A COLLECTION OF DOCUMENTS, STORIES AND PHOTOS

COMING TO AMERICA

MARTIN SCHLEISS, SS CARONIA, 1912   Martin Schleiss sailed on the SS Caronia, leaving Liverpool, England on April 20, 1912 and arriving in New York on April 29, 1912. He was 17, single and a laborer. He could read and write. Nationality: German. Last residence and birthplace was Gorjan, Croatia. Closest kin in Gorjan was father Jakob Schleiss. Traveling to Akron, Ohio to stay with uncle Johann Gajer. Paid for his own ship's passage, has $30 on him. Brown hair, grey eyes, 5'6". Click to enlarge MARIA WILLIG, SS ARGENTINA, 1909   Maria Willig and her brother, Stefan Willig, sailed on the SS Argentina, leaving Triesta and arriving in New York on March 26, 1909. Maria 16, Stefan 13. Stefan could read and write, Maria could not. Both listed occupation as laborer. Nationality: German. Last residence and birthplace was Sotin, Hungary. Closest kin in Sotin was grandmother Julianna Schatz (sp?). Destination is Aultman, Ohio to be with father Anton Willig. Their father paid for the passage; they each have $12 on them. First time in the U.S. Click to enlarge For the entire ship manifests, visit EllisIsland.org and search "Martin Schleiss" and "Maria Willig".

GETTING MARRIED

Click to enlarge Marriage License Application, Probate Court, Summit County, Ohio      In the matter of Mike Schlais and Meri Villig, the undersigned respectfully make application for a Marriage License for said parties and upon oath state... That said Mike Schlais is 22 years of age on the 29 day of October, 1913; his residence is Green Tp, Summit Co., Ohio; his place of birth is Gorjan, Austria-Hungary; his occupation is Laborer; his father's name is Jacob Schlais; his mother's maiden name was Katie Weiner; that he was not previously married and that he has no wife living. That said Meri Villig is 20 years of age on the 4 day of August, 1913; her residence is Green Township, Summit County, O.; her place of birth is Sotin, Austria-Hungary; her occupation is housework; her father's name is Anton Villig; her mother's maiden name was Clara Kovach; that she was not previously married and is not a widow or divorced woman and she has no husband living.      That neither of said parties is an habitual drunkard, epileptic, imbecile or insane, and is not under the influence of any intoxicating liquor or narcotic drug; said parties are not nearer of kin than second cousins, and there is no legal impediment to their marriage; it is expected that Rev. J.B. Broun is to solemnize the marriage of said parties.      Sworn to before me and signed in my presence, this 3rd day of February, 1914. Marriage License was this day granted to Mike Schlais and Meri Villig. Signed by O.E. Lytle, Probate Judge, and Ross R. Garman, Deputy Clerk.      Marriage Certificate: I do hereby certify that on the 14 day of Feb. A.D. 1914, I solemnized the marriage of Mr. Mike Schlais with Miss Meri Villig. Signed by J.B. Broun, St. Bernard's. Filed and recorded Feb. 19, 1914 by O.E. Lytle, Probate Judge. No. 16801.

RAISING A FAMILY

1920 U.S. Census Anton Willig,57, living in Green Township, Summit County, arrived in U.S. in 1902, naturalized in 1914, can read and write, born in Slavonia. laborer at clay works. Clara Willig (wife), 52, arrived in U.S. in 1904, naturalized in 1914, can read and write, born in Slavonia. Martin Schleis (son in law), 24, married, arrived in U.S. in 1912 , can read and write, born in Slavonia, laborer at clay works. Mary Schleis (daughter), 27, married, arrived in U.S. in 1909, can read and write, born in Slavonia. Catherine (granddaughter), 5, attends school, born in Ohio. Magdalene (granddaughter), 4, born in Ohio. Anton Herman (grandson), 1, born in Ohio.   Martin and Maria, with Kathryn, Magdalena and Tony in 1920. 1930 U.S. Census Martin Schleis, 35, born in Yugoslavia, living in Aultman Village, Lake Twp., Stark County, Ohio, employed as a kiln setter in a tile factory, immigrated in 1912. Maria Schleis (wife), 39, born in Yugoslavia, homemaker, immigrated in 1908. Katheryn (daughter), 15, attends school, born Ohio. Magdalene (daughter), 14, attends school, born Ohio. Anthony (son), 11, attends school, born Ohio. Martin Jr. (son), 9, attends school, born Ohio. Clara (daughter), 7, attends school, born Ohio. Steve (son), 4, not in school, born Ohio. Lawrence (son), 1, not in school, born Ohio.

BECOMING A CITIZEN

Declaration of Intent State of Ohio, in the Common Please Court of Stark County, Canton, Ohio        I, Martin Schleis, now residing at R.F.D. No. 6 North Canton (Aultman) Stark Ohio, occupation steel worker, aged 41 years, do declare on oath that my personal description is (sex) male, (color) white, (complexion) dark, (color of eyes) brown, (color of hair) brown, (height) 5'8", (weight) 188 pounds; (visible distinctive marks) scar on the nose, (race) German; (nationality) Yugoslavia.      I was born in Gorjani, Yugoslavia on October 29, 1896. I am married. The name of my wife is Maria. We were married on Feb. 14, 1914 at Akron, Ohio. She was born at Sotin, Yugoslavia on Aug. 4, 1893, entered the United States at New York, N.Y. on March 29th, 1909 for permanent residence therein, and now resides at above address, Aultman, O.      I have nine children, and the name, date and place of birth and place of residence of each said children are as follows: Katharina 10/19/14, Magdaline 11/5/15, Anthony 12/10/18, Martin 1/21/21, Clara 3/2/23, Stephen 7/9/25, Lawrence 8/19/27, Mary Anne 6/22/31, Frank 2/2/33, all born in Aultman Ohio. First two now living in Barberton, O; last seven now living in Aultman, Ohio.      I heretofore make a declaration of intention: Number 11713 on Nov. 30, 1920 at Akron, Ohio Common Please, my last foreign residence was Gorjani, Yugoslavia. I emigrated to the United States of America from Liverpool, England, my lawful entry for permanent residence in the United States was at New York, N.Y. under the name of Martin Schleiss on April 28th, 1912 on the vessel SS Caronia.     I will, before being admitted to citizenship, renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and particularly to the prince, potentate, state or sovereignty of which I may be at the time of admission a citizen or subject. I am not an anarchist. I am not a polygamist, nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. And it is my intention in good faith to become a good citizen of the United States of America and to reside permanently therein; and I certify that the photograph affixed to the duplicate and triplicate hereof is a likeness of me. SO HELP ME GOD. Signed: Martin Schleis.      Filed and sworn to before me in the office of the Clerk of said Court at Canton, Ohio, this 25th day of April, A.D. 1938. Certification No. 7 95305 from the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization showing the lawful entry of the declarant for permanent residency on the date stated above has been received by me. The photograph affixed to the duplicate and triplicate hereof is a likeness of the defendant. Signed: C. Frank Sherrard, Clerk of the Common Pleas Court. Petition for Naturalization To the honorable Common Pleas Court of Carroll County at Carrollton, Ohio. The petition of Mr. Martin Schleis, hereby filed, respectfully shows: My place of residence is Malvern, Carroll County, Ohio. My occupation is kiln fireman. I was born in Gorjani, Juga Slavia on October 29, 1896 and my race is German. I declared my intention to become a citizen of the United States on April 26, 1938 in the Common Pleas Court of Carroll County, Ohio at Carrollton, Ohio. I am married. The name of my wife is Maria Schleis. We were married on February 14, 1914 at Akron, Ohio. She was born in Sotin, Jugo Slavia on August 4, 1892 and entered the United States at New York, N.Y. on 1909 for permanent residence therein and now resides at Malvern, Ohio. I have nine children, and the name, date and place of birth and place of residence of each said children are as follows: Kathrine 10/19/14, Magdaline 11/5/15, Anthony 12/10/18, Martin 1/21/21, Clara 3/2/23, Stephen 7/9/25, Lawrence 8/19/27, MaryAnnie 6/22/31, Frank 2/2/33, all born in Aultman Ohio. All now reside in Malvern, Ohio. My last foreign residence was Gorjani, Jugo Slavia. I emigrated to the United States of America from Liverpool, England. My lawful entry for permanent residence in the United States was at New York, N.Y. under the name Schleiss Martin on April 28, 1912 on the vessel S.S. Carinia. Affidavits of Witnesses: Emmet Koontz, occupation framer, Malvern, Ohio, and Clarence E. Reed, occupation laborer, Malvern, Ohio. Signed on the 30th day of August, A.D. 1940. (There is more text that is illegible on my copy.)

PICTURE THIS

Click on a picture to enlarge it. Martin, Frank, Tony Lawrence, Stephen 1933 1940 outing Nelsons Ledges Portage County Surrounded by grandkids, 1944 Martin and Maria's home in Aultman, circa 1930s Tony, Clara, Maria, Martin, Frank, Maryanne @1945 All grown up: Eight of nine kids, 1950s

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LEAVING A LEGACY

Martin Schleis Died January 19, 1976      Martin Schleis, 79, died Monday morning at the Nist Geriatric Nursing Home. He was born in Yugoslavia and had been a resident of the United States since 1911. He formerly resided in Aultman, O. He retired from the NACO Co. in 1961, where he was a kiln fireman for 25 years. He was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church of North Canton.    He is survived by five sons, Anthony, of North Canton; Martin, of Cleveland; Frank, of Greentown; Steve, of Barberton; and Lawrence, of Louisville; three daughters, Mrs. Paul (Magdolene) Sigmund, of E. Sparta; Mrs. Maynard (Clara) Rohrer, of North Canton; and Mrs. James (Maryanne) Price, Tampa, Fla; 33 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; five step-grandchildren; four great-step-grandchildren. He was preceeded in death by a son, Jacob, and a daughter, Kathryn Sigmund, and wife, Maria, in 1970.    Mass of Christian Burial will be in St. Paul's Catholic Church, North Canton, on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Sunset Hills Burial Park, Canton. Funeral Home Tuesday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. (Button, Greentown.)   ***   Maria Schleis Died Nov. 21, 1970      Services for Maria M. Schleis, 76, an Altman resident for 59 years, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul's Catholic Church, North Canton. Burial will be in Sunset Hills cemetery, Canton.    Mrs. Schleis died Saturday at Akron General Hospital after a long illness. Born in Yugoslavia, she came to the United States in 1911. Because of illness, she recently moved to her daughter's home at 462 Newell Ave., Akron. She was a member of St. Paul's Church.    Mrs. Schleis leaves her husband, Martin; five sons, Anthony and Martin, North Canton; Frank, Greentown; Steve, Barberton; and Lawrence, Altman; three daughters, Mrs. Paul Sigmund, East Sparta; Mrs. Maynard Rohrer, North Canton; and Mrs. James Price, Akron; a brother, Stephen Willig, Akron; 31 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.    Friends may call at Button funeral home, Greentown, from 7 to 9 tonight.    (These texts are as they appeared in local newspapers.)     Sunset Hills Burial Park, Canton, Ohio Maria's death certificate Click to enlarge