph) (Leistiko) Levick, Alfred Joseph (cousin of Tina from Canada), Augusta (Joseph) Staffen (daughter of Sam Joseph), Lena (Joseph) Walsh of Butte (daughter of Sam Joseph), Ann Phillips (neighbor of Tina's). Front: Justine and Gottlieb Joseph (parents of Alfred, 7th in back), George Louis Joseph (father of Tina and Sam and perhaps Rudolph), Samuel Joseph (father of Augusta, Lena, and Elmer), Elmer Joseph (brother of Lena and Augusta), Marie Joseph (daughter of Elmer – sitting on father’s lap) |