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Peplin, Settlement of

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Author:
Mary Moltzan

Location:
T. 27 N. - R. 7 E., Sec. 25 & 36, Township of Kronenwetter

Founded:
c1910

Background:

In 1910, the Worzella brothers, John, Tony and Steven, bought over 26,000 acres of land and decided to build a Polish community by the name of Pelpin. The name was later changed to Peplin. This area includes land around the intersection of State Hwy. 153 and CTH X,   Peplin Rd., 16th Rd., South Road, North Rd., and Pioneer Rd.  They constructed a sawmill on the corner, as well as a store, office, blacksmith shop and living quarters for the workers. They mailed out brochures printed in Polish describing this area to all major cities in the U. S. They also put ads in all the Polish-language newspapers in these cities. The brochures included pictures of beautiful farms with buildings and livestock to entice the Polish people to come; and come they did. Among the first were Vince Ruzga, Albert Wonsil and Alex Dyda. The Worzella brothers built homes for the settlers starting from $350.00 for a three room house and $450.00 for a five room house.

Churches:

See Kronenwetter Township.

Schools:

See Kronenwetter Township.

Business:

The Worzella  brothers had a big barn for horses, and the second floor had a hall where dances were held. After the Worzella brothers left Peplin, they sold the grocery store to Mrs. Mike Koziol, who sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Vince Chruscicki.  Mr. Chruscicki built the Peplin Hall in 1928.

In 1928, Mr. Albert Wonsil constructed a tavern and garage/service station on the corner of Hwy. 153 and Hwy. X. He operated it until his death in 1936.

Mrs. Victoria Bejgrowicz built a grocery store on Hwy. 153 in 1917. She operated it until 1921.

See Background

Industry:

The Worzella brothers' blacksmith shop was operated by Marcel Baranowski until 1917, the same year that the sawmill ceased operation. He then opened a shop west of CTH X near Hwy. 51 until 1930.

Mr. Paul Kluz operated a blacksmith shop in 1919 on the corner of North and Pioneer Rds. and went out of business in 1926.

John Kaczmarcxyk operated a small sawmill on Hwy. 153 east of X. A group of neighbors helped him pay for the sawmill as they needed the lumber to construct their buildings. The mill ceased operation in 1930.

The first cheese factory was built by Edwin Emmerich in 1908 on the corner of Hwy. 153 and Old Hwy. 51.

In 1918, land was granted for a cheese factory on the corner of Hwy. X and Pine Rd. It  was built by W. A. Phaef. The farmers from that area donated the labor and materials to build the grocery store next to the cheese factory. Mr. Phaef operated the cheese factory and grocery store until 1926.

See Background