Generation #1

Family of Mathias Kilian and Rosalie Gandyra


Our oldest known Killian ancestor (then spelled Kilian) was Mathias (Matys) Kilian, b.1832 in Prussia (PR), d.June 13, 1884, in North Creek, Trempealeau Co., Wisconsin (NC). He married abt. 1864 in PR to Rosalie Gandyra (who was born 1842 PR, and died in 1888 at North Creek. Rosalie was the daughter of Matheas Gandyra and Agnes Ledwolorz. Her birth family will be outlined later). Mathias might have had a previous marriage to Catherine, the name given as the mother on the marriage certificate of his son Peter Jacob Killia, and his parents might have been Matthew Kilian and Marie Kulig.  On his death, court proceedings named Mathias' children as such:


Wisconsin, Wills and Probate Records, 1800-1987
Name: Matys Kilian
Probate Date: 5 Mar 1889
Probate Place: Trempealeau, Wisconsin, USA
Inferred Death Year: Abt 1889
Inferred Death Place: Wisconsin, USA
Item Description: Probate Case Files, No. 551, Cont-615, 1887-1889
NOTE - written on the Guardianship Papers is written - I do hereby consent to act as a special guardian for Hedwig Kilian, Elizabeth Kilian, Oscar Kilian, Mary Kilian, Katie Kilian and Albert Kilian, the minors named in the foregoing order and heirs of Matys Kilian decr__ in the proceedings upon the petition of Thomas Matchey administrator of the estate of the said Matys Kilian deceased for an order or judgement of fiscal? settlement and distribution of said estate, Dated August 10, 1889, signed by J.A. Rainey

Peter Jacob was of legal age at the time and was petitioning the court for control of his father's estate on behalf of his mother and siblings. The following are children known to have been born to Mathias and Rosalie:


1-Elizabeth Killian, born 1865 in Poland. She was named as an heir to her father's estate.

2-Johan Killian, poss. b.Schlakowitz, Opole, Poland in May 1865.

3-Peter Jacob Killian, born 19 May 1866, in Schalkowitz, Schlesien, Opole, Poland, and died 30 May 1928, in Weyburn, Saskatchewan.  He married 5 Aug 1890, at Arcadia, Trempealeau Co., Wisconsin to Barbara Mary Lisowski, who was born 4 Dec 1869, in Poland, and died 24 Apr 1924, in Minnesota. Barbara was the daughter of Jacob Lisowski and Mary Pipa. Follow the links to visit family page(s).

4-Hedwig (Hattie) Killian, was born in Sep 1872 in Wisconsin, and died 16 Sep 1916, in St. Paul, Alberta, the wife of Bernard (Barney) Pollom who was born 24 May 1874, in Minnesota, and died 30 April 1938, in St. Paul, Alberta. They were married on 16 Nov 1896, in Perham, Otter Tail Co., Minnesota, and after Hedwig's death, Barney remarried to Mary Lewko on 19 Feb 1917, at St. Paul, Alberta. Follow the link to visit family page.

5-Joseph Killian, born 1873 in North Creek, where he died 7 Mar 1877. Church records from Sts Peter & Paul RC Parish, Independence, Wisconsin state: Joseph Kilian died March 1877 (7) parents Mathei and Rosalia Gandera - he was 4.

6-Rochus Oscar Killian, born Aug. 04, 1876, in North Creek, where he died 22 Mar 1914.  Rochus married Victoria Pogrzeba in 1893, in North Dakota. Victoria was born 5 Oct 1877, in Germany, and she died 7 Mar 1962, in Winona, Minnesota. Follow the link to visit family page.

7-Maria Catherine Killian, born 6 Nov 1879, in North Creek, died 14 Jan 1960, in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. She married about 1902 to John Henry Benning, who was  born 1873 in Wisconsin, and died 18 Sep 1954, in Weyburn. Follow the link to visit family page.

8-Julia Killian, born 20 May 1881, in North Creek, as per church records.

9-Adalbertus (Albert) F. Killian, born 3 Apr 1883, in North Creek, died 30 Nov 1950, in Weyburn. Albert married  Mary A. Karasch, who was born  Nov 1883 in Germany, and died 9 Mar 1972, at Weyburn.  Two daughters were born to Albert and Mary, namely Annie Hatkin Killian (born 21 Mar 1916,  in Saskatchewan, died 13 Jun 1916, in Colgate, Saskatchewan), and Agnes (Aggie) Killian (born 18 Dec 1919, in Colgate, where she died 12 Feb 1920). Mary passed away with diphtheria and Agnes with pneumonia

10-Franciscus Killian, born 3 Dec 1884, in North Creek, where she died 17 Feb 1889. According to church records, Franciscus Kilian, child of Mathia and Roselia Kilian, died Feb 17, 1889 - was 5


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